"Hello?"

Lu Chengzhou answered the phone.

The girl on the other end was clearly in high spirits.

She snapped a seductive photo of herself in a dress before the fitting mirror and sent it over.

Yes—the very same black gown.

"Lu Chengzhou, what do you think?"

He opened the image.

Only her silhouette was visible, not her face.

But faintly in the background: the room’s decor, that intricately carved European-style bed—clearly not something an ordinary household could afford.

*Hiss*… So she’s from a wealthy family after all?

Lu Chengzhou was secretly startled.

When she got no reply, she asked again.

He reluctantly muttered, "It’s… fine."

Blatantly dismissive.

The girl frowned.

"Just *fine*?"

"You should protect your privacy. Don’t send revealing photos like this to strangers so casually."

Cornered, Lu Chengzhou fell back on formalities.

(Though… yeah, the photo *was* undeniably alluring.)

A soft chuckle came through the line.

"Strangers? Weren’t *you* the one who confessed to *me*?"

"T-that was my mistake, but—"

"Relax. I’m not gonna do anything to you."

She shifted into a cozier pose, snapped another shot, and sent it.

This angle was even more provocative.

The brilliant pigeon-blood ruby pendant complemented her fair, delicate skin perfectly.

And those subtly hinted curves… well. *Ahem*. You know.

Lu Chengzhou felt his cheeks flush, his pulse quicken.

He quickly closed the photo.

"Today’s just a greeting. I’ll be in touch often."

She hung up.

Phone still in hand, Lu Chengzhou grew certain—the voice sounded exactly like his deskmate, Meng Wanyu.

But no. Their faces weren’t just different; they were utterly unrelated.

Would the little princess ever send *him* something like that?

He didn’t flatter himself that much.

After the call, sleep eluded him.

His mind kept circling back to that photo.

He got up, seeking distraction—and spotted a job post from the Lin family’s butler, Uncle Wang.

No name given, but the address… unforgettable.

*The Lin family’s villa from the original story!*

"Hiring high school English tutor. In-home service. ¥500+/hour…"

In under an hour: nearly a hundred applicants.

*Hiss*—the Lin family really *is* rolling in cash.

Lu Chengzhou wouldn’t miss this.

More importantly: maybe mend things with Lin Chen, stop those cold glares.

If not Lin Chen… at least earn Uncle Wang’s goodwill.

In the original story, Uncle Wang—wise, talent-seeking—was the one who’d truly raised Lin Chen while his parents were away.

Lin Chen respected him deeply.

In front of Uncle Wang, even Lin Chen wouldn’t dare show displeasure.

"Submit documents."

"Confirm."

"Interview: tomorrow, 7 PM, Shuixiu Court…"

Lu Chengzhou double-checked everything.

He also messaged the Olympiad math tutor recruiter at Century Garden Community.

Interview set: 8:30 PM.

All set. Just wait for tomorrow.

…

The next day.

…

After school, Lu Chengzhou packed fast and slipped out the gate while Meng Wanyu wasn’t looking.

Coincidentally, she had an event tonight—and turned a blind eye to his escape.

First stop: the Lin residence.

Uncle Wang personally oversaw the interview, assisted by a thick-browed, sharp-eyed foreigner.

Lu Chengzhou conversed fluently.

Uncle Wang nodded, pleased.

For the written test—a college entrance English paper—he deliberately missed two or three "beyond-syllabus" points.

"These are advanced," Uncle Wang excused kindly.

Other candidates looked grim.

No contest.

Even ignoring the test, none matched his spoken fluency.

Job secured.

Even after clarifying he was still a high school student, Uncle Wang insisted: "A peer this capable is exactly the role model Young Master needs!"

"Your duties: one hour conversational practice after school, one hour tutoring grammar and tough problems. Two hours total, ¥1,000. Acceptable?"

"No problem. Thank you."

Lu Chengzhou bowed politely and left.

Waiting roadside for a ride, he *just happened* to bump into Meng Wanyu—freshly departed from a banquet.

Too young to drive, she always traveled with a driver.

Hearing his destination, she gave a strange smile.

"Get in. It’s on the way."

"Huh? *On the way*???"

Too late.

Under her quiet authority, he climbed in.

At Century Garden, she had the driver swipe the gate open and led him inside.

"Annoying people found my old address. Had to move here."

She dismissed the driver.

The heavy door clicked shut.

Just the two of them in the vast, silent mansion.

Casually, she kicked off her heels, shed her shawl, and padded barefoot across the floor in a deep-V crimson gown.

Grabbed two drinks from the fridge, tossed one to him.

"In a month, I’m prepping for a Math Olympiad. This month, I need a study partner. No problem, right?"

Lu Chengzhou sighed inwardly.

Studying itself wasn’t the issue.

*She* was.

Saying "no" to Meng Wanyu? Rarely an option.

Now, crushed between money and power… he’d just have to risk it for the beauty.

"Perfect," she said, settling on the sofa opposite him, legs crossed.

"Yesterday’s question—you still haven’t answered."

A slow, knowing smile.

"So… how *are* you going to thank me?"