As Thursday rolled around again, dark clouds gathered over Yinyun City, boding an imminent storm.

For Chi Yuzhou, though, any day without sun was a good day.

Rain or wind didn’t bother him either.

Chi Yuzhou ambled lazily toward school, punctuated by occasional yawns. His whole demeanor radiated languor.

As he walked, an unexpected voice called out:

“Yo, morning, Yuzhou.”

“Morning.”

Sleep-deprived, Chi Yuzhou barely mustered the energy to be startled. He turned to see Hua Qi, whom he’d bumped into by chance.

Hua Qi looked relaxed, clearly having had a good night’s sleep.

Normally, Chi Yuzhou only saw him after reaching their classroom.

“Rare sight.”

“Ah, you mean meeting me on the way to school?” Hua Qi grinned proudly. “True, we’d usually meet in class. But I just helped someone pick up fruit spilled from their cart. Took a bit of time.”

“Tough work.”

“Haha, it was fine. Oh, here.” Hua Qi scratched his head, then pulled a bright red apple from his bag and tossed it to Chi Yuzhou.

Chi Yuzhou reacted just in time, catching it with a light, deft motion.

“Thanks.”

Gazing at the crimson apple, Chi Yuzhou looked thoughtful.

He’d come to realize Hua Qi was a good guy—he often lent notes or explained problems in class.

Recalling how Hua Qi had once helped an old lady cross the street, Chi Yuzhou asked flatly, tinged with curiosity:

“Hua Qi, what do you think about when you help others?”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Caught off guard, Hua Qi thought a moment. “Nothing special. If someone needs help and I’m free, I just lend a hand. No big deal.”

“I see.”

“What’s up?”

“Just asking.”

Hua Qi didn’t quite understand but didn’t press further. Like how Chi Yuzhou, who could easily be an idol, chose not to show off for his own reasons—no need to pry.

Hua Qi walked beside him toward campus. Students strolled in pairs and groups. With Hua Qi there, Chi Yuzhou seemed less conspicuous, his usual standout laziness toned down.

......

“Morning, Hua Qi!”

“Morning.”

In class, many classmates greeted Hua Qi as he entered. Naturally popular—he was vice monitor of Class 3, Grade 11. The monitor, a short-haired girl always busy, rarely spoke unless something important came up.

Chi Yuzhou, entering a few steps behind, slipped quietly to his seat.

He glanced at the gathering storm clouds outside, silently wondering if the rain would finally bring cooler weather. He couldn’t stand this summer any longer.

Heaving a quiet sigh, he ignored the commotion from Xiao Yingwan’s arrival and slumped lazily onto his desk. The indistinct classroom chatter, heard often enough, had a strangely soothing, sleep-inducing effect.

Chi Yuzhou rarely woke once dozed off—even during Guanmingxue’s class later, he slept soundly. He woke a few times, but it wasn’t until the last morning class, when most classmates had gone for lunch, that he slowly lifted his head. Though teachers had woken him earlier, he’d just dozed off again.

Chi Yuzhou yawned lazily. At that moment, a gentle breeze fluttered the slightly open curtains.

Before they settled, a voice came from behind them:

“Didn’t you sleep last night?”

As the curtains stilled, Chi Yuzhou looked up to see Xiao Yingwan’s graceful figure. The classroom was empty except for them, with few students passing outside.

“Some necessary personal matters.” He rubbed his eyes. “What’s up?”

“Hmm, here.” Xiao Yingwan nodded, handing him a test paper she’d prepared earlier.

Chi Yuzhou took it and glanced over it. It seemed a math test she’d designed—he could handle the early problems, but they grew increasingly complex.

“Do this when you have time. I’ll grade it after school.”

“Okay.” Seeing she wanted to tailor tutoring based on the test, he nodded. She really was stubborn.

......

Throughout the afternoon, Chi Yuzhou understood what he could while diligently working on her test. But he only managed about half; the rest were blind spots.

When the dismissal bell rang, he didn’t rush to leave. He stayed, propping his chin on his hand, gazing quietly out the window. The storm clouds that had brewed all day finally churned, yet raindrops still refused to fall.

As classmates left, Xiao Yingwan remained in her seat, engrossed in her book. Chi Yuzhou stood and placed the incomplete test on her desk.

She said nothing, simply picking up a red pen and grading it. In under five minutes, she’d scored the paper.

A little over forty points. The test started from sixth-grade level and gradually increased—if he’d taken it seriously, it would’ve revealed his weak foundation.

“It seems... your foundation here is indeed weak.”

“Mm.” He nodded, offering no explanation, as if it were trivial.

“Alright, at least I know where to start tutoring you.”

“Mm, thanks.” Chi Yuzhou hadn’t expected her “compensation” to be this serious. Anyone who could make Xiao Yingwan this stubborn was truly blessed... Oh, it was himself. No problem then.

“Nothing more today. Tomorrow, I’ll bring notes and start from where you need it. Prepare some new notebooks.”

“Okay.” Chi Yuzhou agreed, packed up, and left without hesitation.

Xiao Yingwan watched him go, thinking yesterday’s tutoring might have actually worked. After it, he’d slept through Guanmingxue’s class too.

Perhaps... she had attracted him?