Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chapter 856 - 830: Letting Myself Loose

Chen Xiaoqian’s decision elicited different reactions from the two professors. Mr. Qio was full of interest and excitement, while Mr. Liu was filled with worry.

"Since their target is me, I’ll face the challenge head-on. Don’t they want me to participate? Then I’ll participate. This competition is organized by authoritative departments. Even if they have some connections, it’s not big enough to cover the sky with one hand. Their ultimate goal is nothing more than to put me in front of the public through live TV broadcast, give me tough questions, and wait to see me embarrass myself. Then they can ride the wave of opinion through this competition."

If Chen Xiaoqian doesn’t perform well, these people can leverage media hype, dig up a few cases of hers from the past, and stir the pot. Chen Xiaoqian can imagine the headlines.

The unseen secrets behind exorbitant medical fees.

Disorder in the psychological consultation market, consultants charging excessively.

The shocking truth nationwide behind expensive psychological consultations!

The onlookers don’t understand the professional nuances. Even if they give Chen Xiaoqian particularly difficult problems, outsiders won’t get it. They’ll just see her failing and randomly use the media to stir up more trouble, blocking Chen Xiaoqian’s future career development.

These people think they’ve crafted a flawless plan, but Chen Xiaoqian has already seen through it all.

"You know they have bad intentions, yet you’re still voluntarily stepping into it?" Mr. Liu was now unable to understand Chen Xiaoqian. She grew more confident as she got older.

"Fishing always needs bait. If they dare to treat me as a fish, they shouldn’t blame me for eating the bait and running away! Several years ago, I, Chen Xiaoqian, could already use television media as my advertisement channel, and I still can now! A competition of this level must at least be broadcast locally or on CCTV’s lifestyle channel, right? If they dare to set the stage for me, I’m ready to go all out!"

She was worrying about how to increase her visibility, and this opportunity delivered right to her doorstep—how could Chen Xiaoqian possibly not seize it!

Before Mr. Liu could react, Qio Yu Xuan burst into a laugh.

"Great! Well done!"

Rather than struggling on death’s bed, burning bright was more to Chen Xiaoqian’s thoughts, aligning perfectly with Qio Yu Xuan. This kind of boldness made Mr. Qio even more fond of Chen Xiaoqian, seeing in her the reflection of his younger self.

Chen Xiaoqian’s mouth twitched; she almost forgot this guy.

"About you—"

Mr. Qio interrupted Chen Xiaoqian.

"Let’s discuss our matters after you finish the competition. Liu, when does this competition start?"

"In four days." Mr. Liu was still rather concerned about his beloved student.

The time was so tight, hardly giving Chen Xiaoqian any time to prepare.

"It’s still enough time."

What Chen Xiaoqian meant by still enough time included all the time with Xiaoqiang.

Focusing on therapeutic beauty sleep the day after tomorrow, going for a massage in the evening to reenergize—more than enough time to get ready.

As for pre-competition review... In the dictionary of top students, there is no such word as review.

"Don’t go back tonight; come to my place, and I’ll give you some temporary assignments. Sharpening your skills before battle doesn’t make you faster but it still makes you sharper." Although he knew his student had great abilities, Mr. Liu clearly wanted to give Chen Xiaoqian some extra training given the trap they prepared.

Chen Xiaoqian was already planning her evening with Xiaoqiang in her mind.

"Teacher, it’s too late to sharpen the skills now; you’d just end up wearing them out!"

Wearing them out... Chen Xiaoqian accidentally thought wrong again, tut tut tut.

"You! At a time like this, you’re still joking with me!" Mr. Liu was left exasperated by Chen Xiaoqian’s words.

Chen Xiaoqian’s peripheral vision measured the distance from here to the door, silently inching toward it.

"So, that’s it! Teacher, I suddenly remembered I left my window open at home, I’ll go back and close it~ I’ll come and treat you to a meal in two days!"

"Get back here!" Mr. Liu was fuming, practically snorting smoke from his nose. Chen Xiaoqian, in her middle-high heels, darted out with speed that seemed like she feared being caught for military service if she didn’t hurry.

"Liu, calm down. I think she’s mentally prepared. Don’t pressure her." Mr. Qio timely held Mr. Liu back to prevent him from catching Chen Xiaoqian.

Mr. Liu was indignant, "She’s not your student yet! Don’t interfere with our business! Why are you provoking?"

He was venting his frustration.

It was because he cared about Chen Xiaoqian, worried she’d make mistakes, and concerned about her future, hence his brusque words.

Qio Yu Xuan took it in stride, saying with a grin, "You should understand her better than I. If it’s something she’s not confident about, she wouldn’t make such a decision. Soldiers block the road, water fills the land."

Daring to play the fishing game with Qian—it’s purely asking for trouble.

Chen Xiaoqian’s character is to bite the bait and the hook to pieces, swallowing it all and even gnawing a few bites at the fisherman. Whoever gets involved with her is out of luck.

"She’s not your student; you naturally don’t understand how precious she is!" Mr. Liu cared for Chen Xiaoqian as if she were his child, a little flower he painstakingly cultivated yet to bloom fully; how could he bear to watch a gust of wind blow it away?

"She’s indeed more than just my student..." Qio Yu Xuan gazed toward the door where Chen Xiaoqian had disappeared from sight, his eyes still warm.

"What did you say?" Mr. Liu didn’t quite catch it.

"I said, wait and see her shine. If you don’t put her in that position, how will you know her true capabilities?"

Mr. Qio finished speaking and waved to Mr. Liu, leaving with an air of confidence.

Mr. Liu sat back in his chair, unable to shake off the concern, pondering over calling to gather more information on the competition, when his phone buzzed with a message from Chen Xiaoqian.

There were just two words.

Trust me.

Mr. Liu stared at this text for a full minute, letting go of the desk phone, abandoning the idea to make inquiries, and instead dialing Chen Xiaoqian’s number. The call connected quickly.

"Teacher, I’m serious."

"Alright, I trust you. But Chen Xiaoqian, are you particularly against taking Mr. Qio as a mentor?" Mr. Liu had been holding back this question; after seeing Chen Xiaoqian interact with Mr. Qio today, he finally asked.

"I don’t want to. Teacher, do you know what I’m doing on this trip? I’m going to rescue a friend. His parents, under the guise of what’s best for him, locked him up because of his gender identity disorder... What I want to say is, I know you mean well, but that’s not what I want."

"..." Silence on the other end of the line.

"Teacher, everything I know is taught by you. I know you’re the best teacher in the world. If you truly believe taking Mr. Qio as a mentor is beneficial for me, I’m willing to compromise for you, but I won’t be happy."

Those words were painful. Chen Xiaoqian hadn’t intended to say them to the person she respected most, but not saying them would make things worse.

"In your heart, I’m on the same level as those parents with gender identity issues?"

"Uh... slightly better than them at least, you haven’t electrocuted me..."

"You little firecracker... Fine, go prepare for the competition, and get ready to impress." Mr. Liu hung up the phone, feeling a pang of sadness.

Her little firecracker had grown up.

This child had been with him for so many years, and her intense, reckless nature was starting to resemble Mr. Qio’s.

Mr. Liu gazed out the window, contemplating this unanswered question.