HYSE - 13

Shi Yin hadn’t expected Gu Congli to be so ruthless.

He appeared young, yet his tactics were those of a seasoned teacher—using her affection as bait to enforce discipline.

Nowadays, almost everyone carried a phone. As long as it wasn’t taken out during class, teachers generally turned a blind eye. Moreover, being boarders, not having phones made it inconvenient for parents to contact them.

Most importantly, life became boring without one.

Shi Yin endured two days without her phone. It was manageable during classes, but after evening study sessions, she felt utterly bored in the dorm.

After explaining the whole situation to Fang Shu, the latter mercilessly mocked her: “Your intentions were too obvious, clumsy and rough—it’s unbearable. He’s not an idiot; how could he not see through you? As for confiscating your phone, I doubt he really meant to keep it. If you go ask him now, he’ll probably return it.”

Shi Yin nodded solemnly: “I know, he just wanted to grab my attention.” She then happily cupped her face: “What a mischievous little elf.”

“…”

Fang Shu rolled her eyes: “It means ‘I know what you’re up to, but give up.’”

Shi Yin glared at her unhappily.

Fang Shu showed no mercy: “Why are you glaring at me? He’s clearly trying to gently discourage you.”

Fang Shu had expected Shi Yin to either realize and give up or at least show some sign of disappointment.

Unexpectedly, she calmly listened and even nodded seriously: “Considering how exceptional I am, it’s normal for him to find it hard to accept right away.”

“…”

Fang Shu laughed at her frustration: “Shi Yin, how many times have you even seen him? You can’t possibly be genuinely falling for him.”

Shi Yin widened her eyes: “How can that be determined by how many times I’ve seen him? I’ve spent a whole year with Ergou, and I don’t like him.”

“Then what do you like about him?”

Shi Yin thought for two seconds and honestly replied: “He’s good-looking.”

“…”

Fang Shu was speechless, rolling her eyes again. Seemingly too lazy to deal with her, she turned back to her book.

Just then, the teacher entered, ending their conversation. Shi Yin picked up her pen and continued working on her physics workbook.

Actually, this was all a lie.

There were plenty of handsome boys in the world, and she had seen quite a few. For instance, Ergou’s new roommate, Shen Zhiyang, who had gone from grade-level heartthrob to school-wide crush, always surrounded by older girls outside his classroom.

But Gu Congli was different.

This feeling came suddenly and unpredictably. Shi Yin couldn’t explain it. Even before she got a clear look at him, she already had feelings for him.

Like an unexpected summer downpour that weather forecasts couldn’t predict, drenching her completely.

For an entire week, Shi Yin was somewhat distracted.

She secretly visited the arts building several times but didn’t see Gu Congli. Instead, she encountered the art teacher in the tight dress she had seen in the studio before—Ms. Pei.

Ms. Pei’s appearance matched her figure perfectly—graceful and sexy, exuding goddess-like beauty. Seeing Shi Yin knocking on the office door, she understood immediately: “You’re looking for Teacher Gu?”

Shi Yin nodded.

“Is there something you need?”

Feeling embarrassed, Shi Yin whispered: “Teacher Gu confiscated my phone…”

The beautiful teacher looked surprised: “Teacher Gu? He’s not here now.”

Shi Yin felt inadequate in front of the beauty and quickly nodded obediently: “Then I’ll come back later, teacher. Goodbye.”

—And swiftly fled the scene.

She was deeply conflicted. On one hand, she wanted to use retrieving her phone as an excuse to see Gu Congli. On the other hand, she knew Fang Shu’s words made sense. Her clumsy attempt to get his WeChat or phone number, along with her comment about his smile, must have been obvious.

He couldn’t have missed it. The so-called confiscation of her phone was just a polite refusal, avoiding hurting her pride while giving her an easy way out.

Shi Yin was heartbroken—for three seconds. Then, she fell into another bout of indecision.

It wasn’t because Gu Congli had politely rejected her, but rather, she realized that if she retrieved her phone, she would lose any other excuses to see him.

Unless he taught her class—which was impossible.

Sighing deeply, Shi Yin slowly headed toward the cafeteria.

During the noon break, crowds poured out of the teaching buildings, rushing to the cafeteria to avoid queues. Shi Yin walked leisurely, lost in thought.

The cafeteria at Experimental High School No. 1’s new campus was large, with three floors. The first and second floors had food stalls, while the third floor served as the faculty cafeteria, offering more luxurious dishes at higher prices.

Shi Yin followed the crowd into the cafeteria, buying an ice-cold Coke at the entrance before heading upstairs.

With the bottle pressed to her lips, she casually glanced up and saw Gu Congli walking up the stairs.

Shi Yin’s eyes lit up. Still halfway up the stairs, she quickened her pace, hurrying over: “Teacher Gu, long time no see.”

Gu Congli paused, glanced at her, and hummed in acknowledgment.

Shi Yin bit the Coke bottle cap: “Are you eating here too?”

As soon as she said it, she regretfully slapped her forehead.

What a stupid question.

Sure enough, Gu Congli ignored her.

Shi Yin followed him up the stairs in small steps, then spoke pitifully: “Teacher Gu, when can I get my phone back? I know I was wrong, and I promise never to take it out in front of you again.”

He finally reacted, pausing his steps and turning his head slightly with a raised eyebrow.

“Never take it out again,” Shi Yin corrected earnestly.

He nodded: “Come get it this afternoon.”

“What time will you be here this afternoon?”

“I’ll be here.”

Shi Yin pressed on: “But what if you’re teaching when I come?”

“I’ll leave it on the table; you can take it yourself.”

Shi Yin spoke sternly: “That won’t do. I can’t touch a teacher’s belongings,” she told him seriously, “I must wait for you to return.”

“…”

Gu Congli finally looked at her.

By this point, they had reached the second floor. Shi Yin didn’t expect him to respond and waved goodbye from the staircase leading to the third floor: “Well then, Teacher Gu, see you.”

Reluctantly, she turned and walked inside.

The second floor was less crowded than the first, with shorter lines at each stall. She unscrewed her ice-cold Coke, sipping as she pondered what to eat for lunch. After taking only a few steps, she heard someone call her name behind her: “Shi Yin.”

Instinctively, she turned around.

Gu Congli was already walking toward her, reaching her in two strides. Then, he moved behind her.

Shi Yin blinked, about to turn around when his low voice sounded behind her: “Don’t move.”

She froze: “Teacher Gu?”

“Check if there are any classmates around,” he paused, adding, “female classmates.”

Shi Yin was completely bewildered. Not allowed to turn around, she awkwardly leaned back, tilting her head up ninety degrees, stretching her neck, mouth slightly open, the top of her head brushing against his chest. Her voice tightened as she asked: “No, why?”

“…”

He lowered his head, lashes covering his eyes, revealing an expression tinged with resignation. His voice was calm, emotionless: “You’re on your period.”

Shi Yin: “…”

Even with thick skin, she was still a girl.

Her head dropped instantly, frozen in place, her face flushing red: “So, my clothes…”

“Mm, they’re dirty.”

Few teachers frequented the second floor. They stood at the staircase entrance, students passing by giving them curious looks.

The young girl was mortified, standing there biting her lip, too embarrassed to move, on the verge of tears.

A glance downward revealed her bright red ear tips.

Gu Congli sighed: “Move to the wall first.”

Shi Yin hesitated before moving. Each step she took forward, she felt him following closely behind. Once at the wall, she quickly spun around, leaning against it, looking up at him with a miserable expression: “What now?”

“Wait.” With that, he turned and went downstairs.

“…”

Shi Yin stood stiffly against the wall. The cafeteria buzzed with noise, lines at the stalls shortened, seats filled with people. She stared at the staircase, waiting for what felt like an eternity before seeing Gu Congli return.

Shi Yin was so moved she nearly cried: “Teacher Gu!”

Gu Congli approached, tossing a piece of clothing onto her.

Shi Yin caught it, shaking it open—a simple white shirt, its metal buttons engraved with intricate patterns.

Not caring how strange it might look, she quickly draped it over herself, twisting to check its length—it reached her thighs. Relieved, she turned back: “Teacher Gu, I’ll go back to the dorm to change.”

Gu Congli tilted his chin slightly: “Mm, go ahead.”

The girl ran off, her face flushed.

Gu Congli stared at the staircase for a moment before heading downstairs and returning to the office.

Pei Shihao, sharing the office with him, noticed his return and raised an eyebrow in surprise: “Finished eating so quickly?”

Gu Congli paused, realizing he had spent the entire lunchtime dealing with the student and hadn’t eaten.

The room was filled with the lingering scent of peaches. On the desk lay a white phone silently beside the computer, its presence quietly asserting itself.

He picked up the phone, pressing the home button.

The screen lit up, displaying a black background with bold red characters arranged haphazardly:

【Even if I remain single forever, date girls, marry in Holland, I will never like men.】

【Men are all liars.】

【Get away, you damned men, let me study.】

【I love studying; it makes me happy. The two most wonderful words in my life—study.】

【No dating today; everyone study.】

He gave a faint smile, turned off the screen, and set the phone down: “Mm.”

Pei Shihao noticed his actions and casually remarked: “Speaking of which, I’ve seen a student looking for you several times these past few days, claiming to retrieve her phone.” She paused, teasing: “What’s going on, Teacher Gu? Do you have the leisure to confiscate students’ phones now?”

Gu Congli sat down, silent.

Pei Shihao chuckled lightly: “Be careful, though. That girl didn’t look like she was just here for her phone. But she’s not the first, you know. Girls this age tend to daydream.”

Gu Congli’s eyes lowered, recalling the cafeteria scene earlier. The girl had tilted her head back, looking at him with slightly curved almond eyes, naturally smiling. She followed him eagerly, chirping incessantly like a sparrow, brimming with youthful energy.

It was indeed a bit noisy.

He curled his index finger slightly, tapping the edge of the table lazily: “Just a little girl.”