Chapter 13

Clara replied with some trepidation: [I’ve never attended a banquet, and I don’t have a dress.]

Julian: [It doesn’t matter, just be yourself. Tell Mom you won’t be home for dinner, and I’ll come pick you up in a bit.]

Clara clicked her tongue. In just a few days, her mother and Julian had become as close as a real mother and son; she didn't even know when her mother had started calling him "son" directly.

Clara: […Okay.]

The teachers in the office all knew Clara had a boyfriend, and a handsome, wealthy one at that. He would occasionally buy snacks for the office, and they were all quite gossipy about it.

“Teacher Clara, is your boyfriend coming to pick you up later?” a female colleague she was close with asked casually.

Clara, sitting at her desk, flipped through some test papers and replied: “Yeah, I won’t be eating at school tonight.”

Not long after, Julian arrived to pick her up.

“What kind of dinner party is it tonight?” Clara felt curious but also anxious. Given her ordinary status, she was afraid of embarrassing Julian.

Julian watched the traffic ahead, one hand on the steering wheel and the other covering Clara’s hand reassuringly.

“It doesn’t matter, just a regular family dinner. Just stay by my side. I’ll take you to pick out a gown first.”

Clara, having never been to such a high-end place, was at a loss, so she had to let the stylist do as they pleased.

Picking out clothes, styling her hair, makeup…

A full hour passed after the process was complete.

Julian had also changed into a meticulously tailored suit. His slightly taut muscles, his stiff and powerful posture, and the scent of a mature man surrounded him.

When Clara emerged, the staff couldn't help but exclaim. Julian sat on the sofa, his eyes fixed on her.

She wore a white, backless long gown with a fringe design that accentuated Clara’s graceful waist. Her long hair flowed naturally, covering her smooth back, and she wore a tiny crown. She looked noble and poised.

Clara looked in the mirror, not feeling as though she looked that good, and sighed: “It’s the stylist’s brilliant technique.”

Julian stood behind her with deep eyes, a head taller than Clara, making her look petite and adorable.

“You look beautiful.”

With that, he leaned down and piously placed a kiss on her back.

Clara shuddered violently, biting her lip in shyness as she urged Julian: “Let’s go since we’re done.”

When they reached the banquet, Julian gestured for Clara to take his arm, and they entered together.

They were a striking couple, and many people took note of them. Under the scorching gaze of the guests, Clara gritted her teeth and acted as if she didn't care.

Julian said: “Let’s go see Grandpa first. Over these years, Grandpa has helped me a lot.”

Clara nodded.

The banquet was lively, with many people chatting in small groups. Julian led her through the crowd.

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out, filled with disbelief: “Teacher Clara?!”

Clara followed the source of the sound and saw a girl in a blue princess dress. Her hair was elaborately styled, and she looked perky and cute.

Anyone who called her "Teacher" had to be a student she had taught.

Clara looked at the familiar face and tentatively called out: “Student Sharon Xie?”

The other person nodded. Clara knew she hadn't guessed wrong and asked: “What’s the matter?”

Julian stood patiently to the side, not interrupting their conversation.

However, Sharon Xie had a complicated expression on her face, and only after a long pause did she squeeze out a whisper: “Teacher Clara, why are you my cousin’s girlfriend…”

Her sister Xuan had promised to buy her the latest GUCCI perfume if she came to spy on Julian’s girlfriend’s situation.

Sharon Xie naturally understood her intent. She had been waiting there early, hoping to intimidate Julian’s so-called girlfriend.

But seeing it was Clara—well, students are like mice meeting a cat when they see their teacher. Sharon Xie’s spirit immediately withered.

Chapter 14

Many students loved Clara, including Sharon Xie, who was going through a rebellious phase and refused to worry about her family, choosing to hand in blank exam papers.

Only in Clara’s Chinese class would she symbolically write a few words.

Clara never criticized her; instead, she would stick sticky notes on the papers, praising her for the slight progress she made.

When was the only time she handed in a blank paper… oh, it seemed to be today.

Julian didn't have much affection for this naughty cousin, but that Bai Ruxuan was truly a headache. Sharon Xie liked her very much and, relying on their slight blood relation, was always trying to set them up.

Julian frowned and pulled Clara behind him: “No need to interact with them.”

With that, he pulled Clara away. Sharon Xie watched their retreating figures, tears in her eyes, saying goodbye to her perfume.

Once they were further away, Clara found Julian’s defensive reaction quite funny: “Sharon Xie is my student.”

Julian paused: “No wonder.”

Thinking of Bai Ruxuan, he added: “Still, stay away from them. Who knows if they’ll shoot you in the back.”

Clara nodded helplessly: “Yes, yes, yes…”

The Xie family had been in government for generations. Grandpa Xie had been a soldier and earned military honors. Now retired, he still looked full of vigor, his speech and demeanor full of authority.

But Julian’s father was a good-for-nothing. When Julian’s grandfather wanted to send him to the army, he refused. He had some business acumen, however, and in ten years, he had founded the Xie Group, with interests in various industries.

Regarding Julian, his grandson, Grandpa Xie felt both sympathy and pity. His own son didn't care for the boy, and Julian was rebelliously stubborn about not returning to the Xie household. If not for the car accident ten years ago, he would likely still be drifting away from them.

Seeing Julian, Grandpa Xie was naturally happy; this grandson was more like him in his youth than his own son.

Clara walked beside Julian, scanning the room. There weren't many people inside. Besides Grandpa Xie, there was a poised noblewoman, a middle-aged man, and… Julian’s brother, Xie Muchuan.

His gaze was malicious, and he was mockingly staring at Clara and Julian.

Their identities were easy to recognize; Clara guessed who they were without much thought.

Julian held Clara’s hand and walked up to Grandpa Xie, telling her to address him: “Grandpa, this is Clara, my girlfriend.”

As for the others, Julian didn't even give them a glance.

Grandpa Xie looked at Clara with an inscrutable expression, nodded at her, and said: “The young lady is quite pretty.”

Having said that, he bypassed the matter and asked Julian: “Planning to return to the country to develop your career?”

“Probably in another month, I won’t need to run between the two places anymore.”

“Hmm.” Grandpa Xie didn't understand business affairs and believed that children and grandchildren had their own fortunes, so he didn't ask further.

Clara felt a bit awkward, thinking she was an outsider and might be in the way. After exchanging greetings, she walked out.

Once outside the room, Clara sighed. It was too oppressive inside. Was this the pressure of a wealthy family?

The Xie courtyard was huge, and the banquet hall was already filled with high-ranking officials and nobles.

Clara shook her head; she couldn't blend in, so she simply found a corner to eat desserts while waiting for Julian.

Clara observed the many people coming and going; none of them were stopping to eat. She must have been the only one.

Just as she was enjoying her food and preparing to take another piece of cake, the light in front of her was suddenly blocked.

A girl in a low-cut, blue fishtail dress stood before her, her shoulder-length hair cascading like a waterfall. She was wearing exquisite, subtle makeup, and her dress shimmered. She wore a suit jacket over her shoulders to cover her somewhat revealing back, and two other well-dressed girls stood behind her.

A flash of hostility crossed her eyes, and she hooked her mouth into an arc, asking with a smile: “Are you Clara?”

“Yeah.” Clara nodded, puzzled. “Do you need something?”

After getting a positive answer, Bai Ruxuan smiled slightly, revealing a shallow, gentle dimple that looked very harmless. She flicked her hair: “Did you see Brother Julian?”

A girl in a black dress behind her sneered: “Oh, Ruxuan, why are you asking just anyone?”

“Looking at the way she eats, she probably hasn't even attended a banquet of this level. How could she know Julian?”

Another person quickly chimed in: “Yeah, she probably snuck in from somewhere.”

Chapter 15

Clara listened to their mockery, feeling uneasy. Even Bai Ruxuan, who looked kind, seemed much more piercing to her now. Out of spite, she pointed to the second-floor room and said: “Julian is there, talking to Grandpa.”