Chapter Fifty-Five

Wu Guanzhong laughed heartily, “The last time I saw your junior disciple, I learned a lot. It seems all his fault that I’ve been corrupted.” As he spoke, he affectionately patted Lin Ling’s head.

Lin Ling pouted, “Alright, Hugo, next time I see him I’ll definitely teach him a lesson. He’s turned you bad.”

Wu Guanzhong was just making a casual remark, but Lin Ling took it seriously. It was true—girls in love seemed to have zero intelligence. Lin Ling nestled into Wu Guanzhong’s arms, acting coquettishly, and Wu Guanzhong forgot all about his work as he became absorbed in their intimacy.

The perspective shifted to Yu Xingyue, who stood outside the doorway playing on her phone, sneezing repeatedly.

“Achoo! What’s going on today, I keep sneezing.” Yu Xingyue rubbed her nose. “Am I getting a fever?”

She glanced at her phone; it was already 10:55, the end of Sun Ying’s tutoring session. Yu Xingyue had been waiting there for two hours.

“Has it really been this long?” Yu Xingyue scratched her head. “I guess being too focused isn’t always a good thing.”

Sun Ying emerged from the room and walked up beside Yu Xingyue, complaining, “Big brother, let’s go home, I’m exhausted.” Sun Ying had shed all her former shyness, revealing her true self in front of Yu Xingyue.

Yu Xingyue stood up and asked, “Was today’s lesson boring? You seemed pretty relaxed.”

“They were all topics I’ve gone over a hundred times; there’s no point in memorizing them again. It just made learning feel off.”

“There’s something hidden in your words. Is it that you need more challenging material and want me to tutor you?” Yu Xingyue grinned mischievously at Sun Ying, who sensed danger in his demeanor.

Sun Ying quickly hugged herself, saying, “What are you planning? You’re not thinking of taking advantage of me, are you? I’m innocent, so be gentle.”

Yu Xingyue knocked Sun Ying on the head, annoyed, “You’re overthinking. How could I possibly do something like that to an elementary school student? What kind of person do you take me for? Your thoughts are truly filthy.”

“You’re the one who looks so scary,” Sun Ying protested, rubbing the spot where Yu Xingyue had hit her, tears visible in her eyes. Yu Xingyue hadn’t intended to hit her that hard, but Sun Ying's logic was just… unspeakable.

Yu Xingyue gently stroked Sun Ying’s head and asked, “Was I too rough just now? Are you hurt?”

“It’s alright, big brother. I just haven’t been hit by anyone in a long time. I’m actually quite moved.”

“Moved?” Yu Xingyue was astonished. Being struck and feeling moved?

Sun Ying explained, “I’m not just saying it. No one has ever hit me since I was little. You’re the first.”

“So I’m the first person who dared to hit you?” Yu Xingyue asked.

Sun Ying nodded, saying it was a memorable day. Yu Xingyue was speechless—was it really such a big deal? Well, the treatment she received at birth was worlds apart from his own.

Yu Xingyue soon escorted Sun Ying home. The events of the morning had left him physically and mentally exhausted. After spending the entire morning on his phone, his eyes were tired, so he parked the car and went straight up to the second floor of the villa, collapsing into sleep.

While Yu Xingyue slept, Sun Ying quietly approached him, watching her big brother in slumber—he seemed like a child when asleep. Sun Ying covered him with a blanket, worried about the cooling weather in Tianqi, and after tucking him in, couldn’t resist planting a kiss on his cheek. “Sweet dreams, big brother,” she thought, tiptoeing out and closing the door gently behind her.

Yu Xingyue had no idea how long he slept; his room remained tranquil, undisturbed by anyone. When he finally woke, it was already four in the afternoon.

He rubbed his head as he got up, “Damn, how did I sleep so long?” He walked to the mirror.

“Aaaaah!” Yu Xingyue shouted, his voice echoing through the villa. The reason for his outcry was the lipstick mark on his face.

He didn’t need to think twice to know it was left by Sun Ying. She was the only girl here who wore lipstick, and it couldn’t have been anyone else. Yu Xingyue went to the next room to look for Sun Ying but found she was gone. Unable to find her, he sought out the housekeeper, Luo E, but she wasn’t home either. Where had they gone? Yu Xingyue wondered.

He went to the kitchen and saw a note on the fridge: “Mr. Yu, I’ve escorted Miss to her mother’s house, as arranged by her parents. She’ll spend one week with her father, one with her mother. Dinner is up to you.” Signed, Luo E.

Understanding the situation, Yu Xingyue was perplexed. Now that he was alone, what should he do? Luo E said to take care of dinner himself, so he’d eat out. Though he could cook, there wasn’t anything he wanted to make, so eating outside was preferable.

Yu Xingyue rode his Kawasaki out and first headed to a street-side barbecue stall. Before setting out, he called Lin Zimo—inviting anyone else would have been met with a high chance of refusal.

Lin Zimo arrived early; she was delighted when Yu Xingyue invited her out for barbecue. Before leaving, she took care to dress up, applying light makeup since it wasn’t a formal occasion.

By the time Yu Xingyue arrived, Lin Zimo had already started eating. Having come on an empty stomach, she couldn’t resist the hunger and began before he arrived. When she saw Yu Xingyue, she waved her barbecue-laden left hand, “Here, over here!” Despite chewing, Yu Xingyue could clearly understand her words.

He complained, “Come on, I haven’t even arrived and you’re already eating? That’s hardly loyal.”

“I’m giving you face by coming. Even if you begged me, I might not have come.” Despite her words, she was clearly happy to see Yu Xingyue in person, not just through phone conversations.

“Fine, eat your fill. It’s on me. Consider it punishment for my being late,” Yu Xingyue said.

Lin Zimo grinned, “I was waiting for those words. I didn’t bring my wallet.”

“Oh! So you planned this?”

“Planned? I don’t know what you’re talking about. You said you were treating, and I didn’t bring my wallet because I was in a hurry. Anyway, you can’t change your mind now.” Lin Zimo feigned innocence with a hint of grievance, leaving Yu Xingyue helpless.

“Alright, but eat too much and you’ll break out in pimples,” Yu Xingyue warned.

Lin Zimo retorted, “I know, you’re so blunt. Can’t you not mention that?”

Yu Xingyue scratched his head, “Really, eating too much causes acne. I’m just reminding you. As long as it’s not me breaking out, it’s fine.”

“Well, I should thank you then.” Lin Zimo’s tone grew heavier, especially when she emphasized “thank you.” Then, ignoring Yu Xingyue, she dug in.

Yu Xingyue ordered twenty skewers, then glanced at Lin Zimo, whose eating style was exuberant. He couldn't resist remarking, “Girls should eat gracefully, take small bites. What girl eats like you?”

“Steel-hearted man, can’t you be less direct? You’re hurting with your words,” Lin Zimo shot back.

“Really? I think I’m alright. I’ve never felt I’m that blunt. If you truly think so, then you must be a pretty straightforward girl yourself.” With that, Yu Xingyue started on his own skewers.

Lin Zimo looked at him in confusion. “Hey, how am I like a straightforward girl? What proof do you have? I’m a teenage girl in the prime of youth, not some old man about to turn eighteen like you.”

“That’s why you’re direct in your words. So, I’m an old man in my adolescence at eighteen, huh? If it’s really as you say, then shouldn’t you start calling me grandpa?”