’It looks like Shen Yi is serious,’ Qin Jiao thought. ’He really wants to surpass Chen Feng academically.’

’That’s a good thing.’

’As long as Shen Yi doesn’t go astray in the future, it definitely won’t be easy for Chen Feng to get his hands on the Shen Family’s fortune.’

’If Chen Feng’s life is miserable, there’s a high chance Lin Nian won’t have it easy, either.’

’And that would make her happy.’

So, Qin Jiao readily nodded and said, "I’ll come whenever I’m free, but I won’t be able to make it if something comes up at home."

"Okay." Shen Yi lowered his gaze, hiding the delight in his eyes, and bowed his head to start on the problems.

Sunlight streamed in through the window. The young man and woman sat at the wooden desk, hunched over their exam papers. A nearby watch ticked away, recording the time. They had decided to complete the test under the standard time limit for the college entrance exams, and would grade each other’s papers when they were finished.

For a long time, the only sound was the soft scratching of pens across paper, which was, for some reason, quite pleasant to hear.

Qin Jiao suddenly felt as if the endless arguments from their past life were slowly fading away, replaced by this tranquil, idyllic scene.

’How truly strange.’

Two hours passed quickly. Since a big dinner had to be prepared that evening, Qin Jiao quickly packed her things, ready to go home and help her mom and the others.

She thought for a moment and said, "My uncle and his family are coming over tonight, but we’ll be making extra food. I’ll bring some over for you and Grandpa Du later." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Mm."

As Qin Jiao was packing her books, she saw a piece of paper flutter to the floor. She wasn’t sure whose book it had fallen from.

She bent down to pick it up, but Shen Yi reacted with surprising speed. He moved faster than she did, knocking her right over with a THUD.

Qin Jiao was still a little dazed as she sat on the floor.

Shen Yi had already snatched the paper. He held it tightly in his hand as he reached out to pull Qin Jiao up. "I’m sorry."

"What was that?"

"It’s nothing."

"..."

’Alright, fine.’ Even though Shen Yi wasn’t quite the same as he was in her past life, he was still a man of pitifully few words. Her butt hurt from the fall, and though she wanted to rub it, she was too embarrassed. Instead, she grabbed her schoolbag and got ready to leave.

Shen Yi hesitated for a moment before asking, "You’re not hurt, are you?"

"Nope." ’Even if I was, would you offer to rub it for me?’

The thought flashed through her mind, and Qin Jiao felt her ears burn. She immediately left in a fluster.

’I must be losing my mind! How could I have a thought like that?!’

Meanwhile, Shen Yi stood at the window. He watched until Qin Jiao left his house and turned right, disappearing into her own yard. Only then did he take out the piece of paper.

On the paper was a drawing of a girl, asleep with her head on a desk.

It was Qin Jiao.

Shen Yi breathed a sigh of relief. She’d almost discovered it.

Though he was eager for her to know how he felt, he also knew that now was not the right time.

’He just had to wait a little longer.’

When Qin Jiao got home, she put down her schoolbag, washed her hands, and went to help her mom and her aunt, Qin Na, with the cooking. They were making extra since they had to prepare portions for Mr. Du and Shen Yi next door as well.

During a lull, Qin Jiao quietly reminded her aunt to really lay on the sob story later. The more pitiful she sounded, the more effective it would be.

Finally, she winked at her aunt. "The child who cries gets the candy, you know."

"Right!"

Su Yun, who was nearby, overheard most of it. She poked Qin Jiao’s forehead with a resigned sigh. "You’re just full of tricks!"

Qin Jiao clutched her forehead and began to wail theatrically. "Ow, it hurts! Mom, you poked it so hard it’s swelling up! Waaaah, I want a chicken drumstick tonight!"

Her antics made both Su Yun and Qin Na unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Xiao Shi, perched on a small stool nearby helping to trim chives, grinned along with them, even though she didn’t understand what was happening.

Just as the meal was nearly ready, Qin Bogang and his wife arrived.