Love in the Illusion

7

Chapter 7

Xu Sui eventually agreed to become Sheng Yanjia's tutor. On the weekend when she went to teach, she dressed up deliberately, wearing a white knitted halter top paired with blue jeans that accentuated her curves, looking youthful and stunning. She was combing her hair in front of the mirror, revealing a glimpse of her waistline.

"Wow, Suisui, you're the epitome of pure innocence. I want to date you," Hu Xixi pounced on her playfully.

Xu Sui had her hair tied up in a bun, her forehead full and smooth, with the outer corners of her eyes slightly upturned, exuding a beautiful and alluring curve. She dodged Hu Xixi's playful chase while packing her things.

"Sure, but you'll have to choose between me and your idol," Xu Sui said with a laugh.

"Then I'd still rather just admire my idol," Hu Qianxi replied decisively.

After fooling around with Hu Qianxi, Xu Sui got ready and went out. This time, she had learned her lesson and bought motion sickness patches in advance, sticking them behind her ears before transferring three buses to arrive at No. 79 Amber Lane.

Xu Sui arrived at Sheng Nanjia's home, where the curly-haired boy was still playing video games. Seeing his teacher had come, Sheng Yanjia reluctantly put down the game controller, afraid she might report him.

Unexpectedly, Sheng Yanjia cooperated quite well during the small hour of class. Xu Sui first gave him a test paper to assess his foundational knowledge, then tailored her teaching to address his weak points.

He was relatively cooperative and didn't act up, but by the second class when it was time to work on the test paper, Sheng Yanjia began sighing and his attention clearly wandered. So this was where the problem lay.

Xu Sui lightly tapped the curly-haired boy's head with the test paper: "How old are you to be sighing already? Hurry up and do the problems."

"Teacher Xu, you don't understand. For our generation, every day is filled with studying. Adults have no idea where our childhood has gone," Sheng Yanjia said with a face full of premature maturity.

Xu Sui asked him, "Then where was your childhood?"

"In Zelda, Westworld, and such," the little curly-haired one answered without hesitation.

……

Xu Sui glanced at the time and said, "If you can finish an hour-long test in forty minutes, I can play twenty minutes of games with you."

"I'll take you through the levels," Xu Sui added.

"Pfft, the only person in this world I admire for being the best at gaming is my brother Jingze," the curly-haired boy said with a defiant look.

Xu Sui remained unfazed, his tone flat. "Oh? Then starting today, you have a second person to admire."

But Sheng Yanjia was provoked. Forcing himself to focus, he quickly finished the test paper and challenged, "So, teacher, care for a round?"

"Kid, it's not time for class to end yet. I promised you we'd play games, but not now," Xu Sui said.

The little curly-haired boy immediately slumped down in disappointment. Xu Sui quickly graded his test, explained the problem-solving methods, and highlighted the key points for him.

Xu Sui must have been well-versed in the concept of quenching thirst by thinking of plums—first giving hope, then pushing Sheng Yanjia forward. Sure enough, after two hours, Sheng Yanjia felt he had thoroughly digested all the previously unclear knowledge points.

He couldn't help but feel some admiration for Xu Sui.

"Teacher, it's time to fulfill your promise," Sheng Yanjia couldn't stop thinking about his game.

Sheng Yanjia immediately turned on the Switch and projected it, handing a controller to Xu Sui. Holding the remote, he asked, "Teacher, what game do you want to play?"

"Super Smash Bros," Xu Sui replied weakly, his throat parched from lecturing. "Could you get your teacher a glass of water?"

Sheng Yanjia, being an incredibly considerate young boy, brought in a whole basket of snacks. Xu Sui picked out a carton of milk and a sea salt cheese bread to nibble on.

The two sat on the soft carpet, embarking on their gaming journey. Just ten minutes into the game, Xu Sui led him smoothly through the maze adventure, leaving Sheng Yanjia with nothing but a single word of admiration: "Impressive."

Mid-game, Xu Sui held the controller, eyes on the screen as she casually asked, "Haven't seen your brother around?"

Sheng Yanjia turned his head warily, "Which brother are you asking about?"

Xu Sui's heart skipped a beat, but she feigned composure, staring straight ahead. "Just asking in general."

"Oh, I don't know about them. My own brother comes back often, but Jingze-ge is less predictable. If he's in a relationship, he rarely returns. When he's single, he comes back more frequently," Sheng Yanjia replied.

Xu Sui sighed inwardly.

Xu Sui was incredibly skilled, leading Sheng Yanjia through the adventure levels with ease. Sheng Yanjia loved having someone strong to rely on in games, and when the victory screen appeared, he excitedly high-fived Xu Sui.

She was starving and quickly took a bite of bread.

Sheng Yanjia was about to start the next round with the remote control when a knock sounded at the door. Without turning his head, he responded, "Come in."

Sheng Nan pushed the door open and entered, with Zhou Jingze standing beside him, hands in his pockets.

"Brother!" Sheng Yanjia threw down the game controller and walked toward the door.

Xu Sui turned her head in shock. At that moment, she was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, a bag of milk in her mouth, breadcrumbs scattered around her lips, her image completely ruined.

Sheng Nanzhou spread his arms wide, but Sheng Yanjia threw himself at Zhou Jingze instead. The former let out a cold laugh, "Why don't you just change your last name?"

"Bro, you have no idea how amazing Teacher Xiao Xu is at gaming—totally killing it, the king of Battle Royale," Sheng Yanjia began sharing their gaming triumphs.

Sheng Nanzhou looked surprised, "Little sister, who would've thought? You seem so well-behaved, yet you're into gaming."

Zhou Jingze lifted his gaze, his tone as nonchalant as ever, "You like playing games?"

From the moment he entered, Xu Sui's expression turned flustered. She hastily wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, and the half-eaten bread on the table—she couldn't just throw it away, so she clutched it tightly in her hand and hid it behind her back.

"It's just something I play to relieve stress when studying gets too intense," Xu Sui tried her best to maintain a calm facade, her lashes naturally upturned. "You can come find me if you ever want to play."

The words left her mouth, and Xu Sui immediately regretted them. What was she even saying?

"Teacher, you're biased!" Sheng Yanjia protested indignantly.

Sheng Nanzhou slapped Sheng Yanjia: "What else? In this whole room, you're the only one with the pressure of advancing to higher education."

Left speechless by the retort, Xu Sui's face flushed with embarrassment, feeling she had lost too much face here, and hurriedly gathered her things to leave.

Xu Sui, clutching her textbooks, rushed downstairs. As soon as she stepped out the door, she saw Aunt Sheng and said, "Aunt Sheng, the class is over. I'm heading off now." She gave her a quick farewell.

Aunt Sheng replied with a warm smile, "Stay for dinner."

"No, I—" Xu Sui instinctively refused.

But Aunt Sheng, though slender, was surprisingly strong and directly pushed Xu Sui back into the courtyard with such enthusiasm that she couldn't resist.

Xu Sui ended up staying for dinner. Mr. Sheng was still at the company handling urgent matters and couldn't make it back, so at the table were Zhou Jingze and the lively Sheng brothers.

After dinner, it was already past eight. Xu Sui thanked Aunt Sheng again and prepared to leave. Aunt Sheng glanced at the pitch-black sky outside and said, "It's so late after just a meal. I wouldn't feel comfortable letting you go back alone. Nan Zhou, you should escort Teacher Xu home."

Sheng Nanzhou scratched his head and said, "But my car is in for repairs."

Xu Su looked uneasy and was about to say "No need," when Zhou Jingze bent down, grabbed the car keys from the table, and lifted his eyelids: "Let's go, I'll drive you."

"Look at my memory, I forgot you two and Teacher Xu are from neighboring schools. On weekends when you head home, give her a ride back," Aunt Sheng patted her own head and instructed, "You, young man, make sure to get her safely to school."

Zhou Jingze walked away with his hands in his pockets. Without turning his head, he freed one hand to give an OK sign. It was unclear which matter he was agreeing to.

Xu Sui followed closely behind him with her arms full of books, discovering that Zhou Jingze's home was right next to Sheng Nan Zhou's—No. 80, Amber Lane.

In stark contrast to the Sheng residence's brightly lit windows, Zhou Jingze's imposing and spacious villa stood without a single light on, eerily silent, exuding a desolate and lonely air.

A black motorcycle was parked at his doorstep. Zhou Jingze walked over and tossed her a blue helmet. Xu Sui caught it with both hands, nearly toppling over from the impact.

She struggled to unbuckle the strap and put it on, the helmet so large it covered her entire face, not even leaving her eyes exposed.

Standing to the side, Zhou Jingze found it amusing. He reached up and lifted the helmet off Xu Sui's head. Her face was flushed from being stifled, and she puffed her cheeks as she took deep breaths.

"Wait for me," Zhou Jingze tossed out the words.

Zhou Jingze walked into his house, the motion-sensor light flickering on. Before long, he emerged holding a bright yellow helmet.

"Try this one," Zhou Jingze handed the helmet to her.

The helmet was clearly a size too small, but it fit Xu Sui perfectly. Wearing the bright yellow helmet, her deer-like eyes were clear and bright, yet oddly topped with a Marvel logo.

Normally so well-behaved, she now had a hint of fierce cuteness about her.

Zhou Jingze glanced at her, unable to suppress his smile. Xu Sui found it a bit odd and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"This helmet is Sheng Yanjia's size. He bought it in sixth grade when he was Marvel's number one fan," Zhou Jingze said in a low voice, laced with amusement.

"I'm one meter sixty-five," Xu Sui whispered in defense.

Just as Zhou Jingze was about to ride off, he felt something tug at his pant leg. Turning around, he found his German Shepherd had somehow slipped out and followed him.

"Mind if I smoke?" Zhou Jingze asked.

Xu Sui nodded. She watched as Zhou Jingze walked to the base of the wall, pulled a cigarette from the pack, tapped it against the box, then placed it between his lips. He bent his head to shield the flame as he lit it, and smoke curled from his thin lips.

The German Shepherd obediently lay at Zhou Jingze's feet. He took the cigarette out of his mouth, crouched down, and stroked its head with his large hand. The dog licked his palm in response.

Under the dim streetlight, Zhou Jingze's expression was relaxed. For a fleeting moment, the rebellious edge on his face completely vanished, and Xu Su caught a glimpse of tenderness in his features.

"What's its name?" Xu Su couldn't help but ask.

"Kratos, one of the ancient Greek gods of war," Zhou Jingze replied with a cigarette dangling from his lips, laughing as a segment of ash fell at his feet.

However, this lighthearted atmosphere didn't last long. The phone in Zhou Jingze's pocket began vibrating. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen, his expression instantly turning grim.

He didn't answer, but the phone kept ringing persistently. Zhou Jingze finally tapped to accept the call, skipping any pleasantries as his voice turned icy. "What is it?"

Mr. Zhou was taken aback by the bluntness, barely suppressing his anger. "Come home for dinner next week. It's my birthday, and it'd be nice to have the whole family together—"

At the mention of "the whole family," a shadow of gloom flickered across Zhou Jingze's face, his eyes darkening with hostility. He cut in sharply, "I'm busy. Save your father-son bonding time for your son."

Without waiting for a response, Zhou Jingze hung up the phone directly. He motioned for the Mandarin to leave and stood up again. The cigarette butt was thrown to the ground and crushed mercilessly under his shoe, the last flicker of light extinguished.

Zhou Jingze rode his bike to take Xu Sui back to school.

He was clearly in a bad mood. The wind howled as Xu Sui sat behind him on the bike. Though she couldn't see Zhou Jingze's expression, she knew his entire demeanor screamed "pissed off."

Zhou Jingze sped down the road, leaning forward as he accelerated. The rushing wind slapped his face at double speed, and the scenery on either side blurred past like a movie on fast-forward.

Xu Sui's heart leaped into her throat. She had never ridden a fast bike before, feeling both nervous and terrified. As he sped up, everything in her line of sight became a blur.

She knew Zhou Jingze was venting his emotions, so she could only silently grip the handlebars on either side of the bike.

Zhou Jingze finally felt his emotions release. Suddenly, he sensed Xu Sui behind him stiffening up completely. Glancing back through his helmet, he noticed her fingertips turning white from clutching the handlebars so tightly.

His heart skipped a beat, as if stung by something.

Zhou Jingze unconsciously eased off the accelerator, slowing down. Even he himself didn't realize it was an inadvertent compromise.

As the car suddenly decelerated, Xu Sui felt the hostility around him gradually dissipate, returning to his previous nonchalant demeanor. Summer had actually passed long ago, and the evening breeze was slightly cool, yet pleasantly refreshing.

More than half the journey had passed, and despite having slowed down, he still sensed Xu Sui's unease. Zhou Jingze's deep voice came through the wind, "Afraid of me?"

"Ah, no," Xu Sui hurriedly replied.

"I just get too nervous when I'm with you, always wanting to say something but afraid you won't like it," Xu Sui thought to herself.

"Then why are you freezing up?" Zhou Jingze asked without much emotion, squinting ahead. "We're going downhill, hold on tight."

That was his favorite stretch of road, always giving him the feeling that life was accelerating yet still belonged to him alone.

Xu Sui reached out cautiously and grabbed the corner of his clothes. Zhou Jingze led her into the downhill rush, his back broad, his pronounced shoulder blades especially noticeable. Xu Sui caught the scent of cigarettes on him, along with a hint of bitter basil—sharp and unique, gradually filling her senses.

A gust of evening wind brushed past, tousling Xu Sui's hair, with one unruly strand clinging to the back of his neck, intimate yet uncontrollable.

Xu Sui stared at the faint blue veins on the back of his neck, reached out, and carefully hooked the strand away, but her fingertips accidentally grazed his skin before she quickly withdrew her hand.

He probably didn't notice.

The touch was light, like the brush of a feather. Zhou Jingze gripped the motorcycle handles, staring straight ahead, and blinked once.

As she descended the slope, Xu Sui was astonished to find that the streetlights on either side of the road seemed to sense her presence, lighting up one after another like a galaxy suddenly illuminated in the cosmos, their glow shimmering.

The galaxy was beautiful, and there she was with the boy she secretly liked, right at the heart of the universe.

Suddenly, due to a sharp turn, Xu Sui was thrown by inertia against his back, pressing her entire body against him. Zhou Jingze, who was riding the motorcycle, stiffened instantly, feeling the softness of her cheek against his back and the gentle curve of her youthful bosom.

Zhou Jingze's throat itched all of a sudden.

Xu Sui immediately straightened up and said nervously, "I'm sorry."

Zhou Jingze didn't respond right away, his tongue pressing against his lower jaw as he chuckled lazily, "You really are obedient, Xu Sui. I took advantage of you, so why are you the one apologizing?"

"Then are you going to apologize to me?"

Zhou Jingze let out a scoffing laugh but didn't answer, continuing to drive forward.

Upon arriving at the school gate, Xu Sui got off the bike, took off the helmet, and handed it back to him. She looked at him and said, "Thank you."

Zhou Jingze was still sitting on his motorcycle. He pulled out his phone and saw a flood of messages from Aunt Sheng, all concerned about Xu Sui. As if remembering something, he lifted his gaze and said, "By the way, if you have classes on weekends, you can look for me. If I happen to be going back, I can give you a ride."

"Okay," Xu Sui's eyes brightened slightly as she asked, "Which class are you in at the flight academy? I'll come find you when the time comes..."

Zhou Jingze unlocked his phone and casually handed it to her. "To save the trouble, just add me on WeChat."

On her way back to the dormitory, Xu Sui felt as if she were dreaming—she had actually managed to add Zhou Jingze on WeChat. Back in high school, there was a QQ group for their class, and everyone added each other in batches. She had blended in and added Zhou Jingze too, though they had never spoken.

He rarely posted updates, but Xu Sui always checked them. Later, during their senior year, when WeChat had just become popular, Zhou Jingze stopped using QQ altogether, only keeping it for gaming. Xu Sui completely lost track of him after that.

Xu Sui walked into the dormitory gate with a spring in her step when suddenly, an orange cat darted out from the bushes, meowing at her. Knowing it was hungry again, she rushed to the convenience store to buy some ham and milk.

The kitten perched on Xu Sui's palm, nibbling at the ham. When it finished, it licked her palm with its amber eyes wide open. She smiled, her eyes crinkling, and took out her phone to snap a photo of its tiny paw.

After returning to the dormitory, Xu Sui quickly took a shower, brushed her teeth, and climbed into bed with her phone. Lying there, she logged into WeChat, where Zhou Jingze appeared in her contact list.

Zhou Jingze's profile picture was his German Shepherd. Clicking into his Moments revealed sparse activity, with the few posts consisting solely of scenic photos.

The screen reflected a conflicted expression. Xu Sui changed his nickname to Zhou Jingze, then frowned, feeling it was too blatant and fearing others might see. In the end, she settled on: zjz.

Z J Z—this way, no one would know. It was a secret that belonged to her alone.

Xu Sui kept staring at Zhou Jingze's chat window, where a system notification was displayed.

"He is already your friend. Start chatting now."

"He is already your friend. Start chatting now."

Xu Sui's heartbeat quickened unnaturally, afraid a message might pop up on the screen any second. She typed "Good night" in the chat box, then deleted it and rewrote, "I've arrived. Thank you for tonight." But Zhou Jingze hadn't mentioned needing a message upon arrival, so she deleted that too.

Finally, Xu Sui posted a moment on WeChat, featuring a photo she took of a cat's tiny paw downstairs, with the caption: "Hi~"

After posting, Xu Sui exited WeChat, checked the next day's class schedule, and noticed a message in the class group chat. She clicked in and saw a red notification for her moments.

She opened it, her breath caught, and she blinked slightly to confirm, hardly believing her eyes.

Five minutes ago, Zhou Jingze had liked her post.