Summer Green Apples

Ji Xiwen said in a low voice, "Last night I was thirsty and ran into Chi Sui when I came down to get water. He wasn't very welcoming and said he didn't agree to let me stay here."

Ji Rong remained silent, picked up the glass and drank the entire glass of water before saying, "He really didn't agree."

The answer was affirmative.

Ji Xiwen felt the temperature on her cheeks rising continuously.

She has always been most afraid of causing trouble for others.

Including this transfer, if she hadn't really been unable to stay at her previous high school, she wouldn't have bothered her aunt to transfer her to Pingzhong.

"Then I think I'll move out..."

"Need not."

Ji Rong casually interrupted her, "Now I'm the mistress of this house, and I'm in charge."

Ji Xi was taken aback.

"Don't worry about staying here, Chi Kai has agreed to let you move in." Ji Rong put down her cup.

"He called his dad yesterday, and his dad didn't say he agreed."

"That's just Chi Kai trying to appease his son. If he didn't agree to you moving in, I wouldn't be able to bring you in openly and legitimately."

Ji Rong poured another glass of water, took a sip, and said, "Chi Sui is unwilling to accept his father's second marriage because he thinks his father has let his mother down."

Ji Xiwen asked softly, "Then his mother is now...?"

Ji Rong paused for two seconds, then asked, "Did you use shampoo when you showered last night?"

"I've used it," Ji Xiwen said. "It smells very nice."

"Did you see the big picture of the spokesperson on it?"

"I saw it."

Ji Xiwen nodded.

That's a recent international award-winning actress who has been in the entertainment industry for almost twenty years. She didn't film frequently in the past few years, but in the last two years, she has been involved in one big-budget TV series and movie after another, and her fame has been growing.

Even the old ladies living in the countryside know about it.

"That's his mother," Ji Rongyun replied casually. "After she divorced Chi Kai, she got together with a big shot in the film and television industry. He's divorced with a child, and she's his stepmother."

Ji Xiwen froze, and subconsciously put down her cup.

Ji Rong pulled out a small bag of potato chips from the coffee table drawer, tore it open and ate a small piece. "Chi Sui didn't know that his mother had cheated on him first. He had a very good relationship with his mother, and Chi Kai couldn't bear to ruin his mother's image in his heart."

"Chi Sui was born a young master, and everyone in his family doted on him. He was also ambitious and handsome, inheriting the best features of his parents. He was also good at studying. He was used to smooth sailing and couldn't handle setbacks."

"I can understand why he doesn't accept me, but Chi Kai is not only his father, but also a man, a man who wants to find a wife."

"I've been with Chi Kai for two years now. Last year we were still able to live separately, each in our own homes... This year during the Lunar New Year, Chi Kai couldn't help but mention to Chi Sui that I should move in. Chi Sui made a fuss for a long time, but Chi Kai didn't budge."

"Although he loves this son dearly, he can't be a lonely widow for the rest of his life because of his son."

"After I moved in, I initially wanted to try to please this young master. After all, if we got along well, I would feel more comfortable and Chi Kai would feel more comfortable too... But I tried everything, and this young master still ignored me."

Ji Rong took out a tissue to wipe her hands. "When his dad was alive, we could eat together at the same table. But if his dad went on a business trip, he would hardly come home for a whole day, and would not return until eight or nine o'clock at night."

"Don't worry about how nasty he is. Just focus on your studies and make your grandparents proud."

"Besides, there are practically no rental apartments available near Pingzhong at this time of year. Just relax and stay here. You'll only be sleeping here for two nights on the weekend anyway. You can move into the school dormitory after school starts. He'll accept it sooner or later."

Ji Xiwen was stunned, still not recovered from those words.

"I just feel that this is not a good idea."

"So what?" Ji Rong said, "The property certificate is in Chi Kai's name. He agreed to it, so there's nothing Chi Sui can do even if he doesn't agree."

Ji Xiwen remained silent for a long time before nodding.

……

In the library.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the three of them finally finished their weekend homework, albeit with great difficulty.

Li Junyu rubbed his brow bone and said, "The questions Baldy set this time are a bit difficult."

Baldy is their math teacher and also the homeroom teacher of the Pingzhong math competition class.

Chi Sui chuckled, "His wife is getting a divorce from him lately, so he's in a bad mood and making fun of us."

"No wonder."

Xu Jiyang looked pale and listless. He scrolled through his phone messages, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "Old Cui is asking us to go sing karaoke, wanna go?"

Li Junyu cleared his throat, "It's finally time for this King of Singers to showcase his amazing vocals and amaze the audience again."

Chi Sui, lacking interest, said, "Let's go."

Although he wasn't interested, he'd rather go singing than go home.

……

Inside a KTV in Pingcheng.

The VIP room had about twenty people scattered around.

Chi Sui lazily nestled in a corner, playing cards with the two boys next to him.

The lights were dappled, and a beam of blue light suddenly shone on his face, revealing his fair skin, dark eyebrows and eyes, and pale lips.

Several girls around him were openly or secretly watching him.

He seemed oblivious, or perhaps too lazy to bother, casually pushing two cards out with his thumb and forefinger, muttering something under his breath, and then falling silent again.

His profile was serene, exuding a sense of isolation amidst the bustling, market-like atmosphere of the private room.

Like the deep black sea under the moonlight, silent and still.

After Meng Leran finished singing a song, several boys around her, led by Xu Jiyang, began to cheer.

"It sounds so good, so good, so good..."

"One more school beauty, please..."

"Okay."

She feigned shyness, glared at them, and said, "My voice is almost hoarse from singing, I can't sing anymore..."

Her words echoed throughout the private room through the microphone in her hand.

Meng Leran deliberately glanced in Chi Sui's direction.

The boy kept his head down, seemingly saying something, a slight twitch at the corner of his lips, but he didn't look over at all.

She felt a pang of jealousy and immediately put down the microphone.

Xu Jiyang quickly caught it, raised it above his head, and shouted, "Calling Li Junyu, calling Li Junyu, it's time for you to show off your singing voice!"

Li Junyu was eating an orange while watching the people next to her play Monopoly. Upon hearing this, she immediately got up.

As he walked toward Xu Jiyang, he happened to run into Meng Leran.

Meng Leran almost bumped into him.

Under the light, the boy's features were delicate and refined, with bright inner eyes and a gentle, warm smile on his lips.

Actually, Li Junyu is quite handsome, and he's also in the math competition class.

Compared to a slightly bad boy like Chi Sui, he lacks a bit of appeal.

Thinking this, Meng Leran nodded to Li Junyu and then moved towards Chi Sui.

"Chi Sui".

Along with the girl's sweet voice, a rich perfume scent wafted into the air.