For Jian Yiling, attending classes at school was far easier than facing Qin Chuan's tutoring sessions at home. She had more time to attend to her own affairs.
The teachers had modest expectations of her and did not constantly supervise her, which was certainly more manageable than evading Qin Chuan.
Throughout the day, Jian Yiling remained mostly at her desk, staying busy even during breaks.
Her classmates occasionally cast strange glances her way, but no one dared confront her directly.
Meanwhile, a new trending post appeared on the school forum.
Title: [Jian Yiling Returns to School: Just How Powerful is Her Devious Sister's Backing?]
The original poster detailed Jian Yiling's return to school, accompanied by a candid photo taken from a certain angle.
In the photo, Jian Yiling was dressed simply—white shirt, black pants, without any embellishments. Her hair was neatly tied into a ponytail.
Post #2: [How disgusting. Look at her now, deliberately dressing pitifully to play the innocent!]
Post #3: [Exactly! Hiding a wolf's heart while pretending to be a harmless little rabbit! [Puke]]
Post #4: [I really don't understand what the school is thinking. Allowing someone with violent tendencies to return? Aren't they worried she might do something worse? [Angry]]
Post #5: [I'm terrified. I'll have to avoid her from now on, especially on the stairs. I need to be careful. My parents only have me, and they're counting on me to support them in their old age! [Pitiful]]
Post #6: [Doesn't the school read our comments? Why did they let Jian Yiling come back?]
Post #7: [Post #6, don't waste your time. Jian Yiling's backing is too powerful!]
Post #8: [Post #7 is wrong. It's not about the backing; it's about the Jian family's favoritism. Poor Jian Yunzhu, harmed by his own sister while their parents shield her. If the victim doesn't protest, even the school and the police can't do anything.]
Post #9: [[Heart][Heart] Jian Yunzhu, don't cry. We're all here to support you! We are your eternal backing!]
Although the school forum required registration with student information, personal details remained hidden behind pseudonyms. Everyone commented anonymously, so there was no fear of revealing one's true identity.
Hu Jiaojiao, seeing the post's popularity rise and the comments multiply, grew worried.
She cautiously tapped Jian Yiling's arm and then pushed her phone toward Jian Yiling to show the derogatory content.
Hu Jiaojiao said softly, "Since you didn't do this, maybe you should go online and explain?"
Jian Yiling glanced at Hu Jiaojiao's phone screen, noting that the comments ranged from peculiar to critical, even including judgments on her attire.
Jian Yiling noticed that the original poster was the same person who had previously implicated her in Jian Yunzhu's injury.
This caught Jian Yiling's attention.
Originally, the school only knew about Jian Yunzhu's injury; no one had connected it to Jian Yiling.
If it weren't for this poster's vivid account, people wouldn't have associated Jian Yiling with Jian Yunzhu's fall.
Hu Jiaojiao watched Jian Yiling's expression closely. Seeing her focused but not angry, she urged quietly, "Perhaps you should still explain yourself? Otherwise, they might think you're guilty and avoiding the issue."
"Thank you," Jian Yiling replied, declining Hu Jiaojiao's suggestion. "No need for an explanation."
Jian Yiling didn't believe that debating online would yield any results.
Seeing Jian Yiling's reluctance to explain, Hu Jiaojiao said nothing further and turned to her own tasks.
Qin Chuan, not needed for Jian Yiling's tutoring today, returned to Hengyuan University, where he was in his second year. With less demanding coursework and his strong academic performance, he could pass exams without attending classes, alleviating any concerns about his GPA.
As soon as Qin Chuan entered his dorm room, his roommate and close friend, Bai Youqian, excitedly rushed over.
Qin Chuan took a step back. "Let's talk calmly. I'm not bending."
"Chuan, I've got great news! Huge news! Our startup funding has been secured!"
Bai Youqian enthusiastically relayed the thrilling news.
"Someone's investing?" Qin Chuan, usually composed, showed rare excitement.
Qin Chuan and his roommates were developing a social app, which was now taking shape. They were searching for angel investors.
Early-stage social apps are expensive to develop. Without investment, they wouldn't even be able to afford server rentals.
Qin Chuan and his roommates had the skills but lacked financial resources.
Their families were ordinary, and Qin Chuan's was even less than that.
"Yes! Two million! Our problem is almost solved!" Bai Youqian, bouncing with excitement, resembled a child.
"Who is the investor?" Qin Chuan inquired eagerly.
Although Hengyuan University is one of the top universities in Hengyuan City, it doesn't rank nationally.
Securing investment as a student from an ordinary university is challenging.
"Don't know the real name yet; we'll find out when we sign the contract."
"Don't know the real name?" Qin Chuan was skeptical. Until he saw the money, doubts remained possible.
"Only using the initials, F.S."
F.S.?
Is it a surname Fu?
"How much equity do they want?" Qin Chuan asked.
Angel investors typically acquire 5% to 30% equity; the exact amount depends on negotiations.
Currently, Qin Chuan and his team were in a weak position, so the investor might demand a substantial share.
"20%," Bai Youqian replied.
This request was reasonable, given that two million was a significant sum for Qin Chuan and Bai Youqian and critical for their immediate needs.
"Give me the investor's contact information. I'll handle the discussion myself." Qin Chuan was determined not to miss this opportunity.
"Okay!" Bai Youqian handed over the contact details while reminding Qin Chuan, "Chuan, take care of yourself. Between caring for your mom, tutoring, and our startup, don't overwork yourself."
Qin Chuan had skipped most of his university courses, yet was still busy, barely getting four hours of sleep each night.
"I'm fine."
"Isn't the young lady hard to handle?"
"Much better than I expected." Qin Chuan found Jian Yiling more agreeable than he had anticipated—neither capricious nor troublesome, and tutoring her was effortless.
He even had spare moments to attend to his own work during their sessions.
Qin Chuan promptly sent an email to F.S.
At the same time, Jian Yiling's phone, set to silent, pinged with a message notification: [Hello, I am Qin Chuan, the primary lead on the Changxing project.]
Two million was all the money Jian Yiling currently had, accumulated from years of red envelopes and New Year's money from her family. Soon, however, her wealth would increase! As someone familiar with the original story, Jian Yiling knew the protagonist would make money, and although she disliked him, she wouldn't mind earning money from him and having him work for her~~ Woof
Can you guess why Jian Yiling's initials are F.S.?
Jian Yiling glanced at the message and then turned off the screen without immediately replying.
She preferred to keep her interactions with Qin Chuan to a minimum and had no intention of revealing her true identity regarding the investment.
According to the storyline, Qin Chuan's project was bound to succeed, and Jian Yiling had no reason to miss such a lucrative opportunity.
While she might dislike the protagonist, it does not prevent her from earning money from him and having him work for her.
Previously, Jian Yiling desired the protagonist's affection and heart; now, she merely seeks his money.
Jian Yiling planned to invest before the original investor appeared, demanding only 20% equity.
Later investors would exploit Qin Chuan's urgent need for funds, demanding 30% equity.
By acting first, Jian Yiling ensured that even if the original investor arrived, Qin Chuan would likely prefer her offer.
When school ended, Jian Yiling was picked up not by a driver but by Jian Yuncheng.
Wen Nuan had taken only two days of rest before rushing back to the hospital to swap shifts with Jian Yuncheng.
As a mother, Wen Nuan wished to be as present as possible during her son's lowest moments, providing him with support and comfort.
No caregiver, no matter how attentive, could replace a mother's presence.
Thus, Wen Nuan insisted on personally caring for Jian Yunzhu.
Jian Yiling observed that Jian Yuncheng's face showed clear signs of exhaustion.
During this period, Jian Yuncheng had to manage both caring for his brother and overseeing his expanding company abroad, often staying up until three or four in the morning and getting less than four hours of sleep daily.
Even when he was ill with a fever a few days ago, he merely took some medication and rested briefly.
Jian Yuncheng said to Jian Yiling, "It's just the two of us at home today. What would you like to eat? We can eat out."
He instructed Aunt An to stay at the hospital with Wen Nuan.
With his brother still hospitalized, their mother couldn't afford to fall ill.
Jian Yuncheng's demeanor towards Jian Yiling had softened noticeably compared to before.
Yet, he remained somewhat stern, his face serious and his tone businesslike.
Jian Yiling glanced at Jian Yuncheng and said, "Let's eat at home. You're very busy."
Jian Yuncheng needed rest; his eyes were already bloodshot.
He agreed to Jian Yiling's suggestion, "Then let's order takeout."
He indeed lacked the energy for dining out.
Upon returning home, Jian Yuncheng noticed several packages piled up by the entryway, all addressed to Jian Yiling, and signed for by Aunt An earlier in the day.
He didn't inquire about the contents of the numerous packages.
The Jian family had always granted their children freedom over their own finances.
They nurtured their children's financial independence from a young age.
At Jian Yiling's age, Jian Yuncheng had already begun investing in stocks and funds.
Thus, Jian Yiling's online purchases were not a concern for him.
Jian Yiling told Jian Yuncheng to rest in the study first: "You go and sleep for a while. I'll prepare everything and call you when it's done."
While speaking, Jian Yiling did not meet Jian Yuncheng's gaze.
Jian Yuncheng only saw her rounded head and her dark, soft hair.
He assumed that when Jian Yiling said she would prepare things, she meant ordering the food.
Jian Yuncheng had no objections; he was not a picky eater.
However, unbeknownst to him, once he returned to the study, Jian Yiling went into the kitchen.
After checking the ingredients in the refrigerator, Jian Yiling began preparing dinner.
The refrigerator was well-stocked with a variety of fresh ingredients.
Jian Yiling first prepared a braised chicken, simmering it over low heat.
Jian Yuncheng needed nourishment.
The second dish Jian Yiling prepared was "Three-Sliced Delicacy."
This dish required slicing various ingredients into very fine strips, a task demanding both skill and patience.
Jian Yiling was practicing her knife skills; though cutting vegetables was not quite the same as performing surgery, it was still a useful exercise.
She retrieved the necessary ingredients for the Three-Sliced Delicacy from the refrigerator: pork, chicken breast, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and ham.
These were common ingredients, staples in the Jian family's kitchen.
After slicing and plating, she set them to steam.
Finally, she made a dish of blanched okra, adding a touch of green to the meal.
While waiting for the soup to simmer and the dishes to steam, Jian Yiling worked on her computer at the dining table.
After about an hour, the soup was ready.
The meal consisted of two main dishes and a soup, providing a balanced mix of meat and vegetables.
At this time, Jian Yuncheng also came downstairs, feeling that the takeout might be delayed as it had been almost an hour.
When he reached the dining room, he saw freshly cooked, steaming food on the table.
The aroma of the meal was irresistible.
Jian Yuncheng, evidently hungry, ate two full bowls of rice and finished an additional bowl of soup.
He had to admit that Jian Yiling's choice of takeout was excellent, though the delivery was slightly delayed, the taste made the wait worthwhile.
After dinner, Jian Yiling returned to her room and unpacked the packages one by one. One package contained a miniature 4G camera.
It was cube-shaped, not much larger than a pencil sharpener.
It included a memory card and could connect directly to a mobile hotspot.
Jian Yiling placed it in her backpack.
The second package contained a black wool yarn and knitting needles.
Jian Yiling began knitting with the yarn, using basic stockinette stitch.
She did not complete it in one sitting but worked on it for a while before returning to other tasks in the study.
Jian Yiling preferred a balance of mental and manual work.
By eleven o'clock, Jian Yuncheng came to check on Jian Yiling in the study.
He found Jian Yiling asleep at her desk.
To keep up with her schedule, Jian Yiling had barely slept over the past week.
After Qin Chuan's tutoring sessions, Jian Yiling would return to her room and work late into the night, sleeping at the same time as Jian Yuncheng.
Seeing Jian Yiling's peaceful sleep, Jian Yuncheng's brow furrowed slightly.
Her delicate face appeared somewhat worn.
Had he overburdened her with the demanding schedule, depriving her of rest?
Jian Yuncheng approached the desk, picked up Jian Yiling, and intended to carry her to her room to sleep.
However, as he lifted her, Jian Yiling awoke abruptly.
Her body instinctively struggled, eyes wide with fear.
Only when she recognized Jian Yuncheng did her panic gradually subside.
Jian Yiling was not accustomed to being touched by others.
As a medical professional, Jian Yiling understood that this was related to her lack of physical affection from a young age.
She knew the cause but could not change it.
Jian Yiling's fear and struggle surprised Jian Yuncheng.
The momentary terror in her eyes was something he had not anticipated.
Even as she ceased struggling, Jian Yuncheng could still sense the tension in her demeanor.