Just like that, with a bit of clever banter from afar, Liang Sheng boosted Dong Yue’s favorability toward her by over a dozen points.
“Impressive, Liang Sheng,” Kazuko said, looking her up and down. “As the ancient proverb goes, a scholar who has been away for three days must be looked at with fresh eyes! Brilliant! Brilliant!”
The praise left Liang Sheng a little embarrassed—shy, annoyed, and fighting back a laugh.
“Get outta here,” Liang Sheng shot back with a laugh. “You pick up a few lines of poetry and start mangling them, even tossing in fancy classical phrases out of nowhere? If you’re gonna tease me, you don’t have to roast me that hard.”
“Hahaha!” Kazuko doubled over, clutching her belly in laughter.
After their playful tussle, Teacher Dong Yue arrived.
“Hello, Teacher~” Liang Sheng greeted her politely once more.
“Let’s go, little one.” Without her usual professional outfit, Dong Yue seemed far less stern than she did at school—much gentler now, her face lit with more smiles.
Sigh. Teachers were one way in school and another outside, as expected. That whole serious, stern, and cool persona? Mostly just an act to keep students in line.
“Mm-hmm~” Liang Sheng bounced along happily behind Dong Yue.
The streets were packed with people, most out stocking up on New Year’s goods or shopping for new clothes.
“Teacher, aren’t you going to pick up a couple of new outfits? It’s almost New Year’s!” Liang Sheng tugged at Dong Yue’s sleeve and pointed upstairs.
“Ah, I already got some this year.”
Liang Sheng felt a twinge of disappointment. Another chance to butter her up, gone. She felt like a total simp right now—even more than Su Ze—but she didn’t mind one bit. The sight of Su Ze eating humble pie made her so giddy she could practically fly. From now on, watching him flop would be one of life’s greatest joys.
“Then, Teacher, how about we grab some fruit?”
The dazzling display of food made Liang Sheng’s stomach rumble in those telltale hungry gurgles (you know the ones). Browsing the food hall felt like pure torture for both her appetite and her wallet. Without Dong Yue there, she’d probably have hauled home an armload of junk food.
But teachers didn’t like students who were like that.
This time, though, Liang Sheng had it wrong. Dong Yue stared intently at the snacks, her face flushing red as she secretly swallowed, stealing quick glances at Liang Sheng for fear she’d notice.
Ah~ Liang Sheng caught every bit of it. So Teacher Dong Yue had a weakness for snacks. Perfect—one stone, two birds.
“Teacher, let’s grab some snacks! I love them, and my mom does too. How about you?” Liang Sheng name-dropped her mom on purpose, signaling that snack lovers weren’t just kids—grown-ups could indulge too.
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Dong Yue’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 33”
Clever as she was, Dong Yue knew exactly what her student was doing—giving her a graceful out.
“Mm, I like snacks too.” Dong Yue nodded, her cheeks still pink.
“Ey hey! Teacher loves snacks too? Where else can you find a teacher this awesome? Someone young and lively like Teacher Dong Yue is perfect for bonding with students.” Liang Sheng gave Dong Yue’s role as a teacher her full-throated endorsement.
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Dong Yue’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 35”
Another warm surge flowed through Dong Yue’s heart. All she ever wanted was validation and praise for being a teacher—and Liang Sheng had delivered both in spades.
“Come on, come on!” Liang Sheng seized the moment and took Dong Yue’s hand, leading her into the snack aisle.
“Teacher, I know all the best ones. Let me recommend a few—you’ll love them, I guarantee!” Liang Sheng patted her chest confidently and flashed a thumbs-up.
After rattling off a stream of suggestions, Liang Sheng panted as she pushed a massive cart piled high with snacks. Dong Yue was just as hooked, dying to tear into a bag right then and there. The pair had completely forgotten the real reason for their mall trip.
“Ah!” Liang Sheng slapped her forehead as it hit her. “Teacher, we need to hurry and get those dried fruits and fresh ones! Didn’t you say guests were coming over? Sorry, I totally spaced and dragged you through half a day of snack shopping…”
Dong Yue glanced at her wristwatch. Plenty of time left. “It’s fine. We can browse a bit longer.”
“No way, Teacher—let’s get what you actually need.” Liang Sheng took her hand again.
Dong Yue gazed at Liang Sheng’s hand in hers, a little dazed. Her students were always so deferential or timid around her. None had ever treated her like a big sister the way Liang Sheng did.
“Teacher, about those guests… Ah, I’m not prying or anything. I just want to know their ages so I can suggest stuff they’ll like.”
Dong Yue nodded, pleased. What a thoughtful girl.
“There are kids, adults, and of course elders too—probably seven or eight people altogether.” Dong Yue wore heels and tried to match Liang Sheng’s pace, but the height made it a struggle.
Liang Sheng, ever observant, quickly spotted the odd hitch in Dong Yue’s step. She knew the culprit: blisters from those heels. Only another woman could understand that pain so well.
“Teacher, what’s your shoe size?” Liang Sheng asked casually while browsing the food, as if it were just chit-chat.
Dong Yue didn’t overthink it, assuming her student just wanted to make small talk. “Me? About a 37.”
“Wow, Teacher’s feet are so dainty! Small feet look amazing in shoes—no wonder you have such great style.” Liang Sheng set down the dragon fruit in her hand, smiled at Dong Yue, and laid on the compliments.
Dong Yue blushed, feeling almost flirted with. She shot Liang Sheng a playful glare, but inside, she was thrilled. After all, what woman didn’t love hearing praise for her looks and poise?
“Oof, Teacher, wait right here. I gotta hit the bathroom.” Liang Sheng doubled over, clutching her stomach, abandoned the cart, and bolted off.
Poor kid must’ve eaten something bad. Dong Yue shook her head. Kids and their lack of self-control—always giving in to cravings. No surprise she’d upset her stomach.
Dong Yue leaned against the wall to wait.
But after waiting left and right, Liang Sheng still hadn’t returned.
What was going on? Had she gotten lost? Or was she stuck in there without tissue? Dong Yue checked her watch and started to worry. Time was running short—where on earth had Liang Sheng gone?
“Swish~” Favorability decreased.
“Dong Yue’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 34.5”
