Chapter 16

Just past ten o’clock, the rush of students leaving school had subsided, and the campus was sparsely populated. Beneath a row of street lamps, a young girl followed closely beside a young man, matching his every step.

Lin Sheng had long legs and a brisk stride. Xu Xieyi glanced down at his dark brown leather shoes, noting how effortlessly he walked. She quickened her pace, unwilling to fall behind.

“Have you finished your homework?” she asked.

“Almost—just a little left. I’ll catch up once I get home,” he answered honestly.

Lin Sheng gave a short, acknowledging hum but didn’t press further. It was clear he was speaking casually, like relatives at New Year’s asking about a child’s grades or height—not truly concerned, merely following social convention.

It took six or seven minutes to reach the parking lot at the school gate. The quiet road and their silence created a slightly awkward atmosphere.

“Brother Lin, are you busy today?” she tried to break the silence.

“Not too much.”

“Do you usually just do surgeries for work?”

Under the soft apricot glow of the street lamps, a thin autumn mist hung in the air.

Lin Sheng turned his head slightly, his lowered eyelashes resembling dense black forests. “I’m a surgeon now, so my main job is indeed performing surgeries.”

Xu Xieyi nodded, recalling their conversation in the car last time. She understood the significance behind Lin Sheng’s words, “now is.”

“Since the start of senior year, all my classmates have been talking about career plans. Quite a few want to be doctors.”

“Really?”

“Yes! And many want to be teachers, too.”

She wore a puzzled expression. “But I haven’t decided what I want to do, what career to pursue, or which university to attend… But I definitely can’t be a doctor.”

Her tone was resolute. Then she looked up and smiled, “I’ve been afraid of hospitals since I was little—saws, scalpels, needles…”

“Really scared?”

“Yes! Even now, when I see a doctor, my legs feel weak.”

Lin Sheng glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Legs feel weak.”

She had quite the way with words.

“But I’m a doctor, aren’t you afraid?”

“Of course. When I see you, Brother Lin, my legs go weak too.” Xu Xieyi smiled gently, brushing the wisps of hair the wind teased around her ear.

Lin Sheng looked at her, paused briefly, then said, “In the future, don’t say that to anyone else.”

“What?” she blinked, watching his expression but gleaning nothing.

Seeing her confusion, Lin Sheng shook his head and smiled at himself for overthinking. He decided to keep things simple and not read too much into it.

“Nothing. Just a casual remark, don’t mind it.”

Yet Xu Xieyi remained baffled: Brother Lin... what exactly did he mean?

They walked together toward the parking lot, passing by a teacher’s dormitory. Many young, single teachers lived there. At night, each window glowed with light, the young staff tirelessly grading papers or preparing lessons. Occasionally, a teacher would come out for a stroll.

Students usually avoided this path, but since it was late, Xu Xieyi chose it to save time, leading Lin Sheng through.

Fatefully, on the pebble-strewn lane flanked by street lamps, a slightly plump young man in a plaid shirt approached. Even if he turned to dust, Xu Xieyi would recognize him—

Their homeroom teacher and math instructor, Gao Changyang.

“Hello, Teacher Gao.”

Gao Changyang had just returned from a quick meal outside school. Pushing up his glasses, he recognized Xu Xieyi by the streetlight’s glow.

“Oh, you’re still here this late?” His voice was stiff and cold.

“I was delayed by a test, so I left a bit late.”

There was always a certain distance between student and teacher; Gao Changyang nodded coolly. “You should go back and rest.”

“Okay, Teacher Gao.”

His gaze shifted briefly to the tall man beside the girl and showed a flicker of surprise.

“Hello.” Lin Sheng extended his hand naturally, polite and humble. He didn’t introduce himself, merely offering a courteous gesture.

Gao Changyang responded quickly, shaking his hand while assessing him.

The man was tall, dignified, and handsome. Yet...

He seemed vaguely familiar.

Gao Changyang pondered.

After a brief handshake, Xu Xieyi said goodbye to the teacher. They passed each other, and only after a few steps did Gao Changyang suddenly turn back.

“Senior Lin Sheng??”

Lin Sheng stopped and turned, surprised and puzzled.

“I’m Changyang, Gao Changyang!”

—

The evening breeze brushed against the school buildings; the autumn night was quiet and cool.

By the railing, Xu Xieyi tightened her grip on her backpack, standing upright with mixed feelings.

Nearby, Lin Sheng and her homeroom teacher chatted. She sensed that the days ahead might be... filled with heavy pressure.

“Have you been abroad all these years?”

“Yes, just returned earlier this year.”

“Studying overseas is tough enough, and medicine even more so, right? My cousin is studying medicine in Australia now and calls home every month, crying, wanting to give up. The language barrier plus medical specialization is too much.”

“Keep holding on. Studying back home isn’t easier.”

Gao Changyang nodded, then recalled Lin Sheng’s high school days.

“Senior Lin never dropped out of the top three in his grade. Medicine won’t be a problem for you.”

Lin Sheng smiled lightly and kindly. Gao Changyang’s tone was warm; he clearly admired him from their student days.

Xu Xieyi glanced sideways, impressed—Brother Lin was really remarkable.

Gao Changyang tactfully avoided mentioning Lin Sheng’s more “rebellious” exploits, especially with younger people present.

Every school had its share of high achievers; the fact that Gao Changyang still remembered Lin Sheng after all these years was telling.

Lin Sheng had been no ordinary figure.

Schools typically had three types of students: diligent top performers, unruly troublemakers, and obedient average students. Lin Sheng had been a unique fourth kind—

A top student, yet restless, surrounded by mischievous friends.

Xu Xieyi barely recognized their homeroom teacher, who usually wore a stern, iron-faced expression.

From their conversation, she pieced together that the two had met in the student council during high school.

Lin Sheng had been the former student council president, recommending Gao Changyang as his successor upon graduation. Gao Changyang had come to their school recently and was slightly younger than Lin Sheng.

The cool breeze mingled with the mist.

Lin Sheng wore only a white shirt but didn’t seem cold. His forearm rested casually on the railing, his posture relaxed as he listened to Gao Changyang.

Gao Changyang stood somewhat stiffly; at 175 centimeters, not short, but watching them, Xu Xieyi absurdly thought Lin Sheng looked like the homeroom teacher’s “boyfriend.”

Lin Sheng’s height and long limbs made the slightly less imposing man beside him seem protected.

A perfect pairing, she thought, silently concluding: “Brother Lin is the ideal partner—for either man or woman, no mismatch whatsoever.”

Lin Sheng glanced casually and noticed the girl’s faint smile as she observed him. Her expression was unusual, as if deep in thought.

Gao Changyang followed his gaze and smoothly shifted the topic. “Xieyi, I’ve been your teacher for nearly two years, but I didn’t realize you’re Senior Lin’s little sister. What a small world.”

Xu Xieyi’s scalp tingled instantly.

Lin Sheng slipped his watch-clad hand into his trouser pocket, a half-smile playing on his lips. “Yes, quite a coincidence.”

Even he was unaware of this connection.

Because of this relation, Gao Changyang’s usual stern demeanor softened considerably, even smiling.

“The girl is quite good—studious and obedient. Always polite and greets everyone.”

Lin Sheng looked at Xu Xieyi, a subtle smile lifting the corners of his mouth.

Xu Xieyi straightened up unconsciously.

Seeing her reaction, Lin Sheng smiled, revealing a flash of white teeth, and answered Gao Changyang, “Yes, she’s very good.”

Since it was late, Gao Changyang and Lin Sheng didn’t talk long. They exchanged WeChat and phone numbers, promising to catch up another day.

Xu Xieyi, who had just relaxed at being able to leave, now felt a lump in her throat.

What could be more terrifying than your homeroom teacher being a close friend or relative of your elder brother?

Such a devilish coincidence...

When they parted, Gao Changyang said warmly to Xu Xieyi with a smile, “Xu Xieyi, you have such an outstanding brother but don’t make good use of him. What a waste. Go home and have your brother give you some lessons, huh? Share some strategies for high scores.”

Xu Xieyi obediently nodded, gripping her backpack straps. “Okay, Teacher Gao.”

She then heard Lin Sheng laugh softly beside her.

She looked up.

In the apricot-yellow streetlight, Lin Sheng stood with his hands in his trousers pockets, gazing down at her calmly.

—

The mountain road at night was quiet.

On the asphalt road flanked by dense trees, a black Porsche drove alone.

Lin Sheng steered, eyes fixed ahead. “Are you weak in certain subjects?”

In the passenger seat, Xu Xieyi hugged her backpack. “A little.”

Ah, tonight’s chance encounter had revealed her two years’ worth of academic secrets.

Xu Xieyi felt defeated—her grades were utterly embarrassing.

“Which subjects are difficult now?” Lin Sheng didn’t look at her.

Ahead, the car’s headlights pierced the mist, illuminating the orange reflective bands on the roadside.

Xu Xieyi glanced at the flickering bands racing toward them. “I’m okay with humanities, but math and physics aren’t great.”

“Hm.” Lin Sheng’s voice was calm. “What scores do you usually get?”

Her face warmed; she was too shy to say, especially recalling that her homeroom teacher had praised Lin Sheng’s exceptional academic record.

“Just around passing. Out of 150 points, maybe eighty or ninety.”

Lin Sheng was silent for a long moment.

Xu Xieyi felt a bit embarrassed—it wasn’t something to be proud of.

The night was chilly. When the windows rolled up, the wind noise ceased, and the car grew very quiet. In the confined space, senses sharpened.

Xu Xieyi caught the faint scent of the man beside her.

Very pleasant.

She quietly glanced at Lin Sheng.

The dim light inside the car cast just enough glow on the speedometer to reveal his profile.

Clear were his sharp nose and the delicate tips of his eyelashes.

“Fifteen minutes to home,” Lin Sheng suddenly said. “That means you have fifteen minutes to think.”

“Think?”

Xu Xieyi was puzzled. “Think about what, Brother Lin?”

He smiled slightly, then after two seconds turned to her casually and said:

“Think about how you’re going to use me.”

“Silly little sister.”

Author’s note:

Xu Xieyi: Ah, inexplicably a little flustered.

*Those who want to use Brother Lin, raise your hands!~ (≧▽≦)/~