Chapter 34

“Whether we do it together or not depends on how you all behave today.” Lin Huayan had already stood up and moved to Lou Yixuan’s side. “As long as you don’t cause trouble for Haifan’s teachers, it’ll be fine.”

“Thank you, Teacher Lin!” Zhang Xiao led the thanks, and the other students chimed in.

Even the class president sitting to her left—the one who’d negotiated the most with Lin Huayan—admired her. Across the aisle, she flashed Zhang Xiao a thumbs-up. “Zhang Xiao, you’re seriously bold as hell. With Xuan-jie around—no, you having Xuan-jie is like heaven-sent, your get-out-of-jail-free card.”

There were other giggling murmurs too.

“See? I told you, it’s not just us—Teacher Lin’s fallen for Xuan-jie too.”

“Check the details—Teacher Lin’s hand isn’t just lightly resting; it’s a full palm grip wrapping around.”

“No way, you’re right!”

“And look closely—did you see how Teacher Lin’s eyes have changed?”

“Ahh! Homeroom teacher and Xuan-jie, math teacher and art teacher—help! I can’t take it, I’m shipping this first!”

“Chill out. Ship everything and you might get caught by homeroom, parents called, and stuck writing a reflection essay…”

From then on, the unspoken “Yi Yan CP” was born.

At the cafeteria for lunch, Lou Yixuan and Lin Huayan sat together. Zhang Xiao wanted to go apologize for her “recklessness,” but Lin Jianlu dragged her away halfway.

“Why are you pulling me?”

“Don’t want you being an eyesore.”

“I’m the eyesore?” Zhang Xiao felt like Lin Jianlu’s sharp tongue would be the death of her someday, but she wasn’t like this with others.

“Yeah, an eyesore to the CP fans. Didn’t you see some kids so hyped they’re not even eating, sneaking photos with their phones?”

“…” She really hadn’t noticed.

“You’d just kill the vibe and get hated on.”

“…” Better not, then.

“Pulling off a big move right in front of homeroom—class’s boldest warrior. Only you.”

“…Feels like you’re calling me a total idiot.”

“Self-aware. Not dumb.”

“Lin Jianlu!”

“My bad, my bad. Just teasing—don’t take it seriously. After school this afternoon, dinner at that sandpot rice noodle place?”

“You’re buying.”

“Sure, my treat.”

“Then I’ll reluctantly forgive you.”

Zhang Xiao’s ruffled fur smoothed right back down by the culprit.

Over here, the daily bickering duo bantered happily away. Over there, the once-a-week pair passed the time in bland neutrality.

For the past few weeks on Wednesdays, Lou Yixuan hadn’t rushed to Tianmu Middle School early for lunch.

Dinners were usually casual with the students in the cafeteria or late-night outings with Du Heming.

All the details about Class 9’s visit to Haifan—she hadn’t chatted back and forth on WeChat with Lin Huayan. Instead, she’d gone to Room 306 and handled it all businesslike, down to the smallest points.

The last time they’d sat down for lunch like this was that lamb hotpot half a month ago.

“Is this Teacher Lin’s first time eating in the Haifan cafeteria?”

“Yeah.”

“Give it a try. If it’s not to your taste, there are plenty of eateries outside school—you can eat out. We’ll watch the students; don’t worry.”

“It’s good.”

“It’s pretty decent. Both Haifan’s and Tianmu’s cafeterias serve great food. Back in the country four months, I’ve gained five pounds.”

Gained weight?

Lin Huayan’s gaze lifted unconsciously to stare at Lou Yixuan.

Lou Yixuan puffed her cheeks. “Well? Is my face rounder than when you saw me at the class meeting?”

“No.” Lin Huayan lowered her eyes. “A few more pounds would be even better.”

In her memory, Lou Yixuan had never been fat—same figure eight years ago or now. Petite frame, long legs, long neck; clearly under a hundred pounds.

She looked slim but not the frail, blow-away-in-the-wind type. Plenty of strength too—enough to hold up someone taller and several pounds heavier than her.

But hearing that a few more pounds would be better, Lou Yixuan clearly disagreed. She huffed, “Teacher Lin’s so mean—secretly working out to slim down while hoping I gain weight.”

“…” Lin Huayan pressed her lips tight, at a loss for words.

Lou Yixuan might not notice five pounds on her, but Lin Huayan’s own six-pound loss seemed obvious.

Not just Du Heming had asked; Qin Fengru too—asking if she was dieting.

She hadn’t admitted it.

Just said her appetite was off lately.

Besides, at her height, 54kg wasn’t “fat.” Dropping a few was image management for health.

But from what Lou Yixuan said, skipping Tianmu lunches these weeks, not booking Friday dinners—it was deliberate weight control?

Made sense. Few women didn’t worry about their figure. Smaller meals, sugar control—it was discipline.

Harmless to the body; should be encouraged.

“Those screenshots you sent had three Western places—light, healthy meals, low-calorie.”

She remembered that clearly?

Lou Yixuan chuckled lightly, then tossed out the bait. “Can I take that as Teacher Lin calling in the debt?”

Food debt.

She’d said it outright—Lin Huayan had to get it now, right?

“No. Midterms just ended this week; next week’s busy, no time. The week after’s parent-teacher conferences…”

“Teacher Liu will be there for PTAs. He’s the pro homeroom teacher—like you, duty-bound.”

“Mm. Arrange it as needed.”

Lou Yixuan’s hook came up empty. She sulked for a bit.

But she was used to it by now. She laughed it off and kept eating.

It stung, sure—but she’d grown. Nowhere near as shattered as when Lin Huayan shut her out or called her childish.

Meals on hold again.

Because lines like “just us two“—if she didn’t say them, Lin Huayan never would.

She’d led by example, time and again.

But Lin Huayan ignored it, played deaf and dumb. Learned nothing.

She’d been a steady flame, tirelessly warming Lin Huayan’s icy pool for three years—never even a bubble.

Two and a half months since reunion—what more could she hope?

Even the fiercest fireworks cool in a cold front. So the whole afternoon, she didn’t spare Lin Huayan another glance.

Everyone to their own. Busy with their own.

Leading the students through the Hall of Fame, Lou Yixuan’s poster as top scorer predictably drew a crowd.

“Xuan-jie, you’re too OP! City-wide top score, and you never told us…”

“Qualified for exams at three top art schools—all top-ten scores! That’s insane gold, Teacher Lou—you must’ve cheated!”

“Exam god right here, right in front of us! No need for Buddha or prayers! Xuan-jie, lemme hug your leg before exams—say yes?!”

Lou Yixuan was prepared, raising both hands. “Leg-hug no; handshake maybe.”

Zhang Xiao and Lin Jianlu, closest, grabbed first—one on each side.

“Teacher Lou, what’d you score on gaokao?” Lin Jianlu swung her hand, eyes full of curiosity and awe. “Couldn’t have been bad, right?”

“Secret.”

Lou Yixuan stayed mum. “You all know I studied abroad after, so gaokao score doesn’t matter. Paths vary—different chances, but roads converge. Depends on your choice.”

“But super important: remember this—who you want to be, who you can be, that’s up to you. You’ve got two-plus years to think, plan. I’ll walk with you to the next fork.”

“If you’ve got questions, confusions, ideas—come find me. We’ll talk it out. I’m your Teacher Lou and your friend Lou Yixuan. Consensus?”

With the exam god nearby, students were hyped. Staggered “No objections!” rang out.

The hall buzzed with energy—except for one lone, lonely figure.

After groups of students snapped pics and moved on, Lin Huayan stopped before that top-scorer poster she’d never seen.

The Hall of Fame showcased Haifan’s unified exam tops, elite school qualifiers, standout alumni across fields and majors.

Best-looking? Broadcasting and acting majors, hands down.

But after circling, no matter how pretty the girls or handsome the guys, Lin Huayan saw only Lou Yixuan.

Forget among art grads—she shone brightest. Even against film grads, her looks and vibe held up.

Lou Yixuan was beautiful; Lin Huayan always knew.

But how beautiful? Today gave the straightest hit.

The poster wasn’t her plain high school ID photo— it was a soft-makeup portrait-style bust shot.

High ponytail, spirited pride of heaven. Pink POLO shirt, bright pure smile—energetic girl. Perfect match for the image deep in her memory. Her heart’s person.

But surging memories were a dull knife, sawing at the rawest nerve—death by a thousand cuts.

Lin Huayan’s eyes grew hot and wet.

Now’s Lou Yixuan: boundless future, infinite glory.

Talented Teacher Lou deserved the praise, the fandom, the students’ cheers—like a bright star.

Now’s Lou Yixuan was good, so her life must be good too.

No stain of lesbian love, teacher-student taboo, age-gap scandal in those unenlightened days and innocent youth. No love-traps, no rumors.

No…

Lin Huayan ached to touch the poster girl.

But she couldn’t reach out.

Not even snap a phone pic like the students—she could only burn that radiant smile into her heart, seal it deep.

Maybe, as Lou Yixuan said, “just colleagues” was fine.

But sometimes she’d rebel: their bond too deep for this—yet it had to be.

Evening.

After seeing students onto the bus, Lou Yixuan stood at the door, smiling. “Babies, see you Wednesday,” then “Teacher Lin, goodbye.”

A student asked, “Xuan-jie, we behaved good today, right? Chocolate Wednesday—hook us up?”

“Of course. I keep my word. Fair to all.”

First time full-time teaching, but Lou Yixuan had been in Haifan’s Jingmei Class as a teen, then art camp TA in Australia.

Student and teacher experience: handy for wrangling these kids.

Orthodox or not—if it worked for her, half the effort.

“Xuan-jie, I love you!”

Students competed with hearts; Lou Yixuan beamed back: “Love you too!”

“Love”—you could suck at saying it, but never skimp, especially for those who matter.

Her eight-year truth.

No students mentioned Teacher Lin.

Watching Lou Yixuan buddy up with her babies so joyfully—Lin Huayan sat stiff, total outsider.

She gazed out at basketball boys leaping on the court, waiting for Teacher Lou’s farewell to her after the kids.

But it never came.

Lou Yixuan stepped off, doors shut, bus rolled.

Scenery blurred by till they passed Haifan Art School gates. Lin Huayan finally looked away.

Her left hand, pocketed, clutched a bottle.

A minute later, it emerged—right palm out, tipping a pinkish-white throat lozenge onto pale skin, ultra-careful.

Good the candy was still there. Good she could still taste watermelon sweet.

…

Lou Yixuan’s Haifan classes were light; her weekend group was first-year highs.

Not lack of value—her choice, fearing newbie inexperience might mislead.

Originally Saturday PM and Sunday AM, but Saturday’s Tianmu Art Class visit shifted it to Sunday.

Morning: first two periods to 10:30, theory basics. Afternoon: color practice hands-on.

It was nearly 11:30 when Lou Yixuan received a WeChat message from Lin Huayan.

【Lin Huayan: I’m at the supermarket, but I’m not too familiar with chocolates. There are so many kinds—I’ve taken a few photos for you. Pick some.】

Lou Yixuan’s feelings were complicated.

If Lin Huayan was so cold and heartless, why did she always come back to tease her afterward? She picked up that trick of sending multiple photos to choose from pretty quickly.

But if she was catching on, why couldn’t she just invite her to go supermarket shopping together when she didn’t know what to pick but still wanted to buy some?

Seeing the barrage of chocolate photos popping up one after another, Lou Yixuan felt irritated and inexplicably stifled.

She left Lin Huayan on read for several minutes before typing out a reply: 【I was the one who suggested treating them to chocolates, so naturally I should be the one to buy them. Teacher Lin doesn’t need to trouble herself.】

【Lin Huayan: I agreed to this too.】

【Lin Huayan: I’ll buy them first. We’ll split them one each, and once I’ve paid, I’ll send you the receipt.】

【Lou Yixuan: Last time with the ice cream, it was all on Teacher Lin’s dime. This time, no matter what, it’s my treat.】

【Lin Huayan: It’s different.】

【Lou Yixuan: How is it different?】

The two of them dug in their heels, neither willing to yield. Lou Yixuan asked: 【Which supermarket is Teacher Lin at?】

She waited a bit, but Lin Huayan didn’t reply, which made Lou Yixuan laugh in exasperation.

How had she never noticed before that Lin Huayan wasn’t just tsundere—she was stubbornly obstinate too?

Oh, and there was the “cute” part she hadn’t noticed either.

But now she had.

Lou Yixuan wasn’t the least bit depressed anymore. She was secretly delighted for a moment before, out of nowhere, directly video calling her.

She’d already decided: if Lin Huayan didn’t pick up, she’d put her in the doghouse next.

It would give her a chance to catch her breath too.