EVERY LIKE, VOTE, AND COMMENT HELPS!

.....

By the end of Jiao Jiao's first week at school, she still had not managed to say more than a few words here and there to her classmates. Chi Yang would sometimes poke his head into her classroom to greet her or chat with her in the hallway, but the boys in her class just seemed to stare at her awkwardly and stutter when they spoke. The girls were a whole other story. They'd seemed to band into two camps: indifferent or jealous.

Jiao Jiao had her first tutoring session with Li Qian on the weekend though, and she'd promised him she'd try to make a friend, so she ironically picked the friendliest face she could think of, her cold and aloof seatmate.

During their free period, Zhou Xiaoyu sat quietly in her seat, focusing on her notes. The lines on her face reflected the dedicated concentration that had earned her the top spot in class. She practically had a 'do not disturb' sign hanging around her neck.

Jiao Jiao returned from the snack shop and placed a strawberry yogurt drink on Xiaoyu's desk. She gathered her courage and said softly, "Hello, I'm Jing Jiao. We've been seatmates for a week, but I realized we haven't really talked."

Zhou Xiaoyu's pen froze, and she glanced up at the yogurt sitting on the corner of her desk.

"Ah," Jiao Jiao was quick to explain. "I've seen you drinking these on your break before, so I got one for you when I went to the snack shop. I really admire your focus; you were even too busy to eat lunch today!"

Zhou Xiaoyu's lips twitched slightly, and glanced over at Jiao Jiao's sincere little face.

"Anyways," Jiao Jiao nervously continued, "that's for you. I hope we get along!"

Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly as she blinked down at the papers on her desk. Satisfaction filled her at meeting Brother Qian's challenge. Okay, so Zhou Xiaoyu hadn't spoken back to her, but it was enough that Jiao Jiao had taken the first step.

Her dimple flashing, Jiao Jiao picked up her pen and started working on her math papers with a light heart.

After a while, she got stuck on a problem and couldn't figure it out. Unbeknownst to her, Zhou Xiaoyu had been subtly observing. As Jiao Jiao sighed in frustration, Zhou Xiaoyu offered a hint.

"For that derivative, try applying the chain rule first. It might simplify the differentiation process."

Shock filled Jiao Jiao's heart, but she tried to calm her excitement as she pondered the quietly spoken words. After a few minutes, she put her pen down in satisfaction and said, "Thank you, Xiaoyu."

The busy figure just nodded her head sharply in acknowledgment.

.....

The next afternoon, a sharp rap sounded on the apartment door.

"Jiao Jiao!" Jing Mei called from her small workroom. "I've got my hands deep in paint right now. Can you get the door?"

Jiao Jiao was already moving as she'd been waiting for Li Qian's arrival all day. Pulling open the front door, she observed the tall man wearing a dark navy sweater layered over a crisp, collared shirt.

His jet-black hair was styled impeccably, framing his face and accentuating his strong features. The phoenix eyes observed her, and his lips quirked in humor as he watched her take him in from head to toe.

"Going to let me in, Jiao Jiao?" Li Qian knocked a knuckle playfully on the top of her head.

Jiao Jiao had only ever seen him in a suit, so she was a bit starry-eyed at his more casual appearance. "Ah!" Jiao Jiao blushed and stepped back as she clapped a hand on her hair. With a slight scowl, she said, "You didn't have to do that, Brother Qian!"

As he followed her into the living room, he said, "Well, you seemed a little awestruck, so I had to do something, didn't I? What, am I especially handsome today?"

Jiao Jiao scowled deeper with a fluttering heart and muttered, "Shameless!"

After a quick greeting to Jing Mei, Jiao Jiao and Li Qian settled at the kitchen table.

Hours passed, and Li Qian leaned over the table, his brows furrowed in concentration as he explained a complex formula to Jiao Jiao. As night began to fall, the glow of the kitchen lights illuminated their figures, casting a warm, golden hue over their books and notes. Jiao Jiao sat across from him, her notebook open and pen busy, trying to absorb every word he said.

"Makes sense, Jiao Jiao?" Li Qian asked as he finished writing. "These formulas can be a little tricky, but you got the last few problems correct, so I think you've got it."

Jiao Jiao looked up at him with a grateful smile, her dimples appearing as her bright eyes curved endearingly. "I think I'll keep you, Brother Qian. My life is in your hands to make calculus less of a nightmare!"

Li Qian chuckled a hint of mischief in his voice. "Oh, the pressure is on, huh? Well, you're lucky I'm an excellent tutor."

"Fine, fine, you're the best tutor in the world, and I'm eternally indebted to your calculus wisdom."

Jing Mei emerged from her workroom and asked, "Who's the best tutor in the world? Li Qian, if you've managed to ease my darling daughter's worries, I'd have to agree!"

Li Qian watched as Jiao Jiao excitedly showed her papers to Jing Mei. Her innocent eyes and glowing smile were the best reward for the hours he'd spent preparing for their tutoring session.

Jing Mei turned a warm smile to Li Qian. "You've worked hard, Xiao Qian. Have you eaten? We were going to order in for dinner."

Li Qian startled and made his excuses. "Sorry, Auntie, I have a banquet I have to attend tonight. Maybe another time?"

Jing Mei nodded and helped Jiao Jiao gather the papers on the table. "Thank you so much for spending this time with Jiao Jiao. We know how busy you are, and we're so grateful."

They all walked together to the front door. "Auntie, there's no need for thanks between us. I'm happy to help. Next Tuesday, then, Jiao Jiao?"

He glanced at her, taking in her cheerful, rosy face a final time until she nodded in affirmation.

"Well then, I'm off. Good night." Li Qian turned and walked away. There was no hurry to rush anyway. After all, the future was long.