Chapter 94

Lin Huayan received a message from Lou Yixuan just as the bell rang, saying she was waiting at Teacher Du’s place for her to come back to the dorm for lunch. She instructed the class representative to collect the papers, didn’t even grab her laptop from the office, and hurried straight out of the classroom toward the dormitory.

Lou Yixuan held the thermos bucket, poking her head around nervously at the door of Du Heming’s dorm room.

Du Heming couldn’t stand it anymore and teased her again. “Lou Lou, look at you acting like such a little wife. You and Teacher Lin, are you… you…”

She’d originally wanted to ask who topped and who bottomed between her and Teacher Lin, but decided against it.

Too private.

Top or bottom, it was all love.

Looking at Lou Yixuan and Teacher Lin’s vibes, neither seemed like the type who wouldn’t let the other touch them. Back-and-forth love sounded just fine.

Though she was used to topping, she could bottom too.

Sigh.

When would it be her turn to say to Lou Yixuan—the marriage registration stage is steadily progressing?

It hadn’t even been a week!

Counting on her fingers, they’d only reconciled six days ago, and here Lou Yixuan was, confidently talking about advancing to the marriage registration stage.

Du Heming had no choice but to believe her.

No way to compare—they were rekindling an old flame, so of course their progress was faster.

The chatter behind her trailed off. Lou Yixuan turned back. “We’re what? Why’d you stop halfway, hemming and hawing?”

“Not saying.”

Du Heming slumped in her chair, leg crossed, hands dangling, head thrown back with a long sigh. “Right now, I’m like a bitter melon soaked in sugar syrup—not fully sweetened yet.”

“Pfft.” Lou Yixuan burst out laughing. “Teacher Du, you sound like a desperate spinster.”

“Hmph, as if you’re not one too.”

“…” Fine, she wouldn’t deny she was a little desperate to marry too—but only for Lin Huayan.

She and Lin Huayan already ate and slept together, nights filled with passion. How far could marriage be?

As they chatted, the sharp click of high heels echoed down the corridor.

Lou Yixuan couldn’t wait any longer and said goodbye to Du Heming. “Teacher Du, see you at dinner. We’ll confirm the time in the group chat this afternoon.”

“Go on, go on. Once a girl grows up, she can’t be kept at home.”

Du Heming pretended to wipe away tears, putting on a dramatic show. “Remember to save me a seat at the main table.”

Lou Yixuan called back, “Don’t worry, we’ll save two seats for you guys.”

“Two seats?” Lin Huayan appeared at the door. She’d walked briskly for a few minutes, leaving her a bit flushed and breathless—and Lou Yixuan caught every bit of it.

“What else could it be?” Du Heming sat up inside and shouted back. “Seats at the wedding’s main table!”

Lin Huayan heard that.

Lou Yixuan hurried out the door. “Let’s head to your room. Let Teacher Du cry on her own.”

Lin Huayan smiled, turned to swipe her keycard and open the door. Lou Yixuan helped by closing Du Heming’s door behind them. “Sweet dreams, Teacher Du.”

“…” With those two next door and her all alone—how was she supposed to sleep well?

During lunch break, more teachers started passing through the dormitory building. Lou Yixuan checked both ends of the corridor—no one in sight—then whoosh, she darted into the room even faster than Lin Huayan.

Lin Huayan took her time, changing into slippers by the door. “Even if they saw, it wouldn’t be a big deal. You don’t have to hide.”

“It’s not hiding! I’m just embarrassed!”

Lou Yixuan stood by the desk, defending herself seriously. “I came with homemade food. What if someone sees me with the thermos bucket and asks why I’m bringing you lunch? How would you answer? Then later, if she asks you how it tasted, what would you say? I made it subpar and still brought it—what’s not embarrassing about that?”

“You only thought of that after making it and bringing it over?”

Lin Huayan walked inside and tapped Lou Yixuan’s nose with her fingertip. “Food made by my girlfriend is of course delicious. Have I ever said otherwise?”

“You haven’t eaten it that many times. I want to improve more, fatten you up a bit too.”

Aside from holidays, she had more free time than Lin Huayan. She couldn’t keep freeloading and letting Lin Huayan take care of her forever.

These past few days, Lin Huayan had been rushing out early and back late, busy as could be, yet still worrying every day about whether Lou Yixuan had eaten her three meals properly—like raising a child.

In the mornings, she’d make double portions of breakfast before leaving; Lou Yixuan just had to reheat it. Sometimes she’d even come back early midday or afternoon to cook for her, eat together, then head back for duty or evening study hall.

Lou Yixuan ate well, drank well, and slept soundly every day at home, but Lin Huayan was run ragged without a moment’s rest.

—Teacher Lin, I won’t let myself go hungry. Don’t run back and forth during the day; it’s too tiring.

—Not tiring, it’s close. Thinking of you alone at home, I can’t eat at the cafeteria anyway. Better to come back so we both eat well.

—You’re so cheesy.

—Am I? Didn’t you say you like hearing it? Should I say more?

Ever since they got together, Lin Huayan’s sweet talk had been completely unleashed. Lou Yixuan was surrounded by honeyed words every day—pure bliss.

She wasn’t overthinking it either. These few days were a special case; she was allowing herself a brief bout of lovestruck idleness.

After this week, she’d be busy again. She had ambition too—teaching classes and creating her work.

Lin Huayan held out her palm. “Give me your hand. Let me check if it’s burned.”

“Oil splashed when I was stir-frying the bamboo shoots.”

Lou Yixuan obediently lifted both hands for inspection, pointing her left index finger at the back of her right hand. “A little drop hit here. It stung at the time, but I rinsed it under cold water right away. No blisters.”

No blisters, sure, but Lin Huayan could clearly see the mark from the hot oil—not the “little drop” Lou Yixuan claimed.

If it really had been just a tiny drop, Lou Yixuan wouldn’t have confessed so honestly; she’d have hidden it.

Only because it couldn’t be concealed anymore did she come clean.

“Sit down. I’ll apply some ointment.” Lin Huayan ordered.

“Even without blisters?”

“Skip it, and it might blister by afternoon.” Some burns were delayed.

“…”

Lou Yixuan sat in the chair, staring curiously at the burn spot like she wanted to witness it bubbling up herself.

Lin Huayan grabbed the erythromycin ointment, squeezed some onto the pad of her middle finger, and gently applied and rubbed it in for Lou Yixuan. “You can learn to cook, but only when I’m home. When I’m not, don’t attempt complicated stuff like stir-frying, deep-frying, or braising. Whether it turns out good isn’t the point—the point is I’ll worry about you getting hurt. Got it?”

Worried about her slicing her hand, worried about oil splattering.

Lou Yixuan’s hands were priceless. Publicly or privately, no mishaps allowed while they were together.

“Oh.”

“All done. I’ll go wash my hands.” Lin Huayan put the ointment into the little bag Lou Yixuan had slung over her shoulder. “Apply it a few times this afternoon and evening yourself.”

“Okay.” Lou Yixuan took off the bag from her shoulder and turned toward the balcony. “Teacher Lin, why do you even have burn ointment in your dorm?”

“It’s not just for burns. I wear high heels a lot; my heels get chafed sometimes, and I use that too.”

“Oh, then you keep it. I’ll buy another one later.”

As Lou Yixuan reached to take it out, Lin Huayan—fresh from washing her hands—stopped her. “Apply it to the burn a few extra times this afternoon. I’ll grab some from the infirmary—super convenient.”

“How did I get such a perfect girlfriend?” Lou Yixuan whined coquettishly, wrapping her arms around Lin Huayan’s waist. “Lin Huayan, my self-sufficiency is regressing.”

“Then move back to the apartment?”

“No way.”

“Then enjoy our cohabitation life properly.”

“I’m enjoying it too much.”

“Good girl.” Lin Huayan leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Take out the food. You just applied ointment—don’t wash your hands. There are dry and wet wipes on the table.”

Lou Yixuan had stir-fried just two dishes: bamboo shoots with pork slices, and tomato scrambled eggs.

They looked simple, but even with identical ingredients, steps, and seasonings, hers never tasted like Lin Huayan’s.

Lin Huayan’s were delicious; hers were just edible.

Lou Yixuan sat in the chair, and Lin Huayan dragged over a stool to sit right beside her. “Good color and aroma, but the flavor’s a bit light.”

“…” If Lin Huayan said light, it was light. “Light leaves room for improvement, but oversalted can’t be fixed. See these pork slices? I added a bit of soy sauce for flavor—the color turned out okay, right? So I didn’t dare add more salt.”

She was afraid one extra spoonful would ruin the whole pot.

The pork slices were pre-sliced and portioned by Lin Huayan, frozen in bags—just thaw and go.

The bamboo shoot slices were her own work, from one long stalk.

To avoid cutting herself and for aesthetic evenness—to ensure uniform cooking—she’d spent a full ten minutes slicing.

No wonder one meal took her so long.

“Yes, a bit light but refreshing, with the fresh veggie taste intact.” Lin Huayan picked up a big chunk of egg for Lou Yixuan, ate more tomatoes herself, and paired it with rice.

The rice was the best thing Lou Yixuan had made that day.

At least, that’s what Lou Yixuan thought—but Lin Huayan thought everything was great.

She even scooped up every last bit of sauce from the tomato eggs with her spoon, mixing it into her rice and finishing it all—giving her girlfriend maximum face.

After eating, Lin Huayan checked the time. “Want to nap here at noon?”

Lou Yixuan lit up instantly. “Can we?”

She wasn’t sleepy post-meal, but cuddling Lin Huayan for a nap? She’d be out in under three minutes.

“Why not?” Lin Huayan got up and headed to the wardrobe. “I’ll grab you some sleepwear. Go change—the dishes are mine.”

“Mm.”

Unlike at home, this place carried a thicker whiff of daily life—and Lin Huayan’s scent.

Last time she’d barely glanced around. Today, she could finally take it all in, inch by inch. So she got up and followed to the wardrobe.

Lin Huayan pulled out a summer nightdress. “Skirt okay?”

“Sure.” Lou Yixuan reached for it, draping it over her arm. “Whatever Teacher Lin gives me, I’ll wear. Even if you give nothing.”

She doesn’t believe I won’t get naked on the bed while she stays dressed.

Best if neither of us wears anything.

“…”Wear the slippers from the bathroom.”

“Yes, Teacher Lin.”

“…”Cut back on that phrase from now on.”

Cut back?

Which one?

Yes, Teacher Lin?

Because it sounds too much like teacher-student talk?

Lou Yixuan was still puzzling over why “Yes, Teacher Lin” needed cutting back while changing—and in her absentmindedness, she slipped off her underwear too.

“…”

It was off now—put it back on?

But as she pulled on the skirt, she noticed it had built-in bust pads.

Meaning even if she hadn’t ditched the undies, she’d have had to.

With those thin spaghetti straps, there should be an outer robe too—why hadn’t Lin Huayan grabbed it?

Wait—Lin Huayan has this kind of nightdress?!

Then why were all her long-sleeve and short-sleeve sets at home so “conservative” two-piece pajamas?

Even nine years ago!

Never saw her in a style like this!

Lou Yixuan’s heart raced inexplicably. She pressed her chest to calm down—she had plenty of time to uncover more of Lin Huayan’s hidden sides, known only to her.

Discoveries like this would come again. She had to stay cool, not freak out or pounce hungrily every time.

By the time Lou Yixuan emerged, Lin Huayan had already finished washing the thermos on the balcony.

The vermilion mole below her collarbone nestled against the light coffee spaghetti straps—the expanse of white skin and tiny red dot made Lin Huayan’s heart tremble.

Last year, on reunion day, a spaghetti strap dress on Lou Yixuan made her an ethereal elf. Today, it made her a seductive, sexy kitten.

Lou Yixuan was pleased with Lin Huayan’s subtle reaction. “Teacher Lin, I want some water.”

“Go inside first; I’ll pour it.” She called her back right away. “Wait—no, stay on the balcony. I’ll grab you some mouthwash first. Rinse before drinking.”

“Give me your clothes; I’ll hang them.” Before going in, Lin Huayan took the bundle from Lou Yixuan’s arms too.

Between the bed and wardrobe stood a one-meter clothing rack.

Lin Huayan hung the clothes and pants on two hangers, then fetched two portable mouthwashes from the bookshelf’s misc shelf—one on the desk for now, the other handed to Lou Yixuan. “Lime flavor.”

“Okay.”

Lou Yixuan rinsed her mouth, her mind already plotting how to kiss Lin Huayan next.

The forced kiss during their tense standoff in the Art Office didn’t count. Today would be their first proper kiss on school grounds.

Only counts if their tongues touched.

Lin Huayan used the kettle to boil half a bottle of mineral water. She grabbed her usual cup, mixed in some cold water, tested the temperature, and handed it over to Lou Yixuan. “Here, warm water.”

The two of them often shared the same cup at home too. For a couple, using one cup was the most basic form of everyday intimacy.

But Lou Yixuan had already noticed this was one of a matching pair—and both were spotlessly clean.

After taking the cup and sipping a little, she pointed at the bookshelf. “Are you using the other cup too?”