Chapter 542: What Background?

Jiang Liangjin glanced sideways, defending: "I'm not putting on a stern face."

"You do," Mu Youyu poked his cheek, "last time in the video, Ningning said your look at her was like looking at an enemy."

Jiang Liangjin grasped her finger that had poked out, placing it in his palm to warm it, "She's just too sensitive."

"Then smile a bit later."

"Sure." He agreed readily.

Mu Youyu was satisfied, "So obedient."

"……" Jun Chenling turned his face elsewhere.

After waiting about seven or eight minutes, Lin Ning ran out from the academy's side gate, "Youbao, you came so early!"

She held a transparent umbrella; as she ran, the wind blew the umbrella backward, forcing her to use one hand to hold the ribs, making her look somewhat disheveled.

Behind her followed another person, a few steps back, holding a black long-handled umbrella, its wide canopy casting her entirely in shadow.

Ye Zeli followed behind her, keeping a distance that was neither far nor near.

When Lin Ning ran up to the group, her hair already somewhat wet from the rain, she said, "It's so cold! The temperature dropped quickly here—why didn't you wear more?"

Mu Youyu also felt the cold, "We should just get in the car."

After they chatted a few lines, Lin Ning glanced doubtfully at the person still standing aside, "Aren't you supposed to be busy? Go on."

Ye Zeli, who hadn't yet had a chance to greet them: "... Then I'll go first."

Mu Youyu tilted her head and raised an eyebrow; Lin Ning replied, "He's just giving me a lift along the way—he didn't come specially for me."

After saying that, she shifted her gaze to Jun Chenling ahead, somewhat formally, "Hello, Brother Chenling!"

Jun Chenling gave a slight nod.

Jiang Liangjin was torn over what expression to show Lin Ning—too enthusiastic wouldn't do, too cold and his girlfriend would complain.

When Lin Ning's gaze slowly came over, he unconsciously gave a smile, "Long time no see."

Lin Ning's heart gave a jolt, and she whispered, "What's he doing? Who provoked him?"

Jiang Liangjin, whose hearing was excellent, had nothing to say and turned his face away.

Mu Youyu only felt his smile was quite normal, "Nobody provoked him—what's wrong?"

Having witnessed everything, Jun Chenling coughed lightly, suppressing a smile, "Let's get in the car."

Lin Ning: "……"

The students holding umbrellas under the porch watched the car disappear into the rain, their whispered murmurs growing louder.

Was that His Highness Xun Li just now? How did he come?

He must have come to pick someone up—didn't you see who got in the car? It's that foreigner from the next class.

How does she know His Highness Xun Li?

Does His Highness Xun Li also know that foreigner?

Good heavens, what's her background?

A red-haired girl's expression changed.

A few weeks earlier, during a rehearsal, she had mocked Lin Ning's accent in front of everyone, saying she didn't know how Lin Ning had managed to get into this academy.

At that time, Lin Ning said nothing and just left.

She thought the other person was timid and fearful, and even felt pleased about it for several days.

Now, looking at the distant car, she suddenly felt that her former self had been a joke.

Who would have thought this person also knows His Highness Xun Li—he just couldn't be bothered to deal with them!

If Lin Ning knew what that person was thinking, she would surely sigh inwardly; back then she simply hadn't understood.

The car drove for over half an hour and stopped before an iron-art gate; the light box at the gate bore the foundation's name, exuding the standard of a high-end banquet.

The attendant got out, holding an umbrella; Jun Chenling exited first and stood by the car waiting for them.

Lin Ning opened the car door, then eagerly opened the door on her friend's side, adopting the posture of a proper butler, and lowered her voice: "Beautiful miss, please step out."

Jiang Liangjin: "……"

Mu Youyu amusedly handed her hand to her, got out, and Jiang Liangjin came around from the other side, lifting the umbrella over her head.

They entered the building; the front-desk staff lifted their heads, made eye contact with the blond, green-eyed youth for a few seconds, realized who he was, and sprang up with a slight bow, "His Highness Xun Li!"

"Mm." Jun Chenling stepped aside, letting his sister come out.

!!

The staff member's eyes lit up instantly; she came out from behind the counter, made a gesturing invitation, and said, "Miss Mu, this way, please."

Mu Youyu wore a smile and followed her inside.

Mu Youyu's appearance didn't cause much of a stir.

Most of the guests here are long-time members and donors of the foundation, older in age, having seen many celebrities and officials; the title "princess" no longer holds much novelty for them.

On the other hand, someone recognized Jun Chenling, pointed at him, and chatted a few more words with their companions.

Lin Ning poked her head out from behind Mu Youyu, resting her head on her friend's shoulder, "So many people, but they're all old guys."

Jun Chenling, unfazed, said, "After doing so many shady deeds, just donate some money."

"Shh." Mu Youyu pressed her index finger to her lips and pulled Jiang Liangjin forward a few steps.

They found a seat and sat down; Lin Ning began to look around.

Her gaze fell on a corner of the banquet hall where a group of young people, male and female, were gathered chatting and laughing.

In the center of the group was a girl with light red hair tied in a low bun, wearing a pair of ruby earrings.

She was tilting her head to listen to the person beside her, giving off an especially elegant air.

Lin Ning withdrew her gaze and lowered her head to fuss with her scarf.

Mu Youyu noticed her action, following her previous line of sight, she only saw a group of strangers, and didn't ask further.

Jiang Liangjin took a piece of cake from the attendant's tray and handed it to her.

Mu Youyu took it and started digging in, bite by bite sending it to her mouth.

Lin Ning snuggled up to her fragrant and soft close friend, chattering nonstop; Mu Youyu listened, responding sentence by sentence.

Time was approaching, and the people in the banquet hall kept sitting down, becoming more and more full.

Occasionally someone passed by their table, but no one rashly came forward.

Lin Ning sat for a while, then suddenly stood up, "I'll go over there to take a look, I'll come find you later."

Mu Youyu didn't stop her, just nodded, cake still in her mouth.

Seeing there was still time, she took out her phone, and together with Jiang Liangjin played a little obstacle game, their heads close together, the little characters on the screen jumping around.

Jun Chenling remained quiet the whole time.

About twenty minutes later, Lin Ning returned, she walked back at a speed much faster than when she left.

Mu Youyu turned to her, "What's wrong?"

Lin Ning raised her eyebrows, corners of her mouth turning up, "I just ran into someone."

"Who?"

Lin Ning didn't need to organize her words, blurted out: "It's that person who's always been giving me trouble at school, you still remember? Earlier at the academy gate I ran into her bringing along our classmates who all mocked my poor Mandarin, my bad makeup skills, and said I got in through the back door!"

At first she couldn't understand those deliberately scrambled remarks criticizing her in Y Country Language, and thought they just had eye and mouth problems.

But later Ye Zeli translated it for her, and she understood.

Oh, so these people were actually badmouthing her behind her back!