Chapter 31

Seeing Xu Zhilu’s expression, Shen Siyan raised his eyebrows. “Why, don’t you believe it?”

Xu Zhilu was speechless. “How can you speak about your mother like that?”

Shen Siyan chuckled, twirling a pen in his hand. “No one monitors their child like she does every day.”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

She looked at him with a hint of surprise. “Did you do something to make Aunt Shen worried?”

Shen Siyan’s eyes widened with excitement. “When did I do that?”

He added, “I told her it was a misunderstanding, but she wouldn’t believe me.”

Xu Zhilu’s interest was piqued.

She raised her eyebrows and asked with curiosity, “Really? What happened? Can you tell me?”

“…”

Shen Siyan looked at her amused expression for a moment, then said proudly, “No.”

His face turned slightly red as he looked away. “Don’t ask anymore. Are you still going to answer the questions?”

Xu Zhilu smirked, observing him for a while before saying, “You seem a bit embarrassed and annoyed now.”

Shen Siyan didn’t respond.

Xu Zhilu decided to let it go and didn’t press further.

_

For a long time after that, Xu Zhilu lived a stable life. Perhaps it was because Father Xu’s stern presence had made them both more mindful of their behavior.

Before they knew it, spring had passed, and summer had arrived.

The second year of high school was about to end.

A week before the final exams, Xu Zhilu was busy reviewing every day and didn’t even go to the dance studio on weekends. Apart from tutoring Shen Siyan, she spent all her time studying.

She knew she needed to work harder to maintain her current academic performance.

Seeing Xu Zhilu’s dedication, Xin An’an couldn’t help but feel inspired by her efforts.

“Zhilu, isn’t it time for you to take a break?” Xin An’an suggested.

Xu Zhilu, with her head lowered, was reciting classical Chinese. She replied, “No, I’m working hard now so that the results will be worth it later.”

Xin An’an: “…”

Feeling at a loss, Xin An’an asked, “So, what are you going to do during the summer vacation?”

Xu Zhilu pondered for a moment and shook her head: “I agreed to that dance job I mentioned before.”

Xin An’an was stunned, blinking as she looked at her. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“So, you won’t be home during the summer vacation?”

Xu Zhilu nodded. “It’s better not to be at home. It’s quieter.”

Xin An’an choked up, thinking about her own family. It was indeed the case. She rested her chin on her hand and sighed, “So, if I want to find someone to hang out with, I won’t be able to?”

Xu Zhilu smiled. “It’s summer; what’s there to do?”

She tapped on her desk and was reminded, “Focus on studying first. Once you pass your final exams, your parents will definitely let you have fun during the summer vacation.”

Xin An’an thought about it and realized she had a point.

“Okay, I’ll join in the review too.”

“Good.”

–

Because of the academic exams, their finals this semester were relatively easier than usual.

In total, only two days were allotted for exams, just like the college entrance exams.

Xu Zhilu was still in the first examination room, but Shen Siyan had made great progress in the midterm exams and moved up two examination rooms, no longer being in the last one.

In the morning, Xu Zhilu and Jian Anran met him on their way from the dormitory to the cafeteria.

“Why are you here?” Xu Zhilu asked.

Shen Siyan glanced at her and replied, “To have breakfast.”

Xu Zhilu: “Oh.”

Shen Siyan looked at her. “What do you want to eat?”

“Rice noodles.”

Shen Siyan nodded and turned to Jian Anran. “What about you?”

Jian Anran was stunned. “Rice noodles too.”

“All beef, right?”

Xu Zhilu looked at him and said, “Let’s just have some.”

“Don’t be polite with me,” Shen Siyan said calmly. “It’s no problem for me to treat you to some rice noodles.”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

Of course, Xu Zhilu knew that Shen Siyan’s treating her to rice noodles wasn’t an issue, but she didn’t think it was necessary.

“Boss, two bowls of beef rice noodles.”

“Okay.”

Cheng Song, who was beside them, laughed and said, “Xu Zhilu, don’t be polite to Brother Yan. He just has a lot of money to burn.”

“…”

Xu Zhilu was taken aback, glanced at Shen Siyan twice, and nodded in agreement. “Indeed.”

Shen Siyan looked at her and said, “Is it too much to ask for a little gratitude when I’m treating you to rice noodles?”

Xu Zhilu curled her lips and replied, “Thank you for the rice noodles. I hope you make it to the third examination room this time.”

Shen Siyan raised an eyebrow. “What’s the reward for passing?”

“…Is there any reward for that?”

Xu Zhilu looked at him in disbelief. “Your grades are your own; why would you expect me to reward you?”

Shen Siyan hesitated for a moment and then said confidently, “You’re my tutor. I’ve made great progress, don’t you feel honored and proud?”

“…” His logic was sound, but something about it felt off to Xu Zhilu.

Before she could figure it out, a bowl of rice noodles was placed in her hand.

“Go eat first.”

Xu Zhilu looked down and saw that the bowl in her hand was likely the one Shen Siyan had ordered first.

She said “Oh” and didn’t bother being polite with him. “Then I’ll find a seat. An’an, come over later.”

“Okay.”

With Cheng Song, this funny guy, around, the four of them had a very pleasant breakfast.

Xu Zhilu ate slowly, like a snail.

Shen Siyan glanced at her several times, but finally just tapped on his phone lazily without urging her.