THIP Chapter 13

To take care of Chu Jiyu, whose injuries had not yet fully healed, Mu Liuyin took two days off. After deciding to live together, she spent those two days not only looking after Chu Jiyu but also moving some of her belongings into Chu Jiyu’s place whenever she had the chance. Of course, there was also tutoring to catch up on.

Having neglected her studies for more than two years, Chu Jiyu couldn’t make up for it overnight. Fortunately, she was a smart girl—whatever Mu Liuyin explained to her, she quickly grasped and could even apply it in new ways.

What Chu Jiyu hadn’t expected, however, was that despite Mu Liuyin officially teaching only senior class 10 mathematics, she was also incredibly knowledgeable in other subjects.

Looking at the comprehensive study plan Mu Liuyin had laid out for her, Chu Jiyu blinked in amazement and said, “Teacher, you’re incredible.”

Mu Liuyin responded humbly, “I’m just average.”

In truth, it was all thanks to Xiao Jiu. Although she had once been a top student herself, she had already graduated years ago. While she hadn’t completely forgotten her high school knowledge, she didn’t remember much either. Fortunately, Xiao Jiu could quickly gather recent study materials.

After the two-day break, both Mu Liuyin and Chu Jiyu returned to school.

Chu Jiyu diligently followed the study plan Mu Liuyin had set for her, and every evening, whenever there was free time, Mu Liuyin would tutor her.

As a result, not only did the students of senior class 10 notice the change, but even teachers of other subjects realized that Chu Jiyu—the school’s infamous last-place student who never studied—had started taking her studies seriously!

The biggest shock came when the results of the first monthly exam were announced. Chu Jiyu, who had always ranked dead last in the entire grade, had improved by more than 300 places. Although her scores were still far from outstanding, this was already a massive achievement for her.

And this was just the beginning. With every subsequent exam, her ranking rose by another 200 to 300 places. By the time the first semester’s final exams arrived, she had broken into the top 200 students in the school.

After the finals, the long-awaited winter break finally arrived.

Mu Liuyin continued living at Chu Jiyu’s home.

On the first day of the break, Chu Jiyu woke up at her usual 6:30 AM, only to find that the usual breakfast on the table was missing. She froze for a moment, then rushed into the kitchen, only to find no signs of anyone having cooked.

Feeling uneasy, she knocked on Mu Liuyin’s door. No response.

For some reason, a wave of panic surged through her. Mu Liuyin hadn’t mentioned anything about leaving. She had been here last night.

Growing anxious, Chu Jiyu pushed the door open—only to find the young woman still fast asleep. However, due to her poor sleeping posture, the thick blanket that should have covered her completely had slipped down to her waist, leaving her upper body exposed. Her fair skin didn’t look weak at all—if anything, it was subtly toned.

Chu Jiyu hadn’t expected to see such a scene and froze in place, a faint blush creeping up her ears.

Hearing the door creak open, Mu Liuyin slowly opened her clear, beautiful eyes. Spotting Chu Jiyu standing dazed in the doorway, she murmured, “What time is it? Why are you up so early?”

Chu Jiyu snapped back to her senses at the sound of her voice, but recalling what she had just seen, she immediately turned and left.

Her retreating figure looked somewhat flustered.

Mu Liuyin blinked and asked Xiao Jiu, “What’s up with her?”

“I have no idea, either,” Xiao Jiu replied.

Still, since Chu Jiyu was already up, it didn’t feel right for her, a grown adult, to keep lazing in bed.

By the time Mu Liuyin got up, washed up, and made breakfast, it was nearly 8 AM. She dragged the sulking Chu Jiyu out of her room to eat and, while lazily yawning, asked, “Chu Chu, why are you up so early today?”

Recalling how she had worried this person might have secretly left while she was asleep—only to find out she had just been sleeping in—Chu Jiyu felt annoyed. She huffed. “I wake up this early every day!”

Ironically, it was Mu Liuyin who had instilled this habit in her after moving in. Yet today, she had the nerve to sleep in herself.

Mu Liuyin chuckled. “Come on, Chu Chu, it’s winter break now. You should sleep in when you can.”

Chu Jiyu frowned. “Aren’t we still doing tutoring?”

Mu Liuyin paused for a moment, then reached out to ruffle the girl’s soft black hair. Her voice softened. “You’ve been studying so hard all this time. You should take a break, or your body won’t be able to handle it.”

“So… no tutoring?” For some reason, Chu Jiyu’s voice sounded a little dejected, tinged with an almost imperceptible trace of disappointment. “Because it’s winter break, are you… going back home?”

Mu Liuyin hadn’t thought about that. Ever since arriving in this world for her mission, she had never once returned to the original host’s home. Except for the first few days, she had been living with Chu Jiyu the entire time.

Unknowingly, half a year had already passed.

Hearing the girl’s question, Mu Liuyin suddenly realized that over the past six months, not only had she developed the habit of taking care of Chu Jiyu, but Chu Jiyu had probably already come to see her as family.

She shook her head and smiled. “What are you thinking? Of course, I’ll be staying with you.” After a pause, she added, “Where do you want to go these next few days? Let’s go have some fun.”

Chu Jiyu’s eyes lit up instantly. Sipping her porridge, she grinned. “Then I’ll have to think about it carefully.”

And so, in the days leading up to the New Year, the two of them visited many places and bought plenty of things.

One evening, after a full day out, Mu Liuyin had just finished her bath and was lying on her bed when her phone suddenly rang.

Glancing at the caller ID, she saw that it was from the original host’s family.

She pressed the answer button.

On the other end of the line, the original host’s mother spoke—it was, unsurprisingly, a call urging her to return home for the New Year.

It was already the 28th. Tomorrow would be the 29th.

Since it was her original body’s family, Mu Liuyin couldn’t refuse and had no choice but to agree to go back the next day.

After hanging up the phone, she lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, unsure of how to tell Chu Jiyu.

But it had to be said. So, the next morning, when Chu Jiyu asked about it, Mu Liuyin told her the truth.

The brightness in the girl’s eyes instantly dimmed, but she still pretended not to care, telling Mu Liuyin to spend time with her family—though, of course, she should come back as soon as possible.

Mu Liuyin felt a pang of heartache. She reached out and ruffled Chu Jiyu’s hair. The once short locks had grown past her shoulders, and now, with her wild nature subdued, she appeared even more delicate and beautiful.

Mu Liuyin’s original body’s family lived in a neighboring city—not too far, but it still took nearly three hours to drive there.

The car she drove belonged to Chu Jiyu. With the financial situation of her original body, she couldn’t afford one just yet. Before Mu Liuyin left, Chu Jiyu said, “If you take my car, you have to come back.”

Mu Liuyin had suggested bringing Chu Jiyu along to celebrate the New Year together, but the girl refused.

So, she made the trip alone.

On the 30th, however, Xiao Jiu informed her that Chu Jianren had called Chu Jiyu, demanding she return home for the holiday.

Mu Liuyin told Xiao Jiu to keep an eye on Chu Jiyu. Then, using an urgent matter as an excuse, she told her family she couldn’t stay for New Year’s and immediately drove back to the place she and Chu Jiyu shared.

When she opened the door, she saw Chu Jiyu sitting on the couch, expressionless. But the moment she laid eyes on Mu Liuyin, tears suddenly welled up and streamed down her face.

Mu Liuyin’s heart ached. She pulled the girl into a tight embrace, letting her cry against her shoulder.

She already knew the details from Xiao Jiu—Chu Jianren had called Chu Jiyu home, and after a huge argument, she had stormed out and returned here.

Good thing I came back, Mu Liuyin thought.

Chu Jiyu cried for a long time before finally falling into an exhausted sleep.

Mu Liuyin let out a soft chuckle, carefully carrying the girl to her bed.

Her gaze landed on the desk, where a framed photograph sat—an old picture of Chu Jiyu and her mother. The left side of the photo had been cut out, and from the missing section, Mu Liuyin could guess that the man erased from the picture was probably Chu Jianren, that scumbag.

She stared at the photo for a moment before asking Xiao Jiu, “Where’s the diary Chu Jiyu’s mother left her?”

Xiao Jiu responded eagerly, “Reporting to the host! It’s in the drawer of that desk!”

Mu Liuyin glanced at the sleeping girl. Worried that she might wake up and not find her there, Mu Liuyin simply rested her head on the desk and drifted off.

Just before sleep claimed her, she thought, It’s time to move the mission forward.

Those who hurt Chu Jiyu must face the consequences they deserve.

The Next Morning

When Chu Jiyu woke up, she found herself in her bed. The first thing she saw was Mu Liuyin, asleep at the desk.

Remembering how she had cried in this person’s arms the night before, a faint flush crept up her ears.

Mu Liuyin stirred at the noise and opened her eyes, gazing at the girl with warmth. “You’re awake?”

Chu Jiyu nodded, a little awkwardly. To shift the conversation away from herself, she asked, “Why did you come back?”

Mu Liuyin smirked. “I came back to spend New Year’s with my little crybaby.”

Her tone was as infuriating as ever. At the words “little crybaby,” Chu Jiyu shot her a glare, her ears turning even redder.

Mu Liuyin’s eyes drifted to the old photograph on the desk.

“What are you looking at?” Chu Jiyu asked, stepping closer.

“You and your mom look so alike,” Mu Liuyin said. “She must have been a very gentle person, right?”

Chu Jiyu fell silent.

Her mother had passed away when she was only six years old, and most of her childhood memories were hazy. But in the depths of her mind, she could still recall fragments—her mother teaching her how to play games, her warm voice guiding her.

Then, a memory resurfaced—something she had nearly forgotten.

When she was little, her mother had taught her strange characters, telling her to memorize their meanings and record them in a diary.

“I don’t know,” Chu Jiyu finally said. “I can’t remember much from back then, but my mom used to teach me weird symbols. She said I had to remember their meanings and write them in a diary.”

Mu Liuyin blinked. “Weird symbols?”

Chu Jiyu nodded, pulling open a drawer and retrieving a diary she hadn’t looked at in years. Flipping through a few pages, she soon found the section filled with those symbols.

“It’s Morse code,” Mu Liuyin said as she leaned in to read. Then she asked, “Do you remember what it means?”

Chu Jiyu hesitated, ears tinged red again, and shook her head.

Mu Liuyin translated for her.

The message revealed that Chu Jiyu’s grandfather had left something for her in a safety deposit box at XX Bank. The passcode was her mother’s birthday.

Chu Jiyu knew that date by heart. She had never expected that the one thing her mother had insisted she remember was actually this.

Her expression grew serious.

After the New Year Holiday

Once the break ended, Mu Liuyin and Chu Jiyu went to the bank mentioned in the diary.

Inside the safety deposit box, they found a will.

According to it, once Chu Jiyu reached adulthood, she would inherit all of her grandfather’s shares in Su Corporation.