SYLM Chapter 24
by VolareChapter 24 “Yeah, I just can’t bear to part with Chen Lu.”
People really do smile when they’re speechless.
Looking at the plastic chopsticks handed to her, Tang Ying didn’t bother with her back and stomach pain. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, looking at Chen Lu, who was diagonally across from her and acting all well-behaved, with a sardonic smile. Her cold tone carried a hint of competitiveness:
“Chen Lu, I think you’re very considerate. I like students like you. Come and be the Politics Representative for me.”
“…”
Chen Lu was stunned for a moment. How did this involve the class representative?
“She’s not feeling well.”
Gu Wan Jun, who had been listening, answered before Chen Lu could. She took the plastic chopsticks from Chen Lu’s hand and forced them into Tang Ying’s hand. Then, she looked steadily into Tang Ying’s eyes and repeated what she had just said with a smile:
“Chen Lu is not feeling well and can’t be too tired. Right now, studying alone is enough to keep her busy. She can’t do it.”
Hearing this, Tang Ying’s meaningful gaze instantly shifted to Gu Wan Jun’s face. Tang Ying raised an eyebrow and said coldly:
“She doesn’t have to do the tiring work. I’ll do it. She just needs to come to the office to see me every day and pick up the homework.”
“Fu Yi Wen can do all of that alone. There’s no need for two people.”
“Do you think Fu Yi Wen is focused on me? Instead of getting annoyed seeing that chubby girl hanging around other teachers, I might as well get rid of her and replace her with Chen Lu. At least seeing Chen Lu puts me in a good mood. Her Politics grades are always in the top three in the class, so she’s perfect for being the Politics Representative.”
“…”
Seeing Tang Ying fixate on Chen Lu, the smile on Gu Wan Jun’s face lessened, and her tone became noticeably more formal:
“If we follow Teacher Tang’s logic, Chen Lu’s Chinese Literature grades are always first, so she should be the Chinese Literature Representative.”
Gu Wan Jun spoke the truth.
In fact, although Chen Lu said at the beginning of the semester that she would no longer be the Chinese Literature Representative, both Gu Wan Jun and the students in Class 12 subconsciously felt that Chen Lu was still the representative.
For example, just now at the tutoring location, when assigning homework, Gu Wan Jun immediately thought of telling Chen Lu. Even when returning to school in the afternoon to check papers, Gu Wan Jun subconsciously assumed she would do it with Chen Lu. The other students, including Qin Hao Yang, didn’t think there was anything wrong with it, since Chen Lu used to do these things before.
…
The phrase “Teacher Tang” immediately made things interesting.
Sensing the visible change in Gu Wan Jun’s emotions, a trace of cunning flashed in Tang Ying’s eyes. She continued to fan the flames in a nonchalant tone:
“I don’t care about other subjects. Since Teacher Gu Wan Jun also has her eye on Chen Lu, then whoever snatches her first gets her.”
“I’ve already said that Chen Lu is not feeling well and can’t do it. Shouldn’t Teacher Tang also consider the actual situation of the student?”
“Ahem, I’m asking for Chen Lu’s opinion now. The student hasn’t even expressed her opinion yet. Why are you, the teacher, getting so anxious?”
“…”
As the topic shifted back to the person involved, Chen Lu, who had been trying to interject but couldn’t, immediately realized something was wrong. Sure enough, in the next second, she simultaneously met Gu Wan Jun’s resentful gaze that seemed to ask, “Are you going to be her representative?” and Tang Ying’s gleeful, mocking smile.
The noodle shop was a little too warm. Chen Lu felt like she was about to melt under their gazes. She didn’t care about Tang Ying staring at her, but she couldn’t stand Gu Wan Jun staring at her so intently…
Under the table, the fabric of her pants was twisted into a ball. After all, Tang Ying was a teacher, so Chen Lu politely expressed her opinion to her:
“Teacher Gu is right. I’m not feeling well, so I really can’t do it. Thank you for your trust, Teacher Tang.”
“If you’re not feeling well, how can you come to school with your Teacher Gu to check papers? What is it, is your Teacher Gu some kind of miracle cure?”
Chen Lu was polite, but Tang Ying wasn’t. Seeing the girl stumped by her question, she continued to increase the heat:
“Is it really that you’re not feeling well, or is it that your Teacher Gu can’t bear to let you go?”
“…”
Chen Lu was speechless for a moment. Gu Wan Jun seized the opportunity, and her gentle tone carried a hint of resentment:
“Yeah, I just can’t bear to part with Chen Lu. Knowing that I can’t bear it, you still want to snatch this child away from me. Tang Ying, can a friend do such a thing?”
“…”
Truly worthy of being a language master, Gu Wan Jun’s words directly broke the deadlock. Chen Lu and Tang Ying both felt a secret pleasure, and the pants under the table were almost torn apart; one was openly delighted, and the cold, poker face couldn’t suppress the corners of her mouth from turning up.
Chen Lu: Gu Wan Jun said she can’t bear to part with me!?
Tang Ying: Not bad, she’s finally willing to admit we’re friends.
…
At the same time, Fu Yi Wen returned with water. What she saw was this scene:
Her best friend Chen Lu was twisting the wrapper of the disposable chopsticks in her hands. Although she was looking down, Fu Yi Wen could still see the corners of her mouth secretly tilting upwards;
The annoying Tang Ying, she didn’t know if she was having a fit, but that face that was either expressionless or sneering actually revealed a smile that looked a little bright and a little gentle. Fu Yi Wen had to admit that Tang Ying’s smile was really beautiful, but it was also really creepy…
Among the three, the only one who seemed normal was Gu Wan Jun. She always had a faint smile on her face, but for some reason, Gu Wan Jun’s eyes were different from before she went to buy water, and it seemed like she was constantly staring at her Lulu…?
Wait, what happened to these three while I was just out buying water?
Fu Yi Wen was full of question marks.
However, thinking about what she was going to do in a while, Fu Yi Wen’s attention instantly returned to herself. She took a deep breath and walked towards the table with the things in her hand.
Passing by Tang Ying, Fu Yi Wen pretended to inadvertently put the heat patch and mineral water in front of her. Then, she gave Chen Lu and Gu Wan Jun water as if nothing had happened.
For the sake of the annoying woman’s period, she would reluctantly be considerate of her this one time. She was really a kind and wonderful little girl!
Fu Yi Wen complimented her good deed just now in her heart, while she handed the mineral water to Chen Lu, imagining Tang Ying’s moved expression when she saw the heat patch.
However, ideals were full, and reality was cruel.
Fu Yi Wen was about to sit down after handing out the water when she met Tang Ying’s indifferent eyes, which even carried a hint of disgust:
“Foot warmer? What, do you want me to take off my shoes in the noodle shop?”
“…”
What the hell? Foot warmer!?
Fu Yi Wen’s eyes widened, and she snatched what she thought was a “heat patch” from Tang Ying and carefully examined it. If she hadn’t looked closely, the words “foot warmer” would have been right in her face!
Damn, she was too anxious when she was buying things just now and didn’t see clearly whether it was a heat patch or a foot warmer. Now it was all over, she had embarrassed herself…
Although she wanted to find a hole to crawl into on the spot, Fu Yi Wen still put on a nonchalant facade:
“What’s wrong with foot warmers? Other than the shape, they’re the same as heat patches. Who says foot warmers have to be stuck on your feet?”
“If you have nowhere to put it, just throw it to me?”
“? I bought this specifically for you!” Fu Yi Wen threw the heat patch on the table, so angry that she almost jumped up!
As soon as she said that, not only was Tang Ying stunned, but Chen Lu and Gu Wan Jun’s faces were also full of disbelief.
Especially Chen Lu.
What was going on? Did Fu Yi Wen finally figure it out, or did the wind blow her brains away when she went out just now? She couldn’t have mistaken Tang Ying for Sun Li Xia, right?
…
Tang Ying was skeptical about Fu Yi Wen’s sudden act of kindness. She pinched the corner of the heat patch packaging bag with a seemingly disgusted expression and examined it for a while. When she spoke again, it was still with that familiar sarcastic tone:
“Oh, is the sun coming out from the west?”
“You! If you don’t want it, give it back to me!”
Fu Yi Wen was already angry. She was about to reach out and snatch it, but Tang Ying directly put the hand holding the heat patch behind her back, raised an eyebrow, and said coldly:
“Do you think I’m a three-year-old who’s easy to talk to? Once it’s in my hands, it’s mine. If you want it back, no way.”
“…”
Seeing these two bickering like elementary school students, Chen Lu felt a little helpless and a little amused.
Especially when she saw Tang Ying raising her chin to “provoke” Fu Yi Wen, Chen Lu felt that these two were really destined to be together.
A pair of crescent eyes subconsciously curved into an arc. But in the next second, when she glanced at Gu Wan Jun, who was sitting directly across from her, she suddenly propped her chin with one hand and tapped the table with the fingers of the other. When those peach blossom eyes looked straight at her, Chen Lu immediately froze.
What did that look mean? Could it be…
The corners of her lips, which had just curled up a little, instantly formed a straight line. Although she didn’t know if it was what she thought it was, Chen Lu immediately retracted her gaze from Tang Ying and only looked at Gu Wan Jun.
…
Soon, four bowls of steaming hot noodles were served.
The owner was a deaf-mute woman who looked to be about forty years old. She smiled and gestured, wishing the four of them a pleasant meal.
This noodle shop was famous for its good taste. Even Tang Ying, who didn’t plan to eat at first, couldn’t resist picking up the disinfected plastic chopsticks after smelling the aroma.
After eating and drinking to their fill, Gu Wan Jun planned to pay the bill, but Tang Ying took the lead.
“Next time, it’s your treat. I’ll choose something expensive then.”
While talking to Gu Wan Jun, Tang Ying slapped five hundred-yuan bills onto the counter. She held up her phone with a cold face and showed it to the owner. The screen displayed a line of text she had typed out earlier:
[Your food tastes good. I’ll come back next time. Keep the change.]
—
Five minutes later, the black BMW was left in the parking space outside the school, and the group walked into the school.
When they reached the fourth floor, the four of them split up into two groups.
…
The Chinese Literature office.
The other teachers and class representatives who had arrived early were busy checking papers.
As soon as Gu Wan Jun and Chen Lu entered the office, a familiar face who was checking answer sheets in the room looked up and immediately greeted them with a smile:
“Wan Jun is here. Oh, your little beauty class representative is here with you. I thought I wouldn’t see you until the start of the semester.”
Li Bing’s second half of the sentence was directed at Chen Lu. Chen Lu, who was addressed, nodded slightly and politely greeted the teacher.
…
After briefly greeting the others, Gu Wan Jun and Chen Lu began to check the papers separately. Gu Wan Jun said that she would check the answer sheets and asked Chen Lu to check the Chinese Literature papers.
While checking the answer sheets, Li Bing, who was also checking answer sheets, started chatting casually with Gu Wan Jun:
“Hey, Wan Jun, how have you been lately?”
“I’m fine. My students have already adapted to the pace of holiday tutoring.”
“Tsk, who asked you about work?”
Li Bing clicked her tongue lightly, looking gossipy:
“Besides work, how are you doing in other areas? Is there anything new going on?”
Since Gu Wan Jun was suspected of having a relationship issue last time, Li Bing had been concerned about this matter. She really wanted to know which man was so lucky to have a girlfriend like Gu Wan Jun, who was both talented and beautiful, gentle and considerate.
Hearing the subtext in Li Bing’s words, Gu Wan Jun’s smile had a hint of helplessness. She directly told the truth, cutting off the other party’s gossip:
“I’m always going between home and the tutoring location every day. How can there be anything new going on?”
“Not bad, you’re keeping a tight lip. You’re still hiding things from me?”
“Really, there’s nothing. Didn’t I say it last time?” Gu Wan Jun was a little dumbfounded. She felt like she couldn’t clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
“Okay, okay, okay, if you say there’s nothing, then there’s nothing.”
Assuming that Gu Wan Jun still didn’t want to say, Li Bing directly changed the topic:
“I went on a blind date last Saturday.”
“Blind date?” A trace of surprise flashed in Gu Wan Jun’s eyes. If she remembered correctly, Li Bing was the same age as her.
“Yeah, I don’t want to find someone now, but my family is pushing me hard. My parents force me to find a partner every day, whether it’s through persuasion or acting first and reporting later. They always have ways to force me to compromise. At first, I still had the energy to deal with it, but later I got tired of it. Whatever, if I have to get married, who I marry doesn’t matter, right?”
Li Bing still had a smile on her face, but the reluctance and loneliness in her eyes were obvious.
In today’s unequal society, women marrying and having children late seems to be a sin that makes the whole family lose face. From big cities to small counties, this outdated idea is deeply rooted.
In some people’s eyes, no matter how outstanding a woman is, she must unconditionally follow the so-called social rules to be a daughter, a wife, and a mother. Only in this way can she reflect her value as a woman.
Gu Wan Jun’s parents were also typical traditional Chinese parents. Although they didn’t explicitly push marriage on her, they would often express their hope that their daughters would get married early so that they could take care of each other. Her older sister, Gu Wan Rong, had always listened to her parents since she was a child. Although she and her brother-in-law, Zhou Hai Bin, were in a free-love relationship, they were also influenced by their parents’ views on education. They got married as soon as they graduated.
Gu Wan Jun, who grew up in the same family, was completely different from her sister, Gu Wan Rong.
Although she seemed as gentle and obedient as her sister, Gu Wan Jun was actually very rebellious at heart. She wasn’t anti-marriage, nor was she pro-marriage. She was a happiness advocate. She would never hastily make decisions about her life in order to cater to her family or society. In her opinion, whoever could make her happy was the person she should choose to spend her life with. If living alone could make her happy, then living alone wasn’t impossible either.
…
Hearing the conversation between the two vaguely, Chen Lu, who was checking the Chinese Literature papers, slowed down her movements unconsciously. She was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized that she had never considered whether Gu Wan Jun had a boyfriend.
Why was that?
Chen Lu thought carefully. For some reason, from the moment they first met, she had a strong feeling—
Gu Wan Jun looked down on those men, and no man was worthy of Gu Wan Jun.
—
On the other side, the liberal arts office.
Besides a pile of papers, the office was empty.
It seemed that Tang Ying and Fu Yi Wen were the first teachers and students to arrive.
Glancing at Fu Yi Wen, whose expression instantly dimmed because she didn’t see Sun Li Xia, Tang Ying frowned, feeling inexplicably annoyed.
The foot warmer was stuck on her lower abdomen. Although it sounded a little strange, the timely warmth did make Tang Ying feel a little better.
Although she didn’t know how this chubby girl knew she was having her period today, the feeling of being cared for and cared about was really good.
The annoying thing was that this chubby girl was a silly girl who only knew how to follow that smiling tiger around.
She seemed like a clever person, so how could she be such a fool who couldn’t tell what was good for her?
The more Tang Ying thought about it, the more annoyed she became. The more annoyed she was, the colder her face became. She didn’t want to talk to a certain fool at all right now.
…
Taking off her fur coat and draping it over the back of the chair, Tang Ying rolled up her sleeves and prepared to squat down to check the papers. But in the next second, a soft and warm chubby hand grabbed her wrist: “Hey, what are you doing?”
“Nonsense, of course, I’m checking the papers. What else would I come to school for, to play?” Thinking of the look on someone’s face when she entered the door, Tang Ying glared at Fu Yi Wen unhappily.
The cold, smooth skin touched her palm, feeling as cold as Tang Ying herself. Fu Yi Wen’s eyebrows instantly furrowed, and her tone became more urgent:
“Do you even need to check these few papers? I can do it alone. Your wrists are so cold. Hurry up and put on your clothes, or you’ll catch a cold again. Every single day.”
“…”
Tang Ying was hard-pressed to describe how she felt when she heard these words, but she still spoke in that harsh and cold tone:
“You’ve gotten bolder, haven’t you? You dare to tell me what to do now.”
“Hey, you! Can’t you tell what’s good for you? It’s really a case of good intentions being repaid with bad ones!” Fu Yi Wen was speechless.
“What are you shouting for? How dare you talk to me like that.”
Tang Ying raised an eyebrow, her tone still cold, but not angry: “I’m your teacher.”
“So what if you’re a teacher? What does being a teacher make you? Is a teacher a get-out-of-jail-free card? Can teachers not tell what’s good for them?”
“…”