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The Jiramane Family is one of the founding families of Piltover. As the earliest builders of the city, the name Jiramane has always held a seat among the seven councilors of Piltover.

Furthermore, the Jiramane Family has always been a matriarchal one. If everything goes as expected, Caitlyn will succeed her mother in the future and become a new councilor.

However, judging from the conversation with Chen Nuo along the way, Caitlyn seemed to have her own different ideas, though she didn't quite dare to express them directly yet.

"Don't be too nervous in a moment. Mother isn't someone who is very difficult to get along with; you just need to answer her questions normally."

Before entering the door, Caitlyn gave another instruction.

Although she didn't see the slightest bit of nervousness on Chen Nuo's face.

On the contrary, this guy even had the leisure to admire her family's gardening.

Such a personality made Caitlyn quite happy; she had had enough of others being cautious and reverent toward her.

Just because she was a direct descendant of the Jiramane Family, it was as if there were some kind of racial segregation between her and ordinary people.

"Don't worry, Miss Caitlyn."

Chen Nuo stepped up the stairs, then as if remembering something, he turned back and said to Caitlyn.

"Right, I forgot to express my compliments to the lady. Miss Caitlyn, your dress is very beautiful today."

"Precocious fellow."

Caitlyn wrinkled her nose and muttered softly, but then she felt a secret joy in her heart.

Even though he looked two years younger than her, his taste was quite good.

Madame Kiramann was sitting in the guest room. She didn't look young anymore; even though she was well-maintained, wrinkles could still be seen on her face.

On the table was a stack of documents waiting for her to process.

Normally, given Madame Kiramann's efficiency, these documents shouldn't have piled up until now, but unfortunately, she had wasted too much time on the Rubik's Cube last night.

Of course, Jiramane didn't think she was just playing; she had her own legitimate reasons.

This was also part of the inspection.

"Madame Kiramann."

Chen Nuo called out from the doorway.

"Come in. May I call you Nuo? You are even younger than Caitlyn described, and even more adorable."

Madame Kiramann showed a gentle smile and beckoned Chen Nuo over. After looking him up and down, she said with satisfaction.

Indeed, judging from appearance alone, the not-yet-fully-developed Chen Nuo already showed great promise. How should one put it? He was very endearing, especially to women of the aunt generation.

"Uh, can we use a different word? Madame Kiramann, for a man, calling me 'adorable' is a bit much."

Chen Nuo's expression gained a hint of seriousness; he had to defend his dignity as a man.

"Haha, sorry, I've offended you, little man."

Madame Kiramann was amused and laughed out loud.

"..."

Chen Nuo remained expressionless, not smiling.

"It's really hard to imagine that a work like the Rubik's Cube actually came from your hands. Its internal mechanical structure is much more complex than it looks on the outside. After I took it apart last night, I couldn't put it back together."

Madame Kiramann looked at Chen Nuo with an inquiring gaze, carrying a bit of pressure.

A Rubik's Cube versus a youth who could create a Rubik's Cube—the latter was certainly more valuable.

Provided that it was indeed the truth.

Chen Nuo glanced at the gears and parts scattered on the tabletop. Without saying anything, he gathered them in front of him and reassembled them in less than ten seconds.

The construction of this Rubik's Cube was based on gear mechanics. The smallest gear structures inside were only the size of a grain of rice; it only looked simple.

To put it bluntly, Chen Nuo was using the Rubik's Cube as a subject to demonstrate his attainment in mechanics.

Going from simple to complex was also a form of technique.

He was essentially showing off his skills on purpose, and doing so in a very low-key way. Had Madame Kiramann not taken the Rubik's Cube apart, she wouldn't have discovered that Chen Nuo's gear mechanics skills had reached such a level.

He could probably already attempt to create bionic mimetic machinery.

"Madam, the Rubik's Cube is based on an abstract mathematical concept. As long as one understands the principles within, restoring it is actually simple..."

"..."

Madame Kiramann's eyes shifted from focused to bewildered, until they became somewhat hollow.

Reasonably speaking, someone who could become a Piltover accountant certainly wouldn't be bad at math.

But Chen Nuo deliberately expressed the relevant theories in a profound and abstract way, to the point that Madame Kiramann couldn't help but doubt her own mathematical talent.

"Alright, alright, Nuo. You should save those lessons for Caitlyn. I'm getting old, not like I used to be. Let's talk about things other than the Rubik's Cube."

Madame Kiramann was now certain that Chen Nuo was even more talented than she had originally thought, which was enough for her to invest in him.

"Alright then, Madam."

Chen Nuo smiled slightly; indeed, he was quite adorable.

The specific details of the investment didn't need much explanation. Besides a fixed amount of gold coins every month, Madame Kiramann would also directly pay a generous patent fee for the Rubik's Cube to Chen Nuo.

Furthermore, a significant percentage of the profit from the sales of the Rubik's Cube would be taken out as additional patent fees.

Chen Nuo didn't have to do anything; Madame Kiramann would arrange everything properly, and he just had to wait to collect the money.

This income alone was enough for Chen Nuo to step into the lower-tier families of Piltover.

It could be said that Madame Kiramann had no intention of making money from the Rubik's Cube project at all; her goal was simply to bind Chen Nuo to them.

"However, if you want to join Piltover Academy, you still have to pass a comprehensive written exam. Although as a councilor I could have the academy grant you special admission, that wouldn't be a good thing for you."

Madame Kiramann then said seriously.

"I understand. You may make the arrangements, Madam."

"If only Caitlyn were as sensible as you."

Madame Kiramann patted Chen Nuo's head, sighed with emotion, and continued.

"I'll have Jayce give you some proper tutoring during this time. The content of the academy's written exam is not simple."

"I'll look forward to it then."

"Having confidence is a good thing."

Madame Kiramann took some more time to chat with Chen Nuo about daily matters, and then let Caitlyn come in.

"Take Nuo for a good look around. You two aren't far apart in age, so you should have plenty of common topics to talk about."

"Yes, Mother."

Caitlyn answered formally.

As soon as she led Chen Nuo out of the study, her expression became visibly relaxed and cheerful.

"Come with me, kiddo."

"Miss Caitlyn, why don't you call me that in front of your mother? Then I would truly respect you as a tough woman."

"Just call me Caitlyn. And for a lady, 'tough woman' is not a compliment."

As Caitlyn spoke, she reached out and pinched Chen Nuo's cheek. She had wanted to do this for a long time and finally found the opportunity.

For no other reason than that Chen Nuo's current collagen-filled face was indeed full of such temptation.

"Madame Kiramann..."

Chen Nuo raised an eyelid and spoke.

"Mother, I didn't do anything!"

Caitlyn's voice was slightly distorted by fear, and she quickly stood up straight.

"Don't be afraid, Caitlyn. I just saw wrong; Madame Kiramann didn't come out."

Chen Nuo said with a face full of smiles.

Flames of anger rose in Caitlyn's eyes. She only then realized she had been tricked; it was all because Chen Nuo's acting just now was too real.

Being such a good liar at such a young age—what would happen when he grew up? Who knows how many women he would ruin.

Caitlyn felt it was necessary to nip this menace, Chen Nuo, in the bud, and reached out her 'evil claws' again.

However, this time Chen Nuo easily dodged to the side.

Before Caitlyn could react, her forehead was flicked, leaving a clear red mark.

Chen Nuo took the opportunity to dust off his hem, showing a lonely-at-the-top expression and saying softly.

"If I accidentally flicked you too hard, I can actually lend you my shoulder to cry on. Don't worry, I won't tell Madame Kiramann."

"You kiddo!!"

Caitlyn's anger meter was instantly maxed out.

On my own turf, I can still be bullied by you?

A game of cat and mouse began to play out. There was naturally no need to say who was the cat and who was the mouse.

After a good while, the exhausted Caitlyn, devoid of any noble lady image, slumped onto the lawn, panting and drenched in sweat.

She could never have imagined that with her physical fitness, she couldn't even touch the corner of Chen Nuo's clothes.

Clearly, the swordsmanship teacher at home had praised her stamina and coordination quite a bit.

Could it be that they were all lying to her?

Caitlyn was a bit discouraged.

"Is this all you've got? Caitlyn, my body has only just warmed up."

Chen Nuo rested his hands on his knees and leaned over to speak to Caitlyn.

Even though their faces were less than ten centimeters apart, Caitlyn forced herself not to strike.

Because every time before had been like this; it clearly seemed like she could grab him by reaching out, yet Chen Nuo had dodged every time by a hair's breadth.

This was no game; it was clearly a one-sided display of being toyed with.

"Mother."

Caitlyn's expression turned serious as she called out.

Chen Nuo turned back to look upon hearing this. At that moment, Caitlyn seized the opportunity and reached out, successfully pinning Chen Nuo's shoulder, then cupped his face with both hands and began to rub it, saying triumphantly.

"I caught you, jie-jie-jie!"

"Madame Kiramann, you've come."

Chen Nuo of course knew Jiramane wasn't behind him, and spoke toward the front with a straight face.

"The same trick, I just used it..."

"Caitlyn, what are you doing?"

Madame Kiramann's voice came from behind, causing Caitlyn to instantly freeze in place.

"I did try to warn you."

Chen Nuo said softly with an innocent look.

"...Mother."

Caitlyn turned around stiffly, hanging her head and waiting for Madame Kiramann's scolding.

Fortunately, with Chen Nuo present, Madame Kiramann still saved some face for Caitlyn. After only giving her a warning look, she didn't say much more.

It was also possible that, considering Caitlyn hadn't played so wildly with a peer in a long time, she let her off this once.

"Lunch is ready. Nuo, stay and dine with us."

Madame Kiramann smiled gently at Chen Nuo, then turned a cold face toward Caitlyn.

"Go and change into another set of clothes. Look at the state you're in."

"Yes, Mother."

Caitlyn breathed a huge sigh of relief inwardly. As she turned around, she glared fiercely at Chen Nuo, letting him know to wait for her, before walking away with a lady-like gait.

After dinner, Madame Kiramann sent someone to take Chen Nuo back.

Orianna, who hadn't seen her brother for half a day, was feeling quite miserable. As soon as she saw Chen Nuo return, she pounced on him, hanging on like a koala.

"Orianna, pay attention to your manners."

Store Manager Colin said somewhat helplessly.

"I won't."

Orianna buried her face in Chen Nuo's neck, being disobedient for once.

"You're finally back. Orianna didn't eat her lunch properly; she was constantly talking about you."

Store Manager Colin already knew that his words weren't as useful as Chen Nuo's, so he started tattling.

"Is that so?"

Chen Nuo gently pinched Orianna's cheek, looking into her azure eyes.

"I... I just didn't have an appetite."

"Do you have one now?"

"Mhm, I want Brother to feed me."

"That won't do. Little Anna is all grown up now."

"It won't do just because I'm grown up? Who made that rule? When I become a councilor, I'll definitely correct it."

Orianna held Chen Nuo's hand, looking 'fierce' in a cute way.

"Councilor Orianna? That does sound quite natural."

"Hehe."

Store Manager Colin looked at the backs of the two walking side by side and felt like he was a bit redundant in this house... Jayce lived in a school district apartment near Piltover Academy.

This was an apartment specifically built by the academy for students, located in the most prosperous and important central area of the city, and provided for free, which was a very good benefit.

This showed the level of importance Piltover placed on knowledge.

Caitlyn was actually also a student at the academy, studying the most popular mechanical discipline, though her grades were not outstanding.

This was not only because her talent didn't lie there, but more importantly, Caitlyn secretly spent a lot of energy on investigation, law, and so on.

Many times, Caitlyn preferred to live in the academy's apartment. Jayce's room was on the same floor as hers, right across from her.

This was Madame Kiramann's arrangement.

Although Jayce had yet to produce any technological results, Madame Kiramann was still very confident in her own judgment.

The best way to win someone over was not with money, but with emotion.

It didn't necessarily have to be romantic love; sibling-like affection or friendship were both fine.

Madame Kiramann knew her daughter; she had an advantage that she herself did not possess—sincerity.

The relationship between Jayce and Caitlyn had indeed developed well as expected, almost as if they were biological siblings.

So when Caitlyn brought Chen Nuo to visit Jayce, the latter agreed without a second thought.

"Being a teacher... this is my first time. I don't know if I can do it well. What if I don't teach well?"

Jayce scratched his head, looking a bit shy.

"It's fine. Just treat me as your classmate or friend; I don't mind these things."

Chen Nuo looked nonchalant as he flipped through the documents on Jason's desk.

"Is that okay?"

Jayce's mind didn't quite make the turn, so he asked back.

Caitlyn's eyelids twitched as she watched. Neither of these two had their respective identities sorted out. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Chen Nuo say:

"Your calculation formula is wrong here."

As he spoke, Chen Nuo didn't wait for Jayce to speak and proceeded to correct it for him.

"Wait..."

Jayce quickly stepped forward, but upon taking a closer look, his movements slowly stopped, and then he nodded seriously.

"You're right, I made a mistake."

"..."

Caitlyn watched this scene where the roles were reversed and silently swallowed the words she was about to say.

There was no helping it; the 'top student' aura of these two was too intense, and she was a bit intimidated.