Chapter 38: The Girl

August 24, Sunday morning.

Early that morning, Ying Zhicheng woke up in a house near his company, got up, washed up, and dressed.

When he stepped out, the driver had already parked the car at the door and waited a long time.

Ying Zhicheng got in the car, and once it started moving smoothly, he asked: "What's today's schedule?"

The secretary beside him, already prepared, reported to Ying Zhicheng: "Director Ying, as you instructed, we're returning to Yinjiang District this morning to drop off your daughter for her school registration."

"Ms. Yuan Wanqing previously contacted the company about returning to work; since she's been residing and recuperating in Yinjiang District, we'll stop by for lunch with her."

"Around two in the afternoon, we'll return to the company to host the promotional meeting for the upcoming TV drama, and plan the album promotions and roadshow and variety show schedules for two artists."

"Around five in the evening, we'll have dinner with the deputy general manager of the television station at Langzhu Xiaoyuan in Binhai District…"

On the drive from the city to Yinjiang District, after half an hour of listening to his schedule and the secretary's updates on various matters, the car arrived at the entrance of Bihai Lanting.

"You two find your own place to rest this morning—no need to follow me," Ying Zhicheng said as he got out of the car, addressing the driver and secretary. "Ms. Yuan Wanqing will call when she arrives; then come pick me up for lunch."

"Understood, Director Ying."

Entering the compound, Ying Zhicheng found Building 12, Unit 1, pressed the doorbell, entered the building, took the elevator, and arrived at door 1502.

The front door was open; Li Guohong, sitting on the living room sofa, waved at Ying Zhicheng with a smile: "You're here? You went out of your way to come all the way over so early."

"Xixi's school registration—of course I had to come," Ying Zhicheng said, sitting beside the sofa. "And since I'm passing by anyway, it's convenient to meet someone—it's no trouble."

As he spoke, Ying Zhicheng glanced toward the small hallway.

Lin Xiuhong stood at the master bedroom door, listening as Li Luo and Ying Chanxi explained.

"Lin Yi, don't worry—I've set the computer password already. He needs my permission every time he wants to use it," Ying Chanxi patted her chest and assured her. "From now on, he won't touch the computer until he finishes his homework."

"Exactly, exactly," Li Luo chimed in.

"Of course I trust Xixi," Lin Xiuhong shot a sidelong glance at her own son, then said, "But why isn't Xixi sleeping in the master bedroom? You're a grown man—how can you be so selfish as to hog such a nice room?"

Hearing his mother say that, Li Luo's mouth twitched twice—he thought: Am I really your biological son, or is Ying Chanxi your real daughter?

"It's fine, Lin Yi," Ying Chanxi hugged Lin Xiuhong's arm. "A smaller room makes me feel safer."

"Besides, the bathroom outside is also used by our neighbor, Senior Xu. It's more convenient for two girls to share one."

"Otherwise, if Li Luo and Senior Xu had to share a bathroom, it'd be awkward sometimes."

Hearing Ying Chanxi's thoughtful words, Lin Xiuhong gently patted her head with even more affection: "Xixi, you're just too considerate. Li Luo, listen up—be nice to her. If you ever bully Xixi, just see what I'll do to you."

Li Luo leaned against the hallway wall, crossed his arms, and sighed: "Alright, alright. You've inspected enough—can we go now? Uncle Ying's already here."

"Mm…" Lin Xiuhong nodded, said nothing more, turned back to the living room, greeted Ying Zhicheng on the sofa, and added, "Shall we go? It's already half past eight."

"Senior Xu, we're off to register at school," Ying Chanxi knocked on Xu Youyu's door and called inside.

"Mm…" Xu Youyu mumbled from under the covers, still adding, "Happy school start! I'm going back to sleep."

Last night, to celebrate the upcoming school term, Ying Chanxi and Xu Youyu bought plenty of groceries, and Li Luo cooked a full table of dishes.

For this, Xu Youyu even brought out her private stash of beer, grinning as she poured a small glass each for Li Luo and Ying Chanxi to try.

She herself downed two cans, then after eating, chatting, washing dishes, and cleaning up, it was already past ten at night.

Emboldened by the alcohol, Xu Youyu stayed up writing until two or three in the morning—now she was exhausted and didn't bother getting up to see them off.

Li Luo and Ying Chanxi slung their backpacks on and, surrounded by their parents, set off on their first day of school.

On the way, during idle chatter, Ying Chanxi said: "You'll probably elect class officers today—you should try running for class monitor."

"Me? Run for class monitor?" Li Luo shook his head vigorously. "Why are you telling me this?"

"What do you mean 'run for class monitor'?" Ying Chanxi glared at him. "I'm the class monitor of Class One right now—what's your point?"

"Ahem," Li Luo coughed twice. "I meant my abilities aren't sufficient for the position—I'd rather not embarrass myself."

"But the class monitor acts as the class communicator during military training," Ying Chanxi blinked. "While others stand at attention, we might be in meetings, listening to the teacher's announcements, planning schedules, noting important details."

"There's a perk like that?" Li Luo raised an eyebrow.

"Exactly," Ying Chanxi nodded. "Senior Xu told me when we bought groceries yesterday—she was class monitor of Class One, and during military training, she got to rest nearly half the time."

"I see," Li Luo nodded. "Suddenly, I feel that even though my abilities are lacking, one must still train oneself."

Hearing this, Ying Chanxi rolled her eyes: "I'm just telling you—don't think you'll automatically get the position."

"We'll see," Li Luo replied casually.

Even with the perk of military training, Li Luo still didn't really want to be class monitor.

After all, the class monitor was just the homeroom teacher's errand boy—with no real power, it was exhausting and thankless.

But for Ying Chanxi, her thinking was simpler.

She simply thought that if Li Luo became class monitor, it would help train his abilities and stop him from always speaking nonsense.

On top of that, whether during military training or daily school life, class monitors were occasionally called to meetings to receive announcements.

That way, even if they weren't in the same class, they'd at least see each other more often.

Ying Chanxi stole a glance at Li Luo beside her and couldn't help sighing inwardly.

If she'd known he'd get into Fuyi High, she wouldn't have taken the independent admission exam—she could've just taken the high school entrance exam and maybe ended up in the same class.

Back when she attended Yucai Middle School, she'd already turned down countless invitations to transfer to the elite class.