Chapter 280

The assistant was startled by his reaction and quickly handed over a tissue, repeating, "That Y Guo princess is none other than Mu Youyu, the eldest daughter of the Mu Family; Prince Xun Li is her brother's childhood friend."

The king apparently gave her the princess title out of respect for the duke.

Xiao Ting's hand, holding the tissue, froze mid‑air.

So the opponent he'd been agonizing over yesterday is actually the same person?

Jiang Liangjin and Jun Chenling were both fighting over Star Sink, and it turns out they're after the same person!

He's lived most of his life, seen countless storms, yet this is the first time he's encountered something so absurd.

No wonder they both said it was for the school cultural festival and demanded Star Sink—now it makes sense!

And that old fogey even suddenly asked to borrow Star Sink…

"Get the car ready, we're going to the Jiang Family."

The assistant looked embarrassed: "Chairman, there's no car to prepare for you."

"What good are you guys?"

"You yourself said not to make a fuss…"

"You!" Xiao Ting choked up, then recalled his own order from yesterday—he hadn't arranged a vehicle or attendants, only brought a few bodyguards.

He was just worried that too much commotion would attract media attention and expose his whereabouts.

But now the situation has changed abruptly—how can he still keep a low profile?

"Useless! Can't you hail a taxi? In a big city like C Shi, you can't find a cab?"

"Yes."

In another classroom, just as the bell rang, Jiang Liangjin's phone vibrated—it was a voice message from his mother, Shen Ningmu.

He converted it to text: "A Jin, a strange old foreigner has come to the door looking for you, says he's surnamed Xiao and claims to be your friend—do you know him?"

A strange old man, a foreigner?

Jiang Liangjin raised his brows, and instantly the image of Xiao Ting's well‑kept face, always putting on a stern expression, popped into his mind—he couldn't help but chuckle.

He turned his head and glanced at Mu Youyu beside him.

The girl was slumped over the desk, chattering with Bai Yun at the phone screen, her pink-gold hair falling over her shoulders, her lashes long, blinking with a hint of softness.

Jiang Liangjin's heart softened a bit, and he tapped the screen: 【Know this, let him leave the qin, the person can go】

After sending, he set his phone to silent, just about to withdraw his gaze, when a pair of white, slender hands reached over.

Mu Youyu shook her phone, delighted: "A Jin, which one do you like?"

On the screen was the chat box with Yan Yuejiu, showing several little dress designs.

Jiang Liangjin glanced and chuckled lightly: "For Sticky Rice?"

"Yes! Elder Sister Yan said Sticky Rice has gotten chubby lately, the old little dresses are a bit tight, so she specially designed a few new ones for me to pick a style."

He smiled, pointing to a red-and-white one, and a white one with ears.

Mu Youyu immediately turned to Bai Yun, lifted her chin with a hint of pride: "I said these two look good, A Jin thinks so too!"

"You two, having grown up together, have identical taste." Bai Yun waved her hand helplessly.

"I didn't say they're not nice, I just feel the other two black little dresses are more authoritative."

"But why can't we make all of them?"

Mu Youyu: "No, that would tire Elder Sister Yan."

Elder Sister Yan and her older brother are getting married next month.

"Little Youyu is really thoughtful."

Bai Yun's gaze swept over their shoulders pressed close: "Your cat's life is truly good, to have Master Yan personally design its clothes—others beg and can't get it."

If certain people found out, they'd worship that cat to death.

Xia Chao-yi sat nearby, hearing this he couldn't help sighing: "Alright, even a cat is better than that."

Jiang Liangjin didn't join the chat, just turned his head: "Whatever you pick will look good."

Mu Youyu, hearing that, teased him on purpose: "Really? Then A Jin, want to try the little dress I picked? Elder Sister Yan said it can be made in adult size."

Those who heard tried not to laugh.

Only Older Sister Youyu would dare say that to Older Brother Jin.

The scene is too beautiful; they dare not imagine it.

Jiang Liangjin helped adjust her scarf, tone amused: "It's too cold now; wearing a skirt will make you catch a chill."

Mu Youyu didn't drop that little thought, tilting her head: "My place isn't cold."

Jiang Liangjin sighed helplessly, laughing, and didn't argue further.

"……"

Two minutes before class, Shen Ningmu's second voice message came through, the text showing clear astonishment: 【!! He came in himself to drink tea, scared the hell out of me! Said you asked him to come, and that he should wait for you after school!】

Jiang Liangjin: 【？】

He opened the chat with Xiao Ting: 【Anything?】

Xiao Ting replied instantly, his words carrying a hint of shamelessness: 【When's school out? I and Star Sink are at your place drinking tea waiting for you~】

Thinking of the qin, Jiang Liangjin deleted the four characters he'd typed and entered anew: 【【sweat】 11:30, take it easy】

Having made Shen Ningmu say she was tired, she'd have to nag again.

Mu Youyu glanced at his phone screen, curious: "Is there a guest at home?"

Jiang Liangjin explained: "It's an elder."

He didn't go into Xiao Ting's identity, nor mention Star Sink, planning to surprise her when the qin arrived.

Finally, after school, Mu Xi and Mu Xin were already waiting at the school gate.

The two hurried forward, Mu Youyu laughing as she linked arms with Mu Xin, Jiang Liangjin closely following at her side.

The four of them drove together to the airport to pick up Tan Jingyan.

Tan Jingyan's flight had already landed at C Shi Airport.

He wore a gray Zhongshan suit, looked spirited, and carried a black music score bag containing the overnight-revised sheet music for "Lone Walk".

As soon as he stepped out of the VIP passage, he spotted a black luxury car parked not far away.

Mu Xi leaned against the car, upright; seeing him come out, he slowly straightened up.

Seeing the few people, Tan Jingyan's eyes lit up, and he walked over jokingly, "Yo, isn't this my prized disciple? You've lowered yourself to become a driver?"

Mu Xi politely said, "Teacher Tan."

Mu Youyu smiled brightly, "Teacher Tan, you've worked hard on the way!"

Jiang Liangjin followed with a call, "Teacher Tan."

Mu Xin swallowed the three words "Mr. Tan" and also called out.

Tan Jingyan's gaze swept over the several people, pausing on Jiang Liangjin with a seemingly meaningful expression, yet he said nothing more.

He chatted happily with them for a moment, then suddenly recalled something and asked, "By the way, I just heard Xiao Ting returned to the country—have you seen him?"

Mu Youyu: "No."

Mu Xi: "Not acquainted."

Jiang Liangjin and Mu Xin remained silent.

Seeing this, Tan Jingyan felt secretly pleased.

Fortunately Xiao Ting isn't in the country; that fellow has a sharp eye—if he saw Mu Xi and Mu Youyu's talent, he'd surely try to lure them away.

Also good that he acted quickly!

Ah, if only he had been a bit faster, then Mu Youyu wouldn't have been snatched by Lin Tingsong.

Tan Jingyan thought that one shouldn't be too greedy, and he looked at Mu Xi with self-satisfaction, his expression concerned: "Little Xi, how's your training for next month's competition?"

No matter what, he still has a formidable disciple.

None of Xiao Ting's disciples can compare to Mu Xi!

"Very good."

"Have you been busy lately?"

"Busy."

"I can tell—you didn't even reply to my message; what are you busy with?"

"Busy with things."

"……" Tan Jingyan didn't want to deal with the aloof little disciple, turning his gaze to Mu Youyu: "Ah You, are you confident of winning first place at the campus gala?"