Jiang Nianxi steeled herself and continued, "It’s just that... I want to return to school and study properly, but the principal says I have to pass my make-up exams first. I feel like it’s going to be very difficult if I study on my own. Plus, I remembered that you’re from the Business School as well, Uncle, and you nearly got full marks in every subject. So... I was wondering if you could tutor me? Would that be okay?"
"..." Zhou Yan was stunned.
Huh?
This was the first time he had ever heard a conversation between Miss Jiang and Mr. Xie that didn't revolve around that gigolo!
Xie Zhiyuan was also taken aback. That was all?
When he heard about tutoring, Zhou Yan perked up. "Miss Jiang, are you looking for a tutor? That’s my specialty! I’m also from the Business School, I maintained a 4.3 GPA, and I did plenty of tutoring while I was in college."
Xie Zhiyuan shot him a cold glance. "I graduated with a perfect GPA."
Zhou Yan: "..."
As Xie Zhiyuan's personal assistant, he immediately understood what his boss meant. Mr. Xie was using his GPA to crush him, implying to Miss Jiang that he was better than him, and thus securing the tutoring role for himself.
Zhou Yan gave a thumbs-up. "Impressive, Mr. Xie. I yield!"
"Of course you’re impressive, Uncle. So, will you teach me? Please, please?" Jiang Nianxi pressed her hands together and looked at Xie Zhiyuan with pleading eyes.
Seeing her beg him like this was truly... adorable.
For a brief moment, Xie Zhiyuan felt as if he were seeing the Jiang Nianxi of the past.
Back then, whenever she had exams, she would always find him and beg him to tutor her. Her expression then had been exactly the same as it was now.
Xie Zhiyuan was momentarily dazed. "Fine."
"That’s great!" Jiang Nianxi beamed. Not wanting to waste his time, she handed the lunch box to him. "Uncle, have your lunch first, and then I’ll ask you for your help. It’s only a few small questions; it won’t take up much of your time."
Zhou Yan grumbled silently to himself.
*Tsk, Mr. Xie is likely wishing you would "waste" a lot more time than that.*After all, he was going abroad in two months and might not return for a very long time, leaving very little time for them to spend together.
Zhou Yan tactfully left the office and closed the door behind him.
During the explanation, Jiang Nianxi simply pulled a chair over and sat right beside Xie Zhiyuan.
The distance was very close; he could catch the faint fragrance on her, like a rose touched by morning dew—fresh and natural, as if it were her own unique scent.
Xie Zhiyuan's ears burned slightly, and his heartbeat grew somewhat unsteady.
How long had it been since she had gotten this close to him like this?
Jiang Nianxi found that Uncle had a real talent for teaching. He explained things in a way that was easy to understand, and his voice was pleasant, making it easy for her to absorb the information. Under his guidance, professional knowledge didn't seem quite so difficult anymore.
Or perhaps it was because, when she was with someone who truly cared for her, she could let go of all her defenses and concerns and focus entirely on listening.
After a moment of thought, Jiang Nianxi felt it necessary to apologize to him.
She looked into his deep, dark eyes and said sincerely, "Uncle, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have treated you that way before. I won't do it again in the future. Please don't take it to heart, okay?"
Xie Zhiyuan was startled once more, feeling that she was acting more and more uncharacteristic.
Yet this uncharacteristic behavior was precisely what he hoped for.
"I won't."
Hearing him say that, Jiang Nianxi let out a sigh of relief. Right at that moment, she caught sight of something.
It was the hairpin she had left behind in his room the night he brought her back to the villa from the nightclub. Right now, it was sitting in a very conspicuous spot right beside the computer on his desk.
She reached out to grab it, but a hand with distinct knuckles beat her to it.
Jiang Nianxi asked in surprise, "That's mine."
Xie Zhiyuan replied expressionlessly, "Confiscated."
"Why?"
"No reason."
Jiang Nianxi was speechless. "..."
Fine, she was trying to mend their relationship now, so whatever he said went!It was easy to get sleepy around noon. As Jiang Nianxi listened, her eyelids began to droop, and her head started to nod. Finally, unable to resist the drowsiness, she rested her head on the desk and drifted off to sleep.
Xie Zhiyuan did not wake her; he simply watched her sleeping face in silence.
Without the heavy, messy makeup, she looked just like the Jiang Nianxi from years ago. Sleeping like a princess, she stirred an impulse in him to wake her with a kiss.
He had fantasized about this more than once when they were younger.
Even now, he could not help but indulge in those fantasies.
Gazing at her rosy lips, Xie Zhiyuan’s eyes deepened. Yet, in the end, he forced himself to look away.
Her heart was not with him, so what was the point of these secret thoughts?
It was ridiculous.
At two in the afternoon, Assistant Zhou knocked on the door to remind Xie Zhiyuan that he had a meeting shortly.
Xie Zhiyuan took one last look at Jiang Nianxi, then stood up, moving softly as he left the office.
When Jiang Nianxi woke up, still dazed, she found she was alone in the office. Xie Zhiyuan was nowhere to be seen, but she was draped in his suit jacket. Beside her hand were the study methods and key review notes he had organized for her.
The handwriting was vigorous and sharp, much like the man himself.
He must have had work to attend to, yet he still managed to prepare these notes for her.
He was really... she could just cry.
A warmth spread through Jiang Nianxi’s heart. She went out to find Zhou Yan and learned that Xie Zhiyuan was in a meeting and had a dinner engagement that evening. She pulled out her phone and sent him a message: "Uncle, thank you so much for today. I heard you have a dinner engagement tonight—take care of yourself and try to drink less."
In the middle of the meeting, Xie Zhiyuan picked up his phone. Although he still didn't understand why her attitude had changed so suddenly, the corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably.
He replied: "Alright."
On the way back to the Jiang Family home, Jiang Nianxi continued to review. She glanced outside and realized they were passing a shopping mall. Recalling something, she quickly asked the driver to pull over.
If she wanted to repair her relationship with her uncle, a few words of apology wouldn't be enough; she needed to show it through actions.
She planned to buy him a gift, and one for her grandfather as well, to cheer the old man up.
It was nearly evening. Lin Shuran and Ji Yanxiu had just finished checking out and were walking out of a nearby hotel, a suspicious flush still lingering on Lin Shuran’s face.
Afraid of being recognized, the two walked one after the other, pretending to be strangers.
Suddenly, Ji Yanxiu stopped, his gaze fixed on the shopping mall ahead.
Lin Shuran stepped forward and asked in surprise, "What is it?"
"I saw your sister."
Lin Shuran paused and looked in that direction; sure enough, she saw Jiang Nianxi.
Jiang Nianxi wore simple, elegant makeup today, and her Chanel-style suit gave her an air of sophistication. She looked every bit the wealthy young lady, drawing glances from many people around her.
A male shop assistant followed behind her, carrying several shopping bags. When they reached the car, he helped her place the items in the backseat.
As Jiang Nianxi got into the car, the male clerk bowed respectfully, seeing her off.
Recognizing the logo of a luxury menswear brand on the shopping bags, Ji Yanxiu let out a cold, "I knew it" smirk.
As he thought, Jiang Nianxi’s recent display of disdain toward him had just been a game of hard-to-get.
And here she was, buying him a gift after all.
She knew he liked this brand...