Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The associate professor, waking from a deep slumber, felt a bit embarrassed when called a fool. Just then, Yao Yao emerged with an empty basket, which helped to ease the awkwardness.
“Boom!” A loud thunderclap echoed outside, startling Yao Yao, who let out a small yelp. Moments later, the sound of heavy rain filled the air.
“It’s raining…” Meng Zhu asked the associate professor, “Where’s the washing machine?”
“Just go out the back door of the kitchen and you’ll see it…”
Meng Zhu smiled brightly at him and turned to head towards the back. The associate professor felt a pang of sadness in his heart. Yao Yao swept the remaining dishes from the sofa into the basket and followed Meng Zhu into the back.
The rain poured down heavily. The associate professor, feeling restless, picked up his noodles to eat again when he suddenly heard a clatter and two girls exclaiming in surprise. He quickly spat out his noodles and stood up, asking loudly, “What happened?!”
“It’s… nothing…” came Meng Zhu’s response.
Not feeling reassured, he was about to check when Meng Zhu and Yao Yao walked out of the kitchen, both soaked on one side. Meng Zhu stuck out her tongue and laughed, saying, “We bumped into each other when opening the back door and knocked over a bucket of water…”
They were shaking off the water from their clothes, while Yao Yao’s white shorts were stained with mud. Just as they were tidying up, the doorbell rang unexpectedly.
The associate professor glanced at them before looking at the door. He set down his chopsticks and walked toward the entrance.
“Who is it?” he asked as he opened the door.
Standing at the door was Bai Lan, drenched from head to toe.
“Teacher…” she started to speak but then fell silent upon seeing Meng Zhu and Yao Yao inside.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
The associate professor realized he should invite Bai Lan in quickly when Meng Zhu spoke up: “Ah, you’re late! Why are you so wet? Come in!”
Yao Yao initially glared at Meng Zhu but quickly caught on and added, “Yeah, why are you so late?”
She rushed to the door and pulled Bai Lan inside. “Hey, aren’t you still coughing? Getting soaked like this…”
The associate professor stepped aside, genuinely thinking they had all come together.
“The teacher is still having lunch; we just came to help him clean up a bit…” Meng Zhu turned to the associate professor and said, “Look at us three; we’re all soaked. Do you have any clothes we can change into?”
“How would I have clothes for you to change into…” The associate professor closed the door and scratched his head.
“A shirt or T-shirt would be fine; we just need to change out of these wet clothes.”
“I do have a few shirts…”
“They need to be clean,” Meng Zhu recalled the pile of smelly clothes in the washing machine.
"Clean, clean," the associate professor said. "In the room, I'll take you there."
He opened the bedroom door, which, while not perfectly tidy, was much better than the living room. Meng Zhu walked in, Yao Yao pulled Bai Lan along, who hesitated slightly but ultimately followed them inside.
The associate professor rummaged through the wardrobe and pulled out a few shirts, all of which were indeed clean, much to Meng Zhu's satisfaction.
"Is there a hairdryer?" Meng Zhu asked again. She and Yao Yao were only damp from the rain, but the hairdryer was clearly for Bai Lan. Bai Lan's lips moved as if she wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent.
"Yes, yes..." the associate professor nodded. "Wait a moment, I'll go get it."
As he placed the shirts on the bedside table, he stepped out of the room.
With his departure, the room fell silent, and even outside seemed quieter. Yao Yao looked at the window by the bed and said, "The rain has lightened up..."
"Cough..." Bai Lan said. "What are you all doing here?"
"And what are you doing here?" Meng Zhu replied with a sweet smile, gently brushing her fingers through Bai Lan's hair.
Comment 0 Comment Count