Chapter 18: The First-Class Pavilion Membership Card

Hearing the voice, Jiang Wuyang snapped back to reality, her rare blush coloring her cheeks before she forced herself to regain composure.

“No, it’s just that I’ve long admired senior’s reputation. You’ve always dominated first place in physics throughout senior year,” she said.

“No choice, when the skill is so obvious, low-key isn’t allowed,” Gu Peizhi joked as well.

Jiang Wuyang smiled faintly in response.

This made Sang Wan feel as if she had seen a ghost. Since when did her stoic cousin become so witty?

“By the way, you know Lin Yan, right? He’s also competing with me, and he came back today,” Gu Peizhi recalled. Jiang Wuyang seemed to have many friends in Class A; Sang Wan often visited the senior Class A to see them, including Lin Yan.

But it seemed those friends weren’t particularly fond of her.

Jiang Wuyang’s smile faded slightly as she replied indifferently, “He’s back, huh? That’s good.”

Good enough, at least he wasn’t dead somewhere outside.

Sensing Jiang Wuyang’s unusual mood, Gu Peizhi felt he might have upset her.

“I got second place in the competition. Since you two are here, I’ll treat you to dinner today,” Gu Peizhi said at a steady pace, soothing as spring breeze.

Sang Wan’s dimples reappeared, eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Great! Great!” she cheered.

Her cousin was usually so aloof; even though they attended the same school, they rarely met privately.

Still, that did nothing to diminish her admiration. Being able to dine with her idol was pure bliss!

Both their gazes turned to Jiang Wuyang.

She smiled faintly, “I won’t go. I need to go home and pack.”

Sang Wan looked at her curiously, “Why are you packing? Going out? No class tomorrow?”

Jiang Wuyang shook her head. “I’m thinking of renting a place nearby. This house is too far from school; the commute isn’t convenient.”

Gu Peizhi perked up. “I can help you find one. I know someone renting out a place; I can arrange a viewing in a few days.”

Jiang Wuyang’s eyes brightened slightly. This was convenient and saved her time.

Without hesitation, she agreed.

“Great, dinner’s on me tonight, consider it an early thank you,” Gu Peizhi smiled.

He didn’t refuse either.

---

After buying some study materials, the three headed to Jiang Wuyang’s house to help her pack.

Jiang Wuyang turned the key in the lock.

The door opened to an empty house; the spacious living room was pitch dark.

She switched on the lights and invited the others in.

“You two sit down for a bit. I’ll pack and then we’ll leave.”

She poured water for them and laid out some fruit and snacks.

“Wuyang, want me to help pack? It’ll be faster,” Sang Wan said, eyes sparkling as she held her cup lovingly.

She genuinely liked Jiang Wuyang’s looks and personality.

Jiang Wuyang glanced at Gu Peizhi and shook her head. “No need. You two sit together for a while. I don’t have much—just a few clothes.”

Hearing this, Sang Wan’s eyes dropped in disappointment. “Alright then.”

She had wanted to check out Wuyang’s bedroom but now was stuck with this grumpy guy.

Thinking this, she cast a disdainful glance at her cousin.

Nearby, Gu Peizhi sensed his cousin’s subtle hostility. He thought: Actually, I don’t really need you to keep me company, and you’re really putting on a show.

After settling them, Jiang Wuyang headed upstairs.

It wasn’t late; Aunt Wang should have been home, maybe even prepared dinner, yet there was no sign of her.

Jiang Wuyang frowned. Could neglect of duty have become so blatant?

Back in her room, she called Aunt Zhang.

The call rang for a long time with no response. Just as Jiang Wuyang was about to hang up, the line suddenly connected.

“Hello, Miss Jiang, what’s the matter?” Aunt Zhang’s voice was full of impatience, with a noisy background and a child’s incessant crying.

Jiang Wuyang frowned deeply, took a deep breath, and tried to sound calm. “Where are you? It should be work hours, right?”

Aunt Zhang was clearly caught off guard. “Oh, well, the young masters said they won’t be eating at home today, so I don’t need to prepare meals. They even gave me a day off to rest.”

She added matter-of-factly, “That’s what the young masters said. If you have any issues, you should ask them.”

Shortly after, a heartbreaking wail came through the phone.

“Oh dear, Miss Jiang, I have to go. My grandson’s still hungry.”

“Such a waste of my time. An’an doesn’t cause this much trouble,” she muttered quietly, but through the receiver, it was still very clear.

Then she hung up.

Jiang Wuyang’s temple twitched. Who on earth employed such an ill-mannered and rude nanny?

When her father came back, she’d definitely fire her!

Her mind replayed Aunt Zhang’s words, and a quiet loneliness slipped into her heart.

Well, it made sense. Lin Yan was back today; they were probably out celebrating together.

Suppressing her feelings, she calmly turned and began packing.

She only took a few clothes and her usual skincare products. After all, she wasn’t leaving for good—just letting them stay for a while.

She wasn’t a philanthropist to give up her place for free.

Carrying her 24-inch suitcase, she went downstairs.

“Let’s go eat,” Gu Peizhi said, noticing her luggage and stepping forward to help.

Perhaps unused to being cared for, Jiang Wuyang hesitated, then smiled and declined.

But Gu Peizhi was unusually insistent, grabbing her white suitcase and heading out.

Jiang Wuyang had no choice but to follow.

Sang Wan leaned on the sofa, chin in hand, watching her cousin thoughtfully.

Since when did this stoic cousin become so considerate?

If she remembered correctly, he was a typical straightforward guy.

During a family hiking trip, he had raced ahead alone. When their aunt asked him to carry her things, he acted as if he didn’t hear and sped off.

How come now he was so thoughtful?

“Where are we going to eat?” Sang Wan asked, eager not to be left behind.

“To Yipinge Pavilion. Their food is quite good,” Jiang Wuyang replied, her gaze lowered, thoughts hidden.

“Ah? But isn’t Yipinge Pavilion members-only?”