"What to do When the Pretty Woman I Kissed is My Best Friend's Professor" - Chapter 36

The rhythmic clip-clop of high heels hitting the ground was a sound that wasn’t exactly crisp, yet not dull either. It perfectly harmonized with something embedded in Yan He’s memory, sounding as if it rang in her ear, yet also colliding and resonating with some deep-seated substance in her soul.

Yan He sometimes wondered what had changed in her life since meeting Shen Jinrong. She initially thought it was just a few minor changes to daily life, such as a sensitivity to citrus scents or a preference for women with a teardrop mole near the corner of their eye.

But putting those aside, what else did “Jiejie” (Sister) bring into her life?

Yan He seriously pondered this question, finally concluding: Shen Jinrong taught her how to love.

Love is an all-encompassing concept; perhaps some people have been fortunate enough to possess it, and perhaps some have not. Yan He thought not everyone could be so lucky as to find love, and her parents were a case in point.

The act of two people making eye contact truly has a magic to it, especially when those people are in love. You can see yourself reflected in the other’s eyes, and you can gaze back at them.

There was always a hint of sadness in Shen Jinrong’s eyes. When those eyes fixed steadily upon Yan He, she always had a strange illusion—that Jiejie seemed to be looking through her at another person. Yan He knew perfectly well that person was not her, yet she subtly felt she shared something in common with that individual.

Who was that person? Could it be Tan Ning?

Her eyes, her eyebrows, the teardrop mole at the corner of her eye, the black, red-soled high heels she wore, and the slender belt fastened at her waist…

What exactly constituted Shen Jinrong? The sweet, yet slightly sour, citrus aroma, her gentle smile, the scar on her wrist, like a white dove that briefly paused by a window before swiftly flying away, or a passenger jet that streaks across the sky, leaving only a white contrail.

Yan He watched her walk toward her step by step. This feeling was somewhat similar to, yet significantly different from, the feeling she had in Vienna back then. It was as if something had quietly shifted in the less than half a year that had passed.

The afternoon sun was already beginning to glow a soft orange, less dazzling than when Yan He had arrived. The light struck the glass windows of the academic building behind Shen Jinrong, and the reflected glare briefly stung Yan He’s eyes.

She didn’t move from her spot, straining to keep her eyes wide open against the blinding light. At that moment, the face of her Jiejie, not far away, became slightly indistinct.

Is this real?

That familiar face had appeared countless times in her dreams—gentle, fragile, and beautiful like a dream. It was as if the harsh alarm clock was about to ring in her ear the next second, and upon opening her eyes, she would discover this was all a dream, and the scent she thought she smelled merely came from the little green lime placed on the windowsill.

Everything before her seemed veiled in a thin mist. Yan He looked down at the Baby’s Breath clutched in her arms and the paper bag held in her right hand. Her freshly manicured nails dug forcefully into her palm, yet failed to register any pain.

She subconsciously wanted to flee.

Her right foot had already taken a step back in a hasty retreat. The feeling of the solid ground underfoot made her feel somewhat dazed again. Yan He felt a slight soreness in her legs, and the muscles on both sides of her thighs pulsed with her heartbeat.

Her mind instantly began to spin, and just as she thought she might faint, a sharp sound of high heels approached quickly, and then a hand appeared at her waist, supporting her.

Following that was a gentle voice, laced with a hint of reproach: “Why are you so clumsy?”

Shen Jinrong’s eyes curved into a smile: “Am I that scary?”

Yan He’s summer clothes were thin, and that hand was pressed against her waist. She could feel herself almost being embraced by Shen Jinrong, and she could also hear her own rapid heartbeat.

The flowers in her arms were the only obstacle now. Yan He thought, If it weren’t for this damn bouquet, I could probably be completely embracing Jiejie right now.

Their posture was too intimate, and Shen Jinrong was clearly aware of it. After confirming that Yan He was steady on her feet, she smiled and let go, taking half a step back. The smile on her face was still impeccable, as if the recent accident was just that, an accident, and the ambiguous atmosphere was merely Yan He’s misconception.

“What’s wrong? Are you having heatstroke?” Shen Jinrong frowned, extending her right index and middle fingers and waving them in front of Yan He, asking, “What number is this?”

The fair, slender knuckles waved a few times in front of her, the frequency too quick, making Yan He feel a bit dizzy. Her breathing suddenly became ragged. Staring at the two fingers, she swallowed slowly and said, “Two.”

Shen Jinrong’s current gesture resembled a “V” sign, which looked a little amusing. Soon, the two fingers retracted, and Jiejie nudged her hat. Replacing the gesture was the slightly cool palm of Jiejie pressed against her forehead.

Yan He’s mind cleared somewhat. She looked up and saw Jiejie frowning and murmuring, “No fever, so it’s not heatstroke.”

Of course, it wasn’t heatstroke.

The “Little One” (Xiao Pengyou) handed the flowers in her arms to Jiejie, trying hard to keep her face composed and her expression calm. She used all her might to suppress the impulse to break into a silly grin.

After handing the flowers to Shen Jinrong, she tucked her now-free left hand into her jeans pocket and coolly stated, “For you.”

Baby’s Breath.

So, she remembered my birthday.

Shen Jinrong took the flowers and gave Yan He a radiant smile. Although she had long been anticipating the “Little One’s” intentions and had been looking forward to this, a strange sense of elder pride made her pretend not to know.

She asked, “Little One, why are you suddenly giving me flowers?” I’m Jiejie! I won’t act like a child!

The “Little One” nodded her chin: “It’s your birthday today,” and then, after a pause, shyly added, “Happy birthday.”

Looking at the “Little One’s” embarrassed expression, Shen Jinrong couldn’t help but wonder what Yan He would say if she had been drinking today. Her mind flashed with the image of Yan He’s flushed cheeks when drunk, those eyes moist and tearful, like a devoted and loyal puppy’s, capable of holding only one person.

“Thank you,” Shen Jinrong’s tone was light.

She was wearing ivory-white wide-leg casual pants and a thin, khaki jacket with what looked like a black T-shirt underneath. Yan He shifted her gaze, uncomfortably looking at the flowers and grasses by the roadside.

“Are you free tonight? Would you like to have dinner together?” Shen Jinrong looked at her and smiled, “The kind without alcohol.”

At the mention of drinking, the blush on the “Little One’s” face deepened, even her ears turned red. Shen Jinrong noticed that, perhaps because the skin on her earlobes was thin, Yan He’s ears seemed particularly prone to turning red.

A casual touch, or even a certain phrase, could make them flush deeply.

“Tonight…” Yan He deliberately drew out the tail end of the word, as if hesitating whether to go or not, but her heart was already leaping with an affirmative answer.

If I say yes too quickly, won’t I look too eager? Yan He thought. I’m not that excited, Jiejie was the one who suggested it!

“No time? If you’re busy tonight, then forget it,” Shen Jinrong mischievously teased the “Little One.”

“I should have time,” Yan He kept her composure, slowly saying, as if recalling her schedule: “Mmm, I don’t have any plans tonight.”

The two walked side by side towards the parking lot. Shen Jinrong said it was still too early, so they agreed to meet at a nearby restaurant at seven in the evening.

“Just a casual meal,” Shen Jinrong said.

Jiejie’s high heels sounded rhythmically beside her. Yan He felt inexplicably reassured. She matched her steps to Jiejie’s, as if this weren’t just the sound of Jiejie walking, but a spell that could calm her heart.

They passed the school’s basketball court. The temperature had dropped slightly compared to earlier, and the sun wasn’t as strong. Many people were playing basketball, and the occasional shout for a pass could be heard.

Shen Jinrong’s peripheral vision swept over the students freely running and sweating on the court, and she belatedly realized that the “Little One” walking beside her was the same age as them.

“Didn’t you all finish your exams?” Shen Jinrong thought of Yan He’s friend, Li Xiuxing. She remembered she had finished grading her students’ exams last Wednesday, and the pace for the entire junior year should be the same. Could it be that the Journalism department hasn’t finished yet?

No sooner had the words left her mouth than she noticed the “Little One’s” ears turning even redder.

Eh?

Shen Jinrong looked at her strangely.

Her words were more like a meaningful hint, plainly exposing the careful effort Yan He had tried so hard to conceal.

Why come to school after exams? Yan He thought crossly. If it wasn’t to “accidentally” run into you, who’d be willing to wander back and forth across campus on a hot day?

She angrily tallied the expense in her mental ledger. This was her fourth time wandering back and forth across campus in June without a class, yet it was the first time she had successfully run into Shen Jinrong.

“Oh, I came to pick something up today,” Yan He pursed her lips, indicating the bag in her hand.

Shen Jinrong switched hands to hold the flowers and glanced into the bag. It seemed to contain some kind of newspaper, stacked neatly and leaning against the side of the bag.

What is it?

Before Shen Jinrong could ask the question, the “Little One” already began to explain: “It’s the school newspaper.” She paused, adding, “The new issue of the school newspaper. I just went to the office to get it.”

Shen Jinrong nodded. Thinking of the “Little One” coming to interview her, she felt a little more understanding.

Why didn’t Jiejie ask any more questions? Yan He thought, annoyed. Did I block the conversation myself?

“Did you buy the flowers at the shop next to the school?” Shen Jinrong turned her head and asked: “They look a little familiar.”

Familiar indeed, I bought them based on the style you buy flowers for Tan Ning.

Yan He replied, “Yes.”

Shen Jinrong examined the bouquet, then smoothly changed the subject: “When do you start your internship?”

Yan He pondered: “Probably mid-July. If I perform well, I might get a chance to be sent on an assignment to gain more experience.”

“That’s impressive!” Shen Jinrong smiled again.

The school’s outdoor parking lot wasn’t far from the academic building. Some professors, seeking convenience, even parked their cars directly below the building, but Shen Jinrong was disciplined and parked her car here.

As the summer break approached and it was late afternoon, only five or six cars were scattered throughout the parking lot. Besides Shen Jinrong’s car, Yan He recognized one other car, later remembering it belonged to her guidance counselor.

Jiejie’s parking skills are excellent, Yan He thought as she walked with Shen Jinrong to the car. The car was parked perfectly straight within the white lines, right in the center, with no deviation.

Why didn’t I notice that last time I went home with Jiejie? Yan He suddenly realized she had been drunk that time, so how could she have paid attention to such things?

“Alright, get in the car,” Shen Jinrong opened the car door. Before getting in, she winked at Yan He, her eyes holding a playful smile: “Thank you for walking me to the parking lot. As a thank you, can I drive you home?”

Yan He’s face flushed: “It’s fine, my place isn’t far, I can take the bus—”

“You’ll get heatstroke riding the bus in this heat, right?” Shen Jinrong deliberately emphasized the words “heatstroke” when she said this, the playfulness reappearing in her eyes.

Yan He gave a helpless smile and sat in the familiar passenger seat.

The first time she rode in Shen Jinrong’s car, she had to slightly adjust the seat, but this time, the position was just right, no adjustments needed.

Yan He fastened her seatbelt and neatly placed the bag she was carrying on her lap, practically cradling it.

The air inside the car wasn’t circulating well, and the outdoor parking lot had no roof, making the air thick and hot. Shen Jinrong rolled down both windows and turned on the air conditioning to dissipate the heat.

She turned her head and saw Yan He’s actions, raised an eyebrow, and deliberately said, “Is the school newspaper that precious?”

Yan He subtly shifted and whispered a quiet, “Mmm.”

The heat inside the car hadn’t fully dissipated, so Shen Jinrong hadn’t started the engine yet. Although the temperature was dropping bit by bit, Yan He felt the air was thick with anxiety.

She looked down at the bag in her hands. Inside wasn’t just the school newspaper, but also the gift she had carefully chosen for Jiejie.

Should I give it to her now? Or wait until dinner tonight?

Yan He lifted her head and saw the bouquet of Baby’s Breath Shen Jinrong had placed in the back seat via the rearview mirror. Just as she intended to secretly observe Jiejie’s current reaction, her furtive gaze met Shen Jinrong’s smiling eyes.

“What is it?” Shen Jinrong raised her eyebrows, casually pulling a tissue from the box next to her to wipe the sweat from her forehead: “Is there something you want to tell me?”

Caught looking, Yan He was startled, and her palms became sweaty. She opened her mouth, her voice even softer: “Happy birthday.”

Shen Jinrong leaned closer, mischievous: “You already said that.”

Yan He flinched and whispered, “This is your gift.” She handed the bag to Shen Jinrong.

“This is also a gift?” Shen Jinrong guessed that the school newspaper inside might contain content related to her. She took the bag, but didn’t open it immediately. Instead, she rubbed her chin and speculated: “Am I in it?”

Yan He nodded “Mmm,” and slightly lifted the brim of her cap.

Shen Jinrong looked down, pulled out a copy of the school newspaper, and searched the pages for a while before finally finding the one she wanted to see.

Black, bold letters were printed at the top: “‘Ten Thousand Talents Program’ Interview Feature — Professor Shen Jinrong of the Business School,” followed closely by a smaller line of text: “Interviews: Yan He, Hu Tian”

“So that’s what it is,” Shen Jinrong quickly skimmed the content. She raised her hand, intending to rub Yan He’s head, but realized she was wearing a cap, so she only patted her shoulder: “Our Little One is really amazing!”

Jiejie’s tone was a little like one would use to coax a child, but Yan He was a sucker for it.

“It’s alright,” Yan He said, seemingly unperturbed, but her tail was wagging rapidly.

Shen Jinrong was amused by the “Little One’s” deadpan tone. She folded the school newspaper back into its original state and put it back into the bag. After putting it in, the copies of the school newspaper shifted slightly, and Shen Jinrong saw the object that had been completely blocked by the newspaper.

It was a box wrapped in goose-yellow paper, size-wise resembling a book, but significantly larger than a typical novel.

She turned her head to see Yan He’s reaction. Upon noticing that Shen Jinrong had found the hidden box, the latter was too embarrassed to look at her, biting her lip and turning her head away, as if to say, It has nothing to do with me, I don’t know what that is.

“Is the one below also my birthday gift?” Shen Jinrong took the box out and weighed it in her hand. It felt like a book but was a little too light.

“What is this?” She held the box next to her ear and shook it, listening for sounds, her voice full of laughter: “Do you mind if I open it now?”

Yan He quickly turned her body to stop her, but she forgot she had already fastened her seatbelt. Before she could lean over, she was pulled back into her seat by the belt.

Her face flushed, and she stammered: “Go… go home and look at it…”

“Okay, then I’ll look at it when I get home,” Shen Jinrong agreed, reaching out to scratch Yan He’s chin, her voice full of mirth: “It’s not some—inappropriate item, is it?”

Yan He swallowed, avoided Shen Jinrong’s gaze, and denied: “No.”

“Alright, I know,” Shen Jinrong winked at her and started the car: “I’ll drive you home first, and then I’ll open it when I get back after dinner tonight.”

It was a smooth run home with green lights all the way. Yan He pouted, feeling a little moody. Usually, when she was in a rush to get home, it was all red lights. Why are they all green today when I want to spend a little more time with Jiejie?

Yan He thought the traffic lights near her house must have a grudge against her.

“We’re here! Is this the place?” Shen Jinrong parked the car at the same intersection where she had dropped Yan He off last time. She pulled over and waved to Yan He: “Seven o’clock tonight. See you then.”

Yan He didn’t move. Her right hand anxiously gripped the seatbelt on her right shoulder. She glanced nervously, but quickly, at the bag in the back, as if she had something to say.

“Did you forget something?” Shen Jinrong followed her gaze backward.

Yan He shook her head, unfastened her seatbelt, pulled the car door open, and got out.

After gently closing the car door, she seemed to remember something and tapped on the glass. Shen Jinrong lowered the window, looking at the “Little One” whose face was completely covered with embarrassment.

Yan He’s face was beet red. She pointed at the bag in the back and awkwardly gestured, saying, “Um… can I keep a copy of the school newspaper?”

Shen Jinrong chuckled, pulled out two copies of the school newspaper from the bag, and handed them to her.

The “Little One” took the newspapers and smiled sheepishly. Just as she was about to leave, Shen Jinrong called out to her: “Next time, you don’t have to deliberately create ‘accidental’ encounters,” Shen Jinrong said slowly. “If you want to see me, just send me a message.”

Yan He’s eyes widened, and she blushed from the tips of her ears down to the base of her neck.