The classroom of Class 3 of the Law Department was crowded with people, with students even squatting in the corners, under the podium, and next to the blackboard. The seats that normally sat ten people were crammed with over twenty.
You didn't even have to look in the hallway outside, which was also packed. Shorter students and those standing in the back rows had even resorted to using phone holders to stretch their phones into the classroom since they couldn't fit inside.
Huo Jingyue stood next to the podium, voluntarily acting as Cheng Jinyan's little assistant. Her heart beat faster and faster, unable to see anything but Cheng Jinyan—the very picture of a hardcore fan.
Huo Chengdong looked at Cheng Jinyan, dressed impeccably in a suit and eloquently expounding on the lectern, and shook his head in disbelief.
"Amazing..." Huo Chengdong was thoroughly convinced of Qiao Ying. "With a face like that, he's not aloof at all."
"He looks so charming when he smiles. I can't handle it."
"With a teacher like this, does Mom need to worry about me failing?"
"The glasses make him look gentle and refined, but he has the air of a business magnate. Very attractive!"
"Thank Qiao, the campus belle, for sending over this eye candy. Never in my life have I seen someone so handsome and charismatic with such status and connections."
"I read on the forums that other schools are green with envy! Haha!"
"No time for that."
Huo Chengdong was nearly toppled over by the crush of people. Lowering his voice, he growled, "F*ck, stop squeezing, you guys are going to crush me to death... Who the f*ck just stepped on my foot?"
But his classmates, who usually acted like grandsons in his presence, now ignored him entirely as they ogled Cheng Jinyan on the podium.
Cheng Jinyan's humor and liveliness had them bursting into laughter, completely drowning out Huo Chengdong's muttered curses.
Looking up, he saw even his sister was the same way. Huo Chengdong: "F*cking hell."
The school was quieter than it had ever been, with most students crowding the Law Department in hopes of catching a glimpse of the handsome visitor. Especially the girls, who packed the hallways and stairwells when they couldn't fit in the rooms, just for a chance to see his gorgeous face.
"Ah, if only these young'uns were always so eager to study." Zhang Chengyong muttered complaints as he walked through the calm, empty school. Looking up, he spotted Qiao Ying ahead.
Hearing the voice, Qiao Ying stopped and glanced back.
"Qiao, how come you haven't gone to the Law Department to see what's going on?"
"See what? Cheng Jinyan?"
"Why don't you join this old man for a stroll, then we can stop by the Xiao Yi Lab for a bit?" Zhang the principal smiled as he extended an invitation to Qiao Ying.
He clearly wanted to take her to solve test questions while creating opportunities for his grandson.
Qiao Ying looked at the sly old fox. "I'm going to collect money. It's good you showed up—saves me the trouble of Su Qingyu trying to welsh."
Zhang Chengyong thought: Uh oh.
"Qiao, I'm the principal after all. Isn't it a little inappropriate for me to go around demanding money from students with you?"
Qiao Ying: "I brought Cheng Jinyan here to teach, adding luster to Peking University. What's inappropriate about that?"
"When you put it that way, this old man has nothing more to say."
Zhang Chengyong chuckled as he followed Qiao Ying.
"Qiao, do tell this old fogey how you managed to bring him here?"
Qiao Ying: "Two steps."
Zhang Chengyong pricked up his ears. "Go on."
Qiao Ying: "One, I turned on my electronics. Two, I sent him the address."
Zhang Chengyong waited a while when she didn't continue. "Then what?"
Qiao Ying gave him a look. What do you mean, then what?
Zhang Chengyong: "Oh, that was it? He just came?"
Qiao Ying: "Mm-hmm."
Zhang Chengyong: "......???"
In the packed classroom,
"Alright everyone, that's it for today. Raise your hand if you have any questions," said Cheng Jinyan, glancing at the time.
Hearing class was over, the students cried out, strongly demanding that Teacher Cheng continue lecturing. After politely refusing, he began taking questions from raised hands.
"Teacher, is it true that you're here because Qiao Ying invited you?"
"Yes, I came because of student Qiao Ying."
"Teacher Cheng, you look exhausted. Did you rush all the way here for us?"
"I happened to be away on business in Canada when Qiao Ying contacted me, so I flew back overnight. Please excuse my appearance."
"Do you and Qiao Ying have each other's personal contact info?"
"We do."
The crowd erupted into astonished chatter.
Cheng Jinyan pointed to another raised hand. "Yes, you there."
"Teacher Cheng, do you know about the billion dollar bet Qiao Ying and Miss Su of the Su family made over you coming to teach?"
Cheng Jinyan: "I heard about it from your principal when I arrived, so I hope Miss Su will honor her wager."
The students laughed. "Don't worry Teacher Cheng, Su Qingyu won't dare stiff you on it!"
"That's right, if you're the one to collect instead of Qiao Ying, it won't just be a billion. Su Qingyu would end up in jail! Haha."
"Teacher Cheng, some say your background is impressive, even suggesting you have triad connections. True or false?"
Cheng Jinyan adjusted his glasses. "I'm just an ordinary person. Any triad talk is nonsense."
"What's your relationship with Qiao Ying?"
Cheng Jinyan fell silent, seemingly lost in thought. Then he answered with a faint smile, "We are confidantes, old acquaintances."
After a torrent more questions all unrelated to the lecture, a student finally raised their hand to ask, "Teacher Cheng, will we have the chance to attend your class again in the future?"
Huo Jingyue beside the lectern awaited his response expectantly.
Cheng Jinyan replied, "That would depend on whether student Qiao Ying requires my services."
Amidst the students' reluctant farewells, Cheng Jinyan left the Law building and stopped by the principal's office again. Politely declining the enthusiastic hospitality, he quickly headed towards a secluded pavilion.
Qiao Ying already awaited him beneath its eaves.
Seeing he had arrived, she casually put away her phone. "This has been an imposition, Lawyer Cheng. Here is your appearance fee."
She directly stuffed the card she had just collected from Su Qingyu into the front pocket of his jacket.
Cheng Jinyan glanced down at the pocket before looking back up at her.
His gaze lingered over the familiar yet unfamiliar face of the girl, studying her features intently one by one.
Qiao Ying said, "What are you looking at? Think I resemble an old friend again?"
Cheng Jinyan took a measured breath. "Two weeks ago, Ye Si told me something unbelievable, completely outside the realm of human perception."
Qiao Ying's brows quirked up slightly.
No wonder when she had contacted Cheng Jinyan, he had immediately agreed without asking questions—even flying straight back overnight. So Ye Si's big mouth was to blame.
Seeing her cock a brow, the nagging sense of familiarity hit Cheng Jinyan again. His breathing grew taut as he asked, "It really is you?"
Qiao Ying's expression shifted subtly. She didn't deny or conceal it. "It's me."
Cheng Jinyan's breath hitched. He couldn't help scrutinizing Qiao Ying again.
It was unbelievable. Faced with a familiar soul housed in a completely foreign shell, Cheng Jinyan found himself at a loss for words in his shock.
After a long pause, as if speaking to himself, he murmured: "I'm a staunch materialist."
Qiao Ying: "I know. But your beliefs are about to come crashing down."
Cheng Jinyan chuckled after a stunned beat. "Then let them crash—as long as you're alive."
Qiao Ying: "Call me Qiao Ying."
Cheng Jinyan: "Qiao Ying... that resembles your name."
He then voiced the question on his mind, "What happened to the real Qiao Ying then?"
Qiao Ying: "The day I died, she fell down some stairs and perished as well. Maybe fate truly meant for us to switch places."
Cheng Jinyan nodded, struggling to rein in his agitation. Gazing over the girl one last time, he opened his arms. "Want a hug? Come here."
Qiao Ying smiled and readily embraced him.
