Chapter 6: Sixth Dimension 2/2

With just the opening lines, it feels like the scene is unfolding like an old movie, and the students can’t help but exclaim in amazement, eager for Wang Huilin to continue the story.

“In the following days, he started coming to the school gate every noon to bring me lunch. He would stay for five minutes and then rush back to his duties. When he was busy, I would bring him lunch instead. He added a seat to his bicycle, and in the afternoons without surgeries, he would ride me back home. Little did I know that this arrangement would last for many years, and we would ride that bicycle for many years.”

“At that time, most people still had arranged marriages, but we had a love story. Don’t find it boring; it was quite trendy at that time.”

Wang Huilin, who usually has a loud and serious teaching voice, now speaks with a gentle tone, and there’s a faint smile at the corners of her eyes. The students, who are used to her serious demeanor, are now enchanted by this softer side.

Though the story is simple, everyone is moved, and not knowing how to express their feelings, they stand up, raise their glasses, and toast to the health and happiness of Wang Huilin and her husband.

Wang Huilin, with a joyful smile, puts down her glass and sighs lightly.

“As for my son, he’s about your age.” Wang Huilin pauses for a moment, then decides to continue, “but he still hasn’t found a partner. He’s quite picky; it worries me.”

Everyone laughs understandingly; after all, these matters depend on fate and can’t be rushed. Some students jokingly mention the class representative from their math class, who married early, remarried early, and quickly divorced—quite the anti-role model.

“Fate also needs to be sought, right?” Wang Huilin takes a sip of her drink, scans the room, and asks, “For your generation, how do you usually meet people?”

Former teachers are now seeking advice from their students, and the conversation takes a light-hearted turn. Students suggest dating apps, but Wang Huilin wrinkles her brow, expressing skepticism about their reliability and preferring introductions through mutual friends.

As the discussion continues, students playfully suggest Shi Zhang as a potential match for Wang Huilin’s son. This suggestion turns into a lively and humorous moment, and Shi Zhang, feeling overwhelmed, raises his glass in a silent plea for a break from the matchmaking discussions.

“Teacher Wang laughed brightly. ‘Then it depends on whether Shí classmates are willing to give face or not.’

This development is a bit beyond imagination.

Shí Zhāng dressed up a bit today. Originally, he just wanted to leave a good impression on Teacher Wang because everything related to Sòng Fúzhī was a focal point for him. He hadn’t thought about anything else, but unexpectedly, everyone started matchmaking for them.

Perhaps it was mostly in a joking manner, as teachers couldn’t just make a fuss for no reason. So, the teasing passed quickly, and the conversation soon shifted to other topics.

The class monitor was afraid that Shí Zhāng might feel uncomfortable being teased, so he comforted him in a low voice, ‘Shí, don’t mind it. It’s just a joke. Teacher Wang definitely won’t force you to get to know his son. Just go with the flow and relax.’

Shí Zhāng wanted to dismiss it with a smile, but his lips didn’t curve up.

Everyone was joking, but he took it seriously.

In an instant, he even had a kind of illusion, as if he could really get to know Sòng Fúzhī through a straightforward and honest way, starting as friends and slowly exploring the possibilities between them.

Since everyone was joking and Teacher Wang didn’t seem to have that intention, Shí Zhāng immediately returned to reality, feeling calm in his heart.

It would be better if they didn’t get to know each other.

The meal took a long time to finish, and everyone slowly walked out. Teacher Wang was surrounded in the middle.

Originally, the class monitor organized everyone to give Teacher Wang a gift together at the end, but Teacher Wang emphasized not to give anything several times. In the end, she only accepted a small bunch of carnations.

The most interesting part was when the meal ended. The significant others mentioned in the stories just now all appeared to pick up their partners, inevitably leading to another round of chatting.

Everyone said they would send Teacher Wang back first, but she said it was unnecessary; her husband would come to pick her up. He was already in the parking lot.

As soon as this was mentioned, everyone rushed over, saying they must meet the most handsome doctor in the surrounding ten miles.

Even though Doctor Sòng was getting older, his youthful appearance could still be seen. He had good bone structure, and in his youth, he must have been quite handsome. Their teacher hadn’t lied at all.

The students surrounded him, chatting with Lao Sòng and giving their blessings. Lao Sòng smiled gently, a shy old man.

In the midst of the excitement, Shí Zhāng felt someone gently pulling him aside.

Teacher Wang asked him in a soft voice, ‘Shí Zhāng, what do you think? ‘

Shí Zhāng quickly understood what she was asking, and his heartbeat accelerated, but his face remained calm. ‘I’ll listen to the teacher.’

‘That won’t do.’ Teacher Wang glanced at him. ‘This isn’t some assignment. I just want to hear your real thoughts; there’s no need to consider my face.’

‘If you also have plans in this regard and haven’t found a suitable person, I’ll talk to my son. You two young people can meet.’

Teacher Wang’s tone was light, but her expression was very serious.

Shí Zhāng pondered for a long time.

He originally wanted to remind Teacher Wang that he used to be a bad boy with a checkered past, and his family background was incompatible. His deep-seated personality was even worse than what was shown. In every aspect, he wasn’t worthy of Sòng Fúzhī.

He wanted to say, ‘Teacher, don’t be deceived by my appearance and profession. In fact, I’m not a suitable partner.’

But he was afraid that if he said it, Teacher Wang might not even give him this chance.

Shí Zhāng tentatively thought that maybe after more than ten years of maturing, he had become a normal adult, capable of restraint, and could slowly explore a healthy relationship with someone he liked.

So, Shí Zhāng didn’t warn Wáng Huìlín. He just smiled and said, ‘Okay.’

Shí Zhāng had to admit that he was still a bad person, and he still wanted Sòng Fúzhī.

This desire overwhelmed everything else.