Chapter 52: Lin Ran and Ye Fanzhi

She’s Principal Ye?

This young woman in Hanfu, covering her face, was lying flat. The delicate fabric clung softly to her body, revealing every curve and hollow with striking clarity.

Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Principal Ye is always so stern, dignified, aloof—a woman of commanding presence. How could she possibly cosplay as some ancient maiden? I don’t believe it. I must find out who dared to impersonate Principal Ye!

Lin Ran forcefully pried apart the hands covering her face, and a delicate, charming visage appeared, her resentful gaze fixed intently on Lin Ran.

Well, it really is Principal Ye.

Shocking! The same Principal Ye who had hundreds of teachers trembling in the school just moments ago was, in private, a Hanfu-loving young woman who enjoyed candied hawthorns.

If people knew this, where would her authority be? How could she command respect?

Ye Fanzhi tried to rise, but hissed in pain—the fall had twisted her ankle, and she couldn’t stand. Still, that wasn’t the main issue now; the real concern was keeping Lin Ran quiet.

Ye Fanzhi remained seated, composed herself, and restored the dignified air of a principal.

“Lin, your mother is up for the school’s Ten Best Teachers award this year, isn’t she?”

“I didn’t see anything.”

“Excellent. I appreciate clever people.”

“Principal Ye, my mother should win the Outstanding Teacher award, right?”

Ye Fanzhi was clever too, but how could a dignified principal be threatened? Yet Lin Ran’s look seemed to say—Principal Ye, you wouldn’t want today’s events revealed, would you?

“As principal, I am always fair and just, and detest favoritism. Your mother is very outstanding; I have high hopes for her. I will recommend her to the board for this year’s Outstanding Teacher Star.”

There are ten Outstanding Teachers, but only one Star each year. Principal Ye was making a real concession.

“Principal Ye, you’re wise. I’ll treat you to dinner to thank you.”

“You go ahead, I’m not hungry. I’ll sit for a while.”

How could the principal get up? Her jade foot was twisted—so painful.

So she sat there, chin resting on her knees, head lowered, drawing circles on the floor with her fingertips.

Lin Ran noticed that Principal Ye’s true nature, when unguarded, was that of an adorable young woman.

“There are so many people on the street. You’re the school’s principal; sitting here undermines your authority. Let me help you up.”

Lin Ran extended his hand.

Amid the bustling crowds, Ye Fanzhi lifted her head, her lively eyes meeting Lin Ran’s. She realized he wasn’t mocking her, but was genuinely concerned for the dignity of the principal.

Sitting on the ground wasn’t a solution; her backside was getting sore.

“Lin, I intended to sit a bit longer, but since you’re so attentive, I’ll reluctantly accept your help.”

She raised her hand.

Lin Ran smiled—her principal’s pride was truly heavy.

He helped her up. “Let’s go to the Rolex store so you can sit while I pick up my watch, then I’ll treat you to dinner.”

“First, help me to that trash bin; I need to throw away the candied hawthorn.”

A burst of laughter escaped Lin Ran. Ye Fanzhi thought—what’s wrong with me, a recent college graduate, eating candied hawthorn?

“I only bought a string of candied hawthorn to try because...uh...we have an affiliated elementary school, and I wanted to prepare a gift for the children’s new term.”

“Oh, a gift for the elementary students? The principal personally tries it first. Let me taste it too, see if it suits the kids’ palates.”

With that, Lin Ran took the candied hawthorn and bit off a piece.

“You, wait, you—”

“What?”

“You could buy your own to try; eating mine is out of line.”

“You were about to throw it away. The school always promotes saving food. What’s wrong with us sharing a string? Mm...it’s sweet and sour, pretty good. Principal Ye, have another?”

“...”

“Principal Ye, do you like wearing Hanfu?”

“...”

“Principal Ye, what era is your Hanfu from?”

“Lin, you wouldn’t want your mother to miss out on the Star award, would you?”

“Okay, I’ll be quiet. But you really look beautiful in Hanfu—like a fairy.”

“...”

Ye Fanzhi, proud and silent, thought—he wasted so many words, but that last one was genuine.

...

Rolex.

“Mr. Lin, you’re back. Your watch is ready.”

“Thank you, could you help Miss Ye to the sofa?”

“Certainly.”

Two sales associates supported Ye Fanzhi to the sofa, while Lin Ran went to the maintenance area.

Ye Fanzhi rubbed her ankle and noticed that all the Rolex staff were unusually enthusiastic toward Lin Ran. That shouldn’t be—he’d only bought a three-hundred-thousand-dollar Rolex, not enough for this level of hospitality. This wasn’t VIP treatment; it felt like VIC.

VIP is prestigious, but VIC is supreme.

VIP status can be achieved with a single purchase or by attending special events. VIC is different—it requires accumulated spending, like Chanel’s VIC, which demands at least ten million a year.

Ye Fanzhi knew the ways of luxury stores well. If Lin Ran were just a VIP, the staff wouldn’t be so attentive. Something was off.

An array of desserts was brought over.

“Miss Ye, these are all prepared for you at Mr. Lin’s request. Please enjoy.”

“Thank you.”

“Mr. Lin is truly considerate. Yesterday, we heard he bought furniture worth 3.4 million. Are you living together?”

“I’m not his girlfriend, just a friend.”

“Sorry, my apologies.”

The sales associate assumed she was his girlfriend and wanted to flatter her.

Ye Fanzhi’s mind caught on something. “Wait...how much did you say the furniture cost?”

“3.4 million.”

She muttered, “That number is familiar. Where have I heard of someone buying 3.4 million in furniture?”

Seeing her puzzled face, the sales associate was also confused. “Miss Ye, you didn’t know?”

“Who was it? Let me think. I think I heard about it...”

“It was Ji Bochang.”

“Yes, yes, that’s the one with the notorious username—the second-generation rich...” Ye Fanzhi stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing, and was shocked. “It’s him?”

The sales associate nodded. “Yes, you didn’t know?”

Well...

Ye Fanzhi truly didn’t know.

She remembered saying in front of Lin Ran, in the car, that Ji Bochang was a good-for-nothing second-generation heir who only spent money and chased women.

Now, the thought made her cringe.

She hadn’t expected it to be him!

It really surprised Ye Fanzhi.

Just then, Lin Ran walked over. Seeing Ye Fanzhi’s scrutinizing gaze, he laughed. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“So you’re that ‘Ji’ online. Why didn’t you say so?”

“You criticized me in the car, said I was useless. How could I admit it then? And all that talk about second-generation wealth—I’m not one. I’m just an ordinary guy who made some money. Don’t believe what’s online; it’s all exaggerated.”

Ye Fanzhi began to appreciate Lin Ran’s calm, grounded demeanor, so different from the flamboyant, money-flaunting personality described online. On reflection, the online posts about buying a Bentley never showed him, and the 3.4 million furniture purchase was recognized by others and posted online; he’d never actively flaunted his wealth.

“I take back what I said in the car. You’re outstanding—not one of those idle, ignorant heirs.”

“Thank you, Principal Ye, for clearing my name.”

“It’s only right—my view was too narrow. This meal is on me, for the misunderstanding I caused.”

“That works.”

“Let’s go.”

Ye Fanzhi got up.

“Your foot doesn’t hurt anymore?”

“It’s fine now.”

They went to a Chinese restaurant and ordered several dishes. Ye Fanzhi raised her juice, “Lin, on behalf of the teachers, thank you for helping us retouch the photos today.”

“It’s my duty to help my alma mater.”

[‘No One But You’]

Ye Fanzhi’s phone rang—it was the board calling about funding for renovating the school’s athletic field. So, throughout lunch, Ye Fanzhi argued her case, fighting for more support to ensure students had a better sports environment.

Lin Ran saw she really was quite dedicated.

After the meal, as they walked out, Ye Fanzhi said, “Lin, I still need to shop for clothes. Let’s call it a day. Goodbye.”

“Bye. Wait.”

Ye Fanzhi turned back, “Something else?”

Lin Ran smiled, “About the Star award—don’t take it too seriously. The school should select as it always does.”

He thought winning an Outstanding Teacher title wouldn’t be difficult, but the annual Star... every year it rotated among teachers with close ties to the leadership. Lin Ran naturally wanted his mother to win, but without connections, a sudden win would draw suspicion and hostility from colleagues. He didn’t want a good thing to become a burden for his mother.

Ye Fanzhi didn’t reply. Instead, she dialed the board, and said one thing: “I, Ye Fanzhi, don’t care who was previously chosen or whose connections are behind it. Erase them all. The Star award must go to Zhang Huiru! If any teacher objects, tell them to come to me, resignation letter in hand!”

She hung up, exuding authority.

“Lin, anything else?”

Lin Ran grinned and gave a thumbs-up. Impressive, truly impressive.

“Bye~”

Ye Fanzhi turned and walked off.

She was a woman who never broke her word. If she said Lin’s mother would get the award, not even Jesus could change it.

Lin Ran watched her quietly elegant Hanfu-clad figure recede. So formidable, so commanding.

He thought... Ye Fanzhi and Vivian were both forces to be reckoned with. Which of them was more imposing?