Fourth floor. In the silent classroom, only the crisp sound of lecturing and the rustle of paper and pens filled the air.
Everything seemed perfectly in place.
After explaining the problem-solving approach, Xiao Yingwan watched Chi Yuzhou diligently working on the problems. Outwardly calm, a trace of frustration lingered within her.
She knew well Chi Yuzhou was just an ordinary student. The time spent on him would yield no real return.
He had no outstanding qualities before her. What puzzled her was why his attitude felt so natural.
After observing him for some time, she found no reason for his effortless ease around her.
It was as if, to him, she was no different from anyone else.
This clashed sharply with the attention she’d always received.
Her family wasn’t the absolute elite, but certainly belonged to the upper echelons.
Growing up there, she far outshone her peers. Merely mentioning "Xiao Yingwan" would naturally draw endless praise.
Yet... even someone like her could be overlooked.
But for her, this feeling was strangely novel.
Watching others become infatuated with her was a pleasure.
Though this pleasure... seemed to take time to appreciate.
......
Night fell.
A cozy, relaxed atmosphere enveloped all patrons in the pub.
Hengqinghuai and Qiujie Zhuo were absent again today.
Chi Yuzhou quietly wiped a glass. Standing behind the counter, he was like a scenic view for others to admire.
Some even secretly snapped photos of him to save on their phones.
Not far away sat a regular customer who’d been there since he started. She appeared daily at that spot, never missing a day.
But the woman always watched him from a discreet distance. Simply gazing at him seemed to satisfy her deeply.
Chi Yuzhou always sensed her gaze. After so many times, he simply let her watch.
He understood; reserved types existed in the human world too.
They never made the first move with someone they liked. Instead, they’d subtly convey ambiguous signals through glances and gestures.
Hoping to provoke the other person into taking initiative.
When that would happen mattered little to Chi Yuzhou. But it was still amusing to watch.
He hadn’t met this type of woman before.
But no matter what, she couldn’t be worse than the woman who’d tricked him.
At this thought, Chi Yuzhou glanced at the Mystic Ring in his hand. A faint, inexplicable smile appeared in his eyes.
By mid-next month, it’d be almost a hundred days since he’d run away, right?
What delicious food should he eat to celebrate then?
That hint of a smile in his eyes made those watching him unable to look away.
The young bartender’s amnesia wasn’t exactly a secret.
After all, most had been rejected by him with that excuse.
Now, the regular patrons shared an unspoken, mysterious understanding.
Like silently guarding the pub’s unique... scenery.
......
The next day, early morning.
In the cool, quiet room, only the vibrating ring of a phone echoed.
Chi Yuzhou, who hadn’t slept in late for who knows how long, had slept until past ten.
If not for the call, he felt he could’ve slept another hour.
Groggily grabbing his phone and answering, before he could speak, a familiar, pleasant voice came through:
"Chi Yuzhou? Still asleep?"
"Hmm..."
His brain still rebooting, he grunted ambiguously. The voice continued:
"Didn’t I say I’d find a place to tutor you today?"
......
Another long silence followed.
"Don’t you want your bonus anymore?"
"I do!"
At the mention of the bonus, Chi Yuzhou finally sat up.
No wonder; the pile of cash he’d dreamed about was slowing his brain reboot.
If he could, he’d stay in that dream forever.
"I’ll send the address soon. See you then? Okay?"
"Mm, fine."
After hanging up with Xiao Yingwan, Chi Yuzhou slowly got up.
He first checked his body’s post-sleep condition. Naturally, he took two capsules from the bedside drawer and swallowed them.
Without this medication, it’d usually last an hour...
Every time, he remembered and resented a certain woman.
If not for her, he wouldn’t need these pills to control it.
The money spent on them alone could buy him many small cakes.
Sigh.
And Xiao Yingwan, who wouldn’t let him sleep in, was another one.
But since she was helping him, he could generously choose not to mind.
After washing up, he received Xiao Yingwan’s address and time on his phone.
Half an hour later, at a family restaurant nearby.
A fifteen-minute walk.
Glancing at his wardrobe, Chi Yuzhou didn’t hesitate long.
Inside were only two sets of school uniforms and one set of clothes that could be called rags.
......
At the family restaurant, Chi Yuzhou didn’t need to search hard. Following the gazes of most patrons, he spotted Xiao Yingwan.
She wore a white, waist-cinched dress. Her long hair was elegantly tied back, crystal-clear sandals on her feet.
Her fair wrists and collarbone bore no jewelry, yet accentuated her stunning beauty.
Quite a new look.
Chi Yuzhou silently noted, then sat opposite her.
It was mealtime, and the place was crowded.
Just by sitting across from her, he received countless looks that seemed to say, "Why him?"
Why did this seemingly unremarkable boy get to sit with her?
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
"I just arrived too. Let’s eat first, then study after."
"Okay."
Ignoring the stares, Chi Yuzhou picked up the menu unaffected and ordered a dish he hadn’t tried.
Actually, the food here seemed quite affordable.
