Dedicated to studying, yet forced into a chaotic situation.

Chapter 29 She couldn't even win me over, so why should she go back to the regular class?

Just as Shi Sui was cobbling together the eighth 'Mathematics Placement Exam Study Plan,' her phone vibrated twice; there was a new message.

It came from her unpredictable deskmate; the empty chat interface contained only a single, inexplicable word.

Chi Yan: [Hmm.]

Shi Sui thought that her deskmate might not have finished typing yet, so she stared at the chat interface and waited for a minute.

A minute later, there was still no new message from the other end. Shi Sui felt disappointed. Damn it, she wasted a minute of her time making a study plan.

So she replied with an "Mm" and said goodbye.

On the other side, Chi Yan, who received an 'Mm', stared at the chat interface and waited for ten minutes.

In his script, he took the initiative to chat with his deskmate, and Shi Sui was overjoyed. She then sent him a series of love bombs to win him over, and he reluctantly responded with a cold and aloof attitude.

But why did his deskmate become the one who responded so coldly?

Chi Yan could only attribute the reason to Shi Sui being too shy.

Then he remembered that he had heard Shi Sui came from the southwestern countryside, where the economy was poor and resources were underdeveloped. It was understandable that she might not have used a smartphone much and wouldn't know how to chat online.

Thinking about it this way, Chi Yan felt much more at ease, realizing that it was already quite remarkable that Shi Sui could respond with just an "um".

She loves it.

Just then, my phone rang; it was a call.

Chi Yan glanced at the caller ID; it was Pei Shuoxun, whom he had lost contact with for a long time.

Upon answering the phone, Chi Yan preemptively asked, "Hey, where have you been today?"

"On the plane." The boy's voice was gentle, but it carried a hint of weariness.

"What, didn't you say you wouldn't be back until next week?" Chi Yan asked, puzzled. "Don't you want to enjoy your time abroad a little longer?"

"No, I'm still abroad." Pei Shuoxun's voice lowered. "Damn it, the plane had an engine malfunction and made an emergency landing. I'm in Country A now, and I don't know when I'll be able to come back. I need to hurry."

"How unlucky." Chi Yan chuckled gloatingly and asked, "Why didn't you take a private jet?"

"Idiot, private jets need to apply for flight paths in advance," Pei Shuoxun asked. "By the way, why did you call me so many times today?"

"It's alright, it's all resolved." Chi Yan paused, then asked, "But what about you? Why were you in such a hurry to come back? Didn't you say this morning you'd be back next week?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end before a low voice said, "If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."

Chi Yan hung up the phone, feeling that Pei Shuoxun was acting strangely.

*

Shi Sui spent the whole night researching, but still couldn't come up with a study plan that satisfied the system. Helpless, she had no choice but to put the study plan aside for the time being.

After getting up and washing up, she went downstairs and found that there was no breakfast prepared for her on the dining table. The man in the suit and the pretty girl chatted and laughed as if they didn't see her.

Shi Sui felt foolish and ridiculous, and walked out of the house with her schoolbag on her back.

Cutting off her living expenses (which were originally in Jiang Tianyao's hands, and she hasn't received a single penny yet), not giving her food or drink, not providing transportation... Is this the method Jiang Chenjin came up with to target her?

He's been an adult for so long, how come this guy is still so childish?

Shi Sui appeared calm at home, but as soon as she stepped outside, she panicked and ran to catch the subway! She absolutely couldn't be late!

Having experience walking home from school before, Shi Sui didn't need a navigation system this time. She knew the way well and entered the classroom right on time.

She noticed her deskmate wasn't there; maybe she was just late?

When the third period ended, she realized that Chi Yan still hadn't arrived.

So she poked the desk in front of her with her pen, thinking that Chi Yan's younger brother, Yan Ze, must know why he wasn't coming to school.

Yan Ze said casually, "Brother Chi rarely comes to school. The day before yesterday he came to school was already the sun rising in the west. You can't expect the sun to rise in the west every day, can you?"

"Well, you're right."

These past two days, Shi Sui has gotten used to turning her head and seeing someone sleeping next to her. She had even forgotten that this person used to come to school very little.

Yeah, you're sleeping anywhere anyway. You have a soft, big bed at home, so why come to school to sleep?

Although the girl's expression remained calm as always, Yan Ze noticed a hint of sadness and disappointment. He comforted her, saying, "Brother Chi is probably dealing with company matters with his grandfather. He's quite busy today, but he'll come to school tomorrow."

"Handling company matters?" That sounds impressive, Shi Sui thought with a subconscious curiosity.

Once the topic came up, Yan Ze couldn't stop talking: "Now the Chi family is in charge of Chi Ge's grandfather. His children are a bit complicated. Some are celebrities, some are love-struck and have cut ties with their families, and some are unambitious and stay at home... They're all useless."

"Although Brother Chi is the youngest among the Chi family's grandchildren, he is the most talented and is the most valued by Grandpa Chi. He has been taken care of since he was a child and taught to handle company affairs. This is the main reason why Brother Chi often doesn't come to school; he's busy at the company."

Shi Sui, who thought Chi Yan only slept, said, "He's so amazing..."

"Of course." Yan Ze became smug. "Heaven never closed a window for him. Without a doubt, Brother Chi will be the future heir of the Chi family."

After answering Shi Sui's question, Yan Ze turned to play on his phone and sent a message: [Brother Chi, why didn't you come to school today? Your deskmate kept asking me about it.]

[Tsk tsk, she seems so aloof on the surface, but she really can't be without you for a moment.]

[But it's okay, she's going back to the regular class next week anyway, so she won't be able to see you then.]

It wasn't until noon that Chi Yan finally finished revising the project application materials, and only then did she open her phone and see Yan Ze's message.

The first two pieces of information are nonsense; he knows better than anyone that his deskmate adores him.

But the last message—how could it be unrelated?

Chi Yan immediately found the phone number for Xinghua Academic Affairs Office on the school's official website and dialed it.

She couldn't even win me over, so why should I go back to the regular class?