The next days that followed were filled with rumors and gossip about Lu Xinyi again but this time it wasn’t because of her affiliation with the Shen Young Master. The gossips were vile and demeaning. They were intended to defame Lu Xinyi.
Some rumors said that she had purposely offended Wen Shufen and humiliated her by bragging being with President Shen while other say she used Lan Xiaoli to lose her standing on the pastry class resulting on Wen Shufen’s expulsion before midterms but what had been the most intriguing was Lu Xinyi declaring Han Yixin as a fraud baker, questioning her reputation.
All of these rumors were started by Wen Shufen instead. She couldn’t wait for the two to rip each other’s throat while enjoying her stay within the academy.
At the headmistress’ office, Huang Shenghao and Tian Lingyu stood beside Han Zhiling’s seat as Han Yixin issued her official challenged against a certain junior student.
“You don’t be so harsh, Sister Han. I’m pretty sure these nasty rumors aren’t true. It will die soon.” Huang Shenghao said as he received the letter of intent from Han Yixin. His brows knitted as he looked at the teenage girl in front of them.
“Brother Huang, I don’t care if it’s rumors or not, but defaming my name in public is out of the question. What’s more, my clients are starting to get wary that I’m not giving them the right services for their businesses.”
“So you don’t think these rumors also defame Lu Xinyi herself?” The cold and dangerous voice of Tuan Lingyu echoed within the room, dropping the temperature from within.
Han Yixin couldn’t stop the shiver that ran through her body. It was an unspoken rule that whatever Tian Lingyu says should be followed. In spite of the fact that he was only second in rankings, his fellow students consider him as the true king of Silver Leaf Academy.
“That’s not important—”
“Not important you say?”
Han Yixin gulped. She could feel her hands sweating as Tian Lingyu regarded her before turning his head away.
“If you so wished to challenge Lu Xinyi then so be it. You may issue the intent of your challenge now but we will set the day of your cooking battle once both parties accumulate the necessary points for midterms. Is this alright with you, Headmistress Han?”
Han Zhiling pinched the bridge of her nose before waving a hand.
“Do as you wish,” she told Tian Lingyu. Of course, she had expected that Tian Lingyu would try to protect his younger sister from the sideline. “Lingyu, Shenghao, I expect you to keep the students aware of our school policies. Sponsored students have someone behind their back and any harm inflicted on them will be deemed for immediate expansion.
She then turned her attention to Han Yixin. She might be her niece but she would not tolerate her behavior any longer. Maybe it would be a good idea to let her battle against Lu Sibai’s daughter. She needed some competition after all.
“Yixin, I surely do hope that you will not regret this.”
“I won’t, Aunty. No one can bully my friends and get away easily.”
Tian Lingyu shook his head but didn’t say anything. Han Yixin had fallen into the trap and there was no way she could avoid playing with the little devil now.
Huang Shenghao laughed awkwardly at his situation. It wasn’t even midterm yet and the classes just started but Han Yixin already issued her challenge to Lu Xinyi. Checking the schedule of the special class, he noticed that it was almost time for the juniors to have their training camp but before that, they have to pass their Mid-Autumn Festival exams.
Ah, maybe if Lu Xinyi was lucky to earn a significant amount of points during training camp and festival, she’ll be able to reach 1,000 points before midterms.
—-
Three weeks had passed quickly and Lu Xinyi was able to keep her ranking at third place while earning 380 points in those weeks. She rolled onto her side, groaning when the sunlight coming from her window hit her face.
Upon waking, she burrowed herself into the warm, soft sheets. She rubbed the remainders of sleep from her eyes and gazed out at the horizon; its vivid light extended across the sky. It was another weekend and she was to get ready and go to her husband’s place as usual. She hadn’t seen him in a week and she was starting to miss him so badly.
Remembering her plans for the day, Lu Xinyi slowly and reluctantly uncovered her face. She blinked, closed her eyes, and blinked again. Streaks of sunlight penetrated the window and blinded her. She sat up, dragged her feet off the bed, and rub her knuckles into her eyes. She stretched her arms above her head and yawned.
There were a bunch of miscalls from her brother-in-law, who even spammed her wechat with several messages. Lu Xinyi scratched her head. She decided to wash first before calling Shen Xue.
“What’s wrong Xue? Do you need something?”
“Yes! Finally! Yes, Big Sis, we really need your help.” Shen Xue said in panic.
“What kind of help?” ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“Shen Group is in the middle of a venture. This father and daughter tandem is really hard to deal with. Especially the daughter. It seems she has fell head over heels with my brother and insisting to meet him but we are really in a hectic schedule and he couldn’t come.” Shen Xue explained.
“Then what can I do? I know nothing about business talks and such.”
“I’ll explain later. I’ll pick you up in thirty minutes.”
Just what he said, Shen Xue arrived in front of Lunar Residence to pick up his sister-in-law with his black Maybach. His arrival took the attention of some passers-by who’ve seen the two talking outside the dormitory.
“Get inside, Sis. We’re going to be late.” Shen Xue said. He started the engine of his car and made sure that Lu Xinyi had buckled up at the front passenger seat before driving away.
‘Now, Xue. can you please tell me what’s happening? Is my husband in trouble?”
Shen Xue shook his head, his eyes stayed at the road. “No, I am,”
“I’m at a loss here, Xue. I don’t know what the hell is happening. Where’s my husband and where are you taking me?” Lu Xinyi stared at her brother-in-law suspiciously.
If Shen Yi knew what was happening, Xue wouldn’t pick her up alone.
“That… well… I’m bringing you to Shen Group,” Shen Xue hesitated.
He really hoped that his brother wouldn’t skin him alive after this.
“And why should I help you?”
“Look, Sis. I’ve been stuck on this for months and I couldn’t make them agree to sign this venture.” Shen Xue said dejectedly.
This was something he hated about himself. While his brother was very efficient in running the Shen Group, closing one of the major deals had been a pain in the butt on Shen Xue. Both the father and daughter had been insisting to meet Shen Yi and changed the causes of the contract but Shen Yi refused to.
Since marrying Lu Xinyi, Shen Yi cut off his ties with potential partners that can harm his relationship with his wife. He went as far as canceling deals that had been set even before their marriage.
Shen Xue glanced at his passenger. He knew how hard for his brother to protect his wife. Being Shen Yi’s wife was a big responsibility for Lu Xinyi. If the Shen Matriarch deemed her unworthy, she can force Shen Yi to divorce her.
Since they were children, Shen Xue had learned to live under his brother’s care. It was all for this reason why he could slack off and do everything he wanted in life because he has a brother that was ready to protect him.
Watching her brother-in-law in distress, Lu Xinyi sighed. “Alright, I’ll help you this time. What should I do?”
The sudden change on Shen Xue’s expression sent alarms on her head. She was starting to regret agreeing on this…
She was half tempted to call her husband but then remembered that he will be in a conference meeting until lunchtime. Her sight went back to the road but noticed that they weren’t heading to the Shen Group.
Then the car pulled in front of Flair Apparel. Lu Xinyi hadn’t seen Xia Yuhan for weeks, so why did Shen Xue brought her here?
“Oh Boss Xinxin, you are here,” Xia Yuhan teased. She was in the reception area when Shen Xue and Lu Xinyi stepped inside the shop.
Lu Xinyi gave her a nod and her eyes swept around the shop. It looked way better than the last time she visited. Now that she was the sole owner of Flair Apparel, Xia Yuhan only focused now on designing and marketing. The sales were starting to pick up where they left and with the Autumn Collection being released soon, the shop was busier than its usual days.
“What are we doing here?” she asked Shen Xue once more. She was half tempted to smack this dude’s face for wasting her time when she should be preparing some desserts for her husband.
“Makeover.”
“A what?!”
