Tears fell from Wang Yunzhi's eyes like broken pearls, her beautiful gaze filled with gratitude as she looked at Qi Lin. "Maybe... this year isn't as unlucky as I thought," she thought, her emotions a mix of relief and joy.
"Thank you, Qi Lin," Wang Yunzhi sobbed, her tone now containing a hint of happiness, a strange contradiction to the tears still falling.
Qi Lin smiled gently and shook his head. "It's too early for thanks. Make a wish and blow out the candle first."
Wang Yunzhi nodded, wiping away her tears. She clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. I have everything I need, good health, a comfortable life... What more could I wish for? she thought to herself. Oh, right. Qi Lin doesn't have a girlfriend yet. I should make a wish for him as a thank-you for tonight. I hope he finds a kind and gentle girlfriend soon.
Unaware of Wang Yunzhi's thoughts, Qi Lin waited patiently. If he had known what she was wishing for, he might have smiled more mischievously, knowing that Wang Yunzhi herself would eventually become the answer to her own wish.
"The wish is made," she said softly, her eyes still teary but now sparkling with a shy smile.
Qi Lin was momentarily taken aback by her expression. The way she looked at him—vulnerable yet radiant—felt almost enchanting. Her eyes were filled with such warmth and gratitude that he found himself captivated by the moment.
Huh, he thought, snapping back to focus as she blew out the candle. The subtle fragrance of her breath mixed with the mountain air, leaving behind a sweet scent.
"I'll cut the cake," Qi Lin said, reaching into his pocket to grab the fruit knife. But as he pulled it out, something else tumbled out along with it—a pair of black stockings.
The moment the stockings hit the floor, both Qi Lin and Wang Yunzhi froze.
Qi Lin's expression changed in an instant, but he quickly masked his surprise with casual indifference. "Ah, those... I bought them for my girlfriend," he lied smoothly, bending down to pick them up. "Don't worry about it, Teacher Wang."
But before he could retrieve them, Wang Yunzhi acted faster, grabbing his wrist with trembling fingers. Her face was flushed bright red, her gaze locked onto the stockings. She knew these stockings—they were hers, the very same pair she had scratched in the office, which Chen Dongxi had collected.
And now, they were in Qi Lin's hands.
"W-where did you get these?" she asked, her voice shaky but firm.
Qi Lin, seeing that his cover was blown, rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I... I found them in the grass," he said, his voice light but clearly trying to deflect the truth.
Wang Yunzhi stood there, stunned. How could Chen Dongxi throw them away like this? she thought in disbelief. And now Qi Lin found them? This is humiliating.
She bit her lip, her face red with both embarrassment and frustration. The only plausible explanation she could think of was that Qi Lin might have feelings for her, and in some strange way, had picked up her stockings.
Despite her complicated feelings, Wang Yunzhi wasn't entirely naïve. She was beautiful and aware of the attention she often received at school. Yet, as a married woman, no one had ever dared to cross the line with her—until now. And Qi Lin, though younger and more restrained, was the first person she'd caught in a moment like this.
However, instead of confronting him, she chose to let the moment pass. She let go of his wrist, though the blush on her face remained. Trying to diffuse the awkwardness, she smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "What you're doing isn't right, Qi Lin. You should be focused on finding a real girlfriend," she said gently, avoiding further confrontation.
"Next time, I'll introduce you to some of my unmarried best friends."
Wang Yunzhi's words weren't entirely without purpose. By referring to herself as "Sister Yunzhi" and offering to introduce him to other women, she subtly reminded Qi Lin that they couldn't be anything more than friends or siblings. It was her way of setting boundaries.
Qi Lin's dark eyes sparkled with amusement. Perfect, he thought. His plan was working even better than expected. He had deliberately let the stockings fall out, knowing it would create just the right tension to make the atmosphere between them even more charged.
"Sister Yunzhi," Qi Lin said with a mischievous smile, "are your best friends as beautiful and gentle as you? Because if they are, I'd be more than happy to meet them."
His words hit their mark. Wang Yunzhi's heart skipped a beat, and a slight flush returned to her already rosy cheeks. What does he mean by that? she wondered, suddenly unsure how to respond. Among her circle of friends, few matched her in both beauty and gentleness. It almost felt like Qi Lin was implying that no one else could compare to her.
"You little bastard," she said, trying to mask her flustered state with annoyance. "Your standards are too high! My best friends might not fit your exact criteria. If you're that picky, you might as well keep looking on your own."
Despite her playful scolding, there was a shift in their dynamic. No longer was she the distant teacher and he the security guard. They were now talking like friends, and perhaps even more than that. She even called him a "little bastard," which felt oddly affectionate, a far cry from the formal tone she used to keep.
"Woo~"
"Hooraa!"
Their banter was interrupted by the sound of strong winds and the sudden onset of heavy rain. The top of the mountain was now engulfed in a downpour, the kind that made the already cold night even colder. Rainstorms on mountain tops are known to be harsh, and this one was no exception.
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I'm sick today guys, so today will just be a chapter 🤧
Good monday for all!