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: “I’ve taught you everything I should. If there are questions you don’t know how to solve, ask me on WeChat.”
Lin Jianzhi’s heart completely sank. She wanted to cry.
How long will you be away?
Does this mean you won’t tutor her anymore in the future?
Zhu Liheng looked at her. “There’s an important project in Yanling that requires me to go process data. It will probably take about a month.”
Lin Jianzhi quickly responded: “Oh, I see, I understand.”
She didn’t know what to say—saying “It’s fine” 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 weren’t for the half month of tutoring, she wouldn’t 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 couldn’t control her low spirits and all her emotions were written on her face.
Zhu Liheng frowned, seeming to want say something but ultimately didn’t.
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: “Where were you? Why weren’t you home studying properly?”
Mother Lin was even more direct. “Teacher Zhu is busy so you just gave up studying during vacation, didn’t you? You went out to play!”
Seeing Lin Jianzhi’s outfit, Father Lin stamped his feet angrily, “You even went out shopping! The gaokao is right around the corner and you're still going shopping!”
Lin Jianzhi had almost been scared to death. She was just busying being dejected and sad; she hadn’t 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 said—
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 Liheng’s WeChat profile picture.
Countless times she opened up their chat, and countless times she exited.
The two hadn’t 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 didn’t understand anything. And now with the gaokao just days away, if she didn’t 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.
“Lin Jianzhi: [Image attachment]”
“Lin Jianzhi: Senior, are you free? I can’t solve this problem. Could you teach me how to do it?”
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 up—
He had replied to the message!
She immediately sat up and looked.
“Zhu Liheng: Page 5 of the notes has a prototype of this question.”
Lin Jianzhi: “......”
Alright!
From his tone, he clearly didn’t 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 Liheng’s time!
Her chosen topic of conversation had just been too awkward and dull...
Lin Jianzhi’s eyes turned red again. She felt so dejected that she didn’t know what to do. She angrily tossed her phone aside and curled up under the covers, starting to shed tears.
She didn’t 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 night’s 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 Jianzhi’s eyes widened and she hurriedly unlocked it to look.
“Zhu Liheng: [Image attachment]”
“Zhu Liheng: This is the solution process.”
“Zhu Liheng: Are you sleeping?”
“Zhu Liheng: Rest well.”
“Zhu Liheng: Work hard on the gaokao!”
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 shouldn’t 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.
“Lin Jianzhi: Thank you, senior!”
“Lin Jianzhi: Senior, for the speaking exam on the 11th, is there anything I should pay particular attention to?”
This time, the response was immediate.
“Zhu Liheng: Focus on your gaokao first for the next two days. After you’ve finished with the last exam, I’ll go over the details with you.”
“Lin Jianzhi: Great!”
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 didn’t 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 didn’t 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 Liheng’s profile picture, and sent an audio message: “Sir Zhu, target has entered school! Over!”
In the passenger seat, Ruan Tang also took out his phone and sent an audio message: “Sir Zhu, target had xiaolongbao for breakfast today! Over!”
After sending their messages, they put their phones away and started chatting.
Yu E said, “How many times do I have to say it? You gotta speak Cantonese to get into character, get that feeling!”
Ruan Tang rolled his eyes. “And how many times have I told you your tone is off, no vigor—how can you still not get it?”
Yu E responded, “Alright, alright, I won’t argue. I’m trying to work here!”
Ruan Tang shot back, “And am I not working? Who isn’t little sister-in-law’s errand boy now!”
Yu E said, “Zhu Liheng is eight years younger than you. Calling someone else’s girlfriend your little sister-in-law, have you no shame?”
Ruan Tang replied, “Still better than you, fighting to be the first in line for this stalking gig when you’re so free and bored!”
