chapter 9

Chapter 9

Beijing Ding Shi International School, one of the four major international schools in Beijing, with an annual tuition as high as 400,000 yuan.

Perhaps this is the difference in backgrounds. While Wu Ai is still troubled by rent and living expenses, others can casually transfer two thousand yuan without a second thought.

Maybe for Liu Nanyu, Wu Ai saved her, she gave him money, and the two of them are even.

Of course, this is also what Wu Ai hopes for in his heart.

He has gained considerable benefit, so there’s no need for further entanglement-unless she can offer more value in the future.

The next morning, a ray of sunlight filtered through the thin curtains and shone on Wu Ai’s face. Sleeping on the sofa all night was truly uncomfortable.

“Damn, pretending to be cool really does have consequences.”

Wu Ai pulled a tissue from the wastebasket, blew his nose, wrapped it up, and tossed it carelessly on the floor.

Luckily, it’s the Qingming holiday now, and school doesn’t start until tomorrow.

Otherwise, asking the Homeroom Teacher for leave-who has no sense of empathy-would be another exhausting ordeal.

Wu Ai looked at the missed call from Shi Xian on his phone and called back.

“Hello?!”

The call was answered by a little girl, her voice cute and innocent.

“Who are you?!”

“I’m the brother who made your sister angry yesterday. I’m calling to apologize.”

After he finished speaking, the little girl didn’t reply, but things became lively on the other end of the line.

“Linlin! Why are you playing with my phone again? Give it back!”

“Sis… Didn’t you just ask me to answer the call? You even told me to ask who it was…”

“Don’t say it!”

Listening to the little drama unfolding on the other end, Wu Ai couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

Shi Xian was startled, then quickly snatched the phone back and asked cautiously,

“You… you heard everything?”

“What? I didn’t hear anything. Did I call the wrong number? Maybe I should hang up.”

Seeing how cute Shi Xian was, Wu Ai felt playful and decided to tease her a bit.

“Don’t hang up!”

After shouting this, Shi Xian was silent for a few seconds, then asked softly,

“But… why do you sound so stuffy…”

“I got caught in the rain yesterday and was soaked through, of course I caught a cold.” Wu Ai said as he tossed an ibuprofen capsule into his mouth.

“Are you okay… Should I come over and take care of you…”

After saying this, Shi Xian’s body trembled involuntarily, and her face flushed red.

“I just want to… bring you some medicine…”

Shi Xian’s words moved Wu Ai a little. Since she had already offered, he couldn’t refuse.

Besides, he had bailed on her yesterday, so he really couldn’t make any more excuses. He sent her his location and waited for her to come over.

Bored, Wu Ai lit a cigarette.

Wu Ai really was a bit of a slacker-carefree, never serious-but he couldn’t be called a complete loser.

Liu Nanyu’s two thousand yuan had temporarily eased his financial situation, and after setting aside money for a new guitar, he still had quite a bit left.

The key was that when he checked his bank balance yesterday, he found the two thousand yuan Art College Entrance Exam bonus Madam Zhang had transferred to him last month.

But in the face of Genesis, this little money was just a drop in the bucket.

“Madam Zhang really has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. If only she could be a bit more lenient when it comes to Genesis.”

He didn’t know when it started, but Genesis seemed to have become Wu Ai’s obsession. He was still a long way from success.

The three key elements of business success: capability, connections, and timing.

What Wu Ai lacks most now is connections. He must accumulate people who are valuable to him through social activities.

That’s his next step.

After waiting for about half an hour, the phone rang-Shi Xian had arrived downstairs.
Wu Ai now lives in an apartment building at Sanlitun SOHO, where only tenants are allowed direct access; visitors cannot enter directly.

Previously, you could call the front desk to let someone in, but lately, as the pandemic has grown more severe, the management has become increasingly strict.

When Wu Ai saw Shi Xian, he stopped in his tracks. Just like the first time they met, he was once again dazzled by her.

Her makeup was elegant and understated, her figure graceful, all set off by a simple black dress.

Even though she hadn’t taken off her mask, she was still captivating.

“You’re here.”

Shi Xian spoke first, her voice tinged with a hint of delight.

“Is your cold any better?”

“Where’s the medicine?” Wu Ai walked over and reached out his hand to her.

“It’s here, it’s here…”

Shi Xian rummaged through the small bag slung across her body and handed Wu Ai a little pouch.

“I spent some time buying the medicine on the way, so I was a bit late…”

Wu Ai looked at the medicine in the pouch-everything from cold tablets to fever reducers, all thoughtfully prepared. He realized he wouldn’t even need to spend money buying medicine himself.

“Thanks, I’m heading up.”

Wu Ai turned to leave, but after only a few steps, he felt someone tugging at the corner of his coat.

He turned around. Shi Xian was gripping the edge of his shirt, her small, pale hand clutching it tightly, as if afraid he would disappear. She hadn’t taken off her mask, only her moist, shining eyes were visible-like a cautious little kitten.

Seeing her so pitiful, Wu Ai couldn’t bear to tease her anymore, lest she start crying again.

Back upstairs, Shi Xian sat nervously on the sofa.

She had taken off her mask and tucked it into her pocket, her cheeks tinged with red.

Looking at the messy living room, Wu Ai scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed.

“Great men don’t bother with trifles, so I don’t usually tidy up.”

But she didn’t mind at all. Instead, a subtle look of secret delight flashed across her face.

“With the place this messy, you definitely haven’t brought other girls over before. I must be the first, right?”

“Thank you, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

She stood up and looked around, as if searching for something.

“What are you looking for?” Wu Ai asked.

“A broom and a dustpan.” She gave Wu Ai a gentle smile. “You’re sick, aren’t you? Let me clean up your room for you.”

“You’re not my housekeeper…”

“I’m used to doing chores at home. I can’t let you keep living in a place like this.”

Watching her busy tidying up, Wu Ai felt a little dazed, as if a new and unfamiliar feeling was welling up inside him.

No matter what Wu Ai said, she didn’t waver in her resolve to clean, moving about with quiet determination.

In the end, she even helped Wu Ai to the bed, then went into the kitchen alone.

Soon, the aroma of food drifted over, and Shi Xian entered the bedroom carrying a steaming bowl of tomato and egg noodles.

“Careful, it’s hot. Let me cool it down for you before you eat.”

Watching the beads of sweat roll down her delicate face, Wu Ai wanted to speak several times, but found his mouth somehow blocked.

He touched his lips-there was nothing there.

At that moment, Wu Ai suddenly understood: what sealed his lips was Shi Xian’s gentle care.

“Why are you so good to me?”

She paused, clearly surprised by Wu Ai’s sudden question.

Then her cheeks flushed again, and she answered softly.

“Because… I like you.”

Yes, I’ve liked you for eleven whole years…

Suddenly, Shi Xian felt someone tugging at her sleeve. She turned to look.

A little boy, about seven or eight years old, with a band-aid on his face and a stubborn look in his eyes, was staring at her.

Judging by his appearance, he couldn’t be older than eight.

“Hey, do you like me, or that guy… sis…?”

…