Lan Die was smiling when Director Xie Tianhua gently tapped her head:
“Little girl, what are you so happy about? Hurry up and get ready!”
“Yes, yes! Thank you, Uncle Xie! I’ll go right away!”
The three “Xie”s came out in a row, making her sound like she was stuttering.
The young girl ran out cheerfully, her light figure and fluttering skirt hem making her look just like a beautiful and joyful butterfly!
“Ah!” Xie Tianhua sighed softly.
If not for the family tragedy, Little Butterfly should have been this happy all along…
A high-quality cultural program unexpectedly brought Lan Die and He Canglan’s mother, Professor Cui Mujin, together.
Cui Mujin was a well-known expert in the literary world, but she kept a low profile. Due to He Jianbo’s status, it was difficult for her to publicly participate in television programs.
If not for Director Xie personally visiting her multiple times and carefully considering the program’s cultural value, she would never have appeared in public.
Cui Mujin was deeply impressed by the girl in the blue dress.
Despite her young age, the girl interviewed three attending scholars with clear thinking, eloquent speech, and no sign of stage fright.
She was originally a supporting role, essentially assisting the host, Sister Dong, but she cooperated seamlessly in every aspect.
Without overshadowing the host, she provided just the right amount of support. Her dignified and elegant image made it hard not to notice her.
Unlike her poised and graceful demeanor on stage, she was entirely different after the program ended.
She walked lightly, spoke softly, and carried the innocence of her 19 years, with occasional glimpses of youthful charm and liveliness in her words and expressions.
“Which school are you from?” Cui Mujin asked gently.
Lan Die replied politely, “Professor Cui, I’m a junior at Jingda University, currently interning at the station.”
Cui Mujin smiled. “No wonder, a student from Jingda. Which department?”
“Broadcasting and Hosting!”
Director Xie Tianhua walked over to chat, and Lan Die politely excused herself before tactfully leaving.
“The former little heiress of the Lan Sheng Group, a very talented young girl. She’s especially good at ballet. It’s quite tragic—her parents passed away suddenly due to family circumstances.”
Seeing that Cui Mujin seemed somewhat interested in Lan Die, Xie Tianhua briefly introduced her.
“What a pity!” Cui Mujin responded indifferently before changing the subject.
For someone of her stature, the joys and sorrows of others were of little concern unless they affected her family’s interests. They weren’t even worth discussing.
The reason Cui Mujin took an extra look at Lan Die was because her eldest son He Wanlan’s daughter, He Nanzhi, was going through a rebellious phase.
Tired of learning ballet and indifferent to her academic studies, she urgently needed a companion close in age who was both academically excellent and skilled in dance.
To enter the He family as a companion, one had to pass numerous hurdles—otherwise, they wouldn’t even make it past the first threshold.
Soon, all of Lan Die’s records from childhood to adulthood were delivered to Cui Mujin.
Pure, academically outstanding, a ballet princess, a fallen heiress. This was Lan Die’s initial impression in Cui Mujin’s mind.
The door opened, and the dean of the Broadcasting and Hosting Department entered.
Cui Mujin chatted casually about everyday matters, moved on to academic topics, and naturally brought up the students in the department.
“Are there any outstanding students in the department?”
“There certainly is! She’s always ranked first on the national campus beauty list!” the dean replied with a light smile.
“I never expected Dean Wang, a woman of such stature, to also care about looks!” Cui Mujin teased.
“Of course, in broadcasting and hosting, poor looks would be a disservice to the audience!”
Dean Wang opened up the topic and, by the end of the conversation, mentioned the name of the outstanding student in her eyes:
“Lan Die from the Broadcasting and Hosting Department!”
Cui Mujin softly uttered an “Oh.”
Lan Die received a call from the He family’s head steward, along with a follow-up call from Dean Wang, about a week later.
She was overjoyed that such an opportunity had fallen into her lap!
The He family offered a generous price, but with one condition: she had to meet He Nanzhi first, and only if the other party agreed could the tutoring agreement be signed.
On the day she went to the He family, Lan Die wore a white blouse and a black skirt—a modest and proper outfit.
Unless required for appearances, she never liked heavy makeup. She simply applied a light layer of primer and some pink lip gloss before setting off, looking fresh and clean.
It wasn’t until she stepped through the gate of the He family’s Lanting Garden that Lan Die realized some gaps were innate. No matter how hard one tried in a lifetime, they might never catch even a glimpse of the tip of someone else’s iceberg.
Though she had seen many grand occasions and experienced much of the world, she still felt shallow in the presence of such a family.
Due to her family background, He Nanzhi appeared well-behaved and proper—but that was only on the surface.
The young girl, about sixteen or seventeen years old, was only three years younger than Lan Die.
“You two chat!” He Wanlan’s wife, Su Wan, said gently. “Nannan, mind your manners!”
After smiling and nodding at Lan Die, Su Wan left the room.
“Are you the campus belle type?” He Nanzhi looked Lan Die up and down.
“That’s right,” Lan Die replied with a sincere smile.
“Not very humble, are you? What credentials do you have to show off?” He Nanzhi asked with a careless expression.
“Being able to step into the He family’s home and sit here talking to you is my credential!” Lan Die’s voice remained soft as always, but it was neither submissive nor arrogant—confident and poised.
“Well, well!” He Nanzhi couldn’t help but take another look at the stunning beauty before her.
Previous tutors had always been very reserved in front of He Nanzhi, their words tinged with insecurity.
Today’s older sister was not only beautiful but had also subtly outshone her in conversation.
She liked it!
“What should I call you?” He Nanzhi raised an eyebrow.
“Nannan, I’m Lan Die!”
Nannan? He Nanzhi giggled. “You’re really not shy, calling me Nannan!”
Lan Die smiled faintly. “I hope you won’t be shy either. You can call me Lan Die directly! I have many secrets from your age that I’ll share with you!”
Well, well, she’s got it all under control!
When Su Wan came back in, the two were already chatting happily.
He Nanzhi said, “Mom, I hope to visit Jing University with Lan Die when we have time!”
Su Wan gave Lan Die an appreciative look. “Good!”
While signing the contract in the small hall, Lan Die faintly heard voices outside, one of which said, “Canglan is back!”
He Canglan, who had been busy all week, had returned from Hong Kong!
Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, he looked dignified and steady, exuding an air of elegance beside the layered rockeries in the courtyard.
While chatting casually with his mother, Cui Mujin, he inadvertently looked up and caught sight of Lan Die emerging from the small hall.
In her white blouse and black skirt, she looked fresh, pure, and untouched by dust—almost as if their outfits had been deliberately coordinated.
He frowned slightly.
Lan Die saw him too!
Her heart was churning with shock, but her face remained expressionless.
Su Wan accompanied her as she walked over.
As they drew near, Lan Die politely bid farewell, “Goodbye, Professor Cui!”
Cui Mujin responded with a faint acknowledgment.
For someone of no importance, she clearly saw no need to introduce her to He Canglan.
Without even glancing at him, Lan Die walked straight toward the main gate of Lanting Garden…