Chapter Fifteen: I Said Touch the Gearshift, Not My Crotch!

Two instructor cars were parked on the driving practice field. The newer white one was a Volkswagen Jetta, while the other, clearly much older and probably about ten years old, was an old Santana model.

“Morning, coach.”

As Gu Yin approached, a middle-aged woman and a man were already practicing there. They were Gu Yin’s students, driving the newer Jetta.

“Morning.”

Gu Yin greeted them and walked over to the driver’s side window, calling them over to practice with the old Santana next door.

The man and woman exchanged glances, initially puzzled. Even if they were practicing, who would want to drive an old car instead of a new one?

But when they noticed the young girl following Gu Yin, their confusion vanished, replaced by a hint of flirtation in their eyes. The woman patted Gu Yin on the shoulder.

“Coach, you’ve finally come to your senses.”

“…What senses? Practice with your car!” Gu Yin rolled his eyes so hard it was as if they might pop out. “If you keep hitting the lines while reversing into the parking spot, you’ll never pass the second test in your life!”

The woman was speechless.

“Get in the car.” With the Jetta vacated, Gu Yin opened the passenger door and sat down, then gestured for Xia Qianyi to take the driver’s seat.

Xia Qianyi opened the door and surveyed the interior. She then stepped in, her slender legs wrapped in tailored denim, and sat firmly in the driver’s seat.

A crisp, refined fragrance surrounded the girl, reminiscent of an exquisite perfume—light yet fresh, soothing everyone nearby.

“Take off your hat.” Gu Yin glanced at her without a trace of special treatment despite her celebrity status. Her hoodie’s hood was too big, obstructing her vision, and you can’t be careless when driving.

Xia Qianyi said nothing but silently removed her hood, revealing her stunningly beautiful face.

“So pale.” Gu Yin muttered to himself, marveling at how she looked like an elf, every feature sharp and sculpted.

“What’re you staring at!” The plump assistant, Mengmeng, scolded sharply. “Focus on your own lesson!”

“Wait, you’re learning to drive?” Gu Yin asked impatiently.

“No.” Mengmeng replied, “I’m just here to keep Qianyi company.”

Gu Yin laughed and pointed at the man and woman on the Santana. “Look, who else brings their pet when learning to drive?”

“?” Mengmeng glared, “Who are you calling a pet?”

“I didn’t say you. Don’t read into it.” Gu Yin shrugged. “But only pets bark at strangers.”

“You! You...” Mengmeng was speechless.

“Mengmeng.” Xia Qianyi frowned slightly. “You go wait outside for me.”

She wasn’t rejecting her assistant but was simply too self-conscious. Having her there made it hard to focus.

“Hmph!” Mengmeng snorted, shot Gu Yin a glare, and got out of the car.

Inside the car, quiet finally settled.

Gu Yin took a sip from his thermos, warming himself, then rolled up the windows before casually asking, “Did your family ever teach you any basics before?”

“No.” Xia Qianyi shook her head. “I’ve only ever been a passenger.”

“I see…” Gu Yin nodded. “Then let’s start by getting familiar with the car.”

Xia Qianyi nodded, her elfin face unreadable. Her slender hands gently touched the steering wheel, the dashboard, exploring.

“Where’s the gear lever?” she asked softly after a moment.

“?”

Gu Yin’s mind was flooded with question marks. He’d never thought this would be a question she’d ask. Irritated, he blurted out, “The gear is in my heart.”

Xia Qianyi’s face blanked for a moment, clearly not understanding, then suddenly burst into laughter.

Not just Xia Qianyi—the viewers watching the broadcast couldn’t help but laugh at Gu Yin’s lame joke.

“What a terrible pun, Coach, and you’re so cold!”

“Pun deduction, please!”

“Jian Guo, your prosperous era is exactly as you wished!”

“Coach: Direction correct!”

And so on.

To be fair, Xia Qianyi’s laughter was truly beautiful. With her strikingly aloof yet exquisite face, she was the kind of rare beauty who rarely smiled. Most people wouldn’t dare try to make her laugh, fearing not only a refusal but the disdainful look she’d shoot them. But when she did laugh, the feeling of accomplishment was unparalleled.

Of course, Gu Yin hadn’t intended to tease her. He was used to such moments from teaching driving lessons and gave the automatic response.

“Stop laughing, be serious!” he even shouted at Xia Qianyi.

Her radiant smile instantly froze, her expression clearly saying the joke was on him.

“You’re such a dog, Coach!” many viewers couldn’t hold back.

“The gear lever is here.” Gu Yin pointed to the shift stick, then cleared his throat, turning to drink from his thermos, trying to maintain his serious instructor role.

But soon…

Gu Yin sensed something was wrong.

Xia Qianyi noticed it too.

After Gu Yin showed her where the gear was, she, eyes fixed ahead, reached out to touch it—but the texture felt off.

“Comfortable?” Gu Yin’s voice came close. “Soft, isn’t it?”

Xia Qianyi furrowed her delicate brows and looked down.

“Ah...” She gasped sharply.

Her smooth, pale face flushed crimson, and as if shocked, she hurriedly removed her hand—from Gu Yin’s thigh!

Oh my god, she had accidentally touched Gu Yin’s thigh!

The viewers burst out laughing.

“Wait, are celebrities this flirty too?”

“Gu Yin: I said touch the gear, not the crotch!”

“Haha… Chinese characters are so nuanced. Just one stroke changes everything!”

“Stroke? Brother, you’re a genius too!”

...

“You… haha…”

Gu Yin was amused as well. Despite the celebrity halo he’d subconsciously placed around Xia Qianyi, it turned out that stars were no different from ordinary people.

Celebrities learning to drive were just as clumsy!

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Xia Qianyi waved her hand, avoiding Gu Yin’s gaze.

Morning sunlight spilled over the milky white hood of the instructor car, filling the interior with bright light. Xia Qianyi’s complexion was a cool porcelain tone, and when she blushed, it was especially pronounced.

Whether from embarrassment or shame, her eyes darted away, her rosy cheeks tinged with adorably innocent charm, shattering the icy goddess persona in an instant.

The icy queen had collapsed spectacularly.