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Chi Zhiyu felt like she had a dream.
She dreamed that Xie Ye held his physics workbook, speaking coldly to her, “If you can’t even do your physics homework, why are you sleeping?”
Chi Zhiyu retorted, “Don’t slander me. I’ve really tried hard. Sleeping is irresistible, and your homework is too difficult to understand.”
Xie Ye said, “Then I’ll go find someone who understands me.”
Then.
He turned and threw himself into Jiang Jinxu’s arms.
Chi Zhiyu woke up startled.
She lay on her side, eyes open, staring at the tightly drawn curtains by the window. After a long while, she gradually came to her senses and reached for her phone on the cabinet.
When the screen lit up, Chi Zhiyu squinted uncomfortably, noticing the time.
Eight-thirty.
So early.
Chi Zhiyu frowned and casually tossed the phone aside, preparing to continue sleeping. But the moment she closed her eyes, the image of Xie Ye lunging into Jiang Jinxu’s arms from her dream immediately flashed before her.
She immediately opened her eyes, feeling that she probably wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep.
Chi Zhiyu turned over, picked up her phone again, and saw that last night’s call ended at 12:33.
Xie Ye must have hung up.
She didn’t know why, had no memory of it, and her last recollection was him saying he would teach her the physics homework.
She stared at the ceiling, lost in thought, carefully considering the subsequent events. For some reason, she recalled Xie Ye and Jiang Jinxu from last night’s dream.
And dreaming about these two was one thing, but why specifically did Xie Ye throw himself into Jiang Jinxu’s arms?
Could it be hinting at something?
The fairy Chi Zhiyu couldn’t figure it out. After some useless daydreaming, she finally propped herself up to sit, yawning lazily as she got out of bed and walked to the window, pulling back the curtains to glance at the opposite side.
The curtains were tightly closed, not a sound.
They probably hadn’t woken up yet.
Chi Zhiyu withdrew her gaze, rubbed her face, and randomly grabbed at her messy hair, shuffling slowly toward the bathroom.
Downstairs, Aunt Wang was handling vegetable leaves. Hearing the sound of footsteps, she looked up to see the figure and smiled. “Little Yu, why are you up so early today?”
Chi Zhiyu slapped her face with one hand as she went downstairs, still groggy. “I’m still a bit sleepy.”
“It’s good to sleep early and wake up early. Just now, Madam told me to go upstairs and wake you up later.”
“Mom went to the theater?”
“Yes, she just left with Mr. Chi in the car.”
Hearing this, Chi Zhiyu focused on the key point, somewhat puzzled. “Dad stayed here last night?”
She thought Chi Yan’s visit this time was just to fulfill his role as a caring father and husband and wouldn’t stay long.
Yangcheng was a bit far from downtown; a two-hour drive wasn’t close.
Previously, whenever Chi Yan visited every so often, he would simply eat a meal and then leave citing busy company affairs, rarely staying overnight.
Aunt Wang explained, “It was a bit late yesterday, so Madam asked Master to stay here.”
Bai Li made him stay?
Chi Zhiyu blinked and said nothing.
Aunt Wang didn’t bring up the topic again. She made honey water to soothe her throat and then went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for her.
Chi Zhiyu held the cup with one hand, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, while using the other hand to send a message to Xie Ye asking if he was awake.
After sending it, she waited until after finishing breakfast, but still, there was no reply from this Buddha.
Chi Zhiyu stood in the living room digesting her food, walking in circles while swinging her phone, and at one point suspected that there might be an issue with her signal.
When she turned around for the third lap, Xie Ye finally replied to her message.
Xie Ye: [Awake.]
Chi Zhiyu’s mood wasn’t great at this moment, and being treated with his lazy attitude made her directly call him.
Fortunately, it only rang once before he picked up.
Chi Zhiyu: “Do you know what time it is?”
Probably due to having just woken up from taking cold medicine, Xie Ye frowned and sniffed. “What time?”
His voice was somewhat hoarse and low, with a noticeable nasal tone.
Through the electromagnetic flow, it reached her ears, sparsely captivating.
Chi Zhiyu calmly retorted, “The sun is already shining on your butt. What time do you think it is?”
Xie Ye leaned against the headboard and glanced at the clock on the wall.
The hour hand pointed to ten.
After being woken up by her call last night, he lost all desire to sleep, especially after hearing her last words—being able to sleep would have been a problem.
He got up and turned on his computer, playing a few rounds of games.
By the time he went back to bed, it was already three or four o’clock, and he slept until now.
“And,” Chi Zhiyu pointed out, “you said you would teach me physics. I’m already up, and you’re still sleeping soundly.”
Hearing this, Xie Ye lazily asked, “When did I say I’d teach you physics?”
“?”
Chi Zhiyu paused for a few seconds, thinking this might also be part of her dream.
Her mind spun, and she felt something was off. “You’re scamming me? Didn’t you say it last night?”
“I said it.” Xie Ye spoke. “But you don’t want me to teach you.”
“?
“
“You want Jiang Jinxu.”
“...”
Upon hearing this, Chi Zhiyu’s mind froze.
Did she mention Jiang Jinxu last night?
It seemed... vaguely familiar.
Realizing this, Chi Zhiyu quickly salvaged the situation. “How could I possibly not want you? What I meant was, how could Jiang Jinxu compare to you? You’re the top student. Why would I go to him if I can come to you?”
This submissive attitude was entirely fabricated nonsense.
Xie Ye couldn’t be bothered to deal with her. “Oh.”
“What do you mean ‘oh’?” Chi Zhiyu preemptively struck. “I’ll come over in a bit. Get ready.”
“What’s there to prepare?” Xie Ye lazily yawned, not paying much attention. “Just bring yourself and the workbook.”
Chi Zhiyu was about to respond when she remembered Wu Xuan’s earlier message. “Why don’t we go to the library later? Wu Xuan hasn’t finished her homework either. After you teach me, she can write hers alongside me.”
Xie Ye raised an eyebrow. “Library?”
Chi Zhiyu casually hummed. “Jiang Jinxu said the library apparently has new study rooms.”
Xie Ye sneered. “Do you believe everything Jiang Jinxu says?”
“?”
“Could he really deceive you about whether the library has study rooms or not?” Chi Zhiyu didn’t think there was anything wrong with what she said and patiently repeated, “So, are you going?”
Xie Ye arrogantly responded with an “Oh.” “No.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“It’s hot.” Xie Ye added. “Very sunny.”
“...”
It’s quite hard.
Why hasn’t it melted you yet?
After a few seconds of silence, Chi Zhiyu finally spoke. “Then coming to my house should be fine, right?”
Xie Ye had a lot of quirks and didn’t like others visiting his home.
As if bestowing a favor, Xie Ye grunted an “Mm,” which counted as agreement.
After hanging up, Chi Zhiyu messaged Wu Xuan to come to her house.
Wu Xuan: [?]
Wu Xuan: [Not going to the library anymore?]
Chi Zhiyu: [Master Xie thinks it’s too sunny outside.]
Wu Xuan: [...]
Wu Xuan: [Impressive.]
Chi Zhiyu: [...]
Wu Xuan: [Didn’t expect Brother Xie to be such a delicate person.]
Chi Zhiyu: [He’s stupid.]
Wu Xuan laughed: [Isn’t the library pretty good? The learning atmosphere is thick, isn’t it?]
Chi Zhiyu: [He’s the big boss. If he doesn’t want to go, I can’t force him.]
Wu Xuan: [True. It’s rare to get personal tutoring from the big boss.]
Wu Xuan: [By the way, Su Le just asked me if I’ve finished my physics homework. I plan to finish mine and auction it to him for ten bucks.]
Chi Zhiyu: [?]
An unexpected money-making channel appeared.
Chi Zhiyu, nestled in the sofa, was about to type when the doorbell rang. Aunt Wang naturally went to open the door, saw the person outside, smiled, and turned to tell the person in the living room, “Little Yu, Classmate Xie is here.”
Chi Zhiyu was still chatting with Wu Xuan and absentmindedly responded.
Xie Ye stepped into the living room and casually sat in the empty seat next to her.
After finishing the chat, Chi Zhiyu raised her head and curiously looked at him. “Did Li Taoran ask you for your physics homework?”
“Hmm?” Xie Ye was still a bit sleepy, completely out of it while lounging on the sofa. “Who?”
“...”
She didn’t know if he hadn’t heard clearly or genuinely didn’t know who it was.
Chi Zhiyu repeated, making it clear: “Li Taoran, your desk mate.”
Hearing this, Xie Ye seemed to recall. “What about him?”
“Did he ask you for your summer homework?”
“I don’t know.”
Chi Zhiyu clicked her tongue and reached out for his phone.
Xie Ye glanced at her. “What are you doing?”
“Exploring business opportunities for you.” Chi Zhiyu didn’t elaborate, snatched the phone from his palm, unlocked it skillfully, and opened the messages.
At first glance, she saw Li Taoran’s plea sent the day before.
— [Dad, Brother Xie, emergency help, can I get a copy of your homework?]
Clearly, Xie Ye was too lazy to care; he read it and didn’t reply.
Seeing this, Chi Zhiyu returned the phone to him and told him about Wu Xuan’s plan to rip off Su Le in a bidding war.
Both Li Taoran and Su Le were in the same boat—always procrastinating until the last night to do their homework. Who else to scam if not them?
Hearing this, Xie Ye wasn’t interested and let her have her fun.
Seeing this, Chi Zhiyu opened her phone and sent an invitation to Li Taoran.
Chi Zhiyu: [Li Taoran, do you want Xie Ye’s physics homework?]
Li Taoran: [!]
Li Taoran: [You’re so timely! This is literally saving my life!]
Chi Zhiyu: [Saving you is not necessary; I just thought you might be in trouble.]
Li Taoran: [Yes, yes, yes! Absolutely! I’m almost dying!]
At this point, Li Taoran began furiously venting about Xie Ye ignoring his messages, sending a long rant.
Li Taoran: [Xie Ye’s habit of not replying is completely immoral. If I were you, after being with him for so many years, I might cut ties with him, never see him again, and let him grow old alone.]
Chi Zhiyu saw this string of words and couldn’t help but laugh, showing it to the person beside her.
Xie Ye skimmed through it, finally landing on “never see him again” and “grow old alone.” His eyelashes fluttered slightly, uttering a few words to Chi Zhiyu.
Chi Zhiyu: [I can’t give you the homework for free. Xie Ye said you have to pay.]
Li Taoran: [Alright, as long as he asks, I’ll definitely pay!]
Li Taoran: [How much?]
Chi Zhiyu: [...]
Chi Zhiyu: [He said ten thousand.]
Li Taoran: [...]
Li Taoran: [Tell him to fuck off.]
Li Taoran: [Does he think I’m an idiot? Only a fool would pay!]
Chi Zhiyu: [...]
Chi Zhiyu: [So you won’t pay.]
Li Taoran: [...]
The final line was sent by Xie Ye using her phone. After sending it, he dumped the catastrophe back onto Chi Zhiyu.
Coincidentally, Wu Xuan arrived outside at this moment.
Aunt Wang opened the door, and as soon as Wu Xuan entered, she saw the person in the living room.
The youth was dressed in black, wearing simple long sleeves and pants, with a strong presence. At this moment, he was slumped bonelessly on the sofa, eyes closed, looking lazy and drowsy.
On the side, the girl sat cross-legged next to him, holding her phone with a less-than-pleased expression. Her brows were slightly furrowed, adding a hint of dissatisfaction to her otherwise cold demeanor.
The beauty seemed faintly angry.
Yet, unexpectedly, she paired well with the youth.
Wu Xuan was momentarily stunned by the scene. Chi Zhiyu heard the noise and looked up.
Meeting those painted eyebrows and eyes, Wu Xuan snapped out of it and walked over to sit on the other sofa. “What are you looking at?”
“Teasing Li Taoran.” Chi Zhiyu tilted her chin toward her phone.
Wu Xuan understood. “Both him and Su Le probably need it badly.”
“So let’s tease them together.” Seeing that Wu Xuan had arrived, Chi Zhiyu casually took out her physics homework and urged Xie Ye to start explaining the problems.
Wu Xuan watched Xie Ye’s usual cold demeanor and chuckled. “Feels like we’re forcing someone to give a lesson, doesn’t it?”
“Forcing?” Chi Zhiyu turned to look at him, scrutinizing. “Not much difference, right?”
His expression was the same as usual.
Cold and aloof.
But to show fairness, Chi Zhiyu gave him a chance to speak, blinking and asking, “Am I forcing you?”
Xie Ye sat up, lazily leaning against the sofa cushion, slowly turning his head to speak. “You mean that kind.”
Chi Zhiyu: “?”
Xie Ye raised his eyes slightly. “Physical or mental.”
“…”