Qin Jiao stared at him in stunned silence, unable to answer for a long moment. He didn’t seem anxious, just watched her earnestly, as if asking her to explain a problem was the most normal thing in the world.

’Why is Shen Yi treating me like this now?’ Qin Jiao was utterly baffled. ’Is it because the misunderstanding at the guesthouse was cleared up right away, so we weren’t forced to marry and become a resentful couple?’

Right now, they were just desk-mates, ordinary classmates.

Seeing the hesitation in her eyes, Shen Yi said in a level tone, "I want to become better so I can surpass Chen Feng."

’Surpass Chen Feng.’

It clicked for Qin Jiao. Indeed, the Shen Yi of today was completely different from the one in her past life. He had always been smart; perhaps he had sensed something, which was why he wanted to compete with Chen Feng.

In this life, Qin Jiao didn’t want to get involved in the Shen Family’s affairs. All she wanted was to protect her parents and younger sister, to ensure their safety and happiness.

’But... that doesn’t mean I don’t hate Lin Nian, and certain people in the Shen Family.’

’Since I’m destined to stay out of the Shen Family’s business in the future, I suppose I can help Shen Yi with his studies for this one year.’

’Just a little. That’s all.’

Having come to a decision, Qin Jiao picked up her pen, pointed to the problem beside them, and said, "This problem should be solved like this. Your first step is correct, but your approach for the rest is wrong..."

Qin Jiao wasn’t a gentle person. In his past life, Shen Yi had seen her lose her temper countless times.

It wasn’t until much later that Shen Yi realized he had actually fallen in love with this vibrant woman. Fate had bound her to him, yet she was innocently dragged into his hidden sorrows and the pain he endured.

Only later did Shen Yi understand that the real reason he had refused Qin Jiao’s request for a divorce was that he hadn’t wanted to leave her.

By that time, he had nothing left. His grandfather was gone, his mother was gone, and the Shen Family had all turned their warm gazes toward Chen Feng. His own father, especially, had long since stopped caring about his "mad" son.

Back then, Qin Jiao was all Shen Yi had left. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

He refused to let go, and she fought desperately to escape. And so, they hurt each other.

In the end, he was the first to surrender. He couldn’t bear to see that vibrant woman’s wings broken by him, to watch the light fade from her eyes forever.

That was why, in the end, he agreed to the divorce.

But he never expected that they would get into an accident on the way to finalize the divorce, and that they would both be sent back to the very beginning...

"Shen Yi, did you understand the explanation for this problem?"

"Yes." Shen Yi calmly took back his test paper and carefully studied the steps Qin Jiao had written out. Her quiet and composed demeanor made Qin Jiao want to build a solid wall around her heart.

She thought for a moment before saying, "Shen Yi, don’t give up. We still have a year. We can definitely both get good scores on our exams."

"Yeah."

As the two encouraged each other, the conflict from their past life seemed to fade a little. Just then, someone walked past and let out a cold snort.

The sound was faint, but Qin Jiao still heard it.

Lin Nian approached with a harmless-looking smile on her face. "You two have improved a lot this time," she said. "But even with a whole year of high school left, it’s pretty hard to make up for a weak foundation. Still, since you’re both so motivated, I guess you should just keep trying."

Her words, dripping with false sincerity, were incredibly grating.

Qin Jiao might let other things slide, but confronting Lin Nian was something she was more than happy to do.