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Psst! We're moving!
This was truly a rare sight.
Upon hearing this, Chi Zhiyu’s mind instantly flashed with the phrase. Realizing what she had just thought, she immediately replied, “I’m coming down!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she quickly put away her phone, opened the door, and prepared to head downstairs. Just as she was about to leave, Bai Li, who was in the study, noticed her movements and called out.
“Ayu, where are you going?”
Chi Zhiyu paused for a few seconds, turned around, and lied with wide eyes. “Nothing, I’m just a bit thirsty and want to go downstairs to get some water.”
“Alright.” Bai Li nodded but suddenly noticed her flawless bare feet and frowned. “Why aren’t you wearing shoes? Didn’t I tell you not to walk barefoot, even at home?”
Chi Zhiyu paused, obediently turned back into her room to put on her shoes, and came back out.
Seeing her feet properly protected by slippers, Bai Li was somewhat satisfied but still reminded her, “Be careful when going downstairs. Don’t hurt your feet.”
“Mm, okay.”
Chi Zhiyu carelessly agreed and slowly hurried downstairs to the living room.
She took a paper bag from a nearby cabinet and was about to leave when she suddenly remembered something and returned to the kitchen.
“Aunt Wang, remind me when my mom comes down later,” Chi Zhiyu whispered from the doorway.
Aunt Wang chuckled at her small head and nodded. “Got it.”
Chi Zhiyu smiled at her and quickly turned to walk toward the door.
As she unlocked the door, she glanced upstairs and carefully pushed it open.
After cautiously closing the door behind her, she stepped outside.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone standing by the door. Chi Zhiyu instinctively looked over and froze mid-step.
The youth leaned against the wall, wearing a casual short-sleeved shirt. His eyelids drooped lazily, his expression relaxed and indifferent. In his hand, he seemed to be holding a notebook.
The evening sky was dim, and the streetlights flickered on, casting reflections on the walls and his figure. The interplay of light and shadow stretched his silhouette, giving it the texture of an old photograph, naturally filtered.
Chi Zhiyu hadn’t felt anything unusual until she saw the person waiting by the door. Suddenly, she realized that her entire series of actions just moments ago—
Seemed a little strange.
“How is this like some secret rendezvous?”
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Xie Ye raised his eyes.
Just as he saw her come out, accompanied by soft muttering, he couldn’t quite catch what she said.
“What did you say?” Xie Ye straightened himself, his voice hoarse with a heavy nasal tone.
“Hmm?” Chi Zhiyu blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. “Did I say something?”
Xie Ye glanced at her. “If it wasn’t you, was it a ghost?”
“How do you know it couldn’t be?” Chi Zhiyu said seriously. “Didn’t Fortune Teller Grandpa Liu at the intersection once say you’re no ordinary creature but a dragon among men? Maybe you have some supernatural talent.”
“What talent?”
“Communicating with spirits.”
“Oh?” Xie Ye’s tone rose slightly as he tilted his head and looked down at her. “Did the fairy calculate this?”
“…”
Chi Zhiyu choked.
Xie Ye’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, his gaze sweeping over her expression, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
Mockery.
Silent mockery.
Under his gaze, Chi Zhiyu unconsciously licked her lips. Suddenly remembering the paper bag in her hand, she extended it to him, changing the subject. “Here, for you.”
Xie Ye glanced at the paper bag. “Hmm?”
His nasal tone was heavy, not understanding her meaning.
“It’s your jacket,” Chi Zhiyu explained. “I had Aunt Wang wash it for you.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Ye raised an eyebrow and took it with one hand. “Didn’t you say you weren’t returning it?”
Chi Zhiyu defended herself. “I was joking. It’s just a jacket. Why would I scam you for it?”
Xie Ye: “Who knows?”
“…”
Chi Zhiyu didn’t want to argue with him further. Hearing his voice sounded off, she asked, “Are you sick?”
Xie Ye indifferently hummed, “A little.”
Chi Zhiyu furrowed her brows. “Didn’t you drink the ginger soup earlier?”
Xie Ye glanced at her. “Who told you drinking it would prevent a cold?”
Chi Zhiyu blinked. “Your mom.”
“…”
Xie Ye: ?
Chi Zhiyu’s lips curled slightly upward. Seeing the workbook in his hand, she changed the subject. “Give me the homework. I’ll return it to you tomorrow.”
Xie Ye glanced at her outstretched hand. “Tomorrow?”
Chi Zhiyu nodded, waving her hand. “Yeah, I’ll finish it tonight and give it back to you.”
Xie Ye raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. “Hanging from the ceiling and burning the midnight oil?”
“…” Chi Zhiyu corrected him. “No.”
“I think it looks like it.” Xie Ye handed her the workbook casually.
“If it looks like it, then it means I’m a good student,” Chi Zhiyu retorted as she flipped through the pages. After a few seconds, she looked up in disbelief. “Where’s the process?”
Xie Ye tilted his chin. “Isn’t it here?”
On each page beneath the major questions, there was a large, hastily scribbled “solution.”
Plus a few formulas and answers.
The entire thing was concise and clear, but there wasn’t a single step-by-step explanation.
“?”
Chi Zhiyu suspected she was blind and flipped through a few more pages, carefully checking them with a frown.
No difference.
Just a few formulas and the final answer.
“Where?”
Chi Zhiyu looked up, her expression suspicious. “Don’t tell me these overly official formulas are all you have.”
Xie Ye frankly admitted, “What else?”
“…”
Chi Zhiyu briefly considered throwing the book at his face but held back.
She exhaled deeply and patiently asked, “How can you not include the solution process in your physics homework? How will the teacher react to this?”
“They’ll see it just fine.”
“…”
See nothing.
Chi Zhiyu was speechless for a few seconds and kindly advised him, “If you don’t write the process, Teacher Chen Fuqing will definitely scold you when he sees it. You should fill it in.”
“Fill what?” Xie Ye remained calm. “The formulas and answers are all there.”
Chi Zhiyu: “I have the answers too, but the key is the process.”
This was clearly criticism.
Xie Ye’s expression remained calm as he spread his palm and placed his right hand in front of her.
“Return it.”
“Return what?” Chi Zhiyu hugged it protectively, instinctively refusing. “No.”
Xie Ye smirked lightly. “Didn’t you say you didn’t want it?”
“I never said I didn’t want it. Having formulas is better than nothing.”
After saying that, Chi Zhiyu frowned, thinking about Jiang Jinxu’s call earlier, and muttered, “I should’ve asked someone else.”
“...” Xie Ye heard her and raised his eyes, calmly looking at her. “Ask who?”
“Jiang Jinxu invited me to the library tomorrow,” Chi Zhiyu didn’t hide it from him but explained, “He wants to teach me how to do my homework.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Ye’s tone was casual. “Physics?”
Chi Zhiyu nodded. “Yes.”
“Oh,” Xie Ye slowly raised his eyes, indifferently saying, “Does he know how?”
“...”
Listen to this.
The ultimate disdain of a king.
Perhaps associating Jiang Jinxu as a liberal arts student and now pairing that with Xie Ye’s usual indifferent and nonchalant expression and tone,
Chi Zhiyu couldn’t help but find it amusing and accused him, “But he had good intentions, and I didn’t agree. Look at yourself; you’re too lazy to write the process. Can you reflect on yourself?”
Hearing she hadn’t agreed, Xie Ye’s lips relaxed slightly, and noticing the latter part of her statement, he smirked lightly, “Me reflect?”
“Yes.” Chi Zhiyu began to talk nonsense. “Your attitude towards doing homework is problematic. The teacher has said that solving problems requires a process. Don’t you understand?”
Xie Ye nodded. “Hmm, I don’t understand.”
Not expecting him to admit it directly, Chi Zhiyu choked. “What’s wrong with you? Your fighting spirit is so weak?”
Xie Ye didn’t bother listening to her nonsense and glanced at the homework in her hand. “Leave it with you. Copy it and submit it for me when school starts.”
Upon hearing this, Chi Zhiyu clicked her tongue softly, “Just a few formulas, what am I supposed to copy? And are you really okay with me writing the process myself?”
Xie Ye ignored her and turned around to walk back.
His back view was heartless.
Chi Zhiyu still wanted to say something, but then she heard Aunt Wang’s voice behind the door.
She quickly swallowed her words, hurriedly opened the door, and walked inside. With swift hands, she placed the homework in the corner of the entrance cabinet.
When Bai Li came downstairs, she happened to see Chi Zhiyu sitting on the sofa drinking water and called her casually, “Ayu, drink less water and come eat.”
Chi Zhiyu naturally nodded. “Okay.”
She held the glass of water and stood up, silently exhaling with relief, walking slowly to the dining table.
After Aunt Wang arranged the dishes, she finally placed the salad in front of her.
Chi Zhiyu thanked her and looked at the bowl full of vegetables and fruits, already accustomed to it.
She picked up a fork and took a casual bite. Across from her, Bai Li was also eating simply—low-fat buckwheat noodles and vegetables.
After all, she was once a dance artist. Even though she was now behind the scenes, her figure and demeanor couldn’t falter.
She needed these.
Chi Zhiyu was originally quietly chewing on lettuce when, for some reason, Bai Li suddenly decided to be a caring mother and randomly asked her about her summer studies.
After being stunned for a few seconds, Chi Zhiyu snapped back to reality and casually responded, “Studying is fine, no big issues.”
Bai Li thought for a moment. “School is starting soon. Have you finished your homework?”
“Mm.” Chi Zhiyu glanced at the physics homework still hidden at the entrance, her face calm and heartbeat steady. “I’ve already finished it.”
Bai Li nodded. “Good. You’ll be in your final year of high school soon. There can’t be any issues with the art exams, and you mustn’t forget your academic scores. Understand?”
Chi Zhiyu lowered her eyes, poking a small tomato that had started leaking juice. “Alright, I’ll work hard.”
“Do you want Mom to hire a tutor for you?” Bai Li suddenly thought of another idea.
“No need.” Chi Zhiyu furrowed her brows. “If I have questions, I can ask Xie Ye.”
“Xie Ye?” Bai Li raised her eyes to look at her, asking lightly, “Do you often meet?”
Chi Zhiyu explained, “We’re in the same class. It’s impossible not to see each other.”
Bai Li was momentarily stunned. “Why are you in the same class? Weren’t you different before?”
“At the end of last semester, the science classes were reorganized. Xie Ye and I are both in Class A.” Chi Zhiyu pushed aside the somewhat mashed tomato she’d been poking.
Bai Li:
“Are you in Class A for the entire final year?”
“Mm.” Chi Zhiyu kindly explained, “The school divides classes based on grades.”
Bai Li knew Xie Ye’s grades were excellent, and since Chi Zhiyu was now in the same class as him, it probably meant she was in the key class.
Key class.
The teaching resources would naturally be much better since they were students targeted for focused cultivation.
Thinking of this, Bai Li’s brow slightly relaxed, as if reluctantly accepting it. “Then get along well with Xiaoye, but generally, besides studying, don’t bother him with other things.”
Xiaoye?
Hearing this change in address, Chi Zhiyu silently sneered at the corners of her mouth. “Alright, I’ll handle it myself. Don’t worry.”
“Mm.”
After responding, Bai Li looked at her beautiful face and still reminded her, “You’re a grown-up now. Mom won’t say much more. You should be able to distinguish some things by yourself, but it’s best not to have any other thoughts.”
The fork was stained with light red tomato juice, appearing crystal clear.
Upon hearing this, Chi Zhiyu took a tissue and wiped it. “What do you mean?”
Bai Li: “Hmm?”
Chi Zhiyu placed the reddened tissue aside and looked up, asking, “What kind of thoughts do you think I might have?”
Suddenly locking eyes with her calm gaze, Bai Li sensed something, narrowed her eyes slightly. “Ayu, you—”
“Madam.”
Aunt Wang suddenly came from the kitchen, interrupting her.
Bai Li ignored her and looked at Chi Zhiyu across from her.
The girl’s expression was calm and composed, her eyes peaceful and natural, without the cold indifference she had just touched upon.
An illusion.
For just a moment.
Bai Li gazed for a while and ultimately shifted her gaze, looking at Aunt Wang. “What is it?”
Aunt Wang looked at the mother and daughter at the dining table, hesitated for a moment, pursed her lips, and spoke, “The driver called and said—”
“Master will be back later.”
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