Lu Li very gentlemanly opened the car door, placing his hand on the roof. After she got in, he followed and sat down.
The car's interior was slightly cramped, and the distance between them naturally grew closer.
Yu Zhi wasn't someone who liked to start a conversation or even knew how to. From the moment she got in the car, she turned her head to look out the window, not saying a word.
But despite this, Lu Li didn't feel the slightest bit awkward. On the contrary, he quite enjoyed the time spent alone with her.
In his heart, he silently thought, perhaps this is what people call "liking."
As they were about to reach Yu Zhi's residence, Lu Li, who had been silent for a long time, rehearsed his opening lines in his mind several times.
He furrowed his brow slightly, as if pondering something of great importance.
When his gaze fell on the backpack resting on her creamy white knees, a sudden thought struck him.
Lu Li turned his head slightly and offered her a gentle smile. "Are you comfortable at Shengde? Is there anything challenging about your studies?"
Yu Zhi shifted her gaze from the window, her fingertips lightly drumming on the backpack. "It's going fine."
Those slender, alabaster fingers were as delicate as jade, and for some reason, they drew Lu Li's attention.
He stared at them for a long moment before realizing his lapse. Quickly lowering his head, his thick eyelashes trembled slightly, like a small fan fluttering against his lower eyelid.
"If... there's anything you don't understand, you can come ask me."
"Okay, thank you."
"Mhm, I won't find it troublesome at all." So please, do come and ask me.
Lu Li stroked the phone in his pocket, the light in his eyes dimming for a moment.
Ever since they added each other on WeChat, he'd yet to send her a single message. Numerous times, he'd thought about starting a conversation but was afraid of coming off as abrupt.
He didn't want her to dislike him.
The moment he brought up academics, Yu Zhi immediately thought of the three math test papers inside her backpack.
Ever since she dozed off during math class, Professor Ma seemed to have set his sights on her, giving her one extra test paper compared to what her classmates received.
Just thinking about facing those dense, headache-inducing figures at home made Yu Zhi's head throb.
She glanced at Lu Li, who was looking down as though lost in a daze, and lowered her voice to ask, "Are you good at math?"
Yu Zhi didn't know much about his academic performance, nor did she realize her question hit the nail on the head.
Lu Li immediately looked up, a strange glimmer flashing in his eyes. "Yes, do you have a problem you don't understand?"
"I don't understand anything." Yu Zhi answered straightforwardly.
She pulled out all the test papers from her backpack, folded and organized them before holding them by one corner and handing them over.
Lu Li: "???"
He froze, unsure for a moment whether he should take the papers.
Before he could say anything, Yu Zhi abruptly stuffed them into his hands like they were a hot potato.
"Help me finish them. I'll pay you."
Her expression was utterly sincere, even tinged with a hint of undeniable resolve.
Understanding her intent, Lu Li chuckled wryly. "You really don't want to do these test papers, huh?"
When he smiled, the small dimple on his left cheek appeared.
Unlike his usual appearance, there was something adorably soft about his expression now—much like a young cub that easily stirred others' protective instincts.
"Mhm, will you help me? The price is negotiable."
Yu Zhi didn't want to pressure him. If he disagreed, she could always find someone else.
Under normal circumstances, Lu Li would never agree to something like this.
It wasn't just his passion for science and math; it was also because he found such behavior a bit contemptible.
But now, because the person asking was Yu Zhi, everything felt different.
He didn't find her actions off-putting; on the contrary, he thought there was something endearing about her.
The corners of Lu Li's lips remained lifted. As he packed the test papers into his bag, he remarked, "There's no need for payment. How about..."
"You treat me to a bubble tea?"
Although Lu Li had no prior dating experience, he at least knew relationships couldn't be rushed.
Exchanging three test papers for a bubble tea—wasn't that a bargain?
Yu Zhi immediately agreed, feeling an immense sense of relief. She even considered stocking up on bubble tea so she could keep asking him for help in the future.
But before the thought fully took shape, Lu Li mercilessly crushed it with one sentence.
"How about I tutor you from now on?"
After putting away the papers, Lu Li turned his head, looking earnestly at her.
Hearing this, Yu Zhi's tapping fingers froze momentarily, her eyes flashing with disbelief. "Tutoring?"
"Mhm, just three months is all I need to improve your math grades."
Although Lu Li didn't mind doing it for her, he knew the college entrance exams were fast approaching. Helping her now wouldn't solve the bigger problem in the long run.
Of course, he also had some personal motives.
Yu Zhi tugged at the corners of her mouth, her tone somewhat perfunctory. "We'll see."
Afraid Lu Li might insist further, she averted her gaze to the window. Seeing that they were almost by her apartment complex, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She could handle most things, but studying? Forget it.
Lu Li chuckled lightly, knowing she was unwilling to talk further about the topic. He didn't pursue it either.
After all, there was plenty of time. No need to rush.
**
The Yu Family residence.
The large marble coffee table in the living room was piled high with gift boxes of various colors.
Some boxes were partially opened, revealing an array of dazzling jewelry sparkling under the warm light of the chandelier.
Yu Xinman sat primly on the sofa, her delicate face glowing with joy.
She untied the silk ribbons on the boxes one by one, basking in the delight of unpacking gifts. Her vanity was thoroughly satisfied in that moment.
"Xinman, do you like them all?"
Yu Baisheng descended the staircase, sat beside her, and gently patted her head.
Today, he'd traded in his suit for casual sportswear, making him seem more approachable.
But the sharp glint in his eyes made it hard to discern his true thoughts.
"Dad, why did you buy me so many gifts this time?"
Setting aside the box in her hands, she wrapped her arms around his, leaning on his shoulder and acting spoiled.
Like a harmless little kitten, her gesture was bound to melt anyone's heart.
Sweeping his gaze over the coffee table, Yu Baisheng chuckled. "Some of these were sent by my business partners."
"Business partners?"
Yu Xinman tilted her head to look at him, a trace of puzzlement gleaming in her eyes.
As if understanding what she was thinking, Yu Baisheng quickly explained, "A few days ago, I sent out invitations for your birthday banquet."
It was the first time Yu Baisheng had made such a grand gesture for her birthday.
Part of the reason was to introduce her to a suitable young man.