14 – Let me kiss you
Professor Zhao walked in with a book tucked under his arm. Just as he reached the classroom door, he heard the noisy commotion inside.
He frowned, put on a stern face, and strode into the classroom with the dignified air of a professor.
The boys in the class were still heatedly discussing the game they had played last night, completely oblivious to the professor’s darkening expression.
Upon seeing the professor enter, Ruan Tiantian immediately sat up straight, looking every bit the model student—a far cry from her drowsy, lazy demeanor just moments before.
Shen Xiuyu was leaning sideways, chatting with Lu Wenjie and the others. The group of boys was having a lively conversation, laughing and talking loudly.
The professor stood stiffly on the podium, pulled the textbook from under his arm, and slammed it hard onto the desk.
Bang—
Even the dust on the desk trembled.
Shen Xiuyu immediately stopped talking, leisurely sat up straight, leaned back in his chair, lifted his eyelids, and glanced at the professor on the podium.
The entire class fell into silence.
Tan Song whispered to Du Xiaofeng, lowering his voice, “This must be the legendary Professor Zhao, the academic heavyweight who assigned an essay before the semester even started.”
Du Xiaofeng looked at the professor on the podium but didn’t dare to speak.
Professor Zhao wore a sour expression, remained silent for a moment, then turned on the computer and opened the prepared PowerPoint.
“Good morning, students. I am your Introduction to Software Engineering professor. My surname is Zhao, so you can call me Professor Zhao.”
When Ruan Tiantian heard the professor’s introduction, she wore an expression that said, “I already guessed it.”
She turned her head and whispered into Fu Li’s ear, “So this is Professor Zhao. No wonder he’s a theory professor—assigning an essay right at the start of the semester.”
Fu Li replied, “Yeah, I heard he’s quite famous in City B, a big name in the software engineering academic world.”
Standing on the podium, Professor Zhao could easily spot Ruan Tiantian whispering in the back row.
He looked in her direction and said, “The girl in the white dress in the last row.”
Ruan Tiantian’s heart sank, and she thought, Oh no. She glanced at the other three girls—she was the only one wearing a white dress.
She took a deep breath, placed her hands on the desk, and timidly stood up, not daring to meet the professor’s eyes.
Her voice was sweet and obedient as she said, “Hello, Professor.”
Professor Zhao looked at her and asked, “This student, tell me your understanding of software.”
Ruan Tiantian frowned, then cautiously raised her head and glanced at the professor.
Instantly, her mind went blank, unsure how to answer.
Could she say software is just apps?
If she said that, wouldn’t the professor scold her?
She reached into her desk compartment, intending to grab her phone and search online for a professional explanation.
Just then, Shen Xiuyu, sitting beside her, reached out and tugged at her skirt.
Ruan Tiantian lowered her gaze and saw the big shot tapping his finger on the textbook.
It was exactly the definition of software, and he had even kindly underlined it.
Ruan Tiantian glanced at it and began to speak, “Software is generally divided into system software and application software. Software is not just programs running on computers…”
Before she could finish speaking, the professor nodded, gave her a satisfied glance, waved his hand, and motioned for her to sit down.
She secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as she sat down, she met Shen Xiuyu’s peach blossom eyes, which held a teasing, half-smiling glint.
He held a black pen in his hand, his slender and pale fingers effortlessly twirling the black gel pen.
She glanced at his fingers—they were really too good-looking. Even though she wasn’t a hand enthusiast, she couldn’t help but steal several glances.
Shen Xiuyu teased, “What’s wrong? Did the professor’s question stump you?”
Ruan Tiantian replied, “No, just now… thank you.”
“Ruan Tiantian, ‘thank you’ isn’t what I want.”
“Then what do you want?”
Shen Xiuyu’s gaze lingered on the girl’s pink, soft lips. Her lips were slightly parted, naturally shaped like a smile, with a lovely curve that looked very kissable.
The color in Shen Xiuyu’s eyes instantly deepened, and his throat felt slightly itchy. Lowering his voice, he leaned closer to Ruan Tiantian.
His voice was magnetic and deep, laced with laughter as he half-joked, half-seriously teased her, “Let me kiss you.”
Upon hearing Shen Xiuyu’s words, Ruan Tiantian’s face instantly flushed bright red. She shifted slightly toward Fu Li, putting some distance between herself and Shen Xiuyu.
Under her breath, she muttered a quiet rebuke, “Pervert!”
Since they were in class, she didn’t dare speak too loudly and could only scold him softly.
Coupled with her naturally light and soft voice, it truly lacked any sense of intimidation. To Shen Xiuyu’s ears, it sounded even more like she was coquettishly teasing him.
Shen Xiuyu curved his lips into a smile. Strangely, when he heard Ruan Tiantian scold him, he actually found it sweet. What was going on?
Tan Song whispered to Du Xiaofeng, “Am I seeing things? Our ‘Shen-daddy’ was actually flirting with the new fairy-like girl just now!”
Du Xiaofeng added, “At the last gathering, he also took the initiative to approach that fairy-like girl!”
Tan Song wondered, “Could it be that Shen-daddy has really fallen for the fairy-like girl?”
Du Xiaofeng replied, “Not sure. Maybe yes, maybe no.”
Lu Wenjie glanced at them and reminded them, “Keep it down. Do you want the professor to invite you up for a ‘chat’?”
The bell for the end of class rang.
Ruan Tiantian immediately sprang up from her seat. She couldn’t take it anymore—Shen Xiuyu had been watching her the whole time, observing her every move.
She felt like she was about to suffocate.
As soon as class ended, she made a beeline for the girls’ restroom.
Shen Xiuyu stood in the hallway, watching the girl’s hurried retreating figure, feeling a wave of confusion.
Had she been holding it in the entire class?
She headed straight for the restroom as soon as class ended.
Shen Xiuyu and a few other boys swaggered toward the restroom as well. The boys’ and girls’ restrooms were adjacent.
They weren’t really going to use the restroom—most of the boys were going there to smoke.
Shen Xiuyu didn’t go inside. Instead, he leaned against the wall at the corner outside the restroom, taking the cigarette Lu Wenjie handed him.
He casually placed it between his lips, pulled a lighter from his pocket, lowered his head slightly, and lit the cigarette.
His cheeks hollowed slightly as he took a drag, then slowly exhaled a stream of smoke.
He held the cigarette loosely between his fingers, bantering lazily with Lu Wenjie and the others as he leaned against the white wall.
A faint smile played on his lips as he listened to them tell some risqué jokes.
Just then, a senior girl dressed in a bold, trendy style walked over.
The girl wore a sexy denim miniskirt, with a form-fitting top that was currently very popular among fashionable young women.
Her face was adorned with exquisite makeup, and her figure was tall and slender—long legs, a slim waist, and a perky rear. Every gesture she made exuded a seductive charm.
Jiang Xizi’s gaze remained fixed on Shen Xiuyu as she walked straight toward him.