MTB - Chapter 17
Chapter 17: A Contradictory Heart
But the ever-clear-headed Yun Yang soon wrinkled her nose uncomfortably, feeling that the cunning old fox was definitely just making empty promises.
Of course, she didn’t say it out loud. Instead, she went along with it and smiled. “Alright.”
When she smiled, a pair of faint dimples appeared. Though her features were striking and flamboyant, her smile was quiet and serene.
Only, this smile wasn’t from the heart—Yun Yang was on guard against her, and she knew it very well.
Tang Yuelou gazed into her eyes and was suddenly reminded of the first time she had seen Yun Yang. She had found this girl very interesting even then.
It had been the peak of summer a year ago. Summers in Beicheng were dry and scorching, with temperatures exceeding thirty-five degrees Celsius. She remembered that day was muggy, likely the day before a thunderstorm. She had just been hired as a lecturer at Z University. After finishing her class that morning, she was giving another teacher a ride home. Before getting out, the teacher said she had to go back to the university for something that would take about half an hour. Since Tang Yuelou had nothing else to do, she waited for her in the car.
Tang Yuelou had parked near the main entrance of the university and happened to see an old woman looking around at the gate. Several times, she seemed to want to stop a student to ask for directions, but she never managed to raise her hand.
Z University’s law program was ranked among the best in the country, and the school had a student-run legal aid organization, so people often came seeking assistance. She wasn’t very familiar with this university tradition at the time. After observing for a few minutes, she was about to get out of the car to ask.
Just then, a girl walked up to the old woman, holding up a parasol to shield her from the sun. The two chatted for a bit, and the girl helped the woman to a bench at the bus stop. She took out her phone to make a call, then said something to the old woman, who replied with a smile, as if thanking her.
The girl was very beautiful, the type who would immediately catch your eye in a crowd of thousands. She sat with the old woman for a while before getting up. Tang Yuelou thought she was leaving, but two minutes later, she came jogging back with two bottles of water she had bought from a nearby newsstand.
She handed the room-temperature one to the old woman. The other bottle still had beads of condensation on it. She tilted her head back and chugged the ice-cold water, shivering from the sudden chill. Tang Yuelou tilted her head and smiled.
Tang Yuelou watched in her car for as long as the girl sat with the old woman, even forgetting to get out and invite them into the car to escape the heat. Later, a few students came out of the university and greeted the girl. It seemed they were the “reinforcements” she had called for earlier.
They helped the old woman away, leaving the girl to make another call by herself. A moment later, she turned back, fuming, and walked past Tang Yuelou’s car.
“…What do you mean? I just explained it to you, and you’re still saying I stood you up on purpose? You’re really something else. You’re the one who insisted on asking me out, and now that I’m not willing, you’re blaming me? You’re sick, go home and eat shit!”
It seemed she had stood up her date to help someone in need.
And so, Tang Yuelou was amused by her for a second time.
Although it was just a chance encounter, this irritable yet charming girl had left a considerable impression on her—and then came their “meeting” at the bar.
She rarely met someone so interesting. She was clearly pure, capable of sitting with a complete stranger of unknown character under the scorching sun for over half an hour, yet when it came to people she knew, she insisted on putting on a front of having a mind full of twists and turns, making one desperately want to uncover the truth.
Tang Yuelou lowered her gaze slightly, a meaningful smile touching her lips.
“Let’s go,” she said, stroking Yun Yang’s long hair. “I’ll take you to eat.”
“Thanks, but I already ate.”
“Japanese food from XX, interested?”
“Yes, yes, Teacher. I suddenly feel like I didn’t eat enough earlier.”
The next day, Yun Yang was woken up by her alarm clock.
She usually set her alarm for her 8 AM class for seven, but it was basically just for show, as she would absolutely laze in bed until seven-thirty before getting up and rushing to the classroom at top speed. But perhaps because she had gone to bed early last night, she felt unusually awake today. After turning off the alarm, she planned to get up—until she realized she didn’t have an 8 AM class today. She had no classes or part-time work the entire morning; she had just set the alarm incorrectly yesterday.
She was currently in Tang Yuelou’s bed. The sound of someone washing up came from the bathroom; Tang Yuelou was already up.
Wide awake, Yun Yang stared at the ceiling, seething with morning grumpiness, and sulked to herself for five minutes.
“Yangyang, why are you up so early?”
Tang Yuelou came out of the bathroom, casually grabbing a set of loungewear from the closet and changing out of her nightgown. “You don’t have class this morning, right? You can sleep in a little longer. I have to leave for class in a bit. When you get up, heat up the breakfast before you eat.”
“Why do you know my class schedule?” Yun Yang rolled over to watch her change, getting her fill looking her up and down before her gaze finally landed on the conspicuous scar on her shoulder.
She didn’t seem to like people touching that scar. Yun Yang recalled a few instances and felt that this person was insincere—acting like she didn’t care on the outside, but deep down, she was clearly still bothered by it.
“Teacher, how did you really get that scar?”
Tang Yuelou’s movements paused almost imperceptibly before quickly returning to normal. She buttoned her top and said lightly, “A nanny burned me when I was little. Didn’t you already know that?”
“Oh—” Yun Yang drew out the word, then thought for a moment. “What happened to the nanny afterward?”
“I don’t remember. I think she was fired.” Tang Yuelou paused and glanced at her. “Why are you asking?”
“Haha, no reason, just curious…”
“No phone.”
Yun Yang had just picked up her phone when Tang Yuelou grabbed her wrist and took it away. She cried out in pain, and only then did Tang Yuelou let go. Rubbing her wrist, she wondered if this person had trained in Sanda, MMA, or grappling. Otherwise, why was she able to restrain her so perfectly every single time?
“If you can’t sleep, then get up and wash your face. No phones right after waking up,” Tang Yuelou “suggested” with a gentle smile.
“…Oh.”
“What does ‘oh’ mean?”
“I know, I know, I’m getting up!” Yun Yang rolled over again, turning her back to her and burying her face in the blankets.
“That’s better.” Tang Yuelou ruffled her hair.
The loose sleeve of her top brushed against the side of Yun Yang’s face. It tickled, and feeling awkward, Yun Yang slapped her hand away.
In their first month together, Yun Yang only knew she had a lot of rules; she didn’t know you’d be punished for breaking them… If she had known Tang Yuelou’s true nature earlier, she would have fled overnight, even if it meant carrying a train on her back. Who would stay here and put up with this nonsense?
Of course, she could only think this to herself occasionally. Saying it out loud was impossible.
In the end, she obediently got out of bed. Yun Yang rested her head on the dining table, waiting for breakfast. Tang Yuelou’s kitchen was semi-open, so you could see the person inside from the dining area. She stared blankly at Tang Yuelou in the kitchen, and out of boredom, she had a sudden idea. “Teacher, what class do you have this morning?”
Tang Yuelou named an elective course, paused, then asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Do you want me to go to class with you?” Yun Yang propped her chin on her hand and blinked. “Even if I do homework for another class during your lecture?”
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