Chapter 24: Weren't You Calling Me Brother?

“Besides, you’re transferring in during your senior year. For a school like No. 1 High, regardless of whether you use connections or not, there’s always a placement exam upon entry. Your sister just barely made it into Class B; your grades won't get you into their Class A. Rather than being placed in a bottom-tier class like Class S, it’s better to change schools. There’s no need to force yourself into a circle where you don't belong...”

Qiao Nian listened to him with practiced patience until he finished. “Are you done? Who told you I could only be in Class S?”

“As if you could even make it into Class A?!” Qiao Weimin felt dismissive, his pride wounded. “...Niannian, I’m doing this for your own good!”

“You’re doing this for Qiao Chen’s sake, right!” Coldness pooled in the depths of Qiao Nian’s eyes. “Did Qiao Chen tell you she doesn't want to go to the same school as me?”

“Chenchen never mentioned that to me.”

In reality, Qiao Chen had tactfully suggested that she didn't want Qiao Nian to attend Raocheng No. 1 High.

Qiao Nian unceremoniously tore off his hypocritical mask, stating bluntly, “I am not changing schools. If Qiao Chen truly doesn't want to be in the same school as me, you can tell her to change schools instead.”

“Qiao Nian!” Seeing her disobedience, Qiao Weimin barked in a fit of humiliated rage, “Your sister is in poor health; she finally adapted to her school environment. What kind of nonsense are you talking...”

“Just the truth.”

Qiao Nian completely ignored his outburst. “She’s already been recommended for admission to the Academy of Fine Arts anyway, so her Gaokao scores don't matter. Yingcai has such great boarding facilities; it’s perfect for her. If she wants to go, let her go. As for me... don't trouble yourself!”

Her phone was still ringing incessantly. Too lazy to continue the argument, Qiao Nian bypassed him. “I have things to do. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”

Qiao Weimin’s face turned a sickly shade of green. He watched her retreating figure disappear into the first-floor lobby, only to see, from a distance, what looked like a man coming down the corridor to meet her.

This made Qiao Weimin’s expression even worse.

However, mindful of his status, he couldn't chase after her to continue the confrontation in public. He could only step away for now, calculating in his mind to find another opportunity to have a proper talk with her later.

As he walked out, he bumped into Jiang Li. Jiang Li’s features were so striking that he couldn't help but steal an extra glance, feeling a sense of confusion.

He seemed to have seen this face on television—was he some kind of celebrity? He seemed quite famous!

Why would a celebrity be at Raocheng City Hospital?

Could they be filming a program nearby?

...

At the stairwell.

Ye Wangchuan had gone to the ward to check on Ye Qichen, who was still unconscious but out of danger. After calling Qiao Nian for a long time without her coming up, he had no choice but to come down to find her himself.

His gaze fell upon the girl, who looked disheveled and soaked through.

“Why didn't you answer your phone?”

Qiao Nian didn't feel like explaining the encounter with the Qiaos, so she replied casually, “My phone was on silent. I didn't see it.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Ye Wangchuan saw her phone still vibrating in her hand. He silently hung up the call, choosing not to expose her half-hearted lie.

He reached out to pull her. “Let’s go. Grandpa Jiang and the others are waiting for you upstairs.”

Qiao Nian subtly dodged his hand, looking frustrated.

It had to be Jiang Li who called him!

She only had a bit of scraped skin on her neck; there was no need for such a massive production!

Just as she was about to head back up, she was suddenly cornered against a wall.

Ye Wangchuan was tall and imposing; the shadow he cast loomed over her like a mountain.

An invisible sense of dominance and pressure made the hair on Qiao Nian's neck stand on end.

“Aren't you going to call me 'Brother'?”

That voice was sexy and alluring!

It was lethal!

What was he even saying!

Confused, Qiao Nian looked up, only to meet a pair of vast, deep eyes—both lazy and captivating. As they fixed on her, it felt as though he might pull her right into them.

“Brother will take you up.”

Ye Wangchuan forcefully took her hand. His thin lips curled into a half-smile that was both wild and rogueish, defying all expectations. He didn't seem to allow her any chance to break free, his large hand completely enveloping hers.

Only after he reined in his overwhelming aura did he return to his usual languid, indifferent demeanor. “Let’s go.”

(End of Chapter)