Chapter 28: The Two Study Together, the Door Is Locked—He Doesn't Believe She Can Escape

Lu Yuanqiu glanced up at his homeroom teacher, Liu Wei, and was horrified to discover that she was watching him intently from the podium. Liu Wei held up her right hand in a bent V shape, first pointing at her own eyes, then gesturing toward him across the room.

I see you.

Damn it, this woman’s like a ghost!

Suppressing a grimace, Lu Yuanqiu lowered his head and continued reading.

When evening self-study ended, he packed his bag and left in a hurry. Hu Caiwei seemed to want to say something to him, but he moved so fast that when she looked up, he had already vanished.

He rode his bicycle to the supermarket, parked at the entrance, and went inside. There, at the cashier’s counter, sat his father, Lu Tian, trimming his nose hair in a small makeup mirror while keeping an eye on his son.

"Hey, don’t you and that girl finish school at the same time?" he asked.

"She’s here?" Lu Yuanqiu replied in surprise.

"She arrived early and is already working. That little girl is really diligent—so much better than you, by miles. You should learn from her."

Lu Yuanqiu turned his head just in time to see Bai Qingxia, dressed in a red vest, carrying a broom and a trash bin. Strands of hair clung to her pale cheeks.

The red vest was the supermarket’s uniform. Lu Yuanqiu had always thought it was hideous, but on Bai Qingxia, it somehow looked awkwardly adorable.

No, he thought, it’s the person who’s cute, not the uniform.

When Bai Qingxia noticed him, she paused, her expression suddenly awkward as she looked away and addressed Lu Tian. "Uncle, should I throw away the empty bottles, too?"

Lu Tian quickly sat up and nodded. "Yes, throw them all into the bin outside."

His attitude toward the girl was noticeably warmer than before.

Bai Qingxia hesitated, her expression conflicted. "But... the bottles can be sold for money."

Lu Tian laughed, waving his hand dismissively. "How much money could that possibly be? Just toss them."

Lu Yuanqiu frowned and slapped the table in front of his father. "Wastefulness is shameful! Haven’t you heard the saying, 'many a little makes a mickle'? You—find a bag and collect the bottles."

The latter half of his command was directed at Bai Qingxia, who nodded happily and went to do as he said.

Left bewildered by his son’s rebuke, Lu Tian looked up, utterly perplexed.

"When it comes to waste, who could possibly outdo you? And you’re lecturing me?"

Lu Yuanqiu didn’t answer, lowering his voice. "Just show some consideration. She’s earning five hundred yuan a month—barely more than a slave. The supermarket’s huge, and you make her clean the whole place alone?"

Lu Tian defended himself, looking aggrieved. "She volunteered! It’s not my fault."

That did sound like something the stubborn girl would do.

Lu Yuanqiu was at a loss.

"What’s this, feeling sorry for her?" Lu Tian teased.

Lu Yuanqiu glanced at him, then looked away, refusing to answer.

He dropped his backpack on the counter and walked over to Bai Qingxia, who was busy cleaning.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her into a corner, unaware that his father was watching the scene unfold on the security monitor while munching sunflower seeds, thoroughly entertained.

"You went to the office to ask the homeroom teacher to let you out early, didn’t you? And then you snuck out while I was gone?" Lu Yuanqiu cornered her against the wall, grilling her.

The girl was speechless, head lowered, nervously clutching an empty bottle of Nutritional Express in both hands.

Lu Yuanqiu snatched the bottle from her grasp and rapped the wall behind her with his other hand.

"Cat got your tongue? Answer me. Do you really think working more hours will get you a raise? It’s not going to happen. I’m telling you."

He looked down at her.

Watching this on the monitor, Lu Tian grinned. "Well, well, a wall slam, huh?"

Bai Qingxia looked up at him, her beautiful eyes earnest. "I wasn’t trying to get a raise."

"Evening self-study ends at nine, I finish work a bit after ten. I only work an hour a day, yet I get five hundred a month..."

She lowered her head again, and her voice turned stubborn. "Five hundred is too much."

"Too much? Five hundred? Are you serious..." Lu Yuanqiu's brain stalled.

He raised a hand, pointing at her face. Bai Qingxia was so startled she closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering as she shrank back.

Every time he tried to flick her forehead, she’d react like this—it was practically instinct by now.

"Do you know what other people earn?" he asked, withdrawing his hand with some effort.

Bai Qingxia opened her eyes, shook her head, and replied, "I don’t care what they make. Mine is definitely too much. If you pay me more, I should work more. Effort and reward should be proportional."

She met his gaze with unwavering resolve.

"You really are... I swear... Why are you so stubborn?" Lu Yuanqiu was nearly driven mad, his hands itching to squeeze her delicate cheeks until she cried uncle.

Seeing his hands approach, Bai Qingxia nervously stepped back and threatened, "If you bully me, I’ll tell Uncle."

"That old..." Lu Yuanqiu caught her gaze, hesitated, and changed his tone, "That... vigorous man might actually take your side."

Forget it, there’s no winning with her...

Really, there’s no winning.

Lu Yuanqiu thought that if he ever had a daughter, she’d drive him mad, but he wouldn’t have the heart to scold her.

He took a deep breath. "Anyway, don’t let work get in the way of your studies, understand?"

Seeing him back down, Bai Qingxia broke into a lovely smile and nodded cheerfully.

"Go on," Lu Yuanqiu said, turning away.

Bai Qingxia snatched the empty bottle from his hand and hurried off, a hint of bashful happiness in her eyes.

Watching her go, Lu Yuanqiu couldn’t help but smile, even if he was helpless against her.

Time slipped by, and soon it was Friday.

After evening self-study, Hu Caiwei finally managed to corner Lu Yuanqiu at the classroom door.

"Lu Yuanqiu, tomorrow’s Saturday. Wang Haoran invited some people over to his place—I said yes, and you’re coming too."

"Like hell I am. Move," Lu Yuanqiu replied impatiently. "I have to study tomorrow."

Stung by his outburst, Hu Caiwei’s eyes filled with tears as she shouted after his retreating figure, "Study, study! Is that your excuse for everything now? Just keep bringing up the rear, Lu Yuanqiu! You’ll never make it to the front row!!"

Lu Yuanqiu swaggered down the hallway, not even glancing back.

Wang Haoran, drawn by the commotion, sneered, "Ignore him. A loser is always a loser. He’s not in our circle—there’s nothing in common."

He had barely finished speaking when someone bumped into him, nearly knocking him off balance and messing up his center-parted hair.

"Zheng Yifeng, what’s your problem?!" Wang Haoran cursed.

Zheng Yifeng slung his bag over one shoulder, glanced back with a smirk, his handsome face full of disdain.

"Damn, these back-row rejects," Wang Haoran muttered, his body shaking with rage.

...

At ten that night, Lu Yuanqiu locked up the supermarket and handed a slip of paper to Bai Qingxia.

"This is my neighborhood address and apartment number. What time will you come tomorrow?"

Bai Qingxia glanced at it. "One in the afternoon?"

"Alright, I’ll be home waiting for you."

She hesitated. "Will anyone really be home?"

"Of course. Why would I lie to you?"

But he was lying. His sister, Lu Yidong, and their mother might be home in the morning, but in the afternoon his sister had tutoring and his mother had to work.

Still, if he told her no one would be home, she wouldn’t come.

Once she was there and the door was locked, where could she run? Heh heh heh...

And besides, it really was just for tutoring.

Lu Yuanqiu was desperate to improve.

P.S.

If you have any monthly votes, please cast them! I just noticed I’m fourth on the new releases monthly chart—first place only has a bit over fifty votes. Maybe we can surpass that.

Thanks to Tanmohua and Little White 331 for the rewards!