Chapter 56

While she stood on the rostrum, the most attention-drawing spot in the school, Ji Xiaonian ignored the belittling gazes of the students that had walked past her and gave Ji Chen a call.

Once the call connected, Ji Xiaonian whimpered pitifully into her phone, “Brother.”

“What’s the matter this time?” Ji Chen’s frustrated tone was transmitted clearly across the speaker.

Ji Xiaonian pursed her lips and lowered her head. She stared down at the tips of her feet as if she was afraid of inciting her brother’s wrath, and continued pitifully, “The head counselor wants you to come over to the school. He says that I’m not allowed to eat lunch unless you come.”

“Did you stir up trouble again?” On the opposite end of the call, Ji Chen could picture the miserable expression that hung on the little girl’s face.

The one thing that he hated the most was for his little sister to become upset. Whenever she got upset, Ji Chen would blame himself, lamenting that he had not taken proper care of her.

Naturally, when that happened, Ji Chen would unconditionally accept all of the little girl’s requests no matter how ridiculous they were.

“Yes…” Ji Xiaonian reluctantly answered.

After all, no one would be proud of causing problems.

“So, what kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time?”

“I hit someone.”

“You darn brat! You’re a girl, and yet, why do you constantly carry out these brutish behaviors? Tell me, who did you hit this time? Did you kill that person?”

“I hit that so-called sister of Bai Yan’s. She’s not dead, but I did split her lip and caused it to bleed.”

Ji Xiaonian had not put much thought into her actions back then. Her temper had flared, and in a fit of rage, she ended up pummeling Fang Miaoling.

‘Dammit, that woman even acted like a fool by not retaliating.’

‘In the end, she had even framed me as the instigator of the mess.’

“…”

After a moment of silence, Ji Chen then coldly snorted. “Ji Xiaonian, you’ve really grown a pair. To think that you would confront Bai Yan directly like this. It truly is a commendable act of courage.”

Despite his words, Ji Chen was well aware that had Bai Yan not acted leniently, even ten Ji Xiaonians would not stave Bai Yan from mercilessly slaughtering them.

‘It seems that he truly has feelings for her.’

“Brother, are you really praising my bravery, or are you just making fun of my predicament? I’ll probably receive a demerit at the rate things are going, so, when can you show up?”

Ji Xiaonian heaved a sigh of relief. She was pleasantly surprised that her brother did not yell at her.

‘Yeah, in the end, my flesh-and-blood brother is still the best. He would never act cold and detached, regardless of my actions, unlike Bai Yan.’

“I understand, but I can’t return at the moment. Don’t worry though, I’ll call someone to handle this matter for you. Just remember to eat your lunch at the appropriate time, okay? Please don’t starve yourself.”

Ji Xiaonian was his one and only baby sister, and if she were to starve herself, Ji Chen would never be able to explain himself to his late parents.

After all, they reminded Ji Chen to take great care of the little girl with their dying breaths. As such, even if Ji Xiaonian were to commit heinous crimes, Ji Chen would never be able to raise his voice at her.

“Brother, aren’t you going to ask me why I hit her?” Ji Chen’s unquestioning support towards Ji Xiaonian had flooded her heart with warmth.

He had always been like this. Whether or not JI Xiaonian was in the wrong, Ji Chen would not pry too much, and instead, he would immediately set off to handle the situation for her.

“I trust the little girl from my family. I know she wouldn’t hit someone for no reason. If there’s nothing else you wish to speak to me about, then I’ll hang up. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely get someone to handle this for you.”

“Alright, thanks.”

Ji Xiaonian had originally planned to talk about the matter regarding Lu Yifei, but before she had even gotten the chance to speak, Ji Chen had already hung up the phone.

In the end, she meekly put the phone back into her pocket and waited for the counselor to lift her punishment.

Meanwhile, within Shengtian Tower.

In the CEO’s office, Bai Yan’s personal phone that was originally idly sitting by suddenly rang atop his desk.

Bai Yan, who was burying himself with work raised his head in response. When he looked at the phone and saw that it was Ji Chen making the call, he immediately answered it.

“What’s the matter?” The man’s voice was, and while it was capable of drawing attention, it was completely devoid of warmth.

Ji Chen teased, “You sound awfully cold. What’s this? Did someone anger you again?”

“If you have something to say, then say it. I’m not in the mood to entertain you.” Indeed, someone had angered him, but at the same time, he was completely helpless before her.

“Alright, let’s get to business. So, the situation’s like this, earlier, Xiaonian made a call to me, complaining pitifully that she had been punished by the school. She says that unless I show myself there, the school would refuse her from eating lunch. Now, you know this as well as me, but that little girl from my family has always been frail and weak, and if she eats any lesser, she’ll probably end up as nothing more than skin and bones.”

“…”

“Since you’re a temporary lecturer in Ning University, you’re the best person to handle this case. So, if you don’t mind, could you head to the University and handle the situation for that girl?”

“…”

After a moment of silence, Bai Yan angrily spat, “What’s she gotten herself into this time?”

“Huh? Don’t tell me that you haven’t heard of Ji Xiaonian hitting that Fang lady?”

“…”

“Haha, alright. This is perfect. Why don’t you investigate the truth for yourself? But a word of warning, Bai Yan, don’t act impulsively. You know this too, but my family’s little girl would hesitate to even step on ants, so there’s definitely no way that she would hit a person for no valid reason. You’d better wipe your eyes clean and look carefully.”

“I understand.”

Having no clue on how to continue the conversation, Bai Yan decided to hang up instead.

He was utterly confused. ‘It’s only been a while, but why did that girl end up fighting with Fang Miaoling again? Does she really hate Fang Miaoling that much?’

‘Or maybe…’

Without thinking any further, Bai Yan grabbed his coat and walked out of his office.

The moment he left his office, his secretary immediately called out to him, “President, the ten o’clock meeting is about to start soon.”

“Postpone it, I have something I need to do right now.”

“Huh?” The secretary was utterly stupefied. However, seeing as the big boss himself was already disappearing from her view, she was forced to answer, “Okay.”

Upon his arrival at Ning University, Bai Yan did not immediately visit Ji Xiaonian. Moreover, he had no intention of doing so either, and instead, he made a call to the head counselor and requested for him to lift Ji Xiaonian’s punishment.

Following that, Bai Yan then made his way to the female dormitory to visit Fang Miaoling.

After getting hit, Fang Miaoling had spent her time constantly crying in her room. Beside her were her two dormmates, and they had been consoling her non-stop.

Suddenly, the door to the room swung open, and when the three girls noticed that it was Professor Bai, they immediately rose to their feet and addressed in unison, “Professor Bai.”

Bai Yan gave a curt nod and made his way to their side. He then grabbed a chair from the side and asked the miserably crying Fang Miaoling, “Why did she hit you? Is there any bad blood between the two of you?”

Fang Miaoling sniffled as she raised her head and looked at Bai Yan. Upon taking a glance, she then cried even more violently as she answered, “I-I don’t know why she hates me so much! We used to be best buds, b-but ever since you brought me to your house, she started to treat me badly.”

“It’s the same thing today as well. I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but she didn’t answer me at the front gate, and when I met her in front of our dorm, she started to pummel me for no reason. My dormmates can testify for me, they saw it happen. Big Brother Bai, I really have no idea how I got on her bad side.”

He shot a glance at the two dormmates.

Tang Caiqi and Xiao Xiao hurriedly nodded their heads, as if they were backing up Fang Miaoling’s claims.

Bai Yan remained silent for some time.

Throughout that period, Bai Yan trained his gaze onto Fang Miaoling, as if he was discerning her true intentions.

Perhaps due to her guilt, Fang Miaoling averted his gaze and nervously twiddled her thumbs while she hoped for the best.