Han Shixu arrived home earlier than Song Enya and waited anxiously at the entrance, looking around.
At school, he pretended not to know her, and now at home, he wanted to persuade her to drop out?
Song Enya’s expression remained indifferent as she walked briskly past without even glancing his way.
“Song…”
Just as Han Shixu was about to grab her, Ji Hua emerged from inside the house, forcing him to hastily redirect his raised hand mid-air.
“Oh, Shixu, Enya, did you come back together?” Ji Hua’s gaze was scrutinizing, her displeasure almost written on her face.
“No, we just finished school at the same time. I took the bus back by myself,” Song Enya replied quickly. “Madam, I’ll go inside now to help my mother.”
Ji Hua nodded. “Such a diligent and good child. Go ahead.”
Seeing the obvious delight on the woman’s face, Han Shixu pursed his lips in irritation and turned to walk outside.
Ji Hua immediately chased after him a few steps, calling out, “Shixu, did you give the things I asked you to bring to Yuanxi or not?”
“I threw them away.”
“You… you’re going to be the death of me! Come back here!”
Ji Hua trembled with anger, but Han Shixu had already walked out of the gate, disappearing from sight.
She was furious that her son didn’t understand how to cherish opportunities.
That was the only daughter of the Jing family!
Did he even understand the significance of being the only daughter of the Jing family?
If it weren’t for Han Wenzhou’s stroke of luck years ago when he was on the verge of bankruptcy—unintentionally saving the life of a great maritime merchant and opening up the empire’s sea trade—how would they have had the chance to compete with the Kong family for a marriage alliance?
Even though the Han family almost monopolized the bulk of the sea trade, they still dared not be arrogant.
Because the empire they lived in was isolated on a continent. Although the land area was vast, the surrounding seas were treacherous, making maritime trade extremely difficult.
Even that experienced great maritime merchant wouldn’t risk his life to trade frequently with the empire.
If that merchant disregarded the life-saving favor and abandoned cooperation with the Han family, the Han family would be nothing!
After much thought, Ji Hua felt uneasy. She threw on a coat and hurriedly rushed to the Jing family.
If Jing Yuanxi wouldn’t come to the Han family, fine—she would go to the Jing family instead!
…
Early the next morning, students of Di’an International arrived at school early.
In the classroom, Bai Huina was standing by Jing Yuanxi’s desk, chatting with her without mentioning yesterday’s incident.
Pei Jize swaggered over, proudly carrying two banners, his hands in his pockets.
“What do you think? Exactly the same, right?”
Jing Yuanxi examined them and nodded, a smile curling her lips. “Not bad. Hanging these banners makes you twice as handsome as usual.”
Bai Huina chuckled along.
“Really?” Pei Jize grinned from ear to ear, narcissistically smoothing his meticulously styled hair.
“But I’m usually quite handsome too. Your judgment still needs improvement—not that your taste is bad, but you need more practice in evaluating people.”
“Look at these shoes I’m wearing today. Do they match well? I spent an hour picking them out. You should’ve seen the looks people gave me when I left home this morning. They were absolutely…”
“Bai Huina!”
A voice that shocked the entire room abruptly cut off his monologue.
The classroom fell silent as everyone turned their heads in astonishment.
Even Han Shixu, who had just arrived, froze.
Song Enya rushed forward in three quick strides, charging straight toward Bai Huina.
“Hey, what’s your problem? Is interrupting people fun?” Pei Jize looked annoyed.
But Song Enya didn’t even glance at him, her gaze fixed intently on the girl in front of her.
Jing Yuanxi crossed her arms, her eyes curiously shifting between the two.
“Do you think you have the right to call my name? Looking for a beating?” Bai Huina had never had a pleasant expression for her, and after yesterday afternoon’s conversation, she wished she could trample her underfoot.
Song Enya spoke slowly, word by word: “I came to formally tell you that I reject your deal, no matter what you do next.”
As she said this, her peripheral vision swept over the faces of everyone around, carefully observing their expressions.
She had thought it through last night. The only explanation for the current situation was that Han Shixu’s fiancée was very powerful, and she had instructed Bai Huina and her group to bully her together, trying to drive her away.
So who was this fiancée?
Bai Huina absolutely could not be Han Shixu’s fiancée; she showed a hint of deference toward Han Shixu. That meant Jin Mingzhu was also unlikely.
This person would be higher in rank than Bai Huina and the others, leaving only… Jing Yuanxi and Yin Meiyan.
Song Enya lowered her head and met the eyes of the girl sitting in her seat.
The girl opposite stared back with a faint, mocking smile, her gaze startlingly intense.
Pei Jize chattered incessantly around her, but she didn’t respond to a single word. Pei Jize grew increasingly irritated, blaming Song Enya for it, and glared at her with displeasure.
Song Enya subtly shifted her gaze again toward Yin Meiyan and found her staring at the doorway.
And at the doorway stood only Han Shixu, who had just entered.
“You already said that yesterday. Do you think it’ll make me go easy on you?”
Bai Huina’s eyes swept toward the doorway, her voice hissing through gritted teeth: “No one cares whether you agree or not. Don’t get any ideas, or I won’t let you off.”
Song Enya calmly withdrew her gaze, too tired to continue arguing with her. Without another word, she turned and walked away.
Just then, the teacher entered the classroom, and everyone returned to their seats.
…
The foreign language teacher spoke softly at the podium, explaining practice questions, while paper balls flew chaotically below—all in the same direction.
A paper ball hit Song Enya on the head and fell onto her desk. Annoyed, she unfolded it, and a large black spider unexpectedly jumped out.
“Ah—”
A sharp scream erupted as Song Enya leaped up from her chair.
The classroom fell silent instantly.
“Student, is something wrong?” the teacher asked, frowning.
Muffled laughter spread through the classroom.
Song Enya, pale-faced, looked at her desk, but the spider had already crawled away somewhere.
“Student, can you please sit down now?”
Embarrassed, Song Enya nodded and cautiously sat back down.
“Wow, we actually have a hidden soprano in our class. Didn’t she shout ‘Bai Huina’ just as loudly this morning?”
“Then let her sing first in this afternoon’s music class.”
“Good idea. She likes shouting anyway. Wasn’t she yelling loudly in the bathroom last time? My ears almost burst.”
“Last time in the bathroom, she didn’t just yell—she almost pinned Gao Yi down. It was terrifying.”
“So what? In the end, she still gave in and mopped the floor spotlessly. I even recorded a video.”
“Of course, someone who specializes in being a nanny must be different from us. Her mother probably taught her well how to clean at home, right?”
Amidst the whispers and mockery of the classmates, Han Shixu slightly turned his head.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Jing Yuanxi leaning against the back seat.
Unlike his probing gaze, she slightly lifted her chin and met his eyes openly.
Meeting her gaze, a surge of irritation suddenly welled up in Han Shixu’s chest.
How could she pretend to be so composed?
Wasn’t Bai Huina acting under her instructions?
Han Shixu coldly averted his gaze.
He couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. He had to think of a way…