Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss-Chapter 630 - 604: Baiting and Casting the Net

"Xiaocha, do you want to have dinner together after the group meeting? I’ll treat you to hotpot." After the meeting, Qian warmly invited Lv Xiaocha.

The voice was just the right volume, not too loud nor too quiet, just enough for everyone in the group, including Mr. Liu, who hadn’t left yet, to hear.

"Why didn’t you invite me?" Mr. Liu asked curiously.

He wondered what was going on with Qian. It was the first time he saw her being so friendly with other students in public.

"I wouldn’t invite you. I don’t want people saying I’m cozying up to the big boss, right, senior sister?" Qian chatted with Mr. Liu without any formality, making jokes freely.

The person she pointed out, La Ju Hua, nodded in fright. If it weren’t for the group meeting’s obligation, she would have avoided Qian.

She regretted it so much, wondering why she had been so bold and taunted the person she shouldn’t have while drunk yesterday. Alcohol can really mess with your judgment.

Qian had such a close relationship with the big boss; what if she made it so that I couldn’t graduate?

After scaring La Ju Hua, Qian affectionately said to Lv Xiaocha, "Come on, Xiaocha."

Mr. Liu shook his head as he watched her leave. He thought she would throw a tantrum and refuse to go. Seems like Qian has figured it out.

At Hai Zhao’s hotpot restaurant, Qian brought Lv Xiaocha to a private room reserved especially for her by Hai Zhao. Lv Xiaocha was full of admiration for Qian.

"Boss Qian, it’s quite expensive here, right? And how did you manage to get a reservation?"

Even though the hotpot restaurant had just opened, it was often fully booked. This kind of private room was generally hard to reserve.

"It’s my friend’s restaurant, so I always have a reserved spot whenever I come in. Feel free to order whatever you want, Xiaocha."

"Boss Qian, why did you suddenly treat me to dinner?" Lv Xiaocha was still anxious about yesterday’s incident.

She was very afraid that Qian would retaliate against her.

"We had a misunderstanding yesterday; I was worried it would leave you with a psychological shadow. We’re all classmates, and you’ve always been—" Qian paused, "very special."

The last three words were pronounced heavily. Even though the air conditioner was on, Lv Xiaocha felt cold sweat all over.

The relationship between her and Qian now felt a bit like cat and mouse.

Qian was the elegant cat with the mouse firmly under its paw, leisurely teasing Lv Xiaocha, the mouse. Qian could release her if she wanted to or put pressure on her if she didn’t, and this ambiguous feeling of being neither friends nor foes caused significant psychological pressure on Lv Xiaocha.

And Qian, seeing Lv Xiaocha’s tense reaction, calmly picked up a piece of meat for her.

"Here, eat more, no need to be nervous. Actually, I have good news today, and I didn’t know who to share it with, so I invited you over to find someone to celebrate with."

"Good news?"

"Yes, the big boss recommended me to a very impressive doctoral advisor, so I’m really happy to share it with you."

Lv Xiaocha’s chopsticks almost fell on the table as she looked at Qian in surprise.

"Weren’t you already guaranteed a place for your PhD?"

Mr. Liu is already a domestic authority. Everyone thought with Qian’s relationship with Mr. Liu, she would follow him for her doctorate. This was also why people envied Qian.

Unexpectedly, she’s not going with Mr. Liu for her PhD?!

"Yes, but the professor thinks Mr. Qio is more suitable for me. He’s a returnee with great prestige in the international psychology academic circle. You’re in this field too, so you should know the impact a good doctoral advisor can have on your future career planning. I might really prosper because I’m following Mr. Qio."

Lv Xiaocha suddenly found the meat in her mouth tasteless.

Qian pretended not to see her lackluster expression and continued to provoke her.

"I hear this doctoral advisor is super impressive, based in the south, often dealing with very significant cases. Following him, I’m sure I’ll reach a whole new level. I’m grateful to my teacher for being so good to me. You know, the spots are limited. There are only 1 or 2 spots nationwide. If you were like this—sorry, I don’t mean to look down on you."

Qian said with little sincerity.

Lv Xiaocha forced a silly, sweet smile, "No worries, you’re telling the truth."

"What I mean is, ordinary students wouldn’t get this opportunity. Think about it, with so many people taking the doctoral exam nationwide, who wouldn’t want to affiliate with an international authority? Mr. Qio is incredible. He was a professor at a university ranked in the top three worldwide before—who knows why he returned home, but it gives me this chance. By affiliating with him, I’ll gain both prestige and fortune with a bright future ahead, and maybe even bring my whole family to get green cards and live with Uncle Sam."

Qian found her own words amusing.

She had no intention of going abroad; if Yu Xiaoqiang heard her remarks just now, he might tie her to the bed, giving her a heartfelt lecture on patriotism and a thorough session of love education.

Thinking of this, Qian’s face reddened slightly. Cough, cough, get serious, just casting the bait here.

The flush on her face was actually due to a somewhat lascivious thought in her mind. To Lv Xiaocha, it appeared as if her face was red from immense excitement.

Lv Xiaocha’s grip on her chopsticks tightened as it became harder for her to continue smiling, yet she forced a smile.

"Congratulations, Boss Qian, I’m really happy for you."

Why do all the good things happen to Chen Xiaoqian? Lv Xiaocha had pondered this question more than once.

Noticing the emotion in her eyes, Qian used her teacup to conceal the disdain in her own eyes and continued to embellish her words.

"Actually, I know my classmates at school gossip about me a lot, saying my boyfriend comes from a very influential family, and I’m just a kid from an ordinary family. His family’s not really supportive of our relationship..."

Sorry, future father-in-law who often plays chess and drinks tea together, future mother-in-law who always pampers her with delicious food. The above wasn’t genuine—just for fishing~! Qian added in her heart.

"Huh?" Lv Xiaocha didn’t expect the mysterious Meiwei to share such private matters with her.

"So, as long as I can connect with Mr. Qio, I’ll have fame and fortune in the future. Not only can I get a green card, but I can also gain recognition from my future in-laws, and this opportunity is my ticket to the top of life. Ah, I’m so happy; no one to share it with. But I’m a little nervous, not sure if I can successfully apply..."

"The big boss has always been fond of you, with her recommendation, it shouldn’t be a problem," Lv Xiaocha said insincerely.

"That’s also true. Oh, by the way! The professor told me to send the materials to Mr. Qio this afternoon, but my internet at home is being serviced. I don’t feel comfortable doing something so important at an internet cafe. Is it convenient for me to use your dorm? Please~"

"Come on, you’re welcome." Actually, Lv Xiaocha secretly hoped Qian wouldn’t succeed, but she couldn’t bring herself to show it and could only say insincerely.

Qian saw that it was about time and added the crucial psychological suggestion, "The fate of my life, whether it will soar or plummet, is all in your hands. Please!"

Lv Xiaocha froze, feeling as if something in her heart was stirred.

Seeing her expression, Qian smiled slightly to herself; from her experience, the fish had taken the bait.