Chapter 9

 "Good student, teach me."

These two phrases are enough to stir one's emotions.

With slightly lowered eyes, Bai Xunyin remained silent for a moment, then wrote on the paper: "[Aren't your academic grades very good?]"

Why did he want her to teach?

It was just something he casually said that Yu Luoyin found intriguing. With a hint of amusement in his dark eyes, he looked at her and asked, "How do you know I'm good at studying?"

...

"Oh," Yu Luoyin asked lightly, "Which classmate told you?"

An annoying attitude.

Bai Xunyin couldn't answer. Instead, she quickly changed the subject and wrote, "[Which part of this problem don't you understand?]"

After all, she was just supposed to teach him a problem, nothing serious.

Yu Luoyin looked at the delicate profile of the girl with fair and translucent skin, her features refined. With a hint of laziness, he said, "I don't understand any of it."

...

Sighing slightly in frustration, Bai Xunyin decided not to press further. She earnestly studied the problem Yu Luoyin had singled out.

As she read through it, she furrowed her delicate brows slightly.

She had always excelled in math and physics, consistently ranking first in her class. Most of the high school problems she could solve simply by reading through them once, if not immediately picking up the pen.

But the problem Yu Luoyin had brought... it was indeed quite challenging.

Bai Xunyin became intrigued. She glanced instinctively at the workbook Yu Luoyin had brought, only to find its cover blank.

Why didn't this workbook have a name?

Puzzled, Bai Xunyin looked at Yu Luoyin, her curiosity evident even without putting it into words.

"This workbook isn't sold commercially; it's a set of exercises my mom made for me," Yu Luoyin explained after a pause. "She's a university professor, teaching chemistry."

...

Bai Xunyin felt speechless and embarrassed—Yu Luoyin's mother was so accomplished, why would he need her help with problems?

Still, having such a workbook was enviable. She wondered if there were any other similarly 'interesting' problems. Bai Xunyin glanced at the workbook subconsciously.

"How can someone who teaches chemistry be good at teaching physics?" Yu Luoyin found an excuse casually and teased her, "So, do you know how to solve this problem?"

After a moment of silence, Bai Xunyin wrote honestly on the paper, "[I can't figure out this problem at the moment, sorry.]"

"It's okay. You can take it home and work on it slowly," Yu Luoyin said in a low voice, a hint of almost gentle smile in his tone. "Once you've solved it, then teach me."

As expected, Bai Xunyin's usually calm eyes lit up unexpectedly.

Her eyes were exceptionally bright and clear, her features soft and her lips slightly stubborn. Normally reserved and aloof, now they were briefly lit up as if in full bloom.

This was a kind of joy that belonged to 'top students'—a workbook that was more valuable than money.

Bai Xunyin hesitated for a moment and couldn't help asking, "[Can I really take it home?]"

"Yes," Yu Luoyin replied simply in writing, engaging with her as if it were a playful exchange. "[Come tomorrow at this time to discuss the problem.]"

Bai Xunyin hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly.

It was as if she couldn't resist the allure of unsolvable problems.

Yu Luoyin watched her cherish the workbook, flipping through it back and forth, feeling somewhat amused and helpless—apparently, even with him sitting here, the workbook garnered more attention.

That guy, Lu Ye, had said it quite rightly—this girl was difficult to chase.

But Yu Luoyin was not willing to be just a 'background character'.

Lightly tapping on the table with his long fingers, he asked Bai Xunyin, "Is it interesting?"

Bai Xunyin nodded obediently.

So Yu Luoyin raised an eyebrow. "Even when I'm sitting right in front of you, you ignore me, Bai Xunyin, do you hate me?"

This made Bai Xunyin feel wronged.

She shook her head vigorously, writing on the paper, "[No!]"

To express her sincerity, Bai Xunyin even used an exclamation mark for the first time while writing.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore." Yu Luoyin's shoulders shook with a smile, standing up gracefully. "See you tomorrow."

He left as smoothly and decisively as a gust of wind, carrying his bag and leaving promptly.

Bai Xunyin stared blankly at Yu Luoyin's slender figure, so light and free like a pine tree. If not for the workbook she held and the lingering scent of sandalwood—Yu Luoyin's unique fragrance—she would have thought it was all a dream.

In the library, it was quiet except for herself and the sunlight.

And this summer vacation, Bai Xunyin truly felt as if she were in a 'dreamlike' state.

Since that inexplicable tutoring session in the library, Yu Luoyin had been inviting her two or three times a week, always at the library.

He would ask Bai Xunyin to explain problems to him, one after another.

And Bai Xunyin always remembered that she hadn't finished reading all the problems in the workbook. So, she didn't refuse Yu Luoyin and went along with teaching him day after day.

—Teaching Yu Luoyin didn't really bother Bai Xunyin much; at most, it was just writing a few more words.

But every time they were 'in class' at the library, Yu Luoyin would listen attentively to her lectures, leaning his head lazily on his hand, smiling at her, sometimes getting a little closer... which always made Bai Xunyin feel unsettled.

It wasn't that she disliked it; she just felt uncomfortable.

Back in middle school, before losing her voice, she could talk normally and didn't mind boys getting close to her. But since coming to Third High School and experiencing some things... Bai Xunyin had become more sensitive to boys approaching her.

Especially someone like Yu Luoyin.

Bai Xunyin couldn't help but feel increasingly uneasy.

"Bai Xunyin." Yu Luoyin always addressed her in such a polite manner, his voice tinged with teasing. "Are you a little afraid of me?"

That's why Bai Xunyin always sat so stiffly whenever they were together?

Bai Xunyin was startled for a moment, then pursed her lips and wrote on the paper, "[No.]"

"No?" He chuckled softly. "Then why do you always avoid looking at me? Is my face scary?"

...Why would she need to look at him?

The girl tightened her grip on the pen and silently murmured to herself, resisting the urge to respond to his teasing. She turned her head to look at Yu Luoyin, his eyes as dark as obsidian, maintaining a calm facade.

Yu Luoyin couldn't help but laugh at Bai Xunyin's stoic expression.

It had been days, and she was still so wary of him? It seemed like just 'tutoring' wouldn't be enough.

"Having classes every day is kind of boring," Yu Luoyin said nonchalantly, standing up decisively. He tilted his chin towards Bai Xunyin. "Let's go."

Bai Xunyin was taken aback, quickly typing a question: "[Where to?]"

Yu Luoyin's narrow phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "I'll take you to a fun place."

A fun... place? Bai Xunyin had always been hesitant about unfamiliar places, sitting there hesitantly without moving.

"Come on," Yu Luoyin coaxed, his voice mysteriously charming. "You've been tutoring me for so many days. Consider this my way of repaying you, alright?"

The trailing tone of 'alright' gently teased her, easily tempting.

Bai Xunyin wanted to go.

She wanted to know what the 'fun place' was. But she knew deep down that if it were anyone else making this offer, she wouldn't even consider it.

It was only because it was Yu Luoyin.

As soon as he said it, she couldn't resist following him.

...............................................................................................................

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