Chapter 25

One of the hottest topics on the discussion forum recently was Lecturer Jiang’s goatee.

That’s right! After Lecturer Jiang returned from his business trip, he started growing out a goatee. Because of that, his appearance changed from a noble elite to that of an unkempt hunk. The kids weren’t able to accept it at first, but later, they realized that there was a different kind of good-looking that came with a stubble, so they started to fanatically idolize him again.

Baobei was livid! Growing out a stubble! That wretched fetish of Jiang Moxiu! Ever since that "morning exercise" that day, he seemed to like teasing her with his stubble; his intentions were downright deplorable!

Honestly speaking, Jiang Moxiu looked really good with his goatee. He was naturally endowed with the right amount of bodily hair; even when he grew out his stubble, it didn’t come across as dirty or unhygienic. Moreover, while it was called a goatee, it was actually just the length of the stubble, and it was well-groomed, adding a hint of sexiness. Furthermore, Jiang Moxiu was a fashionable man; he knew how to match his dressing to suit the stubble look. He switched his style from that of an elite white collar man, to that of a stylish yuppie.

Take for instance, his outfit today was a white shirt with two buttons opened; a tweed tie of black, white and beige hung loosely from his neck. He layered it with a retro English coat, ankle-high pants, and brown suit shoes. His sleeves were folded up a notch, revealing a small part of his arm, and he looked both sexy and energetic.

“Lecturer Jiang looks mesmerizing!” Shi Xiaoxi lay her head on Baobei’s shoulder. She had already been bedazzled by him countless times.

The corners of Baobei’s mouth twitched, as she remained silent.

The school’s original intention was for Jiang Moxiu to start a small class, and choose the best students to learn from him. More importantly, they wanted to enhance the opportunities for employment for the top students after graduation. Unexpectedly, Lecturer Jiang’s popularity was so high that his class every week was filled to the brim.

It was no wonder why the older generation would lament the quality of university students today. The university students of the past were the cream of the crop; however, in the current widespread university system in China, no matter how good or bad the students were, they would at least be able to secure a university degree. The Seven Heroes and Hong Qigong had managed to turn Guo Jing from a fool into a powerful martial artist. Wang Chongyang was the top of the pugilistic world and took in seven disciples, but Quanzhen Sect only managed to produce a bunch of useless disciples [1]. This was the price of expansion of university enrollment [2]!

Baobei rested her face on one hand, and started doodling on a piece of paper with the other and daydreaming.

She didn’t know what she was thinking about, but she couldn’t calm her heart down recently.

Shi Xiaoxi poked Baobei and jolted her back to her senses. Classmate Shi signaled for her to look to the front of the classroom. Baobei raised her head, and noticed Lecturer Jiang staring at her.

“What’s wrong?” She asked Shi Xiaoxi innocently.

“Answer the question.” Shi Xiaoxi whispered.

“What’s the difference between investment and financial speculation?” Lecturer Jiang “kindly” repeated the question.

“Ummmm …” Baobei was stumped. She hadn’t paid any attention to this lesson! What financial laws? They were almost delving into the definition of economics. However, since she had been asked to answer, and the teacher was her boyfriend who was sniggering as he walked up to her, she started getting angry. She thought that he was doing this intentionally, so she decided to take a different stand entirely. “One’s in Chinese, the other’s in Cantonese …”

The corners of Lecturer Jiang’s eyes twitched. He was stifling his laughter. If they were alone, he’d definitely pinch her cheeks and say that she was cute.

He lightly tapped her head. “Be serious.”

And then, he started explaining the answer.

“What!” Baobei mumbled unhappily. She was a little unhappy, yet a little happy at the same time. No matter what, there was still a difference between a boyfriend and the younger boyfriends that the other students her age were dating. He wouldn’t simply listen and give in to her whims. If she had erred, he would point it out and even criticize and correct you. She had heard this saying before: True love is not only simply about giving; an appropriate amount of rejection was also needed. A timely compliment, a gracious criticism, a suitable amount of argument, a place for much required support, a source of warm comfort, and an effective avenue of motivation. That’s what the line means right? At this moment, Baobei felt that she could truly spend the rest of her life with Jiang Moxiu.

After class, Jiahui and Fang Jie had other plans, while Shi Xiaoxi refused to leave the classroom because she wanted to “admire” her idol. Hence, Baobei had to go alone to the next block to purchase a drink.

Su Yutong had disappeared from their sight for some time. Hence, when Baobei chanced upon the scene unfolding before her, she didn’t know how to react.

There was only a single flight of stairs up, but the entrance of the stairs was blocked by two people. As classes had already started, there was no one around.

From their conversation, the male was likely Su Yutong’s ex, Scholar Xue. Hmm. It sounded as if they didn't have a clean break-up. In fact, they had already broken up so long ago, Scholar Xue was truly wishy-washy with his continued harassment of Su Yutong.

Baobei really didn’t want to have to walk from between the two of them, so she had to wait patiently.

Their views were obviously different. Scholar Xue wanted to get back with Beauty Su, but Beauty Su rejected him. The reason for the differences in their stance was their individual outlook for the future. Scholar Xue was from a normal family, but he firmly believed that he would be able to give Beauty Su a good life with his own ability. Yet, Beauty Su felt that he was unable to give her the life that she wanted.

“Why do you think that I’m unable to give you the life that you want? What kind of life do you want? One with a big mansion? A nice car? Branded goods? Is that all you want to pursue in life?!” Scholar Xue said somewhat agitatedly.

“What else then? Should I be pursuing a so-called romantic love? What’s wrong with pursuing material desires? Only people who are unable to afford it would say that they don’t care for these things. You can scold me for being materialistic. But you should know my family background. I don’t want to relive those days anymore. I want to earn money, earn loads of money. I want a life of riches, I want my mother to be able to buy anything she wants, just like how she used to purchase things for me decisively when I was a child! Can you give me this? Can you?”

“You!”

Baobei pursed her lips. This was a low blow, she even brought her mother into the picture.

As the tension increased between the couple, Baobei was also stuck in a fix. The Canon ringtone started sounding loudly.

Damn! She quickly accepted the call, and Shi Xiaoxi’s high-pitched voice sounded from the speaker. Sigh, the thunderous voice could probably be heard by everyone along the corridor.

What made Baobei flinch was Beauty Su and Scholar Xue’s gaze.

“Urgh …” She came out from her hiding spot and picked up the call. Since she was already exposed, she might as well go on her way. Hence, she started walking up. “I’m sorry to disturb the conversation. Uhhh, I, I have to go upstairs to return to class.”

She wasn’t as rude to walk between them, so she still stuck close to the wall.

“Xia Baobei, you must be elated hearing this?” Beauty Su was unhappy.

Baobei stopped in her tracks, then turned and glanced at Su Yutong with a frown. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I simply wanted to go up, but both of you were already here talking.”

“Hmph!” Su Yutong crossed her hands over her chest and snorted.

It was Baobei’s turn to be upset. “Don’t think too highly of yourself.”

What Baobei actually meant to say was, “Elated? Why would I be elated? Who do you think you are? You can continue your unfortunate days, and no matter how unlucky you are, it’s not any of my business! You might treat me as a love rival, but I don’t even care about you. You must be kidding me!”

Baobei walked off without turning back after saying her piece. She hopped up the stairs, her ponytail behind her swinging cutely. Miss Xia was living the high life, she didn’t have the time to waste her brain cells over unimportant people.

“Hey! Where did you go?!” Shi Xiaoxi yelled.

“Why are you out here?” A chilly voice sounded.

“It’s all your husband’s fault; he didn’t see you, so he chased me out to look for you.”

“He asked you to come look for me?” Baobei said disbelievingly.

“Of course. You weren’t at your seat, and Lecturer Jiang kept looking in our direction. He’s my idol, so once he signaled to me with his eyes, I knew what he was thinking already.”

“Dumbass …”

“Hey hey! What are you talking about …”

Since she was still unhappy about the incident at the stairs, Baobei didn’t bother going into class silently. She pushed the door open, reported her presence, then walked in without waiting for a response.

Jiang Moxiu saw Baobei’s expressionless face, but didn’t say a word. Miss Xia’s aura was so strong, it was obvious that she had just come out of a battle.

Miss Xia listened to the lesson, took down notes, and continued looking on expressionlessly until the end of class.

Lecturer Jiang was a good teacher, but he was a better boyfriend. After class, he didn’t even bother packing up before he walked towards Baobei’s seat. He put his hands on the table, but spoke to Shi Xiaoxi instead. “Is Xiaoxi going back to the dorm? Baobei and I can send you back first.”

“Sure, sure!” Her idol had proactively offered to send her home. Shi Xiaoxi was extremely excited, and she nodded her head vigorously. She obviously didn’t catch the point.

Today, Jiang Moxiu was determined to keep his girl with her.

Baobei did not protest or react. She simply packed her items, and sat down waiting for them.

Jiang Moxiu also packed his belongings, then without caring about where they were, he held Baobei’s hands and led her out of the classroom. Even if class had just ended and there were still many students hanging around, Lecturer Jiang wasn’t bothered.

Once they reached the ground floor, Jiang Moxiu looked around, then pulled out his phone. “Xia Tian, I’m done with class … Alright …”

He turned and said to Shi Xiaoxi, “Xia Tian took the car. He’s turning back now, can you wait for a while?”

“Sure, sure!” She continued fangirling.

What Lecturer Jiang wanted to say was, “Why can’t she read the situation? A smart person would say, ‘It’s fine, the dorm is nearby. I’ll go back by myself.’” She was eating into the couple’s time together.

But Shi Xiaoxi wasn’t a smart person, and her intelligence worsened even after meeting her idol. Of course she wouldn’t be able to read the situation!

Lecturer Jiang nodded. He turned in another direction, but silently continued holding Baobei’s hand. He pressed her hand rhythmically, seemingly trying to comfort her.

Baobei had already packed her books and notes into Shi Xiaoxi’s bag. With Lecturer Jiang’s seduction technique, Shi Xiaoxi was willing to do anything to get into this ride.

The night breeze was strong, so Baobei hid behind Jiang Moxiu. Her movements were smooth; she put both her hands into Lecturer Jiang’s coat pocket, her head leaned against his back, and she tilted her head slightly as she engaged Shi Xiaoxi in a half-hearted conversation.

Baobei had never mentioned to her roommates the progress of her relationship with Lecturer Jiang, so Shi Xiaoxi had naturally thought that Baobei was still very innocent. Hence, when she saw Baobei’s hug, she was bewildered. After she recovered from her shock, the lass hopped back two steps, then took out her phone and aimed her camera at them.

Unexpectedly, Baobei displayed her cooperation, as she held him tighter, and even started grinning widely.

Hence, the photo caption became: Baobei smiles cutely. Lecturer Jiang turns and gives Baobei the most gentle smile.

In the future, their friends would all notice that Baobei seemed to be especially fond of this position, and Jiang Moxiu was also used to having her lean on him like this. No matter if they were shopping, waiting for their transport, or anything that required them to stand around and wait, Baobei would always lean her head on Lecturer Jiang’s back. This action carried with it a sense of trust, familiarity, and some amount of coquettishness. On the other hand, Lecturer Jiang would always be carrying out his own tasks, such as paying the bill, talking on the phone, or even looking at documents. It was a very harmonious and breathtaking sight.

Jiang Moxiu was someone who was very good at networking. When they sent Shi Xiaoxi back to the dorm, he even handed over a bag to her before she alighted, and said that he had asked his friends to bring some snacks from the US. This implied that he had gotten them specially for Baobei’s roommates. Shi Xiaoxi was overjoyed! After she returned to the dorm, she’ll definitely take a photo of this bag of food, post it on Weibo, then put them on display.

Today, Baobei finally got to her senses; she didn’t move an inch from the passenger seat when Shi Xiaoxi alighted from the car. If it was in the past, she would escape quickly. Hence, Jiang Moxiu had subconsciously held her back when the car pulled to a stop.

“Where did you go to just now?” He was referring to her late entrance into class.

“I went to get a drink.” She replied seriously.

He pinched Baobei’s chin, as if he was teasing a cat. “If you want a drink, I have some with me. You don’t have to make the trip in future.”

She pouted, but didn’t reply.

“Baobei ~, did something make you unhappy?” He reached behind and massaged her neck.

Baobei continued her silence.

Therefore, Lecturer Jiang tried to change the topic. “You have a good bunch of friends. In life, it’s better to have more silly friends. It will make you feel happier.”

Baobei stifled her laugh. She should really let Shi Xiaoxi listen to Lecturer Jiang’s comments about her.

“I’m not upset.” She was still trying to not let others affect her mood. “Its just that …” Her gaze tilted towards Lecturer Jiang. “Someone is just so eligible that there are many people around who are lusting after him.”

Hearing her words, Lecturer Jiang started laughing. He grabbed Baobei’s hand and pulled it to his mouth, and gave it a big kiss. He was over the roof with happiness. When had Miss Xia expressed her jealousy so blatantly before?

“Then you’d better make sure that the deed’s done, and make me your man.”

“Damn you!”

“Let’s go! We’ll go home now!” He started the car. “We have to buy a few more boxes of Okamoto 003, those few boxes really aren’t enough.”

“We’ll talk about that after you finish those.” She countered.

Jiang Moxiu turned to look at Baobei with an eerie smile. His expression said it all: Wait for it!

[1] References to Louis Cha’s novel “Legend of the Condor Heroes”. Guo Jing is the male protagonist whose masters were the Jiangnan Seven Heroes and Hong Qigong. Wang Chongyang was the founder of the Quanzhen Sect.

[2] Refers to a Chinese policy that started in 1999.