Attorney Zhou finished speaking, placed the documents respectfully on the table, then stepped back to stand alongside Chen Yan.

In the midst of Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong’s astonished expressions, Lin Zhihua slowly said, “I don’t know what I could present that would convince both of you. Promises and oaths aren’t reliable. Beyond all the wealth I possess, I don’t know how else to express my determination to spend a lifetime with Jiaojiao.”

Lin Zhihua was very serious, his gaze carrying resolve. Cheng Shuo looked into his eyes, unable to speak.

Cheng Shuo didn’t lower his head to examine the contract documents. He kept staring at Lin Zhihua, who steadfastly returned his penetrating gaze.

“I waited for so long, having already resigned myself to spending this life alone, mechanically and numbly repeating the same existence day after day. But then I found Jiaojiao, another color in my life.” Light shone in Lin Zhihua’s eyes as he thought of something, his lips curving into a gentle smile.

Cheng Shuo opened his mouth, but it took him a while before saying, “It’s not up to us… Jiaojiao must decide herself…”

Lin Zhihua smiled. “Uncle Cheng, your support, or at least your non-interference, is enough. As for Jiaojiao… I believe that someday, she will love me too.”

Cheng Shuo: “…”

He remained silent, continuing to avoid looking at the documents, and hurriedly left with Li Sitong.

What a miscalculation!

They had come to stop Lin Zhihua, but how had they nearly been persuaded by him instead?!

As soon as Cheng Shuo stepped outside, he let out a heavy sigh.

Li Sitong had been quiet the whole time. Only after getting into the car did she suddenly say, “I quite like Lin Zhihua. If Jiaojiao could be with him, I would feel reassured.”

Cheng Shuo turned his head. “Why?”

“He’s right. Though he’s older than Jiaojiao, age has its advantages. Compared to someone Yi Tianyu’s age, he can better protect Jiaojiao from harm.” Li Sitong’s voice was soft.

“How do you know he won’t hurt Jiaojiao?”

Li Sitong looked up, gazing at a particular spot. “Many men are materialistic, valuing money and face above all else. But here’s a man of high standing who, for the sake of the girl he likes, can set aside his pride, speak humbly to her parents, and even share his priceless assets with the person he loves. Just this determination and trust, I think, is enough.”

Cheng Shuo didn’t speak. He hadn’t started the car yet, staring fixedly at one spot without moving.

After a moment, his tone softened. “Still, Jiaojiao must be willing herself. There’s no use in us thinking so much about it.”

Li Sitong’s eyes grew worried. “I’m afraid she’ll be like I was back then, impulsively running to a man who wasn’t right for her, tasting all the heartache and pain, only to be left with regret…”

When she was young, her father had money and power. She was a princess in an ivory tower, a noble young lady. Unfortunately, in the end, she had misjudged someone…

Thankfully, she had now found the right person.

Li Sitong turned her head, meeting Cheng Shuo’s concerned gaze.

She smiled, reaching out to interlock her fingers with his.

She only hoped that her daughter would not follow her path and take the wrong road.

Cheng Shuo, Li Sitong, and Lin Zhihua had already met regarding Xue Jiao’s situation.

Yet Gu Xue Jiao, the other person involved, knew nothing about it.

Ever since collaborating with Zheng Jiakun on calculations, Senior Sister Xu Jing had been looking at Xue Jiao with extremely complicated expressions.

This look wasn’t unpleasant, but it felt strange.

After the other senior undergraduate students had left, only she and Xu Jing remained in Room 305.

Xue Jiao was studying linear algebra, while Xu Jing was studying… her.

The gaze was so intense that she couldn’t ignore it.

Xue Jiao put down her pen, looked up, and asked somewhat helplessly, “Senior Sister, is something wrong?”

Their eyes met, and Xu Jing froze momentarily before shaking her head.

“No, nothing. We’ve completed our task, and we’re waiting for the project team to assign us something else.”

“Oh.” Xue Jiao nodded, returning her attention to her book.

Linear algebra wasn’t difficult. Yesterday, she had seen a mathematical model in a comprehensive math problem, and now she was eager to finish linear algebra and probability theory so she could learn about mathematical modeling.

Modeling…

Just thinking about it excited her.

But Xu Jing suddenly seemed interested in chatting. She asked Xue Jiao, “Do you always read so quickly? You finished calculus in just over a week?”

Xue Jiao nodded and smiled. “I’ve already studied or encountered much of it before. For the remaining parts, I’m just getting a general understanding. How to apply it will come through practice.”

The more she encountered, the more she realized how little she knew. Xue Jiao was now like a sponge, desperate to absorb everything into her brain all at once.

Xu Jing’s expression grew more complex. Her little junior sister… seemed to genuinely love mathematics.

Such a passionate person also happened to have more natural talent than ordinary people.

And beyond those with talent, she had four parts passion and five parts diligence.

It was truly… enviable.

“You and Zheng Jiakun… are both so impressive…” Xu Jing sighed.

“Not at all. Senior Brother is already busy working in the graduate student office every day. I still have a long way to go…” Xue Jiao said modestly.

Zheng Jiakun was indeed exceptional. In the few days since Xue Jiao had arrived, she had already heard about his legendary status.

Xu Jing’s voice was filled with admiration. “Zheng Jiakun’s talent is truly remarkable. He was admitted through recommendation, but do you know what major he was recommended for?”

“What?” Xue Jiao was slightly puzzled.

Xu Jing’s voice drifted. “Zheng Jiakun was recommended for physics. After being admitted, he worked with Professor Jin from the physics group on experiments. Then, after two months, he suddenly made a famous statement…”

As she reached the end, her voice carried amusement, clearly recalling something entertaining.

Xue Jiao couldn’t help but put down her pen and ask curiously, “What did he say?”

“Zheng Jiakun said he suddenly realized that the essence of physics is mathematics, and that he hadn’t mastered mathematics yet, so he was going to study math…”

“Huh?” Xue Jiao was dumbfounded.

“Then he went back to take the college entrance exam again, got into the mathematics department, and came back. Professor Jin was so angry he chased him to our office to punch him.” Xu Jing was clearly amused by the memory.

Xue Jiao still looked bewildered. “You can do that?!”

Xu Jing nodded, her voice again filled with admiration. “Professor Jin hit him because he couldn’t bear to let him go. He’s truly exceptional. He was brilliant at physics, and at the time, some people said he would regret it, but in reality, he’s equally brilliant at mathematics.”

“That’s really… impressive.” Xue Jiao was stunned for a while before making this comment.

Impressive indeed. To be so willful in life required having enough ability to back it up.

“Zheng Jiakun’s seat is right next to yours,” Xu Jing suddenly said.

Xue Jiao was surprised, looking at the empty desk beside her, then back at Xu Jing in confusion.

“But he spends most of his time in the graduate student office. They’re very busy there now, even having meals brought to them. This project involves creating data and models for other groups who are waiting. They’re in a rush,” Xu Jing explained.

Xue Jiao nodded, suddenly understanding.

No wonder the graduate office door was often closed and hardly ever opened. Professor Tan also went in there every day. It must be bustling with activity inside.

“Is there anything we can help with?” Xue Jiao asked.

Xu Jing shook her head with a meaningful expression. “What could we possibly help with? We can only do the most basic calculations. Among undergraduates, except for Zheng Jiakun, none of us can be of much help. Otherwise, I’d like to help too, but they don’t need us.”

After she finished, she added enviously, “You have good talent. By your junior or senior year, maybe you’ll be able to help them.”

Xue Jiao smiled shyly and only said, “I hope I can be of help too.”

Many things could only be understood through practice, and practical experience was the best way to master knowledge.

Moreover, after completing projects, the math group could use the data and results to brainstorm and write papers, which was very beneficial for academic research.

“Keep working hard,” Xu Jing encouraged. “We’re not Zheng Jiakun, so we just have to work harder ourselves.”

She felt somewhat balanced now. She wasn’t the only one who couldn’t help. Gu Xue Jiao had some talent, was a first-prize winner in the math competition, and had been specially invited to the project team by Professor Tan, yet still couldn’t help.

Xu Jing truly felt more at ease.

Xue Jiao nodded and lowered her head to continue reading.

She had always known that she stood in a position higher than many, a position that many envied.

But there were always those more skilled, always higher mountains to climb.

In this world, there were all-rounders like Lin Zhihua; prodigies like Yang Zhan who showed their talent in high school, with specially approved chemistry and physics laboratories; there were those like Zheng Jiakun who, though willful, had the skills to back it up; there was that graduate senior sister at Tsinghua who had already won multiple awards, including some invention awards and over a dozen patents; and countless other remarkable people at Tsinghua…

There were too many excellent people to be jealous of.

Standing in a new position, one would look up at the “geniuses” above. If one only focused on them, they would eventually fall.

Cheng Mingjiao was a warning example that Xue Jiao always kept in mind.

She wasn’t at the very top now, but she might achieve her own accomplishments in the future.

What she needed to do now was work hard, move steadily, step by step, upward.

Xue Jiao lowered her head with a faint smile, her eyes gleaming, and continued studying.

Just when she thought the entire day would be spent studying, at two in the afternoon.

The door to Room 307 opened, and a senior sister rushed in.

“Is anyone here?” she called.

Xu Jing quickly stood up and stepped forward. “Senior Sister Niu, what’s the matter? Do you need help with something?”

“Is Gu Xue Jiao here?” Senior Sister Niu’s voice sounded quite urgent.

Both Xue Jiao and Xu Jing were startled.

“I’m here,” Xue Jiao raised her hand.

“Are you free right now? Zheng Jiakun says your calculation skills are very strong. Can you come help?” Though Senior Sister Niu was in a hurry, her attitude was still very polite.

Xue Jiao hurriedly stood up, seeing how anxious Senior Sister Niu was. “Of course.”

“Let’s go, let’s go.”

Senior Sister Niu led the way, and Xue Jiao followed with her notebook and pen.

Xu Jing stood rooted to the spot, dumbfounded.

What did she say?

Junior and senior year to enter the graduate project team?

Yet she was going in now!

While Xu Jing was questioning her life choices, Xue Jiao followed Senior Sister Niu to the office.

This was Xue Jiao’s first time entering the graduate student office. This office had a different layout from the others.

In other offices, each person had their own desk, distributed throughout the room.

But not in Room 307.

All individual desks were arranged around the perimeter, with a large conference table in the middle, around which everyone gathered.

The desk, occupying nearly a third of the office space, was now piled with items.

A huge frame, two computers, scattered papers, large rulers and compasses, and somewhat noisy senior brothers and sisters.

“Give me the ruler!”

“Guazi, haven’t you finished calculating yet? I need to use it!”

“Wait, wait, don’t disturb me!”

“Old Bai, has the simulation come out yet?”

“Not yet, it still needs to run for another half hour!”

“Old Bai, give it up, that parameter is wrong.”

“Then tell me the right parameter!”

“You should wait for Zheng Jiakun to calculate it!”

“That’ll take forever. We’re trying to run the model here, are we just supposed to wait?”

“It’s fine to test the model to see if there are any problems.”

…

Everyone was talking over each other, one speaking to another, another shouting back.

Senior Sister Niu brought Xue Jiao in, but no one noticed.

Xue Jiao looked at the chaotic scene, a slight smile appearing on her lips.

She liked it here!

“Gu Xue Jiao is here,” Senior Sister Niu announced.

Immediately, the office fell silent as all the senior students looked up.

Then they froze.

“Old Bai,” who was doing numerical simulations, blinked, then tugged at his messy hair.

He… hadn’t combed his hair in two days…

Two other senior brothers also embarrassedly pulled at their clothes. Senior Sister Niu laughed, “Speechless at the sight of a pretty girl? Not working anymore?”

“Um… Junior Sister… sit…”

A senior brother hurriedly pulled over a chair, but unfortunately, it was covered with books and papers.

Senior Brother: “…”

He awkwardly pushed it back. “Junior Sister… just stand for a bit…”

Xue Jiao smiled and said gently, “Hello, senior brothers and sisters. Is there something I can help with?”

Zheng Jiakun, sitting in the innermost part, raised his hand. “Over here!”

Xue Jiao quickly walked over, carrying her notebook and pen.

Zheng Jiakun pulled a chair over for her and cleared off the items on it. “Sit down. Have you studied linear algebra? Do you know mathematical modeling?”

“I’ve studied linear algebra, and I’ve been exposed to mathematical modeling, but I’m not very familiar with it yet,” Xue Jiao replied honestly.

Zheng Jiakun nodded and took out another stack of densely packed data.

“We now need to determine parameters. All the previous data works, but it needs to be filtered. Manual work is faster than machine work. Let me first explain how to filter and define the range, and then we’ll calculate together.”

“Alright.” Xue Jiao agreed without wasting words.

In front, the senior brothers and sisters who had been staring at them without speaking exchanged glances, looking at each other in bewilderment.

When Zheng Jiakun began explaining to Xue Jiao how to calculate, one senior brother nudged another beside him.

“Hey, did our little junior brother take a liking to the junior sister? Otherwise, why bring someone who doesn’t know anything and has to be taught right now?”

“Maybe… but isn’t Zheng Jiakun always so serious? He has these kinds of tricks too?”

“With such a pretty girl! Of course, he wants to make the first move!”

“That makes sense…”

Another senior sister rolled her eyes. “That’s impossible. Zheng Jiakun knows we’re waiting for his parameters. How could he have time to flirt at this critical moment?”

“Then what’s your explanation?”

“…I don’t know.”

“See, you don’t know either! Haha!”

“Stop chatting and get back to work!”

…

They couldn’t figure out why, still thinking that Zheng Jiakun had suddenly become enlightened to flirt.

But half an hour later—

“What’s the value of w?”

“4.27.”

“k is 716.”

“Good.” Xue Jiao’s mouth opened and closed silently for a moment before she said, “Hmm… w, 9.33.”

“Good.” Zheng Jiakun paused briefly, then said, “k is 657.”

…

The two of them went back and forth rapidly, continuously writing down numbers, crossing them out, and leaving a few behind.

Senior Brothers: “…”

Senior Sisters: “…”

“Gu Xue Jiao is keeping up with Zheng Jiakun’s calculations??”

“Damn, I thought only Zheng Jiakun could do this, and the parameters would come out late. But now they should be ready quite soon, right?”

“I looked at the little junior sister… and thought she was a bronze-level player…”

“She’s a champion-level player!”

It must be said that Lin Zhihua was right. Sometimes looks are an advantage, sometimes not so much.

Xue Jiao was too beautiful. When Zheng Jiakun called her in, their first reaction was that he was trying to flirt!

Not the first reaction that—this junior sister is very skilled.

“That’s amazing…”

“Indeed… whether junior brother or junior sister… those with ‘little’ in their title are all extraordinary…”

“Of course, otherwise how could they join Professor Tan’s project team so early?”

“That’s true.”

—

Once again working with Zheng Jiakun, the difficulty had increased considerably. Xue Jiao finished calculating exactly at six o’clock.

Something in her forehead was throbbing as her mental energy had been pushed to the extreme.

It could even be said that she had overused her brain.

Zheng Jiakun was uncomfortable too, frowning as he pressed his temples.

Senior Brother Bai and Senior Sister Niu came over, one massaging Zheng Jiakun, the other massaging Xue Jiao.

“Well done, well done. Go back early and rest, get a good night’s sleep,” Senior Sister Niu said with a smile as she massaged Xue Jiao’s temples a few times.

Xue Jiao shifted a bit, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Senior Sister Niu smiled. Though her appearance was ordinary, her smile was adorable. “You need a massage. In our mathematics department, when we work on projects, we often overuse our brains. Without a massage, tomorrow morning… you might not even be able to get up, with a splitting headache.”

“Junior Sister, sit and let me massage you. You and Zheng Jiakun have been busy all afternoon, calculating what would have taken us two or three days. You must enjoy this thorough service. Your senior sister has practiced her skills!” As she spoke, she took their data and went to Senior Brother Bai’s computer to run the model.

After massaging for a while, the senior sister stopped. “Alright, Junior Sister, go back and rest now.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister. Thank you, everyone.” Xue Jiao smiled. Her head was indeed uncomfortable. She took her notebook and pen and left Room 307.

As she closed the door, she looked back at everyone bustling about, a smile on her lips.

She should learn more things. Calculation had always been her strength, and she could maintain this strength, but she couldn’t only know how to calculate.

She needed to learn more to produce more results.

Xue Jiao closed the door, returned to Room 305, and then left under Xu Jing’s complex gaze.

Xue Jiao didn’t walk fast. Her head was uncomfortable, so she didn’t rush, but when she had gone just a short distance beyond the school gate, her footsteps halted.

Not far away stood a young man, a… familiar young man.

Yi Tianyu.

During this period, she hadn’t thought about Yi Tianyu much. Seeing him again only brought complex emotions.

But the pain that had once made her want to cry… seemed to have gradually faded…

Was it just the sprout of youth, not deep enough to be called profound?

Xue Jiao felt bitter inside.

Yi Tianyu had lost a little weight. He wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, hands in his pockets, slowly walking toward her.

His gaze was still stubborn, carrying a youth’s vigor and pride.

“Bookworm, I’ve come to see you.”

His voice was still the same as before but with added complex emotions.

Xue Jiao buried all her emotions and then revealed a smile. “Depressive, long time no see.”

Long time no see…

Those once wildly growing sprouts, when finally meeting again, was it always such a light, casual phrase—long time no see.

Yi Tianyu tugged at the corner of his mouth and moved closer. “Um, I applied to Fudan University. I thought about it, and you were right. I really shouldn’t have been so willful.”

Xue Jiao’s hand tightened slightly. She breathed lightly, then smiled. “It’s good that you understand now.”

Yi Tianyu fidgeted, stammering with a slightly reddened face. “Um… I’m sorry about that day. I left you there alone.”

Then, his voice became urgent. “I went back to find you! But you were already gone!”

Xue Jiao nodded, looking at him.

She didn’t mention how upset she had been that day, nor how much she had cried.

Saying those things would be useless now.

“Also… I came from Shanghai today. It’s very close, doesn’t take long at all! So… so…” Yi Tianyu’s face reddened further.

“Hmm?”

“So do I have a chance to pursue you? I know you don’t like me yet, but I’ll work hard, work hard to make you like me!” Yi Tianyu clenched his fist, his voice determined.

Xue Jiao looked at him and gazed deeply at him.

Then, she shook her head. “Yi Tianyu, we’re not suitable for each other. Please don’t like me anymore.”

“Why aren’t we suitable? In what way? Shanghai and Beijing are very close. After I graduate, wherever you are, I’ll go there!” Yi Tianyu’s voice was urgent. “I’ll come see you every week. How are we not suitable?”

Xue Jiao lowered her head, her voice soft. “Your father’s company is in City C. If you go back to inherit the company in the future, my father has moved to Beijing, and I also want to stay in Beijing. I want to pursue graduate studies, even a Ph.D., continuing here… We’re now in Shanghai and Beijing, but in the future, it will be Beijing and City C. The distance will always exist.”

She was determined to study here for many years. Dafa Real Estate’s foundation was in City C, and all its assets were in City C. Pengcheng’s move to Beijing had already caused considerable losses. If Dafa Real Estate were to relocate, it would be like breaking bones.

Xue Jiao pressed on. “You once said your dream was basketball. In the future, you’ll pursue your dream. At that time, the distance between us, who knows how far it will be.”

Yi Tianyu was stunned. He had never thought about the issue of future distance.

It was as if Xue Jiao and he were still desk mates, sitting side by side.

A boy immature for his age and a mature girl would find it difficult to be together.

He was full of passion, but he had never planned for the future.

He thought they could be together forever, but he never considered the conditions for being together forever.

Reality would crush dreams, as well as past imaginings.

Xue Jiao looked up at him and said very seriously, “Yi Tianyu, besides, I’m very busy. I don’t have time for dating. Please don’t like me anymore. We aren’t suitable for each other.”

She had always known they weren’t suitable. What she wanted and what he wanted were completely different.

It was as if he thought that by enrolling in Fudan, no longer stubbornly insisting on a university near Tsinghua, and then standing before her to tell her his decision, she would be happy.

He came from Shanghai to Beijing by train, then told her the distance wasn’t far, that they could be together forever.

But it wasn’t like that. Two people who love each other and are suitable together progress mutually and support each other.

It’s happiness, not a burden.

Yi Tianyu would never understand why Xue Jiao was so angry when she learned he wanted to apply to a university near Tsinghua, and why she immediately realized they weren’t suitable.

Because at that moment, he had placed a heavy burden on her, like shackles.

He couldn’t understand her. The young man only had a heart full of love, bitter and helpless.

“Then give me a chance to pursue you!” Yi Tianyu insisted, his voice urgent, his eyes gradually reddening.

Xue Jiao looked at him. “We’re still young. Liking is not love, not something carved into bone and heart. Yi Tianyu, I hope you’ll always be well, fish leap in vast seas, and birds fly in high skies, rather than always following me, only knowing to chase after me. You have your own life. You should go realize your dreams.”

He could follow her for a time, willfully saying he would go anywhere with her.

But she feared his willfulness. The young Yi Tianyu could only see her at this moment, but what about the future?

Xue Jiao couldn’t bet on how long his determination would last. She would rather he walk his own path, instead of making many impulsive decisions before even setting out.

Yi Tianyu couldn’t understand. He only knew that Xue Jiao was rejecting him.

“You really don’t like me at all?” His voice trembled slightly.

Xue Jiao nodded. “That’s right.”

Those sprouts that had just emerged only to be pinched off, Xue Jiao thought it best to let them go.

Rather than letting him know, it was better that he never know.

Never having given him hope, perhaps he would move on faster.

Those past sprouts, that youthful confusion, let them become her own memories.

The pain of youth, though uncomfortable, would soon pass.

Yi Tianyu’s face paled, and something fell from his eyes. He immediately turned away, not letting Xue Jiao see.

“I get it, I get it. Bookworm, you’re so heartless!”

His voice choked. “I’m going back. See you when there’s another chance.”

He spoke of going back, but his feet didn’t move.

“Goodbye,” Xue Jiao bit her lower lip and said softly.

Seeing that Xue Jiao wasn’t going to stop him, Yi Tianyu stepped forward and left, angry and sad.

From another direction, Lin Zhihua arrived running, covered in sweat, letting out a sigh of relief.

He had learned an hour ago that Yi Tianyu was coming to find Xue Jiao. At that moment, his face had turned pale with fright.

No matter how strategic Lin Zhihua was, how clear his analysis, when it came to Xue Jiao, he lost his composure.

He feared that Xue Jiao would be moved by Yi Tianyu again, feared that she would choose Yi Tianyu.

Feared that his love, his salvation, would be with someone else.

Lin Zhihua had hurried over, but there was a traffic jam on the road ahead. He got out of the car directly and ran off, leaving Chen Yan in shock.

This was the first time that Lin Zhihua, dressed in a proper suit, had run in such a disheveled state.

The last time he had been this anxious was when Xue Jiao had called him crying.

He exhaled deeply, his furrowed brow relaxing as he approached Xue Jiao.

“Jiaojiao…”

Xue Jiao was still staring blankly in the direction Yi Tianyu had left.

Lin Zhihua felt a pang in his heart. He opened his mouth. “Don’t look anymore… you…”

Xue Jiao suddenly said, “You were right, Lin Zhihua. I probably don’t understand love yet, and I don’t truly like him that much.”

Lin Zhihua was stunned.

“When he left, I felt a bit sad in my heart, but I didn’t want to call him back at all. I’m too clearly aware that we’re not suitable. I even feel like my original liking seems to have disappeared because I know we’re not suitable…” Xue Jiao frowned slightly, puzzled.

Lin Zhihua didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. Xue Jiao’s budding feelings for Yi Tianyu had already faded.

But… she still didn’t understand love.

Xue Jiao withdrew her gaze, showing a relieved smile. “Let bygones be bygones. There’s no use adding more troubles. His focus should be on himself, on the future. I hope he’ll be well in the future, able to chase his dreams, realize his dreams, and not waste his youth.”

She felt she had wronged him and hoped heaven would be kind to this boy.

Xue Jiao smiled with relief.

Lin Zhihua, seeing her expression, gradually smiled too.

But Xue Jiao suddenly changed the subject, puzzled. “By the way, why are you here?”

She noticed his sweaty head and disheveled clothes, somewhat shocked. “What happened to you…”

“I…” Lin Zhihua opened his mouth slowly, suddenly at a loss for words, not knowing how to explain.

At this moment, a black car stopped in front of them. They both froze and looked over simultaneously.

The door opened, and an elderly man with white hair, leaning on a cane, slowly got out.

His presence was imposing. Beside him, a middle-aged man tried to help him but was pushed away.

“Lin Zhihua.” The old man slowly opened his mouth, thumping his cane on the ground.

This was Old Master Lin.

Lin Zhihua raised an eyebrow, his expression turning cold. “Did Father let you out?”

Old Master Lin flew into a rage. “Lin Zhihua! I am your grandfather! What kind of attitude is this!”

Lin Zhihua gave a cold laugh, not bothering to speak to him. He was waiting for Chen Yan and the others to come and take this person away.

Old Master Lin raised a hand, pointing at Gu Xue Jiao. “This girl is too young, not even an adult yet. Since you’re normal now, you should meet the girls I’ve introduced to you, all from good families.”

Lin Zhihua’s face turned cold.

Old Master Lin continued, “I’ve said before, as long as you behave and marry well to have children, all my property will go to you. The remaining five percent of Lin Corporation’s shares can also be yours. This girl is too young, still a yellow-haired girl, from an inadequate family background, and not even Pengcheng’s biological daughter.”

Lin Zhihua’s eyes darkened like ink. Hearing the last sentence, he couldn’t control himself and was about to speak.

The person beside him tugged at his sleeve. Lin Zhihua was startled and looked at Xue Jiao.

Xue Jiao stopped his words and instead stepped forward herself. “Are you Old Master Lin?”

Old Master Lin looked at Xue Jiao, his gaze sharp and disdainful.

He thought Xue Jiao was trying to please him. Impossible. No matter what she said, he would never agree to Lin Zhihua being with this yellow-haired girl!

Xue Jiao nodded, then said, “Then it seems you are. Hello, I’m Gu Xue Jiao. Do you think I’m Lin Zhihua’s intended marriage partner?”

“Hmph!” The old master snorted coldly and said, “I will never agree to it!”

Xue Jiao smiled. She stood in front of Lin Zhihua, shielding him, as if protecting him behind her.

She looked directly at Old Master Lin, her lips carrying a challenge. “But why do we need your agreement? What qualifications, what standing do you have to agree?”