If you were cold and aloof in your past life, why are you crying in this one?

The next day, it was drizzling and foggy, with dark clouds hanging low.

The retreat has a day off every half week, during which students can choose to go home on their own or stay at the retreat in groups.

Xi Lingxian lived nearby and could go back whenever she wanted without any restrictions. Moreover, as a student, Xun Xiu did not have a day off, and her father and elder brother were not home when she returned to her residence. She might as well find her own enjoyment in the study.

Xi Song leaned against the porch and grumbled, "This kind of drizzle is the worst. It's not heavy, but if you stand outside for a while, you get soaked and can't do anything."

Xi Lingxian sat on the recliner by the window, holding a book, and said casually, "Then go back and review your lessons. There's an exam next month. If your score is too low, you'll be the one who loses face."

Xi Song was almost speechless with shock. "Sister? Are you still my sister? How could you have changed so much in just a few days?"

"go!"

Xi Lingxian said irritably, "I just don't want to be looked down upon by those people!"

"They keep saying that our family is from a peasant background and not as noble as a scholarly family. I'll show them. It's not that I didn't like studying before, but when I get serious, none of them can beat me."

Xi Song exclaimed in surprise and gave a thumbs up.

"Is Young Master Xi here?" A clear and delicate voice came through the rain and mist.

Xi Song immediately felt a sense of impending doom and hurriedly got up to hide in Xi Lingxian's dormitory. "Sister, please don't tell anyone I'm here."

Xi Lingxian recognized the voice as that of Zhuang Yaru, a cousin from the Xie family.

A moment later, a petite figure emerged gracefully from the rain and mist.

"Miss Zhuang?"

Zhuang Yaru curtsied gracefully, "Hello, Sister Xi."

"Excuse me, is the Second Young Master here?"

"What does Miss Zhuang want with my brother?"

Zhuang Yaru clutched her sleeve, her eyelashes trembling slightly. "I... I got the Second Young Master's clothes wet and torn that day, and I felt really bad about it. I thought I'd make a set of clothes to apologize myself. Although the 'Floating Light Brocade' is rare, I'll use the finest brocade, otherwise I won't feel at ease."

"That girl was looking for me..."

"I... I don't know the Second Young Master's measurements. Would it be convenient for Sister Xi to tell me?"

Xi Lingxian took a deep breath. "Miss Zhuang, please forgive my bluntness, but my cousin has already compensated my brother for the clothes. The money and goods are settled, and neither of us owes the other anything. If word gets out that a young lady is making clothes for a man, it will be bad for her reputation. It's best not to do that."

Zhuang Yaru was very stubborn. "How can that be? I have to pay for the clothes I damaged. It's one thing for my cousin to pay for them, but my own feelings are another."

The young girl's eyes welled up with shyness as she spoke, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Xi Lingxian felt embarrassed. She didn't like the Xie sisters, and consequently, she didn't have a good impression of the Xie family either.

Zhuang Yaru is the direct daughter of Aunt Xie, if this were to happen...

She dared not think.

Unable to get an answer, Zhuang Yaru left with a disappointed look on her face.

Xie Wanyi waited for the person at the end of the corridor, with an expression of expectation. "Well, I told you so."

"The second young master was clearly with her, so why won't she admit it and instead lied to me?"

Zhuang Yaru pouted, clearly unhappy. "I haven't offended her, and I'm not unworthy of her brother, so why is she acting like this?"

Xie Wanyi gently patted her cousin's shoulder and said softly, "It's my fault. I had some unpleasantness with Miss Xi before, and she probably misunderstood me."

"Now that you know you're my cousin, you'll definitely..." She pursed her lips, forcing a smile, and said, "If you really like the second young master of the Xi family, I'll just bow down to her for you."

Zhuang Yaru shook her head repeatedly, "No way, how could my cousin be wrong? I've also heard that the eldest daughter of the Xi family, relying on her father's military power and the family's rising status, has coveted the second brother of the Wang family. But everyone knows that the second brother of the Wang family is meant to be with you, my cousin. Does she even know what propriety and shame are, interfering like this?"

Xie Wanyi said softly, "But don't you like the second young master of the Xi family?"

Zhuang Yaru wiped away her tears. "She's just the second young master's older sister. She'll get married sooner or later. What difference does it make whether she accepts me or likes me?"

"I will not give up."

"That's true, but I think the second young master has a good relationship with his sister. If you want to get things done, you'll have to play along for a while."

"Don't worry, cousin, I'm not stupid. I know what to do."

……

Zhuang Yaru began to subtly but clearly show her goodwill towards Xi Song.

The students in the academy were all young men and women, and since they lived under the same roof every day, it was not uncommon for them to develop feelings for each other.

There are times when one party takes the initiative to show goodwill while the other avoids it like the plague; when Xi Lingxian was pursuing Wang Jue, she never imagined that one day this kind of thing would happen to her own brother.

As relatives of the Xie family by marriage, the Zhuang family was not poor either. Although they could not compare to the Wang, Xie, Huan, and Yu families, they were still a scholarly family.

Xi Lingxian prepared herself mentally and set three rules for herself: do not interfere, do not stop, and do not help.

Xi Song had politely declined once or twice, but the other party became more persistent despite the setbacks, which frightened Xi Song so much that she wanted to run away.

Xi Lingxian felt a little sorry for her younger brother. Ah Song's personality was not as cold and ruthless as Wang Jue's. Most of the time, he was considerate of his own and the other party's dignity, and even when he refused, he would not say it in a very direct or harsh way.

That's pitiful.

Xi Lingxian was in a dilemma. She was not a very good-tempered person. She had not forgotten any of the grudges with the Xie family. As long as it involved the Xie family, all she could think of were the simplest and most brutal methods. But if she were to actually use those methods in the study, she would become famous throughout the world.

While she was in a dilemma, someone had already made a move before her.

Xi Song was very popular in the academy. Many young men from noble families, whether out of their status or their innate temperament, all had a cool, aloof, and taciturn demeanor.

Xi Song was different. He spoke softly and gently to everyone, had a sweet tongue and a cheerful disposition, and was simple-minded. Many people in the retreat liked and loved him like a younger brother.

Seeing that Xi Song had been so frightened by Zhuang Yaru that she couldn't eat or sleep for several days and had lost weight, her classmates, who couldn't bear to see her like this, stepped forward to help.

Xi Lingxian only found out about the incident the day after it happened, and she didn't know exactly what those people said or did.

But clearly, for a young lady from a prestigious family who has been pampered since childhood, being rejected in this way is undoubtedly like a slap in the face.

Zhuang Yaru seemed to be angry and holding a grudge.

The retreat started as normal the next day, with the first class being a study of scriptures.

Wang Jue's lessons were the most difficult to fool in the academy; one had to be on high alert.

The class lasted one hour, with a break of one incense stick's time in the middle for students to drink tea and rest.

The teacher usually doesn't leave the school at this time.

"Sister Xi."

Upon hearing this, Xi Lingxian looked up. Zhuang Yaru was sitting in the third row, slightly turned to the side.

"Sister Xi, there's something I don't understand, and I'd like to ask you about it."

Xi Lingxian put down her pen. "Please speak."

"I heard that my sister drove away several husbands when she was at home. Is that true?"

The lecture hall fell silent for a moment.

"When I was little, I didn't understand, so that happened."

"Junior Sister Zhuang is exceptionally intelligent and excels in her studies. I imagine she has never angered her teacher or made any mistakes. In this respect, I am ashamed to admit my inferiority."

Zhuang Yaru's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her gentle smile. "Sister, you're too kind. I was just asking casually. You don't need to take it to heart."

Wang Jue put down his teacup, his gaze lingering on Zhuang Yaru for a moment. His words were shockingly blunt: "Miss Zhuang, is this how the Zhuang family raises people—taking out their frustrations on others after failing to win someone over?"

A single, casual remark instantly ripped away the veil of secrecy that everyone already knew about.

A collective gasp filled the classroom.

Even someone as familiar with Wang Jue's dog-like temper as Xi Lingxian couldn't help but be surprised by his sharp tongue once again.

Zhuang Yaru's eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she ran out crying.

The Xie family girls got up to chase after them, but Wang Jue stopped them.

"Let her have her temper! What kind of place is that, 'Jingshe'?"

Wang Jue was too imposing; when he gave a cold look, the entire school suddenly fell silent.

Everyone was so nervous they didn't dare to breathe, and Xie Wanyi and the others awkwardly sat back down.

Shen Qingdai had just put a piece of candy in her mouth and now dared not move.

He stammered as he complained to Xi Lingxian, "He has absolutely no idea how to write the words 'cherish a woman'."

Xi Lingxian rested her chin on her hand, her gaze distant.

It's better not to cry; crying in front of him will only add fuel to the fire.

He hates it when women cry.