"What to do When the Pretty Woman I Kissed is My Best Friend's Professor" - Chapter 35

Early Summer.

Before she met Shen Jinrong, Yan He didn’t particularly like early summer. The beginning of the summer, with its rising temperatures, meant the appearance of mosquitoes. She was always getting bitten, and even repellent didn’t work, so she had to resort to physical prevention—reducing the frequency of going out in the summer or wearing coats to ward off mosquito bites.

There are always some things that appear suddenly, starting with trivial matters, silently changing one’s original life. Some matters began in the deep winter, developed in early spring, yet then became like a stone sinking into the sea, remaining silent until early summer.

Finals week had just ended. The exam schedule for the third year was earlier than in previous years. Logically speaking, Yan He, having finished her exams, didn’t need to come to the university anymore; she only needed to wait for her internship to begin.

However, Yu Ke had messaged her a few days ago, saying the school newspaper was out, and the first issue featured the interview with Shen Jinrong. The newspaper was on a table in the office, and Yu Ke told her to pick it up when she had time.

Yan He thought, I don’t have much to do recently, and today is Elder Sister’s birthday. Maybe I can run into her if I go to the university?

In reality, she didn’t have to go, but Yan He didn’t believe an accidental meeting was truly a matter of probability. She believed that things were dictated by human effort. Even if probability existed, wouldn’t the chances of meeting her Elder Sister increase if she wandered around the university a few extra times?

She looked at the calendar and thought, Elder Sister doesn’t have class today, so the probability of running into her is very low. But some things, even when you know the probability is low and it’s practically impossible, still make you want to try, perhaps due to a glimmer of wishful thinking.

People are all prone to wishful thinking; they hope they are the special one, hoping for a boost of luck. Yan He thought, If only I could be that lucky.

Before leaving for the university, Yan He messaged Yu Ke, who replied that she was currently out of town and told Yan He to simply go and retrieve it. The key was with a younger student, and she should just message that person upon arrival.

Yan He carefully prepared the gift for her Elder Sister. It was wrapped in light yellow packaging paper, making it difficult to tell what was inside. Yet, the young woman looked at it contentedly for a long time, very confident in her taste. She felt it was a meaningful and very interesting gift, and her Elder Sister would definitely love it!

—Hmm, Elder Sister… should love it, right?

“Are you going to the university today?” Li Xiuxi received Yan He’s message asking if she needed help with any errands: “I don’t have anything to do, but Professor Shen doesn’t have class today, so she probably won’t be at the university, will she?”

Yan He thought, Of course I know that, but knowing and agreeing are not the same thing. She kept thinking, What if—what if Elder Sister went to the university today for some reason?

The chance of a “what if” was very low, but the young woman still wanted to try.

“I’m just going for a trip, and I’ll pick up the school newspaper while I’m at it.” Yan He bent down and picked out a paper bag from her drawer. The bottom of the kraft paper bag had a layer of goose-yellow decoration, which would perfectly complement her gift.

“Alright.” Li Xiuxi didn’t ask further, but reminded her: “So, are you going to buy flowers?”

“Yes, I’ll buy them.”

Yan He put the gift into the bag and weighed it, feeling even more satisfied. She was sometimes a perfectionist, especially regarding things related to her Elder Sister. She placed the gift bag neatly on the coffee table and walked to the restroom to look into the vanity mirror.

Mhm, very good. Very presentable.

Li Xiuxi messaged her again: “[Raised eyebrow emoji] But if she’s not at the university, won’t it be awkward if you buy flowers?”

Yan He had to admit it was true. Walking around the university holding a bouquet of flowers would be like being a monkey in a zoo, attracting onlookers. She pouted, arguing defiantly: “If I don’t run into her at the university, can’t I go to see her?!”

Li Xiuxi thought, Of course you can, but given the situation between you two—where you won’t actively contact her and she won’t actively contact you—it’s a bit strange, to say the least.

“Yes, you can, you can!” Li Xiuxi replied: “Then go for it! Go, Little Yan!”

Yan He replied with a [salute] emoji, contentedly stuffing her phone into her pocket. Today, she wore loose, cropped denim pants, a pair of black Martens boots, and a sun-protection jacket over a short-sleeved shirt. Before leaving, she also put a baseball cap on her head.

—The young woman who has a crush must always pay attention to her appearance. What if Elder Sister doesn’t like her if she gets a tan?

Yan He stepped out with light steps, carrying the bag, feeling wonderful.

The early summer afternoon was the hottest part of the day. One could even hear the buzzing of the first cicadas, though it was far less noisy than the cicadas of July and August, sounding more like a tentative exploration of the coming summer.

Yan He walked briskly to the bus stop. The weather was clear, the sky cloudless, and the vast blue expanse was visible. She stood there pacing. The bus arrived just one minute after she stopped.

The smooth start slightly calmed Yan He’s heart. She thought, Everything is difficult at the beginning, but since leaving home was so smooth today, I must be able to meet Elder Sister!

Her thoughts were a messy jumble, and even she wasn’t sure what exactly she was thinking. Her current contemplation was more like forcing her brain to operate, trying to switch from romance mode to rational mode, but not only did she fail, her thoughts became even more chaotic.

The sun outside the window was brilliant. Yan He even stood up to offer her seat to an elderly woman, who smiled and thanked her. Holding onto the handrail in the bus, Yan He felt cheerful and clutched her bag tightly.

The flower shop in the small alley next to the university was open, but its glass door was already closed, and the air conditioning was running. When Yan He first arrived at the entrance, she thought it might be closed today and hesitated about where to buy flowers, but she was relieved when she saw the “OPEN” sign hanging on the handle and pushed the door open.

“Hello.” The woman sitting by the door was not the owner Yan He had met last time, but someone familiar—Yan He knew for sure she had seen her somewhere, but looking at the gentle and delicate face, she couldn’t recall where immediately.

The woman, however, clearly remembered her. Seeing Yan He, she looked surprised, and the expression on her face gradually shifted from surprise to complexity. Her eyes swept over Yan He’s right hand, fixed on the bag she was carrying, and she opened her mouth as if to speak, but stopped.

“Hello. I’m buying flowers.” Yan He felt the woman’s gaze was slightly harsh, but she pressed on and said.

“Wen Yuan, who is it?” The familiar voice of the owner rang out. Yan He found the familiar face of the owner from behind a bouquet of flowers. Seeing it was Yan He, she stood up and walked over, wiping her hands with a tissue, and said with a smile, “It’s you?”

Yan He nodded, feeling a little embarrassed.

The woman sitting at the cash register raised her eyebrow; her surprise hadn’t faded since seeing Yan He. Yan He felt her eyes were too piercing, as if there was some deep meaning hidden within—or maybe not, Yan He thought, but in any case, staring at someone like this wasn’t very polite, was it?

“What are you buying today? Baby’s breath again?” Qiu Yannian walked up to Yan He and asked with a smile. Her smile was gentle, much kinder than the woman at the cash register with the strange look on her face.

“Yes, baby’s breath.” Yan He smiled, deeply touched that the owner remembered her preference from the last time she bought flowers: “The same as last time.”

Qiu Yannian understood. She paused her movement to prepare the flowers and asked with a smile, “Is it for personal enjoyment or a gift for someone?” She gestured with her hand: “If it’s a gift, I’ll wrap it up nicely for you!”

Yan He smiled shyly and said softly, “A gift.”

Qiu Yannian made an “OK” gesture: “Please wait a moment.” She smiled and pointed at Wen Yuan sitting at the cash register like a mascot: “This is my girlfriend; she can keep you company.”

Yan He paused, then turned to Wen Yuan and smiled kindly.

The chemistry with the flower shop owner!

—It truly is a lucky day!

Wen Yuan thought, It looks like the young woman genuinely doesn’t remember me.

She hadn’t expected to run into the young woman, who Shen Jinrong had brought back to her room in Vienna, just by helping her girlfriend look after the shop. The last time they met, she felt the young woman was quite young, but she knew Shen Jinrong had boundaries and it was impossible for anything to happen between them, so she hadn’t pressed Shen Jinrong further.

—Are these two still in contact? What is Shen Jinrong thinking?

Wen Yuan’s almond-shaped eyes widened. She discreetly examined Yan He, thinking, She’s not still a student, is she? Recalling that Shen Jinrong’s university was right next door, she was even more shocked—Wocao, is she really still a student?

She knew today was Shen Jinrong’s birthday and had originally planned to have dinner with her, but Shen Jinrong said she might have plans for the day, so Wen Yuan didn’t press further.

So—this could be it?

Wen Yuan looked at the beautiful young woman holding the bag and thought, Could this be the “possible” plan Shen Jinrong has for today?

“Do you like baby’s breath very much?” Wen Yuan asked casually. She knew Shen Jinrong always gave baby’s breath to Tan Ning. She had given others flowers before, but the ones with full, beautiful petals usually withered sooner, whereas baby’s breath could be kept for a longer time.

“It’s alright,” Yan He nodded politely to her: “The person I like does.”

Wen Yuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled. There was no point in testing her further; there was no need to make things difficult for the young woman. She might as well ask Shen Jinrong directly.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Wen Yuan secretly messaged Shen Jinrong from under the counter: “Where are you?”

“University.”

Wen Yuan raised her eyebrow: “Dinner tonight?”

“Might have plans.”

Wen Yuan glanced at Yan He. The young woman looked a little uncomfortable under her scrutiny, but still gave her a polite smile when she noticed Wen Yuan looking over.

“What do you mean ‘might have plans’?”

“It means the person I’m waiting for hasn’t arrived yet.”

Shen Jinrong replied quickly, making it obvious that she was currently free and specifically waiting for someone. Wen Yuan understood. She put her phone away, and was about to say something when Qiu Yannian rushed over, carrying a large bouquet of baby’s breath.

“Take a look, how is it?” The bouquet was wrapped in light blue paper, and the various small flowers bloomed colorfully. Yan He thought, I wonder if it’s my imagination, but this bouquet seems larger than the one I bought the first time.

“It’s wonderful!” Yan He smiled at her, took out her phone, and scanned the code: “How much?”

Qiu Yannian quoted the price, the same as the last time. Yan He paid, took the bouquet from the counter, and said politely, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I wish you the best of luck~” Qiu Yannian made a “thumbs up” gesture to her.

It wasn’t until Yan He had walked quite a distance that Qiu Yannian realized something was off with Wen Yuan: “What’s wrong?”

She and Wen Yuan and Shen Jinrong were university classmates. Seeing Wen Yuan look at Yan He’s retreating figure with a complex expression, she couldn’t help but ask, “Do you know her?”

Wen Yuan hesitated, then nodded.

“What? Did you secretly find a little lover behind my back?” Qiu Yannian rested her arm on Wen Yuan’s shoulder, saying with a smile, “The young woman is really pretty, though.”

“It’s not me,” Wen Yuan quickly denied.

Qiu Yannian was surprised: “Huh? No way? Is she really someone’s girlfriend?”

“Possibly Shen Jinrong’s,” Wen Yuan sighed.

“Shen Jinrong?” Qiu Yannian was stunned, then burst into laughter: “I told you, Wen Yuan, I’d believe it if you told me she was your girlfriend before believing she was Shen Jinrong’s! I might believe others, but Shen Jinrong? Isn’t she interested in Tan Ning—?”

“That was years ago, and besides, she didn’t mean it that way with Tan Ning back then.” Wen Yuan snapped: “Why don’t you believe me?”

“Oh, I don’t disbelieve you, it’s just that Shen Jinrong hasn’t dated for so many years—” Qiu Yannian paused, then said half-jokingly, half-seriously, “I thought she was still attached to Tan Ning… She just came back this year and bought a bouquet of flowers from me. Wait—” Qiu Yannian suddenly realized something was wrong: “If I remember correctly, the young woman came in not long after she bought the flowers—” Qiu Yannian’s eyes also widened, meeting Wen Yuan’s gaze directly.

“Today is also Shen Jinrong’s birthday,” Wen Yuan said slowly.

Qiu Yannian slapped her forehead, lamenting: “Aiya! I should have given the young woman a better price!”

Wen Yuan: Is that the main point?

Shen Jinrong was confused as to why Wen Yuan had sent a few nonsensical messages and then stopped replying. Professor Shen didn’t understand. Professor Shen sat blankly in her office. Professor Shen sat in her office waiting for a certain young woman to take the initiative.

She sighed, resting her chin on her hand in the swivel chair. She checked the time on her wrist several times, and checked her phone repeatedly. Other than occasional messages from China Mobile, there was nothing else.

Why hasn’t the young woman come to see me yet? Did she forget?

Wait—could she not know it’s my birthday today?

This thought made Shen Jinrong leap out of her chair. She had never considered this possibility, but now she touched her chin and thought, Could it really be the case? The young woman isn’t not coming to wish me a happy birthday, but rather, she doesn’t know it’s my birthday?

This idea appeared extremely quickly, as if it had been summoned to explain away Shen Jinrong’s worries. It was logical enough and self-justifying.

Shen Jinrong felt extremely wronged. She thought, There are so many avenues—Baidu Baike or whatever—to find out my birthday, and the young woman didn’t even look it up? She even interviewed me! And she doesn’t even know my birthday!

Shen Jinrong started pouting to herself.

On the one hand, she was annoyed that she had waited in the office all this time for nothing. On the other, she was annoyed that she hadn’t made it clear to the young woman. She was also angry that the young woman hadn’t checked her Baidu Baike!

Shen Jinrong angrily drank a large mouthful of water, trying to suppress the fiery annoyance in her heart, but she couldn’t.

I’m so angry, so angry!

What should I do? Should I take the initiative?

Professor Shen, who was decisive and resolute in the business world, began to retreat now—If I take the initiative, will I scare the young woman off? If I take the initiative—what if the young woman doesn’t like me anymore?

Shen Jinrong angrily downed more water. The large barrel of water on the water dispenser in the corner seemed to contain not drinking water, but the water in her own brain.

What should I do… Should I send a message to ask?

No.

Shen Jinrong pouted, thinking, I’ll just go find the young woman myself.

She picked up her bag, gritted her teeth, and headed for the door.

“Elder Sister!” The younger student who was in the same interview group as Yan He last time had long been waiting by the door. Seeing her arrive, he enthusiastically waved his hand: “Over here, over here!”

Yan He took off her hat and greeted him. The hair on her forehead disobediently fell down. She used the hand holding the hat to tidy her hair, walking right up to the younger student. She apologized: “I’m sorry to trouble you on such a hot day.”

“No trouble at all, no trouble at all!” The younger student opened the door for her to enter and said: “The club president instructed us before going out of town! She said we should help you open the door to get the school newspaper if you came. It’s my turn today.”

He pointed to the stacks of school newspapers neatly arranged on the table: “They’re all here. Elder Sister, which issue do you need?”

Yan He thanked him. She carefully placed the flowers she was carrying on an empty office desk and asked him, “Which issue is the one where we interviewed Professor Shen Jinrong?”

The younger student slapped his forehead: “Ah, right, right, right! It’s this one!” He picked up the top newspaper and skillfully turned to the interview page: “It’s this! It just came out. Since we interviewed quite a few people, each issue of the school newspaper only features one interview.”

Yan He understood, and when she lowered her eyes, she happened to see her Elder Sister’s name.

Shen Jinrong.

The three familiar characters.

“Professor Shen was originally supposed to be in a later issue,” the younger student smiled awkwardly: “Although the school newspaper doesn’t print photos, the faculty advisor in charge of the newspaper said they should put the good-looking teacher later. It was the club president who negotiated for Professor Shen to be in the very first issue.”

Yan He understood instantly and thought that she really needed to treat Yu Ke to a meal. She was about to pick up the newspaper on the desk and leave, but the younger student stopped her, pulling out a stack of newspapers from a drawer in an adjacent desk, estimating about four or five copies.

“These are brand new!” The younger student handed the school newspapers to her: “The ones on the desk are for display. The president said to give you these new ones.”

Yan He was touched. She accepted the newspapers, placed them in the paper bag she was carrying, and smiled gratefully: “Thank you! I have my things now. It’s hot outside, so you should head back quickly.”

“Then I’ll lock the door!” The younger student nodded and locked the door after Yan He.

He saw Yan He holding a bouquet of flowers and followed her out, asking curiously, “Elder Sister! Are you going to see a teacher?”

Yan He blinked, neither confirming nor denying: “I’m going to give someone something.” It’s just that I don’t know where the person I want to give the gift to is.

The younger student said, “Oh,” and didn’t press further, politely complimenting the flowers before leaving.

It’s time to leave.

Yan He stood downstairs outside the empty student activities center. The baby’s breath she was holding now felt a little hot to the touch. The stream of people coming and going was not as much as she had expected, perhaps because it was class time, or perhaps because few people were willing to walk around in the hot afternoon.

She thought mournfully, It looks like I won’t run into Elder Sister today. Should I—should I send a WeChat message and give the thing to her? Or leave it somewhere for Elder Sister to pick up?

Not being able to see Elder Sister is a little disappointing. Just a little bit—actually, it’s very, very disappointing.

“Yan He?”

A familiar voice rang out behind her.

It’s like a dream.

Is it a hallucination? Is it a dream?

Yan He turned around.