Sitting on the bed, Lin Lin glanced left and right, then leaned over to rummage through the pillows.
Gao Liang tidied his belongings while shooting her a puzzled look. “Lin Lin, what are you doing?”
“Checking for hidden cameras.” She flipped a pillow aside as she explained. Gao Liang froze for a moment.
“Seriously? This isn’t some shady motel—the security’s solid. And we’re not here for *that*.”
“Uh…” She nodded slowly. “You’re right… but I’ll still check. I—I just don’t feel very secure.”
“Mm.” Gao Liang gave a vague nod, pulled clothes from his bag, and said, “Wait here a sec. I’m gonna shower.”
“Huh?!” Lin Lin whipped her head around, flustered. “Y-you—you’re showering?! Do you need a shower just to explain a problem?!”
“Well, I skipped last night, ran around all day hunting this place, sweated buckets… You wouldn’t want me smelling weird while teaching, right, Lin Lin?”
“Mmph…” She pouted, muttering, “What were you even up to last night? You didn’t get back *that* late.”
“Ah…” Gao Liang chuckled awkwardly. *Yeah… not saying it.* If he admitted he’d been gaming with a female streamer and her fans—and that little vampire girl teaching him “questionable moves”—Lin Lin would definitely snap.
Silence stretched. Lin Lin huffed, turning away. “Fine. Do whatever. I’ll scroll on my phone. Go shower.”
“Won’t take long. Promise.” He slipped into the bathroom, leaving her alone.
*Splash, splash, splash—*
Water rushed behind the frosted glass door. A blurred, muscular silhouette flickered. One glance—and Lin Lin jerked her head back.
*Abs… Wait no! Water usage! Way too much!*
She sat stiffly, restless. Not because she wanted to peek. Not because she cared about the hotel’s water bill.
Just… a girl alone on a love hotel’s big bed, waiting for a guy post-shower? *So awkward.*
*Should I shower after him?*
*Ahem…*
*What am I thinking?!*
She shook her head hard. *Stop. Now.* Tossed her phone, flopped onto the bed, yanked the blanket over herself.
*Comfy~*
…
“Lin Lin! Could you grab my clothes? Forgot them…” Gao Liang’s voice called from the bathroom.
She crawled out, eyeing the door with suspicion. *This guy… totally did this on purpose.*
Her lips twitched. She dug through his bag near the door. “Where exactly?!” she yelled.
“Second layer! White long-sleeve shirt, black pants… and uh… *that thing*…” His voice wavered.
She found the shirt, pants—and held up the boxer briefs. *Ah.*
*Ahem…*
Face burning, she turned away, pulse quickening. *Pfft. Seen boys’ underwear before. Nothing special.*
She bundled the clothes, knocked. The door cracked open. A hand shot out, fumbling—then gripped her slender wrist.
“What are you doing?!” She yanked free, thrust the clothes forward. He snatched them and shut the door.
Lin Lin smirked by the door. *Tsk. So shy. Pfft… Not me blushing anymore.*
Gao Liang emerged moments later, towel-drying his hair. “Thanks, Lin Lin.”
“So… can we start the lesson now?” Her eager tone surprised him. He blinked, then nodded.
“Let’s begin!”
They settled at the table, cleared space, pulled out their Wu San practice papers. Lin Lin swallowed the blue pill. Tutoring: commence!
“Wait… where’d we leave off last time?” Gao Liang flipped pages, memory fuzzy—*probably thanks to what happened after last session*.
Lin Lin drew a blank too. *Ugh. I solve similar problems now, but naming the concepts? Nope.*
They scoured the papers. Lin Lin jabbed the next question. “Explain this!”
*So demanding…* Gao Liang sighed. Even when he made her meow, she wasn’t this pushy.
“Okay, for this one—we start with the formula…”
Lin Lin nodded. He explained; she interrupted; he clarified; she *got it*. Every time.
*Is her brain really this sharp?*
“Are you… sure you understood?” he asked cautiously.
“Mm-hmm!” She scanned the problem, then the next. Nodded firmly. “Keep going. I got it!”
“R-really?”
“This one has a shortcut. First, do this.”
“Mm!”
“This problem’s mainly about…”
“Mm!”
“We can approach it from a slightly advanced angle…”
“Mm!”
“Phew… Lin Lin, break? My brain’s melting…”
“Mm—NO! How can you rest?! At your age?! Keep explaining!”
She glared at her hopeless deskmate. *Hurry up! The blue capsule’s got one hour left!*
*Damn it!*
