After Marrying the Aloof Beauty, I Totally Fell for Her - Chapter 13

Chapter 13 – Ning Ning’s Girlfriend

I just thought you wouldn’t want to go…

An Ning trailed helplessly behind the two of them, unable to understand why Mu Yan would want to visit the badminton team’s locker room.

The locker room was for players to prep and rest—even if it was cleaned thoroughly, there was no way it didn’t smell like sweat.

And seven out of ten girls at the sports academy were naturally super outgoing. If they all swarmed in to say hi…

Would Mu Teacher be grossed out?

An Ning’s mind was full of random worries. She quickened her pace, trying to catch up to Mu Yan.

“Let me introduce everyone—Ning Ning’s girlfriend, Teacher Mu!”

With a flourish, Coach Chen Ying pushed open the locker room door.

A faint smell of sweat lingered in the air. Mu Yan paused for a second at the threshold, but ultimately stepped in. She held eye contact for several seconds with the group of towering, shocked young athletes—each taller than her by at least half a head—before belatedly realizing she should probably say something.

The last time she greeted this many people at once was probably back in college, being forced to introduce herself.

“Mu Yan.”

Just like in college, she uttered two flat, emotionless syllables. And that was it.

In a normal social setting, this would definitely be considered rude.

Luckily, no one cared what she said.

“Ahhhh!”

The first shriek came from Ren Tiantian, quickly followed by a chorus of others. The wave of noise was so loud it made An Ning, just walking in, stumble a step backward.

Seriously?

“Don’t!”
Seeing one of her teammates—taller and more muscular—rushing forward to grab Mu Yan’s hand, An Ning panicked and jumped in front of her, barely managing to block Ren Tiantian’s eager claws just in time.

“What?! At least let us say hi to our sister-in-law! Why are you being so stingy?”
The dozen others who were a second slower arrived to find An Ning already shielding Mu Yan in the corner, her face tense and serious—nothing like the usual smiling girl. She looked like a feral animal protecting her young. A teammate even whined in grievance.

Mu Yan glanced at An Ning—blocking her like a human wall—and at the towering players across from her. For a moment, she felt like she’d wandered into a land of giants.

She’d never thought of herself as short. What were these kids eating to grow this tall?

“Guys, if you want to say hi, just say hi. Don’t get handsy…”
An Ning’s head was about to explode. She needed to explain: this group never knew their own strength when it came to greetings. And Mu Yan wasn’t like them—tough and sturdy. Her narrow shoulders looked like they’d bruise if touched. If each of them slapped her once, she’d swell up for sure.

“Alright, alright. Move aside. We promise to use only our mouths, no hands.”
The girls exchanged looks as they eyed the small, slender woman behind An Ning. Half amazed that An Ning had suddenly become protective, and half convinced she had a point—this woman looked like she’d break in a stiff wind. Their usual rough greetings really weren’t suitable.

“Sis, are you a student at our school?”
Once An Ning confirmed the team had calmed down, she cautiously stepped aside. Ren Tiantian wasted no time asking her question.

“No. I went to Mengcheng University. Graduated a long time ago.”
To An Ning’s surprise, Mu Yan didn’t dodge the question or sound annoyed. Her voice was cool and composed, her answer proper and impossible to criticize.

“Wow…”
Ren Tiantian gasped in awe. Mengcheng University was the top school in Country A, especially famous for its art department, which had produced countless renowned artists. Noting Mu Yan’s simple but subtly designed outfit, she asked again,
“So… are you an artist?”

“Can’t really call myself that. Just someone who paints.”

An Ning’s heart jumped into her throat.

Was Teacher Mu about to reveal her real identity here?

If she did, not even five An Nings could stop the chaos.

Even if her teammates didn’t care about art, who in Yun City didn’t know the name Mr. Iron Tree? If they realized who Mu Yan really was, this locker room would instantly turn into an Iron Tree fan meet.

“I’m not famous. Just trying to make a living.”

Only when Mu Yan said that did An Ning finally let out a breath of relief. Even someone as mild as her couldn’t help mentally roasting the woman a bit:

Trying to make a living? Teacher Mu, your “living” standard is national #1…

“My turn, my turn!”
Ren Tiantian was about to ask another question when another teammate shoved her aside. The girl looked the couple up and down with curious eyes and asked excitedly,
“How did you and Ning Ning get together?”

“Blind date.”
Mu Yan answered calmly and without hesitation—so fast that An Ning didn’t even have time to worry before the problem was already resolved.

“Ohhh~”
A wave of exaggerated “Ohs” rippled through the locker room. Many people shot looks at An Ning that said: You always seemed like the straight-laced, clueless type… turns out you went behind our backs and got a girlfriend through a blind date?!

An Ning: “……”

Fine. I’ll take that.

Just as the room was filled with laughter and warmth, a jealous voice suddenly interrupted the Q&A.

“I have a question.”
Hong Tianjiao’s voice was much lower than usual, like she was suppressing something about to explode. “Do you know about An Ning being kept?”

The once-lively locker room fell instantly silent. All eyes turned toward Hong Tianjiao—half speechless, half annoyed. The crowd around Mu Yan slowly parted, so she could clearly see who the tactless troublemaker was.

“You…”
An Ning had never regretted anything so much. She shouldn’t have tolerated Hong Tianjiao. From the first sarcastic remark, she should’ve shut it down—annoying or not, disruptive or not. Anything would’ve been better than socially dying in front of Mu Yan again.

She was just about to tell her to shut up when Mu Yan’s cold gaze swept over, clearly saying:

Don’t interfere.

An Ning obediently closed her mouth.

Mu Yan looked at the smug Hong Tianjiao and asked in a tone impossible to read:
“What do you mean?”

“Oh, so you really didn’t know?”
Hong Tianjiao assumed An Ning’s silence meant she was guilty. Despite the intimidating aura of the seemingly fragile woman in front of her, she pushed on, giddy from the thrill of revenge.

“On September 23rd, she got into a Pazzi at the school gate. A limited edition. Even the base model costs over ten million!”

I’m doomed…
An Ning groaned inwardly, covering her face.

Then she heard Mu Yan’s voice again—still perfectly calm.
“I see. In that case, I have a question too.”

Under everyone’s gaze, the stunning woman with her frosty expression pulled a sleek car key from her pocket and placed it on the table.

The metal-edged key struck the glass tabletop with a crisp clack, startling the room full of taller, sturdier girls into silence.

“I drove my own car to pick up my own girlfriend for a day out—
What business is it of yours?”