Chapter Forty: Habit

When the exam results were released, Gu Yan was still ranked first. Yu Sheng wasn’t particularly surprised, but Chen Ke’an looked despondent, gazing at Gu Yan with a face full of grievance, though there was nothing he could do.

This time, Yu Sheng made it into the top fifty in the grade—a personal best for her. Lin Ning, however, hadn’t improved by fifty places, so her phone remained unchanged.

“Wah, you geniuses, can’t you help me out? Why is everyone else making such progress while I’m still stuck?” Lin Ning tugged at Yu Sheng’s sleeve, wiping away tears.

Gu Yan chuckled, “With me as her private tutor, how could Yu Sheng not improve?”

At his words, both Lin Ning and Chen Ke’an paused. Chen Ke’an merely lifted his eyelids and let them fall, acting as if he hadn’t heard a thing. Lin Ning, on the other hand, stared in shock, her mouth agape.

“What? Gu Yan actually tutors you one-on-one? That’s not fair—I want that too!”

Ever since Yu Sheng had recognized her feelings, her face would flush whenever she got close to Gu Yan. Though she’d blushed before, this was somehow different—the area and intensity had changed, and more importantly, her heart had shifted.

“It’s not all thanks to him. Most of it is because of my own hard work,” Yu Sheng replied.

Gu Yan stood behind Yu Sheng, absentmindedly twirling her ponytail around his fingers, then letting it go, repeating the motion. His fingertips brushed softly against Yu Sheng’s neck, sending a strange, tantalizing sensation through her.

“I tutor Yu Sheng, but she pays me for it,” Gu Yan said.

Payment? What? When did this happen? Yu Sheng turned to Gu Yan, her face full of confusion.

He met her gaze, and in his eyes was something deep and indescribable—like the ocean at night, vast and mysterious.

“I can pay you too! How much for a lesson? Tell me!” Lin Ning said earnestly.

Though Lin Ning had asked the question, Gu Yan didn’t look at her. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Yu Sheng, his lips curling into a smile, his eyes twinkling. “Only Yu Sheng can pay this price. No one else can.”

Yu Sheng was taken aback, her cheeks flushed. She turned away from Gu Yan, refusing to meet his eyes. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just talking nonsense. He eats and drinks at my house every day—that’s his payment.”

No one noticed that, upon hearing Gu Yan’s words, Chen Ke’an’s hand holding the pen paused for a moment.

Lin Ning nodded regretfully, as if wishing her family owned a house to rent out, so she could meet a tenant like Gu Yan.

Gu Yan glanced at Chen Ke’an, who was busy with his homework, and suddenly had an idea. “Chen Ke’an, why don’t you tutor Lin Ning?”

Lin Ning’s gloomy eyes lit up instantly. She looked at Chen Ke’an, full of hope.

Yu Sheng thought it was a good idea, too. After all, Lin Ning was her good deskmate, and she hoped Lin Ning could achieve a good rank, so she joined Lin Ning in looking at Chen Ke’an expectantly.

Chen Ke’an hadn’t taken Gu Yan’s suggestion seriously at all. He was about to politely refuse, saying he had no time, but then he met Yu Sheng’s gaze.

His heart stirred, and his Adam’s apple moved up and down. It had been a long time since Yu Sheng had looked at him like that. The last time was back in junior high, when she’d asked him for help revising. She’d been naive and adorable then. Back then, he was the only boy around her, and he’d thought things would always be like that.

But in their first year of high school, they were in different classes, with different schedules, so they gradually drifted apart. Still, Chen Ke’an kept an eye on Yu Sheng, watching her laugh and joke with classmates without a care, and felt reassured.

In their second year, they were put in the same class again. Chen Ke’an had hoped things would return to how they were in junior high, but after he failed to muster the courage to invite her to walk home together after school that first day, he never got a second chance.

A year is enough to distance two people, but also deepen one person’s longing. Chen Ke’an had secretly liked Yu Sheng for three years, silently protecting her, only to lose her to a transfer student. He was unwilling, but too timid to confess his feelings, afraid it would ruin even the fragile bond they had. Besides, now Yu Sheng’s eyes sparkled only for Gu Yan.

“Alright,” Chen Ke’an replied, momentarily dazed.

“Really? Really? Do you want any payment?” Lin Ning asked.

Chen Ke’an glanced at Yu Sheng out of the corner of his eye and smiled at Lin Ning. “We’re classmates. Helping each other is only right. Why ask for payment? Right, Gu Yan?” He turned to Gu Yan.

Gu Yan was still playing with Yu Sheng’s hair. Without looking up, he said, “That’s right.”

Yu Sheng finally couldn’t stand it anymore. She leaned forward, pulling her hair out of Gu Yan’s hand. Her hair slipped away, and Gu Yan let out a sigh, as if he’d lost something precious, poking Yu Sheng’s back with his pen.

“Thank you so much. Can we start this weekend?” Lin Ning asked.

Chen Ke’an gave a quiet “Mm,” “I’ll contact you then.”

Just then, the wealthy lady walked in, holding a sheet of paper, scanning the classroom for Yang Xiaolong.

“Yang Xiaolong, take this. Stick it up front and let the class know,” she said.

Yang Xiaolong had just returned from the store. Seeing the wealthy lady, he quickly stuffed his snacks into his desk and hurried over.

She handed him a notice for the math competition. There are plenty of such contests in high school, but according to Yang Xiaolong, this one was special. Winning it came with a cash prize and could influence admission to prestigious schools.

Yu Sheng’s English and Chinese weren’t her strengths, but she excelled in science, especially math—she’d always ranked among the top three in her class. So she was tempted.

“Yu Sheng, your math is good. Are you going to participate?” Lin Ning asked.

If she participated, it would require a lot of effort and time to prepare, possibly affecting her weaker subjects.

Yu Sheng hesitated. “I’m not sure. I haven’t decided yet.”

“What’s there to think about? Your math is so good—it’d be a shame not to try. You might even win! And there’s a cash prize!” Lin Ning’s eyes sparkled with excitement. If her math were good, she would have signed up already.

“But…”

Yu Sheng hadn’t finished when Gu Yan knocked her head from behind. “Why not participate?”

Yu Sheng covered her head, turning angrily to glare at him. “I never said I wouldn’t. I just said I hadn’t decided.”

Gu Yan propped his chin, smiling at her. “Join in—I’m participating too.”

Yu Sheng ignored him, turning to Chen Ke’an, “Chen Ke’an, are you joining?”

Chen Ke’an adjusted his glasses and nodded, “Unless something unexpected comes up, I’ll probably do it. This competition is supposed to help with university admissions.”

“Aren’t you worried it’ll affect your other subjects?” Yu Sheng asked.

Her only concern was that the competition was just before the finals. She’d done well this time, but if her grades dropped because of it, and she didn’t win anything, it would be a loss.

Gu Yan saw her troubled expression and understood her worry. “How about this: you focus on preparing for the math competition, and I’ll help you with your weaker subjects whenever I can.”

“You said you’d only tutor for payment. I don’t want that,” Yu Sheng protested.

“But I told you, only you can pay that price,” Gu Yan replied, blinking.

Thinking of the last “payment”—that grilled sausage—Yu Sheng’s face burned.

“I can’t, and I don’t want to. Go find someone else!” she said.

Lin Ning, overhearing their conversation, was entirely confused. “What are you two talking about? Yu Sheng, what’s wrong with Gu Yan tutoring you? Your grades went up this time, didn’t they?”

Last time, even a single grilled sausage had left her flustered, and he’d tutored her in the hospital too. If she asked for his help again, combined with last time, the “payment” he’d demand would be…

Yu Sheng didn’t dare let her mind wander into those embarrassing, heart-racing possibilities.

Speaking of the hospital, Yu Sheng had originally gone to help Gu Yan catch up after missing classes, only to find he was already ahead. So their roles had reversed—he tutored her instead.

Yu Sheng had to admit, Gu Yan was an excellent teacher: patient, with a slow pace, unlike other top students whose explanations raced ahead, leaving her lost and feeling stupid.

Gu Yan nodded, “Exactly! My tutoring is quite effective, isn’t it?”

Yu Sheng was tempted. “Then you…”—she wanted to ask if he could skip the “payment,” but couldn’t say it aloud. Lin Ning, unaware of what their “payment” meant, naturally thought nothing of it.

Gu Yan saw through her thoughts. “No payment this time. Didn’t you hear Chen Ke’an? Classmates should help each other.”

Really? Can she trust him? Yu Sheng doubted it. Gu Yan hadn’t said a word before suddenly hugging her last time.

She eyed Gu Yan suspiciously, who grinned at her, and decided she’d better think it over carefully.

“I’ll think about it and give you an answer tomorrow,” Yu Sheng said.

Gu Yan didn’t react, but Lin Ning looked disappointed. Her expression, which had been full of anticipation, quickly deflated.

So tedious! Why go back and forth like this? Why not just say yes? Lin Ning couldn’t understand why Yu Sheng was so hesitant now. If you like him, just go for it! I’ve dropped so many hints—why are you still so slow? Ugh, you’re going to wear me out!

Yu Sheng had no idea about Lin Ning’s efforts. It’s always said that those involved are confused, while bystanders see clearly. Lin Ning had noticed Yu Sheng’s feelings for Gu Yan long before Yu Sheng herself did, and had been quietly supporting her. But Lin Ning’s heart was worn out; even Gu Yan was so obvious, yet Yu Sheng still hesitated. Just charge ahead already!

Yu Sheng was unaware of all the little thoughts behind Lin Ning’s complicated expression. If she knew, she’d surely thank her.

That afternoon, after school, Yu Sheng resumed walking home with Gu Yan. They were the last two to leave the classroom, as had always been Yu Sheng’s habit, now silently adopted by both.

Walking together to the school gate, Gu Yan, as usual, shared some funny stories he’d picked up from who knows where. Yu Sheng was laughing when she felt a hand tap her shoulder.

“Yu Sheng!”