Mixed Chapter 7
byTaking the Initiative!
For the next month, Chi Nuan attended Song Shixue’s class every Thursday evening without fail, always sitting in the front row. She was even more proactive than Chen Zhiyu, who had actually selected the course.
Song Shixue had an excellent memory. From the question she had called Chi Nuan up to answer on the first day of class to their encounter downstairs at the Art Studio, every incident had left Song Shixue deeply impressed by Chi Nuan.
In fact, when Song Shixue first saw Chi Nuan’s tightly furrowed brows due to nervousness, she had silently given her the exclusive nickname, “Little Black Shiba.”
A Little Black Shiba with bean-shaped eyebrows.
…
“Class, this course concludes here. It has been a pleasure spending this month with all of you. I hope we meet again in the future.”
Everyone in the classroom was quite reluctant for the course to end, and they all expressed how much they would miss Teacher Song.
After all, Teacher Song had stunned everyone with her looks upon her first appearance, and her professional competence during the subsequent teaching process was also excellent.
Song Shixue offered a polite smile, then gathered her teaching materials and walked out of the classroom.
The person most reluctant for the course to end was definitely Chi Nuan.
She had her camera slung over her shoulder. She told Chen Zhiyu to head back to the dorm first, then chased after Song Shixue.
“Teacher Song!” Chi Nuan called out loudly from behind.
“Is there something you need, Student Chi?” Song Shixue raised an eyebrow slightly, giving a soft, gentle smile.
Chi Nuan’s face instantly flushed red. She stammered, “Teacher Song, I… I have something I want to tell you.”
“Let’s go to my office.”
Chi Nuan followed a step or two behind Song Shixue. The evening breeze carried a pleasant, woody scent.
It was the unique fragrance of Song Shixue.
As the woody scent in the air dissipated, Song Shixue stopped in front of her desk and looked at her calmly. “Go ahead, Student Chi.”
The LED light overhead shone down, magnifying Chi Nuan’s nervous expression. She shifted her attention to a potted green plant on the solid wood desk, trying to regulate her breathing.
The vast space lacked human voices; the silence that followed the sound of keyboard tapping was profound—so quiet that Chi Nuan’s increasingly rapid breathing could be heard clearly.
She bit her lip, gathering her courage. “Teacher Song, I must first apologize to you. During the winter break last year, I was out taking photos, and I ran into you painting alone in a pavilion in the snow. I took a picture of you without your permission.”
“I—I didn’t mean to! It’s mainly because you were too beautiful, too dazzling. I really couldn’t resist, so, I’m very sorry.”
Chi Nuan lowered her eyes, her voice growing softer and softer, as if she had committed some shameful, guilty deed.
Song Shixue watched as the person in front of her once again tightly furrowed her brows, and a hint of amusement entered her indifferent gaze.
She suddenly moved closer to Chi Nuan. Chi Nuan’s nervous reflection was visible in her amber pupils. She couldn’t help but want to tease her further. “Is that so? Student Chi, how about this: let me see the photo first, and then I’ll decide whether or not to forgive you.”
Song Shixue’s voice became languid and lingering. Every word, accompanied by her breath, landed directly on Chi Nuan’s heart.
It was too sudden.
Chi Nuan was completely caught off guard. Her face instantly turned bright red, and her eyes darted around helplessly.
Coupled with the woody scent emanating from Song Shixue, which rushed into every part of Chi Nuan’s body, wrapping tightly around her.
She felt like she was about to faint and quickly retreated two steps.
Song Shixue watched her flustered appearance and the ears that were flushed red, hidden behind her hair.
She chuckled softly.
Her goal had been achieved.
Chi Nuan took a moment to compose herself, then lowered her head to scroll through the photos on her camera. She found the picture of Song Shixue taken months ago and handed it to her.
Song Shixue had seen many photography exhibitions, but photos that genuinely drew her admiration were few and far between.
This image was perfect in terms of composition, lighting, and color.
Chi Nuan was truly skilled at capturing a person’s emotions, amplifying them, and seamlessly blending the subject’s unique temperament with the surrounding environment.
Chi Nuan rubbed the corner of her denim jacket, awaiting the verdict of this judgment.
This time, Song Shixue offered a look of appreciation. “Mhm, I really like it. I forgive you.”
Chi Nuan’s face immediately cleared, the clouds parting for sunshine. The corners of her eyes curved down, and she broke into a radiant smile.
Her smile was like brilliant, warm light.
If it were daytime, that smile would be the first ray of morning sun.
But since it was night, that smile was the brightest star in the night sky.
It was a smile Song Shixue had never seen before, and it was highly infectious.
Song Shixue gazed at Chi Nuan, truly looking at her for the first time.
She noticed the tear mole beneath the outer corner of Chi Nuan’s right eye; she saw the thick eyelashes behind her glasses; she saw the small canine tooth she revealed.
Suddenly, she felt as if her heart had been struck by something, and her heartbeat instantly quickened.
“Really, Teacher Song! Then let’s exchange contact information. I’ll send you this picture later!” Chi Nuan’s eyes were bright, and her tone was excited.
Song Shixue paused slightly, then immediately reverted to her usual cool tone. “Alright.”
Song Shixue finished tidying her things, looking slightly tired. “Student Chi, aren’t you heading back to the dorm yet?”
Chi Nuan slung her camera across her body and grinned. “Oh, right! I’m going now! Goodbye, Teacher Song!”
Song Shixue watched Chi Nuan’s retreating figure in the hallway.
She had her hair half-tied in a bun, wore a light gray denim jacket, and had an SLR camera hanging across her chest.
She certainly had an artistic flair.
However, despite being 172 centimeters tall, she ran like a child.
Song Shixue suddenly found the sight a little endearing and let out a soft laugh.
Truly a Little Black Shiba, and one who loved wearing denim jackets at that.
As soon as Song Shixue returned home, she went to the bathroom to shower. This was supposed to be a relaxing activity, but the moment she closed her eyes, all she saw was Chi Nuan’s smiling face directed at her.
It left her feeling strange and annoyed.
After washing up, it was already eleven o’clock at night. Usually, Song Shixue would be in bed by this time, but today, she felt no trace of sleepiness.
Song Shixue lit a cigarette, then picked up a pencil.
Line after line intersected on the white paper, eventually forming a familiar face—Chi Nuan.
Song Shixue felt she must be crazy; even looking at the image of Chi Nuan drawn by her own hand made her heart beat faster.
She flicked the ash from her cigarette. The portrait of “Chi Nuan” she had just finished was crumpled into a ball and tossed onto the floor.
After taking the final drag, Song Shixue sat in the chair, tilting her head back, letting the warm yellow light fall into her eyes.
Truly baffling.
Song Shixue didn’t want to admit this flutter of emotion, but the Chi Nuan she involuntarily drew and the quickened pace of her heart were direct proof.