CHAPTER 459: CHAPTER 459: I’M MORE HANDSOME THAN THAT SONG GUY

Shannon Quinn: "Then why aren’t you explaining now?"

Julian Yardley was about to speak when the waiter brought the juice. He held the glass and drank more than half of it in one go before saying: "That woman is Iris’s language teacher, she’s the daughter of the school principal. I don’t know why she suddenly likes me and is forcing me to break up with Iris, otherwise, Iris won’t be able to graduate."’

"That day I went out to argue about this with her and was misunderstood by Iris. I suspect she deliberately set it up so Iris would come, and no matter how I tried to explain, it only made things worse. That woman kept pestering me at school regardless of anything, and I’m really scared she’ll jeopardize Iris’s education. I don’t dare to confront her directly, and the misunderstanding has just gotten deeper and deeper over time. Now, whatever I say, Iris won’t believe it."

Hearing this, Shannon Quinn was stunned and after a moment asked: "How old is that woman anyway? Is she mentally disturbed?"

Julian Yardley: "She’s not much older than us, just a few months younger, but she is somewhat disturbed. She’s got two completely different faces, it’s nauseating."

Shannon Quinn thought for a moment and then asked: "Does she really have that much power? Can she just prevent Iris from graduating?"

"Apart from being Iris’s teacher, her father is the principal as well. She herself said that while she might not be capable in other matters, she surely can prevent Iris from graduating. That’s why I don’t dare to tear things apart with her. I’m afraid if she really does such a thing, even if she’s punished, I worry it would affect Iris’s life."

Shannon Quinn: "Shouldn’t your brother-in-law step in? Otherwise, Iris could really leave."

Julian Yardley thought for two seconds and then shook his head: "No need to trouble him, I support her going abroad to study. Had this not happened, she might have given up this opportunity for me. After her application was approved, I also planned to resign from the school. I’m afraid if I attempt to resign now, that woman will remove Iris from the list. I’ve decided to wait until Iris goes abroad and then I’ll handle my resignation and find her afterward."

Shannon Quinn: "Why aren’t you clear with Iris now?"

Julian Yardley smiled faintly and shook his head: "It’s useless to say anything now, she won’t believe me. I just want her to have some time to calm down. Maybe after being apart for a while, her opinion of me will lessen a bit."

"Aren’t you afraid she’ll fall for some other guy abroad?"

Julian Yardley smiled bitterly: "Afraid, yes. But if she truly loves someone else, and if I feel that person is reliable, I’ll gradually withdraw from her life. This period has made everyone’s hearts restless. I’ve been wondering if being with me has made her feel tired."

"I’ve seen Iris is quite reluctant to leave you, she’s struggling herself, but right now for her, studies should indeed be her priority. Yet, you should show more concern for her. Don’t just ignore her because she doesn’t reply to you. Sometimes, despite a girl not responding to your messages, she actually reads each one over and over, her view of you in her heart may change too. Don’t think this isn’t a big deal."

Julian Yardley seemed to hear this perspective for the first time and couldn’t quite believe it: "Really? I was afraid she’d be bothered by me, every day checking WeChat several times, seeing she hasn’t responded, I don’t dare to send her more messages."

"Don’t just keep asking, ’What are you doing?’ ’Have you eaten?’ — those boring questions. Like if it’s cold, suggest she wear more clothes; if the weather forecast says it’s going to rain, remind her to take an umbrella when she goes out. If she’s having exams, encourage her a bit. This kind of care, even if she doesn’t reply, she remembers it in her heart."

"Got it, big sis, I’ll start checking the weather forecast tonight."

Shannon Quinn rolled her eyes at him: "You should check the weather forecast yourself too, what with this chilly weather, still wearing such light clothes and showing off on the streets."

After leaving the teahouse, Shannon Quinn led Julian Yardley to the supermarket, asking him to help carry things.

On the way, she analyzed quite a bit of young girls’ thoughts, still hoping that he and Claire Wilde could be alright.

"Where’s Elaine Yardley been running to lately?" Julian Yardley asked as he picked through the oranges in front of him.

Shannon Quinn silently took the ones he put into the bag out to have a look, then put them back and chose again, answering: "She applied to work at a branch office, promoted to team leader, rushing winter new products, probably busy."

"Does she have a boyfriend? I saw someone on the road looking very much like her, getting into a guy’s car, but I couldn’t see clearly if it was her."

Shannon Quinn paused, and Caleb Grant immediately came to mind. She felt there was something subtle between Elaine Yardley and Caleb Grant, especially since Peach resembles Elaine Yardley so much.

"It wouldn’t be bad if she found someone, saves Mom from constantly worrying about setting her up on blind dates."

"I’m just afraid she’d meet a bad guy, she’s easily deceived without much sense."

Shannon Quinn glared at him irritably: "You think you’re so smart, I don’t even know what that female teacher sees in you, spending so much effort to be with you. Maybe ask her to see an eye doctor one day, you might be able to resolve these issues."

Julian Yardley furrowed his brow: "Don’t mention her, it’s irritating to even think about."

"I’m quite curious about what kind of person she is, is she extremely ugly and can’t marry, so she’s chasing you so relentlessly?"

Julian Yardley glared at her: "I’m very popular, okay? Every class I teach is packed. Besides, I’m convinced I’m handsomer than that guy named Song."

"Have a limit with your shamelessness."

"You should be the one to see the eye doctor."

Shannon Quinn just laughed without arguing. After all, the facts were clear; her husband was universally the most handsome.

Three days later, it snowed for the first time this winter.

The snow wasn’t heavy, just small flakes visible in the sky, disappearing quickly once they hit the ground.

Today was Claire Wilde’s day to go abroad, also the day of Julian Yardley’s semifinal match.

It wasn’t clear if it was a coincidence or if Claire Wilde chose this day deliberately. Julian Yardley couldn’t make it to the airport.

Simon Rhodes drove, along with Shannon Quinn and Susan Wilde, to send Claire Wilde to the airport.

This was the first formal farewell for the two sisters in such a long time. Susan Wilde, as the elder sister, was very worried about Claire Wilde being all alone in a foreign land.

Even though Simon Rhodes, as the brother-in-law, reassured that arrangements had been made for contacts there, from pickup, accommodation to school registration, everything was well-prepared, Susan Wilde still gave reminders throughout the car ride.

Claire Wilde responded with lackluster replies, eyes focused outside the window with a sense of distraction.

She occasionally glanced down at her phone, where the chat page was filled with messages from him alone, with the last one stopping at the day before yesterday, asking when she was leaving.

She hadn’t answered.

Because she knew today was his semifinal, she didn’t want him to come to the airport, didn’t want to turn back and see him standing behind her, unable to move when she was leaving.