Summer quietly approaches, and for the past few days, Xu Xing has felt rather listless, often slumping over her desk to avoid work, caught in a state of lethargy.
Seeing this, Teacher Zhou jokingly remarked, "You look like you might be expecting! Always so languid."
Just then, Su Su and Xiao Fang happened to arrive to invite her to lunch. Upon hearing Teacher Zhou's comment, they eagerly joined in, exchanging playful banter:
"Indeed, Xu Xing! Didn't you mention that your future mother-in-law is eager for grandchildren? Seems like you've hit the jackpot!"
"Your boyfriend is quite handsome! Have you discussed this with him? Have you been to the hospital for a check-up?"
"Pregnancy is a serious matter, especially in the early months when one must be particularly cautious. A friend of mine was so carefree that she didn't realize she was pregnant, indulging in all sorts of food and even taking medication. In the end, she had to terminate the pregnancy."
…
Xu Xing was at a loss for words; she was still a virgin—where would a child come from, simply springing forth from her mouth?
As they continued to speculate, she quickly interjected, "I'm not pregnant; it's just the heat making me drowsy."
Changing the subject, she asked, "By the way, this afternoon we have a break. Are you two going home for lunch or heading somewhere else?"
True to her diversion, Su Su recalled their original purpose and said, "We were hoping to take you and Zhou Zhou out for lunch. After all, it's a rare half-day off; we should treat ourselves to something nice."
As soon as the topic of food arose, Teacher Zhou perked up and eagerly inquired, "What shall we eat? Are there any new restaurants around?"
"I remember there's a tea restaurant that has received pretty good reviews." Xiao Fang checked her phone and suddenly frowned, "Strange, it seems that this tea restaurant no longer accepts group bookings… Reviews say it's temporarily closed for renovations?"
Xu Xing hadn't paid much attention until she caught a glimpse of Xiao Fang's phone screen and froze.
Yuan Ju?
Wasn't that the restaurant she and Kang Chen had visited a few days ago? She had even filed a complaint on the app, yet their response had been so official it hardly seemed like they would address it.
Had it really only been a short time, and now it was closed for renovations?
Xu Xing felt a wave of astonishment.
Seeing that this place was shut, Su Su mentioned another private dining restaurant near Xingcheng Normal University, noting that it had good food and asked if they wanted to go.
Teacher Zhou eagerly nodded, "Sounds great! We could also stroll around the university; it's been ages since I visited."
Xu Xing replied, "I actually need to go to Xingcheng Normal University this afternoon. I can join you for lunch, but I won't be able to shop."
Her advisor, Zheng Yang, was giving a lecture there this afternoon, a plan she had made long ago. Coincidentally, the office was undergoing repairs today, allowing her a day off without needing to request leave.
For the past couple of days, she had been hesitant; after mustering the courage to call Zheng Yang, she had received no answer. Ultimately, she resolved to sneak in and attend the lecture.
***
The group made their way to the private dining restaurant near Xingcheng Normal University.
After finishing their meal, Xu Xing checked the time, bid farewell to her colleagues, and entered the university alone.
Having been away from campus life for so long, she felt a bit disoriented as she stepped onto the grounds.
Today, she wore a white t-shirt layered with a long striped shirt, her hair casually tied back in a loose ponytail, her fair neck subtly exposed, appearing no different from the female students bustling about.
After walking a short distance, a shy young male student approached her to ask for directions. "Senior, could you please tell me how to get to the School of Communication and Media?"
Xu Xing was taken aback and quickly waved her hand, "I'm sorry, I don't know. I'm not a student here at Xingcheng."
The boy nodded in understanding, thanked her, and continued his search.
As Xu Xing walked on, she reflected and suddenly recalled that Zheng Yang's lecture was also being held at the School of Communication and Media.
She glanced back, seeing the boy had already inquired about directions. An idea struck her; she discreetly maintained a distance, following him toward the School.
The sign for the School of Literature and Journalism hung at the entrance of a building, its golden letters gleaming in the sunlight.
Nearby, an electronic screen rolled out in bright red letters: "Warmly welcoming Professor Zheng Yang from Yongcheng University to deliver a lecture at our school."
The screen also displayed details of the lecture, including its content, time, and location.
Xu Xing remembered that during her college days, many students disliked attending lectures due to their frequency and monotony, often sitting through several hours without any engaging takeaways. Professors were paid, while students suffered through discomfort, occasionally being caught leaving early, risking a deduction in conduct points.
Yet, to present a favorable image to the visiting professors, each class was required to send representatives when lectures occurred. Students typically adhered to a volunteer system, but if attendance was insufficient, they resorted to drawing lots by student ID numbers.
Her surname had few strokes, and her student ID was among the first, so she often found herself dragged to lectures three days a week.
As she reminisced, Xu Xing walked towards the lecture hall, occasionally comparing it to her memories of Yongcheng Normal University.
A group of girls passed by, lamenting:
"Another lecture today? This is unbearable; I haven't even finished editing my film."
"I haven't finished either; it's just my luck. I wasn't supposed to come today, but then Xiao Lou fell ill."
"Are you not planning to apply to Yong University? I hear this professor is a master's advisor. It's a great opportunity—after the lecture, try to strike up a conversation and exchange contact information."
"Strike up a conversation? I feel like I'll fall asleep within three minutes, haha!"
The girls moved on quickly, their laughter trailing behind.
Xu Xing couldn't help but chuckle, quickening her pace to meet the legendary professor.
***
The lecture was held in the auditorium, and like everyone else, Xu Xing habitually entered through the back door.
---
Many students were crowding the back row, searching for seats. Though there were vacant spots, most were singles, and people preferred not to separate from their companions.
This inadvertently benefited Xu Xing. Upon entering the classroom, she spotted an empty seat in the last row by the aisle. She turned to a male student nearby and asked, "Hello, is this seat taken?"
The boy looked up at her, momentarily stunned, his eyes betraying an unmistakable surprise.
Not having made eye contact, Xu Xing noticed he cleared his papers from the desk, assuming the seat was indeed unoccupied. With her head down, she removed her bag and thanked him.
After sitting down, she checked the time—five minutes left until Zheng Yang arrived—feeling rather bored, she began fiddling with her phone.
However, a scorching gaze from beside her made her acutely aware something was amiss.
Turning her head, she met a familiar face, caught slightly off guard.
This person looked strikingly familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before.
But attractive features often share a resemblance; it's the unattractive ones that stand out for their oddities.
Xu Xing quickly regained her composure and asked, "Excuse me… do you need something?"
The boy pressed his lips together, remaining silent while continuing to stare at her.
Feeling a bit uneasy, she contemplated whether to switch seats.
Just then, the bell rang. Xu Xing glanced towards the entrance, but no one had entered. Suddenly, the boy stood up, navigating around the seats, and walked directly to the podium.
…What was going on?
"Hello everyone, I'm Zheng Yang."
His voice rang clear through the microphone, eliciting a stir from the audience.
Xu Xing didn't need to hear to know what everyone was discussing; she was thinking the same: Wow! Such a young professor! Is he really Zheng Yang?!
Finally, it clicked why he had been watching her so intently earlier, and she understood why his face seemed so familiar.
She had caught a glimpse of this face in graduation photos, but he looked too youthful for her to associate him with a mentor.
As the lecture commenced, Xu Xing's attention was fixated on Zheng Yang, yet he no longer focused on her.
Earlier, she had assumed he was a student, but now, as he spoke confidently from the stage, he certainly exuded the poise and maturity of a professor.
Xu Xing speculated about his age; he seemed to be in his mid-twenties, but given his professorship, he was likely in his early thirties.
In academia, ascending to a professorship at such a young age is indeed astonishing.
Yet, once he began to speak, it was clear he was highly capable.
For two and a half hours, Xu Xing found it hard to calm her thoughts.
During the intermission, she intended to approach Zheng Yang, but the girls in the front row moved quicker, soon surrounding the podium, asking a flurry of questions.
After enduring the entire lecture, many students still approached him for advice. Xu Xing patiently waited, thinking they couldn't be busier than her.
She toyed with her phone while resting her chin on her hand.
Seeing the crowd dissipate, she began to move forward.
However, suddenly, someone else appeared out of nowhere.
At first, she didn't recognize the newcomer, but as they tossed their hair and turned their face toward her, a vague memory stirred in her mind.
Wait a moment—could it be… Wang Jiao Jiao?
Wang Jiao Jiao had been her classmate during her sophomore and junior years.
If she were to describe Zhuo Xiao Qing in four words, Xu Xing would unhesitatingly say, "both foolish and venomous."
But to describe Wang Jiao Jiao, she would need another four words—"the quintessential nitpicker."
In contemporary slang, Wang Jiao Jiao was the ultimate "KY" (know-it-all).
Having lived over twenty years, Xu Xing swore there was no one more KY than Wang Jiao Jiao, who would argue relentlessly regardless of the occasion or opponent, a true reincarnation of the nitpicker, and highly unpopular in class.
Xu Xing hadn't yet fathomed how Wang Jiao Jiao had ended up here, watching her approach in a flowing Bohemian dress, heels accentuating her walk. With a flip of her hair, she stood before Zheng Yang, playfully handing him a bouquet of flowers.
To Xu Xing's surprise, Zheng Yang accepted the flowers, sharing a few words that made Wang Jiao Jiao beam with delight.
Xu Xing found the scene quite unsettling, rooted in the aisle, unsure whether to step forward.
It was Zheng Yang who first looked her way, causing Wang Jiao Jiao to follow his gaze. Initially bewildered, she soon exclaimed, "Xu Xing? I thought you were in jail!"
"…"
Wang Jiao Jiao's persistent nature remained unchanged; she immediately jumped to conclusions about imprisonment, leaving Xu Xing momentarily at a loss for words.