Actually, Jiang Xuli began to regret it the moment he kicked the door.
In the limited interactions he’d had with Jin Ran, although she harbored ulterior motives, she had never done something so blatantly foolish.
Upon actually seeing the situation in the study, he immediately realized he had misunderstood.
The woman carefully teasing the cat exuded a gentleness different from before. When those lively, sparkling eyes looked over, they seemed able to see through all of Jiang Xuli’s inner thoughts.
“May I ask, is there something you need?”
Jin Ran looked at the uninvited guests and raised an eyebrow.
By now, the dried fish she had held between her fingers had been snatched away. In gratitude, the kitten affectionately rubbed its head against Jin Ran’s fingertip. Where was there any sign of coercion?
Jiang Xuli felt extremely awkward.
Subconsciously, he pressed his lips together tightly, a hint of wariness showing between his brows, making his handsome face appear even more striking, like the aloof campus heartthrob from TV dramas.
But when he opened his mouth, it shattered that cool image: “I… ahem, came to get something.”
After saying this, he felt relieved at having thought of a plausible excuse on the spot and vowed internally not to expose himself.
Behind him, Chen Xunliang quickly caught on: “That’s right, that’s right! We came to the study to get something. Auntie, what are you doing?”
As he asked, he curiously peeked at the books on the table: Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Simulated Tests, Wang Houxiong’s Learning Guide, High School Math Problem-Solving Methods and Techniques… Something felt a bit off.
He also recalled that when they first barged in, Brother Li’s stepmom seemed to be talking to the calico cat. Surely she wasn’t teaching the cat to read, right?
Chen Xunliang was amused by his own thought.
In reality, he couldn’t help but snort out a laugh, and then received Jin Ran’s gaze.
Chen Xunliang: “…”
Jin Ran curved the corners of her lips up.
The reservations of adults were only for peers of equal standing. In front of the servants, she might have felt awkward about the trial lecture, but the two before her were only around fourteen or fifteen, right in the peak of their rebellious, know-it-all phase.
Whether in terms of age or experience, they were far from matching Jin Ran, who had been weathered by society.
The most important point was, if she later got into Wencheng Middle School, the students she would teach would most likely be around their age.
Thinking of this, Jin Ran waved the book in her hand at the two of them: “I’m reading, but I don’t really understand the current learning level of high school students. You two came just in time.”
“Huh?”
“What do you mean ‘huh’? Are you unwilling to help me?” Jin Ran deliberately put on a wounded expression.
Chen Xunliang really wanted to say he was unwilling.
He was a poor student at school who slept in class and was full of energy after class. Having finally endured until school ended, he only wanted to have fun. Why would he want to study?
But Brother Li’s stepmom was truly formidable. She didn’t resort to threats or bribes; she simply looked over with a slightly disappointed gaze, and he nearly blurted out an agreement.
At the last moment, it was his fear of studying that pulled back a shred of reason. Chen Xunliang didn’t dare speak carelessly anymore. He subtly made faces at Jiang Xuli, hoping the other would refuse.
Then he saw Jiang Xuli frown and ask, “What do you need us to do?”
Chen Xunliang: “?”
Wait, since when did Brother Li start loving to study?
Jiang Xuli simply didn’t want to owe Jin Ran anything.
By now, his father’s special assistant still hadn’t appeared. There was only one plausible explanation… that Jin Ran had never contacted his father at all.
This realization slightly surprised him.
Don’t be fooled by Jiang Xuli’s perpetually indifferent attitude; deep down, he had once yearned for his parents’ attention.
Unfortunately, each time he hoped, all he received was his father’s disregard and reprimands. Over time, he grew numb.
This time, Jiang Xuli had similarly prepared himself to be scolded by his father, but… nothing happened.
It was like a fist drawn back with full force, only to punch cotton in the end. For a moment, he couldn’t quite describe his feelings.
Just stifled.
Especially now, he had misunderstood her twice, jumping to conclusions.
The young man, full of vigor, had not yet developed the slickness of an adult. Cold yet righteous inside, right was right, wrong was wrong. He would absolutely not choose to evade responsibility for his own mistakes.
So even if Jin Ran hadn’t made a request, he would have found an opportunity to repay the favor.
“Don’t worry.”
Jin Ran said gently, “It’s not anything difficult. I just need you two to help me solve a problem.”
Saying this, she shoved the A4 paper into their hands: “Have you learned about composite functions? This problem is from me. See if you can solve it.”
An unexpected turn of events. Jiang Xuli paused, lowered his gaze. There was indeed a problem written on the paper.
A bit complex, but not difficult.
Seeing the problem, however, Chen Xunliang looked utterly lost. He muttered quietly, “Damn, have we learned something this hard? Your stepmom must have gotten it wrong, right!”
Wencheng Middle School’s exam papers were usually deliberated by three or more teachers together. Brother Li’s stepmom wasn’t a teacher; could she really set problems? Maybe she was deliberately messing with them!
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Chen Xunliang’s mouth kept muttering, but Jiang Xuli ignored him. After a few glances, he picked up a pen.
A clear voice, refreshing as summer, sounded in his ears:
“No matter what the problem is, it needs to be tackled step by step. First, we treat f(x) as a whole, use the known to substitute into the function and get a specific result. Then, based on the result, deduce the sequence…”
After an afternoon of practice, Jin Ran’s trial lecture had become effortless.
Moreover, compared to a completely clueless kitten, switching to real high school students meant she could adjust her teaching on the fly.
For example, seeing Chen Xunliang’s confused expression, she concluded “lack of clarity in explanation” and promptly changed the problem-solving approach.
Five minutes later, Chen Xunliang’s eyelids began to droop.
Receiving this feedback, Jin Ran raised her lecturing volume, trying to alert him.
Ten minutes later, Chen Xunliang grew sleepier and sleepier the more he listened. Finally, successfully hypnotized, he lost focus and bumped his head on the table.
Jin Ran: “…”
Witnessing all this, Jiang Xuli, for some reason, felt like laughing.
Spinning the pen between his fingers, he idly looked over the completed problem.
Actually, this problem was set quite skillfully. It combined composite functions and sequence recursion, requiring several twists in thinking. One slight misstep and you’d fall into the trap.
He didn’t think she would go to such lengths just to mess with them.
On the other side, Jin Ran had no idea she had gained his recognition.
Facing the trial lecture full of mishaps, she felt frustrated, but also a tinge of relief.
Others might not understand, but that was just how Jin Ran was—she never let herself dwell in negativity.
Issues arising one after another was also a way to find and fill gaps. She was glad she discovered the problems before the interview, still having a chance to correct them.
Having figured this out, Jin Ran wasn’t angry at all. Instead, she calmly woke Chen Xunliang up. Ignoring his flushed face, she patiently explained line by line.
Finally, half an hour later, Chen Xunliang’s face lit up with understanding.
“I get it! The problems might be different, but they all use the same knowledge point. Gee, I’m so smart!”
Chen Xunliang chuckled foolishly. The math problem that seemed like gibberish before suddenly became clear. He even had the illusion that he could do it himself!
Jin Ran… wisely remained silent.
Only when the little calico rubbed against her did she stroke its chin in praise.
Who said cats weren’t as good as people?
In the face of mathematics, humans and cats were equal!
Thinking this, Jin Ran couldn’t help but glance at the other person in the room.
She found that Jiang Xuli had finished long ago.
He had used a different problem-solving approach, but the answer was exactly the same as the one she explained.
Now Jin Ran wasn’t just surprised; she felt the excitement of a talent scout recognizing a prodigy—she never expected Jiang Xuli, who skipped school to play with cats, to be a good student!
Hmm, thinking back carefully, it seemed the novel indeed hadn’t mentioned this.
Well, as the son of a monster like Jiang Mingzuo, how could he possibly be a fool?
Jin Ran was simply sighing in admiration, but to others, it carried a different meaning.
As Jiang Xuli’s good buddy, Chen Xunliang had personally witnessed Brother Li’s stepmom doubting Brother Li and felt quite indignant on his friend’s behalf.
Enduring it for a while, he finally couldn’t hold back and blurted out in grief and indignation:
“Auntie, did Brother Li get it wrong?”
Jin Ran snapped back to reality and shook her head: “No, he didn’t. Not only is it correct, but the problem-solving approach is also very clear!”
“Then why aren’t you saying anything!”
Not saying anything?
Only then did Jin Ran notice the odd tone in the young man’s voice.
Teachers all liked smart students. Her first trial lecture meeting Jiang Xuli had greatly boosted her teaching satisfaction.
Hearing his questioning now, she didn’t hold back her praise and gave Jiang Xuli a thumbs-up:
“You’re really smart!”
Jiang Xuli: “?”
“Ahem, I mean your brain is too rare… no, too useful! It’s just a tiny bit less intelligent than mine!”
Hearing this, Jiang Xuli’s expression gradually turned complex.
He suddenly felt the emotions he had just experienced were rather unnecessary.
“Hehe, it’s getting late. How about I treat you two to a meal?”
Having praised someone and stepped on a landmine instead, Jin Ran’s face flushed slightly. She decisively cut her losses and awkwardly changed the subject.
Chen Xunliang, who had been starving long ago, brightened up and opened his mouth to say something, but was pulled by Jiang Xuli: “No need. We’ll eat out.”
The young man’s tone was distant. Since the favor was repaid, there was no need to continue interacting.
Jin Ran didn’t insist: “Then next time when you’re free.”
As everyone knew, ‘next time when you’re free’ equaled ‘never free.’
It was unclear if Jiang Xuli understood. He nodded indifferently. When leaving, he didn’t forget to take the well-fed, well-rested little calico with him.
…
After seeing off the two high school students, Jin Ran went out to eat.
The day after tomorrow was the interview, but there wasn’t a single suitable formal outfit in the original host’s closet. She planned to go shopping after dinner.
Having informed the butler in advance, Xiao Sun brought out the Porsche from last time. After getting in the car, the two headed straight for a nearby shopping mall.
Night had fallen. The mall was bustling with people, lively and noisy. A huge screen at the entrance played an advertisement. A handsome young idol group was dancing, their smiles dazzlingly bright. Jin Ran couldn’t help but take a few more glances.
Seeing this, Xiao Sun smiled and said: “My sister-in-law’s little niece is chasing them lately. I think they’re called something like TUIR? Do you know them, Madam?”
Jin Ran shook her head. She didn’t know TUIR, but she did know that among the female lead’s many pursuers was a wealthy second-generation heir who was a member of TUIR.
The two followed the ‘bickering leads to love’ trope. To embarrass the female lead from a poor family, the wealthy heir deliberately gave her an opportunity to attend an overseas event.
Unexpectedly, on the return trip, the two got caught in an armed fight at the airport. At the critical moment, the female lead pushed the wealthy heir away, getting injured herself.
It was also this incident that moved the wealthy heir with the female lead’s bravery and kindness, causing him to fall deeply in love with her from then on.
Calculating, it should be happening around now.
But it had little to do with her.
Jin Ran soon stopped paying attention. She let Xiao Sun do his own thing, found a place to have dinner first, and then went to pick out formal wear.
When paying, she suddenly remembered something—these past few days she had been busy with the recruitment exam and interview, and actually forgot to check how much assets the original host had.
Money wasn’t everything, but without money, nothing could be done.
Jin Ran clung to a sliver of hope. After all, the Jin family was an old-money wealthy clan; they should have left behind considerable assets. Moreover, the original host had married Jiang Mingzuo, the famously gifted business prodigy of City A. Their shared marital property must have been vast.
Having been poor in her previous life, Jin Ran felt a faint thrill of excitement. With trembling hands, she opened the original host’s various accounts.
Wait, why was there only three thousand in the deposit?
Her eyes widened. Unwilling to give up, she added and calculated several times back and forth, but that string of numbers didn’t increase.
The optimistic and cheerful Jin Ran, who never dwelled on negativity, chuckled and expressed: Haha, it’s not like I really cared about other people’s money anyway.
She simply had doubts about the description of Jiang Mingzuo.
Tech prodigy? Business genius?
—Fake! A stingy cheapskate is the truth!