Chapter 13 "Do you know how to kiss?"
"I heard you got married?"
When Tan Xi asked this question, Zhong Yan replied casually, "Yes, I'm married."
It's not something to hide; he needs the marriage itself to be a well-known transaction.
"congratulations."
Tan Xi was curious about who Zhong Yan ultimately chose, but she knew Zhong Yan's personality; if he didn't tell her, she wouldn't ask, as it wasn't her business anyway.
Tan Xi smiled and said, "I asked you a while ago if you could come over, but you said you were busy."
Tan Xi had asked him more than once or twice; it was harder than Zhuge Liang coming out of seclusion. Last time she asked him, he said he was very busy, so Tan Xi didn't insist anymore. After all, nobody likes being a clingy pest. But who knew he would suddenly message her again, saying he could come over.
Zhong Yan wasn't interested in mentoring students; he didn't particularly enjoy being someone else's teacher.
However, he and Tan Xi have been friends for many years, and if he has time, he will definitely come over if she invites him. But he has been really busy lately, so busy that even he feels tired.
Zhong Yan still managed to spare a few hours to come over today.
It was a bit of a surprise, but Tan Xi didn't ask for the specific reason.
She was used to asking fewer of these questions in front of Zhong Yan.
Tan Xi felt that Zhong Yan had changed a lot over the years. When he was in school, he was colder and more arrogant. Now that he is older, he has become more composed and his face is more gentle. The only thing that hasn't changed is his aura.
“All my students are afraid of you.” Tan Xi casually scrolled through the chat history in the group and showed it to him. She found the emojis quite interesting, and when she saw the only dissenting comment, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Jin Huan seemed very afraid of you last time, but she even spoke up for you in the group chat.”
Tan Xi paused for a moment and explained, "Jin Huan is the female student who gave the second report last time."
"I know," Zhong Yan replied casually, then looked towards the classroom. From his angle, he could see a figure near the door, holding a laptop and looking around.
They're probably looking for him.
Zhong Yan stared at it quietly for more than ten seconds. He stood up, but his gaze did not leave his face.
“Let’s go,” he said.
Zhong Yan entered the classroom with Tan Xi. Almost everyone in the research group had arrived. Jin Huan was still sitting in her original seat. She subconsciously looked up, her gaze drifting between Zhong Yan and Teacher Tan.
Jin Huan's first reaction was that they were a perfect match.
In Jin Huan's heart, Teacher Tan is the person she wants to become. She is excellent, hardworking, self-consistent, and knowledgeable. When choosing a mentor, Jin Huan liked Teacher Tan at first sight. She was beautiful, spoke gently, and was like an elegant magnolia flower. This was Jin Huan's first impression of Teacher Tan.
So I tried very hard to become her student.
Indeed, Professor Tan helped her a great deal during her graduate studies.
Jin Huan knew she shouldn't overthink it, but she couldn't help having such inappropriate thoughts. Teacher Tan and Mr. Zhong were classmates and friends for many years. In terms of age, experience, and social status, they seemed to be a better match.
They're a perfect match.
Jin Huan pondered this word in her heart.
"Jin Huan?" Du Qingxu called her several times before she heard him, turning around as if waking from a dream. "W-what's wrong?"
"I have to go report now, so get ready," Du Qingxu whispered to her. "You're next."
Du Qingxu could clearly see that Jin Huan was a bit absent-minded today. She had been like this ever since she arrived at the classroom door, looking around. Even now that the teacher had arrived, she was still distracted. She had never seen her like this before.
They were always the first and second to go on stage. Soon after he finished, it would be Jin Huan's turn. This was considered the semester summary report, which was more important than before. Du Qingxu was worried that Jin Huan would not be in the right state of mind and would make mistakes, since it wasn't just his research group members, but also others.
Jin Huan was glancing at that "other person" out of the corner of her eye.
She stayed up all night organizing materials last night, and Zhong Yan was also very busy. He was working in his study, and Jin Huan didn't know when he returned to the room, but it was definitely after one or two in the morning.
These past few days she's been on her period, so the two of them have been staying in the same room. In reality, they've only been sleeping in the same bed. Plus, Zhong Yan is very busy, so he doesn't get to bed until very late each day.
Even when you're very busy, you can still find time to exercise.
Sigh... She struggled to run 800 meters in the physical fitness test and almost failed.
Zhong Yan is chatting with Tan Xi.
He was still sitting very relaxed, and from Jin Huan's perspective, there was a smile in the corner of his eye. The report hadn't officially started yet when the coffee Tan Xi ordered arrived, and she gave Zhong Yan a cup as well.
"Thank you." Zhong Yan took it, but didn't drink it; he just placed it beside him.
When Jin Huan was reporting, Tan Xi was telling Zhong Yan that thanks to the information he provided last time, Jin Huan's progress had been very smooth. Otherwise, she had been so worried about the stalled progress that she hadn't been able to rest properly for quite some time.
Zhong Yan looked calmly at Jin Huan on the stage, and nodded very lightly as he listened to Tan Xi speak.
Similar to the last scene, yet different, Zhong Yan's gaze not only felt oppressive but also sent a jolt of electricity through her from the soles of her feet to her back. It was subtle and hard to describe. Jin Huan took a deep breath and could only look away.
Jin Huan has made great progress this time, which makes Tan Xi very happy. After she finished, she gave her an approving smile. Tan Xi really looks at Jin Huan like she's her own child. She was very worried about Jin Huan when she was frowning a while ago.
Du Qingxu in the audience was also giving her a thumbs up.
Their research group has a great atmosphere and always advocates encouragement-based education. In particular, Jin Huan is making rapid progress, and everyone is happy for her.
Zhong Yan lowered his eyes and didn't look at her. He said a few words, but his voice was devoid of emotion.
He just said a handful of things.
Jin Huan looked at him expectantly, but when he ignored her, she silently turned her head away.
After the group meeting ended, Jin Huan went to find Teacher Tan, who happened to be talking to Zhong Yan. Jin Huan waited for a while.
Jin Huan went over after Zhong Yan left.
She and Zhong Yan brushed past each other at the door. Jin Huan subconsciously turned back to look, but Zhong Yan had already turned the corner.
Jin Huan only looked away when his figure disappeared from sight.
Tan Xi could tell that Jin Huan was distracted, so she asked, "What's wrong? Are you still not satisfied with yourself?"
"I think it's pretty good," Jin Huan muttered. "It seems like some people aren't satisfied."
Tan Xi thought for a moment and roughly understood what she meant. She laughed and said, "That's how Zhong Yan is. He doesn't like to compliment people."
He would point out things that weren't done well, but he rarely praised things that were done well. You can't say he's a harsh person; some people are just like that. Zhong Yan isn't someone who likes to encourage children.
Jin Huan responded with an "Oh".
"It's okay," Tan Xi said softly, comforting her. "You did a great job."
"Thank you, Teacher Tan."
With winter break approaching, the second year of graduate school is a crucial time. Tan Xi specifically instructed her not to relax just because it's a holiday, as the tasks for the next semester will be even more difficult and demanding.
Jin Huan nodded in agreement.
When she came out, Jin Huan bought a cup of milk tea at the school gate.
My cold has almost completely subsided these past couple of days, and I've been craving something sweet. When I saw that the bubble tea shop had some new drinks, I couldn't resist. I had been cutting out sugar for a while and hadn't had bubble tea in a long time.
After lingering for a while, they came out and found Zhong Yan's car parked at the intersection.
Jin Huan thought he had gone back first. She glanced at the time and realized that more than half an hour had passed, so she quickly ran over.
Zhong Yan had been waiting for her.
Jin Huan carried the milk tea into the car. She turned to look at Zhong Yan and apologized, "I'm sorry I'm late. I didn't know you were waiting for me."
Zhong Yan didn't say anything, but replied, "I'm free today. If you're not finished with your work, I'll wait for you."
Jin Huan glanced at the milk tea in her hand.
When he said "after I'm done with my work," he probably meant something like buying milk tea. Jin Huan quickly shook her head: "I'm not busy at all."
So the car started moving.
Jin Huan didn't say a word the whole way, only occasionally taking a sip of her milk tea. The milk tea was 50% sweet and had pudding added, but Jin Huan didn't think it tasted that sweet.
She didn't know how much time had passed; she was completely absorbed in her thoughts. The cup of milk tea beside her had long been finished. She heard sounds coming from the door, the sound of the door opening and closing. It took Jin Huan a while to look up from the computer screen.
After returning home, Zhong Yan changed into a gray Henley-collar knit sweater. The clothes were understated and modest, with the sleeves pulled up to his elbows, revealing half of his strong and powerful forearms with prominent veins, creating a truly alluring atmosphere.
Jin Huan's gaze froze. She stared blankly, forgetting to blink. She hadn't even seen Zhong Yan's face yet; her eyes were fixed on the silver bracelet on his wrist.
"So serious already, just started your holiday?" Zhong Yan had a meeting in the afternoon, and when it ended and she still hadn't come out, he came to check on her.
Jin Huan didn't say anything after leaving school. When Zhong Yan asked her, she nodded and said, "Yes, otherwise I'll be a burden again."
Her words sounded like she was in a bad mood, and her droopy face made it even more obvious. Zhong Yan looked down at her and asked gently, "Did something I said today make you unhappy?"
Rather than saying what Zhong Yan said, it's more accurate to say that it was precisely because he said nothing—whether it was criticism or encouragement—that he at least had expectations. Since he was too lazy to say anything, it truly made her seem utterly worthless.
Jin Huan turned her gaze to his face, met his eyes for two seconds, opened her mouth, but stopped herself from speaking.
Zhong Yan sat down next to her, seeing her hesitate and furrow her brows, he chuckled and sighed, "Jin Huan, I've already taught you everything, what else is there to say?"
She always takes learning in a cute and earnest way. She has asked him for advice quite a few times these past few days. Children who love learning always need more care, and he patiently explains things to her.
Jin Huan was stunned for a moment... It seemed so. He had taught her almost everything, including the new technologies she had learned. In that case, there was nothing to say.
She gave a soft "oh," looked into his eyes, and found it hard to discern any emotion in his deep gaze. She muttered, "Teacher Tan said you don't praise people."
Despite the seemingly random sentence, Zhong Yan understood it perfectly. He asked in a low voice, "Want to hear me praise you?"
At home, it's perfectly acceptable to make such demands of one's wife.
Zhong Yan could agree to it.
Jin Huan held the blanket in her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed, probably from being cooped up in the room for too long. She opened her eyes and stared at Zhong Yan in front of her, then softly asked, "Can I have a reward?"
Zhong Yan's eyes curved into a smile, his expression asking her what kind of reward she wanted.
What reward would she want?
Jin Huan's breathing was shallow, and it seemed a little fast at this moment. Her gaze swept over the bridge of his nose and landed on his lips, intentionally or unintentionally tracing the edges with her eyes, and she asked gently, "Do you know how to kiss?"
A note from the author:
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