Neither knew where this tacit understanding came from, but Lou Yixuan’s jacket that day was a light gray trench coat, remarkably similar in color to the knit long skirt Lin Huayan wore underneath.
To be precise, it was a shade lighter.
Underneath, she layered a plaid shirt in earthy tones, paired with high-waisted black straight-leg pants and Martin boots.
If the two of them walked down the street dressed like that, at least seven out of ten people would assume they were a couple.
This was one of the main reasons Lou Yixuan was in such a great mood today.
The fresh-cut beef came in clumps, blood-red and visibly fresh.
The first time the server added it to the pot, they only poured in half, saying it needed to simmer for over ten minutes before it was edible. They also asked if the server should grill the small steaks on the iron plate now.
The hotpot had an iron grill surrounding the soup base for barbecuing meat.
Unsure how long Lin Huayan’s “hand-washing break” would take, Lou Yixuan asked the server for tips on grilling the steaks.
She planned to handle it herself once Lin Huayan returned—for the birthday girl, she’d provide the service.
After washing her hands, she took off her jacket and snapped a few food pics with her phone, sending a couple to Lu Lingxuan.
【Lou Yixuan: Check out this beef. Fake? Tenfold compensation.】
【Lu Lingxuan: Who cares about the beef! I want pics of the stunning beauty across from you treating you to beef! Hurry up!】
【Lou Yixuan: Nope.】
【Lu Lingxuan: Knew it, you’re being all sneaky. Those are stolen shots, aren’t they?】
【Lou Yixuan: So what?】
【Lu Lingxuan: Little Black Flower, go ahead and boil your conscience too—it’s long gone anyway.】
【Lou Yixuan: Fine, I’ll taste-test it for you.】
Lin Huayan lingered in the restroom for five minutes, scrubbing her hands over ten times. While others used hot water, she rinsed with cold and skipped the hand dryer.
Only once the flush from her cheeks faded and the heat subsided did she remove her coat and fix her appearance.
As she emerged, she spotted Lou Yixuan from afar, cradling her phone and grinning—her hand movements suggested she was chatting with someone.
Lin Huayan spaced out mid-stride.
Because that’s when she realized Lou Yixuan hadn’t smiled at her in any of their recent meetings.
Not even a polite one.
Yet she’d smiled at students. At her phone.
As Lin Huayan neared the table, Lou Yixuan glanced up, her face neutral and unreadable: “The beef in the soup needs more time. I’ll grill some steaks first.”
“Let the server handle it.” Lin Huayan sat with a blank expression, folding her coat and stacking it on the sofa chair.
“Too many guests—the servers are swamped. Better to DIY.”
Lou Yixuan already had the grilling tongs in hand. “What, doesn’t Teacher Lin trust my skills? Afraid I’ll undercook it and give you food poisoning?”
“No.”
Just afraid you’ll burn your hand.
A painter’s hands were as precious as a musician’s.
The tongs had barely touched the plate when Lin Huayan seized Lou Yixuan’s hand: “I’m treating, so I’ll be the ‘chef.’ You just eat.”
This was their third skin-to-skin contact since reuniting.
The first had been on the mountain—a fleeting brush while handing over the plastic bag.
The second at the Information Center—Lou Yixuan yanking her wrist free after the Teacher Card exchange.
This time, Lou Yixuan’s mindset was steadier; she didn’t pull away immediately. Neither did Lin Huayan with the stainless-steel tongs.
Her hand felt cool against the back.
Lou Yixuan looked up: “Why are your hands so cold?”
Unlike Lou Yixuan’s cold constitution, Lin Huayan’s palms stayed warm year-round.
It was just handwashing—even with cold water, her body heat should’ve bounced back fast.
“Winter’s almost here. Water’s chilly.”
Hearing the concern, Lin Huayan smoothly reclaimed the tongs. “Which makes this weather perfect for hotpot.”
—Come with me, Teacher Lin. Sure, it’s past the start of spring, but temps haven’t warmed up. It’s still cold out—perfect for hotpot. You’ll feel all warm inside after.
Lou Yixuan sat back properly, left hand propping her cheek, silently staring at the bubbling soup.
“The soup in your bowl’s cooling. Drink it hot,” Lin Huayan prompted.
Yet she didn’t touch her own.
So Lou Yixuan stayed put, switching hands to prop her cheek—this time fixated on Lin Huayan grilling the steaks.
Nails… filed down?
No white edges left at all.
A server in a red uniform approached: “The beef in the pot’s ready. Need help fishing it out?”
Lou Yixuan shook her head: “No thanks, we’ll manage. We’ll call if we need anything.”
She’d never liked servers or sales staff hovering during meals or shopping—it killed her appetite and urge to buy.
The server turned down the flame and retreated.
The savory aroma of the grilled steaks wafted into Lou Yixuan’s nose, stoking her hunger. She really wanted to…
“Steaks are done.” Lin Huayan nodded to her right: “Slide your plate over.”
Lou Yixuan moved her knife and fork with her right hand, pushing the plate with her left: “Thanks.”
Just like a little kitten waiting to be fed.
Lin Huayan had never owned a cat, wouldn’t, and had no clue how to care for or feed one.
But this little kitten? She had plenty of feeding experience.
And she enjoyed it.
Her mood lifting, Lin Huayan served meat while saying: “Black pepper sauce on the table, or sea salt black pepper grinder. Pick your poison.”
She’d grilled three pieces—two for Lou Yixuan, one for herself.
“Mm.” Unlike Lin Huayan’s cheer, a sudden sourness welled in Lou Yixuan.
Suddenly speechless, she silently squeezed on pepper sauce, silently cut, silently ate.
Just like years ago, savoring Lin Huayan’s meticulous “care” at the table.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t do it herself, or was too lazy.
Lin Huayan had once told her: Between us, let me handle the caretaking—especially in public.
Back then, she hadn’t fully grasped it. Even now, she chalked it up to Lin Huayan’s icy facade hiding thin skin—not wanting others to see the elder being tended by a “kid.”
Elders had their pride; she’d respect, uphold, and accommodate it.
Besides, if Lin Huayan said it, she listened. Believed.
After finishing the two steaks, diced boiled beef appeared before her—truly, food delivered right to her mouth.
“Dip it in the chili oil you mixed.”
Lin Huayan’s words and actions made Lou Yixuan’s nose sting, throat tighten—but she didn’t dare blink.
Afraid of tears.
She dipped her head slightly, biting the inside of her lower lip hard to suppress the sour ache, changing the subject: “Didn’t Teacher Lin say there was something to discuss?”
Please, Lin Huayan.
Talk about something that’ll turn me off.
Lin Huayan picked up her knife and fork again, slicing her own beef: “No rush. Eat first.”
Her knife work was deft; the tender fresh beef cut with minimal sound.
Silence from across the table—she paused, asking cautiously: “Is the beef tough to chew?”
“No.”
Lou Yixuan recovered, forking a perfectly cooked piece of boiled beef and dipping it in chili sauce: “Teacher Lin picks great spots—better than me. This place uses real deal beef. Delicious.”
The best beef hotpot I’ve ever had.
She popped it in her mouth.
Even after the steaks and fresh beef were gone, veggies dunked, Lin Huayan still didn’t bring it up.
Lou Yixuan stopped asking—figuring it was just an “excuse” for Lin Huayan to convince herself to dine with her new colleague.
During the meal, Lin Huayan’s phone buzzed repeatedly; a few calls came in, ignored.
Some texts she replied to; others, dismissed—no big expression change.
Lou Yixuan ate to nine-tenths full, stuffed by the end, secretly rubbing her belly under the table.
It was Lin Huayan’s treat—her birthday. Waste was shameful.
Lin Huayan scanned the corner QR code to pay and summoned a server: “A glass of boiled water, please.”
“Right away.”
Once served, Lin Huayan pulled digestive tablets from her bag, handing them over with the water: “Stomach settler.”
Lou Yixuan’s usual appetite was small—except solo meals with Lin Huayan.
Back then, those pills at Lin Huayan’s place were stocked just for her. Lin Huayan cooked doubles; she’d polish it off every time—no leftovers overnight.
Overnight meant tossed.
Lou Yixuan obediently swallowed the pill with water. Maybe psychological, but her face eased.
Lin Huayan grabbed her bag and stood: “Keep the meds.”
“Oh.” That lazy “oh” sounded like a milk-drunk kitten, swaying contentedly before curling up to lick its nose and paws.
Lou Yixuan propped herself on the sofa with her right hand, eyes half-lidded, utterly relaxed—cheeks flushed, dimples flickering.
Lin Huayan’s soul was hooked by the kitten.
The kitten was smiling at her again.
Turns out, she was just one Lou Yixuan away from spring.
Her long-parched heart soaked in spring rain—suddenly, flowers bloomed everywhere.
…
The car was in the underground garage; unfamiliar with the paths, they wandered awhile before finding the spot.
Few words exchanged, no complaints or impatience—like a leisurely stroll.
Right out of the restaurant, Lin Huayan pulled out watermelon throat lozenges, handing them straight to Lou Yixuan without asking.
Lou Yixuan’s emotions had rollercoastered all evening, tugged by Lin Huayan’s every move.
In the car, she didn’t buckle up immediately: “Head back now, or…?”
“Wait. Business first.”
“…” There really is something?
Click. Lin Huayan fastened her seatbelt.
As she mulled, her coat pocket phone vibrated—persistent calls screamed Qin Fengru.
Coincidentally, as she fished it out, Lou Yixuan’s buzzed too.
Lou Yixuan’s screen read “Big Baby”; Lin Huayan’s, “Qin.” Both hung up in sync, then glanced at each other—eyes darting away in a second.
“My friend. Told her I’m driving,” Lou Yixuan said, texting Lu Lingxuan.
Lin Huayan offered no explanation.
Every year on this day, Qin Fengru wheedled or shamelessly crashed her birthday—no cake, no candles, no wishes; just dragged her to lavish meals.
If classes or busyness tied her up, Qin Fengru packed from the shop to school—sometimes waiting, sometimes leaving it at the Security Room.
【Lin Huayan: Still out. Talk when I’m back at the dorm.】
Among friends, Qin Fengru was her closest—the one she couldn’t lose.
Hot-tempered with flaws aplenty, but Lin Huayan gladly soothed her with endless patience.
Just as Qin Fengru poured all her patience and care into her.
【Qin Fengru: Lin Huayan, no explanation tonight? I’ll bust down your dorm door at midnight. You know me—I do what I say.】
For peace, Lin Huayan silenced her phone, ignoring all.
Lou Yixuan muted hers post-Lu Lingxuan.
Seeing her free, Lin Huayan spoke: “What I wanted to chat about: that Wednesday night in the Art Classroom, I noticed Lin Jianlu’s gaze on you. It wasn’t just a student’s admiration for a teacher.”
Lin Huayan knew that look too well—she’d seen it in Lou Yixuan’s eyes for three straight years, only realizing its “hidden meaning” after.
“If I’m wrong or misjudged, forgive me. Being direct is so you can guard against it early—avoid…”
“Avoid what?”
Lou Yixuan bristled like a tail-stepped cat at the veiled implication.
Her face hardened, tone icy with attack: “Is Teacher Lin blaming me for not controlling boundaries with students?”
It was the first time Lin Huayan had seen such a gloomy expression on Lou Yixuan’s face. Anxious to defend herself, she fumbled her carefully prepared words, speaking them all jumbled up until even her sound reasoning came across as nonsense.
“I’m not blaming you. Nor am I interrogating you.”
“I’m just… I’m just speaking from the perspective of a senior colleague, as someone who’s been through it all myself. I only wanted to give you a wake-up call—that’s all.”
“Senior? Someone who’s been through it?” Lou Yixuan suddenly let out a laugh, then turned sideways to lean obliquely against the seatback.
Her left ring finger tapped lightly on her phone case as her tone shifted from the previous second’s gloom to something frivolous: “Please, Teacher Lin, don’t hold back on your teachings. What kind of ‘someone who’s been through it’ are you, exactly? Could you elaborate for me?”
“Lou Yixuan.”
Lin Huayan frowned and scolded her in a low voice. In the next instant, a dark shadow loomed over her.
