"Huh?" Xin Zhiyao's mind raced, "I, didn't I tell you? My younger brother fell while playing basketball, I'm taking him to the hospital."
"Your mother isn't here."
"She, she has to cook."
"Your family members really cherish your younger brother. You haven't missed a class since you started university, and now you're being asked to take leave to take care of him because your brother fell," Song Yujia said indignantly on Xin Zhiyao's behalf.
Xin Zhiyao felt incredibly guilty.
If Lin Haiying knew she had cursed her son, she would probably chase her to school with a knife.
"Oh right, Professor Zhou also took leave yesterday."
Xin Zhiyao's hand holding her mobile phone trembled.
"He was supposed to have a class yesterday, and he asked another teacher to switch. I heard that when Professor Zhou asked that teacher to switch classes, the teacher casually asked him what he was going to do, and Professor Zhou actually said he was going to handle a major life event."
"Really?" Xin Zhiyao chuckled.
"Guess what Professor Zhou's major life event is?"
Xin Zhiyao's smile became a little stiff, "I, how would I know."
Song Yujia tapped her chin, "I guess he's getting married."
"Cough, cough, cough." Xin Zhiyao choked on her own saliva.
Seeing her reaction, Song Yujia burst into laughter, "Look at how excited you are, I was just joking."
That joke wasn't funny at all; she was breaking out in a cold sweat.
Xin Zhiyao cautiously probed, "What if Professor Zhou really got married."
"Impossible, according to a certain teacher, his employment records state he's unmarried."
Could it be that he just got married yesterday?
"If, I'm saying if, he really got married?"
"I'm fine, my admiration for Professor Zhou is rational, purely admiration for the strong. But others might not be so lucky," Song Yujia narrowed her eyes, "I heard that a student at our school once liked a married teacher and then kidnapped that teacher's wife, threatening him to divorce her."
Xin Zhiyao trembled upon hearing this.
Was it still in time for her to get a divorce?
Song Yujia glanced at her, "What are you afraid of? The person marrying Professor Zhou isn't you."
"I, I'm not afraid," Xin Zhiyao said stubbornly.
"Hahaha," Song Yujia squeezed her face, "I made it up, you're so cute."
Xin Zhiyao immediately gave her two punches.
As they were play fighting, the dormitory door opened, and someone walked in.
She had a thick, blunt fringe that covered her not-unattractive features, and her large glasses framed her face, exuding a gloomy temperament.
Xin Zhiyao and Song Yujia exchanged a look and stopped their play fighting.
"Zheng Qiu, you're back," Xin Zhiyao greeted her first.
Zheng Qiu didn't speak, silently sat down in her seat, and opened her book.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward. Song Yujia nudged Xin Zhiyao and gestured towards the door with her eyes.
Xin Zhiyao nodded, "Zheng Qiu, Jia Jia and I have a class, we're leaving now."
Still silent, Song Yujia directly pulled her out, "Bye."
They only let out a heavy sigh of relief at the stairwell.
"That was terrifying. It's been two years, and I still haven't gotten used to Zheng Qiu's appearance," Song Yujia said.
"Me neither."
Their dormitory originally had four people. Su Qianqian applied for off-campus housing in her third year of university. Zheng Qiu was in the same major as them, had excellent grades, ranking in the top three of the year. However, her personality was extremely reserved, she was always gloomy, and very independent. In the two years they lived together, they had spoken very little.
Xin Zhiyao and Song Yujia were both a little afraid of interacting with her.
Today's class was pathology, and they received notice that the teacher would be ten minutes late. Xin Zhiyao couldn't wait and sent the screenshot of the dressing table she had just taken to Zhou Ji.
Xin Zhiyao: Is this dressing table okay? 【Image】
Zhou Ji replied quickly: Playing on your phone during class?
Xin Zhiyao was immediately embarrassed.
What was with that strong teacher-like tone?
Xin Zhiyao: How did you know I have class right now?
Zhou Ji: I have your class schedule.
Xin Zhiyao's heart skipped a beat as she looked at the message he sent.
What did he want her class schedule for? Then she wouldn't be able to hide anything from him if she skipped class in the future.
Xin Zhiyao: The teacher hasn't arrived yet.
Zhou Ji: It's fine, as long as you like it.
Xin Zhiyao knew he was replying about the dressing table question from earlier.
After thinking for a moment, she asked him again: Can I plant some green plants on the balcony?
Zhou Ji: Of course, you're the mistress of the house, you can decorate it however you want.
The words "mistress of the house" made Xin Zhiyao's gaze burn.
Immediately, her phone vibrated, and Zhou Ji transferred ten thousand yuan.
Xin Zhiyao: ???
Zhou Ji: Buy whatever you want.
Xin Zhiyao: Didn't you just give me a card?
Zhou Ji: Can you use it?
Although they hadn't known each other for long, he still understood her a little and knew she definitely wouldn't use the money on the card.
Xin Zhiyao: I have money.
Zhou Ji: You're still young, money is an adult's matter.
Xin Zhiyao's small face puffed out unconsciously.
It was clear that he treated her more like a child.
Don't forget this "child" is carrying your baby.
Xin Zhiyao didn't know how to reply for a moment.
Immediately after, Zhou Ji sent another message: Your focus now is on your studies and the child. You don't need to worry about other things, be obedient.
Xin Zhiyao's face involuntarily heated up when she saw the word "obedient."
She knew Zhou Ji most likely sent it casually, but she couldn't help but imagine if Zhou Ji said those two words to her in his pleasant voice...
Ahhh, so soothing!
Xin Zhiyao's inner self, pathetically, screamed like a groundhog.
After taking a few deep breaths, she managed to calm down and replied: Okay.
Then she obediently accepted the money.
Zhou Ji instructed: Pay attention in class.
Xin Zhiyao replied with an emoji of a soldier standing at attention.
After that, Zhou Ji didn't send any more messages. Xin Zhiyao reread their chat history, and for some reason, her face grew hotter and hotter.
"Yaoyao, what's wrong? Your face is so red?" Song Yujia noticed her abnormality.
Xin Zhiyao buried her face in her shoulder, her lips curling upwards uncontrollably.
In the following days, Xin Zhiyao mostly communicated with Zhou Ji via WeChat, except for brief encounters during class.
Their most frequent chat content was discussing whether something was good or not, until one day, Zhou Ji asked her: Have you submitted the application for off-campus housing?
Xin Zhiyao had thought there was still enough time, so she had been delaying it: Not yet.
Zhou Ji: As soon as possible, the house will be ready to move in next week.
Xin Zhiyao: Okay.
Zhou Ji: Do you have the application form?
Xin Zhiyao: No...
Zhou Ji: Come to my office after class to get it.
Xin Zhiyao: Okay.
This was Xin Zhiyao's second time in Zhou Ji's office. Unlike the first time when she felt like she was making a drastic decision, this time she felt a bit guilty, like she was having an affair with her teacher.
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