NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4 - [Trial lesson (3)]
However, Ling Fan was oblivious to the fact that as he casually left, Su MoRan was watching his retreating figure, discreetly peering through the curtains until he vanished from view.
SuWen picked up the notebook that Ling Fan had left behind, quickly skimmed through its pages, and then headed upstairs to give it to Su MoRan.
“This is the notebook Ling Fan left for you. Take a good look at it,” SuWen said, passing the notebook to Su MoRan before leaving the room.
Brother Lin Fan’s notebook? Su MoRan sat down at the desk with the notebook and opened it.
Ling Fan, meanwhile, made his way to LinJian Garden, found a random restaurant, and took care of his lunch.
With high hopes for a smooth afternoon, Ling Fan pondered whether Lady Luck was on his side. Despite his calm appearance, he couldn’t help but consider whether or not he should purchase a lottery ticket later.
Time flew by, and soon, it was 2:30 in the afternoon. Ling Fan finally arrived at the address in LinJian Garden. The area truly embodied its name with its abundant greenery, and Ling Fan nearly got lost. After asking several passersby, he found the address.
(TL: LinJian means forest.)
As Ling Fan gazed upon the three-story villa nestled among the towering trees, a sense of awe washed over them, revealing the stark reality of capitalism.
As he was about to express his discontent with the changing times, he noticed two tall, burly bodyguards at the entrance. Seeing his small arms and legs, Ling Fan wisely decided to keep his complaints to himself.
A hero doesn’t dwell on past glories.
Ling Fan reached the entrance and, after thinking a little, decided to call the man he had met the previous afternoon.
The call was quickly connected without any issues. A middle-aged man in a suit and tie walked out from the villa. Upon seeing Ling Fan, who looked like a normal middle school kid, he couldn’t help but frown.
However, noticing the uniform Ling Fan was wearing, after a brief hesitation, the man decided to step out and greet Ling Fan.
Ling Fan naturally noticed the man’s hesitation but didn’t mind. It was to be expected.
“You must be Ling Fan? I’m Xu ZhongHao,” the man introduced himself, reaching out his hand to Ling Fan.
“Good afternoon, Uncle Xu. I’m Ling Fan, a Class 221 Second Year student at DeYu Middle School.” Ling Fan extended his hand and shook hands with Xu ZhongHao.
“Class 221? If it ends with a 1, you must be an elite-class student. Ain’t you quite a promising young man!” Xu ZhongHao’s eyes flickered, and he fixed Ling Fan with a sharp gaze.
“Uncle Xu, you flatter me. I just happened to have good grades,” Ling Fan, of course, did not feel any pressure; he’s not a fresh rookie, even though he looked like one.
“If that’s so, I’m willing to give you a chance. Please come in,” Xu ZhongHao said, leading Ling Fan through the gap between the bodyguards. The two bodyguards did not follow and remained outside.
Xu ZhongHao was a well-known and respected figure in the business world of JinYun City, with a strong presence in the provincial business circle. He was well aware of the most renowned middle school in the city.
His child not managing to get into that school had been a lingering regret for him. Whenever he compared his child with others when out with friends, he couldn’t help but sense a certain incompleteness.
Despite his child now attending a prestigious school nearby, the reason for not gaining admission to the DeYu Middle School was simply due to his daughter’s grades not meeting the required standards.
Xu ZhongHao could only feel helpless about it—after all, he couldn’t just take the exams for his daughter, could he?
Determined to stand out, Xu ZhongHao decided to find a good tutor for his daughter, starting from junior high. If the tutor could assist in improving her grades, he would find a way to secure her admission into DeYu High School in due course.
Seeing Ling Fan, Xu ZhongHao thought it might be worth trying a lesson with this kid. He might be capable of something if he was truly from the elite class.
Unlike ordinary parents, Xu ZhongHao was aware that students in the elite class were highly competent in grades and character.
Mr. Xu considered himself financially well-off. He had tried to get his child into the advanced class but couldn’t manage it, let alone into the elite class. Fortunately, among the parents in his social circle, only a few of their children were in advanced class.
While Xu ZhongHao was lost in his thoughts, Ling Fan casually surveyed the interior decor. Despite his limited knowledge of interior design, his first reaction was: Danm, these people are really rich.
Ling Fan believed that even if he sold himself, he could not afford the sofa and coffee table in front of him.
“Ling Fan, have a seat first. I’ll call YanRan over. Oh, that’s right. The one you will be teaching is my daughter Xu YanRan, who is in her first year of junior high.”
“I understand, Uncle Xu.’
Just as Xu ZhongHao was about to leave to make a call, he seemed to remember something and turned around.
“Ling Fan, I hope you will perform well. My daughter’s personality isn’t great, so there might be some trouble. Of course, if both sides are satisfied with the trial lesson, we can discuss the payment; money is not an issue.” Xu ZhongHao said, looking somewhat constipated.
Damn, this was the kind of boss he liked; I wonder if the boss is still in need of a son?
Of course, Ling Fan had no intention of voicing his thoughts.
“Uncle Xu, don’t worry. This isn’t my first time teaching,” Ling Fan replied confidently.
“Good, I like young people who are confident,” Xu ZhongHao said, then went out to make a phone call.
Before long, Ling Fan heard Xu ZhongHao’s voice. Although he couldn’t make out the words, his tone seemed a bit agitated.
“Is he arguing with his daughter?” Ling Fan wondered but did not dwell on it. It was not his concern.
With nothing else to do, Ling Fan opened his status panel and noticed that the previously grey charm stat was now about seventy to eighty percent illuminated.
What’s going on? Ling Fan rubbed his chin and began to ponder.
Could today’s smooth progress be related to the charm attribute becoming brighter?
Ling Fan didn’t have time to think further since Xu ZhongHao had returned to the room.
“Ling Fan, you might need to wait a bit. YanRan is outside playing with her classmates. I have called her to come back.”
“I had already informed her about this afternoon’s lesson, but she still didn’t listen.” Xu ZhongHao added to avoid any misunderstandings.
“It’s okay, Uncle Xu. I don’t mind waiting,” Ling Fan said, not feeling rushed as he didn’t have other plans for the day.
At this moment, the Xu family’s servant set down two cups of tea before Ling Fan and Xu ZhongHao.
“I’ve sent someone to pick up Yanran. She should be here within half an hour. I’ll come back later,” Xu ZhongHao said, picking up a cup of tea and heading upstairs.