Chapter 70: Fortunately, You’re Safe

Zhang Shen turned to look at the furious Hao Lei, utterly puzzled.

“What… what’s the matter?” he asked.

He couldn’t figure out why Hao Lei had called him so urgently early in the morning. As far as he could recall, he hadn’t done anything outrageous—at most, he’d been late today, but that hardly seemed like a grave mistake. Besides, there had been a reason for it.

Hao Lei strode quickly toward him, saying, “What’s going on with you? Why are you getting mixed up with that scoundrel Tong Wei?”

Only then did Zhang Shen realize, as if waking from a dream, that all the morning’s commotion had been nothing but a false alarm—Hao Lei’s agitated call was out of concern for him.

“I don’t really know myself! We just sort of ran into each other, that’s all. Nothing’s happened—no sparks, no chemistry.”

“Chemistry?” Hao Lei didn’t quite understand what he meant by that.

“Sparks of love!” Zhang Shen explained.

Hao Lei was left momentarily speechless by his words, thinking, “This man really knows how to take advantage of a situation.”

“Do you even realize who you’ve crossed?” she demanded.

Zhang Shen spread his hands. “Isn’t it obvious? Tong Wei.”

“And knowing that, you still went and stirred up trouble?”

“What’s the big deal?”

“Don’t think I don’t know your little stories. Was it because you wanted to win a beauty’s heart last night that you confronted Tong Wei? Let me give you a word of advice: don’t leave campus again. From what I know, Tong Wei isn’t someone to take lightly. Anyway, it’s a good thing you’re all right.”

Zhang Shen nodded. He understood that Hao Lei’s concern came from a place of genuine care, or else she wouldn’t have come looking for him in such a hurry.

“Thank you for your concern, Teacher Hao. I need to get to class now.”

While Hao Lei worried, Zhang Shen remained carefree, unconcerned about the trouble with Tong Wei.

Watching him saunter off, Hao Lei was left at a loss for words.

As they neared the teaching building, Zhang Shen suddenly turned back to Hao Lei and asked, “Did that medicine work?”

Though it was class time and the playground was nearly empty, Zhang Shen’s sudden question made Hao Lei’s face flush crimson with embarrassment.

She ignored him, lowered her head, and walked away swiftly. Seeing this, Zhang Shen didn’t press the matter, but judging by her complexion, it seemed the dragon tongue flower remedy had worked wonders.

When Zhang Shen entered the classroom, he had already become something of a celebrity. At the front was a woman in her fifties, the teacher, Yong Mei. Although she had never met Zhang Shen before, stories about him had swept across the campus overnight.

Before he could say a word, Yong Mei called out, “Come in!”

As Zhang Shen entered, the class erupted in excitement. The boys began to rhythmically pound their desks and chant, “Zhang Shen, Zhang Shen…” Even the girls cast admiring glances his way.

It was a pleasant feeling, though Zhang Shen wasn’t entirely used to such attention.

When he reached his seat, Wang Ying gazed at him with deep affection. The understanding among the classmates was tacit—clearly, Zhang Shen had won Wang Ying’s heart. Then again, with a man willing to stand up for her like he had, it was only natural for her to feel that way.

“All right, let’s get back to the lesson,” Yong Mei said.

But none of the students had any intention of listening to her. From the moment Zhang Shen walked in, he’d become the center of attention.

“Why are you so late?” Wang Ying asked, her concern for Zhang Shen matching Hao Lei’s, though her manner was gentler, like water, compared to Hao Lei’s fiery temperament. In the space of ten minutes, Zhang Shen had tasted both extremes of worry.

“Overslept,” he replied lightly, thinking nothing of it.

Wang Ying thought he was brushing her off and hurried to apologize, “About last night, I’m really sorry, I…”

Her voice began to tremble, on the verge of tears, leaving Zhang Shen flustered.

“How could last night be your fault? The blame lies entirely with Tong Wei. But don’t worry about it. From now on, just stick with me.”

He said it offhandedly, but Wang Ying seemed to take it to heart.

“All right, I’ll stick with you from now on,” she replied, only to realize how it sounded and quickly buried her head in her arms, enduring the next two classes in embarrassment.

“Come on, guys, let’s hit the restroom, then grab some lunch,” someone called.

“Lingling, what are we eating today?”

…

The bell rang for lunch. Ye Qiong ran over to Wang Ying and called, “Xiaoying, let’s go!”

As Wang Ying was about to get up, she noticed Zhang Shen looking troubled and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

Ye Qiong teased, “How could he be sick? He’s a miracle doctor! Let’s just go eat.”

Zhang Shen felt annoyed at her words. Even if he didn’t have a medical license, he had saved her when she was in danger. Why was this girl always contradicting him?

At that moment, Zhang Shen’s stomach betrayed him with a loud rumble. Only then did Ye Qiong and Wang Ying realize the so-called miracle doctor hadn’t eaten yet.

Wang Ying said, “Oh, I almost forgot! You’re a freshman, so you probably don’t have a student ID or meal card yet. How about I treat you today? Consider it repayment for last night.”

Zhang Shen grinned mischievously, “What, you think one meal is enough to buy me off?”

Though Wang Ying liked him, that didn’t mean he could tease her without limits.

“What do you want, then?”

“At least treat me to several meals. How about a month’s worth?”

“In your dreams! A toad like you wants to eat swan meat. Xiaoying, let’s go.”

As Ye Qiong dragged Wang Ying away, a voice called from the doorway, “Zhang Shen, here’s your student ID and meal card.”

Hao Lei stood at the door, calling to him.

Zhang Shen perked up, rushed over, and gratefully accepted them. “Thank you! You weren’t around those days, so I never got these. Only just remembered today.”

“My dear Teacher Hao, you’re a lifesaver. Otherwise, I’d have starved in the classroom today.”

“Enough with the flattery. Go eat!”

Seeing Ye Qiong and Wang Ying still standing there, Hao Lei asked, “Why aren’t you two heading to the cafeteria?”

Before they could answer, Zhang Shen chimed in, “Teacher, they’re waiting for me.”