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Warmth suffused the side of her face when Li Qian leaned down. "This is quite amazing news, Jiao Jiao," he noted quietly. "Old Master Song is probably the richest man in Shanghai."

Excitement flashed through her as she tipped her head up to meet his gaze. "Really?" Her bright smile and dimpled cheeks lit up the room.

"Yes, really. If Old Master Song decides to make an offer, it could be quite lucrative."

He glanced over to Ling Xue, who was desperately trying to catch what they were discussing, and raised his voice slightly.

"It may not reach thirty-six million, of course..."

Yuan Ming rolled his eyes. "Oh, lighten up, A'Qian. She was just making conversation."

Ling Xue pursed her crimson lips at Yuan Ming's defense. She stepped in to close the circle, so only the four remained in a tense little group.

"A'Qian, you've not introduced us to your little friend yet. May we have the pleasure of knowing who's accompanying you?"

The polite words felt like poison leaving her mouth, as all she desperately wanted was to yank the little figure from Li Qian's side.

It was like a switch flipped, and when Li Qian's stern eyes fell on Ling Xue, her heart nearly stopped. Why was he so warm to that little slut, and the look he gave her was enough to make her insides freeze?

Yuan Ming took the initiative to break the ice. "Hello, little sister. I'm Yuan Ming, but you can call me Brother Ming if you want. Li Qian, Ling Xue, and I have known each other since we were kids."

Jiao Jiao clasped his outstretched hand briefly before returning it to her side and fingering the fluttering waves of her skirt.

She shyly looked up at Li Qian, who was holding himself as still as a statue. Moments passed, and when he didn't speak, she said, "I'm Jing Jiao, and it's very nice to meet you, Brother Ming."

Ling Xue was reassured that Li Qian didn't seem to care much about this girl. He didn't even give her the decency of introducing her to them, his closest friends. Her heart settled with relief.

"Little sister, you can call me Sister Xue. You're such a pretty girl. May I ask how old you are?"

Jiao Jiao blushed at Ling Xue's attention and replied, "I'm seventeen, and I moved here with my mom to attend Huadian Elite Academy."

Ling Xue's brain buzzed, and she cried, "Wait a moment, you're Jing Jiao from Hunan Village? You're the one who received the BrightSmart scholarship this year!"

Jiao Jiao's wet eyes crinkled up in delight, and she said, "Sister Xue, I have wanted to thank BrightSmart personally for awarding me the scholarship, but I never thought I would meet the founder tonight. I'm very grateful for the opportunity."

Jiao Jiao's delicate face shone with sincerity; her smooth cheeks and glossy hair epitomized the delight of a fresh young girl.

Relief coursed through Ling Xue, and she pulled Jiao Jiao towards her with warm familiarity. "Little sister, you're too sweet. Here, take my contact number and let me know if you run into any problems, hmm?"

Jiao Jiao squinted her eyes into little crescent moons and pulled out a cute rabbit phone case to capture Ling Xue's QR code.

Li Qian and Yuan Ming were stunned at how the tables had turned. Ling Xue was going a bit overboard, wasn't she?