Chapter 10
The gym plan was set, but Lin Zhengmo could only tell Jian Yue tomorrow—they didn't have each other's contact info. Strange, after a year as colleagues, not even WeChat!
"Add her in the work group."
"Nah, tell her face-to-face tomorrow."
So the answer lingered from night to dawn.
Next morning, Lin Zhengmo wandered the corridor, students chattering as usual. She slowed, hoping for a chance meeting , but Jian Yue was nowhere. In the office, a colleague announced a weekly meeting.
"Ms. Lin, meeting starts early—time to go."
"K." Lin Zhengmo grabbed a lesson plan, spotting Jian Yue striding past the corridor. The director walked with purpose, tall and brisk, as if the air parted for her. Leadership vibe, Lin Zhengmo thought. Ugh, don't want to work out with a boss!
Poof, Jian Yue was gone.
"Let's go, Ms. Lin~"
"Coming."
Weekly meetings for teachers were like high school political terms—long, tedious, ear-numbing. A large classroom with oak tables, teachers taking notes—a "grown-up class."
Director Jian usually ran these, standing center-stage, prepping a PPT. Lin Zhengmo sneaked in, sat quietly, pretending to review her plan. Soon, whispers behind her caught her ear—Ms. Zhang gossiping about setting up Jian Yue.
"Yep, Director Jian accepted! She's satisfied! Blind dates need chemistry, not just looks—mutual interest, banter, two-way rush!"
Huh? Lin Zhengmo was shocked. Someone like Jian Yue interested in Ms. Zhang's picks? Jian Yue could pick a random dog off the street and it'd be more reliable. And "mute"—was that her?
Sigh. Lin Zhengmo put down her notes, eyeing Jian Yue. There was a disconnect. Jian Yue's aura was clean, preferring white or gray, which somehow enhanced her features. She was like clear water, flowing in Lin Zhengmo's mind, impossible to ignore. How could someone like that... date Ms. Zhang's choices? Lin Zhengmo felt irrationally glum.
"Plus, Director Jian's career-driven, the guy's homebody—perfect complement!" Ms. Zhang rambled.
Lin Zhengmo tuned out, staring at the podium, eyes glazing...
Jian Yue operated the PPT, one hand on the desk, the other on the mouse, focused. Morning light spilled in, lighting her face. She glowed.
Lin Zhengmo watched, lost. The screen lit up—fire safety guidelines. Snapping back, she texted AhAhAh:
[It's her again for the weekly meeting.]
[So cold.]
[Nervous about gym with her.]
[How do I say it?]
Four messages in a row. Staring at the chat, Lin Zhengmo pondered: Why do I talk about Jian Yue with AhAhAh? When did she become my focus? She shouldn't care, but her eyes lifted to the podium.
Jian Yue's PPT read: "Fire Drill Guide." As she minimized files, the cursor hovered over a blinking WeChat notification. A tiny pop-up showed:
M——4 unread messages.
A contact named "M" had sent four messages. But the real shock: the profile picture—white background, a delicate butterfly, same as Lin Zhengmo's! The illustrator's work about breaking free—her avatar!
??????
!!!!!!
Lin Zhengmo's brain short-circuited. The room went silent, Ms. Zhang's gossip meaningless. It was like solving a college entrance exam in a minute—mind fried.
Jian Yue looked up: "This meeting is about fire safety. Students practice tomorrow—take notes on the details." Her tone was flat, but Lin Zhengmo heard nothing.
Director Jian... AhAhAh...
Director Jian... AhAhAh...
Director Jian, don't hurt me, I'm scared.
During the meeting, whenever their eyes met, Lin Zhengmo flinched, mind playing tricks. It was a one-woman trial.
Twenty minutes later: "That's all. Dismissed."
Lin Zhengmo snapped back, having absorbed nothing. Teachers filed out; Jian Yue leisurely packed her things. Lin Zhengmo grabbed her plan, eager to flee.
"Ms. Lin." The voice stopped her. She tensed, forcing a casual tone: "Yes, Director Jian?"
Jian Yue zipped her laptop bag. "Gym—have you decided?"
Yes, but now I'm scared. You're a devil, I'm just a commoner. Stay away! But... If I don't clarify, I'll lose sleep.
"Let's add each other on WeChat," Lin Zhengmo blurted, voice shaky.
Jian Yue wasn't surprised. I know what you're thinking. "Good idea—I don't have your contact." She held out her QR code.
Lin Zhengmo scanned it. Jian Yue's ID and avatar were professional, nothing like AhAhAh's. Phew.
Jian Yue said: "Weird—your avatar is exactly like my relative's."
"Oh? It's a famous illustration," Lin Zhengmo relaxed, palm sweating.
"My cousin." Jian Yue smiled, pocketing her phone. "So gym together?"
"Sure." Lin Zhengmo let go, realizing her palms were clammy. I must be crazy. How could Director Jian be AhAhAh? Ms. Zhang said she likes that guy. Director Jian doesn't like women! Crazy, crazy.
"Let's schedule via WeChat?"
"K. I need to teach." She fled, vanishing quickly.
Once gone, Jian Yue's composed mask fell, lips tight, a sheen of sweat on her temple.
Miscalculation! Scared me! No more using the backup account to transfer files!
No risk, no reward—but that was too risky.