C14 Agree to the Tuition Class!

Yem Xi was feeling somewhat conflicted. It was, after all, the first time anyone had bought her study materials.

"Thank you... thank you," she managed to say.

Jing Cheng gave her another piece of advice, "You're in your Third Year now, study diligently. If there's anything you don't understand, come to me with your questions."

Yem Xi hesitated before responding with a quiet, "...Okay."

"And I'll be checking in on your progress from time to time," he added.

Yem Xi was silent.

Jing Cheng raised his hand as if to tousle her hair but thought better of it and restrained himself.

"Alright, you should head inside now."

Clutching the heavy bag of books, Yem Xi approached the door and pressed the doorbell.

Inside, the butler, Hsu Lirong, knew it was Yem Xi returning. She deliberately dragged her feet, refusing to open the door herself and forbidding the maid from doing so.

Minutes ticked by with Yem Xi still pressing the doorbell.

Jing Cheng's brow furrowed in concern.

The Jiang family's residence was equipped with a facial recognition system, but clearly, Yem Xi's information hadn't been entered into the database.

He stepped forward just as a car approached and came to a halt at the end of the street. The passenger alighted.

Jing Cheng took a brief glance at the newcomer and continued towards Yem Xi.

Jiang Yifan jogged up to the door, taking in the scene. He had a good idea of what was going on. Despite the nervous pounding in his chest, he greeted them with a smile, "Young Master Jing, Xi."

Jing Cheng responded courteously, "Director Jiang."

Turning back to Yem Xi, he smiled and said, "I'm heading out now. Give me a call if you need anything." His support for her was unmistakable.

Yem Xi felt a ripple of emotion and nodded softly in acknowledgment.

Jiang Yifan's face tensed, but he maintained his smile as he watched Jing Cheng drive away.

"Xi, about you and Young Master Jing..." Jiang Yifan began to inquire upon his return.

But as he met Yem Xi's serene and indifferent gaze, the rest of his words remained unspoken.

"Let's go inside," he suggested.

Yem Xi followed Jiang Yifan into the house.

Noticing the tense look on Du Qingtian's face and seeing Yem Xi trailing behind, Hsu Lirong quickly dispatched someone to fetch Du Qingtian from upstairs.

She couldn't help but feel a secret delight.

Now, everyone was aware that Yem Xi had returned only after spending an extended time out and about.

Slipping into disposable slippers, Yem Xi was ready to head upstairs.

Jiang Yifan greeted her warmly, "Xi, come over and sit for a bit."

He then directed a servant, "Please ask the Madam to come downstairs."

Yem Xi bowed her head and took a seat on the couch.

Hsu Lirong, ever perceptive, brought over a freshly brewed pot of tea.

Jiang Yifan settled into the main chair, his natural authority lending him an air of command even without a word.

He began deliberately, "Steward Hsu, when Xi was ringing the doorbell earlier, why didn't anyone answer?"

Hsu Lirong's face lost its color. She opened her mouth to explain, but was interrupted by Du Qingtian, who had just descended the stairs, her voice sharp with accusation, "You've been out since this morning and only now return! What have you been up to?"

Yem Xi gave her a cool glance.

Du Qingtian felt her fury doused by that icy look, her heart skipping erratically.

Caught off guard by her own reaction, she was momentarily lost for words.

Jiang Yifan's brow furrowed, "Ease up, don't frighten Xi."

Turning to Yem Xi, his tone softened noticeably as he inquired, "Xi, what were you doing today?"

Yem Xi maintained her composed demeanor, her voice as chilly as her expression, "I had some matters to attend to."

Du Qingtian's temper flared anew, "You've barely arrived in Yi City; what could you possibly have to do? Is mingling with questionable characters your business? Is this how your grandparents from Riverside Village raised you?"

Yem Xi's striking almond eyes grew frosty as she fixed her gaze on Du Qingtian, who felt an overwhelming sense of pressure.

With a slight curl of her lips, she responded with a cold arrogance, "I see, so Young Master Jing is considered questionable here. I'm curious what he would think. I'll be sure to remind him to avoid showing his face around you in the future."

At the mention of "Young Master Jing," Du Qingtian's eyelids gave an involuntary twitch, her gaze shifting between Yem Xi and Jiang Yifan in a mix of surprise and suspicion.

Hadn't she just seen him leave with a young man on a motorcycle? How did Young Master Jing come into the picture?

Recalling that young man, Du Qingtian couldn't help but be reminded of the various tales surrounding him. He was not someone to be taken lightly.

Jiang Yifan gave her a cautionary glance, "Young Master Jing just brought Xi home, and it so happened that she was seen locked out. Whose idea was that?"

Could it really be him?

A shiver of fear ran through Du Qingtian as he quickly shook his head to distance himself, "I have no idea."

Hsu Lirong hung her head, too afraid to even breathe loudly.

After years of smooth sailing with the Jiang family, this was the first time she had been so publicly humiliated.

It was all Yem Xi's fault, that newcomer who kept causing her problems!

Jiang Yifan didn't delve deeper but sternly stressed, "I don't want to see this happen again! Or else, pack your bags and leave!"

His words carried a serious weight.

Hsu Lirong left with a pale face.

Yem Xi couldn't help but smile to herself.

She had been bullied before but never had such support.

All thanks to Young Master Jing.

Jiang Yifan turned to Yem Xi, still concerned about the initial issue, "Xi, since Young Master Jing escorted you home, you must know him well?"

Yem Xi replied coolly, "Not really. Young Master Jing was simply being kind."

There wasn't much Jiang Yifan could do.

He couldn't force her to admit a close acquaintance if it wasn't there.

Maybe Young Master Jing had acted on a whim?

After all, Yem Xi was quite attractive.

Jiang Yifan, weighed down by his thoughts, conceded, "Alright, then get some rest. Let us know if you need anything."

Yem Xi rose to her feet, then remembered something and spoke up, "I need to attend a tutoring class."

Jiang Yifan was momentarily taken aback, then smiled warmly, "Of course! Yao will take you there tomorrow."