Chapter 8

The sun quietly dipped below the horizon, the sky’s colors shifting from bright to somber.

Nightfall approached, yet the human world still held the sun’s lingering warmth. Even in the darkness, warmth and light persisted.

Du Heming sent the group photo she’d snapped to the other three.

She boasted proudly, “How’s this? I nailed it, right? No need to delete it in shame?”

Lou Yixuan zoomed in on the photo, gazing at Lin Huayan whose shoulder pressed against hers. She praised sincerely, “Teacher Du doesn’t just deserve extra kudos—she deserves a monument.”

He Huan tapped to open the photo, her good mood shining through as she praised from the heart, “Great people, great scenery. Totally worth the trip.”

Lin Huayan’s expression remained impassive; she didn’t even pull out her phone from her pocket.

She bent down, picked up the plastic bag Lou Yixuan had set on the ground, and handed out bottles of soda water one by one. “Drink some water. Time to head back.”

…

By the time the four returned to base, the students had finished eating.

The cafeteria still had a few dishes left—enough to scrape by and fill their stomachs.

Du Heming had no appetite. “I’m good. If I get hungry later, I’ll just make some instant noodles.”

He Huan figured she’d contributed nothing all day but had gained stunning views and time with a friend. She poked her head into the back kitchen and asked, “Chef, we’re the supervising teachers—mind if we borrow the kitchen? Just to boil some noodles.”

The chef agreed readily. “Sure, go ahead. Veggies, eggs—you want ’em, boil away.”

“Thanks. We’ll be quick and won’t take long.”

She turned, winked at Du Heming with unusual gentleness. “Teacher Du, hustle to the supermarket and grab a bag of dried noodles?”

“Okay, okay. On it.”

The supermarket was only fifty meters from the cafeteria, but Du Heming ran there and back like she’d completed a marathon.

She handed the noodles to He Huan, face flushed, legs wobbly, heart pounding.

“Teacher He, let me help out.”

“Ask Teacher Lin and Teacher Lou how many fried eggs, if oilseed greens work for veggies? For seasoning, I think the braised lion’s head broth from tonight could make a decent base.”

Just hearing it made Du Heming swallow hard with hunger. “Got it, I’ll ask. Wait for me, Teacher He—I’ll wash the veggies.”

Lou Yixuan and Lin Huayan sat face-to-face on the dining chairs outside the kitchen.

While Du Heming ran the noodle errand, Lou Yixuan had offered to assist He Huan too—but He Huan refused.

She’d used the same words from earlier, on the way to the sunset: Teacher Lin and Du Teacher have more seniority at Tianmu Middle School than me. Like Teacher Lou, I have plenty to learn from them.

That short speech left Lou Yixuan and Lin Huayan speechless.

For dinner that night, Du Heming took over Lou Yixuan’s lunch “clean plate campaign,” slurping every last drop of noodle broth.

She even snatched up all the dishwashing.

Night had fallen. As they exited the cafeteria, Lou Yixuan prepared to part ways. “It’s late. I’ll check on Class 9 kids at the playground, then head to the homestay.”

“I’ll come too, keep you company.” Du Heming responded first. “Don’t want you getting lost in the dark.”

“Great, thanks for escorting me, Teacher Du. Once we’re down the mountain, dinner’s on me sometime—will you join?”

“Absolutely. I never say no to a meal.”

They’d just set a post-mountain date when Lin Huayan spoke up. “You two chat. I have things to do—heading back to the dorm. Be careful on the road.”

That last “be careful on the road” was clearly for Lou Yixuan.

It was a caring phrase, delivered ice-cold.

And with that, the farewell was done.

Before Lou Yixuan could say “Thanks, Teacher Lin” or “Goodbye, Teacher Lin,” Lin Huayan had already turned and left.

“I’m beat, so I won’t walk you out, Teacher Lou. See you tomorrow. Drive safe at night.”

“Mm. Rest well, Teacher He. See you tomorrow.”

The two elders headed toward the dorms. Du Heming patted Lou Yixuan’s arm and murmured, “That’s just Teacher Lin’s personality—lone wolf, doesn’t mingle much. Hiking and photos today? You hit the jackpot, I tell you.”

Du Heming’s reassurance made Lou Yixuan chuckle. “We struck gold. Even scored a bowl of Teacher He’s noodles.”

“Teacher He…” Du Heming racked her brain but couldn’t find the perfect words. “Eh, she’s a good person.”

The day’s heat hadn’t fully dissipated, but mountain nights had nothing to do with “hot.”

On the playground, over three hundred first-year freshmen wore matching camouflage uniforms, lined up in neat class formations.

The instructors’ voices boomed powerfully, directing the students through military drills: attention, at ease, turns, quick march—over and over.

Lou Yixuan walked lightly along the playground’s edge with Du Heming, stopping near Class 9. She watched quietly for about ten minutes.

The class had seen her that afternoon and got hyped.

Learning she’d come up the mountain just for them, they turned into total drama queens—shouting “Xuan sis!” while fake-wiping tears in exaggeration.

“Check on them tomorrow. Text me when you get to the homestay,” Du Heming urged.

“Mm. Let’s go.”

In the parking lot, Lou Yixuan said “See you tomorrow” to Du Heming, got in her car, and started it.

Unfamiliar with the roads, she followed the GPS.

Minutes after leaving base, she noticed a car tailing her.

The mountain road was smooth but narrow, just wide enough for two cars to pass.

She hugged the right side, leaving space to overtake, slowing more and more.

After crawling at a snail’s pace for three or four minutes, the car behind showed no sign of passing. Lou Yixuan grew uneasy—speed up? Slow down? Damned if she did, damned if she didn’t.

Then her phone mount switched from map to incoming call.

The caller: Teacher Lin.

Her heart skipped. Two deep breaths, swipe to answer, hands-free.

“Teacher Lin?”

“That’s me behind you. Focus on driving—no distractions.”

Just as Lin Huayan said “no distractions,” the car ahead slammed its brakes. Luckily both were slow; no collision.

Now Lou Yixuan’s heart raced wildly—and Lin Huayan sounded rattled too.

“You… okay?” Lin Huayan’s steady voice came through the speaker, laced with anxiety.

“It’s not like the city up here. I wasn’t at ease, so I wanted to see you down. Just a glance at the homestay, then back.”

Wasn’t at ease?

See you down?

Just a glance at the homestay?

Ordinary words, but from Lin Huayan’s lips, each phrase felt extraordinary.

Lou Yixuan’s calm heart surged with massive waves, one after another, leaving her dizzy and disoriented.

No movement ahead. Silence on the line.

Lin Huayan activated her hazards. “Sorry—did I scare you? You alright?”

Hearing the apology and car door, Lou Yixuan cleared her throat, voice trembling. “Don’t get out. I’m fine. Not safe to stop here.”

She was terrified—afraid if Lin Huayan approached, she’d pin her down, even force a kiss.

Afraid her lack of control would scare Lin Huayan off, make her vanish from her world again.

How long is a lifetime?

How much lifetime remains?

She couldn’t repeat past mistakes.

…

The cars arrived at the homestay without incident. After parking, Lou Yixuan saw Lin Huayan’s ride bore a white military plate.

So Lin Huayan had borrowed a troop vehicle?

This antisocial woman borrowed from the military… to see her down?

Were military cars easy to borrow?

Did it put Lin Huayan in someone’s debt?

Lou Yixuan’s emotions churned anew.

She couldn’t muster a proper smile or words—just stared dumbly at Lin Huayan stepping out, words catching in her throat.

The homestay owner, thinking new guests, beamed out to greet. “Whoa, base vehicles?”

She glanced between the two women.

Recognizing the younger as the afternoon check-in, she focused on the elder.

“You two know each other, ma’am? Staying? We got rooms—solo or… together?”

“I’m not staying. Heading back to base soon.”

“Oh, gotcha. Take your time.” The owner shot Lou Yixuan a knowing look, whispering with a grin, “Whatever you need, girl—just holler. Bedroom stuff? I got it all, clean as can be.”

Homestays weren’t like star hotels—”extras” sat out in plain sight.

Only provided if requested, cutting waste and costs.

Catching the innuendo, Lou Yixuan flushed crimson. No clue if Lin Huayan heard the owner’s not-so-subtle pitch.

“My room’s on the third floor. Want to check it out?”

Lin Huayan gave no clear answer.

Lou Yixuan bit the inside of her lip, hoping Lin Huayan missed her “embarrassment.”

But…

Some dark, dormant desire hoped Lin Huayan had seen—and heard.

“The website says this place was built last year. Rooms have all the basics, brand new.”

Lou Yixuan led the way upstairs, sharing her research on mountain stays.

Lin Huayan followed silently, seemingly casual in her glances—but she’d already sharply mapped the whole layout inside and out.

Better than expected: quiet, fairly clean.

At Room 303, Lou Yixuan swiped the card to open.

The scene mirrored that moment at the Art Office door.

“Come in… have a seat?”

And the person who kissed her still acted like nothing had happened!!