Chapter 186 Tactically Swapping Homes

Back at Xia Hai’s house, the two felt a subtle awkwardness, considering Yu Zi was still over at Xiang’s place.

Damn, it was a tactical home swap.

Today was the third day of the Lunar New Year, a Friday, with less than a week left before school started.

The two had been playing for a long time, thoroughly relaxing.

So, upon returning home, they thought about studying a bit.

“But the main study materials are at your house, what should we study…” Sitting at the desk, Xia Xinyu pondered.

“Biology?” Chen Yuan asked.

“Why biology?” Xia Xinyu was puzzled.

“My bad, I meant physiology.”

Hearing that, Xia Xinyu knew what dirty joke Chen Yuan was holding back, so she ignored him and directly took out his English *Wu San* (Five-Three) test prep book and opened it. “Forget about things that aren’t tested, let’s write some essays. Your essays could use some improvement, and we can grade each other’s.”

“Okay, Teacher Xinyu.”

And so, the two began to sit at the desk, seriously writing essays.

Rare was this long night, where the two didn’t touch or flirt, purely focusing on studying.

Just like that, a dozen minutes passed, and when the time came, the essays were exchanged for grading.

“It’s pretty good, but…” Grading Chen Yuan’s essay, Xia Xinyu nodded and said, “But it feels like you’re trying too hard for grammatical precision, lacking a bit of flair.”

“After all, wrong sentences and diction will cost points.” Unlike Chinese, where he could somewhat showcase his 50+ level writing skills, this was English essay writing.

“Even the somewhat uncommon vocabulary you use feels a little stiff,” Xia Xinyu said.

“Could this be the reason for my 17 or 18 points in English?” Chen Yuan looked at Xia Xinyu’s essay and found that hers was indeed smoother and more pleasing to the eye.

Xia Xinyu, on the other hand, always scored 20 or 21 on her essays, giving her a 2 to 4 point advantage.

Speaking of which, Xia Xinyu said impartially, “The top students in our school all score 145+ in English, some even get 148. And you’re losing seven or eight points on essays alone, which isn’t great.”

“Xiao Sun is the same, even though he’s so strong, he’s still a bit behind those top players in English,” Chen Yuan said.

Looking at it now, he was currently just a slightly nerfed version of Xiao Sun.

Strong and stable in science subjects, with room for improvement in humanities.

But the difference was that Xiao Sun’s English was truly useless, stuck there for so long, neither improving nor declining.

Moreover, Xiao Sun’s Chinese was much better than his.

This meant that if Xiao Sun couldn’t overcome his inner demons and improve his English, his Chinese would have no room for improvement either, and as the *gaokao* (national college entrance exam) approached, he would be completely outclassed.

“But I’ve read so many English reading materials and resources, why isn’t it helping?” Chen Yuan wondered.

“It has helped, just not as much as you’d like. Why don’t you take a look at model essays written by students who are good at it?”

After Xia Xinyu finished speaking, she suggested, “Do you know anyone like that?”

“Zhou Fu’s essay scores are always… no, no.”

Saying this, Chen Yuan quickly dismissed the idea.

It was New Year’s, why ask someone for English essays?

And especially Zhou Fu.

That *bi* (derogatory term, slang) would definitely ask: “What’s up? So diligent, cramming for English even during the New Year?”

No, Xinyu and I are watching a movie.

Then, after school started, he would hear that guy sarcastically say: “Why are you so listless? Were you watching movies with Xinyu again?”

What could he say?

Yes, all night long.

Chen Yuan’s reaction made Xia Xinyu quite happy.

Knowing that it wasn’t good to chat with girls so late, he was avoiding suspicion.

Truly displaying *nan de* (virtuous qualities of a man).

But he was being too serious, Zhou Fu was also a good friend, she didn’t mind it.

What was this Yu Zi so happy about over there?

Chen Yuan didn’t know what she was reveling in.

Most likely some kind of self-brainwashing.

No choice, he just so happened to have such a good girlfriend who self-PUA-ed.

“Alright, then I’ll ask Shen Yating for some essays. Then, I’ll have her ask Liu Chengxi as well, they’re both very strong in English,” Xia Xinyu suggested.

“Okay.”

“Hey, aren’t you four in the same group? Why don’t you just ask directly?”

“Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to discuss studying in a study group?” Chen Yuan said uncertainly.

As everyone knew, groups were never used for chatting, either they were driving or talking about games.

Game groups also weren’t used for talking about games, usually ending up with just driving.

Only car enthusiast groups, that was considered returning to the original purpose.

Not only discussing cars, but also discussing used cars, carbon buildup, maintenance, and engine… oil.

“It’s just a joke.”

Looking at the confused Xia Xinyu, Chen Yuan explained with a smile, then launched a request for help in the ‘Three-Person Gang’ group.

………

Chen Yuan: Dear geniuses, can you guys send your English essays to the group for us to exchange ideas? 17 or 18 pointers need not apply.

Shen Yating: You actually guessed your essay score right away.

Liu Chengxi: Already at 700, and there’s still so much room for improvement?

Liu Chengxi: I’m jealous of you.

Chen Yuan: After the mocking, send some essays to the group.

Although everyone said it that way, when Chen Yuan mentioned it, they quickly helped out and sent their essays to the group.

After Liu Chengxi finished sending his, Chen Yuan replied with respect: Thanks, bro.

Then, Shen Yating also sent seven or eight essays.

Chen Yuan: Thanks, sis-in-law.

Liu Chengxi: ……

Chen Yuan: Boys, be generous, even sis-in-law didn’t say anything.

Shen Yating: I’ll take it back if you keep this up.

Chen Yuan: My bad.

Watching them banter, Shi Yi was quite amused.

Then, he secretly opened those essay photos as well.

Although his English was already very good, and he scored 146 on the last test, but learning was endless. It would be good to absorb some experience from others.

Moreover, Chen Yuan was the one who called them ‘bro’ and ‘sis-in-law’, he hadn’t contributed anything but was directly benefiting, it was practically free.

Shen Yating: Are you starting to study now? Isn’t it still the New Year?

Chen Yuan: As the bottom feeder of this group, I must be ashamed and then be brave.

Shen Yating: Don’t be *hou yong* (suddenly brave), improving by several dozens of points at once, that’s too scary.

Chen Yuan: The bottleneck period has arrived, I’m really going to drop next time.

Liu Chengxi: You’re a beaker.

Shen Yating sent a little girl with a question mark face emoji.

Chen Yuan: Bro? Why are you cursing?

Liu Chengxi: How am I cursing? I said you’re a beaker, you have no bottleneck at all.

Shen Yating withdrew an emoji.

Chen Yuan: Oh, that beaker…

Liu Chengxi: What else did you think?

Chen Yuan: I thought you said I was a tragedy (杯具, *bei ju*, similar pronunciation to beaker).

The group chatted lively, and Shi Yi was also enjoying the show, even putting down his studies.

At this time, his dad, Shi Yun, knocked on the door and said to him, “The neighbor’s daughter came to visit and brought some chocolate candies.”

“I… I smelled them.” Shi Yi said with a smile.

“You smelled them already? What a nose you have?” Shi Yun said in surprise.

“Ah, is there something you need?” Shi Yi asked, puzzled.

Shi Yun did have something to say, so he asked curiously, “You used to be pretty good friends with the kid next door. But didn’t you stop playing later? How come you’re playing together again now?”

“Ah, isn’t she going to Fourth High School when school starts? We’re classmates again, so we have some common topics,” Shi Yi explained.

“I think her dad is also pretty weird, seems quite willing to help you two play together,” Shi Yun guessed.

“……” Shi Yi smiled, and asked nervously, “Dad, what do you think is the reason?”

“I think, most likely, he’s taken a liking to your…”

*Gulp.*

Hearing this, Shi Yi swallowed nervously.

Shi Yun then said firmly, “Studying, wants you to teach his daughter how to solve problems.”

Thank goodness.

My dad is at the same level as me when it comes to romance.

He’s the type who can mess up even an open-book test.

“I have a good relationship with her dad, but this is up to you. If you feel it’s affecting you, just tell me, no need to force yourself to help,” Shi Yun said.

“I’m not forcing myself to help, it’s just a casual thing, and she mostly studies on her own.”

“Then why are you willing to help her?” Shi Yun asked again.

“I…”

“You can’t be, taken a liking to her…”

“What about the second half of the sentence?”

“There is no second half.”

Shi Yun coughed twice, clearing his throat: “Of course, I’m just guessing, deny it if it’s not, it’s okay if it is.”

“Oh.” Shi Yi nodded.

After a moment of pause, Shi Yun asked, “Deny it?”

Shi Yi: “……”

His silence made Shi Yun’s mind short-circuit a bit.

“That, I’ll say it later, I’ll go thank her for the chocolate.”

His cheeks slightly flushed, Shi Yi quickly got up and immediately ran away.

At this time, Wu Wenxin happened to be sitting on a stool in the living room on the first floor.

Next to her was a large bag of various chocolates.

“My uncle brought back these chocolates from Mexico,” Wu Wenxin explained with a smile.

And after Shi Yi walked over, just as he sat down, he saw the stairs, where his dad was standing, observing this side. And at the bedroom door, his mom was pretending to scroll through TikTok, but her eyes were constantly glancing over here…

This was Shi Yi’s family environment.

Sultry parents created his shortcomings in romance.

This plank, was very short.

“Then, I’ll be going now.” Wu Wenxin stood up.

“I’ll walk you out.”

“……” Wu Wenxin paused and glanced outside.

Our two houses are right next to each other, you’re going to walk me out?

The only way I could get into an accident on this short walk is if a sniper suddenly shot me from the shadows.

But since he said it, Wu Wenxin had no choice but to agree.

Then, the two went out of Shi Yi’s house together.

But instead of going directly to Wu Wenxin’s house, Shi Yi led her to the side of the street lamp.

“What’s wrong? You seem kind of nervous?” Wu Wenxin asked with a smile.

Shi Yi raised his head and said stiffly, “My dad, seems to have discovered something.”

“Discovered something?” Wu Wenxin acted surprised.

“Yeah, discovered something.” Shi Yi responded firmly.

And so, the two were silent for a while.

Finally, Wu Wenxin asked, “Discovered what?”

Being asked this, Shi Yi frowned slightly. Looking at the pouting lips, the forced smile, and the big eyes looking at him, she seemed very sincere.

A sincere question, discovered what?

What are you, saying duck?

“You should understand what I mean… or maybe you can kind of guess?” Shi Yi asked uncertainly.

“Then… what do you mean? I, can’t guess duck.”

Wu Wenxin continued to maintain that face and stared at Shi Yi ‘stare~~’.

“Then what do you think is possible?” Shi Yi was a bit puzzled, did Wu Wenxin really not know?

“I don’t know.” Wu Wenxin shook her head in a simple way, saying, “I’m afraid I’ll guess wrong, so I don’t dare to guess randomly.”

Hiss…

Shi Yi was speechless.

Quick, think about what Liu Chengxi would do.

No, Liu Chengxi only throws straight balls, with no defense at all.

At this time, he needed to call on Chen Yuan for help.

Think about what Chen Yuan would do.

“Then you guess?” Shi Yi asked.

“I can’t guess.” Wu Wenxin shook her head.

“No, you haven’t even guessed…”

“I definitely can’t guess.”

The two of them exchanged words, and couldn’t help but fall into a stalemate.

“Then can you describe the situation at that time to me?” Wu Wenxin asked curiously.

After a short moment of silence, Shi Yi had no choice, he honestly said, “My dad asked me, why did Wenxin suddenly become friends with me again, is it because she wants me to teach her how to solve problems.”

“Then what did you answer?”

“I said, after all, we’re both in Fourth High School, and we’re neighbors, it’s normal.”

“Then what?”

“Then he asked me again why I was willing to teach you, is it because…”

When he said this, Wu Wenxin’s ears were almost standing up like a little rabbit, her desire to hear the answer was extremely strong.

However, Shi Yi suddenly stopped like this. Then, he asked back: “You should understand now, what was discovered, right?”

“That depends on your next description.” Wu Wenxin was still serious.

“If I describe it, it’ll be over.”

“Then this…” Wu Wenxin suddenly became vigilant, “Is it an indescribable thing?”

“That’s not it.”

Shi Yi pursed his lips, turned his head to the side, and didn’t dare to look directly at this Wu Wenxin.

Think about what Chen Yuan would do.

As a perfect love expert with excellent offense and defense, what would he do at this time?

No, I haven’t seen him in the early stages of love, pulling and fighting back.

When they met, it was basically the mid-stage of showing off their love.

“Then my dad said…”

Thinking that the longer he stayed outside, the more awkward it would become, Shi Yi finally couldn’t help it. Too much evasion would seem like concealment and insincerity, so he simply sped up his speech, “Did he ask if I was taken with you?”

Hearing this, Wu Wenxin’s body suddenly tensed up.

Xia Hai’s young man, stand at attention.

Then, she just looked at Shi Yi, who was averting his face and standing stiffly.

As the two were silent, the bushes next to them suddenly made rustling sounds. Wu Wenxin turned her head and, while observing, a big black rat suddenly darted out in front of her.

“Ah!” Wu Wenxin was immediately frightened and screamed.

When Shi Yi reacted, he immediately reached out his hand and comforted her chest, hoping to ease her heartbeat.

But when he touched the softness, his hand immediately froze. Then, with red cheeks, he pulled his hand away.

At this time, a hand rested on the back of his hand.

Shi Yi raised his head and saw Wu Wenxin, her face red, weakly saying, “The few strokes of comfort really smoothed my breathing a lot…”

But this, was not in accordance with the *Zhou Li* (ancient Chinese code of conduct).

But since she said so, he had no choice but to help her smooth her breath.

And after taking a few deep breaths, Wu Wenxin looked at the shy big boy in front of her and asked again, “Then, how did you answer your dad? About that sentence… did you say you were taken with me?”

“……I didn’t answer.”

After Shi Yi finished saying this, he realized that her heartbeat had increased a little, so he quickly retracted the topic, “Never mind, let’s not talk about this.”

“Then are you taken with me, or not taken with me?”

But Wu Wenxin, seemed a little persistent, asking persistently.

“Your heart isn’t good, should we avoid this topic…”

“Wait, wait a minute.” Wu Wenxin thought for a while, and said, “Turn around, wait for me for a while.”

“Ah?”

Shi Yi didn’t understand, but he did as he was told.

Then, Wu Wenxin began to take deep breaths in a cyclic manner, and on the spot…

She did a set of Chen-style Tai Chi.

Why is it taking so long, what is she doing?

Shi Yi was a bit puzzled, and slowly turned his head.

And Wu Wenxin, who was in the middle of ‘wild horse parts its mane’, quickly stopped awkwardly, stood up straight, looked at the person in front of her, and said, “You can say it now, I’ve adjusted.”

But if I say it now, doesn’t that mean I’m going to confess to her…

Eee, does she want me to confess?

So, she knew what I was going to say from the start.

She’s setting me up?!

Woman, so scary.

Think about what Chen Yuan would do.

Okay, I’ve got it.

Looking at Wu Wenxin, Shi Yi didn’t know where he learned this flirtatious trick from, and said, “I think… it’s useless if I’m taken with her, it’s also got to be that she’s taken with me.”

Passed it over!

Passed it back!

Wu Wenxin realized that although she had only interacted with Chen Yuan once, Shi Yi had obviously been corrupted by this person!

He had even learned how to set traps.

So, is it my turn to confess now?

No way.

My confession to Shi Yi in elementary school, directly sank without a trace.

That day, the confession through the toy telephone, also had no follow-up.

And now, I have to go first?

Gazing at this tall, slender, the boy in front of me who makes me feel infinitely petite, Wu Wenxin decided she wouldn’t say it no matter what.

So, standing on her tiptoes, she directly gave Shi Yi’s lips a precise kiss.

After the soft contact, Wu Wenxin, with a red face, stared at him and muttered, “Never mind whether it’s useful or not, just say, are you taken with me or not…”

“……”

At that moment, the feeling of the lips, was so real.

It was clearly just a normal level of skin contact, the same as holding hands, why would this action be so fascinating?

In an instant, his brain was completely emptied, he couldn’t think of anything.

Having read so many books, and scored so many points, Shi Yi didn’t understand at all.

But he knew he liked this feeling.

Lowering his head, looking at the wavy ends of her hair, even more beautiful than that girl with measles when she was little, the already graceful beauty Wu Wenxin, being asked this question made Shi Yi, who felt his bones a little soft, stunned for a long time.

Finally, he managed to say with difficulty, “Ta, taken with you.”

“Good.”

As soon as the words fell, Wu Wenxin leaned forward, hugged him, and said with a light laugh, “Since you’re taken, then you’re mine.”

(End of Chapter)