The day school started had finally arrived, and Ji Huaichuan was absolutely thrilled. Two certain people were finally going to share in his misery.
The class atmosphere became intensely focused like never before. Even the most playful students cut down on their outings and started asking the top-performing students questions.
Ji Zhaoxi studied late into the night every day, and Zhou Chiye stayed by her side until she went to bed.
Review sessions came in wave after wave. Countless test papers were handed out daily. Every time the results were posted, faint sobbing could always be heard in the classroom.
Ji Zhaoxi no longer went home at noon. Zhou Chiye stayed with her in the school’s rest room, which was filled with his things, so she didn’t feel too strange to fall asleep.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting a ring of light on the floor. The noise outside was completely shut out by the windows.
Ji Zhaoxi dozed off on the bed. Zhou Chiye came in from outside and adjusted the air conditioner temperature.
He leaned down beside her and pulled her into his arms with practiced ease. He gently pressed his thumb along the back of her neck. Ji Zhaoxi, comforted, burrowed deeper into his embrace.
A hint of a smile flickered in Zhou Chiye’s eyes. He worked his fingers along the muscles on both sides of her spine and then massaged her shoulders, skillfully working out all the sore spots.
Back when he used to exercise, Zhou Chiye always massaged himself this way. Now he suddenly felt grateful for that experience—it allowed him to help relieve some of her stress.
There were faint dark circles under her eyes. Zhou Chiye lightly tapped them.
From time to time, the sound of basketballs came from the field, but it was much quieter than before. At this crucial stage, the teachers began calling students in for one-on-one talks.
All the subject teachers held high hopes for Ji Zhaoxi, so they often came to chat with her, especially during self-study time.
"Ji Zhaoxi, you’re definitely aiming for University A, right?" the physics teacher said, patting his belly as he approached.
She was his pride and joy.
Even though every teacher in the class claimed Ji Zhaoxi was their favorite student.
Ji Zhaoxi cleared her throat lightly. "If my score allows it, I’ll go."
The physics teacher beamed. "Of course you’ll make it. Based on your usual performance."
Ji Zhaoxi hadn’t thought much of it at first, but when the monthly exam results came out that afternoon and her ranking dropped, she instantly wilted.
What if she turned out to be one of those students who did well during regular tests but choked during the big college entrance exam?
Her slump lasted an entire day. She barely ate a few bites.
Ji Huaichuan didn’t say much either. He had already decided he’d find a day to go to a temple to burn some incense and pray.
The bathroom was filled with steam. The warm water cascaded down, but Ji Zhaoxi still felt a chill inside.
She was going to be the one supporting the family in the future. She had to buy a house for her mom. Her brother wouldn’t make enough money—she was the hope of the Ji family!
The moment that thought hit her, tears streamed down her face.
Soon after, Ji Zhaoxi came out of the bathroom. Zhou Chiye was sitting on the sofa. He didn’t say a word when he saw her red eyes. Silently, he helped her dry her hair.
The sound of the hairdryer masked her faint sniffling. Zhou Chiye’s fingers ran through her hair, combing it gently, strand by strand.
After her hair was dry, Ji Zhaoxi was still staring at the monthly exam results that had come out that day. Zhou Chiye rested his chin lightly on her shoulder, looking at them with her.
"Actually, I should have ranked higher. I changed my answer at the last second, but the first calculation was correct," Ji Zhaoxi murmured, her voice muffled.
"If I had gotten your grade, my dad would probably have taken me to the ancestral hall to give thanks," Zhou Chiye said, idly squeezing her hand.
Ji Zhaoxi couldn’t help but laugh.
Zhou Chiye kissed her hair and nuzzled her gently.
Ji Zhaoxi secretly checked Ji Huaichuan’s score. The moment she saw it, she burst out laughing. "My brother dropped even more ranks than I did. No wonder he was so quiet at dinner."
Suddenly, her phone buzzed. When she opened it, she saw that Zhou Chiye had transferred her a lot of money—many zeros.
Ji Zhaoxi’s eyes lit up instantly. Zhou Chiye let out a low chuckle. "Feeling better?"
"Much better! Much better!"
Ji Zhaoxi buried her face in Zhou Chiye’s chest and bit him, hard. Zhou Chiye gently stroked her hair.
He wondered if he should find someone professional to help her manage her stress. At least they’d be experts, able to ease her mind when she was upset.
He wasn’t great at comforting people. For Ji Zhaoxi, a money transfer didn’t always work.
Meanwhile, Ji Huaichuan sat in his room with his eyes closed, muttering prayers as he tapped the air. "Oh ancestors of the Ji family, bless me with a good score. When the exams are over, I’ll burn paper money for you… Grandpa and Grandma on Mom’s side, your grandson is in trouble…"
Ji Huaichuan decided he’d recite this every night.
Soon it was the weekend. The sky was clear and sunny, but Ji Zhaoxi had no interest in going out. She spent every day studying in the study room.
Everyone thought of her as a top student. If she didn’t get the score she aimed for, how embarrassing would that be?
Ji Zhaoxi concentrated on her practice problems. After finishing, she carefully checked the answers. When she saw they were correct, she cheered and punched Zhou Chiye next to her several times in excitement.
Zhou Chiye raised an eyebrow. Looks like she’s happy now. Good timing—he felt like biting her a few times.
Ji Zhaoxi’s mood affected Zhou Chiye constantly, and his mood affected everyone around him, especially his friends.
One of them finally couldn’t hold back. "Brother Ye, why is Ji so stressed? It’s not like you can’t support her."
"Yeah, does she not feel secure? If I were her, I’d just slack off."
Zhou Chiye’s face darkened. "Get lost. Don’t you dare say anything stupid in front of her."
He hadn’t even dared entertain that thought. As soon as it crossed his mind, he shut it down.
He knew how much pressure Ji Zhaoxi put on herself.
The classroom grew quieter and quieter—not just hers, but the entire building.
A few more monthly exams came and went. Ji Zhaoxi’s scores remained steady—exactly what she hoped for.
By the time the countdown on the blackboard dropped to double digits, Ji Zhaoxi no longer felt nervous.
Zhou Chiye stayed by her side every single day. When Ji Zhaoxi got tired, she’d bury herself in his arms and bite him a few times to let off steam, then go back to studying.
Zhou Chiye was her outlet. And he was more than happy to be one.
