Chapter 59: Regret
“These past few days, many students have been consulting me about relationship problems. If everyone needs it, I can consider doing a special lecture to answer everyone’s confusion in this area.”
Gu Zhi slowly closed the book, the chalk falling into the box with a crisp sound, dusting off the chalk dust on her fingertips. She smiled gently and intellectually. “But, I don’t have a boyfriend yet, so don’t blindly believe me. I’m just a half-baked expert myself.”
The humorous joke elicited laughter from the classroom. Such a lively atmosphere was rare in an afternoon class. A young and beautiful teacher always had a slight advantage. Gu Zhi stood on the stage, the long corners of her eyes crinkling with a charming smile. She seemed to be able to easily dispel the drowsy atmosphere in the classroom, attracting everyone’s attention.
“I think this should be everyone’s last class. Tomorrow is National Day, so we’ll dismiss early.”
Gu Zhi clapped her hands, echoing the thoughts of most people in the classroom, and won another round of cheers. “That’s it then. I hope everyone has a happy and fulfilling holiday. Class dismissed.”
The classroom erupted in cheers. A large number of people rushed out of the classroom with their schoolbags, leaving many seats empty.
Su Yu glanced at Gu Chuan. “Are you going straight home from the dorm?”
“Yeah, the driver will pick me up later.” Gu Chuan nodded and stuffed his books into his bag.
“Aren’t you going back tonight, Su Yu?” Lu Siyuan interjected, asking Su Yu.
Su Yu patted Gu Chuan’s shoulder. “Probably not. The rich young master is treating me to a hotel tonight.”
Unfortunately, Chu Feng hadn’t agreed to go hiking with them during National Day. Taking advantage of the double pay during the holiday, he had found a part-time job and would be working as a laborer for a few days. He had even skipped class today.
“Sigh, so I’m the only one in the dorm tonight?” Lu Siyuan looked dejected, his face full of regret.
“You little punk, stop pretending.” Gu Chuan immediately called him out, pointing at Lu Siyuan’s forehead. “My classmate told me, you invited her to our dorm tonight. Be careful, don’t break my bed.”
“Get lost, get lost.” Lu Siyuan’s face flushed red. “I wasn’t planning on doing that. Just playing cards.”
“Hah, playing cards. I think it’s more like three-on-one.” Gu Chuan sneered, unconvinced.
“Bye, I’m leaving too.”
An Zhi bounced over and said goodbye to Su Yu and the others with a smile.
“So eager? Got a date with a boy?” Gu Chuan teased An Zhi with a smile.
“Pfft! Gu Chuan, you’re so annoying.” An Zhi’s face flushed red, and she was not happy. Her sweet, childish voice lacked any authority. “I have a date with my sister. There’s no boy.”
An Zhi glared at Gu Chuan fiercely and turned to leave.
…
“Excuse me, is Su Yu in this class?”
The boy turned around in confusion and stared at the girl, momentarily forgetting the question.
“Hmm? Didn’t you hear me?” The girl didn’t get a response and frowned, her beautiful eyes, hidden beneath dark eyeshadow, seemed to be able to captivate souls.
“Luo… Xiaoxiao?” The boy recognized the girl in front of him, but the name Su Yu was unfamiliar to him. He was probably a student from another major in the same class.
The students pouring out of the classroom crowded the doorway. Many people at Qingchuan University knew Luo Xiaoxiao, mostly from the military training welcome party.
Luo Xiaoxiao on stage, with her high ponytail, her long black hair flowing like a waterfall, had left a wild and passionate impression in many people’s minds.
These past few days, concert flyers had been posted everywhere. The grand promotion had created quite a stir online, burning a lot of money, just to hold a non-profit concert.
Luo Xiaoxiao raised her eyebrows, ignoring the gazes. “Aren’t you guys leaving? You’re blocking the way.”
The crowd parted. Luo Xiaoxiao walked into the classroom and looked up at Gu Zhi on the podium. She was smiling and talking to Gu Chuan and the others. But Luo Xiaoxiao looked at the woman’s gentle, spring-like smile with a hint of disgust in her eyes.
“Xiaoxiao, what are you doing here?”
Gu Chuan saw Luo Xiaoxiao at the door and was very surprised. “Shouldn’t you be at the studio now?”
“We’re done over there.”
“Then… do you still need Su Yu?”
Luo Xiaoxiao looked at Su Yu, who was chatting animatedly with Gu Zhi, and smiled coldly. “Of course, why not? Didn’t we agree?”
“Xiaoxiao, you and Gu Zhi…” Gu Chuan sensed something was wrong and stood in front of Luo Xiaoxiao.
“We know each other. It’s nothing.”
Luo Xiaoxiao pushed past Gu Chuan, her combat boots thudding on the ground. She walked with her long, slender legs, her thin black stockings accentuating her beautiful curves. Her graceful waist swayed, like an alluring, fiery demon.
“Long time no see, Sister Gu.” Luo Xiaoxiao’s tone was cold, her deep eyeliner hiding her expression.
A shadow crossed Gu Zhi’s eyes, but it was quickly hidden by a smile. Gu Zhi hated being interrupted when she was talking, especially when she was talking to the boy in front of her.
Gu Zhi looked sideways at the arrogant girl. The coldness in Luo Xiaoxiao’s demeanor melted in her gentle gaze.
“You’re… Xiaoxiao? You’ve grown so much. The last time I saw you, you were still in junior high, with pigtails. You were so cute. Now…” Gu Zhi’s eyes crinkled into a smile. “You’re a bit different.”
“Is that so? Sister Gu is still the same as before.” Luo Xiaoxiao pursed her lips and smiled sweetly, full of youthful energy. “But I misspoke. My manners were not good. Given your age, sister, wouldn’t it be more respectful to call you Auntie Gu?”
“Haha, I still prefer you to call me sister. I’d rather be younger.”
“Okay then, I’ll still call you Sister Gu. But I have some things to do with my friend. You should be done with class, sister. And besides…”
Luo Xiaoxiao looked at Gu Zhi’s hand, which was still on Su Yu’s wrist. “As a teacher and someone of your status, it wouldn’t look good if your family saw you being so intimate with a student in private. It would be a joke.”
“Aren’t you overthinking it, Xiaoxiao? We’re just chatting. But since you have something to do with Su Yu, I won’t stop you.”
Gu Zhi looked at Luo Xiaoxiao intently and released her hand. Her long, slender fingers slid down his veins, her fingertips lingering for a moment, as if cherishing a hard-earned treasure.
“Xiao Yu, let’s talk next time.”
“Oh… okay.” Su Yu was stunned and nodded. He hadn’t expected Gu Zhi to know Luo Xiaoxiao. It seemed that, as Gu Chuan had said, the upper class circle was very small.
…
Gu Zhi silently watched as Luo Xiaoxiao and Su Yu left the classroom together. Her delicate, pale fingers brushed over the skin at the corners of her eyes. It was still smooth and delicate. She still had a youthful body, but it was like a ripening kiwi, having lost the sourness of youth, leaving only the mature charm of ripeness.
When did she start to regret?
That parting was her negligence. She was an unqualified master.
This time… I will never abandon you again.
