Chapter 21: Lin Yanqiu

The once-bustling classroom fell silent the moment Lin Yanqiu entered.

Her presence carried an intimidating aura, especially when she scanned the room—like being sized up by a predator.

At that point, all the earlier speculation about the rumors became moot.

Clearly, they were true.

In the vast hall, not a single soul dared glance at their phone, as if dreading her sudden wrath.

Suddenly, Hua Qi’an paled.

A faint sheen of sweat beaded on her forehead.

This sensation…

For some reason, she now felt distinctly watched.

Was it Lin Yanqiu?

Hua Qi’an glanced her way, but Lin Yanqiu wasn’t looking at her.

She was focused on her laptop and projector.

If not her, then who?

Without a word, she turned back.

Chen Zhiyan behind her tilted her head in confusion, seemingly puzzled by the abrupt look.

The prying feeling had faded considerably.

Had her ragged nerves from the past couple days made her oversensitive?

Memories flickered; Hua Qi’an’s complexion soured further.

This familiar watched sensation.

She’d endured it a year ago too.

Whether walking the paths… eating in the cafeteria… or sitting in class…

She always felt eyes on her, scrutinizing.

Anonymous texts popping up now and then—

Hua Qi’an had finally cracked, begging Lin Yanqiu for help.

Even she couldn’t trace the culprit.

Afterward, perhaps intimidated by Lin Yanqiu, the stares and messages ceased.

Maybe it was just recent stress fraying her edges.

Hua Qi’an consoled herself.

She withdrew her gaze, refocusing on Lin Yanqiu.

As it was the first class, she didn’t dive straight into lecture.

Instead, the standard trio: self-intro, rules, syllabus.

“I’m your instructor for Evidence Law starting today. Last name Lin.”

“Hoping for a smooth semester ahead.”

With that, Lin Yanqiu stepped to the podium and flipped open her folder.

“Roll call.”

She skimmed the list while glancing up.

“Eighty-two on the roster.”

“I roughly counted heads earlier—no absences today, all eighty-two here. Keep it up.”

She paused, then added with a smile that held no warmth:

“I don’t want to see numbers drop midway.”

“So, I’ll recount periodically…”

Those sharp eyes swept the room once more.

Those caught in the gaze ducked awkwardly, averting.

No one doubted she’d follow through.

“Alright, commencing roll.”

“…Hoping the faces I see next time match today’s.”

Her tone betrayed no emotion, yet it chilled inexplicably.

Save the initial scan, Lin Yanqiu barely glanced Hua Qi’an’s way after.

Which let Hua Qi’an exhale in quiet relief.

Constant scrutiny from her would’ve ratcheted the pressure.

She hadn’t expected Lin Yanqiu at work to carry this vibe.

Good thing she’d acclimated through daily life; otherwise, it’d terrify.

For the timid, yeah—easy tears.

“Chen Zhiyan.”

“Present.”

A crisp voice sounded from behind.

Chen Zhiyan.

Next, Hua Qi’an sensed Lin Yanqiu’s gaze settle on her.

“…”

She looked up, meeting it.

Lin Yanqiu’s reaction on entry suggested she hadn’t known Hua Qi’an had enrolled.

She’d printed the list but hadn’t reviewed names.

Spotting her smack in the middle? A surprise.

“…Hua Qi’an.”

Hearing her name called, Hua Qi’an raised her hand, replying evenly, “Present.”

In class, they were teacher and student, naturally.

Lin Yanqiu finished the rest and tucked the list away.

For the remainder, she fired up the PPT and delved into Evidence Law.

She’d created the course group; textbooks could be bulk-ordered or bought solo.

Time slipped by unnoticed until the bell.

“Alright, that’s class—dismissed.”

Lin Yanqiu never overstayed; bell rang, she stopped cold.

“Hua Qi’an—my office.”

Before exiting, she called Hua Qi’an directly.

Public setting, so no nickname.

“But…”

She had next period.

Under Lin Yanqiu’s icing glare, Hua Qi’an swallowed her words.

She rose obediently and approached.

Before leaving, she glanced back.

The seat behind was empty—Chen Zhiyan long gone.

So much for delivery duty.

Yet why the quiet relief?

From dodging it under Lin Yanqiu’s nose?

“Don’t worry—your next instructor’s out sick today.”

The cool voice reached her.

Lin Yanqiu knew her concern and had quashed it.

Hua Qi’an startled, pulling her phone to check the group; the class rep had indeed posted about the cancellation.

“Conveniently, I’m free the rest of the day.”

Lin Yanqiu stated flatly.

Thus, she and Hua Qi’an had ample time to “talk.”

At the realization, Hua Qi’an wiped at nonexistent sweat on her brow.

They’d left the building, heading toward the admin where her office sat.

“Looks like you’re recovering well?”

Lin Yanqiu eyed her up and down; color still wan, but far from yesterday’s near-corpse state.

Hua Qi’an could only nod.

“Remember what I said then?”

Lin Yanqiu smiled—minus any mirth.

[Once you’ve recovered a bit, I’ll give you a proper scolding.]

Hua Qi’an recalled it vaguely.

From Lin Yanqiu’s look, today spelled trouble.

Trailing her, she stowed files at her desk, then tugged Hua Qi’an into an empty conference room.

Seated in the room’s chair, head tilted up at the looming Lin Yanqiu, Hua Qi’an felt crushing pressure.

“Though I didn’t expect to see you again so soon, Xiao An.”

Lin Yanqiu’s lips curved faintly.

Hua Qi’an drew a deep breath, steeling her emotions.

“But I think of you every day, Sister.”

Looking up, she laced her voice with coquettish whine.

She flashed a shy smile at Lin Yanqiu.

“I picked this class once I saw it was you.”

A lie.

But her goal now: sweeten Lin Yanqiu’s mood, soften the impending reckoning.

“Won’t work with the cutesy act.”

Even as she said it, Hua Qi’an caught how the flattery landed—Lin Yanqiu’s temper eased.

“You do need a lasting lesson.”

“No more remote, risky spots from now on.”

Hua Qi’an nodded meekly, affirming she got it.

Though she’d still go—her job demanded it.

From her bag, Lin Yanqiu drew a slender teaching pointer.

Hua Qi’an’s pupils shrank.

Eyeing her reaction, Lin Yanqiu arched a brow.

“Up—roll your pant leg.”