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From childhood to adulthood, Jiang Yichen’s academic performance was neither outstanding nor poor.
He always fell somewhere in the middle of the pack, and the same was true for his piano skills. He had some talent, but not much.
His admission to Mingxian Conservatory of Music was barely above the passing score.
Qin Ling asked him to play his best piece, so Jiang Yichen played one he’d performed during his art exam.
Chopin’s Etude, Winter Wind.
He had practiced this piece countless times and could play it effortlessly.
“…”
Qin Ling took out her notebook and pen from her briefcase.
She unscrewed the pen cap, opened the notebook to the first page…
Before she could start writing, a flurry of wrong notes filled the air…
“Again,” Qin Ling said coldly.
“Okay…”
“Again.”
“Okay…”
“Again.”
“…Okay.”
“Change the piece, play 849.”
“Okay.”
“Again.”
“Okay…”
“Again.”
“Okay…”
Finally, after playing more wrong notes, Jiang Yichen turned his head. When people are embarrassed, they tend to say something to ease the tension. “Um… Professor Qin…”
He could guarantee that he wasn’t usually like this. His playing wasn’t perfect, but he wouldn’t make so many mistakes.
Today was an exception; he wasn’t in good form.
The main reason was his lack of security…
Qin Ling raised an eyebrow, pointing her ruler at Jiang Yichen’s embarrassed expression, “Don’t act flippant in class.”
“Oh…”
Jiang Yichen immediately sat up straight.
“Stop.”
Qin Ling shook her head, closing the pen cap and putting the notebook back into her briefcase. His playing was truly terrible—too many wrong notes and major rhythm issues.
She leaned forward to demonstrate the correct way to play.
But Jiang Yichen suddenly jumped up like a spring, looking at her with suspicion.
“?” Qin Ling frowned. “What are you doing?”
Jiang Yichen held his backpack in front of him, asking, “Professor Qin, what are you doing?”
Qin Ling didn’t speak, staring straight at him.
Jiang Yichen didn’t dare to relax; he grabbed the pepper spray from his backpack.
Qin Ling only had a ruler, but if she dared to attack, he would use the pepper spray first, followed by the tear gas, and finally the fruit knife… with that combo, she wouldn’t be killed but definitely injured.
Qin Ling was puzzled by his hostile posture. Did she have a generation gap with Gen Z?
He looked like she was about to kill him at any moment.
“Jiang Yichen,” Qin Ling softly repeated his name, leaning back in her chair. She placed the ruler on her lap.
“You seem scared of me. Why?” Qin Ling asked, confused.
Although she sometimes had an intimidating expression, it shouldn’t be this bad!
Jiang Yichen, still tense, didn’t relax. “No, Professor Qin, don’t say that. I’m not scared of you.”
“Why don’t you look at yourself?”
“Heh…” Jiang Yichen chuckled.
Clever tactic; trying to distract him? No way!
The sun was scorching hot in the afternoon.
The music room was stuffy.
Jiang Yichen quickly started sweating profusely.
Qin Ling also felt the heat and took out a folding fan from her briefcase.
She leisurely fanned herself while watching Jiang Yichen’s vigilant stare.
She wanted to see what he would do.
The fan moved back and forth, ruffling Qin Ling’s hair.
About two feet away, Jiang Yichen sniffed and smelled the warm sandalwood scent.
The standoff lasted a few minutes, and Jiang Yichen couldn’t take it anymore. “Professor Qin!”
Qin Ling: “Speak.”
Jiang Yichen said seriously, “I’m sorry!”
Qin Ling almost laughed. Jiang Yichen’s expression made the apology sound comical.
“Good. You have fifteen minutes left. I’ll demonstrate, then you play again.”
Qin Ling snapped her fan shut.
As she stood up, Jiang Yichen quickly backed away.
Qin Ling didn’t understand him, but she just needed to do her job as a teacher.
In the music room,
A melodious sound filled the air, a stark contrast to the previous cacophony of wrong notes.
Qin Ling gave a complete demonstration for Jiang Yichen.
But when she finished, she was stunned.
Jiang Yichen was still vigilant, serious, and on high alert.
One hand behind his back, the other holding the lilies.
“Hmm?” Qin Ling looked at him with interest. “Jiang Yichen, what are you going to do?”
“Professor Qin, I apologize. I hope you can forgive me,” Jiang Yichen said seriously.
“For what?” Qin Ling asked.
“At the milk tea shop, I shouldn’t have talked about you behind your back. Professor Qin, please forgive me.”
Qin Ling narrowed her eyes, carefully observing Jiang Yichen’s expression.
He was sincere, but she felt more fear and dread than anything else.
Was she some kind of monster? Was there a need to be this afraid of her?
She only brought a ruler to class today!
Were kids these days this fragile?
Qin Ling’s thoughts raced.
“Take the flowers back. I’m not angry,” Qin Ling said; she wasn’t going to get angry over a kid’s words.
“You’re not angry?”
Jiang Yichen looked doubtful.
“Professor Qin, please accept these flowers,” Jiang Yichen said earnestly.
Qin Ling picked up the card on the flowers.
【Dearest Ms. Qin, you are like these pure white lilies, beautiful and elegant. Your presence makes my world more beautiful. I deeply love you. I hope you accept my feelings.】
“If you have this kind of energy, you should put it into your studies,” Qin Ling said impassively, showing Jiang Yichen the card.
Jiang Yichen inwardly exclaimed. “No, Professor Qin, let me explain. I just saw the card, you believe me, right?”
No wonder the florist asked about the recipient’s surname…
He hadn’t said he was confessing!
Were florists getting so clever these days!?
“Do you believe yourself?” Qin Ling asked.
Jiang Yichen: “I do.”
Qin Ling: “I don’t.”
“Then why are you even asking?” Jiang Yichen muttered inwardly.
“Are you secretly cursing me?” Qin Ling suddenly asked.
“No, no, no,” Jiang Yichen quickly waved his hands. “Professor Qin, I admire you! My admiration for you is endless, as vast as the river, and as unstoppable as the Yellow River’s flood.”
Qin Ling sneered, “Smooth talker. I asked you, did you understand the demonstration I just gave?”
Jiang Yichen paused. Demonstration? What demonstration?
He had been staring at the “crazy professor’s” back to prevent any surprise attacks.
He had to admit, Qin Ling’s figure was amazing. Even in formal attire, her figure was fantastic, like a ripe, juicy peach.
“Heh.” Qin Ling saw his absentminded expression and understood she’d wasted her time.