Chapter 47: Smitten

“It’s truly better to see than to hear a hundred times, young man. I’ve already witnessed your medical skills and they are indeed as miraculous as Director Wei described. Here’s what I propose: I’ll have your homeroom teacher come over, and you can just follow him afterwards.”

“Alright, thank you, Principal.”

With that, Chen Rong picked up the phone and dialed the number of Zhang Shen’s soon-to-be homeroom teacher, Hao Lei.

“Teacher Zhu, please come to my office for a moment.”

Once he finished, Chen Rong hung up quickly and efficiently. Zhang Shen thought to himself, “It seems this old man commands quite a bit of respect around here.”

Ten minutes later, the door to Chen Rong’s office was knocked upon.

“Come in.”

Soon after, Zhang Shen saw a woman in her thirties walk in.

“Teacher Zhu, this is a transfer student who just arrived from elsewhere. His name is Zhang Shen.”

Chen Rong then turned to Zhang Shen and said, “This is your homeroom teacher, Hao Lei.”

At first, Zhang Shen thought that although Hao Lei wasn’t exactly dazzling in appearance, she had a full figure. Only her name struck him as rather casual.

“Hao Lei, Hao Lei…” Zhang Shen found the name amusing, wondering what her parents had been thinking when they named their daughter so.

Perhaps Hao Lei guessed what Zhang Shen was thinking; after all, she had endured plenty of gossip because of her name. Having heard it all before, she had learned to take it lightly.

Hao Lei said, “I am your new homeroom teacher. In fact, I’ll only be acting as your homeroom teacher for less than a week. I hope we can get along well during this time.”

Seeing Hao Lei’s professionalism, Zhang Shen felt somewhat guilty for having mocked her in his mind.

“Yes, Teacher.”

Chen Rong saw the two getting along well and instructed Hao Lei, “Teacher Zhu, please show Zhang Shen around the campus and help him get familiar with the environment. I still have some matters to attend to.”

“Of course, Principal.”

With Chen Rong’s approval, Hao Lei prepared to take Zhang Shen on a tour of the school so he could get to know his surroundings.

“Goodbye, Principal,” Zhang Shen said with a mischievous grin. But Chen Rong, as always, was lenient with geniuses.

…

Meanwhile, Ye Qiong did not take Wang Ying straight back to school, but instead led her to a pavilion in the park.

Ye Qiong looked at Wang Ying’s flushed cheeks, thinking it was due to Zhang Shen’s treatment causing her pain.

“Xiao Ying, are you alright? Is it very uncomfortable?” Ye Qiong asked with concern.

“I’m… fine.” Wang Ying’s hesitant manner piqued Ye Qiong’s curiosity.

“Xiao Ying, what’s really going on?”

Seeing Ye Qiong’s anxious expression, Wang Ying finally spoke slowly, “Um… Ye Qiong, could you do me a favor?”

“We’re good friends. Whatever it is, just say it,” Ye Qiong replied without hesitation.

Wang Ying asked, “Are you familiar with Zhang Shen?”

Ye Qiong hadn’t expected this question.

“Not really.”

Ye Qiong’s firm answer sent Wang Ying’s spirits plummeting.

“It’s just that his master seems to know my father, but I don’t know much else.”

Although Wang Ying heard this, it didn’t do much to ease her mind.

Curious and concerned for her friend, Ye Qiong couldn’t help but ask, “Xiao Ying, don’t tell me you’ve fallen for that rascal!”

“Rascal?”

Wang Ying was bewildered at Ye Qiong’s criticism of her crush.

“Isn’t he a rascal? He’s just an internet café attendant, yet insists he’s a gynecologist.”

Perhaps women are sensitive to the term “gynecologist,” for Wang Ying was stunned by it and asked directly, “Ye Qiong, are you feeling unwell? Why would you see a gynecologist?”

Ye Qiong was caught between laughter and tears, realizing they weren’t even on the same wavelength.

“I meant that night when I had cramps in the car, and he insisted he could massage my stomach to ease the pain…”

Before Ye Qiong could finish, Wang Ying mischievously interrupted, “Oh my, who would've thought Lady Ye would do such intimate things in someone else’s car? I’m truly impressed—when we get back to the dorm, I’ll be sure to spread the word!”

Hearing this, Ye Qiong grew anxious.

“Wang Ying, I treat you as a friend and you tease me like this. I ought to toss you in the lake right now.”

Wang Ying, still suffering from a lingering ache in her foot, could only sit and endure Ye Qiong’s wild gestures, and soon surrendered.

After the ceasefire, Ye Qiong seemed to realize something and questioned Wang Ying, “Young lady, why did you suddenly ask about Zhang Shen?”

Sensing Ye Qiong’s suspicion, Wang Ying quickly changed the subject, “I just heard that a massage might help, so I thought you could help me find him.”

“Find him to massage your foot?” Ye Qiong looked skeptical, “I advise you not to bother. Everyone says it takes a hundred days for tendon injuries to heal—it’s not as easy as he claims. He’s probably just looking for an excuse to get close to you.”

“I don’t believe it. Didn’t he massage your stomach too? I think you just don’t want to help me heal.”

Ye Qiong felt like her good intentions were misunderstood.

“Fine, if you’re not afraid of him taking advantage, I’ll contact him for you right now, then leave you two alone to talk about love.”

Ye Qiong was only joking, but unexpectedly, Wang Ying blushed and whispered, “There are so many people around, could you keep it down?”

Ye Qiong was stunned—Wang Ying truly seemed infatuated, and her object was Zhang Shen. At this moment, Ye Qiong felt her intelligence was being severely challenged.

“My dear, could you please wake up…”

Before Ye Qiong could finish, she abruptly stopped speaking. Wang Ying, puzzled, thought Ye Qiong was joking.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

Ye Qiong made a “shh” gesture, signaling Wang Ying to turn around with her. To their surprise, they saw Zhang Shen and Hao Lei walking together in the park.

This scene gave Ye Qiong even more reason to convince Wang Ying.

“Look, Zhang Shen just arrived at school today and is already getting close to Hao Lei. Do you still doubt what I said?” Ye Qiong tried to use evidence to persuade Wang Ying.

At that moment, Wang Ying felt a bit perplexed about Zhang Shen, but with Ye Qiong nearby, she couldn’t very well admit to her crush and then immediately express distrust.

Just as Ye Qiong and Wang Ying were about to leave, Hao Lei brought Zhang Shen into the heart of the park.