Most tutors only focus on one subject, as they’re too busy to handle multiple subjects.

But when it came to taking classes at Teacher Zheng’s home, it was already established that she would cover all subjects.

Teacher Zheng was the tutor that Aunt Qin had found. She was quite elderly and had previously taught in Beijing, having trained countless students. When she first started teaching, the national exam’s top scorer came from her class year after year. Later, as she aged, she moved on to creating examination papers.

She truly had students all over the world.

She was once a legend in her field and was rehired after retirement.

But she was truly getting old, already seventy-three this year, and her health wasn’t good enough to continue working in education.

Staying in Beijing meant constantly having students coming to her door whom she couldn’t refuse.

Later, Teacher Zheng’s husband, Mr. Wu, took her back to their hometown, W City, officially entering their retirement years.

Last year, she had rested for an entire year. This year, her health improved slightly. Having been taught all her life, she began to feel restless as her health got better.

She didn’t plan to take on many students, just three. Mrs. Qin found out and quickly secured a spot for Chu Sheng.

Then Li Sitong managed to get Xue Jiao in, and after Yi Tianyu mentioned it to Yi Dafa, without even needing Li Sitong’s help, Yi Dafa eagerly secured a spot for Yi Tianyu.

Three spots, all filled.

On the first day of Seventh Middle School’s vacation, Xue Jiao packed her bag with books and went for tutoring.

The class was held at Teacher Zheng’s home. When she knocked on the door, Yi Tianyu opened it for her.

“Oh, you’re all here already?” Her voice conveyed surprise.

Xue Jiao looked around but didn’t see Teacher Zheng.

“Grandpa Wu went inside to help Teacher Zheng tidy up. Let’s wait here for now,” Yi Tianyu explained.

Chu Sheng smiled gently at her, and Xue Jiao returned the smile.

When Yi Tianyu saw this exchange, he felt a bit uncomfortable. What was with these two exchanging glances right in front of him?!

He sat down between them and immediately asked, “Now that we’re taking tutoring classes, what about our homework? Copy it?”

With their workload, their schoolbags could barely fit everything.

Now they had classes too—where would they find time to do homework?

They both gave him a side-eye simultaneously. Chu Sheng pushed up his glasses and said, “We can’t copy homework. Copying is worse than not doing it at all.”

Yi Tianyu’s eyes widened in amazement. “Wow! I didn’t realize that Scholar Chu was so bold, actually daring not to do homework! Even braver than me!”

Chu Sheng: “…”

Xue Jiao rolled her eyes. “Chu Sheng means we’ll do it in the morning and evening.”

Chu Sheng nodded in agreement.

Yi Tianyu: “…”

So they wouldn’t rest during the entire 24 hours of the day?

“Haha, how could I possibly not let you young students do your homework?” A kind voice came from nearby, sounding cheerful and reasonably energetic.

The three of them immediately looked up.

It was a very kind-looking elderly person with a benevolent face and gentle eyes, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. Her hair was completely gray, and her posture was slightly hunched.

Supporting her was another elderly person, also quite old but appearing more energetic than Teacher Zheng.

Xue Jiao knew about this teacher, so she felt both admiration and respect.

When this teacher was young, she had gone to the countryside to teach. Some poor families couldn’t afford school, so they didn’t enroll their children.

This teacher had crossed mountains and traveled through several uninhabited mountainous areas alone to find students, persuading families one by one, and even supplementing their tuition fees.

She brought the children back to school, but the hardships Teacher Zheng endured on that journey remained in her body.

As a result, the elderly couple never had any children of their own.

Xue Jiao admired this teacher and also respected Mr. Wu, who had always supported her.

“Hello, Teacher Zheng! Hello, Grandpa Wu!” The three stood up together and greeted them respectfully.

They all deeply respected such a teacher, their attitude extremely reverent.

A person who has dedicated their entire life to education deserves everyone’s respect.

Grandpa Wu helped Teacher Zheng sit down on the sofa across from them. She looked at them with a smile and said, “I am Teacher Zheng, and you might be spending your entire vacation with me~”

“It’s our honor,” Xue Jiao said with a smile, quite sincerely, her bright, clear eyes looking at Teacher Zheng.

Chu Sheng also nodded quickly.

Yi Tianyu glanced at Xue Jiao and also nodded happily.

Teacher Zheng then smiled and said, “Well, would the three of you introduce yourselves? Focus mainly on your academic situation.”

“My name is Chu Sheng, about to enter my senior year of high school at Seventh Middle School. My total score typically ranges between 710 and 730 points, ranking second in my grade. I’ve already completed one round of self-review,” Chu Sheng said, pushing up his glasses.

Xue Jiao was slightly surprised—so Chu Sheng had already been reviewing high school material?

This thought passed quickly as Xue Jiao began her self-introduction.

“My name is Gu Xue Jiao, about to enter my senior year of high school at Seventh Middle School. My total score typically ranges between 710 and 730 points, fluctuating between first and second in the grade. I’ve also completed one round of self-review.”

Yi Tianyu: “???”

Teacher Zheng nodded with satisfaction, and everyone’s gaze turned to Yi Tianyu.

He scratched his head, looking embarrassed, but still managed to say—

“I-I’m Yi Tianyu, about to enter senior year at Seventh Middle School. My total score… between 500 and 600. I learn… whatever we cover in class…” Yi Tianyu suddenly felt that squeezing himself between two academic gods might have been… somewhat problematic.

Teacher Zheng still nodded with a smile, showing no surprise. “That’s fine. I know Seventh Middle School’s progress. Finishing the second year of high school means completing the high school curriculum. Today I’ll guide everyone through a review of high school knowledge. Of course, I won’t focus much on English and Chinese literature—mainly math and science.”

The three nodded obediently.

“Then let’s go to the study,” Teacher Zheng said. They quickly moved forward to help support Teacher Zheng as they walked to the study.

It was already well-arranged inside, just right for three students and one teacher, plus a blackboard. The distance and layout were perfect.

Teacher Zheng wasn’t the type of teacher who forced information on students. She wouldn’t cram all the knowledge into them but would only guide them.

Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that Teacher Zheng was guiding their review rather than reviewing with them.

They started with mathematics today, with her providing just a little guidance while the rest depended entirely on their recall.

They ate lunch at Teacher Zheng’s home. Grandpa Wu was a good cook. After eating, they helped wash the dishes, took a short nap, and then resumed their afternoon studies.

The pace was neither fast nor slow; they only covered the first semester of high school mathematics in one day.

“That’s it for today. Bring your math homework tomorrow. I won’t let you copy homework just because you’re attending tutoring, haha,” Teacher Zheng said with a smile.

Yi Tianyu scratched his head, embarrassed, but honestly, he quite liked this little old lady.

She was more likable than many teachers he had met.

After class, the three went their separate ways home.

The next day, they reviewed in the morning, but in the afternoon, Teacher Zheng took a sip of tea and smiled, saying, “This afternoon, you’ll work on test papers on your own. When you’re done, bring them to me, and I’ll see what issues you have.”

Yi Tianyu: “…”

Poor students generally disliked exams. Although he was no longer considered a poor student, internally he still…

“Alright,” Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng had already nodded and each took out practice test paper number three.

When Yi Tianyu took out practice test one, he paused: “Aren’t you doing practice test one?”

Chu Sheng and Xue Jiao both looked at him without saying anything.

Yi Tianyu scratched his head. “What’s wrong?”

Xue Jiao sighed and said, “We’ve been on vacation for two days, one set per day. Today we should be on set three.”

Yi Tianyu: “…???”

“You’ve already done one and two?!”

Both nodded simultaneously.

“Haha, did Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng bring sets one and two? Let me see them. Yi Tianyu, you should start with set one,” Teacher Zheng said with a smile.

Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng handed in their papers together, and Teacher Zheng examined them carefully.

She didn’t skip looking at these two sets just because Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng got everything correct. Instead, she carefully examined their problem-solving steps.

Below, Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng were writing furiously.

Yi Tianyu: “…”

He truly regretted it now! Why would a poor student take tutoring alongside academic gods?!

To experience the stimulating sensation of being attacked from all sides?!

“Yi Tianyu, don’t get distracted,” Teacher Zheng smiled as she glanced at him.

For some reason, even though Teacher Zheng was very kind, she made Yi Tianyu more nervous than facing Teacher Yin Fang.

He quickly lowered his head and began writing furiously.

Soon, by the time Yi Tianyu started writing the fourth main question in mathematics, Chu Sheng had turned in his paper.

Yi Tianyu: “…”

Five minutes later, Xue Jiao turned in hers.

Yi Tianyu: “…”

By the time he had just finished his paper and taken out the next set, those two were already writing the last question of the fourth set.

He hadn’t even finished the multiple-choice questions when the other two turned in their papers again.

Yi Tianyu: “…”

“Alright, I now understand your situation. I have four sets from Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng and one from Tianyu. Chu Sheng got perfect scores on three sets and 145 on one, Xue Jiao got perfect scores on three sets and 145 on one, while Tianyu got 138,” Teacher Zheng pushed up her glasses, and the three sat up straight with serious expressions.

“Xue Jiao and Tianyu are very impressive. I can say that among all the students I’ve taught, you still stand out. Chu Sheng lost five points on the last main question of the fourth set because he used the wrong calculation method. The calculation was too extensive, so the answer was slightly off, hence the five-point deduction. Ultimately, it’s due to carelessness, which is a major taboo in the college entrance exam!” Her voice was very soft as she spoke, sounding tired and leaning against her chair.

After Teacher Zheng finished speaking, Chu Sheng nodded seriously, his brows slightly furrowed.

She then picked up Xue Jiao’s paper and looked at her: “Xue Jiao got the last multiple-choice question wrong. It’s not that you didn’t know how to solve it, but you used the wrong method, isn’t that right?”

Xue Jiao nodded, her brows furrowed even tighter than Chu Sheng’s.

Yi Tianyu didn’t understand—they only lost five points each, yet they were acting as if it was the end of the world!

“As for Tianyu…” Teacher Zheng paused.

Yi Tianyu looked up at her, his heart tightening.

Teacher Zheng said, “Abundant talent, insufficient diligence, careless and inattentive.”

Yi Tianyu: “…”

“I now understand your problems, and you should understand them too. Then, when doing test papers in the future, build on your strengths and avoid your weaknesses. Pay attention to your issues. For example, Chu Sheng…”

Teacher Zheng began to give examples, then brought out many more problems for them to solve before explaining.

That day, all three gained a lot.

Rather than doing more problems or being forced to absorb more knowledge, recognizing their own issues was more important.

They continued until past nine in the evening before each went home, collapsing directly onto their beds from exhaustion.

In the Yi household.

“Is our son asleep?” Yi Dafa looked up.

Yi’s mother nodded, gently closing the door and coming downstairs before sighing, “He’s so tired. Our son went to bed right after showering, didn’t even dry his hair, and is already snoring. How is this more tiring than playing basketball all day?”

Yi Dafa’s brows furrowed slightly before relaxing. “His mood is still good. Someone like our son, if he truly couldn’t handle it, would have quit long ago.”

Yi’s mother sat down on the sofa with a sigh. “That’s true, but… is it worth forcing our son to take these exams? Look how exhausted he is. He doesn’t need this. His starting point is already different from others, so why bother…”

“Foolish!” Yi Dafa glared at her. “Look at Lin’s son, Lin Zhihua! Don’t think that our son’s starting point is higher than others now—in the future, his starting point might be lower! If he couldn’t learn well after so many years of studying, how could he excel in business later? How could you assume that?”

“That’s true…” Yi’s mother agreed.

Yi Dafa sat up straight. “I’ve never expected him to become an academic god or a bookworm. I want him to be focused, and to be able to do well in whatever he chooses to do. That’s enough. No matter how much I leave for him, this world changes, and times progress. Who knows what the future holds? Only his abilities truly belong to him! Perhaps everything I have today will be nothing but bubbles in the future. Who knows?”

Yi Tianyu was fortunate to have a father with such earnest love.

——

Lin Zhihua glanced at his phone and sighed softly.

Xue Jiao had barely spoken to him today before saying goodnight and going to bed.

He knew she must be very tired. Even the strongest person isn’t made of iron, and studying with Teacher Zheng was indeed effective.

But that was the highest intensity with no breaks. While studying, one might not feel it, but as soon as there was a break, exhaustion would surely set in.

He put away his phone and looked out the window.

He didn’t want her to work so hard. He could simply sit at home and deliver everything she wanted right to her.

But what she wanted was to pursue her dreams, something he could never do for her.

Lin Zhihua looked out the window, his fingers tapping on the chair.

One more year.

One more year…

——

This pace continued for half a month. Then one day, as they were preparing to leave, Teacher Zheng suddenly said, “Tomorrow, one of my students is coming to visit. He’s an extremely impressive person. You won’t have morning classes; instead, you’ll discuss with him.”

The three were momentarily stunned.

Half a month was enough for them to understand Teacher Zheng’s temperament. During this time, many people had contacted Grandpa Wu wanting to visit Teacher Zheng, but were all turned down. Moreover, Teacher Zheng had taught so many students that earning her description of “impressive” was already remarkable.

Extremely impressive?

How impressive must this person be!

“Alright,” the three quickly agreed.

As they walked out of the residential area, Yi Tianyu couldn’t help but gossip.

“Who could it be? Which academic master?”

Chu Sheng pushed up his glasses and shook his head. “My mother says that Teacher Zheng taught Professor Tan at Tsinghua University now, as well as Professor Li and others. The president of Renmin University was also her student. She has students in politics, the military, and business sectors. Teacher Zheng truly has students all over the world—that’s no exaggeration.”

Yi Tianyu gave him a side-eye. After spending time together, Yi Tianyu discovered that behind Chu Sheng’s appearance as a hardworking bookworm lay a very gossipy heart.

Bookworm… only his deskmate fit that description!

Xue Jiao nodded. “To be described as extremely impressive by Teacher Zheng, this must certainly be a master. We should listen carefully tomorrow.”

“Bookworm, so you know how to interact with people? I thought you only knew how to bury yourself in studies,” Yi Tianyu teased.

Xue Jiao gave him a side-eye and stopped talking.

The three left the residential area and each went home.

The next day, the three waited early at Teacher Zheng’s home.

Even Teacher Zheng dressed especially spiritedly today, and Grandpa Wu had gone out early to buy many groceries.

They had agreed to meet at nine o’clock. At eight-fifty, the doorbell rang.

“He’s here, he’s here!” Teacher Zheng was very happy.

Grandpa Wu quickly went to open the door, and a man wearing casual clothes but with an imposing presence walked in.

His face could be described as “beautiful”—extremely delicate yet serious, with sharp eyes. His limbs were long with slight muscles that made him look strong, so no one would think he was too “beautiful” in a negative way. Rather, people would be afraid to look directly into his eyes.

This man had a presence.

Lin Zhihua!

Xue Jiao was stunned as if struck by lightning.

Chu Sheng and Yi Tianyu almost jumped up as well. They were all born and raised in W City and came from families of some status.

Lin Zhihua was a figure who could be considered their “neighbor kid” but was also their goal and idol.

This man was born a legend.

“Uncle Wu, hello. Teacher, it’s been a long time,” Lin Zhihua shook hands with Grandpa Wu, then hugged Teacher Zheng when he came in, looking emotional.

Teacher Zheng also held his hand tightly, her eyes slightly red.

“This child…”

He placed the gift box in his left hand on the table and gently patted Teacher Zheng, comforting her.

Teacher Zheng’s eyes reddened even more, and she suddenly couldn’t help but sigh softly, “This child… has also had a hard life…”

Her voice was very soft. If Xue Jiao hadn’t been standing close by and paying attention to them, she definitely wouldn’t have heard it.

A hard life?

It seemed so… Just from what she knew, this person’s previous life had nothing to do with happiness.

“I’m doing well, Teacher,” Lin Zhihua smiled lightly, appearing calm and untroubled.

His peripheral vision noticed the girl’s gaze nearby, and he smiled at her.

“Sit down, come, sit down,” Teacher Zheng pulled Lin Zhihua to sit beside her.

Then she pointed at the three people opposite them and said, “These three are my students this year, possibly my last students…”

“Teacher…” Xue Jiao and the others couldn’t help but speak up.

Teacher Zheng waved her hand, completely unconcerned. “I’m old, my health isn’t good, there’s nothing I can’t say. These three children are all good. Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng are very hardworking, and Tianyu is sincere. I like them all.”

Lin Zhihua looked up, casually glancing over them, pausing imperceptibly at Yi Tianyu.

“Hmm… they’re all good.”

Teacher Zheng then rambled on for a while, chatting with Lin Zhihua about recent events, before saying, “Why don’t you chat with these children? I’m a bit tired.”

She was somewhat tired and leaned back, taking a rest.

Lin Zhihua turned and gently adjusted the cushion for Teacher Zheng.

“Teacher, you rest a bit. I’ll just talk with them for a while.”

“Good…” Teacher Zheng smiled kindly.

Only then did Lin Zhihua turn to look at the three of them, slightly tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“You’re all doing well. Keep up the good work.”

Chu Sheng was a bit excited—being encouraged by one’s idol felt amazing!

“We will!”

Lin Zhihua then asked, “Is the study pressure high?”

As he spoke, his peripheral vision was fixed on Xue Jiao.

The three shook their heads simultaneously. “It’s quite manageable.”

“That’s good,” Lin Zhihua smiled. “Whether you want to study abroad or stay in China in the future, since you’ve chosen the college entrance exam now, work hard on it.”

“We will!” The three nodded together again.

Lin Zhihua’s expression remained calm, but both Chu Sheng and Yi Tianyu felt that his attitude was already quite good.

Only Xue Jiao felt somewhat confused, thinking that Lin Zhihua was unusually polite today, completely different from usual.

“Are you hungry? I’ll cook,” Lin Zhihua suddenly said.

“No need, no need! Zhihua, you sit and rest. Uncle will do it!” Grandpa Wu quickly spoke up.

Lin Zhihua stood up. Though his attitude wasn’t warm, everyone could feel his sincerity. “It’s fine. Let the Teacher taste my hard-practiced cooking skills.”

Xue Jiao was a bit surprised and couldn’t help but ask, “You can cook?”

“Surprised?” Lin Zhihua raised an eyebrow.

He and Xue Jiao had exchanged only a few sentences, but just from these two exchanges, Teacher Zheng looked over with surprised eyes.

Even Grandpa Wu couldn’t help but look over, while only Yi Tianyu and Chu Sheng completely failed to notice anything unusual.

“A little bit,” Xue Jiao nodded honestly.

“Then you can taste my cooking and find out,” Lin Zhihua said as he straightened his clothes and walked toward the kitchen.

The three followed Grandpa Wu to help, but later let Grandpa Wu rest.

It ended up with Lin Zhihua cooking while the three of them assisted.

He seemed to know how to cook…

Xue Jiao watched in amazement as he maintained a serious face, frowning slightly as he gradually added seasonings.

His movements were slow but elegant, carrying a serious precision as if he were adding exact measurements of each ingredient.

The dishes made with such precision… looked appetizing…

And they somewhat resembled the food from that restaurant in Wu Liu Lane.

Xue Jiao was slightly puzzled.

When it was time for lunch, Xue Jiao swallowed her first bite and realized it did taste like the food from that restaurant in Wu Liu Lane!

“I never expected Zhihua to have such culinary skills!” Grandpa Wu said with a smile.

Teacher Zheng nodded, swallowing a mouthful and smiling, “It’s extremely well done, but why make so many fish dishes?”

On the table were six dishes, three of which were fish-related.

Lin Zhihua smiled, his gaze casually passing over Xue Jiao beside him—he was sitting between Xue Jiao and Teacher Zheng.

Quickly, he withdrew his gaze and said calmly, “The cat at home loves fish, so I learned more fish-related dishes. I hope the cat at home likes them.”

Xue Jiao nodded along with everyone else, still eating fish.

She also loved eating fish!

Loved it!

Lin Zhihua’s cat was so fortunate!! It could eat such delicious customized meals!!

“It’s super delicious!” Yi Tianyu gave Lin Zhihua a thumbs up.

Lin Zhihua nodded with a smile, responding mildly, “It’s alright.”

In front of Lin Zhihua was steamed fish. He picked up a particularly good piece and placed it in Xue Jiao’s bowl beside him.

Instantly, everyone looked up sharply, staring at him and Xue Jiao.

Author’s Note: Yi Tianyu: What does this mean?! You dog couple! Hmph!