A sense of crisis washed over Qin Jing and Lin Xin.
It was too late, however.
Their classmates had all heard Meng YangandYao Tang’s conversation, and were now eagerly nodding in agreement.
Qin Jing heaved a long sigh and crouched on her desk.
She wanted to say something to make everyone change their minds, but she no longer had the energy to do so.
Lin Xin, on the other hand, was still blinking in disbelief.
She was so frustrated, she couldn’t even begin to express it in words.
As for the rest of the class, they were blissfully oblivious to the implications. That was until the books were distributed, and they ended up with a huge pile on each desk.
They all stared at the books in aghast. They wanted to cry at the mere sight of it.
With so much material to handle, would they even be able to finish cramming in time?
Lin Xin had calmed down at this point. Her hands were heavy with dread and resignation as she organized the books that were assigned to her.
Unbeknownst to them, this wasn’t everything there was.
In fact, Yao Tanghad discarded a good number of duplicate copies and some old editions that were no longer relevant.
These were taken away by Cheng Yan.
Yao Tang had no idea what he intended to do with them, but that was none of her concern, anyway.
Meanwhile, the principal of International Middle Schoolwas rather troubled after hearingCheng Yan’s instructions.
In the first place, he had only agreed to humor him because he knew that he couldn’t afford to offend the young man. In truth, he was pretty displeased with the whole arrangement.
At the same time, he was baffled as to Cheng Yan’s purpose.
It was all very last minute, too, which was very uncharacteristic of someone so efficient and accomplished.
Cheng Yan had always operated at a calm and steady pace, with his goals all mapped out clearly before he took action.
Bothered by these thoughts, the principal took out his phone and typed a message.
“Xiao Qin, where are all these books going?”
“To City ANo. 1 High School.”
…
Yao Tang headed home soon after class ended.
It was Yao Yan who opened the door for her.
“Hurry and come inside. We’re having fried chicken tonight. We’re not sure if you would like it, though.”
Yao Tang nodded lightly. She closed the door behind her and entered the foyer. She was just about to change her shoes when she heard a familiar voice from the living room.
That voice…
Yao Tang paused for a brief second, and her movements slowed.
Yao Yan noticed the subtle shift in her. “So it’s like this,” he explained with a smile. “Dad invited a guest over, and we all forgot to inform you beforehand.”
Yao Tang nodded again.
She made to leave, only for Yao Rong’s jovial voice to call out for her.
“Oh, you’re back?”
Yao Tang stiffened. She lowered her voice before answering with a curt, “Yes.”
“Your daughter is here?” the guest asked.
Yao Rong seemed particularly excited. He had a proud smile on his face and his eyes were sparkling. “Yes, yes, come, come! Little Tang, this isElder Guan. You may call him Grandpa Guan.”
Elder Guan froze. Had he heard it correctly?
Had Yao Rongreally just called the girl “Little Tang”?
No, he must have misheard. Yao Rong’s daughter was called Yao Xin, so he had probably said “Little Xin”…
“Grandpa Guan,” Yao Tangacknowledged, her voice still an octave lower.
Elder Guan turned toward the girl, but he could barely see her face from where he sat. Her long hair was draped over her cheek like a thick, black curtain.
Then he glanced at the bag she was carrying, and he had to shake his head to himself.
No. It wasn’t possible. Their laboratory had begged that girl, Yao Tang, to work at her leisure. She couldn’t possibly be attending school at the same time. That would only be some perverse kind of penance otherwise.
And judging by that girl’s personality, it would be the last thing she would do.
Elder Guan smiled sardonically. He was going out of his mind in search ofYao Tang. Whenever he spotted a girl around her age, he would immediately assume that it was her. Now, he was even hearing things!
With a small, disappointed sigh, he directed his gaze back to the chessboard.
Yao Tang grabbed the opportunity and hurriedly changed into her house slippers. She almost bounded up the stairs when she realized thatElder Guanwas looking at her again.
She hurriedly angled her face to the side so that he couldn’t get a good look at it.
Yao Yan watched it all happen, with unspeakable thoughts swirling in the depths of his eyes.