Li Hao set his phone down. He’d planned to relax tonight, but after sensing the pressure, he resolutely decided to keep pushing through the night.

Truth be told, he found his own sudden drive a little ridiculous—chasing after the silhouette of a girl he hadn’t even approached, whipping himself forward with an imaginary little whip, eager and earnest.

Still, this fulfilling rhythm wasn’t so bad. His parents were genuinely pleased with his progress, and the steady stream of positive feedback from all sides gave him quiet motivation.

Of course, Zhou Wenyao’s refusal to date in high school left him slightly disheartened. But he wouldn’t back down over something so small. Besides, he actually enjoyed this forward-charging feeling.

Even if he never won her over… hadn’t he already become a better version of himself? Li Hao mused. He’d heard of the “admirer squad” Feng Yijiu mentioned—those boys were mostly just wallowing in self-pity anyway.

He recalled Feng Yijiu’s teasing words: *“Sometimes when a girl says no… she means yes.”*

Hehe. If he became truly outstanding, could Zhou Wenyao really hold her ground? Or—once he earned her respect and friendship—wouldn’t steady companionship beat dry waiting and distant staring any day?

On this path, Li Hao stayed clear-headed.

He wasn’t sure what price that little demon Feng Yijiu had paid to extract such intel from Zhou Wenyao… but yeah, he owed her big time.

Li Hao stretched backward, sinking into his chair.

After a moment, he stood and stepped out of his room.

“Mom, I think I want extra tutoring—maybe one-on-one sessions for a quick boost.”

“Extra tutoring?” Dong Shu, in the living room, stared at him like he’d announced alien contact.

*This brat of mine…* Since high school, his self-discipline had become almost unbelievable. Back in middle school? Constant trouble. She and his dad had cleaned up his messes more times than she could count.

*“All this changed after he sat next to that Feng family girl,”* she thought while searching for a tutor.

Li Hao claiming he’d “suddenly woken up”? *Yeah, right.*

Her silly son’s taste was truly questionable. Feng Yijiu just hadn’t hit her glamorous phase yet—no makeup, no fuss. Which girl had bewitched her clueless boy so completely?

She’d assumed he liked Feng Yijiu… turns out her goofy son was fast turning the girl into *just a buddy*.

Dong Shu’s heart sank. Ever since the family gathering, she’d adored Feng Yijiu—graceful, bright, well-raised, and pulling her son toward the right path. *Perfect daughter-in-law material.*

Whether Feng Yijiu would even consider it was one thing… but her dense son hadn’t even *noticed*.

Watching him earnestly memorizing vocabulary, Dong Shu sighed. *What he really needs tutoring in? Aesthetics.*

“Found a teacher,” Dong Shu said, glancing up. “But Mom has one condition.”

Li Hao looked up.

“No excuses. Next week’s holiday. At the latest, the week after—invite classmate Feng Yijiu over. I’ll make steamed buns for you two.”

Li Hao: ???

“If she doesn’t come? Figure out next month’s allowance yourself.” Dong Shu clapped her hands and walked off, leaving an inscrutable silhouette.

Li Hao: ?!!

Lately, Li Hao felt he’d been living in Feng Yijiu’s shadow—not just at school… but now at home too.

…

“Feng Yijiu, free this weekend?” Monday, hauling homework to the office, Li Hao took the initiative.

“What’s up?” She turned.

“Um… my mom wants you over. She’s making steamed buns.” He hesitated, cheeks warm. “She said… you’re the main reason my grades improved lately, so…”

Feng Yijiu’s eyes widened.

*Main reason? Me? Meow meow meow?*

Thank her for trash novels “sharpening his writing”? Or games “boosting his Chinese”?

And… hadn’t his mom given her weird looks at the family gathering? Feng Yijiu instinctively stepped back and flashed a bright smile.

“In that case… nope!”

“Wait—what?”

“One of my life’s greatest joys?” Feng Yijiu grinned, revealing a tiny canine. “Telling overconfident guys: *no*.”

“Seriously, just help me out?” Li Hao hurried forward, clutching homework. “If you skip this, I’m doomed. Buddy. *Please*.”

“I haven’t *done* anything,” she said. “And I’m busy! Saturday: lazing at home. Sunday: out with Wenyao. Then games, teasing the cat, sleeping in—*actual* fun.”

“My mom won’t believe ‘I woke up’!” Li Hao groaned.

“Just tell her that! Eating with guys—and your mom? Way less fun than hanging with girls.”

“DAD!” Li Hao shouted, desperation cracking his voice as Feng Yijiu walked away. *Next month’s allowance…*

Feng Yijiu snapped her fingers. “Fine. Sunday afternoon.”

Li Hao exhaled in relief. Mission accomplished.

“Ah, when my good boy’s in trouble, Dad’s always here,” she patted his shoulder—then froze. *Ugh.* The height difference murdered any paternal vibe.

“Why are you so *tall*?!” she grumbled.

Li Hao felt a flicker of comfort. *At least I’ve got height and strength on that little demon.*

…Wait. Did that just make him a pure brute?

He’d found something he was better at… yet felt zero joy.