Bai Ji acknowledged the order and turned to leave, leaving Huo Shiqing alone in the study. He took out a yellowed note and gently caressed it for a moment.
The next morning, Mu Beiyin got up early.
It was the first day of her senior year, and she needed to report to Ancheng University. However, she found herself in a dilemma as she was about to leave.
Yujing Garden was vast, and it would take a long time just to walk out of the villa area. If she walked, she might be late.
But she didn't have the audacity to ask Huo Shiqing's driver for a ride.
After some thought, she decided to run all the way out and catch a taxi outside.
Just then, steady footsteps came from the stairs. Huo Shiqing glanced at her and chuckled warmly, "Miss Mu, are you heading to Ancheng University?"
Mu Beiyin was taken aback. "How did you know?"
Oh no, is he going to ask her some strange questions again?
To her surprise, Huo Shiqing didn't probe further this time. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses on his nose and said, "I happen to have some business at Ancheng University. Let me give you a ride."
Since a ride was offered, she saw no reason to refuse and promptly got into the passenger seat.
Huo Shiqing appeared relaxed. He wasn't wearing formal attire, just a shirt with the top two buttons undone, a stark contrast to his usual reserved and noble demeanor, giving him a more laid-back appearance.
Mu Beiyin couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "What are you going to Ancheng University for?"
Huo Shiqing kept his eyes on the road as he turned the steering wheel. "There's a calligraphy and painting event. I've been invited to take a look."
Oh... right, Ancheng University holds a calligraphy and painting competition every year. The Song family is a sponsor, and originally, Song Lingqian's fiancée was scheduled to present the awards. She had prepared for it for a long time.
Now that Song Lingqian's fiancée had changed, the award presenter naturally became Mu Qianrou.
As Song Lingqian's uncle and the heir of the Song family, Huo Shiqing must have some expertise in calligraphy and painting. But since he was already invited, why was Song Lingqian also invited?
In previous years, only one person from the Song family attended.
Before Mu Beiyin could figure it out, the car had already arrived at the university gate.
Huo Shiqing glanced up and said calmly, "I'll come find you after you finish registering and take you back."
Mu Beiyin was quite pleased with his willingness to act as a free chauffeur. Just as she was about to get out of the car, a disdainful female voice rang out—
"That country bumpkin Mu Beiyin probably has never been in such an expensive car!"
Huo Shiqing's eyes narrowed sharply.
Mu Beiyin sneered. So it was Song Lingqian who had deliberately brought a luxury car to drop off Mu Qianrou, flaunting their relationship while stepping on her?
She immediately turned her head and asked bluntly, "Mr. Huo, how much is this car worth?"
Huo Shiqing looked at the little hedgehog before him, somewhat amused. "Two hundred million."
Mu Beiyin blinked. "That's perfect."
Five minutes earlier, Song Lingqian had driven a luxury car to drop off Mu Qianrou at the university gate.
The two walked hand in hand, looking like a golden couple.
Many people whispered among themselves.
"Young Master Song is gentle and wealthy, and he treats Qianrou so well. I really envy her.""It seems that the car Song Lingqian is driving costs over sixty million. Qianrou is spoiled by her parents at home, and now she's adored by Young Master Song. Truly a winner in life."At that moment, someone whispered softly,"Has Young Master Song ever driven Mu Beiyin around before?"Mu Qianrou rolled her eyes, gave a look to someone beside her, and immediately a sarcastic female voice rang out,"What are you talking about? Mu Beiyin grew up in the countryside—how could she be worthy of Young Master Song? Why would Young Master Song lower himself to send her to school?""Exactly, Mu Beiyin probably never even had the chance to ride in such a nice car.""That's right, today is registration day. Mu Beiyin will come too, right? I wonder if she'll be so mad when she sees this."Mu Qianrou finally smirked, holding Song Lingqian's arm even tighter.Everyone was congratulating her, and even if she was the homewrecker who climbed to the top, what did it matter?Mu Qianrou looked at Song Lingqian and feigned worry,"Lingqian brother, my sister lives alone outside and doesn't have a driver to pick her up. It's almost nine o'clock, and she still hasn't arrived. I'm worried…"Song Lingqian frowned in displeasure,"Why do you care? Even if she doesn't come to register or drops out, it's none of your business.""That's right, Qianrou. You don't seriously want my brother to pick her up, do you? She's just a country bumpkin—can't have her dirtying my brother's luxury car."Since being kicked out of Fuluyuan yesterday, Song Weiwei was nearly furious and couldn't help but slander Mu Beiyin in front of everyone today."Someone with such a lowly fate should accept it! Riding in a luxury car? I think she only deserves to take the bus!"Mu Qianrou shook her head helplessly,"Alright, Weiwei, don't say that. Sister just…"Before she could finish, someone in the crowd suddenly exclaimed,"Look at that car!"Everyone instinctively turned their heads and their eyes lit up.It was an even more high-end luxury car. Everyone immediately recognized it."That's the new 'Starry' model released last year. It looks understated, but when it drives at night, it reflects light like the car body itself is covered in stars. Only three were made worldwide, and it costs two hundred million.""Two hundred million? Doesn't that completely outshine Mu Qianrou's car worth sixty million? Are the people in that car here to register at our school? Who are they?"Mu Qianrou's expression changed.She glared viciously at the luxury car. Damn it, where did that car come from? It stole her spotlight today!But a two hundred million luxury car was indeed more eye-catching than her sixty million one… damn!Mu Qianrou bit her lip, worry filling her eyes,"I don't even know who's inside. School is a place for studying, not showing off. Such ostentation…"Before she finished, the car door opened, and a female voice interrupted her,"Taking a luxury car to school is natural for oneself, but for others to do so is showing off. Sister, your logic is really something to admire."…The surroundings fell into an eerie silence.Everyone was stunned for three seconds before coming back to their senses.Wait, did they see that right? The person getting out of the luxury car was actually Mu Beiyin?!"Didn't Mu Qianrou say Mu Beiyin couldn't afford a luxury car?""Turns out Mu Beiyin is the richest one. She usually keeps a low profile, but Mu Qianrou always wants to show off everything."Mu Qianrou's face went pale. All her confidence just turned into unwillingness, her body swayed. If there weren't others present, she would have stepped forward and grabbed Mu Beiyin by the neck to confront her!How could Mu Beiyin come to school in such an expensive car?! Impossible!Song Lingqian frowned,"Beiyin, Qianrou is also concerned about you. Can you please speak properly?"Song Weiwei wasn't willing to give up,"Yeah! Look at yourself! You're so lowly; do you deserve this car?!"Mu Beiyin's eyes turned cold. When Huo Shiqing stopped the car, she already heard Song Weiwei's shocking words.She sneered and retorted,"A car is for people to ride in. What does 'deserve or not deserve' mean? Song Weiwei, this is a university — a modern society!""Who says a luxury car means nobility and riding the bus means lowly? Put away those outdated ideas about people being divided into classes. The Qing dynasty is over!"