"If you really insist on tutoring that delinquent girl, I guess it's fine."

"Huh??"

The next evening, as Yumo was about to head out to meet Tanglingxue again, Yuxin suddenly blurted this out.

"I’m too lazy to tell Mom and Dad or dig into your social circle. Just don’t pick up any bad habits."

"Well, I should really thank you for that…"

"But… I… want a little something in return."

"Huh???"

Yumo sized up this fifteen-year-old middle schooler. Wow, learning to take bribes so young? She’s got potential.

"D-don’t misunderstand! An ice cream is fine—or not even ice cream, gum, tissues, bottled water all work. If you hate spending money, even a pretty rock you find is okay…"

"You have such low standards??"

"T-the key isn’t what you give, but that ‘you’ give it!"

"Why emphasize ‘you’…"

"Anyway, if you still want to see that woman, just do it! Please, please! Or else I’ll—"

"Alright, alright, I get it… Are you threatening me or begging me?"

"You mean… your sister asked you for perks?"

"Yeah."

That night, while practicing driving, Yumo told Tanglingxue about it. Tanglingxue gave him a meaningful look.

"Let me guess—she wants perks but isn’t greedy, just random little things from you, right?"

"How did you know?"

"She’s shrewd yet timid…"

"Huh? What does that mean?"

"Nothing. Don’t overthink it—just start the bike smoothly already!"

"I can start it like you taught yesterday. Why a new method today?"

"You’re racing, not joyriding. Starting this slow means losing. Learn launch control at least!"

"Are you launching me off the bike?"

"You and the bike launch together! Shift gears, rev the engine, hold the brake, stabilize the RPM. Keep the engine eager!"

"So hard!"

"That’s why I’m teaching hands-on. Don’t fear! And don’t worry about my hands—just move gently."

All night, Tanglingxue stayed glued to Yumo’s back, her chin on his shoulder. Their hands and feet overlapped; cheeks brushed. Three hours of intense contact—any outsider would call them a super-loving couple.

After the night’s effort, Yumo made limited progress. Huge room for growth remained (diplomatically speaking).

"You’re terrible…"

"Sorry about that."

"I’ll redo the training plan. Less than twenty days left…"

"Ling Xue."

"Hmm?"

Yumo called her name directly, catching her off guard.

"I want to see you in daylight too, not just nights."

"Eh? Eh eh?"

"So from tomorrow, we practice during the day!"

"...Oh, that’s it? Are you sure?"

"Why not?"

"You’re license-less. I chose empty lots at night to avoid traffic police…"

"If we stick to empty lots off-road, it’s fine, right?"

"Well… but you’re class monitor. Skipping studies all winter with a notorious delinquent on a bike? Worried about your rep?"

"What rep? I’m the guy who cut his foreskin with a paper cutter."

"Pfft! Don’t say that suddenly!"

Practice shifted from nights to all day.

Every morning after his parents left for work, Tanglingxue took a taxi to pick him up. They trained outside, eating lunch and dinner out, returning late. Yumo’s parents knew nothing. Only Yuxin watched daily as her brother was whisked off by the mysterious delinquent.

At first, Tanglingxue was all business.

"Time’s up. Let’s go."

Then—

"Will you get hungry leaving too early?"

Then—

"I made breakfast."

Then—

"You hate celery? I’ll skip it."

Then—

"Warm milk for you. Good for mornings."

Then—

"Dressed too thin? I’m fine, but don’t freeze."

Then—

"Colder today. Wear gloves. Take my hand cream."

Then—

"—Wait! Are you a newlywed wife!? Stop the devoted-housewife act, delinquent girl!!"

Yuxin was furious!

"Being delinquent and homemaking are separate. My cooking’s surprisingly good. Little sis, try some?"

Tanglingxue stayed calm.

"Who wants your breakfast!"

Yuxin stood her ground!

Minutes later—

"So tasty… hate admitting it… Should I learn cooking too…"

Yuxin backed down!

"Don’t be mad. Forgot to give this last night—here."

Yumo handed her freesias grabbed from a flower shop—he thought, "Give something pretty." Yuxin’s eyes lit up. She snatched the flowers and dashed for a vase.

"She loves flowers? I never knew."

Yumo nodded solemnly, rare to learn his sister’s hobby.

"She’s not after the flowers…"

Ling Xue facepalmed.

A week flew by.

Yumo improved—shifting, reversing, turning, stopping sharply on empty lots. Now, hit the road.

But he stalled here.

"Why only first gear on the highway…"

"Afraid of traffic police."

"I picked a remote under-construction road. No cars, no people."

"Even so…"

Yumo shifted and accelerated—but nervousness made his hands shake. He slowed quickly, pulling over dejectedly.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Calm the tension.

But…

"Yumo?"

Tanglingxue ran over. Seeing his cold sweat, she fell silent.

"Sorry… I boasted about racing help, yet I’m like this…" Yumo muttered, bitter.

"I’ll push harder. Just need practice. I—"

"Don’t force yourself."

"I’m not. Don’t worry."

"You’re too tense. Need rest—you haven’t slept well, have you?"

"I must get used to roads. Time’s short."

"But—"

"Haha, worried about me?"

"…………"

"Really worried?"

Tanglingxue stayed silent. She placed her hand on his, stroking his knuckles clumsily—never comforted, she didn’t know how.

But Yumo felt satisfied by her care.

"...Thanks for caring."

"Don’t act tough. Struggling? Tell me. Withdraw if needed—I won’t mind. It’s not your duty."

"Withdrawing’s impossible. I keep my word—"

Just as the mood turned awkwardly intimate—

"Hey, cutie! Wanna ride my i8~?" "Sit on my lap, bro~"

"...Huh?"

A BMW i8 roared to a stop. Two flashy guys whistled nonstop at Tanglingxue.