"Ye Chen, we need to talk about your behavior in class," Teacher Lin Rouxi said sternly, her brows slightly furrowed.
Ye Chen blinked, puzzled. "What behavior in class? I don't remember doing anything wrong."
Lin Rouxi coughed lightly, her cheeks flushed. "Don't think your teacher didn't notice... You were staring silently at me—at my backside."
Ye Chen nearly choked on air. "Teacher! You've misunderstood! I wasn't looking at your… backside. I was just looking at your thighs."
"Thighs?!" Lin Rouxi's voice rose slightly, her face turning even redder.
"Ye Chen! Just because you're a boy going through puberty doesn't mean you can treat your teacher like the object of your fantasies!"
Ye Chen rubbed his temples. This situation was quickly spiraling out of control. "Teacher, I'll be honest with you," he said seriously, trying to regain some control of the conversation.
Seeing the rare seriousness on Ye Chen's face, Lin Rouxi's mind started spinning. Could it be… he's about to confess his feelings to me? Is this brat really that bold?
But what Ye Chen said next caught her completely off guard.
"Teacher, you often experience pain in your thighs at night, don't you? So much that it's difficult to walk the next day."
Lin Rouxi blinked, stunned by his words. "W-what nonsense are you talking about, Ye Chen? I'm your teacher, not your… friend!" she stammered, clearly thrown off.
Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "Teacher Lin, what did you just say?"
"A-Ah! Forget it! Just forget what I said!" Lin Rouxi quickly turned away, deeply embarrassed at where her own thoughts had taken her. This is all that brat's fault making me think such things!
She cleared her throat and tried to regain her composure. "Ye Chen, what did you say earlier? Something about thigh pain?"
"Yes," Ye Chen nodded. "I said at night, you often experience pain in both thighs that makes it hard to walk."
"…How do you know that?" Lin Rouxi asked, eyes widening.
It was true. For the past few weeks, she had been quietly suffering from a dull pain in her thighs. She had even gone to the hospital, but the doctors found nothing unusual and simply prescribed painkillers.
"When I saw the way you moved in class, I noticed something wasn't right," Ye Chen replied calmly. "So I guessed."
Lin Rouxi was stunned. So Ye Chen wasn't staring at her out of lust—he had noticed something wrong. She had completely misunderstood him.
"Ye Chen… can you heal me?" she asked quietly, hope flickering in her eyes. Although the pain had started off mild, it had gradually worsened to the point where walking had become painful on some days.
"I do have a method to treat it," Ye Chen said, crossing his arms. "But I have one condition."
"A condition?" Lin Rouxi repeated, narrowing her eyes.
Ye Chen glanced at her from head to toe. Honestly, her beauty was not inferior to Zhao Yanyan's.
Especially those two peaks pressing lightly against her blouse definitely not something he could ignore. But he quickly looked away before she noticed.
"Ye Chen! Where are your eyes looking!" Lin Rouxi snapped, catching him red-handed.
Ye Chen raised both hands innocently. "Sorry! Sorry! My bad! Anyway, the condition is very simple."
"Just say it already! If it's anything inappropriate, I swear I'll slap you on the spot," she warned.
Ye Chen grinned. "Just treat me to free meals for two weeks. That's all."
Lin Rouxi blinked in surprise. "That's it? I thought you were going to ask for something crazy."
Ye Chen shrugged. "You think I'm that kind of guy? So… do we have a deal?"
Lin Rouxi was still slightly dazed. Why do I feel like I've completely lost control of this conversation? "Alright. Deal. When do we start the treatment?"
"How about tonight?" Ye Chen said. "I have something to take care of now."
"Tonight's fine. Shall we do it at my place?" she asked.
"It's up to you, Teacher. Wherever you're comfortable."
Lin Rouxi nodded and wrote down her home address on a slip of paper, handing it to him. Ye Chen didn't even glance at it and stuffed it into his pocket before leaving.
Watching him disappear from the classroom, Lin Rouxi let out a sigh of relief. Today was exhausting—and confusing. She had never felt this emotionally jumbled before. Yet somehow, she found herself trusting Ye Chen's confidence. Maybe… he really could heal her.
By the time Ye Chen left the school building, the courtyard was silent and empty. All the students had already gone home. He stretched his arms, looking around with a relaxed smile.
"Time to get myself a cellphone," he muttered.
---
The streets were busy with the usual afternoon traffic. Ye Chen walked toward the nearest mall, which was only a few kilometers from the school. After twenty minutes of weaving through the bustling crowds, he arrived.
Heading straight to the electronics section, Ye Chen approached a sleek mobile store. The moment he walked in, several enthusiastic sales clerks swarmed him.
"Welcome! Looking for anything in particular, sir?"
Without hesitation, Ye Chen pointed. "That one—the most expensive iPhone you've got."
He completed the payment with ease. Holding the new phone in his hand, a broad smile spread across his face. Finally… I can afford the phone I always dreamed of.
With the brand-new device secured, Ye Chen's next stop was his favorite roadside food stall—the place he visited whenever he had a little extra money.
It was a humble goat satay stall run by a kind auntie named Chen Qui. Despite its modest appearance, the food was famously delicious.
"Auntie! Thirty skewers of goat satay, please!" Ye Chen called cheerfully as he approached.
The woman looked up from the grill and beamed. "Ye Chen! Long time no see, boy. Is everything alright? You haven't visited in weeks."
"Just a small problem at home," Ye Chen replied with a smile. "But it's all resolved now."
"Well, that's good to hear. Have a seat—I'll get your order ready."
Aunt Chen Qui had always treated Ye Chen kindly. Even when he had little money, she would often give him extra portions without charging extra. Her warm-hearted nature reminded Ye Chen of the kindness he rarely found elsewhere.
Ye Chen took a seat, stretched his legs, and leaned back. For now, life was looking up.
---