Pei Qiuxu hurriedly picked up her phone—Zhong Sinian had only sent one payment.
Five hundred thousand, as if that was the value of the photo.
Pei Qiuxu pressed her lips together, somewhat pleased.
She had a strong sense of entitlement, and besides, she was Zhong Sinian’s fiancée. Since she had provided him with emotional value, the money was rightfully hers.
Still, it seemed a little insufficient. Pei Qiuxu pouted slightly.
Without thinking too much about it, she accepted the money and sweetly sent him a voice message.
“Thank you, darling~ Go to bed early, okay?”
She narrowed her eyes, thinking about how she could now buy the bag she’d been eyeing a few days ago.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Zhong Sinian stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the photo in his hand.
His Adam’s apple bobbed twice as he zoomed in on the small, fair, tender feet in the picture.
The bare little feet were porcelain-white and delicate, standing on a floor as smooth as white jade, the insteps arching into a soft, gentle curve. The toenails were neatly trimmed with a faint pink tint, and the slender, well-proportioned toes were plump like full grains of white jade.
He raised his wine glass and drained it in one gulp.
“Sinian, is it okay if you take the bedroom next door?” He Jiaojiao walked out just then, carrying an armful of blankets.
She was wearing white silk pajamas.
The well-draped pajamas outlined the girl’s slender figure, and he instinctively looked down at her feet.
She was barefoot too. Zhong Sinian smiled.
Setting his glass on the table beside him, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around He Jiaojiao’s soft waist.
“Of course I’m staying in the same room as you.”
He Jiaojiao’s struggles and protests were locked tightly inside the room.
Before long, sounds began drifting from within.
The next day, the weather was lovely.
The wound on Pei Qiuxu’s lip still hadn’t healed, so she had no choice but to wear a mask to school in her anxiety.
Zhong Sinian didn’t come to pick her up today, which came as a relief.
When she arrived at school, she found that Zhong Sinian and the others hadn’t come yet—even He Jiaojiao was absent. Pei Qiuxu pursed her lips and took a seat at the very back of the classroom.
Sideways glances kept falling on her, making her uncomfortable.
After all, yesterday’s seat-changing incident had caused quite a stir, so there were surely plenty of people watching for drama.
Pei Qiuxu was browsing newly released bags online when someone suddenly sat down beside her. She looked up—she didn’t really recognize the girl.
“Hi, I’m Ji Tao.” The girl had a round face and looked lively and adorable.
“Can I sit next to you?”
Pei Qiuxu felt a little reluctant. She wasn’t particularly outgoing and usually preferred to stay within her comfort zone.
But this was school, so she nodded.
Ji Tao happily sat down beside her. “Our school is holding a sports meet in a couple of days. What events do you want to sign up for?”
Pei Qiuxu froze. She wasn’t very athletic. “My physical condition might not be great—can I skip all of them?”
“I mean, you can, but that might not be great.” Ji Tao stared into Pei Qiuxu’s bright, clear eyes.
“The sports meet is a great chance to build good relationships with your classmates.” She flicked her ponytail. “It’s really better to participate in something.”
Pei Qiuxu looked troubled. She glanced at the list of events and found that there wasn’t a single one she was good at.
“How about this, then.” Ji Tao looked at her face. “You’re so pretty—come be on the cheerleading squad!”
“Have you ever studied dance?”
Pei Qiuxu nodded. She had learned ballet since childhood. Although she hadn’t practiced in a long time, the foundation was still there.
“That’s good. Cheerleading only requires learning a few dances, and you just perform at the opening of the sports meet.”
Pei Qiuxu’s eyes lit up. She liked that.
“Okay, I’ll join.”
Ji Tao smiled and added her name after the cheerleading event.
Once she finished filling it in, she turned to look at Pei Qiuxu.
Pei Qiuxu was wearing a black face mask. Her face was small, and the mask covered most of it, leaving only a pair of clear, bright eyes exposed, making her look almost coldly elegant today.
“Isn’t it hot, wearing a mask in this weather?” Ji Tao raised her hand to remove Pei Qiuxu’s mask, but Pei Qiuxu pressed it down.
“It’s fine. I just accidentally bit my lip yesterday.” Pei Qiuxu lowered her head and smoothed her long hair behind her.
Hearing this, Ji Tao didn’t say anything more, just nodded.
She took the form and turned to leave.
As class president, she needed to coordinate all kinds of activities.
In front of her seat stood quite a few other class committee members, all discussing the sports meet together.
Ji Tao sat down at her seat, glanced up at the people in front of her, and said quietly, “Not very sharp, but truly beautiful.”
“Still, she’s Young Master Zhong’s fiancée either way, so let’s all be respectful.”
Before long, Qin Muyao and the others arrived too.
At the sound of their voices, the classroom quieted down considerably.
The classroom door opened, and He Jiaojiao walked in, flanked by the four of them, her cheeks flushed, still bickering with Ji Hantian beside her.
“I have my own life. Don’t be so high-handed!”
“What, is squatting in a run-down rental even a dog wouldn’t live in better than the house we bought you?” Ji Hantian scoffed at the very idea.
“Hantian’s right. That place you’re living in is too dangerous. And don’t feel burdened—the villa counts as an academy subsidy.” Gu Chusheng walked beside He Jiaojiao, his voice gentle.
Meanwhile, Zhong Sinian trailed behind, his eyes fixed on He Jiaojiao, who was pouting up ahead in a sulk. “The villa is registered in your name. Even if you don’t live there, it’ll just sit there.”
Only at these words did He Jiaojiao press her lips together and sigh. “Fine. But let’s agree—I’ll only live there for three years. After I graduate from college, you all leave me alone. I can support myself.”
The four of them said nothing more.
Ji Tao went up to greet them. She looked at the four men around her, then set her gaze on He Jiaojiao in the middle.
“The school sports meet is coming up soon. Are there any events you’d like to join?” She handed the form in her hand to He Jiaojiao.
He Jiaojiao glanced over it and bit her lip, looking troubled. “My stamina isn’t very good.”
“That’s all right, we have plenty of other events…”
“What did Sister Qiuxu sign up for?” He Jiaojiao asked with innocent eyes, then looked again at the names on the form.
“Cheerleading? Can I join that?”
“Well… most of the cheerleaders have dance experience. If you do, then of course you can.” Ji Tao smiled politely.
“But I want to cheer for them too.” He Jiaojiao sighed. “Never mind, I’ll just sign up for something random then.”
At that moment, Gu Chusheng stepped forward. He picked up a pen from the desk nearby and wrote He Jiaojiao’s name in the cheerleading column.
“If you want to join, then join. It’s nothing difficult.” He looked down at He Jiaojiao, a trace of tenderness in his eyes.
Ji Tao gave him a cool glance and said nothing more.
Qin Muyao and the others also picked a few events and signed up.
After Zhong Sinian registered, he glanced around the classroom, his gaze landing on the young girl in the back row who was secretly watching him.