"Oh, that's it. I just thought that Ye plays the piano often, so her hands are precious."

This is freshly brewed brown sugar ginger tea; I've never had it before.

Ye Xi was stunned.

Lin Que was also taken aback, raising an eyebrow at the notoriously old-fashioned teacher.

Yan Fang adjusted her glasses somewhat awkwardly.

He avoided Ye Xi's surprised gaze, looking instead at the wall beside him, his tone still stiff:

"Ye Xi, let's keep things separate. I still stand by my point of view."

That ferry service is bound to mislead students who are not yet mentally mature.

I won't change my opinion on this just because you play the piano well.

Ye Xi opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

"but."

Yan Fang changed the subject, turning to look at Lin Que with a complicated expression.

"What Lin Que said on stage just now... does make some sense."

"I've taught all my life, and I always wanted to give my students the best and most orthodox knowledge, for fear that they would go astray."

But just now, seeing the way those children clapped, seeing the light in their eyes…

Yan Fang paused, then gave a self-deprecating bitter laugh.

"I suddenly realized that maybe I'm getting old."

My claim that I'm doing this for their own good may just be wishful thinking on my part.

Literature, if it's dead, then it really has no meaning.

She looked at Ye Xi again.

The sharpness in his eyes faded, leaving only the seriousness and sincerity of an elder.

"As a teacher, I shouldn't have interrupted the guest in that situation, let alone embarrassed you in public."

This is neither proper etiquette nor professional ethics for teachers.

Yan Fang took a deep breath and bowed slightly to Ye Xi.

"Ye Xi, I acted impulsively just now. I apologize to you."

After that bow, the lounge fell completely silent.

Ye Xi stood up awkwardly and hurriedly waved her hands:

"No, no, no! Teacher, please don't do this!"

It was me... I really didn't consider the occasion when choosing the material..."

Yan Fang straightened up, waved her hand, and resumed her usual stern demeanor.

His gaze turned to Lin Que.

After a two-second silence,

He seemed to want to say something complimentary, but swallowed the words back.

She raised her hand and gestured towards Lin Que:

"And you, don't think you're right just because you win with words."

Even a fallacy can be logical, but grades are what truly matter.

If you dare to score below 130 on the final Chinese exam, just wait and see how Teacher Shen deals with you!

After uttering those harsh words, Yan Fang turned and left.

His back was still straight, like a stubborn old pine tree.

The door was closed again.

Lin Que stared at the door for a long time, then chuckled softly.

"This old lady..."

"Actually, it's quite cute."

Ye Xi looked at the steaming cup of brown sugar ginger tea on the table.

The complex grievances I felt suddenly dissipated.

Lin Que nodded.

There aren't many truly bad people in this world.

More often, people like Yan Fang stubbornly cling to their own little corner of the world.

To uphold one's own values ​​in a clumsy or even offensive way.

There is only prejudice, not malice.

"Alright, drink the ginger tea while it's hot, don't let the old lady's good intentions go to waste."

Buzz—

Lin Que's phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.

A sound similar to the flapping of some kind of insect wings could be heard in the quiet lounge.

He took it out and looked at it; four large characters were flashing on the screen:

Empress Dowager

Lin Que's brow twitched, and he answered the phone:

"Hello, Mom? What's wrong?"

Wang Xiulian's signature voice came through the receiver, accompanied by the roar of the range hood:

"Son! Are you coming home for lunch?"

Mom bought spare ribs today and made your favorite sweet and sour spare ribs!

There's also the newly available stir-fried water celery with dried tofu.

Your dad was just saying you should come back and get some brainpower!

The sound was quite loud, and there was a slight sound leakage in the quiet lounge.

Ye Xi, who was drinking ginger tea, immediately perked up her ears.

The words "sweet and sour pork ribs" and "stir-fried dried tofu with watercress" are mentioned.

It clearly penetrated into Ye Xi's ear.

She glanced at Lin Que.

She glanced again at the direction of the cafeteria outside the window, her eyes gradually turning resentful.

Lin Que sensed the gaze, turned his back, and lowered his voice:

"Mom, there was an event at school today, so I just grabbed a quick bite at the cafeteria..."

Before I could say I wasn't going back, I felt someone tug at the corner of my clothes.

Lin Que turned around.

Ye Xi clasped his hands together.

Make a pitiful face,

Those eyes, which had just been discussing art and faith, were now filled with a longing for food.

He exaggeratedly gestured with his mouth:

"The cafeteria food is terrible!"

Then, she pointed to her stomach.

He then pointed to Lin Que's phone and nodded frantically.

The meaning was clear: Count me in! I want to eat ribs!

Lin Que glared at her, signaling with his eyes:

That's a family dinner, why are you, an outsider, getting involved?

Ye Xi, not to be outdone, pointed to the ginger tea on the table.

He then pointed to the door and mouthed:

I am a guest! This is the proper way to treat a guest!

Lin Que: "..."

This girl is using the same words he said to Yan Fang on stage to shut him up.

On the other end of the phone, Wang Xiulian was still muttering:

"What oil or grease is in the food cooked in those big pots in the cafeteria? It tastes like MSG all the time!"

Don't you never eat in the cafeteria?

Hurry back, it's only a few minutes' walk! It won't interfere with your afternoon activities!

Lin Que was about to refuse,

Turning to look at Ye Xi's shameless expression that seemed to say, "If you don't take me, I'll starve to death," he sighed helplessly.

"Okay, Mom."

Lin Que rubbed his temples and glanced at Ye Xi.

The latter immediately made a "V" sign, his eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter.

"Um... then please prepare an extra set of bowls and chopsticks."

A classmate...a classmate wants to come over for a meal.

...