After a moment of adjustment, Jiangg Ning quickly got into the rhythm of her lecture. Many of the students below were listening attentively, having come with a genuine desire to learn, but there were also those just there to pass the time.
Some were even there just for the spectacle—to see what the rumored most beautiful professor at Landa University looked like in person.
Clearly, no one who came was disappointed.
Jiangg Ning had always been very restrained in how she dressed. Her typical black-and-white outfits were well-suited to the dignified air of a professor.
Today, for instance, she wore a short black blazer over a pure white, V-neck top, paired with a form-fitting skirt and nude-colored stockings. Even in flat shoes, her tall figure was hard to miss.
It was mainly because of the cold; otherwise, she rarely wore stockings.
But one shouldn't underestimate this thin layer—it definitely provided some warmth.
Jiangg Ning's philosophy course, aside from helping students establish a foundation in philosophical thinking, revolved around three main pillars: "Clarify, Construct, and Defend."
She believed philosophy was captivating, so she was usually happy when many students attended her lecture. But there were times she wasn't happy... like right now. She was distracted as she lectured, her gaze drifting toward Chen Yuan from time to time.
What left Jiangg Ning speechless was the girl with the rather heavy makeup sitting next to Chen Yuan. Not only was the girl not paying attention herself, but she was also pulling the people around her into a conversation.
'The nerve!'
'This is a lecture, so why is she constantly draping herself over a male classmate?'
...
「In the corner of the lecture hall.」
"During military training, I found out you'd come to Landa University. I thought about bringing you a drink, but then I figured it would be bad if your girlfriend misunderstood, Chen Yuan. I've run into you on campus a few times, too," Liu Tingyue said in a low voice, her smile full of feigned understanding.
Her whole demeanor screamed "considerate."
"For Senior Sister to be so thoughtful, we juniors are deeply moved." Quan Yafeng was ecstatic. Seeing a senior from his own high school at university felt exceptionally warm and familiar.
His heart warmed even more at the thought of her wanting to bring them drinks.
Although... she hadn't mentioned him at all, Quan Yafeng automatically included himself in the gesture.
"Thank you, Senior Sister. I appreciate the thought," Chen Yuan said, nodding.
"Don't worry, Senior Sister. He doesn't have a girlfriend. That's all just rumors, so you don't have to worry about that."
"Really?"
"Of course. Our whole dorm is full of single guys."
"Oh, you guys. You're in college now, you should be dating! If you see a pretty girl, just go for it. Besides, you all seem like great guys to me—you've got the looks and the height."
Liu Tingyue's words were full of affirmation. Being complimented by such a beautiful girl, Liu Nan and the others felt a little bashful and unconsciously puffed out their chests.
They began to feel a certain fondness for this senior.
Guys grow up differently than girls. An average-looking girl might still be told she's "pretty," "has good features," or "would be a knockout with makeup," but guys rarely receive such compliments.
Even the reserved and mature Wei Zhen found himself receptive to the goodwill Liu Tingyue was showing.
"How about we exchange contact info? I have single friends I could introduce you to."
"Senior Sister! You're too nice!"
"Oh, stop. You'll make me blush," she said with a laugh.
Liu Tingyue pursed her lips and shyly tucked a strand of long hair behind her ear.
Her close friends knew exactly what was going on. They knew that from the very beginning, Liu Tingyue's target had been Chen Yuan!
「Back in high school.」
She'd had a crush on Chen Yuan.
But from the time he enrolled until he graduated, she never made a real move. She just thought her junior was cute and that it would be fun to date him for a while; it wasn't like she was deeply in love.
But then Chen Yuan enrolled at Landa University, and while casually scrolling through the school forums, she came across a photo of him.
Good heavens. Who would have thought that Chen Yuan, who hadn't been particularly noticeable in high school, would have a growth spurt and have his features mature to the point that a simple word like "handsome" no longer did him justice?
Liu Tingyue's heart immediately skipped a beat.
She had gotten a boyfriend as soon as she started at Landa University. He was mediocre-looking at best, but his family was well-off, and he was always generous when they went out. They had broken up a while ago, though, and the scumbag had immediately shacked up with a cute underclassman.
Liu Tingyue was furious about it. Her specialty was keeping her options open, and she had planned on picking a backup from her "pond" to date for a while, just to show she wasn't lacking for admirers.
But those simps... how should she put it... none of them were really presentable.
Chen Yuan's appearance, however, was a different story entirely. He made her eyes light up.
At first, she worried that Chen Yuan might have a girlfriend, which would make poaching him difficult. But when Quan Yafeng confirmed he was single, you couldn't imagine how thrilled Liu Tingyue was.
She imagined it now: once she successfully won Chen Yuan over, she'd make it official on her social media, post a few cute, intimate photos on TikTok... Who would give a damn about her ex-boyfriend then? So many girls would be green with envy.
Liu Tingyue's eyes glittered, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Chen Yuan's face.
"Oh, right. There's actually another reason I came looking for you."
"What is it?"
"I'm the head of the school's Arts and Literature Department now. A new member who joined a few months ago just took a leave of absence. The department is already swamped with work, and being short-staffed is making things difficult. You haven't joined the student council, have you, Chen Yuan?"
"No, I haven't."
"Perfect! How about you do your senior sister a favor, then?"
Chen Yuan looked at Senior Sister Liu's earnest face. He wanted to refuse and was trying to think of a tactful way to phrase it.
"I feel my studies are more important, so I didn't sign up for the student council when I enrolled."
"It won't get in the way of your studies, I promise!" Liu Tingyue held up four fingers and blinked her eyes, trying to look cute. "Please? Your senior sister is begging you..."
Her voice was soft, laced with a coquettish plea.
The hearts of the hopelessly straight guys like Liu Nan standing nearby immediately melted.
However, her coquettishness just made Chen Yuan frown slightly. It wasn't that a girl acting cute wasn't hard to resist, but he had witnessed Professor Jiangg Ning acting that way just yesterday.
This Senior Sister Liu... she wasn't unlikable, but the spackle on her face was a bit thick.
Compared to Jiangg Ning... well, there was simply no comparison.
He couldn't muster up any positive feelings for her at all.
Liu Tingyue observed Chen Yuan's conflicted expression and smirked inwardly, thinking he was swayed.
...
RUMBLE—
Around ten o'clock, Jiangg Ning was still in the middle of her lecture, but the sky outside, though it was nearing noon, grew increasingly dark. Lightning flashed amidst the layers of black clouds.
The sound of muffled thunder rolled in.
The wind outside suddenly picked up, fierce and strong. The leaves of the tall ash trees lining the campus roads were all flipped over, their endless RUSTLING a counterpoint to the droning thunder.
The earthy smell in the air grew stronger. Though it was daytime, the classroom was so dark that if all the lights weren't on, the professor at the lectern would likely be unable to see.
Some students, drawn by the thunder, glanced outside. Fallen leaves were swept up into swirling eddies, drifting onto the corridors and tumbling on even after hitting the walls.
"Man, on a day like this, it would be awesome to be back in the dorm playing games..." Quan Yafeng muttered to himself.
RUMBLE—
Another clap of thunder rolled through.
Liu Tingyue was clearly startled. Her eyes filled with terror, and she lowered her head, not daring to look out the window as she pressed herself against Chen Yuan.
"You're scared of thunder?"
"Mhm, ever since I was a kid."
"I see."
What Liu Tingyue failed to notice, however, was a cold glare from the lectern that was now locked onto her.
Jiangg Ning paused her lecture, and the students began flipping through their books to review the material she had just covered.
With great difficulty, she tore her gaze away from Chen Yuan. She picked up her tea thermos, twisted the cap open with considerable force, and a wisp of white steam carrying the scent of jasmine floated out.
'Why does this hurt so much?'
Jiangg Ning couldn't understand it. She felt as if something was caught in her throat.
The lecture was a complete disaster. She wasn't performing at even half her usual level. At times, she would finish a point without registering what she'd just said. After her mind drifted, she would try to pick up where she left off, but emotionally, she was already a wreck.
She took a sip of tea. The decision to break up had seemed as simple as this gesture, because she'd had no other choice.
Besides, life after the breakup hadn't been that difficult.
'There wasn't any of that supposed post-breakup agony.'
Just a few days ago, Jiangg Ning had even thought she was starting to forget Chen Yuan.
'Ha, she couldn't even recall his face.'
But the moment she saw Chen Yuan with another girl, acting just like a couple, her carefully constructed psychological defenses were instantly shattered.
They were more fragile than she could have ever imagined.
Jiangg Ning had never pictured Chen Yuan with another girl. But now, seeing this scene...
She was completely shattered.