Chapter 45: It's Your Time to Shine (Please Recommend)

Twenty minutes later, Shu Yue finally emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed at last. Though her face was still flushed, at least she could now meet Hua Tianyu’s gaze without flinching.

After all, she was a highly intelligent scientist, not some brainless beauty. Earlier, outside, confronted with Situ Dao, fear-induced adrenaline and the embarrassment-fueled hormones had left her unable to think clearly. But now, alone in the shower, as the water streamed over her, she had gradually regained her composure.

Calm again, she reconsidered what he’d said about the “unexpected return.” It didn’t take her long to see through it.

Now, glancing sidelong at Hua Tianyu, Shu Yue gave him a bright, teasing smile. “So, where’s this ‘unexpected return’ you promised? Why hasn’t it happened yet?”

Hua Tianyu pondered for two seconds. “I see now, you were actually looking forward to it!”

Shu Yue almost let herself fall into his tempo again. Thinking back to his warning about the thief’s possible return, she’d been so frightened she’d stood in his arms for five minutes wearing nothing but shoes. Now, her whole body was suffused with a feeling of weakness.

In a low voice, she said, “What happened today… you’re not allowed to tell anyone, understand?”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was full of delicate shyness. She absolutely didn’t want a third person to know about hiding naked in Hua Tianyu’s embrace today.

It was the first time she’d ever been so close to a man. Before, she’d devoted herself wholly to study and research, never considering affairs between men and women. Let alone being held naked by a man—she’d never even been touched, not even through clothing, or more precisely, she’d never been in a relationship before.

“What are you talking about? And why can’t I bring it up?”

“You… you scoundrel!” Hearing him imply he might tell, Shu Yue was both mortified and anxious. If she were Tian Li, she’d have probably given him a flying kick by now, but years of restraint kept her from lashing out.

“How am I a scoundrel? Surely people will notice if a thief breaks into your apartment. It’s not something you can keep quiet,” Hua Tianyu replied with a mischievous grin, making it clear he wouldn’t take the blame.

“Ah? I meant… that other thing. You can’t tell anyone about it!” Shu Yue tried to raise her voice, as if to shout at him, but it only sounded more coquettish.

“Oh… you mean that other thing!” Hua Tianyu made a gesture of embracing someone, his face suddenly full of realization. “Of course I won’t tell. If word got out, what would happen to my reputation as a handsome gentleman?”

Shu Yue was speechless.

He’s got some nerve! I was the one undressed, not you—what’s your reputation got to do with it? And it’s not as if we were both naked, holding each other…

What am I thinking! Shu Yue shook her head quickly, banishing the stray thought from her mind.

She knew she couldn’t get tangled in that topic any longer. After a moment’s pause, she voiced the question that had been nagging at her: “How did you happen to run into that thief at just the right moment?”

“If I told you I live right next door, you wouldn’t believe me. But as a young person of the new era, I swear I’m telling the truth.” Hua Tianyu raised his fist in a mock pledge.

“What nonsense!”

Shu Yue didn’t believe for a second that he really lived next door, deciding he was just speaking nonsense again.

But when Hua Tianyu produced a key and opened the door of Apartment 2002, Shu Yue was left standing in front of her own apartment, completely dumbfounded.

She truly didn’t know what to say.

Inside 2002, Tian Li was still scrolling through DouBear Shorts, thrilled to see the likes on her cross-dressing video “Conquest” had topped ten thousand—she didn’t even notice Hua Tianyu coming in.

Lin Lin, on the other hand, the moment Hua Tianyu entered, walked over with a sly smile and blocked his way, asking, “Was the girl next door pretty?”

She had seen from inside the doorway the woman who’d seen him out, and noticed Shu Yue standing at her door for a long while after, only returning inside when Hua Tianyu finally closed the door.

Hua Tianyu thought for two seconds. “That’s your biology tutor.”

Lin Lin was speechless.

She took a deep breath. So you spent all that time next door tonight just to find me a tutor? Ha! Who are you trying to fool? Let’s see how I expose you.

She grabbed Tian Li. “Lili, bring my biology test paper from the bag in my bedroom. I have a few questions I need to consult my tutor about—right now!”

She put extra emphasis on the last few words, one syllable at a time, her eyes fixed on Hua Tianyu, eager to catch the look on his face when his lie was exposed.

Unexpectedly, Hua Tianyu remained as calm as ever, unruffled by storm or wind.

Tian Li, still absorbed in her videos and oblivious to what was happening, obediently fetched the test paper and asked, “Lin Lin, where’s the tutor? I didn’t see anyone.”

Lin Lin couldn’t hide a hint of smugness. “Come with me, she’s right next door—Brother Tian found her himself. I’m going to ask her right now.” She threw a provocative glance at Hua Tianyu, then dragged Tian Li with her to press the doorbell at Apartment 2001.

Shu Yue opened the door again, a little surprised to find two young women at her threshold, with Hua Tianyu standing behind them.

“Shu Yue, this is Lin Lin, a girl who loves knowledge and learning. The moment I mentioned you were an expert in biology, she could barely wait to consult you about some academic questions.” Hua Tianyu introduced Lin Lin with the utmost seriousness.

Tian Li looked suspiciously from Hua Tianyu to Lin Lin. A studious, knowledge-loving Lin Lin? That didn’t fit her at all! Something had definitely happened while she wasn’t paying attention.

What surprised her even more was that Lin Lin seemed to accept this explanation and actually started pulling out her test paper and asking questions.

The moment Shu Yue saw they were biology questions, the cells of knowledge in her body leapt to excitement. She invited all three inside, and began patiently explaining each question to Lin Lin, one by one.

Two hours later, Lin Lin stumbled out of Apartment 2001, looking utterly defeated.

She’d thought Hua Tianyu was just bragging—the so-called biology tutor was probably just an excuse, and she’d been eager to expose him and see him squirm.

But this Shu Yue really knew everything about biology. Some topics that even Teacher Zhong had only skimmed over, she could explain in thorough detail. It was as if… as if she truly were a biology expert.