"Ha-ha, no way," Shen Lang laughed as he looked at the electric vehicles passing by. "Ms. Chen, pick up your stuff quickly. It's dangerous to stand here with so many vehicles passing by."
"Alright," Chen Xiuning responded. She bent over, hopping on one foot to gather her scattered belongings—a sight that was both amusing and somewhat sensual.
"Ms. Chen, why don't you sit by the sidewalk?" Shen Lang supported her by the shoulder and joked, "Otherwise, people might think you're putting on some kind of performance."
"You brat, how did you become so glib?" Chen Xiuning chuckled, playfully swatting him on the arm. Despite her words, she allowed herself to be helped to the sidewalk, sitting quietly.
Shen Lang quickly picked up the rest of her scattered items and placed them next to her. He also helped retrieve her electric scooter, parking it in front of a nearby convenience store.
"Ms. Chen, the scooter is fine, but you can't ride it in your current state. Wait until your injuries heal, and then come back to pick it up," Shen Lang suggested after discussing with the shop owner.
"Don't worry; I know the store owner well. Your scooter will be safe here. Let me drive you to your school," he offered.
"Alright, thank you, Shen Lang," Chen Xiuning replied politely, with a tone that blended gratitude and formality.
**[Ding! Chen Xiuning's favorability towards the host has increased by 2 points, now at 4 points. Keep it up!]**
For most younger girls, such a dramatic and embarrassing incident, followed by a hero-like rescue from Shen Lang, would earn him at least 5 points in favorability. However, with Chen Xiuning, a seasoned teacher rather than a dreamy schoolgirl, it only earned him 2 points. Teachers indeed had a different mindset.
Supporting her by the waist, Shen Lang helped her walk towards his BMW, teasing along the way, "Ms. Chen, the sunshade on your scooter is too dangerous. Make sure to remove it once you recover—it's a serious safety hazard."
"Yes, yes, I understand," Chen Xiuning replied absentmindedly, her delicate face showing an odd smile. "The tables have turned; who would've thought you'd be the one lecturing me today?"
"Whoa, this calls for a celebration. I should mark today's date," Shen Lang quipped.
"Ha-ha, you've gotten so smooth with your words. I remember you being a quiet student. What changed?" she asked curiously.
"I've always been like this," Shen Lang shrugged. "It's just that back in school, I didn't dare breathe loudly around you."
"Oh, come on. I wasn't that scary."
"Um... you kinda were."
"What?"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Chen."
"You brat," Chen Xiuning said, giving him a satisfied smile.
---
In high school, Chen Xiuning had dealt with plenty of rebellious students like Shen Lang. But not all of them appreciated her tough-love approach.
Many former students would only greet her with a cold, distant "Hello, Ms. Chen" when they met her. Some even mocked or taunted her, holding grudges over her strict discipline.
However, Shen Lang was different. Not only did he take care of her in her moment of need, but he also did so with care and efficiency. To her, this made him stand out among all her former students.
**[Ding! Chen Xiuning's favorability towards the host has increased by 1 point, now at 5 points. Keep it up!]**
---
Inside the BMW, warmed by the car's heating, Chen Xiuning examined its luxurious interior. She asked curiously, "Shen Lang, what have you been up to since graduation?"
Shen Lang had always been a quiet observer in their high school chat group, never boasting or drawing attention to himself. If not for today's events, she might not have even remembered this unremarkable student.
"Well," Shen Lang said, rubbing his nose with a hint of pride, "I've been doing what you used to scold me for all the time."
After a moment of thought, Chen Xiuning asked, "You're writing web novels now?"
"Yes, just earning a humble living," Shen Lang nodded modestly.
"Well, I guess I misjudged you back then. Turns out you really had a knack for this," she admitted with a smile, a hint of admiration in her eyes.
Although Shen Lang downplayed his success, Chen Xiuning could tell from his car alone that he was doing far better than he let on. Still, she didn't pry further—it wasn't her place.
"Drive slower; the snow is heavy today," she reminded, checking her phone. "I've already asked another teacher to cover my class, so there's no rush."
"Got it. Want me to take you to a hospital to get your wounds treated?" Shen Lang asked, glancing at her legs. The ripped stockings revealed abrasions that could scar if left untreated.
Surprised, Chen Xiuning hesitated briefly before shaking her head. "It's nothing serious. Just drop me off at Zhuhai University's gate."
**[Ding! Chen Xiuning's favorability towards the host has increased by 2 points, now at 7 points. Keep it up!]**
Hearing the system notification, Shen Lang glanced at her again. Despite her calm exterior, he thought, *A teacher is still a woman. No matter how strong she seems, she must appreciate being cared for.*
"Wait, Zhuhai University?!" Shen Lang asked in disbelief. "Ms. Chen, weren't you teaching at Suiling High School? When did you become a university professor? And at Zhuhai University, no less?"
"Hm? I've been teaching at Zhuhai University since the start of this year," she replied casually. "Didn't you see the news in our school group chat? I mentioned it ages ago."
"Oh, right. Ha-ha, I must've missed that," Shen Lang said awkwardly, scratching his head.
He wondered if he should call for a ride-share to drop her off at Zhuhai University. After all, he wasn't keen on driving into the university himself and making a scene.