Regarding whether she was avoiding Jiang Li, Liang Zhouyue had no clear answer. She knew for sure that she felt awkward.
But as his teacher, even if it was just for a semester as a substitute, she had to demonstrate the proper and open demeanor expected of a teacher, "I'm not avoiding anyone. Why would a teacher avoid a student?"
Hearing this, Jiang Li's eyebrows lifted subtly, his steps slowing to match her pace, as if to accommodate her.
He didn't speak again, yet he didn't leave either.
Liang Zhouyue glanced out of the corner of her eye, feeling somewhat uneasy. She carefully exhaled and feigned composure, "Don't you have class later?"
The implication was clear: she hoped he wouldn't follow her.
Whether he truly didn't catch the hint or was pretending to be oblivious, Jiang Li asked indifferently, "Mr. Liang, have you had breakfast?"
Liang Zhouyue hadn't had breakfast. In fact, she was on her way to the cafeteria, but she hadn't left the teaching building yet.
But after Jiang Li's question, she suddenly lost the appetite to go.
"I've eaten already." Her attitude remained cool, and even Jiang Li, who had approached her first, could feel her silently surging resistance.
The next second, a faint smile played upon his lips, curving into shallow arcs, as he glanced at Liang Zhouyue, who dared not look at him directly.
Her deep brown eyes twinkled. She looked down at her phone, and coincidentally, a message from Fang Zirui popped up on WeChat: "Coming to eat? I'm in the cafeteria."
Jiang Li was tall with long legs and had the vision that could rival an ideal pilot candidate's. He hadn't meant to look, but she inadvertently let him see the message clearly.
It was now nine fifty, making breakfast more likely than lunch.
"Mr. Liang is so thin, yet you eat so frequently," Jiang Li drawled, withdrawing his gaze. He held no books in his hand, speaking in a tone that seemed nonchalantly disrespectful, yet his carriage was poised and devoid of coarseness.
Although not familiar with them, Liang Zhouyue had clearly categorized Chen Dan and Jiang Li. The former was impudent, without guile; the latter, docile yet contrary, each concealing the other.
In any case, Jiang Li was far more dangerous than Chen Dan, who appeared to be the troublemaker student. And Jiang Li, being the cherished son brought up by wealth, must have deeper thoughts.
Liang Zhouyue hadn't forgotten that a vast photography studio and such a top-notch photography team would be intricately linked with the student before her. She didn't resent the rich, but she knew she was no match for them and would consciously keep her distance.
Her caution prevented her from wanting any personal ties with Jiang Li beyond academics. She raised her hand, revealing a slender, pale wrist adorned with a thin diamond watch, which complemented her bare skin and accentuated her elegance just right.
"You go ahead, I have things to do."
Liang Zhouyue didn't engage in his conversation, instead pulling rank as a teacher once again, attempting to intimidate him.
Contrarily, Jiang Li was not the obedient type and knew nothing of fear.
"I had a dream last night."
The man's amused tone reached Liang Zhouyue's ears just two steps away, causing her to involuntarily halt her movement, though she didn't turn back.
Jiang Li didn't catch up; he kept his own pace, saying leisurely, "The dream was in that photo studio, with you, my clothes, and..."
He deliberately let his voice trail off, inviting imagination.
Her ears burned red, and after a few seconds of silence, Liang Zhouyue stiffened and turned. She knew she shouldn't ask, but she couldn't help herself: "What else did you dream about?"
Jiang Li smiled. His appearance was harmless and his demeanor gentle, yet concealed within was a mischievous scoundrel, intent on toying with people's hearts.
His thick brows slightly lifted, his gaze seemed sharp as he spoke deliberately, "I can't say; it became too tiring, and I don't remember."
"..."
Liang Zhouyue's complexion fluctuated between red and white, colors morphing in waves. She was both awkward and embarrassed, never to inquire further.
She stood rigid on the spot while Jiang Li had already walked past her, his strides broad as he moved forward, his voice drifting further away, "You should go eat. It's not good to get too thin from hunger."
```
...
Zhou Yue was so annoyed!
What kind of epic social death was this? She actually had to face a man, for an entire semester, who had seen over seventy percent of her body.
Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, Zhou Yue quickened her pace as she descended the stairs, fearing another encounter with Jiang Li.
*
At the university's Canteen Phase I.
As soon as she stepped through the side door, Zhou Yue spotted Fang Zirui waving at her from afar with great enthusiasm.
Her recent gloom dissipated somewhat at the sight, and a faint smile crossed her face as she approached.
"Why did you only just get here?" Fang Zirui handed her an iced slush, strawberry-flavored, her favorite.
Zhou Yue took a sip, the moisture refreshing her throat parched from the August heat, and her voice sounded much clearer, "Had a student who was late. Came over to fix attendance."
She brushed it off, not wanting to discuss Jiang Li with Fang Zirui as she didn't think it important.
Hearing this, Fang Zirui's gossip instincts kicked in, "Who's so bold on the very first day of classes?"
This topic normally wouldn't have garnered much attention, but Zhou Yue's class was from the finance department and at least half of the scions in B city who didn't go abroad for studies were right there.
Zhou Yue hummed noncommittally, dragging out the sound as she bought time to fabricate a white lie. Eventually, she shared half the truth, "A guy named Chen Dan."
"Unbelievable." Fang Zirui was so shocked that she nearly slapped her thigh. Despite being thirty years old, her gossipy demeanor in that moment resembled a immature middle-school kid, as she excitedly shared with Zhou Yue, "But Chen Dan isn't the wildest one. He has a friend named Jiang Li who's even fiercer."
Zhou Yue hadn't expected the conversation to turn to Jiang Li without her even mentioning him.
It seemed she couldn't avoid this character after all.
Going along with Fang Zirui's tone, Zhou Yue engaged with questions and answers, "Why do you say that?"
"It might sound a bit harsh, but have you heard the saying, 'The dog that barks doesn't bite, and the dog that bites doesn't bark?'"
Zhou Yue nodded.
With an air of deep seriousness, Fang Zirui curled her lips and enunciated, "Jiang Li is the kind of dog that doesn't bark."
After she finished, she took a sip of her slush to moisten her throat, then went on to recount the school's battle history in detail for Zhou Yue, who had only been employed for a year.
"He got into a fight with a third-year senior during his first-year military training. Didn't say a word the whole time; just sent a guy over six feet tall straight to the ambulance."
At last, ripples disturbed her deep brown eyes and Zhou Yue looked surprised, "Such enmity from just military training?"
Mainly because Jiang Li didn't look fierce, always wearing a smile. Whether he was genuinely approachable or just putting on a show for his classmates, he didn't come across as someone who would resort to violence upon first meeting.
If he was indeed vicious, his viciousness was hidden deep inside, seemingly reformed, rather than overt and inviting speculation.
Caught in her reverie, Zhou Yue heard Fang Zirui sigh, her words implicitly standing up for Jiang Li, "Actually, the third-year senior was asking for it. He asked Jiang Li if he wanted to go out and get a room."
"He thought Jiang Li was...?" Zhou Yue left her question unfinished.
Fang Zirui nodded, "Yeah, because Jiang Li looks so soft and tender with his fair skin, he attracted unwanted attention for his looks."
To judge someone's orientation merely based on appearance, and not even knowing what respect means. Zhou Yue raised her eyelashes in disdain, her voice unusually chilly, "Then he really asked for it."
She wanted to add 'deserved it' but her sense of professional ethics restrained her.
But really, he asked for it, totally deserved it!
```