Lin Jianzhi was stunned for a moment, looking at him with a completely crestfallen expression on her face.
Yanling was a neighboring city, located a few dozen kilometers away from Jingyi.
Moreover, during the previous dinner, she had heard those talents from A University say that Zhu Liheng had a research lab in Yanling.
A sophomore already having his own lab clearly meant he was no longer just a student, but was dedicated to research work.
He must be very busy, right?
Zhu Liheng glanced at the girl and instructed: âIâve taught you everything I should. If there are questions you donât know how to solve, ask me on WeChat.â
Lin Jianzhiâs heart completely sank. She wanted to cry.
How long will you be away?
Does this mean you wonât tutor her anymore in the future?
Zhu Liheng looked at her. âThereâs an important project in Yanling that requires me to go process data. It will probably take about a month.â
Lin Jianzhi quickly responded: âOh, I see, I understand.â
She didnât know what to sayâsaying âItâs fineâ made it seem like she was making too big a deal of herself. Saying anything else made her afraid of morally pressuring Zhu Liheng.
The time they had spent together these days was like a windfall. She had hoped for too much.
Moreover, Zhu Liheng had already helped her so, so much.
If it werenât for the half month of tutoring, she wouldnât have known what to do about her math studies.
She was in no position to have any other thoughts on this matter.
It was just that she couldnât control her low spirits and all her emotions were written on her face.
Zhu Liheng frowned, seeming to want say something but ultimately didnât.
When Lin Jianzhi returned home for dinner, she kept her head lowered with a dejected aura as she opened the door and entered.
As soon as she went in, her parents rushed over and yelled at her!
Father Lin: âWhere were you? Why werenât you home studying properly?â
Mother Lin was even more direct. âTeacher Zhu is busy so you just gave up studying during vacation, didnât you? You went out to play!â
Seeing Lin Jianzhiâs outfit, Father Lin stamped his feet angrily, âYou even went out shopping! The gaokao is right around the corner and you're still going shopping!â
Lin Jianzhi had almost been scared to death. She was just busying being dejected and sad; she hadnât considered whether her parents would be home or not.
She even thought her little secret had been discovered red-handed!
But upon hearing what they saidâ
Huh?
Her parents knew Teacher Zhu was leaving today but didn't seem to know what time he left?
So they thought Lin Jianzhi had been out playing the entire day.
Well...this misunderstanding was pretty good.
It was still better than having her crush on the neighbor downstairs exposed.
Lin Jianzhi felt both lingering fear and relief. She obediently admitted her mistake, then had dinner and went straight to her room to do homework.
In the days that followed, aside from studying and preparing intensely for the gaokao, Lin Jianzhi spent all her remaining time staring blankly at Zhu Lihengâs WeChat profile picture.
Countless times she opened up their chat, and countless times she exited.
The two hadnât exchanged any messages at all since adding each other on WeChat, leaving the panel empty and a bit awkward.
He had said to ask him if she didnât understand anything. And now with the gaokao just days away, if she didnât ask now, there would be no chance left.
And so, late that night, Lin Jianzhi worked up her courage and sent over a photo of an extremely difficult question.
âLin Jianzhi: [Image attachment]â
âLin Jianzhi: Senior, are you free? I canât solve this problem. Could you teach me how to do it?â
She deliberated carefully over her wording and tone, even to the point of humility.
Then, Zhu Liheng didn't reply!
Lin Jianzhi went from hopeful expectation to gradual disappointment and finally resignation.
When it was midnight, she put down her phone, turned off the lights, and prepared for bed. But then her phone lit upâ
He had replied to the message!
She immediately sat up and looked.
âZhu Liheng: Page 5 of the notes has a prototype of this question.â
Lin Jianzhi: â......â
Alright!
From his tone, he clearly didnât want to say much to her.
While it was an extremely difficult problem, the question was indeed an example that Zhu Liheng had talked about before. Referencing the notes and using some brainpower, she could figure it out.
Asking more would just be a waste of Zhu Lihengâs time!
Her chosen topic of conversation had just been too awkward and dull...
Lin Jianzhiâs eyes turned red again. She felt so dejected that she didnât know what to do. She angrily tossed her phone aside and curled up under the covers, starting to shed tears.
She didnât know how long she cried before falling asleep in tears.
The next morning when her alarm went off and opened her eyes, the first thing she thought about was last nightâs happenings, making her feel so sad she didn't even want to go to school!
After struggling for five minutes, she crawled out of bed and picked up her phone.
There were 5 unread messages on the screen. Lin Jianzhiâs eyes widened and she hurriedly unlocked it to look.
âZhu Liheng: [Image attachment]â
âZhu Liheng: This is the solution process.â
âZhu Liheng: Are you sleeping?â
âZhu Liheng: Rest well.â
âZhu Liheng: Work hard on the gaokao!â
Lin Jianzhi nearly screamed out loud. She placed her trembling, excited fingers on the screen, wanting to reply right away.
But her hand shook so badly that she spent half the day typing a response, only to delete it entirely.
She calmed herself down, feeling that she shouldnât be too impulsive and needed to carefully consider her wording.
The main thing was, after replying, she needed to come up with topics that would allow their conversation to continue.
Otherwise, once she finished the gaokao, she would have completely lost the chance if she couldn't find something more to talk about.
That's right! Lin Jianzhi's eyes lit up. She started quickly typing.
âLin Jianzhi: Thank you, senior!â
âLin Jianzhi: Senior, for the speaking exam on the 11th, is there anything I should pay particular attention to?â
This time, the response was immediate.
âZhu Liheng: Focus on your gaokao first for the next two days. After youâve finished with the last exam, Iâll go over the details with you.â
âLin Jianzhi: Great!â
Her whole being felt like it was flying, with her entire face beaming an elated smile.
It was Zhu Liheng who had signed her up and was handling all the details for the speaking exam.
Right now, she didnât need to worry at all about not having a reason to talk to Zhu Liheng. She just needed to concentrate on getting through the gaokao.
She felt so happy!
Lin Jianzhi skipped merrily all the way to school, not even bothering with insults thrown at her from other classes.
She didnât care what others thought of her. As long as she knew she had a connection with Zhu Liheng, that was enough.
At the school gates, an inconspicuous sedan was parked along the roadside.
In the driver and passenger seats sat two people wearing sunglasses, masks, and hats.
Dressed rather oddly.
Yu E took out his phone, tapped on Zhu Lihengâs profile picture, and sent an audio message: âSir Zhu, target has entered school! Over!â
In the passenger seat, Ruan Tang also took out his phone and sent an audio message: âSir Zhu, target had xiaolongbao for breakfast today! Over!â
After sending their messages, they put their phones away and started chatting.
Yu E said, âHow many times do I have to say it? You gotta speak Cantonese to get into character, get that feeling!â
Ruan Tang rolled his eyes. âAnd how many times have I told you your tone is off, no vigorâhow can you still not get it?â
Yu E responded, âAlright, alright, I wonât argue. Iâm trying to work here!â
Ruan Tang shot back, âAnd am I not working? Who isnât little sister-in-lawâs errand boy now!â
Yu E said, âZhu Liheng is eight years younger than you. Calling someone elseâs girlfriend your little sister-in-law, have you no shame?â
Ruan Tang replied, âStill better than you, fighting to be the first in line for this stalking gig when youâre so free and bored!â