"Well? Why aren't you answering? Are you single or not? I want to know!" Grandpa Lu continued to ask when Iris failed to reply immediately.
After a few more seconds of hesitation, she finally answered, "I'm not single, Grandpa Lu. I have a boyfriend."
"What?!" He looked surprised and…enraged.
"Yes, it's true," Professor Schwarz said. "Akio and I already met him."
Professor Hisakawa nodded. "He's not bad."
Grandpa Lu scowled. He asked Iris. "How long have you been in a relationship with your—hmph—boyfriend?"
"A few months."
"Oh?" Grandpa Lu's eyes lit up. "Not that long yet! Ahaha! I see. Good!"
Iris tilted her head to the side, confused.
"Xiulan my girl, you're still very young. Not to mention you're beautiful, talented and a Cross Academy student! You should allow yourself to explore the world and meet lots of other people first. I'm sure that you like your boyfriend now, but what do you know? You might meet someone else who you'll like more than him in the future. So don't be so hasty! What would you do if you discover that your boyfriend is not the right man for you? As the saying goes, there are plenty more fish in the sea!"
Grandpa Lu was slightly taken aback by her strong-willed response. It seemed like the girl had quite the stubborn streak. Not bad. He inwardly approved of it. However, he was unhappy that she seemed to really like her boyfriend. At this rate, matchmaking her to his grandson would be more challenging than he first thought.
'Dammit! Who's her boyfriend? That bastard! How dare he get his claws on this girl before my Haohao?! Should I investigate him and then scare him off?! Well, a boyfriend is not a husband so my Haohao still has a chance!"
While Grandpa Lu was mentally cursing Iris' boyfriend, they arrived at a wide veranda overlooking a beautiful and lush rose garden. They sat on comfortable barrel chairs. A butler appeared and began serving them refreshments.
Iris listened in fascination to her instructors' conversations about their rich experiences at Cross Academy. Although she was also an alumnus of the academy in her previous life, her education was extremely cloistered. Her interactions were limited to only her instructors and Professor Erwan Dupont who she also met as Evelina.
And because of her special family background, Professor Dupont also made sure to limit the people who knew about her even within the academy itself. Although most of the Cross Academy students and alumni were trustworthy, the Vetrovs had many enemies. It was better to be safe than sorry.
This was why she wasn't familiar with her current instructors before meeting them, especially Grandpa Lu who seemed to be on the same level as Professor Dupont when it came to standing among the Cross Academy alumni.
Then the conversation moved to Iris' progress in her studies.
Professor Schwarz: "Xiulan is improving very quickly. I actually have to revise my lesson plans several times because her level is increasing by leaps and bounds."
Professor Hisakawa: "Same here. Xiulan's comprehension skills are perhaps the best I've ever encountered among my students. She just absorbs everything. That's why Kalisha and I are thinking that maybe she's ready to apply her skills in real life."
"Ho~" Grandpa Lu stroked his perfectly groomed mustache. "So how do you plan on doing that?"
Professor Schwarz: "My idea is to have Xiulan do some interpreting jobs. Something easy at the start."
Professor Hisakawa: "I'll probably just have her translate some printed documents or even books."
"What kind of ideas are those? Do you think she's a grade schooler?" Grandpa Lu shook his head, his expression showing displeasure. "She's a Cross Academy student, for goodness' sake! From what I'm hearing so far, Xiulan is a fast learner. How can she improve even further if you don't give her something challenging?"
The two instructors were quiet for a few seconds.
Professor Hisakawa: "Sir Lu, do you have an idea on how we should test her?"
Professor Schwarz: "Please advise us."
"Hah! Of course I have a great idea. China will be hosting a huge international business conference in a few months. Many foreign leaders and representatives from some of the biggest companies in the world will be attending, including the business leaders in this country. Let's just throw the girl in there and see if she can take the pressure and survive in one piece! Ahahaha!"
Professor Schwarz frowned. "Don't you think it's too early for that, Sir Lu? It hasn't been that long yet since she started studying with us."
"Tsk tsk. Don't you know that coddling your students too much will stunt their development? You'll never know what she's really capable of if you're afraid of throwing her in hot water! A restrained genius is no genius at all!"
"Please let me do it," Iris spoke up.
The two professors looked at her. Seeing her determined expression, they could only sigh.
Professor Schwarz: "Are you sure?"
Iris nodded. "I want to do it!"
"Ahahaha! Very good, Xiulan my girl!" Grandpa Lu's delighted voice boomed. "That's the spirit! A Cross Academy student must have that kind of guts! Or else I'll have to blame that Dupont bastard for weakening the academy with spineless recruits!"
Professor Hisakawa cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Don't worry, my girl! Grandpa will make sure you're more than ready and fully-equipped for your test during the conference! Leave everything to Grandpa! I'll teach you all about business so you never stumble on any unfamiliar terms when you're interpreting or translating. Then a time will come that you'll participate in the conference as a business leader and not just as an interpreter!"
Iris started to feel excited. She bowed her head respectfully. "Please guide me, Grandpa Lu."