Chapter Nineteen: Scandal!

When you are deeply interested in something, time seems to fly by. Qin Luo’s two classes passed in the blink of an eye, and it was only when he gathered his books to leave that the students realized their teacher was about to go.

“Oh, is it over already? I thought there was another period.”

“Yeah. When’s the next ‘Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine’ class?”

“I think it’s on Wednesday. That’s not until the day after tomorrow.”

“Oh no, we won’t see Teacher Qin tomorrow. I’ll miss him.”

---

Wang Jiujiu hesitated for a moment, then quickly stuffed her textbook into her canvas bag, hurried after Qin Luo, and called out, “Teacher Qin!”

Qin Luo turned and saw that it was the first student he had met in the class. He smiled and said, “Didn’t I tell you that your wishes would come true? I didn’t lie, did I?”

“Teacher Qin, aren’t you being a bit thick-skinned? I don’t think you’re that handsome,” Wang Jiujiu giggled, her face lighting up with two deep, charming dimples.

“Really?” Qin Luo said regretfully. “I’m sure I’m a handsome guy. Why don’t you take another look?”

“Nope.” Wang Jiujiu shook her head. “But you do have style. Look at you—nowadays, what guy wears a traditional robe? Other than the headmaster, who puts one on occasionally, you’re the only man brave enough to wear it.”

“I’m a man, not just a boy,” Qin Luo chuckled, shaking his head.

“You’re just a boy—you’re not much older than we are,” Wang Jiujiu insisted. “By the way, Teacher Qin, there’s something I need to warn you about.”

“What is it?” Qin Luo looked into her bright and attractive eyes, surprised to find such a lovely girl studying traditional medicine.

Being new, Qin Luo had no idea that Wang Jiujiu was quite famous throughout the medical school.

It was said that on the first day of freshman orientation, a student council minister tried to hit on her while helping her with her luggage and attempted to take advantage. She immediately threw him over her shoulder and straight into the koi pond.

Everyone present was stunned—they never expected such a delicate, sweet-looking girl to be so formidable. Even more surprising was her strength, hidden behind a gentle appearance.

Because of that incident, her reputation soared. With her long legs and striking looks, she reminded people of Jun Ji-hyun from the hit Korean drama “My Sassy Girl,” and so she gained the nickname “Sassy Girlfriend.”

Usually, no one dared sit next to her in class, but Qin Luo, oblivious as a newcomer, had gone right over to her, sparking her curiosity.

It was also because of her notorious reputation that, earlier in class, when everyone questioned Qin Luo’s identity, no one dared to argue after her scolding.

“Ma Heng’s family background is complicated. You embarrassed him today, and he’ll definitely try to get back at you,” Wang Jiujiu said with concern.

“Ma Heng?”

“Yes, the student you kicked out,” Wang Jiujiu reminded him.

“Oh, so his name is Ma Heng.” Qin Luo nodded. “But I didn’t kick him out—he chose not to attend my class. If there’s an investigation, you all have to vouch for me.”

Wang Jiujiu laughed. “I’m just looking out for you, Teacher Qin. Be careful—he has connections outside the school.”

“People outside the school? I’m from outside too,” Qin Luo replied, thinking that if Ma Heng left it at that, fine—but if he tried something foolish, he couldn’t blame Qin Luo for being ruthless.

“Hmph. Well, I’ve warned you. Take care,” Wang Jiujiu said, then, with a mischievous spark in her eyes, asked, “Teacher Qin, what’s your phone number? My mom has a strange illness, and if I have any questions, can I call you for advice?”

“A strange illness? What kind?” Qin Luo asked, puzzled.

“Well… every time my mom has her period, her stomach hurts a lot, and she gets really irritable. Even the smallest thing makes her lose her temper,” Wang Jiujiu improvised. How could she come up with a truly odd illness on the spot?

Mom, for your daughter’s happiness, you’ll have to be sacrificed just this once.

“That’s hardly a strange illness. It’s just menstrual blockage. Avoid raw, cold, and spicy foods, drink more brown sugar water—these are basic things you should know as a medical student,” Qin Luo asked, a bit surprised.

“Oh, um… My mom’s illness is a bit different from others. It’s really odd—I can’t explain it well. You know, women’s illnesses…” Wang Jiujiu brushed him off, eager to get his number first and figure out how to “pursue” him later.

“I don’t have a phone,” Qin Luo shook his head.

“No phone? Teacher Qin, did you come out of Shennongjia or something? Who doesn’t have a cell phone these days? Or do you just not want to tell me? Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone else.”

Qin Luo smiled wryly and shook his head. “I really don’t have a cell phone.”

He wasn’t lying—he truly didn’t own one. At home, because of his constitution, his grandfather forbade any exposure to electronic devices with radiation. Besides, even if he had a phone, there was no one to call him.

So, after all these years, Qin Luo genuinely didn’t have a phone of his own.

“Oh, I see. Well, I’ll believe you for now,” Wang Jiujiu nodded. “But if my mom has any problems, I’ll still need your advice.”

“Of course. As long as I can help,” Qin Luo said seriously.

“Alright then—bye.” Wang Jiujiu slipped her earbuds in and waved goodbye as she walked away.

This girl possessed a kind of easygoing boldness usually seen in men, and it was especially captivating in a woman.

********************************

Since Lin Huanxi still had two more classes at noon, Qin Luo, not wanting to go back alone, decided to spend some time in the office.

As a lecturer, Qin Luo naturally didn’t have his own private office. His desk, left by his predecessor, was in a corner near the window. If he turned his head forty-five degrees to the right, he could see a grove of camphor trees and a winding pebble path outside.

The large office was shared by over a dozen teachers, all instructors from the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine or administrative staff.

When Qin Luo entered with his books, only a few teachers who had morning classes were present. Those without classes rarely came to school—why waste the time when they could be seeing patients at a small clinic instead?

What’s more, the Capital Medical University had its own affiliated hospital, so the teachers never lacked opportunities to earn extra money.

“Qin, how was your first day teaching?” a man in his fifties asked.

Qin Luo already knew, thanks to Director Guo’s introduction, that this was Professor Zhu, who taught Selected Readings from the Inner Canon. With his seniority, he was respected in the office—second only to the office director.

“It went well,” Qin Luo replied, detecting a trace of mockery on Professor Zhu’s face.

“Kids these days can be a handful. Don’t take it personally if they’re rude. The last two teachers who taught ‘Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine’ couldn’t take the pressure and left—just don’t stoop to the students’ level,” Professor Zhu said in a consoling tone, though it was clear he doubted Qin Luo’s abilities and expected the students to run him off.

“I won’t. I think they’re quite well-behaved,” Qin Luo replied with a smile, sitting down at his desk.

“Heh, it’s good for young people to have enthusiasm,” Professor Zhu said with a forced smile, then turned to a chubby, bespectacled colleague. “Zheng, what were you saying? Which teacher is dating a student?”

“Oh, Professor Zhu, you’re interested in this too? Guess who it is,” the chubby teacher replied with a sly grin. These dignified teachers, once off the podium, were just like any other men—chatting about women.

“With so many teachers, how am I supposed to guess?” Professor Zhu frowned.

“Well, who are the most famous ones?”

“Li Qingcheng? Or Lin Huanxi?” Professor Zhu asked. These two were the university’s most renowned beauties—one fiery and passionate, the other frosty and aloof, dubbed the “Ice and Fire Duo” by students.

“If it were Li Qingcheng, would there be such a fuss? Isn’t there gossip every day about her changing boyfriends?” the chubby teacher snickered.

“Don’t tell me it’s Lin Huanxi?” Professor Zhu sounded genuinely shocked. The fame of these two women meant everyone knew their personalities.

Li Qingcheng, with her overseas background, was rumored to be very open—changing boyfriends every week, treating men as playthings.

Lin Huanxi, by contrast, kept everyone at arm’s length. Any man who spoke to her for more than three sentences would see her frown in distaste, scaring off even the most thick-skinned.

Qin Luo hadn’t paid much attention to their conversation—until he heard Lin Huanxi’s name and started listening more closely. It seemed this matter involved her.

“That’s right. I heard it from a friend in the School of Biomedical Engineering. The whole school is buzzing about it. Apparently, Lin Huanxi’s student fans have even put up a reward—anyone who can track down and beat up the guy who ‘stole’ their campus goddess will get paid handsomely.”

“This is outrageous. What are these teachers thinking? With so many men to choose from, why pick a student?”

“Oh, that’s nothing. Haven’t you been online lately, Professor Zhu? A middle school math teacher was caught kissing his class representative in the classroom—and he’s a married man.”

“Such moral decay! How can teachers behave like this with their students? Lin Huanxi is shameless. I think the administration should address teachers’ conduct at the next faculty meeting. If the leadership sets a bad example, what can you expect from the rest?” Professor Zhu said, brimming with righteous indignation.

Qin Luo felt a surge of discomfort at Professor Zhu’s words.

He had no objection to criticizing the married middle school teacher—in fact, he would have applauded it. Preying on underage girls was the lowest of the low.

But how could he call Lin Huanxi shameless? She was an unmarried young woman; he was an unmarried young man—what was wrong with them being together?

Besides, it was Chen Xiaoxue, that notorious gossip, who had deliberately spread rumors to harm Lin Huanxi’s reputation. What did that have to do with Lin Huanxi herself?

Qin Luo looked up and smiled, “What’s the big deal? Love isn’t confined by age, nationality, gender, or numbers.”