I Woke Up and Found Myself Married to the Dean - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Someone Else Saw Her Blushing.

Walking out of the bathroom, Si Nanyu had no idea that her “beautiful” singing and impromptu lyrical revisions had been heard clearly by Wen Qingyan. Her mind was entirely occupied by that catchy melody; she hummed the tune of “the most charming is the most dangerous” under her breath, even giving her hips a little wiggle while blow-drying her hair.

She was also unaware that this entire scene was, once again, being witnessed by Wen Qingyan.

After listening to a few lines, Wen Qingyan felt she shouldn’t disturb her further and honestly, her ears were starting to buzz so she quietly returned to the dining area to wait.

Now, seeing the swaying posture of the woman in her nightgown, Wen Qingyan felt her eyes were being “buzzed” as well. Admittedly, Si Nanyu had a great figure tall with long legs but the song she just sang and her current behavior were simply… noisy. Too full of youthful exuberance.

Wen Qingyan felt a strange attachment to this version of Si Nanyu. With eyes slightly narrowed, she waited quietly for the hair dryer to stop before speaking gently: “If you don’t eat soon, it’s going to get cold.”

Surrounded by the scent of orange body wash and the roar of the dryer, Si Nanyu hadn’t been paying attention to the living room. Hearing the voice made her jump. She had been way too focused!

Oh no!

A thick sense of self-imposed urgency took over. Si Nanyu’s turn toward the table was a bit stiff, but upon seeing the steaming, fragrant Mao Cai… her body was honest. She swallowed hard. Looking at the packaging, it was from the shop she loved! She hadn’t expected it to still be around ten years later.

When it first opened, there wasn’t a single authentic Mao Cai place in Xijing. Back then, Si Nanyu was like a fish in water, going there several times a week. She never expected Teacher Wen would secretly surprise her like this!

At this moment, Si Nanyu’s excitement reached its peak. She trotted toward the table then stopped! She shouldn’t let Wen Qingyan think she was a glutton or lacked any sense of propriety. So, she said with a hint of apology, “Sorry to keep you waiting!”

She sat down, eating quietly at first, before descending into a “storm-like” intake of food.

Wen Qingyan wasn’t like her; she didn’t need a shower immediately after work since she hadn’t worked up a sweat. She planned to wash after eating to avoid smelling like food. Seeing Si Nanyu eating so heartily, she reminded her softly: “If you’re not too tired, go take a shower after eating. Otherwise, you’ll carry the smell.”

“Mmm… I’m a little tired. Can I skip it?” Si Nanyu paused, looking at Wen Qingyan with pleading eyes.

Wen Qingyan didn’t respond at first. She smiled before saying, “No.”

“Then just a quick rinse.”

“You don’t have to take that long.”

Wen Qingyan spoke very seriously, and her mood actually seemed quite good. Her tone was upward-tilted and a bit soft.

How could Si Nanyu be tired now? Not at all. Wen Qingyan had charmed her the kind of accidental, effortless charm. She could only turn her embarrassment into appetite, burying her face in the bowl and eating the tripe as if it were noodles.

She finished quickly, showered quickly, and while Wen Qingyan was in the bathroom, she fed Paigu a few pieces of chicken jerky to “incidentally” build their bond.

But it was as if she had eyes in the back of her head; she was constantly monitoring Wen Qingyan’s movements. Hearing the bathroom door open, she walked daintily over to Wen Qingyan and said proactively: “Teacher Wen, do you want me to… blow-dry your hair?”

“No need.”

Si Nanyu didn’t know what had come over her, but she just wanted to prove herself—in every possible way. Being rejected left her hanging her head in slight dejection.

But she wanted to try again! With eyes shining, she asked: “Shall we keep watching movies today?”

In the mirror, Wen Qingyan saw Si Nanyu’s reaction. She felt something strange in her heart, but kept her expression casual: “What do you want to watch?”

“Mmm… how about Titanic?” Si Nanyu asked weakly.

The hand drying Wen Qingyan’s hair froze. She lowered her eyes, reflexively thinking of what happened the last time they watched it a few years ago.

The movie was a classic. Both had seen it separately, and many times together after they started dating. At the very beginning, they were very invested in the plot. However, in the two years leading up to their marriage, things began to… change flavor.

Specifically, on the day they got their marriage certificate, Si Nanyu suggested watching it. During the scene where the lead draws the nude portrait, Si Nanyu had made a bold declaration: “Teacher Wen, it’s such a pity I didn’t study art; I have no way to paint you. But I can play the piano—my fingers are very flexible.”

That night, Si Nanyu had fully demonstrated just how flexible her fingers were. Since it was the weekend, she had fooled around until late into the night…

Recalling this where Si Nanyu couldn’t see, Wen Qingyan’s eyelashes trembled. A strange sensation stirred between her legs. Panicked, she tried to drown out the silence with the sound of the dryer, raising her voice to refuse: “I’m tired. I want to rest. If you want to watch, watch it alone.”

She absolutely, absolutely could not watch Titanic with Si Nanyu again.

Being rejected and ignored once more left Si Nanyu dazed for a moment. But she soon began to comfort herself. Perhaps Wen Qingyan really was tired? And watching movies every day would get boring eventually.

She had to take it slow, giving Wen Qingyan time to breathe. It couldn’t be easy to suddenly deal with a wife who was ten years younger. She had to be understanding.

Soothing her own urgency this way, Si Nanyu suddenly became shy. What do I do? This is so embarrassing! I’m actually Teacher Wen’s wife! She was so bashful she started scratching the wall with her fingers. Even while trying to sleep, her mind stayed busy, thinking of Wen Qingyan just one wall away.

She was already so close to her. Could she get… just a little closer?

In a mix of satisfaction and restlessness, Si Nanyu finally fell asleep at 1:00 AM. She set her alarm and took Paigu for a morning run. She absolutely could not lose to Qu Yixuan! Otherwise, that woman would surely act smug and try to cozy up to Wen Qingyan. What if she stole her spot without a word?

The more Si Nanyu thought about it, the more ridiculous her imagination became, which only made her run harder. She ran three or four kilometers in one go before heading to yesterday’s breakfast stall.

Walking back, she was exhausted, but Paigu seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed himself; his attitude toward her had done a 180-degree turn. Si Nanyu’s mood improved, and the absurd thoughts from before the run dissipated. What was she comparing herself to Qu Yixuan for? Could Qu even be compared to her? She was already closing the distance with Wen Qingyan, miles ahead of anyone else!

Her smugness peaked when she saw Wen Qingyan finish every bit of the breakfast she bought. However, that pride took a nosedive when Wen Qingyan, dressed and ready to leave, told her they had a follow-up appointment today. She had already requested leave for both of them.

Si Nanyu had completely forgotten. Her smile vanished; she felt a strange repulsion toward going to the hospital. Still, she followed Wen Qingyan obediently.

Since they were going to the hospital, there was no need to bike. Si Nanyu sat in the passenger seat, nervous, stealing glances at Wen Qingyan. Noticing her mood, Wen Qingyan spoke up to comfort her as they approached a traffic light: “It’s just a routine check-up. There shouldn’t be any problems.”

Wen Qingyan wasn’t a doctor and couldn’t give a precise answer, but her words made Si Nanyu feel better. She nodded vigorously: “Mm! I know! Besides, you’ll be with me. Right?”

With a tone full of joyful expectation, Wen Qingyan took a moment to look at her and nodded slightly: “…Mm, I’m here.”

Si Nanyu couldn’t explain the source of her nerves, but seeing Wen Qingyan busily handling the paperwork and procedures moved her to tears. Thanks to the prior appointment, the check-up went quickly. They were out of the hospital before noon. Si Nanyu was in high spirits, and Wen Qingyan let out a sigh of relief.

Actually, the follow-up had been moved forward. The doctor had said one month, but since Si Nanyu wanted to participate in the sports meet, it was better to be safe.

On the way back, Wen Qingyan dropped her at the subway entrance as usual and headed to school first. Having missed several hours, Wen Qingyan was even busier. Si Nanyu, due to class adjustments, found herself bored until the lunch break.

Yang Miao wasn’t around at noon; she had been called away by her husband. Lacking Yang Miao’s enthusiastic invitation, Si Nanyu went to find Wen Qingyan to eat together. …The only problem was that Wen Qingyan hadn’t actually replied to her lunch invitation text. She wasn’t in her office either.

Dejected, Si Nanyu went to the cafeteria. She ordered Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs and Braised Eggplant dishes that usually spiked her appetite, but not today.

“Xiao Si, do you want to try my improved Sweet and Sour Hairtail fish?”

Staring blankly at the serving window, she looked up at the voice. It was Fan, the head chef and manager. When Yang Miao had brought her here half a month ago, she hadn’t realized that Chef Fan would still be at Zhennan ten years later. She only learned last week that the Fan of today was no longer the Fan of ten years ago. Back then, she was just a cook; now, she contracted the entire cafeteria.

Si Nanyu had been lively and chatty as a student, so her relationship with Chef Fan had been good then and remained so now.

“I’ll try it. Give me a few extra pieces. Oh, by the way, Chef Fan, did Teacher Wen get the hairtail?”

This was the perk of being close. As a student, Si Nanyu had been the same way since students and teachers ate the same food in different areas, she would always scout what Wen Qingyan was eating and get the same thing. She would tell herself she was eating “with” Wen Qingyan.

She had been too shy last week, but now she felt bolder. Her inquiry was natural yet a bit hushed. She didn’t want others to hear, but she didn’t mind Chef Fan knowing.

Unexpectedly, Chef Fan seemed surprised at first, then whispered: “You’ve been teaching at Zhennan for a few years and never mentioned Teacher Wen. I thought you didn’t like her anymore. Teacher Wen is unmarried keep it up!”

The feelings of a teenage girl are hard to hide. Though Si Nanyu had tried, she couldn’t hide them from someone like Chef Fan. It was normal for her to know. But what was strange was: Why hadn’t I mentioned Wen Qingyan for years?

That familiar sense of confusion bubbled up again. Si Nanyu chatted briefly with Chef Fan and took her overflowing plate of fish to find a seat.

The Sweet and Sour Hairtail appealed to her because Wen Qingyan loved fish and liked sweet and sour flavors. She probably would have liked this. But Si Nanyu didn’t remember ever making it, so for fear of messing up the recipe, she didn’t dare cook it for her yet. She figured she’d take some from the cafeteria to give to her.

After a moment of dull confusion, she started looking for Wen Qingyan. When she found her, Wen Qingyan seemed to have finished. She was alone and stood up after eating only a few bites. Si Nanyu didn’t have time to eat her own food; she carried her tray straight toward Wen Qingyan.

“Teacher Wen…”

Wen Qingyan stopped and turned, nodding politely: “Teacher Si? Is something wrong?” Her eyes drifted toward the hairtail on the tray.

Si Nanyu said shyly, “I… I brought you some Sweet and Sour Hairtail.”

Wen Qingyan liked fish but hated picking out bones, especially in the school cafeteria it was too much trouble. She adjusted her glasses and said with a light smile, “I’ve already eaten. Thank you, Teacher Si.”

“No need to thank me. You were so busy helping me at the hospital today. So… I’ve already picked out the bones. And I tasted it; it’s better than it was ten years ago.”

She had learned Wen Qingyan liked the dish back in her senior year. Once, after lunch, she went to find Wen Qingyan and overheard her telling another teacher that she liked fish but found the bones too difficult. Back then, she hadn’t dared to debone fish for her; she could only make a mental note. To her, that memory felt recent. This was the perfect chance to perform.

“Teacher Wen, just try it~” Seeing Wen Qingyan unmoved and ready to leave, Si Nanyu cast aside her pride. When no one was looking, she leaned in and whispered the request.

Her face turned beet red. She didn’t look at Wen Qingyan for a long time. Wen Qingyan looked moved, but still didn’t give in.

“Just one piece?” Si Nanyu tried again. Wen Qingyan still didn’t move.

The fact that she didn’t walk away was a good sign. Si Nanyu gritted her teeth and stopped asking. She directly took Wen Qingyan’s hand, led her back to the seat, and held a piece of deboned fish to her lips, coaxing her like a child: “Open up.”

Conflict and hesitation flashed in Wen Qingyan’s eyes, but she eventually opened her mouth. She swallowed the fish Si Nanyu fed her. A look of satisfaction unconsciously touched the corners of her eyes.

In high spirits, Si Nanyu went to feed her another piece. This time, she failed. Wen Qingyan snapped back to her senses, pushed the hand away gently, and said with lowered eyes, “I really have eaten enough.” Then, she left without a backward glance.

Watching Wen Qingyan walk away with a purposeful stride, Si Nanyu looked at the remaining fish and smiled. Mission accomplished, right? Wen Qingyan ate the fish she deboned!

Feeling blissful, Si Nanyu popped a piece of hairtail into her own mouth. Then… her expression turned distorted and painful.

Crap! There’s a bone I missed!!!

Wen Qingyan’s face was crimson, and she felt overwhelmed by the heat of her embarrassment. Walking out of the cafeteria, she stopped in a secluded spot near the school gate. After ensuring no one was around, she let her emotions show.

Si Nanyu… she had fed her again. And in such an assertive way. It was like being coaxed, yet also being forced to eat.

As Wen Qingyan thought about it with a sense of shame, her cheeks grew even redder. She didn’t notice someone approaching.

“Sister Wen, what are you doing?”

A hand patted her shoulder. Wen Qingyan’s whole body gave a light start before she turned around. Seeing it was Xu Jinghao, who had said she was eating out, her racing heart calmed slightly only to be instantly replaced by a surge of alarm.

What should she do? Her blushing face had been seen by someone other than Si Nanyu.

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