Chapter 20: Chapter Twenty: Maybe It

Qinghe County No. 2 High School, evening self-study class.

Li Ye propped his cheek with one hand, tilting his head to watch his desk partner Wen Leyu, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

“Little guy, finally realized there are people above people and heavens beyond heavens?”

The other day, Wen Leyu kindly gave Li Ye an English test paper to help him improve his grades for the Foreign Languages Academy.

But she unwittingly triggered Li Ye’s “counteroffer,” and the two began an exchange of “one paper for another,” mutually aiding each other.

Today, Wen Leyu excitedly pulled out an English test paper for Li Ye, only to find he had laid out three papers—math, physics, and chemistry.

Wen Leyu curiously asked where he got the papers; Li Ye brushed it off with a “secret,” then left her drowning in a sea of problems.

Watching Wen Leyu’s delicate little face scrunch up like a steamed bun, Li Ye felt a quiet, nurturing pleasure stir within him.

Wen Leyu’s foundational knowledge was surprisingly solid; many problem types were new to her, yet after deep thought, she still managed to find correct solutions.

Even when she truly couldn’t solve one, a slight hint from Li Ye would let her instantly grasp it—and then apply it to similar problems.

【This girl is a born top student!】

Li Ye was certain no one in the remedial class had better learning potential than Wen Leyu; a national key university was a given, and with cultivation, Tsinghua or Peking University was within reach.

Moreover, Li Ye had ignited Wen Leyu’s “fighting spirit” for problem-solving; after finishing one of his test papers, she’d raise her chin like a victorious soldier, waiting for praise.

That adorable, radiant look made Li Ye, who had lived two lifetimes totaling decades, sigh inwardly—“After all these years, my heart stirs again.”

“Tap-tap-tap~”

With a soft door opening, a figure entered the classroom and walked toward Li Ye.

It was Wen Leyu’s mother, Teacher Ke.

Li Ye sensed Teacher Ke had come for him; he was about to stand and greet her, but she waved him off, then pulled out a letter and handed it to Wen Leyu.

Wen Leyu’s expression changed instantly; she hastily tore open the envelope and began reading.

Teacher Ke gently tapped Li Ye’s desk, then walked out.

Li Ye understood and quickly rose to follow; Wen Leyu was completely absorbed in the letter and didn’t notice him leave.

As soon as Li Ye stepped outside, he heard a chorus of murmurs behind him.

“Look, look—I knew Li Ye was in for trouble. Daring to flirt with Teacher Ke’s daughter? He’s asking for it.”

“No way! They’re desk partners—discussing problems is normal. Don’t you often whisper sweet nothings with Wang Chunhua?”

“What sweet nothings? We discuss literature. Does Li Ye even understand literature?”

Li Ye frowned, puzzled.

If Teacher Ke wanted to stop Wen Leyu from getting too close to him, Li Ye could understand.

After all, a fallen phoenix is still a phoenix; his family background was merely decent in Qinghe County, nothing compared to Wen Leyu, who might one day ascend to immortality.

But if that were the case, why would Wen Leyu even come to evening self-study?

After being hired by County No. 2 High, Teacher Ke was given a dorm room; she and her daughter lived on campus.

Because the students’ English foundation was weak, Teacher Ke sat in her office every evening, ready to answer questions from any eager learner.

When they first arrived, Wen Leyu studied in her mother’s office, accompanying her during self-study.

But since Li Ye began exchanging test papers with Wen Leyu, she’d been attending evening self-study in Remedial Class One for several days straight.

If Teacher Ke truly wanted them kept apart, why not just send Wen Leyu back to the office? Why come to him?

Someone of her caliber wouldn’t resort to such a crude script—“Take a million and leave my daughter,” right?

“Sit.”

Teacher Ke led Li Ye into her office and shut the door behind her.

This deepened Li Ye’s confusion.

Not even in the future, let alone the 1980s, would a teacher of the opposite sex invite a student into her office alone without leaving the door open to avoid gossip.

“Sit down. Don’t overthink it—I just have a few things I’d like to ask you.”

Teacher Ke personally pulled out a chair for Li Ye, leaving him slightly stunned.

After Li Ye sat, Teacher Ke asked seriously: “Before, were you very familiar with Xiao Yu?”

“..........”

【Do you really not know whether I’m close to your daughter?】

Li Ye was baffled; the memories he inherited from the original body held little about Wen Leyu—they were merely acquaintances.

But hearing Teacher Ke say this, Li Ye realized Wen Leyu’s attitude toward him was unusually different.

Wen Leyu had been at County No. 2 for many days, deliberately keeping distance from others—skillfully, subtly.

Yet with Li Ye, she was clearly different: from passing notes at first, to later giving him test papers—it felt almost like a female best friend.

But he couldn’t say that to her mother; he replied vaguely: “Sorry, Teacher Ke, I wasn’t very close to Wen Leyu before. Why are you asking now?”

Teacher Ke smiled, paused thoughtfully, then said: “You may have noticed—Xiao Yu is a bit shy, rarely speaks to others. But lately, I’ve noticed she seems to get along well with you? Is that true?”

Li Ye, confused, replied: “Teacher Ke, we’re just helping each other with studies. Are you saying... something’s wrong?”

Teacher Ke was surprised.

She understood Li Ye’s implication—and was taken aback by his perceptiveness.

Li Ye was clearly asking: “Do you disapprove of me interacting with your daughter?”

A boy of eighteen or nineteen, with such sensitivity, articulate speech, and proper restraint—calling him a young talent wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Teacher Ke grew fonder of Li Ye with every glance and quickly said: “Li Ye, you misunderstand. I see nothing wrong between you and Xiao Yu. I hope this mutual help continues—and deepens.”

Teacher Ke, what exactly are you implying? Should I start calling you something else now?

Li Ye nearly misread her.

“Yesterday, Xiao Yu told me a lot—some questions about problems, some about you... Regardless, I hope you two keep this dynamic.”

Teacher Ke pulled several test papers from her desk drawer and handed them to Li Ye: “I made some problems. Do them together with Xiao Yu—learn from each other, help each other.”

Li Ye finally understood Teacher Ke’s intentions.

Perhaps something happened years ago; Wen Leyu developed a habit of silence, and likely barely speaks to her mother either.

This wasn’t a condition treatable by medicine or injections—Teacher Ke must have been nearly driven to despair over her daughter.

Poor parents’ hearts: now that Teacher Ke saw Wen Leyu “click” with Li Ye, she pinned her hopes on this outsider.

Li Ye took the papers and smiled: “Thank you, Teacher Ke. Wen Leyu’s English and Chinese are excellent—I’ll ask her for help often.”

Teacher Ke’s eyes lit up; she nodded: “Thank you so much. But Xiao Yu might have a bit of a temper—please bear with her.”

“Understood.”

Li Ye left Teacher Ke’s office and returned to Remedial Class One.

Wen Leyu had finished reading the letter; seeing Li Ye return, she wrote on a note: “What did my mom want with you?”

Li Ye replied naturally: “Teacher Ke gave me a few test papers to try—I got many wrong. Help me check them.”

Wen Leyu immediately perked up, took the papers, scribbled answers with her fountain pen, and began explaining the problems to him.

Her bright, animated expression showed she was thrilled.

These past days of being crushed by Li Ye’s problem sets had nearly damaged her pride—now, finally, Li Ye was begging her, the academic prodigy, for help!

Outside the classroom’s back window, Teacher Ke let out a soft sigh, her gaze filled with quiet hope.

Her daughter hadn’t been this lively in a long time—she rarely spoke to her before. Now... perhaps it’s fate.