Zong Zhao taught, "My question caught you off guard, and your first reaction wasn't confusion but panic, guilt, and evasion—clear signs of lying."
Zong Jincheng took the lesson to heart and muttered, "Dad, you're terrifying. Even asking a question is a trap, always tricking kids."
Zong Zhao glanced at him and said, "Consider it a lesson. Don’t let anyone trick you so easily next ti."
The little troublemaker clenched his fists and pounded the table, declaring with a mix of frustration and determination, "I’ll learn to keep a perfectly blank expression at all tis. That way, if anyone tries to catch off guard, I’ll hit them with confusion!"
Xu Wan nearly laughed herself silly.
The little rascal was both clever and hilarious, quick to grasp things.
With his parents' guidance, Zong Jincheng felt even more capable. He took the essay and held it over the candle fla, watching as it slowly burned to ashes, leaving no trace of the words behind.
"There, it’s hidden!" he said cheerfully. "No one will ever find out about my secret with His Highness."
Xu Wan pinched his round little face and chuckled. "Co on, let’s go downstairs and read."
"Okay!"
After settling Jincheng, Zong Zhao and Xu Wan returned to their room to work. They sat side by side at the desk, each in their own chair, reviewing the other students' essays.
As Xu Wan had expected, the tutors, despite being scholars themselves, had improved rapidly alongside the advanced class. Their essays were quite well-written—except for one surprising standout.
Xu Wan asked amusedly, "Don’t you think He Zheng’s essay is the best?"
Zong Zhao took the paper she handed him and read it carefully. "It’s good. Very heartfelt."
Xu Wan burst into laughter. "Even though Mr. Su told him not to na nas, He Zheng’s loyalty is so touching. Do you think he secretly wrote it as if the new ruler were Jincheng?"
Zong Zhao couldn’t help but smile. "If he did, all the better. He’ll adapt the fastest in the future."
Xu Wan suddenly had an epiphany. She looked at the eight essays on the desk and murmured, "I think I understand why you chose this topic."
He was building a support system for Jincheng.
Zong Zhao only smiled without confirming.
Xu Wan thought of sothing else. "His Highness has done sothing similar before. He often gives the entire advanced class the sa assignnts, and once even posed a question about nurturing trusted allies… Do you think His Highness had the sa idea as you?"
Zong Zhao nodded. "Possibly. After all, long-ti classmates are the most reliable—skilled and trustworthy. That’ll be especially valuable in court later."
Xu Wan exhaled in admiration. "You and His Highness really managed to weave in everything they need to learn—and even what they don’t—right into my teaching."
Zong Zhao turned to her and said earnestly, "That’s why we owe it all to you. Without you, things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly."
Xu Wan smirked. "Alright, alright, stop flattering . You always heap all the credit on . Save so for yourself and His Highness, will you?"
Zong Zhao’s eyes softened as he murmured, "It’s all yours."
Xu Wan couldn’t hold back her laughter. When she turned, her gaze t his.
Zong Zhao rarely smiled, but when he did, his eyes were srizing—because they were focused solely on her.
Xu Wan felt her heart pounding. For a mont, she couldn’t think of how to respond. Finally, she blurted out, "You still haven’t told what reward you want."
Despite his busy schedule, Zong Zhao had carved out ti to help her devise exam questions and organize the advanced class’s major test. As thanks, she was determined to fulfill whatever he desired.
Zong Zhao seed caught off guard by the sudden question, montarily stunned.
Xu Wan teased, "Is this the sa trick you just taught Jincheng? Pretending to be confused?"
Genuinely bewildered, Zong Zhao: "…"
Xu Wan pressed, "Co on, tell . You’ve never asked for anything before. I want to know what reward you’d like."
Zong Zhao turned his face away, gathering his thoughts.
Xu Wan leaned in curiously. "Why are you hiding? Did you change your mind?"
Zong Zhao imdiately turned back. "No, I want it."
"What do you want?" Xu Wan asked, watching him intently.
Zong Zhao hesitated, his neck already flushing red. Finally, as if resigning himself, he closed his eyes and turned his head aside. "A kiss… anywhere is fine."
The redness quickly spread to his ears.
With his face turned, she could see it all clearly.
Xu Wan watched him, too embarrassed to even open his eyes, and couldn’t stop grinning. Casually, she said, "Oh, sure."
Zong Zhao paused and turned back, surprised by how easily she’d agreed.
Xu Wan set the essay aside and leaned in, murmuring playfully, "Where should I kiss you? You’ve left the options so open."
Zong Zhao’s heart raced wildly.
He barely registered her teasing, too focused on her nearing presence, the air around them growing thin.
Xu Wan placed her hands on his shoulders and pressed a light kiss to the corner of his lips.
It was feather-soft, barely there, yet it sent his heart skipping a beat. His mind went blank, his entire body tensing.
Xu Wan was also experiencing this for the first ti, but as the initiator, her curiosity outweighed her nerves. His lips were surprisingly soft, unlike the firmness of his muscles.
Her hands slid up to cradle his face. His skin was always warr than hers, but now his neck burned hot. She leaned down and pecked his lips properly this ti—a real kiss.
Zong Zhao was adorable.
Too shy to outright ask for a kiss, he’d tacked on "anywhere is fine." Xu Wan had seen right through him and didn’t hesitate. She wanted to know what kissing felt like too.
And with Zong Zhao? She couldn’t think of anyone better.
The second kiss stole Zong Zhao’s breath. After a stunned mont, he realized she was serious. A sweet warmth spread through him, from his lips to his chest. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her onto his lap, her back against the desk, and kissed her back with abandon.
Their inexperience showed—pecking, nuzzling, tilting heads awkwardly—but neither cared. One held the other’s waist, the other looped arms around a neck, lost in the warmth of each other.
Reviews
All reviews (0)