Private Event at Suxin Pavilion

Royal Academy of Mathematics.

As soon as Jade Evans arrived at the academy, she was surrounded by a crowd. Everyone chattered at once, gossiping about how Jasper Cheng had thrown another tantrum yesterday and was still scheming to meet with Dean Jade Evans.

"Dean Evans, you should've seen it—Jasper Cheng ran faster than a rabbit, darted inside, and dashed straight to your quarters." The gatekeeper complained, "Dean Evans, I think we need to hire more guards for the academy, so we don't get any more troublemakers barging in."

Jade Evans wasn’t surprised. Jasper Cheng had been pestering to see her for days, barging in several times demanding a meeting. But Jade Evans found him thoroughly annoying and simply kept her door shut.

Yesterday, Jasper Cheng probably sneaked in again to look for Professor Jade Evans, but the professor happened to be out.

Of course, Jade Evans never expected that Jasper Cheng’s visit yesterday wasn’t just to see her—he was actually trying to frame her.

Luckily, she was delayed helping White Pete search for his daughter and didn’t come to the academy yesterday—otherwise, she would’ve walked right into his trap.

"We really do need more guards. The academy is still new, and lots of procedures aren’t in place yet. If anyone spots things we need to improve, just come tell me," Jade Evans said.

"Absolutely! We will!" Everyone laughed and crowded around Dean Jade Evans as they headed to class.

Today happened to be a student’s birthday. Though he was a student, he was actually much older—a renowned math teacher from Jiangnan, here to study mathematics under Professor Jade Evans.

This student happened to be celebrating his sixtieth birthday today, so the classmates all pitched in to organize a party for him.

A sixtieth birthday is no small occasion. Far from home and without family nearby, it was a blessing to have classmates to celebrate with.

Although Jade Evans was the teacher, she was much younger. With a sixty-year-old veteran teacher as her student, it was only right to show some respect and join the celebration.

"So, how are you all planning to celebrate?" Jade Evans asked.

"Oh, we reserved a restaurant in advance and invited our classmates from the academy to have a lively meal together."

"Wonderful! Since it’s a sixtieth birthday, everyone attending the party gets a half-day off—no classes this afternoon!" Jade Evans announced cheerfully. The moment she mentioned a holiday, everyone was thrilled, packed up their things, and prepared to head out.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Jade Evans discovered that they had actually reserved an entire floor at Suxin Pavilion, Princess Mira’s establishment.

Looking at Suxin Pavilion, Jade Evans remembered how Princess Mira would swoon every time she saw Professor Jade Evans. Just thinking about it gave her goosebumps.

But she’d already promised the students, and everyone was here—leaving now would be far too rude.

Jade Evans figured that a pampered royal like Princess Mira surely wouldn’t visit Suxin Pavilion every day. She was probably absent today—surely her luck wouldn’t be so bad as to run into her.

So Jade Evans composed herself, took Lola—disguised as a page—and followed everyone up to the third floor of Suxin Pavilion.

The entire third floor was reserved—no other guests, only students and teachers from the Royal Academy of Mathematics.

Dean Jade Evans naturally took the seat of honor. Only after she was seated did the others take their places.

"Dean Evans, Suxin Pavilion is the newest restaurant in the Capital, and the food is excellent. You must try it today!"

"That’s right! Actually, Eight Treasures Bistro used to be the best in town, but lately their food’s gone downhill. Suxin Pavilion’s dishes taste just like the old Eight Treasures!"