Imprisoned with a Wife (On the Psychology of Being F***ed) - Chapter 6
The classroom fell silent once again, accompanied by a gossipy quiet.
At this moment, all the students’ attention was fixed on the two beautiful women: their wildly popular Professor Ji, and her unfamiliar lover?
The ambiguous eye contact was a living romance scene. Some people were already swooning in secret, excited but daring not to make a sound, only able to fiercely pinch their own thighs.
Ahhh, they were going crazy!
Ji Lan was calmer than Yan Jingyao had expected. She had fully thought that this statement would be enough to make the popular professor show some flaw, at least blush a little.
But she didn’t.
“Do you always pursue people like this, Miss Yan?”
In front of so many students, in plain sight, Professor Ji’s face didn’t redden, her heart didn’t race, and she even smiled very gracefully. “Do you just approach random people on the street like this?”
There was a hidden meaning in her words. Yan Jingyao waited to see what else she would say, not responding for now. Ji Lan very politely said, “Please put away your laptop.”
She looked up, facing rows of gossipy eyes, composed and steady. “Students, please remember the incorrect pick-up line demonstration Miss Yan just showed you. This is very important. It determines whether you’ll be forever alone later on.”
Someone let out a soft chuckle. Ji Lan turned and walked back to the podium, leaning gently against the lectern. “Before we analyze Miss Yan’s incorrect pick-up line, I want to clearly state my requirements.”
“The original teacher for this foundational university psychology course went on maternity leave. The academic affairs office arranged for me to substitute. I don’t know how long it will be, but during this time, I hope you can adhere to my discipline.”
No one was giggling softly anymore. Unbeknownst to them, Ji Lan had skillfully pulled back all the students’ focus, handling the situation with ease.
“Firstly,” she looked at Yan Jingyao, a deep smile in her eyes, “given the limited seating in the classroom, priority must be given to students majoring in this subject. For others, like Miss Yan, who are not on this class’s roster, if you wish to attend, I apologize, but if there are no extra seats, you will need to stand.”
“Secondly, electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and phones are not allowed in my class. My notes won’t be too extensive, and places that need to be recorded are marked. I require you to write by hand.”
“Thirdly…”
Her gaze once again fell on Yan Jingyao. She walked down from the podium and approached her, placing her hands on the edge of the desk, her lips curving, her eyes sharp. “No matter how beautiful the student, teasing the teacher is prohibited in and out of class. Otherwise, I will tease your final grades.”
This elicited a round of soft laughter. Ji Lan returned to the podium, her gaze sharp, emanating an unspoken authority that instantly subdued the atmosphere.
“Did everyone understand?”
“Understood.”
The students below immediately became docile. She opened the PPT, and casually hooked her finger towards Yan Jingyao, smiling. “Miss Yan, would you mind coming up to help me with the PPT presentation?”
“…”
She had been effortlessly checkmated. Yan Jingyao raised an eyebrow. This woman was indeed interesting. So, she actually packed her things, went to the podium, leaned her laptop against the lectern, and earnestly acted as an assistant.
Ji Lan had a standing student from the class take the now-empty seat, then began her lecture.
“We were just talking about incorrect pick-up lines. Miss Yan’s problem lies in being overly direct and having a completely flirtatious mindset.”
“The moment she spoke, I noticed her eyebrow twitched very slightly. This is a manifestation of someone feeling smug, and the curve of her lips was also very subtle…”
She had actually segued into the topic of micro-expressions. Yan Jingyao met Ji Lan’s gaze, finally realizing, belatedly, that she seemed to have been tricked.
Not a PPT assistant, but a lecture prop.
Two large classes totaled one hundred twenty minutes, and one-third of that time was spent “cueing” her, using her for a hundred examples.
Yan Jingyao silently rolled her eyes.
Teachers who stand for lectures are quite good. Ji Lan didn’t take a break midway, finishing the entire first chapter in one go.
Surprisingly, no students impatiently slipped away, and very few even went to the restroom. Yan Jingyao was a little surprised, yet also felt sympathy for her own legs. She was still wearing ten-centimeter heels, and they were aching.
Her calves were trembling by the end of standing. Fortunately, class was finally over. Students rustled their textbooks together and hurried to the next class. The classroom quickly emptied, leaving only the two of them.
Yan Jingyao couldn’t take it anymore. She limped down from the podium and sat on a table in the first row, taking off her high heels and rubbing her heels.
Ji Lan closed the PPT and computer, glanced at her, and said flatly, “Next time you come to my class, don’t wear such high heels.”
“Is this my problem?” She really wanted to kick this woman’s ass hard. “You clearly set me up, alright?”
“You could have sat on the floor, you know.”
Professor Ji showed no compassion for fair maidens. She was too heartless. Yan Jingyao almost wanted to throw her high heel at her. Happy to sit on the floor? And let people see up her skirt?
She cursed inwardly, but constrained by needing a favor, she had to hold it in. She could only glare at her, then lower her head and continue rubbing her poor feet.
For a moment, neither spoke. Ji Lan put her USB drive into her pocket, her peripheral vision subtly glancing at Yan Jingyao, secretly pondering.
The current situation was truly unexpected. The daughter of Yan Rui, whom she sought, was right before her eyes. She hadn’t expected it to be the hooligan who flirted with her a year ago.
Her demeanor was frivolous, her words wanton. If it weren’t for investigating the clue, she wouldn’t want any contact with her at all.
Both her parents were high-ranking officials. Such “officials’ second-generation” were often all glitz and no substance. Ji Lan disliked Yan Jingyao’s behavior, but for her own purpose, she still had to interact with her.
Having no specific strategy for dealing with her, Ji Lan bit her lip, then walked forward, tentatively showing a little concern.
“Can you still walk?”
“No.”
“…”
The answer was merciless. Ji Lan was actually speechless. As she was wondering what to say, Yan Jingyao suddenly raised her legs and clamped them around Ji Lan’s waist.
Sitting on the table, she was higher up, easily hooking Ji Lan forward, then, taking advantage of the momentum, she wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into an embrace.
“You, what are you doing!”
Professor Ji, who was usually not so intimate with others, hastily tried to break free, turning to run, but Yan Jingyao held her waist tightly.
“Professor Ji,” she said, pressing against Ji Lan’s back without reservation, her voice very soft, her damp breath caressing the nape of Ji Lan’s ear. “I need your help with something.”
“…Is that how you ask for a favor?”
The proximity was too close. Ji Lan was uncomfortable with such intimacy, especially with a wanton and dangerous woman. She tried to pry her fingers open. “Let go!”
“You promise me first,” Yan Jingyao squeezed her legs tighter, acting utterly rogue. “Professor Ji, don’t be nervous.”
Her body was indeed stiff, but who would be relaxed in this situation? Ji Lan frowned tightly, then suddenly let go and pinched Yan Jingyao’s waist.
Feeling around, she precisely pinched a soft mass. Yan Jingyao gasped and released her hold. Ji Lan immediately broke free, retreating several steps, putting distance between herself and this woman.
Standing far away, she regretted her earlier kindness. She quickly straightened her clothes, smoothed the stray hairs that had fallen by her ears, and felt an inexplicable, uncomfortable warmth there.
A ripple of annoyance spread through her heart. She suddenly didn’t want to pursue her goal anymore. She took her textbook from the lectern and left.
“Hey, hey, Professor Ji!”
Yan Jingyao hastily slid off the table. Her heels still ached a bit. She didn’t even have time to put on her shoes, chasing after her barefoot on the cold floor, grabbing Ji Lan’s wrist.
“We can talk things over,” a successful person knows when to bend and when to extend. She smiled brightly. “Professor Ji, I was wrong just now. Please don’t be angry. We can discuss this nicely.”
“…”
Her wrist was held very tightly. Ji Lan looked at her. This woman wasn’t suggesting a discussion at all; she was clearly not allowing her to refuse.
“What exactly do you want?”
“I’d like to invite you to do a psychological assessment for my law firm’s employees. It’s very simple.”