Qi Hui’s questions came off sounding as though Huo Yao had done something wrong.
Huo Yao tilted her head sideways and looked at Qi Hui coldly without responding.
Qi Hui shook his head speechlessly. “Do you think you can get cocky because the institute is interested in your research project? The institute has far higher status than Tsing University. Do you know the consequences of offending someone from the institute?”
“Mr. Qi.” Mr. Jin did not like Qi Hui’s tone of voice when he questioned Huo Yao, so he interrupted Qi Hui.
Qi Hui glanced at Mr. Jin. “You don’t understand. She is… Sigh. Never mind. I can’t be bothered helping her.”
The moment he finished his sentence, he veered his eyes away from Huo Yao and walked off.
The atmosphere instantly felt very awkward, but Mr. Jin felt Huo Yao was not a rash young woman. He simply cleared his throat and explained. “Mr. Wei looked annoyed when he came over.”
Huo Yao replied coldly. “Did he have to take it out on me just because someone was in a bad mood?”
Mr. Jin said, “I am sure there must be some misunderstanding, so don’t take it to heart. We are done signing the contract. Shall we leave?”
“No, thanks. My friend is giving me a ride,” replied Huo Yao mildly.
Mr. Jin was caught by surprise. “Your friend? Do you know someone from the institute?”
Huo Yao acknowledged without explaining in detail. “Uh huh.”
Mr. Jin was an observant man. From the moment he laid eyes on Huo Yao, he could detect her powerful aura. She was far more composed and confident than the other students.
She was undoubtedly not as naive as Qi Hui made her out to be.
Mr. Jin snapped out of his thoughts and did not insist. “Okay. Take care then.”
Huo Yao nodded.
Before long, Mr. Jin left the lounge. When he walked out of the building, Qi Hui was standing by the trash can at the entrance, smoking. He could not help frowning when Mr. Jin walked out alone.
Mr. Jin paid no attention to Qi Hui’s reaction. He told Qi Hui that Huo Yao was getting a ride from a friend.
Qi Hui put out the cigarette on the ashtray on top of the trash can. The moment he heard what Mr. Jin said, he asked quizzically, “Does she have a friend from the institute?”
“That’s right.” Mr. Jin nodded
Qi Hui could not believe his ears. “Do you think she might cause trouble? After all, she came to the institute with us. Even if she knows someone from the institute, I don’t think its right to leave without her.”
“Mr. Qi, why do I have a feeling you have some prejudice against her?” asked Mr. Jin rhetorically.
Qi Hui promptly replied. “I have nothing against her. I just don’t like her cocky attitude. Just because she is the top scholar, doesn’t give her the right to behave this way.”
Mr. Jin patted his shoulder and said, “Geniuses have every right to be proud. Come on. Stop picking on her.”
Qi Hui choked upon hearing this.
*
Meanwhile, at the president’s office.
President Xue’s assistant was done writing and printing the contract. He entered the office and wanted to hand it to the president, but Min Yu took it from him and said, “Pen.”
After snapping out of his shock, he hurriedly went over to the table, retrieved a pen and handed it to Min Yu.
Min Yu did not even bother to read the contents of the contract and promptly signed his name on the last page.
The entire process took no more than ten seconds.
President Xue took the contract from Min Yu and kept looking at it in a daze. Everything felt so surreal.
