Zhao Tingjian broke free from his memories, and suddenly, a thought struck him. He asked, "Is that Zhong Yun quite popular in your class?"

"Him?" Mentioning Zhong Yun invariably caused the corner of Xiao Ruo's mouth to curl upwards, which made Zhao Tingjian sigh inwardly.

"He's the least popular. You don't know, he used to be like an invisible person; I never even realized he existed before." As she said this, her eyes narrowed slightly again.

"He only had one friend in the class before, and then there was one more. They became a trio, and their relationship was really good..." Xiao Ruo chattered on, as if she had an endless supply of topics.

Zhao Tingjian listened intently the whole time, not showing the slightest impatience. At this moment, he was no longer the legendary son who commanded the business world with an iron fist. Instead, he was a doting father indulging his daughter.

Who would have thought that the formidable Zhao Tingjian, known for his decisive and ruthless methods in the marketplace, possessed such a tender side?

After listening to Xiao Ruo recount a long list of trivial anecdotes about Zhong Yun, Zhao Tingjian formed a deeper understanding of the young man: low-key, ordinary, unsociable... in short, a perfectly average person with mediocre aptitude.

This only solidified a certain decision he had already made in his heart. In his view, the person Xiao Ruo chose as her partner should at least be someone with great potential, if not an exceptional talent among men.

Someone as ordinary as Zhong Yun simply wasn't good enough for her.

"Do you still remember that pretty female classmate I mentioned to you last time?"

Xiao Ruo's words pulled Zhao Tingjian back to reality. "Oh, I remember. The one surnamed Liu, right?"

Sending Xiao Ruo to a public school was her mother's insistence. Zhao Tingjian had always believed that Xiao Ruo deserved to attend the most elite schools and receive the best education, rather than wasting time in an ordinary public institution.

Although he couldn't openly defy Xiao Ruo's mother's wishes, for the sake of protection, he had investigated the family backgrounds of every student in Xiao Ruo's class.

The results of his investigation left him stunned. Even this ordinary-looking school was teeming with hidden talents. Setting aside Niu Ben, the son of the so-called underworld godfather, the third young master of the Chen family, the giants of the metal industry, and the princess of the Yang family were all classmates with Xiao Ruo. This was truly shocking.

However, he didn't see this as a bad thing. Zhao Tingjian decided not to expose this knowledge, pretending ignorance.

He had just been deep in thought about the Yang family when Xiao Ruo brought up the little princess of the Yang family, causing him to startle.

He had always assumed that Yang Yunrong intercepting Zhong Yun was merely an attempt to embarrass the Yidao Group, as an ordinary student like Zhong Yun couldn't possibly have any connection to the powerful Yang family.

It was only when Xiao Ruo mentioned the Yang family's little princess that he suddenly realized: Zhong Yun was in the same class as the Yang family's princess?

Did those two have some kind of special relationship?

The thought itself seemed utterly preposterous to him.

What kind of person was the Yang family's little princess? At the age of ten, she had shattered the highest recorded IQ scores for adults. At fourteen, she had broken through the eighth layer of physical arts, an unprecedented feat.

It could be said that in both intellect and martial prowess, this Yang family princess stood at the zenith of human history.

She was a genius unlike any seen before.

Everyone aware of her existence waited with bated breath, eager to see what heights she would reach as she grew older.

How could such a person possibly associate with a common student like Zhong Yun? Even if he were beaten to death, Zhao Tingjian would never believe it.

Yet, he still managed to ask, "Is Zhong Yun very close with that female classmate of yours surnamed Liu?"

"How did you know?" Xiao Ruo paused, momentarily surprised.

Even though he had vaguely suspected it, Zhao Tingjian was still utterly dumbfounded upon confirmation.

"There's even a rumor at school that they are dating... Hey, Uncle Zhao, what's wrong?" Xiao Ruo asked, startled by his ghost-like expression midway through her sentence, immediately growing anxious and wondering if something had happened to him.

Despite Zhao Tingjian's years of navigating the business world, maintaining an unruffled demeanor even when mountains collapsed before him, having witnessed countless shocking events, he was equally stunned now.

"I'm fine."

However, possessing profound self-control, he quickly masked his shock and feigned anger. "This brat is actually two-timing! Don't worry, Uncle will back you up."

"No, please don't!" Xiao Ruo flapped her hands anxiously. "It has nothing to do with me and him, please don't go looking for him."

Zhao Tingjian shook his head without speaking.

Xiao Ruo's eyes welled up with tears in her distress. "Uncle Zhao, I beg you, please don't go to him. It's because I like him, it's not his fault." As she finished speaking, tears began to fall.

Seeing her cry, Zhao Tingjian felt a mixture of heartache and anger. "Alright, alright, I won't go looking for him. Don't cry."

"Honestly," he muttered, pounding the table in frustration.

"Really?" Hearing his words, Xiao Ruo’s tears stopped, though she remained somewhat doubtful. "Do you promise?"

"I promise." Zhao Tingjian raised three fingers in a gesture of oath. "Satisfied now?"

After placating her for a little longer, he finally ended the call.

"Connect me to Manager An in the Intelligence Department." Hanging up the phone, Zhao Tingjian immediately resumed the demeanor of a business titan.

Once connected, he commanded, "Do you remember that Zhong Yun I asked you to look up before? I want you to investigate his movements over the past month and a half. I'm granting you A-Level clearance."

The Manager An on the video screen acknowledged with respect. A-Level clearance was the highest authorization, meaning he could utilize every resource available for the investigation.

Though puzzled as to why the CEO was taking such an interest in a mere middle school student, as a subordinate, his only duty was to obey.

"Then connect me to Ou Feng." After closing the previous connection, Zhao Tingjian made another request.

"Old Zhao, what brings you to call me?" As soon as the line connected, Ou Feng’s familiar voice chimed in.

A smile touched Zhao Tingjian's lips. Ou Feng was one of the few true friends he had in this world. Hearing his voice always brought a sense of ease.

"I need you to do something for me." Although Ou Feng was his subordinate in some capacities, Zhao Tingjian couldn't bring himself to issue a sharp command; it felt more like a request.

"I knew you wouldn't call me for something simple," Ou Feng pretended resignation. "Go ahead, what task are you saddling me with now?"

"I need you to pick someone up for me from Mingzhou Airport. I'll forward you the details now."

"Who is so important that it requires my personal attendance?" Ou Feng joked, then suddenly exclaimed, "Zhong Yun? That's worth my trip."

Zhao Tingjian inquired, surprised, "You know him?"

"How could I not know him? He's the young man who fixed the Eldest Miss's qin. I sent you his file before."

Ou Feng was confused. If he didn't know him, how could Zhao Tingjian? He had assumed Zhao Tingjian knew Zhong Yun because of the information he had provided.

"He's that young man?" A massive wave surged through Zhao Tingjian's heart, leaving him utterly shocked.

Who exactly was this Zhong Yun?

P: Another week has passed, conventionally asking for votes.