"Xiao Yu, in celebration of your first day back at work, I'd like to invite you for dinner tonight. Would that be agreeable?" Liu Xiaoyan walked ahead casually, though she was all ears, listening carefully. She had dressed up today precisely to "invite" Lin Yu.
"Sure, no problem. I also wanted to catch up with you." Lin Yu replied with a hearty laugh.
Liu Xiaoyan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling jubilant within. However, her happiness took a tumble when her slender heel got stuck in a crack between the concrete bricks. Having little experience dealing with such sudden incidents in these high-heeled shoes for the first time, she screamed and almost fell, until a gust of wind swooped in. She found herself falling into the strong and sturdy arms of Lin Yu, a sensation both reassuring and warm, like leaning against a mountain.
She heard Lin Yu's reproach, "Silly girl, if you can't walk in high heels, don't wear them. Wait until you sprain your ankle and then you'll be in tears."
"I just like wearing them." The girl's bashfulness urged Liu Xiaoyan to hurriedly stand up from his embrace, her face reddening with embarrassment yet feeling sweet inside.
"I really don't understand why you girls willingly subject yourselves to such torture." Lin Yu shook his head.
"Because they look good!" Liu Xiaoyan raised her face to him, making a cute face, and then darted away.
"You're already beautiful enough; do you really need to wear those?" Lin Yu chuckled behind her, watching her almost trip again.
But this time, Liu Xiaoyan was prepared. She managed to steady herself and, without looking back, continued forward, whispering timidly, "Don't forget about dinner tonight."
Turning a corner, her figure disappeared from sight.
"I won't forget," Lin Yu cupped his hands around his mouth, shouting after her with a smile.
"This girl seems genuinely interested in me, doesn't she?" Lin Yu chuckled to himself, scratching his chin in contemplation.
Upstairs, Grandpa Lin and Grandma Lin were peeking through the curtains, both with broad smiles. "Old man, this child Yan is wonderful—beautiful, gentle, and kind. It's obvious she genuinely cares for Xiao Yu, but she just can't break her shell and express it. Ah, our Xiao Yu is great in every way, but why does he act like a clueless fool? Doesn't he understand the girl's feelings? No, tonight I must have a good chat with him," Grandma Lin fretted.
"Alright, old lady, no need to rush things. It's the affairs of young people; why worry yourself? Let them take their time; slow cooking makes better stew. A radish grows faster if not washed; don't meddle too much. Let them do what they want," Grandpa Lin chuckled, complaining about Grandma Lin, but content and satisfied at the same time.
Mingren Girls' High School was situated in Dongcheng District, directly opposite Xicheng District. One at the far east and the other at the southwest, the transport routes spanned the entire city, making for a long journey.
Lin Yu was too lazy to squish himself on a crowded bus, so he hailed a taxi to get there.
Yesterday's events on the bus made him reluctant to be a hero again in that semi-closed microcosm. He wasn't so magnanimous as to give up his seat to elderly people or to catch thieves in the morning.
However, once he got on the taxi, he regretted it. It was the peak hours, and the traffic was terrible. It turned out to be worse than the dedicated bus lanes.
Normally, a forty-minute journey took almost an hour and a half. Lin Yu felt uncomfortable and sweaty in the car.
Finally, he arrived.
Mingren Girls' High School had been rebuilt on the former site of Chu Hai Vocational High School—No. 34 Middle School. The school had a large area, covering around 200,000 square meters, with comprehensive facilities like libraries, gymnasiums, sports fields, dormitories, and beautifully maintained gardens lined with rows of green willows. The air was especially fresh, and with the swaying branches and rustling leaves, the scenery was breathtaking, akin to a fairyland on earth.
Walking around such a campus was an absolute delight, let alone studying and learning here.
"Ah, the environment is indeed nice." Lin Yu nodded, quietly praising. Truth be told, this was his first visit to Mingren Girls' High School, and his initial impression was genuinely positive.
Upon reaching the guardhouse and explaining his purpose, the guard made a call before granting him access. Everything was orderly, strict, and very well-organized, living up to its reputation as the city's best prestigious school.
However, once inside, Lin Yu became a little lost. Mingren Girls' High School was really enormous. After circling around several times, he finally found the inconspicuous six-story office building. He had been going back and forth under the scorching sun for a while, and by now, he was drenched in sweat.
After asking for directions, he managed to find Vice Principal Lan Chu's office on the third floor. He knocked on the door, heard a response from inside, and then entered.
The stunning and cold Lan Chu stood behind the shiny redwood desk, hands folded, gazing quietly at him. There was no emotional change on her face; her eyes observed him as though he were a movable wardrobe.
Today, she was still wearing an office lady's outfit, seemingly favoring such attire. However, it wasn't the black dress from yesterday but rather a beige tulip-shaped half skirt paired with a snow-white silk blouse. The attire was light, and her skin seemed even whiter, with a glimpse of tender skin revealed through the slightly unbuttoned lace collar, inviting and captivating. Lin Yu sneakily glanced at it for a while, trying not to be too obvious about it. After all, she was the vice principal, and he would be working under her. So, he reluctantly withdrew his gaze, straightened his tie, took a step forward, extended his hand, and smiled professionally, saying, "Vice Principal Lan, it's a pleasure to see you again."
However, Lan Chu seemed unimpressed and didn't reciprocate the gesture. She simply looked at him quietly, without extending her hand. Lin Yu felt a bit awkward and had to retract his hand.
"You're late," this was Lan Chu's first sentence to Lin Yu.
It wasn't stern but carried an air of authority. Lin Yu couldn't help but feel a bit reluctant. "I'm not even an official employee of the school yet, and you're already using that tone with me?"