Simo High School has undergone significant changes over the years.
A science museum now stands beside the teaching building, an indoor sports complex has risen by the playground, and the original laboratory building has been expanded to double its size.
As a private school, Simo High has never lacked funding.
But to construct so many new buildings in just six years—it's clear who has been so lavish.
Chi He never conceals his affection for Chi Yu.
He tells everyone that Chi Yu is the treasure he holds dear to his heart.
Compared to him, Qi Chao's feelings seem almost timid.
Qi Chao wasn't unwilling to be Chi Yu's bodyguard; rather, he was overly nervous, masking his inner hopes with a facade of nonchalance and indifference.
He yearned to be chosen by Miss Chi, yet lacked the confidence, believing that Chi Yu would never choose him.
And in the end, Chi Yu indeed did not choose him.
Qi Hui must be perplexed as to why Qi Chao's attitude toward him has plummeted since that day.
There's no other reason—just sheer jealousy.
Fortunately, after many years, fortune has finally smiled upon Qi Chao, allowing him to stand by Chi Yu's side as he had always wished.
Qi Chao had never desired much—just to be near enough to gaze upon Chi Yu from afar.
But humans are inherently greedy creatures.
Qi Chao couldn't fathom why Chi Yu brought up the past, but he distinctly detected a trace of regret in her voice—it wasn't merely his imagination born from wishful thinking.
In Chi Yu's presence, Qi Chao has always felt a bit inferior, never daring to entertain any excessive thoughts.
But if—just if—Chi Yu abandoned him back then because of a misunderstanding,
Could Qi Chao dare to imagine that she originally wanted him?
She didn't exclude him because she disliked him.
This speculation filled Qi Chao with inexplicable joy, and soon, the school had another handsome young man strolling the grounds with a silly smile.
As the sun hung low in the west, during the first class of the day, a luxurious Bentley drove unobtrusively onto the campus.
During the lunch break, Wen Rushuang took the opportunity to do some research and learned how extraordinary Chi Yu's little uncle is from her colleagues' conversations.
He is the CEO of a listed company, a multiple-time winner of the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award, a business federation representative, and a bona fide success with a net worth in the billions.
She also saw Chi He's photo in a financial magazine, his features as handsome as an ancient Greek deity, with a chiseled and deep visage. He seemed to dislike smiling, his expression always stern in every photo, exuding an aloof elite demeanor.
Wen Rushuang had once been a staunch non-marriage advocate, but the moment she saw Chi He's photo, her heart stirred.
This man seemed born for her, making her fall in love at first sight.
The flutter in Wen Rushuang's heart ignited into a blazing flame when Chi He knocked on the door, walked into the office, and approached her. It was as if hot oil had been poured on fire, nearly making her lose her composure.
"Mr. Chi, hello, my name is Wen Rushuang."
Wen Rushuang abruptly stood up like a fresh graduate, clumsily walking over to Chi He, extending her hand with a smile.
Chi He was somewhat surprised that the calm woman on the phone had such a reckless personality in reality.
He extended his hand and lightly shook hers, speaking plainly, "Ms. Wen, on the phone, you mentioned that Yu'er's study habits are problematic. Could you please explain the specifics?"
Wen Rushuang felt a bit let down.
The parents she had met before would always start with small talk, usually about how busy they were and how they had no time to manage their children.
If Chi He had said the same, she could have naturally steered the conversation towards personal matters.
No matter how disappointed, Wen Rushuang couldn't forget her responsibilities.
She took a stack of documents and handed them to Chi He, gesturing for him to sit at her desk.
"I'm not sure how Yu'er's previous teachers viewed her grades, but now that I'm in charge of Class One, I hope all the students will give their all and not waste their prime years."
Chi Yu's report card was a mess, with all the midterm and final exams consistently below the grade average.
If it were just that she struggled with her studies and couldn't keep up, it might be excusable, but Chi Yu's attitude was the biggest issue.
Out of ten exams, she submitted blank papers for half.
"Mr. Chi, if she's falling behind academically, a tutor can be hired. But if the child simply doesn't want to learn, then perhaps Class One isn't the right place for her; she'd be better off in a regular class."
Wen Rushuang's words carried a hint of arrogance.
This was a habit she developed at her previous school.
Parents of students at the provincial key schools all hoped their children would succeed and were always flattering and fawning over teachers, especially the homeroom teacher. It was basic practice to give gifts on holidays, and not uncommon to see some giving houses or cars.
Over time, the teachers there were placed on pedestals, one more arrogant than the next, often speaking to others with a condescending air.
Wen Rushuang was still somewhat restrained in front of Chi He.
Yet, she hadn't quite grasped the level of the man standing before her.
Her colleagues in the office were all kind-hearted.
After Wen Rushuang scolded Chi Yu in the office this morning, someone kindly reminded her that it was best to turn a blind eye to Miss Chi.
The head of the Chi family adored his niece so much that he would have plucked the stars from the sky to make a pendant for her, holding her in his palm, fearing she might break, or melting her in his mouth, afraid she might dissolve.
Naturally, Wen Rushuang didn't take her colleagues' exaggerated words to heart. She considered herself to have a backbone and wouldn't easily bow to power.
Chi He casually glanced over the report card.
As the string of zeros passed before his eyes, he didn't even raise an eyebrow. He closed it indifferently and placed it back on the desk.
"Yu'er was just discharged from the hospital a couple of days ago. How is her health today, now that she's back at school?"
Wen Rushuang was a bit stunned. "Uh, Mr. Chi, shouldn't you be more concerned about her academic performance first...?"
"That doesn't matter," Chi He interrupted, his tone tinged with impatience, as if puzzled by her lack of discernment.
"Even if she ranks last in the grade, she is still the eldest miss of the Chi family. She won't rely on the college entrance exam to change her fate."
Wen Rushuang: "..."
She belatedly realized that her colleagues' words might not have been exaggerated after all.
"From my observations, Chi Yu's health is fine; she even had the strength to get into a scuffle with another student. On this matter, Mr. Chi, I think it's necessary to discuss Chi Yu's overly domineering personality."
If he didn't care about academic performance, surely he would be moved as a parent when his child got into fights at school.
This time, Wen Rushuang was not disappointed. A crack appeared in Chi He's calm demeanor, "She got into a fight? Who? Was she hurt?"
Wen Rushuang thought he was asking about Jin Yao and snorted coldly.
"That student had his face slapped swollen by her book. Her bodyguard barged into the class and dislocated that student's arm. With things escalating to this extent, she still won't admit..."
"Ms. Wen."
Chi He put down his crossed legs, his impatience showing on his face. "What I mean is, my niece, Chi Yu, was she hurt?"
(End of chapter)