At the knock, everyone in the office turned their gaze toward the door.
A little surprised, Yan Shaozhe looked up and asked, "Who is it?"
"Dean Yan, it's me, Tian Chen," came a steady voice.
Yan Shaozhe and Du Weilun exchanged a glance, surprise and delight flickering across their faces.
Yan Shaozhe immediately said, "Come in, Tian Chen."
Tian Chen pushed open the door and entered the office. He wore his school uniform, but there was something distinctly different about his bearing.
His white hair was as pure as snow, gleaming faintly silver beneath the light, while his mismatched red and gold eyes were especially striking.
As soon as Tian Chen stepped inside, he cupped his hands in greeting. "Dean Yan, Director Du, and..."
His gaze settled on Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er. He paused briefly before saying, "Hello, lovely sisters!"
At those words, Yan Shaozhe, Du Weilun, Cai Mei'er, and Xian Lin'er all froze for a moment.
Xian Lin'er raised her eyebrows slightly, clearly not expecting Tian Chen to address her that way. "S-sister?" she asked in surprise.
"Heh... hahaha! What a sweet-tongued little fellow! But we're hardly your sisters!"
Cai Mei'er quickly recovered as well, an amused smile spreading across her face and a teasing note entering her voice.
"Little fellow, you certainly have a sweet tongue. But do you know we're much older than you imagine?"
"That's right! I'm already over ninety. Aren't you making me a little too young by calling me your sister?" Xian Lin'er teased with a broad smile.
Tian Chen blinked, then quickly recovered, putting on a slightly embarrassed smile.
"Ah, you two really look so young that I couldn't tell at all! Besides, with such outstanding looks and bearing, no one would ever sense your age."
Though that was what he said