Chapter 49: The Qin Family’s Daughter Comes of Age

As soon as these words were spoken, the office fell so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

Chen Mingjun was utterly bewildered—was this young lady here to resolve the issue or to inflame it further?

Lan Tian and Liu Huanyu were equally stunned.

However, their astonished state lasted but a fleeting moment, almost negligible.

In the next instant, their confusion was replaced by excitement, exhilaration, and disbelief.

“Really?”

The two of them asked in unison.

Turning their heads, they indeed saw the goddess they’d been longing for—Professor Qin Youyou.

Today, Qin Youyou wore a white shirt, paired with jeans and black skate shoes, her silky jet-black hair cascading smoothly over her shoulders. She radiated intelligence and composure, her exquisitely beautiful face exuding gentle warmth and an approachable charm. Her well-proportioned figure brimmed with youthful vitality.

At first glance, Qin Youyou was no different from the female college students, perhaps even younger, given her cherubic features.

“If you’d only use your brains, you’d know whether what I said is true or not,” Qin Youyou said, shooting them a glance.

Lan Tian was the first to respond, “Professor Qin, I left home in such a rush this morning that I forgot my brain, so I believe what you said is true.”

Liu Huanyu refused to be outdone, “Professor Qin, I drank water too hastily just now and accidentally choked my brain with it, so I believe you too.”

Three black lines instantly appeared on Chen Mingjun’s forehead. These two scions of powerful families truly had a knack for coming up with such bizarre excuses.

But Chen Mingjun quickly shifted his perspective. Why not switch from mediator to bystander? He’d rather see how Qin Youyou would fill in the very pit she’d dug for herself.

With this thought, Chen Mingjun crossed his legs and leisurely sipped his tea.

“In that case, I can only apologize to the both of you, because the thing I detest most in life is people without brains,” Qin Youyou shrugged.

Pfft!

Chen Mingjun spat out a mouthful of tea.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Suppressing his laughter, he choked a little, coughing repeatedly.

Lan Tian and Liu Huanyu’s faces darkened in an instant.

They both felt ruthlessly mocked by the Director of Academic Affairs, yet lacked any solid evidence.

“Professor Qin, isn’t this a bit unfair?”

“Indeed, Professor Qin, you’ve reasoned both sides to your advantage. Isn’t that unreasonable?”

Though frustrated, the two young men found themselves more aligned in attitude than ever before.

Instead of answering, Qin Youyou posed a question, “When you decided to pursue me, did you see me as a professor or as a woman?”

“As a woman, of course!” Lan Tian and Liu Huanyu replied in unison.

Qin Youyou smiled, “Then the moment you try to reason with a woman during a romantic pursuit, you’ve already lost.”

“…”

For a moment, Lan Tian and Liu Huanyu were utterly speechless.

At the same time, they reflected—it seemed they’d been led in circles by Professor Qin once again.

“Furthermore, I like mature and steady men. Clearly, neither of you qualifies—at least, not until this matter is fully resolved,” Qin Youyou said with a gentle smile.

“To harbor hatred out of jealousy and deliberately break another’s cup—that is childish.”

Liu Huanyu lowered his head in shame.

“To respond to provocation with violence instead of patience and tact—that is rash.”

Lan Tian flushed with embarrassment.

Qin Youyou paused, then continued, “So, will incidents like this ever happen again?”

“No!” the two young heirs shook their heads emphatically.

“Can this matter be resolved peacefully?”

Exchanging a glance, they realized reconciliation was the first step toward maturity, so they nodded in agreement.

“And how do you plan to address the negative impact you’ve caused?”

Both promised to write a five-thousand-word self-reflection and read it aloud to the entire faculty and student body.

“You two have shown remarkable awareness,” Qin Youyou praised. “Seeing you’re willing to change, I’m pleased as your professor and, I admit, somewhat appreciative as a woman.”

Receiving her approval, Lan Tian and Liu Huanyu straightened their backs with pride.

“Director Chen, do you have anything to add regarding their punishment?” Qin Youyou turned and smiled at Chen Mingjun.

Snapped out of his reverie, Chen Mingjun cast an admiring glance at Qin Youyou.

She had handled the whole incident with great finesse, giving both heirs equal admonishment and letting the matter rest. Anyone else would risk earning their grudges, but only Qin Youyou—being at the center of the storm—could act without such worries.

Crucially, Qin Youyou had left a deliberate gap in the punishment for Chen Mingjun to fill, saving him from offending anyone while highlighting his leadership.

“Each of you will have a major demerit recorded,” Chen Mingjun pronounced.

Lan Tian and Liu Huanyu accepted without protest. To them, the demerit mattered less than a single criticism from Qin Youyou.

“Xiao Qin, your future knows no bounds!” Chen Mingjun remarked with meaning.

Qin Youyou replied with genuine sincerity, “It’s all thanks to the guidance of my superiors.”

Chen Mingjun’s smile deepened. As a leader, he was gratified to have such a capable and tactful assistant to handle sudden issues.

At that moment, the office door was pushed open once more.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

A crisp applause followed.

“What a marvelous performance!” a voice called out.

Chen Mingjun was about to berate the intruder for barging in without knocking—had they no sense of decency? But upon seeing who it was, his expression instantly transformed into a radiant smile.

“Oh my, what wind brings Miss Lan here today?”

Chen Mingjun hurriedly stood and approached Lan Jin with quick steps.

“What is it, Director Chen, am I not welcome?” Lan Jin asked with a bright smile.

Chen Mingjun’s face was all smiles as he replied respectfully, “How could I not welcome you? I wish Miss Lan would grace us with her presence every day!”

“Oh, no, no, I’d rather not have my troublesome brother causing daily incidents,” she retorted, shooting a fierce glare at Lan Tian.

Chen Mingjun gave an awkward laugh and quickly said, “It was just a trivial dispute between classmates, all settled now. I didn’t expect it to trouble you, Miss Lan.”

Lan Jin merely snorted and shifted her gaze to Qin Youyou.

Then, with a double meaning, she remarked, “No wonder my brother is so besotted—Professor Qin is indeed remarkable.”

Lan Jin had witnessed the entire episode in the office and, though she acknowledged the young professor’s skill in handling people, she felt no fondness for her. In Lan Jin’s eyes, her cousin Lan Tian was not suited to such a calculating girlfriend.

So shrewd at such a young age—who knew what complicated social background lay behind that?

“Sis! It’s not Professor Qin’s fault—it’s all me…”

“Quiet!” Lan Jin cut him off sharply, “Haven’t you disgraced yourself enough?”

“Miss Lan, you’re being unfair. Though Lan Tian was a bit reckless in resorting to violence, at least he showed some manly spirit,” Qin Youyou continued with a smile. “Surely you wouldn’t want to be like those girls with poor taste, picking a weak little kitten for a boyfriend, would you?”

Hearing the first half, Lan Jin instinctively prepared to retort, but upon hearing the latter part, she immediately dismissed the idea.

After all, she, Miss Lan, would never want to be labeled as having poor taste or as being a lovesick fool.

“This woman is indeed formidable—every word is a trap!” Lan Jin thought, a newfound wariness in her gaze toward Qin Youyou.

“If Professor Qin so admires my brother’s masculine side, why not become his girlfriend?” Lan Jin countered, unwilling to concede, confident of victory in this exchange.

Lan Tian was instantly elated, even giving his sister a discreet thumbs-up.

His expression seemed to say: “Great assist, sis—truly a sibling team when it comes to chasing girls!”

Liu Huanyu looked on enviously, thinking this time Professor Qin would either have to swallow her pride in defeat, or verbally concede an advantage to Lan Tian.

Yet, Qin Youyou’s next words left everyone present astonished.

“Certainly. With someone like me as his capable partner, Lan Tian should have no trouble inheriting the family business smoothly. What do you think, Miss Lan?”