Math Teacher, Please Get Lost (GL) - Chapter 12

When the broadcast announced there were only fifteen minutes left before the exam ended, the snotty kid by the wall had almost gone through an entire pack of tissues. Collecting the papers, Yao Shuhan trembled—this child’s combat power was terrifying. With that rate of tissue consumption, was her nose even okay? Was this year’s flu virus really that scary? Seemed like she’d better get flu prevention ready early. Did she still have medicine at home, and was it expired?

Yao Shuhan checked the test papers in her hands against those on the desk and noticed one was out of sequence. She moved it to the back just as the other proctor came over.

“Teacher Yao, are they all in?”

“Exactly,” Yao Shuhan stacked the papers neatly into the sealed envelope. “I’ll take them to the lecture hall.”

The other nodded, pointing at the door. “Then I’ll trouble you with that. My kid’s waiting for me to cook, so I’ll head home first.”

“Sure, hurry and go,” Yao Shuhan said with a smile, hiding her reluctance.

Seeing the chance, Lin Zheyu quickly blurted out his real intention, eyes hopeful: “You haven’t had dinner yet, right, Shuhan? Let me treat you.”

“Not the teachers’ canteen again, is it?” She teased lightly, seeing the anticipation on his face and unable to crush it.

Lin Zheyu scratched his head sheepishly. “I know I was wrong before. I’m correcting my mistakes step by step, aren’t I?”

Outwardly Yao Shuhan smiled, but inside she sighed bitterly. Lin Zheyu, better if you didn’t—no matter how much you change, it won’t work. Why put yourself through this?

“Come on, the exam’s over and I’m free. Let’s head into the city for something good,” Lin said energetically. Striding ahead, he turned back to ask, “Shuhan, what do you feel like eating?”

She followed absentmindedly, thoughts drifting. At the school gate, he had to call her name before she realized she’d completely forgotten what she’d just been thinking. She sighed. Shu Yan was right—she was far too prone to spacing out.

Strangely, Big Bear wasn’t on duty today. No wonder she hadn’t heard his usual booming greeting. At the corner, Han Jiangxue’s oden cart was surrounded by students. If business was that good, Jiangxue must be thrilled…

“Shuhan? What do you want to eat?” Lin asked again when she didn’t answer.

“Ah? Eat… let me think…” She panicked—spacing out again? Was she like this because of her dad, or her mom?

“Have you decided?” Lin checked his watch and looked toward the cars parked at the administration building.

Hurry, hurry! What should she say she wants? Could she tell him the truth—that with him around, she didn’t want to eat at all? That’d be too cruel. But if she didn’t say, it’d just hurt her stomach. What to do? Just bluff something!

“Then let’s eat—”

“Teacheeeer Yaooo!”

Before she could finish, a loud voice came rushing from the small path. Both turned to see a tall woman in a flashy black trench coat, short hair flying, charging toward them.

Lin frowned, displeasure flickering across his face. “And this is…?”

Yao Shuhan’s lips curved. Perfect timing. Shu Yan, sometimes you really were useful. Last time Cai Qinwei clung on, Shu Yan had busted up that fake music boy. Now she was clearly here to ruin Lin Zheyu’s setup too. Yes, Shu Yan might be a useless screw in serious business, but in the right gears she worked miracles. Cai Qinwei? Broken. Lin Zheyu? Broken. Insert Shu Yan, and the wheel spun smoothly!

Since she was a walking disaster, best to maximize her destructive potential—not just for insiders, but for the masses. Share the good stuff, right? People shouldn’t be selfish.

“I’m Shu Yan, Teacher Yao’s beloved roommate and partner-in-crime. Uncle, are you Teacher Yao’s elder brother-in-law?” Shu Yan popped right between them, casually separating Lin and Yao. She batted her eyes innocently, as if saying: See? I’m a good person, totally harmless~

Lin felt as if a lightning bolt had struck him dead-center. Brother-in-law? Did he really look that old?

“Ahem,” Yao Shuhan coughed into her fist. “Shu Yan, this is the P.E. department head, Teacher Lin Zheyu.”

“Ohhh, Head Lin! An honor, an honor. I can tell you’ve devoted yourself to this school for decades—a true revolutionary veteran. Much respect!” Shu Yan gave an exaggerated bow.

Lin turned his face aside awkwardly. He was only twenty-eight and had only worked here five years.

Yao Shuhan didn’t explain further, simply continuing the interrupted topic. “I thought about it, let’s eat—”

“You’re going out to eat?” Shu Yan shoved Lin further aside and pressed close to Yao, grinning.

“Yeah,” Shuhan admitted.

“Great, great! I’m coming too!” Shu Yan shouted.

Shuhan frowned, feigning distress. “But Lin invited me…”

“Ah?” Shu Yan looked disappointed for a beat, but she was too cheerful to feel awkward about barging in. A sudden idea lit up her eyes. “It’s fine, it’s fine! Lin invited you, I’ll come along, but I’ll pay for myself!”

“……”

“……”

After a beat of silence, Shuhan’s eyes curved in a smile. Well done, Shu Yan.

“Of course not. A gentleman can’t let a lady pay for herself. Come with us, Shu Teacher, my treat,” Lin forced a generous smile, inwardly grinding his teeth. Who the hell was this interloper? Where had she come from?

He turned back to Shuhan, trying again: “Shuhan, what do you want to eat?”

“Eat—”

“She wants Pizza Hut!” Shu Yan suddenly cut in, blocking between them again, grinning. “Seriously, she loves Pizza Hut. We always go together. Just today she was saying she wanted it tonight!”

Shuhan froze. She did like Pizza Hut—but when had she ever “always gone” with Shu Yan?

Lin narrowed his eyes. “Really?”

“Really,” Yao Shuhan confirmed, saving Shu Yan’s bluff. “I like their hibiscus tea.”

Lin’s gaze darkened slightly. He walked over to the row of cars, pressed the fob, and a black Audi chirped. Turning back, he gestured politely. “Shuhan, Teacher Yao, let’s get in.”

“Welcome to Pizza Hut!” The hostess pulled the door open. Lin led the two women in, found a good spot by the window overlooking the night market traffic—quite a lively scene.

The waiter handed over an iPad. “Please order.”

Lin passed it to Shuhan like a gentleman. “Order whatever you like. Don’t be shy.”

She nodded and began flipping through, eyeing dishes she normally wouldn’t splurge on. Shu Yan leaned over, poking her finger at the menu. “This one! Spaghetti!”

“Too creamy.”

“Then this! Cheese pizza!”

“Too filling.”

“This then! Macaroni! It’s hollow in the middle, so chewy!”

“……”

Quickly, Shuhan finished her order and shoved the iPad at Shu Yan. “I’m done. Knock yourself out.”

Delighted, Shu Yan scrolled through, skipping main dishes, picking random expensive little items and drinks. She added a note: “Oh, and these drinks? Pack them up to go. I’ll take them home later.” Then she turned sweetly to Lin. “See, I was considerate—I didn’t order the really pricey stuff, hehe.”

Lin nearly shredded the napkin in his hands. True, none of her choices were individually expensive—but all together they cost more than one luxury entrée! He didn’t dare add much himself. With a tight smile, he handed the iPad back. “That’s all.”

“Got it,” the waiter read aloud the order. “That will be one thousand eight hundred ninety-two. Card or cash? WeChat or Alipay also accepted.”

Lin ground his teeth and handed over his card.

“Thank you. And the takeout, right?” the waiter asked.

“Yes, yes!” Shu Yan beamed. “Don’t forget the packing!”

She turned to admire the neon lights outside, feeling oddly satisfied.

Soon the dishes arrived. Shuhan twirled her noodles expertly. Lin reminded her gently, “Shuhan, don’t just eat the noodles, have some water—don’t choke.”

Shu Yan glanced at them sidelong, then let out a dramatic “Ow!” and collapsed against Shuhan. “Ah, Teacher Yao, my waist hurts! Ohhh…”

Startled, Shuhan dropped her fork and quickly supported her, rubbing her back. “Lean back, rest a bit. It’ll pass.”

“Mm…” Shu Yan rubbed her eyes, then her waist, half-closing her lashes as she peeked at Lin. He stared in bafflement. She smirked faintly.

“Shuhan, you’ve got something on your mouth.” Lin reached with a napkin toward her lips.

“Ahh! Teacher Yao, now my chest feels bad, so uncomfortable—ahh!” Shu Yan cried, burying her face into Shuhan’s arms, writhing.

The act was so convincing that Shuhan panicked. Hugging her, she said, “Shu Yan, are you okay? I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Lin shot to his feet. “Is she alright? Let me see—”

“Ow! Teacher Yao, now my butt hurts!”

…

Well. That part was definitely not something a man should check.

Lin sank back down, helplessly asking the waiter to pack the rest of the food.

Meanwhile, Shu Yan hid her face against Shuhan, silently snickering. She had disliked Lin on sight. She didn’t know what exactly was going on between him and Yao Shuhan, but her woman’s instinct told her one thing—this man could not be kept around.