Chapter 6: Sixth Dimension 1/2

Originally, with the teacher present, everyone agreed not to drink, but Teacher Wang ordered a bottle of red wine, saying they were all adults and a little drink wouldn’t hurt, accompanying everyone for fun.

The atmosphere at the dinner table remained lively.

Their class had a good atmosphere before, and classmates got along well. Therefore, after so many years, they could still gather for a reunion. Although it was said to be a thank-you dinner for the teacher, they were having a good time themselves.

Long-lost classmates had plenty to gossip about.

The state of their relationships was an enduring topic.

After having a bit of red wine and getting a little tipsy, they decided to talk about relationships, and the atmosphere at the table became even more lively.

In their thirties, who hadn’t been in a few relationships? Several people at the table already had children attending kindergarten or elementary school.

Someone suggested taking turns to talk about each other. Those who were married could share about their other halves; those who were unmarried could talk about their significant others; and if there was nothing to talk about, discussing their pets was also fine.

The class leader was the first to be teased into speaking.

He, who used to be a tall and thin academic achiever, now looked a bit happily plump. He talked about his wife, whom he had met in college, with a smile on his face. Everyone at the table felt a little sour; he was showing off quite a bit. Teacher Wang laughed with great satisfaction.

Someone made a good start, and the rest were not afraid to talk.

There were happy stories and regretful ones. The most sigh-inducing was the class representative for mathematics, who, at a young age, had been divorced twice.

The class beauty was still very beautiful. She used to be pursued by many boys in the school, and now she generously showed everyone the photos on her phone—two girls embracing each other and kissing—a very sweet scene.

Someone talked about several failed relationships and said they didn’t plan to find another partner, intending to remain single for life. They had two cats and a dog at home, earning quite a few envious glances. Having pets was good; they were so cute.

Everyone’s stories were quite exciting. Ouyang Xi’s love story with his wife seemed a bit plain in comparison, not receiving any grand exclamations. He was quite proud, saying that a simple life was the most real, and they wouldn’t understand.

After talking for half a table, it was Shi Zhang’s turn.

This was a legendary figure; who could capture him? Everyone’s eyes were on him, waiting to hear the love story of Professor Shi, which must have been exciting.

Shi Zhang, surrounded by a circle of expectant glances, calmly said, “I don’t have much to say on this matter. I don’t have any experiences in this area. How about I tell you about flowers and plants?”

There was a moment of stunned silence, followed by a series of laughter and teasing.

“Don’t make up stories, Professor Shi.”

“Shi Ye, this is not interesting at all. Everyone is sharing heartfelt stories, and you’re brushing it off. What’s the deal?”

Shi Zhang felt a bit helpless. “I really didn’t make anything up; I don’t have any experience in this area.”

The table echoed with a few more words like “nonsense” and “impossible.” Someone couldn’t believe it and asked, “Not even once? You’ve never been in a relationship? Not even dated?”

Ouyang Xi, unable to hold back, burst into laughter. He testified for Shi Zhang, “It’s true. Professor Shi only has room for his career, work, and interests in his heart. There’s no place for emotions.”

In these recent years, Ouyang Xi and Zhong Ziyan have observed Shi Zhang’s solitary life. In his twenties, they were particularly eager, dragging Shi Zhang to various gatherings and trying to introduce him to potential partners. However, Shi Zhang consistently rejected their attempts, eventually skipping parties altogether.

Gradually, Ouyang Xi and Zhong Ziyan got used to it, realizing that Shi Zhang genuinely had no interest in finding a partner and was genuinely busy. As a professor, Shi Zhang’s work was already demanding—teaching, conducting research, and occasionally spending a month in the mountains collecting herbs.

Apart from these responsibilities, Shi Zhang filled his leisure time with various activities such as daily workouts, frequent visits to the gym and climbing, contemplating cosplay makeup and styling, engaging in photo shoots, editing, and occasionally staying up all night watching anime.

Shi Zhang, with his abundant energy, was the kind of person who didn’t require much sleep—a natural powerhouse. Despite excelling in many areas of interest, he steered clear of romantic relationships. Ouyang Xi jokingly referred to Shi Zhang as an eccentric and inexhaustible spinning top, a description that wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

During a gathering, the attention shifts to Wang Huilin, who is sitting next to Shi Zhang, and according to the unwritten rules, it’s now her turn to share. Everyone glances at each other, stealing glances at Wang Huilin, and after a while, the entire table bursts into laughter.

“Do I have to share too?” Wang Huilin laughs. “I’ve been so engrossed in listening that I haven’t even prepared a draft.”

The students, fueled by alcohol, insist that she can’t escape sharing this time, reminding her that she rarely talked about her personal life during their school days. While some teachers were inclined to share personal stories during class, Wang Huilin was the complete opposite, never wasting a minute on matters unrelated to the curriculum.

Encouraged by the enthusiastic students, Wang Huilin begins her story. She recounts her early days as a teacher at a county high school, where she once rushed a student with a sprained ankle to the hospital. The doctor who treated the student turned out to be Song Fuzhi.

However, in her haste, Wang Huilin hadn’t paid much attention to the doctor. A few days later, other teachers informed her that a handsome doctor, Song Fuzhi, could be found waiting near the school gate every noon, looking for a student with twisted braids. When she inquired about the specific class, Song Fuzhi’s eyes lit up, and he shyly admitted, “I was looking for you. I thought you were a student.”