Kidnapping the Female Teacher's Best Friend - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Mo Zibei stood up and followed closely behind Mu Hanxi, appearing particularly well-behaved.

The two got into the car and drove back to Mu Hanxi’s neighborhood.

After getting out of the car, Mo Zibei, with her backpack, followed Mu Hanxi up the elevator and into the apartment.

In truth, it was just about returning clothes, a task that could have been completed right at the neighborhood entrance. However, Mo Zibei couldn’t bear to leave so soon. Not only had she just “mooched” a meal, but she now intended to use the excuse of asking for English help to stay longer at Mu Hanxi’s place.

“Mu Jie,” she genuinely couldn’t find a more suitable reason, otherwise she wouldn’t have been willing to show her weak side. “Do you have time right now?”

Mu Hanxi brought her a cup of warm water, leading her to sit on the sofa.

“Mhm?” A single syllable, hummed both softly and seductively.

Mo Zibei felt her ears itch and tingle slightly.

“I…” She rarely did such a brazen thing in her life, and she felt incredibly awkward. She drank several continuous sips of warm water with her head down. “I have severe academic imbalance; my English is quite poor.”

Mu Hanxi, unaware of Mo Zibei’s true intentions, was a little surprised she suddenly brought this up.

“So?” Mu Hanxi’s voice was gentle and approachable.

Mo Zibei’s anxious, conflicted, and nervous heart was soothed by Mu Hanxi’s clear, soft tone. Her expression gradually relaxed. She lowered her eyes, her voice small yet full of expectation: “If Mu Jie has the time and is willing, could you tutor me?”

Mu Hanxi curved her lips into a smile and teased: “Why don’t you go find your Teacher Lin?”

Mu Hanxi’s English was good, but she hadn’t tutored anyone before, and she wasn’t very familiar with Mo Zibei’s situation. Compared to her, Lin Xiaoran’s teaching effectiveness would certainly be better.

Mo Zibei didn’t answer. She looked up, her dark eyes fixed on Mu Hanxi, earnest and focused, filled with trust and anticipation for Mu Hanxi.

Under such a gaze, Mu Hanxi felt slightly uneasy. She turned her head slightly, breaking their eye contact: “Mo Zibei…”

“Mhm.”

“Do you really want me to teach you?”

Her heart felt as if it had been invisibly hooked by something, trembling uncontrollably. Mo Zibei subconsciously licked her lips, her fingertips rubbing her knee: “If Mu Jie has the time and is willing.”

That was a clever answer.

Mu Hanxi didn’t reply immediately. She lowered her gaze and thought seriously for a moment before parting her lips and saying, “Pick up your backpack and follow me into the bedroom.”

“Mu Jie,” Mo Zibei’s entire expression brightened up. She gripped her backpack straps tightly, her eyes eager. “Did you agree?”

“Yes,” Mu Hanxi cast her a scolding glance. “Hurry up and follow me.”

Mo Zibei, radiant with excitement, followed closely behind her with small, quick steps. If she had a tail, it would have surely been wagging sky-high.

“I generally have more free time on weekends,” Mu Hanxi sat on the bed, looking through Mo Zibei’s English textbook, workbook, exam papers, and notes. Mo Zibei sat on the chair in front of the desk. “You can come to my place during this time.”

Mo Zibei blinked blankly. Did this mean she could come over for tutoring in the future too?

“I won’t be staying here long, about three months,” Mu Hanxi said seriously. “Your school has a long break every two weeks. Counting this time, I can probably give you about six lessons.”

Six times! Mo Zibei was dumbfounded! It was like a huge pie had suddenly fallen from the sky right into her lap!

“Regarding the content of these six lessons, do you have any ideas?”

Mo Zibei was still overwhelmed by the huge surprise, her expression slightly out of control, unable to respond to Mu Hanxi’s question.

Mu Hanxi reached out and waved her hand in front of Mo Zibei, calling out, “Little one?”

Mo Zibei quickly snapped back, lowering her head, analyzing her problems while secretly rejoicing: “My pronunciation is a bit inaccurate, my grammar is terrible, my vocabulary is small, I’m not good at listening, and I don’t understand reading comprehension well…” As she spoke, she was completely overcome by frustration. Her English was truly worse than average. Mo Zibei drooped her head, looking at Mu Hanxi embarrassedly. She felt so ashamed.

Her worried, troubled expression was quite endearing. Mu Hanxi poked her head with a finger: “Time is limited, so I can only focus on the basics first,” she said in a consultative tone. “How about this: two lessons on phonetics and four lessons on grammar?” If the pronunciation is accurate, listening comprehension won’t be an issue. If she understands grammar, reading comprehension won’t be an issue. As for vocabulary, she just needs to spend more time building it up.

Mo Zibei hummed in agreement.

“Phonetics are manageable. After I teach you, you practice a lot, and you should be able to master it in a short time. For grammar, I can only help you with the basics and training your English way of thinking. The rest will rely on your own effort in private.”

“Mu Jie, don’t worry,” Mo Zibei said with a serious face. “I will definitely work hard.”

“Good, I believe you,” Mu Hanxi suppressed a smile, then checked the time on her wrist. “It’s too late today. You should go back first. Come over tomorrow after 2 PM, and we’ll start the first lesson.” She meticulously gathered the books she had taken out and put them back into Mo Zibei’s backpack.

Mo Zibei nodded vigorously.

Mu Hanxi stood up to walk her out.

At the door, Mo Zibei hesitated and said, “Mu Jie, regarding the tutoring, could you please not tell Teacher Lin yet?”

Mu Hanxi smiled gently, reaching out to pat the back of her head: “Got it, little one.”

Mo Zibei felt a sudden burst of warmth where she was touched, hitting her heart directly. She gripped the doorknob tightly, trying hard to maintain her expression and tone: “Thank you, Mu Jie.” Heaven knew how fast her heart was pounding; it felt like it was about to jump out of her chest.

Mu Hanxi smiled, walking side-by-side with her to the elevator.

“Mu Jie, you don’t have to see me off. Go back and get some rest early.”

Her constant use of “Mu Jie” today, combined with her obedient and adorable manner, was very well-received by Mu Hanxi: “Take the chestnuts back with you.”

Mu Hanxi hadn’t forgotten to carry the chestnuts in her hand when they came out.

“Oh, no need,” even though Mo Zibei’s skin had thickened considerably, she couldn’t accept Mu Hanxi’s kindness again and again. “Mu Jie, you should keep them to eat.”

“I bought them for you in the first place.” When Mo Zibei heard this, her heart, which had just calmed down, began pounding heavily again, like a pile driver.

“Take them.”

Mo Zibei rubbed her hands and carefully took them: Why is Mu Hanxi so nice!

“Ride slowly on your way back.”

Her soft advice made Mo Zibei’s throat inexplicably itch: “I know.”

The elevator doors closed. Mu Hanxi only turned back to her room, where she noticed the garment bag on the corner of the sofa, suddenly remembering that someone had come over today to return clothes…

She walked over, took out the two neatly folded items from the bag. The clothes carried a faint, subtle fragrance. Upon closer sniff, it was her favorite cherry blossom scent.

Mu Hanxi’s lips curved into a smile, and she hung the clothes up in the wardrobe.

After showering, Mu Hanxi received a text message from the little one, confirming her safe arrival home, followed by a line: “The chestnuts smell so good.”

Mu Hanxi thought for a moment and replied: Don’t eat too many tonight, it’s easy to get indigestion.

As soon as the message was sent, Mo Zibei called.

Mu Hanxi hesitated for a moment, then answered.

“Mu Jie?”

“What is it?”

There was a two-second pause on the other end, then she asked: “Did you see the clothes?”

“Mhm,” so that was what she wanted to ask. “And they smell wonderful, like cherry blossoms, which I love.”

“Mu Jie, go to sleep early,” the topic suddenly switched. “See you tomorrow afternoon.”

“See you tomorrow afternoon.”

Mo Zibei, who had hung up the phone, had a smile in her eyes that was about to spill over: How did she know exactly what I wanted to hear!

She took a chestnut from the bag, put it in her drawer for safekeeping, and planned to eat the rest tomorrow.

She had a good night’s sleep. Mo Zibei woke up the next day feeling refreshed and energized, feeling as if the air around her was sweet.

After breakfast, Mo Zibei focused intently on her homework in her bedroom, her expression serious.

After lunch, she took a nap and woke up already at two o’clock.

Backpack ready, Mo Zibei cycled to a nearby supermarket and swept through the fruit section: kiwi, grapes, jujubes, cantaloupe, apples, pears, pomegranates, mangoes…

Her backpack was completely full, bulging heavily.

Cycling under the scorching sun with the heavy load, she was covered in sweat and her face was flushed red when she arrived at Mu Hanxi’s doorstep, yet she wore a sweet, refreshing smile.

Mu Hanxi opened the door for her and was startled to see her state: “Why didn’t you take the bus?” She had cycled over in this scorching weather.

“I don’t really like taking the bus.”

“Go quickly and wash your face.” Mu Hanxi tried to take the backpack from her, but she avoided her.

“I can do it myself. This bag is very heavy.”

Mo Zibei put the backpack on the sofa and went to the restroom.

Mu Hanxi stood with her arms crossed, staring at the huge, mountain-like bag on the sofa, curious about what was inside. Could it all be books?

After washing up, Mo Zibei went to the balcony herself to grab a towel and dry her face.

“Mu Jie,” Mo Zibei walked to the sofa and scratched the back of her head. “I bought you some fruit.”

She said she bought some fruit, but what she pulled out were bags and pouches of fruit, covering the entire coffee table…

Mu Hanxi looked surprised and amused: “Mo Zibei, did you move the entire fruit stand here?”

“I…” Mo Zibei looked slightly embarrassed. “I didn’t know what you like to eat…”

Mu Hanxi was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, not knowing what to say.

“Is there anything you want to eat?” To avoid awkwardness, Mo Zibei proactively asked, “I’ll go wash it.”

“Jujubes then.” In this hot weather, she had cycled over carrying such heavy things. Mu Hanxi didn’t have the heart to refuse her kindness.

She guessed Mo Zibei’s intention for buying the fruit was to thank her for the English tutoring, but she really didn’t need to buy so much…

Mo Zibei eagerly carried the jujubes to the kitchen and washed them very thoroughly.

After she finished washing, Mu Hanxi found her a fruit plate.

“These dates are very sweet,” Mu Hanxi complimented as the two sat on the sofa eating them. “You’re good at picking.”

Mo Zibei knew nothing about picking dates; she just bought the most expensive ones, but she felt quite proud when Mu Hanxi said that.

“Don’t buy any next time,” Mu Hanxi’s tone was gentle. “These will last me a long time. Don’t waste money.”

“Mhm.” Mo Zibei obediently agreed.

After eating the dates, the two went to Mu Hanxi’s bedroom. The room was brightly lit, quiet, and very suitable for studying.

“I’m accustomed to the British accent,” the two shared a desk, with Mu Hanxi sitting on her right side. “I know the American accent too. Which do you prefer?”

“I’m fine with either,” Mo Zibei rested her chin on her pen cap. “Whichever Mu Jie is willing to teach, I will learn.”

“Then let’s go with the British accent.”

“Okay.”

Mu Hanxi listed the phonetics one by one, patiently teaching her.

Mu Hanxi’s pronunciation was clear and her voice was melodious. Aside from the learning itself, Mo Zibei felt that just listening to her speak was a pleasure.

For the easy ones or those Mo Zibei already pronounced accurately, they quickly moved on. For the sounds Mo Zibei had trouble with, Mu Hanxi spent more time demonstrating, making Mo Zibei practice, correcting her repeatedly, all with great patience.

During the breaks, the two would eat some fruit and chat about other things.

Mu Hanxi also found enjoyment in giving these lessons. Time passed quickly, and soon it was past six o’clock.

The sky outside the window was turning dark. Mu Hanxi turned her head to look at the person still practicing diligently: “Are you hungry?”

Mo Zibei stopped talking and looked at her wrist. It was dinnertime.

She felt too embarrassed to impose again. She capped her pen, gathered her books, and prepared to leave: “Mu Jie, you go eat. I’m heading back.”

“You’re not eating with me?”

The invitation was very tempting. Mo Zibei’s small heart started beating irregularly again. Of course, she wanted to eat with Mu Hanxi, but she really couldn’t bring herself to impose again: “Mu Jie, let’s go out to eat then. My treat.” She didn’t want to trouble her with cooking all the time.

Mu Hanxi reached out and poked her forehead: “Little one.”

Mo Zibei subconsciously rubbed the spot that was poked. It was tingling and ticklish, and her face flushed again—she was hopeless.

“We’ll cook here,” Mu Hanxi stood up. “What do you want to eat?”

Mo Zibei was a little dazed, blinking foolishly at her.

“Can’t think of anything?” Mu Hanxi smiled faintly. “Then let’s go grocery shopping and decide.”

The smile on Mo Zibei’s lips blossomed unconsciously, and colorful fireworks seemed to explode in her mind.

“Let’s go, little one,” Mu Hanxi called her as she looked back. “We’re going to buy groceries.”

Mo Zibei’s soul was captivated again, and she followed obediently.

Support Kidnapping the Female Teacher’s Best Friend