Chapter 22 The Noble Academy's Substitute (22) The atmosphere grew increasingly tense...

Chapter Twenty-Two

Xia Zhi felt a little guilty after hearing Xie Yi's words. She hadn't meant to tease Xie Yi on purpose, but she was genuinely angry at Xie Yi's behavior.

She subconsciously looked at Xie Yi and slowly said, "It wasn't my idea; you brought me here without my permission."

Xie Yi stared at Xia Zhi's slightly nervous face and confessed directly, "Yes, I just wanted to scare you."

Xia Zhi was speechless. She stared at Xie Yi and said indifferently, "You really have nothing better to do."

Xie Yi had been observing Xia Zhi silently for a long time, then chuckled quietly: "Zhi Zhi, you can't outsmart me, so why don't you just pick a date and marry me?"

Xia Zhi looked at him: "You can only control me now, but forget about getting married."

Xie Yi's smile faded slightly upon hearing this, and after a long pause, she said, "You know the consequences of angering me."

Xia Zhi sighed helplessly. If only she had known from the beginning that they would be so obsessive...

Even if we knew, so what? The mission still needs to continue.

Now she finally understood completely: none of them would fall in love with Lin Yue according to the original plot. The plot had completely fallen apart, yet she still had to responsibly complete the storyline.

Xia Zhi felt a chill run down her spine whenever she thought about this. What exactly did the system mean by "making the plot complete"?

She said slowly, "Xiao Qi, is it okay if I disregard everything and run away to another place?"

[Host! This goes against your character and underlying logic! It won't work! Furthermore, the plot has already fallen apart. According to your superiors' orders, you need to complete the plot. I'll give you a brief hint: you just need to hold out until the time comes for your supposed death.]

Xia Zhi nodded silently in her heart upon hearing this.

Xia Zhi sighed deeply: "Xie Yi, what exactly do you want?"

Xie Yi's deep eyes were fixed on her, saying, "Marry me."

Xia Zhi was surprised that he was still so persistent about this matter, and she shook her head: "No."

Xie Yi sneered: "The gold bracelet you're wearing is only for my wife."

Xia Zhi lowered her eyes, just as she was about to recklessly remove the bracelet. Xie Yi suddenly stopped her: "You hate me that much?!"

Xia Zhi looked up and met Xie Yi's slightly annoyed peach blossom eyes.

She didn't know how to explain it to him. If she had to say something, she had no attachment to anyone or anything in this world.

They were just mission personnel.

Xie Yi looked at Xia Zhi and finally relented: "Come back with me first."

Xia Zhi nodded: "Okay."

The two walked out of the tea room one after the other. The receptionist curiously glanced at them, wondering what their relationship was.

*

Not long after Xia Zhi and Xie Yi returned to the villa, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Xia Zhi was about to go upstairs to pretend to be dead when she heard the doorbell ring and instinctively looked towards the door.

Xie Yi sneered, then went to open the door. Sure enough, the uninvited guest outside was Xu Yu.

Xu Yu glanced at Xie Yi with a faint look in his eyes: "I've come to pick up Zhizhi and take her to my place."

Xie Yi remained unmoved, her expression calm: "Impossible."

Xu Yu said slowly, "Zhizhi doesn't like you, so don't waste your energy."

Xie Yi tilted her head slightly, as if she had encountered something very funny: "Oh? So she likes you?"

Xu Yu clenched his fists instinctively; "We're brothers, don't force me to take action."

Xie Yi chuckled: "Brothers? What did the three of us say back then? Have you already forgotten?"

Xia Zhi overheard their conversation and felt that they were hiding something from her.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yu glanced at Xia Zhi indifferently, then looked at Xie Yi: "Don't let Zhizhi hear what we said earlier."

Xie Yi, however, slowly revealed a wicked smile: "Zhizhi, do you know what agreement they made?"

Xu Yu frowned, looking at Xie Yi with some disapproval.

Xia Zhi calmed down at this moment: "What did you agree on before?"

Xie Yi said slowly, "If neither of us manages to win you over, then we either give up, or..."

Xia Zhidu laughed in anger: "I am a person, not an object."

Xu Yu looked at Xia Zhi: "Zhi Zhi, would you like to come to my place? I won't force you."

Xia Zhi hesitated for a moment upon hearing this. Xie Yi seemed to notice her hesitation and gritted his teeth, saying, "Xia Zhi, are you really going to leave?"

Xia Zhi knew that these two were of the same ilk; they either ended up in a wolf's den or a tiger's lair.

But after weighing the options, she realized she only needed to hold out until she could fake her death. Staying with Xie Yi, or living with Xu Yu...

There was no doubt that she wouldn't be forced; she subconsciously looked up, just as she was about to speak...

"Come to my place." Footsteps came from behind, and Meng Ziyue said softly, "Zhizhi, if you come to my place, we can live in different places."

Xia Zhi was somewhat tempted by this, so she said softly, "Okay, Ziyue, I'll go to your place first, and I'll move out after I find a place to live."

Meng Ziyue hummed in agreement: "Okay, Zhizhi."

Xie Yi and Xu Yu were both taken aback, not expecting things to develop to this point.

Xie Yi stood on the first floor, watching Xia Zhi go upstairs to get her clothes, and suddenly asked leisurely, "Are you sure you want to go with Meng Ziyue? Don't you have to go to work tomorrow?"

Meng Ziyue suddenly interrupted, "Zhizhi, I have other jobs here. You are welcome to join anytime. We can issue an internship contract."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yi looked at Meng Ziyue and narrowed her eyes slightly: "You've certainly made a great sacrifice."

Xia Zhi quickly finished packing her things, and the three of them stood quietly on the first floor. Usually, they would be chatting and laughing, but now the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense.

Xia Zhi knew that the relationship between the three of them had been completely destroyed, but she couldn't care less. She needed peace and quiet, and she needed to finish her journey through this world as soon as possible.

She walked to Meng Ziyue's side: "I can leave now."

Xie Yi looked at Xia Zhi: "You don't want any of those things anymore?"

He was referring to the things he had prepared for Xia Zhi.

Xia Zhi shook her head: "I don't need it."

Xie Yi's face darkened upon hearing this, and then she looked at Meng Ziyue: "Ziyue, once you walk out of this door today, we will go our separate ways."

Meng Ziyue said calmly, "It should have been done long ago, shouldn't it?"

Meng Ziyue looked at Xia Zhi: "Let's go, Zhizhi."

Just as Xia Zhi was about to leave, Xu Yu suddenly stopped her: "Zhi Zhi, think it through yourself."

Xia Zhi said, "This is my own choice."

Xia Zhi followed Meng Ziyue out of the villa, and only then did she dare to breathe a sigh of relief.

Meng Ziyue looked at her and said, "Zhizhi, don't worry, I won't force you. I'll take you to an apartment in a residential complex, and you can live there for now."

Xia Zhi nodded upon hearing this, and looked at Meng Ziyue. Regardless of whether Meng Ziyue was faking it or not, as long as he didn't openly force her, that was fine.

Meng Ziyue then slowly said, "Did you sign an internship contract? You can leave directly and come work for me."

Xia Zhi hesitated for a second: "Never mind, I've already signed the contract. I'll leave after working here for a few months."

Meng Ziyue looked at her, and seeing that she had rejected the idea, his eyes flickered slightly. After a long while, he smiled and said, "...Okay."

He has plenty of time to do whatever he wants.

Xia Zhi nodded, thinking to himself that he didn't actually need to work for several months, since there wasn't much time left before graduation photos were taken.

Meng Ziyue gestured for Xia Zhi to stop: "Let me help you with your things."

Xia Zhi nodded and said gratefully, "Okay, thank you."

Meng Ziyue easily took Xia Zhi's things and then gestured for her to sit down. Xia Zhi sat in the back seat, feeling a little uneasy.

However, Meng Ziyue did not force her like they did, but smiled and said, "Then let's go."

Xia Zhi nodded silently until the car slowly drove onto the road.

Meng Ziyue said softly, "If Xie Yi is still having trouble, just call me."

Xia Zhi nodded upon hearing this: "...Okay."

Meng Ziyue looked at Xia Zhi, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, and smiled: "Don't be so awkward, I won't do anything to you."

Xia Zhi nodded, but images of Meng Ziyue's room flashed through her mind. His depravity was no less than the other two, because his room was filled with photos of her, especially those taken secretly.

Xia Zhi observed him intently. She knew Meng Ziyue was pretending, but she couldn't expose him. This was also why Xia Zhi didn't want to work for him.

However... at least he can maintain a semblance of peace.

Meng Ziyue seemed to notice Xia Zhi's gaze. He glanced at the rearview mirror and smiled slightly: "What's wrong?"

Xia Zhi shook her head, deciding not to reveal the truth for now.

Finally, the car stopped at a high-end residential complex, and Meng Ziyue helped Xia Zhi with her luggage. The two took the elevator to the tenth floor, and Meng Ziyue said slowly to Xia Zhi, "This is the room. Here's the key; take it yourself. I have a spare copy here."

Xia Zhi hesitated for a moment, but then heard Meng Ziyue say, "I'll lend you the rent. You can pay me back when you're able to."

Xia Zhi nodded and then took the key: "...Thank you."

Meng Ziyue shook her head: "It's nothing."

Xia Zhi carried her luggage into the house. She was so focused on looking at the house that she didn't notice Meng Ziyue staring intently at her back with a look that was almost greedy and obsessive.

When Xia Zhi finished looking at the house and turned around to thank him again, she found that Meng Ziyue was already preparing to leave.

Xia Zhi was slightly taken aback: "Are you leaving?"

Meng Ziyue smiled and nodded: "Yes, you should take good care of yourself. Call me if you need anything."

Xia Zhi nodded, watching Meng Ziyue leave. She felt something was off, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

In short, let's just wait until the time to fake our death when taking graduation photos.

...

The room was spacious and had a wide view. Xia Zhi took a quick shower and then lay down on the bed.

She hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time since the plot went wrong.

[Host! Are you going to the company tomorrow?]

Xia Zhi's voice was a little tense: "Didn't you say that we should maintain our persona and underlying logic?"

Yes! That's what I was worried about today. I wonder if Xie Yi might deliberately make things difficult for you...

Xia Zhi shook her head: "Let's talk about it later."

She was actually a little apprehensive, but staying here was definitely much more relaxing than staying at Xie Yi's house.

The next day, Xia Zhi got up early. She dressed and prepared to go to the company. No matter what, she would act until the very last moment.

When she arrived at the company by taxi, she noticed that her colleagues were giving her strange looks.

Xia Zhi felt a little helpless, but she still took the initiative to go to Sister Zhao. Sister Zhao looked at Xia Zhi with no expression: "President Xie wants you to pack up and go to his office. From now on, you will be his personal assistant."

Xia Zhi choked, but she knew for sure that this was indeed something Xie Yi would do.

So she could only start packing her things and prepare to take the elevator up.

The few people scattered in the elevator noticed Xia Zhi coming in, and their eyes were filled with curiosity.

Xia Zhi pretended not to see anything, and soon the elevator reached the top floor. She stepped out of the elevator and happened to see Xie Yi push open the door.

Xie Yi's gaze fell on Xia Zhi, paused for a moment, and then looked away.

Xia Zhi couldn't figure out what he was thinking, but she still walked over: "President Xie..."

Xie Yi nodded and said, "Come in with me."

Xia Zhi followed Xie Yi inside, and Xie Yi asked her to close the door. After Xia Zhi closed the door, Xie Yi slowly asked, "How was it?"

Xia Zhi was a little confused: "What do you mean, how?"

Xie Yi asked, "How did you feel after you left with Meng Ziyue?"

Xia Zhi said calmly, "He didn't force me, but instead took me to a private residential area."

Xie Yi sneered: "It's something he would fake."

Xia Zhi felt a little uncomfortable listening to his mocking tone.

Xie Yi looked Xia Zhi up and down with a strange expression: "I'm now making you my personal assistant, why are you dressed like this?"

Looking through the glass window, Xia Zhi saw herself wearing a light pink dress. She had no work experience, but quickly realized, "Should I be wearing a black and white outfit?"

Xie Yi casually picked up a teacup and started playing with her phone: "Black and white would be best."

Xia Zhi nodded seriously: "I understand, President Xie."

Xie Yi shook his head: "Your task is to listen to me, understand?"

Xia Zhi nodded: "I know."

Xie Yi then said with a half-smile, "That's good then. Now go and pour me a cup of tea."

Xia Zhi went to pour tea, not ignoring the intense gaze behind her. She walked over without changing her expression: "Put it here, Mr. Xie."

Xie Yi stared at her for a long time before saying, "It's too hot."

Xia Zhi looked at him strangely upon hearing this: "Does it need to be aired out?"

Xie Yi said calmly, "Help me blow on it."

Xia Zhi now understood that he was seeking revenge for what happened at the golf course last time.

Left with no other choice, she picked up her teacup. She always felt that Xie Yi's anger was a bit childish, even somewhat comical.

After the tea cooled down a bit, Xia Zhi placed it back on the table.

Xie Yi said, "Bring it to me."

Xia Zhi walked over and was about to hand the cup to Xie Yi when Xie Yi suddenly reached out and grabbed her. Caught off guard, Xia Zhi broke the cup and was forced to sit on Xie Yi's lap.

Xia Zhi looked at the broken cup below, somewhat confused, and was about to stand up...

Xie Yi suddenly said, "How could you be so careless?"

Xia Zhi sensed a hint of ambiguity and tenderness in his tone, and couldn't help but want to stand up.

Xie Yi stopped her, his voice a little hoarse: "Zhizhi, let me hug you. After all, I was hurt by how you treated me yesterday."

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Author's Note: Here it comes! [Lower-eared rabbit head]