321: Chapter 321 The Dean is Advanced in Age

"Alright, alright, An Wen..." Ye Cheng laughed for a good while before finally managing to hold it in. She waved a hand at Fang Anwen.

"Stop overthinking things here and go back to study. Isn't there an Olympiad math competition when school starts next semester? Prepare well and bring honor to the orphanage."

Fang Anwen was still in a state of profound mental shock and hadn't fully regained his senses. He subconsciously let out an "oh," scratched his head blankly, bent down to pick up the sign with the writing on it, and turned around silently, looking as if his soul had left his body.

After walking two steps, he seemed to suddenly remember something. He stopped, turned his head, looked at Jiang Ye with a complex expression, and sincerely uttered three words: "You... are so strong."

Jiang Ye cupped his hands together with calm, airy indifference, looking every bit like a master living apart from the world: "I've just lived a few more years and experienced a bit more of the world, that's all. It's not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."

Fang Anwen pursed his lips, a strange light flashing in his eyes. He took a deep breath and declared loudly: "Hmph! Today, I, Fang, have learned my lesson! However, thirty years east of the river, thirty years..."

"Get lost!" Ye Cheng truly couldn't take it anymore. She laughed and scolded, interrupting his chuunibyou outburst: "If you spout any more nonsense, I'm really going to beat you!"

Fang Anwen shrank his neck in fear and quickly swallowed the second half of his sentence. He trotted to the dormitory entrance, grabbed the two little girls still sitting on the ground with dazed expressions—one in each hand—and hoisted them up: "Stop watching, stop watching! Everyone go back and do your homework! This person... this person's level is too high; it is not something we can fathom at our current stage..."

The voices gradually faded away, and the three small figures soon disappeared into the shadows of the dormitory building.

"Cheng Cheng, tell me..." Jiang Ye shook his head speechlessly and raised a hand to rub his temples: "Exactly how much money is this Dean of yours planning to ask for? Why don't I just give it to him? Believe it or not, with the brainpower I'm using on this, I could have earned quite a bit of money."

"No, no, no, you're thinking about it too simply." Ye Cheng held up a finger and shook it, her expression serious: "Over so many years, countless children have left the orphanage. Can you take on the living expenses of all those people? Even if you could, you absolutely must not do that!"

She paused, her tone becoming exceptionally solemn: "That wouldn't be helping them; it would be harming them! It would completely destroy the desire for many to be independent and self-reliant, making them feel that dependence is a matter of course. If it ever reaches that point, this orphanage will be completely finished."

Jiang Ye could understand the deeper meaning in her words; it was a deeper, more responsible kind of love and concern.

"Alright, alright, I'll listen to you." He shrugged helplessly: "Let's go, to the next level. I've figured it out now, your orphanage..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a burst of extremely hearty, vigorous laughter suddenly came from not far away: "Hahahaha! Isn't this little Cheng Cheng? You're here so early? I thought you wouldn't arrive until the afternoon!"

The two turned their heads simultaneously and saw a sprightly little old man in his fifties, wearing a slightly worn dark blue cotton-padded jacket, walking over with his hands behind his back and a cheerful smile.

He was not tall, with a benevolent smile on his face. His pace was not fast, but every step exuded a sense of steadiness and the composure of someone who understood the ways of the world.

Ye Cheng's expression changed instantly. She subconsciously moved half a step forward, vaguely shielding Jiang Ye behind her, her whole person entering a state of high-level combat readiness.

She knew all too well how good her Dean was at "fleecing" people—every year during the Lunar New Year, children who had left the orphanage and returned full of confidence after earning some money would end up running away with tear-streaked faces, clutching their wallets.

The old man's "alms-begging" skills had long since reached the pinnacle of perfection.

Jiang Ye also stopped speaking, eyeing the "Final Boss" slowly approaching with a grave gaze.

Putting everything else aside, just based on the actions of the two "disciples," Skippy and Fang Anwen, it was clear that this old man was definitely a formidable opponent who was not to be trifled with, and his educational philosophy was quite "advanced."

Hmm... I don't know if it's because I've been playing too many games lately, but at this moment, a low and oppressive "Warden's March" seemed to faintly echo in Jiang Ye's ears, its rhythm perfectly matching the old man's unhurried, gradually approaching footsteps.

He even seemed to hear a cold voice-over echoing between heaven and earth: "The Dean will personally command the security department to set up traps and swindle the hostile forces. All staff, please cooperate with the operation."

A phrase also inexplicably rang in his mind: "The Dean is advanced in years and his strength is compromised. This is a rare opportunity; take him out together while you can."

Just as the two were having their intense internal monologues and bracing for battle, the Dean had already walked up to them with his hands behind his back, smiling cheerfully.

"Oh my, this must be little Cheng Cheng's boyfriend, right?" His gaze fell gently on Jiang Ye, and he looked him up and down: "I was wondering why I heard magpies chirping when I woke up this morning. So it was a distinguished guest arriving! My humble home is truly honored, truly honored!"

"Old man, cut that out!" Ye Cheng rolled her eyes in annoyance: "It's only February, freezing cold outside. Where would there be magpies?! Can you at least be somewhat believable when you make things up?"

The Dean wasn't angry at being retorted; he just clicked his tongue in mock reproach, pointed at Ye Cheng, and smiled at Jiang Ye: "Hehe, young man, look at this child! She grew up right in front of me; I treasure her like my own daughter, and I've spoiled her rotten! Her temper must have caused you quite a few grievances, right? If there's anything you're unhappy about, just tell your Uncle. Uncle will discipline her for you!"

Jiang Ye's expression tightened, and he inwardly exclaimed, "Impressive." This old man was indeed on a much higher level than Fang Anwen!

In just two sentences, what seemed like casual chatter was actually filled with hidden barbs. He had pointed out his relationship with Ye Cheng as being like father and daughter, invisibly placing himself in the esteemed position of a "prospective father-in-law" and occupying the high ground of morality and seniority. At the same time, by adopting the posture of caring for a younger generation, he revealed his understanding and love for Ye Cheng, blocking any possible counterattack from Jiang Ye and forcing him to play along and speak nicely. A master! He was definitely a master!

Jiang Ye immediately put on a slightly shy smile and bowed slightly: "Hello, Dean. I am Ye Cheng's boyfriend, Jiang Ye. I turned 23 after the New Year, haven't graduated yet, and am currently interning."

Upon hearing this, the Dean's smile didn't fade, but a flash of shrewd light flickered in his squinting eyes. Hmm... No wonder he was able to make several of my prize disciples suffer losses at his hands one after another.

A short self-introduction, seemingly ordinary, but actually hidden with needles in cotton. He had politely responded to the greeting, stated his status as a "student" and "intern," and cleverly hinted at his "not yet financially independent" status, blocking at the source many potential sensitive follow-up topics regarding "career" and "income." Hearing thunder in the silence; this kid was truly not simple.

However... the Dean glanced at Ye Cheng, who was standing to the side with a vigilant expression, and chuckled inwardly. Little Cheng Cheng had both high IQ and EQ, and a strong sense of caution. To be completely "conquered" by this young man in just two or three months could only be the result of a fierce, dual offensive of emotion and material wealth.

Moreover, during the testing by Skippy and An Wen earlier, this young Jiang's performance—the calmness and slightly teasing attitude he showed in the face of sudden situations—was absolutely not the reaction of a young man who was financially strapped, sensitive, and insecure.

These days, the more financially strapped a person is, the more they tend to care about face, regarding dignity as more important than the heavens; conversely, only those who are truly not short of money and have strong backing would be so indifferent to others' scrutiny and testing. This kid... must come from a prominent family!