Monday, eight in the morning.
Jiang Linyuan walked into the classroom.
One autumn rain brought another chill. It had rained last night.
Jinling's temperature had plunged overnight, as if winter had forced its way into summer. The days were getting cold.
After saying goodbye to Lin Yilin yesterday, Jiang Linyuan had chatted with her online for a long time, giving her a thorough ideological education.
He'd made her realize what a glorious undertaking it was to be someone's wingman!
So when Jiang Linyuan got up that morning, he was so exhausted that he gave himself a quick boost.
[Renewed], activate!
In an instant, Jiang Linyuan was full of energy. He felt like he could knock Su Muzhi out with one punch.
And if one punch didn't do it? He'd throw a few more.
He pulled out his phone and began his daily harassment of Shen Wanyu.
"Department Head, Department Head, it's cold out. Make sure to drink plenty of hot water."
One sentence, and she'd be warm all day.
"Mm."
A familiar voice suddenly sounded beside him.
Holy crap, the Department Head had learned to transmit her voice over a thousand miles!
Jiang Linyuan jumped. He looked up and realized there was someone beside him: Shen Wanyu.
"Is anyone sitting next to you?"
She asked flatly.
"No, no one."
Jiang Linyuan waved a hand, looking at Shen Wanyu in confusion.
Did I walk into the wrong classroom? How'd the Department Head just spawn beside me?
Shen Wanyu slowly sat down and glanced at him.
"I'm taking this class too."
"Oh."
That was even stranger. How come he'd hardly ever seen her here?
Shen Wanyu stared straight ahead and said,
"You've hardly ever come to this class."
Jiang Linyuan paused. She was right.
This elective was scheduled for eight in the morning, and it was an easy credit. The professor hardly ever took attendance. Why not skip it?
Besides, could skipping an elective even be called skipping class?
Anyway, he'd only been here once. If [Renewed] hadn't left him buzzing with energy and nowhere to put it, he wouldn't have come today either.
"Department Head, from now on, I'll come to this class every day!"
Jiang Linyuan said solemnly.
"Good. Then when the professor takes attendance, mark me present too."
Shen Wanyu nodded in satisfaction.
Jiang Linyuan tilted his head.
"I haven't come to this class much either."
Shen Wanyu said it bluntly.
Unbelievable. Where was her aloof goddess image?!
Did she think he was Japanese or something? She wanted him to attend class for her for free? No way!
"That won't do, Department Head. If you don't come, what's the point of me coming?"
Jiang Linyuan tactfully refused Shen Wanyu.
Shen Wanyu wasn't surprised at all. She simply leaned over and instructed him,
"Then I'll take a nap."
With that, she drifted off peacefully.
Shen Wanyu was something else.
She slacked off like this every day. Didn't her conscience hurt?
Besides, at her age, how could she sleep so easily?
Jiang Linyuan looked at Shen Wanyu's profile.
He had to admit, her little face was quite pretty. She was cool and distant, with a fragile beauty that made her seem like an ice-cold beauty.
No wonder she was the one he'd chosen to swipe his card.
But unfortunately, she hardly ever showed any expression.
Shen Wanyu, I hate that you have no heart!
At the lectern, the white-haired professor was explaining the art and philosophy of ancient Rome word by word. Jiang Linyuan was bored out of his mind.
With nothing else to do, he'd tease his little Binary Sister.
Jiang Linyuan took out his phone again.
"Underclassman, underclassman, it's cold out. Remember to bundle up."
"Mhm, you too, Senior."
Binary Sister replied quickly, as innocent and cute as ever.
"Then say something sweet to warm your senior up. I'm freezing to death."
"...I don't want to talk to an Average and Confident senior anymore."
Lin Yilin sent another message, this time with a cute little rabbit sulking. Adorable.
"Underclassman, I treat you like my little blanket, and you call me Average and Confident!"
"Go die! You're taking advantage of me on the sly, aren't you?"
What, did she want him to call her Mom?
Valorant Bro was thrilled!
The two of them chatted back and forth, having a great time.
But someone else wasn't enjoying it.
The old professor at the lectern gave the pair—one sleeping, one playing on his phone—a sharper and sharper look.
Oh, these young people!
"Girl in the back row who's asleep, have the person next to you wake you up. I want you to answer this question."
Jiang Linyuan grinned.
He put his phone away and nudged Shen Wanyu.
"Department Head, wake up!"
Shen Wanyu woke and grabbed Jiang Linyuan's hand. Her eyes fixed on him, cold as ice.
Well, well. She had a temper when she woke up? If she kept this up, he'd really have to teach her to behave. Seriously.
"What?"
Only after recognizing Jiang Linyuan beside her did she slowly release his hand and ask calmly.
"The professor wants you to answer a question."
Shen Wanyu stood up without a trace of panic. Completely composed, she said bluntly,
"Professor, I didn't bring my glasses. I can't see very well."
The old professor chuckled.
"Then come sit up front. You'll be able to see better."
Shen Wanyu said nothing and sat down in the empty front row.
Hahaha, Shen Wanyu, your turn had finally come!
Jiang Linyuan grinned.
"Now, the male student who woke up the girl just now, you answer this question."
Jiang Linyuan stopped grinning.
Th-this wasn't right.
He slowly stood up and stared at the blackboard for a while, pretending to think hard.
The old professor smiled amiably.
"You didn't bring your glasses either? Can't see?"
Professor, why were you stealing his line?
Where was your professional integrity? You couldn't trick a young man and catch him off guard like that!
Jiang Linyuan struggled for a moment, then forced an awkward smile.
"Professor, there's a glare on the blackboard. I can't see it clearly."
The old professor burst out laughing.
"You can come sit up front too."
Jiang Linyuan said nothing and sat beside Shen Wanyu.
Shen Wanyu glanced at him.
"Glare on the blackboard?"
Jiang Linyuan gave a cold snort.
"Didn't bring your glasses?"
The old professor had seen their little exchange. He sighed inwardly.
It was nice to be young.
"Pay attention in class, you two!"
With that, the old professor resumed his long, soporific lecture.
Class break.
"Department Head, I'm going to the bathroom. Want to come with me?"
Shen Wanyu looked at him as if he were an idiot.
The Department Head was a little shy. She was embarrassed to go with him.
Jiang Linyuan's plan to walk there together fell through, so he had to go wander off and relieve himself alone.
On his way back, he spotted a familiar figure at the classroom door.
It was Liu Tingting.
She'd really come after him?!
What a Liu Tingting. Other people blocked bridges; she blocked doorways!
The moment she saw Jiang Linyuan, she jogged over and complained,
"It's not easy getting to see you, junior."
"Hahaha."
Facing this tea who'd long since passed her expiration date, Jiang Linyuan just smiled, not bothering to hold back.
"If you want to see me, senior, you can visit the men's dorm. You'll get to see me every day."
Liu Tingting: ...
He hadn't contacted her for a few days. How had he turned into this?
Liu Tingting looked at him mournfully, her brows laden with endless sorrow. She called to him softly,
"Junior, are you still upset because I turned you down?"
As she spoke, she took his hand and gazed at him affectionately.
"Your senior was wrong. I was in a hurry back then, and I got nervous. We can take it slow, okay?"
Jiang Linyuan silently pulled his hand away, his face full of rueful disbelief.
"Senior, the biggest taboo in our line of work is falling in love with a client."
Are you a gigolo or something?! There was a taboo like that?
Seeing how uncomfortable Jiang Linyuan was, Liu Tingting stopped pressing him and tried a softer approach, holding his hand.
"It's okay. We can still be friends, right? Junior, add my contact back."
Students passing in and out of the classroom watched the scene with undisguised curiosity.
A beautiful woman, a handsome man, a mournful mood... There was gossip to be had!
Jiang Linyuan didn't want anything more to do with Liu Tingting. He decided to say something harsh and cut ties with her once and for all.
"Junior, don't be so heartless. I'm begging you."
Seeing Jiang Linyuan's expression turn cold, Liu Tingting raised her voice, drawing the attention of every student who passed by.
With so many people watching, her junior surely wouldn't say anything too cruel.
Jiang Linyuan noticed more and more people watching. He gave Liu Tingting a strange look.
Did people these days need an audience to enjoy making fools of themselves?
Sigh, fine. He'd indulge her circus act and make sure she lost face spectacularly!
Just as Jiang Linyuan opened his mouth to mock Liu Tingting, a cool voice rang out.
"Are you on your period too? What took you so long in the bathroom?"
He turned around. It was Shen Wanyu.
She swept her cold gaze over the crowd. Everyone who met her eyes instinctively looked away, no longer interested in watching. They gave awkward smiles and walked off.
At last, Shen Wanyu's gaze fell on Liu Tingting.
"Don't make a fool of yourself. Leaving with dignity is a good ending."
Who was this woman?
"Who are you? I didn't hear my junior..."
"Wasn't I clear enough?"
Shen Wanyu cut her off, stepping forward. Her tall frame made Liu Tingting instinctively retreat.
She didn't lay a hand on her, but gave the impression that if Liu Tingting said another word, she'd slap her.
The sense of déjà vu was a little too strong.
Liu Tingting was sweating buckets.
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