Chapter 9

Ji Kailan's words landed softly in her ear, and something stirred faintly in Su Louzhi's heart.

Truth be told, she was tempted. Principles of Accounting, Microeconomics—she really was struggling with them. It wasn't that she couldn't learn them, but things she had no interest in felt unbearably dry and hypnotically dull.

If someone could guide her through it, it would definitely make things much easier.

But...

She hesitated for a long moment, then lowered her head and typed on her phone: 【Would that be too much trouble for you, senior?】

Ji Kailan glanced down at the words, the corners of his eyes lifting slightly.

"Not at all." His tone was light, as if stating something utterly ordinary. "To be honest, I'm on my own this holiday too. I was just thinking about what to do with myself. It'd be my pleasure to tutor a junior."

Su Louzhi heard the warmth in his words, and the hesitation in her heart faded like mist scattered by a breeze, thinning little by little. She lifted her head and met Ji Kailan's gaze.

He was looking at her, a faint smile in his eyes that somehow felt deeply reassuring.

Su Louzhi's eyes curved into crescents, and she bent her head to type: 【Then thank you, senior. I'll treat you to a meal later, okay?】

Ji Kailan read the message, and the curve of his lips deepened a little. "I'd be honored."

Su Louzhi sat on the bench. She had walked until she was tired and talked until she was content. She stared at her phone screen, hesitating over whether to type a farewell. It was almost noon, and wandering around any longer didn't seem quite appropriate.

Ji Kailan's gaze rested on her face.

Her little intentions were as clear as if written on white paper.

He couldn't help but quirk the corner of his mouth.

As the only son of the Ji Family, he had seen all kinds of scheming snakes and monsters during his school years. Someone as pure as a blank sheet as Su Louzhi couldn't hide a single thought—it was all written plainly on her face.

Let her go?

Of course not.

She was the cure he had searched so hard to find.

Whenever he got close to her, the scent of that cheap pheromone that had tormented him for seven years would fade—sometimes disappearing entirely. His whole body would relax, and he could finally breathe.

Otherwise, why would he drag himself out of bed at the crack of dawn on the first day of the holiday to come play basketball on campus alone?

Did she really think the Ji Family heir had this much leisure time?

As for Su Louzhi wanting to go back?

That didn't matter.

He had always been a self-centered person. The things he wanted, he never let go.

But they had only just met—there was no need to reveal his cards yet.

He had plenty of patience and plenty of methods to make her stay by his side willingly.

After all, there was a long road ahead. If he resorted to force and saw her crying and trembling all day, that wouldn't be pleasant either.

Besides—

Ji Kailan's gaze lingered on her face for a brief moment.

She really was his type. Her brows, her nose, her lips, and those eyes that seemed to speak volumes.

Perhaps because she couldn't speak aloud, her eyes held that much more depth. When happy, they curved softly; when nervous, they glistened with moisture; when afraid...

He thought back to yesterday in the alley, when she had looked up at him with that expression.

Her face streaked with tears, eyes red-rimmed, lashes clinging to dangling teardrops that sparkled in the sunlight.

And she just looked at him like that.

He hadn't slept last night.

He had tossed and turned, that image replaying endlessly in his mind. Eventually, he'd had to get up and slip into the bathroom to relieve himself once.

Ji Kailan blinked, pressing that memory back down into the depths of his heart.

He tilted his head, and before she could type her goodbye, spoke in a warm voice: "Zhizhi."

Su Louzhi looked up at him.

"A couple of days ago, Boyang recommended a movie to me, saying it would be released during the National Day holiday. I've been wanting to see it, but going alone is a bit dull. Since we still have time, would Zhizhi be willing to accompany me to watch it?"

"After the movie, we can get something to eat. If you're sleepy afterward, you can take a nap at my place—I have a spare guest room, and it's very quiet."

"And when you wake up," he curved his lips slightly, "we can head to the library together and study. Sound good?"

He looked at her with gentle eyes and a sincere tone, like a spider patiently weaving its web, waiting for its prey to walk right in.