After exchanging greetings, Yan Qi quickly led her class president, Hu Mengqing, into her home.
Upon seeing the beautiful girl following her daughter and recognizing her as Hu Mengqing, the class president, Yan Qi’s mother, Li Caifeng, turned her attention away from the soap opera on TV. She stood up with a warm smile and said,
“Welcome, Xiao Qing! Are you here to take Xiao Qi out to play?”
Hu Mengqing, who wore glasses and carried an elegant, scholarly air, replied,
“Auntie Li, I’m not here to take Xiao Qi out. I came to ask for her help with some problems I’ve been having in my studies.”
“Help with studies? Oh, right! My daughter mentioned this to me just the other day. My memory is so bad—I completely forgot. I’m really sorry about that.”
Seeing Li Caifeng apologize, Hu Mengqing quickly waved her hands dismissively.
“Auntie Li, there’s no need to apologize.”
“But I should! I totally forgot and didn’t prepare anything to properly welcome you.”
“It’s really fine, Auntie Li. I’m just here to study with Xiao Qi—no need for any special arrangements.”
“Xiao Qing, you’re too kind. Xiao Qi, take your class president to your room. I’ll bring up some homemade snacks for you two later.”
“Got it, Mom. Alright, Class President, follow me!”
Following her mother’s instructions, Yan Qi took Hu Mengqing’s hand and led her upstairs to her room.
This was the first time—both before and after her transmigration—that Yan Qi had held a girl’s soft, jade-like hand. A faint thrill ran through her, and all sorts of strange thoughts bubbled up in her mind.
But then she remembered that her “equipment” had been confiscated, and her excitement quickly turned to regret. She shook off those inappropriate thoughts.
“Alright, Class President, this is my room. Make yourself comfortable.”
After guiding Hu Mengqing inside, Yan Qi turned to her and spoke before plopping down on her unmade bed, where the blankets were still haphazardly strewn about.
With permission granted, Hu Mengqing didn’t hesitate. She soon joined Yan Qi on the bed, pulling out her notebook, pen, and a collection of incorrect answers. Leaning in closer, she said,
“Um, Xiao Qi, these are the problems I’ve struggled with this week. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t solve them. Could you teach me?”
As the faint scent of lavender wafted from Hu Mengqing, Yan Qi’s regret deepened.
With a silent sigh, Yan Qi—now merged with the memories and soul of this body, becoming a teenage prodigy who had been pre-admitted to the prestigious Imperial University—took the notebook. She flipped through it, scanned the problems, and began explaining them one by one.
“Oh, I see! No wonder I couldn’t get the right answer before.”
“There’s actually a method like this? Xiao Qi, you really are Fangfeng No. 1 High School’s top genius.”
“I wish I had a brain as sharp as yours…”
Hearing Hu Mengqing’s occasional praises, Yan Qi—now in her role as the school’s academic legend—felt even more motivated and explained the problems with extra enthusiasm.
Time flew by unnoticed. By the time they finished the last problem, the morning had already turned to afternoon.
“Alright, that should cover all your questions for this week.”
Tossing a cookie (baked by her mother earlier that morning) into her mouth, Yan Qi glanced at Hu Mengqing beside her.
Clutching her notebook, Hu Mengqing smiled contentedly.
“Thank you, Xiao Qi. Without you, I’d never have figured out where I went wrong.”
“Don’t mention it. It was nothing.”
“Hey, Xiao Qi… do you have time next Sunday?”
As she put away her notebook, Hu Mengqing suddenly thought of something and looked at Yan Qi.
“Next Sunday? Since I’ve already been pre-admitted, I’ve got all the time in the world. Why do you ask?”
Hu Mengqing explained,
“Well, with the college entrance exams coming up, everyone’s really stressed. To help everyone relax, the class committee decided to hold a graduation party next Sunday night. Would you be willing to come?”
Yan Qi immediately understood. After a moment’s thought, she saw no harm in attending and replied,
“If the Class President herself is inviting me, how could I possibly refuse?”
“So you’ll come? That’s great!”
Hearing Yan Qi accept her invitation, Hu Mengqing’s face lit up with joy.
Noticing the dramatic shift in Hu Mengqing’s expression, Yan Qi asked curiously,
“Why are you so excited? Did you not expect me to say yes?”
Hu Mengqing smiled sheepishly and nodded.
“Well… it did surprise me a little. After all, you’re Fangfeng No. 1 High’s youngest genius ever to get pre-admitted to Imperial University.”
Realizing the reason behind Hu Mengqing’s reaction, Yan Qi chuckled.
“Ah, so that’s why you were so shocked.”
“Anyway, now that I have your answer, and since it’s getting late, I should head home.”
“Want my dad to drive you back?”
As Hu Mengqing prepared to leave, Yan Qi offered.
Hu Mengqing shook her head.
“No need. The sun’s still out—I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Alright then. Let me at least walk you out.”
With that, the two left the bedroom and returned to the living room.
“Oh? You two are back already?”
Noticing them, Li Caifeng, who had been cleaning, straightened up and asked.
“Auntie, Xiao Qi has cleared up all my questions, and it’s getting late, so I should head home now.”
Hu Mengqing explained.
“Ah, leaving so soon? Won’t you stay for dinner?”