Chapter 26

The lecture hall was packed with students. Class had just ended, and with only two doors at the front and back, the exits were completely jammed.

Some students didn’t want to squeeze through the crowd and stayed in their seats, playing on their phones while admiring Huo Lixue’s stunning beauty. They grinned from ear to ear, snapping photos nonstop.

“Oh my gosh, Teacher Huo is too mesmerizing. That figure, that aura, paired with that face—snagging her class was my lucky break, pure good fortune.”

“My high school bestie just saw Teacher Huo’s photos online too. She said she should’ve studied harder to get into Polytechnic University. She’s jealous I got into her class, and even more jealous of the grad students she supervises—they get to be around her up close every day, taking beauty hits nonstop.”

“Tell your bestie to step it up and apply to be one of Teacher Huo’s grad students.”

“Nah, better not. I hear Teacher Huo is super strict about research—not the yelling kind, but the responsible type. She’ll smile while pushing you to be thorough, making you fix every mistake. No slacking by. Her grad students all grind themselves to the bone; they don’t even seem human anymore. My bestie’s lazy—couldn’t handle the study grind.”

Mid-conversation, a collective “whoa” erupted around them. In the next few seconds, whoas filled the entire classroom.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! What was Teacher Huo smiling at on her phone just now? Those slightly upturned eye corners, leaning casually against the lectern with that lazy lip curl—oh my god!”

“Teacher Huo must be chatting with her significant other. That smile was so sweet and captivating.”

“Nah, I think she’s single. Hard to imagine who could ever be good enough for her.”

Sucker. I’m the sucker landlord.

Seeing those words from Xia Jing, Huo Lixue couldn’t help it. She leaned her lower back against the lectern and let out a soft laugh.

Before she could reply, the classroom exploded in a fresh wave of whoas, one after another.

Huo Lixue looked up in confusion, glancing puzzled at the students. What was going on?

Going by proximity, she smiled at the students in the front row who hadn’t left. “What’s up with you all?”

The girl’s face instantly flushed red. Oh god, don’t smile at me like that. She took a deep breath. “Nothing.”

“What are you whoa-ing about?”

“Just whoa-ing for fun.”

“Hm?”

“Really, Teacher Huo, nothing. College students aren’t normal anyway.”

Since they weren’t willing to say, Huo Lixue didn’t push. She smiled, picked up her book, and left the classroom, reminding them on her way out to head back and rest early.

They all chorused agreement. She’d barely stepped out when the whoas started up again inside.

Huo Lixue shook her head with a sigh. Young people had so much energy.

At the stairwell, she ran into Li Qing, who had also just finished class. Huo Lixue tilted her chin toward the still croaking classroom. “What’s your class yelling about?”

Huo Lixue headed downstairs with her. “They’re playing around.”

“Playing?”

“Yeah, they said playing. Maybe some imitation game or something—I have no idea. They didn’t invite me.”

“Didn’t invite you?” Li Qing looked baffled. Was that even possible? Huo Lixue was super popular with students. “For real?”

Huo Lixue nodded. “Totally real. They wouldn’t tell me. Probably think there’s a generation gap.”

They reached the school gate together. It wasn’t too late, so Li Qing asked, “Wanna hit a bar for a drink?”

“Not tonight.” Huo Lixue checked her phone. “I’ve got something to do.”

After Li Qing left, Huo Lixue scanned the area carefully. By her guess, Xia Jing should be nearby.

She quickly spotted her target. Huo Lixue’s lips curved up, and she walked over.

~~~

Xia Jing regretted sending that message the moment it went out. What was she doing? Why wander over here? Why ask where Huo Lixue was? And why blurt out that she was the poor sap?

Calling herself a poor sap basically screamed that she was here to pick her up.

She took a deep breath of cool air, her palms slightly warm. Minutes passed with no reply from Huo Lixue.

Still busy?

Xia Jing ground a pebble under her foot, then walked a bit farther to stand under a large camphor tree to the left of the gate. She watched the passing crowds for a while and sighed.

She hesitated between leaving and staying.

If she left, when Huo Lixue asked later, she could say she hadn’t gotten a reply, waited a bit, and gone home. Reasonable explanation, no dodging.

Xia Jing pursed her lips. But she was already here…

Screw it. She was here—might as well wait a little longer for the reply.

Her spot was a bit higher than the gate, with a great view. She’d spot Huo Lixue coming out clearly.

But while she was replying to a work message on her phone, she completely missed Huo Lixue approaching from behind. Huo Lixue tugged lightly on the hood of her hoodie and pulled back.

The move was so sudden that Xia Jing jolted, startled. She whipped around on instinct.

Huo Lixue burst out laughing at her chain reaction, unable to stop.

Last night she’d found her so alluring. Now she seemed like a big kid, flailing at the slightest scare.

Seeing Huo Lixue laughing so hard her waist shook, Xia Jing stared: …

“Your students are coming over.”

Huo Lixue immediately straightened up, looking all proper, and turned to check. People passed by, but no one noticed her, and no students headed their way.

Huo Lixue turned back, eyes glinting dangerously. “Scaring me?”

Xia Jing shot back, “Can’t handle a little scare?”

Oh, really?

Did being her landlord mean she outranked her?

That tone—no respect for teacher at all. Huo Lixue took a deep breath, stepped closer with a half-smile, exuding a dangerous vibe. “I can’t handle a scare?”

Xia Jing faltered a bit, taking half a step back. “Uh.”

The sky was darkening, so Huo Lixue couldn’t see the veins on her hand. She made a move like she was about to deal with her. “Which?”

“Someone’s walking toward you.” Xia Jing said.

Same trick again. Huo Lixue’s smile turned even more dangerous. She raised her hand, ready to strike.

“Teacher Huo.” A colleague called from behind her.

Huo Lixue froze. She recognized the voice—someone from the same office. She turned with a warm smile. “Heading home, Teacher Zhou?”

“Out for a dinner with friends.” Teacher Zhou glanced curiously at Xia Jing while speaking. Huo Lixue rarely got this close with anyone, and this girl looked young. “Who’s this?”

Huo Lixue smiled as she introduced her. “A kid from home. Came specially to pick me up after work.”

“I see, that’s rare. I have a niece about her age, but she’s never once picked me up.” Teacher Zhou said. “Won’t chat more—off to my dinner. Don’t let me hold up your trip home.”

After Teacher Zhou left, Xia Jing said, “I’ll be twenty-two soon.”

“Hm?”

“Not a kid anymore.” Xia Jing had never liked being treated like a child by Huo Lixue—not back then, either.

When Huo Lixue had been her tutor, she’d never called her “teacher.” Once they got close, no matter how Huo Lixue wheedled or threatened, that “teacher” never passed her lips.

Huo Lixue settled for “sister,” but for some reason, she’d never called her “Huo-jie” either.

As if calling her teacher or sister would make Huo Lixue really see her as a kid.

She hadn’t understood why at the time. Later, after Huo Lixue left and family trouble hit, as her feelings for Huo Lixue crystallized, it made sense.

What was wrong with being seen as a kid? It meant being spoiled and pampered, the carefree days of youth.

People were like that—wanting to grow up fast when young, longing to go back when older.

Huo Lixue replied, “You’re still way younger than me. How aren’t you a kid?”

“Only seven years.” Xia Jing said.

The little landlord was stubborn. Her old tenant Huo Lixue was stubborn too. “Seven or eight years is still a lot. When I was in elementary school, you were still on milk. When I started college, you hadn’t even finished elementary. That’s a big gap.”

Huo Lixue rattled on.

Xia Jing’s ears buzzed. She suddenly said, “Huo Lixue, you look like a kid when you argue.”

The ever-elegant Professor Huo wanted to roll her eyes. Was this a joke? Someone calling her childish? She was nearly thirty, in her prime intellectual years.

Childish, huh?

Huo Lixue took a deep breath, stepped forward, flicked up her skirt hem, lifted her foot gracefully—and childishly kicked Xia Jing’s shin.

Xia Jing’s leg stung. She yelped in pain, staring shocked at Huo Lixue. Possessed?

Huo Lixue smoothed her skirt, then strode off elegantly in her heels.

Xia Jing called after her. “Where are you going?”

Huo Lixue glanced back. “Kindergarten.”

Wasn’t she here to pick her up? Weren’t they going home together? Xia Jing opened her mouth, then closed it.

Huo Lixue waved at her, then left, heading back into Polytechnic University. Her figure vanished into the crowd.

Xia Jing stood there a moment, then strolled home leisurely. She grabbed a bowl of beef noodle soup at the alley entrance, then showered after getting home. As hot water poured over her, she bent down to touch the spot Huo Lixue had kicked.

Slightly red—because her skin was so fair. It didn’t even hurt anymore.

Huo Lixue hadn’t put any real force into it. If she had, with heels that sharp, her leg would’ve been bruised black and blue. She’d have had to crawl home along the curb tonight.

Xia Jing tilted her head back, letting hot water pour over her face. Thinking of Huo Lixue kicking her, her lips curved faintly.

That was the real Huo Lixue.

In her memories, Huo Lixue always had that teacher vibe. Back when she’d tutored her, Huo Lixue hadn’t graduated yet—was still in grad school. She’d been serious then, drilling every subject and knowledge point without letting Xia Jing slack off at all.

One night, Xia Jing’s gaming itch hit hard. She pulled an all-nighter, half-assed the homework Huo Lixue assigned, and got caught red-handed at a glance.

Huo Lixue dealt with her hands-on—a smack right on her butt.

Not hard, but the feeling? A tingling numbness, scalp prickling too.

Huo Lixue crossed her arms, smiling. “Will there be a next time?”

Xia Jing rubbed her backside, shaking her head outwardly—though inwardly, she didn’t dare admit there might be.

After tests, good scores meant rewards: outings, treats, or days off. Bad scores meant punishment—a light smack on the butt.

Huo Lixue had been a bit frustrated then, doubting her teaching skills.

Xia Jing studied fine normally but always tanked exams, no progress.

How could she know? Compared to rewards for good scores, what Xia Jing craved more was that smack—the real reward.

And now Huo Lixue was getting handsy again…

Xia Jing shut off the shower, took a deep breath, dressed, and went out.

It wasn’t that she liked getting hit—just that when Huo Lixue did it, the feeling was oddly thrilling.

Hard to describe that scalp-tingling sensation.

Her phone buzzed. A text from Huo Lixue: 【Still got that bruise ointment from last time?】

Duh, of course. Huo Lixue had bought a ton last time—enough for a full-body beatdown.

Xia Jing replied: 【Nope】

Huo Lixue: 【Then tough it out, poor sap. Doesn’t hurt】

They dropped it there. Their chats always started and ended abruptly, often short. They’d used the rental app before; now it was texts. No WeChat added.

They had numbers but no WeChat. Xia Jing hesitated, deciding to hold off for now.

~~~

Huo Lixue had no plans to head to Xia Jing’s place for the moment. Lately, she’d been waking up in the deep night, then craving… hard. The situation was getting bad.

She’d already slipped once in front of Xia Jing. If it happened again…

Huo Lixue rubbed her sweaty forehead, cleaned the little item, took a quick shower, and wearily crawled back into bed.

The next day was sunny.

Saturday—no classes. She could’ve slept in, but Huo Lixue rose early, hit the spa for a skincare treatment, changed into a prepped outfit and skirt, and drove to the Huo Family Old Mansion.

Not the place from last time—that was Huo Xu’s own house. He’d moved out of the old mansion years ago.

The old mansion wasn’t in the city; it took time to drive. Huo Lixue had left super early. She rarely went—the visits numbered on one hand—so she needed navigation.

The Huo Family came from scholarly roots, with an imperial exam top scholar in their lineage. Old Master Huo held high prestige in education, even retired. For his eightieth birthday, lots of people came.

He had two sons and a daughter. Huo Xu ranked second, the only one in business among the kids—though still tied to education.

When Huo Lixue arrived, guests hadn’t started showing. She took a deep breath and entered the living room.

The warm family chatter quieted briefly at her arrival, the mood turning subtly awkward. Only after Old Master Huo sipped his tea and set down the cup did those present greet her. “Lixue’s here.”

Huo Lixue smiled mildly, walked over composedly, and said politely, “Happy birthday, Grandpa.”

Old Master Huo paused a beat. “Sit.”

Huo Lixue sat quietly, listening to their family talk. Huo Qi glanced her way now and then; she pretended not to notice.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Huo Qi: 【Not awkward?】

Huo Lixue ignored it, keeping her composed face. Guests trickled in, spotting the unfamiliar face. Smiling, one asked, “Who’s this?”

Her poise suggested a young relative’s date.

Old Master Huo introduced casually, “Distant relative.”

The other Huos showed no surprise at that.

“Ah, no wonder she looks unfamiliar. I know all the Huo young ones. Seeing a new face today, I thought I’d gone senile.”

Then the usual routine: Old Master Huo gave a speech onstage, guests offered birthday wishes, and networking kicked off at the banquet. Coming here, birthday wishes were secondary—connections and deals over drinks were the real game.

Huo Lixue stood in an inconspicuous corner holding juice, quietly watching it all.

Her aura, looks, speech—everything screamed she belonged. But she knew, skin deep, she didn’t. Not a shred. And the Huo Family had never accepted her.

Lost in thought a moment, Huo Qi approached with a wine glass, tilting her head with a smile and nodding at young men in the crowd. “Blue suit over there—second son of Qiao Pharmaceuticals, single. Black suit with glasses to the right—sole son of Lixin University’s board chair, heir to Lixin Group, unmarried, handsome too. Farther left-rear, eldest grandson of Zhou Building Materials—married once, divorced for work, has a daughter. All solid options. Why not go say hi, make some connections?”

Huo Lixue gazed at her coolly. Huo Qi’s eyes smiled, but it was all mockery, no sincerity.

Huo Lixue replied flatly, “They really are. You go.”

“Me?” Huo Qi laughed, leaning in close to whisper, “I don’t need to schmooze or climb. You do. Back when you begged to come back—wasn’t it for this?”

“Huo Lixue, Professor Huo, heh. What are you playing at?”

“Or are they not good enough? Guy next to Uncle—Zhang Real Estate VP, talented and looks the part. Rumor he’s Director Zhang’s illegitimate son, listed under Mrs. Zhang’s name for the family image. Perfect match for you.”

“Still no? This is the best the Huo Family can offer. I don’t get you. You pop back, claim ancestry, act like you want nothing—can’t you see the disdain? Grandpa won’t even call you granddaughter, just ‘distant relative.’ Deaf?”

“What do you even want? Revenge on Dad for dumping your mom? They dated free and split clean. She had you secretly. Who to blame?”

Huo Lixue remained breezy, gazing lightly. Huo Qi’s throat hurt from talking, voice hoarse with anger. She swore, “Sicko.”

Frustrated like punching cotton, she stormed off.

The banquet hall glowed bright. Huo Lixue stood in the light and shadow, shifting her foot slightly to a shadowed spot. She looked at the sharply dressed crowd, her own polished reflection in the silver pillar beside her, and smiled faintly.

They had something in common after all—wearing the same disgusting, hypocritical mask.

~~~

Over recent years, Huo Lixue had invested with friends, earning good dividends. Her suburban villa—bought before transferring to Polytechnic University—was cheap then; value doubled now.

No plans to sell. She was prepping renovations lately.

The Huo Family Old Mansion trip stirred no ripples. Unimportant people—not worth her emotions.

Afternoon free, she messaged the studio friend-recommended earlier about availability. If free, they could meet that afternoon.

Lu Qingou wasn’t in town but got the message and sent Xia Jing right to the coffee shop, passing her the work contact. “Call when you arrive.”

Xia Jing changed, did light makeup, grabbed the plans, and cabbed over. At the coffee shop door, she dialed.

It rang a few times. Connected.

Xia Jing said politely, “Hello, Lady Ming. I’m at the door. Which table?”

Silence.

Xia Jing: “Hello?”

She checked the screen—connected, signal fine.

“Hello?”

Next second, a beep. Hung up.

Xia Jing: ???

What? She stood at the door a bit, then walked in. Coffee shop wasn’t huge. She’d call while searching.

A few steps in, she froze. Huo Lixue was here.

Huo Lixue raised a brow and smiled at her. “Sit.”

Xia Jing didn’t. “No, I’ve got business.”

Huo Lixue hummed. “Do it with me.”

Xia Jing had no time for jokes. “No messing around. Real business.”

Xia Jing kept walking inside, dialing again. Connected. Then a familiar voice from the phone.

“No messing around. Sit.”