Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Almost the instant the thought crossed my mind, someone knocked on the office door.

My brother walked in wearing a black suit, like he’d just rushed over from some packed event. The moment he entered, he came straight to me and grabbed my shoulders, looking me over from head to toe.

“You’re not hurt, right?” His tone was far from gentle.

The second I saw him, all the calm I’d forced up just moments ago shattered into dust. I even looked at him a little guiltily. “I’m fine.”

My brother nodded, then turned and stepped in front of me. “Huo Zhiyan has always been a good kid at home.”

He made his position clear first thing: “There’s no way she’d do something like getting into an early relationship.”

With my brother standing between us, he blocked all the teachers’ accusations-and the two boys involved. From behind him, I tilted my head.

Only then did I see Jiang Yilin. His eyes, which had been lowered the whole time, were finally raised now-and he was staring straight at my brother.

He was sizing my brother up.

And there was nothing friendly about that gaze.

My heart clenched. Instinctively, I grabbed my brother’s arm. He turned to look at me, then patted my shoulder in reassurance.

He didn’t look friendly toward Jiang Yilin and the other boy either-especially Jiang Yilin.

Maybe on the way over, he’d already heard plenty of the class rumors from the teachers.

Which only made him dislike Jiang Yilin more.

“If there are too many people at this school who’ll be a bad influence on Huo Zhiyan, I’ll consider transferring her.”

Across from us, Jiang Yilin’s stare turned even colder.

My brother, as if he couldn’t be bothered, didn’t even flick his eyes toward him.

I frowned hard.

I’d forgotten about the inevitable opposition between the two of them.

The male lead and the villain were destined to be at odds-they were born to hate the sight of each other.

I stepped forward and stood in front of my brother, trying to block the way Jiang Yilin kept staring at him.

“Brother…”

With less than two months until the college entrance exams, the school’s priority was to keep things quiet.

So once a decision was reached, Jiang Yilin and that other boy were handed a light disciplinary action, just like that.

I immediately tugged my brother to leave.

I didn’t want him staying in Jiang Yilin’s presence for too long.

Before I dragged my brother out of the office, I didn’t forget Jiang Yilin.

I put on a worried expression and looked at him, then shook the phone in my hand-signaling we’d talk later.

That night, when we got home, my brother brought up my loud, over-the-top pursuit of Jiang Yilin at school.

I’d done all of it.

After stammering for ages, I could only say, “Well… chasing a handsome boy isn’t every person’s instinct?”

My brother actually laughed from anger.

His brain worked too fast. “So you studied that hard back then because you wanted to chase him-and sit next to him?”

I let him scold me, and even grinned as I asked, “Brother, did I mess up your work today?

“Weren’t you supposed to go do an investment pitch at that school?”

He only lifted his hand and knocked my forehead.

At the very end of the night, my brother finally calmed down enough to lay it out plainly.

“If you want to date, fine. Wait until you’re an adult. Wait until you’re in college.”

“But I’m going to have a say in who you date. That Jiang Yilin from today? No.”

“I don’t like him.”

By the time I finally got into bed, it was already after midnight.

Right before I fell asleep, it suddenly hit me-I’d told Jiang Yilin we’d talk by phone.

I sat bolt upright and messaged him: [Are you asleep?]

Nearly half a minute passed.

Just when I thought Jiang Yilin wouldn’t bother replying, his message came through: [.]

A single period. Nothing more.

I played my usual role-someone who liked him-and asked with concern: [Are your injuries okay?]

Another half minute.

Jiang Yilin replied: [I’m fine.]

Then, for the first time, he asked me something on his own: [Are you coming tomorrow?]

I thought it over before typing: [I might rest at home for a week.]

He replied quickly this time: [Your brother made you?]

The second he mentioned my brother, my heart tightened. I defended him: [My brother’s temper isn’t great. He’s harsh to everyone… it’s not aimed at you.]

But Jiang Yilin was stubborn in a way that felt almost unreasonable. He asked the same thing again: [He won’t let you come to school?]

I replied: [It’s my own choice. I want to rest for a week.]

Jiang Yilin sent another meaningless period: [.]

That was where our conversation ended for the night.

After that, no matter what else I sent-whether it was more explanations for my brother or more concern for him-he never replied again.