Chapter 133: Gu Ci, let go of me!

After experiencing it a few times, Lu Qinghuan realized something profound.

Whenever his sister Ci smiled at him with such genuine warmth, it was a sure sign that he was about to be set up. This time, he was absolutely certain he hadn't misread the situation: this smile of hers was a prelude to mischief.

Sure enough, a second later, Gu Ci bent down and pulled a large box from under the coffee table. She then took out the books inside and placed them on the table. Her movements weren't particularly forceful, but the thud of the books hitting the table was loud enough to make Huo Shuyue’s heart skip a beat.

Immediately after, two more large boxes of books followed. Stack after stack, they were piled onto the coffee table. Huo Shuyue looked at the pile, and the height of the books was nearly level with her own height while seated.

After moving three boxes in total, Gu Ci finally paused. She turned her head toward Huo Shuyue and said, "Take these to your side for now. No need to rush through them."

Huo Shuyue felt a slight sense of relief, only for Gu Ci to add, "Just finish them within a month. Ask me if there’s anything you don’t understand."

The breath Huo Shuyue had just started to exhale caught in her throat. She looked at the towering stack of books on the table again, then at Gu Ci’s "I’m being very lenient" expression, and felt her entire being unravel.

So, when Gu Ci said there was no need to rush, she didn't mean it didn't have to be finished today—she meant she had given her a full month? Did Gu Ci actually think that completing this many test papers in a month was too little?

Seeing Huo Shuyue still sitting on the sofa with wide, staring eyes, Gu Ci raised an eyebrow. She reached out and hoisted her, along with the top few books, toward the study upstairs.

"Hey... wait... no... Gu Ci! Let me go! Gu Ci!" Huo Shuyue’s eyes widened in disbelief. She waved her arms, her mind practically short-circuiting.

How was this possible? Gu Ci had actually picked her up as if she were a little chick! Huo Shuyue tried to struggle and resist, but she couldn't break free at all.

Sitting at the desk in the study, Huo Shuyue remained defiant. "Didn't you say you were going to tutor Xiao Yang as well? Why am I the only one stuck here while Xiao Yang gets to be carefree and happy at home?"

Although Huo Shuyue knew that Xiao Yang wouldn't be playing around at home like he used to—and that if she were home alone, she would likely be studying hard herself—she couldn't help but lash out at Gu Ci. Even though she regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth, she couldn't take them back.

"Xiao Yang?" Gu Ci mused.

She did a silent mental calculation. By the time the college entrance exams arrived, this girl should be able to cover a quarter of the material. If she added that unlucky kid Xiao Yang to the mix, that would take care of half. As for the other half, there were her own dear classmates. There were only thirty students in their class; surely it wasn't too much to ask for them to take thirty of the top one hundred spots in the city, right?

Gu Ci decided the logic held up and began to seriously consider Huo Shuyue’s "suggestion." She picked up her phone and dialed a number she hadn't called in quite some time.

Huo Shuyue was confused and asked with an awkward tone, "Hey, Gu Ci, what are you doing?" Actually, she didn't really *not* want to do the work... but she had held that sentiment in for so long that she couldn't bring herself to say it.

Gu Ci replied calmly, "Getting Xiao Yang to join you?"

"Cough, cough, cough..." Huo Shuyue nearly choked on her own saliva at Gu Ci’s words. She curled her lip and reminded her, "Forget about Xiao Yang. Even if he agreed, his family wouldn't let him stay out overnight."

Seeing that Gu Ci had no intention of canceling the call, Huo Shuyue snorted, deciding not to press the issue and simply waiting to see Gu Ci get shut down.

The call connected, and Gu Ci spoke coolly, "Auntie."

*Auntie???*

Huo Shuyue froze. So, Gu Ci wasn't calling Xiao Yang to come over—she was calling some aunt of his. Had she misunderstood? Huo Shuyue thought about stepping out onto the balcony until the call was over; she wasn't the type to eavesdrop.

However, just as she stood up, she heard Gu Ci continue, "Yes, it’s me. I’m at No. 1 High School now, in the same class as Xiao Yang."

*Wait! Xiao Yang?!*

Huo Shuyue sat back down instantly, silently swallowing her previous thoughts, her brain feeling like it was about to explode. So, Gu Ci wasn't calling Xiao Yang, but she *was* calling Xiao Yang’s mother!