Ye Mingxuan found his face plastered with a piece of paper.
The street bustled with traffic and hurried pedestrians, car horns blaring in his ears.
His vision blocked, he gasped in panic and frantically tore the paper off.
“Sorry, sorry!” A man wearing a baseball cap and mask rushed over. “The wind was too strong—I couldn’t hold it.”
“It’s fine.”
Ye Mingxuan handed the paper back, but the man refused to take it. Instead, he said, “Hey, student, I’m actually looking for a tutor. Want to give it a shot?”
“…” Ye Mingxuan looked down and realized it was a flyer seeking college student tutors.
It read: “Generous pay, no trial period, cash paid daily.”
The man stared at Ye Mingxuan. “We offer very good compensation. You just need to spare one hour daily to tutor my niece, and you’ll earn five hundred bucks.”
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Five… five hundred? Per hour?!”
The man was even more excited than Ye Mingxuan. “Yes! Isn’t that tempting?!”
Tempting was an understatement. Ye Mingxuan’s adrenaline surged, every pore on his body standing on end.
He swallowed hard, forcing himself to calm down for two seconds before shaking his head. “Sorry, I don’t think I can…”
“Why not?”
The man grew impatient, shoving the flyer in his face. “Five hundred bucks an hour and you can’t do it? This is the kind of part-time gig college students dream about!”
…
Not far away, under a streetlight, Bai Yu hid behind a pillar. Wearing sunglasses, he observed everything covertly.
“Is Xiao Wang going to make it? Doesn’t seem to be going smoothly.”
Someone passing by gave him a strange look. Bai Yu pretended to admire the scenery, puckering his lips to whistle.
A cool, resonant male voice came through his earpiece: “Wait a little longer.”
Once the area cleared, Bai Yu slumped back against the pole. “I never imagined that Tan, the esteemed CEO of Yuanzhe Group, would stoop to such childish behavior.”
“And I certainly never imagined I’d be here helping you! How low I’ve sunk!”
Bai Yu lamented, “It’s over 40 degrees Celsius out here. Every extra second I stay is like being roasted alive. I won’t even need Peking duck tonight—I’ll just eat myself instead. Crispy outside, tender inside—same difference anyway.”
“I’m your chief assistant! Chief assistant, do you understand?! I should be enjoying afternoon tea in the office, not standing here being looked down upon by passersby!”
“I quit! I quit!!”
“Double your bonus.”
“…” Bai Yu took a deep breath. “I think I can endure this a little longer.”
…
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes flickered. “I’m not sure I have the time.”
Xiao Wang’s forehead broke out in sweat as he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it. “Not even an hour?”
Ye Mingxuan: “Hmm. I need to get home early every day.”
He feared the master would return home to find no one there and be unable to explain.
“How about this—I’ll recommend a classmate of mine to you.” Ye Mingxuan offered a faint smile. “It just so happens my classmate is also looking for part-time work.”
“No, no, no, no!” Xiao Wang stopped him from reaching for his phone. “No!”
Ye Mingxuan: “?”
Xiao Wang: “Finding a tutor is all about fate. You were the first person I saw when I stepped outside, so I decided you’re the one. It has to be you.”
“Look,” Xiao Wang pointed at the flyer, “with all these people on the street, it just happened to land on your face. This is fate!”
Ye Mingxuan: “But…”
“No buts! Here, take this flyer back with you. My number’s on it. If you come to your senses, you must call me!”
Xiao Wang folded the flyer in half twice, stuffed it into the pocket on the side of Ye Mingxuan’s backpack, and took off running. “Remember to call me back!”
Ye Mingxuan: “Wait!”
“Xiao Wang failed.”
Bai Yu pressed his earpiece, relaying the message to the other end. “Boss, what’s our next move?”
As if on a spy channel, Tan Sizhe rubbed his temples, choosing not to comment on the title. “Proceed with the original plan. Get ready.”
Bai Yu: “Roger that!”…
Ye Mingxuan entered the classroom, claimed two seats in the back row, and sat by the window, resting his backpack on his lap.
As he unzipped the bag, he spotted the flyer in his pocket. He pulled it out and unfolded it.
The generous salary that man had mentioned earlier was truly tempting, but…
Ye Mingxuan sighed, crumpled the flyer into a ball, and aimed it at the trash can. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to throw it away.
After a moment’s hesitation, he stuffed it back into his backpack.
“Lin Jiale,” Zhang Shushu called from behind Ye Mingxuan, “Can I join your group for this assignment?”
Lin Jiale set down his backpack: “Sure, let’s ask Mingxuan.”
Ye Mingxuan uttered an “Ah” and replied, “Okay.”
“Then let’s find a place to discuss after class.”
Lin Jiale: “I don’t have time. How about an online meeting at 8 PM?”
Zhang Shushu: “Sounds good. Mingxuan, is that okay for you?”
Ye Mingxuan nodded: “I can do that.”
Ever since the master gave him a study, studying had become much more convenient. Before, in the servants’ quarters at the Ye residence, there was only that small square table.
During meals, bowls and chopsticks filled the surface. After eating, once everything was cleared away, it became his study spot.
It had been like this from middle school through high school.
Ye Mingxuan had always envied others with spacious desks overflowing with odds and ends. He never imagined he’d get one himself someday.
Lin Jiale snapped her fingers. “Then it’s settled. I’ll tag you guys in the group chat tonight.”
Zhang Shushu asked, “Speaking of which, any plans for traveling during National Day?”
Lin Jiale replied, “Haven’t made any arrangements yet. We’ll see when the time comes.”
Ye Mingxuan opened his notebook, staring at the dense forest of red highlight marks filling the pages. His head spun.
So hard. He slumped over the desk. …
Late September still offered long daylight hours.
Ye Mingxuan stepped through the heatwave into his home, bending to slip into cool slippers.
“Let me get your backpack.”
The weight lifted from Ye Mingxuan’s shoulders. He muttered a thank you, suddenly sensing something was off.
“Mr. Bai?!” Ye Mingxuan looked up to see Bai Yu. “You’re here.”
Bai Yu smiled. “Mr. Mingxuan, it’s been a while.”
“Bai Yu’s joining us for dinner tonight,” Tan Sizhe strode out, his long legs carrying him effortlessly. “Mind if he stays?”
Ye Mingxuan shook his head immediately. “Not at all!”
Tan Sizhe’s lips curved upward as he snatched Ye Mingxuan’s backpack from Bai Yu’s hands.
Bai Yu protested, “It’s yours, yours!”
Having a guest over delighted not only Ye Mingxuan but also Aunt Fu, who prepared several extra signature dishes.
Ye Mingxuan washed his hands thoroughly and sat down at the dining table. Bai Yu joined him, taking the seat opposite.
Tan Sizhe inquired, “How was school today?”
Ye Mingxuan obediently took a bite of rice: “It was fine.”
“Wow—!” Bai Yu slurped up a spoonful of soup, propping his elbows on the table and clasping his fist to his mouth. “Woo-wah!”
Tan Sizhe looked down: “Did you drink hot water?”
Ye Mingxuan held up his fingers: “Yes, two bottles.”
Bai Yu stuffed a mouthful of vegetables, his eyes sparkling: “Wow!”
Tan Sizhe: “…”
He looked at Bai Yu: “How many days have you been starving?”
Bai Yu pointed at the food, mumbling indistinctly: “Aunt Fu’s cooking is just too delicious!”
Aunt Fu heard this and smiled: “If you like it, please eat more!”
Bai Yu: “Okay!”
Tan Sizhe cleared his throat twice as a reminder.
Only then did Bai Yu remember he had business to attend to.
He cleared his throat solemnly: “Mingxuan, do you usually go straight home after class?”
“Yeah.”
Bai Yu: “That sounds so boring. Don’t you have any extracurricular activities?”
Ye Mingxuan put down his chopsticks and shook his head.
Bai Yu glanced at Tan Sizhe: “Honestly, your dad Tan is always busy with work and hardly ever home. Why stay cooped up? Go out and have some fun.”
Ye Mingxuan blinked, looking at Tan Sizhe.
Tan Sizhe nodded elegantly: “Mhm.”
Ye Mingxuan looked confused: “Fun?”
“Right,” Bai Yu said. “Like grabbing meals with classmates, shopping, KTV, internet cafes… part-time jobs, that sort of thing.”
Part-time job? A light bulb lit up above Ye Mingxuan’s head.
“Take this kind of part-time work, for example,” Bai Yu’s gaze drifted around, “I know many rich young masters who find time to take on one or two part-time jobs. It’s called… experiencing life.”
“You could experience life like them too, what do you say, Mr. Tan?”
Tan Sizhe: “Mhm.”
Ye Mingxuan’s heart pounded, his eyes sparkling with eager anticipation: “Can I get a part-time job?”
Bai Yu: “Of course!”
Ye Mingxuan glanced at Tan Sizhe, seeking his opinion. The latter replied: “You can do whatever you want.”
“But don’t come home too late.”
Hearing this, Bai Yu teased, “Why are you acting like a nagging mother? Why so strict?”
Tan Sizhe shot him a glance, and Bai Yu immediately backtracked: “Right, don’t stay out too late. Mr. Tan would worry.”
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes brightened as he nodded firmly. “Mm.”
After dinner, he rushed into the study, shut the door, pulled the crumpled flyer from his backpack, and dialed the number listed.
Soon, the man from earlier answered. “You finally called back. Have you changed your mind?”
Ye Mingxuan hesitated: “Yes. Is there a trial period?”
“No trial period. You can start tomorrow if it’s convenient. I’ll send you the schedule, address, and subjects shortly.”
Ye Mingxuan: “Okay, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I felt we clicked, so I waited specifically for your reply.”
Ye Mingxuan rubbed his round head.
“Then it’s settled. Contact me tomorrow.”
“Got it.”
Xiao Wang hung up and collapsed onto his bed. “Ahhh, finally finished the task! Nobody told me being an assistant meant acting too!”
But with the task successfully completed, he finally didn’t have to worry about getting fired.
Soon, he’d officially become a workhorse at Yuanzhe Group! Raise! Raise! Raise!
Xiao Wang pumped his fist in the air with joy, then suddenly sat up. “Right! I need to report this to Assistant Bai immediately.”
…
Tan Sizhe murmured into the phone: “Mm, got it. Just give them a heads up.”
The moment he hung up, the sound of chair wheels scraping back and forth across the floor drifted over from the study just one wall away.
Tan Sizhe raised one eyebrow, walking over and leaning his tall frame against the wall.
The protagonist of this scene was unusually lively, spinning his chair countless times, sliding from one end of the study to the other.
Tan Sizhe narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly, listening quietly.
Overwhelmed by excitement, the protagonist nearly toppled off the chair, scrambling to grab the backrest and pull himself back up.
Tan Sizhe’s shoulders twitched. He pressed a fist to his lips, a faint smile curving his mouth.
