"You're Teacher Song!" Xia Qingtian feigned shock. "You look so young."
Teacher Song simply smiled and invited Xia Qingtian and Mobius inside.
Once inside, Xia Qingtian noticed that the room was even more sparsely furnished than it appeared from the outside. Apart from essential living supplies, there was nothing else.
However, it was impeccably 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. This means a lot to the children," Xia Qingtian said with a smile.
"You're welcome. By the way, I haven't asked who you two are..." Teacher Song poured them hot water, and after sitting down, he asked casually.
"We are students from Z University. We originally wanted to sketch," Xia Qingtian replied. "The scenery here is quite nice."
"From Z University? A fellow alumnus. Are you from the Fine Arts department? Is Associate Professor Shen Yuan'an doing well?" Teacher Song asked Xia Qingtian with a smile.
Xia Qingtian faltered. Instinctively, she was about to reply that he was fine when Mobius interjected, "Associate Professor Shen Yuan'an has already been promoted to full professor, but he's a full professor in the Chemistry department. Did he teach in the Fine Arts department before?"
"Oh... perhaps I remembered incorrectly," Teacher Song picked up his water cup and took a sip. Then, he smiled and said, "However, since fellow juniors are here, I must treat you to lunch!"
"There's no need for such trouble," Mobius said. "We should be heading back soon, and it's not easy to catch a bus from here."
"It's no problem. I'm going into the city this afternoon, and 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 neither Xia Qingtian nor Mobius dared to eat too much.
Xia Qingtian claimed she was on a diet, and Mobius said he was allergic to spicy food.
Teacher Song didn't press the issue, only saying that he hadn't been thoughtful enough.
After lunch, Teacher Song led Xia Qingtian and Mobius down the mountain. "The mountain road here isn't easy to navigate. It wasn't easy for you to get up here."
"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 for you to come down every day."
"It's alright; I'm used to it," Teacher Song smiled. "It's not like the city here. Educational resources and teachers are much scarcer. I originally came just to do volunteer 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're living 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 overgrown. 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 spotted Teacher Song's car. There was a noticeable indentation on the rear door handle, suggesting it was likely a cheap second-hand car.
Teacher Song drove Xia Qingtian and Mobius to the entrance of Z University.
After parking, Teacher Song didn't leave immediately. He smiled and said, "It's been a while since I've seen my mentor. Perhaps I'll go to the Fine Arts department with you."
Xia Qingtian and Mobius exchanged a glance and simply smiled in agreement.
As soon as she got out of the car, Xia Qingtian spotted a figure in the distance. Having an idea, she immediately waved her hand. "Squad Leader Jiang, wait for me!"
Hearing that voice, Jiang Yingying's scalp tingled. 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 a classmate from my class. I need to go ask her something first," Xia Qingtian said apologetically. "How about... you go to the Fine Arts department first? We'll be right there."
"If you have something to attend to, go ahead," Teacher Song said, seeming to finally relax his guard regarding Xia Qingtian and Mobius's identities upon seeing Jiang Yingying. "I just remembered I have some other matters to attend to as well. I won't be joining you today."
"Okay," Xia Qingtian extended her hand and shook Teacher Song's. "Thank you for today."
Her gaze fell on the collar of Teacher Song's shirt, 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 exclaimed with feigned excitement. "I want to get one too!"
"Heh heh," Teacher Song gave a dry laugh. "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 drive away immediately. He sat in the driver's seat and watched Xia Qingtian and Mobius. Seeing that they were indeed walking towards their classmate, Teacher Song withdrew his gaze and drove away from Z University.
Xia Qingtian knew that Teacher Song wouldn't leave easily as she walked towards Jiang Yingying.
As expected, when she reached Jiang Yingying, Mobius nudged her arm and whispered, "He's gone."
"Hoo..." Xia Qingtian breathed a sigh of relief, her heart pounding.
That Teacher Song was indeed suspicious!
The tattoo pattern visible at his collarbone was exactly the same as the pattern on the button she had obtained from the Lei family!
She had wondered if it was a coincidence before, but now it seemed that the button might truly hold a special meaning.
"Xia Qingtian, why did you call me?" Jiang Yingying's gaze fell on Mobius's face, her cheeks flushing slightly. She then looked at Xia Qingtian, her tone no longer haughty but gentle like water.
"It's nothing," Xia Qingtian had called out to Jiang Yingying in a moment of desperation, just to prove to the suspicious Teacher Song that she was indeed a student at Z University.
But since she had already called out...
Xia Qingtian raised her thumb and pointed at Mobius beside her. "See? Handsome, right!"
"Hmm? I see him. What about it?" Jiang Yingying looked at Mobius, her eyes flickering.
Could this Xia Qingtian be trying to introduce a boyfriend to her...
She wanted to focus on her studies...
But, but if it's such a handsome guy, he should be someone who strives for success with her...
He looks so polite, like a good student.
I wonder which department he's from...
"It's good that you saw him," Xia Qingtian retracted her hand. "I just wanted to show off. That's all. Bye-bye."
With that, she pulled Mobius and turned to leave.
Jiang Yingying was stunned. After a while, she finally reacted. Ignoring her image, she stomped her feet and shouted, "Xia Qingtian! You idiot, what's wrong with you!"
"Pfft." Hearing Jiang Yingying's roar, Xia Qingtian couldn't help but chuckle.
Mobius, standing beside her, curved his lips upwards, his gaze towards Xia Qingtian filled with a touch of pampering.