77's words gave Shen Jianxi an idea about the mandatory mission. When dinner was ready, she used the excuse of checking on Ye Mingming's studies and then calling the brothers down for a meal. Gu Ruolan, as expected, didn't suspect anything and readily agreed, even enthusiastically telling her Ye Chuanci's room location.
Going upstairs, Shen Jianxi walked to Ye Chuanci's door and knocked. No one answered. As she was about to knock again with more force, her hand had just touched the door when it suddenly swung open from the inside. Before she could retract her hand, she bumped directly into a chest that was still slightly damp from water.
Shen Jianxi froze, her hand remaining in place, forgotten. All she saw was the young body below the waist wrapped in a bath towel. The six-pack abs showed that its owner definitely exercised regularly. A drop of water fell from his hair, tracing a path down his chest, along the line of his abs, and finally disappearing where the towel was wrapped. Shen Jianxi stood stunned.
It wasn't until she felt the chest beneath her hand vibrate that a light laugh came from above her head, "Had enough touching, Miss Shen? Are you satisfied with what you've seen?"
Shen Jianxi snapped back to reality, frantically waving her hands and stepping back. Her entire face turned crimson, even her earlobes were vividly red. "Ah! I... I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Um, Aunt Gu asked me to call you for dinner, I'll be going now!" With that, she fled, ignoring the laughter behind her.
Seeing the young girl's shy reaction, Ye Chuanci couldn't help but laugh.
"Shen, Jian, Xi," he softly uttered her name, syllable by syllable. So easily embarrassed? Quite cute, he thought, reminding him of the little Ragdoll cat he used to have.
What a coincidence, they were both named Xi Xi.
77: "Beep! Ye Chuanci favorability +5, current favorability 5."
Running out of Ye Chuanci's sight, the blush on Shen Jianxi's face quickly subsided. Her change of expression was so swift that even 77 felt a bit embarrassed; it had genuinely thought the host was shy just now.
Hearing the system's broadcast, Shen Jianxi knew she was on the right track. What to do next? How about a reversal of charm? After all, men liked exploring the unknown.
Passing Ye Mingming's room, Shen Jianxi didn't forget her original purpose. She knocked on the door, called out to him from the entrance, and then turned to go downstairs.
Downstairs, the dinner table was set. Sitting at the head of the table was a refined middle-aged man holding a newspaper. His demeanor and facial features were almost identical to Ye Chuanci's. This must be Ye Weijun, the chairman of SK Group and the father of Ye Chuanci and Ye Mingming.
Seeing Shen Jianxi descend, Gu Ruolan quickly beckoned her to sit. Ye Weijun also looked at her.
After taking her seat, Ye Weijun nodded slightly at her.
"You are Teacher Shen, aren't you?" Although his expression was kind, the sharp, probing gaze in his eyes was undeniable. Most people would likely not dare to meet such a stare directly, their every little thought exposed under such scrutiny.
Shen Jianxi knew this was both politeness and a warning. It was a warning not to harbor any ill intentions. If she behaved herself, the Ye family would treat her well; if not, she would face the consequences. It was very easy for a wealthy family to deal with a powerless student.
But she was not afraid, nor was it going to affect her. Let alone whether Ye Weijun could see through her thoughts, even if he could, she was not afraid. An orphan who built a commercial empire in Country H single-handedly possessed a breadth of experience and courage that was beyond ordinary people. Su Dan Novel Network.
Moreover, ever since she could remember, images of a woman fighting on the battlefield occasionally appeared in her mind. Although she couldn't see her face clearly, she had a strong premonition that it was related to her. Since she could remember, she knew many things she had never learned, even lost arts. The orphanage director had told her that she suddenly appeared at the orphanage door one day. It was also her name, the one she instinctively felt she should have, that led Shen Jianxi to agree to undertake the mission. She wanted to find out who she truly was.
"Hello, Uncle Ye, I am Shen Jianxi. Thank you for having me today." Shen Jianxi's composed demeanor and good etiquette surprised Ye Weijun, earning her a measure of his admiration.
As they spoke, the two brothers came downstairs one after another. Shen Jianxi looked up at them. Ye Chuanci had one hand in the pocket of his casual trousers, still exuding his usual lazy air.
Sensing Shen Jianxi's gaze, Ye Chuanci looked up. The moment their eyes met, he saw the young girl quickly lower her head as if startled.
Ye Chuanci chuckled and rubbed his nose. Was he that terrifying?
Whether intentionally or not, his seat was directly opposite Shen Jianxi. This allowed him to observe the teacher who had managed to subdue Ye Mingming.
The girl in front of him continued to keep her head down. Her reddened earlobes looked particularly alluring. Unfortunately, this prevented him from seeing her expression. However, he could imagine it was a shy one; he had seen that expression many times.
Naturally, he had no idea that Shen Jianxi's lowered eyes were perfectly calm.
The subsequent meal was very quiet. The Ye family had excellent upbringing, practicing the principle of "no talking while eating." Shen Jianxi herself was an extremely quiet person when not on a mission.
The moment she put down her cutlery, 77's voice sounded in her mind, "Beep! Mandatory mission completed! 10 points have been credited."
After dinner, Gu Ruolan had a digestive tea served. Shen Jianxi drank a few sips. It tasted good; she could buy some to keep at home when she returned.
Setting down her teacup, Shen Jianxi stood up to bid farewell. Just as she was about to leave, Gu Ruolan stopped her.
Gu Ruolan: "Xi Xi, let my son drive you back. The driver just called and said there was a problem at home. It's not convenient for you to travel alone."
Considering the secluded location, Shen Jianxi didn't stand on ceremony and nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Auntie. I'll trouble you then."
"What thanks? It's nothing, not a trouble at all. Right, you brat?" Saying this, she nudged Ye Chuanci, who was chatting nearby, with her foot.
Sometimes Shen Jianxi couldn't help but wonder if Gu Ruolan practiced face-changing, otherwise why would she be so different from one moment to the next.
Ye Chuanci hadn't expected to be targeted while sitting quietly on the sofa. Licking his back molars, he was almost amused to the point of anger. However, he couldn't defy the words of the family's matriarch, so he could only express his displeasure towards Shen Jianxi.
"What are you waiting for, not going yet? Waiting for me to invite you?" With that, he grabbed his car keys and went out before his mother could react.
Shen Jianxi paid no mind to his attitude. She said goodbye to those in the living room and left with her bag on her back.
All the way, Shen Jianxi gazed out the window. Ye Chuanci assumed she was still shy and didn't tease her. When they arrived at her place, Ye Chuanci discovered that the young girl had fallen asleep.
Falling asleep in a stranger's car. How careless.
"Hey, wake up." Ye Chuanci looked at Shen Jianxi, who showed no signs of waking, and reached out to nudge her.
Shen Jianxi slowly stirred, rubbing her eyes and yawning.
Her voice, still groggy from sleep, was soft and sweet, "We're here? Thank you." With that, she gave Ye Chuanci a sweet smile.
Seeing the girl looking a bit dazed, her nose tip red, her bright dark eyes clouded with a thin mist, Ye Chuanci awkwardly averted his gaze. He pretended to be impatient, but his reddened ear tips betrayed him. "Since you're awake, hurry and get going."
77: "Beep! Ye Chuanci favorability +10, current favorability 15."
Hearing the system's broadcast, Shen Jianxi smiled silently. He's more innocent than she expected. She knew how to win him over.