Chapter 36 The Chuunibyou Childhood Friend: The Yandere Is Away on a Business Trip, It’s My Turn Now!

At ten in the morning, in front of Hangzhou University.

Sitting on the stone bench beneath the sprawling banyan at the school gate, Chen Luo let his gaze sweep over the line of shops flanking the street, mentally calculating their cost-effectiveness. Since he was planning to open a milk tea shop at the university entrance, both location and foot traffic were crucial—he needed the best of the best.

Still, he had to be mindful of rent. Even though Wen Wan had given him her black card, it didn’t mean he should throw money at the venture without a second thought; he wasn’t some fool with more money than sense.

“Young Master Luo, have some water.” A delicate hand appeared before him, offering a chilled can of Coke.

“Thank you, Assistant Hongye,” Chen Luo said as he accepted the drink, glancing at the alluring woman beside him.

Dressed in a fitted black blouse and a white pencil skirt, her slightly curvy figure complimented by gold-rimmed glasses, Hongye exuded a mature, intellectual charm.

She was one of Wen Wan’s personal assistants, second only to Mo Lan in status—a devoted confidante. Wen Wan only kept the most capable by her side: Mo Lan doubled as both bodyguard and personal secretary; Hongye, however, was her strategist, with a wealth of business experience and impressive credentials, responsible for advising on commercial plans.

Wen Wan had sent her to help Chen Luo avoid commercial pitfalls; in her eyes, it was his first time in business, and a failure might shatter his confidence.

Oh, Wen Wan, you really don’t have to coddle me like a child—I’m not entirely useless. Still, being cherished this way wasn’t exactly a bad feeling.

Pop! Chen Luo opened the Coke, but instead of drinking it, he offered it to Hongye. “Assistant Hongye, you have a sip first. You’ve been standing here with me under the blazing sun.”

“No, Young Master Luo, you have it,” Hongye replied with a smile, gently pushing his hand back. “And please, just call me Hongye. President Wen was very clear about that.”

Chen Luo chuckled. “Alright, I won’t be formal then. Hongye, have a seat and help me assess the value of these shops.”

Hongye didn’t refuse. She sat beside him, and together they began discussing the merits of the stores.

While they talked, a figure appeared by the roadside near the school gate, watching Chen Luo with trembling indignation.

“He’s changed again! That scoundrel has another woman by his side!” Tang Xiwei fumed. “First, it was a domineering heiress, then a busty little cutie, and now he’s clinging to a sultry, mature beauty?”

“What’s so good about Chen Luo that he always has women orbiting around him?” Anger welled up inside her—she wanted nothing more than to storm over and give him a beating. Ever since he’d stopped pursuing her, he hadn’t been without female company for a single day!

What was worse, these women were either prettier than her or had larger chests—every one of them outshone her in some way!

“Are these women blind? What’s so special about an ordinary guy like Chen Luo? Have you all lost your minds?”

As she seethed with impotent rage, a BMW pulled up in front of her.

“Miss Tang, Young Master Liu Feng sent me to drive you to Ning City for business.”

“Fine, I understand. Let’s go.” Tang Xiwei climbed into the car, but not before shooting Chen Luo a venomous glare.

Chen Luo, just you wait—once I’ve secured the Wen family’s young master, I’ll use his power to make you and all your women wish you were dead!

The BMW sped away toward Ning City, carrying Tang Xiwei’s anger and calculations with it.

“Brother Luo!”

Chen Luo and Hongye had only been chatting a short while when a clear, lively voice called from behind. Turning, Chen Luo saw You Liuhua running toward him, dressed simply in a white T-shirt and black shorts, looking innocent and adorable.

But with every step, the pair of assets on her chest—that could easily rival Wen Wan’s—bounced wildly, making Chen Luo a little dizzy.

When Liuhua reached him, his hand came down in a playful chop on her head—a childhood habit whenever she needed a scolding.

“Ouch!” Liuhua cried, clutching her head.

“How many times do I have to tell you? Be a lady, don’t run around like that. Do you know you could easily cause a traffic accident?”

“Hmph! Why do you care! And you dare hit me? I’m telling my sister-in-law! Where is she?”

Still holding her head, Liuhua looked around for Wen Wan, only to find a beautiful stranger at Chen Luo’s side.

“You shameless playboy hero! You… you really have the nerve to go for a harem route? How could you do this to my sister-in-law and me? Go to hell! Take my ultimate Meteor Smash!”

With that, Liuhua bent her knees and, in a theatrical bow, launched herself at Chen Luo’s chest like a missile.

“Ah! A headbutt is one thing, but how is this a Meteor Smash?”

Chen Luo was knocked flat on his back, while Hongye stared in shock—unlike Mo Lan, she had no martial training and was caught completely off guard.

“Young Master Luo, are you alright?” Hongye hurried to help him up, while Liuhua stood with her cherubic face puffed out in anger.

“Get up, you playboy hero, and duel me, the mage! Today I’ll use my ultimate move to wipe you out, so you’ll never dare break hearts in your next life!”

Liuhua was genuinely furious. Chen Luo was too much—he’d gone on and on about how much he liked Wen Wan, making her give up, and now he’d turned around and two-timed with a mature beauty!

You damned scoundrel! Don’t you know you shouldn’t let the water flow into another’s field? If you’re going to cheat, why not choose me?

“No, you’ve got the wrong idea!” Hongye finally realized Liuhua had misunderstood. “I’m Assistant Hongye, sent by President Wen to help Young Master Luo run the milk tea shop. We’re not what you think. If you don’t believe me, call President Wen and ask her.”

“Ah?” Liuhua froze at Hongye’s explanation.

Now that she thought about it, the two of them had kept a respectful distance the whole time—they didn’t seem intimate at all. Had she really misunderstood?

“Oh! Brother Luo, I’m sorry!” Liuhua hurried over to help Chen Luo up, while he rubbed his chest in pain.

“You silly girl, can’t you ask before you start throwing punches? What ultimate move? It’s just your turtle punch as always.”

Once seated, Chen Luo looked at Liuhua with a pained expression.

“Your sister-in-law’s out of town for a week, so Hongye is here to help me. Do you understand now?”

What? Wen Wan is away on business? Leaving Brother Luo at home alone?

That means, this week, it’s my turn to shine!