After a One-Night Stand with a Seductive Bad Woman - Chapter 6

Lu Jia froze, stunned.

 

Sheng Shubai blinked. “What? Don’t recognize me?”

 

“Miss Sheng, are you… an Associate Professor at C University?”

 

Lu Jia hadn’t known Sheng Shubai’s age. Though her style was mature, her face looked young and beautiful without makeup. Lu Jia had assumed she was no more than twenty-six or twenty-seven.

 

Her gaze unconsciously drifted to the gilded nameplate by the door, where she saw the words “Associate Professor” after Sheng Shubai’s name.

 

Are Associate Professors really this young these days? Lu Jia wondered. No wonder it’s C University.

 

She had only been here a short time and had already met two professors. Not only was her own mentor young and accomplished, but this… Professor Sheng was equally impressive.

 

Sheng Shubai’s lips curved into a smile. “Surprised?”

 

Lu Jia nodded, then shook her head. “I was at first, but then I remembered my mentor is also quite young, so I’m not surprised anymore.”

 

“Who asked about that?” Sheng Shubai’s brows furrowed. “How could I possibly look as old as that… what’s-her-name?”

 

“Director Rong is only thirty-two this year. She—”

 

“I’m younger than her.”

 

Before Lu Jia could finish, Sheng Shubai cut her off, her voice tinged with exasperation. “Remember this clearly: I’m exactly two months and seventeen days younger.”

 

“Alright, two months and seventeen days,” Lu Jia replied, ever agreeable.

 

Seeing the Little Miss Prude repeat the exact words with such earnestness, Sheng Shubai couldn’t resist pinching her cheek.

 

Leaning halfway out of her office, Sheng Shubai glanced at the still-closed door of the adjacent office and pulled Lu Jia inside. “Come in and talk.”

 

“I thought you’d be thrilled to see me, Little Sister Lu,” Sheng Shubai said, tilting her chin slightly as she gestured to the guest chair. “What would you like to drink? Latte or tea?”

 

Lu Jia still had her bag slung over her shoulder—the same one Sheng Shubai had seen before. She sat up straight and replied, “Plain water is fine.”

 

“I don’t have plain water here,” Sheng Shubai said with casual familiarity, pouring an iced latte and handing it to her. “Is it okay if it’s cold? Freshly ground coffee—you won’t find this anywhere else.”

 

Normally, no one who had just left office 409 would get to enjoy her coffee so quickly.

 

Lu Jia glanced at the water dispenser in the corner but remained silent.

 

Lu Jia lowered her eyes, accepted the cup, and took a small sip. The coffee was smooth, rich, and fragrant—truly delicious.

 

“What’s this? After being apart for a while, you’re too shy to even look at me?”

 

Cool fingertips gently pressed against her chin.

 

Lu Jia followed the movement and looked up, meeting the woman’s exquisite features as she leaned closer. “So reserved, hmm?”

 

“I’m not afraid to look,” Lu Jia replied, unconsciously rubbing the handle of her cup, her gaze still lowered.

 

It was just being in the same room—they’d shared many nights together before.

 

When Lu Jia first saw Sheng Shubai, she was surprised.

 

But she quickly realized that Sheng Shubai’s reaction to seeing her was exactly as expected. Combined with the words “until we meet again,” the situation became clear.

 

Lu Jia, always direct, asked, “Miss Sheng, when did you find out I was coming to C University?”

 

“Not long before you arrived. I learned about it the night after you came.”

 

Sheng Shubai chuckled softly, stepping back and swirling her latte. “You mentioned you were in the Printmaking Major and knew my name. That’s when I remembered you.”

 

Lu Jia nodded in understanding.

 

The Printmaking Major didn’t admit many students. Lu Jia reasoned that as a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts, Sheng Shubai might naturally have some familiarity with the names of students admitted to neighboring departments this year.

 

Sheng Shubai had no idea what Lu Jia was thinking. If she could read minds, she would have immediately denied it.

 

Where would I find the time for such things?

 

She had merely glanced at the list of Rong Yi’s admitted students when it was posted and happened to remember Lu Jia’s name.

 

The night they first met, Sheng Shubai assumed it was a coincidence—a common name.

 

But the following evening, when Lu Jia mentioned being a Printmaking Major student planning to pursue graduate studies in C City, Sheng Shubai finally connected the name on the admission list with this little prude.

 

What a coincidence.

 

Just one encounter with someone, and it had to be the future student of her arch-rival.

 

Perhaps because they had shared that initial intimacy, Sheng Shubai found Little Miss Prude surprisingly tolerable, even occasionally amusing. She didn’t transfer her aversion to Rong Yi onto Lu Jia.

 

After waiting for some time, Sheng Shubai—who rarely frequented the academy building during the semester—casually inquired and learned that Rong Yi was scheduled to meet with new students that day.

 

Sheng Shubai stood by the window for the entire morning and part of the afternoon before Lu Jia finally entered the academy building.

 

The timing of the woman’s opening the door had been too perfect, and Lu Jia belatedly realized:

 

“Were you waiting for me on purpose?”

 

“Yes, but not entirely.”

 

Sheng Shubai blinked. “What if I told you—that I deliberately pulled you into my office because I wanted to steal you from your mentor?”

 

The woman’s voice carried a seductive lilt, involuntarily reminding Lu Jia of the way Sheng Shubai had coaxed her into trying different positions during those nights long ago.

 

Her gaze drifted to Sheng Shubai’s opening and closing crimson lips as she heard her ask, “So, what do you say? Will you come?”

 

“Professor Sheng, you don’t need to joke like that.” Lu Jia’s expression tightened. “You should be… in watercolor, not my field.”

 

When choosing her mentor, Lu Jia had only reviewed the faculty profiles for the Printmaking Major on the Academy of Fine Arts website. Sheng Shubai’s name wasn’t listed there; otherwise, she would have recognized her sooner.

 

Having been in the office for only a short while, Lu Jia had already easily deduced the woman’s specialization from the various certificates and trophies displayed on the right-side cabinet, as well as the several watercolor paintings on the walls.

 

“Still calling me ‘Professor’?”

 

Sheng Shubai chuckled at Lu Jia’s tone, giving her a sideways glance. “Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. But no more ‘you’—it makes me feel ancient.”

 

Just as Lu Jia was about to reply, her phone buzzed repeatedly.

 

It was a call from the rental agency.

 

They had originally scheduled a meeting for the afternoon, but Lu Jia had been immediately pulled away by Sheng Shubai after her conversation with Rong Yi, missing the two messages the agency had sent earlier.

 

The messages had asked if she was available now, as the apartment she’d been eyeing was highly sought after, and another potential tenant was also planning to view it.

 

After hanging up, Sheng Shubai asked, “Planning to rent an apartment?”

 

Lu Jia nodded. “But the agent said the one I wanted was just taken by another tenant. I need to check out other listings later. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now?”

 

Leaning against the desk, Sheng Shubai pressed a fingertip against Lu Jia’s shoulder, stopping her from rising.

 

Confused, Lu Jia still complied, settling back into her chair.

 

“Professor Sheng?”

 

“No rush. I’m just curious—what are your requirements for the apartment?” Sheng Shubai blinked. “After all, I’ve lived in C City for years. I’ve heard which neighborhoods and complexes to avoid. Maybe I can offer some advice.”

 

Lu Jia nodded in understanding, opened her phone, and pulled up the document the real estate agent had sent her.

 

C University was located in a university town, surrounded by numerous residential complexes offering a dizzying array of housing options in various layouts and price ranges.

 

Before arriving, Lu Jia had already browsed countless rental listings online, but only one apartment had caught her eye, and it had already been reserved by someone else.

 

She handed her phone to Sheng Shubai. “I don’t have many requirements, really. Just a standard layout, suitable for one person, preferably two bedrooms or more.”

 

During her four years as an undergraduate, Lu Jia had been fortunate to have decent roommates. However, now that she was living independently, sharing an apartment inevitably came with its constraints.

 

Moreover, her workaholic nature often kept her up late, and she worried that the noise from her late-night routines might disturb her roommate.

 

By renting a two-bedroom apartment, Lu Jia planned to use one room as her bedroom and the other as a simple printmaking studio. This would allow her to work on her art whenever inspiration struck, without having to rush to the campus studio.

 

As Sheng Shubai listened, she scrolled through the document on the screen, evaluating each option:

 

“This complex is near a middle school. The daily school bells and exercise announcements would be too noisy and disruptive to focus.”

 

“The security at this complex is poor. I wouldn’t recommend it.”

 

“This complex is too far from campus. The commute would waste too much time.”

 

After Sheng Shubai’s analysis, considering factors from transportation convenience to noise levels and rental costs, the originally abundant housing options dwindled to a mere handful, almost all concentrated in the same residential complex.

 

“So—” Lu Jia pointed at the screen. “This complex is the most suitable?”

 

Sheng Shubai nodded, finally revealing a corner of her fluffy, voluminous fox tail.

 

The woman’s eyes curved into a smile. “Coincidentally, I have a vacant apartment in that complex. Little Sister Lu, would you like to consider it?”

 

Lu Jia: …?

 

“Are you sure it’s just a coincidence?” she asked, pausing before taking back her phone.

 

Sheng Shubai remained composed. “I’ve clearly pointed out the flaws of the other complexes. Objectively speaking, this one is indeed the most suitable.”

 

The latest phase of construction had just been completed.

 

The complex had opened for sales recently, and a friend had even bought an apartment there as their future wedding home, guaranteeing its value for money.

 

Seeing Lu Jia still studying the other listings in the document, Sheng Shubai raised a hand, her slender fingers covering most of the screen.

 

“Other landlords might not be as understanding as I am, and the listings from agencies aren’t always reliable. Don’t you think so?”

 

Lu Jia pondered this. She had indeed seen countless online posts warning about rental scams.

 

Compared to the dubious, flowery promises of agents and landlords, Sheng Shubai was someone Lu Jia knew well and trusted—at least she wouldn’t try to cheat her.

 

Without hesitation, she asked directly, “What’s the rent? How is it calculated?”

 

“Let’s look at the place first. No rush,” Sheng Shubai said, glancing at her watch. “Is now a good time to go?”

 

Lu Jia nodded, picked up her bag, and headed for the door. “Sure.”

 

“Wait a moment.” Sheng Shubai stopped her, opening the office door first.

 

Lu Jia glanced to her right and saw that the door to room 409 remained tightly shut. She couldn’t tell if the occupant had already left or was still working inside.

 

Relieved to avoid a direct encounter with Rong Yi, she exhaled softly and gestured to Lu Jia behind her. “All right, let’s go.”

 

As the elevator descended past the first-floor lobby, Lu Jia noticed Sheng Shubai frequently looking back. Curious, she asked, “Professor Sheng, what are you looking at?”

 

“Oh, just checking if—” Sheng Shubai paused, realizing Lu Jia was a new student who wouldn’t know about her long-standing history with Rong Yi. Deciding not to tarnish her mentor’s image in front of Lu Jia, she casually replied, “Just checking if your mentor is still in her office. Thought I might offer her a ride home.”

 

Dream on.

 

She would never let Rong Yi ride in her car.

 

Lu Jia hummed in acknowledgment and pulled out her phone. “Then I’ll text her to ask?”

 

Professor Sheng and Director Rong must be close, she thought.

 

Otherwise, why would she remember Director Rong’s birthday so clearly and joke about poaching me?

 

If they were just ordinary colleagues, she wouldn’t make such jokes.

 

A vein throbbed at Sheng Shubai’s temple as she stopped Lu Jia’s hand. “…No need.”

 

“What if your mentor is busy? It would be rude to disturb her.”

 

Lu Jia sensed something was off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

 

By then, the elevator had reached the underground parking garage. Sheng Shubai grabbed her wrist and led her out, so she didn’t dwell on it further.

 

The residential complex wasn’t far from the academic area. Exiting through the west gate near the college building and driving through two traffic lights brought them to the complex’s main entrance.

 

Two apartments shared each floor. Shortly after Lu Jia enrolled at C University, her family had purchased both units. One was for her to stay in during the week, while the other was originally intended for family visits. Both had been vacant for quite some time now.

 

Sheng Shubai lowered her gaze and punched in the code to unlock one of the apartments.

 

Ever since she abandoned printmaking for watercolor painting years ago, she had a major falling out with her family and hadn’t spoken to them since.

 

Over the years, aside from a few holiday greetings, she had never returned home, nor did she want to.

 

Though her family claimed they bought the apartment to make it easier to visit her, the renowned artists in her family were constantly traveling the world. In reality, only her older sister had stayed briefly a few times.

 

Sheng Shubai showed Lu Jia around. Although there were no signs of recent occupancy, the apartment was regularly cleaned to remove dust.

 

The last cleaning had been just a few days prior, leaving the place spotless.

 

The four-bedroom, two-living-room apartment had been renovated with her family’s restless, always-itching-to-carve nature in mind. One of the secondary bedrooms and the study had been combined to create a dedicated printmaking studio.

 

Pushing open the studio door, they were greeted by a faint, oily, woody scent.

 

A prominent, wide table occupied the center of the room, neatly arranged with various carving tools and inks. The surrounding walls displayed finished prints and several well-preserved woodblocks.

 

Lu Jia gasped softly, “Professor Sheng, this…”

 

“I’ll have those paintings taken down later,” Sheng Shubai replied.

 

Sheng Shubai averted her gaze. “You can use this studio freely. Don’t feel constrained.”

 

The walls were lined with some of her earlier works.

 

Later, unwilling to revisit them but also unwilling to destroy them, she had simply stored them in this studio—out of sight, out of mind.

 

After taking a full tour, Lu Jia asked earnestly, “I really love this apartment. What’s the rent?”

 

Sheng Shubai considered that the apartment was just sitting empty anyway and casually quoted a number.

 

Lu Jia: “?”

 

She thought she must have misheard.

 

She had heard real estate agents’ pitches before; even single-bedroom apartments in this complex went for more than that. And this was a meticulously renovated four-bedroom, two-living-room unit, complete with the studio she had been dreaming of.

 

Lu Jia paused. “Professor Sheng, I can afford more.”

 

Sheng Shubai simply smiled. “Just think of it as a professor looking after a student from the department. Is that so bad?”

 

Lu Jia shook her head. “That’s not appropriate.”

 

Even if the studio cost half again as much as the market price, she would gladly pay it.

 

Sheng Shubai, observing the girl’s stubborn expression, couldn’t resist teasing her. “You really insist on paying?”

 

Lu Jia nodded solemnly.

 

Sheng Shubai continued to smile, but her thoughts drifted away.

 

She had originally come today with the intention of teasing the younger woman, half-jokingly trying to steal Rong Yi’s student.

 

Though she hadn’t succeeded in that, the emotional value of simply “luring that someone’s student to live in her house” far outweighed any rent she might have charged.

 

As for the lured student herself…

 

“Or—”

 

Her moist, dark eyes slid across Lu Jia’s collarbone and lower, skimming over the soft, thin summer fabric that draped over two gentle curves.

 

Sheng Shubai still remembered the delicate, almost melting sensation of that skin in her palm.

 

Her voice dripped with suggestive undertones, her meaning unmistakable:

 

“Why don’t you consider paying in other ways?”