"Miss, Teacher Jiang is here."
Ji Yunya, who was flipping through a book, paused and said, "Please show the teacher to the study."
To facilitate Yunya's studies, Ji Lanyi had specially set aside a room next to Yunya's bedroom to serve as a study. When Yunya pushed the door open and entered, a tall figure turned around, his eyes and eyebrows smiling. The sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling window spilled quietly over him, like a noble young master graced by the breeze, incomparably elegant as if carved from jade.
Yunya narrowed her eyes slightly. This guy, not a moment passed when he wasn't exuding a certain charm.
"Good day, Teacher Jiang," Yunya said with a cheerful smile.
Teacher Jiang sized up the young girl in front of him and nodded with a smile, "I haven't seen you for many days, and you've grown taller again."
The man in front of her was the private tutor Ji Lanyi had hired for her, opened Yunya's mind at two years old, and since then had been devoted to teaching her, pouring much care into Yunya's education. Over time, the bond between them grew deeper. To call them teacher and student would be less accurate than to describe them as close friends.
Yunya didn't know much about Teacher Jiang's background, only that he taught at Jiangzhou University. It was rare to see such a young professor, and his good looks made him incredibly popular there. It was no exaggeration to say that half of the female students at the university were his fervent admirers. When Ji Lanyi initially recruited him, it took a lot of effort, as Jiang initially sneered at the offer. However, once he truly got to know Yunya, he realized just how extraordinary the young girl was, and from then on, there was no getting rid of him.
Teacher Jiang had more than once suggested to Ji Lanyi that Yunya should enjoy a normal school life like any other child her age, as not doing so could severely hinder her development. He insisted that he would still tutor Yunya, but urged Ji Lanyi not to impede her growth. Yet, Ji Lanyi was too stubborn, absolutely convinced that her daughter had no need for school and the 'incompetent teachings' that would waste her potential.
Knowing there was no changing Ji Lanyi's mind, Teacher Jiang, feeling helpless, sighed over such a prodigy having to deal with such a rigid mother. Thus, he tried to compensate by providing Yunya with a broad education during their private lessons, hoping she could still experience a healthy childhood.
From the very first encounter with Yunya, he knew she was a genius. But with genius often came madness, and carelessness could lead her down a dangerous path. So he guided her with great caution, hoping this girl would grow up healthy and happy.
With increased contact, he naturally learned more about her family. Born into such a distant home, and now with this recent event, Teacher Jiang worried about the impact it would have on her physical and emotional well-being.
And now, it seemed there really was an effect, because her eyes had become more and more inscrutable to him.
A sudden panic arose in Teacher Jiang's heart, a feeling that he might not be able to hold on to her anymore.
"Yunya, how did you do with the homework I assigned last time? If it's not completed, you know you're in for a punishment," Teacher Jiang said, studying Yunya closely, not missing the slightest flicker of expression.
Yunya smiled confidently, that assurance momentarily startling Teacher Jiang. She pulled out a notebook, walked over to the desk, spread it open, and picked up a pen. Turning to look at Jiang, she said, "Teacher, I'm about to begin. I might speak a little quickly, you'll need to keep up."
Without waiting for a response from Teacher Jiang, she began, "Let's first review the problem. A merchant in City A has a donkey and 3,000 carrots he needs to transport to City B, 1,000 kilometers away... Here is my answer: First, we need to establish the fixed conditions; it costs one carrot to travel one kilometer, implying that we need to travel the shortest possible distance; since the donkey can only carry 1,000 carrots at a time, it will require three round trips, 3,000/1,000 = 3. So, it's clear that there are two possible outcomes..."
Her voice was sweet and tender with a childlike lilt, utterly adorable. Yet, at that moment, her voice was incredibly calm, leading Teacher Jiang into her line of thinking, "...On the second trip, only two hauls are needed, A-B-A, as only two thousand carrots are left. Assuming the donkey travels Y kilometers before dropping the carrots off on the second round: 3Y = 1000, Y equals 333.3. When the donkey carries 1,000 carrots for 333.3 kilometers, 666.7 carrots are left... At that point, the total distance traveled is: 200 + 333.3 = 533.3 kilometers, and for the remaining 466.7 kilometers, only 466.7 carrots are needed, so the sellable amount of carrots is 1,000 - 467 = 533."
Her thinking was meticulous, her logic clear.
Yunya put down the pen and turned to look at Teacher Jiang, who stood there stunned. Her eyes smiled, "Are you satisfied with my work, teacher?"
This was a problem from the national math Olympiad, a level one challenge. Even high school students with extensive knowledge might struggle to solve it, yet Yunya was only five years old...
Yunya's clear logical thinking was evidence enough that she hadn't sought anyone's help; she had worked it out on her own.
Teacher Jiang looked at Yunya as if she were a monster. He had always known she was bright, but he hadn't realized that she was not just smart—she was a prodigy.
"You..." Teacher Jiang licked his lips, "Very good."
Yunya's eyes twinkled merrily, like an innocent and carefree young girl. Yet those eyes were misty and enigmatic, ever eluding a glimpse into her true feelings. "Thanks for the praise, teacher. I will continue to work hard and will not disappoint your expectations."
The lesson ended for the day. With such a student, teaching was easy. Teacher Jiang himself, a professor at Jiangzhou University, was usually very busy, his schedule full, and the only bit of personal time he had was devoted to Yunya. Despite the exhaustion, the satisfaction of teaching this student made it all worth it.
"Though I can teach you knowledge, and you learn thoroughly with your intelligence and perception, continuing this way isn't ideal. You should go to school, where there are many children your age. You could learn, play together and gain a more systematic understanding, and make many good friends." Otherwise, the closed environment and a repressed childhood would limit her physical and emotional development.
Yun Ya understood Teacher Jiang's intention, but she had other plans, which might disappoint him.
Seeing Yun Ya remaining silent, Teacher Jiang thought of her family and stroked her hair. "When I have time, I'll talk to your father, Don't worry, I'll make sure you have a healthy and happy childhood."
Teacher Jiang's gaze was very warm, different from Aunt Die's gentle tenderness. Such a look made her feel very comfortable. Yun Ya smiled and didn't want to disregard his kindness, "Thank you, Teacher Jiang."
…
Tonight, Yun Shen came home very early.
At the dinner table, Yun Shen sat at the head, with Kang Jinse sitting on his right and Yun Ya on his left, closely followed by Yun Miao.
Yun Miao was so quiet he seemed almost non-existent, and probably no one but Yun Ya would take notice of him.
"There's a banquet tomorrow night. Get ready to come with me," Yun Shen said flatly.
Kang Jinse's face lit up with joy, her cheeks as radiant as dew-kissed roses.
"Okay."
This was the first time he would take her to a banquet. What did this signify? Was he finally ready to officially acknowledge her status to the outside world?
Overwhelmed with joy, Kang Jinse decided that she must dazzle everyone the following evening and let them all know that she was the woman most suited for Yun Shen.
Yun Shen glanced at Yun Ya, "And Yun Ya, bring her along tomorrow night as well."
Kang Jinse was taken aback. Bring Yun Ya too?
She felt as if she had swallowed a fly. Didn't Yun Shen dislike Ji Yunya? Why would he bring her to the banquet?
Kang Jinse couldn't understand but, seeing Yun Shen's cold face, she didn't dare to ask.
"Alright, tomorrow I'll take Yun Ya shopping for some clothes, so everyone can see how pretty and adorable our little princess is."
Yun Ya glanced at Yun Shen and curled the corners of her lips slightly without saying a word, then picked some greens for Yun Miao. Yun Miao looked up and gave her a sweet smile.
"Oh, and Mom will be coming over in a few days. Get a room ready for her," Yun Shen suddenly added.
The smile on Yun Ya's face slowly faded away, her dark eyes like a whirlpool, inscrutable.
Kang Jinse put down her chopsticks and smiled. "Aunt Yun is coming? How long will she stay? I haven't seen her in a long time; we should keep her company properly."
"She's coming this time to stay for good," Yun Shen said indifferently.
To stay for good?
The smile on Kang Jinse's face stiffened. When Yun Shen looked her way, she quickly plastered the smile back on, flawlessly, without a hint of error.
"That's great. It's worrisome for Aunt Yun to live alone. With more people around, I can take better care of her." She said this, but what she truly thought was anyone's guess.
From an angle the two couldn't see, Yun Ya's lips curved into a mischievous arc.
It would be much more interesting once everyone was gathered.