Now, Jiang Chen couldn’t speak recklessly anymore.

It seemed like Princess Cao was genuinely unaware, so after waiting a few minutes for Cao Xiugo to finish his phone call, she asked half-curious, half-suspiciously: "Bro, who was that?"

"A colleague."

Jiang Chen’s heart skipped a beat, instinctively glancing at Yang Qinghua, who was calmly sipping wine.

"Why are they calling you at this hour? Isn’t it after work?"

Cao Jinse continued asking.

Cao Xiugo, unsuspecting, answered honestly while sitting back down: "The school is organizing an exchange event between faculties soon, and I was running late earlier because of this. They were consulting me about it."

How insightful.

Yang Qinghua’s smile was peaceful, always in control.

"Was it a male colleague or a female colleague?"

Even though Princess Cao tried hard not to leave traces, her persistent questioning inevitably made Cao Xiugo sense something was off.

"What’s up?"

"Nothing, just asking."

"It’s a female teacher from the Department of Foreign Languages."

A worthy brother, showing his sister ample patience; others likely wouldn’t receive the same treatment.

"Is her last name Mu?"

Cao Jinse blurted out.

Jiang Chen quietly ate.

Cao Xiugo was a bit surprised, looking at his sister, "How do you know?"

"I said so. You’re not only an idol to students at Kyoto University but also to the teachers; yet, they didn’t believe it."

Yang Qinghua spoke up; worthy of an official title, the embodiment of accountability.

"Qinghua, let’s drink."

Jiang Chen promptly raised his glass, trying to ease the atmosphere; can’t let Princess Cao take it all alone.

"Together."

Yang Qinghua replied with a smile, nonchalantly.

At this moment, under the live demonstration from the opposite party, Jiang Chen fully understood what "relaxed with measure" meant.

Man and woman, woman and man, in fact, are all the same.

If you don’t have what it takes, would you dare challenge a rival of Cao Xiugo’s caliber?

Of course.

That Teacher Mu probably doesn’t know the depths of Cao Xiugo’s character, simply attracted by his personal charm.

A case of beer, four people, how could anyone get drunk?

Moreover, their self-control is obsessively strong.

Wanting to get drunk is another matter.

But tonight was surely not the right setting for a drink.

None was just an idle societal loafer; Cao Xiugo had school early tomorrow, and the other three were busy people too, so no further events were planned, and after dining, everyone went home.

"Offended someone?"

Having drunk, Boss Jiang would naturally not offer a ride, especially with her brother around, but seeing the Four Great Kings standing outside, Princess Cao couldn’t help but jest.

She knew well, some guy never bothered with a show.

Indeed Jiang Chen, who had offended many, just chuckled, first accompanying Yang Qinghua to see-off the Cao family siblings to a private car.

"You did well today."

Watching the private car drive away, Yang Qinghua smiled, "The crisis seems averted." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Jiang Chen astutely replied, "Thanks, Qinghua."

Yang Qinghua tilted her head, "If you’re truly grateful, don’t keep saying it, keep it in your heart."

That someone, undoubtedly skilled in emotional intelligence, wisely remained silent, merely nodding in agreement.

"Take care on the road."

Yang Qinghua said her farewells, as the driver opened the car door.

"Bro, what’s up with that Teacher Mu?"

Inside the private car.

With no one around, Cao Jinse couldn’t help but ask.

"A colleague."

Cao Xiugo smiled lightly, "Don’t overthink."

"I don’t believe it."

With no others around, no need to hold back, Cao Jinse continued, "If she was just a colleague, why would she be interested in you?"

Knowing her brother’s personality, as a sister she certainly understood, saying he’s secretly dating would be fantastical, but claiming merely an ordinary colleague relationship also seems improbable.

"Bro, does that Teacher Mu have a crush on you?"

Sitting in the back seat, Cao Xiugo stared forward, silent.

"How old is she? What does she look like? Got any photos?"

Cao Jinse immediately transformed into a community busybody, nudging her brother’s arm when he remained silent, "Say something."

"First, handle your own matters."

"I handled them already."

Cao Xiugo turned his head.

Cao Jinse smiled purely, "Be merciful when possible, right?"

Cao Xiugo chuckled silently, shaking his head, pulling back his gaze, saying nothing.

"Bro, you can ignore me, but what about her? Since she’s aware, she won’t easily give up."

Cao Jinse said leisurely,

Still no response beside her.

The self-talking Princess Cao couldn’t help but sigh, wondering how her legendary brother, commanding and elegant, seemed helpless over just one woman.

In some ways, even less so than a certain someone.

"If you really have no feelings for her, then resolve it and make her lose hope completely. As things stand, you’re not truly free, she’s wasting her time, you’re both in anguish."

Though not drunk, the alcohol still had some slight influence, perhaps also due to the atmosphere, Princess Cao voiced her true sentiments.

"You know her personality?"

Cao Xiugo finally spoke.

Cao Jinse didn’t echo this time, "Yes. She’s different from most women, what she’s determined isn’t easily swayed. But after so many years, even the firmest will would falter if there’s no hope. Bro, you can’t entirely push the blame onto her; her perseverance must come from the motivation you give her."

"Like today. You didn’t have to come. But you came, and not just that, you gave her a gift, isn’t that... sigh."

Princess Cao shook her head.

Well.

When critiquing others, one is always articulate and clear-headed.

Yet she didn’t consider.

Her brother came today not just to celebrate Yang Qinghua’s birthday?

The birthday star knew too; if only he was the lone man, he’d definitely not come.

Regarding the pen.

Jiang Chen hadn’t known her long, yet understood it’s polite to at least bring a cake if attending, right?

Cao Xiugo likely had difficulties unspoken, but couldn’t allow his sister to malign, defending himself: "Didn’t you give a gift?"

"I did."

Of course, Princess Cao did, only earlier, confidently stating: "I’m different from you."

What do you mean?

She had to be polite.

Her brother didn’t have to?

Cao Xiugo didn’t attempt to argue with a woman, "Your matters, deal with them yourself in the future."

Cao Jinse’s eyes subtly glimmered, then huffed, "Hmm. I’ll handle them myself."

Had Jiang Chen been here, with his emotional intelligence, surely he’d understand the siblings’ meaningful dialogue.

Meanwhile.

He’d certainly be moved.

But he wasn’t in the car, so he remained unaware of Princess Cao’s magnanimity or the efforts of a nascent romantic effort by a high-born.

At the moment, he was relaxing in his car, resting with eyes closed, while his mind was replaying the just-passed ordinary birthday banquet.

No mention of official affairs.

All about trivial family matters.

Though not the protagonist, undoubtedly this meal greatly helped him.

Not discussing the closer bond with Yang Qinghua, purely speaking of the Cao family.

In this fray, perhaps everyone thought the storm’s eye was Princess Cao, but only Jiang Chen knew, his biggest issue wasn’t her but the seemingly ordinary teacher brother behind her.

If everything went smoothly this time.

He managed to pass through the crisis.

"Ding～"

Amid Jiang Chen’s memory retrieval, checking for flaws, assessing where he could improve next time, a sudden ring interrupted his reverie.

He opened his eyes and took out his phone.

It was a call from Fujiwara Reiki.

"Hello."

"Jiang Sang, help～"

The same seasoning.

The same formula.

Really think oneself a Japanese?

Having suffered a loss before, Jiang Chen hung up immediately without saying a word.

The Japanese might be unaware of the "wolf story," but Shen Zhou people have heard it since childhood; stepping in the trap once means an enemy is cunning, stepping twice means one is foolish.

As per the script, the call should come again, but strangely, after being hung up, the phone went silent.

Jiang Chen gripped the silent phone, gradually frowning.