On the weekend, Xu Sui arrived half an hour early at the Sheng family home to tutor Sheng Yanjia, because they seemed to have band rehearsal scheduled, and Xu Sui didn’t want everyone waiting because of her.

As soon as she entered Sheng Yanjia’s room, Xu Sui announced devastating news: “I have something to do later, so there won’t be gaming after we finish the lesson.”

The little curly-haired boy immediately slumped onto the desk, looking dispirited: “I haven’t played games for a whole week. I was waiting to soar through the gaming world with Teacher Little Xu.”

“Today we’ll have one hour of math class. Although there are no games to play,” Xu Sui deliberately built suspense, patting his shoulder, “we’ll use the remaining hour to watch a movie.”

The little curly-head immediately perked up, changing his tune: “Teacher Little Xu, I can’t wait to navigate through the world of mathematics.”

After Xu Sui seriously finished teaching Sheng Yanjia a math lesson, Sheng Yanjia immediately cleaned up the desk, turned on the projector, and asked excitedly: “Teacher, what are we watching? ‘The Avengers’ or ‘The Lord of the Rings’?”

“Neither. We’re watching ‘Friends,'” Xu Sui said with a smile, shaking her head.

As everyone knows, “Friends” is one of the model shows for learning English and training oral skills. Sheng Yanjia wanted to crash into the wall and die on the spot.

After the hour-long movie ended, in addition to the two sets of math papers Xu Sui left for Sheng Yanjia, there was also a review essay about “Friends.”

“It’s all a scheme, all schemes! Teacher Little Xu, you’re too bad!” Sheng Yanjia accused.

Xu Sui checked the time and said with a smile: “I won’t chat with you anymore. The bad teacher has things to do and needs to leave first.”

Xu Sui quickly packed up her things and hurried downstairs. She jogged out of the living room, only to encounter Aunt Sheng organizing a card game in the courtyard.

Aunt Sheng was wearing a water-blue cheongsam with traditional Chinese buttons and a slit, draped with a wool shawl, looking both charming and beautiful. Aunt Sheng was worried about being short one card player when she saw Xu Sui, her eyes lit up: “Teacher Little Xu, come play cards!”

“I still have something to do,” Xu Sui immediately sensed trouble and said hurriedly.

Aunt Sheng walked over in a few steps, stamped her foot, and grabbed her hand: “Ten minutes, just ten minutes. Neighbor Old Li went to the bathroom. Just help substitute for him.”

“But I’m not very good at it,” Xu Sui cried inwardly.

“It’s fine, we’ll teach you.” Aunt Sheng pulled her over without allowing any argument and pressed her down at the card table.

A wooden square table with a fruit plate nearby containing preserved fruits and sunflower seeds. Sunlight slanted down, and several neighbors sat together playing cards, their hearty laughter and curses all mixed into the wins and losses.

The German Shepherd lay at Aunt Sheng’s feet. During a break in dealing cards, Xu Sui sent Zhou Jingze a WeChat message: [Um… I might be a bit late. You guys rehearse first.]

In less than a minute, her phone showed zjz’s reply: [Where are you?]

Xu Sui lowered her head to reply: [Still at Aunt Sheng’s house. She’s making me play cards, and I’m also… not very good at it.]

Aunt Sheng was dealing cards with sharp eyes, laughing: “Teacher Little Xu, don’t play with your phone. Even if you’re texting your boyfriend, it’s not allowed. Once you’re at my card table, you need to focus.”

Xu Sui didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and had to put her phone aside. Xu Sui only knew a little about playing cards, having learned some rules by watching her uncle’s family play during Chinese New Year each year, but she was a complete novice at cards with no chance of winning.

After playing for ten minutes, Xu Sui found her hand was terribly bad. Aunt Sheng had been beaming since the start of the game. She secretly glanced at her phone.

Zhou Jingze had replied with two words: [Wait.]

Wait for what? Would he help find reinforcements, or would he call Aunt Sheng so she could leave? Xu Sui was guessing in her mind.

Xu Sui endured one round with her poor card skills, but neighbor Old Li still hadn’t appeared. Everyone was in high spirits, so she could only grit her teeth and continue playing badly.

In the second round, Xu Sui’s hand wasn’t particularly good. She was hesitating whether to give up and play randomly when a low voice spoke:

“Play this one.”

At the same time, a pack of cigarettes and a silver lighter appeared on the edge of the table.

Xu Sui suddenly turned around. Zhou Jingze had appeared out of nowhere, wearing a black windbreaker, gray pants, with thin lips and a straight nose.

“Jingze, how did you get here?” Aunt Sheng asked.

“You detained my person here, so I came,” Zhou Jingze smiled.

Aunt Sheng’s eyes moved between the two of them, then she smiled: “Alright, old rules. Best of three games – win twice against me before you can leave.”

Xu Sui’s tone was somewhat anxious: “Aunt Sheng, we really have something to do. We need to rehearse…”

“It’s fine, very quick,” Zhou Jingze interrupted her.

During the following card game time, Xu Sui was even more distracted than before. Because Zhou Jingze was standing behind her, occasionally leaning down to give guidance.

His elbow was propped on Xu Sui’s right side, his light azure veins visible. The black fabric brushed past her shoulder. Xu Sui found her senses infinitely magnified. He seemed to have just washed his hair, carrying a fresh mint fragrance mixed with a hint of basil’s bitter scent.

Xu Sui’s cheeks grew hot. A pair of hands with clear knuckles reached over, the thumb and index finger drawing out a card. He hummed with amusement: “What are you daydreaming about?”

His fingertip accidentally touched Xu Sui’s hand, very lightly, like snow. The black mole on his tiger’s mouth repeatedly appeared before her eyes. Xu Sui felt uncomfortable all over, her breathing becoming somewhat rapid. She dug her nails into her palm.

Xu Sui secretly told herself to stay calm, to pretend indifference, and absolutely not reveal any flaws.

Otherwise, the matter of liking him would have nowhere to hide.

Xu Sui took a breath, trying to keep herself calm. Zhou Jingze was very smart – the kind of smart that held back mischief, giving you a little sweetness first before catching you off guard.

Under Zhou Jingze’s guidance, Xu Sui won two consecutive rounds. Aunt Sheng pushed all the money she lost in front of Xu Sui, pointing at him: “Get lost quickly. If you stay any longer, I’ll go bankrupt.”

Zhou Jingze smiled mischievously, pulled a cigarette from the pack and bit it between his lips, looking down to meet Xu Sui’s hesitant eyes: “This money…”

“Keep it, use it to buy candy,” Zhou Jingze said with a cigarette between his teeth, his voice somewhat muffled.

The two walked side by side out of the Sheng family courtyard. Zhou Jingze held a cigarette between his fingers, walking slightly faster than her. Xu Sui stared at his shoulder and mustered courage to say: “About Bai Yuyue’s matter, thank you.”

Zhou Jingze turned back, raising an eyebrow: “How do you know it was me?”

“I guessed,” Xu Sui answered.

“Alright,” Zhou Jingze kicked a pebble at his feet, smiling lazily, “so how are you going to thank me?”

Xu Sui had originally wanted to say “anything I can do,” but Zhou Jingze put one hand in his pocket, turned his head to look at her, his black rock-like eyes locked on her, his tone meaningful:

“Or are you going to treat me to milk tea again?”