After a Flash Marriage with a Professor - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Small Farewell

At this moment, Ming Shu was exquisite.

With her eyes covered by the white silk scarf, Ming Shu was clearly a little panicked. Shen Junlan clasped Ming Shu’s waist firmly, and with the pressure, Ming Shu was pushed a step closer to her.

“Professor Shen!” Ming Shu cried out in alarm.

Shen Junlan paused, nearly kissing Ming Shu’s flushed neck. “What is it?”

“I… I haven’t showered yet.”

“So, is it fine once you’ve showered?” Shen Junlan smiled, guiding her.

Ming Shu, whose vision was shrouded in darkness, nodded, unaware she was being led into a trap.

“Go shower first.”

When the blindfolding silk scarf was removed, Ming Shu’s world returned to brightness. Professor Shen twisted the silk scarf with her hand, gazing at her with a gentle smile, completely different from the dangerous and aggressive state she had been in just moments ago.

Ming Shu felt a little cold. She lifted her feet and walked towards the bathroom, closing the door without looking back. Even without turning around, she could feel Professor Shen’s gaze tightly following her, like a wolf in the desert spotting a little rabbit that should belong in the forest.

The wolf wants to eat the little rabbit.

Is Professor Shen going to eat her too?

Ming Shu stood in front of the mirror above the sink, surprised to see herself flushed from her face all the way down to her collarbone. It must have been from being so nervous and scared when she was blindfolded.

She untied the white silk scarf that Professor Shen had tied like a Red Scarf on her. Ming Shu saw the mark on the side of her neck, which hadn’t faded yet. She couldn’t help but wonder why Professor Shen had played this little game tonight. Had Professor Shen noticed this mark while they were out during the day?

After that little episode with Professor Shen, she truly felt like wearing a silk scarf to work tomorrow.

Ming Shu couldn’t stop her mind from racing. While letting her thoughts wander, she took off her white dress. She tucked the white silk scarf into the bathroom cabinet for now.

Shen Junlan sat at the desk, waiting for Ming Shu to come out. It was a long while before the sound of the shower finally started.

Ming Shu is probably not ready yet. She must have realized she walked into her trap while alone. That’s why she’s both stalling and trying to figure out a plan.

Yet, Ming Shu didn’t even suspect her, only blaming her own loose tongue. Self-reflection is a good habit for most people.

But for Ming Shu, Shen Junlan hoped her self-reflection would lessen. What Ming Shu needed more was confidence and courage.

Having been a university teacher for several years, and now having to “teach” her wife about life, Shen Junlan couldn’t help but want to do more for Ming Shu.

She accepted Ming Shu as she was; it was fine if she didn’t change. But she also hoped Ming Shu could live a lighter, happier life. These two desires weren’t conflicting. As long as it was Ming Shu, she wanted all of her.

Shen Junlan waited and waited for the beauty to emerge from her bath, but what came first was not Ming Shu’s exit but a phone call from the Principal.

The Principal called her personally.

Shen Junlan glanced at the bathroom door, then answered the call.

“Good evening, Junlan. I hope this call isn’t disturbing you too much.”

Shen Junlan, of course, said no, then directly asked, “Principal, is there something you need me for?”

“There is something, and it’s a bit urgent.”

Shen Junlan stayed silent. Urgent school matters during the holiday usually related to students. She had a few guesses in her mind and waited for the Principal to speak.

“There’s a problem with the sophomore summer exchange program to the US. Professor Zhang, who was leading the trip, had an immediate family member suddenly pass away and needs to return for the funeral. So now we need to find a professor with excellent capabilities in all aspects to replace him.”

“Did Professor Zhang recommend me?” Shen Junlan asked, her gaze still fixed on the bathroom door. The sound of the water inside had just stopped.

The Principal chuckled. “Professor Zhang recommended you and Professor Lin. You led the team the past two years, so this year should have been your break. That’s why I contacted Professor Lin first, but his wife just became pregnant, so it’s also inconvenient for him to go abroad. I have to put aside my pride and shamelessly ask you for this favor.”

Shen Junlan said, “Principal, it’s a bit inconvenient for me too.”

“Do you have family matters?”

“I just registered my marriage with my wife, so it’s not ideal to go abroad right now.”

The Principal’s jaw dropped in shock. He raised his hand to pull it up before his mouth finally closed. The Principal was a warm-hearted man who had even hosted social events for single professors during holidays. Some single professors did find partners through the events, but it was useless for Shen Junlan.

The Principal held somewhat traditional views and often told single professors: “Follow the steps, do what’s appropriate at the right age. It greatly helps with the stability and development of your future career.”

There was some truth to this, but it was a bit absolute and not inclusive enough for the English department professors, who were mostly returnees from studying abroad in the modern era.

“Junlan, are you truly married?” the Principal asked in shock, wanting further confirmation.

Ming Shu finally emerged from the bathroom at this moment. Shen Junlan looked at Ming Shu, whose skin was a new shade of pink from the hot water.

Although she was still on the phone with the Principal, it didn’t stop Shen Junlan from opening a separate mental room.

“We’re registered. The wedding hasn’t been held yet,” Shen Junlan replied to the Principal.

Ming Shu realized Professor Shen was on the phone and paused her steps toward her, thinking it was better not to speak or disturb her for now.

Shen Junlan felt a slight regret at Ming Shu changing her trajectory. Her mind had two rooms open: one handling the call with the Principal, and the other thinking about Ming Shu. If Ming Shu could come over and let her hold her, listening to the phone call together, that would feel wonderful.

“Have you set the date for the wedding?” the Principal on the other end pressed.

Shen Junlan’s mind was filled with her little rabbit wife who had just stepped out of the bath. Her heart was racing. She started to feel that the Principal’s call was truly ill-timed, and her response was slower than before.

“Not yet.”

“That’s good then. Junlan, just help out this once. It won’t delay you for too long—just a week. Professor Zhang will rush back after handling his relative’s funeral. There’s no one more suitable in the English department team than you. Many of the professors are older, and it’s inconvenient for them to travel abroad. We need the younger generation to take on the hardship.”

It’s been a while since someone called her young.

Shen Junlan still looked at Ming Shu, wishing Ming Shu could hear that sentence. She always felt much older than Ming Shu.

“Then it’s settled, Junlan. I won’t let you do it for nothing. Your contributions to H University will receive corresponding rewards. There will be a surprise in your year-end bonus this year. Also, you must invite me when you actually hold the wedding. I’ll give you a big red envelope as a wedding gift and a separate red envelope for your wife.”

Shen Junlan smiled, knowing the Principal had already decided she was going before making the call. She stopped arguing. The Principal felt a slight sense of guilt.

Before ending the call, the Principal couldn’t help but ask again, “Junlan, did you really register your marriage?”

Was her marriage registration that unbelievable? Everyone who heard about it initially didn’t believe it.

“It’s true, Principal. Marriage doesn’t give me a raise, so I have no reason to lie to you.”

Shen Junlan looked at Ming Shu, who was already lying down obediently. Her heart should have been sweet as honey, but what she felt now was infinite sorrow.

“Mhm, I believe you now, Junlan. Everyone says a short separation makes the reunion sweeter. You’ll see. When you return, your wife will surely be more passionate towards you than before.”

“I won’t keep you. Hurry up and pack. I’ll have Master Ma, the driver, take you to the airport. I’ve sent his WeChat contact card; add him and share your location. He’ll pick you up immediately.”

After hanging up the phone, Shen Junlan didn’t move. Only after her two mental rooms merged into one did she take action.

“Professor Shen, you can go take a shower now.” Ming Shu lay on the bed, covered with a thin cotton blanket, only her adorable little head exposed. She didn’t know who Professor Shen was talking to. The call was nearing its end when she came out. Professor Shen hadn’t used the speakerphone, so she only heard Professor Shen’s side. Professor Shen seemed to be arguing to the other party that she was married and had a wife, just like Ming Shu had done to Ling Han when she was drunk.

Thinking about this, the previous embarrassment, guilt, and shyness now only contained embarrassment and shyness. The guilt slowly dissipated because she realized that a sober Professor Shen actually did the same thing as her when she was drunk, talking about it to others. This meant she truly held some weight in Professor Shen’s heart. To Professor Shen, she wasn’t just a vase for lust.

This realization made Ming Shu happy.

Shen Junlan quickly went to the bathroom for a shower. When she came out, she immediately took off her bathrobe in front of Ming Shu and changed into a black long dress with a corset-like sash. Her waist was slender, yet it didn’t invite thoughts of seduction. Instead, it maximized her austere aura the charm and contrast of her unique temperament.

Ming Shu only looked for a moment, then became embarrassed and couldn’t keep looking. Covering her face wasn’t enough; she closed her eyes too.

How strange. Why is Professor Shen changing into everyday clothes?

Shen Junlan finished changing, turned around, and saw Ming Shu covering her face like a good child, adhering to the principle of “see no evil.” She smiled, approached Ming Shu, and gently pulled Ming Shu’s hands away.

“Why close your eyes too?” Shen Junlan sighed. “Our relationship now allows us to look at each other openly.”

That’s true, Ming Shu nodded. It was just that she didn’t dare to look.

Ming Shu always felt her marriage with Professor Shen was unequal. Professor Shen was giving more, and she was afraid of being indebted, wanting to repay Professor Shen for every kindness. Regardless of Professor Shen’s intentions, she would try her best to satisfy her.

Treating her marriage with Professor Shen as an equal, normal spousal relationship was something Ming Shu didn’t have the courage to do yet.

She realized she was starting to like Professor Shen a little. She didn’t dare to let her feelings run wild. If Professor Shen grew tired of her in the future, she hoped she could withdraw without too much pain.

“What are you thinking about?” Shen Junlan squeezed her hand hard. “You’re still not focused, even during your make-up night class.”

Master Ma, the driver arranged by the Principal, could call her at any moment. Before that, Shen Junlan wanted to savor every moment before she had to part with Ming Shu.

Ming Shu bit her lip tightly, not wanting to make a sound. She felt that making a sound was too shameful. Shen Junlan smiled and entwined herself with Ming Shu, like a vine wrapped around a tree, needing to taste every inch.

The night class progressed. The vine probed beneath the tender green skirt, drawing out the tree trunk’s moisture. Tightly coiled, softly released, heavily pressed, lightly plucked, like performing the magical symphony of nature.

The disguise of self-protecting dry wood was ground down into sap by the vine.

The struggle between reason and instinct also drew tears from Ming Shu. The lights blurred through her trembling tears.

She wasn’t crying because of pain; on the contrary, she felt an unprecedented joy, but this joy was still unfamiliar to her.

The phone rang, ending everything. Shen Junlan answered the call, telling Master Ma to wait; she would be downstairs shortly.

“Professor Shen, where are you going?” Ming Shu asked.

“Going abroad for a business trip. I’ll be back in a week.”

Ming Shu propped herself up with her hands. “I’ll see you off.”

Shen Junlan gently pressed Ming Shu to lie back down. “No need. Rest for a while. When you have the energy, go take another shower yourself.”

Ming Shu nodded, watching her leave the room.

Shen Junlan closed the door, raised her hand, and brought her fingers to her lips, a smile involuntarily rising.

She had tasted Ming Shu’s flavor.

Support After a Flash Marriage with a Professor