Yu He paused for a few seconds before shaking her head. “I have to work.”
“Alright.” Lu Shinian lowered her head, her tone tinged with disappointment. She had almost forgotten that Yu He was still on duty.
But the next moment, Yu He told her, “I only have half an hour for my break.”
Lu Shinian immediately broke into a wide grin. “Then could you spare me half an hour, Yu?”
Yu He fell silent for a moment.
“Have a seat.” Lu Shinian pulled out the chair beside her and gestured for Yu He to sit, flashing her a smile.
After sitting down, Yu He said flatly, “Just half an hour.”
“Only half an hour.” Lu Shinian took the initiative to ask, “Why didn’t you accept my friend request yesterday?”
Yu He hesitated. “I clicked the wrong button.”
How could she click the wrong button?
Of course, Lu Shinian wasn’t foolish enough to press the question. Instead, she said, “Then I’ll send it again later. Remember to accept it this time.”
Yu He: “Mm.”
“Have you eaten dinner yet?”
“Yes.”
“There’s so much homework this weekend. Have you finished yours?”
“Mm.”
The atmosphere grew awkward. Lu Shinian rubbed her nose, scrambling for a topic in her mind. “Haha, the weather’s really nice today, huh?”
This time, Yu He didn’t respond.
…Awkward.
Lu Shinian thought that if this were an animated world, a row of crows would definitely be flying over their heads right now.
How could it be this awkward?
With someone as reserved as Yu He, if you asked a question, she’d answer, but she wouldn’t carry the conversation forward. It was bound to end in silence unless she found a topic that could engage her.
Lu Shinian grasped for another subject. “This setting feels perfect for studying. Yu, how about teaching me a problem?”
Yu He looked puzzled. “You got kicked out of your house, but you still brought your books?”
“Well… I was on my way back from tutoring and hadn’t even had time to put my bag down before I got kicked out at the door.” Lu Shinian put on a pitiful expression. “I’m so unlucky.”
Yu He glanced up slightly. “Let me see.”
Lu Shinian dug out the study materials Wang Jing had given her that afternoon and pointed to the first problem. “This one.”
She had endured Wang Jing’s face for several minutes, watching as he jumped from one formula to another, transforming a problem full of Greek letters into Arabic numerals.
The steps were simple, but she hadn’t understood a single thing.
Yu He picked up a pen and began studying the problem carefully before looking up at her.
Lu Shinian asked, “Is this problem really easy?”
Yu He replied, “Mm, not difficult.”
Yu He explained it in detail, clearly listing every formula used, and her reasoning was logical unlike Wang Jing, who would leap from one concept to another without warning. Whenever Lu Shinian didn’t understand a step, Yu He would patiently break it down for her.
Most importantly, Yu He showed no impatience. Her tone remained steady, and she never made Lu Shinian feel stupid for asking questions.
After finishing one problem, Lu Shinian pointed to the next one.
She couldn’t help but feel like she was treating Yu He like a study machine just tap wherever she didn’t understand.
“Did you get it?” Yu He asked.
If she still didn’t understand after Yu He’s explanation, she’d truly be an idiot.
Lu Shinian nodded eagerly. “Got it. You’re a great teacher. Thanks.”
Yu He flipped through the workbook and remarked calmly, “This exercise book isn’t suitable for you.”
Lu Shinian tilted her head. “Huh?”
Yu He said, “I suggest you switch to a different workbook. This one contains advanced problems that are too difficult for your current level. With your weak foundation, you should focus on basic exercises first. Tackling these problems now would be overreaching and a waste of time. You can return to them after mastering the fundamentals.”
Lu Shinian completely agreed, given her current abilities, these problems were indeed unsuitable for her.
After a pause, Yu He concluded, “That’s my suggestion. You should discuss it with your tutor.”
“This is the first time you’ve said so much to me,” Lu Shinian remarked, her focus already shifting as a smile played on her lips. “I’m so happy.”
Yu He shot her a glance.
Clearing her throat, Lu Shinian steered the conversation back on track. “I think your advice is excellent. I won’t use this workbook anymore.”
“Mm,” Yu He replied. “Ask your teacher to pick another one for you.”
“Our cram school uses standardized materials. The teacher won’t let me switch,” Lu Shinian said, feeling slightly audacious but deciding that making connections required give-and-take. To build even a faint bond with Yu He, she was willing to be shameless. “Could you help me choose one instead?”
“You should ask your tutor,” Yu He said.
“I don’t like him.”
“But I like you quite a bit.”
“……”
For once, Yu He was caught off guard. Her fingers curled slightly against the table as she replied flatly, “Aren’t you embarrassed?”
“Ah, I’m just telling the truth,” Lu Shinian laughed, completely unfazed. “Yu He, I’m expressing my fondness for you.”
With a serious expression, Yu He said, “Please take it back.”
Lu Shinian nodded and leaned forward slightly. “Alright, I’ll retract it for now and release it again when the time comes.”
Yu He slowly lifted her gaze, looking as though she no longer wanted to continue the conversation. She stood up. “It’s time for me to work.”
The unspoken message: Goodbye.
Lu Shinian rose as well. “Can I come see you here tomorrow?”
“I’ll be busy,” Yu He replied.
Without pressing further, Lu Shinian gave her an encouraging gesture. “Then work hard. Do your best.”
Unexpectedly, Yu He added, “Go home early and be safe,” before walking away to the checkout counter without looking back.
Lu Shinian’s eyebrows lifted in delight as she cheerfully packed her homework into her bag. On her way out of the convenience store, she waved at Yu He.
The owner, who had been playing on her phone nearby, noticed the exchange and glanced at Yu He. “Is that your friend?”
Yu He averted her gaze and replied calmly, “A classmate.”
The owner took it as confirmation of friendship. Yu He was usually quiet and reserved, this was the first time she’d seen her sit and chat with someone for so long. And judging by the faint flush on Yu He’s face, the conversation must have been lively.
Adjusting the air conditioning with the remote, the owner kindly said, “If you’re still feeling warm, you can lower the temperature a bit more.”
Yu He gave a noncommittal hum and returned to her work.
That evening, when Chai Ping asked about her class, Lu Shinian knew that even if she admitted the material was beyond her level, Chai would likely just urge her to keep up and not fall behind the others.
So she simply said, “It’s alright.”
Lu Shinian sent Yu He a new friend request, and the next morning she saw the notification that it had been accepted. She sent a hamster greeting sticker but received no response.
It wasn’t until after lunch, when Lu Shinian returned to her room, that she saw Yu He’s message.
[Yu He: “Small Questions Frenzy Basic Edition”]
Lu Shinian flopped onto her bed, laughing as she rolled around twice before replying.
[A Deer: Is this study material recommended for me? Once my grades improve, can I get the advanced version?]
[Yu He: Mhm.]
Lu Shinian stared at the screen for a few seconds before typing out another message while lying on her stomach.
[A Deer: Thanks, Yu He! What time did you finish work last night?]
[Yu He: Six.]
Lu Shinian paused six in the morning? The sky would already be bright. This person was seriously impressive.
No wonder she hadn’t replied until noon. She must have been catching up on sleep and was probably exhausted.
[A Deer: Have you eaten lunch yet?]
[Yu He: No.]
The reply was brief, but it instantly turned Lu Shinian into a nagging old lady as she typed out another message.
[A Deer: You have to eat! “Man is iron, food is steel skip a meal and hunger will compel.” Health is the foundation of success, Comrade Yu. Make sure to rest properly.]
Lu Shinian waited for a long time but got no response. She exited the chat and started searching online for articles instead.
Yu He stepped out of the shower, grabbed a bread roll from the table, then walked over to her bed and picked up her phone.
She tore open the bread with her teeth and glanced at her phone, only to find it flooded with articles and pictures from that deer girl.
[A Deer: “Young Man Skips Lunch for Years Shocking Consequences Revealed…”]
[A Deer: “Eight Hidden Dangers of Skipping Meals You Might Not Know”]
[A Deer: “Attention High School Students, How Skipping Meals Affects Your Grades!”]
[A Deer: [Attached: N mouthwatering food pics to stimulate your appetite]]
Yu He: “…?”