Chapter 25

Qi Mu noticed that Yin Xiuzhu was constantly eyeing him, so he kindly offered him a sip: “Do you want some?” He extended the drink towards him.

Yin Xiuzhu stared at the bottle of drink without blinking, as if what was inside wasn’t water but fire, matching the burning desire in his heart.

Seeing his strange expression, Qi Mu blinked in surprise: “What’s wrong?” Are you angry? Is it really that upsetting just to have a sip of water?

Yin Xiuzhu closed his eyes and finished the last bit of the drink. His movements were stiff, and his lips were still trembling. To an outsider, it might seem like he was drinking poison rather than a beverage.

Qi Mu, at a loss whether to laugh or cry, asked, “Do you not like this drink?”

Yin Xiuzhu didn’t look at him: “I like it.”

Qi Mu was about to ask more, but Yin Xiuzhu unexpectedly said, “This is the best drink I’ve ever had.” It was a taste he would never forget.

Qi Mu: “……” I really couldn’t tell you liked it that much.

This small incident was completely disregarded by Qi Mu, who continued showing Yin Xiuzhu around the campus.

The two of them wandered around until the preparatory bell rang, at which point they returned to the teaching building.

After being out in the sun for so long, both of them had a thin layer of sweat on their foreheads. Qi Mu said, “Wait a moment!”

Yin Xiuzhu was reluctant to part with him, taking steps as if he could split them into two: “What’s up?”

Qi Mu rummaged through his pocket for a while and finally pulled out a tissue: “Wipe off the sweat. The air conditioning in the teaching building is set high. Don’t catch a cold.”
Yin Xiuzhu took the tissue and said, “You’re sweating too.”

Qi Mu wiped his own face casually and said, “I’m fine, strong, and healthy. I never catch colds.”

Yin Xiuzhu, who was in even better shape than Qi Mu, appreciated Qi Mu’s concern for him and liked it very much: “Thank you.”

Qi Mu: “You’re being polite again.”
Yin Xiuzhu: “It’s not about being polite, it’s just…”

“Just what?”

If he didn’t say thank you, the emotions in his heart would overflow.
Yin Xiuzhu shook his head: “It’s nothing.”

Although Qi Mu was curious, he never forced him to speak. Since he wasn’t willing to explain, Qi Mu didn’t press further: “Let’s go, let’s go, or we’ll be late for class!”

Before they returned to the classroom, Yin Xiuzhu asked him, “Can you tutor me after school?”

At this moment, the class monitor from Class 2 passed by and upon hearing this, had a look of utter disbelief—damn, wasn’t it said that the transfer student was good at studying? How can someone who needs tutoring from Qi Mu be any good at studying? Wait… weren’t these two supposed to be fighting? Why are they now making plans to study together?

Seeing the class monitor, Qi Mu waved and said, “This is your class’s study committee member. If you have any questions, feel free to ask him.”

Yin Xiuzhu quietly said, “I’ll ask you after school.”

Qi Mu thought he was just shy and patted his chest: “Sure, I’ll teach you!” The class monitor’s expression became even more complex: This person who barely scraped past the passing mark, where does your confidence come from?

After returning to their respective classrooms, Yin Xiuzhu sat at his desk. His deskmate offered in a friendly manner, “Shall I throw away this empty bottle for you?”

The transfer student, who had always appeared gentle and refined, now spoke in a low voice: “Don’t touch it.”

His deskmate was startled, thinking this might be a disguised explosive: “O-okay.”

Yin Xiuzhu carefully placed the empty bottle into his backpack, zipped it up carefully, and turned to his deskmate with a bright smile: “I’ll handle it myself.”

His smile was as dazzling as the stars, and in that moment, even the typically unromantic Li understood why the girls wanted to scream! Damn, he wanted to shout too!

What surprised Qi Mu was that their tutoring session after school wasn’t going to be at the school.

Yin Xiuzhu asked him, “Is it convenient for you to come to my house?”

Qi Mu’s eyes lit up, and he asked in return, “We can go to your house?” They had known each other for ten years, and Qi Mu didn’t even know where the Yin family’s house was!

Yin Xiuzhu’s voice was slightly bitter: “As long as you want, you can come anytime.”

Qi Mu was a bit nervous: “Really? Your parents…” He then remembered Aunt Yu was still abroad and corrected himself, “Uncle Yin won’t mind, right?”

Yin Xiuzhu said, “He’s on a business trip and isn’t home.”

Qi Mu sighed in relief: “That’s great!” Then he realized his words might have been awkward and explained, “It’s not that I don’t want to meet Uncle Yin, it’s just… well… I’m afraid he might be annoyed and not let me hang out with you in the future.”
Yin Xiuzhu felt a rush of warmth in his heart and couldn’t help but take Qi Mu’s hand, “That won’t happen.” No one could keep them apart.

Qi Mu chuckled, “I don’t think so either. I’m pretty likable, and all my relatives like me.”

Yin Xiuzhu nodded seriously, fully agreeing.

Qi Mu didn’t ride his bike but instead got into the Yin family’s car.
After about thirty minutes of driving, they finally arrived at their destination.

Qi Mu’s eyes were wide open, though he wasn’t surprised. He raised his eyebrows and commented, “It’s so big.” He actually wanted to say it seemed a bit desolate but chose his words considering Yin Xiuzhu.

Yin Xiuzhu responded, “I think so too.”

A home of over a hundred square meters was more than enough, and yet, it felt like it couldn’t contain a family.

Qi Mu took a stroll around the garden, making some playful remarks to lighten the mood.

Once inside the house, he felt the emptiness again. The air conditioning was set perfectly, and the air was fresh and natural. The décor was elegantly European—neither overly extravagant nor too minimalistic, striking a perfect balance of sophistication.

In the foyer, there was a sculpture by a renowned artist, and the main hall featured a grand and magnificent oil painting. The vivid colors spread across it as if heavenly light was descending from the horizon, protecting the entire house.

After taking in the surroundings, Qi Mu couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Yin Xiuzhu asked, “What would you like to drink?”

Qi Mu replied, “Anything is fine.”

Yin Xiuzhu went to the kitchen.

Qi Mu realized—such a large house, empty with no one else around. There were no housekeepers or cooks. There must be a gardener, as the large garden needed maintenance, but they clearly didn’t live here.

Yin Xiuzhu brought out two cups of hot drink, and Qi Mu instantly recognized the aroma, his face lighting up: “Hot cocoa?”

Yin Xiuzhu handed him the mug: “Yes.”

Qi Mu was overjoyed: “You really know me well!” He took a sip and was immediately enchanted, “It’s delicious.”

Yin Xiuzhu’s eyes and smile were full of warmth as he asked, “Do you want some chocolate?”

Qi Mu’s mouth nearly watered: “Of course!”

Yin Xiuzhu went upstairs and brought down a box.

Qi Mu leaned in curiously: “So many?”

Yin Xiuzhu opened the box, and Qi Mu was stunned: “Oh my god!”

Yin Xiuzhu gently explained, “During the year abroad, I checked every supermarket to see if they had any of your favorites.” Each piece was carefully selected, filled with countless thoughts and longing for him.

Qi Mu was so moved that his nose felt a bit sour. He hugged Yin Xiuzhu tightly and excitedly said, “Good brother, for life!”

Yin Xiuzhu was momentarily taken aback, his smile slightly stiffened, “I’m glad you like it.”

“The word ‘like’ can’t even begin to describe my emotions!” Qi Mu said, “This is the best gift I’ve ever received in my life!” So many types of chocolate, it was like an “orgy of indulgence”!

The promised tutoring had long been forgotten as Qi Mu spent the evening eating and drinking to his heart’s content.

Until he glanced at the clock: “Damn it! It’s already 8:30!” Not only had he not done any tutoring, but he hadn’t even started his homework.

Yin Xiuzhu said, “I’ll help you with your homework.”

Qi Mu looked at the time and decided to give up: “I need to go home. If I don’t finish, so be it.”

“Still, you should do a little bit.” Yin Xiuzhu said, “I’ll help, it’ll be quick.”

Qi Mu’s eyes lit up: “Well…”

Yin Xiuzhu indulgently said, “I can write it for you.”

“Ahhh!” Qi Mu hugged him tightly, almost wanting to kiss him, “You’re really my angel!”

Yin Xiuzhu was taken aback by the sudden hug, feeling a rush of blood: “…This can’t happen again.”

Qi Mu released him and said, “Just this once. How could I resist all this chocolate you brought? Since it’s your fault for bringing it, you have to help clean up!”

Yin Xiuzhu’s throat tightened: “Okay.”

“Let me call my mom first.”

Qi Mu ran off excitedly, leaving Yin Xiuzhu standing in place for a while to calm his racing heart.

He opened Qi Mu’s backpack, took out his homework, and couldn’t help but run his fingers over the neat handwriting—so cute. Everything about Qi Mu was too adorable.

It was so good to be back. Yin Xiuzhu pressed his face against the notebook, closing his eyes and thinking how wonderful it was to be close to him again.

As the saying goes, one thing leads to another… What was supposed to be just this once had, before he knew it, turned into several months.

Yin Xiuzhu’s principles, in front of Qi Mu, were as fragile as a crispy cookie, easily crushed to bits.

The first day it was because of the chocolate. On the second day, Qi Mu, now more aware, chewed on his pencil and worked on his homework. After half an hour, he looked pitifully at Yin Xiuzhu. At that time, Yin Xiuzhu still had his principles: “There’s still half left. Hurry up and finish.”

Qi Mu, with eraser crumbs all over his mouth, said, “I’m thirsty.”

Yin Xiuzhu immediately said, “I’ll get you a drink.”

After having hot cocoa, Qi Mu was hungry again; after dinner, he wanted more; after eating the chocolate cake, he complained about being stuffed.

By the time it was 8:30, Qi Mu was frantically trying to finish his homework: “I’m done for, my mom will check my homework. If she sees it’s not done, she definitely won’t let me come to your house next time!”

Hearing this, Yin Xiuzhu’s heart skipped a beat, “How much is left?”

Qi Mu said, “A lot.” He looked at Yin Xiuzhu with teary eyes.

Yin Xiuzhu, unable to resist, took his pen and wrote neatly in Qi Mu’s handwriting.

Tyrant Qi’s plan succeeded, and he chuckled, “Xiao Zhuzi, you truly are my precious treasure!”

Yin Xiuzhu: “…”

What could he do? Could he admit that because of this remark, he had sweet dreams all night long?

By the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth times, Qi Mu had mastered the technique of making his precious treasure assist him perfectly and smoothly.

One day at lunch, Xu Xiaoming remarked, “Brother Mu, your homework completion rate has been unusually high recently.”

Yin Xiuzhu was right beside Qi Mu, and just thinking about the recent times made him feel content, his smile almost bursting forth.

Seeing Qi Mu’s smile so bright, Xu Xiaoming, on a whim, asked, “Damn, you’re not in a relationship, are you?”

“Huh?” Qi Mu looked at him in confusion, “What’s that got to do with anything?”

Xu Xiaoming, with his wild imagination, said, “Come on, admit it, you must have hooked up with someone who’s good at studying and has been sweet-talking them into doing your homework for you!”

Qi Mu was speechless: “……”

Xu Xiaoming, with a serious tone, said, “I didn’t expect you to be this kind of Brother Mu, actually using your charms to get your homework done!”

Yin Xiuzhu, who was carefully picking out the cilantro from his plate, almost spilled his food from the shock.

Xu Xiaoming, unabashed, asked for advice, “How did you manage to hook them in? Teach me!”