Yara Lu let out a sharp, jealous snort."Have you met your so-called genius junior schoolmate yet? Is she beautiful?"
Nathaniel Fu shook his head. "No."
He and that "genius" were years apart, and they had never met in person—only heard of one another.
"Then why did I find her competition papers in your study?"
Nathaniel immediately remembered. Every year, he would predict the exam questions for Tsinghua University's competitions. Coincidentally, the so-called genius had predicted the very same set.
When Elder Jiang handed him the girl's notes, he had merely glanced at them before tossing them aside on his desk. But Yara had seen them, and in her jealousy, had torn them to shreds.
"I told you—it was just a guess," he explained calmly.
"A guess?" Yara sneered. "Don't insult me. I think that 'genius junior schoolmate' is just using academics as an excuse to seduce you. She's already caught your attention, hasn't she? I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up in your bed before long."
Nathaniel's expression hardened, his voice dropping an octave."Yara, mind your dignity as a lady of the Lu family. Don't slander others without reason. I have no such intentions."
Her anger flared hotter. "So, you're protecting her now? Admit it—she's brilliant, admired across the capital. Who wouldn't fall for her?"
A shadow flickered across Nathaniel's sharp brows."You're being irrational. We'll talk again when you've calmed down."
With that, he picked up his coat, stood, and walked out.
He left.
He didn't even bother to coax her.
He had never left her like this before.
Fury boiling, Yara grabbed her wine glass and smashed it against the floor. At that moment, Zane Song walked in.
She shot him a venomous look. "Zane, are you laughing at me? Nancheng just doesn't know how to coax a woman."
Doesn't know how to coax a woman?
Zane's mind drifted back to Yecheng. Back then, his second brother had been more than capable of coaxing—he had even willingly offered his handsome face for a girl to slap, just to make her laugh.
That girl always held the power to lift his second brother's mood.
But Zane swallowed the thought. If he spoke it aloud, Yara would only explode.
So instead, he gave a polite smile."Miss Lu, as long as you're happy."
His words only deepened her frustration. Since Nathaniel had distanced himself, even his brothers and nephews seemed to look down on her.
Why?
······
The next day.
All of Tsinghua University was in an uproar. News had spread like wildfire, drawing crowds of students to the main gate, buzzing with excitement as they waited to catch a glimpse of the legendary young prodigy.
Yara Lu and Ning Xiner were among the crowd. Ning Xiner, still seething after being cruelly abandoned, bristled with resentment. Once she learned who that little fairy was, she was determined to tear her apart.
"Yaoyao," Ning Xiner whispered with bitter envy, "the principal invited both President Fu and that so-called prodigy this time. Look at the reception she's getting—a full welcoming committee! Even the vice principal and the dean came out personally. I'd bet anything she's plain-looking. If she were truly pretty, she'd have flaunted her face long ago instead of hiding in the shadows."
Her jealousy was palpable.
Yara nodded, agreeing with her. If this "genius" was both gifted and beautiful, how could she remain so low-profile?
The thought of a woman standing on equal footing with Nathaniel left her uneasy. She needed to see with her own eyes what this girl was really like.
Just then, an excited voice rang out."Look! She's here!"
The Shen family's private car pulled up, the chauffeur hurrying to open the back door with the utmost respect.
From within, Celia stepped out.