"You're Teacher Song!" Xia Qingtian put on a deliberately shocked expression. "You look so young."
Teacher Song just smiled and invited Xia Qingtian and Mobius inside.
Once inside, Xia Qingtian noticed that the room was even simpler than it looked from the outside. Apart from essential living supplies, there was nothing else.
However, it was kept very clean.
Teacher Song chatted with Xia Qingtian for a while. After hearing Xia Qingtian's testimony for the three children, Teacher Song said he would explain things to others.
"Thank you so much, Teacher Song. The children care about this the most," Xia Qingtian said with a smile.
"You're welcome. By the way, I haven't asked who you two are..." Teacher Song poured them both hot water. After sitting down, he asked casually.
"We are students from Z University. We originally wanted to do some sketching," Xia Qingtian replied. "The scenery here is quite nice."
"From Z University? A fellow alumnus! The Fine Arts Department? Is Associate Professor Shen Yuan'an doing well?" Teacher Song asked Xia Qingtian with a smile.
Xia Qingtian choked, instinctively wanting to say he was fine, but Mobius spoke first, "Associate Professor Shen Yuan'an has already been promoted to full professor, but he's the head professor of the Chemistry Department. Did he teach in the Fine Arts Department before?"
"Oh... perhaps I misremembered," Teacher Song picked up his water cup and took a sip, then smiled and said, "However, since junior students have come, I must treat you to lunch!"
"There's no need to trouble yourself," Mobius said. "We should be heading back soon. It's not easy to get a bus from here."
"It's alright. I'm going into town this afternoon, so I can give you a ride back to school," Teacher Song said enthusiastically.
Xia Qingtian and Mobius exchanged a look and agreed.
Lunch was a simple meal, and Xia Qingtian and Mobius didn't dare to eat much.
Xia Qingtian said she was on a diet, and Mobius said he was allergic to spicy food.
Teacher Song didn't insist, only saying he hadn't considered their needs.
After lunch, Teacher Song led Xia Qingtian and Mobius down the mountain. "The mountain road here isn't easy to navigate. It must have been difficult for you to come up."
"It was a bit easier with the children guiding us," Xia Qingtian said. "Teacher Song, you live on the mountain. It must be more troublesome to come down every day."
"It's fine. I'm used to it," Teacher Song said with a smile. "This place isn't like the city. The teachers and educational resources are much poorer. I originally came here for public welfare teaching, but seeing these children, I couldn't bear to leave. I wasn't used to it at first, but now I am."
"Did the people here help you build the house you live in?" Xia Qingtian asked.
"No, it was originally the mountain keeper's residence. Later, this area became deserted. After the previous mountain keeper passed away, it became even more desolate. I found the surroundings relatively quiet and convenient for painting, so I moved in," Teacher Song replied.
After descending the mountain, Xia Qingtian and Mobius saw Teacher Song's car. There was a noticeable dent on the rear door handle, suggesting it was an inexpensive used car.
Teacher Song drove Xia Qingtian and Mobius to the entrance of Z University.
After parking, Teacher Song didn't rush off. He smiled and said, "It's been a long time since I've seen my mentor. How about I go to the Fine Arts Department with you?"
Xia Qingtian and Mobius exchanged a look and smiled in agreement.
As soon as she got out of the car, Xia Qingtian spotted a figure not far away. With an idea, she immediately raised her hand and waved. "Class Monitor Jiang, wait for me!"
Upon hearing the voice, Jiang Yingying felt her scalp tingle. She stiffly turned her head, looking at Xia Qingtian with a twitching mouth.
She hadn't forgotten how Xia Qingtian had embarrassed her last time.
"Teacher Song, I see my classmate. I need to ask her something," Xia Qingtian said apologetically. "Perhaps... you can go to the Fine Arts Department first, and we'll be there shortly."
"If you have something to do, go ahead," Teacher Song said, seeming to finally let down his guard about Xia Qingtian and Mobius's identities upon seeing Jiang Yingying. "I just remembered I have some other things to attend to, so I won't be going today."
"Okay," Xia Qingtian extended her hand and shook Teacher Song's. "Thank you for today."
Her gaze fell on Teacher Song's collar, and Xia Qingtian froze.
Noticing Xia Qingtian's gaze, Teacher Song covered his collar with his hand.
"Teacher Song, your tattoo is really beautiful!" Xia Qingtian put on an excited expression. "I want to get one too!"
"Heh," Teacher Song chuckled dryly. "That was a foolish thing I did in my youth. It hurt quite a bit."
After a few more pleasantries, Teacher Song got into his car.
After getting in, Teacher Song didn't leave immediately. He sat in the driver's seat and watched the backs of Xia Qingtian and Mobius. Seeing that they were indeed walking towards their classmate, Teacher Song withdrew his gaze and drove away from Z University.
As Xia Qingtian walked towards Jiang Yingying, she knew Teacher Song wouldn't leave easily.
As expected, when she reached Jiang Yingying, Mobius nudged her arm and whispered, "He's gone."
"Whoosh..." Xia Qingtian let out a sigh of relief, her heart pounding.
That Teacher Song was definitely suspicious!
The tattoo pattern visible at his collarbone, the one near his collar, was exactly the same as the pattern on the button she obtained from the Lei family!
She had wondered if it was a coincidence before, but now it seemed that button might indeed have a special meaning.
"Xia Qingtian, what do you want?" Jiang Yingying's gaze fell on Mobius's face, her cheeks flushing slightly. She looked at Xia Qingtian, her tone no longer as imperious, but softer, like water.
"Nothing much," Xia Qingtian had only called out to Jiang Yingying in a moment of panic, to prove to the suspicious Teacher Song that she was indeed a student of Z University.
But since she had called out...
Xia Qingtian gave a thumbs-up to Mobius beside her and said, "See? Handsome, right!"
"Hmm? I see him. What about it?" Jiang Yingying looked at Mobius, her eyes shifting slightly.
Could this Xia Qingtian be trying to introduce her to a boyfriend...
She wanted to focus on her studies...
But, but if it was such a handsome guy, he would probably work hard with her...
He looked so polite, like a good student.
I wonder which department he's from...
"It's good that you saw him," Xia Qingtian withdrew her hand and said. "I just came to show off. Nothing else. Bye."
With that, she grabbed Mobius and turned to leave.
Jiang Yingying was stunned. After a while, she reacted, completely disregarding her usual demeanor, and stomped her foot in frustration, shouting, "Xia Qingtian! You lunatic, are you crazy!"
"Pfft." Hearing Jiang Yingying's angry shout, Xia Qingtian couldn't help but chuckle.
Mobius beside her curled his lips, his gaze towards Xia Qingtian filled with a hint of indulgence.