“Sit down. I never said the flowers you gave were bad.”

Ji Huai rubbed his nose, not daring to meet the boy’s purest, hopeful gaze. “Then I’ll accept them.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Heyu’s previously dimmed eyes instantly regained their spark, igniting like candle flames. He immediately broke into a wide grin, his eyes fixed intently on the somewhat “bashful” Ji Huai. But before his smile could fully form, Ji Huai’s next words shattered the atmosphere.

“And the flowers in your courtyard – take good care of them. It pains me to see you mistreat them.” Ji Huai felt somewhat uncomfortable – this was the first time a student had given him Chinese bellflowers.

During previous Teachers’ Days, students would either give carnations, lilies, or sunflowers. While meaningful, Lin Heyu’s gift of Chinese bellflowers brought him particular joy.

Ji Huai felt too embarrassed to tell others he liked Chinese bellflowers, especially since he’d developed this preference because of an anime character. It seemed too feminine. After all these years, this was the first time someone had given him his favorite flowers.

Ji Huai cherished them deeply.

He picked up the flowers and glanced at the children watching the scene below the hall, feeling a headache coming on. “Continue with the lesson. Later I’ll randomly select students to recite the ‘Qu Li’ chapter from the Book of Rites.”

“Aww—”

A chorus of groans filled the room. They had just learned this material – how could they possibly memorize it so quickly?

A slight smile touched Ji Huai’s lips. Ignoring the complaints behind him, he turned and entered the inner room to search for a vase that could hold the flowers.

After searching around, he barely managed to find a clay pot missing one corner. Ji Huai couldn’t afford to be picky – having something was better than nothing.

He filled the clay pot with water and carefully carried it to the table. The few Chinese bellflower stems had already begun to wilt in this short time. Working urgently, Ji Huai picked up scissors and meticulously trimmed away excess leaves and roots, inserting each stem one by one into the clay pot.

Every movement Ji Huai made was clearly observed by Lin Heyu, who sat below the hall using his book to shield his face.

The bouquet that Lin Heyu had carefully nurtured and brought over was now being tenderly arranged and cared for by Ji Huai. As the faint fragrance wafted around them, Lin Heyu felt his heart constrict slightly, suddenly overwhelmed by an indescribable emotion.

It felt both sour and numb, both joyful and resentful.

Lin Heyu found this strange. Unconsciously covering his heart, he frowned. This unknown emotion affected his entire being, leaving him somewhat bewildered. His young face scrunched up due to the inexplicable feeling – he still couldn’t comprehend what this emotion was, racing wildly in his chest.

When he looked up, Ji Huai’s figure busily tending to the delicate flowers was imprinted in Lin Heyu’s eyes. The Teacher’s every smile and expression carried the grace of a scholar. Lin Heyu watched somewhat mesmerized, suddenly realizing that while Ji Huai never showed him a pleasant expression, he smiled so gently at the delicate flowers.

To be fair, Ji Huai’s appearance wasn’t bad – one could even describe it as stunning. Even a playboy like Lin Heyu, who was accustomed to seeing the beauties of Prosperous Capital, had to admit he possessed celestial grace.

The pity was that the former Ji Huai had been pedantic, dull, and boring – constantly spouting classical phrases, inflexible, never smiling, and never speaking to them pleasantly. He always had “Confucius said” on his lips, which greatly annoyed Lin Heyu. But ever since Ji Huai was rescued after falling into water, he seemed like a completely different person.

The current Ji Huai was cheerful and talkative, no longer cold and aloof. He was now willing to teach every student, whereas before, he had only focused on the few well-behaved high-achievers in the class, completely ignoring the troublemakers like them.

It was only now that Lin Heyu truly saw Ji Huai for who he was.

Ji Huai stood almost as tall as him, just slightly shorter. Since Lin Heyu already had the height of a grown man, Ji Huai was naturally not short either. His long, black hair flowed down his back like spilled ink, gleaming with a mesmerizing sheen under the sunlight. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, clad in a cyan-green scholar’s robe. When the wind lifted the hem of his garment, it felt like a refreshing breeze on a summer day, calming Lin Heyu’s mind just by the sight.

His slender, distant-mountain-like eyebrows, misty fox-like eyes, a straight nose bridge, and rosy lips combined to form a face that made Lin Heyu’s heart race.

Lin Heyu couldn’t help but marvel at how perfectly Ji Huai had been crafted his face seemed modeled after the most exquisite blueprint. Had he been born a woman, he would have been a stunning beauty renowned far and wide, overshadowing all others. Yet, even as a man, his appearance was not out of place. Those captivating eyes, with just a casual glance, could send Lin Heyu’s thoughts into a whirl, making him forget his own name.

Beyond his face, Ji Huai’s hands were equally striking slender, pale fingers that seemed to glow wherever they touched.

Lin Heyu didn’t want to admit it, but he had a particular fondness for beautiful hands.

This preference was his own little secret.

Before he could even experience intimacy, Lin Heyu had run away from home to join the military camp. The tutors and concubines his father had arranged for him he hadn’t even laid eyes on them before vanishing. As a result, though he was already of age, he had no experience in adult matters, muddling along with the rough soldiers in the camp. Aside from the bare-chested troops, the only thing that caught his eye was their centurion’s elegant fingers.

Thus, Lin Heyu developed a unique appreciation for beautiful hands.

Last night, when Ji Huai’s slender fingers trembled restlessly in his palm, Lin Heyu’s heart had tingled as if scratched by a cat’s paw. Today, those same fingers, adorned with droplets of water as they tended to the Chinese bellflowers, added another layer of allure.

The white hands, blue flowers, and green vase blended together in Lin Heyu’s vision, forming a painting titled “Beauty Tending Flowers.”

Smack!

“Ah who dares hit !”

Snapped out of his colorful reverie, Lin Heyu clutched his wrist, cursing under his breath as he turned around, only to meet Ji Huai’s stern, beautiful face.

“…”

Holding the ebony ruler, Ji Huai had appeared behind Lin Heyu as silently as a ghost. A bright red mark from the ruler was now imprinted on Lin Heyu’s sturdy wrist.

“Daydreaming in class?” Ji Huai tapped the ruler on Lin Heyu’s desk. The Book of Rites was held upside down in Lin Heyu’s hand, the edges of the bamboo slips slightly blurred from sweat.

“Impressive, Lin Heyu. So you’re a genius who can read upside down? Perfect. While the others recite properly, you’ll recite backwards. I’m sure our esteemed Lin will have no trouble reciting the ‘Quli’ chapter of the Book of Rites flawlessly in reverse.”

Ji Huai narrowed his eyes, staring directly at Lin Heyu. Earlier, he had sensed an unfriendly gaze fixed on him, and after scanning the room, sure enough, it was this kid. The look in his eyes was so intense it nearly made Ji Huai’s blood boil a blatant, beastly glint that left him restless and uneasy.

He couldn’t shake the illusion of being stalked by a predator.

Caught red-handed by Ji Huai, Lin Heyu reluctantly picked up his book, all his earlier wandering thoughts now scattered by that disciplinary ruler.

It was nearly noon. Ji Huai glanced at the incense clock and waved his hand, dismissing the children from class.

Hearing this, the students below brightened instantly, their earlier dejection and sluggishness from reciting lessons vanishing without a trace. They swiftly began packing their book bags. Even Ji Huai started tidying the scattered scrolls on his desk. Only Lin Heyu remained unhurried, almost lazy, propping his cheek with one hand, his gaze unfocused. The brilliant sunlight fell upon this half-grown youth, casting a lonely shadow.

Ji Huai finally noticed the student still lingering in his seat. After organizing the scrolls, he walked over to Lin Heyu and frowned lightly, his tone airy: “Why are you still here? Waiting for me to give you extra lessons?”

Lin Heyu’s drifting thoughts snapped back abruptly. He looked up at Ji Huai in surprise. “Why haven’t you left yet?”

Ji Huai felt a surge of exasperation. He reached out and tapped Lin Heyu’s head, then decided this blockhead was beyond saving. Swallowing back any unfriendly remarks, he replied, “I live here. Why would I leave?”

“Oh.” Lin Heyu seemed to recall this fact. Under Ji Huai’s pressing gaze, he finally rose sluggishly to pack his things.

All the other students had already left, leaving only the two of them in the study. Ji Huai held a heavy ceramic jar filled with brilliantly blooming Chinese bellflowers, their weight substantial in his hands. Their refreshing fragrance brought a touch of coolness to the sweltering noon.

Watching Lin Heyu’s visibly distracted movements, Ji Huai was abruptly reminded of a student from his own class.

That child came from a single-parent family driven and hardworking, but he had lost his mother early, and his father couldn’t provide meticulous care. Nearing adulthood, the boy was as thin as a bamboo pole, even skinnier than the girls in class who were dieting. With irregular meals and no one to look after him, he appeared pitiful. Soft-hearted, Ji Huai often brought him to his teacher’s apartment, cooking meals for them to share. Over more than a year of such care, he had managed to help the boy gain a little weight.

He wondered if his own transmigration would leave that child with nowhere to eat. Could the Ji Huai of this world have crossed into his body and taken good care of that boy? This year was the college entrance exam that child was definitely promising material for top universities like Tsinghua or Peking.

What a pity… he wouldn’t get to see it.

Lost in his thoughts, Ji Huai didn’t notice Lin Heyu’s displeasure at being ignored. Tugging at Ji Huai’s wide blue robe sleeve, Lin Heyu pouted and declared with a hint of arrogance:

“Since you’ve taken my flowers, you’d better take good care of her.”

“How will you eat when you go back?”

Their voices overlapped. Lin Heyu froze, hardly believing what he had just heard.

Ji Huai looked at the stunned Lin Heyu, the sense of responsibility belonging to an outstanding teacher surging within him. As an educator, caring for students was inherently part of a teacher’s moral code. Gazing at Lin Heyu, he was reminded of his students from the 21st century, and the same pang of sympathy welled up in his heart.

“I…” Lin Heyu bit his lip, feeling both somewhat embarrassed and pleasantly surprised. His tone carried a hint of caution, “It’s fine if I skip a meal.”

Hearing this, Ji Huai’s frown deepened. He scrutinized Lin Heyu’s stature hardly the type to go unaffected by missing a meal. The tall boy stood awkwardly before him, and Ji Huai’s mind instantly conjured up a tragic tale of a pitiful student, neglected and left to “guard an empty home.” Combined with the “bare walls” he had seen at Lin Heyu’s house that morning, his conviction only grew stronger.

“Come with me.”