"Miss, I’ve already handled the paperwork for Young Master Gu. The student council will help him pick his school and courses next."

Jiang Qingli was already in class when she received the message from Yi Nuo.

They were learning a new technique in shooting class today, so the professor started with half a period of theory.

As usual, Jiang Qingli sat with Lin Xiyue, resting her chin in her hand as she watched the unfamiliar professor at the front of the room.

Ye Linyuan had been extremely busy lately. ’I wonder what he’s doing.’ He used to come for the practical application classes, but now he never showed his face. All his lessons were handed over to this unfamiliar bald professor.

This professor’s lectures were enough to make anyone drowsy.

Jiang Qingli glanced over her shoulder. Sure enough, Qin Muye, who was sitting next to her, was already asleep.

Suddenly, she felt a poke on her arm. Ai Li leaned over, eyebrows raised in excitement. "Qingli, there’s something I’ve been dying to ask you. Do you know where Bai Yiyi’s new Beast Husband came from?"

"Hmm?" Jiang Qingli looked up, confused. "What new Beast Husband?"

"That one, look." Ai Li pointed ahead. "The one sitting next to her, the one with dark green hair."

Ai Li excitedly shared the gossip she knew. "Someone ran into them at a party yesterday. Bai Yiyi said he’s her new Beast Husband and that he’s a blast to be around! I think he’s from the Second District, and his family has some standing. The only thing is, he’s a bit on the older side—twenty-seven, I think..."

Jiang Qingli looked up and saw Bai Yiyi in the front row, turning her head to speak to the male with dark green hair beside her.

The male had his head tilted. He had a high-bridged nose, and under his slightly long, choppy, dark green hair were a pair of blue-green eyes. The corners of his mouth were turned up in a roguish smile.

Any drowsiness Jiang Qingli had felt instantly vanished.

’Su Jue?!’

’Didn’t I sell him to five different people at the underground auction? How did he suddenly end up with Bai Yiyi?’

’Bai Yiyi might be a noble, but her family is in decline and she isn’t exactly favored. In the First District, she mainly relies on the main branch of the Bai Family and the Jiang Family, so her liquid assets should be limited.’

’And from what I saw of Yu Chenglan last time, that cheapskate didn’t look like he had a hundred million to throw around, either.’

’How did they get Su Jue out of that situation?’

’Is this the so-called "female lead’s halo"? Does it mean that no matter what, a male lead will overcome any obstacle to get to her?’

A sharp, handsome face suddenly flashed through Jiang Qingli’s mind.

’If all five Beast Husbands and Su Jue still ended up with Bai Yiyi despite the plot being disrupted, does that mean Jiang Youchen will too...?’

As if sensing her gaze, the male turned his head and glanced back.

He was visibly stunned when he saw Jiang Qingli, then his lips curled into a meaningful smile.

"What is it?" Bai Yiyi noticed his gaze and followed it, looking behind them.

When she got a clear look at the beautiful female sitting by the window, Bai Yiyi’s brow furrowed. Her grip on Su Jue’s arm tightened, her sharp nails digging into his flesh.

"Hiss," Su Jue sucked in a breath and stroked the back of Bai Yiyi’s hand. "Baby, you’re hurting your hubby."

Bai Yiyi immediately let go, her eyes downcast and submissive. "I’m sorry, hubby, I didn’t do it on purpose. I just saw..." She bit her lip and looked down, as if wounded. "Never mind. It’s nothing pleasant, so let’s not talk about it."

"Who was it?" Su Jue raised a hand to her chin, his voice low. "Anyone who makes my baby unhappy must be a disgusting female."

Bai Yiyi pointed toward Jiang Qingli, her brows knitting in a wounded expression. "I don’t know why, but my cousin never seems to like me."

"When we were little, she would visit our district and always complain that it was too dirty and chaotic, beneath her noble status."

"Then, when I came to the First District for school, she stole my Beast Husbands. After a year, she got tired of them and tossed them to me, then went and bound five new ones for herself..."

Bai Yiyi clutched her chest, her eyes welling with tears like a tragic heroine. "Hubby, am I really that unlikable?"

"Of course not." Su Jue squeezed her fingers. "Your hubby loves you the most."

After comforting her for a moment, Su Jue asked nonchalantly, "By the way, what’s your cousin’s name?"

Bai Yiyi was instantly on guard, though she tested him with a joking tone. "Why do you ask? Are you interested in my cousin?"

Su Jue smiled and kissed her cheek. "I’m already bound to you, and you’re still worried? Are you doubting your own charms, baby?"

Bai Yiyi smiled shyly. "Of course not."

"So, what’s her name?"

She didn’t know if it was just her imagination.

But she felt that when Su Jue asked, there was a flicker of excitement deep in his eyes.

’I’m probably... just overthinking things.’

That night, even though Su Jue had been sold by that ’Number 011,’ she’d had Yu Chenglan cut the power and drug Su Jue afterward.

Later, when Su Jue was discovered in the hallway by ’Number 011’ and ’Number 017,’ they had a waiter escort him out.

Bai Yiyi had directed Yu Chenglan to get rid of the waiter and then herded Su Jue into a small alley outside the auction house.

Just as Su Jue was being tormented by the effects of the drug, Bai Yiyi appeared and ’completed the plot.’

They spent that night lost in a decadent haze.

And yesterday had been a wonderfully sweet day as well.

What satisfied Bai Yiyi even more was that Su Jue’s affection level for her had already reached 50% without her having to use a single item!

That was even faster than with Chi Yun, who had eaten a Charming Fruit!

But perhaps because of the lingering shadow of her experience with Chi Yun, Bai Yiyi still felt a little uneasy.

The previously silent system suddenly spoke up. "You have a Charming Fruit now. The effects would be better if you just gave it to him. Why aren’t you using it?"

’What do you know,’ Bai Yiyi thought, dismissing the idea. ’My points are a little low right now. Of course, I have to save this fruit for the most important character.’

The system asked, "Who do you want to use it on?"

Bai Yiyi’s eyes lit up. ’Jiang Youchen, of course!!!’

Bai Yiyi was far more interested in Jiang Youchen than in Su Jue.

A military powerhouse, an S Level Dragon, devastatingly handsome, and more powerful than her future Beast Husbands combined.

Most importantly, Jiang Youchen was Jiang Qingli’s brother!

As someone who knew the plot, Bai Yiyi was aware that Jiang Youchen and Jiang Qingli weren’t blood-related, but it was highly unlikely he would ever leave the Jiang Family.

’Once I get my hands on Jiang Youchen, Jiang Qingli will have to call me ’sister-in-law’!’

Just the thought of that arrogant, vicious cannon fodder having to bow her head and begrudgingly call her ’sister-in-law’ made Bai Yiyi’s blood boil with excitement!

-

The second half of the period was the practical session.

As usual, Jiang Qingli was paired with Qin Muye.

This practical session was held at the academy’s training grounds. The changing rooms were split into two levels, with the one for females on the upper floor.

Jiang Qingli and her two friends went upstairs arm in arm. Just as they rounded the corner, they saw a tall figure leaning against the wall, head tilted down at what was clearly meant to be a handsome, brooding angle.

As they got closer, they saw it was Su Jue.

Su Jue had heard them coming, but he waited until they were close before looking up, one eyebrow raised, and flashing a wickedly charming smile.

"Hey there, beautiful. Got a minute to chat?"