Chapter 16: Introducing My Boyfriend

When faced with these school bullies, Zhong Huayan found that her frail body could burst forth with extraordinary strength. She even suspected that the resentment of the original owner lingered after death. It seemed to her that she and Li Yanyan shared more than a resemblance in appearance; their experiences were mirrored as well, and both had met tragic ends at a young age. Kindred spirits in misfortune. All that had happened gave Zhong Huayan greater courage to confront this cruel world. Unless the bullies suffered a setback, they’d never stop...

Today’s class was once again art. As all eyes turned toward Li Yanyan in the back row, the murmuring instantly died down. The teacher was the same as last time—the one who brought the fake painting from the museum. Today she looked radiant, humming a tune, dressed strikingly. During class she made a point of rolling up her sleeves, lest the students miss the jade bracelet on her wrist.

“Oh, teacher, who bought that for you? Don’t tell me you have a new boyfriend?” someone teased.

The whole class chimed in, because the art teacher was already thirty; if she didn’t marry soon, she’d grow old alone.

“Oh, don’t say such things, I’m not married yet. Just a suitor, that’s all,” the teacher replied, her hand awkwardly unsure where to rest, the jade making her movements appear somewhat clumsy.

Ever since Zhong Huayan had exposed the painting as a forgery by mentioning titanium white, the teacher had moved her seat to the back row, saying that if her eyesight was so sharp, she should be able to see clearly from the last row. Zhong Huayan hadn’t expected the original owner’s vision to be so remarkable; even from afar, she could see the jade bracelet’s details perfectly.

After assigning self-study, the art teacher walked to the back row, only to catch a faint, nearly imperceptible voice.

“Teacher, how much did your boyfriend pay for that jade?”

Feigning modesty, the teacher replied loudly, “It wasn’t expensive, only two hundred thousand.”

The class gasped in amazement.

Zhong Huayan coughed lightly. “Teacher, could you help me with this problem?”

As the teacher bent over, she heard the girl mutter, “Teacher, your jade is of the ‘floating flower’ variety, and it’s ‘glutinous’ type—at best, it’s worth twenty thousand. You’ve been swindled by a scoundrel. High-quality women like you, elegant and beautiful, are often targeted by cunning men.”

The teacher had been about to scold her, but hearing the latter half of the remark, her anger faded.

“Li Yanyan, focus on your work. This jade was appraised—it’s worth two hundred thousand. Besides, my boyfriend is from a wealthy family, he wouldn’t cheat me on price.”

“Teacher, it’s best to check with several appraisal agencies. Some men who hunt for women are frequent clients at these places, so they collude to deceive. Ask around—after all, it doesn’t cost much.”

Zhong Huayan kept her voice as low and tactful as possible. She was certain the jade was bought for a few thousand at most; quoting twenty thousand was already restrained.

“Don’t be upset, teacher. I can introduce you to a wealthy, high-quality boyfriend.”

The art teacher took out her phone for a QR code, surprisingly not upset about being exposed, but wanting to add her on WeChat.

“I’ll have it appraised again. What kind of boyfriend did you mean?” she asked, her eyes sparkling.

Zhong Huayan decided to recommend Liyang. His family had always built temples, especially for the rich, so marrying in meant a life of comfort. He was unmarried, had no girlfriend, and especially liked teachers—preferably art teachers. It seemed a perfect match—their ages aligned, and there’d be no generational gap.

“Don’t worry, teacher. He’s refined, handsome, tall, and his family has been famous architects in the capital for generations.”

The bell rang. She added the art teacher’s WeChat and gave Liyang a brief introduction, recommending her to him. Fate, after all, is decreed by heaven. It seemed these two truly had a destined connection.

Xu Yuan turned around with a snide remark. Her facial injuries had mostly healed, her hair now dyed yellow, and she wore a Minmin hair clip.

“Reporting to the teacher, are you? Don’t cry later.”

The atmosphere in the classroom suddenly dropped to freezing, until Guan Yuxi and Xu Chuyin from the downstairs class came up with their entourage, turning the cold into a powder keg.

She blew on the burn mark on her hand, slipping back into her aloof demeanor.

They, like a pack of wolves, relentlessly targeted the girl lazily sleeping on her desk.

“Let’s go. Today, Class Five and Class Ten have swimming together.”

Capital University was wealthy enough to build several large indoor pools. Coincidentally, Xu Yuan, Xu Chuyin, and Guan Yuxi were all present! She suspected they had arranged this long ago.

After class, Zhong Huayan suddenly sensed a figure rushing up from behind, and she was instantly pushed into the pool.

Water flooded her ears, and besides the sound of currents, the voices gossiping from the platform seemed amplified.

“Tsk, are you sure she can’t swim?”

“Definitely. She’s always been afraid of water, and just now, she avoided getting in.”

“I picked the deep pool on purpose.”

“Perfect. When she’s about to drown, pull her out and toss her in again. If she doesn’t beg for mercy, keep throwing her in!”

Too bad, thought Zhong Huayan. She was an excellent swimmer. Her parents had been strict from childhood, leaving her with no weaknesses.

Beneath the surface, she moved with suppressed, fluid skill, so smooth that the water above barely rippled.

Target acquired!

She reached out and grabbed the ankle of one member of the bullying trio—he was closest to the pool.

Splash—

Xu Chuyin was caught off guard and dragged into the water. The sudden cold and the impact left him breathless.

He tried to swim upward, but his ankle was held firmly.

Opening his eyes underwater, he saw a woman with flowing hair. Her white school uniform, nearly translucent in the water, made her every move graceful as a mermaid.

Her swimming was too agile and beautiful; even her wrist seemed exquisite and delicate.

Xu Chuyin had never realized she was so striking. Especially her swimming, like the goddess painted on ancient murals, hair and arms like silk.

Her wrist gently closed around his throat.

Blinking, he suddenly felt his breath quicken.

He tried to struggle, but it was too late; she used all her strength to press him toward the bottom.

Her grip pinned his Adam’s apple.

His hands flailed helplessly underwater, lacking the skill to reduce resistance.

He could only open his mouth and cry for help.

But his voice was swallowed by water. Xu Chuyin began to repent; for the first time, he felt the closeness of death.

Her fingers squeezed his throat, leaving him limp, eyes shut in discomfort.

What he thought would be a minor injury could easily kill.

But he didn’t want to die yet. He grabbed her hand at his throat, signaling his apology.

Splash—

“Ah! Cough, cough, cough!” He coughed water furiously, his heart pounding, his body freezing.

He crawled to the edge of the pool, finally supported by others.

She let him go?