“Little sister, what books are you looking for?” The bookstore owner was a friendly-looking man who smiled warmly at Jiang Qing.
“High school study materials,” Jiang Qing replied.
“They’re on the last two shelves in the back. Take a look at what you need.”
“Thank you, uncle.”
The shelves were neatly stocked with various study materials and test papers for both arts and sciences. After browsing for a while, one study guide caught Jiang Qing’s eye. She pulled out the test paper book marked “Beginner’s Version,” suitable for those starting from zero foundation. After flipping through a few pages, she found the explanations very detailed. She also spotted an interesting extracurricular book – “The Red Finger” by Keigo Higashino – and decided to buy both.
The bookstore owner sighed, “I sell books, but sadly my son doesn’t like reading.”
Jiang Qing smiled, “Everyone likes different things.”
When the owner reached for a bag, she said, “No need, I’ll put them in my backpack.”
“Alright.”
She packed the six study guides into her backpack and held the novel in her hand. Just as she was about to head home, she remembered her promise to Xu Si. Since it was the weekend, he could still do some problems. She took out her phone and messaged him.
[Jiang Qing]: Are you free now? I have something for you.
Xu Si replied almost instantly.
[Xu Si]: Where are you?
Jiang Qing sent her location.
[Xu Si]: Wait for me.
Jiang Qing sat on a chair outside reading her book, quickly becoming absorbed. About fifteen minutes later, a motorcycle stopped in front of her, though she didn’t notice. Xu Si got off, removed his helmet, and immediately spotted Jiang Qing reading on the chair. He sat down beside her and watched her for a moment before saying, “Little bookworm.”
Jiang Qing finally noticed him, slightly startled, not having realized when he’d arrived.
“You were so absorbed in reading, I didn’t want to disturb you,” Xu Si explained.
Jiang Qing handed him her backpack, “These are for you.”
Xu Si took the bag – it was quite heavy. He wondered if she had packed bricks inside. Why would the little bookworm give him bricks? Was she planning to warn him about studying with a threat of bricks?
When he opened the zipper, he found six neatly arranged study guides inside. No bricks after all. He pulled one out and stared at the “Basic Beginner’s Version” written on it. “Why the beginner’s version?”
“Your foundation is a bit weak right now. Start with this, then move to the regular version, and later the advanced version.”
“Didn’t you say this afternoon that my foundation was good?”
Jiang Qing fell silent for a moment, carefully choosing her words to avoid discouraging him, especially now that he was finally willing to study. “It probably was good before.”
“Where should we go now?” he asked.
Jiang Qing shook her head, “I don’t know.”
“How about the bubble tea shop? You can teach me there, little teacher.”
“Okay.”
At the bubble tea shop, Jiang Qing sat next to him with a hot bubble tea, reading her novel. She flipped through a few pages, “Do these problems I’ve circled today. There are thinking guides next to them. If you don’t understand anything, just ask me.”
“Okay.”
They sat together harmoniously, Jiang Qing reading her book while Xu Si worked on the problems she’d circled. He secretly glanced at her. Her eyelashes were so long, and her lips were so red – they looked very kissable.
Jiang Qing noticed his gaze, “What is it?”
“Nothing,” Xu Si looked away.
Thinking he was looking at her bubble tea, Jiang Qing said, “You only bought one for me earlier. Would you like one? I can buy it for you.”
“No need.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
A few minutes later, Xu Si was still working on problems while holding a bubble tea. It was too sweet for his taste, but drinking it with her made it not so bad.
When he reached the last few problems, which were more difficult, he got stuck. He glanced at Jiang Qing, who was focused on her book, planning to wait until she finished reading.
Jiang Qing looked up, “Which part?”
Xu Si pointed to the last few problems, “These ones. I can’t do them.”
He listened as she explained, her voice soft and pleasant. She was good at guiding his thinking.
“Do you understand now?” she asked after finishing her explanation.
Xu Si nodded but then expressed concern, “If I keep asking you questions, won’t it waste your time and interrupt your own studies?”
Jiang Qing shook her head, “No, I usually work on advanced topics we haven’t covered yet.”
Xu Si: …
“Have you had dinner?” he asked.
Jiang Qing shook her head.
“Let me treat you to dinner, as payment for being my little teacher.” He picked up Jiang Qing’s pink backpack and put it on his shoulder. The bag looked small on him, and its pink color seemed oddly mismatched with his appearance.
Jiang Qing couldn’t help but laugh seeing him with the bag.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she replied.
After dinner, it was quite late when they returned. Xu Si walked her to her building, “You should head up now.”
“Okay,” Jiang Qing said softly.
Suddenly remembering he still had her bag, he called out, “Wait.”
Jiang Qing turned to look at him.
“Haven’t returned your bag yet.”
“Put the books back first, you can return it next time.”
“Alright, goodbye, little bookworm.”
Seeing him with the pink bag still made her laugh, “Remember to do the math problems I circled for you. If you can’t finish them tonight, tomorrow is fine too.”
Xu Si teased, “What, planning to check my homework, little teacher?”
Jiang Qing thought for a moment, then said, “Actually, that’s not a bad idea.”
She waved goodbye and went inside.
Xu Si watched her slender figure gradually disappear from view. Soon, he saw lights turn on upstairs and knew she had made it home.
He received a message.
[Little Heartless]: I’m home.
He looked up to see a pair of small hands waving goodbye, and then Jiang Qing’s head peeked out.
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