The lecture finally ended.
Students packed their bags, chairs scraping lightly across the floor, voices rising again now that freedom had returned. Liang Chen closed his laptop, stacked his notes neatly, and stepped down from the podium with the unhurried grace of someone who had survived yet another morning with minimal chaos.
He stepped into the corridor.
Sunlight poured through tall windows, reflecting off the polished floor. The hallway smelled faintly of books, chalk dust, and bubble tea from somewhere down the stairs.
"Professor Liang."
A voice called from behind.
Chen turned.
Zhou Kai jogged up to him, hands in his pockets, still wearing that lazy grin that made teachers everywhere question their career choices. But today, his grin looked slightly nervous around the edges.
"Sir," Zhou Kai said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I… have some problems. Could you give me a little spare time?"
Chen blinked once, polite and attentive.
"Oh? Problems with the course?"
Kai nodded quickly. "Yes. And also… I missed your previous lectures."
Which was true.
Detention had seen to that.
Chen thought for a moment.
"Should I provide you the material?" he offered kindly. "You can review it at home."
Zhou Kai froze.
That was not the plan.
He opened his mouth. Closed it. Then blurted—
"So sir, I personally want you—"
Instant mental sirens.
Oops.
His brain crashed for half a second.
Chen's eyebrows lifted slightly.
"Hm?"
Kai panicked.
"I—I mean!" He waved his hands awkwardly. "I want you to personally teach me! You know, I'm a little dumb, haha…"
He laughed.
No one joined.
The corridor suddenly felt very long.
Inside Zhou Kai's head:
Idiot. Fool. Why did you phrase it like a confession?!
Inside Chen's head:
Ah. A struggling student. That's normal.
Chen smiled gently, saving him from total social death.
"If that's the case," Chen said, "wait until my remaining lectures finish today. I'll spare some time after."
Zhou Kai's eyes lit up like fireworks.
"Yes! I'll wait, Professor! Thank you!"
He bowed slightly and hurried off before his courage could expire.
Chen watched him go, then turned toward the stairs to head for his next class, unaware that he had just granted permission for a student to emotionally self-destruct in anticipation.
Meanwhile — Near the vending machines
Zhou Kai returned to his group of friends, who had clearly been watching from a distance like spectators at a tennis match.
Kim, short, sharp-eyed, and permanently amused, leaned against the vending machine.
Ron, tall, dramatic, and overly invested in gossip, had both arms crossed like a disappointed drama critic.
The moment Zhou Kai approached, they pounced.
Kim whistled.
"Wow, bro. You really walked up to him. Respect."
Ron placed a hand on Zhou Kai's shoulder solemnly.
"You have more courage than the soldiers of ancient dynasties."
Zhou Kai sat on the bench, trying to look casual and failing.
"He said he'll give me time after his lectures," Kai muttered.
Kim's eyes widened.
"Oh? Personal time with Professor Liang Chen?"
Ron gasped theatrically.
"A private audience with the literature deity."
Zhou Kai covered his face.
"Stop calling him that…"
Kim leaned closer, lowering her voice like a secret agent.
"Then you'll need a location. You can't just stand in the hallway discussing metaphors and emotions."
Ron snapped his fingers.
"Oh! I know a place. Moonleaf Café."
Zhou Kai looked up.
"Moonleaf?"
Kim nodded eagerly.
"It's near the university. Aesthetic. Quiet. Soft lighting. Good desserts. Perfect for studying."
Ron added, smirking,
"Perfect for dates too."
Zhou Kai choked.
"It's not a date."
Kim raised an eyebrow.
"Then why is your heartbeat audible?"
Zhou Kai kicked at the floor tile.
"…Shut up."
Ron leaned back dramatically, staring at the ceiling.
"But honestly," Ron said, "it's really hard to understand how you fell for a man."
Kim elbowed him.
"Shut up. Who wouldn't?"
Ron sat up again, now fully serious.
"Professor Liang Chen is handsome. Gentle. Calm. Looks like a scholar painted in ancient ink."
Kim added, dreamy-eyed,
"If he grew his hair long, he'd be worshipped as a mountain god."
Zhou Kai covered his ears.
"Stop. Please stop."
But his face was already red.
And his heart was already preparing for battle.
Back in the corridor. Who would've thought that this troublemaker can make this kind of face.
Liang Chen walked toward his next lecture hall, notes in hand, humming lightly to himself.
He was in a good mood today.
Classes were lively. Students are responsive. His guilt from earlier days had softened.