Chapter 30: Her World Was a Distant Parallel Line
There was no Tong Yao at the second day of the sports meet.
Not just the boys, but even the girls were disappointed.
During everyone’s discussion, Ruan Xi unintentionally mentioned that “Teacher Tong injured her foot,” which immediately sparked a widespread response from her classmates. The QQ group buzzed with lively discussion, and soon, they had even decided on what get-well gifts to send.
Yin Jiali: “Let’s not have too many people go, or we’ll disturb Teacher Tong.”
Ji Chen: “I’ll ask Teacher Tong on QQ what time is convenient, and I’ll ask for her address too.”
Address?!
Ruan Xi, who had been silently observing, was instantly unsettled.
If I’m not the first one to know Teacher Tong’s home address, then… then…
She couldn’t describe the feeling, but it was just unpleasant.
Ji Chen: “Who wants to sign up to visit Teacher Tong?”
Yin Jiali: “Me.”
Jiang Yiming: “+1.”
Xu Hao: “+1.”
Below, dozens of “+1″s followed in a chain, making it completely useless for reference.
Ji Chen: “You guys will make it very difficult for Teacher Tong. How about this: Yin Jiali and I will go. I’m the class president, and she’s the math representative. We’ll choose one other student.”
The moment he sent that message, the group went cold.
With only one spot left, no one felt comfortable speaking up.
Jiang Yiming: “Let Ruan Xi go.”
Just then, a brave soul unexpectedly stepped forward.
In the stands, the classmates weren’t far apart. Ruan Xi looked up in surprise. A few seats away, Jiang Yiming gave her a thumbs-up.
A warmth spread through the young girl’s heart—Thank you, desk mate.
You’re a really good person.
Everyone thought about it. Ruan Xi was one of only three students in the class who were tutored by Teacher Tong, and she had a deeper bond with her. They had fought the evil dragon together, so it was understandable that she would want to thank Teacher Tong more than they did. More importantly, she was a pretty girl. Letting Ruan Xi go was a solution that would satisfy everyone.
Ji Chen: “Teacher Tong said it’s okay. She lives in Four Seasons Villa and said she welcomes everyone to come visit if they want.”
He Xueyu: “Four Seasons Villa? Teacher Tong really is a true white, rich, and beautiful…”
Xie Yiran: “Holy crap, a luxury residential area?”
Most people hadn’t actually heard of it, but they wouldn’t openly ask. A quick search online would reveal what it meant—money, a lot of money. These rich people probably used money to start their cooking fires.
Ji Chen: “…Scary. Is the fruit we chose a bit too shabby?”
Yin Jiali: “Be confident. Get rid of ‘is’ and ‘a bit,’ and change the question mark to an exclamation point.”
Everyone teased each other, but no one took it seriously. They all knew Teacher Tong’s personality; she cared more about the thought behind the gift.
—Because she’s not short on money.
**
“According to the route Teacher Tong gave us, we get off the subway, transfer to a bus, and then walk up.”
Ji Chen touched his chin, the bag in his hand containing several dragon fruits.
Yin Jiali, holding a bouquet of flowers, urged him to hurry up and look at the map. Ruan Xi carried two bags of oranges, saying nothing.
“Ruan Xi, what’s wrong?” Ji Chen sized her up. “Are you in a bad mood?”
Ruan Xi shook her head, staring blankly at the subway tracks.
Deep in the tunnel, a light shone. In a daze, the whistling subway had already slowly come to a stop. Ruan Xi stepped on, and outside the window was a real estate ad for a high-end residential complex.
Five digits per square meter, yet the spokesperson’s expression was so relaxed, as if they were promoting a fifty-cent bag of salt.
She didn’t feel any sense of injustice. This kind of house was never meant for a family like hers to consume. She wasn’t the target audience, so she wouldn’t pay attention to these things.
And Teacher Tong’s home was probably many times more expensive than this kind of house, right?
She was just, finally recognizing some facts she should have recognized long ago.
**
“We should be there if we just walk up a bit further, right?”
Ji Chen looked at the map and said uncertainly.
The girls shook their heads, feeling a bit like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden for the first time.
The security guard, who had been notified in advance, let them in. The man-made scenery of the villa was exquisitely crafted, making it hard to distinguish between illusion and reality.
Ji Chen swallowed and pointed to the courtyard ahead—
“That… Number 4, that seems to be Teacher Tong’s house?”
The walls were high, but the main gate was open, and a meticulously trimmed lawn was faintly visible inside. The two-story house was as exquisite as a work of art. Walking into the courtyard, Ji Chen, who was in the lead, subconsciously straightened his collar.
“Who’s going to ring the doorbell?”
“You do it.” Yin Jiali pushed Ji Chen to the front.
Ruan Xi followed behind, clutching the plastic bags tightly.
The doorbell rang.
The person who opened the door was not the maid or butler they had imagined, but the woman who had been sitting next to Teacher Tong that day.
“Hello, Auntie!”
“You must be Yao Yao’s students, right? She’s upstairs. Come on in.”
Jiang Wu smiled. “The slippers are here.”
The three of them entered the house cautiously, afraid of touching something and causing a disaster like knocking over an antique vase. Tong Yao’s bedroom was on the second floor. Jiang Wu led the way and, upon reaching the door, knocked.
“Yao Yao, your students are here to see you. Are you decent? I’m opening the door.”
A hesitant “I…” came from inside the room, and then Jiang Wu opened the door—
There was no sensual scene.
The decor was elegant. Tong Yao was sitting on the bed, fully dressed, with a blanket over her and a fox in her arms.
It was the first time she had appeared in front of her students dressed in such a youthful, princess-like style.
Tong Yao awkwardly put down Tamamo. It was a blessing that no one had seen her secretly cuddling the fox when she was alone. Pushing aside the discomfort of her stylish clothes, she cleared her throat and smiled politely.
“I thought you would be here later…”
The angel had spoken. Ji Chen, in the lead, immediately started to stammer.
“T-Teacher Tong, we came to see you… uh, we brought some fruit and… flowers. We hope you get well soon.”
After he spoke, he scratched the back of his head, not daring to walk closer, and placed the dragon fruit on the bedside table.
“Teacher Tong, these are the flowers we got for you!” Yin Jiali wasn’t nervous. She took a few steps closer and handed the flowers to Tong Yao. Tong Yao took them seriously, her eyes curving as she said thank you.
Ruan Xi stood there in a daze with her bags, taking a while to realize it was her turn. Autumn was the season for oranges, and she had specially picked many beautiful-looking ones. Standing here, she was so nervous she could barely speak.
Even though I was so close to Teacher Tong before…
Is it because Teacher Tong’s mother is here? Or is it because Teacher Tong looks… so cute today?
Dressed in pure white, with a flawless face and jade-like arms exposed, it felt like she had accidentally stumbled into a goddess’s palace.
She raised her hand, her slightly flushed face facing forward, but her eyes secretly glanced at the white wall.
“Teacher Tong, these are… oranges.”
Tong Yao let out a soft laugh and reached out to take them.
“Thank you. Should I peel a few for you to eat?”
The three of them said in unison, “Ah? No need!”
“It’s my foot that’s injured, not my hands.” As Tong Yao spoke, she had already taken out a few oranges and started peeling them. “Mom, didn’t we buy some cherries? Give them some to take back.”
How could they take things from a patient when they were just visiting? The three of them quickly refused, but Jiang Wu had already agreed and gone to prepare them.
“Here, have an orange.” Ignoring their refusals, Tong Yao opened her palm, where orange slices lay. “Ladies first. Jiali, this is for you. This one, Ruan Ruan, is yours.”
“Teacher, I can peel it myself!” Ji Chen said quickly, afraid he couldn’t handle it.
“Alright,” Tong Yao raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t planned on peeling one for a boy anyway. She casually tossed him one. “Peel it yourself.”
The people in the room didn’t talk much, all eating oranges.
“Ruan Ruan, did you pick these oranges?” Tong Yao popped a slice into her mouth. “They’re very sweet.”
Ruan Xi was savoring the orange that Teacher Tong had peeled for her. She looked up abruptly, then said in a small voice, “Mhm.”
“You’re very good at picking them. Praise.”
“Because… I often buy fruit myself.” The young girl, unaccustomed to being praised, subconsciously explained.
“That’s very impressive,” Tong Yao praised. “The oranges I buy are always sour.”
Ruan Xi didn’t reply, just lowered her head and quietly ate the rest of the fruit.
—As long as it was given to her by Teacher Tong, she would eat it no matter how sour it was.
But, will I be able to eat them in the future?
Standing in this house, she only felt more and more distant from Teacher Tong.
What am I?
A student.
A student who can’t even reach the level of ordinary.
The only connection she had with Teacher Tong was simply that she was her student.
Her only weapon was her studies, and this long-unused weapon was already rusty. More than a month of diligent polishing might not achieve the desired effect. After the National Day holiday, the monthly exam would be the first test of its blade.
What if I don’t do well?
Even if I do well, so what?
After leaving school, when she loses even the identity of a student, she will no longer have any connection with Teacher Tong. Visit her every year as a graduate? Only the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl could endure such a thing.
Teacher Tong would have new students, new classes, a new life, and maybe even… a lover. Years later, when a hopeful me meets Teacher Tong, perhaps all I will get is a “Oh, I remember you” after a moment of deep thought.
Once she graduates and goes to university, all that will be left between her and Teacher Tong are memories.
Beautiful memories—that kind of thing is for people whose current lives are unsatisfactory. When successful people occasionally think of them, they will reminisce for a moment and then dive into their new lives. But people like her will only immerse themselves in them, unable to extricate themselves. The memories will fade in Teacher Tong’s heart, and in the end, only she will remember.
“Ruan Ruan? Ruan Ruan?”
Ruan Xi looked up, realizing that Teacher Tong was calling her. Her eyes widened, and she flusteredly said, “…Ah?”
“Teacher Tong is asking you about your plans for the holiday!” Ji Chen helplessly acted as a repeater.
Ruan Xi pushed the hair away from her forehead, trying to clear her head, and forced a smile.
“It’s only a three-day holiday. I’ll just review at school and try to do a little better on the monthly exam.”
“Mhm…” Tong Yao thought for a moment, then smiled. “Go for it. I also helped write the exam, so I’ll give you a little hint. Compared to last time, the math is a bit easier.”
“Easier?” Ji Chen showed a regretful expression. “How can we pull ahead if it’s easier?”
“Then why don’t you get a perfect score for me?” Tong Yao teased.
“Never mind then.” Ji Chen raised his hands in surrender in mock horror.
“I’m not worried about your and Jiali’s math. Just don’t let your other subjects drag you down.” Tong Yao tilted her head and smiled gently. “Ruan Ruan, you have to work hard. Do your best and believe in yourself. I believe in you.”
Ruan Xi was a little dazed. She gave a soft “mhm.” After a long moment, she looked at Ji Chen.
“Shouldn’t we stop bothering Teacher Tong now? Let’s go back to school early.”
Ji Chen was taken aback at first, then nodded.
“Teacher Tong, we’re leaving now.”
“Take care, and be safe. Send me a message when you get back to school.” Tong Yao waved from the bed.
At the door, Jiang Wu handed the bags to the three of them and said, “This bag is cherries, this one is apples, and this one is strawberries. Take them. Thank you for coming to see Yao Yao.”
The woman’s aura was not to be refused. The three of them were like children being forced to accept red envelopes, each showing a wry smile.
When they left, they were carrying more than when they had arrived.
