Shen Yuqing’s gaze landed on him first. The outfit he had bought surprisingly suited Song Wangzhuo quite well.
Naturally reticent and expressionless, Song Wangzhuo now exuded an even colder, more restrained aura in these clothes. Shen Yuqing also noticed several passing Omegas stealing glances at him.
Having grown accustomed to seeing Song Wangzhuo in his school uniform, this sudden change in appearance was indeed eye-catching.
Standing in the shade, Shen Yuqing waited as Song Wangzhuo approached step by step. Song Wangzhuo was a full head taller, forcing Shen Yuqing to tilt his chin up slightly as he asked, “What is it?”
Song Wangzhuo replied succinctly, “I accept your offer.”
Shen Yuqing raised an eyebrow. He had expected Song Wangzhuo to agonize over the decision for a while, but he hadn’t anticipated an answer by that very afternoon.
“Alright,” Shen Yuqing said. “When do you plan to start tutoring me?”
Song Wangzhuo answered, “Weekday afternoons, and every Saturday and Sunday. You decide the location.”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “Fine. Not at school, then. I’ll have someone find a place nearby for convenience.”
“Agreed,” Song Wangzhuo said.
Glancing at his watch, Shen Yuqing recalled the system mentioning that Song Wangzhuo hadn’t eaten properly all day. “Since you’ve agreed, let’s find a place to discuss our expectations in detail. That way, we avoid misunderstandings later.”
Song Wangzhuo had no objections. Shen Yuqing’s eyes flicked to the bag he was carrying. “Let’s go.”
He chose a restaurant near the school and ordered some homestyle dishes. While waiting for the food, Shen Yuqing asked, “You walked away at noon. What changed your mind in just an afternoon?”
Seated across from him, Song Wangzhuo replied, “Money.”
How blunt. But Shen Yuqing didn’t buy it. Song Wangzhuo clearly had ulterior motives not that Shen Yuqing minded. In fact, he was curious to see what the other was plotting.
“Fair enough,” Shen Yuqing said. “If my ranking climbs into the 800s by the end of the semester, I’ll give you a hefty bonus.”
Song Wangzhuo asked, “Would you deliberately answer questions wrong?”
Shen Yuqing’s eyebrow twitched. “Do I look that bored?”
Song Wangzhuo studied him for a long moment before finally responding, “Understood.”
Just then, the server arrived with their food. “Eat,” Shen Yuqing said.
But Song Wangzhuo stood up as if to leave. Shen Yuqing smirked. “What, afraid I poisoned it?”
Song Wangzhuo sat back down, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating slowly.
He didn’t have much of an appetite just enough to fill his stomach.
Shen Yuqing stole a few glances at him, ensuring he was actually eating, before finally looking away.
–
Shen Yuqing left the task of renting a place to Xiao Zhao. Originally, he had wanted an apartment in the same complex, but none were available, so he settled for the neighboring one instead.
Following Shen Yuqing’s instructions, Xiao Zhao didn’t rent anything too large just a two-bedroom, one-bath unit. It had already been cleaned that morning, and at Shen Yuqing’s request, a study desk and two comfortable chairs had been placed by the floor-to-ceiling window. When studying grew tiresome, they could simply turn their heads and enjoy the view outside.
At this time of year, the lush greenery outside was a soothing sight.
At noon, Shen Yuqing brought Song Wangzhuo to show him around: “Aside from classes, I usually don’t come here. You’re welcome to stay if you want the place is empty anyway.”
Song Wangzhuo didn’t respond, walking straight to the desk to set down his bag. “Here for an assessment.”
Shen Yuqing approached and saw Song Wangzhuo pull out a notebook. Flipping it open, he found it filled with problems.
Song Wangzhuo said, “Finish all these by this afternoon. I need to see just how far behind you are.”
His gaze lingered on Shen Yuqing, as if waiting for a reaction.
But Shen Yuqing showed none, only frowning at the questions.
Great… he could read the words, but they made no sense.
Song Wangzhuo handed him a pen. “You have an hour.”
Shen Yuqing exhaled. “Fine.”
Taking the pen, he sat down and started writing.
Song Wangzhuo moved the other chair opposite him and pulled out a book from his bag to read.
The room fell silent. Shen Yuqing stared at the problems, his head spinning, until his focus drifted.
A light tap on the table snapped his attention back. He looked up.
Song Wangzhuo said, “Focus.”
Rubbing his face, Shen Yuqing bent over the notebook again.
Song Wangzhuo had been observing him the whole time. Initially, he hadn’t wanted to agree to this he’d rather stay far away from people like this.
But that so-called “friend” was right: the more he retreated, the more others would push.
Expressionless, Song Wangzhuo turned a page. He’d checked the surveillance footage, but conveniently, the cameras near the locker room had been unplugged.
He wondered aside from spoiled rich kids like Shen Yuqing, who else at this school would take such risks?
Even if Shen Yuqing wasn’t directly involved, it could’ve been one of his lackeys trying to please him.
Watching Shen Yuqing chew absently on the pen cap, so unguarded, he almost seemed harmless.
Almost.
Song Wangzhuo knew better than to trust the act. Lowering his gaze, he resolved: this time, he wouldn’t back down.
Unaware of Song Wangzhuo’s thoughts, Shen Yuqing was just struggling through the problems. Too hard. Way too hard.
The material was too specialized. After an agonizing hour, he handed the notebook back.
Song Wangzhuo skimmed it. “We’ll start with the basics.”
Shen Yuqing slumped over the desk, still dizzy. The verdict didn’t surprise him.
Checking the time, Song Wangzhuo said, “I’ll make a list of books for you to buy. Tutoring starts tomorrow.”
Shen Yuqing gave an OK sign. “Got it.”
“It’s getting late we’ll stop here today.” Song Wangzhuo packed up.
Glancing at his wrist display, Shen Yuqing realized it was already 2 PM. Nodding, he swiftly transferred the payment.
Song Wangzhuo glanced at it. “This was just an assessment. No need to pay.”
Shen Yuqing straightened. “I’m not about to take advantage. Keep it.”
This time, Song Wangzhuo accepted.
The two of them walked out together, but when they reached the convenience store, Shen Yuqing saw Song Wangzhuo go in to buy a loaf of bread.
Surprised, he asked, “You haven’t eaten?”
Song Wangzhuo gave a quiet “Mm” in response. “I was making problems for you.”
After finishing the problems, Shen Yuqing had come straight to find him, so he hadn’t had time to go to the cafeteria.
Shen Yuqing thought for a moment. “Give me your meal card.”
Song Wangzhuo handed it over, and Shen Yuqing took a photo of the card number with his phone before returning it.
“I’ll head out first,” he said.
There was another clause in their agreement, no one could know about the deal between them. This had been Shen Yuqing’s own suggestion.
He knew Song Wangzhuo didn’t want to be associated with him, so he took the initiative. Later, once their relationship had eased a little, they could talk about it properly.
Shen Yuqing had originally planned to go straight back to school, but he hadn’t taken more than a few steps when he spotted a familiar face stepping out of a nearby shop.
The person was carrying a bag and greeted him with a cheerful smile. “What a coincidence, Yuqing.”
This familiar face was none other than Song Lejin.
