Hearing the sound of a pen hitting the ground, Su Jiang frowned and looked at Jinian, speaking as if it were perfectly natural: “Why didn’t you catch it?”

Jinian remained smiling, appearing incredibly good-natured, and replied just as matter-of-factly: “I didn’t dare to catch it.”

Su Jiang took two steps closer to her, glanced down at the pen on the ground, and said, “That was a gift from me, to welcome you into the News Department.”

“Good thing I didn’t catch it,” Jinian said with a relieved expression. “As a high school senior with less-than-stellar grades, I need to focus on studying and work hard to get into university. So, seniors, whether it’s the Student Union or the News Department, I don’t plan on joining either. If you’re really short on people, you should find someone else.”

“If you join the Student Union, I’ll guarantee you a spot in university.”

“And later guarantee me a good job, a perfect husband, and a baby girl?”

Nan Shao’s face darkened.

Su Jiang chuckled. “Hey, girl, aren’t you thinking a bit too far ahead?”

“I just wanted to tell our senior that, since he can’t guarantee me a lifetime of wealth and having all my wishes come true, he shouldn’t make such bold claims. Don’t you think so?”

Su Jiang moved closer to Jinian again, circling her once. “Your clothes, pants, and shoes are all international luxury brands. It seems like you don’t need anyone else, your family alone can ensure you a lifetime of prosperity, right?”

Jinian shrugged. “Hard to say. As the saying goes, ‘If you lean on a mountain, it will collapse; if you lean on people, they will run away.’ What if I get kicked out of my family one day?”

“Jinian!” As soon as she finished speaking, a deep male voice rang out.

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice, instantly astonished. The newcomer was none other than Qiao Yumo, the very person Jinian had been trying to avoid!

She knew it wouldn’t take long for him to find out she just hadn’t expected him to track her down so quickly!

“Brother!” Jinian exclaimed upon seeing Qiao Yumo. She dashed over to him in a few quick steps, her face blooming into a radiant smile, clearly showing her reliance on the man she called “brother.”

But one was surnamed Ji, the other Qiao. What kind of brother was he? Everyone who heard her address him was puzzled and curious.

“You should go home now.” When he had called her name moments earlier, those nearby had thought he was about to lose his temper. But now, as he held the girl close in an intimate embrace, Qiao Yumo’s face showed only helplessness, affection, and doting. How could he bear to scold her?

Just as Jinian was about to speak, the class bell rang. She blinked and said, “I have to go to class.”

But Qiao Yumo held her hand and turned to Nan Shao. “President Nan, Jinian is taking the day off today.”

“Our Jinian!” The tone, so full of doting familiarity, was hard not to misinterpret.

“He’s not our teacher.”

“It’s fine. He has the authority. Let’s go.”

“If I skip class, how will I catch up on what I miss?”

Qiao Yumo began leading her toward the school gate, ignoring her protests. “Our Jinian is so clever, whether she attends class or not doesn’t matter.”

As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed entirely on Jinian, his eyes filled with unmistakable adoration. A smile, indulgent and reserved for her alone, lifted the corners of his lips. To all the onlookers, that smile seemed to outshine even the heavens and the earth.

It turned out that Qiao Yumo wasn’t incapable of smiling or coldly unapproachable; it was simply that the person who could make him laugh and bring out his warmth and affection had only just appeared.