Chapter Ten: Look at His Miserable Appearance

Yang Junqi watched her daughter’s departing figure and sighed, forcing a smile. “I’m sorry, Lin Yi. You must find this laughable. Yujia has always been rebellious since she was little.”

Before Lin Yi could respond, the front door was suddenly kicked open.

Yang Yujia strode back in from outside and said, “Give me a thousand yuan.”

Yang Junqi asked, “Why do you need so much money?”

“None of your business. Just say if you’re giving it or not.” Yujia’s brows drew together in irritation, her tone far from pleasant.

Junqi wanted to refuse, but looking at her daughter, her heart softened. She reached into her bag and handed over the money. “Here.”

Yujia took the money as if it were her due, put it in her pocket, and left the house again.

Lin Yi watched quietly from the side. After all, this was a matter between mother and daughter. As an outsider who had just arrived, it wasn’t his place to intervene.

After hesitating for a moment, Yang Junqi said, “Lin Yi, could I ask you for a favor?”

“Of course, go ahead.”

“Could you keep an eye on Yujia? I’m worried she’s getting into trouble. Her grades have dropped sharply lately, and she keeps asking for more spending money.” Junqi spoke with a pained expression.

In this moment, she was no longer the image of a strong, capable woman—just a mother worn out with worry for her child.

Lin Yi thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”

He had taken on this position; as Yujia’s home tutor now, he should take responsibility.

“Thank you. If you can help my daughter focus on her studies, I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded,” Junqi promised.

“We’ll see,” Lin Yi replied, not giving her a direct answer.

When he caught up with Yujia downstairs, he found her about to get into a taxi. With a light step, he managed to get in almost at the same time as she did.

“Who are you? Don’t you know how to wait your turn?” Yujia demanded, her pretty face clouded with annoyance.

“Your mother asked me to come. Let me introduce myself formally: I’m Lin Yi, your new home tutor starting today,” Lin Yi replied.

“Get lost! I don’t need a tutor. Tell me, how much is that woman paying you? I’ll double it,” Yujia said coldly, glaring at him.

“So you’re rich?” Lin Yi looked at her and asked.

“None of your business. Just tell me how much she’s paying you,” Yujia snapped.

Lin Yi didn’t know what discord existed between mother and daughter, but he wasn’t here for the money anyway—just to pass the time.

He smiled faintly at Yujia and said, “Isn’t the money you have from your mother too?”

“If she gave it to me, then it’s mine,” Yujia retorted self-righteously.

“Are you two going or not?” the driver couldn’t help but interject.

“If you want to sit alone, I’ll get out,” Yujia said, giving Lin Yi a fierce look before decisively leaving the taxi.

Lin Yi followed her. Yujia frowned, finally realizing that Lin Yi was determined to stick with her.

After several rounds of this, Yujia grew frustrated. “What do you want? I’m going to a classmate’s birthday. Why are you following me?”

“I don’t want anything. Just apologize to your mother and I’ll stop,” Lin Yi replied lightly.

“In your dreams. If you want to follow me, go ahead. When you embarrass yourself later, I’ll be watching,” Yujia sneered.

Lin Yi just smiled, unfazed.

Starbucks.

A taxi stopped at the door, and as Yujia stepped out, her striking appearance immediately drew glances from those nearby.

She swept her gaze around with pride and strode inside.

“Yujia, over here!”

A round-faced girl waved as soon as Yujia walked in.

Yujia’s face lit up and she hurried over to her friend.

Besides the round-faced girl, another girl with a graceful figure and flowing black hair was seated at the adjacent table.

All of these girls shared one trait: they were dressed head-to-toe in designer labels, not a single item worth less than a thousand yuan.

“Zhihan, Qingzi, are the others here yet?” Yujia asked as she sat beside the round-faced girl, Li Zhihan.

“Not yet,” Zhihan shook her head, then glanced curiously at Lin Yi, who had followed in. “Who’s he? Your boyfriend?”

Yujia curled her lip dismissively. “Don’t be ridiculous, Zhihan. Who knows where my mom found this country bumpkin—she insisted he come to, I guess, ‘broaden his horizons’.”

“Oh,” Zhihan replied, but she still introduced herself politely. “Hi, I’m Li Zhihan.”

“Hello, I’m Lin Yi,” he replied simply.

Yujia tugged on Zhihan’s sleeve. “Why are you being so polite to him?”

“It’s my birthday—everyone’s a guest,” Zhihan replied with a sweet smile, dimples appearing at the corners of her mouth.

Lin Yi found himself liking this girl.

Yujia pinched Zhihan’s chubby cheek and huffed, “Fine, it’s your birthday today. We’ll do as you say.”

Zhihan brushed Yujia’s hand away, then gestured to the empty seat beside Fang Qing. “Sit down. Order whatever you like—today’s my treat.”

Lin Yi sat down easily next to Fang Qing, who frowned slightly and then got up to sit beside Yujia instead.

Zhihan gave an awkward smile but didn’t say more. After all, she and Lin Yi weren’t close—there was no need to quarrel with her best friend over a stranger.

Lin Yi didn’t mind and turned his attention to his phone.

Yujia ignored Lin Yi as well, pulling Zhihan’s hand. “By the way, Zhihan, I heard your birthday party this year is at the Royal Hotel. Is that true?”

Zhihan nodded. “Yes, my dad booked all three floors so we can all have a great time.”

“Wow, the whole three floors? That must have cost a fortune—your family is really loaded,” Yujia said enviously.

“Not really—your family’s not bad either,” Zhihan laughed. They were close friends and knew each other’s backgrounds well.

At that moment, several young men entered.

The one leading the group was tall and handsome, dressed in a well-fitted suit, exuding gentlemanly charm.

“Hey, Qingzi, your Du Liang is here,” Yujia teased, nudging Fang Qing with her elbow.

Du Liang was the most popular boy in their class—not only was he good-looking, but he also came from a wealthy family.

Yujia liked him too and once hoped he’d be her boyfriend, but unfortunately, her best friend Qingzi had gotten there first.

Fang Qing turned, saw Du Liang, and immediately went up to him, intimately hooking her arm through his. “Du Liang, you’re here.”

“Sorry, I got caught in traffic,” Du Liang said, gently tapping the tip of her nose.

His gaze then flickered briefly over Li Zhihan and Yujia.

Zhihan was gentle and considerate, Yujia was cool and aloof, and Fang Qing had an enviable figure—each girl had her own unique charms.

It wasn’t just Du Liang—any man would want to win the favor of these three campus beauties.

“It’s fine,” Fang Qing said happily, shaking her head.

Du Liang moved to Zhihan’s side. “Zhihan, you look beautiful today. Happy birthday.”

Zhihan wore a white Chanel blouse with a pale pink Louis Vuitton denim miniskirt, the knee-high socks making her look full of youthful energy.

“Thank you,” Zhihan replied politely.

At that moment, Du Liang noticed Lin Yi sitting nearby and asked curiously, “Who’s this?”

“Oh, just a country bumpkin here to broaden his horizons. Ignore him,” Fang Qing said bluntly.

To think Lin Yi had tried to sit next to her earlier—now, just thinking about it, Fang Qing felt disgusted.

“Qingzi,” Zhihan chided softly.

“I’m not wrong. Look at those shabby clothes—clearly here to mooch,” Fang Qing said haughtily.

Yujia watched the scene with amusement. She had disliked Lin Yi from the start, and now that he was being put in his place, she was enjoying every moment.

Du Liang pondered for a second, then smiled and walked over to Lin Yi, extending his hand. “Hello, would you mind if we got acquainted?”

He did this to make a gentlemanly impression on the girls.

But Lin Yi ignored him completely; he could see through Du Liang’s intentions at a glance.

Though he tended to keep a low profile, Lin Yi was still a cultivator and had his own pride—he wouldn’t shake hands with just anyone.

Du Liang withdrew his hand awkwardly, his expression darkening somewhat.

Though not from the city’s wealthiest family, he was still upper-middle class; people usually greeted him warmly wherever he went.

But now, he’d been snubbed by a mere country bumpkin.

Fang Qing was annoyed. “Hey, what’s wrong with you? Du Liang’s trying to be friendly…”

“Forget it—if he doesn’t want to, I won’t force it,” Du Liang said lightly.

But everyone present could sense he was genuinely angry.

Even a clay figurine has some temper, let alone the wealthy.