"Her name is Anning. From second year, batch of architecture."
Professor Lin answered on behalf of the principal. His expression was calm and collected but Anning could sense the wisps of anxiety coming from him.
She was shocked to see the most calm teacher acting this way and the guest to actually ask about her.
"Oh. Hello, Anning." The guest made her return to the world.
"I thought, your face looks like someone familiar, I knew." The guest continued in his raspy voice.
The principal was rather shocked to hear this, and replied with a "Oh" , staring blankly at Anning's face.
Professor Lin's expression also changed.
Anning was so confused seeing all these changes, that she didn't know how to respond.
She already wasn't very good with strangers.
The guest waited for some more reaction, before saying, "She was a very old friend of mine. Which one of your relatives' faces matches with you , young lady?"
Anning replied, " I'm sorry sir, but I don't know any of my relatives whose face matches with mine."
Anning thought that after hearing this , the guest's face changed into a understanding one , which she didn't understand.
"Alright, alright. I think, I made some mistake then." And saying this the old guest continued checking other students as if whatever played out a moment ago was all an illusion of the eyes.
The principal and professor Lin were both stunned. And after that, they also followed behind him.
Fifteen minutes later, everyone went to their respective places on stage and the principal dismissed the gathering without any interruption.
From a corner professor Lin eyed Anning one more time before going along with the faculties.
Here , after dispersing, Anning went to search for Baizhi. After some minutes she found her and exited together.
On the way ---
" That old man said you're familiar to him?" Baizhi asked Anning.
" He found my face like someone familiar." Anning said with emphasis.
" Oh, but your shape's so unique."
"..."
Anning stared at her reapproachingly.
Baizhi herself didn't know why, but replied again hastily, " Oh, I-I mean , everyone's face is unique, ah, you know,..."
Baizhi really wanted to bite her tongue, what was she even saying.
" Mhm-hmm", Anning replied, lowering her eyes to look at ground, her lips curling slightly.
" Maybe , he was just trying to converse. After all, it is a very common phrase."
Baizhi said, looking away, to change the subject.
The air between them became somewhat awkward, without knowing why.
By the time they could talk again , doorway of their classroom had already came. So they went to their seats. The teacher has yet to come, so, Anning said quietly, " Probably he really had made some mistake."
Baizhi also nodded in affirmation.
" Why the professor is taking so much time?" Baizhi asked looking the door for the the nth time.
" Their meeting is taking too long." Anning replied.
Finally professor Qing came inside the classroom. All students greeted him. Professor Qing, " Okay students, we don't have much time left for this period. So , I will tell you all orally the basics of today's class. In the next class, we'll continue."
All students lighten up at that, thanking professor Qing in their hearts. In between the short lecture, only Anning was writing some important key points in her notebook along with Baizhi.
After two more periods, they were finally dismissed at half past two.
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