Chapter 12: Because of you, I'm doing something I hate so much

Seeing Dad slip away, Qi Mu pouted—disappointed that he lacked backbone.

Qiao Jin shot him another glare, and Qi Mu’s backbone was also stripped away. He ingratiatingly rubbed against his mom.

He was fair-skinned and tender-looking, with a pair of dark and bright eyes. Putting on this pitiful appearance, Qiao Jin’s heart melted into syrup. However, her voice remained forcefully serious: “Stand properly and look at the question!”

Qi Mu stood upright, looking obediently over.

Qiao Jin was both amused and exasperated: “How could you get this wrong? Can’t you distinguish between patience and meticulousness?”

The question was a fill-in-the-blank type: “When doing math problems, especially, one must be ( ), otherwise it’s easy to make a mistake.” The options were patience and meticulousness.

It was obvious that meticulousness should be chosen, but Qi Mu chose patience.

Qiao Jin said, “You need to be meticulous in solving problems, not patient!”

Qi Mu vigorously nodded his head, thinking to himself: What’s the use of “meticulousness”? He would make a mistake anyways. He just needed to be “patient” and wait until Yin Xiuzhu finished.

Of course, he didn’t dare say this aloud; saying it would mean facing the mixed doubles beating from Ms. Qiao and Comrade Dashan!

After reviewing the test papers at home, Mr. Xu called Qi Mu to his office and earnestly reviewed it again.

Mr. Xu was quite a character who knew when to speak seriously and when to joke around, “Even if none of the three are as handsome as you, you shouldn’t get arrogant. Just relax, no need to show it off.”
Qi Mu: “…” The teacher’s reasoning was so sound that he couldn’t argue.

Xu De finished discussing the test paper with a bunch of nonsense, but was at least able to keep Qi Mu focused. Seeing Qi Mu in good spirits, he suggested, “Would you like some extra tutoring after class?”

Qi Mu, who could barely sit still for forty minutes during class, would rather bash his head against Mr. Xu’s beer belly than stay late for tutoring.

Xu De had taught him for three years and could read his mind with just a glance: “It won’t be me tutoring you, I’m thinking of having Yin Xiuzhu do it.”

“Yin Xiuzhu?” Qi Mu instantly became interested.

Xu De nodded, “Yes, after school, you two can stay half an hour longer. Let him tutor you.”

Qi Mu was intrigued; anyway, he had homework to do at home. If he could finish it at school with Yin Xiuzhu, he could play when he got home.

Lao Xu asked, “What do you think?”

Qi Mu chuckled, “Sure.”

Mr. Xu replied, “Don’t get too excited. Let me ask Yin Xiuzhu first and see if he agrees.”

Qi Mu confidently said, “He’ll definitely agree. We’re tight bros who share homework!”

Mr. Xu chuckled with a mix of kindness and cunning, “Go back now, class is starting soon.”

After the morning exercise, Xu De called Yin Xiuzhu to his office and repeated what he had said earlier.

Yin Xiuzhu’s calm eyes brightened, and there was rare urgency in his voice, “Okay, I can do it. But is Qi Mu willing to stay later?”

Xu De replied, “I asked him already. As soon as he heard that you’d be tutoring him, he agreed immediately.”

Yin Xiuzhu’s lips curved slightly, a gentle smile that was almost heartbreaking.

Xu De was deeply concerned about Yin Xiuzhu. This child seemed too pitiful; he wondered what kind of grievances he had suffered at home to develop such a cautious and reserved personality.

Throughout the day, Yin Xiuzhu remained quiet, unlike a typical child. Besides Qi Mu, he hardly initiated contact with anyone else.

Thinking about Yin Xiuzhu’s psychological issues that kept him from taking the plunge, Comrade Lao Xu couldn’t help but imagine heart-wrenching scenarios, his paternal love overflowing as he thought about doing something for him.

He figured Yin Xiuzhu’s home life was probably just as desolate, so he decided to let him stay a bit longer at school. Knowing his good relationship with Qi Mu, he knew Yin Xiuzhu would be happy to tutor him.

But he had to give a reminder to prevent tutoring from becoming mere homework copying, potentially affecting Qi Mu’s grades.

“Teacher, I’m willing to tutor Qi Mu,” Yin Xiuzhu said. Despite his calm exterior, he was still just a child, and when something made him happy, his voice trembled.

Xu De spoke earnestly, “I know you and Qi Mu are very close friends, but do you know what it means to be truly good to a friend?”

Yin Xiuzhu looked slightly puzzled.

Xu De sighed, “I heard Qi Mu got the lowest score and his dad beat him badly for it.”

He described it so vividly that Yin Xiuzhu’s heart clenched.

Xu De glanced at him and continued, “Qi Mu’s dad has a strong temper and a heavy hand. It’s a miracle Qi Mu stayed strong; most kids would cry their hearts out.”

Mr. Xu’s vivid description had successfully captivated the half-grown youth before him.

Seeing that the timing was right, Xu De added, “If you genuinely want to be good to him, take tutoring seriously and help him improve his grades. That’s the best way to spare him from physical punishment.”

Yin Xiuzhu snapped out of his reverie after a moment. He clenched his fist and said earnestly, “Teacher, rest assured, I will tutor him diligently!”

Xu De nodded in relief, “You’re a responsible young man. I believe in you.”

Yin Xiuzhu nodded solemnly.

Finally, Xu De patched up his ramblings with a remark, “Qi Mu has a strong sense of pride. Whatever you do, don’t mention his dad beating him.”

Yin Xiuzhu replied, “I won’t.”

Mr. Xu reassured him, “Actually, even if you did mention it, he wouldn’t admit it. Don’t you know him? He’s as tough as they come, willing to bear pain rather than admit defeat.”

Yin Xiuzhu was in awe of Qi Mu at this moment, “He’s strong and capable. Teacher, rest assured, he will definitely improve his grades.” He wouldn’t have to endure beatings again!

As Yin Xiuzhu left, Xu De watched the young man and muttered to himself, “Thank goodness I watched a few episodes of palace intrigue dramas with my wife. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to handle these kids.”

After the decision was made for after-school tutoring, on the first day, Qi Mu was in high spirits, eagerly awaiting Yin Xiuzhu to finish his homework so he could copy it.

Little did he know, Yin Xiuzhu earnestly picked up his textbook and prepared to teach him the lesson.

Qi Mu widened his eyes, “Are you serious about studying?”

Yin Xiuzhu replied calmly, “It’s not difficult. I’ll explain it to you bit by bit, and you’ll understand quickly.”

Qi Mu slumped down, “No way, it’s too much work.”

Yin Xiuzhu didn’t say a word and simply sat beside him.

Qi Mu waited for a while but didn’t see any movement. He tilted his head to look at Yin Xiuzhu.

Yin Xiuzhu held the textbook, sitting motionless, lips tightly pursed, forming a straight line.

Qi Mu felt a pang of inexplicable worry and said, “Uh… please don’t cry…”

“I really want to tutor you,” Yin Xiuzhu’s voice was barely audible, like a mosquito’s buzz.

Qi Mu’s soft spot was very obvious—he responded well to kindness but resisted force. He couldn’t bear to see Yin Xiuzhu being upset, especially since he had promised to look out for him.

“I… I want to learn too,” Qi Mu quickly responded.

Yin Xiuzhu lowered his eyes, his long, thick lashes trembling lightly. “If I can’t help you improve your grades, the teacher won’t let me tutor you anymore.”

Qi Mu was dumbfounded.

Yin Xiuzhu gripped the textbook tightly and continued slowly, “I usually go home early and spend most of my time alone. I want to stay at school a bit longer…”

As soon as these words were spoken, Qi Mu couldn’t resist anymore. They had known each other for so long, and they were well aware of each other’s family situations: Yin Xiuzhu’s mother never left the house and never looked at him, and his father never came home. The vast house was filled only with the cold words of the nanny and the small presence of Yin Xiuzhu.

No one understood better than Qi Mu how much Yin Xiuzhu didn’t want to go home. Unfortunately, he had no reason not to go home.

Now, using tutoring as an excuse to stay at school longer would certainly make Yin Xiuzhu very happy.

“Alright,” Qi Mu sighed in frustration, “I’ll… I’ll study!” He couldn’t believe he was agreeing to stay half an hour after school!

A faint smile played on Yin Xiuzhu’s lips.

Qi Mu couldn’t help but mutter, “I’m doing this for you!”

Yin Xiuzhu felt an indescribable warmth in his heart as if his blood had been heated up. “Thank you.”

“Thank me for what?” Qi Mu scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “You’re tutoring me, so I should be thanking you… Ah… Don’t expect any gratitude from me, though. I hate studying.”

Yin Xiuzhu responded softly, “It’s my fault.”

“Don’t say that,” Qi Mu retorted irritably. “If you were really that bad, I would have left a long time ago!”

Though his words weren’t straightforward, their meaning was clear. Yin Xiuzhu couldn’t contain the smile that tugged at his lips.

— Because of you, I’m doing something I hate so much.

How could Qi Mu be so kind? How could there be someone like Qi Mu in this world? And how fortunate was he to have met him?

With the after-school tutoring, Qi Mu’s grades soared dramatically, rising by nine points, surpassing Xu Xiaoming and Dong Jisheng, becoming the third from last in the class!

Only two people were genuinely happy with this outcome.

One was Yin Xiuzhu, and the other was Qi Dashan.

Coincidentally, both of them were already quite happy when he scored 71 on his exam.

Xu Xiaoming, holding his paper with 78 points, sobbed, “Mu Mu, how could you betray us? Wasn’t it fine to stay in the 70s range? Why bow down to the dark side!”

Qi Mu cursed at him, “Get lost! Who wants to sink to your level?”

Xu Xiaoming lamented, “You’ve changed. You’re no longer the shining star of our class!”

Qi Mu was in a very good mood. Seeing Xu Xiaoming eyeing his precious exam paper, he warned, “Don’t touch my paper. If you mess it up, you can’t afford to compensate me.”

Xu Xiaoming muttered, “…It’s just 80 points! I’m only two points away! Unfortunately, those two points made the difference…”

With the improvement in grades, the tutoring continued. Qi Mu didn’t resist as much as he did with Xu De’s classes; he was willing to listen to Yin Xiuzhu. Yin Xiuzhu had a pleasant voice, was concise in his explanations, and occasionally rewarded him with chocolates. Qi Mu was like a little bunny fixated on a carrot, hopping around happily.

In the blink of an eye, they moved up to fourth grade, and the weather turned cooler. By late October, it was freezing cold.

Qi Mu had been anticipating something for a week, waiting anxiously until November 9 finally arrived.

It was Yin Xiuzhu’s birthday, and Qi Mu had learned about it from Mr. Xu.

Earlier in the year, Qi Mu had celebrated his birthday at school and afterward made a wish with Yin Xiuzhu. When Mr. Xu asked Qi Mu about it later, Qi Mu replied, “Yin Xiuzhu doesn’t have a birthday, so he celebrates with me.”

Mr. Xu felt a mix of emotions. “Who doesn’t have a birthday?”

Qi Mu explained, “He has never celebrated it since he was little.”

Lao Xu was taken aback and immediately said, “I’ll check his registration details. He must have filled out his birth date when he got in the school.”

Thus, Yin Xiuzhu’s birthday was revealed. Qi Mu remembered it and planned to surprise him on that day.

Knowing that Yin Xiuzhu didn’t like crowds, Qi Mu waited until everyone had left. During their tutoring session, he finally brought out the gift he had hidden for a day.

“Happy birthday!” Qi Mu exclaimed loudly.

Yin Xiuzhu stared at the chocolate cake in front of him, completely stunned.