"Li Mei?"

"Yes."

"She’s talking nonsense."

Du Liya nodded quickly. "Yes, I’ve already spoken with your Mr. Sun and Classmate Qin here. It was indeed a misunderstanding. It’s all Li Mei’s fault."

Hearing her say this, the expression on Shen Yi’s face softened a little. He nodded, then said to Qin Jiao, "Class is about to start. Let’s go back."

Qin Jiao didn’t want to deal with Du Liya any longer, either. She nodded immediately and said over her shoulder, "Mr. Sun, Aunt Du, I’ll be heading back to class now."

"Alright."

Du Liya felt that her son was being a bit strange, but she stood up and said, "Xiao Yi, you head to class first. I’m going to see your grandfather."

"Mm."

Shen Yi grunted in response, grabbed Qin Jiao’s hand, and started walking out, his steps especially fast.

His grip on her wrist was a little painful. Moreover, being in such close contact with him again made Qin Jiao’s skin crawl.

"Shen Yi, let go!"

Shen Yi froze for a moment but still released her. Looking at the red mark on her wrist, he said with his eyes half-lowered, "My mom didn’t bully you, did she?"

The young man’s voice was still cold and detached, not sounding concerned in the least, as it was devoid of any emotion.

Sensing that he wasn’t actually concerned about her, Qin Jiao breathed a sigh of relief.

She said, "No. But Li Mei is really awful. She’s already been fired and her reputation is in tatters, yet she’s still out here causing trouble."

The corner of Shen Yi’s mouth twitched. "Did you write that report letter?"

Qin Jiao’s beautiful eyes suddenly narrowed. Then she said in surprise, "How could I? If I were that capable, I would have sued her ages ago. Anyway, let’s hurry back to class."

Shen Yi felt that something was off, but it was true that class was about to start. Most importantly, Qin Jiao seemed to have been avoiding him this whole time, and she was finally willing to say so much to him.

’He was satisfied.’

The two of them returned to the classroom and finished the rest of their classes. When school let out, Shen Yi once again waited for Qin Jiao.

Qin Jiao, holding to the principle of not saying a word, decided to get home with a "silence is golden" approach. Fortunately, Shen Yi cooperated and didn’t speak either.

Just as they were approaching Shen Yi’s house, Qin Jiao was still wondering whether he would continue to walk her home or go home first. But then, the main gate to Shen Yi’s house opened, and Mr. Du appeared in a wheelchair, saying with a wide smile, "Xiao Qin, come over here for a moment."

Standing behind him was Du Liya.

Mr. Du must have said something to Du Liya. Gone was the fierce expression she had worn at school during the day; the look she now gave Qin Jiao was full of gentleness.

Qin Jiao was speechless.

Since it was Mr. Du who had spoken, Qin Jiao had no choice but to wheel her bike over, greeting, "Hello, Grandpa Du. Hello, Aunt Du."

Shen Yi walked behind her, his bangs obscuring his eyes, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.

Du Liya spoke very apologetically, "I’m so sorry, Xiao Qin. I misunderstood before. And I just found out that you and your family have been taking good care of my father recently. This is an apology gift from me. You absolutely have to accept it." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

As she spoke, she handed over a red box. Judging by its style, it probably held gold or silver jewelry.

The corner of Qin Jiao’s eye twitched.

’Oh, she knew from her past life that Du Liya was a huge spendthrift. When she took a liking to someone, she would just give them gold outright.’

’Du Liya’s friend, Ji Yuehong, had gotten a lot of money out of her.’

’Before, when she had Li Mei take care of Shen Yi, she gave her a big gold ring.’

Qin Jiao looked at the red box and had a strong feeling it might be a second gold ring!