Chapter 20: The Director's Dirty Little Secret

This was also a question Lin Yi had been pondering since yesterday.

It seemed that for Chu Pengzhan to find a study companion like himself was less efficient than simply hiring a high-end tutor to guide Chu Mengyao's studies.

Moreover, given Chu Mengyao's status, her academic performance was no longer that important.

She would go to university regardless; even if she failed the entrance exams, she could enter a top-tier university through Chu Pengzhan's connections.

"You've noticed it too?"

Uncle Fu was somewhat stunned, not expecting Lin Yi to figure these things out so quickly.

"Is that really the case?"

Lin Yi frowned curiously.

"Actually, I don't understand Mr. Chu's intentions either."

Uncle Fu sighed. "Although I am the person closest to Mr. Chu, I cannot grasp the deeper meaning behind some of his actions."

Hearing Uncle Fu's uninformative explanation, Lin Yi immediately rolled his eyes.

"However, Mr. Chu instructed me to tell you: take good care of the young lady, and don't overthink things."

Uncle Fu repeated the words Chu Pengzhan had said before leaving: "Give her as much love as possible... this child has lacked love since she was small..."

Lin Yi was speechless. What on earth was this family playing at?

Lacking love? He could give her love? What kind of international joke was this!

Yesterday, before seeing Chu Mengyao, Lin Yi had been quite averse to Chu Pengzhan's approach, which was almost akin to looking for a son-in-law. But after seeing the youthful and beautiful Chu Mengyao, he realized the job wasn't so terrible after all...

However, would Chu Mengyao ever take a liking to him? She'd probably find him annoying.

Regardless, Lin Yi didn't say much to Uncle Fu; he simply nodded and got out of the car.

***

"Did you find out who that laborer was who kicked me yesterday?"

Zhong Pinliang asked with a frown, rubbing his still-swollen backside.

That laborer had caused him such misery that he hadn't dared to sleep flat on his back all night, spending the whole night on his side.

"No, sir. Zhang Naipao and I checked several construction sites last night, but we didn't see this person!"

Gao Xiaofu shook his head and said, "Brother Liang, maybe he hasn't started working at a site yet?"

"No matter what, we must find this guy. Damn it, how dare he kick me! I won't let him off!" Zhong Pinliang said fiercely.

"Yes, Brother Liang!" Gao Xiaofu promised hurriedly.

***

Lin Yi entered the school carrying his backpack. It was a wonderful feeling that filled him with infinite beauty.

This was campus life—the legendary birthplace of first loves.

Lin Yi's backpack was the standard black single-shoulder bag provided by the school, which looked quite tacky. Most students had switched to their own beautiful small bags, such as Chu Mengyao and Chen Yushu.

Only the poorer students dressed like Lin Yi, wearing school uniforms and carrying the free school-issued backpacks.

How sharp were Lin Yi's eyes? As soon as he entered the school gate, he spotted Zhong Pinliang and his group.

Wasn't this the guy who had been pestering Chu Mengyao yesterday? However, since he hadn't provoked Lin Yi, Lin Yi had no interest in dealing with him and walked straight past them.

"Brother Liang, doesn't that kid look familiar?" Zhang Naipao exclaimed, watching Lin Yi's retreating figure.

"I'm talking about serious business. Why do you care if he looks familiar or not?" Zhong Pinliang frowned impatiently.

"Brother Liang, I also think he looks quite familiar... it's like, like..." Gao Xiaofu scratched the back of his head, looking deep in thought.

"Like what? Dammit, can you just spit it out?" Zhong Pinliang cursed.

"It's like the laborer who kicked you yesterday!" Zhang Naipao suddenly shouted. "That's right, Brother Liang, it's that kid! I remember now!"

"Really?"

Upon hearing it was the guy who kicked him, Zhong Pinliang instantly perked up. "What are you standing around for? Chase him!"

"Chase him!" Gao Xiaofu and Zhang Naipao hurriedly ran in the direction Lin Yi had disappeared.

***

Lin Yi took his files to the school's Academic Affairs Office. Everything had been arranged by Chu Pengzhan; he just needed to report for registration.

Lin Yi knocked on the door of the Academic Affairs Office, but no one came to open it.

Checking his watch, it was 7:45. Classes officially started at 8:00, so perhaps he had arrived a bit too early.

Thinking this, Lin Yi leaned against the door and waited quietly for the Dean of Academic Affairs to arrive.

"Mmm... ah..."

A faint moan reached Lin Yi's ears. Ever since he had practiced the Xuanyuan Dragon-Governing Technique, his hearing had become exceptionally sensitive. He wouldn't claim to have divine hearing, but he could certainly hear many things others could not.

Lin Yi frowned immediately, as the sound was coming from inside the Academic Affairs Office.

Wasn't it supposed to be empty? However, Lin Yi quickly understood something and smiled slightly.

At exactly eight o'clock, the door to the Academic Affairs Office opened.

A charming woman in her thirties cautiously poked her head out of the office. When she suddenly saw Lin Yi at the door, she was startled. "Wh... what are you doing here?"

Lin Yi found it somewhat amusing. If you're going to have an affair, just have one; if you act this obvious, it's only natural for people to be suspicious.

"I'm here to see Director Wang of Academic Affairs," Lin Yi said indifferently, not bothering to expose her.

"Oh, Director Wang is inside."

The woman tried her best to remain calm and said to Lin Yi, "Go on in."

Lin Yi nodded and walked into the office. A middle-aged man with a slight bald spot was sitting at the desk, looking like a dignified, old-fashioned scholar, which Lin Yi found quite funny.

"Wh... what is your business?"

Wang Zhifeng hadn't expected a student to come looking for him right after his lover had stepped out, and he was momentarily startled.

"I am Lin Yi, here to register."

Lin Yi took out his files and handed them to Wang Zhifeng.

"Oh, Lin Yi. I know."

Wang Zhifeng nodded. This student had been personally arranged by the Board of Directors; how could he not remember?

Wang Zhifeng took the files and began processing the registration.

Soon, after stamping the documents, Wang Zhifeng stood up and said, "I'll escort you to your class."

"That would be a trouble, Director Wang," Lin Yi said politely.

He knew that the Dean of Academic Affairs held significant power in the school. If he wanted to have a comfortable life in the future, he couldn't afford to offend this man.

"Haha, it's my duty."

Wang Zhifeng didn't dare to be arrogant, given that the student was placed there by the Board. Walking out of the office side-by-side with Lin Yi, Wang Zhifeng asked tentatively, "Did you just arrive?"

"I've been here for a little while."

Lin Yi saw no need to lie. There were surveillance cameras in the school corridors; if Wang Zhifeng wanted to check, he could do so directly.

"Then you..."

Wang Zhifeng hesitated, unsure of what to say. He blamed his own momentary impulse to engage in such activities so early in the morning; now, if he wasn't careful, someone might catch him with something to hold against him.

"Don't worry, Director Wang. I didn't see anything, and I didn't hear anything either," Lin Yi said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.