"Are you still shy? Who would want someone as skinny as you?" Song Tian'er teased.
"What?" Li Yang angrily flung open the bathroom door.
"You're being harassed!"
Song Tian'er immediately let out a scream, but instead of closing her eyes, they were wide open. A complete hooligan! Yes, a female hooligan at that!
"What's wrong, Tian'er?" Cao Xin hurriedly opened the bedroom door and rushed out, then froze when she saw Li Yang at the bathroom door.
"Are you all skin and bones? If you want to peek at my body, just say so. No need for provocation." Li Yang chuckled at Song Tian'er and closed the bathroom door. He pretended not to see Cao Xin, because Cao Xin's shocked and blushing face was really cute, and he was afraid of scaring her.
"It's really not pork ribs..." Song Tian'er blinked her big eyes and murmured softly.
"Oh... Sweetie, what were you doing just now?" Cao Xin also came to her senses, but her face was as red as blood, and her ears and neck were also bright red. She pretended to have just come out and rushed to Song Tian'er's side, asking with concern.
"Did you see that?" Song Tian'er stared straight at Cao Xin.
"What did you see?" Cao Xin asked guiltily, avoiding eye contact.
"What a pity. That kid has such a great physique. He's comparable to a bodybuilding star, much more muscular than those skinny male celebrities, and he even seems to have abs... That's awesome!" Song Tian'er said with a grin, looking like she'd gotten a great deal.
"Sweetie, you still dare to say that. You're so lewd!" Cao Xin glared at her with watery eyes, but the thought of using a half-naked body kept popping into her mind. She quickly shook her head to get rid of the thought; that was too obscene.
"Sister, I call this appreciation. Don't use such vulgar language! But don't feel bad about your tracksuit, it's too big for you anyway," Song Tian'er said, seemingly trying to comfort her.
She fled in such a hurry that she only brought simple toiletries and two sets of clothes that she usually wore. She didn't bring any special clothes like sportswear.
"Ah ha... whose sportswear is this? It fits perfectly and is so comfortable on the ship. Was it prepared for me?" Laughing, he walked out of the bathroom.
The two women's eyes lit up.
Wearing this white cotton tracksuit, Li Yang looked sunny and fit, and with his handsome smile, he radiated a dazzling aura.
"Wow...yes, it fits perfectly. Xin Xin, are you a fortune teller? Otherwise, why would you buy a tracksuit that you can't wear, but it fits him perfectly?" Song Tian'er turned around and asked Cao Xin, puzzled.
Both she and Cao Xin are slender women, with a height of over 1.7 meters. Few men would be confident walking with them when they wear high heels.
Li Yang is also quite tall, but he is only seventeen or eighteen years old and is in the stage of growing up, so his body will naturally continue to grow taller.
Wearing the sportswear that Cao Xin had bought a size too big, he found it to be very comfortable and fit perfectly.
Cao Xin's eyes also lit up as she stared straight at Li Yang, but she quickly retorted, "Tian'er, don't talk nonsense. I just didn't notice when I bought it, and the salesperson gave me the wrong one. I was too lazy to exchange it, so I just kept it. Who knew I would need it today?"
"That's really fate! God is so good at handling things. He must have known this day would come. Hehe, he's prepared for me." Li Yang chuckled, also very happy, looking at the two beautiful women in front of him, both fresh out of the bath, a feast for the eyes.
Chapter 53: Silent Coercion
He was just a little uncomfortable down there; being naked in his sportswear and feeling chilly wasn't pleasant.
"Uh, so I'll be sleeping on the sofa tonight?" Li Yang hurriedly found a place to sit down, afraid that he might accidentally reveal a weapon underneath, which would be a huge embarrassment.
"Yes. I'm sorry, there are no extra rooms available. You'll have to make do for now," Cao Xin said apologetically to Li Yang.
"It's nothing. It's much better than sleeping on the streets." Li Yang quickly waved his hand to indicate that he didn't mind. Hehe, sharing a room with two beautiful women, I'd rather sleep on the floor than on the sofa.
"Li Yang, thank you for everything you've done for me. Tian'er told me everything," Cao Xin said gratefully to Li Yang.
"Hehe, Teacher Cao, what are you saying? Who told me to be a man? Besides, I'm still your student. I'm doing this for you willingly. Don't overthink it," Li Yang said, feigning righteousness.
"I still want to thank you. No matter what, I will remember your kindness to me," Cao Xin said earnestly.
"If you want to thank me, please help me get an exit permit. Also, I came out this time to take a break over the weekend. I didn't go back at night or ask for leave, and I probably won't be able to go back for the next few days. As the director of political education, you can definitely handle this, right?" Li Yang said, pretending to be relaxed.
"Of course, it's a piece of cake. Xin Xin will definitely take care of it for you." Song Tian'er agreed on behalf of Cao Xin.
Cao Xin smiled wryly. It was such a small matter, insignificant compared to what Li Yang had done for her. She knew Li Yang was saying it on purpose, not wanting her to feel burdened. She couldn't help but give Li Yang a deep look; this student was indeed extraordinary.
"You should get some rest. We have important things to do tomorrow," Song Tian'er said, covering her mouth as she yawned.
"Yes. It's getting late, Li Yang, goodnight," Cao Xin said softly.
"Goodnight," Li Yang said with a hint of reluctance.
Just then, Cao Xin's phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and answered, "Dad, why aren't you resting so late?"
"Xin Xin, you haven't rested either, have you? It's all my fault, my problems have dragged you into this," Mr. Cao said on the phone, filled with remorse.
"Don't say that, Dad. We're family. This is all as it should be. There's no question of burdening or not burdening anyone," Cao Xin comforted him softly.
“Sigh, your mother and I have had a tough time these past few years. It’s not easy to get ahead in the officialdom. Who doesn’t twist and compromise their principles just to get promoted and make money so that their family can live a good life? I’m lucky. I made it through when you were a teenager, and our family enjoyed more than ten years of good life… But when you’re poor, you don’t feel anything, but once you get used to a life of wealth, there’s no going back. Sigh… It’s really…” Father Cao’s voice was full of helplessness and emotion.
Cao Xin's face was slightly pale, and she bit her lip tightly as she said, "Dad, I know, I understand. Where's Mom? Is she resting?"
"She can't sleep either. Her old problem has flared up again these past few days; her blood pressure is really high, she can't eat or sleep, sigh..."
Cao Xin's eyes reddened, tears welled up, and her body trembled slightly. She looked up at Tian'er and Li Yang, and choked out, "Mom and Dad, I know your suffering. You've worked hard your whole lives, and finally you can have a little better life. I won't fight anymore. I'll listen to your arrangements. I... I promise to be with that person..."
After saying that, Cao Xin burst into tears, immediately hung up the phone, and turned to throw herself into Song Tian'er's arms.
Song Tian'er and Li Yang were both stunned for a moment, and then their expressions changed drastically.
"Xin Xin. How could you do this? You can't! You can't sacrifice your life's happiness like this. This is a lifelong matter... I'm not asking you to be unfilial, but you can't do this, understand? This isn't the way to solve the problem..." Song Tian'er's eyes also reddened as she hugged Cao Xin tightly, saying emotionally.
Li Yang was filled with anger. He knew that the Mei family had put pressure on the Cao family again. After Li Yang caused this incident, the people on Secretary Cao's side would definitely suspect that Ye Qing had started it. As the secretary, they naturally had to do something, and dealing with the Cao family was a good way to do so.
Putting pressure on the Cao family is a win-win situation. Mei Fu achieves his goal, the Mei family demonstrates their loyalty, and the Cao family is suppressed at the same time.
Li Yang even speculated that the Mei family was hoping Cao Xin would refuse, so they could openly break with the Cao family and completely suppress them without anyone saying anything.