A windfall from heaven—just to make peace?
He was actually trying to buy her off with money.
Tsk. Even hesitating would be disrespectful to money.
“Make peace? Of course. But let me make one thing clear—I’m not selling myself.”
“… ”
“So when are we signing the contract?”
“Tonight.”
Qi Yanheng’s gaze softened.
As expected, what Baby loved most were these worldly possessions. Whatever she wanted, he could provide.
“Oh right. The Cen residence is too far from school. For your convenience, I bought you an apartment at Shanshui Court across the street—Building 18, Room 808. The passcode is—”
Cen Zhi Ning immediately became alert.
“You bought it purely for me?”
Qi Yanheng seemed to see straight through her suspicions.
“Of course. It’s spacious—three bedrooms and a living room. Sometimes when I work too late at the research institute, I stay there overnight. Don’t worry. If you don’t want me there, I won’t go. Uncle Cen specifically asked me to take care of you. At most, I’ll stop by occasionally to drop off daily necessities.”
She remained wary.
After all, his character was that of a dark, brooding man. He clearly still had thoughts about her body—who knew if he’d show up in the middle of the night and scare her half to death?
Besides, the school dorms weren’t bad either. Silan Noble Academy valued hierarchy. With her family background, she’d likely be assigned a private luxury suite.
“I’ll think about it.”
“That’s fine,” he said lightly. “But I’ve already stocked that place with your usual cosmetics, the newest runway collections, and the latest handbags. I usually work there too. If we’re signing the contract, it’ll have to be there.”
Tsk.
Cen Zhi Ning shamefully swallowed.
“Then… I’ll go take a look tonight?”
“Alright.”
After a brief silence, he added,
“If anything happens at the academy, come straight to the research institute to find me. Or go to the Discipline Committee.”
She nodded repeatedly.
Trap or not—she’d take the benefits first.
Anyone might betray her.
Money, clothes, and handbags never would.
Refusing Qi Yanheng’s offer to walk her to class, she headed cheerfully toward the Business School.
Silan Business School had the highest concentration of future CEOs—a gathering ground for elite finance prodigies. Brutally competitive.
Before she even stepped into Class Three, she could already hear her name floating from inside.
“Holy crap, that transfer student Cen Zhi Ning is tight with President Qi and Second Young Master Mu.”
“What’s her background?”
“I heard she’s Mu Ershao’s fiancée.”
“He hasn’t admitted it.”
“Admit it or not, that title alone is intimidating.”
“Our class is about to get famous. The special admissions student just caused a stir, and now we’ve got Mu Ershao’s fiancée.”
“I heard she’s President Qi’s sister. Looks like the school belle title’s gone.”
Rao Yuting scrolled through the school forum.
When she saw the photo of Cen Zhi Ning confronting Mu Chenchuan at the school gates, jealousy nearly drove her insane.
She, Cen Zhi Ning, and Qin Pengpeng had been middle school friends. All these years, Cen Zhi Ning had always outshone her—academics, beauty, family background.
Only after Cen Zhi Ning went abroad did Rao Yuting finally taste the feeling of being the center of attention.
When Qin Pengpeng mentioned that Cen Zhi Ning was transferring to Silan, Rao Yuting lost sleep night after night.
Sure enough, on the first day of school, such a huge scene—and she was even engaged to the boy Rao Yuting secretly liked.
Rao Yuting slammed her phone screen dark and glanced subtly toward Mu Chenchuan, who was sleeping in the corner. She forced a smile.
“Everyone, don’t speculate. Cen Zhi Ning is President Qi’s sister. As for Mu Ershao, it’s just a family alliance. She’s not officially his fiancée yet.”
Her words drew attention. Several classmates gathered around.
“So is her family that powerful? She’s President Qi’s sister?”
Rao Yuting hesitated slightly.
“It’s complicated. Just a reorganized family. She’s been abroad all these years and only recently returned to the Cen family.”
Her ambiguous wording sparked speculation.
“I heard the lady of the Cen household remarried later. Maybe she’s not favored. Otherwise why would President Qi be the one calling the shots?”
“Makes sense. They say studying abroad—it might as well have been exile.”
Rao Yuting sighed.
“Don’t say that. It’ll hurt her feelings. Back then, Uncle Cen sent her abroad for President Qi’s sake. She only came back after three full years. Sigh… it’s just that she was too narrow-minded, couldn’t tolerate President Qi and her stepmother.”
The crowd’s expressions shifted to disdain.
“So that’s it—so petty.”
“Then she and President Qi must not get along well.”
Someone glanced curiously at Mu Chenchuan, still dozing in the corner, and whispered,
“If she’s not favored, how could she still have a marriage alliance with Mu Ershao?”
“Isn’t the truth already on the forum? They were practically at each other’s throats. Looks like Mu Ershao wants her to call off the engagement.”
Rao Yuting sighed again.
“Well, the Cen family was lucky. Years ago, when Old Master Mu had a heart attack, it was Uncle Cen who rushed him to the hospital. The Mu family promised them one request. So this marriage…”
The implication settled in.
“Oh—so they’re repaying a favor with pressure? Then the engagement doesn’t really count. No wonder Mu Ershao resents it.”
Cen Zhi Ning stood at the doorway for a moment before slowly stepping inside.
The room fell silent instantly.
“Holy crap—she really transferred into our class.”
Rao Yuting saw Cen Zhi Ning leaning against the doorframe, who knew for how long. Instead of anger, her face carried a half-smile, as though watching clowns perform.
Rao Yuting’s face paled, but she quickly forced herself to remain calm and approached with a friendly smile.
“Ning Ning, it really is you! Qin Pengpeng said you were transferring here—I thought she was joking. I didn’t expect it to be true.”
Cen Zhi Ning said nothing.
Rao Yuting kept up appearances.
“We were just talking about you…”
Cen Zhi Ning’s gaze swept over Rao Yuting’s face. She let out a soft laugh.
“Saying I’m narrow-minded? That I can’t tolerate Qi Yanheng? That the Cen family is exploiting a favor? That we’re forcing Mu Chenchuan to marry me?”
Her tone was calm.
Rao Yuting hadn’t expected she’d heard everything. Cold sweat nearly broke out.
“I didn’t mean that. I just wanted everyone to treat you better. Don’t misunderstand…”
Cen Zhi Ning chuckled.
“Then what did you mean? That my family did nothing for the Mu family? Or that the Mu family is ungrateful and needs you, Rao Yuting, to stand up for them?”
Rao Yuting panicked and glanced toward Mu Chenchuan in the corner.
Sure enough, he had already opened his sleepy eyes and was staring directly at them.
Cen Zhi Ning raised a brow.
“So are you questioning whether my father had ulterior motives when he saved Old Master Mu? Or questioning Old Master Mu’s integrity in repaying kindness? Or are you implying that the engagement agreed upon by both families’ elders is nothing but a joke?”