0159: Elusive

Back in the classroom, the head teacher briefly outlined tomorrow's general arrangements, and then dismissed school.

However, most of the students who had originally planned not to participate suddenly regained their enthusiasm. It was not because of any rewards.

It was simply because they suddenly realized that if they didn't go to the competition, nor went to watch the competition, they would have to spend the time studying in the classroom.

Might as well go outside and run around; the weather wasn't even hot, and they could also catch a glimpse of the beautiful female CEO.

"Ji Yun, walking back with me?"

Packing her schoolbag, Zhuo Yan glanced at her best friend, wondering whether she and Xu Lin had made up yet.

"No, I'll walk back with Xu Lin."

"Actually, I don't really know what to say, except that I don't want you to be hurt by anything. Just live however makes you happy, okay?"

"Mm, Zhuo Yan, we aren't fighting. It's just that I've been overthinking things myself. Alright, aren't you going to pick up your younger brother today? Hurry up and go."

"Alright. If anything happens, you must tell me! Don't keep it all bottled up inside. By the way, since he's your boyfriend, say what needs to be said, and scold him when he needs to be scolded."

"He's not my boyfriend yet."

"Whether he is one right now doesn't matter; everyone already assumes he is anyway. By the way, the two of you be careful too, don't let the teachers find out."

"Mm."

Ji Yun nodded, glanced at the head teacher who had just walked out, and sighed. The teachers had probably noticed long ago.

Ji Yun looked toward Xu Lin. Seeing Ji Yun looking over, Li Bin and the others proactively slipped away, while Xu Lin just smiled at her.

"Feeling a bit better?"

"Moping around all day isn't a solution, is it?"

"Yeah, and seriously, if anything is bothering you, you really can talk to me."

"I don't even know what's on my mind myself. Maybe I'm just too idle. Perhaps I should find something to do, just like you."

After listening to President Ye's speech in the afternoon, Ji Yun felt slightly better, but she also realized that she truly needed to find something to occupy herself with.

Although she didn't hate studying, nor did she find it overly tedious, she felt that she shouldn't just study alone—she needed to actually pursue something she genuinely loved.

"What do you want to do? I can invest."

"Aren't you earning your own money? Then I have to do it myself."

Xu Lin suddenly realized that although Ji Yun gave off the impression of a gentle and clever young girl, deep down she was actually very independent and strong-willed.

She wasn't the kind of girl who would simply follow whatever arrangements you made for her—or rather, aside from Bai Xiaoxiao, none of the girls he knew were like that.

"Class monitor, you two stop chatting! As soon as I finish cleaning this side, I'm locking the door. Go chat at home~" Two cleaning students teased them.

"Sorry, sorry, we delayed your cleaning. We're leaving, we're leaving, chatting at home."

Ji Yun said, then pulled him out of the classroom. Xu Lin very naturally took Ji Yun's schoolbag and slung it over his shoulder.

"That's so nice, now that's what you call a golden boy and jade girl."

"Yeah, but did I just hear the class monitor say they're going home to chat? Could it mean—?!"

"She was just playing along with what we said, how could they possibly live together? 'Going home to chat', sure."

"True, let's just get on with the cleaning."

Along the way down the stairs, Xu Lin once again experienced the "pursuit and encirclement" brought by his charm stat, though most people just greeted them in passing.

After all, Ji Yun was right beside him. However, Ji Yun wasn't the domineering type who could easily intimidate some of the more mischievous girls.

Some girls came over not to greet them at all, but rather to flirt with him, hoping to make Ji Yun jealous. Yet Ji Yun didn't care in the least.

"Is this the price of being handsome? How come I notice you never get jealous?"

"Why should I get jealous? You're not my boyfriend yet. But most importantly, I believe in myself. I might fall a bit short compared to sisters Chu Qingchan, but as for the others, I don't care at all."

"Class Monitor Ji, I suspect you secretly learned my shameless skills."

"I'm just stating facts."

Walking near the school gate, the third-year grade director glanced at the two people standing close together, frowned slightly, and patted the second-year grade director beside him.

"Old Niu, isn't that boy the one who spoke on stage today? They're clearly dating, aren't you going to go over and have a word?"

"Brother Jin, you have too much time on your hands. Are there any overly intimate actions? Why be so rigid?"

"Hey~ You're always the one who loves ruining the students' little crushes!"

"Haha, to be honest, I'm not interfering with whether these two date or not. One climbed from 120th place into the top 40, and the other has consistently been in the top 3 of the grade. I think it's completely fine."

"Romantic relationships are bound to affect their studies."

"Then we'll deal with it if it affects them. I feel like sometimes, in moderation, it might even boost their grades. Boys need a goal, don't they?"

Teacher Niu patted his old colleague on the shoulder, his mind drifting back to when he took his middle school exams to get into high school.

The pain of parting with that girl—how agonizing it had been. Fortunately, she was his wife now.

The two walked out of the school. Xu Lin intended to wait at the bus stop, but Ji Yun pulled him back.

"Accompany me for a walk today."

"Alright. Today's update is already posted, and there's nothing else going on, except for a guest coming over around 8 o'clock."

"Which guest?"

"President Ye."

"The one on stage today?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, she's the big boss we ran into last time when we went to Jinling."

"President Ye has a daughter... doesn't really look like it."

Ji Yun couldn't imagine that woman having a daughter—she had such a great figure, and usually wealthy people married quite late anyway.

"How should I put it, that little girl is adopted."

"Is that so? Still, I feel like children from wealthy families aren't necessarily happier than those from ordinary ones."

"Actually, the happiness of the rich is beyond your imagination, but they have their moments of sorrow too. Let's just say nobody's life is entirely smooth sailing."

"That's true."

Ji Yun nodded. In the past, she believed that as long as a person stayed true to their inner self, they would live a happy life.

Yet in just these past six months, she had encountered countless surprises—for instance, discovering that her seemingly honest parents had such a past.

Of course, much of it was because of Xu Lin. Her once-plain daily life had suddenly turned different, filled with many more melancholic and sorrowful moments.

At the same time, however, it also brought much more anticipation and joy. Thus, she felt that life right now was pretty good: there were troubles, but there was also him.

Thinking of this, Ji Yun, who had previously felt burdened by the pressure of numerous imaginary rivals, suddenly felt a wave of clarity wash over her. She extended her small hand and hooked her finger around Xu Lin's.

Xu Lin was slightly startled, glancing sideways to find that the young girl wasn't looking at him at all. She was simply hooking his finger with her own, gently scratching his palm.

Xu Lin understood immediately: Class Monitor Ji's mood had improved. But with you being this bold, could he possibly hold back?

He abruptly turned, firmly grabbed her hand, and interlocked his fingers directly with hers, palm pressing against palm.

He gently pulled her toward him, drawing her slowly into his embrace.

Ji Yun was startled, almost leaping like a frightened little rabbit. But looking around, she realized that somehow, Xu Lin had guided her behind a tree, and there were no passersby nearby.

"What are you doing..."

"Nothing much, just giving you a hug."

"I don't want one."

"Want a kiss?"

"Using baby talk, gross."

Ji Yun burst into laughter. Meeting Xu Lin's burning gaze, she slowly leaned in and wrapped her arms around him.

Just as her arms circled Xu Lin's waist, however, the honk of a car horn abruptly interrupted them.

Xu Lin looked toward the distance and saw a taxi parked there. Instantly, his scalp went numb: *You're truly omnipresent, my dear father-in-law!*

Ji Yun looked back and blushed fiercely, giving him a punch. "This is all your fault!"

"I wasn't doing anything bad. Come on, let's go catch a ride with your dad."

"Who's your father-in-law? Hmph!"