Chapter 6

The five female teachers dined together at the same table, and Du Heming finally got to chat with the “little fairy” she’d caught only a fleeting glimpse of before.

“Teacher Lou, your style today is so different from the last time we met.”

“You don’t seem like an artsy type anymore, right?”

“Ah?” Du Heming flushed with embarrassment and quickly backpedaled. “I didn’t mean that in a bad way, really not.”

Lou Yixuan winked playfully. “Teacher Du, the chemistry whiz, you’re so refreshingly straightforward and cute—totally different from the chemistry teachers I’ve met before.”

Some heard this as polite mutual flattery; others caught the flirtatious undertone.

“Sorry if my words came off as offensive. Please forgive me, Teacher Du.”

“No, no, you didn’t say anything wrong. The word ‘搞'(to do) fits perfectly in this context—totally legit.” Du Heming turned to He Huan, the literature teacher. “Right, Teacher He?”

He Huan smiled and chimed in. “Yeah, proper usage.”

Lou Yixuan was at a loss for words.

Her apology had actually targeted the phrase “refreshingly straightforward and cute.”

She’d used “doing chemistry” on purpose, to signal to Du Heming that she didn’t mind—or resent—being called an “artsy type.”

Now, she worried she’d be misunderstood.

Misunderstood as petty, nitpicking, and vengeful.

“Teacher Du’s always been the fun one. Among us here, she’s the best at getting along with the students.”

Lin Huayan beside her steered the topic back to Du Heming’s personality, giving Lou Yixuan’s heart a safe landing spot as it settled steadily.

But Du Heming, hit with the unexpected praise from Lin Huayan, perked up her ears nervously, her heart pounding.

Lin Huayan had sharp features, a firm voice, and a no-nonsense temperament—Du Heming was sometimes downright intimidated by her.

Lou Yixuan had no clue about Du Heming’s inner turmoil.

With curved brows and smiling eyes, she followed Lin Huayan’s lead. “Then I definitely need to learn from Teacher Du. I think taking her approach would make things smoother for me.”

Du Heming stared at her, puzzled. “Smoother how?”

“Smoother at getting along with the students.”

After explaining, Lou Yixuan couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Lin Huayan—and saw her chopsticks pause mid-air.

My relationships with my class aren’t smooth.

But things with Teacher Lin? Very smooth.

Very smooth indeed.

Lou Yixuan was unprecedentedly “smooth” among those around her—and unprecedentedly “comfortable.” No one after would compare.

Du Heming’s weird laugh shattered the odd atmosphere. “Ha, haha, not necessarily. From what I’ve observed so far, we all teach different subjects, have wildly different personalities, each with our own style, strengths, and perks. Who knows? The title of ‘best at getting along with students’ might end up on your head, Teacher Lou.”

Lou Yixuan was speechless for a moment. “…”

Seizing the chance, Du Heming rapidly changed the subject. “You have no idea—after that class meeting, your Class 8 kids have been talking about you nonstop. ‘Why do we have to wait two weeks for art class? I want Teacher Lou’s art lesson today!’ Don’t believe me? Ask Teacher Lin.”

She shot Lou Yixuan frantic eye signals.

Ask her.

Du Heming wasn’t exaggerating or lying.

Classes 8 and 9 were always side by side during school lessons or drills at the base. It wasn’t odd for her, the homeroom teacher next door, to overhear Class 9 chatter—their own homeroom teacher would surely hear it too.

But Lin Huayan killed the vibe. “Eat up. We can chat outside after.”

“…”

Du Heming obediently zipped her lips.

Lin Huayan ate with mixed emotions, while Lou Yixuan devoured her meal with relish, cleaning her plate spotless.

Du Heming stared in shock.

At the dish return area, she asked, “You ate it that clean—are you starving because you skipped breakfast?”

If she wasn’t famished, how had Lou Yixuan smiled her way through those bland, unappetizing dishes to a “clean plate,” looking utterly satisfied afterward?

“Yeah, a bit hungry.”

“…”

More than a bit, probably.

“To avoid waste, I only get two dishes per meal—Teacher Lin does too. But the difference? I snack in the afternoon. Teacher Lin? She just drinks water. Impressive.”

“Drinking water is good for your health. You should drink more too, Teacher Du.”

“Uh… I do.”

Lin Huayan, He Huan, and Wang Li walked ahead, discussing the first diagnostic test after military training ended back at school. Du Heming and Lou Yixuan trailed behind.

Just two or three steps apart.

The three up front were veterans from top city key high schools, highly valued by the school—all three were exam paper setters.

Du Heming wasn’t great at research, but her classroom teaching was unique; she’d won plenty of competition awards.

“Teacher Lou.”

Outside the cafeteria, she tugged Lou Yixuan’s sleeve. “Where are you staying? You wouldn’t drive back down the mountain to the city this afternoon, right?”

“I’m at a farmhouse guesthouse halfway up the mountain. Not far—a fifteen-minute drive.”

Lin Huayan had offered to ask the instructors for a dorm room, but Lou Yixuan didn’t want to trouble her and found her own place.

“I found it online, checked it out in person when I arrived. The room has everything, but I brought my own toiletries for peace of mind.”

“Add me on WeChat? A beautiful young woman like you alone at a guesthouse—I’m worried.”

Du Heming opened WeChat. “When you get back there tonight, call a friend, send a voice message or whatever. Safety first—make sure someone knows your exact location and room number. Me too, if you want.”

“Thanks for the concern, Teacher Du.”

Lou Yixuan’s heart warmed as she scanned the code. “I’ll send you the guesthouse location and my room number.”

“No problem. I’m free tonight—feel free to chat.”

Friends added, message received, Du Heming pocketed her phone happily. “What’re you up to this afternoon?”

Lou Yixuan glanced ahead. “Afternoon? Watch the kids’ military training.”

Some well-performing classes dismissed early, students swarming toward the cafeteria in groups.

Du Heming grabbed Lou Yixuan’s arm to keep from getting separated. “Teacher Lin and the others will be chatting awhile. Come on, I’ll take you to my dorm to hang out.”

Lou Yixuan hurried along, her steps faltering.

Du Heming kept chattering beside her. “Teacher Lou, let’s stroll out this evening and watch the sunset? I’ve been wanting to explore the mountain woods at night, but not alone. Dare to? Wanna join?”

She’d had the idea since the second day.

Her roommate, Teacher Wang, was too tired.

Teacher Lin and Teacher He loved prepping lessons and reading—she hadn’t wanted to drag them along.

Male teachers? No way.

“Uh, sunset’s fine, but night hiking in the woods? Too risky. Didn’t you say safety first?” Lou Yixuan panicked a little.

“You actually believed that?”

Du Heming laughed at her. “My guts aren’t that big—I’d never really risk it, let alone drag a fairy into adventure.”

“…Oh.”

“But you said sunset’s good—I believe that. So, Teacher Lou, deal?”

“Sure.” Lou Yixuan nodded eagerly.

After agreeing, she glanced at the hardworking trio they were about to pass on the right. “Should we ask Teacher Lin and them?”

Du Heming forced a smile. “Ask? Of course.”

Asking’s pointless, though. Bet on it.

“Teacher Lin, Teacher He, Teacher Wang,” Du Heming leaned out, grinning. “Little Lou and I are planning to watch the sunset from the base edge this evening. Interested?”

Teacher Wang waved it off bluntly. “You two go. The mountain paths tire me out—my legs and stamina can’t handle it.”

Teacher He stayed neutral. “I’m fine either way. Up to Teacher Lin.”

Lin Huayan met Lou Yixuan’s clear, impurity-free eyes, hesitated, then looked away. “We’ll see later.”

Du Heming had expected as much and shot Lou Yixuan a knowing wink—See? Told you.

The summer afternoon in the mountains carried a serene, lazy vibe.

Sunlight filtered through layered leaves, casting golden mottled shadows like nature’s woven tapestry.

The air was thick with earth and vegetation scents, laced with wildflower fragrance, refreshing the soul.

Listen closely, and you’d hear birdsong in the woods, harmonizing with the breeze, blending with distant stream murmurs into a masterful natural symphony.

Far from city clamor, life’s worries forgotten, time slowed to a crawl.

The sun dipped west, dusk falling.

After watching military training on the playground with Lou Yixuan for two hours that afternoon, Lin Huayan said she had teaching work and left her there, heading back to the dorm alone.

What Lou Yixuan did or said to other teachers after, Lin Huayan didn’t know.

He Huan returned to the dorm soon after, sitting on her bed with earphones, seemingly watching a variety show.

Lin Huayan sat at the desk, flipping between lesson prep and reading—but accomplishing neither.

She stood, stepped out, and zoned out in the hallway.

Next door was Teacher Wang and Teacher Du’s room—door closed since her return. She was sure only Teacher Wang was in; Du Heming was out.

Inside, He Huan finished her segment and closed the video.

Sensing Lin Huayan’s unease, she came out too. “We’ve been here days and haven’t gone out once. Wanna walk outside?”

Still torn, Lin Huayan heard He Huan call Du Heming to check.

“Teacher Du and Teacher Lou just left the gate, out on the main road. They said we can catch up by walking slow.”

Lin Huayan finally said, “Okay.”

The road to the Military Training Base was paved asphalt.

Easy to walk, easy to find.

As they neared the two waiting by the roadside, Lin Huayan regretted coming.

“You seem to love wearing earphones. What music you listening to?”

Lou Yixuan pulled off her left Bluetooth earbud and handed it to Du Heming. “Listen and find out.”

The earbud had been idle; Lou Yixuan opened the music app, played a pure instrumental track, and elegant piano notes flowed.

She did this just to quell Du Heming’s curiosity—otherwise, it’d nag forever.

Over time, it could turn “dangerous.”

Curiosity was risky; it fueled desire, sparked impulses—nothing to underestimate.

This was exactly what Lin Huayan saw.

She recalled their reunion day at school, when she’d asked Lou Yixuan’s music tastes too. Lou Yixuan had just pocketed her earbuds with a vague “I listen to everything.”

But today, she shared an earbud with Du Heming, letting her into her music world.

They shared the earbuds, heads close, smiles bright.

Lost in music, oblivious to the world.

An indescribable sourness welled in Lin Huayan’s heart.

Her steps slowed unconsciously, eyes unable to fully tear away from the pair ahead.

This was what she’d wanted: becoming an outsider to Lou Yixuan’s world, excluded.

But why…

Jealousy sprouted like wild weeds, growing dense, tangling tight, choking her breath.

She knew cruel reality was spelling it out: her unspeakable fondness for Lou Yixuan, defying time’s flow, had surged back to drown her.

She longed to be the one sharing that earbud, sharing joy and secrets.

She needed time to calm this sudden emotional storm, courage to face their easy banter. But time wouldn’t wait.

Head high, she pressed on, praying the sadness faded faster with each step—faster.

The four met up. Du Heming handed back the earbud. “Sounds great. Share your playlist later?”

“Sure.”

Lou Yixuan avoided letting Du Heming touch the used one as she stowed it in its case and bag.

“Teacher Lin got water for you all. Want some?”

Although it was He Huan who had spoken, the plastic bag holding four bottles of soda water was in Lin Huayan’s hand.

“Hmm? Oh, thanks.”

Du Heming hurried over with a couple of quick steps, reaching toward Lin Huayan to grab two bottles and lighten the load. “This is pretty heavy. Sorry to trouble you, Teacher Lin.”

The two of them had teamed up as co-teachers the previous year, and two full years—from sophomore to senior—had been plenty of time to get acquainted. Their everyday interactions weren’t overly formal, but they weren’t especially close, either.

After all, out of the school’s hundred-odd teachers, there wasn’t a single one who was truly close to Lin Huayan.

“You’re welcome. It’s not heavy.”

Lin Huayan obligingly lifted the bag higher to make it easier for Du Heming to reach in.

Du Heming pulled out two bottles, then turned to pass one to Lou Yixuan—only to see Lou Yixuan sidestepping right up to take the entire bag from Lin Huayan’s grasp.

“Thanks, Teacher Lin. I’ll take it.”