Chi Yuzhou couldn’t possibly be with Hua Fu, could he?

While Chi Yuzhou was solving problems, Xiao Yingwan’s gaze at him carried a hint of something unspoken.

Though both were unremarkable students in class, they were somewhat well-matched for certain reasons.

If that were true, it would explain why Chi Yuzhou showed no interest in her.

But if it really was the case, what was the point of all her efforts lately?

Xiao Yingwan’s nose reddened and rounded slightly as she stared fixedly at Chi Yuzhou.

She even noticed the unassuming Mystic Ring on his ring finger.

Her nose seemed even redder now.

But… if he was just devoted to someone else, her nose might still be salvageable.

Feeling inexplicably annoyed was unavoidable.

After all, she hadn’t considered this possibility from the start…

Chi Yuzhou, focused on his problems, sensed Xiao Yingwan’s stare but ignored it completely.

As he finished the last stroke of his answer and pondered if he’d made a mistake, Xiao Yingwan suddenly spoke up:

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“No.”

Absorbed in thought, Chi Yuzhou answered instinctively. Only after realizing her question did he slightly frown.

What was this woman up to, asking that out of nowhere?

Could she be scheming again?

Hearing the immediate reply, Xiao Yingwan’s expression showed no visible change.

It was as if Chi Yuzhou had personally reattached her reddened nose.

Xiao Yingwan silently gathered her thoughts.

It’s fine… it’s fine.

They hadn’t spent much time together yet. Once the tutoring ended…

She refused to believe he’d stay so unmoved then.

Chi Yuzhou waited for Xiao Yingwan’s follow-up, but she stayed silent, instead bending down to grade his completed problems.

Seeing no further questions, Chi Yuzhou wore a look of knowing everything.

Was this wicked woman trying to close the distance with such ambiguous questions?

Too bad—he’d seen this trick before.

Heh, pretty average.

...

Night had just fallen, around ten o’clock.

After finishing his shift at the tavern, Chi Yuzhou was already on his way home.

Passing a convenience store, he now held three steamed meat buns.

His shift had ended early, so treating himself to an extra bun felt perfectly reasonable.

To Chi Yuzhou, these buns—costing only one and a half yuan—were the most worthwhile food in the world.

If only they could be stored; he’d have stocked up hundreds to enjoy at home.

If… he belonged to a race like those in that anthology book, he might’ve managed it.

After all, if races existed that adapted to and controlled cold—like him—surely some thrived in heat too.

With such an ability, he could warm buns in his hands like chilling a sweet drink, enjoying them piping hot instantly.

That would’ve made him overjoyed.

Sadly, reality limited him to satisfying this craving only during his commute.

As Chi Yuzhou neared his apartment, one bun remained uneaten.

The moment he unlocked his door with one hand, his neighbor’s door opened simultaneously.

Guanmingxue stood there in a white strapless nightgown, holding a trash bag.

She seemed about to take out the garbage.

Spotting Chi Yuzhou, surprise flickered in her eyes.

Lately, she’d often “accidentally” cooked extra food and knocked on his door late at night, asking him to help finish it.

But except for that Saturday when he’d answered, he’d never opened up since.

Today was quite a coincidence.

Guanmingxue spoke first, her pleasant voice asking softly:

“You just finished your part-time job?”

“Mm, yes.”

Noticing the remaining bun in his hand, she continued:

“Is this bun your dinner?”

Chi Yuzhou nodded. Guanmingxue then said “wait a moment,” turned back into her room, and reappeared with a familiar food container.

Handing it over, she said gently:

“Here, take it.”

“Then… thank you, teacher.”

“No need to thank me. I cook anyway and always make too much. If you can help me finish it, that’d be perfect.”

Watching Guanmingxue’s gentle expression, Chi Yuzhou silently sighed inwardly.

Who could tell this teacher was actually an Alchemist?

“Oh, by the way.”

Guanmingxue, noticing Chi Yuzhou’s hair covering his eyes, seemed to recall something.

“If you have time, could you let me do a home visit now?”

“Now?”

“Mm, if you’re busy, it’s fine.”

Chi Yuzhou glanced at the food container and gave a light nod.

He had no choice—he’d accepted her kindness.

He also wanted to see what this late-night visit would bring.

He wasn’t a little kid anymore.

Beyond his racial advantages, his natural male physique alone would protect him if she tried anything.

Right now, she should be the one worried about visiting a male student alone at night.

But unfortunately, he held no worldly desires for women.

Guanmingxue returned to her room, grabbed a folder and notepad, threw on a casual jacket, and they entered Chi Yuzhou’s apartment together.

This was her second time in this room.

The first time, she’d held an adorable little boy here… hehe.

Guanmingxue scanned the space carefully again.

No odd smells lingered. Beyond basic furniture, no decorations were visible.

She briefly checked the air conditioner—its vents were open—then looked away.

This place cooled faster than she’d expected.

Chi Yuzhou set aside the half-eaten bun and food container. He and Guanmingxue sat cross-legged at the room’s only small table.

Guanmingxue saw nothing odd in this; her own room had similar furniture.

She opened the home-visit folder, flipped to a page, and lifted her eyes to Chi Yuzhou.

Her calm demeanor showed no worry about the seemingly gloomy male student before her.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a symbolic home visit.”

After filling part of the form, she looked up at Chi Yuzhou and continued:

“Could you… tell me about your family situation?”