“Good afternoon, Teacher Gao.”
Bai Jie greeted him with a perfectly asured smile. While her words were polite, she internally sighed deeply. Who would have thought that just going out for a al with Ling Ning would lead to running into this annoying Teacher Gao?
She regretted not taking Ling Ning’s suggestion to eat off-campus instead.
Ling Ning, noticing the interaction, shifted her gaze to Teacher Gao. Though Bai Jie’s face maintained a smile, Ling Ning’s sharp eye caught a fleeting hint of helplessness in Bai Jie’s expression. It was obvious she didn’t want to deal with this so-called Teacher Gao.
Ling Ning quickly pieced together the situation. Teacher Gao must have been pestering Bai Jie regularly, which would explain her growing impatience—sothing rare for soone as even-tempered as Bai Jie.
“I saw Teacher Bai’s silhouette earlier and thought I must be mistaken. But when I ca closer, it really was you, Teacher Bai! What a delightful coincidence!” Teacher Gao said with an elegant smile.
Bai Jie suppressed another sigh. If this was fate, she’d rather pass on it.
Oblivious to her inner discontent, Teacher Gao naturally placed his tray on their table and sat down, acting as though he had been invited.
This presumptuousness made Ling Ning frown.
Sensing her gaze, Teacher Gao turned to Ling Ning and said, “You must be Ling Ning, right? Teacher Bai’s excellent student.”
“Not at all. It’s thanks to my teacher’s guidance,” Ling Ning replied coolly.
Bai Jie sighed and asked directly, “Teacher Gao, was there sothing you needed?”
“Ah, it’s nothing urgent. I just wanted to ask if you’re free this evening. There’s a fantastic restaurant I’d like to take you to, where we could discuss so academic topics over dinner. Your excellent student is, of course, welco to join. If it works for you, I can pick you both up this afternoon.”
While he spoke, Teacher Gao placed his car keys on the table. The luxury brand logo on the keys glead prominently. Ling Ning couldn’t help but give a wry smile. These kinds of pickup tactics were so outdated—who even used them anymore?
Bai Jie’s indifference didn’t faze Teacher Gao. It wasn’t the first ti she had ignored him. However, he was surprised by Ling Ning’s lack of reaction; he had expected at least a trace of interest.
Perhaps it was because Bai Jie and Ling Ning were alike, even in their unresponsive deanor.
“I’m afraid tonight won’t work,” Bai Jie said lightly. “I need to head ho, so let’s plan for another day.”
“Then let drive you ho. It’s much faster than taking a taxi,” Teacher Gao offered.
“There’s no need. Soone is already picking up this afternoon, so I won’t trouble you.”
In truth, Bai Jie had her own car, one far more luxurious than Teacher Gao’s. She just preferred not to drive it. Since moving here, her driving days could be counted on one hand.
Seeing Bai Jie repeatedly turn him down, Teacher Gao’s smile began to fade. He couldn’t understand why she was so difficult to woo. This approach had worked so many tis before—why not now?
The awkwardness of his persistence, combined with the presence of Ling Ning, made the al unappetizing for Bai Jie.
“Well, Teacher Gao, I’ve finished my lunch, so I’ll take my leave. Enjoy your al,” Bai Jie said, picking up her tray and leaving decisively.
Ling Ning naturally wasn’t going to stick around either. She stood up, smiling politely. “Teacher Gao, I’ll be leaving as well.”
With that, she hurried after Bai Jie.
Watching their retreating figures, Teacher Gao’s smile completely disappeared, replaced by an irritated scowl. Faced with Bai Jie’s relentless indifference, he was at his wits’ end.
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
After exiting the cafeteria, Ling Ning exhaled deeply. “Sister, how about we grab sothing else to eat outside?”
Bai Jie thought for a mont and shook her head lightly. “Forget it. Let’s just go back to my dorm. We can make so instant noodles.”
“That works too.”
“Sorry about this. All I have at my dorm is instant noodles—I didn’t go grocery shopping,” Bai Jie said apologetically.
Ling Ning shook her head with a smile. “It’s fine. Instant noodles are great, especially when made by you, Sister. They’ll taste even better!”
“You really know how to talk.”
Back at Bai Jie’s dorm, Ling Ning went to boil water while Bai Jie took out two bowls of instant noodles, classic braised beef flavor. The sight of the noodles made Ling Ning’s stomach growl softly; she hadn’t eaten much earlier.
As she placed the seasoning packets into the bowls, waiting for the water to boil, Bai Jie suddenly rembered sothing. “Ling Ning, by the way, what was it you wanted to ask about earlier?”
Ling Ning, reminded of her original purpose, quickly recollected herself. The unexpected interruption earlier had nearly made her forget.
“Well, Sister, you know I have a little sister who’s been living with , right?”
“You an Ye Ye?”
Bai Jie’s face softened into a gentle smile, likely recalling Ye Ye’s adorable deanor.
“Yes, her. Lately, she’s been extra clingy to —or rather, her possessiveness has been a bit overwhelming. Even when I playfully interact with my friends, she gets inexplicably sulky.”
“Possessive, huh?” Bai Jie mused. “Perhaps Ye Ye is afraid of losing you. You’re the only constant in her life, after all. I’m not entirely sure how to address that. Bai Yiyue doesn’t cling to the sa way.”
Bai Jie sighed softly. If anything, her daughter seed more attached to Ling Ning these days. If not for her busy schedule, it wouldn’t be surprising to find Bai Yiyue at the school just to see Ling Ning.
Was Ling Ning really that captivating?
On second thought, maybe she was. Ling Ning had a great temperant, a kind personality, excellent cooking skills, and was entirely self-reliant. In Bai Jie’s eyes, she was practically perfect. It wasn’t hard to see why her daughter liked her.
But still... sigh.
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