Chapter 8: The Relationship Between the Senior and the Teacher

“Teacher Yu,” Ling Geng called out from behind Yu Zhan, his voice startlingly loud, echoing through the lab.

Yu Zhan flinched at the shout, his hand slipping from Shao Huaizhi’s shoulder. He turned around, struggling to maintain his composure, and said, “Why are you shouting? This is a lab.”

You know this is a lab? And you still dare to be so touchy with the expert? Ling Geng was fuming inside but held back due to Yu Zhan’s status. He restrained himself and said, “Teacher Yu, class is over.”

His tone was almost like he was shooing away an unwanted guest. In his years of teaching, no student had ever spoken to Yu Zhan like this, leaving him momentarily speechless. “Ling Geng, you…”

“Teacher Yu.” Shao Huaizhi interrupted, stepping past Yu Zhan to shield Ling Geng. “I appreciate your suggestion, but I can handle moving my things myself. No need to trouble you.”

Shao Huaizhi stood between Ling Geng and Yu Zhan, his height advantage blocking most of Ling Geng from Yu Zhan’s view. He gave Yu Zhan a look that clearly said: If there’s nothing else, please leave.

Even an idiot could see Shao Huaizhi’s blatant protection. Yu Zhan shot him a sharp look: Really, Shao Huaizhi? Helping people but not principles?

Caught between Ling Geng and Yu Zhan, Shao Huaizhi felt a headache coming on. With the scales tipped slightly towards Ling Geng, Shao Huaizhi reluctantly said, “Teacher Yu.”

Though he didn’t finish his sentence, the implication was clear: Please, go.

Yu Zhan gave Shao Huaizhi a long, resentful look, feeling their years of friendship worth less than raising a fish. Fine, for the sake of the teacher, he wouldn’t argue.

With Yu Zhan gone, Ling Geng finally had a chance to poke his head out from behind Shao Huaizhi. “Senior?”

His voice was soft and tentative, like a breeze, easing Shao Huaizhi’s temper. With indulgence, he said, “You…”

“Me?” Ling Geng didn’t understand.

“Never mind.” Shao Huaizhi turned to face Ling Geng, smiling gently. “Teacher Yu is still a teacher. As the saying goes, respect your teacher and their teachings. Nowadays, it’s about respecting elders and caring for the young. Weren’t you afraid he’d hold a grudge and target you in class?”

“I was just too anxious and didn’t think it through…” Ling Geng regretted his outburst after Shao Huaizhi’s reminder. Usually calm, he wondered why he lost his cool when it came to Shao Huaizhi…

“Alright, it’s fine. Just be careful next time.” Seeing Ling Geng’s remorse, Shao Huaizhi couldn’t help but feel a bit soft-hearted. He ruffled Ling Geng’s hair to comfort him.

What should have been a normal comment, Ling Geng fixated on “next time.” Next time? Another situation like this? Letting Yu Zhan take advantage of the expert again?

Absolutely not!

Determined, Ling Geng gathered his things and, under Shao Huaizhi’s puzzled gaze, led him out of the lab to a corner by the stairwell and safety exit.

With a serious expression, Ling Geng said, “Senior, you should stay away from Teacher Yu.”

“Huh? Why?” Shao Huaizhi found the conclusion amusing. Where was this coming from?

Shao Huaizhi’s relaxed demeanor showed he didn’t take Ling Geng’s concern seriously. Ling Geng felt it was time to spell out the seriousness. “Senior, don’t you think Teacher Yu treats you differently? He’s strict with students, never allowing tardiness, and penalizes anyone who is late. I was docked all my participation points last time for that.”

Speaking with some anger, Ling Geng continued, “But today, you were not only on time but came in with Teacher Yu! And he didn’t scold you at all. He even taught you the experiment step by step. This isn’t a typical teacher-student relationship! I think Teacher Yu has ulterior motives towards you…”

“Ling.” Shao Huaizhi interrupted, narrowing his eyes and repeating, “Ulterior motives?”

“Yes.” Ling Geng, oblivious to the danger, confidently analyzed, “And his looks at you are strange. He’s touchy-feely too, definitely planning something…”

Before he could finish, he was cut off.

Shao Huaizhi suddenly leaned in, one hand braced against the wall. Ling Geng, forced to retreat until he was pressed against the wall, barely had time to react before Shao Huaizhi’s gaze locked onto his face. In a dangerously soft tone, he asked, “What do you think Teacher Yu wants to do to me?”

“To… you…” The height and intensity of Shao Huaizhi overwhelmed Ling Geng. He had never seen him so intimidating, and words caught in his throat, his mind blank.

Since it was after class, the students had left, and this building was generally empty, especially at the stairwell, making it eerily quiet. In such stillness, certain sounds were amplified, like the close proximity of their breathing and the increasingly uncontrollable sound of a heartbeat.

The distance between them was now so close that Ling Geng could clearly make out the contours of Shao Huaizhi’s nose, and below it, his closed lips. His lips were well-shaped, not too dark, with a pleasant and inviting color. 

Those lips… if he could just take a bite…

Ling Geng swallowed hard.

Shao Huaizhi noticed Ling Geng’s increasingly unfocused gaze and his roving eyes, which made it obvious where he was looking.

“Heh.” Shao Huaizhi chuckled softly, retracting his hand and stepping back.

After all, it’s not good to push the young ones too hard.

Ling Geng was jolted back to reality by that laugh, feeling like he had just woken from a daydream. Only now did he realize what kind of thoughts he had just had about Shao Huaizhi.

That was the expert! How could he think such things? He was supposed to be warning Shao Huaizhi about Yu Zhan, but it turned out he was worse than Yu Zhan?!

Ling Geng, you’re hopeless!

Ling Geng wanted to explain, but he was so nervous that he couldn’t get a complete sentence out. “Se-Senior, I didn’t mean to, I just…”

“Ling.” Shao Huaizhi interrupted, looking at Ling Geng’s flustered and embarrassed face. He restrained himself from ruffling Ling Geng’s hair and said gently, “Have you forgotten that I am Professor Li’s student?”

“Hmm? So what?” Ling Geng, successfully distracted, asked in confusion. What did this have to do with today’s events?

As he searched his memory, it suddenly clicked. Wait, Shao Huaizhi is Professor Li’s student, and so is Yu Zhan. Could they be fellow students?

Ling Geng looked over in surprise, and Shao Huaizhi nodded, smiling. “You guessed right. Yu Zhan is actually my senior. I completed my undergraduate thesis with him.”

About eight years ago, Professor Li was still teaching undergraduates. Shao Huaizhi, excelling in his studies, easily joined Professor Li’s research group. Since Professor Li was deeply immersed in academic research and often extremely busy, he entrusted most of the project work to Yu Zhan.

Yu Zhan, already a graduate student of Professor Li at the time, was just as passionate about academics. Although he was helping Shao Huaizhi with his undergraduate thesis, his standards were as high as for a graduate project. Under these high standards and constant collaboration, their relationship grew stronger, more like old friends than senior and junior.

“So, it’s normal that he treats me differently from other students. After all, he’s a teacher and needs to maintain a certain authority.”

“I see.” It turned out that their relationship was purely platonic, and he had misunderstood. Not only that, but he had also been rude to Yu Zhan because of this misunderstanding. Ling Geng felt even more regret.

Shao Huaizhi was right. Given Yu Zhan’s pride, he had probably blacklisted him already, ranking him at the top of his blacklist. Who knows how he would take it out on him in class…

“Why am I so unlucky?” Ling Geng was filled with regret.

“Don’t worry, there’s still a chance,” Shao Huaizhi said mysteriously, piquing Ling Geng’s curiosity.

Ling Geng unconsciously leaned closer, eyes bright, asking, “What? What chance?”

“Do you really want to know?” Shao Huaizhi teased.

His curiosity was at its peak, but he still didn’t hear the answer. It was like a cat’s paw scratching at his heart, making him itch. Ling Geng changed his tone, almost pleading, “Senior, please tell me, okay?”

Unwittingly, his tone turned coquettish, like a drug-laced anesthetic, making him irresistible in Shao Huaizhi’s eyes.

Shao Huaizhi’s gaze darkened but then returned to normal. With a soft smile, he said, “Actually, it’s not that hard to get a chance. For example, right in front of you, there’s me.”

Ling Geng froze, confused. “Huh?”

Shao Huaizhi maintained his smile and said, “I have a long-standing relationship with Yu Zhan. A small matter like this can be resolved if you want. If you’re willing, I can help you get back your participation points that were cleared.”

Ling Geng’s eyes lit up. “Really?” His tone was filled with excitement.

“But there’s a condition,” Shao Huaizhi added at the right moment.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. To gain something, one must pay a price, though the cost varies from person to person, sometimes small, sometimes large.

At that moment, Ling Geng didn’t consider this cause and effect. Much later, looking back, he regretted it deeply but it was too late.

Author’s Note: Current Ling Geng: Whatever the condition is, as long as I can get my participation points back, I’ll agree!

Future Ling Geng: (teary and in pain)…

Don’t ask why he can’t speak. Sometimes Shao Huaizhi is so outrageous that Ling Geng is left speechless. Anyway, after a while, he will regret it, deeply regret it!!