Chapter 81: Lorina Seeks Recognition

The woman with long hair crossed her arms, watching him leisurely. “Your benefactor!”

“Tell the truth!” Nangong Lu didn’t believe her for a second.

His mind might not be as sharp as his elder brother’s, but his memory was nothing to scoff at!

The woman chuckled, “I just helped you get rid of those people a moment ago. Doesn’t that make me your benefactor?”

Nangong Lu was speechless.

So, those people in the car earlier were after him?!

Suddenly, Nangong Lu recalled his brother’s warning and asked, “Did my brother send you?”

The woman curled her lips in a sly smile. “You’re lucky! I just happened to run into you.”

Suspicious, Nangong Lu pressed, “You jumped onto my car and called that ‘just happening to run into me’?”

She laughed boldly, “They say Second Young Master Lu loses his wits at the sight of a woman, but that’s not entirely true, is it?”

Nangong Lu gritted his teeth. Who were those idiots spreading such rumors about him? He was certainly flirtatious, but not to the point of losing his mind.

“I originally climbed into your car to get away from some annoying thugs who were pestering me,” the woman explained, patting the hood. “Only later did I realize I’d boarded a car that was being followed. Tell me, is it your luck that’s good, or mine that’s bad?”

He found himself unable to respond; this woman’s words always left him at a loss.

“Well, for your brother’s sake, I’ll accept my bad luck,” she said grandly. “Anyway, I’ll just ask him to pay me extra when we get back.”

“You’re one of my brother’s people?” Nangong Lu asked.

“I’m his important woman!” She threw him a flirtatious glance. “He begged me to be with him, you know!”

Nangong Lu thought she was full of nonsense. His brother’s only important woman was Xiao Zhiyun, and she was clearly trying to fool him!

“I don’t care who you are. It’s time for you to get out of the car,” he said.

“What? You want to leave a weak woman like me here?” She looked at him in disbelief.

He didn’t see anything weak about her; the way she floored the accelerator just now was anything but gentle!

“Or are you expecting me to drive you home?” Nangong Lu joked.

“Now that sounds better!” She fastened her seatbelt, tapped the car door, and said, “Angel Research Department, please.”

Nangong Lu was speechless.

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Monday.

At lunchtime, Zhai Yan’er still hadn’t seen Bai Liyao.

She complained to Xianyu Qing, “Bai Liyao doesn’t even reply to my messages anymore!”

Xianyu Qing could only sigh helplessly. To avoid Zhai Yan’er, Bai Liyao wasn’t even seeing her.

“Yan’er, give him a little time,” she advised gently.

Zhai Yan’er felt miserable. She was convinced Bai Liyao would never pay attention to her again!

After lunch break, Yan’er parted ways with Qing, heading back to her department. She spotted Bai Liyao limping near their usual spot.

Excited, Yan’er called out, “Bai Liyao!”

He froze for a moment, then hurried forward, limping even more.

“Bai Liyao, wait for me!”

Yan’er chased after him, finally getting ahead to block his path. “Why aren’t you—”

Her words stuck in her throat as she caught sight of the bruise on his cheek.

It took a while before she managed, “You—you’re hurt!”

“It’s none of your business,” Bai Liyao said, frowning, trying to brush past her.

Yan’er grabbed his arm, only to hear him suck in a sharp breath.

She quickly let go, her face filled with worry. “Are your injuries serious? Shouldn’t you go to the hospital?”

“I said, it’s none of your business,” Bai Liyao replied impatiently.

“But I’m worried about you—”

“Just stay away from me and I’ll be fine!” With that, Bai Liyao turned and walked off.

Yan’er didn’t dare block him again, but followed quietly behind.

Once in the classroom, Yan’er sat near him, but Bai Liyao didn’t spare her a single glance.

There was only one class that afternoon. After school, Yan’er silently followed Bai Liyao out.

Walking ahead, Bai Liyao regretted not having taken a few more days off. With his injury, he couldn’t walk fast and couldn’t shake Yan’er off as easily as before.

When the campus shuttle stopped at the gate, Yan’er got off only to be called over by Luo Lina.

“Yan’er, I need to talk to you,” Luo Lina had waited a long time for her.

Yan’er glanced anxiously at Bai Liyao, who was walking farther away. “Can’t we do this another day?”

She wanted to catch Bai Liyao for a few more words.

“It’s about Bai Liyao’s research project,” Luo Lina said.

That got Yan’er’s attention.

Earlier, someone had anonymously reported Bai Liyao for spreading false information online, which affected his research project application.

Luo Lina, knowing Yan’er was close to Bai Liyao and wanting to curry favor, proactively suggested the school investigate. The results showed malicious slander, so the school decided to continue supporting Bai Liyao’s research.

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It was clear Luo Lina was here to claim credit.

Yan’er didn’t care about Luo Lina’s motives. Helping Bai Liyao was helping herself, so she definitely needed to thank her.

“Vice President, you’ve been such a huge help! How should I thank you?” Yan’er grabbed Luo Lina’s hand, overjoyed.

“Ha, the student council is here to serve students. I only did what was expected,” Luo Lina replied formally.

But Yan’er was truly moved, “Vice President, you’re really so kind!”

Unlike her brother, who was always busy with work, yet claimed to care for her the most—hmpf!

“If you keep praising me like this, I’ll get a big head!” Luo Lina joked, warm and friendly.

Yan’er’s affection for her grew.

Luo Lina took the opportunity to extend an invitation. “But, if you really want to thank me, could you honor me by coming to my birthday party this weekend?”

Yan’er rarely attended parties.

Firstly, Zhai Muli didn’t allow her to appear in public much, since he planned for her to marry into the royal family someday. Getting to attend Liyang Academy was only after Yan’er pleaded for half a year before Zhai Muli agreed.

Secondly, Yan’er herself disliked such social events.

But Luo Lina had just helped her, so she couldn’t refuse.

“Alright,” she nodded.

“Then it’s settled.” Luo Lina stayed outwardly calm, but was secretly delighted.

Having Yan’er attend meant she was one step closer to meeting Zhai Muli!

After their conversation, Yan’er got into her family’s car to head home.

The car hadn’t gone far when Yan’er saw Bai Liyao being pulled off his bike by several people and dragged into an alley.

“Stop the car!” Yan’er called out.

The driver stopped by the roadside but didn’t unlock the doors. “Miss, the young master said you must not get out of the car after school.”

Although the Zhai family was powerful and few would dare provoke them, there were always some reckless types, as well as those eyeing them greedily.

“Oh, stop nagging. I mean you get out, not me!” Yan’er snapped.

The driver was confused, and Yan’er grew annoyed. “My classmate was just dragged into that alley. Go get him out for me, and make sure he’s safe!”

“Yes, Miss!” The driver promptly got out and ran to the alley Yan’er had pointed out.

The Zhai family’s drivers were all carefully selected from the best security companies, with excellent skills. But that didn’t mean they were quick-witted.

When he entered the alley and found nothing there, he realized he’d been tricked by Miss Yan’er.