Hearing Teacher Wang's words, Xia Yingluo's pretty face flushed scarlet.
She even felt the thrill of being caught dating by a teacher.
Seeing her hesitation, Wang Chao went on, "Actually, you don't have to feel awkward. If it's easier, I can speak to Ye Chen myself."
"Teacher, let me tell Ye Chen."
Xia Yingluo bit her lip and finally agreed.
After all, Teacher Wang had helped her so much; refusing such a small favor would be too much.
"Thanks, then. I believe he'll agree if it comes from you."
Xia Yingluo's cheeks warmed. "I'll try."
Watching Xia Yingluo leave the Office, Teacher Wang smiled.
"Hmph, you think only you, surnamed Chen, have a secret weapon? You get insider papers; I have Ye Chen."
It was raining outside today.
After school, Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo, sharing an umbrella, walked toward the Orphanage.
Xia Yingluo hadn't brought an umbrella, so Ye Chen insisted on seeing her home.
Because of the rain, cycling was inconvenient, so they walked under one umbrella.
The Orphanage was only a half-hour walk from school.
On the way, Xia Yingluo suddenly said, "Ye Chen, Teacher Wang asked if you could tutor everyone after class?"
Ye Chen blinked. "Tutor?"
Teacher Wang wanting him to tutor wasn't surprising; what puzzled him was that the teacher had Xia Yingluo deliver the request.
Why the hassle?
Couldn't the teacher just tell him directly?
Ye Chen would never guess that Wang Chao did it because he lacked confidence.
He feared Ye Chen's refusal would cost him face.
A fifty-year-old man's fragile pride was beyond Ye Chen's understanding.
"Teacher Wang said your last lecture went really well and hopes you'll help the others more."
Lecturing was no big deal to Ye Chen.
After all, he'd already finished the entire High School curriculum.
He could stroll into the exams for Huaqing or Peking University and ace them.
Teaching his classmates was nothing.
But he glanced at Xia Yingluo, the corner of his mouth lifting.
"So, do you want me to agree?"
Xia Yingluo nodded. "Of course I do."
"Teacher Wang has always cared about me and helped me; I don't want to let him down."
Ye Chen nodded. "Then I'll agree—for you."
Xia Yingluo was instantly touched.
At the traffic light, she gazed at Ye Chen's profile.
In the rain, his side face looked incredibly handsome.
Ye Chen wondered if this was the moment for a passionate kiss.
A kiss from his beloved girl in the rain—how romantic that would be!
Actually, Xia Yingluo was wondering whether to confess.
But it felt so embarrassing!
If she confessed and Ye Chen rejected her, would they even stay friends?
The air was quiet; each was lost in private thoughts.
Suddenly a car sped past.
The road had puddles, and the inconsiderate driver was going fast.
The splash rose like a wall, rushing at them.
"Watch out!"
Ye Chen hugged Xia Yingluo and spun around, shielding her from the spray with his body.
Splash!
All the muddy water hit Ye Chen.
Xia Yingluo was nestled in his arms.
She felt so warm.
She could feel Ye Chen's body heat and even his heartbeat.
Ye Chen held Xia Yingluo close.
He sensed her quick breaths and the pleasant scent of a young girl.
In his previous life, Ye Chen's greatest regret was never once hugging Xia Yingluo.
He never expected happiness to arrive so abruptly.
Time seemed to stop.
After a moment, finding it hard to breathe, Xia Yingluo whispered, "Ye Chen, can you let go now?"
Ye Chen's face reddened; he quickly released her.
"Sorry, that car came so fast, so I…"
Xia Yingluo blushed. "Thank you. You got all wet protecting me."
Ye Chen smiled. "I'm fine."
They arrived at the Orphanage gate.
Xia Yingluo asked, "Are you sure you're okay with your clothes soaked?"
Ye Chen grinned. "Don't worry. Hurry back inside."
Xia Yingluo nodded, turned, and ran toward the dormitory.
Ye Chen watched her figure, the corner of his mouth curving up.
So Xia Yingluo smelled of Lavender!
Standing in the doorway, she watched the boy with the umbrella walk away, cheeks faintly red.
"I actually let a boy hold me so tight… but it felt so safe."
"Argh, why didn't I confess when I had the chance!" she stamped in frustration.
"Ahh, ahh, ahh!"
Xia Yingluo, you deserve to stay single… After seeing her off, Ye Chen headed to Li Sitong's home.
In Ye Chen's memory, Li Sitong's fever this time turned nasty, developing into pneumonia that hospitalized her for half a month and hurt her National Higher Education Entrance Examination score.
In the end she'd only gotten into an art college.
Reborn, how could Ye Chen let that happen again?
He reached her house and called Li Sitong.
The phone rang endlessly before a weak voice answered.
"Hello…"
"Si Tong, it's Ye Chen. I'm downstairs. How are you?"
"I'm so cold, I feel awful."
Ye Chen frowned. "Your dad's not home?"
"Dad has an important meeting; I didn't tell him."
"Open the door quick—you must be running a fever."
Soon footsteps sounded, and the door opened.
Li Sitong stood at the entrance, her face deathly pale.
Ye Chen stepped in, closed the door, and pressed his palm to her forehead.
Heavens, she was burning.
Ye Chen estimated her fever was around 40 °C.
Li Sitong's body was limp; coming downstairs seemed to have drained the last of her strength.
Her legs buckled and she collapsed.
Ye Chen caught her and, without a word, carried her to the bedroom.
Though 1.7 metres tall, Li Sitong was slim and weighed almost nothing.
Ye Chen felt like he was holding a little furnace; she was scorching.
He laid her on the bed; the girl was already half-conscious.
How had she endured the whole day alone?
He quickly poured hot water, added a little Honey, and helped her sit up.
Li Sitong was soft; she nestled right into Ye Chen's arms.
"Drink some water." Ye Chen lifted the cup to her lips.
"I… have no strength…"
Ye Chen wrapped an arm around her waist and tipped the cup: "Open up."
"Mm." Li Sitong took a sip.
"So sweet… I want more."
"You've got a fever; you need fluids."
Ye Chen fed her several more mouthfuls.
At this moment it was pure torment for him.
After all, holding such a beauty, skin to skin—what man wouldn't be stirred?