15 Good night

Zhang Heyu cast her a sidelong glance, his voice cold and indifferent: “Stop flattering yourself. Doesn’t Jiang Ci see what kind of person you really are?”

“I really don’t understand why your words are so sharp. What do those women see in you?” Cheng Yaoyao muttered irritably.

Zhang Heyu hadn’t caught her words clearly but could easily guess she was teasing him.

“Later, I’ll have Jiang Ci give you more homework. Let’s see what you can say then.”

Cheng Yaoyao was about to burst with anger, stamping her foot. “Stinky Zhang Heyu!”

Back in the room, Jiang Ci saw Cheng Yaoyao storm in with a scowl.

“Yaoyao, what’s wrong?” Jiang Ci asked gently.

Cheng Yaoyao pouted. “It’s all because of my brother. He didn’t say bad things about me to you, did he?”

“No,” Jiang Ci shook her head with a smile. “Your brother only said that if you’re disobedient, I should go scold you.”

“What nonsense! I’m very obedient!” Cheng Yaoyao snorted lightly. “Jiang Ci, don’t listen to his nonsense!”

Jiang Ci smiled. “Let’s continue with the lesson. If you don’t understand something, just ask me.”

“Okay!”

At five fifteen in the afternoon, the tutoring session ended. Jiang Ci looked up at the floor-to-ceiling window; the sunset was already low on the horizon.

“Jiang Ci, are you coming again tomorrow?” Cheng Yaoyao tugged Jiang Ci’s hand and swung it eagerly. “How many times a week will you come?”

Jiang Ci replied, “I’ve already talked with Aunt Zhang. I’ll come every weekend.”

“Yay!” Cheng Yaoyao hugged Jiang Ci’s arm. “You’re so gentle and beautiful, like an angel.”

Jiang Ci couldn’t help but laugh at Cheng Yaoyao’s words.

The two of them went downstairs and happened to meet Zhang Xiyi coming out of the kitchen.

“Jiang Ci, how’s it going?” Zhang Xiyi glanced at Cheng Yaoyao. “Is Yaoyao being obedient?”

Jiang Ci nodded. “She’s very obedient and enthusiastic.”

“Oh, that child really worried me a lot recently,” Zhang Xiyi said. “If I weren’t leaving in a few days and worried about her, I wouldn’t have found a tutor. I’ll have to trouble you more in the future.”

Jiang Ci waved her hand. “It’s no problem. This is my job; it’s what I should do.”

Suddenly, Zhang Xiyi remembered something. “Jiang Ci, why don’t you stay for dinner before you go?”

“Oh no, that’s not necessary,” Jiang Ci declined. “My grandmother is home alone. I’m afraid she’ll worry.”

“I see…” Zhang Xiyi didn’t insist. “Next time, come to our house for a meal. Yaoyao seems to really like being around you.”

Jiang Ci nodded in agreement.

“Mom, where’s Zhang Heyu?” Cheng Yaoyao looked around but didn’t see him.

Before Zhang Xiyi could answer, the electronic lock at the entrance clicked open.

Jiang Ci followed the sound and soon saw Zhang Heyu enter. He had changed clothes, exuding a restrained, almost ascetic aura.

“Just in time, Heyu’s back!” Zhang Xiyi said. “Heyu, give me your things and take Jiang Ci home.”

Jiang Ci hesitated, lips slightly parted. “No…”

Before she could finish, a light voice came from nearby: “Got it.”

Jiang Ci blinked, her heart skipping a beat at the sound.

Zhang Heyu’s gaze settled on Jiang Ci, then quickly withdrew. He turned and twisted the door handle, stepping back outside.

“Go ahead, Jiang Ci,” Cheng Yaoyao urged, nudging her. “My brother promises to get you home safely.”

With no choice, Jiang Ci followed.

As Zhang Heyu appeared from inside, he put away the lighter he’d been fiddling with.

“Zhang Heyu, thank you,” Jiang Ci said, walking beside him, her eyes bright and smiling with a tilt of her head.

Zhang Heyu glanced at her. Her porcelain skin flushed pink, her cheeks rosy, and the smile between her brows vivid and lively.

Unexpectedly, that smile unsettled his heartbeat.

“Not a trouble at all,” he said.

They walked along the road, still some distance from the bus station.

Suddenly remembering something, Jiang Ci leaned closer and asked, “Zhang Heyu, when are you free?”

“What’s this about?” Zhang Heyu raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes, lips curling slightly in a teasing tone. “Want to ask me out, Teacher Jiang Ci?”

Hearing that, Jiang Ci’s delicate face stiffened, cheeks burning like a hot iron plate.

“…Yes.” She quickly lowered her head, voice soft. “I just wanted to thank you for helping me find a part-time job.”

Zhang Heyu suddenly chuckled, his voice deep. “Hmm, I’m a bit busy lately.”

Jiang Ci felt a pang of disappointment.

But in the next moment, he added, “But I don’t mind giving you special treatment, letting you cut in line anytime.”

Jiang Ci turned her head to look at him, surprised.

“Alright then, I’ll find a time to talk to you,” she said, smiling gently, the dimples on her cheeks faintly visible, adorably obedient.

Zhang Heyu hummed in response.

Jiang Ci thought he would just see her to the bus station, but when the bus arrived and she got on, he followed her.

“You…” Jiang Ci was stunned, words caught in her throat.

Zhang Heyu ignored her gaze. Suddenly, she felt warm fingers grip her wrist. Jiang Ci startled as the gentle pull led her onto the bus.

“It’s crowded; come inside first,” he said, feeling an electric tingle from her hand. His throat tightened inexplicably as he lowered his eyes to explain.

Then he released her wrist.

Jiang Ci nodded, turning away to look out the window, her wrist burning where he had held it. She unconsciously touched the spot.

It was rush hour, and seats on the bus were scarce. Jiang Ci had to stand.

Beside her stood Zhang Heyu.

The proximity was close enough that Jiang Ci could smell his subtle fragrance, the air around her filled with the unique youthful hormones he emitted.

Zhang Heyu held the overhead handle, eyes lowered. The girl in front of him bowed her head, revealing a fair, delicate neck with soft fine hairs visible.

He swallowed silently, his Adam’s apple bobbing, a sudden wave of heat rising within him.

What the hell.

His gaze shifted downward, spotting a pale pink birthmark shaped like a heart.

Quite unique.

“The bus has arrived at Yulin Third Road. Passengers please disembark from the rear door…”

At the announcement, Jiang Ci looked up and caught her own reflection in the window.

Zhang Heyu was also looking outside.

His deep gaze fell on her reflection in the glass, softened by a touch of warmth.

It was unclear whether he was looking at her or the fleeting scenery.

Through the window’s reflection, their eyes met unexpectedly.

Flustered, Jiang Ci looked away, her heart racing wildly.

She paused, pursed her lips, then turned to look at him, her long eyelashes trembling. “Zhang Heyu, I’m here.”

“Yeah, get off soon,” he replied.

Suddenly, Jiang Ci felt extremely nervous, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly. She exhaled and followed behind Zhang Heyu as they got off the bus.

Watching his back, she hesitated before calling out, “You can leave me here. My house isn’t far.”

“Not trusting you,” Zhang Heyu replied in his usual cold tone, though Jiang Ci sensed a subtle difference.

Her heart skipped a beat, wondering if she had imagined it.

“Stop dawdling; your grandmother will worry,” he urged.

Jiang Ci nodded and quickened her pace to catch up.

He slowed his steps to match hers until they walked side by side.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Ci heard him ask, “How has your grandmother’s health been these days?”

“Pretty good,” she answered. “I’ve been taking her out for walks more these days. No other issues.”

Zhang Heyu nodded, his voice calm. “If you need anything, you can ask me.”

“Thank you,” Jiang Ci said.

She didn’t want to trouble Zhang Heyu too much; she already had asked for enough favors.

When they reached her doorstep, Jiang Ci hadn’t yet taken out her keys when her grandmother came out to open the door.

Seeing Zhang Heyu behind Jiang Ci, her grandmother’s smile grew wider.

“Grandma,” Zhang Heyu’s coldness melted away, a smile playing on his lips. “Good evening.”

“Little Zhang, come in and have a seat. I just cooked dinner,” Grandma invited warmly.

“No, Grandma,” Zhang Heyu declined. “I have something to attend to and won’t stay.”

Grandma looked a bit disappointed. “Alright, remember to come next time. I’ll cook something delicious for you.”

“Okay, thank you, Grandma,” Zhang Heyu said politely. “I’ll just drop Jiang Ci off and leave.”

Grandma nodded. “Thanks for your help.”

“No trouble at all,” he replied.

“I’m going back inside first. Jiang Ci, don’t forget to say thank you,” Grandma said, then hunched over and went inside.

Jiang Ci watched her grandmother enter before turning to look at Zhang Heyu.

The hallway was bathed in warm yellow light, which didn’t diminish Zhang Heyu’s presence but rather highlighted his noble air.

“Are you leaving now?” Jiang Ci asked gently.

He replied emotionlessly, “I’m about to leave.”

“Anything you want to say?”

Jiang Ci looked at him, her eyes gathering, a thought flickered through her mind. After a moment, she spoke slowly, “Then, good night in advance.”

After a few seconds of silence, Zhang Heyu’s eyebrows relaxed, and he suddenly smiled, warmth shining in his eyes.

“Good night, Jiang Ci.”

* * *

Once the tutoring work stabilized, Jiang Ci felt much more at ease.

The weekend ended, and Monday arrived on schedule.

Jiang Ci arrived at school relatively early. The seat next to hers was already taken.

Zhang Heyu was still catching up on sleep, and Jiang Ci didn’t dare disturb him, so she sat down cautiously.

No sooner had her bottom touched the chair than the person beside her woke and glanced at her.

Jiang Ci was nervous, offering a dry smile. “Good morning, Zhang Heyu.”

“Not so good,” he replied, still sleepy, his tousled bangs not affecting his handsome appearance.

“Ah?” Jiang Ci leaned in, puzzled. “Why? What’s wrong?”

Had something happened? Or had she disturbed him?

“Breakfast,” Zhang Heyu said, nodding toward the pile of books on her desk. His voice was hoarse from sleep. “I brought it for you—buy one, get one free.”

Jiang Ci then noticed the breakfast package atop her books.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

Seeing the little girl not reacting, Zhang Heyu said, “If you don’t eat it, I’ll throw it away.”

He reached out as if to grab it.

Jiang Ci panicked and quickly covered it with her hand, stopping his mischievous attempt. “Don’t!”

Her cheeks flushed softly as she spoke gently, “It’s shameful to waste food.”

Zhang Heyu stared at her dark eyes, lips curling into a lazy smile, a chuckle rolling from his throat. “Take your time. Nobody’s competing with you.”

Jiang Ci felt a little embarrassed under his gaze, her earlobes tinting pink. She bit the bread and nodded. “...Thank you.”

“Heyu?” Huo Chensi came in carrying a backpack and saw Zhang Heyu sitting at his desk, unusually early.

Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, he said, “What’s gotten into you? Coming this early isn’t like you!”

“Get lost,” Zhang Heyu shot him a glance.

Huo Chensi smirked, then noticed the breakfast in Jiang Ci’s hand. Looking closely at the bag’s label, he teased, “Oh, so it’s breakfast Zhang Heyu brought for our Jiang Ci. No wonder you’re here so early!”

Jiang Ci kept her head down, mouth full of bread, trembling slightly at Huo Chensi’s teasing words.

It really was something Zhang Heyu had specially bought for her.

Huo Chensi spoke loudly enough for Jiang Ci to hear.

A low, amused voice whispered in her ear, “Eat your breakfast and ignore him.”

Jiang Ci didn’t dare look up, her heart already in chaos.

During the break, Yu Xijin and Zhi Jiangwen came to Jiang Ci’s classroom to look for her.

Hearing her name called by Yu Xijin, Jiang Ci lifted her head from the pile of exercises and looked outside.

As Jiang Ci stepped out, Huo Chensi propped his face with one hand, tugging the corner of his mouth, deliberately saying, “Heyu, your rival’s here.”

Fan Mian burst out laughing. “You really deserve it, Huo Chensi.”

Their voices were loud, and Zhang Heyu, resting his head on the desk, woke up from the sound of Jiang Ci standing.

* * *