Chapter 10: Fierceness and Naughtiness

When one is in a good mood, one will naturally put more effort into things.

Lucy seriously gave Alex some advice: "Alex, first tell me where you're going to buy things.

Then I'll help you find a place to stay between our school and that place, so that it won't be too far for you to go anywhere, saving you the trouble of running around."

"That's great! Sister Thirty Thousand, you're amazing!" Alex grinned mischievously, which earned him a slightly annoyed roll of the eyes from Lucy. Then he became a bit more serious.

"I want to go to No. 23, Qianmen. It would be nice if I could watch the flag-raising ceremony tomorrow morning. Where do you think it would be suitable for me to stay?"

"Qianmen? It's really not far from there!" Lucy was delighted, and her happiness seemed to come out of nowhere.

"My dream place, the National Grand Theatre, is right there. If you want to watch the flag-raising, it would be best to stay nearby... By the way, what's your budget for accommodation?"

"I don't have a budget limit. Any five-star hotel will do." Alex casually said such "rich" words, and

Lucy immediately sensed the "rich kid" nature of this junior.

"Alright then, how about the Great Hall of the People Hotel? If you want to watch the flag-raising in the morning, it only takes five minutes to walk to the security checkpoint. It's extremely convenient.

I'll look up the phone number for you now. You should book a room quickly." Lucy lowered her head to search, and from the side, her eyelashes were surprisingly long, fluttering like two delicate little fans.

After getting the phone number, she dialed it directly and also turned on the speakerphone.

"Hello, do you have any vacant rooms today?"

"Sorry, madam. The rooms are all sold out, and the reservations have been booked until three days later..."

"Ah... Well, thank you." After hanging up the phone, Lucy gave Alex a look and complained, "Silly Alex, what were you thinking?

You're coming to play in the imperial capital but didn't book a room in advance... It's the weekend today and it also coincides with the Army Day. Don't even think about the hotels near Qianmen.

There must be no rooms available... What should we do?"

Alex didn't mind being glared at by her. Instead, he grinned and played the pity card. "Sister Lucy, I'm new here in the imperial capital and don't know anyone. It seems that I can only rely on you now..."

Lucy gritted her teeth in anger. "You call me Sister Lucy when you need me, and call me Thirty Thousand when you don't. You're really something, Stinky Alex!"

Alex justified himself righteously. "Who made my Sister Lucy so beautiful and kind-hearted?"

"Humph!" Lucy snorted disdainfully, but her hands didn't stop searching for rooms online with the intermittent signal on the train.

She was really tough on the outside but soft on the inside, and she was indeed beautiful and kind-hearted.

Alex looked at her side face, and his thoughts began to wander.

He once read a self-help article about how men and women get along. Most of the content in it was nonsense, and only a little bit was actually useful.

For example: Try to let the other person do more things for you instead of being the one who constantly shows concern and takes care of everything.

There was a concept called "sunk cost" in the economics book he just read.

In a relationship, everything the other person does for you is a cost. The more they do, the higher the cost, and the harder it is to let go.

Those "simps" who keep chasing after someone until death are just because the sunk cost is too high.

Once they give up, it means denying everything they have done before. So even if they know the hope is slim, they will still hold on.

Human nature is like this, so those who are better at taking advantage of human nature, like playboys and gold diggers, often succeed more easily.

Alex grew up in a poor and lower-middle-class family. He wasn't bad in nature, but he would instinctively choose the options that were more beneficial to himself.

His value orientation was to benefit himself first and then others. He would never do something selfless like sacrificing himself for others, and he would never let a grudge wait overnight.

Among the 4.3 billion households in the country, the bottom 3.5 billion households only account for 20% of the total social wealth, which is pitifully small.

Children from families like Alex's mostly hold similar values. It's not because someone guided them, but because of the shaping of society.

Alex knew his own situation well. In terms of personality, he was an ordinary person, neither a saint nor a dark-hearted person, not leaning towards either extreme.

He was just an ordinary young man who was self-interested and patriotic. So he didn't want to think too much about things and just did things according to his heart.

He would wait until the results came out to judge what was right or wrong, good or bad.

Lucy didn't know that so many thoughts had flashed through Alex's mind in such a short time.

She only felt that his gaze had been fixed on her face all the time, which made her feel a little proud, secretly happy, and also a bit shy.

However, it didn't take long for these emotions to turn into annoyance.

No rooms! No rooms! Still no rooms!

Was it possible that all the primary and secondary school students in the city had come out to book rooms on this big weekend?

Complaining couldn't solve the problem, nor could it create a room out of thin air. Lucy was almost driven crazy by searching, but she still couldn't find even a single vacant room nearby.

Alex suddenly leaned over and pointed at the information of Grand Hyatt Beijing. "Aren't there rooms available here?"

Lucy widened her eyes. "Alex, are you crazy? The starting price here is 5,400 yuan, and it will increase by 20% on Army Day.

A business suite of more than 80 square meters costs 6,500 yuan per night!"

Alex thought to himself: I'm not at the level of staying in a presidential suite when I travel, but 6,500 yuan per night is just a few hours' salary for me. However, he didn't say that out loud.

"So what should we do? There are no cheap rooms nearby. We can't stay in Wudaokou, can we?"

"What's wrong with staying in Wudaokou?" Lucy retorted, and then her eyes lit up suddenly.

"Why don't I find a boys' dormitory for you? You can save more than 6,000 yuan, and you can treat us to a big meal tonight!"

What on earth was a boys' dormitory? What if he wanted to bring a girl back to the boys' dormitory at night?

Alex shook his head with a wry smile. "I'll treat you to a 10,000-yuan big meal. Can you find a more comfortable place for me to stay? If it's your dormitory, I'd be quite interested."

"Get lost!" Lucy wasn't really angry. Maybe she also realized that her proposal was not reliable. She just laughed and leaned against the window.

"I don't care about you anymore. You can stay wherever you like. Book a room by yourself!"

Alex would never squeeze into a boys' dormitory with strangers, but he was grateful for Lucy's thought of helping him save money. He should appreciate and encourage it.

After thinking for a moment, he came up with a new proposal. "How about this? You help me find a place to stay where there are no other boys.

Everything else doesn't matter. We'll spend the money saved compared to 6,500 yuan tonight. How about it?"

Lucy's eyes lit up immediately. She wasn't greedy for money. She just thought this proposal was interesting and even a little romantic.

"Okay, it's a deal!"

As if inspired by some kind of good luck, Alex suddenly got a flirting idea. He held up his palm and said to Lucy with a smile, "Shall we pinky swear?"

In Gujiao, this kind of pinky swearing is quite popular. Lucy didn't think much and stretched out her small hand. Her little finger hooked with Alex's, and their thumbs were opposite each other.

"Alex, just wait and see!"

The delicate touch was like the top-quality mutton fat white jade, which made Alex's heart flutter a little.

Although it wasn't really holding hands, the fact that Lucy didn't reject physical contact with him was a very good sign.

Take it slow. Maybe there will be more progress someday.

After hooking for a moment, they let go. Alex watched Lucy excitedly making a phone call.

"Hello? Yuanyuan, when will you arrive?"

"I'm in the car... Don't talk about other things first. I have something serious to tell you."

"Lend me the apartment you have outside the school for my friend to stay for a day. It's a boy, but don't worry. I'll use my own sheets."

"Ah! What are you talking about? Don't be so messy! Just tell me if you'll lend it or not?"

"Good for you! We'll wait for you to treat us to a big meal tonight!"

"I'll arrive in another half an hour or so... No need. Tell Weiwei not to worry about me. I might have to accompany my friend to do something first."

"Okay, see you later!"

After hanging up the phone, Lucy raised her chin triumphantly and looked at Alex. "It's done! Alex, letting you stay in a beautiful girl's apartment isn't a bad deal for you, right?

You can't get this kind of treatment in a 6,500-yuan business suite."

The survival instinct of a straight guy like Alex sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.

This time it didn't work. Even though he had thought about what he was going to say in his mind, he still said something wrong.

"I don't care about the environment of the apartment. The main thing is how beautiful the owner is..."

Before he could finish speaking, Alex felt that something was wrong, as if a storm was coming.

The emotional intelligence of young people hasn't been well cultivated. Just being cautious in speaking can't make one a master of communication immediately.

Alex saw that Lucy's face turned gloomy. At first, he didn't even react. After thinking about it again in his mind, he realized that he had said something wrong.

He made two mistakes.

First, he made a joke with the wrong target. It was okay to joke with Lucy, but involving her best friend in the joke would inevitably make people uncomfortable.

Second, he underestimated Lucy's efforts. She was helping him find a room not for the money. On the one hand, she thought it was fun. On the other hand, she wanted to help him save money.

Maybe she also had the intention of introducing him to her best friend.

All in all, what he said was really not up to the mark. Since they had just met, it was very important to have a sense of propriety.

Losing the sense of propriety meant being carried away with success and self-inflated.

Alex was so worried that sweat broke out on his back.

Look what you've done! You've messed it up!

He had to remedy the situation quickly before it got too serious!

Alex's survival instinct soared. His quick wit suddenly came back, and he immediately added a sentence.

"Of course, no matter how beautiful she is, 6,500 yuan is the limit. It's not like my Sister Lucy. You can't put a price on her."

He was extremely worried inside, but his expression was as calm as an old dog. Alex said this slowly and seriously, and then smiled gently and stared at Lucy sideways.

Lucy forced herself to look at Alex for two seconds, but finally, she couldn't withstand Alex's gaze, which seemed to have some kind of "system cheating" advantage. She lowered her eyelids a little flusteredly.

Her thoughts were running wild in her mind.

Why are this guy's eyes so charming?

They are so gentle and profound, not at all like an 18-year-old. It makes me feel so embarrassed...

Oh my!

I used to be a carefree girl. How come I'm getting flustered by this young lad?

Stinky Alex must like me, but why is his expression so calm?

Could it be that... he doesn't have any other thoughts?

Well, maybe it's because he's too simple, and I'm thinking too much...

Lucy was lost in her thoughts and didn't say anything for a long time. That little bit of anger had long been forgotten.

Alex looked at Lucy's flawless, porcelain-like face that was as white as jade and so delicate that it seemed it could be broken by a touch. The urge in his heart surged up.

Should I kiss her?

Yes, kiss her!

No, kissing her would be suicidal. Don't be impulsive!

Alex was trying hard to restrain himself. He didn't know that he had been given a "simplicity card" by Lucy. If he knew, he might have actually kissed her - I'm simple! What a good reason!

Since he didn't dare to kiss her, he could at least compliment her.

Alex lowered his voice and sincerely said, "Thirty Thousand, you're really beautiful."

"Pfft!" Lucy couldn't help but laugh out loud and almost spat out the water in her mouth.

This should have been a compliment that would make her shy. But with that nickname, it was just too funny.

"Can't you be more serious?" Lucy slapped Alex's arm hard, which made her own hand hurt.

She then glared at Alex again. "Annoying guy!"

Alex knew that this was a sign that their relationship was getting closer. He chuckled and innocently took Lucy's hand to look at it. "Does it hurt?"

"Slap!" He got another slap.

Lucy sneered. "I hit you with my right hand, and you're holding my left hand and asking if it hurts?"

Alex silently scolded himself: The first time I hold a girl's hand, I'm so flustered. I must be more stable next time.

He pretended to be stupid on the surface and said with a smile, "Your hand is really beautiful."

Lucy had always been proud of her hands.

Her fingers were long and slender, but not bony without any flesh. When she put them together, there was no gap between her fingers, showing their perfect symmetry.

Long, slender, soft, and symmetrical, plus fair skin. Her hands could even make a living as a hand model. Of course she had the right to be proud.

Since Alex had complimented her on the right thing, Lucy didn't bother with him anymore. She just threatened him. "If you dare to touch me again next time, I'll break your legs! Do you hear me?"

Alex just smiled and didn't say anything.

Let her be fierce. I'll just be myself. Let's see who can outlast the other!

Lucy might have wanted to act tough a little longer, but as the train was about to arrive at the station, her phone started ringing non-stop.

Some were voice messages and some were text messages. Most of them were asking where she was and when she would get out of the station.

Alex silently stood up, helped Lucy take down her suitcase, and then made the first phone call of the day.

"Hello, I'm Alex. May I ask when it would be convenient for you to receive guests?"

After a simple inquiry, he had an idea in his mind.

Next was to wait for the train to arrive at the station and then get off and leave.

Will was glaring at Alex with a sullen face for a long time, but Alex didn't give him any response.

A loser's pestering isn't worth wasting feelings on.

The imperial capital station is huge. It's a long way to the exit. Alex would naturally help Lucy carry her suitcase. It's the basic gentlemanly manner.

Lucy didn't have much luggage. Just a suitcase, a backpack, and a handbag.

Alex wasn't a pampered rich kid. Carrying them wasn't a problem for him, but Lucy felt bad about it and insisted on carrying the backpack herself.

Not wanting to argue with her, Alex simply took his travel bag and hung it around Lucy's neck, saying firmly, "Carry this well."

The travel bag looked big, but actually, only a book inside had some weight. It hung loosely down to Lucy's thigh.

Although Lucy was treated "rudely" like this, she felt sweet in her heart instead. She thought that

Alex had a kind of domineering charm.

For most girls, the right kind of domineering is a sign of boyfriend power, which means a sense of security.

Lucy was overjoyed and was about to follow Alex when she suddenly received a phone call and her expression changed.

"Ah, didn't I tell you not to come and pick me up?"

"Okay, okay, okay... Thank you, thank you, thank you. Ua! I'll give you a kiss, okay?"

"Alright, alright. I know how to get to the parking lot. See you later!"

After hanging up the phone, she took Alex's hand and turned around.

"Let's go. My best friend is coming to pick me up. Let's go find her."

Alex didn't care where to go. So he just followed.

After walking for a long time, they finally found Lucy's best friend.

The two girls started running towards each other from a distance, then hugged each other and started jumping, laughing, and chatting non-stop.

Alex walked slowly towards them. When he saw Lucy's best friend, he was stunned for a moment.

He secretly marveled: It's really no wonder it's called a beauty academy. Any girl picked out randomly here is so beautiful.

That girl was probably about 170 centimeters tall, with the same slim waist and long legs as Lucy.

She had long red hair, bright and beautiful facial features, and very elegant shoulder and neck lines.

She was a natural clothes hanger.