Chapter 2: The Rebellious Kid
After getting a basic sense of Kieu Ly and discussing the job she'd be taking on, Thu Thao felt quite satisfied.
She stood up, led Kieu Ly to Phuong's study room, and knocked on the door:
"Phuong, your tutor is here."
Just as she finished speaking, the door opened.
Nguyen Toan Phuong appeared in front of Kieu Ly with a bright, intelligent-looking face. He was wearing a black long-sleeved T-shirt and beige khaki pants. His hair was cut in a simple "bitten by a dog" style, but it still added to his clean, gentle, scholarly appearance.
When the principal had spoken about him, Kieu Ly imagined a rebellious, difficult student. She hadn't expected someone who looked this mild and well-behaved.
Maybe luck was finally on her side.
Phuong stared at Kieu Ly for a moment before smiling cheerfully:
"You're finally here. I've been waiting for you."
Kieu Ly entered the study room while Thu Thao went back downstairs.
She set her backpack down on the desk and looked around. This really was the house of the rich—even the study room felt like a small library.
Kieu Ly had worked many tutoring jobs before, but this was by far the most lucrative contract. The homeowner was friendly and beautiful, the student seemed obedient, and the study space was like a high-end reading lounge.
She sat down next to him and said:
"I'd like to see your report card and your current school curriculum to figure out where to start."
Phuong stared at her mischievously for a moment, like he was sizing up an opponent, then handed over his report card. The more Kieu Ly read, the more her face tensed up.
He had such a bright, intelligent face, and yet his grades were a disaster.
It reminded her of the saying: "A face that shines like a polished mirror, but a brain as dull as dirt."
At this rate, there was no way he'd make it into any university—let alone Foreign Trade University.
Perhaps fate had given him wealth and good looks, only to take away his intelligence.
Still, she had taken on the job, and she intended to see it through.
Kieu Ly looked at him with a gentler, more understanding gaze.
"I'm sure you already know," she said, "I'm here to help you get into Foreign Trade University next year. Where are you currently in your class lessons?"
Phuong leaned his chin lazily on his hand, looking at her with boredom:
"I sleep through most of class, so I have no idea."
Kieu Ly's expression began to change.
Making money was never easy—but she wasn't someone who gave up easily either. She said patiently:
"Just give me your notebook, and I'll check."
Phuong handed over his notebook.
Kieu Ly opened it and flipped through. The more she looked, the more discouraged she felt. Some lessons were fully written out; others had nothing at all.
She turned to him, speaking with a tone of firm guidance:
"If you want to get into Foreign Trade University, you need to change your attitude about studying."
Phuong leaned back in his chair, his eyes indifferent as he replied:
"I don't want to go to Foreign Trade University. My parents do."
This was going to be tough.
Kieu Ly hadn't figured out how to convince him yet when he suddenly looked at her with a sly glint in his eyes:
"You don't have to teach me those boring subjects. Since you're already here… why don't you teach me something else instead?"
Kieu Ly, completely caught off guard by the shift in tone, blinked and asked:
"Teach you what?"
He smiled:
"You're older than me. Why don't you teach me some adult stuff?"