Only after Chen Yixia had given Qingmian her instructions did she notice Chi Yu staring at her. Her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest.
Suddenly, she remembered that he had just called her 'Qingmian'. And then she recalled what Qingmian had told her in the auditorium earlier, that Professor Chi didn't wear glasses because he was nearsighted.
The two of them... should know each other, right?
"Professor Chi, did you know Qingmian a long time ago?"
"Of course."
"I don't."
Chi Yu and Qingmian's voices rang out simultaneously.
Chen Yixia twitched the corner of her mouth. Did this count as not knowing each other...
Qingmian kept giving Chi Yu meaningful looks. She didn't want her classmates to know about Chi Yu's connection with Shen Yu'an. This was a place she had intended to escape from, and she didn't want to be constantly entangled in all sorts of inexplicable matters.
As if he didn't see her signals, Chi Yu turned to Chen Yixia with a smile on his face.
"I got to know her yesterday during the freshmen registration."
Qingmian had already prepared herself to muddle through, but unexpectedly, Chi Yu didn't mention Shen Yu'an. Her look at Chi Yu became more complicated...
Chen Yixia didn't think much of it. A smile spread across her face as she said carelessly, "So that's how it is. Professor Chi is indeed as gentle as the rumors say. He cares so much about his students."
Chi Yu let out a laugh. "Is that how everyone describes me?"
"Of course! Everyone is eager to get into your classes. It's a pity that the number of spots for your previous courses was too limited. No one expected that we could sign up freely this time! I'll definitely take Qingmian with me!"
The two of them chatted away, completely ignoring Qingmian beside them. Qingmian was suddenly roped into this without even having a chance to refuse.
As soon as Chen Yixia finished speaking, Chi Yu's deep gaze landed on Qingmian. But in just a second, his eyes shifted to Chen Yixia as he said, "Then you two must come to my class."
Chi Yu deliberately lowered his voice and covered his mouth with one hand. "I can give you extra points so that you won't have to take the physical fitness test later."
"Really?!" Chen Yixia exclaimed excitedly. Everyone around her turned to look at her. "Sorry, sorry." She clasped her fists and bowed to those around her. Then she turned to Chi Yu and deliberately lowered her voice this time. "That's great, Professor Chi! You're like my reborn parents! You don't know how bad my physical fitness is. I definitely won't be able to pass the physical test."
"Qingmian is so thin. She definitely won't be able to pass the physical test either. We'll go to your class together then!"
Chen Yixia slapped her chest and didn't forget to include Qingmian.
Originally, Qingmian didn't want to go. She had no interest in physics at all, and she even wished she could treat Chi Yu as a stranger. But the idea of not having to take the physical test really tempted her.
Her current physical condition made it impossible for her to take the test, but she couldn't get a medical certificate for the school. Once she did, Shen Yu'an would know. She didn't want to be entangled with him any more and hoped to keep it a secret for as long as possible.
Seeing that Qingmian didn't say anything, Chen Yixia thought that she had made the decision for her without asking and made her unhappy. She quickly apologized, "Sorry, Qingmian. I made the decision for you without asking your opinion. If you don't want to go—"
"Let's go."
Qingmian interrupted Chen Yixia. "We'll go together then."
It was just one more class. The worst-case scenario would be being monitored by Chi Yu. This little difficulty wasn't enough to defeat her.
Hearing Qingmian's affirmative answer, Chen Yixia finally felt relieved.
Chi Yu's amber eyes looked at Qingmian with a deep, unfathomable gaze. It was just a physical fitness test. Qingmian used to at least be willing to participate, if not like it. But now she was willing to take his class just to avoid the test. A strange sense of worry gradually welled up in Chi Yu's heart.
"You two can take your time eating. I have a class, so I'll leave first. Remember to sign up." Chi Yu looked at Chen Yixia with a smile. After saying hello, he quickly left the cafeteria.
Qingmian watched the man's back. Was the look in his eyes just now... pity?
She sneered in her heart. It must be pity. Being monitored at school every day, how could she not be pitiful?
When she was young, she thought that Shen Yu'an's constant protection of her was out of love. But now she understood that it was just surveillance in the guise of protection. He didn't allow anything to get out of his control.
In Shen Yu'an's heart, she might have always been just a stepping stone on his path to power. That's why he didn't even bother to find out the truth before sending her abroad all those years ago, just because An Ya was his best choice at that time.
He could abandon her for An Ya.
Not long after, the two of them left the cafeteria.
As soon as they walked out of the cafeteria, Qingmian's phone in her pocket rang. She looked at the familiar phone number and answered the call.
"Wen Xi."
"Mian Bao'er~ Is the ceremony over?"
Lu Wenxi's sweet voice came from the other end of the phone.
"It's over." Qingmian's voice carried a faint smile.
"You should have no classes today, right?"
Qingmian shook her head. "Yeah, I don't."
"Then come out quickly. I'm waiting for you at the school gate. I brought you something delicious!"
"Okay."
"Are you going out, Qingmian?" Chen Yixia asked as soon as Qingmian hung up the phone.
They must be really good friends. She rarely saw Qingmian talk to anyone with such a happy expression.
"Yeah. You can go back first, Xia Xia."
"Okay. Be careful." Chen Yixia waved at her and walked towards the dormitory building.
It was the break time. Lu Wenxi's eye-catching red sports car was parked right under the school gate. She was wearing a red bodycon dress today, paired with her long red curly hair. She looked so cool and sexy that passers-by couldn't help but turn to look at her.
From afar, Qingmian saw Wen Xi leaning against the car door, playing with her phone. She walked towards her with a smile on her face.
Wen Xi was still the same as before, always attracting everyone's attention wherever she went.
Since Qingmian was an adopted child, she wasn't really well-received in their social circle in the imperial capital. Many people got along with her just because of Shen Yu'an's face. But Wen Xi was different. Wen Xi got close to her because of who she was.
Only Wen Xi knew about her young innocence and the feelings that had pushed her into the abyss.
As soon as Wen Xi looked up, she saw Qingmian trotting towards her.
She turned off her phone and waved at Qingmian. "Mian Bao, over here!"
When Qingmian got closer, Wen Xi bent down and took out a delicate little cake from the passenger seat.
"Ta-da! Surprised?"
Qingmian's eyes fell on the cake in Wen Xi's hand.
On the delicate and small cake was a simple smiling face. It was a strawberry cake, her favorite.
Before leaving the imperial capital, she and Lu Wenxi would go to that cake shop at least three times a week.
Lu Wenxi still remembered...
It seemed that... she hadn't been completely abandoned.
Qingmian felt her eyes getting sour. She tilted her head up and blinked hard, forcing the tears back.