The Obsessive Tycoon Claims the Deserted Heiress-Chapter 35 - 0: Interact less with the boys at school

Fragments of dappled sunlight fell on his face, his long lashes trembling slightly, casting a radiant curve of shadows.

They say that serious men are the most attractive. Yu Zhi had always scoffed at this notion, yet now, staring at Shi Wei, she found herself spellbound.

"Do you understand?" Shi Wei paused his actions, tilted his head, and met her almond-shaped eyes shimmering with a misty glow.

Within her gaze, he saw his own reflection, and for a moment, a strange illusion washed over him—as if her world could hold no one but him.

The silent stare persisted. Shi Wei couldn't resist tapping the tip of his pen lightly against her forehead. "Snap out of it."

"Hmm?"

Yu Zhi touched her forehead, her eyes tinged with a trace of grievance. "What are you doing?"

"What was I just explaining?" Shi Wei smirked faintly, leaning back lazily in his chair.

The movement caused his loose collar to open even further.

Yu Zhi glanced at the clavicle revealed under his neckline, calmly redirected her gaze, and said, "You were speaking too fast. I couldn't catch it."

"Is that so—"

Shi Wei deliberately stretched out his words. He leaned closer to Yu Zhi's side, his eyes fixed on the flushed tip of her ear as he let out a soft chuckle. "So it's my fault then."

His warm breath spilled onto her cheek, and Yu Zhi felt her heartbeat falter slightly.

She quietly shifted to the side, pressing her lips together lightly. "Are you going to teach or not?"

"Yes, I am."

Shi Wei nodded, his clear and refined features graced with gentle amusement—like a cold season suddenly meeting the warmth of spring in March.

He tore off the waste paper sheet and explained it all to her again from the beginning.

This time, wary of her using excuses again, he deliberately slowed his pace significantly.

After tackling several problems in a row, he rubbed at his slightly sore wrist and clicked his tongue in irritation.

Seeing this, Yu Zhi set down her pen and looked at him with mild concern. "Did you apply medicine today?"

Shi Wei shook his head, an expression of utter indifference lingering on his face. "I forgot."

This answer wasn't entirely unexpected to Yu Zhi. She walked skillfully over to the television stand, rummaged through the medical kit until she found the bottle of bruise ointment, and threw it in his direction.

Shi Wei glanced at the ointment in his hand, then at her, his eyes filled with puzzlement.

Wasn't she supposed to help him apply it, like she did last night?

Yu Zhi acted as if she didn't understand his gaze; she returned to her seat, picked up her pen again, and clearly had no intention of entertaining him.

"Cough..." Shi Wei tried to draw her attention, even letting out a few exaggerated sighs, but the other party remained unmoved.

Reluctantly, he unscrewed the cap of the ointment, preparing to apply it himself.

Just as he poured the medicine onto his bruises, a pair of smooth, fair hands reached over, gently massaging it into his skin.

In the end, Yu Zhi couldn't bring herself to be completely cold-hearted. For one thing, he really did seem pitiful—and for another... well, one shouldn't bite the hand that helps them, right?

Once the ointment was thoroughly applied, Shi Wei didn't make any more trouble and quietly resumed studying with her.

**

"Are you close with that male classmate?" Shi Wei tugged his coat tighter and shoved his hands into his pockets.

His tone was casual, as if he'd stumbled upon the topic accidentally.

The sky had already darkened by now. The two of them strolled leisurely down the tree-lined path, bathed in cold moonlight spilling through gaps in the branches, their shadows stretching long against the ground.

"Who are you talking about?" Yu Zhi glanced at his profile in confusion.

"The one who helped you with math before."

Shi Wei tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes fixed on the two shadows pressed closely together. Something deep flickered through his gaze.

"He's alright."

Her interactions with Lu Li were scarce. Aside from the time they were punished by standing and the trip home together, there hadn't been more solo scenarios. So "alright" was all she could say.

Her candid response inexplicably caused a faint sense of relief to wash over Shi Wei.

He broke into a gentle smile. "For now, focus on your studies. It's better to lower your interactions with the boys at school."

"Hmm, I think so too." Yu Zhi nodded seriously with a tone of agreement.

She hadn't caught on to his nuanced meaning. Instead, she simply thought back to the recent forum drama and found his words quite sensible.

A deeper smile spread across Shi Wei's face as he rewarded her with a light pat on the head.

His movements were so swift that she didn't even have time to react before his hand had withdrawn.

Yu Zhi froze for a moment, her almond-brown eyes filled with bewilderment.

She tilted her head to look up at him. "What's that all about?"

The moonlight cast its glow perfectly at this moment. Scattered stars adorned the night sky, twinkling brilliantly, dazzling yet serene.

But in Shi Wei's heart, no vista was as enchanting as the expressions of the girl before him—her every smile, her every fleeting mood.

He halted his steps, bent down to bring his face close to hers, leveling his gaze with hers. "You're so adorable."

His deep voice, resonating like a cello, carried a magnetic undertone that seemed to pierce directly into one's soul.

Yu Zhi met his heated gaze and, for a moment, was at a loss for words. At some point, her ears had turned a faint shade of pink.

Instinctively, she turned her head away, her lashes fluttering lightly as she tightened her grip on her shoulder bag. "Are we walking or not?"

If one listened carefully, they'd catch a trace of vexed embarrassment in her tone.

Shi Wei, wary of teasing her too much, chuckled softly and resumed his long strides.

After walking a few steps, he realized she hadn't caught up yet. Turning back, he took hold of her wrist and gently pulled her along.

Nearing Emperor's Scenic Heaven's entrance, Yu Zhi finally took a moment to wrench her hand free.

She pressed her lips together lightly. "You don't need to escort me. I can go back by myself."

Shi Wei surveyed the deserted street, his brows tightening as he replied, "No, it's too late. I'd be worried."

"But—"

"No buts."

"..."

In the end, Yu Zhi gave in, allowing him to join her in boarding the same car.

The two sat close together in the somewhat cramped back seat, their arms inadvertently brushing against one another.

"When will you come by next?" Shi Wei fixed his steady gaze on her profile, murmuring softly.

Being this close, he could almost make out the faintest downiness along her cheeks.

Shi Wei rubbed at his restless fingertips but ultimately refrained from acting on them.

"Not sure." Yu Zhi's cool and collected voice carried a trace of warmth. She didn't dare turn her head, sitting upright stiffly.

Shi Wei uttered a light "hmm" and didn't press further.

The car fell into silence. Together, they stared out the same window at the same unfolding scenery, yet their thoughts were worlds apart.