The morning carried a hint of coolness – South Li University’s small concession to autumn.

Sheng Xia wore a yellow cardigan over her white cotton dress, its full skirt concealing her left leg in its plaster cast. Her right foot was clad in a white canvas flat. She looked pure and gentle, like a French rose.

Supporting herself on crutches, she had the fragile beauty of an invalid.

Wang Lianhua could only drive up to the main road by Class 1. Sheng Xia made her way with crutches down the long corridor from Class 1 to Class 6. Students in each classroom turned to look in perfect unison, like a flock of geese.

When she entered the classroom, everyone’s eyes lit up – this was the first time Sheng Xia had worn a dress.

Unlike her formal attire at the school sports meet, this dress was utterly simple without any decoration, not even a waistline, yet it was particularly eye-catching.

The clothes were enhanced by the wearer.

Classmates gathered around with concerned greetings as Wang Lianhua left reassured.

Sheng Xia watched her mother’s retreating figure, noting nothing unusual. But today’s Wang Lianhua was different.

She had ironed the dress early and let her choose which one to wear.

Unprecedented.

As Sheng Xia pondered this while responding to her classmates’ caring inquiries, a melodious female voice called from the corridor: “Zhang Shu!”

The pleasant voice made everyone instinctively look over.

Zhang Shu was intercepted at the classroom door by Chen Mengyao.

“Need something?” he asked, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a food container.

Chen Mengyao glanced at it. “What’s that?”

Zhang Shu lifted it slightly, “Cat food.” Then looked back at her with a questioning gaze: Need something?

Cat food?

Chen Mengyao: “You think I’m blind? What giant cat needs this much food?”

But she wasn’t particularly concerned about it, tugging his sleeve, “Come over here to talk.”

Zhang Shu’s eyes swept briefly into the classroom. As he turned, he casually shrugged his shoulder, causing Chen Mengyao’s hand to fall away naturally.

They stood at Wang Wei’s “Brother Confidant spot,” back to the classroom as they talked.

Chen Mengyao got straight to the point: “Because of my art exam, I’ve fallen behind in academics. I did terribly in the last monthly test, and I have no confidence about the upcoming one. At this rate, forget about Heyan and Dongzhou Universities – even South Art School would be impossible…”

She paused, looking up at Zhang Shu, who merely raised an eyebrow slightly, “And then?”

And then! Isn’t it obvious enough to warrant an “and then?”

“So, my mom wants to find me a tutoring class outside school, but my schedule isn’t very flexible. If I’m going to sign up, it would have to be one-on-one. I thought, rather than that, I might as well ask you – you teach better than those teachers anyway…”

“Then how much are you planning to pay me?” Zhang Shu interrupted.

Chen Mengyao froze.

“Ah~” Zhang Shu stepped back, looking at her with amusement, “Not planning to pay?”

“That’s not…” Chen Mengyao frowned. She had planned to just treat him to meals and such, but since he brought it up, she changed tack, “We’re just discussing it, aren’t we?”

In the classroom, everyone watched them whispering, wondering what they were talking about.

“Chen Mengyao’s been attentive to Zhang Shu lately?”

“Probably feeling threatened?”

“But I heard Zhang Shu gave her an expensive necklace for her birthday. Aren’t they together yet?”

“Ahem!”

The speaker had been careless, and after glancing at Sheng Xia, awkwardly fell silent.

With this, the few who had been concerned about Sheng Xia scattered like birds and beasts.

With fewer people surrounding her, the view was clearer, and Sheng Xia could see the well-matched pair in the corridor from the corner of her eye.

Just then, Zhang Shu seemed to hear something amusing and stepped back, turning to face Chen Mengyao – and consequently, the classroom.

His casual glance met Sheng Xia’s curious eyes.

He tilted his head slightly, raised an eyebrow, and curved his lips in a smile at her.

Sheng Xia quickly lowered her head!

What did that look mean? She wasn’t spying on them, just glancing over – how did she get caught red-handed?

Chen Mengyao noticed his expression, like he was teasing some small animal, and followed his gaze.

A flash of yellow was particularly eye-catching. When she looked back, Zhang Shu’s expression had returned to neutral.

Chen Mengyao said: “Well, name your price then. I mainly thought it would be easier to coordinate schedules.”

“You mean you want me at your beck and call?” Zhang Shu’s tone was flat, without anger, still maintaining that lazy drawl. “That’ll cost extra. As you said, I teach better than those one-on-one tutors outside, so shouldn’t I charge more? Go find out their rates first, then we can talk.”

This businesslike attitude made it hard for Chen Mengyao to save face. “Shu, why have you changed like this?”

Zhang Shu frowned, “Haven’t I always been like this? You should know best – weren’t you the first to say how stingy I am?”

She wasn’t referring to whether he was stingy or not.

But when he said “always been like this,” she couldn’t argue. He had always maintained this devil-may-care attitude, which she used to interpret as tsundere, even finding their verbal sparring intimate and fun.

Now every word felt like a stab to the heart.

Chen Mengyao’s palms grew cold.

It wasn’t him who had changed – it seemed it was her.

Zhang Shu’s gaze kept drifting into the classroom and seeing something, his eyes grew cold.

“Alright, let’s leave it at that. You’d better find a tutoring class – they’re more professional. No need to ask me. I’m very busy, okay?”

Chen Mengyao: …

In the classroom, Sheng Xia had just taken out her English test paper when Lu Youze from the diagonal rear came over and asked: “How long did the doctor say before the cast comes off?”

Sheng Xia remembered that after replying to “Song Jiang” last night, she’d tossed her phone aside and forgotten to check his message.

Thinking of this, Sheng Xia felt a bit embarrassed and replied gently: “Probably over seven weeks.”

Lu Youze said: “That’s quite a while. Let me know if you need any help – we live so close by anyway.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“No need to be so formal, makes it feel like we’re not close,” Lu Youze smiled, “So your family drives you to and from school? What’s your plan for lunch and dinner?”

Sheng Xia made a “hmm” sound and was about to answer when a cold voice came from behind.

“No need for Young Master Lu to worry about that,” Zhang Shu dropped the food container on Sheng Xia’s desk, sat down beside her, and jerked his chin, “Want to try?”

The last two words were directed at Sheng Xia.

Sheng Xia noticed many curious glances from the corner of her eye.

Lu Youze gripped his pen tighter, saying nothing.

Sheng Xia’s eyes showed her dilemma – should she accept his “feeding” in front of everyone?

A “dream come true,” yet last night’s flutter had completely vanished, leaving her feeling somewhat awkward.

Zhang Shu really couldn’t stand that hesitant look.

Things had seemed fine last night, but this morning she was acting like his food was poisoned.

Zhang Shu opened the food container for her, explaining: “My sister made it, quality guaranteed.”

Surrounding classmates exchanged knowing looks.

Zhang Shu ignored them, extending his hand in a “please” gesture, “My sister says it’s to apologize.”

Oh, an apology.

That’s fine then.

“It’s okay, you didn’t mean it,” Sheng Xia’s voice was mild, “I accept, but no need next time.”

Zhang Shu said: “My sister says until you’re fully recovered.”

Huh?

Sheng Xia said: “I had breakfast at home.”

Zhang Shu was unfazed: “My sister says, then eat less of that and have some of mine.”

Sheng Xia: …

Everyone: …

“My sister says, my sister says” – his sister must be tired of being his scapegoat.

Indeed, don’t expect the aloof king to suddenly transform into Mr. Nice Guy.

The soup was bone broth, seemingly filtered, without a trace of grease. The wontons had shrimp filling, fresh and delicious.

However, the wontons were oddly sized – some big, some small, some standard, some rather… ugly. Honestly, it didn’t seem up to Zhang Suxin’s usual standards.

Sheng Xia felt strange eating in the classroom, but Zhang Shu rested his chin on his hand and just stared at her, clearly not letting her off until she finished. She could only keep eating.

But she was already full, and after a few wontons, she really couldn’t eat more. She looked at Zhang Shu helplessly: “I… can’t eat anymore.”

Zhang Shu seemed to be in a daze, but at her words, his eyebrows twitched as if suddenly realizing something. “Hm? Oh, okay, no problem. If you can’t eat more that’s fine. Like a cat – didn’t expect you to eat much anyway.”

Sheng Xia nodded. Then she saw him take the food container, find a plastic spoon from beside it, and start eating the wontons himself…

Xin Xiaohe was dumbfounded – they’d reached the stage of sharing a bowl of wontons?

The fallen scholar hadn’t given up but rather grown bolder – what psychological strength!

Sheng Xia also froze for a moment, unconsciously glancing around, but it seemed not many people were paying attention to them. She lowered her head and pinched her brow.

…

At lunch, Sheng Xia was “escorted” to eat by Zhang Shu and Hou Junqi.

Two tall guys on either side, clearing the way like guards, with a person on crutches in the middle – they got a 200% rate of turned heads.

“You two go ahead, don’t wait for me, I’m too slow.” Sheng Xia stopped and politely declined the escort.

Zhang Shu looked at her face, dazzlingly white in the sunlight.

The yellow knit cardigan made her look even paler. Below the little dress showed her slender white ankles, canvas shoe laces loose and floppy…

“You think people won’t look at you if you walk alone?” Zhang Shu asked with amusement.

Sheng Xia was at a loss for words, about to say something when suddenly the young man crouched down in front of her. She looked down at his fluffy hair, the whorl on his head gleaming black in the sunlight.

Then she felt pressure on her foot – he was tying her shoelace!

Beside them, Hou Junqi’s face was full of interest, unable to resist teasing: “Yo yo yo, now that’s top-tier service!”

Now it wasn’t just turned heads – people were staying longer.

Someone watched so intently that they walked into the person in front who had turned back to watch the show, both apologizing to each other.

For a moment, the spacious corridor became bustling.

Sheng Xia’s face and ears turned red.

Zhang Shu stood up, dusting off his hands, admiring the butterfly knot he’d tied, still maintaining that leisurely manner, “If we didn’t wait for you, you’d trip on your laces and face-plant.”

Sheng Xia: …

Hou Junqi: If only Shu didn’t open his mouth, everything would go much more smoothly.

Sheng Xia said nothing, deciding retreat was the best of the 36 stratagems, and hurried to speed up.

“No need to rush, no one’s fighting you for food!”

…

So annoying.

She’d already said she forgave him, he didn’t need to act like this!

Lunch supervision was on the second floor. Sheng Xia hadn’t yet mastered going upstairs with crutches and hesitated at the steps.

“Made up your mind yet,” Zhang Shu spoke up, “want me to help you up or are you planning to use telepathy to fly up?”

Sheng Xia pressed her lips together, looking up at him, her eyes glistening.

Zhang Shu didn’t want to bother with whatever was going through her little head again and gave her options: “Me, or Hou Junqi?”

Hou Junqi waved his hands, “No no, I’m just flabby, no arm strength.”

It was Saturday, and they’d delayed so long that there weren’t many people around anymore.

Sheng Xia balanced on one leg, handed her crutches to Hou Junqi, and looked at Zhang Shu, “Then I’ll trouble you.”

She held the stair railing with one hand, supported by Zhang Shu with the other.

But—

She still didn’t know how to step up. Should she hop?

As she hesitated, an impatient sigh sounded in her ear, “Ah, what a hassle!”

Before the words faded, Sheng Xia was airborne!

Zhang Shu had picked her up in his arms again.

Before she could react, her hands had instinctively grasped his arms, and with a few large strides, he was already at the corner. Avoiding the railing that might hit her leg, he easily turned while carrying her and continued upward.

Taking two steps at a time.

“Wow~” Hou Junqi followed behind, bouncing along.

“You!” Sheng Xia looked at his tense jaw.

The words of protest were still being formulated in her throat, not yet spoken, when he slowly put her down, staring at her, “What about me? If we waited for you to get up here yourself, the food would be cold.”

Wasn’t it just now someone said there was no rush, and no one would fight for the food?

Sheng Xia looked around. They were on the second floor.

So fast.

She couldn’t walk this fast even with both legs healthy.

Today he’d brought breakfast, and fetched water between classes. Hou Junqi was right – he was providing service.

She couldn’t voice any accusations – it would seem… presumptuous.

Only her heart remained, thumping wildly.

As she hesitated, her gaze became somewhat aggrieved.

Zhang Shu stood with hands on hips, clicked his tongue with seeming helplessness, his voice softening in reassurance: “Alright, I’m not blaming you.”

Hou Junqi rolled his eyes, walking past the two, muttering: “Can’t bear to watch, can’t bear to watch.”