Simao Zuochen took in every change on the homeroom teacher’s face, a trace of cold mockery flashing across his own expression.

A role model for teachers?

Wasn’t she basically lifting a rock only to drop it on her own foot?

———

On the other side, after they left, Jiang Ran collapsed weakly onto the sofa.

She had been busy with those two little brats all night yesterday and hadn’t rested well at all.

The servant who had earlier helped apply medicine watched this scene and suddenly had an idea.

Putting down what she was holding, she walked over and spoke softly,
“Madam, it looks like you didn’t rest well last night. I’ve studied massage before—it can help relieve fatigue. Would you like me to massage you?”

Jiang Ran clearly sensed the woman’s attempt to ingratiate herself. She raised her head to look at her and smiled faintly.
“What’s your name?”

“Lin Yu.”

“Mm. Then I’ll trouble you.” Jiang Ran nodded, stood up, and walked toward the bedroom.

Lin Yu followed closely behind.

Jiang Ran felt the exhaustion in her body growing heavier. She couldn’t help rubbing her temples.

Once inside the room, she lay face-down on the bed. Lin Yu massaged her from top to bottom, working through various acupoints. Her technique was very skillful, and her strength just right.

The soreness throughout Jiang Ran’s body eased noticeably. Soon after, sleepiness washed over her, her consciousness growing hazy as she nearly drifted off.

Watching Jiang Ran’s completely relaxed state, Lin Yu felt a sense of accomplishment.

Everyone said this madam was cold and unapproachable. But she had appeared before her twice in a row—was there a chance she could take things a step further?

“Ah—”

Just as Lin Yu was lost in her thoughts, the strength in her hands slipped, and Jiang Ran let out a pained cry.

Lin Yu immediately stopped and began apologizing.

Jiang Ran waved her hand and said gently,
“It’s fine. Continue.”

When Lin Yu resumed, she was much more careful than before and no longer dared to let her thoughts wander.

As the massage area gradually moved downward, Lin Yu’s pupils suddenly contracted when she saw Jiang Ran’s right arm—smooth, fair, and unblemished.

How… how could this be?

She clearly remembered that the wound she had bandaged for Madam a couple of days ago was right here.

Had she remembered the wrong spot?

With that thought, she looked at the other arm as well—also smooth and fair, without the slightest trace of injury.

What was going on?

Lin Yu’s hands trembled slightly as she cautiously lifted her gaze toward Jiang Ran.

She had personally treated Madam’s wound back then—it had been bloody and unmistakably real.

But now…

Lin Yu felt her worldview collapsing. Jiang Ran noticed the strange stillness behind her.

She suddenly remembered her injury and sighed inwardly.

Healing too fast really wasn’t a good thing.

Like now—someone had noticed, and she hadn’t even thought up an excuse yet. Her brows knit slightly.

In that case, she could only pretend she knew nothing.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Ran suddenly asked.

Lin Yu snapped back to her senses, hurriedly continued the massage, and threw her earlier thoughts out of her mind.

Just as Jiang Ran was about to fall asleep, the phone by her pillow rang abruptly.

She picked it up and raised an eyebrow at the caller ID.

Scumbag?

He had just spent the night in bed with her so-called “best friend,” and today he was already looking for her again—his personal ATM?

What a master of time management.

She let out a cold laugh and casually tossed the phone aside.

Forming a hand seal, she calculated briefly—he was already on his way.

Suppressing the disgust, Jiang Ran closed her eyes and said to Lin Yu,
“Thank you. That’ll be all for today.”

Lin Yu acknowledged and got up to pack her things, preparing to leave.

Just as she reached the door, she heard Jiang Ran’s voice again from behind.

“No matter who comes looking for me later, I’m not seeing anyone.”

“Yes, Madam,” Lin Yu replied softly and left.

After hearing the door close, Jiang Ran rubbed her temples and turned over, planning to get some proper rest.

Ding—

The familiar ringtone suddenly rang again.

Jiang Ran frowned deeply and flung a pillow across the room.
“So annoying!”

She had planned to ignore it, but the phone kept ringing nonstop, grating on her nerves.

She sat up and grabbed the phone—only to realize it wasn’t the scumbag, but a call from the school.

Hm?

Hadn’t they already called earlier?

Feeling uneasy and worried that the two little brats might have caused trouble again, Jiang Ran swiped to answer.

“Hello.” The teacher’s voice came through the receiver.

“Hello.” Jiang Ran replied politely, then asked, “May I ask what this is about?”

“Sorry to bother you again. It’s still about the children skipping class. The school is taking this matter seriously and needs to summon the parents. When would you be available to come in?”

Hearing this, a flash of impatience crossed Jiang Ran’s brows.

“Didn’t we already talk about this today?”

“And calling the parents? For what—joint education?”

“I think I made myself very clear earlier. When children are at school, they’re under the school’s responsibility. There’s no point in calling me over.”

Her words were blunt, leaving no room for courtesy. The teacher didn’t know how to respond.

“But this concerns the children’s future. If it isn’t corrected early on—”

Listening to the teacher’s earnest persuasion, Jiang Ran sighed and softened her tone slightly.

“I truly don’t have time. You can just explain it over the phone—consider it a phone home visit.”

“Mrs. Si, that’s against the regulations.”

Jiang Ran’s expression darkened. Was this teacher incapable of flexibility?

“In that case, I’ll be direct. I can’t control those two children. Even if I go, it’ll be useless.”

She stated it plainly, without any embarrassment about being a parent who couldn’t discipline her own children.

The teacher was stunned.

She honestly didn’t know whether to praise this parent’s honesty or what.

This left her completely unsure how to respond, and the call fell into awkward silence.

Knock knock knock—

There was a knock at the door.

“Hold on a moment,” Jiang Ran said to the teacher, then called out, “Come in.”

Lin Yu pushed the door open and said,
“Madam, Miss Song is here.”

Song Yuqing? What was she here for?

“Didn’t I say that no matter who it is, I won’t see them?” Jiang Ran’s tone turned cold.

“But you previously said Miss Song was an exception,” Lin Yu replied, lowering her gaze.

Hearing this, Jiang Ran felt helpless.

No wonder Song Yuqing could swagger around the Si household—turns out she’d been granted special privileges by Jiang Ran herself.

Right now, she really didn’t want to deal with that sanctimonious woman.

Just thinking about it made her nauseous.

With that in mind, she picked up her phone and said into the receiver,
“Wait a moment. I’ll come over shortly.”

The teacher on the other end hadn’t expected Jiang Ran to suddenly change her mind.

Though puzzled, she didn’t dwell on it.

After all—so long as the parent showed up, that was enough.