Chapter Seventy-Five: Operation Pomegranate Skirt

“In that case, I hereby announce the formation of the Pursuit of Men Alliance, specifically directed at Comrade Tong Yi’s situation. We shall enact the ‘Pomegranate Skirt Operation,’ and I will personally take command!”
Pursuit of Men Alliance? Pomegranate Skirt Operation? What on earth is that!
The girls were stunned by Zheng Yan’s seriousness—it sounded so domineering.
“Well then, Comrade Tong Yi, Comrade Ding Ning, and Comrade Dai Yulan, do you not support my decision?” Zheng Yan said with annoyance.
Clap, clap, clap!
The other three girls awkwardly applauded, expressing their support and affection.
“That’s more like it. The Pomegranate Skirt Operation will have only one outcome—that person will fall at Little Tong’s feet,” Zheng Yan declared confidently. “Now for the main event: Little Tong, who do you like?”
Immediately, pairs of curious and fervent eyes focused on Tong Yi.
Tong Yi hesitated, thinking deeply. Things had reached this point—she might as well go for it. With determination, she said, “It’s Teacher Jiang An, who teaches our acupuncture class.”
Crack.
The sound of jaws dropping echoed as the three girls’ mouths fell open. Teacher?
“Don’t be so shocked. Teacher Jiang is wonderful!”
“No way!” Zheng Yan shook her head. “Which Teacher Jiang? You three signed up for acupuncture—I didn’t. Little Tong, your taste is quite unique. You like mature men?”
The acupuncture teacher had to be at least a middle-aged uncle, maybe even an old man!
“You’re mistaken,” Ding Ning—the girl with the facial mask—spoke up in fairness. “That Teacher Jiang is only a few years older than us. He’s quite refined and talented. Oh, now I remember—these past few weeks, whenever you’ve been unhappy, it was exactly when the acupuncture class was canceled!”
“So that’s it. That’s not bad then,” Zheng Yan breathed a sigh of relief.
“But we’ve only attended Teacher Jiang’s class twice. How did you fall for him so quickly?” Dai Yulan, the girl with glasses, asked.
Tong Yi replied awkwardly, “Actually, there’s a bit more that happened between me and Teacher Jiang—you just don’t know about it.”
“Oh~ Something else, I see, I see!” The three girls wore mysterious smiles, as if they understood perfectly.
“Cut it out, you bunch of hooligans! It’s not what you think!” Tong Yi protested in embarrassment.
“Alright, just kidding. Don’t worry, with me as your strategist, you’ll win him easily,” Zheng Yan laughed.
“Fine, let’s hear it then.”
“Listen carefully. Teacher Zheng’s Love Class is officially in session. These are my exclusive secrets, painstakingly researched and tested—take notes quickly!” Zheng Yan declared, shaking her head with dramatic flair.
“Come on, or I’ll tear your underwear, just say it!”
“You’re so humorless,” Zheng Yan pouted. “There’s a saying—‘when a man pursues a woman, it’s like crossing a mountain; when a woman pursues a man, it’s like passing through a veil.’ That’s the basic theory. If Tong Yi just runs up and confesses, first, she probably wouldn’t dare; second, you have to know, things too easily won aren’t cherished. In love, whoever confesses first is at a disadvantage. So, the highest level of pursuit is to be pursued!”
“Wow, that’s deep. But why do I feel like I don’t understand?”
“Yeah, I even feel like punching someone.”
“How crude! What I mean is, Little Tong shouldn’t throw herself at him. Instead, we need to make him fall for her, so he confesses—this is the female way, the queen’s way.”
Seeing them nod involuntarily, Zheng Yan smiled to herself, then suddenly asked, “By the way, which restaurant has the best food? I’m sick of the cafeteria.”
Tong Yi, quick-witted as ever, replied, “No question, this weekend we’ll eat out—my treat. Five meals!”
“Boss Tong, so generous!” Zheng Yan gave a thumbs up, then continued, “So how do we make him fall for her? Step one: gather intelligence. Yulan, you’re a teaching assistant and can access the office—try to find Teacher Jiang’s file.”
“Hmm, that shouldn’t be a problem,” Dai Yulan nodded.
“Step two: cater to his interests. Once you know some details, create ‘accidental’ encounters in places he frequents, then spark common topics, talk about what he likes. If he likes football, learn about football; if he likes travel, memorize the world map. The first step is crucial—be careful not to overdo it, or he’ll think you’re scheming. Just enough to pique his interest, and then you can become friends.”
“Step three: showcase your strengths—beauty, kindness, knowledge, and so on. Step four is the most vital: understand him, appreciate him—not as a lover, but as a friend who admires his talent or ambition. Then everything falls into place! When a beautiful, outstanding girl with shared interests and genuine appreciation enters a man’s life, none can resist. Then he’ll pursue you!”
“Amazing, Zheng Yan, you could publish a book!” The girls were dazzled, full of admiration.
“Of course. Otherwise, how could I keep my boyfriend so tightly wrapped around my finger? He loves basketball, so I memorized all those NBA giants, both blond and tall, dark and towering—I worked hard for that!” Zheng Yan spoke with heartfelt conviction.
“Alright! With the teacher’s guide in hand, I’ve got the secret!” Tong Yi clenched her cute fist, full of ambition, her lively spirit restored. She stood up and bowed to the three, “My happiness depends on you!”
“But mostly, it depends on yourself.”
“No problem.”
“Go get him!”
The dorm was instantly filled with fighting spirit and laughter.
“It seems Teacher Jiang’s class is the day after tomorrow. I wonder if he’ll show up. Either way, Yulan, you must get his file tomorrow.”
“Huh, so soon? But tomorrow our major courses are packed.”
“You, the academic star, worried about failing exams?”
“I’m not worried about exams, I just want to see handsome guys!”
“Oh, you mean the exchange student from America last week? He is handsome—blond hair, blue eyes, charming smile. But I noticed he keeps staring at Yan Yan during class.”
“I knew it—Yan Yan’s beauty draws all the boys. But Yan Yan already has Teacher Jiang. Once she succeeds, it’ll be my turn to be the next beneficiary.”
“Ooh, someone’s love-struck as well. Yan Yan, what do you think?”

Ding Ning and Dai Yulan were teasing each other and suddenly turned the topic back to Tong Yi.
Tong Yi hadn’t caught up, “Huh? What did you say?”
“We’re talking about the exchange student, Aiden. Yulan’s interested in him,” Ding Ning said with a mischievous grin.
“Aiden? Who’s that?” Tong Yi was totally confused.
Uh... Ding Ning’s face darkened, “Clearly, your heart has no room for anyone else. That Aiden—the American heartthrob! He even greeted you!”
Tong Yi thought for a moment, then laughed, “I think I remember him. But I belong to Teacher Jiang now; I can’t think about anyone else.”
“Shame on you! You haven’t even won him yet, and you’re already his.”
“So what?”
“Haha!”
Laughter like silver bells echoed through the room, the air full of youthful exuberance. Yet none of the girls noticed that the computer camera on the table was flickering strangely.
...
“Your Highness, the Shen family just sent over a batch of spirit stones, but left without saying a word. I don’t know what it means.”
Within the Little Yao Pavilion, Fan Jun stood before Jiang An, puzzled. He couldn’t imagine the Shen family actually delivering spirit stones, especially since Jiang An had killed Shen San Ye—there was a deep vendetta there.
Only Jiang An seemed to guess the reason. He had used the vicious ‘Heaven’s Punishment Four-Colored Finger’ on Young Master Shen partly to teach the impudent junior a lesson, and partly to test whether a Grandmaster at the Third Realm could dispel his finger force. Even if they could, they would be wary, unlikely to seek revenge recklessly. So, the Shen family sent spirit stones to keep him placated.
“As long as we have the spirit stones, don’t worry about the rest. You can go now,” Jiang An dismissed Fan Jun with a wave.
Then he recalled last night—the head of the Song family had called again, exchanged a few polite words, and unexpectedly invited Jiang An to bring Song Wanshuang and Xixi to the capital next month, in January, for his sixty-fifth birthday celebration.
As Jiang An pondered, Fan Jun returned, saying, “Your Highness, there’s an American named Aiden outside who wishes to see you.”
An American?
“Why does he want to see me?” Jiang An asked.
“He says he has something very important to discuss with you in person. He seems impressive, quite imposing. That’s why I’ve come to report. Your Highness, will you see him?” Fan Jun replied honestly.
How does he know I’m here? Is he an old acquaintance?
“Alright, I happen to have time. Let him in!”