C22 The Principal Personally Came to Apologize!

Su Rann's hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, slightly damp. Her eyes were clear and cold, a stark contrast to the warmth of her loosely draped towel that enveloped her entire body.

Her voice carried a chill, as if pushing people away from a great distance. As she lifted her gaze, the orange glow spilling from the rooftop caught in her eyes, igniting a sharp, cold glint within them.

Lu Jinhan, upon witnessing her emerge like a nymph from the water, found himself swallowing involuntarily.

Such a slender waist!

Yet, almost immediately, his expression reverted to its usual icy detachment.

He swept a glance over the woman before him and then turned on his heel to leave, his handsome features set in an expression of cold arrogance, lips pressed into a thin line.

Su Rann watched his retreating figure, deep in thought.

She hadn't expected Lu Jinhan to be so sensitive. It was her first time visiting his room without any gain!

It seemed she would have to maintain the guise of Su Rann a while longer.

The heavy black phone rang once more with a persistent "Ding, ding, ding!"

"What is it?" she answered, her tone as frosty as ever.

"Shadow, why has there been no word from you lately? Can't I call if there's no news?" The voice on the other end teased.

"Busy," Su Rann replied curtly, rising to pour herself a glass of water before settling into a chair.

Ling Feng, a globe-trotting doctor with exceptional skills, was as elusive as a shadow.

The two shared a bond forged in life-or-death moments. Ling Feng was aware of her medical knowledge, just as Su Rann knew of his profession. Beyond that, their understanding of each other's lives was limited.

Ling Feng often shared with her the details of complex cases. Although both had a background in medicine, their areas of expertise diverged.

"Shadow, guess where I am now?"

Before Su Rann could respond, a thunderous noise erupted. "Shadow, I'm out saving the world. Once you reach the level of a divine healer, I'll take you on adventures across the globe!"

"No more chatting, I've got lives to save!" With that, Ling Feng ended the call.

Descending the stairs in her loose pajamas, Su Rann's hair was half-dried, her eyes tranquil and deep.

"Madam, dinner is ready," Mrs. Li announced as she watched her descend the staircase.

Su Rann knew that within the Lu family, only Mrs. Li truly cared for her.

But Su Rann was indifferent to all of this. She hadn't joined the Lu family for a life of leisure; she was there for the key, and once it was in her possession, she planned to leave.

"Su Rann, the principal seemed quite dazed when he left. You didn't say something to him, did you?" Lin Manyin inquired as she descended the opposite staircase.

Lu Jinhan's gaze rested on her, yet he remained silent.

"Su Rann, why would someone like the principal come to apologize to you in person? What's the story there?" Huang Jiamin asked, casting a sidelong glance at Lu Jinhan.

"Exactly. I witnessed it myself at school. Even School Board Member Ma spoke up for you. Are you claiming you don't know them?" Lin Manyin chimed in.

The two women were insinuating to Lu Jinhan that Su Rann had been unfaithful to him.

"Jinhan, I wouldn't have known that Su Rann and School Board Member Ma were acquainted if I hadn't attended Zihann's parent-teacher conference today. They seemed quite close during their conversation," Lin Manyin said with a smirk.

"Weren't you too busy to attend the conference today? How did you manage to go?" His eyes were deep and shadowy, sending a shiver down Lin Manyin's spine.

"I... I went there halfway through," she admitted, her voice tinged with nervousness.

Su Rann descended the stairs and took her seat, calmly beginning her meal as if the unfolding drama around her was of no consequence.

"Su Rann, just how do you know School Board Member Ma?" Huang Jiamin pressed on. She was aware that although Lu Jinhan had no affection for this woman, he would not tolerate any betrayal.

As Huang Jiamin posed the question, Lu Jinhan's attention shifted to Su Rann.

"We're not close," Su Rann stated flatly, continuing with her meal.

"Not close? I clearly saw School Board Member Ma seeking you out for a conversation today. You still claim you're not close? Are you keeping something from us? What exactly is your relationship with School Board Member Ma?"

Lin Manyin spoke up, "Su Rann, please tell me you don't have any kind of inappropriate relationship with School Board Member Ma. The Lu family hasn't wronged you in any way, and besides, Jinhan is the dream of countless girls in Lan City. You really should value that."

Huang Jiamin stirred the pot with her comments, effectively confirming the rumors of an illicit affair between Su Rann and School Board Member Ma.

"If you're so curious, why don't you go ask him yourself?" Su Rann retorted, having finished her meal. She stood up and made her way upstairs.

"Jinhan, look at her demeanor. You must get to the bottom of what's going on between her and the school board member. She can't be allowed to tarnish your reputation or the Lu family's honor," Huang Jiamin implored him.

Lu Jinhan, after nibbling at his food, headed straight for the study, with Nan Jun on his heels. "Find out what's really happening," he instructed, increasingly convinced that Su Rann was a complex character.

Back in her room, Su Rann's thoughts were preoccupied with the layout of Lu Jinhan's room. Where could he have hidden the key? How could she persuade Lu Jinhan to hand it over?

Lost in thought on the sofa, she was jolted back to reality by a knock at the door. All she wanted was to quietly find the key, but her stay at the Lu family had been anything but peaceful. A chill crossed her porcelain-like face as she rose to answer the door.

"Su Rann, the principal came to apologize. What's really going on?" To her surprise, the visitor was Lu Zihann.

In that moment, she realized that she held no significant place in Lu Jinhan's heart. But that was of no concern to her.

"You should be focusing on your studies right now. Some matters are not for you to worry about," Su Rann replied coolly.

"Do you actually have an improper relationship with School Board Member Ma?" Lu Zihann pressed, quite seriously.

"Su Rann, I'm warning you—if you cheat on my brother, I'll make sure you're thrown out of the Lu family!" he declared, his anger palpable.

"Why would I look elsewhere when Lu Jinhan is not only incredibly handsome but also so accomplished and young? I wouldn't entertain thoughts of any other man," she responded, her tone laced with sincerity.

Su Rann always had an extra measure of patience for Lu Zihann.

For reasons she couldn't quite explain, she found herself elaborating a bit more than usual. These words, however, weren't truly reflective of her own thoughts.

At that moment, Lu Jinhan, standing at the doorway, clenched his jaw upon hearing her speak. His chiseled features grew taut, and his eyes, deep and dark, betrayed the turmoil of emotions swirling within him.