Chapter 9: Tricks

In the tutoring room, the butler spoke in a calm and measured tone, “Two years ago during the Spring Festival Gala, Teacher Lin performed on stage with other teachers.”

Zhi Li’s eyes widened again.

This was a super amazing teacher who had performed on the Spring Festival Gala!

In Zhi Li’s understanding, anyone who appeared on the Spring Festival Gala would become very famous! Half a month ago, when her uncle was looking for a tutor for her cousin, he had also said that the more famous the teacher, the more expensive they were.

Zhi Li hesitated before asking, “Auntie Butler, is Teacher Lin’s tuition very expensive?”

The butler hadn’t expected Zhi Li to ask this question. After a moment’s thought, she replied, “It’s not too bad.” Compared to other teachers whose fees often ran into six or seven figures, Teacher Lin’s rates were indeed not too bad.

Zhi Li rested her little chin on her hand, pondering the phrase “not too bad.” Things as difficult as Math Olympiad were considered “not very hard” by Auntie Butler, so when Auntie Butler said “not too bad,” did that mean Grandma had spent a lot and a lot of money?

So—

Did that mean Grandma really, really liked me?

The video continued to play.

Xu Qingying accompanied Zhi Li as they watched the entire series of courses from start to finish.

The courses covered a wide range of fields, including musical instruments like piano, guzheng, guitar, violin, drums, and saxophone; dances like classical, modern, and jazz.

Compared to the first two categories, the sports offerings were even more extensive, featuring over twenty activities such as tennis, golf, equestrian, fencing, skateboarding, skiing, Combat Yoga, and more. There were also hobbies both mainstream and niche, like painting, photography, English, French, calligraphy, public speaking, Math Olympiad, Abacus Calculation, pottery, chess, Lego Rubik’s Cube, and others.

Further down the list were more leisurely activities like museum visits, opera performances, art exhibitions, camping, picnics, hiking, and boating.

Xu Qingying closed her eyes briefly and rubbed her temples.

These courses were even more diverse than what an interest class center could offer, and the teachers were all top-tier masters. If she had had the opportunity and money to learn these things as a child, she might have actually achieved something notable in some field.

The live-stream audience wasn’t faring much better than Xu Qingying. Their initial comments about the overwhelming pressure had gradually shifted into a desire to join in.

[Wuwuwu, my university has a golf course, and I took golf for P.E. It was really fun, but I can’t afford the course fees normally.]

[I took jazz dance classes after graduating and starting to earn money. If I’d learned it as a kid, I’d probably be much more confident now.]

[Sigh, I just watched Yu Xinrou splurging on bags in her VIP digital catalog on her livestream, and I wasn’t even this envious. I’ve always been the one shrinking back during talent shows my whole life.]

[Hiking and boating are perfect for family outings! I’ve gone hiking and sailing with my parents since I was little—so much fun!]

[Wake up, learning all this would be exhausting.]

[Just wait and see Xu Qingying push Zhi Li until she cries!]

The butler’s throat felt dry after talking for so long. Suddenly, a small bottle of water was handed to her, the tiny fingers barely covering the FIJI logo on the label.

Zhi Li’s eyes curved into crescents, her voice sweet as if soaked in juice. “Auntie Butler, here’s some water for you.”

“Thank you, Zhi Li.” The butler was momentarily surprised before accepting the water with a smile.

Zhi Li waited until the butler had finished drinking and screwed the cap back on before asking, “Auntie Butler, do I have to choose all these courses now?” Though she still couldn’t solve Math Olympiad problems, Zhi Li could now count smoothly up to a hundred. There had been a whopping 65 courses listed just now! How much money would Grandma have to spend on all that?

The butler misunderstood that Zhi Li was under too much pressure to choose and quickly put down the water in her hand, explaining, “You can try each course for a day or two to see if you’re interested. Plus, the teachers’ schedules need to be coordinated, which sometimes takes ten days or even half a month. By the time you’ve experienced them all, it’ll be quite a while, giving you plenty of time to pick a few you like and focus on learning them.”

Zhi Li nodded, though she only half-understood.

Even trying out 65 courses for just a day or two would cost a lot of money, especially since some of the teachers were performers seen on TV. Grandma had spent so much—would just giving her a kiss be enough?

The course introductions took over three hours. By then, the blazing morning sun had risen high, and the lake outside the gate shimmered under its light.

The butler left the tutoring room and spotted Song Yin in the garden pavilion, having returned from her morning exercises and finished breakfast.

There were cameras in the garden too, but they were too far from the pavilion to pick up any conversation, though people could still be seen clearly.

The butler hurried over. “Madam, Zhi Li has seen the relevant courses, but she might be feeling a bit pressured—”

Song Yin raised her hand slightly, cutting the butler off. Her tone was cold. “If Xu Qingying keeps teaching the child like this, she won’t last long in this household. You’re fully responsible for Zhi Li’s classes. No need to report to me.”

“Teaching the child” naturally referred to Madam Xu encouraging Zhi Li to kiss the master.

Then again, the master was as cold as an iceberg—what normal child would dare kiss him?

The butler knew Song Yin wasn’t angry about Zhi Li kissing the master but worried that Madam Xu might continue teaching Zhi Li other tricks, which could spoil even the best child.

Before today, the butler would have shared this concern. But after this morning’s interactions in the dining room and tutoring room, she noticed Madam Xu seemed different from before.

And—

The butler hesitated.

She wanted to remind the madam: Yesterday afternoon, when discussing the child Madam Xu was about to bring home, hadn’t she said, “The child has a mother; we outsiders needn’t interfere”? How had it changed overnight to “She won’t last long here anyway, so I won’t bother—you handle it”?

What had changed in between?

Just one meeting with Zhi Li.

——

“Why can’t I find anyone?” Xu Xia paced up and down the street for the fourth time under the scorching sun, growing increasingly frustrated. She still hadn’t spotted anyone of the right age or with the right profile.

In her past life, this was the street where Zhi Li had saved the big shot.

Xu Xia didn’t know much about that big shot either, only hearing bits from Zhi Li and catching a distant glimpse of his profile once.

Rumor had it he’d had a falling-out with his family, run away, and ended up living here. By chance, Zhi Li had helped him one day.

The big shot never forgot that kindness. After reconciling with his family, even while abroad, he ensured they treated Zhi Li like a lifesaver.

This street was worse than Xu Xia’s neighborhood. Back when Zhi Li and Xu Qingying were kicked out of the wealthy family, they’d barely scraped by here.

Faded signs hung crookedly, and the road was pockmarked with potholes filled with dirty rainwater. Usually, Xu Xia couldn’t be bothered to come here.

Thinking that Zhi Li was probably being looked down upon by that stern and old-fashioned wealthy grandmother, Xu Xia suddenly felt a surge of motivation. She continued her fifth round of searching the street, checking every spot for that influential figure whose profile she had only glimpsed once in her past life.

This time around, she was determined to find the rebellious big shot in advance and become the only special person to extend a helping hand to him. It was time for Zhi Li to look up to her, the one showered with the big shot’s favor!

——

“Achoo!”

Suddenly, a sneeze rang out.

The butler looked up to see Zhi Li running toward him while sneezing, darting through the lavender garden and the pebbled path. Her wine-red little dress fluttered in the wind as she dashed all the way to the pavilion, lively as a little sprite.

“Why the sneeze?” The butler quickly pressed the back of his hand to Zhi Li’s forehead. “Your temperature seems normal. Did you catch a chill last night?”

Zhi Li rubbed her itchy little nose and shook her head. “I covered myself properly with the blanket last night!”

The butler found her utterly adorable. “Here to see the madam?”

“Yes! To see Grandma!” Zhi Li ran straight to Song Yin before the older woman could even speak. Without hesitation, she happily stood on tiptoe and planted a loud, affectionate kiss on Song Yin’s left cheek.

“Mwah!”

Song Yin: “…”

So this was the kiss her son had received in the morning?

A single kiss had made him hand over his bank card and let the child call him “Dad” outright?

Netizens were stunned when they saw Zhi Li kiss Song Yin.

[This is the step-grandma who used morning exercise as an excuse to avoid breakfast with Zhi Li?]

[The one who said she wouldn’t treat them equally?]

[The one who looked down on Zhi Li for being unsophisticated and made her take extra lessons?]

[And she just let Zhi Li kiss her like that?]

[Off-topic, but the show said the stepbrother is 8, and the stepdad is at least in his 30s, so the step-grandma should be in her 50s? But she looks barely over 40.]

[Not just youthful—her elegance is striking too, so noble and refined.]

[Damn it! How did the crew set up the cameras? We can’t even see the grandma’s face properly! All I see is her talking to Zhi Li—what are they saying?!]

[Useless production team!]

The production team, currently being roasted by netizens: “…”

Whether this madam looked down on Zhi Li or not, she definitely despised their production team—so much that she couldn’t stand even a second more on the phone with them.

The sun blazed outside, but the pavilion was cool and shaded, with occasional breezes rustling the maple trees below the steps, bringing a refreshing chill.

Song Yin glanced at Zhi Li’s bare arms under her dress and thought, This kid’s clever—she knows to hide from the sun here to avoid getting burned.

“Have you finished reviewing your lessons?”

“All done!”

Zhi Li was overjoyed.

Zhi Li was radiant.

Grandma cares about my studies! Even if she’s reserved and doesn’t smile much, she still cares about me in every way!

Seeing Zhi Li’s smile grow even brighter, Song Yin sternly lectured, “Studying helps you understand principles, to know that not everything your parents teach is correct. You—”

Before she could finish, Zhi Li fluttered over like a little butterfly and planted another loud, smacking kiss on her right cheek.

“Mwah!”

[???]

[Why did she kiss her again mid-conversation?!]

[Did Xu Qingying teach her this too?]

[But if the grandma really disliked it, she could’ve dodged!]

Song Yin froze momentarily, then frowned.

Her attitude last night and her cold expression now—how could this child kiss her for no reason? And even dare to kiss her twice? It must be another trick Xu Qingying taught her!

Once Zhi Li decided someone liked her, everything that person did would serve as proof.

After giving her “very, very much liked” grandma double kisses, Zhi Li chirped cheerfully, “Good morning, Grandma!”

Song Yin remained stern-faced. “Good morning.”

Sunlight filtered through the maple leaves, casting a warm glow over the pavilion outside.

Hearing this “good morning,” Zhi Li was overjoyed.

Not only was Grandma willing to spend lots and lots of money on her lessons and cared about her studies, but she also said good morning to her!

Two kisses were simply not enough to return such affection!

Thus, the entire live-stream audience watched as Zhi Li raised both tiny hands to her fluffy little head and formed a big heart toward Song Yin.

Netizens: “…”

What on earth did Zhi Li and her step-grandma just say?!

Imitating a move from cartoons, Zhi Li made the heart gesture and said sweetly, “Grandma! Zhi Li loves you!”

The heart was not only big but also seemed sprinkled with sugar.

Under the sunlight, it looked even sweeter.

Song Yin couldn’t quite maintain her stern expression and simply averted her gaze.

Xu Qingying certainly had plenty of tricks up her sleeve for teaching children how to please adults.