Little Sweetheart

After dinner, Gu Siyi went to the honor roll by herself to savor the moment once more.

Looking at the names at the top and bottom of the list, she felt a thrill. Taking out her camera, she stepped back a few paces, preparing to take a picture to commemorate the occasion.

Just as she was about to press the shutter button, two students from other classes walked over and blocked her view.

"…" Gu Siyi had no choice but to wait for them to move.

"Xia Zhijun is truly amazing, still first place even after entering high school."

"Did you see the last place? Gu Siyi… isn't she Xia Zhijun's adopted younger sister?"

"Rumored girlfriend, maybe…"

"Not sure, but the gap between them is huge. One is at the top, the other at the bottom."

Hey, hey, hey! This last place is only because the list stops at one hundred, okay?

Gu Siyi felt wronged.

"Lan Xiaoqiu used to be in the top ten, too bad she withdrew…"

"Xu Ningning in fifth place is also pretty good, the class beauty and top student."

"There are many top students at the front… any of them are better than Gu Siyi at the bottom, right?"

"With such poor grades, how does she hang out with a study god?"

"…" Gu Siyi's excitement about taking a commemorative photo was doused by their continuous stream of cold water, leaving her disheartened.

Putting her phone back in her pocket, she pulled her down jacket's hood over her head and turned to leave.

There are still two and a half years left. At this rate of improvement, maybe she'll be second place in the future!

Second place… second place, huh…

Getting a bit ahead of herself. Better take a step back, aim for the top fifty first.

Gu Siyi returned to the dorm. Everyone was chatting and packing, discussing where to go for the Lunar New Year holiday. The atmosphere was lively.

School had let out that afternoon, and students who lived in the city had already gone home. These few hadn't left because they knew Gu Siyi was leaving the next day and stayed to spend the night with her.

Seeing her come in empty-handed, Zheng Peipei asked, "Didn't you say you were going to bring us tea?"

Gu Siyi: "…" She'd forgotten in her frustration.

"I'll go buy some now." She turned to leave.

"Where are you going? It's freezing, running back and forth. Aren't you tired?" Zheng Peipei stopped her. "Hurry up and pack. You have to travel tomorrow. Get some sleep."

Zheng Peipei had just started packing when she received a WeChat message from Xia Zhijun: "What time are you leaving tomorrow?"

She replied: "They should be picking me up around noon."

Her phone rang; it was her mother, Xu Jiahui.

"Sweetie, your dad and I might not be able to make it tomorrow. Do you want to stay at school for another day? Or should we have Uncle Zhang pick you up?"

Gu Siyi: "…"

As expected, her premonition was right.

Whenever they had bad news to deliver, it was like this, starting with "sweetie" and a warm, gentle, smiling voice…

Gu Siyi: "It's okay, I'll go back myself."

Xu Jiahui: "Then let Uncle Zhang pick you up."

"No, no!" Gu Siyi said quickly. Uncle Zhang was her father's driver. She knew him, but she didn't want to trouble him.

He was clearly going on a business trip; why burden him with picking up a child? It wouldn't be right to refuse, but he might not be happy about it. Thin-skinned, she instinctively resisted such arrangements.

"I'm old enough. I don't need someone to pick me up for a three-hour train ride. It's unnecessary."

"Alright, we'll listen to you. If you need anything, call Mom, and I'll have Uncle Zhang go over."

"Mm-hmm."

After hanging up, Gu Siyi saw Xia Zhijun's reply on WeChat: "Okay, let me know when you're leaving, and I'll tell your uncle and aunt."

Gu Mingsiyi: "….."

X: "What's wrong?"

Gu Mingsiyi: "[Broken Heart][Broken Heart] Something came up, they can't make it. I'm going back by myself."

X: "I'll see you off."

Seeing these words, Gu Siyi immediately smiled.

Gu Mingsiyi: "Thank you, Boss~"

X: "Pack your things first. I'll check the tickets for you."

Gu Mingsiyi: "I'll check myself."

X: "Then what do you need a boyfriend for?"

Gu Siyi covered her mouth, smiling, her face quietly flushing.

Zheng Peipei, observing her lovestruck expression, couldn't help but tease, "Oh my, what sweet nothings is the Study God whispering now? He's got Yi Ge wrapped around his little finger…"

Gu Siyi cleared her throat, composed herself, and said, "No, we're talking about serious business."

"Sure, as serious as studying. With you two, even studying can produce pink bubbles. Is there anything more serious and solemn than studying?"

"Nope." Xiang Li and Zhang Xinyi replied in unison.

"Oh, I can't argue with you guys. I'll pack my things too…" Gu Siyi said, blushing.

Gu Siyi started packing her clothes and daily necessities. Halfway through, the Study God messaged her.

X: "Tickets booked. Tomorrow at 10 am. You can sleep in."

Gu Mingsiyi: "How did you buy them? Do you have my ID number?"

She thought he was just helping her look… how did he just buy them directly?

X: "Last time we booked tickets for the trip, you took a picture of your ID and sent it to me. Forgot?"

Gu Mingsiyi: "Uh… okay. Thanks, Boss!"

X: "Are you done packing?"

Gu Mingsiyi: "Not yet…"

X: "Go ahead and finish."

Gu Mingsiyi: "Mm-hmm~"

The next day, Gu Siyi woke up at 8 am, washed up, changed clothes, and said goodbye to her roommates.

They had specifically stayed at school to accompany her. Learning she was going back alone, they had initially planned to see her off… but after finding out Xia Zhijun was taking her, they teased her a bit and said they wouldn't be third wheels.

Dragging her suitcase and carrying her backpack, Gu Siyi met Xia Zhijun downstairs.

Passing by the honor roll, she paused and took a picture.

After taking the photo, she said to Xia Zhijun, "Next time, I'll move up even further!"

"On the condition that… Study God, you continue to tutor me." She finished, looking at Xia Zhijun with starry eyes, her face full of flattery.

Xia Zhijun couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to lightly pat her head. "Of course you'll move up. We have to go to the same university."

Gu Siyi lowered her head, smiling. So the Study God had such high expectations for her. He really thought highly of her.

It was only a little past 8 am. Xia Zhijun took her to her favorite breakfast place outside the school.

After breakfast, they took a taxi to the high-speed rail station.

Xia Zhijun hadn't brought anything himself. He carried Gu Siyi's suitcase and backpack, carrying them up and down. Gu Siyi wanted to help, but Xia Zhijun said, "Leave the heavy lifting to the guys."

Entering the high-speed rail station square, Gu Siyi couldn't help but say again, "Let me push the suitcase. It's not that heavy."

Yi Ge, who used to help people carry things all the time, was now being treated like a helpless baby…

Xia Zhijun said, "No need to push the suitcase. Do me a favor."

"What favor?" Gu Siyi asked quickly, eager to do something for him.

Xia Zhijun: "Hold my arm."

Gu Siyi: "…"

"You won't even do me this small favor?" He glanced at her.

"…" Gu Siyi linked her arm through his.

"With an extra accessory, it's more balanced on both sides." Xia Zhijun said casually.

Gu Siyi was amused by his deadpan humor. "You're crazy…"

They queued outside the station, waiting to enter. With the Lunar New Year approaching, a large number of students and migrant workers were preparing to go home. Although it wasn't peak season yet, the station was still crowded, a spectacular sight.

Their position in the line slowly moved forward. Fortunately, they had allowed plenty of time.

As they approached the security check, Gu Siyi said, "I'm going in now."

Xia Zhijun, standing behind her, nodded. "Mm."

She put on her backpack, pulled her suitcase, and waved to Xia Zhijun. "Bye, see you next semester."

A strong feeling of reluctance suddenly welled up in her heart, an inexplicable sadness and difficulty. To hide these emotions, she quickly turned and walked inside, past the ticket checkpoint, and then through security.

She arrived at the baggage carousel and waited for her suitcase. After a while, as people around her picked up their belongings one after another, hers still hadn't appeared. Gu Siyi was puzzled and prepared to ask the staff.

Turning around, she saw the tall and handsome Xia Zhijun, holding her suitcase and backpack, just standing there, looking at her and smiling.

"…" Gu Siyi's eyes widened in astonishment.

"But… you, how did you get in? Don't you need a ticket to enter the station?"

"Did I ever tell you I didn't have a ticket?" He asked with a faint smile and a hint of playful teasing.

The already handsome boy, with his smile, exuded a vibrant youthful air, making him even more eye-catching.

Passersby frequently glanced at this elegant, good-looking, and refined young couple.

"Kids these days are so well-raised…"

"Yeah, good-looking and refined, like something out of an idol drama…"

Looking at Xia Zhijun, Gu Siyi said with a mixture of laughter and exasperation, "You bought a ticket too? Why did you buy a ticket? Are you going to visit my house?"

Of course, her heart was filled with happiness, sweetness, and overflowing joy.

She used this teasing tone to mask her heart's swelling satisfaction.

He raised his hand, gently ruffled her hair, and said, "Such a cute friend, how could I not see you to your door?"

"…" Gu Siyi lowered her eyes, sniffed, her cheeks flushed, and she smiled shyly.

On the train, Xia Zhijun placed the luggage on the overhead rack.

There was a pregnant woman struggling with her suitcase, looking around for help. Xia Zhijun saw her and took the initiative to put her suitcase up for her.

The pregnant woman thanked him repeatedly: "…Young man, you're so handsome and kind. Thank you so much."

Xia Zhijun had specifically chosen a two-seater, so he and Gu Siyi were in the same row. As it was first class, the seats were spacious and comfortable.

After they had been traveling for a while, he took a sour candy from his pocket, opened the lid, and handed it to Gu Siyi.

Gu Siyi turned on her phone's music and gave him an earbud.

With the final exams approaching, even her playlist had switched to English songs.

Accompanied by the cheerful melody of "I'm Yours," the high-speed train slowly started, speeding towards home.

"But I won't hesitate no more, no more

It cannot wait I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me

Open up your plans and damn you're free

Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love

……

So I won't hesitate no more no more

It cannot wait I'm sure

There's no need to complicate

Our time is short

This is our fate I'm yours…"

Xia Zhijun reached out and held Gu Siyi's hand.

They listened to the music quietly, watching the scenery fly by outside the window.

He hadn't previously found these mountains, rivers, and lakes particularly special, but at this moment, holding her hand, sharing the same music, these landscapes became imbued with special memories.

The three-hour journey wasn't long, and with companionship, it felt even shorter.

Getting off the train and exiting the station, they had lunch together. Then Xia Zhijun got into a car to take Gu Siyi home.

The Gu family had several properties. The one they currently lived in was a detached villa in the new district.

The car stopped outside the residential complex. They got out, and Xia Zhijun carried her luggage, following Gu Siyi inside.

Reaching her yard, Gu Siyi said, "We're here. Come in and sit down, take a break."

Xia Zhijun said, "I've booked my return ticket. I don't have enough time. You go in."

"Oh…" Gu Siyi's tone was slightly disappointed.

Just as she turned around, Xia Zhijun's voice came from behind, "You're just leaving like that?"

"Huh?" She turned around in surprise.

"No tip for my hard work?" He raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with amusement and a hint of flirtation.

Gu Siyi understood what he meant from his look.

Putting down her things, she walked over to him, stood on tiptoe, and quickly kissed his cheek.

Just as she steadied herself, he turned his head, cupped the back of her head with his hand, lowered his head, and kissed her.

"…" She blinked her long lashes, stunned, her cheeks turning from slightly red to boiling.

Their lips met for at least ten seconds. He gently nibbled her lip before reluctantly letting go, his voice husky, "That was just enough for a small tip. This is the real payment for my hard work."

"…" Gu Siyi glared at him playfully. "What if the neighbors see us? I'm going in!"

Turning around, she pulled her suitcase and quickly entered the yard.

Xia Zhijun watched her back until she entered the house before turning to leave.

Gu Siyi returned home to Aunt Chen's joyful welcome.

"Finally, winter break… The house has been so quiet without you…"

"Dinner is ready, freshly made, just waiting for you…"

Gu Siyi had already eaten, but she didn't want to disappoint Aunt Chen, who had specially prepared the meal, so she smiled and said, "Great! I haven't had Aunt Chen's cooking in so long!"

After eating, Gu Siyi felt like a little piggy, having eaten two full meals with no problem.

She took a picture of the leftovers and sent it to Xia Zhijun: "Can you believe I ate another whole meal?"

Immediately after sending it, she regretted it.

This was her boyfriend! Not one of her pig-headed friends! How could she share such an unladylike thing? Oh no!

She quickly retracted the message, first the text, then the picture.

Amitabha Buddha, God bless, he didn't have time to see it.

X: "What did you retract?"

Gu Mingsiyi: "Hehehe…"

Gu Mingsiyi: "I was about to ask where you were, typed the wrong thing…"

X: "I think I saw a dinner plate? Gone in a second."

Gu Mingsiyi: "You didn't see anything, really. Nothing at all."

Gu Mingsiyi: "Where are you now?"

X: "Just got off the car, about to enter the station."

Gu Mingsiyi: "Oh, okay, you go ahead."

Gu Siyi returned to her room and sprawled on the sofa after her meal.

Her room had been cleaned daily and wasn't dusty despite her six-month absence.

Gu Siyi announced her return in her junior high school class group chat, and everyone responded enthusiastically, suggesting a get-together.

Within a short time, her dinner plans were settled.

Sometimes joking with her classmates, sometimes chatting with Zheng Peipei and the others, time passed unnoticed.

Worried that Xia Zhijun would be bored traveling alone, she chatted with him after confirming he was on the train.

Xia Zhijun had originally planned to read, even buying a book, but he couldn't resist Gu Siyi's enthusiasm. Unable to read, he devoted himself to chatting with her…

When Xia Zhijun got home, it was almost dinner time.

His father was on a business trip, and his mother was busy at work. There was food prepared at home, but he was eating alone.

Gu Siyi was out having dinner with her junior high friends, having a lively and enjoyable time.

Xia Zhijun opened their chat. He knew her evening plans and, feeling bored, sent a message, "Eating out?"

No response…

Even after he finished his meal, there was still no reply.

Looking at his unanswered message hanging in the air, Xia Zhijun was almost amused by his frustration.

She had been chattering non-stop with him earlier, but the moment she went out to have fun, she forgot all about him?

Was his presence as a boyfriend really that insignificant?

On her way home, Gu Siyi finally replied to Xia Zhijun: "Finished eating, going home now."

Xia Zhijun: …

He'd been left hanging for half a day. He didn't want to talk to this brat.

Gu Mingsiyi: "Oh, they didn't believe my score, they all said I was bragging."

Gu Mingsiyi: "Until I showed them the photo of the ranking list, I blinded them with my brilliance!"

Gu Mingsiyi: "Can't I be a top student for once? Hmph, with such an amazing Study God tutoring me, I'll continue to soar!"

Gu Mingsiyi: "What are you doing? Have you eaten? It's so late, you must have eaten."

Seeing her chattering away, Xia Zhijun, who had intended to give her the silent treatment, replied.

X: "Eaten."

Gu Mingsiyi: "[Grinning][Grinning]"

The next day, Gu Siyi's parents returned, bringing a pile of local specialties.

Xu Jiahui said, "Our Siyi is becoming more and more like an adult, even taking the high-speed train back by herself."

Gu Zhiyuan smiled. "Half a year away at school really makes a difference. She's become much more independent."

Gu Siyi said with a deadpan expression, "Please don't make me sound like I was incapable before, thank you."

Gu Zhiyuan sat down on the sofa. Aunt Chen brought over freshly brewed tea. He took a sip and slowly said, "Siyi, it's time to tell Mom and Dad your final exam results."

Xu Jiahui sat next to Gu Zhiyuan, looking at her as if she were in a courtroom. "Good or bad, it doesn't matter. It just means more studying during the winter break, and no New Year's money, but we still have to face reality, right?"

Before the holiday, her parents had called to ask about her exam results, but Gu Siyi had kept them in suspense, saying she would tell them when she got home. The couple had assumed she had failed and was delaying the inevitable. After all, this was her usual tactic.

Gu Siyi smiled slightly and took out the ranking list, handing it to them. "Here you go."

She had held back from telling them, wanting to give her parents a big surprise, a huge surprise!

She was waiting to see their joyful tears, but…

Wait, why did they look so strange?

Gu Zhiyuan looked up at Gu Siyi, his expression even more serious than before, as if a storm was brewing. "Gu Siyi, how did your mother and I raise you?"

"To study hard and make progress every day, isn't that right?" Gu Siyi was a little confused.

What was this bizarre reaction? Why did getting tenth place feel like she was about to be punished?

"Your mother and I want you to study hard, and as long as you try your best, that's enough."

"We'd rather you be an honest poor student than see you fabricate lies to deceive your parents!"

"You haven't learned how to study, but now you've learned how to edit and print ranking lists yourself?"

"Even if you want to fake it, please make it realistic. Did you take a rocket? Top 100 at Longxing High School? That's 985 university level!"

The couple spoke one after another, their faces filled with heartache and disbelief.

"…???"

"…!!!"

Before exploding, Gu Siyi ran upstairs to her backpack, retrieved all her exam papers, along with the award certificates and honor certificates issued by the school.

She clattered downstairs and dumped them on the coffee table. "Here, see for yourselves! If I were faking it, could I have made this whole set?"

While her parents were examining the pile, she pulled out the photo of the honor roll on her phone and sent it to the family group chat. "Look, our school's top 100 honor roll, and I, your daughter, am on it! There's even a picture of the school in the background. Such a clear photo, you can't photoshop that, right?"

The couple looked through everything one by one. Their heartbroken expressions turned to disbelief…

Slowly, as they processed it, it changed to joy…

And then, they couldn't stop smiling.

Xu Jiahui patted Gu Zhiyuan's shoulder and said, "I told you Longxing High School was good, right? Look at our daughter, she went in and transformed from a sparrow into a phoenix!"

Gu Zhiyuan's laughter was hearty. He hadn't looked this happy even after signing a hundred-million-dollar contract a few days prior. "A good school… truly a good school… worth every penny…"

Gu Siyi: "Mr. and Mrs. Gu, please calm down, I have something to say."

The couple looked at her, beaming.

Gu Siyi: "Aren't you missing the point? Shouldn't you be praising me for my hard work? Why are you both praising the school?"

Gu Zhiyuan: "Of course, you worked very hard too. You've grown up, become more sensible, and know how to study hard. Mom and Dad are very proud!"

Xu Jiahui: "The school also deserves credit for raising you from a struggling student to a top student! Longxing's teaching staff truly lives up to its reputation."

Gu Siyi: "…"

It wasn't Longxing's teaching staff, but the Study God's power.

Gu Zhiyuan looked at the papers and certificates again and again, then stood up and said, "No, I'm too happy. I have to cook dinner myself tonight, a celebratory feast for our daughter."

Gu Siyi smiled. "I like the sound of that."

So, that afternoon, the family of three drove to the supermarket to buy ingredients for dinner.

Gu Siyi picked and chose with her parents, not forgetting to grab various snacks for herself.

At the same time, Xia Zhijun was sitting in his room writing code.

He used to be able to concentrate for a long time without distraction, but now he would pause occasionally, glancing at his phone to see if she had sent any messages.

Feeling tired, he got up to go to the balcony for some fresh air.

His gaze wandered, thinking about that girl with the sweet smile. What was she doing now?

She hadn't sent him a message all afternoon. Was she off having fun again, all by herself?

He sent her a message: "What are you doing?"

At that moment, Gu Siyi was busy shopping with her parents. Her phone was in her bag, its notifications drowned out by the supermarket noise.

After waiting a while with no reply, he sat down on the wicker chair on the balcony, bored, and looked at the sky.

He was someone who enjoyed quiet, and he used to love holidays, having time to read quietly, learn new things, and think in peace.

But now, he found the holidays boring. Endlessly boring.

The home he once enjoyed so much now felt cold and lonely.

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