Xu Xiuwen didn't think he had reached the point of being universally loved.
However, to avoid unnecessary trouble, he had to guard against any inappropriate intentions.
Xu Xiuwen nodded and said, "Yes, I have a girlfriend."
Li Ke didn't seem surprised by this. She smiled and asked, "Is it one of the girls from last time?"
"Yes."
"Let me guess, is your girlfriend Xiao Youran or Cheng Lu?"
Xu Xiuwen was taken aback. "How do you know their names?"
Li Ke chuckled.
Xu Xiuwen's expression grew cold. "Did you investigate me?"
He felt displeased.
Li Ke and Li Haimei really were mother and daughter, both liking to investigate him behind his back.
Li Ke didn't deny it. "Yes, I had Sister Luoyi help me look into your information."
"Do you know you've invaded my privacy?" Xu Xiuwen was angry.
Li Ke noticed his displeasure and panicked, quickly explaining, "No, I just wanted to understand you better."
Xu Xiuwen snorted. "If you want to understand me, you can ask me directly. I'll tell you what I can. But having someone investigate me behind my back makes me very upset."
Li Ke lowered her head, her voice growing softer. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
If Li Haimei were there, she would be shocked.
Li Ke was surprisingly quick to admit her mistake, which wasn't like her at all.
Seeing Li Ke admit her mistake so straightforwardly, Xu Xiuwen's dissatisfaction gradually faded. He waved his hand. "Alright, don't do this again in the future."
"Got it."
The room fell silent.
After a few seconds, Li Ke asked again, "Teacher Xu, can I ask you something now?"
"Why are you so full of questions?"
"Oh, I'm just curious about you," Li Ke said, her mood back to normal as she playfully acted cute.
It had to be said, Li Ke was not only good-looking but also had a pleasant voice.
When she acted cute, most men would find it hard to resist.
"Go ahead and ask."
Li Ke smiled mischievously and asked, "Teacher Xu, you still haven't answered me. Is Cheng Lu or Xiao Youran your girlfriend?"
"Cheng Lu is my girlfriend."
"Ah? Really?" Li Ke was surprised.
"Why can't it be like that?" Xu Xiuwen asked, puzzled.
Li Ke looked disappointed. "I thought you liked the other type. I even imitated her dressing style."
Xu Xiuwen suddenly realized.
He had felt that Li Ke's fashion sense was familiar when he saw her earlier.
Upon closer thought, Xiao Youran often dressed like that.
Now he understood that Li Ke was imitating Xiao Youran's style.
"Li Ke!" Xu Xiuwen's voice rose.
"What's wrong, Teacher Xu?"
"Why are you imitating Youran's fashion style?"
Li Ke explained, "I thought you liked that style."
Xu Xiuwen's brow twitched. "Why would you imitate Youran's style?"
"I thought you liked it."
Hearing this, Xu Xiuwen felt flustered. The room fell silent again.
After two minutes, Xu Xiuwen hesitantly asked, "Li Ke, why do you dress like that because of what I like? Don't you think it's strange?"
Li Ke didn't hesitate or fabricate a reason.
She looked at Xu Xiuwen with a smile and admitted directly, "You guessed it right. I like you, so I wanted to wear the clothes you like."
Hearing Li Ke directly admit that she liked him, Xu Xiuwen was stunned.
"How is that possible? We've only met three times."
Li Ke snorted.
"If you don't like someone, no matter how many times you meet, you won't like them. But if you do like someone, even just one meeting might be enough. Teacher Xu, you're so old-fashioned."
"Wait, why do you like me?" Xu Xiuwen asked, confused.
Li Ke thought for a moment.
"Because you saved me last time. You looked so cool."
Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but cover his forehead.
It seemed that dramas weren't lying after all. Heroes saving the day often win a girl's favor.
Of course, there are two scenarios here.
If you're handsome and wealthy, it's usually a straightforward win.
If you're neither, then it's like you're doomed to a lifetime of servitude.
But back to the point. Xu Xiuwen wasn't sure if Li Ke was just being impulsive or if she was serious.
He hoped it was just the former—an impulsive young girl.
Not to mention, he was already entangled with Xiao Youran and Cheng Lu, and he didn't have the energy to deal with more girls.
On top of that, his relationship with Li Haimei was complicated.
They had a real connection, and now her daughter was interested in him.
If Li Haimei found out, Xu Xiuwen could only imagine how furious she would be.
She might even think he had ulterior motives and wanted to have it all.
Though tempting, Xu Xiuwen hadn't actually thought about it that way.
Xu Xiuwen was very troubled.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Li Ke tentatively asked.
"Teacher Xu, why are you silent?"
"Li Ke!"
"I'm here."
"I need to make it clear to you that I have a girlfriend."
"I know."
"Then why do you still like me?"
"Does my liking you have anything to do with whether you have a girlfriend?"
"Of course it does! I have a good relationship with Cheng Lu, and I don't want anyone to interfere."
Li Ke chuckled.
"Teacher Xu, who said I want to interfere with your relationship?"
"Then what about you?"
"I do like you a bit, but my mom doesn't let me date early, so I'm not planning to be your girlfriend right now."
Xu Xiuwen was confused.
"What do you mean?"
Li Ke grinned.
"When I go to college, I can start dating, and then I'll come after you."
She paused.
"As for now, I'm willing to let you stay as Cheng Lu's boyfriend temporarily."
Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but admire how forward-thinking today's girls were.
However, hearing that Li Ke wouldn't interfere or disrupt his current relationship, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are you so sure that when you go to college, you'll be able to win me over?"
Li Ke nodded.
"Of course. With how beautiful I am, you'll definitely like me."
Xu Xiuwen smiled.
"Cheng Lu is also very beautiful, and she's the campus belle of our university. Do you think I'd give her up for you?"
Li Ke shook her head dismissively.
"She is indeed beautiful, but in three years, she'll be an older woman, while I'll just be turning eighteen. You'll definitely like me."
Li Ke's confidence made Xu Xiuwen doubt whether she was just overly self-assured.
But she wasn't just a typical self-confident girl; considering her background, looks, and other qualities, she had reasons to be confident.
Xu Xiuwen laughed.
"Heh…"
"Teacher Xu, what are you laughing at?" Li Ke asked.
"I think you're quite cute," Xu Xiuwen replied.
Li Ke took this as a compliment. "You really have good taste, Teacher Xu."
After chatting with Li Ke, Xu Xiuwen felt reassured.
Waiting until Li Ke goes to college, which is at least three years away, he thought it was hard to predict whether she would still like him by then, so there was no need to worry about future matters.
"Teacher Xu…"
"Go ahead."
"Why do you like that girl named Cheng Lu? She's so cold. What's so good about her?"
"How do you know she's cold?"
Li Ke suddenly opened a drawer and pulled out a photo.
Xu Xiuwen took a look and saw that it was a photo of Cheng Lu and three other girls.
Xu Xiuwen was irritated.
He couldn't help but question, "Li Ke! It's one thing to investigate me secretly, but who gave you the right to take photos of them?"
Li Ke promptly admitted her mistake. "Oh, I know I was wrong. I won't do it again."
"Hmph!"
Li Ke's eyes twinkled. "Teacher Xu, I'll give you some candy. Don't be mad, okay?"
Li Ke opened a drawer and took out a metal tin filled with candy.
She took one piece and handed it to Xu Xiuwen. "Teacher Xu, have some candy."
She then took one for herself.
Xu Xiuwen took the candy, noticing that the wrapper had island language on it, indicating it was imported.
"Li Ke, do you think a piece of candy can make me stop being angry?"
"This candy is really good."
"Didn't you hear what I said? You think a piece of candy can bribe me?"
"It's really delicious."
Li Ke had already unwrapped her candy and was savoring the colorful treat.
Xu Xiuwen wasn't fooled; he could tell Li Ke was deliberately avoiding his question.
He felt both speechless and helpless.
"This time, I'll let it go. But if you do something like this again, don't blame me for being unfriendly."
"Got it, Teacher Xu."
Li Ke didn't pretend to be deaf or dumb this time.
"Teacher Xu, hurry up and try it."
"What's so great about candy? Do you think I'm a little kid like you?" Xu Xiuwen said as he unwrapped the candy and put it in his mouth.
Xu Xiuwen's eyes widened in surprise.
The candy was much better than he had expected—sweet but not overwhelming, with a rich flavor.
Seeing Xu Xiuwen's surprised expression, Li Ke chuckled. "How is it, Teacher Xu? I told you it's really good."
Xu Xiuwen felt a bit embarrassed.
"It's… not bad, I suppose."
Li Ke didn't call him out on his insincerity.
After Xu Xiuwen finished the candy and noticed it was almost time, he said to Li Ke, "Twenty minutes are up. Let's start the lesson."
"Okay, Teacher Xu."
Li Ke straightened up and sat at her desk, continuing with her remaining homework.
She had assignments for subjects like physics and chemistry.
Physics seemed to be her weak point, as her speed on the problems slowed down.
When she got stuck on the last problem, she asked Xu Xiuwen for help.
But since Xu Xiuwen didn't know how to solve it either, he had to retreat and seek remote assistance in the bathroom.
Fortunately, Tang Weiwei was reliable.
Not only did she solve the problem quickly, but she also explained it in simple terms so that Xu Xiuwen could understand how to solve it.
Xu Xiuwen then shared the solution process he had received with Li Ke.
Li Ke didn't know that Xu Xiuwen had sought external help.
To her, Xu Xiuwen was handsome, skilled in fighting, and excellent in math and physics, making him the perfect boyfriend candidate.
Her admiration for him grew even more.
Before she knew it, it was 8:55 PM.
At this point, Li Ke had finished her homework and was working on practice problems as Xu Xiuwen had requested.
Xu Xiuwen glanced at the time and suddenly said, "Li Ke, let's wrap up for today."
Li Ke immediately put down her pen. "Teacher Xu, are you leaving?"
"Yes, it's about time. I need to go."
"Teacher Xu, will you come back tomorrow?"
Xu Xiuwen shook his head gently. "Tomorrow is Saturday. I won't be coming. You should stay at home and not cause your mom any worry. If you have nothing to do, do more practice problems."
"Teacher Xu, you're so naggy."
"Do you think I'm nagging? If that's the case, I won't come anymore."
"No… I'm sorry, Teacher Xu. I didn't mean it."
"By the way, the candy you gave me tasted pretty good. Where can I buy it?"
"Hehe, Teacher Xu, you like it? Then you can just take this whole tin."
Xu Xiuwen shook his head. "I don't like candy. I want to buy some for my girlfriend."
Li Ke's expression instantly fell.
She huffed, "I don't know. Ask someone else."
Seeing Li Ke's sudden change in demeanor, Xu Xiuwen quickly realized what was happening.
He smiled faintly, noting that Li Ke, despite her young age, already knew how to be jealous.
Seeing her cold expression, he didn't press further.
Xu Xiuwen stood up and headed towards the door.
As he stepped out, he glanced at Li Haimei's room by reflex.
Li Ke caught up to him. "Teacher Xu, let me see you out."
"Thank you. By the way, why hasn't your mom come back yet?"
"My mom often comes home late. I don't know what she's busy with."
"When does she usually come back?"
"Not sure. Sometimes it's earlier, sometimes later. It's hard to say."
"I see." Xu Xiuwen nodded, indicating that he understood.
Li Ke suddenly asked, "Teacher Xu, why are you so concerned about my mom?"
Xu Xiuwen felt a moment of panic but managed to stay calm.
"I'm just curious."
"Oh."
"I'm leaving now."
Xu Xiuwen turned to head for the door.
After putting on his shoes, he turned back to Li Ke and waved. "I'm going now. Goodbye."
Li Ke quickly called out to him.
"Teacher Xu, wait a moment."
Xu Xiuwen looked at her in surprise.
"Tap, tap, tap…"
Li Ke suddenly turned and ran back into her room.
She soon reappeared in Xu Xiuwen's line of sight, holding the tin of imported candy.
"Teacher Xu, this is the only tin I have. Take it back and give it to her."
Xu Xiuwen smiled.
"No need. If I take it, you won't have any left. It's better if you keep it."
Li Ke huffed playfully. "I'm not stingy. Just take it."
After saying this, she pressed the candy tin into Xu Xiuwen's hand.
Looking at the tin in his hand, Xu Xiuwen smiled.
"Alright, thank you for the candy. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Teacher Xu." Li Ke waved seriously, bidding him farewell.
After Xu Xiuwen left, Li Ke immediately ran to the balcony.
She opened the window on the balcony and leaned out to look down.
Soon, Xu Xiuwen walked out through the front door.
Li Ke watched Xu Xiuwen walk away until he was out of sight before retracting her gaze.
At that moment, a sound came from the front door.
The next second, the door opened from the outside.
A woman walked in.
It was Li Ke's mother, Li Haimei.
Seeing her daughter standing on the balcony, Li Haimei asked in confusion, "What are you doing standing there?"
Li Ke gave a chuckle. "Nothing much."
Li Haimei didn't press further. She walked to the sofa and sat down, asking, "Did Xu Xiuwen come for the lesson tonight?"
Li Ke nodded. "Yes, Teacher Xu just left."
Li Haimei then asked, "How was his teaching?"
Li Ke smiled. "Teacher Xu is amazing. No problem in math or physics can stump him."
"Really?" Li Haimei was surprised.
She had hired Xu Xiuwen to tutor Li Ke primarily to keep an eye on her and prevent her from running around and causing trouble.
Now that she learned he was excellent in math and physics, it was a pleasant surprise.
Li Haimei suddenly remembered the conditions Xu Xiuwen had mentioned in her office the other day.
A shiver ran through her, and her legs felt weak.