Linda was wearing a white blouse paired with a black pencil skirt and cream-colored high heels, walking gracefully ahead of me. Her stunning figure turned the heads of nearly every man we passed.
I noticed she wasn't leading me to her office but toward the faculty dormitory building. Confused, I asked, "Ms. Zhang, where are we going?"
"My dorm."
Only then did I realize Linda had a room in the faculty building. Senior teachers could apply for full apartments, but new or substitute teachers like her were only assigned single rooms.
She rarely stayed there—only when she was too lazy to go home at noon.
When we entered, I was surprised by how nicely decorated it was. Of course, a woman's room would be tidy and clean, with a faint, pleasant fragrance lingering in the air—Linda's signature scent.
"Have a seat."
She closed the door behind us, set her lunchbox on the coffee table, and went to turn on the fan. But the fan seemed broken—no matter how much she fiddled with it, it wouldn't spin. Frustrated, she muttered, "Stupid fan."
With no other option, she picked up a folding fan and started fanning herself with one hand while eating with the other. Seeing this, I couldn't help but say, "Qingqing—"
Linda immediately glared at me. "At school, call me *Ms. Zhang*."
Annoyed, I corrected myself. "Ms. Zhang, why did you call me here? I still need to go back for my nap."
"Of course I have something to discuss. Don't rush. First, help me fan myself—it's so hot today, I'm sweating just eating."
Without waiting for my response, she shoved the fan into my hands. I sighed but noticed the faint beads of sweat on her forehead. Relenting, I pulled up a chair beside her and started fanning her.
Sitting so close, I could smell her light perfume and even catch a glimpse of her bra strap through her white blouse. My throat tightened, and I swallowed hard.
Unfortunately, Linda noticed. She looked at me, both shocked and annoyed. "What are you doing?"
My eyes darted to her lunchbox, and I blurted out, "Nothing! Your food just looks really good. Made me drool a little."
She rolled her eyes. "Cafeteria food is barely better than pig slop. How could you possibly drool over it?"
As she ate, she asked about my recent studies. I was touched—despite claiming she wouldn't forgive me, she still cared as much as before.
After some small talk, she suddenly changed the subject. "Andrew, what's your relationship with Harper?"
"Uh… we're just friends."
My face burned. Last week, I'd deliberately held Harper's hand in front of Linda to make her jealous. I'd almost forgotten about it, but now that she brought it up, I was caught off guard.
Linda frowned. "Is it appropriate for male and female students to hold hands?"
I had no good explanation. I couldn't exactly say, *I was just trying to make you jealous*, or she'd be even angrier.
Luckily, she didn't press further. Instead, she moved on. "Let's set Harper aside. What about Nikki?"
I blinked. "What about her?"
"You two seem close. Did you know each other before? Hmm, last time, she and her brother even rescued you in that alley—a beauty saving the hero. Have you developed *secret feelings* for each other?"
*Damn, her imagination is wild.* She even used the phrase "secret feelings." But I couldn't help noticing a hint of jealousy in her tone. The realization sent a thrill through me—did that mean I held *some* place in her heart?
"Ms. Zhang, don't make things up. Nikki didn't just save me—she saved you too. And we've only met a few times. Where would 'secret feelings' come from?"
Linda seemed a little embarrassed after saying that, as if she'd realized how much she sounded like a jealous wife interrogating her cheating husband. Quickly, she covered it up. "Fine, as long as you're not dating. You're the top student in our class—a key candidate for a prestigious university. As your homeroom teacher, it's my duty to remind you not to get distracted by early romance. Focus on your studies, understand?"
"Oh, I get it."
Linda was too good at acting. Half the time, I couldn't tell if she was being genuine or not. Just when I thought she might be jealous, she flipped it into a teacher's lecture. Was she really just doing her job?
After finishing her meal, she pushed her bowl toward me. "I'm still exhausted from last night's drinking. Andrew, wash this for me."
I wanted to argue—*I'm not your maid!*—but the sharp look in her eyes reminded me she still hadn't forgiven me for last week. Swallowing my pride, I muttered, "Fine."
Her balcony had a small kitchenette with a sink. I washed the dishes there, only for Linda to call out again. "There are apples in the kitchen. Peel one for me. And make me a coffee—"
My eye twitched. Now I understood—this petty woman was deliberately finding ways to bully me. My words last week must've *really* pissed her off.
Since I *was* guilty, I had no choice but to endure it. As I prepared her coffee, I peeked outside. Linda was in high spirits, humming while scrolling through her phone.
Seeing her so cheerful annoyed me. An idea struck—*revenge*. I licked the rim of the coffee cup before filling it, then brought it out with the peeled apple. *Let's see how you like my saliva.*
"Why did making coffee take so long?"
I widened my eyes innocently. "I'm not good at it. And I had to peel your apple too."
As expected, Linda looked smug, her eyes glinting with amusement. But she feigned sternness. "I'm your teacher. Can't you handle a simple task without complaining?"
She then told me to take two apples back to my dorm. As she lifted the coffee to her lips, I watched with hidden glee—*Got you!*
But then, Linda paused mid-sip, frowning. "Andrew, why does this coffee taste… weird?"
My blood ran cold. "Uh… maybe it's gone bad?"
"Impossible!"
She took another sip, scrutinizing the flavor. Sweat dripped down my forehead. *Please don't figure it out, or I'm dead.*
"Hmm, it's off, but I can't pinpoint why."
My heart pounded wildly. "If it tastes bad, just throw it out."
"No way! This is reindeer coffee—a gift from abroad. Expensive." She glanced at me, puzzled. "Why are you sweating so much? You look nervous."
I forced a laugh. "Just… really hot today."
Linda waved me off. "Alright, go back to your dorm. I'll just add more sugar."
"Okay, I'll leave now."
I turned to bolt, but she suddenly called, "Wait!"
I froze, my soul nearly leaving my body. Terrified, I turned back—only for Linda to smile sweetly and point at the bag of apples. "Take two for yourself."
I grabbed two apples and fled like my life depended on it. *Today nearly scared me to death.*