She actually quite liked the boy himself.

Suddenly, a headline appeared before her: "Is the Xie Group about to change leadership?"

She clicked on it and saw that Julian had defeated Xie Muchuan, secured a government cooperation deal, and reshuffled the board of directors.

Looking at Clara, who was busy moving around nearby, her mother tilted her phone slightly to block her view.

It wasn't that she didn't feel it. Since the breakup, Clara had never mentioned Julian again. Her emotions remained indifferent, as if she had closed herself off and no one could open her back up.

In recent days, her mood had clearly improved a lot. Her mother sighed inwardly—fine, let it be.

Once her mother finished her meal, Clara washed the bowls and returned, sitting to the side lost in her own thoughts.

Her phone suddenly rang, startling Clara. Fearing she might disturb the sleeping patient, Clara walked outside the room, saw the name "Sharon Xie" pulsing on the screen, and touched the screen to answer.

“Teacher Clara, can I invite you to my birthday party this Sunday?” As soon as it connected, Sharon’s excited voice rang out on the other end.

“I’m begging you, Teacher Clara… say something good for me in front of my parents. I want a bit more allowance.”

…Clara thought about it for a moment. Sunday was the day after tomorrow, and her mother’s surgery was set for next Wednesday, so it should be fine.

She hesitated, then nodded and said okay.

Chapter 28

At the same time, as soon as Sharon Xie hung up the phone on the other end, she looked at Julian, whose presence was incredibly overpowering. Her eyes rolled, and she said flatteringly: "Cousin, Teacher Clara agreed to come. You see, this..."

Julian stood up and calmly smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes, acting as if the person who had just forced Sharon to make that call wasn't him.

"Alright, just send whatever you want to buy to my assistant later, and he'll arrange it for you."

"Yeah, yeah, thank you, cousin!"

Sharon smiled on the surface but rolled her eyes inwardly. He refused to call her himself and insisted on using coercion and temptation to make her do it. Let it be known, she was absolutely not afraid.

It was called a birthday party, but in reality, it was just an excuse for her birthday to let those adults cultivate connections.

She had seen through this since she was little. For all these years, the protagonist was never her anyway.

Julian knew full well that if he were the one to invite her, Clara definitely wouldn't come to avoid suspicion. She had reached a point where she was wary of everything, and even their meetings felt like illicit affairs.

Thinking of this, Julian took out his phone and sent Clara a message.

[I'll come to pick you up on Sunday.]

She replied quickly: [Okay.]

[Don't come to the ward area; just wait outside the hospital.]

Clara put down her phone after replying, took the report, and went to find the doctor to understand the follow-up treatment plan.

The doctor's words were good news: the cancer cells hadn't spread, the degree of differentiation was moderate, and with active treatment, she could basically return to normal. Clara breathed a sigh of relief.

She went back, told her mother briefly about her situation, and added: "Mom, I'll be back late on Sunday night; I'm going to a student's birthday party."

She didn't mention it was the Xie family. Her mother thought it was just a regular classmate and agreed casually, telling Clara not to worry.

…

Time quickly arrived at Sunday. A birthday party wasn't as formal as a grand banquet.

Clara wore her daily outfit—a shirt and a denim skirt—and after saying goodbye to her mother, she left.

Outside the hospital, Julian was already waiting for her at the entrance.

Seeing Clara come out, Julian got out of the car to open the passenger door for her, smiling gently and politely inviting her in.

Julian was dressed in a smart-casual style, wearing a black shirt. Standing together with Clara, they looked like they were in couple outfits. Both of them were attractive, drawing frequent glances.

Clara blushed and pushed him to get into the car.

Julian laughed. They were almost like an old married couple; his Clara was still so cute.

Once in the car, Clara asked: "Is Sharon Xie’s birthday party being held at the old Ming family residence?"

Julian rested his hands carelessly on the steering wheel and glanced at her: "Right. Family banquets are usually held at the old residence."

"But this time, because we just happened to be discussing a partnership, some people were invited."

"You don't need to worry about them; just be yourself and eat whatever you like."

Clara remembered the last time she attended a Ming family banquet and was inexplicably accosted while eating. She suddenly thought of Bai Ruxuan.

Clara turned her head and asked: "Will Bai Ruxuan be there?"

"Yes."

Clara’s heart sank abruptly.

Julian drove with one hand, freeing the other to cover Clara's restless fingertips resting on her lap, reassuring her: "Don't worry this time. I will stay by your side the whole time and won't let her get near you."

It wasn't that Clara was afraid. After being a teacher for so long, everyone looked like a restless child to her; it’s just that some children were reasonable, and some weren't.

Bai Ruxuan likely counted as the latter.

Chapter 29

Arriving at the old Xie residence, it was indeed as casual as Julian had described. There weren't many people, just small groups standing together clinking glasses, leaving a large open space in the middle.

As soon as they entered, many gazes were cast in their direction. Most of them were from superiors, carrying a trace of subtle, hidden pressure.

A man reacted quickly, taking a glass of red wine from a waiter's tray and walking over. He handed it to Julian, his eyes on Clara filled with gossip: "President Xie, this is—"

Julian openly took Clara's hand: "This is my girlfriend."

The man was stunned upon hearing this. Most of the dates brought by these juniors were just for show; a truly recognized partner had to be the daughter of a prominent family. The person before him…

Aside from being quite pretty, she seemed rather ordinary.

But this man had some discernment. He knew clearly that Julian hadn't grown up in the Xie family and it was possible he didn't listen to their arrangements. Anyone who could gain a firm foothold in the Xie family within just a few short years must have some capability. It was better not to make disparaging remarks.

He raised his wine glass, tapped the rim gently against Julian's, and smiled: "President Xie is successful in business, and it seems the same holds true for your love life."

"Then I wish the two of you," he tilted his glass slightly toward Clara, "a harmonious union for a hundred years."

Julian and the man both finished their drinks in one gulp.

Clara tugged gently at Julian’s waist, signaling him to drink less.

She turned her head and looked at Julian quietly. He seemed to be in a very good mood, the corners of his lips curled up, his eyes filled with smiles. His sharp features looked exceptionally soft in the warm light as he chatted with the person opposite him.

Clara thought that the last time she came, Julian was just an ordinary competitor for the Ming family inheritance. This time, his every word and action were under intense scrutiny. Clara didn't know what he had done.

The man didn't expect a simple flattering remark to lead to a partnership, so he was naturally grinning from ear to ear. When the surrounding people saw that a few flattering words could make Julian spend money like water, they all changed their opinion on Clara's status as a 'date.'

This wasn't just a date; this was the future Mrs. Xie!

Sharon Xie, as the protagonist of the event, came down from upstairs dressed exquisitely. Her eyes lit up when she saw Clara.

She understood in her heart that if she couldn't get anything from her cousin, flattering Clara would have the same effect.

Although she had a good relationship with Bai Ruxuan, she still knew the difference between being full for one meal and being full for every meal.

Sharon flew to Clara’s side and, under Julian’s murderous gaze, said: "Teacher Clara, what's the point of talking about business with my cousin? Why don't you come to my room and see the new dress I bought?"

Sharon winked—it was one Julian had bought for her.

Julian was initially unwilling, but thinking he had to go see someone else in a moment, he said to Clara: "Go if you want to. If you don't want to, just stay with me."

Clara was a bit hesitant, but being with Julian was indeed boring, so she first wished Sharon a happy birthday, and then went upstairs with her.