Chapter 26: Tutoring

    As the school bell signaled the end of the day, Li Yifei stood waiting for her younger brother. The two siblings smiled at each other, especially since today they had given their bank account information to their homeroom teacher, and their scholarship funds had been deposited as well.

    When they got home, Grandma Li was already waiting for them. Unlike the time when they got money from selling in-game items and withdrew thousands of yuan in cash to give to her, this time, they didn't bring her cash.

    Li Yifeng had pointed out to her that Grandma Li knew how to manage money transfers, so they could just transfer the scholarship money directly to her account.

    While Grandma didn’t have a mobile app for transferring money, she did have an ATM card to check her balance.

    After the transfer was done, Grandma Li, who had recently been extra kind, had been preparing hearty meals with chicken for them regularly.

    Today, to celebrate the scholarship, she had prepared a special dish—braised pork belly in red sauce.

    When their parents returned from work at around 7 p.m., the whole family gathered to enjoy the luxurious braised pork belly meal. Li Yifei couldn’t help but think that the pork practically melted in her mouth. Grandma Li truly had a talent for cooking.

    If someone asked her if it could be compared to the food she used to eat at high-end restaurants, she’d admit it wasn’t quite on that level.

    But what made the meal truly delicious was the fact that it was made by family and shared together, even if her little brother was quick to snatch the tender pork belly away.

    That made Li Yifei complain out loud.

    However, deep down, she only hoped that their family could continue to live happily like this, filled with smiles and no disruptions.

    “Mom, tomorrow I’ll be coming home late, just like you and Dad.”

    Li Yifei told her mother as she helped clear the table after dinner.

    “Why’s that?”

    “I’ll be tutoring my classmates, and I’ll be getting 10 yuan per person for it.”

    Her mother didn’t seem entirely convinced that she’d be able to tutor anyone.

    “Who are you tutoring?”

    Li Yifei listed the names of her students, they were people her brother had mentioned before.

    “And where will you be tutoring them?”

    “At the benches at school,” Li Yifei explained.

    School seemed like the best place for tutoring, whether it was in the classroom or on the benches outside. There was no need to spend money at a bakery or café where it might not be as quiet.

    “I see. My daughter is really becoming capable, isn’t she?”

    “Yes, capable and earning her own money!”

    “Alright,” her mother said, placing the clean dishes into the drying rack before wiping her hands on a towel.

    She then gently stroked Li Yifei’s head.

    “I’m proud of you, but don’t overwork yourself, okay?”

    Li Yifei cherished the touch and felt a little sad when her mother’s hand moved away.

    “I won’t push myself too hard like I used to.”

    “You’ve always done your best, but I just want you to listen to me, Grandma, and your father. Becoming an adult isn’t as easy as it seems.”

    “Yes, I’ll remember that.”

    Li Yifei fully understood what her mother meant. Life’s journey wouldn’t progress smoothly without challenges.

    She looked at her mother’s warm smile and noticed the signs of aging on her face. For her mother’s upcoming birthday, Li Yifei made up her mind to buy her mother some skincare cream, or maybe some supplements.

    Right now, she still had the money from selling rare in-game items, something she and her brother hadn’t told the family yet, as they were saving it as a personal fund.

    Plus, with the tutoring money coming in soon, she couldn’t wait for tomorrow to arrive.

    The next morning, breakfast was once again the delicious braised pork belly. Even after chewing and swallowing, Li Yifei could still savor its fragrant flavor lingering in her mouth.

    The single serving Grandma Li gave her simply wasn’t enough!

    When Li Yifei arrived at school, Li Ying and Xu Kai were already waiting for her at the school gate to walk with her to class.

“I feel bad that you both have to wait for me like this,” Li Yifei said.

“It’s no problem. We always get here before you anyway,” Xu Kai responded.

“Besides, since you’re still not fully recovered, it’s better to have us around,” Li Ying added.

Li Yifei realized how fortunate she was to have such good friends.

    In their class, there were still students approaching her, asking her to solve math problems. Li Yifei started to feel tired of it and finally said in a calm voice,

    “It’s up to you whether you believe me or not, but you’ll see once it’s midterms. I’m tired of solving problems for you.”

Those who had brought her problems were stunned.

“That’s right. Do you guys have nothing better to do?” Li Ying chimed in.

    “I just wanted to see if she’s as smart as they say,” the student who brought the problems muttered.

    “Well, I’m not doing any more. It’s a waste of time.”

    Li Yifei replied, her tone firm as she glared at the student.

    “If you can’t solve it, just admit it. No need for excuses,” one of Xing Fei’s minions added, joining in.

    Li Yifei turned her gaze toward the girl, giving her a sharp look. Given her past, she didn't seem to be as gentle. Xing Fei’s minion then quickly shrank back.

    “As Yifei said, you’ll see during the midterms. Stop bothering her.”

    Xing Fei, the class favorite, stepped in, bowing her head slightly as an apology on behalf of her friend.

    From Li Yifei’s memories of Xing Fei, she had always been someone who acted sweet and innocent, drawing everyone to her with a friendly facade.

    Li Yifei wasn’t sure if it was because Xing Fei was cute and she herself was beautiful, but the two had always seemed to quietly compete for attention.

Judging by the class’s reaction, Xing Fei clearly had the upper hand.

Since Xing Fei had spoken politely, Li Yifei responded,

“Thanks for understanding.”

When someone approaches with good intentions, it’s only right to respond in kind.

    Li Ying shot Li Yifei a wide-eyed look, as if she couldn’t believe what had just happened. After all, if Xing Fei was the class darling, then Li Ying was definitely one of the popular ones too.

    Perhaps their friendship stemmed from having similar experiences.

    Li Yifei leaned over and whispered to Li Ying,

    “She came with good intentions, so I should respond kindly.”

“That’s true.”

    When the bell rang to signal the start of class, the room fell quiet as everyone settled into their activities. Li Yifei naturally focused on her lessons.

    Even though she considered herself smart, she knew better than to become complacent.

    She nudged Li Ying, reminding her to focus as well, and not just use her textbook to hide her phone. Even though there are stories of people who didn’t finish school but still succeeded, those people were one in a hundred thousand—or even one in a million.

    Not everyone who dropped out will become successful.

When the bell rang for the end of class, Li Ying groaned.

“I’m only looking out for you, Li Ying.”

    “Yeah, I agree. We’re in our second year of high school now. Next year, we’ll have to prepare for university entrance exams,” Xu Kai chimed in, supporting Li Yifei.

“But I still don’t get any of this,” Li Ying complained.

    “At least it’ll make you curious, and then you can ask me.”

    Li Yifei countered, refusing to back down.

“Fine, fine. When we start tutoring, I’ll ask you everything!”

Xu Kai burst out laughing.

"Looks like I’ll have to stick around this evening and watch too," Xu Kai said.

“Aren’t you in a hurry to go home and play games?” Li Ying turned to ask.

“Games can be played anytime. Reviewing lessons is more important,” Xu Kai replied.

    When her friend mentioned games, Li Yifei couldn’t help but think about the random prize boxes in her game. However, she didn’t mention it to the group. After all, being too lucky should have its limits, and it would be better if fewer people knew.

    So, she didn’t tell Xu Kai, even though he seemed to enjoy gaming as well.

    Finally, it was time for the tutoring session. Xu Kai suggested they sit at the stone benches near the school’s guard post, where the street lights would come on if it got dark.

    That way, they wouldn’t have to stay inside the spooky classroom.

“I don’t think we’ll be studying that long,” Li Ying commented.

Li Yifei agreed with her.

    Once everyone had gathered, Li Yifei, as the tutor, instructed them to take out their homework. The assignments were the same for every class.

    She started with math, a subject her friends were particularly weak in. It seemed like she would need to make some basic math notes for them later.

    For now, she focused on teaching them how to identify the problem patterns and apply formulas to solve problems.

    Next, they moved on to English grammar. The key to grammar was knowing the rules, but her friends struggled with vocabulary as well.

    Tutoring wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

    However, Li Yifei was determined to do it, especially with the promise of earning money.

By 6 p.m., with the sun still up, Li Yifeng also joined the group.

“Oh, I thought you’d already gone home,” Li Yifei said to him.

    “I’m waiting to go home with you. I was playing basketball in the middle school yard,” he explained.

    “Don’t worry. If it gets late, I’ll accompany her home.” Xu Kai said to her younger brother.

“So will I, and this guy as well,” Lu Han added.

“Thank you,” Li Yifeng said.

“No need to be so polite. We’re all friends here,” Li Ying chimed in.

    But why didn’t anyone offer to walk Li Ying home? Would she feel left out? Li Yifei didn’t want to let the matter go unresolved.

    “And what about Li Ying?” Li Yifei asked, not wanting to ignore the situation.

    After all, in many dramas and novels, female friends drifted apart over such small things. She didn’t want that to happen here.

“Her dad’s coming to pick her up,” Xu Kai explained.

    “Yeah, my dad will be here soon. If it weren’t for my mom nagging, I’d ask him to drop you off too.”

    Li Ying said, looking a bit uncomfortable.

    Hearing this, Li Yifei realized she had been overthinking it. Li Ying wasn’t upset after all, but it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on things just in case.

    “We’ve finished all the homework. I’ll go home and try to understand it better,” said Xiu Min, the quietest of the group.

    “Well done,” Li Yifei praised.

    This caused Xiu Min to blush. His quietness and shyness likely stemmed from his feelings for her.

    It was good that he stayed silent, which kept their friendship intact.

    Li Yifei naturally kept it silent as well. Living with the Li family had given her many responsibilities, and the idea of romance in school didn’t cross her mind. Perhaps it was because, in her heart, she still felt 25 years old. These classmates felt more like younger siblings than romantic interests.

“Well, let’s head home,”

As they walked out to the school gate, the guard and the teacher on duty teased them.

“Done with tutoring already?”

“Yes, we’ll probably be coming here more often,” Xu Kai replied.

“That’s fine. This spot is close and safe,” the guard remarked.

    After saying their goodbyes to the teacher and guard, Li Ying’s father arrived, and they all escorted her to the car.

    It seemed Li Ying’s father was in a hurry from being constantly called by his wife, as he didn’t offer to give them a ride.

Once her car pulled away, the group stood at the bus stop.

    “By the way, don’t you live near Li Ying? Why don’t you go home together?” Lu Han asked Xu Kai.

“If Li Ying’s dad didn’t offer, they probably have other plans.”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

    Li Yifei had been wondering the same thing, so she was glad Lu Han had asked and cleared it up.

When each person’s bus arrived, they all went their separate ways.

    After getting off the bus, Li Yifei, thinking about the 30 yuan she’d earned today, decided to buy some bread and sausages to stock the fridge. Eating eggs alone might get boring.

“You’ve just earned money, and you’re already spending it?” Li Yifeng teased.

“It’s all for the family,” Li Yifei replied.

Hearing this, Li Yifeng chuckled.

    “Alright, I’ll help by buying some sausages. I didn’t give Grandma the money I made from working at the fried chicken shop, and she didn’t ask for it. Maybe because we’ve been earning so much during the break that she forgot all about it.”

Li Yifei laughed as well.

    It seemed the two Li siblings would have plenty of money to keep bringing food into their home.