Chapter 115: Even Scoundrels Have Standards (Part 3)

Just as Kang Ning was about to start the Jeep, four trendy young men and women walked past the vehicle, chatting animatedly. For some reason, they slowed down and began to talk in loud, excited voices, forcing Kang Ning to wait patiently for them to pass.

"How pitiful!" the tall one said. "To get beaten up at Third Brother's place—that was all for nothing!"

"What are you pitying?" the short youth retorted dismissively. "I was sitting on the side watching those three brats the whole time. They looked so unrefined yet acted so arrogant! In my opinion, whether they were the ones doing the hitting or the ones getting hit, they’re all just punks. They deserved it!"

A girl with dyed red hair spoke up loudly, "True, they’re all punks, but even among punks, there are different classes. Everything has levels and layers these days, even being a punk requires a certain level of sophistication! Ha!"

The four burst into laughter, continuing their chatter as they walked toward a car parked nearby.

Inside the Jeep, Kang Ning and Shuyi heard every word clearly. Kang Ning looked at the astonished Shuyi and grinned broadly. Seeing her glance at him with a hint of annoyance, he shifted the car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot.

"Are you hungry? I noticed you didn’t really eat anything all night," Kang Ning asked thoughtfully.

Shuyi smiled and shook her head. "I'm not hungry! As long as I'm with Brother Xiaohua, I'm not hungry."

Kang Ning still stopped in front of a bakery, pulled Shuyi out of the car to buy a miniature cake and a small box of muffins, and then drove her back.

After parking and locking the garage, Kang Ning walked Shuyi to the base of her building. "Did you have a good time today?"

"It was wonderful! I haven't been this happy in so many years. Brother Xiaohua, my heart feels so joyful and blessed." Shuyi naturally wrapped her arm around Kang Ning’s, lingering even after they stopped walking.

Kang Ning playfully tapped her on the nose. "As long as you're happy. Alright, I've seen you home, so I should head back now. Go on up!"

Shuyi looked at him with disappointment. She took the bag he handed her, lowered her head, and stood still. Seeing this, Kang Ning stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders, gently urging her, "Go get some rest, you’re tired. Tomorrow I’ll take you home for a visit so your mother can be happy too, okay?"

"Mm," Shuyi replied softly. She moved her long legs with reluctance, but as she stepped onto the third stair, she suddenly turned back, looking at him with eyes brimming with tears.

"What’s wrong?" Kang Ning, who had been watching her leave, stepped forward with concern.

Shuyi could no longer suppress her surging emotions. She dropped the bag and threw herself into Kang Ning’s arms, sobbing as she pleaded, "Brother Xiaohua... please don't go, okay? I don't want you to leave..."

Kang Ning held her tightly, his own heart pounding. He wiped away her tears, picked up the bags from the ground, and guided her upstairs. Once inside, he placed the bags on the square table and poured her a glass of water. "Drink this, then take a bath. Let’s calm down and talk properly afterward."

Shuyi finished the water and set the glass down. "You promise not to lie to me? What if you leave while I'm in the bath?"

Kang Ning smiled faintly. "You don't trust your big brother that much? Go on, you're acting like a child."

"I'm not a child! I turned eighteen the day you took me home," she pouted unhappily.

Kang Ning thought to himself, *This is trouble.* That parting kiss the other night might have been her first! His heart stirred, and he promised tenderly, "Alright, alright. Our young lady should go take a bath. I’ll wait right here for you. I won’t go anywhere."

Shuyi ran into the bedroom happily. She grabbed her nightgown and rushed into the bathroom, her face flushed, and locked the door. Kang Ning shook his head and checked his phone. It was 11:40 PM. After a moment of thought, he made a quick call home to explain his whereabouts.

Shortly after he hung up, Shuyi opened the bathroom door, shyly wearing only a white floral nightgown. Her delicate frame and soft curves were faintly visible. Her face was flushed with shyness and an inexplicable excitement. She sat beside Kang Ning and looked up at him with expectant, watery eyes. A faint, maidenly fragrance wafted toward him, leaving the stunned Kang Ning feeling dizzy and nearly causing him to have a nosebleed.

"Brother Xiaohua, you... you should go wash up too. You’re all smelly. I... I won't talk to you." She lowered her head to look at her toes.

Kang Ning finally understood exactly what was on her mind. He suppressed his impulses and asked with a smile, "Little girl, do you know the consequences of what you're doing?"

Shuyi didn't answer, just kept rubbing her fair, beautiful feet against each other.

After a long silence, Kang Ning finally managed to quell his excitement and desire. He sighed and said calmly, "Shuyi, you are a good girl. A beautiful girl with so much talent. If you give yourself to me tonight, or rather, if I take you, it may leave an unhealable scar on your soul. It could have a huge impact on your future and your life. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Shuyi whispered, her voice barely audible.

Kang Ning stood up. "I'm going home now. I’ll come pick you up at nine tomorrow morning. Get a good night's sleep."

He turned to leave, knowing that if he stayed, he wouldn't be able to suppress his growing desire for this ethereal, innocent girl. But before he could reach