Time flew by, and it was September 1st.
An Lan Shu's leg had long since recovered, and she could be discharged from the hospital. However, she specifically chose today for her discharge. Moreover, instead of moving into the houses that Nan Zhen Ting had provided for her, she moved into Nan Xiao's Sheng Shi Jiang Nan.
Nan Xiao had previously sought Lan Yu Xi's opinion. Lan Yu Xi couldn't be bothered to manage it. She could live there if she wanted; as long as she wasn't bothersome, that was better than anything.
In the morning, Lan Yu Xi put on her clothes and walked out of the walk-in closet.
Nan Xiao glanced at the white dress she was wearing and raised an eyebrow subtly. "It's gotten cooler already. Won't you be cold in a dress?"
Lan Yu Xi shook the jacket in her hand. "Don't worry, I'll definitely protect your belongings tightly."
Nan Xiao smiled and pulled her into his embrace. "That wasn't my intention. I'm worried you'll catch a cold."
Lan Yu Xi pouted. "No need to explain. I know what you're thinking."
Nan Xiao affectionately ruffled her hair. "It's your first day of school today, but I can't take you to work. I'm truly sorry."
Lan Yu Xi curved her lips into a smile. "It's fine. If she wants you to go, then go quickly. Don't anger her again and cause more trouble."
"Then I'll be going now?"
"Go on. If you're late, she'll start calling obsessively again."
Nan Xiao chuckled helplessly. "Perhaps I should stay sick for a few more days?"
"Stop messing around. If you continue to pretend to be sick, she'll accuse me of having bad intentions," Lan Yu Xi said, smiling as she pushed him out of the room. "Go on, I'll leave with Second Brother after breakfast."
Nan Xiao looked back at her. "I'll pick you up after work."
"It depends. If you have time, then come. If not, send me a WeChat message in advance, and I'll come back with Second Brother."
Nan Xiao softly hummed in acknowledgment, but he felt a pang of unease. His mother might not be openly causing trouble anymore, but her subtle machinations were truly giving him a headache.
She insisted on being discharged today and before eight o'clock. It was clearly meant to prevent him from taking Xi Bao to work. Yet, knowing this, he couldn't say anything. Fortunately, Xi Bao was magnanimous and didn't hold it against her.
After breakfast, Lan Yu Xi and Lan Mu Si went to the academy. Nan Xiao, on the other hand, went to the hospital.
Although Lan Yu Xi didn't frequent the academy, she was fully aware of everything happening there. She could even name the faculty and staff she hadn't met.
On the first day of school, Lan Yu Xi, as the academy dean, gave a speech in the auditorium. The next speaker was Minister Huo.
While Minister Huo was speaking, a reporter with blonde hair and blue eyes suddenly stood up.
"The Lan family stole the Lan Ling Golden Needles that belonged to the Ling family, yet Minister Huo, you are here praising the Lan family. Don't you think this damages China's image?"
Minister Huo was slightly taken aback, then he smiled. "Esteemed reporter, what evidence do you have to prove that the Lan family stole the Ling family's Lan Ling Golden Needles?"
"Does this even need asking? Lan, Ling Golden Needles! They were jointly created by the Lan and Ling families. Why is it only the Lan family now, and not the Ling family?"
Lan Yu Xi frowned slightly and rose to take the microphone, but Lan Mu Si beat her to it.
"I'll answer this..."
Lan Mu Si recounted in detail everything that had happened over the years and presented a considerable amount of evidence. The foreign reporter fell silent on the spot, and the crowd cast looks of disdain towards him.
This minor interruption did not affect the status of Lan Ling Academy in the hearts of the attendees. Instead, it further commanded their respect for the Lan family.
Minister Huo concluded his speech, and the students then left the auditorium to return to their classrooms.
The class Lan Yu Xi taught consisted of students with a solid foundation. Lan Yu Xi initially thought they would be difficult to manage. To her surprise, during her lecture, there was no sound other than her own in the nearly hundred-person classroom.
After the hour-long class ended, as Lan Yu Xi was packing up to leave, a thin young man walked over somewhat shyly.
"Dean Lan, may I ask you a question?"
Lan Yu Xi glanced at him. "Certainly, ask away."
"I heard that your Lan family has always collaborated with Western practices for surgery..."
As the young man was speaking, Lan Mu Si's voice came from the doorway. "Xi'er, Camino is here."
Lan Yu Xi pursed her lips and said to the young man, "I'm sorry, I have something to attend to. Please come find me again after the next class, and I will answer your question thoroughly."
"Alright." The young man watched Lan Yu Xi leave the classroom before returning to his seat.
A student next to him chuckled. "Ling Chen, Dean Lan is married. Aren't you being too deliberate by trying to get close to her?"
A girl sitting nearby leaned over. "Your surname is Ling? You're not also a descendant of that disgraceful Ling family, are you?"
Ling Chen frowned slightly, picked up his backpack, and walked out.
Downstairs, Lan Yu Xi was talking to a tall man in a white robe.
Ling Chen looked down and took the stairs on the other side.
"Are you leaving this afternoon?" Lan Yu Xi asked Camino.
"Yes, my work here is finished, and it's time to go back." Camino's deep-set eyes fixed on the beauty mark by her eye. "Are you really not going to reconsider me?"
"Pfft!" Lan Yu Xi laughed and playfully hit him. "Stop joking, okay? We're buddies."
Camino raised his hand to cover his chest, feigning pain. "You've given me internal injuries with that punch. No, I need to recover at your place."
Lan Yu Xi smiled. "Aren't you afraid Nan Xiao will scold you? Go ahead then."
Camino shook his head helplessly. "That Nan Xiao guy is really something else! Xi'er, remember what I said today. If he ever treats you badly, come to me."
Lan Yu Xi smiled. "Just give up on that idea. He won't treat me badly."
Camino smiled and ruffled her hair. "Brother wishes you happiness."
Lan Yu Xi looked up at him. "Thank you. What time is your flight? I'll see you off."
"No need. I'm leaving now. You still have a class later."
"Alright then. When you get back, please send my regards to your father."
"Okay." Camino waved goodbye with a smile and turned, striding away from the academy.
Lan Mu Si walked out of his office, smiling. "That guy has finally come to his senses. The dinner you arranged last time was well done."
Lan Yu Xi recalled the dinner three days prior and smiled helplessly. "I never expected Nan Xiao to be so good at retorting."
"He's only obedient to you," Lan Mu Si said, draping an arm around her shoulder and smiling. "I just heard some students discussing you. They said that besides your excellent lectures, you're also very beautiful. Tell me, should I mention this to Nan Xiao?"
Lan Yu Xi rolled her eyes at him. "What are you implying? Trying to stir up trouble? Let me tell you, he's not someone who can handle being teased."