Chapter 12 The Cold and Beautiful Professor (12)

Chapter 12: The Coldly Elegant Professor (12)

Tall Chinese parasol trees lined the path, their leaves dancing as golden sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled, luminous shadows on the ground.

Qi Yan stepped through the shifting tree shadows, his feet tracing the golden, intricate patterns of light and dark, as he steadily made his way toward Shen Juan.

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Qi Yan had been deep in thought.

Even if he bore a striking resemblance to Mr. Yan, what did it matter? He could leverage this to his advantage, just as Shen Juan, in a drunken haze, had once mistaken him for Mr. Yan and sought a kiss.

If...

Shen Juan were to again lose his bearings and mistake him for another, Qi Yan would spare no effort to claim both his heart and body.

After all, Shen Juan could use him as a distraction from his longing for his ex-husband, and they were already divorced. Given this, why should Qi Yan overthink things?

Yet, despite their divorce, only Yan Qi was merely playing a part; Shen Juan might still harbor profound feelings for his ex-husband.

It was a challenge—and he relished challenges.

A dark, shadowy glint flickered in Qi Yan's eyes, the corners of his lips curving upward. Paired with his sharp, intense features, it created a charm that was both intimidating and utterly captivating.

"Teacher Shen, what am I to do?"

"You're making me increasingly fascinated."

*

The teacher at the podium, impeccably dressed in a conservative, tailored suit, had eyes behind his glasses that were both beautiful and incisive. His thin lips articulated one mathematical symbol after another.

In the classroom, the sounds of fingers gliding across tablets or tapping keyboards to record notes mingled.

Qi Yan entered through the back door. In the bright classroom light, Shen Juan glanced his way, their eyes briefly meeting. Qi Yan tilted his chin and offered a languid smile.

There were no seats available in the front, and Shen Juan had already begun his lecture. Qi Yan didn't use his looks to secure a front-row spot, instead choosing the nearest available seat.

Qi Yan idly twirled a pen between his fingers. He had no interest in these symbols and naturally felt no urge to take notes.

However, perhaps because these abstruse symbols and knowledge flowed from Shen Juan’s lips, Qi Yan found himself surprisingly attentive.

Qi Yan patiently listened to the lecture, savoring Shen Juan’s clear, melodious voice, which carried a subtle magnetic quality.

His eyes were fixed intently on the podium. Perhaps from spending more time with Shen Juan, Qi Yan found Teacher Shen’s face increasingly enchanting.

It wasn't just his face; Shen Juan's entire being captivated Qi Yan.

So what if Shen Juan was still emotionally tied to his ex-husband?

He could be Teacher Shen’s discreet lover, or even his next husband.

If Shen Juan was willing, he wouldn't hesitate to seize the opportunity.

Qi Yan’s deep-set eyes gradually darkened to an intense, inky hue, his fox-like lashes fluttering delicately, imbued with a rich, unspoken desire.

Then, he slowly lifted his eyelids and flashed a roguish smile at the teacher on the podium.

Shen Juan’s eyelids flinched as if scalded, and he subtly shifted his gaze away, no longer looking in Qi Yan’s direction.

Qi Yan’s eyes reflected Shen Juan’s tall, bamboo-like figure. He casually crinkled his eyes at Shen Juan, a more alluring smile spreading across his lips.

Shen Juan’s peripheral vision noticeably flickered before he averted his gaze, continuing to teach his students as if nothing had happened.

The rustle of pages and the scratch of pens intertwined. In the latter half of the class, Qi Yan pretended to take notes. When the bell rang, Shen Juan promptly exited the classroom.

He taught efficiently and never extended class time. Students filed out in an orderly fashion, heading to their next lesson.

Qi Yan naturally rose and conspicuously trailed behind Shen Juan.

After all, he wasn't a conventional student; he acted as he pleased, with complete freedom.

At the end of the hallway was the restroom, bright and spotless, meticulously clean. A potted plant stood in the corner, lush and green, emitting a subtle fragrance.

Qi Yan watched Shen Juan enter the last stall. He paused for a moment, then, after a thought, slowly opened the door to the adjacent stall.

He hadn't expected Shen Juan to be using the restroom; otherwise, Qi Yan wouldn't have followed—he wasn't *that* much of a pervert.

But since he was already here...

Perhaps due to his pregnancy, Shen Juan’s body felt swollen, his legs ached, and his stomach was vaguely uncomfortable...

His hands remained steady as he unbuttoned his suit jacket, lifted his crisp shirt, and exposed his slightly trembling pregnant belly to the air. It had grown a little rounder compared to before.

But as long as he kept silent, the students wouldn't know their teacher was expecting. Even...

Parts of his body that shouldn't develop were beginning to enlarge. Originally, Shen Juan had a well-built, slender, and proportionate figure, but now his defined abs had been replaced by a pregnant belly.

It took both hands to just barely cover his slightly swollen belly, whereas before, he hadn't needed both. If this continued, to avoid students and Qi Yan noticing anything unusual, he might have to consider wearing a binder.

Shen Juan’s pale face slowly flushed with a faint red, spreading gradually, accompanied by a hoarse, magnetic panting.

Qi Yan listened to the sounds from the next stall, slowly narrowing his eyes.

Mr. Yan was utterly useless, hiding in a restroom stall during the day... and letting him overhear.

Whatever the reason, it played into Qi Yan’s hands, allowing him to use his youthful body to tempt the handsome teacher.

Qi Yan stared at the cigarette in his hand but didn't light it. Shen Juan clearly disliked the smell of smoke, so he naturally wouldn't light it intentionally in front of him.

Just then, the adjacent door opened. After half a minute, Qi Yan walked out to avoid making his intentions too obvious.

Shen Juan walked very slowly, moving ahead at a leisurely pace. Outside the teaching building, sunlight streamed down, making the skin warm.

Qi Yan looked up at Shen Juan’s receding figure.

A student passing by greeted Shen Juan shyly, "Hello, Teacher Shen." Shen Juan nodded with a faint smile.

Qi Yan’s smile wavered slightly.

Under a row of Chinese parasol trees, sunlight was mostly blocked by the leaves, becoming less intense.

Shen Juan leaned against a tree, gazing along the row of Chinese parasol trees with downcast eyes. There were only nine trees in this row, making it asymmetrical.

He disliked it.

A wave of dizziness and fatigue washed over him. He steadied himself. Since his husband left, Shen Juan had little appetite. As usual, he had only eaten a tiny bit that morning, and now he might be experiencing low blood sugar.

In his peripheral vision, the figure behind him followed like a shadow.

Qi Yan noticed something was amiss. Shen Juan had been walking fine but suddenly stopped, leaning on a tree. Was he feeling unwell again?

With this thought, he quickened his pace.

Shen Juan closed his eyes and fell backward, landing as if by design into a warm embrace.

The man’s arm, warmed by the sun, was strong and sturdy as it wrapped around his waist. Gathering the last shreds of his consciousness, Shen Juan murmured, "I... I'm having low blood sugar."

Qi Yan had a handful of milk candies in his pocket. He quickly unwrapped one and slipped it into Shen Juan’s mouth. As the candy melted, its sweetness spread, gradually reviving Shen Juan.

Thanks to the timely sugar, Shen Juan’s complexion returned to normal, but his eyes remained noticeably unfocused, his consciousness still hazy.

Seeing this, Qi Yan stuffed all the remaining candy from his pocket into Shen Juan’s.

Shen Juan lifted his chin, his eyes hazy, and affectionately stroked Qi Yan’s cheek. "Darling, why are you here? I’ve missed you so much."

Qi Yan froze for a moment, his eyes reflecting the man’s beautiful face. The skin Shen Juan's palm had touched felt warmly lingering.

Shen Juan was seeing another man through him—all because of his striking resemblance to his ex-husband.

Qi Yan was absolutely certain of this, and equally certain that Shen Juan still loved his ex-husband.

Gradually, Shen Juan’s complexion improved, and his expression returned to normal. The candy wrapper in his fingers glinted under the sunlight.

Qi Yan saw him smiling at him.

But it definitely wasn't *just* for him.

Dust motes danced in the air, disturbing the dark depths of Qi Yan's pupils. He spoke to the system behind Shen Juan's back.

"Little Chicken, I know you have Obedience Water in your shop. Get it for me now."

As the name implied, "Obedience Water" was an item that made people obey. It caused no physical harm but was highly effective—whatever was asked would be done without resistance.

Even if Qi Yan were kissing Shen Juan and told him to call his ex-husband, he would obey.

The Triple Zero chicken, its head tucked behind a tree trunk, pulled its yellow face out upon hearing this and trembled as it fluttered its wings. It cautiously observed Shen Juan’s expression and, seeing the antagonist smiling with tacit approval, nodded carefully.

Internally, however, it was worried for its host. The antagonist knew everything—only the host remained unaware.

Triple Zero forced itself not to overthink and swallowed a nonexistent gulp, reminding him:

[Alright, but host, once exchanged, the Obedience Water must be used within an hour, or it loses effectiveness.]