It Seems Like My Senior Seems to Like Me - Chapter 37

One week after the semester started, the homeroom teacher held a class meeting. The first purpose was to help the students settle back into their studies. The second was to announce the scholarships.

“For students not on the list of financially disadvantaged students, scholarships will be awarded according to academic ranking. The top 5% of the grade receive 1,000 yuan, the top 15% get 500. As for financial aid, those in the disadvantaged student list should stay behind after class, and we’ll discuss that separately.”

The homeroom teacher was very young, just having finished a combined bachelor-master-PhD program. Slightly inexperienced and awkward, he relied heavily on his notes while speaking in front of the 30 students.

Ye Wanjia, who was studying on a loan, was among the eight students in Class 3’s disadvantaged student list. According to her grades, she was eligible for 4,000 yuan in financial aid.

However, things didn’t go as smoothly as she had imagined.

After the class meeting, the students on the disadvantaged list stayed behind for a brief discussion.

“Due to health reasons, Cheng Li recently underwent heart bypass surgery. On top of that, her father had a car accident and is paralyzed. Her family is suddenly in severe financial difficulty. She wants to apply to join our class’s disadvantaged student list.”

The homeroom teacher hesitated, scanning the eight remaining students, and continued:

“But each class’s quota is fixed by the college and cannot be increased—only replaced. So, let’s see if anyone here has a slightly better family situation and would be willing to swap spots with Cheng Li?”

The question hung in the air, but no one answered.

Everyone understood the situation: being on the disadvantaged student list guaranteed at least 1,000 yuan in aid, regardless of grades. For high-achieving students like Ye Wanjia, the total could reach 4,000. With the money practically at their fingertips, who would willingly give it up?

Cheng Li looked down, embarrassed. Her pale, gaunt face—already drained by illness—made her seem like a fragile stick of willow. Her body had yet to recover fully from surgery, and she was extremely thin and weak.

“I’m sorry, I know this request is too much. But… our family was already not wealthy, and now this sudden misfortune has hit. My father has no insurance, and with my surgery, we’ve already borrowed a lot of money.”

The teacher, feeling compassion, added: “I know this is a bit asking a lot. But some students on the disadvantaged list do have relatively better family conditions. Let’s see if anyone is willing to help Cheng Li through this difficult time?”

For example, Wang Zhaodi, one of Ye Wanjia’s roommates, who owned an iPhone, tablet, and gym membership.

However, when given the hinting glance from the teacher, Wang Zhaodi merely looked away and remained silent.

In the end, Cheng Li gave up, telling the teacher not to make things difficult for everyone.

At that moment, for some reason, her pale face struck Ye Wanjia’s heart like a needle.

Ye Wanjia was a person with the resolve of marble but the heart of sticky rice. Seeing Cheng Li tormented by illness and family hardship, her chest ached.

“I’ll give up my spot.”

She was simple and honest, never scheming for herself. A normal, ordinary student—she didn’t need to sacrifice 4,000 yuan just to take 1,000.

Yet, she still made that choice.

Back in the dorm, Wei Xiaoxiao slammed the table, scolding her: “How can you give up your spot? You barely spend on a cup of milk tea, always saving! Besides Cheng Li, no one in the class needs this money more than you!”

Ye Wanjia had already thought it through and accepted her decision: “As you said, except for Cheng Li, I’m healthy. I can work part-time to make up the 3,000 yuan. But Cheng Li hasn’t fully recovered yet; she even struggles to attend class, let alone do part-time work.”

Wei Xiaoxiao came from one of the wealthiest families in their major. Her mother ran a luxury goods store, and her father was in the tobacco business. She had never worried about food or clothing. But seeing Ye Wanjia’s frugal life—never buying new clothes, counting even the cost of water—she knew it took Ye Wanjia ninety-nine percent of effort to live a life that others could achieve with thirty percent.

“Wanjia, you’re too kind. People will take advantage of you!”

She then glared at the indifferent Wang Zhaodi and raised her voice: “Wang Zhaodi, why don’t you give up your spot? You use the latest iPhone, a tablet, and a smartwatch. Any one of those costs more than Wanjia’s entire living expenses for months. You should be the one to step down!”

Since the bracelet incident, Wang Zhaodi had a strained relationship with Wei Xiaoxiao. Now, emotions flared, and she refused to yield:

“Why should I give up my spot? It’s voluntary, do you understand voluntary! Even the teacher can’t make me quit. Who do you think you are?”

Wei Xiaoxiao shot back fearlessly: “I’m the only child in my family! You say who you are! You take up the disadvantaged student spot without needing it, while those truly in need are squeezed out! You’re immoral! Selfish! Karma will catch up with you!”

The argument escalated. In the end, Wang Zhaodi, unable to win, cried and went to the counselor, requesting a dorm change. But with no vacancies, she had to return and endure the tension, seeing each other day after day.

“Wanjia, look at this.”

That night, Wei Xiaoxiao didn’t rest either. She tried everything to help Ye Wanjia find part-time work to make up the 3,000 yuan. Ye Wanjia, stubborn and principled, refused any money, hiding it even from her family, insisting on earning it herself. Eventually, Wei Xiaoxiao had no choice but to compromise to help this kind-hearted, naïve girl.

“There’s a post from the president’s Moments. A professor from our school wants a tutor for their child, specifically for Chinese language. You’re so good at writing, you’ll be perfect!”

Ye Wanjia opened the first post on Pei Suye’s Moments and quickly scanned it.

Yuanshan Academy wasn’t far from school—about half an hour by shared electric bike.

The tutoring would focus solely on Chinese. Perfect for Ye Wanjia’s strengths.

The pay was generous: 120 yuan for two hours per session, paid monthly.

If she tutored twice a week, combined with the 400 yuan per month she earned from writing “The First Day I Met Miss Pei,” she could easily make up 1,000 yuan.

Ye Wanjia immediately called the parents and agreed to a trial session. Seeing that she was a top student at Nanzhou University and an excellent writer, the parents gladly set a time.

On Tuesday evening, after finishing her duty at the dorm, Ye Wanjia hurriedly grabbed a shared bike to the cafeteria. As she stepped outside, Pei Suye, coming from the administration building, caught up on her bike.

“Little Ye.”

It was early March; the weather was still cool. Pei Suye wore a fluffy light gray scarf that covered her smooth jawline, her figure drifting lightly like a mist.

“Senior?” Ye Wanjia slowed down.

“In such a hurry, off to dinner?” The president didn’t speak much, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“No, I’m going to the printer by the cafeteria first. I need some materials for tonight.”

Sunlight filtered through the dense branches of the wutong trees, scattering patches of light that danced in Ye Wanjia’s bright, sparkling eyes.

Pei Suye adored her in this moment—so diligent, brave, and resilient—like Judy Hopps on the first day she received her police badge, saluting with determination.

Softly, Pei Suye asked, “When did you start tutoring?”

“I just started, only been a couple of times.” Ye Wanjia was always honest.

“How’s it going?”

“It’s good. The mother is a professor at our school, and the father runs a cake shop. Every time I go, they give me small cakes.”

“That sounds nice.”

“Yes. Actually, I should thank you for this.”

“Thank me?”

“Mm, it’s the post you made on Moments. I contacted them, and they hired me.”

“Oh…” Pei Suye seemed to just realize, playing coy, “You mean the Song teacher from Yuanshan Hongfu?”

“Yes, that’s her!” Ye Wanjia thought it was all luck, beaming with happiness. Her grape-like eyes sparkled. “I need to go early today. Song teacher has an appointment, so we start at 6:30.”

“Perfect, I’ll also be going to Yuanshan Hongfu.”

“Huh? Senior, you’re doing part-time too?”

Pei Suye’s gaze was calm, with a faint smile: “I’m going home.”

Support