Chapter 82

Under Nie Lingbo’s gaze, Song Pianxian halted her conversation with Little Sister and turned to look at herself.

“Ah, it’s you.”

Song Pianxian smiled, “Thank you again for your help last time.”

Nie Lingbo shook her head slightly and looked at the somewhat restrained Xiang Sixi beside her:

“Your Little Sister is very outstanding.”

Just now at the parent meeting, Xiang Sixi had taken first place in every subject, including various awards in math competitions. Her name was indispensable. Although the parents of the aristocratic school might not necessarily care much about their children’s academic performance, after hearing this name repeatedly during the parent meeting, Song Pianxian received numerous looks of surprise or envy.

At this moment, she thought Nie Lingbo must have also heard about it, so she put her arm around Xiang Sixi’s shoulder and said:

“She deserves this praise.”

Unlike other parents who would be modest when praised, Song Pianxian admitted it generously.

Nie Lingbo’s gaze lightly swept over the hand Song Pianxian placed on Xiang Sixi’s shoulder, indicating for Nie Xingzhou to come over.

“I would like to ask you to tutor Xingzhou.”

She paused, her gaze lingering on Song Pianxian’s beautiful face.

“Is that okay?”

There was a commotion around them.

Ms. Nie actually invited this unknown parent to tutor Nie Xingzhou?

Wasn’t it a wasted opportunity to establish a connection with the Nie Family, giving it to a commoner?

It wasn’t until they sat down at the school cafeteria and clarified the situation under the coordination of the homeroom teacher that Song Pianxian understood what was going on.

Nie Xingzhou was negligent in her studies, and Nie Lingbo intended to find a classmate to tutor her. It was called tutoring, but it was more like supervision. Song Pianxian understood it this way, and Xiang Sixi’s outstanding performance made her a natural choice.

As for suggesting that she tutor Nie Xingzhou, Song Pianxian didn’t believe that the Nie Family truly lacked a college graduate tutor. She suspected it was just a pretext to give them a reason to pay her.

Song Pianxian’s gaze fell on Nie Xingzhou. Nie Xingzhou had almond-shaped eyes and peachy cheeks. Though she had a somewhat spoiled demeanor, given the good family background of the Nie Family, Song Pianxian felt somewhat reassured.

However, she had previously planned for Xiang Sixi to transfer schools. Song Pianxian hesitated. Honestly, she wanted to take this opportunity to get to know Nie Lingbo better, but—

Song Pianxian said to the homeroom teacher, “I came to school today for two reasons: one is to attend the parent meeting, and the other is to discuss with Xixi whether she wants to transfer to another school.”

Xiang Sixi suddenly looked up at her Big Sister.

The homeroom teacher was also surprised. “Why suddenly want to transfer schools?”

“This school may not be suitable for Xixi,” Song Pianxian said tactfully.

Then, in front of everyone, Song Pianxian gently asked Xiang Sixi, “Xixi, whether it’s transferring schools or helping classmates with tutoring, Big Sister will follow your lead.”

“Do you want to try it? Don’t worry about anything. Just be honest about your thoughts.”

Although Song Pianxian asked like this, she felt that Xiang Sixi, who had always been reserved and quiet, and had been ignored by her classmates in the first year, would probably choose to transfer schools.

As for Nie Lingbo’s side, Song Pianxian prepared to strive for a trial lesson opportunity. As long as given the chance, she was confident to make Nie Xingzhou choose herself as a tutor.

Therefore, Song Pianxian entrusted the decision-making power to Xiang Sixi, and she would take care of the rest.

With Song Pianxian’s declaration, everyone immediately cast their eyes on Xiang Sixi.

Xiang Sixi subconsciously lowered her head, avoiding eye contact.

Nie Xingzhou glanced at her aunt’s expression, feeling a tightening sensation at the back of her neck. She quickly coquettishly shouted, “Xiang Sixi, are you afraid that I’ll bully you? I’m the best to you in the class. I even helped you last time.”

“In the future, follow me. No one will dare to bully you. I’ll treat you like the broom next to the trash can.”

Before Xiang Sixi could speak, Nie Lingbo swept her eyes over her and scolded, “What are you saying?”

Nie Xingzhou stuck out her tongue.

“What’s going on?” Song Pianxian asked.

Nie Xingzhou quickly explained today’s events, making it clear that she wanted to gain favor in front of these sisters—

Although she didn’t know what her aunt wanted to do, if her aunt couldn’t accomplish it and was in a bad mood, she would suffer the consequences.

And she wasn’t bad herself. What’s wrong with Xiang Sixi tutoring her? Nie Xingzhou secretly pouted, eagerly looking at Xiang Sixi.

Seeing Xiang Sixi finally glance at her, she blinked her eyes threateningly, half menacing and half intimidating, but mostly fierce.

“This is the temperament of a young lady. It’s one thing if I don’t want to study, but why don’t you want to tutor me? Why? Why?”

Xiang Sixi raised her head and saw Nie Xingzhou looking at her like a stray cat begging for food under the teaching building—wanting to be fierce but not daring to, only able to act cute to get by.

Xiang Sixi pursed her lips.

She remained silent for two seconds and said to Big Sister, “I don’t have experience helping classmates study, but… I can give it a try.”

Xiang Sixi agreed! The happiest person was undoubtedly the class teacher. Why Xiang Sixi’s Big Sister wanted her to transfer schools, the class teacher naturally could guess a bit.

Not only did they not lose an outstanding student, but they could also prevent the student from being bullied in the future. There couldn’t be anything better than this.

After discussing the details, Song Pianxian took Xiang Sixi home. While waiting for a car on the roadside, she asked Xiang Sixi why she agreed.

Xiang Sixi said, “The salary that the Nie Family gives to Big Sister must be very high, so Big Sister won’t have to work so hard and can take on fewer classes.”

Song Pianxian was slightly stunned and patted Xiang Sixi’s head, saying, “Thank you, Xixi. However, in the future, just trust Big Sister with these things.”

Xiang Sixi raised her head to look at her, her eyes full of reliance as she nodded.

Across the diagonal street, in a low-key Maybach, Nie Lingbo found this heartwarming scene extremely glaring. She withdrew her gaze, instructed the driver to start the car, her jawline tensed.

Nie Xingzhou sat beside her, sitting like a primary school student, exceptionally well-behaved. She even took the initiative to ask about her studies, showing a positive attitude:

“Aunt, when I go home every weekend, should I attend one or two tutoring sessions with Teacher Song?”

Nie Lingbo asked, “You go home for two days every week?”

“Yes.”

“Attend one and a half days of tutoring sessions and rest for half a day.”

“…”

Are you a devil???

Under Nie Xingzhou’s day and night anticipation, Song Pianxian rejected the devilish schedule. The reason was to gradually build a foundation based on Nie Xingzhou’s learning situation. Some things didn’t require much teaching from the teacher; she could practice on her own.

Such a conscientious gesture of not taking money immediately won Nie Xingzhou’s favor, and even looking at Xiang Sixi became much more pleasing to the eye.

Song Pianxian was also very satisfied with this job.

Becoming a tutor not only allowed her to get close to Nie Lingbo but also helped her approach her own mission objectives.

Song Pianxian vaguely felt that even if Nie Lingbo didn’t remember her, she was still pushing forward her mission progress. Perhaps this was the significance of entering the small world as a team.

Under Bai Rong’s intervention, she successfully resigned from Xi Heng’s Company. Xi Heng missed Nie Lingbo when he went to City N, but by the time he returned to City S, Nie Lingbo had already left for her own subsidiary company inspection.

Xi Heng couldn’t go to each of Nie Lingbo’s subsidiary companies, so he could only wait for her to return to City S.

Meanwhile, he remembered his substitute. When he tried to summon the substitute to accompany him for a meal, he couldn’t find anyone from Song Pianxian anymore. Song Pianxian had resigned.

After learning that Bai Rong had forced Song Pianxian to leave, Xi Heng chose to remain silent. He didn’t even immediately go to find Song Pianxian, deciding to wait a few days before doing anything.

But after a day or two, Xi Heng couldn’t shake off the image of Song Pianxian from his mind. Finally, after a party, he had his driver take him to the apartment where Song Pianxian lived.

This apartment belonged to Xi Heng, originally intended to be given directly to Song Pianxian. However, she declined, saying it was borrowed from Xi Heng. Even the lock bore Xi Heng’s fingerprint.

However, when he opened the door to the apartment, instead of the warm smell of food or the sweet scent of a woman, he was met with a room filled with cold, dim air.

Empty.

The foyer light turned on automatically. Xi Heng glanced around and saw all the furniture covered with dust covers, everything neatly arranged. Two apartment keys were hanging on the foyer key rack, one more than before.

Not missing anything.

Everything was orderly, cold, and exquisite.

Except for Song Pianxian.

She had left.

After Xiang Sixi returned to school on Sunday, Song Pianxian packed up and rented another apartment, moving her home.

With not many belongings, she could easily move into the new apartment with just her bags.

With no regular job, Song Pianxian had more daytime hours available. She adjusted her schedule with the educational institution, stopped taking on new students, and focused on tutoring Nie Xingzhou.

Nie Xingzhou’s father was busy with work and often away from home, while her mother, Tian Yi, was a dedicated lady of leisure.

When Tian Yi heard that her sister-in-law had specially hired a tutor for her daughter, she waited at home on Song Pianxian’s first day of work, eager to meet this teacher.

Upon seeing Tian Yi, Song Pianxian’s face seemed familiar to her. To avoid mistaking her for someone else due to face blindness and overthinking, Tian Yi asked her daughter:

“Don’t you think this Ms. Xiaosong looks a bit like your aunt?”

Nie Xingzhou nodded with the pen cap in her mouth. “So what?”

“Don’t you have anything else to say?”

Nie Xingzhou raised her head and pouted. “It’s just a coincidence. Ms. Xiaosong is too old to be my aunt’s illegitimate daughter.”

“…,” Tian Yi sighed, feeling frustrated. “That’s why you struggle with math problems.”

Tian Yi no longer cared much about how Song Pianxian taught the lessons; she was only interested in any potential gossip.

First, she listened to the rumors about Xi Heng with disdain, feeling sorry for this young lady who had been deceived by Xi Heng into being a substitute. Fortunately, she escaped early and ditched Xi Heng.

But why wouldn’t her sister-in-law know about this? Why would she put Song Pianxian under her nose?

Was it because she couldn’t stand her face? Or perhaps—

Is Nie Lingbo really so narcissistic? Does she like admiring people with similar high attractiveness to herself?

Instead of speculating, why not ask the person herself? After Nie Lingbo returned to the city after half a month away, Tian Yi invited her over for dinner, specifically on a Saturday evening, and she even invited Song Pianxian to join them for dinner.

Pointing discreetly at Song Pianxian, Tian Yi asked Nie Lingbo, “Tell me honestly, what exactly attracts you to Ms. Xiaosong?”

Nie Lingbo remained silent.

Tian Yi tried another approach, “Ms. Xiaosong does bear some resemblance to you. Do you find that uncomfortable or appealing?”

Nie Lingbo pondered for a moment before replying, “Both.”

Wow, it’s quite a complex emotion. Is this what they call love-hate relationship?

Nie Lingbo lazily blinked her eyes, stealing glances at that graceful figure.

As she swirled the red wine in her glass, the deep red liquid rippled along the glass walls like blood.

She liked it, liked it to the point of feeling uneasy.

Before her sister-in-law could ask any more nosy questions, Nie Lingbo inquired, “Has anyone from the Song Family returned? Did they invite you?”

Tian Yi’s attention was indeed diverted, transitioning from one “Song” to another.

“Of course they did. They sent the invitation long ago. Although the Song Family has been abroad for a while, when they extend an invitation, hardly anyone in the city dares to neglect it. But if you don’t enjoy such occasions, then you don’t have to go.”

Tian Yi spoke casually. With both families holding similar social statuses, the Nie Family wasn’t afraid of the Song Family. If the Song Family intended to return to domestic business operations, they would need to please the Nie Family.

Tian Yi was prepared for her sister-in-law’s usual aversion to these useless social gatherings, but to her surprise, Nie Lingbo said, “I will attend.”

“Huh? Giving face to the Song Family like this?”

Nie Lingbo half-closed her eyes, with a glint of wine in them. “There are some matters that need to be clarified with the Song Family.”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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