Chapter 9

In Staten Island, New York, at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Zhou Yi slowly drove the Audi R-Zero into the school. As a concept car from Audi, this model, which would rarely be seen on the market, naturally attracted the attention of many students.

Of course, Zhou Yi wanted this effect. Only this effect was worth the effort of getting this car from Tony's parking spot in the company. Although he was a board member of Stark Enterprises and could easily get any concept car, Zhou Yi still preferred motorcycles. Therefore, after some consideration, it was indeed easier to take advantage of Tony.

Parking the car in front of the school building, Zhou Yi, dressed in a well-tailored suit, walked into the school with a bouquet of bright red roses.

It was around 3 PM, and the classes had just ended. The hallways were filled with running teenagers. Of course, this was Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, a school for mutants. There were bound to be some peculiar-looking individuals, but Zhou Yi didn't care much. After all, his sister was one of them, and it would be foolish to discriminate against these people.

Zhou Yi's appearance naturally attracted many people's attention. After all, everyone here was a mutant, and although it was officially a school, there weren't that many people. Professor Charles generally didn't allow students to go out freely, so most students and teachers knew each other.

Zhou Yi, being a stranger to most, naturally drew attention. Although he was of pure Chinese descent, his tall and muscular build, combined with his handsome face inherited from his parents, made him very attractive, unlike most Asians who often looked similar to Westerners. Of course, to other races, Westerners also looked similar.

To many present, Zhou Yi was a stranger. But to some, he was not at all unfamiliar.

"Hey! Yi, when did you come back?" A purple holographic screen suddenly appeared in front of Zhou Yi, and a considerable weight landed on him.

It was a 16-17-year-old girl with burgundy hair braided into a large braid hanging behind her. Her emerald eyes were bright and captivating, with strange patterns around them, giving her an indescribable mysterious aura. She looked like a beautiful and enchanting elf, with strange pointed ears.

"You damn guy, you went to China by yourself and didn't even take me! How can I have a brother like you who is so irresponsible?" The girl wrapped her strong, long legs around Zhou Yi's body and hit his forehead with a stack of books, a playful yet scolding gesture that made many teenagers in their puberty look at Zhou Yi with envy, but also made them feel the joy of life.

To many teenagers, Zhou Yi was a stranger. But to some, he was not at all unfamiliar.

"Shari, you should know I'm very busy. And didn't I already give you the keys to the Upper East Side apartment, so you can do whatever you want there?"

Hearing Zhou Yi's defense, Shari pouted and said with a twisted expression, "First, don't call me Shari in front of others; call me my nickname, Flicker. Second, that apartment in the Upper East Side is boring; it doesn't have a swimming pool, a game room, or even a takeout menu. Third, my dear brother, do you think Professor will give us a long vacation?"

Zhou Yi chuckled, put his arm around Shari's shoulders, and walked to the side of the corridor, teasing her, "First, Shari, your nickname is just stupid. Second, I can give you a villa in Long Island with a swimming pool, a card room, a game room, and a large lawn with a go-kart track, but the only condition is that you can convince dear Mom. And third, I don't know how Professor arranges your vacation, but I know I was called here by Ororo for a parent-teacher meeting because of the problems you caused at school. What do you have to say about that, dear?"

"That was just a misunderstanding, okay?" Shari angrily bumped Zhou Yi's shoulder with her head, "I just accidentally opened the door to the street. You can ask my good friend Katie; she can vouch for me. Right, Katie!"

Hearing Shari's call, a girl with a sweet face and long, smooth brown hair, who was also carrying books, ran up to them and said nervously, "Yes, yes. I can vouch for Shari. I swear, sir!"

Zhou Yi glanced at his sister's smug expression and the nervous look on the brown-haired girl's face, knowing this was a trick used by the big sister to fool the teacher. However, he didn't intend to delve into the issue. He smiled at the brown-haired girl and said, "Relax, girl. I'm not a teacher. I'm Zhou Yi, Shari's brother. You can call me Zhou Yi or just Yi. Although this is our first meeting, I'm sure Shari has told you about me. So don't worry; I'm not like Scott, with his stiff poker face, and I won't do anything to you."

As he spoke, Zhou Yi extended his hand to the girl and smiled warmly.

The brown-haired girl shyly shook Zhou Yi's hand and said softly, "Hello, Mr. Zhou Yi. Shari often talks about you. I'm Katie. Pride, Shari's good friend. You can call me Katie."

"Hello, Katie." Zhou Yi smiled and patted his sister's head. "I'm glad Shari has a friend like you at school. I'm sure you two get along well. Although Shari can be a bit clumsy and likes to tease people, she has a good heart and is always friendly to her friends."

At this, Shari punched Zhou Yi in the waist and shouted, "You idiot, I'm your sister. Do you want to hold a press conference to tell the world how terrible your sister is?"

"Of course, but no journalist would bother to report such boring stuff."

Zhou Yi's words made Shari jump on him again, starting to claw and flail.

Katie, seeing the sibling battle, couldn't help but laugh.

"Katie, which side are you on?" Shari tugged at Zhou Yi, not forgetting to complain about her friend's betrayal.

The obviously weaker Katie could only cover her mouth and say, "Shari, you know I didn't mean it. And what Mr. Zhou Yi said was just an exaggeration. I swear!"

Another holographic screen appeared, and Shari was already behind Katie, hugging her arm and said to Zhou Yi, "My friend and I won't stoop to your level, you playboy. I hope Ororo throws you out the window."

"Hey! Shari, I'm your brother." Zhou Yi smiled bitterly, wondering why his sister wasn't supporting him.

"I stand with the women." Shari pulled Katie, flicked her braid, and walked away without looking back.

"Family disputes, huh?" A warm, magnetic female voice sounded beside him. Zhou Yi turned to see a red-haired beauty leaning against the door frame. He sighed and said in a fatherly tone, "Of course not, just a bit nostalgic about how fast children grow up."

"You're still as charming as ever, Yi!" Jean Grey left the door frame and walked up to Zhou Yi. "The roses are beautiful, and thank you for the gift!"

"It's been a year, and you're still as enchanting as ever, Jean!" Zhou Yi hugged the red-haired beauty and said with a touch of nostalgia, "I actually think red roses match your hair color better, but someone wouldn't agree. I don't want what I give to turn to ashes the next day."

Mentioning someone, Zhou Yi's lips twitched, clearly not having a good impression of that person.

"I don't think red roses suit me; they're too bold for me, aren't they?" The red-haired beauty, known for her intellectual beauty, clearly thought Zhou Yi was just flattering her and teased back.

"That's just on the surface, isn't it?" Zhou Yi stepped closer, his bright eyes staring intently at the red-haired beauty, speaking with a clear sense of invasion and pressure.

"The Jean I see is like a flame, passionate, bold, and wild, giving me a sense of light and warmth."

Whispering softly, Zhou Yi slowly approached Jean. Eight years had made Zhou Yi's height no longer awkward, giving him an advantage. His shadow naturally enveloped Jean Grey, making her feel a bit at a loss.

Their faces drew closer and closer until one of them suddenly pushed Zhou Yi away.

Jean Grey looked around nervously, but fortunately, most of the students who had been watching the scene had already left when she arrived, so no one saw the awkward moment.

But she still felt her face flush and her heart race, and she couldn't help but whisper, "Zhou Yi, do you know what you're doing? Or do you think this is fun?"

"Jean, you know I'm telling the truth. I can swear it with my life. It's just that you keep rejecting me." Zhou Yi smiled apologetically but continued to press.

Jean pushed Zhou Yi away, took a few steps, and stopped.

"You're not being rational. I don't know what you're thinking, but you need to understand my relationship with Scott and Ororo..."

"I understand, but what I don't understand is you... This shouldn't be a problem."

"I won't accept it, and don't say such things..." The red-haired beauty stopped the conversation, accompanied by hurried footsteps, and left Zhou Yi's sight.

"What a... strange woman!" Zhou Yi shrugged and continued on his way with the roses.

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