Lin Ting didn’t reply.
She lifted her eyes, calm and steady, sweeping across the room.
Feng Wei’s expression was unchanged, elegantly sipping her porridge; Shen Zhiyao wore a perfectly practiced smile.
Finally, Lin Ting’s gaze landed on Ji Yunzheng, who simply nodded, tacitly approving it all.
She realized she was the only one left in the dark.
Feng Wei’s words had been deliberately for her ears alone.
A chill spread uncontrollably in Lin Ting’s heart, leaving her feeling like a fish on a chopping board—completely at someone else’s mercy.
She lowered her eyes, hiding all the emotions surging within, and obediently said, “Yes, mother.”
Feng Wei seemed quite satisfied with this response, giving her no further attention.
Shen Zhiyao, sharp as ever, picked up a shrimp from the plate and offered it to Feng Wei, coquettishly saying:
“Auntie, try this. It’s your favorite dish. I made it myself!”
Feng Wei’s expression was resigned yet pleased. She took a bite from Shen Zhiyao’s chopsticks: “Alright, Zhiyao, you eat too.”
Shen Zhiyao obediently returned to her seat.
Her gaze scanned Lin Ting, who kept her head down eating quietly, and immediately shifted to jealousy and disdain.
To her, Lin Ting had merely lucked into the Lin family name—a private child with no standing—yet somehow seemed to effortlessly claim everything.
Lin Ting observed their cheerful chatter with cold detachment, her appetite gone.
The suffocating lunch finally ended.
Just as Lin Ting got up, Feng Wei called out: “Tingting, Aunt Wang accidentally burned her hand cooking a few days ago. Go help her in the kitchen.”
Lin Ting paused, then turned and walked into the kitchen.
Aunt Wang was slowly tidying the dishes. Seeing her, she immediately set her work aside, forcing a polite but distant smile: “Miss is here?”
“Then I’ll trouble you here. I’ll go water the garden and get some fresh air.”
In the living room, Feng Wei, Shen Zhiyao, and Ji Yunzheng sat together chatting, the atmosphere warm and harmonious, as if they were the real family.
Lin Ting happened to step out of the kitchen and saw this scene.
She didn’t want to stay another second.
Expressionless, she went to the entrance, picked up her bag: “Mother, I have things to do this afternoon. I’ll be leaving first.”
Feng Wei frowned slightly, clearly displeased with her early departure.
Ji Yunzheng casually picked up his coat, bid the other two farewell, and followed Lin Ting out.
“Perfect timing, Tingting. I also need to head back to the office this afternoon, so I’ll take you back to school on the way.”
Time swiftly moved to the next week.
Lin Ting couldn’t believe how many coincidences existed in the world.
Almost every elective, she ran into Lu Hesheng in the same class schedule. He never skipped a class, always present.
His enthusiasm for learning went beyond her expectations.
Back in high school at the International Department of Jing University, Lu Hesheng was notorious for skipping class.
His studies followed an overseas system, and his grades were outstanding enough that teachers usually turned a blind eye.
Today, again, they happened to sit together.
Seeing her distracted, Lu Hesheng waved his hand in front of her eyes, a teasing smirk on his lips:
“Daydreaming, Lin Junior?”
Lin Ting rubbed her eyes, feeling completely drained: “No, just a little sleepy.”
Lu Hesheng didn’t comment. If anyone could sugarcoat a situation, it was Lin Ting—she was a master at it.
He smirked: “Sleep if you’re tired. Otherwise, I’d think you can’t take your eyes off me because I’m too handsome, refusing to rest even for a second.”
Lin Ting nodded in agreement.
Indeed, when said by Lu Hesheng, it felt completely natural.
She turned her gaze back to her phone screen.
Counselor: 【Lin Ting, remember to come by my office this afternoon.】
Lin Ting: 【Got it, teacher.】
A few days ago, after the internal graduate recommendation list was published, Lin Ting messaged her counselor saying she wanted to give up her recommendation.
The counselor had advised her to reconsider.
Lin Ting would never regret it; she knew herself too well and exactly what she wanted to break free from.
She had long been tired of the invisible cage of a suffocating life.
She packed her bag a minute early, ready to leave.
When the bell rang, she ran out without noticing the unusual gaze from the man beside her.
In the office, the counselor was busy with paperwork. Seeing Lin Ting knock, he put down his documents, rubbing his forehead.
He got up and asked seriously: “Lin Ting, are you sure you want to give up the recommendation?”
Lin Ting nodded firmly: “Yes, teacher. I’ve made my decision.”
The counselor patted her shoulder, saying no more, a tinge of regret in his heart.
For three years, Lin Ting had consistently ranked at the top of her class. Giving up the recommendation meant three years of effort were seemingly wasted.
Yet as a teacher, he respected each student’s choice.
He watched her sit, carefully signing the form to give up the recommendation.
After completing all the formalities, the counselor escorted her to the door, smiling encouragingly:
“Lin Ting, since you’ve chosen another path, walk it bravely.”
“I wish you a bright and successful future!”
Lin Ting returned his smile: “Thank you, teacher. I also wish you smooth work and that your students thrive everywhere.”
After leaving the office and closing the door, Lin Ting finally felt the weight on her chest lift.
Her steps were light as she headed toward the elevator.
Students and teachers passed by in the hallway.
On the first floor, a familiar voice sounded behind her: “Wait.”
Her heart froze as footsteps drew closer.
“What’s in your hand?”
She turned to see Lu Hesheng staring intently at the folder she carried.
Her heart raced, and she tried to bluff: “It’s just some graduate recommendation lists and notices from the academy.”
Lu Hesheng smiled, his voice devoid of warmth: “Is that so? Then congratulations, junior.”
“Now you can continue at Jing University, officially my junior.”
“If you ever have any academic questions, feel free to ask me, okay?”
Though his words were perfectly casual, Lin Ting’s heart felt as if plunged into ice water—the fear of an uncertain future, or the guilt of lying in front of him, was almost unbearable.
She turned into the restroom, folded the documents neatly into her bag, and spent a full ten minutes calming herself.
When she stepped out again, Lu Hesheng was still at the door, leaning against a car and talking on the phone.
Sensing her gaze, he lazily lifted his eyelids, his eyes immediately locking onto hers.
He didn’t end his call, muttering indistinctly into the phone, then directly walked toward her:
“Get in.”