Chapter 26: Exclusive to Jinjiang 2/2

Unconsciously, Song Fuzhi touched the ring on his left hand, then extended his clean right hand to Shi Zhang, politely saying, “Hello, Professor Shi. I am Song Fuzhi from the Affiliated High School, the homeroom teacher for these children.”

“Teacher Song.”

Shi Zhang called him in a casual tone, slightly bending the corners of his mouth. There was no clear smile in his eyes. “Hello.”

The two hands shook, and Shi Zhang’s palm was unusually warm, the temperature higher than normal.

Shi Zhang quickly withdrew his hand and turned to the students. “Let’s continue. Little friends, you can observe the plants with your older brothers and sisters. If you encounter something you don’t know, feel free to ask me.”

The students scattered, and Professor Shi walked slowly, stopping when students stopped him. He explained the plants and observation methods in detail.

Song Fuzhi stood in the shade of the trees, watching Professor Shi’s side profile as he lowered his eyes to explain, feeling that this man was indeed very charming.

At some point, the very charming professor sauntered over to Song Fuzhi and stopped.

“Does Teacher Song know what tree this is?” Shi Zhang asked.

The nameplate of the tree was on the other side, blocked from view.

Song Fuzhi glanced at it. The tree was tall, with feather-like leaves gently swaying in the wind, making it impossible to discern what kind of tree it was.

“I’m not quite sure,” Song Fuzhi honestly admitted.

Their figures were concealed by the lush tree canopy, and the students and teachers passing by were on the other side, like being separated by a faint screen.

“When did Teacher Song know about the university visit?” Professor Shi asked again.

Song Fuzhi thought for a moment: “Last week.”

Shi Zhang asked again, “Then why didn’t you tell me?”

Song Fuzhi opened his mouth, realizing belatedly that the professor seemed a bit angry.

Before Song Fuzhi could provide an explanation, Shi Zhang walked past him.

It seemed that the professor really just casually chatted with this high school teacher and exchanged a few words.

Professor Shi was quickly called away by other students. There was a large group of students, including university students and high school kids.

Song Fuzhi hesitated for a moment and then followed.

“Professor, in the botanical scientific drawing class you taught us before, none of us in the class could draw it. We gave a brief explanation, and this little sister drew it well.”

In the center of the group was Yao Xinxin. She held a pencil and sketchpad borrowed from her older siblings and delicately outlined the appearance of a plant on a blank sheet.

Shi Zhang looked at it and said, “You drew it very well.”

University students clapped with tears in their eyes and said, “Talent, this is talent.”

The little girl hadn’t taken the class before, so her drawing, even if it was excellent, still had some shortcomings. Professor Shi commented, “Botanical scientific drawings need to be both beautiful and objective. Your drawing looks more like art sketching. We generally use parallel lines for drawing, using the thickness and rhythm of the lines to depict the texture of the plants. Sometimes we also use stippling. It’s quite different from art sketching.”

Yao Xinxin nodded as if she understood. “Okay.”

“Do you like these?” Shi Zhang pointed to the flowers, grass, and trees all around.

Yao Xinxin smiled shyly. “I just like drawing.”

Professor Shi smiled. “You draw very well. I hope you can keep up with your interest.”

Yao Xinxin blinked, her face slightly blushing.

Song Fuzhi stood at the edge of the crowd, watching Shi Zhang interact with the students gently. However, he couldn’t help but wonder.

Why was the professor angry? What was he angry about?

“Teacher Song, how’s our campus?” Director Wu appeared beside Song Fuzhi at some point.

Song Fuzhi politely replied, “Very beautiful, and there’s a strong academic atmosphere.”

“Then, when you go back, try to work on it. Let’s try to bring some top students under our wings next year!”

Song Fuzhi smiled politely and said, “You’re too humble. The kids are eager to get into your school; I don’t need to do much.”

The two of them chatted and laughed for a while, gradually moving away from the students gathered in a circle and standing under the shade of the trees.

Director Wu smiled, pulling her hair behind her ear. “Teacher Song, high school must be busy, right?”

“It’s okay. I’m used to it.”

“You’ve only been a teacher for a few years, right? To be so young and lead a top scorer out, that’s impressive.”

“I’ve been teaching for almost eight years.” Song Fuzhi shook his head. “I’m not that young of a teacher.”

Director Wu looked surprised. “I thought you were in your twenties at most.”

“I’m almost forty.”

Song Fuzhi had heard similar comments quite a lot, especially today when he was wearing short sleeves, outlining his sleek and slender figure. He looked like a quite handsome young man.

Song Fuzhi and Director Wu continued their lively conversation. Shi Zhang, on the other hand, was in the group of students, casting a faint glance in this direction.

Song Fuzhi didn’t like to be overly polite, and Director Wu did talk a lot. But adults had to maintain a smiling face in such situations; it was necessary.

“Almost done,” Shi Zhang suddenly raised his voice a bit. “The weather isn’t good today. Let’s go back to the classroom a bit earlier.”

Everyone looked up, and they noticed that the sunlight had been blocked by dark clouds at some point. The humidity in late summer and early autumn was high, and it looked like it was about to rain.

“Uh, okay.”

Director Wu then left Song Fuzhi’s side, walking towards the grade-level director from the high school. “Let’s take the kids to the auditorium. The seniors should be arriving soon.”

The teachers gathered the scattered children, counted them, and lined them up, which took some time.

Song Fuzhi was busy directing the students to form a line, and his raised hand suddenly felt a bit cool.

Then two drops, three drops, and many drops dripped onto his body.

After only a few minutes, the rain suddenly started. In a short span, the rain intensified from droplets to lines, then to curtains, pouring down from the sky as if it were free. The surroundings instantly turned into a hazy gray-and-white world.

The students instinctively sought shelter. Umbrellas were a minority, and those who had them hastily opened them, with several heads squeezing under one umbrella.

The Hundred Forest Garden was large, and it was far from any building. Now that it was raining cats and dogs, walking through the rain was impossible.

“Take shelter under the trees first!”

Song Fuzhi, not caring about himself, led the children to the trees. The land covered by the dense branches and leaves remained relatively dry.

Busy ensuring safety and counting the number of students, Song Fuzhi was soon soaked by the rain.

“Teacher Song, come over here!”

Director Wu stood under a tree not far away, waving her hands high. Beside her stood a worried-looking Lao Zhou.

In the midst of the rain, Song Fuzhi felt a bit dazed. Before he could lift his foot, a coat suddenly covered his head like a sudden eave, shielding him from the rain.

“Come with me.”

Professor Shi’s voice sounded low amid the rain.

Shi Zhang supported Song Fuzhi’s shoulder, and his hand tightened, almost pulling the person into his embrace.

With a gentle pull, Song Fuzhi could only follow him. His shoulder was forced to lean against a hot and solid chest.