Forced into a Secret Marriage with the Villain, We Now Have a Child - Chapter 50.1

Jian Chun remained silent for a moment. By the time she snapped out of it, ten seconds had already passed.

Yu Siyi’s voice carried a hint of concern. “If you’re feeling unwell, take tomorrow off. Ask Uncle Liu to take you to the hospital for a check-up.”

Jian Chun shook her head, then realized Yu Siyi couldn’t see her through the phone. She added, “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Mm, just a small fright. Don’t worry about it.”

“Alright then.”

“It’s late; you should get some sleep. You didn’t need to make a special call just for this.”

As she said this, the atmosphere became subtle again. She couldn’t even remember how the call eventually ended.

Meanwhile, Zhu Feifei had returned to her apartment. She was soaking in the tub with music playing, still shaken by the day’s events.

As soon as she got home, she had messaged Yu Siyi. She wasn’t afraid of Jian Chun telling on her; she was afraid that if Yu Siyi found out on her own later, there would be hell to pay. It was better to take the scolding now.

However, after only a few words, Yu Siyi had hung up on her. Hearing the dial tone, Zhu Feifei let out a sigh of relief. It seemed she had even been spared the lecture.

Only Jian Chun and Zhu Feifei knew about the near-accident—and now, Yu Siyi. Jian Chun had no intention of telling anyone else. Seeing Jian Niannian acting as cheerful as ever the next day, Jian Chun felt a wave of relief.

One thing was for sure: she was never getting into Zhu Feifei’s car again.

After trending for a few days, life returned to a quiet routine. Fortunately, after that scare, Jian Chun realized the benefits of keeping a stricter eye on her students.

The students seemed to feel some guilt as well. They were remarkably well-behaved around her, especially during class. A week later, during a quiz, their physics scores showed visible improvement. Other teachers even mentioned that students who previously performed poorly were now working hard on their assignments.

Everything seemed to be heading in a positive direction.

Before class ended, Jian Chun received several calls from an unknown local number. She silenced them. Once class was over, she debated calling back, but the phone rang again.

It was the same number.

Jian Chun answered. A man’s voice came through: “Teacher Jian, it sure is hard to get a hold of you.”

“Who is this?” she asked, puzzled.

“I’m Wang Zinan’s father. Zinan did quite well on the test this time, and I’d like to invite you to dinner,” the man said.

“Oh, that’s not necessary. It’s just my job,” Jian Chun declined with a smile.

“How could it be just a job? You don’t know, Teacher—Zinan’s grades used to be a mess. It’s all thanks to you.”

Jian Chun truly felt she hadn’t done much; she just taught as she always did. The improvement was entirely due to the students’ change in mindset. Wang’s father chatted for a long time. This wasn’t her first time dealing with parents who wanted to get closer to teachers to ensure their children received extra care.

Jian Chun understood the culture. Back in school, she often heard about parents treating the entire faculty to dinner or giving gifts to the headteacher.

As the bell for the next class neared, she said, “Alright, I have to go to class now.”

“Of course, don’t let me keep you.”

Jian Chun exhaled. She actually didn’t have another class, but she didn’t want to engage in more polite small talk. In private cram schools, teachers might regularly contact parents to stay in their good graces, but at a school like this, a standard professional relationship was enough.

However, she didn’t expect this to be just the beginning.

Soon, other students began bringing her gifts. Jian Chun returned them, and if they refused to take them back, she would reimburse the students for the market value of the items. At first, the students were hesitant to accept the money, but when she stood her ground, they didn’t dare argue. Eventually, the gifting stopped.

Between teaching and managing these social politics, it was becoming a hassle. Who wouldn’t prefer a simpler workload? On her social media feed, some fellow teachers thought accepting gifts was normal, but Jian Chun felt uneasy about it and chose to follow her conscience.

That Wednesday, right after a lesson, Jian Chun was called into the principal’s office. She usually only saw the leadership during meetings, so she didn’t feel particularly nervous.

“Jian Chun, come take a look at this,” the Principal said as she entered.

“What is it, Principal?”

The Principal didn’t put on airs. He frowned and looked at her. “I received a report claiming that you are in a relationship with a student in your class.”

“A relationship? With whom? Jin Ziye?”

Without even thinking, Jin Ziye’s name came to mind. Her relationship with him was subtle—not exactly friends, but not strictly formal teacher-student either—yet there was absolutely no romantic feeling involved.

“So you’re aware of it.” The Principal had a headache. He gestured for her to sit and pushed the report toward her. It was a printed A4 sheet, likely to hide the sender’s handwriting. However, with so many cameras in the school, it wouldn’t be hard to find out who delivered it if they really wanted to.

Jian Chun read it from top to bottom. It claimed she and Jin Ziye had feelings beyond the classroom, listing “evidence” such as meeting privately every day and eating together frequently.

She looked up at the Principal. She found it almost laughable. Her life had been too peaceful lately; it seemed someone wanted to stir up trouble.

“Principal, I do not acknowledge these claims,” Jian Chun said.

“I know your family situation,” the Principal replied. “I know you don’t have those intentions toward Jin Ziye. But what about him?”

“He likely doesn’t either. We’re just on friendly terms,” she stated.

“Truly?”

Jian Chun nodded. “Yes.”

“Jian Chun, sometimes teachers and students need to maintain a certain distance. Even if nothing is happening, it looks bad to outsiders…” The Principal sighed. “When you interviewed here, you were the top candidate out of many. You’re an alumna of this school, so I’m on your side.”

“I understand. You’re right to be concerned. But my interactions with students are limited to academic exchange and nothing else.”

The Principal nodded. “For the sake of your reputation, avoid private meetings. In these situations, the woman is usually the one who suffers the consequences.”

Jian Chun felt helpless, but she couldn’t fault the Principal’s logic. As she turned to leave, he asked her to send Jin Ziye to his office.

As she walked downstairs, Jian Chun wondered if her strict management lately had backfired. The person targeting her must be from her class; otherwise, why go to such lengths?

She reached the classroom just before the bell. She tapped on Jin Ziye’s desk. He looked up with a flash of impatience.

“What?” He reflexively hid his phone.

Jian Chun ignored the phone and gestured for him to come out. He stood up with an arrogant “I’m special” swagger, straightened his clothes, and followed her out.

Jian Chun scanned the room but saw no suspicious behavior. Some students were doing homework; others were watching them. She led the way as if nothing was wrong.

“The Principal wants to see you,” she said.

“Him? Why?” Jin Ziye smirked. “Is it because my grades improved so much lately?”

“I don’t know,” Jian Chun replied cryptically.

Jin Ziye was in high spirits. He had shared meals with the Principal before and felt he had “backing” at school, which was why he acted so untouchably.

When they reached the office area, Jian Chun stopped.

“You’re not coming in?” Jin Ziye asked.

“I’ve already been in. You go by yourself.”

Suspecting nothing, he went upstairs. Jian Chun watched his back, her gaze turning cold. She really didn’t know why he had been hovering around her so much lately.

Entering her own office, she ran into He Yin, who was heading out with her English textbooks. As they passed, He Yin intentionally swerved and bumped into Jian Chun.

Jian Chun had intended to avoid her, but seeing the deliberate move, she braced herself. She widened her stance to shoulder-width and tensed up, sending the force right back.

He Yin hadn’t expected such a quick reaction. Wearing high heels, she stumbled back two steps and had to grab a desk to steady herself.

Jian Chun looked at her. “Watch where you’re going. The hallway is so wide, yet you can’t seem to find space? Were you trying to throw yourself into my arms?”

The other teachers in the office barely looked up; they knew the two didn’t get along and considered it a normal spat.

“Jian Chun, don’t cross the line!” He Yin hissed. “The path is wide, but you chose to hit me. You’re the one walking without eyes.”

Jian Chun curled her lip. “I was just joking. Why such a temper, Teacher He? Don’t be so narrow-minded. I didn’t hurt you, did I? My apologies.”

Jian Chun was already in a bad mood, and since He Yin had initiated the contact, she wasn’t going to play nice. He Yin wanted to argue, but Jian Chun’s words blocked her at every turn. Fuming, she stomped out of the room.

Jian Chun rubbed her shoulder. Her hands were cold as she massaged her neck. She really needed to start working out; her physical condition was lacking. If she wasn’t careful next time, someone might actually knock her over.

A teacher nearby remarked, “Teacher He recently got a boyfriend, didn’t she? You’d think she’d be more mellow now.”

“She’s spoiled… Last time we had noodles at the canteen, she didn’t even know how to mix the seasonings. It’s just oil, salt, and vinegar—how hard can it be?”

“Teacher Cheng, why were you eating with her?” another teased.

“The kitchen was closed at home that day… Think about it, I’m a grown man with a kid. I was terrified my wife would see me helping her with her sauce.”

The office erupted in lighthearted laughter. He Yin acted like a “little princess,” which baffled her colleagues. Given her background, they couldn’t understand how she developed such an entitled personality.

The office went quiet once the next period started. Jian Chun began preparing her lesson plan, but her mind was on the security footage. Was it worth checking? Even if she found the culprit, she couldn’t exactly retaliate—it would just be an awkward realization.

Meanwhile, Jin Ziye came downstairs after being lectured by the Principal for ten minutes. He was late for He Yin’s English class. When he entered, he and He Yin locked eyes like a spark hitting a powder keg.

Jin Ziye sat down without a word, not wanting to deal with her. But He Yin wouldn’t let it go. “Jin Ziye, why are you late?”

A student tried to explain that he had been with the headteacher, but He Yin ignored them. She was determined to assert her authority.

Jin Ziye turned around. Even standing below the podium, his height and aura were intimidating. He Yin instinctively swallowed and straightened her back.

“Go stand outside,” she commanded.

Jin Ziye wasn’t one to be bullied. He looked at her sideways. “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?”

“Is that how you speak to a teacher?!” He Yin screeched.

Jin Ziye, already frustrated, strode onto the podium. He Yin flinched and backed away, yielding the space.

“Which idiot wrote the report?” Jin Ziye growled, leaning over the desk to glare at the class.

The students looked at one another, confused. With so many people, it was impossible to tell who was guilty, but Jin Ziye’s gut told him the person was in the room.

“If you don’t speak up today, just wait until I find out. I’ll make your life a living hell.”

As he finished, He Yin finally found her courage. “Jin Ziye! What do you think this classroom is?!”

He glanced at her with disdain, stepped off the podium, and walked out of the room, cutting class entirely. He Yin’s chest heaved with rage as she watched him leave. He was completely uncontrollable.

After class, the class monitor came to Jian Chun’s office to report Jin Ziye’s disappearance. “Should I go look for him?”

“Go back to your studies. I’ll handle this,” Jian Chun said.

She called Jin Ziye, but he declined the call. She knew his temper. Hearing He Yin come back grumbling about “disobedient students” confirmed what had happened.

Before the morning was over, Zhu Feifei sent a message.

Zhu Feifei: Are you having a run of bad luck this year? Is Mercury in retrograde? Someone is out to get you.

She sent a screenshot. Someone had posted online claiming Jian Chun lacked professional ethics and was openly dating a student. Instantly, the fading hype around the “Most Beautiful Teacher” reignited in a toxic way.

“If it’s a pretty lady, I’m okay with it.”

“What’s wrong with dating? How does it affect you?”

“Look at all the brainless defenders. Just because she’s pretty, she gets a pass?”

“You can’t judge a book by its cover… dating a student?”

“Didn’t the whistleblower say she already has a kid at home? How scandalous.”

“Stop calling her the ‘Most Beautiful Teacher.’ Gross.”

The internet was ablaze. Because of recent scandals involving teachers and students in the news, people were furious. They weren’t going to let her off just because of her looks.

The backlash even hit “Hua Fen” (Yu Siyi’s fans). They began deleting their previous praise for the teacher, staying quiet to avoid association. But the fire eventually reached Yu Siyi herself. Yu Siyi had a stable career, but in such a competitive circle, her rivals were always looking for a weakness. They never expected her to hand them one.

The “one win for all, one loss for all” mentality of celebrity fandom meant that the teacher’s scandal was now being used against the actress.

Zhu Feifei: Jian Chun, do you want to go to a temple to pray? I’ll go with you.

Jian Chun: Are you that superstitious?

Zhu Feifei felt guilty about the car incident, so she was being extra attentive. Zhu Feifei: Uh, not usually.

Jian Chun thought about her recent streak of bad luck. Jian Chun: Actually, let’s go. Name a time.