The second week’s office hours were, as per tradition, the time for quiz reviews—otherwise known as the TA’s day of suffering. There were always students who would march through the door with their papers in a fit of pique, digging through every obscure nook and cranny for a single point and demanding that Chen Zhizhong revise their grades. He cited sources extensively and refused to yield an inch, battling the students for two full hours. It was only when he finally found a moment to take a sip of water that he noticed an uninvited guest standing in the corner.
Chen Zhizhong let out a huff through his nose. "Office hours are over. If you want a makeup exam, send an email to apply, and remember to CC the professor."
With that, he stood up and began packing his things to leave.
"Wait!" Xiao Heling grew anxious. She took a large stride to the door and spread her arms, blocking Chen Zhizhong’s path. "I have something to say!"
"I’m sorry, I don’t have time to listen. If it’s important, write an email." Chen Zhizhong tried to sidestep her and push open the door.
Xiao Heling suddenly grabbed Chen Zhizhong’s hand.
*How is her hand so soft?*
Chen Zhizhong’s heart gave a sudden leap, and his imposing manner involuntarily weakened. "You... let go of me!"
In any confrontation, the tide of offense and defense can shift in an instant. Instead of letting go, Xiao Heling gripped him even tighter. "Senior, just give me a few minutes!"
Chen Zhizhong turned his head away, refusing to look at her, though the tips of his ears had turned a deep crimson. "...Speak quickly!"
"How about we make a deal?"
"What?"
"You keep quiet about what happened the other night, and in exchange, I won't say anything about you working under the table."
Chen Zhizhong turned back in shock, only to see Xiao Heling looking at him with bright, piercing eyes. She didn't look like she was joking.
"Are you threatening me?"
Xiao Heling curled her lips into a smile. "How can you call this a threat? If you agree to my terms, you’ll be able to sleep better at night too, Senior."
Chen Zhizhong pulled the half-opened door shut again.
"Don't you think you should be the one apologizing?" He turned around and addressed Xiao Heling, emphasizing every word. "Chronic truancy, lying to your TA to skip a quiz, and then showing such a foul attitude and a complete lack of remorse when you're caught red-handed—what right do you have to talk to me about a 'deal'? This is a university, not some Vanity Fair. If you want to do business, go do it outside. Don't soil the grounds of Cambridge."
In all the years Xiao Heling had been alive, the number of times she had been scolded so directly to her face could be counted on one hand. At that moment, a mixture of shock, shame, anger, and grievance flooded her; her face burned hot, and her grip on his hand unconsciously loosened.
"I won't report this to the professor, but not because I'm afraid of you. It's because I can't be bothered to go looking for trouble," Chen Zhizhong said, prying her fingers off one by one. "I don't live my life in a muddle like you do. Every minute and every second I spend at this school is precious to me."
He opened the door, then paused and looked back. "By the way, stop throwing yourself at guys all the time. A girl should have more self-respect."
Xiao Heling glared at him without a word, looking very much like she wanted to pounce on him and bite him.
After speaking so bluntly, Chen Zhizhong had assumed Xiao Heling would learn to behave. To his surprise, she became even more flagrant. Not only did she stop coming to class, but she also stopped submitting her assignments entirely. He didn't hold back either, marking down zero after zero. Unless Xiao Heling had a sudden stroke of genius and scored a perfect mark on the final exam, she was almost certain to fail the course.
Xiao Heling didn't seem to care anyway. From then on, Chen Zhizhong would occasionally spot her at the club. A young, lithe beauty like her was always the center of attention whether she wore heavy or light makeup; the gazes of the young men around her seemed almost tangible, clinging to her so tightly they couldn't be peeled off.
When their eyes met, Xiao Heling would curl her red lips and give him a thoroughly provocative smile. Chen Zhizhong would simply turn away with indifference, picking up a crate of empty beer bottles to carry back to the kitchen.
