Ch46: Mentor-Apprentice Romance?
She was taken aback when she saw the message.
Did she see it wrongly?
Just as she was feeling confused, a teacher shouted, “Xue Xi, are you leaving? The lecture theater is closing soon.”
Xue Xi stood up. “... Yes.”
When she carried her books and left, she placed her phone in her pocket before heading to her classroom.
…
At the provision store.
Xiang Huai stared at his phone as his gaze landed on the last message that he sent: “Call me ‘brother’ and I’ll lend it to you.”
He remembered that Xue Xi was introduced by Zhou Zhou as Ji Silin’s sister when she was first added to the group.
Tsk! Even though he had lowered his pride by coaxing and lying to her, the little kid still did not add him on WeChat while Ji Silin became her brother without making a sound.
How can a girl carelessly address others as ‘brother’?
He tapped his fingers on the table and imagined that she was calling him “brother” sweetly...
But why hasn’t she replied yet?
Meanwhile, the “Who is the young lady?” group was a pandemonium.
Cen Bai: “Damn! What’s happening in the group? Why do I feel that General Xiang is flirting?”
Zhou Zhou: “Sister Xi is truly formidable. She still hasn’t replied until now. Does it mean she is rejecting it? Why do I feel that we, who witnessed that person’s failure in flirting, will probably be doomed?!”
The rest shuddered.
Feng Xingshen: “That person has spoken way too much during this period of time. This is unusual. Do you want to remind the young lady to not offend him? I’m afraid that she’ll vanish from the group tomorrow!”
Zhou Zhou: “... I don’t dare.”
Cen Bai: “... Me too.”
The rest: “We’re all even more afraid.”
Just as the moguls were peering at the group chat and worrying about Xue Xi, there came a new message.
Ji Silin: “She is a junior and dares not address you as ‘brother.’ If you’re willing to guide her, why not let my sister address you as ‘mentor’?”
When the moguls saw this message, they dared not to even breathe. Everyone wished they could disappear from the group. They did not want to be implicated when the deities were fighting.
Xiang Huai, who had been waiting for Xue Xi’s reply, was overflowing with patience because his little kid tended to respond slower.
After he’d been waiting for five minutes, there was a new message in the group. Upon reading the content clearly, he cocked his brow and scorned the sender.
Ji Silin...
Is he raising his seniority straight away?
If he did not recall wrongly, Ji Silin was older than he was by a year. Moreover, who was he to make the decision on behalf of the little kid?
When he was about to reply, his fingers halted.
Mentor... He imagined the little kid addressing him respectfully. It seems like a mentor-apprentice romance is also not bad...
A moment of hesitation later, there was another message in the group.
Learning: “May I? I really love studying. Will you be my mentor?”
Xiang Huai’s ire was extinguished right away. His cold facial features slowly softened. He chuckled as his fingers moved: “Sure.”
Immediately, Xue Xi received Omnipotent Boss’s private message as he sent him the resources that she needed.
Xue Xi looked until the end, her eyes sparkling. “Thanks, Mentor!”
She was already back in the classroom. After sending the message, she carried her school bag and wanted to head home.
However, when she arrived at the entrance, she received Uncle Li’s message: “Eldest Young Mistress, Ms Xue Yao insisted on me sending her back first. Wait a while and I’ll fetch you after sending her home.”
Xue Xi frowned upon seeing the message.
She woke up early this morning, and by the time she left the house, Xue Yao still had not woken up. Hence, she left early and took public transport to school.
Moreover, Xue Yao was usually very slow and would purposely delay for more than ten minutes. Xue Xi left school merely five minutes later than usual today and Xue Yao simply left?
Xue Xi felt vexed somehow.
If she were to head home now, she would have to queue for the public transport. It was also going to be a detour and would waste a lot of time.
If she were to wait for Uncle Li here, it would take an hour.
After giving it a thought, she headed outside. Screech! As she was about to flag a cab, a blue convertible stopped in front of her.
Gao Yanchen pointed at the seat beside the driver’s as his eyes sparkled. “Sister Xi, want a ride?”
Little Flame looked pretty dashing while driving.
Xue Xi thought to herself and accepted the offer. She was in a hurry to get back home and download the resources to solve that theory.
Therefore, she opened the car door and got in it.
“Sister Xi, fasten the seat belt.”
As he said that, Gao Yanchen stepped on the accelerator and the car raced down the road.
He was adept at driving and the convertible made its way nimbly on the road during the peak hour while passing by the provision store.
Sitting behind the counter, Xiang Huai looked at the entrance and coincidentally saw the convertible as well as the two people in it.
The boy with red hair exuded a rebellious aura belonging to his age. That smile of his was both wild and raffish, which would easily attract girls’ attention.
His little kid, for instance, was smiling despite her usual aloof personality, and her eyes were shining as though she was in an exuberant mood.
They looked like a pair of teenagers who had just experienced their first awakening of love.
Xiang Huai’s dark brown eyes darkened.
…
Uncle Li needed 30 minutes to drive from school to home.
However, Gao Yanchen took only 15 minutes.
He sped the whole way and did not slow down even though he was reaching the Xue family’s home.
Although he lost to Xue Xi in fighting, it did not mean that he was bad in other areas.
A girl would definitely be terrified and dizzy during their first convertible car ride. I want to make her cry!
At the thought of it, he stepped on the accelerator and raced to the entrance of the Xue family’s home before coming to a halt abruptly. He turned the steering wheel intensely and did a drift before changing the car’s direction and stopping at the gate as the car raised a cloud of dust.
After acting suave, he turned to look at Xue Xi. “Are you afraid...”
Before he could finish the sentence, his eyes met the girl’s bright and excited ones.
Xue Xi was exhilarated. “So fast!”
She sighed and touched the car. “If only I could get a driver’s license and have a convertible too.”
This way, she could save 30 minutes before and after school to do her questions!
With this thought in mind, she carried her school bag and walked through the gate relaxedly.
Gao Yanchen: “…”
…
Just as she entered the house, her phone rang. It was a message from Canine Teeth. “Did you ride your friend’s convertible back home?”
Xue Xi replied unhurriedly. “Yes.”
Canine Teeth: “Is that boy going after you?”
The corners of her lips twitched as she replied: “It’s none of your business.”
Xiang Huai: “??”
Approximately two minutes later, his phone showed that the resources sent via WeChat had been accepted. This meant that she had gotten home.
She even took the initiative to send him a message.
Learning: “Mentor, do you think it’ll be easy to learn how to drive a convertible?”
Ch47: Let’s Live Apart
Xue Xi was not sharp when it came to matters like romance. Hence, she did not notice that he was flirting with her when he said “brother” in the group chat.
Since she was addressing him as “mentor,” she would show him respect accordingly.
For some unknown reasons, she felt that the other party was very reliable.
After sending the message, she printed all the resources that she had downloaded and carried them back to her room from the study room.
On the way back, she bumped into Liu Yiqiu, who was preparing to head downstairs. The lady was surprised to see her. “Xixi, where’s Yaoyao? She didn’t come back with you?”
“Oh,” Xue Xi replied aloofly.
Liu Yiqiu frowned at once. “Why didn’t you wait for your sister? It’s the same thing when you’re going to school in the morning. Aren’t you too cold-blooded?”
Sitting in the living room downstairs, Old Lady Xue was watching the television. She held the remote controller and joined in. “Kids who don’t grow up with the family simply can’t make it. Thankfully, our Yaoyao won’t stoop to her level.”
Xue Xi could not be bothered with them. She headed back to her room and closed the door.
After placing the resources on her desk, she picked up her phone.
Omnipotent Boss: “It’s alright to learn how to drive a convertible, but you can’t do it in the downtown area. It goes against the law. When I get the chance, I’ll teach you.”
Xue Xi smiled and responded obediently. “Sure, I’m going to start learning.”
Omnipotent Boss: “Mhm. If you’re unsure of anything, feel free to ask me.”
In order to make use of new knowledge, she needed to understand it completely. Xue Xi was not anxious about proving the theory. Instead, she read the resources.
She felt that it had been only a while when Ye Li knocked on her door and called her for dinner.
She put aside the literature reluctantly and sighed in silence before heading out.
The family was more complete today. Other than her Second Uncle, everyone was present.
Old Master and Old Lady sat on both sides of the long dining table. Xue Sheng, Ye Li, and Xue Xi sat on one side while Liu Yiqiu and Xue Yao sat on the other side.
Just as they were eating, Liu Yiqiu’s phone rang.
She took a look and picked up the call anxiously while sounding solicitous. “Hello, Madam Xia... Not busy at all. Just speak out... Huh?”
Liu Yiqiu’s expression changed when the other party said something.
She first glared at Xue Yao before replying with a smile, “Sure, no problem!”
Upon hanging up, she slapped Xue Yao’s back. “You child!”
Her daughter was baffled and her temper flared up. “Mom, why did you hit me?”
Liu Yiqiu was boiling with rage. “Were you the one who told others that I have an appointment with Mr Zhou? Didn’t I remind you not to tell outsiders? I tapped on many connections before securing this opportunity for you. Now that the news has gotten out, Madam Xia called and insisted on sending her daughter for the interview too! I dare not to offend the Xia family!”
When Xue Yao heard this, her eyes flickered and she was afraid of being found out.
She stared fiercely at Xue Xi.
Since Xue Xi had been in the limelight at school recently, she could not hold it in. Hence, she secretly told her best friend, but as it turned out...
No, she clearly reminded her friend not to spread it.
Therefore, this matter...
Xue Yao stood up abruptly and pointed at Xue Xi. “Were you the one who spread the news?”
Xue Xi, who was silently having dinner: “??”
Feeling baffled, she lifted her head and saw Xue Yao reprimanding her with reddened eyes. “I didn’t tell anyone so it must have been you! Aren’t you jealous that I know how to play the piano and I can be Mr Zhou’s disciple? Therefore, you spread the news on purpose because you don’t want me to be chosen!”
The moment she said that, Liu Yiqiu looked daggers at Xue Xi.
Before Ye Li could refute, Old Lady Xue slammed the table. “Xue Xi! Is your jealousy that strong? It’s fine that you don’t love your sister, but aren’t you being too evil by playing a dirty trick?”
Xue Sheng put down his chopsticks. It was a huge gesture so it made a sound. “Mom, we haven’t figured out the matter yet. Isn’t it a little early to scold Xixi now?”
Old Lady Xue’s chest heaved. “Who else could it be? Only members of the family know about this. Yaoyao couldn’t have possibly got a few competitors for herself, right?”
Xue Sheng looked at Xue Xi and asked, “Xixi, does this matter have to do with you?”
Although he was asking her, he was actually giving her a chance to explain.
Everybody stopped talking and Xue Xi unhurriedly asked, “What matter?”
“…”
Xue Sheng thought adorably of his daughter’s confused look as he patted her head. “It’s about the family inviting Mr Zhou this weekend.”
Xue Xi replied, “... Oh. I didn’t talk about it.”
She did not even mention Xue Yao’s name in school and was busy with proving Bartra’s theory. Why would she have time to gossip?
After explaining, she continued to eat.
Xue Yao pointed at her and rebuked, “It’s definitely you! Are you the one who told Qin Shuang? Given her gossipy personality, she’d definitely spread the news!”
She had to insist that it was Xue Xi. If not, her mother would reprimand her.
Moreover, it might have been Xue Xi’s tricks!
She flew into a rage. “You appear to hold yourself aloof from the world, but not only do you want to outdo me in academics, you also want to outshine me in other areas, don’t you? Xue Xi, you’re too despicable!”
“Shut up!”
Ye Li shouted in fury. “Do you have any evidence? Yaoyao, both of you are sisters and not foes! Ever since Xixi stepped through the door, you’ve harbored a great sense of animosity toward her when she has never done anything to you!”
“Has she really never done anything to me?” Xue Yao had Liu Yiqiu behind her back. “Fan Han is in the Math Olympiad class so she applied to the class. I’m in the Physics class so she applied to Physics. Why doesn’t she apply for the Chemistry Olympiad? She’s clearly hating on me for stealing her marriage arrangement!”
Xue Xi paused. “I can apply for Chemistry as well?”
“…”
Frowning, she pondered. There should be a plethora of knowledge to gain from the Chemistry Olympiad as well, right? There is no harm in trying.
Her reaction was unexpected.
In the end, Old Lady Xue bellowed, “Look at her attitude! Isn’t she being arrogant just because she does well in school? So what? There are countless numbers of people who are stronger and better than you! What good does it bring to us wealthy families if you do good in school? Look at your etiquette. Do you know how to play the piano? Dance? Do flower arrangements? A mere bastard from a countryside orphanage, you’re revolting now!”
Ye Li was shivering with anger, and just as she was going to say something—
Bang!
The table was slammed.
Silence ensued as everybody turned to look at Xue Sheng, who was red with fury.
His face was terrifyingly dark. After taking a deep breath, he said, “Mom, ever since Ye Li and I got married, you never liked her. Now that you’re not fond of Xixi as well, it actually got me thinking. Do you actually detest them or me?”
Old Lady Xue was stunned. “I...”
Xue Sheng closed his eyes and made the decision. “Since our family’s existence annoys you, let’s live apart.”
Ch48: Jerk! Beast!
Night fell.
The crystal chandelier was giving out bright white light as it shone on every face with unfathomable expressions.
The existence of the helpers, who were serving them by the side, diminished.
Old Master Xue, who had remained silent throughout, sat up straight. “Nonsense!”
Xue Sheng continued standing. His broad shoulders seemed to be capable of propping up the sky for the mother and daughter pair. Looking at his father, he said, “Dad, look at this family. Does it still have a place for our family of three? People who don’t know might think that I’m not Mom’s biological son!”
“That’s bullshit!” Old Lady Xue shouted agitatedly. “I carried you in my womb for ten months and gave birth to you painstakingly. So that’s how you’re treating me?”
After saying that, she turned to look at Ye Li. “It must be you who has been instigating Xue Sheng behind our backs, causing my son to be at odds with me! I shouldn’t have allowed you to marry into our family back then. The fortune-teller mentioned that you’re a jinx. You’ll break up our family sooner or later. Now his words have really come true!”
Ye Li was stunned. She did not expect to hear this.
Xue Sheng was in disbelief. He supported Ye Li’s shoulders. A boiling fury swelled inside of him. “So you haven’t been fond of Ye Li simply because of this reason?”
Old Lady Xue had told the truth without thinking so she decided to admit to it straightforwardly. “Right! It’s because of this! She can’t even give birth to a son! Won’t you be left without a descendant?”
Xue Sheng yelled, “I have Xixi!”
Old Lady Xue said with disdain, “She is a girl! Moreover, her paternal grandpa is mentally unsound! Her family has this gene and she might act up in the future!”
Most mental disorders are hereditary and the chances of skipping generations are very high as well. Therefore, Xue Xi’s slow-to-respond personality was seen as a form of mental illness in the old lady’s eyes.
Most mental illness patients dared not to have children.
Her words were irrefutable.
Having her tender spot jabbed, Ye Li was shivering. The truth was as it was and she could not defend herself.
This time around, that hand on her shoulder patted her gently and calmed her down.
Xue Sheng did not have the intention to refute. His strong arms defended her from the front. “So, let’s live apart. Just think of me as an unfilial son and you can live with the second son!”
Upon hearing this, Old Lady Xue shrieked, “You’re my son so you have to provide for me!”
“Shut up!”
Old Master threw the chopsticks at Old Lady Xue and the dining room fell into pin-drop silence.
He looked at Xue Sheng.
The Xue family was a nouveau riche, but Xue Sheng was the one who found the connections and opportunities that developed the family. Although Old Master Xue was the chairman, most of the company’s matters were actually being handled by Xue Sheng.
It could be said that Xue Sheng had contributed 70 percent to the current development of the Xue family’s company!
That was also why Old Lady Xue was biased toward the second son. Xue Sheng did not have a son, but the conservative old patriarch still wanted to hand the company to him.
It was without a doubt that between his old wife and Xue Sheng, the old master chose the latter.
He shouted at his wife, “What were you talking about earlier? If you don’t want to live with the eldest son, fine, go back to the Liu family!”
Old Lady Xue widened her eyes. “Old man, are you chasing me out?”
“If you don’t want to be chased out by me, apologize to Xue Xi!”
The old patriarch was adamant. He shot a sweeping glance at Liu Yiqiu and Xue Xi before harrumphing. “Xue Xi is the Xue family’s Eldest Young Mistress . If anyone in the family dares to disrespect her next time, it’s equivalent to disrespecting me.”
Following his firm and clear words, the room was still.
Old Lady Xue tensed her neck but was unable to sound out any form of apology.
Liu Yiqiu attempted to mediate. “Mom is, after all, her senior. I’ll apologize to Xixi on behalf of Mom, alright? Furthermore, she is old and more conservative in her ideas. That’s why she trusted that fortune-teller’s words. Xixi, Grandma will definitely not scold you again.”
She then pleaded with Xue Sheng and Ye Li, “Big Brother, Sister-in-law, please just forgive Mom this time around!”
Xue Sheng kept a straight face and remained silent.
Old Master Xue glared at his wife.
She was instantly terrified and shouted anxiously with a grievance, “I’m in the wrong, alright? Eldest son, do you insist on having Mom kneel down and kowtow to you?”
She felt especially embarrassed after saying that and went upstairs while crying.
The old master gave the final word. “Eldest son, leave it like this!”
The matter had simply passed.
During the night in the bedroom, Xue Sheng sighed. “To be honest, I’ve already bought a mansion outside.”
Ye Li paused. “What?”
He continued, “I’d bought the house ever since Xixi was found and Mom showed she wasn’t fond of her. However, the renovation will take some time, so let’s not move out for now.”
She understood what he meant. “So we’ll move out next time?”
Old Lady Xue could not change her personality easily. After this incident today, she would restrain herself for the time being. When she acted up again... Xue Sheng would bring up the topic of living apart and that would not be going overboard by then.
His gaze was filled with determination. “My wife and daughter don’t need to take cues from others!”
…
The issue of moving out did not affect Xue Xi much. She went upstairs and continued reading the resources until midnight.
Canine Teeth sent a message on WeChat. “Are you asleep?”
Xue Xi glanced at it but ignored it.
A while later, another message came.
Omnipotent Boss: “Don’t stay up late; it’s bad for your health.”
Only then did Xue Xi reply: “Ok, Mentor.”
She looked at the resources for another five minutes before putting them aside. She washed up and lay on the bed, but her mind kept flashing the new knowledge that she had just acquired. It kept her mind stimulated and she could not fall asleep.
Think of something else.
But what?
During this period of time, she had been forced to think of Xiang Huai in order to ensure that her heart would not hurt if they only held hands.
Therefore, she intuitively thought of Xiang Huai.
When they met today, he was changing, and the waist that he revealed...
Unknowingly, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep slumber.
In her dream, that waist kept sashaying in front of her until Xiang Huai inched closer and smiled. “Little kid, do you want to touch?”
She clearly did not wish to, but in her dream, she could not control her hand as she touched his abs...
When she woke up the next day, she was not looking right.
As Xue Xi headed downstairs, Xue Yao was quietly waiting for her, unlike usual times. She even said in front of Old Master Xue and Xue Sheng, “Grandpa, Big Uncle, I realized that what you guys said last night was right. Xue Xi is my sister. So I discussed with Mom that when Mr Zhou comes on the weekend, we’ll get Cousin Xue Xi to join as well! If Mr Zhou happens to choose her, it’s also our Xue family’s pride.”
Although she said that, a look of disdain flashed across her eyes.
Who doesn’t know how to do the surface work? Isn’t she merely another accompaniment?
“Sure! Sisters should help one another!” the old master said in praise of her.
Throughout the conversation, Xue Xi merely pouted. Evidently, she was not in a good mood. This happened until she had dashed into the provision store and glared at Xiang Huai. “Are you able to control my dream?”
Baffled, he looked up at her as she scolded him, feeling aggrieved, “Jerk! Beast!”
Xiang Huai: “??”
Ch49: What Did You Dream of?
The store instantly fell silent.
Half a beat later: “Pfft.” Xiang Huai chuckled.
He put down the book and craftiness flashed across his dark brown eyes. “Little kid, what did you dream of?”
Upon hearing the question, Xue Xi found her face burning.
Not only did she touch him in her dream, she even...
For someone who had always been aloof, she was slightly abashed. This was the first time that she hated herself for having an extraordinary memory as she remembered the details of the dream clearly.
She could remember the touch of his abs and... they felt like they were real.
The mist in her eyes burst, and her dark, bright pupils were exposed. She looked at Xiang Huai in a huff and scolded, “Despicable!”
His Little Kid had always been very composed. It was Xiang Huai’s second time seeing her getting so worked up. He felt the urge to poke her puffy cheeks. It must feel very good.
However, Little Kid would probably get angrier.
Xiang Huai suppressed the urge to poke it as he leaned back lazily. He laughed and it was unlike the usual chuckle or smile. He really let out laughter, and even his brows were arched. That deep laughter was heart-tickling.
Thereafter, Xue Xi heard him. “It’s my fault.”
Xue Xi became angrier. Indeed, it was his doing?
Just as she was about to explode, the man explained slowly, “There’s a saying that goes, ‘What you think about in the day you will dream of it at night.'”
His smile grew wider. “I didn’t satisfy you, so you had that kind of dream. It’s my fault.”
Xue Xi pondered over it for a moment before a question mark was drawn in her mind: “?”
Chh!
The sound of the chair dragging on the floor was heard and Xiang Huai stood up. He was 180 centimeters tall and was taller than she was by a head’s length. Walking from behind the counter, he towered over her as he bent down and lowered his head. He whispered into her ear, “I have a great idea that will stop you from having that dream.”
Xue Xi became distracted. “What idea?”
The man chuckled once again as he exhaled his breath on her skin. She felt a tickle and heard the man’s flirty words. “Let’s reenact the scene in your dream in reality.”
“…”
Two seconds later, Xue Xi’s right leg moved backward while she tightened her right fist and punched his face swiftly, resolutely, and accurately!
Pak!
Although she was swift, she was stopped by the man. He raised his brow. “If I get disfigured, I won’t look good in your dreams anymore.”
“…”
During this period of time, Xue Xi figured out a method. She noticed that if she treated this man as a lover whom she loved deeply, her heart would not hurt.
For instance, she could not bear to hit him.
Even if she thought about hitting him, her heart would ache.
Therefore, in order to hit him, she needed to succeed through unusual means. She wanted to slap him directly without thinking, but having been stopped by him, it would no longer work.
Just as they were in a stalemate, Canine Teeth carried the breakfast and entered. “Yo, you’re early today! What are you guys doing? Knocking around?”
“…”
The tense atmosphere vanished instantly.
Xue Xi retracted her fist and walked to the dining table as though nothing happened. Picking up a bun, she pretended it to be that person as she bit it fiercely. Mhm, the bun is really soft. It’s somewhat similar to that man’s lips in my dream...
She immediately paused and her eyes were in a daze.
Why did I think of that dream again?!
Following that, Lu Chao realized that Xue Xi, who was usually expressionless, had become colder today as though someone owed her a huge sum of money.
In the past, when girls did this, his boss would exude a looming aura as well. However, his boss’s lips were clearly upturned. It has a hint of lust... Pui, it’s a dissolute smile.
They finished breakfast in a short while. The girl held on to the boss’s hand fiercely for some time before standing up and leaving.
When she walked to the entrance, she suddenly remembered that Canine Teeth had sent her a message last night to ask about her riding the convertible...
Xue Xi never enjoyed being supervised by others. She stood on the spot and shot him a cold glare. “Canine Teeth, do you know why Xiao Ming’s grandma got to live until she’s 103 years old?”
Canine Teeth replied, “Because she didn’t meddle in others’ affairs.”
She paused for two seconds before retracting her gaze. “Yes, glad that you know.”
She then left the provision store.
Lu Chao’s face was filled with confusion. Why do I feel that I got threatened just now? But when did I meddle in others’ affairs?
He looked at his boss with confusion and merely saw the latter’s shoulders shaking as if he was laughing.
Why is my little kid this cute?
…
Xue Xi managed to soothe her nerves only when she had arrived at the classroom.
She walked to her seat and shot a glance at the assignments before packing up and heading to the Math Olympiad class.
She fully immersed herself in the knowledge she had learned yesterday and could not extricate herself from it.
When she passed by Qin Shuang, the hem of her uniform got stuck. Dipping her head, she saw Qin Shuang smiling and gossiping to her. “Sister Xi, did you know that Brother Chen was sent to school today? Ha ha ha, his convertible has been confiscated!”
Xue Xi replied, “... Why?”
Qin Shuang burst into peals of laughter. “Brother Chen said that Elder Gao wants him to abide by traffic rules. But he hasn’t been doing so for so many years, so what exactly happened? Since when did the Gao family become law-abiding citizens? Brother Chen is extremely depressed!”
Xue Xi could imagine Little Flame sulking when she heard this.
Pursing her lips, she suddenly felt that her mood had greatly improved and carried her books to the Math Olympiad class.
She had been learning the new knowledge for the whole day. When she could not understand certain parts, she would pick up her phone and consult Omnipotent Boss.
After all, that Teaches Math did not even know about this theory, so his math must not be too good. He would probably not understand it.
Time always passed quickly while studying.
Unknowingly, a week had passed.
The Math and Physics Olympiad were going to be held next week, but during the weekend, the Xue family would be having a piano assessment that was on par with the Math Olympiad.
On Saturday.
There was only the last remaining step to Xue Xi’s proof of Bartra’s theory. She had totally immersed herself in it and heaved a sigh of relief only when she had completed the proof.
Only then did she notice the chaos and bustle downstairs.
Opening her room door in doubt, she saw Liu Yiqiu ordering the helpers to place the items while Xue Yao was practicing the piece that she was going to present in the afternoon.
Ye Li, donning a lavender cheongsam, had been paying attention to her. When she saw her daughter’s room door open, she approached her gently. “Xixi, have you finished studying?”
Xue Xi nodded.
Ye Li followed her gaze and saw the piano downstairs.
Her heart squeezed. “Xixi, if you like it, we’ll start learning from now on! Since you’re so clever, you’ll definitely be able to learn it! Just treat it as a practice later in the afternoon, and even if you can’t become Mr Zhou’s apprentice, it’s alright. Mom will work hard and find you a better piano instructor in the future!”
Xue Xi: “... Oh.”
Ch50: Put Her in Her Place!
As they were talking upstairs, the sound of a car arriving was heard. Old Lady Xue’s excited voice could be heard through the door. “Yanmei, Ruoruo, you guys are finally here!”
Following which, a loud voice was heard. “Mom, why are you crying? Could it be that Sister-in-law bullied you?”
It was clear that the person with that fierce and unreasonable voice was not to be trifled with.
Ye Li frowned intuitively and explained to Xue Xi softly, “That’s your paternal auntie, Xue Yanmei. She...”
Ye Li, who had never spoken behind others’ back, hesitated before reminding Xue Xi, “She got married early. Mhm... So her manners are slightly coarse. Her daughter, Sun Ruoruo, isn’t to be trifled with either. Anyways, Xixi, stay away from them.”
Xue Xi was baffled for a moment before realizing why Ye Li hesitated to speak.
The middle-aged lady supporting Old Lady Xue was tanned and slightly fat. She was wearing a tight-fitting outfit, so her belly was exposed layer by layer, and it would even tremble while she walked.
Following behind was her daughter, Sun Ruoruo. Although her name sounded delicate, she had a stocky figure and was very tanned. The moment she entered, she sat on the sofa and fawned on Xue Yao. “Yaoyao, you’re so beautiful today. You’ll definitely get chosen.”
Xue Yao had just finished playing one round as she put on a pretense. “Nothing is certain. There are still Sister Xue Xi and the Xia family’s Young Mistress! Moreover, Sister Ruoruo, you know how to play the piano too!”
Sun Ruoruo brushed it off. “What am I? I’m just here to play. As for Xue Xi... I heard that she grew up in an orphanage where the handicapped children stay. I bet her image isn’t great either, so she is just here to join in on the fun...”
Before she could finish speaking, Xue Yanmei cut her off. “Second Sister-in-law, where is Big Sister-in-law? Their Xue Xi is finally back, but why isn’t she meeting me, her aunt? Could it be that she is too ugly so they’re hiding her? We’re all relatives and she should just meet us.”
When she heard these words from upstairs, Ye Li’s expression turned ugly, and she walked loudly on purpose.
Hearing the noise, everyone turned to look.
Xue Yanmei and Sun Ruoruo saw the girl behind Ye Li at once. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her facial features were exquisite and beautiful. She was even more eye-catching than celebrities, and her eyes seemed to be holding mist and were exuding a mystical aura.
Both of them were dazed.
Seeing them like this, Ye Li smiled. “Xixi, go greet your auntie.”
Xue Xi slowly greeted, “Hello.”
Xue Yanmei felt that she had been put in her place, but she quickly saved her face. “Big Sister-in-law is so beautiful, so her daughter mustn’t be too bad. However, looks aren’t the most important. Academics and talents are. Our Yaoyao is formidable in her studies and is one of the top five students in her school! Xixi, you gotta learn from your younger sister!”
The living room’s atmosphere turned strange when she said that.
Liu Yiqiu and Xue Yao’s faces darkened.
How could this person rub our noses in it?
Old Lady Xue tugged Xue Yanmei’s arm as well. “Stop speaking.”
When Xue Yanmei had just arrived, the old lady had complained about a lot of things softly. She’d said that Ye Li had overtaken her and become the in-charge of the Xue family. She thought that her mother was afraid of Ye Li, so she sneered instantly. “Mom, why can’t I talk about this? If the child has any shortcomings, we need to raise it up! My Big Sister-in-law will definitely not mind me saying it, right?”
At this instant, Ye Li felt that she could hold her chin up. She smiled in an especially warm and elegant manner. “I think that you’re very right.”
Xue Yanmei nodded. “Therefore, Xixi, no matter what you’ve done in the past, you’re a student so you should prioritize your studies. You must have taken your mock exam in your senior year, right? Don’t try to compete with Yaoyao right at the start because, after all, there is no way to do that. Don’t you feel stressed? You should set a small goal for yourself, if so. For instance, you can try to be in the top hundred of your cohort. Oh, right, what’s your ranking now?”
Xue Xi remained silent, but Ye Li smiled and replied, “Our Xixi lives up to expectations. She performed alright this time around, so she got first.”
Xue Yanmei intended to lecture them but was flabbergasted. “What?”
Her eyes fell on Xue Xi again. Shouldn’t a beautiful girl like her not focus on her studies?
Or did I hear wrongly?
Old Lady Xue coughed and changed the topic. “For a family like ours, studies aren’t the most important actually. A nerd who receives an examination-oriented education won’t make it big. Look at our Yaoyao, she played the piano so well earlier!”
Xue Yanmei quickly changed the topic as well. “Right, our Yaoyao’s piano skills have no problem at all. Out of the four who are being assessed, three are just accompaniments! Oh, right, has the Xia family’s Young Mistress arrived?”
Liu Yiqiu responded, “They’ll be here shortly.”
As she spoke, a car arrived outside. Liu Yiqiu and Ye Li went out to welcome them. Moments later, they saw a fashionable and well-maintained lady walking in. She must be Madam Xia, and following behind her was a skinny and timid girl in a white dress.
The girl let her hair down and had on a pearl clip. Her skin appeared sickly fair. When she entered, she kept hiding behind Madam Xia and peering at the rest.
She appeared adorable with a hint of delicateness.
Madam Xia smiled politely. “Our family’s Yiyi loves playing the piano, so when she heard that Mr Zhou is in Bin City, I had to be thick-skinned and come here. Madam Xue, really sorry about it!”
Liu Yiqiu tried to maintain her smile. “It’s nothing. Long before this, I heard that Yiyi plays the piano well. Later, let Yaoyao have an eye-opener!”
After saying that, she smiled. “There’s so many of us here. Yiyi must be terrified, right? I’ll get Yaoyao to bring her upstairs to play!”
Xue Yao’s eyes flickered. “Sure. Yiyi, let’s go upstairs!”
Madam Xia coaxed Xia Yiyi, “Didn’t you have a problem regarding the piano earlier and wanted to consult Xue Yao? Go ahead and play.”
Yiyi shot a timid glance at Xue Yao and nodded.
Ye Li said as well, “Xixi, follow them.”
The four girls headed upstairs and played in the reception room upstairs.
The moment they entered, Sun Ruoruo spoke. “Yaoyao, why doesn’t this Ms Xia speak?”
Xue Yao coughed and gently whispered in Sun Ruoruo’s ear. At the same time, the latter exclaimed, “It turns out that she’s mute! Can a deaf and mute person play the piano?”
Xue Yao pulled Sun Ruoruo to the sofa and sat down. They began to whisper among themselves, leaving the guest on her own.
Shooting a glance at Xia Yiyi, Xue Xi found her looking disconcerted, her fingers nervously intertwined.
There was still 30 minutes before Zhou Zhou’s arrival.