Xin Zhiyao's pupils instantly dilated, her tongue tied, "Pro-Professor Zhou."
Song Yujia on the other end of the phone didn't know Xin Zhiyao's situation. Seeing that she wasn't reacting to her long speech, she continued to exclaim, "Yaoyao, did you hear what I said? You need to take action, your future happiness is in your own hands."
Old Man, please stop talking.
If you keep talking, let alone the future, whether you can see tomorrow's sun is still unknown. I'm already so embarrassed that I want to drag you to jump into the river and commit suicide.
Xin Zhiyao quickly picked up the mobile phone on the desk and hung up decisively.
Song Yujia's words came to an abrupt end.
A suffocating silence fell in the room, and Xin Zhiyao was so nervous she could barely breathe.
She looked at Zhou Ji standing at the doorway, forcing a smile, "Pro-Professor Zhou, you're back so early."
Zhou Ji's dark eyes churned, his gaze falling on Xin Zhiyao, whose face was flushed red.
He had heard the latter half of the phone call. More than the content, what he found more interesting was Xin Zhiyao's embarrassed appearance at this moment.
She held her mobile phone, looking restless.
There were still a few dumplings left uneaten on the plate on the desk.
Slightly narrowing his brows, Zhou Ji finally spoke, "Just got up?"
"Mhm, mhm." Xin Zhiyao didn't think being late was a big deal at all now.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"Mhm, mhm."
If what just happened hadn't occurred, it would have been even better.
"How about steamed fish for lunch today? I brought a fish back when I came."
Only then did she notice Zhou Ji was carrying a bag in his hand.
"Mhm, mhm."
Xin Zhiyao couldn't say anything other than "mhm." As long as this matter could be put aside, she would eat anything he made.
Zhou Ji changed into his slippers and walked over. Xin Zhiyao subconsciously tensed up.
He noticed, a faint smile on his lips, "It's inevitable for girls to discuss certain topics together, you don't need to be so awkward."
She wasn't awkward discussing these topics; the awkward part was being caught by the person involved and now being directly attacked.
Now, Xin Zhiyao couldn't even pretend to be an ostrich and showed a pitiful expression.
Professor Zhou, can we please not bring this up again.
Xin Zhiyao couldn't stay any longer, she hastily finished the remaining dumplings and scurried into her room.
Opening her mobile phone, she saw that Song Yujia had actually sent her several messages.
Song Yujia: Why did you hang up so suddenly?
Song Yujia: Did something happen?
Song Yujia: Did you hear what I told you?
Xin Zhiyao decided not to let her off the hook.
Xin Zhiyao: I heard.
Xin Zhiyao: Professor Zhou also heard.
Song Yujia replied quickly: !!!!!!!!
Xin Zhiyao: Surprised?
Song Yujia: Yaoyao, why don't you whisper in Professor Zhou's ear and let me go （ Pitiful ）
Xin Zhiyao: I can't even save myself.
Song Yujia: Despair.jpg.
Zhou Ji cooked both lunch and dinner. Because she was embarrassed, Xin Zhiyao stayed in the study room studying except during meals. During meals, she buried her head in her food, afraid that Zhou Ji would bring up the old topic again.
Zhou Ji looked at the top of her dark head, wondering if he had joked too much, seeing how scared she was.
Around ten o'clock, Xin Zhiyao felt thirsty and walked out of the study room to get some water.
Zhou Ji was in the living room, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, leaning against the sofa, wearing silver-rimmed glasses, and engrossed in a book.
This was the first time Xin Zhiyao had seen him wear glasses. The silver-rimmed glasses rested on his high nose bridge, and the light outlined a warm contour, giving him a more refined and scholarly air.
She was momentarily stunned, until Zhou Ji suddenly looked up, and their gazes met unexpectedly.
His eyes were filled with deep, dark ink, as if they could draw people in, bottomless.
Xin Zhiyao's pupils contracted, then she feigned calmness and mumbled, "I'm getting some water."
Zhou Ji got up from the carpet and casually picked up the kettle on the table.
"I'll do it, I'll do it."
Xin Zhiyao quickly reached for it, her fingertip accidentally brushing against the back of his hand.
Upon touching the warm sensation, she flinched back as if scalded.
In that brief moment, Zhou Ji had already filled the cup with water and handed it to her.
"Thank you." Xin Zhiyao quickly took it, her lips dry from nervousness, and took a sip of water to moisten them.
Zhou Ji glanced at the time and asked her, "What time do you plan to rest?"
Xin Zhiyao used to sleep at one or two in the morning, but that was because she had to study after returning from her part-time job at the milk tea shop. She had been studying all day today.
"Soon," Xin Zhiyao said.
"I'll warm a glass of milk for you before you sleep."
Zhou Ji seemed insistent on warming her milk before bed. Xin Zhiyao knew it was useless to refuse, so she nodded obediently.
Her gaze fell on the book he was reading. Xin Zhiyao was curious what book a university professor could be reading so intently. If it was about anatomy, would she be getting firsthand study material?
Xin Zhiyao couldn't help but ask, "What book are you reading?"
Zhou Ji bent down, picked up the book, and showed her the cover: "Pregnancy Bible."
"..."
So that's what Professor Zhou was reading so intently.
"I'm very clear about the experience of pregnancy and the changes during gestation. I just want to see how to adjust diet and ensure the physical and mental health of pregnant women."
"..." Xin Zhiyao made small talk, "What chapter are you on?"
"I just finished chapter seven, the next chapter is..." Zhou Ji said, casually flipping to the bookmark, his voice coming to an abrupt halt.
Xin Zhiyao leaned in curiously to take a look, and the chapter title caught her eye.
Pay attention to controlling emotions and sexual activity.
"..."
Curiosity killed the cat, as the saying goes, and Xin Zhiyao was probably feeling it now. She wished she could slap herself twice.
Zhou Ji closed the book, his expression composed, "Get some rest early, you have class tomorrow."
Seizing the opportunity, Xin Zhiyao quickly ran off, "Professor Zhou, goodnight."
In the living room, Zhou Ji reopened the book he had just closed.
Back in her room, Xin Zhiyao leaned against the door, covering her face, which felt a little hot.
After a moment of calming down, she heard her mobile phone beep.
It was a message from Brother Heng, the boss of the milk tea shop.
Li Heng: Little Xin, are you sure you can come tomorrow? You've taken leave for the past two days, and the milk tea shop is too busy to manage.
For nearly two years, her living expenses had been entirely from her part-time job. Xin Zhiyao naturally didn't want to give it up. Once her belly grew, she wouldn't be able to work part-time anymore, so she had to earn more while she could. She couldn't possibly ask Zhou Ji for money.
But she had a hunch that Zhou Ji would definitely not agree to her working part-time, so she needed to find an excuse.
Xin Zhiyao replied to Li Heng, then began racking her brain for a reason.
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