Chapter 75: Kindred Spirits

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“Yang Tian, you did quite well in the final exams this time! You, boy, always so laid-back in class, yet you manage to score so high on the tests. Tell me, did you cheat?” In her office, Bao Yuehong held Yang Tian’s report card, smiling as she spoke to him.

This winter, she wore a bright red woolen coat, her inner attire fashionable—a snow-white blouse and tight black pants, a look both modern and alluring.

Yang Tian merely grinned at Bao Yuehong’s teasing. In this round of finals, everyone had performed exceptionally well. He placed first in his class and third in the whole school, earning a scholarship of three hundred yuan.

Chen Ming came in third in the class, Huang Juan fifth, An Qi sixth, and even Zhao Shilei and Zhang Yunxiang, who were usually ranked below thirtieth, had broken into the top twenty. Huang Juan and Chen Ming were overjoyed, and had gone with An Qi to her little food stall to eat dumplings—Yang Tian would join them soon.

“Now that winter break is here, any plans? Still keeping an eye on the internet café?” With no other teachers around, Bao Yuehong spoke more casually.

“The internet café is running smoothly. I’m going home for the holidays!” Yang Tian replied honestly. After half a year of hard work with Zhang Zhi, Hongyu Internet Café now had four branches, all making a profit. With Zhou Bing and A Gui watching over things, Yang Tian only had to collect his commission now.

He’d actually discussed this with Zhang Zhi, saying he didn’t need such a large share of the profits anymore, but Zhang Zhi refused. He said that Hongyu Internet Café had become successful thanks to the both of them.

The real reason for the café’s booming business was the introduction of the game membership card—a concept Yang Tian had come up with. Zhang Zhi insisted that if Yang Tian didn’t get his share, he’d feel guilty.

Having such a good business partner felt like a stroke of luck for Yang Tian. So, instead of refusing, he decided to come up with more ways to help Zhang Zhi make Hongyu Internet Café even more successful.

“It’s good to spend more time with your family. By the way, I’m moving house today. Come help your big sister move!” Bao Yuehong nodded, then grinned excitedly.

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“Moving?” Yang Tian was a little surprised. Bao Yuehong was a new teacher at No. 1 High School, so she should be living in the teachers’ apartments. Why would she want to move?

“Yes, I want to live outside of the school!” Bao Yuehong replied with a relieved smile, letting out a long sigh.

“You already bought a house? Being a teacher really has a future!” Yang Tian joked, though he knew there must be a reason for her to move—those teacher apartments were very nice, after all.

“Stop teasing! Bought a house? My salary’s nowhere near enough for that. Oh, and don’t go around telling people I’m moving out. Or I’ll knock some sense into your little head!” Bao Yuehong scolded, then grabbed Yang Tian’s hand and hurried toward the teachers’ apartments.

Being dragged along like this made Yang Tian uncomfortable. If not for his rebirth, he’d be about Bao Yuehong’s age; it ought to be him leading her. Fate works in strange ways.

Bao Yuehong’s move was indeed low-key. She hired only a small farm truck, and besides the honest driver, the only movers were herself and Yang Tian.

Strictly speaking, Bao Yuehong did most of the work, carrying the larger items herself. Yang Tian just handled the smaller things. He could have easily moved the TV or the nightstand, but Bao Yuehong wouldn’t allow it—she was afraid he’d tire himself out. So, she moved all the heavy things herself, working up quite a sweat.

Still, Yang Tian quietly moved a lot as well. When Bao Yuehong expressed surprise, he simply said the truck driver had done it.

When Bao Yuehong bought cigarettes for the driver to thank him, the man looked bewildered, never having met such a generous client—paying labor fees and giving him good cigarettes. He was so delighted, he hummed tunes as he drove, and kept turning around to ask if Bao Yuehong and Yang Tian got carsick in the back. If they did, he’d slow down.

“Miss Bao, isn’t life in the apartment center comfortable?” Sitting in the back of the truck, nestled among household items, the cold wind in his face as the landscape flashed by, Yang Tian felt a certain pleasure. Seeing Bao Yuehong deep in thought, he asked softly.

“Miss Bao? How many times have I told you—when there’s no one else around, call me ‘sister’!” Bao Yuehong pinched Yang Tian’s nose.

“I’ll call you sister, but you have to tell me the truth! Why are you moving out of the teachers’ apartments?” Yang Tian raised his head.

“Ha, trying to play tricks on me, little rascal? Why am I moving? How shall I put it… Even if I tell you, you probably wouldn’t understand.” Bao Yuehong shot Yang Tian a glance and sighed.

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“Try me. How do you know I won’t understand?” Yang Tian replied, confident, though a little embarrassed—his mental age was actually older than hers. Stop treating me like a kid.

“Living in those apartments, everyone’s in couples or families. Their rooms are always bustling and lively, but I’m always alone. It feels uncomfortable, so I wanted to move out and find some peace.” Bao Yuehong’s expression grew wistful.

“That’s easy to fix—just find someone to marry! You’re not that young anymore, anyway.” Yang Tian clapped his hands. If he remembered correctly, Bao Yuehong must be almost twenty-six by now. Graduated from university at twenty-two, taught at Luohe Middle School for three years, then came to Binhai No. 1 High—she should be nearing twenty-six. Just the right age for marriage.

“You sound just like my mother! As if it’s so easy. I have to be choosy, you know. If I can’t find someone I truly connect with, I’d rather never marry!” Bao Yuehong replied, aggrieved, looking for all the world like a rebellious schoolgirl.

“A philosopher once said, being alone is no good, so God created men and women. So when the time comes, you should settle down. Don’t be too picky.” Yang Tian intoned, nodding sagely.

“Which philosopher said that?” Bao Yuehong was taken aback.

“Me!” Yang Tian blurted, quickly raising his arms in defense, knowing Bao Yuehong would pinch him again.

“You little rascal! You think it’s funny to tease your big sister, huh?” As expected, Bao Yuehong went for him. After a moment, she grew pensive and sighed, “It’s not that I’m too picky. I just haven’t met anyone I could entrust my life to.”

“That can’t be. There are plenty of young talents among the new teachers at No. 1 High. And there are many more outside. I’ve seen lots of people chasing after you—surely one of them must be suitable.” Yang Tian wasn’t exaggerating. Bao Yuehong was attractive and capable, and many pursued her.

“Don’t even mention it. Talking about it just annoys me! That’s actually another reason I’m moving. Every day strange men show up out of nowhere to give me flowers. Their leering grins make me sick. I have to move out and hide, so they can’t find me anymore!” Bao Yuehong said fiercely, her red lips puffed out in anger.

“That’s perfectly normal. It just means my sister is charming!” Yang Tian burst out laughing, and even the driver up front joined in.

“Alright, you little imp, making fun of your sister, are you? See if I don’t beat you!” Flushed with anger and embarrassment, Bao Yuehong raised her delicate fists and began to gently pummel Yang Tian, who was already doubled over with laughter.