Chapter 46 The Clever Little Matchmaker

Chapter 46 The Clever Little Matchmaker

On the day the results for the last exam came out, Lin Mianmian looked at the passing score on her phone and breathed a long sigh of relief. The tension that had gripped her for an entire semester was finally gone.

As soon as the news of summer vacation spread, the girls in the dormitory were all chattering about where to go, but Lin Mianmian was huddled in front of her desk, scrolling through part-time job postings on her phone.

She was thinking about finding a job as a tutor, which would allow her to earn some pocket money and reinforce her professional studies—a win-win situation.

While I was browsing job postings, my phone screen lit up; it was a WeChat message from Bai Xiulin.

Bai Xiulin: What are your plans for summer vacation?

Lin Mianmian's fingers flew across the keyboard: I'm looking for a part-time tutoring job, still looking.

The phone rang less than two minutes after the message was sent. Bai Xiulin's gentle voice came through the receiver, tinged with amusement: "Why bother with tutoring classes? Come to my house."

Lin Mianmian was taken aback: "Huh? What would I do at your house?"

"My younger brother, Bai Xiaoyu, is going into third grade next semester. He's terrible at math and we're worried about finding someone to tutor him." Bai Xiulin paused, then added, "Room and board included, and the salary is twice as high as tutoring centers outside. How about it?"

Lin Mianmian's eyes lit up. Twice the salary was quite a temptation, but then she hesitated: "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"

"What trouble?" Bai Xiulin laughed. "It's just me and my brother at home. I'm usually busy, and Xiaoyu is all alone at home with no one to take care of him. Your arrival is perfect. You can help him with his studies and have meals with me. It's a win-win-win situation."

Having said all that, it would seem coy for Lin Mianmian to refuse again. She bit her lip and agreed, "Well... okay, when should I go?"

"How about tomorrow? I'll pick you up."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Mianmian felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. She packed her luggage, and the next morning, she saw Bai Xiulin's car parked downstairs at the dormitory building.

Bai Xiulin's home was in a quiet neighborhood, a duplex house decorated simply yet warmly. The moment she opened the door, a small figure darted out and stopped in front of her, looking up at her with a round little face.

This is Bai Xiaoyu.

The little boy had neat short hair, big, round eyes like two black grapes, and chubby cheeks that made him look especially adorable.

He stared at Lin Mianmian for a while, then suddenly turned and shouted into the house, "Brother! The pretty sister you mentioned is here!"

Lin Mianmian's face flushed red instantly. Bai Xiulin helplessly tapped his younger brother's head: "You have no manners, call me Teacher Lin."

"Hello, Teacher Lin!" Bai Xiaoyu called out cheerfully, then took Lin Mianmian's suitcase. "Teacher, let me show you the room!"

The little boy was quite strong, dragging his suitcase upstairs. Lin Mianmian followed behind, watching his small figure and couldn't help but smile.

Her room was on the second floor, facing south, with sunlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making it warm and inviting. The room was fully equipped, clean and tidy, clearly having been carefully arranged.

"How is it? Are you satisfied?" Bai Xiulin asked, leaning against the door frame.

Lin Mianmian nodded vigorously: "Satisfied! Extremely satisfied!"

The days that followed were unexpectedly pleasant.

Every morning, Lin Mianmian tutors Bai Xiaoyu in math for two hours and English for two hours.

Although the little boy was mischievous, he was quick-witted, understood things immediately, and was also very good at being affectionate.

When he encountered a problem he couldn't solve, he would droop his head and sidle up to her, saying, "Teacher Lin, I don't know how to solve this problem again. Can you teach me again?"

With its soft and fluffy appearance, no one could bear to refuse it.

The afternoons were free time. Bai Xiulin went to work, and Bai Xiaoyu either went downstairs to play with her friends or stayed in the living room to watch cartoons.

Lin Mianmian sat on the rocking chair on the balcony, reading books, writing things, and occasionally looking up at the clouds outside the window. She lived a comfortable and peaceful life.

To Lin Mianmian's surprise, Bai Xiaoyu turned out to be a divine wingman.

That evening, Bai Xiulin came home from get off work carrying a large bag.

Bai Xiaoyu, with her sharp eyes, immediately rushed over: "Brother! What delicious food did you buy?"

"Hot pot ingredients." Bai Xiulin smiled and ruffled his younger brother's hair. "We're having hot pot tonight."

"Wow! Hot pot!" Bai Xiaoyu exclaimed, turning to Lin Mianmian and shouting, "Teacher Lin! We're having hot pot tonight! I love hot pot the most!"

Lin Mianmian smiled and rolled up her sleeves to help.

The kitchen wasn't very big, but the three of them squeezed in without feeling cramped at all.

Bai Xiulin was in charge of washing and chopping the vegetables, Lin Mianmian helped with plating, while Bai Xiaoyu stood on tiptoe, watching eagerly.

He would hand over a plate or chopsticks every now and then, muttering to himself, "Brother, you sliced ​​the meat so thinly! Teacher Lin, the dishes you arranged look so beautiful!"

Bai Xiulin paused in his cutting of meat, looked up at Lin Mianmian, and said with a smile, "Mianmian is skillful; the plates she arranges are even prettier than mine."

Lin Mianmian's heart skipped a beat. She quickly lowered her head, pretending to be serious about arranging the food on the plate, but her ears secretly turned red.

Bai Xiaoyu acted as if he hadn't seen it and continued to shout, "That's right! Teacher Lin is both beautiful and capable! You'd better make the most of her, brother!"

"Bai Xiaoyu!" Bai Xiulin called out helplessly, reaching out to pinch his younger brother's cheek. "If you say one more word, you won't get any meat tonight."

Bai Xiaoyu immediately covered his mouth, made a face at Lin Mianmian, and made Lin Mianmian laugh out loud.

The hot pot broth was bubbling away, and the aroma filled the entire room.

The bright red chilies, the lush green vegetables, and the tender slices of meat looked incredibly appetizing.

The three sat around the dining table. Bai Xiaoyu was eating with great relish, her little mouth stuffed full, like a little hamster.

"Teacher Lin, this tripe is super delicious! You have to try it!" Bai Xiaoyu picked up a piece of tripe and insisted on putting it into Lin Mianmian's bowl.

"Thank you, Xiaoyu, my darling." Lin Mianmian smiled as she accepted it.

"Brother, give Teacher Lin some shrimp paste too! Teacher Lin likes shrimp paste!" Bai Xiaoyu then turned to Bai Xiulin and instructed him.

Bai Xiulin's smile deepened as he picked up a shrimp paste and placed it in Lin Mianmian's bowl: "Eat more, it'll help you recover."

Lin Mianmian's face turned even redder. She lowered her head and ate in small bites, but her heart felt filled with something warm and sweet.

After dinner, Bai Xiaoyu volunteered to wash the dishes, and winked at Bai Xiulin, saying, "Brother, why don't you go watch TV with Teacher Lin in the living room? I'll wash the dishes! I promise I'll make sure they're spotless!"

After saying that, she took the bowl and chopsticks and slipped into the kitchen, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.

With only Lin Mianmian and Bai Xiulin left in the living room, the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.

Bai Xiulin handed her a glass of warm water, his voice gentle: "You've had a tough time these past few days. Xiaoyu is a naughty kid, he must have caused you a lot of trouble, right?"

“It’s no trouble,” Lin Mianmian shook her head. “Xiaoyu is very cute, I like him very much.”

Bai Xiulin looked at her, his gaze deep, as if it held a pool of spring water: "That's good. Actually... I asked you to come here not only to have you tutor Xiaoyu."

Lin Mianmian raised her head and met his gaze; her heart instantly raced.

“I want…” Bai Xiulin paused, as if choosing his words carefully, “I want you to spend more time with me.”

Lin Mianmian's breath hitched, her cheeks flushed, and even her fingertips felt warm.

Looking at Bai Xiulin's gentle features and seeing her own reflection clearly in his eyes, all the panic and unease in her heart seemed to vanish in that instant.

The night outside the window was deep, the lights inside the house were warm and yellow, and the aroma of the hot pot had not yet dissipated. Everything was so beautiful it was almost unbelievable.

After washing the dishes, Bai Xiaoyu peeked out through the crack in the kitchen door and saw two people sitting side by side in the living room. A smile crept onto his face, and he made a peace sign.

It seems his matchmaking plan is about to succeed!