Chapter 501: I

At 11:30 a. m., as the bell signaling the end of the Gaokao rang, Xu Youyu exhaled slowly.

Around her, many classmates put down their pens, but Xu Youyu had finished her essay by eleven o'clock and had spent the rest of the time checking for omissions and errors—her hands were already idle.

Hearing the bell, she leaned back, lifted her hands from the desk, and placed them on her thighs, gazing at the invigilator at the podium.

As the invigilator announced the exam was over and instructed everyone to remain seated until papers were collected, Xu Youyu's gaze turned to the window.

Her examination room was on the fourth floor of the Grade One teaching building, by the window—turn her head and she could catch a glimpse of the bustling scene at the school gate.

Parents who had come to pick up their children filled the area before the gate, barely held back by a yellow line drawn by security guards and on-duty police.

Upon closer look, she could spot several reporters and photographers waiting outside.

Xu Youyu couldn't make out who had come to pick her up; she simply waited quietly as the invigilator collected the papers.

Once all papers were collected and the invigilator declared the exam over, Xu Youyu didn't rush—she calmly tidied her desk.

When most students had left the classroom, she slowly exited through the back door, descended the stairs, and fell behind the main group.

By then, most students at the gate had been picked up, and Xu Youyu could clearly see who had come for her.

"Dad, it's just you?" Xu Youyu walked under the tree, looked at Xu Rongsheng who had come to pick her up, glanced around curiously, and confirmed that only Xu Rongsheng had come.

"It's just a few steps—do you want a whole entourage to pick you up?" Xu Rongsheng chuckled. "Or do you not want me to come, and prefer someone else?"

"No way~" Xu Youyu grinned, hugging her father's arm and pouting, "Of course it's best when Dad comes to pick me up."

"Hmph." Xu Rongsheng saw right through his daughter's insincerity and didn't bother calling her out; instead he asked, "What was the Chinese essay topic?"

Every year, the Chinese essay is the most talked-about part of the Gaokao.

After all, asking the public to read the final math problem, a full English paper, or complex science questions is a bit too much.

But the Chinese essay—even if not everyone can write it well—is something everyone can comment on.

"Virtual and reality," Xu Youyu replied succinctly. "It asked whether, with the development of the internet, we should embrace the virtual or cling to reality."

"How did you answer?" Xu Rongsheng asked.

"Obviously, I chose both," Xu Youyu shrugged. "This topic's been done to death—it's all about how the virtual must be built upon reality, and only with the virtual can reality become richer."

As the saying goes, yin and yang united form the Dao.

Or approaching it from the perspective of contradiction and unity—same principle.

If you take only one side—either supporting the virtual or the real—you're already at a disadvantage.

Unless your answer is brilliant, your score ceiling is inherently lower.

This also relates to China's emphasis on the middle way—problems shouldn't be treated as black or white.

Judging from the essay topics chosen, China's education system still prioritizes cultivating this kind of thinking, discouraging students from extremism.

Of course, that sounds rather abstract.

Xu Youyu didn't dwell on it—after all, this year's essay topic was relatively simple; after finishing the Chinese exam, she felt confident and already had an estimate of her score.

After hearing her reasoning, Xu Rongsheng nodded, reassured, and led Xu Youyu toward Bihai Lanting.

"Where are Li Luo and the others?" Halfway there, Xu Youyu couldn't hold back and asked.

Logically, after her first Gaokao exam, Li Luo should've come to pick her up.

Xu Youyu mentally marked him down, grumbling—she'd see why he didn't come.

Could it be he was too shy in front of her parents?

He's usually so smart—couldn't he have just found some excuse to come along?

She'd even hoped to see his figure the moment she stepped out of the exam hall—but instead she only saw her father's face, and felt a pang of disappointment she didn't show.

Xu Rongsheng glanced at his daughter; though her expression gave nothing away, he'd seen countless students in school and knew exactly what she was thinking.

So he just smiled and said, "You'll find out when we get home."

Her father dropped a hint—Xu Youyu puffed out her cheeks and quickened her pace.

Xu Rongsheng strolled behind her, then took a call from Cui Suling, and turned to Xu Youyu: "Don't go into the compound yet—buy a bottle of vinegar at the supermarket first. We're almost out."

"I'm a Gaokao candidate—do I have to buy vinegar too?" Xu Youyu widened her eyes.

"Then you go up first, and I'll buy it?"

"No, no, let's go together," Xu Youyu quickly pulled her father toward the supermarket, bought vinegar, and grabbed some snacks along the way.

After returning home with the bags, Xu Youyu immediately smelled the aroma drifting from the kitchen.

"So good~" Xu Youyu had just finished her mental exertion and was hungry—the scent instantly awakened her appetite.

She hurriedly slipped on slippers, pulled the vinegar from the bag, glanced around the living room—no sign of Li Luo or the others—and headed to the kitchen door.

"Mom, here's your vinegar!" Xu Youyu slid open the kitchen door, handed in the bottle, and planned to rush to Li Luo's room for a hug to replenish her exam energy.

But as soon as she opened the door, Li Luo, standing near the entrance, reached out and took the vinegar bottle—leaving Xu Youyu stunned.

"Why are you cooking?" Xu Youyu asked, puzzled, then brightened with anticipation, "What'd you make?"

Li Luo set the vinegar aside and continued stir-frying as he replied, "There's something you like."

Including Cui Suling and Xu Rongsheng who had come today, there were six people at home; Li Luo prepared eight dishes and one soup, including Maple Tofu and Green Pepper Shredded Pork—Xu Youyu's favorites.

After spending so much time together, Li Luo knew Cui Suling and Xu Rongsheng's tastes well, and made a few dishes they liked too.

Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng were not overlooked either.

But today's focus was Xu Youyu—Li Luo prioritized the Gaokao candidate: not only were Maple Tofu and Green Pepper Shredded Pork included, but most other dishes were also chosen based on her preferences, before considering others'.

As a result, without Li Luo saying a word, Xu Youyu, standing at the kitchen door and sniffing the aroma, already felt herself being lured in.

Squinting, flaring her nostrils, Xu Youyu stepped into the kitchen, followed the scent to the counter, and saw a steaming plate of Green Pepper Shredded Pork—she couldn't resist, pinched a strand of meat, popped it in her mouth, and sighed in bliss.

Cui Suling, watching this, immediately nudged her daughter with mild disgust: "It'll be ready soon—why are you stealing food? You didn't even wash your hands after coming home—how unclean!"

"Just one bite," Xu Youyu muttered, darting behind Li Luo's left side to hide from her mother's view.

Li Luo chuckled and kept cooking; Cui Suling, meanwhile, grew more impressed with Li Luo—and seeing her daughter's greedy little face, thought the girl was clueless, not showing enough affection in front of Li Luo.

"The soup's almost ready," Li Luo lifted the lid of the clay pot beside him, sprinkled in a pinch of salt, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and held it to Xu Youyu's lips. "Taste the saltiness."

"What kind of soup is this?"

"Corn, winter melon, and pork rib soup."

"Oh." Xu Youyu took a sip, lowering her head. "A bit bland."

"Then I'll add more salt." Li Luo added a pinch more salt to the pot, then picked up a soup bowl and poured the cooked corn, winter melon, and pork rib soup into it.

Soon, eight dishes and one soup were carried out to the dining table.

Li Luo took off his apron and hung it on the wall, letting out a long breath.

It had been too long since he last cooked a full table of dishes—he was a bit rusty.

But with his Memory Palace, his cooking skills had no room to decline; he performed perfectly.

He called Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng out from the bedroom, and the six of them sat in a circle to eat.

After tasting Li Luo's food, Cui Suling and Xu Rongsheng were both surprised, glancing at each other involuntarily.

Xu Youyu and the three women, however, were unfazed—they simply rarely got to taste Li Luo's cooking now, so they cherished it, chewing slowly and savoring each bite.

"Not bad, Li Luo. Your dishes are great," Cui Suling couldn't help praising. "The flavor is really good."

"Indeed," Xu Rongsheng said after tasting, nodding. "It tastes just like restaurant food—delicious."

"Of course it does," Xu Youyu beamed, scooping several spoonfuls of Maple Tofu and pouring them directly over her rice. She took a bite, her face lighting up with bliss. "This Maple Tofu is way better than Mom's."

"Hmph," Cui Suling shot her a look. "Li Luo cooks better than I do. Should I just have him cook for you from now on?"

"No way," Xu Youyu shook her head, suddenly sounding almost sympathetic. "Cooking's too tiring. Once in a while is plenty."

"Such a traitor..." Cui Suling muttered under her breath, unheard by the others.

Xu Rongsheng, sitting beside her, caught a hint of what his wife had said and couldn't help laughing quietly, thinking: truly, a daughter grows up and turns against her parents.

She's siding with outsiders now.

At the table, Li Luo shifted the topic to the college entrance exam, curiously asking about the Chinese paper.

Xu Youyu gave a brief summary, after which Li Luo ended the topic and turned to the afternoon math exam, telling her to finish eating and take a nap, then he'd wake her at two p. m.

Xu Youyu nodded obediently and returned to her bedroom after eating.

Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng got up quietly to wash the dishes.

Cui Suling and Xu Rongsheng had nothing to do, so Li Luo had them rest on the living room sofa and chat casually.

Soon after they sat down, Li Luo felt his phone vibrate a few times.

He opened it and saw a message from Xu Youyu.

【EarlySleepTall】: Come in.

【EarlySleepTall】: Hurry up.

【EarlySleepTall】: I still need to sleep. Quick.

Li Luo read the message, then looked up at Cui Suling and Xu Rongsheng, who were watching TV. He stood and said he was going back to his bedroom to rest.

The two parents had no suspicion—they knew Li Luo had worked hard cooking lunch—and waved him off, telling him to rest and not overexert himself.

But when Li Luo reached the hallway, he glanced again at the living room, then at the two girls diligently washing dishes in the kitchen, turned, and slipped into Xu Youyu's room, gently closing the door.

He locked it, just in case.

"Why are you locking the door?" Xu Youyu, lying in bed, heard the click and grinned mischievously. She pulled the covers over herself, then peeked out with a pitiful, timid expression, whispering softly, "Y-You're not going to... do anything, right? Don't come closer..."

Li Luo looked at Xu Youyu, who had instantly slipped into character, and sighed helplessly. "You should've auditioned for 'A Little Reunion'—you love acting this much, huh?"

"No way," Xu Youyu said, barely holding back laughter. "I can only act like this privately. On stage, I can't pull it off."

"Still a hidden flirt," Li Luo chuckled, stepping closer to the bed, then suddenly leaning down to pin her wrists to the headboard. He leaned close to her beautiful face. "So what do you think I'm going to do?"

"I-I have an exam this afternoon... Please, let me go... I beg you..."

"You still have over two hours. More than enough time," Li Luo smiled softly, tilting her chin up with one hand.

A flush rose on Xu Youyu's cheeks—not from shyness, but from excitement.

The thought of her parents just outside the door while she played this role with Li Luo made her head spin, and she couldn't help continuing her pitiful act.

"Then... what do you want? As long as you let me take the exam, I'll do anything..."

"You said it," Li Luo smiled, then bent down and kissed her soft lips.

More than ten minutes later, Li Luo lay in bed while Xu Youyu curled against him, greedily inhaling his scent, her eyes half-closed and drowsy.

The post-meal drowsiness had finally hit her—she truly wanted to sleep now.

"So what did you really want me for earlier?"

"Charging," Xu Youyu said, eyes closed, her fingers tracing circles on his chest. "Now I'm fully charged. I need to shut down for a while—turn back on for the afternoon exam."

"Then sleep. Should I go out now?"

"No," Xu Youyu immediately clung tighter. "Stay with me."

"Your parents might find out."

"But you locked the door."

"Can you sleep with me here?"

"Of course I can... I'm already sleepy. Don't move," Xu Youyu's voice faded, and she was asleep within moments.

But lying there, feeling the full, warm body of the girl beside him, Li Luo felt utterly helpless.

"You're sleeping soundly," Li Luo muttered, staring at the bulge under the covers. "What am I supposed to do?"

(End of Chapter)