Boyce frowned slightly as the voice seemed familiar but at that moment he could not recognize it. The
caller sensed that Boyce did not recognize her voice and said with disappointment, “I’m Jasmine.”
Boyce suddenly realized and said, “Oh, what’s the matter?”
“Are you free? Can you come this afternoon to see me?” She asked tenderly.
Boyce looked at the clock and replied, “Okay.”
“I’ll wait for you at the school’s entrance.” She said.
“Okay.”
Jasmine frowned as she felt that Boyce was very distant as his replies were singular.
“Then I’ll see you later.” Jasmine said.
“Okay.”
Jasmine grinned as she looked at her cellphone after the call ended. She had a cellphone. She did not
give her number to Boyce when he asked for it previously because she still did not trust him. She did
not fear hardships and could survive even when she did not have any family. Her cellphone was very
cheap and basic but it was sufficient for her needs. Her academic results were good and this semester
she was awarded some scholastic monetary grants. The monetary grants together with her salary as a
part-time worker were enough for her expenses. She was certain that her living conditions would
improve considerably after she graduates and worked for a couple of years.
Boyce drove his black SUV and stopped in front of the HQ University and saw Jasmine standing at the
entrance of the University. She wore a white top with slim straight-cut jeans. The jeans enhanced her
long legs and she wore a pair of white sneakers and had a black knapsack. She wore her hair in a
ponytail and looked young and energetic. She ran over to Boyce as soon as she spotted him and said,
“My apologies, I can’t invite you into the University as all my friends know that I do not have any
relatives. It would invite rumors if I’m seen with you.”
“Get in,” Boyce said as he unlocked the doors.
Jasmine sat in the car and directed, “Please drive straight ahead and then turn right.”
Boyce did not ask her where she was taking him but said, “What’s the matter?”
Jasmine looked at him and smiled, “Do I need a reason to see you?”
“No.” Boyce smiled awkwardly and continued, “I tend to get straight to the point. Please don’t take
offense.”
“I know, no offense taken.” She replied but she pondered about what his friend said about Boyce that
he did not express himself publicly.
Soon, they arrived at where Jasmine wanted to go and she waved, “Just stop here.”
As soon as Boyce parked at the side of the road, she exited the car and then said, “Come with me.”
She walked towards a shop named ‘Return for More Noodles’. Boyce looked around and this place was
near to the University and had a lot of eateries. He exited the car and entered the noodles shop and
saw Jasmine placing her order. He frowned as he was not sure what was happening. Did Jasmine call
him over just to eat some noodles?”
“That’ll do.” Jasmine told the owner. She walked towards some empty seats and then waved at Boyce,
“Let’s sit here.” Boyce walked over and sat as she directed.
“Do you mind eating here?” The shop was small but relatively clean, apart from the layer of oil on the
glass partition which clearly was dated.
“Though this is a simple joint, the noodles are very tasty.” Jasmine smiled and continued, “You helped
me a couple of times and now I should give you a treat in return.”
“Think nothing of it,” Boyce said nonchalantly.
Jasmine secretly rolled her eyes as she thought to herself what a bore this guy was. He was
emotionless from the moment she got into his car.
The owner served the dishes which included a bowl of thin noodles and a plate with six different
garnishes and vegetables and a bowl of gravy.
Jasmine pointed to the garnishes and vegetables and said, “These are the garnishes and you may add
them as you desire. However, you must pour in the gravy onto your noodles.”
Boyce nodded and emptied the plate of garnishes and vegetables into his bowl. He added the gravy
and then started to mix them with the chopsticks. Jasmine smiled and asked Boyce, “Hey, what type of
woman do you like?”
Boyce was startled and looked puzzled at Jasmine.
“Oh, please don’t take it the wrong way. The last time your friend said to me during breakfast that you
had never been in a relationship and never had a girlfriend. He even asked me if I could introduce a
girlfriend to you. For that to happen, I need to know what type of girl you are interested in.” Jasmine
said as she ate the noodles.
Boyce took a deep breath and wanted so much to give Armand a good beating. How could Armand tell
her something so personal? He felt so embarrassed and awkward in front of Jasmine.
“He was talking nonsense. Don’t mind him.” Boyce said angrily.
“Oh.” Jasmine swallowed her noodles and continued, “So you are in a relationship now and currently
have a girlfriend?”
Boyce was speechless.
He sighed softly and replied, “What I meant was you don’t need to recommend anyone to me. I don’t
like someone too young.” She was a university student and any of her friends would be of her age.
What was that Armand thinking about? He really questioned if he was sane.
“So have you ever been in a relationship?” Jasmine asked.
Boyce glared at her and retorted, “Mind your own business.”
Jasmine pursed her lips and replied, “So I don’t need to introduce a friend to you, do I?”
Initially, Boyce took a whiff of the noodles and was eager to taste them but now he had lost his appetite
with all her questions.
He placed down the chopsticks and then said sternly to Jasmine, “That friend of mine likes to talk
nonsense. So don’t take his words seriously.”
“Okay. Then I’ll listen to you from now on?” She smiled and looked at Boyce. Her smile was so
beautiful and innocent which easily tugged Boyce’s heartstring.
Boyce was stunned momentarily before coming to his senses and took a bite of the noodles and said,
“Yes, listen to me from now on.”
Jasmine propped up her chin with her arm and smiled at Boyce as she thought to herself how cute he
was. Perhaps ‘cute’ was inappropriate to describe Boyce but at this very moment, it was.
After they finished the noodles, Boyce sent her back to the University and then drove off before
realizing that she had left her bag in his car so he turned the car around.
When he reached the entrance of the University, he saw numerous people gathered at the entrance.
He parked the car and walked over with Jasmine’s bag.
“That’s her. The last time I clearly saw her leaving with several men at the nightclub. She acts innocent
in school and pretends to be broke. I don’t believe that you are penniless when you’ve sold your body.
You pretend to be poor and vulnerable to gain the guys’ sympathy. How shameless are you?” This
female student was Elisa. Not only did she stay at the same dormitory with Jasmine, but they were also
classmates. She was upset because she was passed over and Jasmine was chosen instead of her.
Ever since then she bore a grudge against Jasmine because she always felt that she was far more
beautiful and attractive than Jasmine.
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