"Hurry up! What are you still standing there for?"
A girl urged her friend, panic in her voice.
"Yes, yes, let's get to school quickly!"
Snapped out of her daze, her friend immediately followed, the two of them dashing off together.
Amidst the frantic footsteps, a thunderous roar echoed across the courtyard.
"Why are you all loitering at the gates instead of going to class?"
"If you don't move now, I'll drag you all in myself and give each of you a demerit!"
The stern voice sent the students scattering like startled rabbits, ears alert, fleeing with all their might.
Shang Yanyan, who had been standing to the side, began to panic. She turned to head toward the school gates—
Only to discover, with a wave of dread, that the discipline director was walking straight toward her.
It's over. It's really over.
She was doomed to be made an example of.
Her heart pounded in chaos, and her legs faltered.
Each step of the discipline director felt like a countdown to doom.
Despair welled up within her.
But suddenly, a voice broke through the tension, startling her:
"Master Chu, I apologize for keeping you waiting."
Li De's respectful tone rang out.
Of course, if he was leaving school at this hour, it must be for something important—
That something was to greet Chu Yi.
"It's fine. I've only just arrived,"
Chu Yi replied with a calm, almost indifferent smile.
His voice was gentle, devoid of any reproach or displeasure.
This attitude made Li De narrow his eyes slightly.
So this was the rumored heir to the Chu Group—
Not the spoiled playboy the world made him out to be,
But a man of quiet composure and deep refinement.
Clearly, one couldn't always believe the rumors.
As Li De pondered, a voice chimed in beside him.
"Director Li, you actually know Oppa?"
Who?
The childish tone immediately deepened the lines on Li De's forehead.
He was speaking with Master Chu, the heir to a conglomerate worth over 80 billion—
And someone dared to interrupt them now?
Utterly disrespectful.
Li De lowered his gaze and immediately spotted the heavily made-up Shang Yanyan.
Fury flashed across his eyes.
"It's you again! Not only did you not leave when I arrived,
You had the nerve to disrupt my conversation with Master Chu?"
"Just wait and see if I don't give you a major demerit and call your parents!"
His tone brimmed with anger.
Shang Yanyan was no stranger to him.
She was practically a walking disaster at school—
Mistakes big and small, she'd made them all, and never once truly repented.
Today, however, she'd finally been caught red-handed.
A perfect opportunity to set an example.
"No, Director Li, please don't!"
"I—I was wrong!"
Tears welled up in Shang Yanyan's eyes as panic seized her.
She didn't care much about being reprimanded or losing face—
But if her mother were summoned…
Her mother, who knew nothing of her school antics—
That was what she truly feared.
"No excuses. This time, you're getting a major demerit,
And your guardian must be called in.
Otherwise, don't bother coming back to this school."
Li De's tone left no room for negotiation.
Master Chu was here, and he had to maintain the school's image.
"I... I..."
Shang Yanyan choked on her words, feeling both wronged and helpless.
Tears threatened to spill.
"Forget it, Director Li. She's just a young girl. Let her off this time,"
Chu Yi said lightly.
"She was quite cute just now, even trying to strike up a conversation with me.
To be honest, I've half a mind to adopt her as my sister."
As he spoke, he gently placed a hand on Shang Yanyan's head,
Smoothing the strands disheveled in her panic.
"But Master Chu, she offended you!"
Li De's voice was sharp, his expression tense.
Yet Chu Yi's next words calmed him.
He realized Chu Yi harbored some fondness for Shang Yanyan.
Very well. If this was what Chu Yi wanted,
Then so be it—he could go along.
After all, he needed Chu Yi's goodwill.
After a moment's thought, Li De nodded and relented.
"Since Master Chu has spoken for her, I won't pursue it this time."
He shot Shang Yanyan a glare filled with reluctant fury.
She, on the other hand, sighed in relief.
No call to her mother today. Thank goodness.
But the warmth of Chu Yi's hand lingered,
Stirring something fluttering in her chest.
Her gaze grew dazed.
Ding! Congratulations, host. Shang Yanyan's affection +15.
Major shift in story progression.
You've gained 10 Luck Points and 1000 Villain Points.
A faint smile curved Chu Yi's lips.
Meanwhile, Shang Yanyan was still lost in the memory of his touch—
When an unpleasant voice cut in.
"I thought you were all that, but the second the director raised his voice, you turned to jelly."
"And you call yourself Chu Yi's girlfriend? He just said you were his sister."
Every heart has a little demon, and An Ran's had just awakened.
Shang Yanyan's brazen stunt had clearly provoked her.
"Hmph, he didn't say I wasn't his girlfriend either."
Shang Yanyan snapped back defiantly,
But inwardly, a trace of disappointment surfaced.
An Ran was right. Chu Yi had only called her his sister—
No romantic implications at all.
And compared to An Ran, it was no contest.
She had fairer skin, a more voluptuous figure...
The inferiority crept in.
"Heh."
An Ran, seeing the shift in Shang Yanyan's expression, smiled faintly.
She didn't push further, instead catching up to Chu Yi with light steps.
Truthfully, she didn't dislike Shang Yanyan.
She actually found her likable.
But she hadn't forgiven her for snatching the bottle of water meant for her.
Watching An Ran's retreating figure, Shang Yanyan gritted her teeth.
"What's she so smug about? Just bigger boobs, that's all..."
"An An said eating papayas makes them grow.
I'll eat them for a month, and see if I don't snatch him right back."
With renewed determination in her eyes, she followed after.
On the campus path,
Li De was eloquently introducing the school's history to Chu Yi.
"Master Chu, letting your sister study here is truly a wise choice.
Our school boasts a 200-year legacy, rich in cultural heritage,
With elite faculty and top-tier facilities.
Our students foster harmony and care,
And every year, we send more than 80% of the district's top scorers to prestigious high schools.
There's just one small drawback—we lack a library.
Without extracurricular reading, students miss out on broader learning.
It pains me deeply.
If only a dashing, generous young heir could recognize my dedication and..."
The more he spoke, the more outrageous he became.
Chu Yi nodded along at first—
But as the speech grew ridiculous, black lines formed on his forehead.
So this was all just a roundabout way to ask for a donation?
Couldn't he just say it outright?
He interrupted.
"Enough. I'll donate a library in my name."
"What?"
"You mean it?"
Li De's face lit up with delight.
He knew his school was top in the North District,
But compared to schools in other districts, they lacked resources.
This donation would elevate their reputation immensely.
"I'll also donate a batch of new computers for student use,"
Chu Yi added.
"But I have two conditions."
"Anything, Master Chu. Say the word!"
Li De's voice trembled with anticipation.
"First, my name must be made public as the donor.
Second, my 'sister' must receive the best treatment—
Not a single hair on her head is to be harmed."
Chu Yi's tone was measured but firm.
Li De rose instinctively, filled with respect.
Though Chu Yi's motives might include personal gain,
There was no denying his care for his sister and his contribution to education.
How could he not be admired?
"Master Chu, rest assured—
As long as I remain at this school, she will never be wronged."
"Good. With your promise, I'll begin construction at once."
"Really?"
"Of course."
Chu Yi nodded solemnly, a sly glint in his eyes.
He wasn't about to be anyone's fool.
This move served several purposes—
First, to rehabilitate the reputation of his former self, once a notorious playboy.
Second, the cost was negligible—
His family led the city's real estate industry.
They had construction teams on standby; he wouldn't spend a dime.
As for the computers, they'd just swap out the office stock for new ones and donate the old—
High-end models in pristine condition.
No cost to him, but maximum prestige.
Enough to gain favor with the father of the story's main heroine.
And that Ye Fan?
He could dig through the trash for scraps.
So, with both sides believing they'd won,
The deal was sealed.
The only one potentially losing out?
Chu Jianguo—the ever-enduring chairman of the Chu Group,
Probably cleaning up after his son once again.
At the office door, Chu Yi turned to An Ran.
"Your class is 9th Grade, Class 1. Go find your seat and get familiar with your surroundings."
"I'll stay with Li De and check which villa suits you best."
He had his reasons.
He didn't want her going home and running into her drunkard father.
"Chu Yi, why did you just say I was your sister earlier?"
An Ran's heart warmed at his consideration,
But her face quickly turned sulky.
She was clearly hurt by the way he introduced her.
"Sigh, I had my reasons."
"Think about it—if I called you my girlfriend, how would Li De react?"
"He's the discipline director. If he knew you were in a relationship,
Wouldn't that complicate things? You're bound to run into him often."
"Do you really want a man in his forties to know our secret?"
Chu Yi looked at her helplessly, but explained patiently.
An Ran flushed, eyes wide at the mention of "our secret."
She blurted out without thinking—
"No! He can't know we're dating!"
"That's the spirit."
"Now go find your seat. And don't sit near any boys."
Satisfied with her reaction, Chu Yi urged her on with a smug grin.
"Okay."