Come Have Tea When You're Free

Song Qitao is an art student in his final year of high school who struggles significantly with mathematics. Despite his poor academic performance in math, he is determined to improve his scores to gain admission to a decent university. His classmate, Meng Sicheng, is the top student in the grade, known for his exceptional mathematical ability and aloof demeanor. Song Qitao becomes infatuated with the idea of learning from Meng Sicheng and begins bringing him breakfast, specifically soy milk and steamed buns, in hopes of establishing a connection. However, Meng Sicheng remains distant, and their interactions are limited. Song Qitao eventually discovers an anonymous online tutoring service offered by a top-ranked student who charges five yuan per paper. He hires this tutor, who turns out to be Meng Sicheng, although Song Qitao is unaware of his identity at the time. The tutoring proves highly effective, with Meng Sicheng providing detailed corrections and personalized practice materials. Song Qitao’s math scores improve dramatically, and he develops a close, albeit anonymous, bond with his tutor. He goes to great lengths to care for his tutor, such as buying a new uniform after noticing stains and installing mosquito repellent in the tutoring lounge. Meanwhile, Meng Sicheng endures a difficult home life with bickering parents who only reappear during his senior year to manage his future. After the college entrance exam, Song Qitao learns that Meng Sicheng achieved a perfect score in mathematics. He later discovers that Meng Sicheng was his anonymous tutor. The two reconnect after the exam when Song Qitao accidentally enters Meng Sicheng’s hotel room during a class reunion. Meng Sicheng, who had consumed alcohol and been drugged by a third party, forces Song Qitao to review math problems with him throughout the night. The situation escalates into a sexually charged encounter due to the effects of the drug. Three years later, Song Qitao is a successful manga artist, while Meng Sicheng is a university student excelling in mathematics. They reunite at a birthday gathering for a mutual friend, Yao Zhao, in Nancheng. Meng Sicheng has traveled from Beijing for a math competition final. During the reunion, it is revealed that both Song Qitao and Meng Sicheng were drugged by spiked drinks at the restaurant. The incident leads to another intense encounter between the two men, which Song Qitao later tries to forget. Meng Sicheng, however, begins to investigate the events of that night by reviewing hotel surveillance footage. He confirms his interactions with Song Qitao and realizes his feelings for him. The story concludes with Meng Sicheng deciding to return to Beijing but also planning to pursue a relationship with Song Qitao, marking a shift from their previous dynamic of tutor and student to potential partners.