"There's no problem, we can talk in my office," Su Zihan said softly, not feeling much resistance to being around Ning Xingchen.
"Brother Xingchen, you and Miss Su can chat slowly, I'll go home by myself," Qin Bao'er said playfully, blinking her eyes.
"Wait outside, we'll finish talking soon," Ning Xingchen knew the mischievous Qin Bao'er must have misunderstood.
Entering the office, which was empty since the other teachers had already left, Su Zihan brought over a chair.
"Please sit down, Mr. Ning!" Su Zihan offered.
"Miss Su, I won't sit. I'll make this brief. Are you willing..." Ning Xingchen looked at Su Zihan with deep affection.
Before he could finish, Su Zihan interrupted hastily, "Mr. Ning, I'm sorry, I can't accept your feelings!"
Su Zihan had encountered such situations countless times; with numerous suitors, she faced this almost daily. She thought Ning Xingchen was about to confess his love and ask her to be his girlfriend.
"Haha, Miss Su, what are you thinking? I wanted to ask if you're willing to be a tutor, to help Bao'er with her studies in the evenings!" Ning Xingchen couldn't help but laugh, a playful smile on his face.
"Stop laughing! You looked at me with such tender eyes, how could I not misunderstand?" Su Zihan felt slightly embarrassed, blushing with shyness.
"Miss Su, I look at everyone with such gentle eyes, it's a matter of politeness and respect!" Ning Xingchen smiled. He initially found Su Zihan beautiful, but now he was genuinely interested in her.
"Oh," Su Zihan nodded, her cheeks flushed.
"Miss Su, please seriously consider the tutoring job!" Ning Xingchen, standing close to Su Zihan, could clearly smell the faint fragrance of her body.
"Mr. Ning, the school has rules. We teachers are not allowed to take on private tutoring jobs for students in our free time," Su Zihan said firmly.
"If students aren't allowed, can you tutor me instead?"
"Tutor you?" Su Zihan was taken aback, looking slightly puzzled.
"Yes, tutor me in English, and Bao'er can listen in. That way, it won't violate any rules!" Ning Xingchen knew that Su Zihan was very principled, so he had to come up with a convincing reason to persuade her.
Ning Xingchen's suggestion seemed fine at first glance but was full of holes on closer inspection. Why would a college graduate need to learn middle school English?
"Alright then, I'll tutor you and Bao'er together, but you must attend all the sessions!" Su Zihan smiled.
"Miss Su, how could I skip classes with such a beautiful teacher?"
"I'm not a beauty, stop complimenting me," Su Zihan said coyly, though she was secretly pleased. After all, everyone loves to be praised, unless they're a saint.
"Miss Su, if you're not a beauty, then all the women in the world are dinosaurs!" Ning Xingchen said sincerely.
"Do you know how many women you'd offend with that statement?"
"I don't care, I'm willing to go against the world for you!" Ning Xingchen patted his chest, expressing his feelings.
"Stop talking nonsense, let's go out. We shouldn't keep Bao'er waiting," Su Zihan, feeling a sweetness in her heart, gently pushed Ning Xingchen.
In a short time, the relationship between Ning Xingchen and Su Zihan had warmed up quickly, at least to the point where they were familiar with each other.
...
Ning Xingchen didn't really want to learn English; he just wanted to accompany Qin Bao'er. Of course, he also had an ulterior motive of wooing Su Beauty.
In the car, Ning Xingchen called Liu Mingyan to ask if she had arrived home, but her assistant answered, saying that the president was still in a meeting at the company and would be there for another two or three hours.
"Miss Su, it seems today's tutoring won't happen," Ning Xingchen said to Su Zihan in the back seat.
Liu Mingyan wasn't home, and both Ning Xingchen and Qin Bao'er had forgotten their keys, so they couldn't get into the house.
Qin Bao'er pretended to be upset but was actually secretly delighted, unable to hide her smile. Feigning helplessness, she said, "I love studying, studying makes me happy, but tonight it's not possible. Brother Xingchen, take me and Miss Su out to play!"
"No, the beginning is always the hardest. Bao'er, since I have decided to improve your grades, we must overcome any difficulties. Let's go to my place," Su Zihan wouldn't give Qin Bao'er the chance to slack off and neglect her studies.
"Studying is so boring!" Qin Bao'er felt distressed, looking like she had lost all hope.
Holding the steering wheel, Ning Xingchen smiled. Although he hadn't spent much time with Su Zihan, he already understood her personality very well: serious, strict, unwavering in her principles, even somewhat unapproachable—a rigid girl indeed!
Following Su Zihan's directions, half an hour later, Ning Xingchen arrived at her home.
The buildings in this area were very old, reminiscent of the last century's old Donghai. As the lights came on, the area was lively, with many famous historical residences nearby.
The two-story small house had a strong Republican era style. Although the walls were dilapidated, those who lived here weren't necessarily rich, but their ancestors had to be influential!
"Miss Su, I didn't expect you to be so wealthy. This area is worth a fortune, at least hundreds of thousands per square meter?" Ning Xingchen recalled that just two blocks away were Donghai's landmark buildings, including the famous Oriental Pearl Tower and the world-renowned Donghai Bund.
"It's just an inherited old house. No matter how valuable it is, I can't sell it, or I'd be homeless," Su Zihan obviously didn't want to discuss this topic, brushing it off lightly.
Following Su Zihan, Ning Xingchen and Qin Bao'er entered the small building. As they opened the door, an auntie greeted them, likely the Su family's housekeeper.
"Miss Su, you're back!" The auntie quickly came forward and took out three pairs of slippers from the cabinet.
"Auntie Li, please make more food tonight. My two friends will be dining with us," Su Zihan said softly.
"Miss Su, I understand," Auntie Li nodded, instinctively glancing at Ning Xingchen, secretly wondering. After all, Su Zihan had never brought any friends home before.
As soon as he stepped into the house, Ning Xingchen couldn't help but marvel. This was a real culturally rich mansion, filled with antique charm, cultural relics, famous paintings, and blue-and-white porcelain.
Qin Bao'er was very curious, looking around as if she had entered a museum. She was especially shocked when she saw a tiger skin hanging on the living room wall, almost screaming in surprise.
"Shh!" Su Zihan gestured to Qin Bao'er to be quiet, indicating that she was cautious about disturbing an elderly person in the house.