"Less than a month until the college entrance exam..." Bai Tang abruptly shifted the topic, her gaze landing on Zhang Xiaochu. "Chu Ge, I want to take leave!"
"Huh?" Zhang Xiaochu looked puzzled. "Tomorrow's the weekend. What leave are you asking for?"
Bai Tang smiled. "Chu Ge, from now on, focus on your tutoring. I might need to leave Lingshan City for a while!"
"Are you kidding me? The exam's right around the corner, and you're telling me you're leaving for a while? Do you still want to get into A University or not?"
Zhang Xiaochu frowned, watching Bai Tang's expression—she didn't seem to be joking—and couldn't help feeling worried.
"What happened?"
"Some family stuff I need to handle. Don't worry, I'll be back for the exam!" Bai Tang flashed a bright smile, looking at Zhang Xiaochu. "You promised me you'd aim for A University, so make sure you study hard and keep up with the tutoring!"
"What's going on with your family? What can I do to help?" Zhang Xiaochu was concerned for her.
"I can handle it!" Bai Tang said with a smile. "What you need to do now is study hard and love it!"
Zhang Xiaochu had heard before about Bai Tang becoming the president of the Bai Group, and he knew that Bai Chengfeng had recently run into trouble, dragging the entire Bai Group into serious problems. Although Zhang Xiaochu was a rich kid with family money, compared to the Bai family—the richest in Lingshan City—there was no way he could plug the massive hole in the Bai Group.
"Chu Ge, study hard!" Bai Tang said with a smile.
Zhang Xiaochu grumbled, "If you see me as your Chu Ge, why won't you tell me what's wrong?"
"If I can handle it, it's not a problem!" Bai Tang curled her lips and smiled. "I'm not going to the club for tutoring tonight. Help me ask Mei Ren for leave."
Zhang Xiaochu refused, "Not going!"
Bai Tang chuckled, watching his proud demeanor, and said with a smile, "Come on, take me to the airport!"
Zhang Xiaochu was silent for three seconds, then couldn't help cursing, "You've already bought the damn ticket!"
Bai Tang laughed, reached out to grab his backpack strap, and pulled him straight out of the school.
Zhang Xiaochu reluctantly took her to the airport. Seeing that Bai Tang hadn't brought anything, he frowned. "How many days are you going for? Not even bringing clothes?"
"Just bring money, why bring clothes?" Bai Tang laughed.
The truth was, everything she needed to take had already been shipped off.
After seeing her to the airport, Zhang Xiaochu still asked worriedly, "Sure you don't need my help?"
Bai Tang shook her head. "I can handle it. Trust me!"
"If you can't, call me!" Zhang Xiaochu looked at the girl in front of him, a bad feeling settling in his chest.
It felt like this might be the last time he saw her.
"If the Bai Group really goes bankrupt, I'll take care of you!"
Zhang Xiaochu stared at her, his expression serious. "Worst case, I'll quit racing and go home to run that crappy company!"
Bai Tang's smile grew a little wider as she looked at the young man before her, feeling warmth in her heart.
She knew how much Zhang Xiaochu loved racing.
But hearing him say that to her truly moved her.
Bai Tang reached out and hugged Zhang Xiaochu, beaming. "Chu Ge, after the college entrance exam, go learn racing from the big shots. I believe that one day, you'll stand at the top, claim your glory, and prove yourself!"
Zhang Xiaochu furrowed his brow, hugged her back, and snorted, "Of course I can!"
Bai Tang laughed softly and let go of him.
She looked up at him, her smile gentle. "I'm really glad I met you."
"Don't get all sappy on me, like you're never coming back!" Zhang Xiaochu glared at her fiercely. "Even if you're on leave, remember to study every day. I'm waiting for you to come back and take the exam together, to get into A University together!"
Bai Tang nodded. "Okay!"
As the announcement echoed through the speakers, Bai Tang smiled and said, "Chu Ge, see you!"
Watching Bai Tang disappear past the security checkpoint, Zhang Xiaochu silently looked away, a dull ache in his chest.
He frowned. It's just a few days away, right?
Why the hell was he feeling so sentimental?