Chapter 34: The Duplicity of Teachers.

Under the quiet gazes of the classroom, a woman walked in.

A sleek, professional ponytail, red-framed glasses exuding both intellect and allure.

A crisp, fitted white blouse, a hip-hugging skirt accentuating her curves.

Sultry black stockings wrapped her legs, paired with black high heels with red soles.

A quintessential cold, glamorous teacher—but it was Yu Baowei?

Lu Zhao and Yan Qingxin exchanged stunned looks.

Yan Qingxin’s shock carried a hint of delight, while Lu Zhao’s was laced with disbelief.

Was this really the same sloppy, drunk, cooking-disaster woman from before?

Ling Cang, noticing their reactions, whispered, “You two know her?”

They nodded stiffly.

Before she could ask who, the classroom erupted in chatter.

Everyone was speculating if this was the new counselor.

Beauty captivates all—men and women alike. Jealous types were rare.

Standing before so many for her first teaching gig, Yu Baowei’s heart raced.

But her natural poise held, her years of coasting not dimming her gentle smile.

Her gaze swept the room, landing on Lu Zhao’s group.

A subtle look, then she glanced away.

It meant nothing to them, but the two boys in front lost it.

“She… looked at me, right? Right?!”

“Pfft, get real. She was looking at me.”

“You? I’ve got a mirror if you need one.”

“I’ve got my own, and I’m telling you, it was me!”

Lu Zhao shook his head at their banter. The obsession with strength was universal.

Yan Qingxin leaned in. “Baby, you’re neighbors with Auntie Yu, and you had no clue?”

“Nope. She’s tight-lipped. Probably wanted to see us shocked.”

It clicked—her weird expression when she learned his university. She must’ve checked the class roster, planning this surprise.

Even this morning, asking about the class meeting.

He narrowed his eyes at the woman on the podium.

Sensing his gaze, Yu Baowei looked back, winking playfully.

Surprised, huh?

“She looked at me again! I’m done for…”

“Me… me too…”

Lu Zhao sighed as the boys melted over a single glance.

This was why he avoided the dorms—no connecting with these guys.

Plus, being Yan Qingxin’s boyfriend earned him some envious glares.

One guy even had inexplicable hostility.

During freshman orientation, some girls made a “campus hottie” list. Lu Zhao narrowly took second.

First was some game character named Qin-something.

Third place held a grudge, though Lu Zhao didn’t care.

“Qingxin, who is she?” Ling Cang asked again after they finished.

Yan Qingxin turned to explain Yu Baowei.

Soon, their homeroom teacher, a kind-faced middle-aged woman, entered.

“Alright, settle down, everyone.”

The chaos quieted.

“This is your new counselor, Teacher Yu. Introduce yourself.”

Yu Baowei nodded. “Hello, everyone. I’m Yu Baowei, stepping in for Teacher Liu. For the next three years, come to me with any issues or questions.”

“Oh!” Cheers and applause followed.

The homeroom teacher raised a hand for silence, then discussed new semester details and asked a few girls to fetch textbooks.

Yan Qingxin, tall and strong, was called too.

Ling Cang stayed—everyone knew she wasn’t very “feminine.”

Lu Zhao watched, musing.

Once, he’d have been the one hauling stuff. Now, he was the “delicate” one.

Not bad—who doesn’t like a break?

After the textbooks were distributed, the teacher wrapped up, and they were free until classes started tomorrow.

“Teacher Yu, come with me for some paperwork.”

“Okay.”

Before leaving, Yu Baowei glanced at them.

Lu Zhao was packing textbooks. Yan Qingxin leaned in. “Baby, I’m coming to your place later.”

“Hm? To see Miss Yu?”

“Yeah, I gotta ask why Auntie Yu hid this. And you can’t call her Miss Yu anymore—call her Auntie Yu.”

“Hah… alright, Auntie Yu.”

He laughed inwardly. I’d love to, but she won’t let me.

Plus, she’s his boss now. He had to play by her rules.

He decided to warn Yu Baowei not to spill about the housekeeper gig—explaining that to Yan Qingxin would be a mess.

They dropped off Yan Qingxin and Ling Cang’s textbooks at their dorm.

Lu Zhao waited downstairs, pulling out his phone to text Yu Baowei, labeled “Yu Baowei (Employer).”

[Miss Yu, Qingxin’s coming over later. Don’t let the cat out of the bag.]

After a bit, she replied.

[OK, got it. I might be late. Want me to grab anything?]

He thought. [Get some snacks for Qingxin. Buy what you like for dinner, I’ll cook.]

[Cool, (･ω<)]

They’d added each other on WeChat when signing the contract, but this was their first real chat.

How old is she, using emojis?

Women here aged slowly. His homeroom teacher, over fifty, looked thirty-ish despite average looks.

Yan Ruyue and Ling Chenxi? At least a generation older than him, but you’d never guess.

While waiting, someone tapped his left shoulder.

He turned left. “Hm?”

Turning back, a flash of gold entered his vision. “Senior, you too with these tricks?” He chuckled.

Yun Shuiyao, always expressionless and serious, rarely played around like this.

“Nothing. What’re you doing here?”

Her eyes held a faint smile, the only lively part of her face.

“Waiting for Qingxin to come down so we can head to my place.”

Her eyes dimmed slightly.

“Oh. Well, I won’t disturb your couple time.”

“See you, Senior.”

She waved, but at the dorm entrance, she bumped right into Yan Qingxin coming out.