"Student, did you come to the wrong classroom?" Hearing the crowd's excited screams, the scholarly professor adjusted his glasses and took a careful look at Gu Jingchen, reluctantly admitting that the man before him was undeniably, strikingly handsome. With some doubt in his eyes, he asked Gu Jingchen hesitantly.
"Professor Deng, I'm a student from another school. I heard that your lectures are exceptionally brilliant and profoundly insightful, so I came today to sit in on your class. Would that be alright with you?"
The man's demeanor was poised and sincere, carrying the respectful humility of someone venerating their elder. His deep, dark eyes even held a touch of reverence as he looked at Professor Deng.
"Ah, yes, absolutely! Everyone is welcome to join in and discuss. Welcome to take a seat, young man." The elderly professor was genuinely gratified. Having taught for so many years and finally encountering someone who admired his lectures enough to attend specially filled him with joy!
"Xixia, may I sit here?" Amidst the shrieking adoration of the girls, Gu Jingchen made his way to Shang Xixia, the smile at his lips growing ever softer and warmer as he spoke.
"Brother Jingchen, how did you end up here? Of course, take this seat." Shang Xixia had been staring blankly at Gu Jingchen standing in front of the podium, speculating about why he would come to this classroom when she saw him walking toward her.
The young woman's exquisite little face blushed faintly, looking super adorable as she stuck out her tongue slightly, then hurriedly offered her seat.
"Ah, Xixia. You know I went to a vocational university for college, rarely experiencing the rigorous education at a place like yours. Today, your Brother Jingyu mentioned your school has unique teaching styles. You have no idea how envious I am! So, I randomly picked a classroom to sit in. I had no idea you'd be here."
Gu Jingchen slightly pursed his lips, his handsome face carrying a gentle softness, though he maintained a perfectly upright facade. He wouldn't admit he'd come here entirely for her. The little woman he dearly loved was obviously a shy, innocent rabbit. Before their feelings developed naturally, he didn't want to frighten her.
"Oh." The young woman nodded her understanding. Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly in an arc. Without even looking, she could clearly sense the jealous stares of the nearby girls. Their gazes felt like sharp darts. If looks could kill, it seemed she would have died hundreds of times over by now, wouldn't she?
Thus, for the first time ever, the typically dull class of Professor Deng became lively. The odds of students falling asleep reached an all-time low. The female students stayed alert—not only infatuated with how handsome Gu Jingchen was the longer they stared but increasingly smitten. Meanwhile, jealous male students sharpened their metaphorical darts. They would've gladly killed Gu Jingchen with their looks because the girls they liked were utterly enchanted, their eyes fixated on Gu Jingchen with tender admiration. How infuriating was that?
Of course, there was one exception in the classroom, and that person was Yu Tingting. Oblivious to it all, the young woman napped through the entire lecture. When the class ended and Zhou Xingyan woke her up, she yawned sweetly, still utterly drowsy, wasn't she?
Over the ninety-minute class, Shang Xixia hardly paid full attention. Beside her was a breathtakingly handsome man, whose intoxicating masculine presence carried a comforting warmth that drifted to her delicate nose. She couldn't help but feel her heartbeat quicken. Her gorgeous little face was flushed the entire time, only exhaling fully once class had ended.
"Class is finally over. Why did I feel like Brother Jingchen was looking at me the entire time? But when I turned around, clearly he wasn't. When did I become so self-absorbed?"
The young woman secretly grumbled to herself, her lips curving up lightly in an expression of playful innocence.
Throughout the class, Gu Jingchen had indeed been watching his beloved little woman non-stop. To be able to spend such moments sitting in a class with her, surrounded by the vivid ambiance belonging solely to her world—this two-desk distance, breathing in the faint sweetness of the air around her—was pure bliss. Naturally, the timing wasn't right yet, so his gaze remained discreet and sharp. Every time he noticed the young woman turning to look at him, his eyes quickly and expertly withdrew, donning an innocent expression. How could he possibly let his feelings be discovered by her?
"Brother Jingchen, we're done with class now." After class ended, the young woman stood up, her beautifully flushed face still carrying a trace of shyness. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and an inexplicable feeling of reluctance welled up in her heart. Why did she feel so unwilling to part with the man in front of her?
"Oh, yes, class is over. Where are you heading? I'm heading to the KTV on City Government Road for a business engagement. Are your destinations on my way?"
The man spoke calmly, feigning indifference. Having kept tabs on his beloved little woman's every move, he knew perfectly well where she was heading. How could he not?
"We're going there too! Perfect, we're on the same way!" Yu Tingting chimed in first. The young girl's bright eyes gleamed as she looked at Gu Jingchen, unmistakably excited to hitch a ride!
She had long grown weary of suffering on crowded buses. At this time of day, buses would be packed with passengers. Three petite, radiant girls dressed lightly in the summer heat—what if they encountered harassment?
"..." Shang Xixia cast a mildly reproachful glance at Yu Tingting. Brother Jingchen is so busy; could you trouble him a bit less?
"Oh, alright. I'll give you a ride." The older man continued his pretense of calm as he spoke. Then, without giving Shang Xixia any time to refuse or reconsider, he strode away with his long legs. His slender fingers slid into his pants pocket as he softly curved his lips—to suppress the smile threatening to break through, carrying a hint of playful arrogance—as he walked toward the front.
"Let's go, Xixia, or we'll be late," Zhou Xingyan said as she tugged on Shang Xixia's pale little hand. Her delicate face lit up with a smile as she quickly tried to mediate.
The amiable interaction between the three girls was observed intently by Gu Jingchen. A deeply sentimental man, he couldn't help but silently vow in his heart: the kindness of his beloved little woman's two close friends would surely be repaid tenfold in the future!
Gu Jingchen headed toward the car. Though ordinarily a decisive and ruthless soul, as he walked, faint melancholy crept into his feelings. The one-month deadline to return was drawing close. In his heart, every moment spent with his little woman mattered immensely. How he wished he could always stay by her side, shielding her from life's storms, and make it last forever.
With Gu Jingchen's thoughts in mind, the car quickly began its journey toward the KTV.