On a winter afternoon,

The sunlight was so thin it was like a layer of worn-out gauze.

It wasn't easy to slip out through the side door of Yiyuan Building.

Just as I rounded the flowerbed, a familiar, loud voice drifted over on the wind:

"Which class are you in? What are you doing over there?"

Ye Xi felt a stiffness in her back; it was a conditioned reflex ingrained in her bones from years of stage training.

You should subconsciously straighten your back and hold your head high to maintain your posture.

Lin Que was quick-witted and nimble-fingered.

He grabbed her conspicuous beige coat and pushed her into the holly bushes, a blind spot of the surveillance cameras.

"Shh, it's the logistics guy, don't make a sound."

The two huddled together in the narrow shadow.

Ye Xi could smell a faint scent of laundry detergent on Lin Que's school uniform.

My heart was pounding so fast it felt like I was playing Flight of the Bumblebee.

Only after the footsteps faded into the distance did the two of them crouch down and slip through the two alleys like thieves.

Ye Xi turned up the collar of her expensive beige coat high.

It almost completely covered most of her face, revealing only a pair of wary yet excited eyes.

It's just like a bad student skipping class for the first time.

"Is it safe?"

Ye Xi lowered her voice and glanced back at the alley entrance where there were no pursuers.

"Don't worry, unless Director Fei personally leads the team to chase after us, no one will be able to find this place."

Lin Que, with one hand in his pocket, led her through the gate of Xisheng Mansion.

The elevator ascends, and the numbers slowly change.

Ye Xi straightened her wind-blown bangs in front of the mirror.

He then looked down at his expensive coat, which was clearly unsuitable for being a guest.

She nervously tugged at the hem of her clothes.

She looked at the boy beside her through the mirror.

The sharp edge he displayed on stage just now has completely disappeared.

He reverted to being that lazy, carefree, and even somewhat lazy high school student.

"bite."

The door opened.

Before Lin Que could even take out his key, the heavy security door was pushed open from the inside.

"Oh! I heard the elevator go off and thought it was you coming back!"

Wang Xiulian was wearing an apron and holding a spatula.

His face was beaming with the kind of joy that only comes during the Chinese New Year.

A rich, overpowering aroma of sweet and sour pork ribs.

It seemed to have grown legs and filled the entire hallway instantly, following the crack in the door.

"mom."

Lin Que stepped aside, making way for Ye Xi behind him.

"This is……"

Wang Xiulian's gaze passed over her son and landed on Ye Xi.

His eyes widened instantly, and he forgot to put down the spatula in his hand.

The girl in front of me was wrapped up tightly,

But his demeanor and his features clearly indicated that he was not from an ordinary family.

Especially those exposed eyes,

She looked so fresh and radiant, like she stepped right out of a TV show.

Hello, Auntie!

Ye Xi quickly took off her scarf, revealing a small face the size of a palm.

Perhaps because she had just emerged from the cold wind, her fair nose and cheeks had a faint pink tinge.

Those eyes curved into crescent moons as she obediently bowed.

"I am Lin Que's classmate. The school is having an event today, so I apologize for disturbing you."

"Oh dear! No, no, no!"

Wang Xiulian smiled so broadly that her face was full of wrinkles, and she wiped her hands haphazardly on her apron.

"Come in quickly! Isn't it cold outside?"

This girl is so pretty!

You are that...that thing...

Wang Xiulian doesn't usually pay much attention to the art world.

I didn't recognize him as that internationally renowned pianist.

I just thought this girl was excessively beautiful, even more beautiful than the stars on TV.

"Mom, her name is Ye Xi."

Lin Que casually introduced the situation while changing his shoes.

"He was a guest at that exchange meeting."

"Oh, oh, oh! A guest! That must be a distinguished guest!"

Wang Xiulian verbally agreed, but her eyes darted back and forth between Lin Que and Ye Xi.

For some reason, his eyes became meaningful.

I quickly took out a pair of brand-new pink cotton slippers from the shoe cabinet.

"Come here, daughter, you should wear these."

This is new; nobody has ever worn it.

Lin Jianguo was sitting on the sofa watching the midday news on TV.

Hearing the noise, he lowered his leg as if he had been electrocuted.

Seeing a stunningly beautiful young girl following behind her son,

Old Lin's perpetually stern face visibly stiffened for a moment.

Quickly take off your reading glasses and straighten your back.

"Your classmate is here? Please have a seat."

Hello, Uncle.

Ye Xi smiled and bowed obediently once again.

Lin Jianguo nodded, then turned to Lin Que, who was about to sit down.

"Lin Que, don't just stand there, go get your classmate a glass of water and some fruit."