"But I’ll say the ugly part first, if my mom insists on her way, then there’s nothing I can do. If we’re going to get engaged, then so be it. Actually, Sister Yun Ya, I quite like you. Thinking about marrying you as my wife, it seems pretty good," Yan Ke’s eyes twinkled with a bright light.
Yun Ya gently smiled, and even Ah Jiu, who was curled up in her lap, couldn’t help but shiver, "Would you dare to repeat that in front of your brother?"
Yan Ke’s face stiffened, and he muttered discontentedly, "Can’t a guy dream a little? But it does hurt a bit to see the duck that was almost in my mouth fly away. At worst, I’ll just compete fairly with my brother when the time comes."
He suddenly leaned in close to Yun Ya, speaking with a grin, "Sister Yun Ya, don’t you have even a little bit of affection for me?"
The two were extremely close, Yan Ke’s handsome face magnified tenfold as it reflected in Yun Ya’s eyes. She didn’t blink and just stared straight into Yan Ke’s eyes, not even her eyelashes fluttered.
Up close, those eyes were astoundingly beautiful—pitch black, luminous, like the stars and the ocean, and like bottomless ancient wells, dark and mysterious.
Yan Ke’s heartbeat suddenly picked up pace.
"No." She spoke the two resolute words, staring straight into his eyes, with no retreat, no pretense, cool and blunt, somewhat heartless.
"Boring." He pouted, and suddenly standing up, he lifted Ah Jiu out from Yun Ya’s embrace by his fur. Ah Jiu yelped, looking reluctantly at Yun Ya.
Yan Ke petted Ah Jiu’s back up and down, humming, "So disloyal over a pretty face."
Yun Ya smiled gently again, softly lowering her gaze.
Outside the door, Aunt Lin spoke, "Young Master, Miss Ji, dinner is ready."
Seeing the two come down from upstairs, one after the other, Zhuang Xiyue couldn’t hide her smile, grinning from ear to ear.
The dining table was full, with dishes that were colorful, fragrant, and flavorful. It had the warmth of home-cooked meals and the sophistication of a restaurant chef’s creations.
After the three of them sat down, Yun Ya furrowed her brows and asked, "Isn’t Uncle Yan coming back?" ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novelFɪre.net
Zhuang Xiyue answered with a smile, "He just called to say he’s working overtime, so let’s not wait for him."
It looked like she would have to wait a little longer.
"Yun Ya, you’re sixteen this year and should be in high school. At your age, you should be learning more at school..." During dinner, Zhuang Xiyue suddenly started speaking.
She didn’t mean anything else by it; she was just of the opinion that Yun Ya should attend school to gain more knowledge, something that had been on her mind for a long time.
"I can handle the school issue for you, how about the same school that Brother Yan went to?" Zhuang Xiyue asked.
Yun Ya put down her chopsticks, swallowed the food in her mouth, using the moment to consider, and then looked up at Zhuang Xiyue.
Her bright and spirited eyes, so clear and vibrant, were endearing to look at.
"Aunt Zhuang, I no longer need a high school diploma," Yun Ya said.
Zhuang Xiyue was taken aback, and even Yan Ke, sitting across from her, turned to look.
"What do you mean you no longer need a high school diploma?" Zhuang Xiyue murmured back.
"While I was abroad, I already obtained a dual PhD from the University of Washington School of Medicine," Yun Ya spoke calmly.
"What?" Zhuang Xiyue asked incredulously, doubting her own ears.
Yun Ya repeated, "During my ten years abroad, I completed all the coursework from elementary to university. So, Aunt Zhuang, a high school diploma from here holds no value for me."
Zhuang Xiyue and Yan Ke were both stunned. How old was Yun Ya ten years ago? Five or six? In just ten years, she had finished all the school courses from elementary to university and even obtained a dual PhD from the University of Washington School of Medicine? This seemed impossible.
The University of Washington is a world-renowned research university, known for its top academic status and reputation, and part of the public Ivies, especially its medical school, which is notoriously difficult to get into, not to mention obtaining a dual PhD. Even for an adult, making such a claim would invite skepticism, let alone from a girl who is only fifteen or sixteen.
This is simply unthinkable unless she’s a genius among geniuses.
See, this is the reaction of the world, Yun Ya felt resigned. It was also why she had always kept a low profile. The university had invited her multiple times to give academic speeches, but she had turned them down, wishing not to show herself. That was one thing, but more importantly, because of her youth, people would doubt her, which could lead to various troubles.
Zhuang Xiyue swallowed, her gaze on Yun Ya undisguised in its shock: "Is... is what you’re saying true?"