The VIP reception room wasn’t particularly large, with no long conference table inside. Instead, it featured a large semicircle of single leather sofas, each pair separated by a wooden round side table.
In the host’s seat sat the president of Tianmu Education Group—Cen Qiongying.
Cen Qiongying had taken over as president at age thirty, and she’d only been in power for two years now.
This young leader was someone Lou Yixuan had only seen in school publications and magazines before, though Du Heming had mentioned her. This was the first time they’d met face-to-face up close.
To Cen Qiongying’s right sat the president of Haifan Education Group, and to her left was Kinla.
Originally seated to Kinla’s left was her personal assistant, fluent in multiple languages. But upon Lou Yixuan’s arrival and catching her boss’s glance, the assistant automatically vacated the seat, politely inviting Lou Yixuan to sit.
Surrounded by dignitaries, Lou Yixuan couldn’t refuse without making the atmosphere awkward.
To her left sat the principal and two Tianmu Group executives, along with the two seats originally reserved for Lin Huayan and her.
Across from them were the dean of fine arts, executive principal, and admissions principal from Haifan Group.
Because Lou Yixuan had “cut in line to upgrade her status,” Lin Huayan inevitably ended up in the seat farthest on the edge. The spot next to her remained empty; Kinla’s assistant didn’t take it.
Deep down, Lou Yixuan kind of wanted the assistant to sit there, but with so many people around, what right did a lowly employee like her have to meddle?
Even though she and the assistant were quite familiar—close enough that she could ask for favors bypassing Kinla herself.
Of course, Kinla had given her tacit approval for that.
Kinla took Lou Yixuan’s hand. “Sit down already. Why so shy?”
“You’re the VIP. You sit first.”
“Alright, I’ll sit first.” Kinla indulged her, releasing her hand and taking her seat. But her indulgent tone was unmistakable to everyone present.
Then, in flawless Mandarin, Kinla addressed the group, explaining that she and Lou Yixuan were old friends. She lavished praise on Lou Yixuan’s artistic talents and openly admitted that her initiative in pushing the art study abroad collaboration with Haifan and Tianmu had been partly for Lou Yixuan’s sake.
Back in Australia, Lou Yixuan was used to Kinla’s praise.
She could take it without batting an eye.
But this was back home—in front of her superiors, in front of Lin Huayan.
If not for the damn table between the sofas, she would’ve reached out to stop Kinla’s excessive hype. Instead, she kept a strained smile plastered on her face, inwardly cringing so hard she wanted to crawl into a hole.
Beyond her role as director of Bona Art Museum, Kinla held prestigious positions like vice chair of the Australian Fine Arts Association and art consultant for renowned institutions.
She had the stature to warrant personal reception from the presidents of two major education groups.
The meeting dragged on for another hour or so, with Lou Yixuan and Lin Huayan mostly serving as window dressing. They only chimed in briefly when questions came their way.
The key cooperation points had reached consensus among the three parties.
It was nearly five o’clock when Cen Qiongying instructed her waiting assistant to prepare the restaurant. They were ready to head out.
“Little Lou hasn’t seen Director Jin in months. This is a rare chance today. Come dine with us, catch up with the director, and fulfill our hosts’ duties.”
Cen Qiongying spoke first, inviting the guest of honor Lou Yixuan, then named Lin Huayan. “Teacher Lin, you’re coming too.”
Lin Huayan usually disliked these obligatory dinner receptions, but this time she didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she glanced at Lou Yixuan, waiting for her stance.
This dinner would take at least two hours.
Her afternoon classes weren’t finished, and there were two more evening sessions. Would Lou Yixuan ditch her students to accompany this Kinla woman?
“Xuan, come with me.” Ignoring the eyes on them, Kinla leaned in, covering Lou Yixuan’s hand with her own.
Her words carried a pleading note. “We’ve settled all the business. Tonight’s just dinner. We’ve already met ahead of schedule—if you bail now, I’ll be unhappy.”
To surprise Lou Yixuan, she hadn’t mentioned this trip to Huai’an City.
As for the Haifan and Tianmu collaboration, negotiations had started before she even arrived in China—a grand gift for Lou Yixuan’s return home.
Favors, connections, resources—only things like these were impossible for Lou Yixuan to refuse.
“Alright, I’ll go with you.” Lou Yixuan agreed.
“Thanks, baby.”
Kinla’s casual “baby” planted seeds of doubt in everyone’s mind, great or small.
Lou Yixuan guided her hand back, whispering, “Kinla, this is China.”
“What’s wrong with China? Can’t I call you ‘baby’ here?”
Time hadn’t touched her sword-like brows or starry eyes. Past forty, she still exuded sharp heroism blended with mature allure.
Their cozy vibe looked just like playful flirting to onlookers.
Lou Yixuan was helpless, shooting her a look that said: Keep teasing, and don’t blame me if I turn on you.
Lin Huayan sat too far to see their little gestures or Lou Yixuan’s expression.
But Kinla’s every ambiguous word and action? She saw and heard it all.
Lou Yixuan leaned toward Kinla, her long hair cascading down, seemingly whispering softly with a faint smile on her lips. It was the gentle warmth Lin Huayan knew so well—yet in this moment, it stabbed her eyes.
She couldn’t stay another second.
“President Cen, I won’t join for dinner. I’ll watch the students tonight, so Teacher Lou can eat in peace.”
“Teacher Lin…”
The principal started to persuade her, but Cen Qiongying cut him off. “Very well. Teacher Lin is known for her strict self-discipline and dedication. We won’t force you.”
Lin Huayan nodded in acknowledgment.
Since entering this meeting room, Lou Yixuan hadn’t glanced her way once.
Not even when Cen Qiongying steered the topic to them, or when Lin Huayan looked over—zero attention.
Everyone rose to leave. As the guest, Kinla should have walked ahead with the two presidents.
But the elegant woman lagged behind to match Lou Yixuan’s status and pace.
Before they even exited the room, she wrapped an arm around Lou Yixuan’s waist, felt something, and slipped her hand into Lou Yixuan’s pocket.
“What’s this?”
“Hand warmer.” Lou Yixuan’s hand joined hers in the pocket. “It heats up on its own. Keeps your hands from getting cold in your pockets.”
“Sounds handy—perfect for you.” Kinla was intrigued. “Let me see it.”
But Lou Yixuan pressed her hand down, tiptoed closer, and whispered a few words in English.
Kinla laughed, sultry and intimate.
She leaned down to murmur English back in Lou Yixuan’s ear, drew out the hand warmer for a quick glance, then tucked it away.
After their ear-rubbing intimacy, they withdrew their hands from the pocket. But Kinla cupped Lou Yixuan’s face, peering left and right.
“You’ve gained a little weight.”
“Yeah, a bit. You can tell? Measuring by hand? That accurate?”
Lou Yixuan grabbed her wrist; the woman let her hand fall to her shoulder, fingers brushing her neck lightly.
She didn’t pull away, listening intently.
Lin Huayan watched every bit of their interplay.
Just centimeters apart, Lou Yixuan in her flats looked dainty and dependent in the taller woman’s embrace.
And after a few more English words from the woman, Lou Yixuan’s eyes sparkled with even more laughter.
Like lily-of-the-valley blooming in spring and summer—beautiful, but none of it for her.
“Haven’t seen you in half a year. Did you miss me?”
“Of course.”
“Little liar. If you missed me, why not even one call?”
“You’re a busy big shot. How could I bother you? We didn’t talk much even in Australia.”
“True. We didn’t chat often, but these past six months without you by my side, without you at those banquets… I’m not used to it.”
Whenever sensitive topics arose, Lou Yixuan switched to fluent English. Kinla replied in kind as they chatted toward the elevator.
Waist hugged, pocket rummaged, face cupped, neck grazed—Kinla still wasn’t satisfied. Now she toyed with Lou Yixuan’s fingers.
In Mandarin: “Wearing a ring now? On your middle finger, no less. Moving fast, huh? Who’s the lucky one? Better than me? Hmm?”
“Just playing around.” Lou Yixuan dodged, lifting Kinla’s hand in turn.
Kinla loved jewelry—necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets galore, like a collector.
Today, her right index finger bore one; left had middle and pinky rings in different styles and colors, thoughtfully matched to complement each other.
“Not like you—every one embedded with gems, priceless.”
“I offered, and you wouldn’t take them.”
“Kinla, you’ve given me so much already…”
“Shh, no thanks needed.” The woman affectionately stroked Lou Yixuan’s hair, thumb rubbing her right ear. “Brought your birthday gift. After dinner, come with me?”
Feeling ticklish, Lou Yixuan tilted her head. “Too rushed. I’ll fly over tomorrow morning. Hotel’s booked, right by the museum.”
“You can cancel. Staying alone isn’t convenient.” The woman’s pinky twirled a lock of Lou Yixuan’s hair. “Cancel and stay with me. Tell me all about your months back home. I want to hear.”
“Fine, then. Send me the hotel address later.”
“Good girl. No need for addresses—you send me your flight info. I’ll have someone pick you up at the airport tomorrow.”
“Fine, fine. You’re the boss. You win; I won’t argue.”
“Argue? As if you could win against me. But baby, when are you coming back to Australia? It’s no fun alone here. Your parents are there—your home is there. You’ve stayed one or two years; time to come back soon, okay? Hmm?”
“Kinla, not this again… I said no mentioning it…”
“Okay, okay, no anger. I won’t say it, promise…”
Their low laughter and whispers intertwined, but to Lin Huayan, the whole world felt eerily silent.
She gripped her phone, knuckles whitening, forcing herself to act nonchalant.
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to banish the scene from her mind.
But every smile Lou Yixuan gave the woman, every fond word the woman spoke—they turned into thousand-pound iron wheels, rolling back and forth, crushing her heart.
Time stretched endlessly. The pain grew like twisted roots in the dark, burrowing deeper, spreading denser.
Before today, she’d worried the girl’s bright future might be hindered by her.
But it turned out…
Her girl had already soared like a phoenix to the heavens. What need was there for her concern?
Their large group split into two elevators to avoid crowding. Kinla with Lou Yixuan took the first.
Lin Huayan watched the leaders and guests board, then waited with a few others for the next elevator.
No one waited for her downstairs.
Her elevator companions hurriedly said, “See you, Director Lin,” before rushing to the garage.
A new message pinged: “Teacher Lou”‘s chat bubbled to the top: 【I’ll leave the class to you, Teacher Lin. Back as soon as I can.】
…
Lou Yixuan’s “as soon as I can” wasn’t soon.
She returned to school at 8:30 p.m., while Kinla’s flight was at 9:30.
Slipping in through the back door of the classroom, the first to spot her and tease boldly was Lin Jianlu, who loved the back row: “Teacher Lou, you look kinda like you’re sneaking in after something shady.”
“Twenty minutes till class ends. Not too early, not too late—Teacher Lou’s timing is spot on.”
The second voice came unexpectedly from Lin Huayan, tucked in the corner.
“…” Lou Yixuan froze. Was this what Lin Huayan meant by “watching” the class—showing up in person?
This wasn’t “watching”; it was lying in wait for the prey to walk right into the trap.
And she was that prey.
Lin Jianlu gave her a pitying “you’re on your own” sigh and shake of the head before resuming her color mixing.
The classroom’s faint murmurs fell deathly silent after Lin Huayan spoke. Everyone sweated for their Xuan-jie.
During the afternoon big break, which led right into activity period, students from several classes spotted Teacher Lou heading toward the garage in grand procession alongside the principal and a group of impeccably dressed VIPs.
Teacher Lin, by contrast, made her way to the Art Classroom all alone.
They didn’t quite dare ask their homeroom teacher whether Teacher Lou had gone off with the principal to entertain some important guests from out of town.
But did it even need asking?
Their homeroom teacher was the type who couldn’t tolerate the slightest infraction.
The real kicker was how late Teacher Lou returned—not just late, but reeking of booze.
It’s over.
The “Yi Yan CP” they’d been shipping for the past half month was probably in for a bad end tonight.
Lin Huayan closed the math workbook she’d been reviewing through two class periods, capped her pen, and rose from her chair. “Come out with me for a moment.”
Lou Yixuan’s heart skipped a beat. Here comes another scolding.
She nodded obediently, then called out to the students, “Babies… classmates, keep an eye on the time yourselves. If you have questions about the homework, we’ll chat about them in the group over the weekend.”
Lin Jianlu waggled her paintbrush. “Got it, Teacher Lou. You go take care of things with Teacher Lin. See you next week.”
“Yeah, yeah, Xuan… Teacher Lou, hurry and go handle your business.” Zhang Xiao chimed in loudly. “I’ll keep them in line and make sure the homework gets done.”
“…Alright. See you next week.”
Once outside the classroom, Lou Yixuan’s heart thumped nervously like a drum. “Class is almost over. Why don’t you come upstairs with me, Teacher Lin?”
A private spot with no onlookers—at least it’d save some face.
Lin Huayan said nothing, striding ahead toward the stairwell.
The moment they entered the office, she fixed Lou Yixuan with a stare and demanded, “You’ve been drinking?”
