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Chapter 22
Her expression held both anticipation and disappointment. Maybe she really was just overthinking it—how could Jiang Zhiyu possibly show up at an internet café?
“Then Yeci, the teachers and I will wait for you downstairs.” Ye Muwan, no longer bothered by the noises from the restroom, turned and walked out of the internet café.
Inside the stall, the two who had been eavesdropping remained frozen in place. Once they confirmed no one was outside, they finally relaxed.
Due to the earlier tension, Jiang Zhiyu’s entire body had been on edge. Now that the moment passed, her limbs naturally went limp and slumped against Lin Yeci.
“That was a double shock to both body and soul…” As she spoke, Jiang Zhiyu didn’t even realize her lips were near Lin Yeci’s neck.
Lin Yeci felt a warm breath on his neck, sending a tingly sensation through his whole body. He loosened his arms, but the “accessory” clinging to him still didn’t budge. “If you keep hugging me like this, people will think you’re taking advantage of me.”
Realizing her position, Jiang Zhiyu laughed awkwardly. “Haha, ha… Sorry, I got scared silly by the spider…”
“Not scared anymore now?” Lin Yeci scratched his chin, smiling as he looked at the silly girl.
“Ah—!” Jiang Zhiyu suddenly turned her head and nearly fainted from fright!
She was less than five centimeters away from a palm-sized spider.
She wasn’t trying to take advantage—she had never seen a spider this big in her life. Instinctively, she clung to Lin Yeci again like a decorative ornament.
—-
He gently patted her back, a warm smile on his face as he said softly, “Alright, let’s go.”
Little did they know, two people were crouched by the wall outside the men’s restroom, sneakily watching and whispering:
Gossip Guy 1: “I heard Da Huang asked that maid girl Xin’er to do something naughty in the restroom. I wonder how far they’ve gone?”
Gossip Guy 2: “From how loud Xin’er screamed just now, I’d say they were really into it.”
Just then, Lin Yeci walked out of the stall holding Jiang Zhiyu, casually explaining, “That spider is called a giant crab spider. It’s a beneficial insect, usually eats mosquitoes and flies, and isn’t poisonous.”
“Of course I know it’s not poisonous, but don’t you think it still makes your scalp tingle just to look at it?” Once they exited the restroom, Jiang Zhiyu finally detached herself from Lin Yeci, pouting as she spoke.
The two gossipers noticed something off—the guy holding the girl wasn’t their buddy Da Huang, but a high school student in uniform. The girl was a bit chubby, not in uniform, and definitely not in a maid outfit.
Did they stalk the wrong couple?
Gossip Guy 2: “Are high schoolers this wild nowadays?”
Gossip Guy 1: scratches his head “Then… where’s Da Huang and that chick?”
“They’re coming out!” Their pupils widened and they quickly darted to the side.
Lin Yeci’s tone held a hint of scolding as he pointed to the corridor map. “I’m leaving first. You go out the back. Places like this—better not come often.”
“Got it,” Jiang Zhiyu replied reluctantly, waving goodbye before sneaking out the back door.
Xu Leyun hadn’t shown up this whole time. Thinking about his cowardly behavior, she didn’t want to bother contacting him again. She returned home. After the ordeal, she felt her blood sugar spike and nearly fainted again.
Just as she opened the door, her stepmom was sitting on the couch, examining a few flyers on the table.
Upon closer look, the flyers were all advertisements for various tutoring centers.
“Yu’er, help Mom pick a good tutoring center. Your grades are too poor—I’m afraid the teachers can’t handle you,” her stepmom said with a troubled look, shaking her head.
Jiang Zhiyu leaned closer and started examining the flyers with her. Tutoring was no trivial matter—if the teachers weren’t good, she’d end up teaching herself instead.
Then she suddenly remembered her stepmom usually had work. “Didn’t you go to work today? Why so free?”
Her stepmom tapped her forehead with a look of helplessness. “Because of you! I took leave this morning and got home just a little late at noon, and you were already missing. Look—it’s past 5 PM and you’re just now getting back. Where were you?”
Jiang Zhiyu didn’t dare say anything and quickly changed the subject. “Why don’t we choose Rising Sun Academy? Their flyer says they have teachers from Beijing North University.”
Her stepmom picked up the flyer and nodded. “Nice choice! But you should know, Rising Sun Academy isn’t just for anyone—your grades probably won’t qualify.”
—
“How would we know unless we try? Maybe they’ll make an exception and accept me!”
“Alright, alright—our little fish is so motivated. It’s a good thing to be so ambitious. They do have a placement test for new students, so let’s not embarrass ourselves, okay?” Her tone wasn’t exactly mocking, but it clearly lacked confidence in Jiang Zhiyu’s abilities. After all, she had watched her struggle for years.
Jiang Zhiyu picked up a cup of warm water, took a sip, and pouted, “Moooom~ I just wanna go~ I just wanna gooo~ Let me gooo~”
Her stepmom looked a bit surprised and shuffled to the side of the couch, trying to keep some distance. “You’re serious?”
She nodded vigorously, eyes fixed on her stepmom. “Totally serious—just give me a chance!”
“Alright!” Her stepmom patted her back with sincere encouragement. “Good girl. You’ve got spirit. The enrollment exam is this Saturday. I’ll have your dad take you. I’m off to cook dinner!”
She briskly walked into the kitchen, still smiling calmly.
“She doesn’t believe in me at all!” Jiang Zhiyu puffed her cheeks and headed to her room to study.
—–
Time flew by, and the weekend arrived. Jiang’s dad had the day off and was reluctantly dragged to take his daughter to the placement test at Rising Sun Academy. He knew full well how bad her grades were.
He also knew how smart the kids applying here usually were. From the moment they left home until they arrived, his expression was gloomy, like a wilted flower.
He even worried her math score would be in single digits, but still forced a smile and gave her a thumbs-up before the test: “You’re the best, Yu’er! Daddy believes in you!”
Thankfully, none of the other parents there were from her school—at least that calmed his nerves a bit.
Since the scores would be released on the spot, the wait was long.
Inside the exam room, Jiang Zhiyu’s eyes lit up the moment she saw the questions. These are really well-written! she thought. She grabbed her scratch paper and dove into solving them with enthusiasm.