Chapter 97: The Beautiful Teacher's Birthday
Ah Ye? The gang leader who can prove whether Uncle He Ting's beating has anything to do with the Bai family!
Didn't expect Chen Tianxiong to be this efficient, catching such a slippery guy in less than a month.
Zhang Yang checked the time. There was still an hour and a half left before he had to go to Yang Fei's place for English tutoring. Looked like, even though he was itching to see what that gangster looked like with his supposed three heads and six arms, he could only wait until after the lesson.
He absolutely didn't dare skip Yang Fei's class. Forget whether he could even earn his English credits this year — if he failed the Level Four exam, even his bachelor's degree would become a joke. And besides, he actually wanted to get to know Yang Fei better.
Because Yang Jing had always been upset that her sister refused to come home, and Zhang Yang felt that Yang Fei wasn't naturally cold and arrogant like a princess. Maybe he could slowly get close to her this way and do Yang Jing a favor.
So, he just told Chen Tianxiong to keep a close watch, agreed to meet at the Night Dance Pool Hall after midnight, and obediently headed for Yang Fei's dorm.
He had already booked a car — a Range Rover. According to Gao Qi, it was the ultimate must-have for men — perfect for travel, showing off, picking up girls, and even having enough space for a three-person car quickie.
The car wouldn't be ready that soon, so he borrowed Gao Qi's Chevrolet to practice with. But honestly, this car was ready for the junkyard. Just two days ago, Gao Qi got a whole stack of speeding and red-light violation tickets — all from this car.
That drove Gao Qi crazy. If those points carried over to next year, she'd lose her entire license, damn it!
For someone known for cautious driving, this was mortifying. She'd had her license for over three years and had only ever lost four points total, while Zhang Yang managed to reach and surpass that goal in just one night.
The tearful Gao Qi simply tossed the car to Zhang Yang. Anyway, she wasn't working at the hotel now, and when she needed a car, she just used Qiao Xier's A6. Lately, she'd been swamped managing tax issues for Zhang Yang's Nuwa Company — she was way too busy to deal with those tickets.
It was early winter. A light drizzle fell from the sky. The wind was so cold it gave people goosebumps, but it still couldn't stop the pretty girls from showing off their snow-white legs.
On his way to Yang Fei's dorm, Zhang Yang saw couples of junior students walking in the rain, shoulder to shoulder, looking romantic. He couldn't help but feel wistful — if only he'd had that kind of treatment when he first started college.
While he was thinking, he arrived at the dorm. Just as he was about to get out of the car, he spotted a familiar face — Bai Gang, Bai Liangfeng's cousin.
He was holding an umbrella and a huge bouquet of roses, standing beside a Porsche. Under the streetlight, he looked like a slightly weathered pretty boy, staring longingly at Yang Fei's dorm.
What made Zhang Yang laugh was that behind him stood two lackeys, each holding a sign that said: Happy Birthday!
After a chuckle, Zhang Yang muttered to himself — could it really be Yang Fei's birthday today?
Just as he was thinking that, his phone rang. It wasn't Qiao Xier, Lulu, or Gao Qi — it was Yang Jing!
Zhang Yang answered, puzzled, and heard Yang Jing's slightly breathless voice on the other end: "Zhang Yang, where are you?"
She knew Zhang Yang had been taking lessons with Yang Fei recently.
"I'm near the Department of Journalism and Communication," Zhang Yang replied honestly after checking his location.
"Ugh, I've been so busy I almost forgot something important," Yang Jing said anxiously over the phone. "Today's my sister's birthday, and I don't have time to buy her a gift. Do me a favor."
So it really was Yang Fei's birthday. Strange that she didn't go home to celebrate. But Zhang Yang didn't pry — he just asked simply, "What birthday gift do you want me to buy?"
"She loves a kind of chocolate called Delfi's truffles. They usually come out around Christmas. In Meining, only the duty-free shop near Meining University sells them — the black classic series, remember that."
Zhang Yang checked the time — it was already 6:30. Luckily, the duty-free shop wasn't far from Meining University, so he should make it.
He took a cab straight there, searched for about ten minutes, and finally found them tucked away in a corner.
One-kilogram box, 199 yuan — not bad. Zhang Yang asked the clerk to wrap it, then grabbed a greeting card for good measure, dashed downstairs, got back in the car, and headed back to Meining University.
Bai Gang was still there, looking determined not to leave until he hit the south wall. His two lackeys, though, were sneezing from the rain — the guy was heartless.
Zhang Yang parked next to his Porsche, got out, and slipped toward the dorm entrance.
He glanced at Bai Gang and couldn't help blurting out, "Idiot!"
The moment Bai Gang saw Zhang Yang, his temper flared. Why did this bastard keep haunting him all the damn time?
He wanted to start a fight, but then remembered this guy's combat strength was way above his own. Instinctively, he took a step back.
"Zhang Yang, can't you watch your damn mouth? Don't think you can act all cocky just because you've got a bit of success now."
Zhang Yang gave him another look and repeated, "Idiot!"
"Motherfucker, say that again?"
"Idiot!"
"Son of a bitch!" Bai Gang snapped. Holding the roses in one hand, he waved to his lackeys with the other. "Boys, let's beat this bastard up!"
He tossed the umbrella and charged first, but after a few steps, he noticed no one followed. When he turned around, the two guys holding the signs had already run off — they were his students.
"Fuck!"
Bai Gang froze, hesitated, then angrily picked up a rock and threw it at Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang dodged easily. Just as he was about to strike back, Bai Gang jumped into his Porsche and sped away.
"You bastard, wait right there if you've got the balls!"
Zhang Yang stared speechlessly at the car disappearing into the rain and shook his head. How could someone have zero shame? And to think this clown was a faculty advisor — what a disgrace to Meining University.
Collecting himself, he walked calmly into the dorm under the surprised gaze of the dorm auntie.
He checked the time — exactly seven o'clock. Zhang Yang let out a sigh of relief. If Bai Gang had held him up one more minute, he might've been the one fleeing. Being late in front of the goddess Yang? Unthinkable.
He knocked on the door as usual, then added, "Teacher, it's Zhang Yang!"
Usually, anyone knocking on Yang Fei's dorm door was either suicidal or some love-struck idiot, so she never responded to those who didn't speak up.
After a while, the door opened. Yang Fei poked her head out, checked the time on her watch first, frowned slightly, and said, "Come in."
"Teacher, happy birthday!" Zhang Yang pulled out the wrapped Delfi's chocolate and the card, placing them on the desk.
Yang Fei glanced at them casually, closed the door with a click, and said flatly, "Yang Jing told you?"
"Uh… yeah, Sister Yang Jing's swamped at the hospital, but she didn't forget your birthday. She made sure I brought you a small gift."
Yang Fei looked at the box, nodded. "Put it there. Let's begin."
She sat down on the sofa, casually flipping open New Concept English Book 2.
Ever since Zhang Yang accidentally caught a glimpse up her skirt last time, she'd been dressing quite conservatively — either in cotton coats or jeans. Today, she wore tight black jeans and a black turtleneck with a red down vest.
But even dressed like that, her stunning figure was fully on display — especially those round, perky hips tightly wrapped in denim, curving gracefully to perfection.
Even more alluring than when she wore skirts. But Zhang Yang didn't dare stare too much. He obediently sat down, took out his notebook and pen.
As usual, Yang Fei started by testing him on the vocabulary she'd assigned the night before.
First day 50 words, second day 60, third day 70, and last night — straight to 80.
Her tests were random — she'd write the Chinese meanings, and Zhang Yang had to write the English words. Usually, she picked 30 to 40.
Sure enough, Yang Fei handed him a sheet with about 40 words.
With his current memory, 80 words were no problem. He wrote quickly, but after finishing, something felt off. When he handed the sheet back, he suddenly realized he might've made a mistake.
Sure enough, Yang Fei only needed one glance before circling two words in red.
"Two wrong. In the past three days, you didn't get a single one wrong."
Zhang Yang looked at the paper and compared it with her answer key — yeah, two wrong.
"Remember what I told you before?" Yang Fei asked casually, her gaze drifting from the Delfi's box to Zhang Yang.
"If I make even one mistake, I don't have to come tomorrow," Zhang Yang recited.
"Good, seems your memory's just fine." Yang Fei nodded lightly, taking the test paper back.
Without another word, she picked up the New Concept English book again, flipped a few pages, then said, "Let's start."
After class, she assigned him 100 words for tomorrow.
Zhang Yang wiped his sweat and asked, "Teacher, didn't you say if I get one word wrong…"
"If you miss one of the words I dictated, you don't have to come tomorrow — I remember," Yang Fei said as she put the book back on the shelf and looked at him. "But the two you got wrong tonight weren't from last night's list."
"Uh…" Zhang Yang thought for a moment — no wonder it had felt off. She must've suspected he was faking it. Good thing he messed up, or else…
"Alright!" Yang Fei checked her watch and said, "Time's up. You can go now."
Zhang Yang nodded, folded the vocabulary list she gave him, tucked it carefully into his chest pocket, and just as he was about to leave, he stopped at the door, turned back, and said hesitantly, "Teacher, since it's your birthday, can I treat you to dinner?"