Chapter 297 - 264: Lin Ruoxi’s Threat

The two of them passed through security smoothly and entered the waiting room. Xue Rui glanced up at the ceiling. It was a semi-open roof with no air conditioning, only dilapidated ceiling fans. The room was just as stuffy and hot as it was outside. To top it all off, people were smoking in the waiting room, and he barely saw any staff around...

’Like a fucking wet market!’

He thought, ’This dump of a station could give Chang’an Railway Station a run for its money. They both look like they were decorated in the last century.’

Besides, the place didn’t look like it would have a VIP lounge, so Xue Rui and Lin Ruoxi found a spot near the boarding gate and sat down.

It was neither a public holiday nor the start of the university semester, so there weren’t many people in the waiting room.

The girl sat on a chair organizing their luggage. Strands of hair, damp from the stuffy weather, clung to her cheeks, making her look all the more captivating.

Xue Rui reached out to wipe the sweat from the girl’s face, but she just rummaged around in her large tote bag and, to his surprise, pulled out a small, handheld electric fan and started fanning him.

Xue Rui snatched the small fan from Lin Ruoxi’s hand and held it up to cool her instead.

Lin Ruoxi was the one who’d done all the heavy lifting on their journey, yet her first thought was to cool him down. He couldn’t accept being pampered by her like this.

The girl’s face lit up with a happy smile. Xue Rui was fanning her!

After enjoying it for a moment, she spoke up tentatively, "Rui... you said you’d listen to me today."

"Yeah, I’ll listen to you," Xue Rui said.

"Give it to me. It’s my turn to fan you. N-No refusing," Lin Ruoxi said, her tone taking on a hint of firmness.

Lin Ruoxi’s brows furrowed slightly, but her almond-shaped eyes were filled with tenderness.

Xue Rui stifled a laugh. ’She’s so adorable right now,’ he thought. ’Trying to act all fierce with me... it’s as convincing as a child’s bluff.’

"I’m just not going to listen to you. What can you do about it?" Xue Rui said with a grin, still fanning the girl.

"Uhm... I... I can’t do anything," the girl murmured, looking both timid and obedient.

Xue Rui flicked her forehead lightly. "I broke the rule, so why are you still indulging me? You’re practically forcing me to misbehave."

Lin Ruoxi seemed dazed for a moment. She suddenly didn’t know what to do to make Xue Rui happy, and she grew so anxious and flustered that tears began to well in her beautiful almond-shaped eyes.

Seeing that he had teased the girl to tears, Xue Rui’s heart instantly softened. He said gently, "Xixi, you can do whatever you want. You’re my girlfriend—that comes with a lot of power."

The girl lowered her head, pressing her lips together to hide a smile. She had discovered Xue Rui’s weakness: he would do whatever she wanted when she started to cry.

Lin Ruoxi wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She frowned and threatened, "Rui, if you don’t behave, I... I’ll..."

Xue Rui stared wide-eyed at Lin Ruoxi. ’She actually knows how to threaten someone?’ But with that silly look on her face, she didn’t seem angry in the slightest. It was obviously just a playful pout.

"You’ll do what?" Xue Rui asked, curious.

"Uhm, I’ll cry for you," Lin Ruoxi said earnestly.

’What kind of deterrent is a threat like that?’ Xue Rui thought.

He joked, "Alright then, cry for me now. Let’s see it."

"Okay." The girl nodded obediently. She took a deep breath, and her eyes instantly reddened as a single, clear tear slid from the corner of her eye.

Xue Rui’s scalp tingled. The girl was too obedient—she really cried on command.

And this was the one thing he couldn’t stand to see!

He had to admit, her threat was actually pretty terrifying...

He hurriedly pulled the girl into a hug, patting her back gently. In a tone one would use to soothe a child, he said, "Xixi, don’t cry, okay?"

"Okay," Lin Ruoxi said with a smile.

The other passengers waiting for the train nearby looked completely exasperated. They were all cursing Xue Rui out in their heads.

The damn weather was already scorching, and now here was this impossibly beautiful woman. That vivid splash of lipstick seemed to make the stuffy waiting room even hotter...

And to top it off, this young couple had to be flirting right now, and the cloyingly sweet atmosphere was making everyone uncomfortable...

Some people grabbed their luggage and moved further away. Others got up, lit a cigarette, and paced around nearby.

But they all had one thing in common: they all shot Xue Rui an indignant glare.

After all, Xue Rui was the real culprit! That girl looked like the cold, aloof type. She would only act like such an obedient little thing in front of the man she loved.

"Rui, why are they glaring at you?" Lin Ruoxi asked, looking displeased. She didn’t like the hostile way they were staring at Xue Rui.

Xue Rui whispered, "They’re jealous that I have a girlfriend as beautiful as you. Let them be jealous. I’m actually pretty happy about it."

The corners of Lin Ruoxi’s eyes crinkled into a smile when she heard the word "girlfriend." She used to dislike being beautiful because it always attracted unwanted trouble.

But things were different now. She was delighted by her own beauty, because Xue Rui liked it.

...

Soon, it was time to have their tickets checked and board the train.

Both of them were carrying several bags. They supported each other, walking slowly and leisurely along the platform toward the front of the train, Lin Ruoxi’s eyes fixed on the carriages.

When they reached the soft-sleeper car, the attendant checking tickets noticed Xue Rui was wearing slippers, his foot wrapped in gauze. Seeing he was clearly an injured passenger with limited mobility, she hurried forward to help with their bags.

"Thank you." Lin Ruoxi handed their bags to the attendant and then helped Xue Rui board the train.

"You’re a lucky man, young fellow. Your girlfriend is so sweet," the attendant teased.

"No, I’m the lucky one for getting to meet Xue Rui," Lin Ruoxi said earnestly. She felt that meeting him was the greatest blessing of all. ’Why doesn’t anyone ever praise him more?’

The female attendant froze for a second. She hadn’t expected such a reply from Lin Ruoxi.