Shen Yuqing behaved himself all morning. When the bell rang for the last class before lunch, he saw Song Wangzhuo packing up his things. Waiting until most classmates had left, he approached and said, “Song Wangzhuo, let’s eat together.”
Song Wangzhuo ignored him, picking up his belongings and walking around him to leave.
Undeterred, Shen Yuqing followed and repeated his morning offer: “Or how about this weekend? Don’t be so cold.”
Though puzzled by Shen Yuqing’s sudden persistence, Song Wangzhuo found the constant pestering irritating. “I’m busy,” he replied curtly.
“You’re skipping lunch?” Shen Yuqing pressed.
Song Wangzhuo indeed had no time for the cafeteria today he’d secured an interview for a tutoring job, and the client was only available at noon. Since Shen Yuqing had witnessed everything last night anyway, he saw no point in pretending. “None of your business. Stop following me.”
Realizing he’d genuinely upset him, Shen Yuqing pouted and waited until Song Wangzhuo was further away before leaving the academy himself.
Lin Sui was taking Song Lejin on another campus tour today, and Shen Yuqing had no interest in being a third wheel. He declined the lunch invitation outright.
Going home to eat was better anyway. Xiao Zhao’s cooking surpassed even that of a five-star hotel chef he’d encountered in his past life.
Squinting at the midday sun, Shen Yuqing quickened his pace. The walk from the academy to his upscale residential complex took barely ten minutes. As he approached, he spotted a familiar figure at the gate. Song Wangzhuo, who had just told him off.
The security guard had stopped him. Though adjacent to the academy, the gated community was known for its strict access control, requiring resident approval for all visitors. Even deliveries had to go through property management.
What was Song Wangzhuo doing here?
Puzzled, Shen Yuqing hurried over. As he drew nearer, he heard the guard say, “Sir, we can’t let you in without resident confirmation. Still can’t reach the homeowner?”
Song Wangzhuo exhaled in frustration. He’d called the tutoring client repeatedly, but no one answered. He was about to try one last time. If there was no response, he’d have to give up. Maybe they’d already found a tutor.
Just as his finger hovered over the dial button, a familiar voice came from behind.
“He’s with me. Let him in.”
Turning, he saw Shen Yuqing again.
The younger man approached with a smile. “Sorry, my phone was buried in my bag. You’re early.”
It was an obvious cover.
The guard recognized Shen Yuqing immediately. After greeting him, he opened the gate. “Go ahead.”
Shen Yuqing joined Song Wangzhuo, glanced at him, then told the guard, “Next time he comes, just let him through.”
The security guard quickly nodded, “Understood, Mr. Shen.”
Shen Yuqing gave a hum of acknowledgment before turning to Song Wangzhuo, “Let’s go inside.”
Staying outside wasn’t an option, especially during the peak heat of the day.
After hesitating for a few seconds, Song Wangzhuo thanked the guard and followed Shen Yuqing into the residential area.
The neighborhood was lined with towering trees, and walking beneath their shade alleviated some of the oppressive heat.
Shen Yuqing asked, “What brings you here?”
Given that Shen Yuqing had just helped him out of an awkward situation, Song Wangzhuo replied succinctly, “An interview.”
Shen Yuqing looked at him quizzically, prompting him to elaborate.
Song Wangzhuo added, “A tutoring interview.”
Shen Yuqing suddenly understood.
Just as he was about to ask which household it was, Song Wangzhuo’s phone rang.
Shen Yuqing tactfully remained silent. The call was from the employer’s housekeeper, who didn’t explain why they hadn’t answered earlier but haughtily declared that the interview was no longer necessary they had already found a more suitable tutor.
The call ended abruptly, leaving Song Wangzhuo without a chance to respond.
Standing side by side, Shen Yuqing overheard the conversation and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
He observed Song Wangzhuo, but the latter showed little reaction. After the abrupt hang-up, he simply put his phone away calmly.
Song Wangzhuo had already guessed the outcome when his call went unanswered earlier. Part-time jobs were like this if you were even slightly late, someone else would take the opportunity. There was nothing more to say.
In this solitary journey of life, failures and missed chances were commonplace.
Meeting Shen Yuqing’s gaze, he said, “I’ll take my leave now.”
He turned to go but was stopped by Shen Yuqing.
“Song Wangzhuo, don’t rush off,” Shen Yuqing called after him, catching up. “Actually, I have a tutoring opportunity I’d like to discuss with you.”
Without hesitation, Song Wangzhuo declined, “I’m not qualified.”
He didn’t want to get involved with Shen Yuqing, knowing it would only bring endless trouble.
As Song Wangzhuo made to leave again, Shen Yuqing grabbed his wrist. “Hey, I haven’t even explained yet. How do you know you’re not qualified?”
Song Wangzhuo instinctively wanted to shake him off, but the sight of the glaring injury on Shen Yuqing’s arm gave him pause. In the end, he only withdrew his hand slowly.
Shen Yuqing didn’t mind the withdrawal and asked, “How much were they offering you?”
Song Wangzhuo pressed his lips together. “We didn’t discuss it.”
He hadn’t even made it to the interview. How could they have talked about pay?
Shen Yuqing quickly said, “I’ve been looking for a tutor to teach me the basics of mecha. Three thousand per day for two lessons.”
Song Wangzhuo couldn’t help raising an eyebrow. Regardless of anything else, the pay was undeniably tempting.
The highest daily rate for tutoring usually capped at seven or eight hundred. Shen Yuqing had more than doubled that.
Still, Song Wangzhuo intended to refuse. His reason was simple: he didn’t want any association with Shen Yuqing.
But before he could voice his rejection, Shen Yuqing added, “If you become my tutor, I won’t treat you unfairly. You’ll receive the same benefits as Shen Corporation employees. You can set the schedule, and even if you only teach one lesson, I’ll pay you for the full day.”
Song Wangzhuo fell silent.
Shen Yuqing raised his eyebrows and said, “You’re looking for a part-time job because you want to quit the bar, right? Song Wangzhuo, my offer is much better than others’. Someone as shrewd as you should know that.”
“And I have conditions too. By the end of this semester, my grade ranking needs to rise to at least within the top 800.” Top 800.
Song Wangzhuo thought about their school’s monthly exam rankings. He was firmly in first place, but where exactly had Shen Yuqing ranked?
He realized he had no recollection at all.
Shen Yuqing volunteered the information himself: “I’m at the very bottom—1,999th place.”
Song Wangzhuo turned and walked away.
If he remembered correctly, their mecha department only had 1,999 students in total.
Improving to within the top 800 in one semester?
That was pure fantasy.
