The very first thing that Zhang Lia needed to do was to find herself a job. It wouldn't be too difficult for someone with her accomplishments. After all, she had graduated at the top of her class, had a sharp mind and a work ethic that could make even the laziest student feel guilty.
But it wasn't just a job she needed—Lia also needed a place to settle, a new life to start away from the suffocating presence of her family.
The Zhang family house had always felt like a cage to her, albeit a gilded one. Luxurious but restrictive. So, when the inevitable clash happened between her and her father, she hadn't hesitated to storm out.
As she marched down the driveway, Lia glanced up at the sky and cursed under her breath. Dark clouds were rolling in, thick and heavy. A storm was brewing, and just her luck—it seemed the universe was determined to make things harder for her. She had barely made it a few meters down the street when fat raindrops began pelting the ground.
"Of course," she muttered. "Perfect timing."
She pulled her coat tighter around herself and scanned the row of mansions that lined the boulevard. There was no way in hell she was going back to the Zhang residence. That option wasn't even on the table. Her pride would never allow it.
It was bad enough that she had left in such a dramatic fashion—okay, maybe she'd stormed out more than she'd been kicked out—but to tuck her tail between her legs and return now, soaked to the bone, would feel like a complete defeat.
Lia's eyes landed on a familiar house just across the street, and without thinking twice, she dashed towards it. Her feet splashed through puddles as the rain intensified, but her focus was on the house of Professor Qin.
The old man had always been kind to her, practically a second father, really. He had been her mentor, her advocate, and the one person who believed in her when her family saw her only as a rebellious, stubborn daughter.
Reaching the Qin family doorstep, Lia rang the bell, shifting from foot to foot as she waited. She couldn't help but hum softly to herself—a nervous habit she'd never outgrown.
Moments later, she heard the familiar shuffle of footsteps approaching the door. The door swung open, revealing the warm, smiling face of Professor Qin.
He hadn't changed much since she last saw him, his eyes crinkling at the corners with the same soft kindness that had always made her feel safe. Almost immediately, she found herself enveloped in a bear hug.
"Lin! Look at which fool has come back to us!" Professor Qin called out into the house with a chuckle.
From the living room, a voice rang out. "Our family doesn't have such a big child. You must have the wrong address, young miss!"
Lia laughed as she heard the teasing tone of Qin's wife, Lin.
The woman had a sharp wit and a soft heart, a combination Lia had always admired. Lin had always been the opposite of Mei Ling—far more relaxed and much less obsessed with appearances. Where Mei Ling would be critiquing Lia's wet hair and bedraggled appearance, Lin simply looked amused.
Qin Lin was the real deal. Her family owned large trade businesses, and before marrying professor Qin, she had been raised as an avid appreciator of the arts. One math professor, and one professor of music, the Qin's were a family of great culture.
Unfortunately they were never able to have children of their own.
"It took you long enough to remember us!" Lin called out, standing up from the couch where she had been watching one of her favorite dramas.
"How could I ever forget the great Madam Qin!" Lia shot back with a grin, rushing toward her like a child running to her mother.
Lin laughed, her eyes sparkling as she opened her arms to welcome Lia into a warm hug. "Good child, good child," Lin said, her tone filled with affection. Her grace and warmth were so effortless. Lia felt her tension melt away just being in her presence.
Professor Qin joined them, his jovial voice filling the air as he turned to Lia. "So, what brings you back here, young miss? Are you homeless now?"
Lia let out a long sigh, her shoulders slumping dramatically as if the weight of the world rested upon them. "Not only am I homeless, but I'm also unemployed..." She trailed off, trying to sound tragic but knowing it came out a bit too comical.
Professor Qin's eyes twinkled as he gave a mock-serious nod. "Well, then, it's worse than I thought!" he said, before quickly shifting back to his usual, slightly lecturing tone. "But, as I've always said, there's no better profession than teaching! I can get you a job at the university. You'd make an excellent professor of mathematics, you know. Teaching is a noble career. The best, in fact. You'll be shaping young minds—"
Lia burst out laughing before he could continue. "Professor Qin, I love you, but you sound like you're recruiting me into a cult!" she teased.
Despite her light tone, the offer settled warmly in her chest. The idea of teaching had always been on the horizon for her, especially with her passion for mathematics, but she'd never seriously considered it until now.
The rain beat against the windows of the Qin house, creating a cozy, soothing rhythm in the background, and for a brief moment, Lia allowed herself to imagine it—standing at the front of a classroom, guiding students through the complexities of equations, the satisfaction of seeing understanding light up their faces. It didn't sound so bad.
Lin, ever perceptive, picked up on Lia's shift in mood. "Why not give it a try?" she said softly, placing a hand on Lia's shoulder. "You've always had a talent for teaching, whether you realize it or not. Remember how you used to help the younger kids with their homework? You have a gift."
Lia nodded slowly. Maybe this was the right move. The uncertainty of what lay ahead still weighed heavily on her, but here, in the warm embrace of the Qins' home, it didn't feel so daunting.
Professor Qin, never one to miss an opportunity, clapped his hands together with a wide grin.
"It's settled then! Welcome to the noble profession of teaching, my dear. We'll get you set up in no time."
Lia rolled her eyes playfully but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. "Alright, alright," she said, holding up her hands in surrender. "I'm in."
And just like that, the storm outside didn't seem so bad anymore.