She said, “Xie Tingnan, school is starting soon. I want to apply to live on campus.”
The man narrowed his eyes at her, his thin lips pressed into a straight line, and said nothing.
Yu Wanwan walked over to him, took his hand in hers, and gently shook it.
“Xie Tingnan, what I mean is, I’ll come back when you need me. When you’re not in Beijing, I’ll stay at school—it’s more convenient.”
The man seemed to be thinking about something.
He was a smart man, and he knew what she was worried about.
This time, his mother, Jiang Xin, had suddenly brought the old master for a surprise visit. Even if she didn’t say it, it didn’t mean she hadn’t thought about it.
“Fine,” the man said in a flat tone, his straightforwardness catching Yu Wanwan off guard.
The young girl jumped with joy, her movements filled with the innocence of a twenty-year-old.
Only when he gave her a sharp pinch on her bottom did she let out a delicate cry, “You’re so annoying!” and quickly ran out.
The corners of the man’s lips lifted slightly.
The little girl who used to cough nervously at the sight of him was becoming more and more lively and vivid.
After breakfast, Xie Tingnan, dressed and ready, ran into Yu Wanwan, who had just changed in the guest bedroom.
The young girl wore a white shirt and a black skirt, paired with princess-style leather shoes, her hair tied into a neat ponytail.
She looked as fresh and tender as a dewy pink flower bud, exuding a subtle yet captivating charm in her uniform.
The man was dressed in a white shirt, black trousers, and black leather shoes. It was as if they had coordinated their outfits, looking like a couple in matching attire.
When their eyes met, Yu Wanwan’s slender, soft body was suddenly lifted into the air.
Xie Tingnan pressed her against the softly padded wall on the second floor.
One arm supported her, while the other forcefully pinned her arms against the wall, kissing her passionately…
Only when Yu Wanwan gasped for breath and pleaded, “Big Boss Xie, don’t be so willful. It’s getting late, and it’s the first day of school—it wouldn’t be good to arrive too late,” did he relent.
The man leaned down and left a fierce red mark at the center of her collarbone. “Today’s stamp.”
“Psycho.”
Xie Tingnan loosened the arm supporting her.
The feeling of weightlessness made Yu Wanwan gasp, “Ah!” as she quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging tightly to him.
“Playing on a swing? You’re quite good at this, little girl. Next time, don’t hang from my neck—hang here instead…” A mischievous glint flashed in Xie Tingnan’s eyes.
Just as the young girl rolled her eyes, the man scooped her up horizontally.
Under the delighted gaze of Aunt An, who was waiting at the foot of the stairs, he carried her as if no one else were around, walking straight to the Hongqi car parked in the courtyard.
Compared to his luxury cars, this vehicle was much more understated.
The only subtle yet noticeable sign of its uniqueness was its distinctive license plate.
“Wanwan, remember, from now on, you’re Yin Ren’s distant cousin.”
After tossing her into the car and getting in himself, the man had already reverted to his usual composed and aloof demeanor.
She said, “Okay.”
Since she was about to appear in the public eye, she did need a discreet yet legitimate identity.
The campus of Beijing University was bustling with people, a lively scene of the new semester.
The black Hongqi car slowly made its way through the campus, heading directly toward the administration building.
Yu Wanwan, sitting in the back seat, glanced at the man beside her in confusion. “Xie Tingnan, are we going the wrong way?”
“Do you know this place better than I do?” The man shot her a cold glance.
“Hmph.” Yu Wanwan pursed her lips and turned to look out the car window.
In the lobby of the administration building, she could vaguely make out well-dressed figures who looked like leaders waiting.
She glanced at Xie Tingnan. When the man was serious and unsmiling, he appeared focused and proud.
He was replying to messages, his back straight, his lowered eyelashes thick and dense.
Yu Wanwan lowered her gaze, unconsciously touching the necklace on her snow-white neck.
The luxurious pink diamond hanging at the bottom was cleverly hidden inside her blouse by her.
Xie Tingnan had put it on her.
The man said, “Don’t want it? Go throw it in the lotus pond in the yard yourself.”
Yu Wanwan took it: “Thank you, Big Gold Mountain.”
What was there to talk about when it came to extravagant love? From the very beginning, this relationship was marked by inequality.
So, Yu Wanwan accepted it with an air of indifference.
As long as he said it was for her, she could smile and take it all without hesitation.
The young girl would think, the more it was like this, the more clearly she could distinguish the boundaries.
Probably, men wouldn’t like women who were quicker to take money than to be touched.
The car came to a stop. Xie Tingnan patted her slender back: “Wait in the car. I have some business to attend to. If you get bored, you can go out for a stroll, but don’t wander too far.”
“Afraid I’ll get lost?” Yu Wanwan’s big eyes flickered slightly.
“At least you’re self-aware about being silly.” The man’s lips curved slightly as his long, slender hand slipped into her black dress, giving it a few playful strokes before he stepped out of the car with ease.
Yu Wanwan straightened her dress and watched the man’s imposing figure walk away.
He really did see her as an innocent little flower, unaware of the ways of the world.
His words carried a paternal tone, as if she were a pampered young lady from a wealthy family.
But for Yu Wanwan, she felt she had always been a wild grass.
Little flowers would eventually wither, but resilient wild grass could spread like wildfire.
Xie Tingnan often did things unconsciously, exceeding his own expectations without even realizing it.
In his eyes, that girl was a naive little thing who knew nothing about the complexities of society.
He, the older man, had to pave the way for her before he could feel at ease letting her walk on it.
So, the leaders waiting in the relatively secluded place were indeed there to welcome him.
Because Xie Gold Mountain had waved his hand and donated hundreds of millions to a certain project at Peking University.
The reason was official: giving back to his alma mater (Xie had completed his undergraduate studies at Peking University and went to Oxford for his postgraduate degree).
Moreover, Xie’s uncle was one of the key figures at Peking University, his older brother Xie Yunan was a guest professor at Guanghua, and his younger sister Xie Nannan was pursuing her postgraduate studies at Peking University.
One thing led to another, making capital magnate Xie Tingnan’s donation to Peking University seem perfectly natural.
His donation was carried out discreetly, with no intention of letting the media or the university leak any news.
The entire meeting proceeded in a pleasant atmosphere. Only at the very end did Xie Tingnan’s eyes flicker slightly:
“Assistant Yin, come here.”
Yin Ren respectfully approached the academic leaders and presented the cultural relics and calligraphy he had brought:
“These are some old artifacts from the Ming and Qing dynasties. They are most fitting to belong in an academic sanctuary.”
The leaders’ eyes revealed an appreciative gleam as they examined the authentic pieces, each one a fine collectible.
Yin Ren, observing their expressions, spoke respectfully at the most opportune moment:
“My cousin Yu Wanwan has come from Nancheng. She is a senior in the School of Arts and is simultaneously pursuing an EMBA at Guanghua College. She will strictly abide by the university’s rules and traditions.”
Yin Ren was like Xie Tingnan’s right-hand man, a relationship everyone tacitly understood.
The path for the young girl Yu Wanwan at Peking University was now secure.
Only the “instigator” himself, Xie Tingnan, remained detached, calmly sipping his tea as if it had nothing to do with him.
When a phone call came in, he appropriately brought the grand meeting to an end.
…
Yu Wanwan had been waiting obediently in the car the entire time.
Until the phone rang, it was a call from her best friend Lin Yin.
Picking it up, the other spoke quickly and excitedly: “Wanwan baby, where are you?”
Hearing her voice, her mood inexplicably brightened. Yu Wanwan smiled: “At Jing University, first day of the semester.”
“Surprise, I’m here too! Send me your location, I’ll come find you…”