Chapter 1071: Chapter 1071: Evening Star Arc, Balancing Love and Studies
At nine in the evening, school finished its late classes.
Most students went straight back to their dorms, with only a handful of students heading towards the school gate.
In the black Mercedes parked by the roadside, Vincent Warner sat by the car window, looking outside with a somewhat weary expression.
Soon, he saw Stella Charlie walking out of the school.
Since it wasn’t the car Vincent usually drove, Stella didn’t notice Vincent’s presence. She just hugged her books and walked with her head down in the direction of home.
Just as Vincent was about to lower the window to call out to Stella, he suddenly saw her start jogging forward and meet a boy in front of a tea shop on the roadside.
It was the same boy who sent her home last time...
Vincent’s face suddenly darkened, and he sat silently in the car, his deep eyes staring in the direction of the two.
"Finished school? Are you tired?" Kai Jacobs said as he handed the milk tea in his hand to Stella.
Stella shook her head and complained, "Why did you buy me milk tea again? I’ve put on weight recently."
Kai chuckled, "It’s so hot, having something to drink is more comfortable."
Stella leaned in to look into the shop, "Are you here with your friends?"
Kai nodded, "Yeah, I’ll be heading back to the dorm soon. Any plans for the weekend?"
"I’m still working at the cafe."
Kai, thoughtful for a moment, said, "You shouldn’t work so hard even during a break."
Stella smiled and said, "There were a lot of classes this week, I didn’t have time for part-time jobs, so I have to make up for it over the weekend."
Kai, knowing her personality, didn’t argue further, just said, "Let me drive you home, you can rest early and work well tomorrow."
"No need, no need, you stay with your friends, I’ll just grab a shared bike, it’s more convenient. Off I go then."
Stella waved her hand and ran to the roadside to scan for a shared bike.
Kai reminded her, "Send me a message when you get home."
"Okay! Bye! Thanks for the milk tea, senior!" Stella expertly pedaled away on the bike.
Watching Stella’s departing figure, Kai smiled contentedly.
He could clearly feel that Stella had become much more cheerful compared to before.
Though only in front of him.
The black Mercedes brushed past the bicycle, and Stella still didn’t notice anything unusual.
Returning home just like any other day, she turned on the light in the entrance hall and changed shoes, vaguely smelling a faint scent of smoke.
Turning her head to look at the dark living room, she saw that striking crimson color, only then noticing the dark shadow.
"...You’re here?" Stella suddenly became a bit stiff.
It seemed like it had been half a month since she last saw him.
She didn’t know if he was busy out of town, or staying at one of his other houses.
Stella would be curious about him, yet never dared to ask.
There was a natural sense of distance between them, making her feel that Vincent was very distant from her.
"Why are you back so late?" Vincent’s voice was cold and airy, as if scolding, or maybe just a casual question.
Stella explained, "...There was a late class today."
Vincent asked again, "How’s your study?"
Stella: "...I’m keeping up so far, no problem."
Vincent: "Seems like you’re doing alright."
Even though it sounded like praise, Stella inexplicably felt a chill.
Vincent took a puff of his cigarette and, looking at the milk tea in Stella’s hand, commented lightly, "Balancing love and study."
