Standing on a podium and giving a lecture was a woman who appeared to be in her early twenties. She was clothed in black attire and wore a pair of glasses with black rims and gold chains at the side. This caused her to appear serious and business-like, but it only added to her overall charm.
The student's gazes were pointed in her direction. They seemed highly interested in what she was saying. And apart from the infrequent murmurs here and there, the class retained the appropriate amount of decorum that was expected from this type of setting.
"Guy… Miss TJ is so fine! And she's just around our age. Haoyu you think she'd agree to go on a date with me if I asked?"
Lawal could not pronounce the name correctly so he said it like "how'you"
Haoyu glanced at the delusional person next to him. He then said in a mocking tone.
"Have you looked at yourself in a mirror? Why would she go out with such a distasteful person? Stop thinking about it. The professor is way out of your league."
Lawal felt attacked.
"Haoyu, learn to be nicer to me. If you continue like this, you'll end up without any friends! You'll become a lonely boat sailing in the tempest sea!"
Lawal whisper-shouted with widened eyes.
"Don't make things seem even more problematic than they are." Haoyu said with mild contempt.
"Tsk, are you looking down on me? Humph, just you wait. I'll ask the professor on a date, and she'll say yes. How could she not? There's no way she can say no to this package!"
Lawal gestured at his person. He had dark skin and sharp features. His figure was bulky, with his broad chest and well-defined muscles.
It was true that he was a handsome young man, but Haoyu calmly looked at him, a smile tugging at his lips, and jabbed at Lawal's sore spot.
"Hmm, you're not too ugly, but you won't be able to even reach her shoulders. People might think she was taking her younger brother for a stroll."
Lawal heard him and felt as if a volcano had erupted in his head.
'He's saying I'm short! The mother****** called me short!'
If Lawal were a cartoon character, he would have smoke coming out of his ears and nose. Still, in reality, his fuming face seemed to promise that scenario.
"I'm not short. I'm not that short! Look at this, I'm one hundred and sixty-five centimetres tall!"
Lawal defended himself in a raised voice. It caused some people to look in his direction with questions and annoyance, which made him turn away in embarrassment but not before glaring at them.
Haoyu was smiling. He seemed extremely pleased with Lawal's agitation. Finding it hilarious, he added with a snicker.
"Hmm, but she's taller."
Lawal was dark-skinned, but currently, his face had turned a brighter shade due to rage.
"You're just jealous of my figure. Look at my muscles. Look at yours! Humph, you may be taller, but I have more muscles!" Lawal, in his anger, said those words as a retort. Whether, it was to defend his pride or to comfort himself, only he knew.
Disgruntled Lawal continued.
"Sheesh, I was only kidding. I know I wouldn't even be able to get close to her with you watching the professor like a hawk. You don't even leave her side in school. This is the literature department. You're a science student. Hey, does she know you skip classes? Shall I tell her…?"
"You are very noisy. Just focus on the lecture. With your IQ, you'll need to pay even more attention in class. Maybe, if I'm in a good mood, if I feel you're extremely pitiful, I might put in a good word for you to receive extra lessons."
Haoyu patted Lawal, whose expression kept changing, on the shoulder.
"Worry about yourself first, hmm? This brother can skip classes for a whole semester and still have a first class."
Of course, he really wouldn't be capable of shirking school. The professor would not allow it.
Lawal gazed incredulously at his "good brother". To think he could insult others and praise himself so shamelessly. What a good friend he was!
"You don yab me like that, ehn (So you've insulted me now)? No wahala, na see finish (no problem, it's because you're too familiar with me)."
Lawal no longer spoke. He returned his gaze to the podium and ignored Haoyu, holding a grudge.
Haoyu basked in the long-anticipated peace and quiet, as quiet as the hall could get with so many people, and grinned as he looked at the little lady on the podium. She still looked so indifferent even when giving a lecture. Her tone was natural and composed, and the multiple stares from so many people didn't seem to affect her at all.
Haoyu thought of Lawal's words and said to himself.
'You want to report me to the professor but, she already knows I'm here…'
" That'll be all for today. Let the class representative come and collect the materials for the class. You have five minutes. I expect to see your assignments on my desk before 10 am on Thursday. Any later than that, and I'll take it as a failure to adhere to pedagogy. Penalty points will be awarded to those found wanting. Class rep…"
Tejumole spoke in a tone that, although light, gave no room for refutation. She packed her teaching materials and straightened the wrinkles on her outfit, looking neat and tidy.
The hall had already turned clamorous. The noisy chatter and feet dragging caused Tejumole to furrow her brows.
Then they furrowed even tighter when she glanced in a specific direction.
There were still several students remaining in the hall. They waited either because they had another lecture in this location or they were like Haoyu, who had his attention on the professor.
The instant their eyes met across the crowded hall, Haoyu smiled in greeting, but Tejumole looked away, ignoring him.
"Ah, the little professor is angry. Should I stay…hmm, I'll stay. I can't leave her alone with all these wolves."
Haoyu calmly glanced around and saw multiple people, men, and women alike, looking at the professor with burning gazes.
He snorted and retired his gaze to Tejumole.
'I really can't leave the professor alone for a second. Else some stranger will just swoop in and take her away when I get negligent.'
Haoyu felt uncomfortable with the thought and stared even more intently at Tejumole.
It was like that saying where you plant a cabbage, painstakingly care for and nurture it, only for it to be stolen by a pig.