Walking out of the audiovisual classroom, Qin Lang still felt a trace of regret.
There was one fragrance whose source he hadn’t been able to find — fresh and pure, like an orchid blooming deep in a secluded valley, refreshing the heart and mind, yet faint and elusive, impossible to grasp.
Standing at the doorway, the warm spring breeze swept over his face, clearing his head. Qin Lang felt that standing here was much better than sitting inside watching an “educational” film — after all, he had already seen it before. This so-called educational blockbuster was nothing more than a patchwork: most of it was clipped from CCAV’s Animal World program, and its original footage actually came from a BBC documentary. Because of his parents’ work, Qin Lang had grown up watching nature documentaries, so he knew them well.
The campus was full of birdsong and flowers, teeming with life. The sun shone brightly in a sky dotted with white clouds. Colorful kites drifted over the roof of the teaching building across the way — no doubt the work of some children not yet in school. That carefree childhood was always something to envy and look back on.
At this age, in this season, life should have been at its most beautiful — but mountains of test papers and endless exams buried it, turning it into a bitter memory for countless people.
There were still five minutes until the official end of class when the girls filed out in a line. Teacher Tao Ruoxiang had let them go early.
Because of physiological differences, some boys were inevitably stirred up watching this sort of film. If they left the classroom alongside the girls, it would have been awkward. Tao’s arrangement was both careful and clever, avoiding that embarrassment.
As for the boys still in the classroom, Tao had a simple method to snap them back to normal:
Without warning, she played five minutes of a 3D horror movie.
Screams erupted.
The sudden, extreme shift startled some boys so badly they nearly lost control — any impure thoughts vanished instantly.
“All right, class dismissed. I hope today’s lesson has given you some educational value,” Tao Ruoxiang’s voice sounded in the room.
The boys, as if granted amnesty, hurried out of the audiovisual classroom. For them, the class might not have carried much educational meaning — but it was certainly unforgettable, a roller-coaster of extremes.
From their chatter, Qin Lang learned what had just happened. He thought to himself that the mature, charming Tao Ruoxiang could also come up with such a quirky idea — truly a rare beauty combining looks and wit. To pass her by in life would be a lifelong regret.
“I’ve decided!”
Qin Lang clenched his fist over his chest in a cheering gesture. In that moment, he made a sudden yet perfectly natural decision: strike while the flower is in bloom — he was going to pursue Tao Ruoxiang!
After all, in eighteen years, this was his first time experiencing love at first sight.
In a way, this decision was partly thanks to that lecherous mosquito earlier — detestable as it was, its courage and persistence were worth learning from.
“What have you decided, Qin Lang?”
While his thoughts were flying, Tao Ruoxiang had somehow come to stand right behind him.
Meanwhile, at the stairwell corner, a group of boys kept stealing reluctant glances in her direction, as if one more look brought happiness and satisfaction. But among all those lingering, dreamy gazes, there were two that were like poisonous snakes — cold, vicious, fixed on Qin Lang, radiating jealousy and murderous intent.
“I’ve decided… to get into South China United University!” Qin Lang lied without batting an eye, wearing an ambitious expression in hopes of changing her opinion of him.
“Having ambition and drive is good,” Tao nodded slightly in approval — but then her tone shifted. “However, one shouldn’t aim too high. It’s more important to keep your feet on the ground.”
Her implication was clear: with grades like his, aiming for a top-ten university in the nation was nothing short of a pipe dream.
Qin Lang, acting as if he hadn’t caught the subtext, put on a modest face. “Teacher Tao, you’re right. I also think young people should have drive. ‘Black hair doesn’t know to study hard early; white hair regrets reading too late.’ ‘A young man who doesn’t work hard will only regret it in old age.’ ‘In life, one rarely gets the chance to fight; if not now, when?’ And, uh, ‘A youth without romance is a wasted youth’ — oh, maybe not that one… Anyway, Teacher Tao, when you told me to stand outside just now, the spring breeze in the corridor hit me, and I felt my whole body and heart wake up, like a hibernating frog hearing the call of the goddess of spring. I suddenly realized I can’t waste my time anymore — so I decided I must get into South China United University!”
In truth, he had indeed felt the goddess of spring’s call — but his real resolve was not to go to university, but to chase the beautiful teacher!
“Qin Lang, I’ve heard about your situation from your homeroom teacher, Mr. Sun. I’m not sure about your character yet, but I do know your grades — all of your subjects are fairly poor, except biology, where you stand out. This means you have potential. Work hard.” Tao was being tactful; in reality, his other subjects weren’t “fairly poor” but “extremely poor.”
“Yes, Teacher Tao, biology is my only decent subject. Also, the first class I had at No. 7 Middle School was biology — that must mean we have a bit of fate between us, right?” Qin Lang tried to narrow the distance between them.
Chasing a girl is like crossing a mountain; chasing a female teacher as a male student is like crossing a whole mountain range.
Qin Lang knew he couldn’t rush it. Today, all he needed was to leave a deep first impression.
Unfortunately, Tao was long used to handling all kinds of attention, and remained unmoved. Smiling slightly, she said, “That’s our teacher-student fate. Originally, I planned to criticize you for not paying attention in class, but since you’ve realized your mistake and set such a lofty goal, I’ll let it pass. Now, go get your things — don’t be late for your next class.”
It was a gentle dismissal.
Qin Lang felt a pang of disappointment. It seemed his first impression on her was bland.
Not a good sign!
He suddenly remembered something from an online Love Manual: “First impressions decide success or failure — if you can’t make her like you, then make her dislike you!”
“Teacher Tao, wait—” Qin Lang called after her, making a difficult decision in his heart.
“Yes, Qin Lang? What is it now?” she asked patiently.
Qin Lang boldly stepped closer and said in a low voice, “Teacher Tao, you’ve been poisoned!”
“You’re saying I’ve been poisoned?” She thought she’d misheard. “Did you say ‘poisoned’?”
“Yes,” Qin Lang replied with a straight face.
“Qin Lang, what kind of joke is this?” Her delicately arched brows knit slightly. She felt he was making trouble for no reason and was a little displeased.
“If I’m not mistaken, on your… uh, jade-like hips, there’s a ‘fire sore,’ right?” Qin Lang almost said “butt” but changed it at the last second.
But even with that quick change, the words still ignited her fury. Tao Ruoxiang’s gentle eyes suddenly seemed to blaze, and she couldn’t help but spit out two words at him:
“You shameless!”
