The morning sun painted the streets gold as Jun Meiyu walked toward the school gates, bag slung neatly on her shoulder.
"Good morning, Teacher Jun!" a few students called.
She smiled lightly. "Good morning. Don't be late."
Calm on the outside, her mind was already running through the day's lesson plan—until her phone buzzed.
An unfamiliar number. She hesitated, then answered. "Hello?"
Static. Then a muffled voice.
Her steps halted. The color drained from her face. "…What did you say?"
The strap of her bag creaked under her tightening grip. "Where? Say it clearly."
Another string of words. Cold, quiet.
Her pulse surged. She spun on her heel, stride urgent now. "Don't let anyone in. I'm on my way," she snapped, cutting the call.
At the same time, the Qin family car rolled to a stop in front of the school.
The door swung open, and Qin Yichen stepped out. His usual sharp composure cracked for a moment, his expression freezing.
Just minutes earlier—
Inside the car, Qin Yichen had pinched the bridge of his nose, irritation pounding at his temples.
"Listen carefully," he said coldly, without looking at Xi Jiayi. "We're here to register. Stay quiet, don't make a scene, and for heaven's sake, don't embarrass me. Got it?"
Silence.
He turned his head—ready to scold her for ignoring him—when his eyes went wide.
Xi Jiayi was hunched over like a squirrel, cheeks puffed, chewing furiously. Her hands moved fast, chopsticks flying as she scraped another tiffin box clean.
Three empty containers already sat neatly stacked at her side. She was halfway through the fourth.
Qin Yichen's jaw tightened. "...What the hell are you doing?"
She froze, glanced at him, then blinked slowly. Her cheek bulged even more as she swallowed hard, and with a reluctant motion she lifted her chopsticks toward him. "Want some?"
His face darkened instantly.
"Keep it."
He turned back to the window, refusing to talk to her anymore.
As if on cue, his phone chimed.
Butler Wen's message lit the screen:
[Second Miss may not have had enough food. Please give her some money for lunch at school.]
Qin Yichen's face twisted. "Perfect," he muttered. "Absolutely perfect."
––
Back at the school entrance, Qin Yichen's voice was sharp. "Get out."
Xi Jiayi didn't argue. She calmly gathered the remaining tiffin boxes, balancing them in both arms, and stepped out of the car as if nothing were unusual.
Another car pulled up. Secretary Du got out quickly, straightening his tie before bowing slightly.
"Young Master Qin," he greeted.
Qin Yichen gave a distracted nod, still bristling, while Secretary Du turned—and stopped short.
Xi Jiayi stood there, her arms full of stacked lunchboxes like a precarious tower.
Secretary Du blinked once, then quickly strode over. "Miss Xi, allow me."
She tilted her head slightly, as if debating, then passed the boxes into his waiting hands. He balanced them effortlessly, but the faint crease in his brow betrayed his surprise.
"Are you planning to spend the whole day collecting your mess?" Qin Yichen snapped.
Unbothered, Xi Jiayi walked past him, snagging the file folder from his hand as she did.
Qin Yichen's nostrils flared, but he clenched his jaw shut.
Secretary Du glanced at the boxes in his arms, then at Qin Yichen. "Are these meant as gifts for Miss Xi's classmates?"
Qin Yichen's laugh was short and Qin Yichen let out a short, humorless laugh. "Classmates? You think this mountain of food is a gift?" He pointed at the stack. "That is her breakfast."
Secretary Du blinked, his usually calm composure wobbling. "…Breakfast?"
"Yes," Qin Yichen spat. "Breakfast. She eats like a glutton—pathetic."
Secretary Du almost missed a step, his grip tightening on the boxes. His lips parted, but no words came out.
Qin Yichen exhaled sharply through his nose. "Forget it. I'm not wasting my breath." He brushed past Secretary Du and followed after Xi Jiayi toward the gate, his irritation practically trailing behind him.