Chapter 161: I'll Just Be an Unemployed Vagrant

Lü Wentong couldn't resist gossiping, "Boss, just tell us about how you saved Class F!"

"Yeah, yeah, Boss! Turns out you even know how to do acupuncture?"

"Duh, didn't we find out during the last school anniversary? Boss earned her medical doctorate when she was only a teenager, and she was even the top scorer in the national college entrance examination!"

"Oh my god, Boss, you are seriously so cool!"

Listening to the endless flattery, Shen Chutang couldn't help but chuckle. "All right, I know I'm amazing, but right now it's your exam time. Finish your test papers first, and if there's any extra time, we can chat then. Also, anyone who doesn't score at least five points higher than last time will voluntarily come up and collect an extra set of test papers later."

A chorus of groans erupted from the students, but they quickly cleared their desks and prepared for the exam.

When the last student handed in their test paper, Shen Chutang graded them while saying, "It's not as miraculous as you make it sound. It's just ordinary acupuncture."

Luo Shencheng chimed in with curiosity, "Boss, since your acupuncture skills are so incredible, why did you come here to be a teacher?"

Without lifting her head, Shen Chutang replied, "Entrusted by others, loyal to their commission. Once you graduate, I won't teach anymore."

The students looked at each other in dismay. So the real reason Shen Chutang stayed here was actually because of them.

Xu Gaoyuan asked, "Boss, if you're not going to be a teacher anymore, are you going to be a doctor?"

Shen Chutang had already switched to another test paper. "Nope, I'm going to be an unemployed vagrant."

Lü Wentong smiled. "Boss, aren't you worried that your attitude of just letting things slide will make us follow your example?"

Shen Chutang placed the graded test paper to the side. "My treating patients doesn't conflict with whether I choose to be a doctor. When you can hone your skills to a level that no one else can catch up to, and turn making money into the easiest thing in the world, you can slack off too."

The entire class: "..."

This was pure, unadulterated bragging. They really shouldn't have asked!

Soon, the scores were tallied. The whole class passed collectively, with every single student improving their overall score by five points compared to last time, meaning no one had to do the extra test papers.

***

After reviewing the exam papers, Shen Chutang packed her things and left, just as a message popped up on her phone from Ye Pianpian.

[Sis, my fashion runway show starts this Sunday. Come hang out with us!]

Shen Chutang thought about it. She was free on Saturday, but Sunday worked too.

[OK.]

Ye Pianpian sent another message. [By the way, is your other half coming? Why not bring him along to join the fun?]

Shen Chutang: [...What other half...]

[Isn't he?! You two already got your marriage certificates!]

Too lazy to explain, Shen Chutang replied, [I'll go ask his opinion.]

[Got it! I'll reserve the two best viewing spots for you guys!]

When she got back home that evening, Shen Chutang mentioned Ye Pianpian's invitation to the exhibition. "If you don't have time, we don't have to go."

Lu Beiqin nodded. "I can go. I happen to have that day off."

"Actually, my best friend just mentioned it on a whim. You can totally use your day off to rest."

Given how rarely Lu Beiqin got a day off, Shen Chutang didn't want him to push himself just to accompany her.

Lu Beiqin looked at Shen Chutang and said, "I want to go. It'll be good to see the world."

Those words instantly struck Shen Chutang's soft spot. "Alright, then we'll go together on Sunday night!"

A trace of an imperceptible smile touched the corners of Lu Beiqin's mouth. "Alright."

After all, he also wanted to spend more time getting close to Shen Chutang.

***

The next morning, Shen Chutang had no morning classes, but her biological clock made her wake up unusually early. After pondering for a moment, she washed up and headed out, planning to take a rare trip to the local wet market.

Although supermarkets also sold fresh vegetables, the wet market possessed a long-lost, earthy charm of everyday life.

Shen Chutang wore a simple casual outfit and rummaged around to find a large backpack, which was just right for grocery shopping.

Just as she opened her door, she ran into Lu Beiqin, who was heading out for a workout.

The man was dressed in a black windbreaker that hugged his muscular frame, faintly revealing the perfect lines of his muscles beneath the fabric. Paired with black athletic pants, he exuded a deeply casual vibe.

"Going to the gym?"

Lu Beiqin nodded. Looking at her outfit, he thought for a moment and asked, "Are you doing cosplay?"

Shen Chutang shook her head. "Of course not. Dressing down for the wet market makes it easier to haggle with the uncles and aunties! I set the timer to cook porridge last night, so you can buy some fried dough sticks and steamed buns on your way back to go with it. Oh, right, I just did some laundry. If I get back late, remember to help me hang it out to dry."

"Got it."

Shen Chutang left carrying her bag, while Lu Beiqin began his routine jog around the neighborhood, maintaining a strict minimum of five kilometers every day.

By the time he finished his run and returned home, Shen Chutang had not yet come back.

Lu Beiqin took a shower and then brought his discarded clothes out to the large balcony outside the living room. As a rule, the two of them washed their own laundry separately.

Shen Chutang's clothes inside the basin were already washed. As Lu Beiqin reached in to take them out, his hand brushed against a small white camisole patterned with strawberries.

Lu Beiqin froze. For a moment, he didn't know whether to pick it up or put it down.