’’But the business here is still unfinished....’’ Before Ji Yan could finish his words, Adrian was gone.
Under the disbelieving gaze of everyone, surrounded by gasps and whispers, Ji Yan stood there in silence for a moment, absolutely bewildered.
After a beat, he recovered his senses and quickly chased the man.
Suddenly, another thought crossed his mind. When the Second Master said he cannot control, was he saying that he cannot control himself from going back to Vermilion city right away if he talked to Ella?
The thought had him thunderstruck.
Seeing that there was no reply from Adrian, Ella did not text him any further even though a niggling feeling sprouted in her chest.
When she reached the class, Kade was dozing off in a corner. In his hand, he held his book. But from between the pages, Ella spotted a little bit of pink visible.
This guy... was really obsessed with his hentais.
After giving it a thought and consulting with her conscience, Ella covered the hentai properly in his textbook.
Suddenly, Ella felt a strong gaze upon herself. When she turned around, Jasmine, and most of the girls in the class were glaring at her.
The words ’don’t take advantage of our god’ were printed clearly on their faces.
These past few days, a new batch of rumors had been published about her.
Since she was mostly seen with Ruby and sometimes, Kade was also spotted around her, people were concerned for their imperial god and goddess, worrying that she might have... well, done some sorcery on them.
"Class..." Jenny stepped inside, chin held high.
The anxiety and rage she had shown in front of Ella in her office seemed to be a matter of the past.
These past few days, both Esther and Jenny had been awfully quiet.
And the rumour about Jenny being someone’s mistress was quickly suppressed. People speculated over things but they finally concluded that why would Jenny, the ’daughter of Dean Mo’ be a mistress to anyone?
"I have two announcements to make," Jenny smiled, "The dates for auditions of the drama ’The Rising Lotus’ have been finalized..."
The class went into an uproar.
The Imperial university had a long collaboration with the entertainment industry, and for the students who aimed for a future as an actor or actress, this was no less than a dream placement.
"And the auditions will start a week after the announcement of your results."
The vibrant class immediately quietened down before chaos erupted.
Ella nearly experienced a mini earthquake as the desk trembled.
Kade sat straight, his eyes slightly narrowed.
Ella rolled her eyes and looked away.
"Professor, weren’t the results supposed to be declared towards the end of the month?"
"That’s right... Why so early?"
As students voiced their questions, Jenny smiled, "That’s right. But due to the auditions, the department has made this decision so all of you can focus on one thing in peace."
Despite the complaints, most of the class quietened down.
What Jenny said sounded plausible. How could they focus on preparing for their audition with the sword of results hanging upon their heads?
Nobody noticed the cold smile that crept up on Jenny’s lips as her gaze flitted by Ella.
Kade frowned, "Don’t you think it’s a little fishy?" He whispered in Ella’s ears.
Ella got a layer of goosebumps, "You, keep a little distance from me..." She could feel the murderous gazes of all the girls in the class.
Kade: "_" *quietly sniffs himself* Did he stink?
After classes were over, Ella accompanied Ruby till the campus gates.
"Are you not going back to dorms?" Ruby questioned.
"I have something to do," Ella winked, "Oh, Ruby, I needed a little help..."
Ruby turned to her, "Hmm?"
’’Since the audition dates have been finalized, they will be releasing the scripts soon...’’
"Are you planning to participate in this drama?"
Ella nodded, "But I am not good at acting..."
A small peal of laughter cut Ella’s words off.
Ruby stopped laughing when Ella pouted, "I remember when we were in school and you acted as Cinderella. You said you never liked Cinderella since young because the prince’s love for her was shallow, all he saw was her beauty and virtues. You wouldn’t stop glaring at the class monitor for deciding on this theme because you found it ridiculous. So throughout the act, you glared at him..."
Ella scratched her neck, "And you were unwell back then so you didn’t participate in it. Every time I saw you sitting in the audience, cheering for me, my mood elevated..."
"Thinking of those days, I wondered sometimes when you started hating me..."
The moment Ruby uttered those words, she froze.
However, when she looked at Ella, the girl’s smile had not wavered, "I never hated you. I was just being silly in the past."
Something in Ruby’s chest was lifted, "Tell me, what do you need my help for?"
Ella’s eyes twinkled, "Teach me how to act. Back then, hadn’t you been sick, I wouldn’t have become Cinderella. Your acting skills have always been good. With you as my teacher, I can definitely land the role of the female lead..."
Ruby fell silent, "But I..."
’’I know what you are thinking. If you are concerned about my weight being a problem, I am working on getting fit. For this role, I can put in more effort..."
’’No, that’s not it. You are perfect. It’s me... I haven’t acted in anything in a long while. I don’t know if I can..." When she saw the desolate look on Ella’s face, Ruby paused and then sighed, "Fine."
Ella stood in her spot, till Ruby walked to the distance and got into the car and her a hint of determination flickered in her eyes.
After Ruby left, Ella headed to her apartment.
The Security immediately greeted her with a huge smile.
"Grandpa, about what I told you..."
"I have arranged them for you."
When Ella headed to the apartment, two polite faces greeted her at the door, "Miss Yu,’’ Both the girls bowed.
The old security looked at Ella, "They used to work in my previous Boss’ company. But because the business went bad and he declared bankruptcy, we all became unemployed abruptly."
Ella smiled at the old man and looked at the two women in front of her, one young and one middle-aged.