Lin Xuan discovered the problem at 6:12 in the morning.
He had just finished reviewing three emails from XuanTech's research division and was halfway through his first cup of coffee when the message from Dean Liang appeared.
He opened it without concern.
Thirty seconds later, he leaned back slowly in his chair.
Annoyed.
That was the simplest description.
Not angry.
Not surprised.
Just…annoyed.
The email was short.
Direct.
And completely unreasonable.
Dean Liang:
Mr. Lin,
As you know, Miss Reed has joined the university under special academic circumstances.
Because of the accelerated nature of her placement, she will need assistance adjusting to several advanced course modules.
Given your exceptional standing within the engineering department, the faculty has agreed that you will mentor Miss Reed during the semester.
You will assist her with coursework and ensure she remains academically aligned with the program.
Consider it a temporary academic partnership.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Lin Xuan stared at the final line.
Thank you for your cooperation.
That phrase usually meant one thing.
There was no choice.
He closed the email.
Then re-opened it.
Then read it again.
The conclusion did not improve.
Which meant—
From this moment forward—
He was officially responsible for Allie Reed.
Her coursework.
Her study schedule.
Her progress.
Which meant he would be spending significant amounts of time with her.
Lin Xuan rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Irritating.
Across campus, Allie Reed was having a much more chaotic morning.
"You're kidding."
Lu Feng leaned against the wall outside her dorm room, sipping an iced coffee.
"I'm not kidding."
Allie stared at her phone.
"The dean emailed m,e too."
"See?"
"This says Lin Xuan is my mentor now."
"Congratulations."
"That is not a congratulations situation!"
Feng grinned.
"Oh, I disagree."
Allie groaned.
"He already thinks I'm a walking disaster."
"That is not true."
"Yes, it is."
"Okay," Feng admitted. "Maybe a little."
She glared at him.
"You're supposed to be supportive."
"I am supportive."
"You're smiling."
"I'm happy for you."
"You're enjoying this."
"I am absolutely enjoying this."
Allie sighed dramatically and grabbed her bag.
"Let's just get this over with."
Feng pushed himself away from the wall.
"Ready to go see your new tutor?"
"I hate that sentence."
Lin Xuan was already seated in one of the engineering building's private study rooms when they arrived.
He had arranged three textbooks neatly across the table.
A laptop.
Several printed documents.
And a notebook filled with precise handwriting.
He looked exactly like someone preparing for a business meeting.
Not a casual study session.
Allie paused outside the glass door.
"Oh no."
Feng peeked inside.
"Wow."
"What?"
"He's already in full professor mode."
"I'm going to die."
"You'll survive."
"Barely."
Feng opened the door.
Lin Xuan looked up immediately.
His gaze moved first to Allie.
Then to Feng.
Then, briefly, to the way Feng's hand rested casually on the door behind her.
His expression remained neutral.
But something about his posture shifted slightly.
"You are late," Lin Xuan said.
Allie blinked.
"It's 7:01."
"Yes."
"That's one minute late."
"That is still late."
Feng laughed.
"Good luck with that."
Allie elbowed him.
"Helpful."
Feng stepped aside.
"Well, Professor Ice Prince, I'm delivering your student."
Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You are not required for this session."
"I know."
Feng leaned closer to Allie.
"But I wanted to make sure she survived the first hour."
Allie rolled her eyes.
"I'm standing right here."
"Exactly."
Feng flashed her a grin.
"Text me if he assigns you fifty pages of calculus."
Xuan watched the exchange silently.
The casual tone.
The easy teasing.
The way Allie nudged Feng's shoulder without thinking.
Playful.
Comfortable.
Too comfortable.
Interesting.
"Are you two finished?" Xuan asked calmly.
Feng raised his hands.
"Relax. I'm leaving."
He stepped toward the door.
Then paused beside Allie.
"You'll be fine," he said quietly.
"Will I?"
"Probably."
"That's not reassuring."
Feng smirked.
"Don't flirt too much, Chicago."
Allie's face turned red.
"I do not flirt."
"Sure you don't."
He left before she could argue.
The door closed behind him.
Silence returned to the room.
Allie turned back toward the table.
Xuan was watching her.
Not coldly.
Just…observing.
Which somehow felt worse.
She sat down slowly.
"So," she said.
"You're my mentor now."
"Yes."
"You don't seem excited."
"I am not."
She winced slightly.
"Wow."
"That is not an insult."
"It sounded like one."
"It was a factual statement."
Allie leaned back in her chair.
"Good to know I'm a burden."
"You are an additional responsibility."
"That's basically the same thing."
Xuan slid one of the textbooks toward her.
"You are behind in two programming modules and one systems theory course."
"Great."
"We will correct that."
"We?"
"Yes."
Allie sighed.
"This is going to be painful."
"Only if you resist learning."
"Wow."
"What?"
"You really know how to motivate people."
"I prioritise efficiency."
"Try prioritising encouragement."
"That is inefficient."
Allie stared at him.
"You're impossible."
"Yet you are still here."
Unfortunately.
The study session began.
And immediately, it turned intense.
Xuan did not teach casually.
He explained concepts with precise clarity.
He asked direct questions.
He corrected mistakes instantly.
Which meant—
Two hours passed faster than Allie had expected.
And somehow—
She was actually learning.
"…wait," she said suddenly.
"That algorithm makes way more sense now."
"Yes."
"Why didn't the professor explain it like that?"
"Because most professors do not design large-scale systems."
"You do?"
"Yes."
Allie blinked.
"Right. Tech empire."
He ignored the comment.
"Continue."
The study session stretched longer.
And longer.
By the time Allie finally looked at the clock—
It was almost midnight.
"Oh, my god."
"What?"
"It's almost twelve!"
"Yes."
"We've been studying for five hours!"
"That was necessary."
"I'm starving."
Xuan closed his laptop.
"Then we will eat."
Allie blinked at him.
"…wait, really?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
"There is a place nearby."
They packed up their books. The campus was nearly empty by the time they stepped outside.
Cool night air drifted through the quiet streets.
Allie stretched her arms.
"I forgot how exhausting studying is."
"You talk too much."
"Excuse me?"
"It slows your progress."
"That's rude."
"It is accurate."
They walked down a narrow side street behind the campus buildings.
Most shops were closed.
Except one.
A small noodle shop glowing with warm yellow light.
The smell of broth and garlic filled the air.
Allie's stomach growled immediately.
"Oh wow."
Xuan opened the door.
"This place is open late."
Inside, the restaurant was small.
Only a few tables.
Steam drifting from the kitchen.
They sat across from each other.
A waitress arrived quickly.
Xuan ordered in fluent Mandarin.
Two bowls of noodles.
Tea.
Allie watched him.
"You come here a lot?"
"Occasionally."
"Secret late-night noodle habit?"
"It is convenient."
The food arrived quickly.
Allie took one bite—
And her eyes widened.
"This is incredible."
"Yes."
"You've been hiding this place?"
"It is not hidden."
"Feels hidden."
They ate quietly for a moment.
Then Allie said softly,
"You were really cold earlier."
Xuan looked up.
"During the study session."
"That was intentional."
"Why?"
"Because if we are working together academically, it must remain structured."
Allie frowned slightly.
"So, the walls are back up."
She twirled noodles slowly.
"That's kind of disappointing."
Xuan paused.
"Why?"
"Because yesterday you almost seemed…normal."
He considered that.
Then said quietly,
"Normal is complicated."
Allie smiled faintly.
"You're not as scary as people think."
"That is incorrect."
"No, it's not."
He took another bite of noodles.
"Your opinion is still developing."
"Maybe."
But as they finished their meal—
And stepped back into the quiet Shanghai night—
Allie realised something.
Lin Xuan might be her reluctant tutor.
Her forced mentor.
Her very annoyed academic supervisor.
But somehow—
She didn't mind spending time with him nearly as much as he clearly minded spending time with her.
And that realisation made her smile all the way back to the dorms.