Mr. Roy?
Elena?
Mr. Jiang glanced at the two of them and asked, "You two know each other?"
"Not really," Elena replied at the same time as Aahil said, "Yes."
Their eyes met briefly before they both turned away.
"I...I saw him once at a friend's wedding," Elena explained quickly.
Mr. Jiang raised an eyebrow. He wasn't very convinced at the answer. Aahil wasn't the type of man to remember random faces from a wedding. Something was definitely going on between these two.
"Well." Mr. Jiang said, smiling knowingly, "Since you already know each other, we can skip the formalities. Aahil, let me tell you, Elena is a very talented girl just like you. The only difference is that she's not as mischievous you were."
Aahil's lips curved slightly hearing his teacher's words. "Not mischievous, huh? She does seem like a very polite child."
Elena understood the hidden implication. She gave him a little glare.
Mr. Jiang chuckled, unaware of the brief flicker of amusement that were going between these two. "Anyway, the reason I wanted to introduce her to you is because you mentioned you needed someone capable to assist with your new AI development project. I think Elena would be perfect for that position."
Aahil was surprised. "Teacher, I would be glad if someone as capable as her come to my company. But I think you need to ask her first if she wants to come to my company or not. Besides her brother is the one…"
Before he could finish, Elena interrupted quickly, her voice sounded a little tense, "Teacher… since senior has come to the campus after so long, how about I give him a tour first? We can discuss the project while we walk. That way, I can understand if it's truly suitable for me."
Aahil felt amused, the girl clearly looks like she doesn't want to have anything to do with me and she is still asking to give me a tour. What is she up to this time? Aahil thought in his heart.
Mr. Jiang smiled, pleased by her proposal he said, "That's a good idea! Aahil, go with Elena then."
"Well, as you wish, teacher." Aahil replied with a faint smile.
Outside, the two of them walked along the quiet campus road. Autumn leaves brushed against the pavement, and a soft wind rustled through the trees. Many people were glancing in their direction with curious eyes. One is campus school belle and another one is former campus heartthrob. Someone secretly took a picture of the two and uploaded it on the college gossip forum. Immediately the post blew up and buzzed with all kinds of question.
Elena was not aware of any of these things. She walked a few steps ahead of Aahil, clearly lost in thought. She didn't notice those gossiping gazes around her.
Aahil cleared his throat deliberately. "Ahem. Dear junior, is this how you are planning to give a tour of the campus?"
Since the last incident at Amara's wedding, Elena didn't have a good impression of him. She turned to glare at him. "Are you a child? Why do you even need me to show you around?"
Aahil smirked. The girl is finally showing her true color. He thought. "That's not what you said in front of the teacher. Since you have no such intention, should I just go back?"
"You can go back if you want." she replied calmly.
"Are you not afraid that I might tell teacher the truth?"
"Go ahead. Let's see whom the teacher trusts the most."
"Okay but I still I feel you should tell the teacher the truth yourself. He is going to know sooner or later." Aahil said to Elena.
"How would teacher know? It's only you and me here."
"How is it only the two of us? A lot of people know you that you're the heiress of Aster group, right?''
"Huh? Wait a minute. When you said you are going to report to the teacher, did you mean you are going to tell him about my identity?"
"Yeah. Otherwise?" Aahil replied nonchalantly.
Elena confusedly replied, "I thought that you…."
"That I am going to say you lied about giving me a tour? Come on, I am not a child. Only a child would think about complaining about this petty reason."
Elena stared at him, speechless. This man really knows how to hold grudges.
"I am going to tell the teacher myself. It's not like I was planning to hide it. I just… didn't know how to tell the teacher."
Aahil could not help but laugh.
"Why are you laughing? Did I say something funny?"
"No, it's cute."
"What?"
"The girl who can lie and spout nonsense without battling her eyes is now hesitating to tell the truth. Isn't it cute?
"Are you calling me a liar now?" Elena angrily said to Aahil.
Aahil flicked her nose and said, "Are you not, little liar?"
Elena thought, is he teasing me right now? "You! Hmph"
Elena was slightly flabbergasted at the sudden gesture. When she regained her composure Aahil was already a few steps ahead of her.
"Hey where are you going?"
"I am going to report to the teacher."
"You stop there. I am going to tell the teacher myself."
"Not hesitating anymore?"
"I never meant to hide my identity and there was never a situation where I needed to mention it. But if the teacher had to hear it from someone else, he might misunderstand that I am deliberately keeping it from him."
Aahil smiled, looks like she figured it out.
After a moment, Elena asked, "But how did you know I didn't tell the teacher about my identity?"
"You face told me." he said, his voice low and steady.
"What?"
"You looked nervous when I mentioned your brother and Professor Jiang knew he would not recommend you to my company for an internship. Anyone who knows your brother knows you don't need to apply anywhere. You could own the place if you wanted."
"Just from these? You are quite smart."
Aahil laughed out loud.
"I just gave you a compliment. Why are you laughing?"
"It's just first time someone complimented me this way."
"You've never been called smart before?" Elena asked with doubt.
"Not for such simple matter. People usually call me genius."
"..." Elena was dumbfounded.