The next day, Monday.
Chi Yuzhou stood on the cramped balcony, a bag of breakfast jelly dangling from his mouth. He expressionlessly admired the morning.
Last night’s events felt like a random encounter. But since Qiujie Zhuo declared the investigation closed, it likely had nothing to do with him anymore.
Even if he was involved later… staying low might keep extra secrets hidden.
After eating, Chi Yuzhou reached the building entrance. A silver-white car slowly drove away ahead.
He watched it silently for a moment, then strolled leisurely toward school.
...
Inside the classroom.
The familiar murmur of self-study filled the air. Chi Yuzhou slipped in, still an edge case—utterly unnoticed.
Walking the aisle, he spotted Hua Fu sitting upright at her desk.
Her gaze, behind thick lenses, met his. She gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Chi Yuzhou’s bangs swayed slightly as he nodded back.
With blunt bangs and heavy glasses, Hua Fu looked utterly ordinary.
Settling into his seat, Chi Yuzhou glanced at Xiao Yingwan nearby. She was politely answering greetings from classmates.
Though aloof on the surface, she responded warmly to the girls.
The boys nearby sweated bullets just thinking of how to approach her.
Chi Yuzhou eyed Hua Fu’s straight-backed figure, then Xiao Yingwan. He noticed hallway glances frequently drifting toward Xiao Yingwan.
Hua Fu’s true looks rivaled Xiao Yingwan’s, yet their choices differed.
Hua Fu probably hid her face for reasons like his own.
If he had to endure ulterior stares at school like at the tavern, he’d hate it too.
Looks were only useful for making money.
Chi Yuzhou let out a soft yawn and slumped onto his desk.
With Hua Fu sitting rigidly ahead, few classmates noticed him.
Several classes blurred past. Chi Yuzhou jolted awake as his desk vibrated gently.
Hua Qi, just back at his seat, tapped the desk lightly. On the podium stood Guanmingxue.
Guanmingxue wore her black teaching suit and gold-rimmed glasses, radiating unmatched elegance.
Whenever it was Guanmingxue’s class, Hua Qi always knew to wake Chi Yuzhou.
That seemed fine.
Guanmingxue scanned the room, spotting a certain student straightening up in the corner.
That neighbor boy.
She wondered when his little brother might visit again.
Her games had lost their flavor lately.
Her voice remained calm and melodic, hiding her thoughts.
When the bell rang, faint sighs of regret rippled through the class.
She could request Chi Yuzhou’s file from Class 3’s homeroom teacher. Learn why he lived alone in high school.
Most importantly… she needed his brother’s name.
...
Inside the office.
Class 3’s homeroom teacher stared at her cluttered desk, headache brewing.
Ungraded homework, an off-campus activity list, and a blue folder labeled “Home Visit Records” covered the surface.
The older teacher felt her hair thinning under the stress.
The tasks weren’t hard—just tedious. She’d need help from younger colleagues.
As she thought this, a warm, magnetic voice spoke beside her:
“Teacher He, you seem troubled. Can I help?”
“Ah, Teacher Guan.”
Startled, Teacher He sighed. “Homeroom duties pile up—organizing events, home visits. Hard on these old bones.”
She glanced at Guanmingxue. Young, highly praised for teaching skills. Clearly capable. Probably too junior for homeroom yet.
Guanmingxue pointed to the blue folder. With a nod, she flipped through it.
Early pages held completed visit notes; later ones listed students pending visits.
“Online meetings might work. Parents could cooperate.”
“True,” Teacher He nodded, unconvinced. Older minds clung to tradition.
Guanmingxue, a literature teacher, understood.
She turned pages, pausing slightly at one name.
“If online isn’t convenient, I can handle some visits for you.”
“Wouldn’t that trouble you, Teacher Guan?”
“Not at all. Good practice for my future role. I teach this class too.”
“Ha, you’re a lifesaver!” Teacher He’s shoulders relaxed.
She pulled out several name slips and handed them over.
“Thank you, Teacher Guan.”
“No trouble.”
Teacher He found Guanmingxue increasingly likable.
Guanmingxue skimmed the slips. “Could you email these students’ files later?”
“Sure, let me see…” Teacher He didn’t hesitate, rummaging files from her drawer.
Student addresses were only in the records. Guanmingxue’s request made perfect sense.
