Chapter 23

When Yan Xiao told Qiu Li she might not come back until school started, it was deliberate.
She’d already given him so much, enough to keep him stewing for a while. Once he’d cooled off, she’d suddenly show up again and give him a “surprise.” Maybe the shock would make his score double!
But to her surprise, that’s exactly what happened, she didn’t get back until right before the new term began.
Fortunately, during those two months, her points had risen beautifully. Lounging by the sea, basking in ocean breezes, she’d watched her numbers soar like they’d grown wings, sixty points in total! She was thrilled.
There was a strange, delicious satisfaction in earning rewards without lifting a finger.
As she basked in her unearned success, she muttered that the little villain sure was petty, but grinned the whole time.
She didn’t know that Qiu Li had arranged all the gifts she’d given him neatly around his bedroom. Every morning when he opened his eyes, during study breaks, and even before bed, all he had to do was look around, and there she was, everywhere.
Even months apart, the sight made him happy.
And so, the score just kept climbing.
When she finally returned home, there were only two days left before school started. Yan Xiao didn’t have time to visit him in person, but her heart was full of anticipation for their accidental reunion.
Yanwen Academy had both elementary and middle divisions, and because of the large number of students, each grade had staggered start dates.
That morning, Yan Xiao woke up extra early, dressed neatly in her new uniform, and slung her brand-new backpack over her shoulders, practically buzzing with excitement for her first day of school.
The moment they stepped out the door, a scream came from across the street, from the Liu family’s house, a loud, heart-rending, “I don’t want to go to school!”
Chen Ziyi glanced at her daughter, who had already climbed into her seat and buckled herself in, and couldn’t help laughing.
They hadn’t even reached the school gate before the traffic ground to a halt. The first day of school always brought chaos, every parent in the city seemed to be here to drop their kids off. To top it off, reporters and television crews were on site. It had practically become an annual Yanwen Academy tradition.
Though the interviews were supposed to cover all students, the real focus was, of course, the famous Gifted Class.
With the car stuck in place, Chen Ziyi parked early and took her daughter’s hand to walk the rest of the way.
Yan Xiao could barely remember what elementary school had been like. Now, returning as a “new” student, she was both excited and curious. Her small head kept swiveling left and right, taking in everything.
As she was looking around,
A microphone suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Little student”
She looked up. A young female reporter was crouching down to her level, eyes sparkling. “Are you here for school, or did you come to drop off your brother or sister?”
Noticing the cameraman behind her pointing a huge lens her way, Yan Xiao lifted a hand and tapped the school emblem pinned to her chest. “I’m here for school.”
She tried to keep her face serious, but her soft milky voice melted the reporter on the spot. The woman’s tone grew gentler, afraid of startling her.
“Oh, you’re a student? That’s amazing! Can you tell me what grade you’re in?”
Judging by her height and baby face, the answer was obvious, she was definitely a first grader. The only question was whether she belonged to the Gifted Class or the regular one.
The reporter guessed Gifted, but didn’t want to assume and hurt the little girl’s pride, so she worded it carefully.
“First grade,” Yan Xiao replied after thinking for a second, then added, “but I’m in the international class.”
That surprised the reporter slightly. To be honest, this child was really young for elementary school, especially not being in the Gifted Class. It wasn’t exactly ideal for kids to start so early, but clearly her parents had their reasons, and who was she to judge?
And after all, getting into Yanwen at all, even the international division, required an entrance test. If she’d been accepted, everything must have been handled properly.
“Can you tell me how old you are?” the reporter asked, her voice soft as silk.
Yan Xiao had prepared for this question long ago. Without hesitation, she said, “I’m almost six.”
The reporter: “…”
The cameraman: “…”
The parents and students nearby, who’d stopped to admire how adorable she was: “…”
Chen Ziyi couldn’t stop laughing. She subtly held up four fingers behind her daughter’s back.
The reporter almost burst out laughing too, but didn’t expose her. Instead, she smiled warmly. “Then I wish you all the best, little one. Study hard and make lots of progress every day, okay?”
Yan Xiao thought, Of course I’ll make progress every day! You have no idea how fast my score’s been skyrocketing lately. But she still nodded sweetly. “Thank you.”
The reporter’s heart melted. She was about to move on to the next student when the little girl suddenly went up on tiptoe and waved toward someone in the distance.
Instinct kicking in, the reporter followed her gaze. When her eyes landed on the young boy not far away, her professional senses tingled, what a handsome kid!
She hadn’t even had the chance to stand up and walk over when the little girl darted off first.
Qiu Li, who had been standing there with his usual calm expression, ignoring the curious glances around him, suddenly heard a familiar voice. At first, he thought he was imagining it, she was supposed to still be in kindergarten. But when he looked up, he saw her running toward him, face alight with joy.
The sight stunned him. After a moment of disbelief, happiness burst through.
“Good morning,” Yan Xiao said proudly, extending her hand like a little adult. “Long time no see.”
Qiu Li: “…”
When he didn’t move, she assumed he was too shocked by her “surprise.” She wiggled her fingers and raised her eyebrows in a “Well? Go on!” gesture.
Finally, he reached out.
To anyone else, it was just two little kids playing at shaking hands, but Yan Xiao was doing it on purpose, just to mess with him. She brushed his hand lightly before letting go. Unfortunately for her, the entire moment was caught perfectly on camera.
“Bet you didn’t expect this,” she said, her good mood soaring even higher from all the points she’d gained lately. Lifting her chin, she grinned. “I’m in elementary school now too!”
In other words, you can’t get rid of me. No matter how much you pretend, I’ll still show up every day. Smile all you want, I’m not going anywhere!
Qiu Li’s lips curved, a quiet smile spreading across his face.
“Yeah.” He nodded firmly.
[Ding, 218 points.]
“!”
Perfect! Four points in a single greeting!
Just as she was about to add another jab, the reporter arrived.
“Is this young gentleman your friend?” she asked with a smile.
Yan Xiao thought for a moment. “We’re classmates. We went to the same kindergarten too.”
The reporter couldn’t help thinking that this year’s new students were all unbelievably cute, maybe kids really were getting better-looking these days.
“Wow,” she said in mock amazement. “So you’re schoolmates! Such a deep bond already.”
“…” Yan Xiao blinked. Why does this big sister sound so weird?
The reporter, blissfully unaware of being misunderstood, turned to Qiu Li. “Are you a first grader too? It must be nice to have an old classmate in the same school!”
The words old classmate made something in Qiu Li’s chest tighten. It was the first time anyone had ever called him that. The term felt strange, but warm.
Before he could answer, Yan Xiao jumped in brightly, “No, he’s in the Gifted Class! He got first place!”
Now that surprised the reporter.
As Qiu Li’s lips pressed together slightly, Yan Xiao continued, “He’s super smart!”
She knew perfectly well he hated cameras, attention, and being the center of focus. She hadn’t expected to run into reporters at the gate, but since the opportunity had fallen right into her lap, only a fool would waste those easy points!
“First place in the Gifted Class”, everyone knew what that meant. The reporter’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help but praise Qiu Li a few times, her tone full of awe.
Qiu Li’s reaction was calm and reserved. He simply nodded, not saying a single word.
The reporter had interviewed countless people before; with one look, she could tell that this little genius ranked number one wasn’t just smart, he had the unmistakable air of a born prodigy.
Cool, quiet… and, most importantly, already strikingly handsome.
She couldn’t help thinking to herself, how many girls will lose their hearts to this face when he grows up?
After a moment of silent admiration, she didn’t push further and ended the interview with the two of them.
Chen Ziyi watched her daughter, who’d instantly forgotten her poor mother’s existence the moment she spotted Qiu Li, and could only laugh helplessly. After greeting Qiu Li politely, she told her daughter, “Be good at school, okay? If you need anything, you can ask the teacher or Xiao Li.”
Yan Xiao nodded obediently, “Mhm, okay,” secretly wishing her mom would hurry up and leave, so she could farm points freely again.
Qiu Li, who’d been standing quietly beside them, clenched his little fist at those words.
Elementary school wasn’t like kindergarten anymore, but he’d take care of Xiao-xiao. He promised himself that.
[Ding, 220 points.]
Parents weren’t allowed past the gate, so Chen Ziyi said her goodbyes at the entrance.
As the beautiful sound of another score notification chimed in her head, Yan Xiao grinned from ear to ear and waved goodbye.
Once they entered campus, she noticed that Qiu Li’s lips were still pressed in that same line. “You’re not happy?” she asked brightly.
Qiu Li blinked, looking at her in surprise.
Was he not happy?
He thought he was.
Maybe it was just the shock of seeing her again, he hadn’t expected her to skip both middle and senior kindergarten classes just to come straight to elementary school. It was such a surprise that he hadn’t even remembered to smile.
“No,” he said at last, breaking into a soft smile. “I’m really happy.”
Yan Xiao: Ha. Sure you are, you sneaky little villain. But I like it.
“Come on,” he said, glancing toward the teaching building, then down at the big painted arrow on the walkway. “I’ll take you to your classroom.”
With so many students around, the place was crowded and noisy, she was tiny, and he didn’t want her getting lost.
Yan Xiao hadn’t expected him to offer to take her to class.
What, planning to see where I am so you can avoid me later?
Nice try. Even if he hid, she had legs, she could go find him. There was only one Gifted Class, easy enough to locate.
She nodded eagerly. “Okay!”
Then she reached into her small purse and took out two pieces of candy, one for him, one for herself.
“For you!”
The familiar cotton candy flavor made Qiu Li freeze for a moment.
He hadn’t brought any today, he hadn’t thought he’d see her.
When he didn’t take it right away, Yan Xiao’s eyes crinkled with mischief. What, so angry you can’t even take candy now?
Without waiting for him to react, she simply shoved it into his hand.
Then, tearing open her own wrapper, she took little nibbles of her marshmallow candy, smiling so happily that even climbing the stairs seemed easier.
Qiu Li tucked the candy carefully into his pocket, smiling as he quickened his pace to catch up with her. “This way. The International Class 2 is on the left… there are too many people, I’ll hold your hand.”
Yan Xiao didn’t think twice before reaching out.
It was the first time he had ever held someone’s hand willingly, his eyes curved like crescent moons.
[Ding, 222 points.]
Yan Xiao had to bite her lip to hide a grin. These points are going up so fast it’s almost embarrassing, almost.
By the time they reached her classroom, International First Grade, Class 2, was already half full. When the students saw the two of them walk in together, every little head turned to stare.
Qiu Li ignored the looks completely and asked, “Where do you want to sit?”
Yan Xiao glanced around. Most of the kids were about his age, making her seem even smaller by comparison. She scanned the room, then pointed toward a spot by the window. “There!”
He led her over, still holding her hand.
He took out a tissue, carefully wiped down the chair, then the desk.
“I’m in the next building,” he said, pointing out the classroom through the window. “First floor, far east side. If you need anything, come find me.”
Yan Xiao nodded earnestly. “Mhm! I’ll come find you every day!”
He looked at her for a moment, then smiled again.
“Okay. I’ll head to class.”
She nodded. “Go ahead.”
He’d wanted to suggest they eat together at lunch but decided to save it for later, he’d have time to see her again during break.
As soon as Qiu Li left, several curious classmates surrounded her, chattering all at once:
“Was that your brother?”
“What’s your name?”
“How old are you?”
All those small heads and loud voices made her dizzy.
Raising a finger to her lips, she said calmly, “One at a time, please. Too many questions, I can’t hear.”
“Was that your brother? He’s a student here too? What grade is he in?”
“He’s not my brother. He’s in first grade, like us.”
“What’s your name?”
“Yan Xiao.”
“You look so little! How old are you?”
“I’m almost six.”
“Almost six? I’m six and a half! You can call me jie-jie (sister)!”
“I’m seven!”
“I’m six years and eight months!”
“I just turned six last month!”
And just like that, the classroom exploded into an age-and-birthday comparison contest.
Yan Xiao listened quietly for a while, propping her chin in her hands. So childish, she thought, not even bothering to join in.
Then, out of nowhere, one little boy leaned closer and asked, “If you’re almost six, when’s your birthday? What do you like? I’ll get you a birthday present.”
“Yeah, me too!”
“Me three!”
Yan Xiao: “…”
Thank goodness the teacher came in just then and rescued her from the pack of little monsters.
She obediently collected her textbooks and sat up straight for class, completely unaware that she had already gone viral.
All because of that one line: “I’m almost six.”

Author’s Note:
Little Li-Li: I’m happy. Just… happy. (^▽^)
Xiao-xiao: Surprised? Delighted? Hehe~