Hu Qian's Enigmatic Self-Assurance

Lu Yunxiao found himself frozen in place, and the students who were observing were equally shocked, their jaws dropping in disbelief.

The situation was perplexing: the enigmatic "little demon girl" had extended an invitation to none other than Lu Yunxiao for a meal. Was it simply a dinner, or did it carry deeper implications?

Most of the students present were well-informed; even those not experienced in matters of the heart had some understanding of such dynamics.

Hu Jia's request for a solitary dinner with Lu Yunxiao appeared out of character, marked by an uncharacteristic gentleness that contrasted with her usual demeanor. Her blushing cheeks and shy demeanor only emphasized the uniqueness of the situation.

The question loomed: was there genuine interest from Hu Jia towards Lu Yunxiao?

However, a contradiction arose; wasn't Hu Jia known for her aversion to men?

The turn of events was astounding; Lu Yunxiao's influence seemed to have captivated Hu Jia once again. His charm was undeniably remarkable.

Indeed, Lu Yunxiao appeared ordinary at first glance, but hidden beneath that exterior was an extraordinary aura, impressive talent, and formidable combat skills. The notion that Hu Jia might be drawn to him was not implausible.

The onlookers stared in astonishment, their hearts stirred into a frenzy of speculation. They each became amateur analysts, eager to deduce the nuances of this unexpected development.

It was hard to deny their excitement; after all, the protagonists of this unfolding drama were among the most exceptional individuals within the outer courtyard. Their prominence alone ensured that this topic would ignite a blaze of interest.

Yet, as the students pondered the potential of the two becoming a couple, a subtle feeling emerged that this match, as unlikely as it seemed, was oddly fitting.

Both were extraordinarily gifted, nearly unrivaled in their abilities. The thought of them together wasn't merely appealing; it felt almost destined.

Of course, Hu Jia remained oblivious to the speculations of the students; otherwise, her response would undoubtedly be quite colorful.

With a blush painting her cheeks, she had extended the invitation herself—a gesture that portrayed a blend of shyness and timidity.

However, the idea of a divine match, an ideal romantic pair, was clearly implausible. Her current bashfulness notwithstanding, she was infamous for her disinterest in men; her gesture was likely driven by something other than romantic inclinations.

Furthermore, if Hu Jia managed to ensnare Lu Yunxiao's interest, she'd likely distance herself again swiftly. After all, she held no desire for a boyfriend; what was the use of such relationships?

As the onlookers absorbed this unexpected scene, a new presence emerged at the threshold of Dou Jige. An old man's smug smile betrayed his satisfaction with the unfolding tableau.

"Seems like this girl isn't giving up," he mused to himself, his self-satisfaction evident.

Turning his attention to the old man beside him, he queried, "Deputy Dean, care to share your insights?"

The pavilion guard, visibly taken aback, couldn't help but inquire softly. The scene had clearly caught him off guard.

Doubts stirred within the pavilion guard. "What's really going on here? Is my granddaughter truly attracting male attention now? And this particular young man is quite impressive, you say?"

The deputy dean, his beard lightly stroked, responded with a smile, "What's happening is simple—my granddaughter is capturing the hearts of those around her, and it appears she's taking an interest in boys as well. As for this young man, he seems quite promising."

His nonchalant response did little to alleviate the pavilion guard's skepticism. "Am I really supposed to believe this? Her feigned gentleness can't hide her inner turmoil. Others might not see it, but I can. This seems like one of your schemes to manipulate her."

Whispering in hushed tones, the pavilion guard voiced his doubts about the authenticity of the situation.

Caught slightly off guard, the deputy dean momentarily halted his beard stroking. It seemed his attempts at subtlety weren't as subtle as he'd hoped.

"Is it truly that evident?" he questioned with a hint of embarrassment.

"Absolutely," the pavilion guard affirmed, his expression reflecting his insight.

With a sigh, the deputy dean confessed, divulging the intricacies of his bet with Hu Jia.

The deputy dean and the pavilion guard were close friends, their shared history allowing for unfiltered conversations.

"A bet, I see," the pavilion guard mused, understanding dawning. "You've certainly put in quite an effort for Hujia."

The deputy dean nodded, admitting to the extent of his dedication. "Indeed. This has been a challenging endeavor, both for Hujia and for myself. But it's a necessary path."

He elaborated on his intentions. First, he aimed to expose Hujia to romantic interactions, leveraging the transformative power of love to shift her perspective on boys and ultimately wean her off her misconceptions. Secondly, he recognized that Lu Yunxiao possessed remarkable qualities and was a worthy match for Hujia. His talents, strength, and appearance aligned perfectly. Additionally, Lu Yunxiao's sense of duty and morality made him a suitable companion. Lastly, the absence of animosity from Hujia was a positive indicator of the potential for a deeper bond.

As he spoke, a mixture of satisfaction and wistfulness permeated his voice. So long as they ended up together, he considered it a success, regardless of the unconventional circumstances.

In his eyes, Lu Yunxiao was an individual worth investing time and effort in. The potential for a romantic connection justified the intricacies of the plan.

However, the pavilion guard had a concern to voice, albeit carefully. "Dean, if I may share a perspective."

The deputy dean nodded, encouraging his friend to speak candidly.

"Your plan is well-intentioned, but there's a fundamental question you might have overlooked. What if Lu Yunxiao isn't interested in pursuing this? If he rejects Hujia's invitation, your entire strategy could unravel."

The pavilion guard's words introduced a necessary note of caution. For all his charm, Lu Yunxiao might not be as easily swayed as they presumed.

"Uninterested? Impossible! Young men these days are drawn to beautiful girls. Hujia isn't merely beautiful; she's the epitome of outer courtyard allure. Her appearance, status, and captivating talents make her irresistible. How could Lu Yunxiao resist?" the deputy dean countered, his conviction steadfast. He found it inconceivable that Lu Yunxiao would decline such an opportunity.

"Absolutely not. It's out of the question," he reaffirmed, his tone resolute. He couldn't fathom Lu Yunxiao resisting the allure of someone like Hujia.

Their unwavering certainty stemmed from their own convictions, grounded in deep-seated beliefs about their respective viewpoints.

However, neither realized that their confidence was rooted in a shared sense of conviction, fueling their steadfast attitudes.