“Hmm.”
Shen Ju rolled over on the bed, deciding he’d still go to Pei Yan for tutoring.
Not just him—he needed to keep dragging Pei Haochuan and Guan Mulin there too.
He stopped, scratching his chin.
Wonder if Pei-ge would even agree.
Wasn’t imposing too much…?
As Shen Ju pondered without deciding, Pei Yan got home from work. Soon after, his phone rang—Pei Tai calling.
…His father, Pei Haochuan’s grandfather.
Pei Yan stared blankly at the flashing screen for a few seconds before picking up.
“Dad.”
Pei Tai’s vigorous voice boomed from the other end, asking after Pei Yan briefly before pivoting casually. “I just heard Haochuan went to your place over the holiday?” He even chuckled. “You tutored him? Kid’s great in every way except studies—needs someone to keep an eye.”
Pei Yan chuckled too. “His grades are indeed lacking.”
“If he hadn’t caused trouble at the track and dragged the Guan Family in, I wouldn’t have bothered keeping him around for tutoring, wasting my time.”
“You’re his little uncle—looking out for him is only right.”
“True as that may be…”
Pei Yan’s tone flipped in an instant, scoffing. “But big bro had a hard time finding him tutors.”
Pei Tai sighed. “Haochuan’s stubborn. He won’t listen to tutors, but he listens to you. With you tutoring, his dad can’t complain. We’re family—no need for formalities. I think you tutoring him is perfect. Kid needs to buck up those grades.”
“Sure, keeping tabs on him works fine for me.”
Pei Yan tapped the table lightly. “Since you’ve spoken up, Dad, big bro won’t object. I’ll keep handling Pei Haochuan’s tutoring.”
“Maybe once his scores improve, big bro will even thank me.”
Pei Tai said more over the line; Pei Yan listened with a smile, chiming in occasionally.
After a bit, he hung up.
The smile vanished from Pei Yan’s lips instantly.
He tossed the phone onto the sofa and sank down himself, head back, eyes closed in repose.
After a moment, he grabbed the phone again.
This time, dialing Pei Haochuan.
Ring ring.
It connected after two rings.
Pei Yan said flatly, “Your grandpa says keep coming here for tutoring.”
“If it’s a hassle, just move in.”
Thunder from a clear sky!
How could such a tragedy strike?!
Pei Haochuan didn’t even get a word out before the world crumbled.
Why?!
He’d thought school starting meant freedom!
Now he had to go by “imperial decree”?!
“Uh, little uncle…”
Pei Haochuan forced a dry laugh. “If you don’t want to, you really don’t have to…”
“It’s fine. I’m bored anyway.”
Pei Haochuan choked, still clinging to hope. “But aren’t you busy, little uncle?”
“You’re busy with school too.”
Pei Yan scoffed. “My schedule’s looser than yours.”
Before Pei Haochuan could respond, Pei Yan added offhandedly, “If solo tutoring’s boring, do like during the holiday.”
“Huh? You mean…?”
“More people around, and I can relax a bit watching you.”
Pei Yan narrowed his eyes, tapping his knee. “But Pei Haochuan, if you don’t wanna come alone, don’t make it obvious. Don’t just bring one person—got it?”
“Yeah, got it! Social savvy, right!”
Pei Haochuan replied fast this time. As long as someone kept him company—no facing little uncle solo.
Even without the reminder, if he called Mulin, Shen Ju would probably tag along.
Pei Haochuan smirked inwardly.
Mulin still insists Shen Ju isn’t targeting me. But if not deliberate, why’s Shen Ju everywhere?
“By the way, little uncle, that Shen Ju guy didn’t even show up to class today.”
Pei Yan’s fingers paused on his knee. “He didn’t come to class? Do you know why?”
“Little Uncle, you’re so concerned about Shen Ju?”
“Pei Haochuan.”
Pei Yan’s voice carried a faint warning. “Don’t make me ask a second time.”
“…”
Pei Haochuan hesitated. “Actually, it’s nothing much. I heard from Mulin that Shen Ju went to Yude School—his old school. Mulin’s cousin, I think his name’s Jian Yi, is transferring here to Qichen. Aunt Qin handled it personally, and Shen Ju tagged along to check things out. He’s pretty invested in it, even volunteered to go.”
“If there’s any blood relation, it’s Mulin who has it with that side. But he didn’t even let Mulin go—kept him out of it entirely.”
“Guan Mulin could’ve followed if he really wanted to.”
“But they’re not that close. Following along would’ve looked like he was throwing himself at it.”
Pei Haochuan tsked. “And why’d Shen Ju need to go anyway? Jian Yi was just chattering on about it and insisted on taking a day off.”
Pei Yan lowered his gaze. “Don’t talk nonsense about things you don’t understand.”
“What don’t I understand?”
The next day, Pei Haochuan found out.
With the Guan Family stepping in, even Yude School’s principal—who was dead set against losing his top student—had no choice but to relent. Especially since the mess with Ma Rui and the others had blown up that very day, escalating all the way to the police station. The scandal was huge, and Jian Yi’s situation was already delicate. If any busybody reported it, Yude’s reputation would’ve taken an even bigger hit!
So the principal didn’t dare delay. Even if the paperwork dragged, he bundled Jian Yi up and shipped him off.
Qin Soxi and Guan Lifeng had put in a word with Qichen ahead of time. Qichen’s principal welcomed Jian Yi with open arms, eagerly “receiving” him and slotting him straight into Shen Ju’s class.
Shen Ju had wanted to pick Jian Yi up early, but Jian Yi “sent” him packing.
Jian Yi: [If you think the transfer’s too rushed and I’m not gonna cope, then forget it—I’ll just stay at Yude.]
Shen Ju: []
No way.
But he didn’t insist on going to meet him anymore.
Still, Shen Ju got to school early. He couldn’t help worrying a little.
Jian Yi was special, after all.
Every time he switched to a new environment, it drew stares.
Shen Ju figured Jian Yi would have to report to the principal’s office first, maybe pick up supplies—wouldn’t make it to class right away. By the time the other students arrived, he could give the class a heads-up. Intimidation, bribes, verbal warnings—whatever it took to “lay the groundwork.” It’d fit his persona perfectly.
But once everyone was there—and before Jian Yi even showed—the class monitor Tang Yuexin announced the new transfer student.
“Our new classmate is a bit special. When he arrives, try not to react too obviously.”
Shen Ju blinked in surprise, mouth opening slightly.
After Tang Yuexin finished, he hesitated, then stood and approached her. He wanted to ask how she’d found out—and why announce it early?
But Tang Yuexin looked even more surprised than him.
“The homeroom teacher instructed it. Didn’t your parents give her a heads-up in advance? Isn’t the new transfer your brother…? Something about a physical disability, right? The teacher said your folks were worried he’d struggle to adapt, so she wanted to prep the class ahead of time.”
“Don’t worry—even the principal’s been fully briefed on your brother’s situation.”
Shen Ju shuffled slowly back to his seat, fingers twisting together.
996 popped up: [Host…]]
Shen Ju stayed silent, head bowed, looking utterly wilted.
I think I’m a bad guy.
No—I am a bad guy.
This is so hard, Brother 996.
His voice trailed off, low and dejected. In the next class over, Guan Mulin started fidgeting.
What’s going on?
Something happen?
Right—Jian Yi’s transferring today. Related to him?
Something flashed through Guan Mulin’s mind.
But it was gone in an instant; he couldn’t hold onto it.
He listened to the sounds from the next class. As soon as morning self-study ended, he stood and headed out.
Pei Haochuan noticed and followed.
Ke Sheng saw Pei Haochuan go, so he got up and trailed after.
Han Chengfeng saw Guan Mulin, Pei Haochuan, and Ke Sheng all heading out—toward the next class, where his own little bro was—so he stood and followed too.
“…”
Suddenly, Guan Mulin had a whole train of people behind him.
Shen Ju sat by the window in the next class. One by one, heads poked through from the neighboring windows.
Jian Yi—who’d just finished his self-introduction in class and been given the window seat by Shen Ju: “…”
Jian Yi’s left arm was right there, exposed beneath the cluster of heads.
Pei Haochuan glanced down and immediately got it—why Pei Yan had said what he did yesterday, and why Shen Ju had taken the day off to help at Yude.
His expression grew complicated.
Just what kind of person is Shen Ju?
Why do I keep getting confused sometimes?
Smack!
A paper ball flew over, smacking him square on the forehead.
“Fuck!” Pei Haochuan yelped, clutching his head and glaring at Shen Ju. “You—?!”
Shen Ju glared right back. “What ‘you’? What the hell are you staring at?!”
He lit up like a little firecracker.
“…”
Pei Haochuan felt a pang of guilt and clamped his jaw shut, grinding his teeth.
Damn it!
No one had ever dared chuck a paper ball at his forehead!
What kind of person? Yeah, definitely not a good one!
