Yang Yun and Gu Chengli turned around at the exact same moment and looked at He Xiyan who stood at the doorway.

Yang Yun frowned and exclaimed in surprise when she spotted the backpack that He Xiyan was carrying, “Miss Chen, what’s wrong? Why are you carrying a backpack on your shoulders?”

He Xiyan smiled politely and walked over to take Yang Yun’s hands in hers. Then, she said, “Aunty, Uncle, thanks for having me around. I’ve got to attend to some matters at home, so I’ll be heading back to Ming City first.”

“You just arrived yesterday, so why…” Gu Chengli said with a frown and looked at her doubtfully.

He Xiyan nodded politely at Jiahang’s father and continued smiling politely at him. She didn’t know what else she could do but to carry on smiling.

She thought for a moment before she said calmly, “Uncle, I’m sorry that I can’t spend more time with the both of you. There are many things I have to attend to in school and at the shop, so I have to rush back. The children can’t attend class without a teacher.”

She deliberately said she had to rush back because she didn’t want Jiahang’s parents to feel obligated to try to make her stay.

Sigh…

Yang Yun sighed after she heard He Xiyan’s words and rose to her feet. Then, she patted He XIyan’s shoulders and said awkwardly, “This is so sudden and I haven’t prepared a farewell gift for you. I’m so…”

“Aunty, you’re too kind,” He Xiyan quickly said with a smile. She was afraid that Jiahang’s mother would continue exchanging pleasantries with her.

Moreover, she rushed over to Jingzhou with Jiahang and hadn’t prepared any gifts herself, so even if Jiahang’s parents were to give her something, she would be too embarrassed to accept it.

He Xiyan went downstairs after bidding his parents farewell and saw Jiahang waiting for her.

Chen Jiahang took her hand in his and pulled her into his embrace. He seemed reluctant to part with her.

“Yan Yan…” he said hoarsely and sounded apologetic as he whispered into her ear, “Remember to have your meals on time. If you need help, please call me. I’ll return in a week’s time.”

He Xiyan continued to smile but no one noticed the wryness in her smile. She could feel his familiar masculine aura filling her ears.

His embrace felt extremely familiar to her but she was the only one who knew that this was not the same embrace she was used to.

She gently extracted herself from his embrace and said with a smile, “Jiahang, I’ll head home first. Please take good care of your parents. I’m sure they miss you badly since it has been so many years. There’s no need for you to feel like you need to rush back to Ming City. I’ll be able to handle the shop’s affairs, including the loss and compensation arising from the car accident.”

She sounded very calm. Then, she turned toward the door.

Chen Jiahang walked her out and the Gu family driver had already parked the car in front of the door. He had been waiting for her for several minutes.

“Yan Yan…” Chen Jiahang suddenly said. For some reason, he sensed that Yan Yan wasn’t as calm and happy as she made herself out to be. She seemed…

He didn’t have much time to think deeper into this.

He Xiyan had already gotten into the car and closed the door.

The car headed toward Jingzhou’s airport.

She sat quietly in the car and did not exchange a single word with the driver. She looked out of the window and looked at the houses, trees, and snow that whizzed by the window.