Chapter 62: A Chance Encounter with Teacher Chu Ning
Chapter 62: A Chance Encounter with Teacher Chu Ning
The Mercedes-Benz glided down the wide boulevard. It was the peak of the morning rush hour, and the area around Wanghai No. 1 Middle School was particularly congested with a constant stream of vehicles.
My mom’s expression was now serene, a stark contrast to her anger from moments ago. She had returned to her usual poised and elegant self, as if nothing could ruffle her feathers.
Staring at the throngs of high school students crowding the sidewalk, Mom knit her brows slightly. After a moment, seeing that the car was still barely crawling forward, she turned to me with a helpless sigh. "Why don't you just hop out here?"
"Sure." I nodded. We weren't far from the school, and there was a breakfast place right nearby.
Mom pulled over to the curb. As I got out, she tilted her head up slightly, her slender phoenix eyes fixed on me as she gave her instructions. "Don't forget what you promised me. You must study hard."
"Piece of cake," I replied cockily.
Mom waved a hand dismissively. "Don't forget to eat breakfast."
Realizing that Mom hadn't eaten either, I said, "Mom, the food at this place is actually pretty good. Why don't you come down and have a bite too?"
She shook her head. "Forget it. I’m not hungry."
"Your stomach isn't great. You should eat something."
"I'll just eat when I get to the Group headquarters."
Wanting to spend a little more time with her, I couldn't help but press further. "It’s the same wherever you eat. Just eat here..."
"Parking is difficult here."
I pointed to a spot. "There’s a space right there."
Perhaps still lingering on the offense I’d given her earlier, Mom’s expression soured instantly. Her tone became sharp and brooks no argument. "Just go eat! Stop wasting my time!"
I curled my lip inwardly. Fine, if you don't want to eat, don't eat. Why get so aggressive?
However, just as I slammed the car door shut, Mom rolled down the window again, revealing her magnificent, delicate face. "Fine. I'll join you for a bit."
With that, she skillfully swung the car into the parking spot I had pointed out and stepped out of the vehicle with effortless grace.
I stood on the sidewalk, completely baffled. I couldn't wrap my head around her sudden change of heart. She had just rejected me, and then in the blink of an eye, she agreed?
I didn't dwell on it, though. I quickly moved to her side, took the handbag draped over her wrist, and supported her as she stepped onto the pavement.
Looking down at the charming black CL stilettos on her dainty jade feet, I couldn't help but comment, "Mom, your sense of road safety is lacking. Who drives in high heels?"
Mom tapped my forehead lightly with a slender finger. "You talk too much!"
I rubbed my head and walked side-by-side with her toward the shop. "Mom, you're already so tall. There's really no need for you to wear high heels."
Even as I said it, I secretly wished she would wear them every day, walking back and forth in front of me. Those jade feet paired with stilettos—it was incredibly sexy and alluring.
Mom didn't respond. Her beautiful eyes were fixed ahead, searching for something.
I followed her gaze. Students were coming and going, but after staring for a while, I couldn't see anything out of the ordinary.
"Mom, what are you looking at?"
"Nothing."
She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Despite her denial, anyone could tell she was distracted.
Feeling a bit dejected, I asked again, "You didn't want to come down a second ago. Why the sudden change of heart to eat with me?"
Mom withdrew her gaze and shot me a look. "Can't I change my mind?"
"Sure, sure, of course you can."
...
Mom was naturally tall, and with the high heels, she was nearly at eye level with me. It was impossible for her not to draw attention.
The sudden appearance of such a tall, well-dressed, and mature beauty on the street—especially one with such a gentle and outstanding temperament—immediately drew a multitude of gazes.
The heat in the men's eyes and the envy and longing in the women's gave me a surge of superiority and satisfaction.
After all, this stunning woman who stood out like a crane among a flock of chickens—my breathtakingly beautiful mother—had been held naked in my arms all through the previous night...
Once Mom sat down, I ordered two steamers of crab roe buns, two bowls of golden squash porridge, and two tea eggs. Before long, the waiter brought the food out.
"Mom, try the crab roe buns here. They're really good."
Mom’s mind was clearly elsewhere. "As long as you enjoy them."
As I peeled a tea egg for her, I quietly scanned our surroundings, but I still couldn't see what had caught her eye.
Mom reached out with her lily-white fingers to take the egg and took a small bite. Her beautiful eyes drifted to the side, unaware that a bit of yolk had stained her rosy lips.
I took a napkin and wiped her lips. Mom gave a slight start, as if I’d startled her, and the look she gave me was a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.
"Mom, what exactly are you looking at? You've been distracted since we got out of the car."
This time, Mom didn't dodge the question. She tilted her chin toward a certain direction. "That person looks familiar. Is that one of your teachers?"
I turned around and looked. After staring for a long time, I finally noticed two figures in a corner, partially obscured by two high school students.
The one with her back to me was dressed fashionably and carried herself with elegance. With just a glance, I was certain it was Teacher Chu Ning.
Opposite her was a man in his early thirties, wearing a tailored suit and a gold watch. He had a handsome but somewhat sinister face, framed by gold-rimmed glasses.
Seeing him, I instantly felt a surge of tension.
I had seen photos of Teacher Chu’s husband on her phone. The man sitting across from her was indeed her husband.
Having slept with Teacher Chu so many times—and having been the one to take her virginity—it was impossible not to feel a sense of guilt and trepidation with her husband right there.
Mom’s gaze was deep. "I haven't met your teachers very often, so I'm not sure. Is that her?"
"Yes."
I nodded, my expression a bit stiff.
Mom took a sip of the golden squash porridge, savoring it as her eyes continuously scanned my face. "Eat up. When you're done, go say hello to your teacher."
I lowered my head to eat, trying my best to avoid her gaze. "There's no need."
Mom was too smart, too good at reading people's hearts. As the son who had lived with her for sixteen years, she knew me inside and out.
If I tried to act fake or pretend to be nonchalant, she would see right through me. It was better to just keep my head down and focus on the food. Even if she was suspicious, she couldn't be certain about the nature of my relationship with Teacher Chu Ning.
Mom leaned her elbows on the table, interlacing her fingers and resting her chin on them. Her expression was unreadable. "That doesn't sound like you. Since you were a kid, I've never seen you act shy around a teacher."
I finished off a steamer of crab roe buns and downed the last of my porridge. "It's not about being shy. I just don't think it's necessary."
"Finished?"
"Yeah."
Mom picked up her handbag from the chair. "Then let's go."
I looked at the table—Mom had only taken a few sips of her porridge and hadn't even touched the buns. I couldn't help but ask, "That's all you're eating?"
"I don't have much of an appetite."
With Teacher Chu and her husband right there, I was also feeling a bit dazed. I subconsciously replied, "Then let's go."
Mom stopped in her tracks. Her shimmering eyes fixed on me with a deep, searching look.
Under that soul-piercing gaze, my heart tightened. I mentally retraced my steps but couldn't find any obvious flaw in my performance.
I could only brace myself and ask, "Mom, what is it?"
"Nothing."
Though her face remained calm, I could detect a faint note of displeasure in her voice.
Just then, Teacher Chu and her husband stood up. Mom led the way toward them.
Following behind Mom, I quietly took in Teacher Chu’s appearance today.
She was wearing a cream-colored silk blouse with a silk scarf tied around her alabaster neck. Her face was gorgeous and alluring, her makeup light and elegant, her eyebrows softly arched. Her full lips were painted with a dusty rose lipstick, and her long hair was gathered in a simple bun.
A gold ladies' watch adorned her slender wrist, and she carried a cream-white Gucci bag. Below, she wore a tailored A-line skirt that hugged her curves without being too tight, highlighting the thick, smooth lines of her hips. I couldn't help but steal a few extra glances.
On her feet were her usual pointed-toe stilettos, making her figure look even taller and her legs even longer.
Perhaps because of her profession, this beautiful young woman exuded an air of elegance and intellect that was rare to find—a sophisticated charm that was uniquely hers.
At thirty, a woman is at the peak of her desire to dress up. That elegant, refined, and understated luxury was perfectly embodied by Teacher Chu Ning today.