Chapter 5

Chapter 5

On Friday, Shen Tingzhou was urged by his cousin to attend the parent-teacher meeting at her school.

The last two periods in the afternoon were canceled, so Fu Yunyun waited at the school gate early.

She had her hair tied back in a ponytail, her eyes bright and lively. Even in loose school uniforms, she couldn't hide her youthful energy.

Seeing Shen Tingzhou, Fu Yunyun waved energetically, "Brother, over here, over here."

As soon as Shen Tingzhou approached, Fu Yunyun grabbed his arm and led him to meet her classmates who were eagerly waiting.

A few girls were quite reserved, shyly calling Shen Tingzhou "brother," not at all like how Fu Yunyun had described them as being aggressive.

His phone rang from his pocket, and Shen Tingzhou said to Fu Yunyun, "I'll go outside to take this call."

After saying that, he walked out. As soon as he reached the door, he heard those quiet girls chattering excitedly.

"Ahhh, your brother has such an elite husband vibe."

"I feel like when he gets home from work, he'd take off his suit and start cooking for me in the kitchen."

"What if I told you his job is a doctor?"

"Then it's even more exciting! I want him to use a scalpel to remove the seeds from strawberries and feed me the tips!"

Shen Tingzhou, with excellent hearing, stumbled slightly.

Was there a possibility that he wasn't the kind of doctor who uses a scalpel?

-

The hallway was filled with students and parents, so Shen Tingzhou found an empty classroom and answered the call.

The call was from He Yanting's assistant, asking Shen Tingzhou to come over that evening.

After hanging up, Shen Tingzhou opened WeChat and replied to a few messages.

"Who asked you to set up this blind date? Didn't I say I didn't want to see anyone? I have a boyfriend..."

A resentful female voice approached.

Shen Tingzhou looked up as the back door of the classroom was pushed open, and a tall woman with outstanding presence walked in.

She walked straight to the window, her words becoming increasingly agitated, "You've always meddled in everything since we were kids, and now you're even interfering with my marriage."

Not wanting to eavesdrop on someone's private conversation, Shen Tingzhou quietly slipped out before the woman noticed him.

Something must have been said on the other end of the call because the woman scoffed, "What about He Yanting?"

Shen Tingzhou paused briefly.

He Yanting?

His number one employer, the one with the forced love complex.

"I'm telling you again, I have a boyfriend, and I won't marry for money like you and Dad did..."

The woman turned around in frustration, her gaze colliding with Shen Tingzhou's.

Feeling guilty, Shen Tingzhou nodded apologetically and quickly left.

Back in the classroom, Fu Yunyun immediately clung to him, "Brother, you really made me proud today."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

Fu Yunyun exclaimed, "It was insane! I suddenly gained several new sisters-in-law, and even my arch-nemesis came to ask about you."

Shen Tingzhou was both amused and exasperated, "May I ask who your arch-nemesis is?"

Fu Yunyun pointed to the back row.

Shen Tingzhou looked over.

Only one boy sat in the back row, with features that suggested mixed heritage. His eyes were expressive, the type teenage girls often found attractive—rebellious and cool.

Noticing Shen Tingzhou looking at him, the boy gave a polite nod and continued reading his book.

Amidst the noisy classroom, only he sat calmly at his desk, engrossed in his book.

Shen Tingzhou couldn't help comparing him to Fu Yunyun and said, "Exams are coming up soon; you should study too."

Fu Yunyun pouted, "He does worse than me, yet he pretends to be a good student. He's probably reading some inappropriate book."

The boy named Qin Yang lifted his eyes, "What inappropriate book? The one the teacher confiscated yesterday?"

Fu Yunyun was taken aback.

Shen Tingzhou turned to ask, "What book was confiscated?"

"Brother, don't listen to his nonsense; it's nothing." Fu Yunyun smiled sweetly at Shen Tingzhou but kicked Qin Yang under the table.

Qin Yang clicked his tongue.

Feeling deceived, Shen Tingzhou emphasized, "Fu Yunyun!"

Fu Yunyun instantly became docile, blinking her eyes pitifully, "Brother, please don't tell Mom. I beg you."

Shen Tingzhou knew this parent-teacher meeting wasn't going to be simple.

His little cousin was smart, but sometimes she could be quite a handful.

Shen Tingzhou put on his adult demeanor, about to give a verbal lecture, but before he could open his mouth, a familiar figure caught his eye, and the words got stuck in his throat.

The newcomer had wavy, curly hair, red lips, and long eyebrows, dressed in a printed blouse and wide-legged linen pants, with pointed high heels on her feet.

Her retro outfit was striking and stylish.

Shen Tingzhou recognized her immediately; she was the one who had been making a call in the empty classroom earlier.

Qin Shiyao scanned the room, her gaze lingering on Shen Tingzhou for a moment before walking over.

The fine, pointed heels clicked against the floor, exuding an imposing presence.

Fu Yunyun couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, such a cool lady."

Qin Shiyao stopped behind Fu Yunyun, smacked the cool guy's head with her handbag, and raised her long eyebrows, "Lost your voice?"

Qin Yang looked sullen and reluctantly said, "...Sis."

Seeing Qin Yang at a loss, Fu Yunyun giggled.

Qin Yang turned his head and glanced at Fu Yunyun, his eyes not particularly friendly.

Qin Shiyao raised her hand and slapped the back of Qin Yang's head, admonishing, "What are you doing? Bullying the little beauty?"

The "little beauty," Fu Yunyun, chuckled and struck up a conversation, "Sister, you're really pretty."

Qin Shiyao turned and smiled, "What's your name?"

Fu Yunyun quickly introduced herself, "Fu Yunyun."

Qin Shiyao's gaze suddenly became meaningful, "Fu Yunyun, I've heard a lot about you."

Qin Yang, standing stiffly as a backdrop, glared at Qin Shiyao.

When their eyes met, sparks flew, as if they were clashing over something.

In the end, Qin Shiyao looked away first, her gaze falling back on Shen Tingzhou. She asked Fu Yunyun, "Is this your guardian?"

Shen Tingzhou answered, "I'm her cousin."

Qin Shiyao extended her hand, "Qin Yang's real sister."

They briefly shook hands.

At that moment, the homeroom teacher walked in, and the classroom fell silent.

Shen Tingzhou was no stranger to parent-teacher meetings, but this was his first time attending as a guardian.

He had always been the top student in his grade, so his parents were always welcome guests. Now, as someone else's guardian, his status had plummeted.

After the meeting, Shen Tingzhou was called aside by the homeroom teacher for a private chat.

Fu Yunyun's grades weren't bad, and the teacher had high hopes for her.

Seeing that she wasn't focusing on her studies, the teacher pulled Shen Tingzhou aside, hoping he could supervise her during this period.

Shen Tingzhou had been class president and sometimes study committee chair during his school days, so he understood the teachers' mindset well.

A few minutes into the conversation, the homeroom teacher couldn't stop smiling, praising Shen Tingzhou highly, "Having guardians like you makes our job much easier."

-

After leaving the office, Shen Tingzhou found Fu Yunyun was no longer in the classroom.

But Qin Shiyao approached him, "Looking for your sister? Follow me."

Shen Tingzhou hesitated for a few seconds but followed Qin Shiyao.

Qin Shiyao led Shen Tingzhou out of the teaching building, through a flower bed, and finally stopped in a small grove near the administrative building.

Fu Yunyun and Qin Yang were there for some reason, and the atmosphere between them seemed tense.

Just as Shen Tingzhou was about to step forward, Qin Shiyao held him back, excitedly saying, "Don't move, listen."

Shen Tingzhou was full of questions, but Fu Yunyun and Qin Yang had already started arguing.

Qin Yang's voice rose sharply, "Would I write you love letters? That was my sister who put it in your bag; I still need to settle with her."

Qin Shiyao suddenly leaned close to Shen Tingzhou's ear, "Don't worry, he definitely likes your sister."

Shen Tingzhou: !!!

If this kid really likes Yunyun, he wouldn't be at ease at all!

Qin Yang glanced at Fu Yunyun and sneered, "Take a good look in the mirror. Short arms and legs, like a water radish."

Qin Shiyao leaned over again, "He says your sister is petite and cute, like a fresh radish."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

How did she interpret that as a compliment?

Qin Yang continued, "Also, during morning reading, talk less nonsense and don't stretch your neck so much."

Qin Shiyao chimed in, "Oh, oh, oh, he's jealous. He doesn't want your sister talking and laughing with the handsome boy in front."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

Shen Tingzhou suspected that this brother-sister duo had some special communication technique, otherwise, how could they make such unrelated interpretations?

Fu Yunyun, pampered since childhood, was furious at Qin Yang's taunts.

She clenched her fist and glared at Qin Yang, "Qin, are you looking for a fight?"

Shen Tingzhou thought for a moment and translated for Qin Shiyao, "My sister is angry."

Fu Yunyun said, "Whoever wants to write love letters can do so. I don’t care. It’s better if it’s not you; otherwise, I’ll be too disgusted to eat dinner."

Shen Tingzhou continued to explain, "My sister is very angry."

Qin Yang was apparently taken aback by Fu Yunyun's anger and froze for a moment.

Fu Yunyun's anger hadn't subsided, and she became more resolute with each word, "Do you think you are someone special? Trying to control who I talk to! Remember this: from now on, if I ever say another useless word to you, I will..."

Shen Tingzhou was waiting for Fu Yunyun to finish so he could translate for Qin Shiyao, but the person beside him suddenly darted forward.

Qin Shiyao, wearing eight-centimeter high heels, walked on the dirt path in the small woods as if on flat ground.

With swift steps, she leaped and delivered a mid-air kick that landed on Qin Yang.

Qin Yang, standing at 186 centimeters tall with broad shoulders and solid, well-defined muscles, had the build of an athlete.

But he staggered back two steps after being kicked by Qin Shiyao and steadied himself by grabbing onto a tree behind him.

Clearly used to being hit by Qin Shiyao, his face only darkened slightly before he bent down to brush off the shoe marks.

Qin Shiyao looked at Qin Yang as if he were something useless, "Can't you speak properly? Not everyone is like me, able to interpret your sarcasm at an eighth-grade level!"

Qin Yang remained silent, his face still grim.

Qin Shiyao ignored him and turned to Fu Yunyun, smiling warmly.

Qin Shiyao gently instructed, "Cursing wastes saliva. Next time he talks nonsense, just kick him like that. Don’t worry, he won’t retaliate."

Fu Yunyun’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Qin Shiyao as if she were an idol.

Worried that Qin Shiyao might lead Fu Yunyun astray, Shen Tingzhou hurriedly stepped forward, "It’s getting late, Yunyun. Let me take you back."

Fu Yunyun pushed away Shen Tingzhou’s hand, her eyes shining as she looked at Qin Shiyao, "Sis, can you teach me that kick? It was so cool."

Qin Shiyao smiled kindly, "Sure."

Shen Tingzhou interjected, "Don’t learn that. She has long legs..."

Fu Yunyun immediately shot him a murderous glare, and Shen Tingzhou fell silent.

-

Fu Yunyun and Qin Shiyao walked ahead, chatting and laughing like sisters.

Shen Tingzhou and Qin Yang followed behind, silent as bridges.

Shen Tingzhou felt that Xiao Qin was having a worse time than he was, because his own sister was telling their rival about his childhood embarrassments.

If he were Xiao Qin, he would already be considering emigration.

But the other person remained silent, showing no expression, likely accustomed to such scenes.

Shen Tingzhou suddenly felt a twinge of sympathy.

But then he remembered how Qin Yang had called Fu Yunyun a watermelon, and that sympathy vanished instantly.

Kid, social death is your blessing.

Qin Shiyao was recounting how seven-year-old Qin Yang had been chased by a cow into a pile of manure during a family vacation in the countryside when she suddenly stopped, frowning and staring ahead.

Fu Yunyun looked over, puzzled, and saw a man and a woman turning into the old campus area.

Qin Shiyao said nothing and strode forward to follow them.

Qin Yang stared at where the couple had disappeared, muttering, "That seems to be my sister’s boyfriend."

Hearing this, Fu Yunyun quickly chased after Qin Shiyao, with Qin Yang following closely behind.

Shen Tingzhou paused for a few seconds, sighed, and then followed the group.