Compared to the millions spent on Jiang Hua’s Adult Party, this six hundred thousand was merely a fraction. Jiang Hua glanced over the expenses, noting that most of the costs were for hiring male models. Without hesitation, she picked up a pen and signed her name.
Jiang Hua: “I’ll settle this amount when I leave.”
Seeing her sign so promptly, the hotel manager offered a standardized smile. “Very well, Miss Jiang. The hotel has arranged a dedicated driver to take you to school. He is already waiting at the entrance.”
Jiang Hua declined. “No need. I’ll walk.”
The hotel manager replied, “As you wish, Miss Jiang. Have a pleasant day and take care.”
At the hotel entrance, Jiang Hua lowered her head and placed her dead phone into her bag. Just then, she heard a familiar voice. When she looked up, she saw a man dressed in a black suit, his back turned to her, holding a phone to his ear and carrying breakfast in his other hand.
Zuo Xiangnan: “President Pei, I’ve picked up the breakfast for Miss Song…”
“Yes, I’ll return right away.”
After hanging up, Zuo Xiangnan turned around and unexpectedly found Miss Jiang standing behind him. Their eyes met, and he regarded her with a cool, detached gaze.
Zuo Xiangnan greeted her first. “Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Hua ignored him, stepping past him with an air of indifference as she walked away.
The distance from the hotel to the school wasn’t far—a walk of about fifteen minutes. Parked across from the hotel was a luxurious car, and even if she tried to pretend not to see it, Jiang Hua couldn’t ignore the gaze emanating from within.
Song Qingran sat in the back seat, while Pei Zhan, dressed in an expensive suit, sat beside her. His tailored trousers fell smoothly, and his Italian handmade leather shoes gleamed brightly. An aura of cold, refined luxury radiated from him, spreading effortlessly.
Song Qingran watched as Jiang Hua left the hotel, noticing that her clothes were different from the day before and that the bag she carried was a well-known luxury brand.
Not long after Jiang Hua left, a greasy, overweight man wearing a thick gold chain emerged from the hotel. Standing only around 160 centimeters tall, he quickly caught up to Jiang Hua. The two appeared intimate, and though it was unclear what they were discussing, the man playfully patted her backside.
Witnessing this, Song Qingran impulsively reached for the car door, ready to step out and intervene. However, she was immediately halted by the chilling tone of the man beside her. “Stay in the car. Don’t move!”
Song Qingran pleaded anxiously, “I saw a friend. She was just harassed. I need to help her.”
Pei Zhan replied coldly, “Meeting someone twice makes them a friend? Stay out of strangers’ affairs.” His voice was icy and devoid of warmth.
Song Qingran worriedly watched the figures in the distance. “But…”
She glanced up and met Pei Zhan’s gaze, instantly shrinking back in submission.
Biting her lip, Song Qingran silently withdrew her hand, watching as Jiang Hua gradually disappeared into the distance. When Zuo Xiangnan returned, he handed the custom-ordered breakfast from the hotel to Song Qingran.
The car swiftly passed by Jiang Hua. With a white earphone in her ear and hands tucked in her coat pockets, her slightly curled long hair fluttered gently in the wind. Her exquisite yet striking face was captivating at first glance—even men would be drawn to her type.
Song Qingran glanced back at her. She was truly beautiful; when silent, she resembled a thornless red rose, blooming so enchantingly that she could captivate anyone. Yet when her words turned sharp and thorny, that contemptuous, condescending glare made Song Qingran deeply uncomfortable.
Recalling that day’s incident, Song Qingran lowered her head, nervously clutching the hem of her clothes, and spoke with trepidation, “Pei Xiansheng, it seems… she knows about us.”
Song Qingran had always maintained a strong front before Pei Zhan, never yielding to this fearsome, domineering man in any matter. Her nails dug into her palms as she wondered if he had even registered her words.
Upon reaching their destination, the car parked across from the school as usual.
As Song Qingran timidly prepared to exit the car, she heard the man’s steady voice calmly say, “I’ll handle the matter. Focus on your studies.”
“Thank you, Pei Xiansheng.”
Just as Zuo Xiangnan was about to make a U-turn to return to the company, the person in the back passenger seat spoke up, “Look into that person from earlier.”
“Yes, President Pei.” Zuo Xiangnan had also recalled that reckless, portly man who dared to slap Jiang Hua’s backside—truly bold enough to touch a tiger’s tail.
Yet Jiang Hua, despite being taken advantage of, hadn’t retaliated. Under normal circumstances… that man’s hand would have been broken by that madwoman Jiang Hua long ago.
“Wait a little longer.”
Zuo Xiangnan wasn’t sure who they were waiting for. After about ten minutes, he spotted Jiang Hua’s figure across the street, standing by a breakfast cart. She seemed tempted to buy something but hesitated, likely worried about hygiene, and ultimately decided against it.
Jiang Hua entered the unfamiliar yet familiar classroom just in time. The room was already packed.
Having been away from campus for nearly two years, even her classmates had forgotten she existed.
Standing outside the door, Jiang Hua removed her earphones and scanned the room for a seat.
A male student exclaimed, “Whoa, who’s that? Hey, pretty girl, are you in the wrong class?”
“Could she be a new junior? Our department has someone this good-looking? Damn, her skin is so fair!”
“Ugh… I really want to touch her face. I wonder what skincare she uses to maintain it so well!”
A few other boys joked, “Looks like the school belle title is changing hands this year.”
Jiang Hua took a seat in the first row near the door, setting down her bag. Without even looking, she could feel countless eyes fixed on her from behind.
Accustomed to such intense, scrutinizing gazes, she calmly sat down and opened her pristine textbook.
The first period was Jewelry Appraisal Class.
A plainly dressed professor in his fifties entered the classroom right as the final minute ticked away.
He carried a wooden box in his hands.
After finishing roll call, someone suddenly questioned, “Professor Guo, did our class get a new student?”
Professor Guo asked, “Who?”
The student pointed toward a person sitting alone in the corner.
Professor Guo peered through his thick glasses, lowering his gaze. “You are… Jiang Hua, who took a leave of absence for over a year?”
Jiang Hua nodded. “Yes, professor. I’m surprised you still remember me.”
She recognized him—they had met briefly at last year’s banquet.
This elderly gentleman was a renowned jewelry appraisal professor and celebrated historian, a figure held in high esteem for both his status and virtue.
Professor Guo smiled. “Well, since you’re back, focus on your studies. You won’t be taking any more leaves of absence, will you?”
Jiang Hua offered a faint smile. “No, I won’t.”
Professor Guo nodded. “Good. Pay attention in class.”
“Yes, professor.”
Each class lasted an hour and a half, with only a fifteen-minute break in between.
The morning passed quickly. Jiang Hua followed the lessons reasonably well—she had some advantage in jewelry appraisal. Having handled all kinds of precious gems since childhood… she could distinguish genuine from fake at a glance.