Online Romance with an Iceberg Professor Backfired - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: The Wooden Head

Ji Fan and Ye Wenzhu listened the entire way, leaning against the partition.

Ye Wenzhu seemed to realize that eavesdropping was a bit improper and tugged on Ji Fan’s sleeve. “Fanfan, is what we’re doing a bit inappropriate?”

Ji Fan sat back down and tidied her smudged cuff. “Sister Wenzhu, this is the first time I’ve heard you say doing something is ‘inappropriate’.”

Ye Wenzhu cleared her throat, feigning indifference. “I’m just worried about your sister. You’re no different, still leaning into the gap to listen. You have the nerve to call me out.”

“She’s my sister. It’s perfectly normal for me to worry about her.” Ji Fan leaned against the backrest and pondered, “I always thought my sister and Professor Jiang were enemies, but in just a few days, they’ve gone from enemies to lovers. It’s unbelievable, like a plot from a novel.”

Ye Wenzhu rested her head against the window. “They’ve been dating online all along, right? I heard Ji Pei say they’ve been talking for a month or two.”

“Then do you think they recognized each other before?”

Ye Wenzhu rubbed her smooth chin. “Your sister is pretty guileless, but I’m not so sure about Professor Jiang. She’s so smart, she might have figured it out a long time ago.”

Ye Wenzhu slapped her thigh, belatedly realizing how badly Ji Pei had been deceived recently, and felt a surge of anger. “Damn it, Jiang Xianhan is truly an old, cunning fox!”

Meanwhile, the old, cunning fox was sitting in the passenger seat. She was still wearing Ji Pei’s coat. A faint scent lingered around her nose, a mix of rose and fruit, fragrant and sweet, but not cloying.

“Did you spray perfume when you came out?”

Ji Pei was driving and shook her head, looking puzzled. “No.”

Jiang Xianhan lifted her sleeve and gently sniffed it. “Then why does your clothing smell so nice?”

“It should be the scent of the laundry detergent.”

Ji Pei didn’t really like wearing perfume. The expensive perfumes at home were all collected for Madam Liu Yanfen. Once, Coal Ball accidentally broke a bottle of perfume worth over two hundred thousand yuan in the cabinet while playing. The sickly sweet and cloying smell lingered for a whole week, and Ji Pei developed a dislike for that scent ever since.

“Smelling too much perfume makes me a bit dizzy. I don’t really like it…”

Before her words faded, Jiang Xianhan’s hair was already resting against Ji Pei’s neck. Fine, soft strands brushed back and forth below her ear, and a warm breath instantly hit, spraying onto the skin of her neck. Ji Pei’s face instantly and pathetically flushed. She sat up straight, looking straight ahead, yet heard Jiang Xianhan say, “You smell very nice.”

If they hadn’t already confirmed their relationship, Ji Pei would definitely call the police and accuse Jiang Xianhan of sexual harassment. But now… she seemed to enjoy the harassment quite a bit.

Jiang Xianhan was sitting on her right. Ji Pei seemed slightly resistant on the surface, but inwardly, she was delighted. The left corner of her mouth was turned up and wouldn’t go down. She was too embarrassed for Jiang Xianhan to see her secret happiness.

When they first started dating online, it was just chatting on the app, sending suggestive words. Initially, there was some excitement and awkwardness, but she forgot about it after a while. But now it was different. Jiang Xianhan, Professor Jiang, her online girlfriend, was sitting right next to her in the passenger seat, intentionally or unintentionally teasing her (successfully teasing her).

The whole drive, Ji Pei’s mind was filled with her chat history with Jiang Xianhan on Decibel. Winter Sun had said many explicit things to her, and Ji Pei remembered every single one. She simply couldn’t equate Winter Sun, who sounded like a seasoned flirt, with Jiang Xianhan in the passenger seat. Winter Sun talked a big game, while Jiang Xianhan was a much more composed and respectable person, far more serious than Winter Sun.

Ji Pei thought this, but the next second, a hand silently stroked her thigh again, kneading it gently. Ji Pei lowered her eyes to look. Okay, they are the same person now.

The drive from the bridge to the Michelin restaurant left Ji Pei’s mind in a chaotic mess. She should have guessed that Winter Sun was Jiang Xianhan. That time she covered for Ji Fan in class, she clearly saw the distance between them was no more than ten meters, and Jiang Xianhan was the only woman in her thirties in the class. She had considered the cleaning lady, age fraud, and even that the person might be a man, but never thought of the available person standing on the podium. No wonder Jiang Xianhan had been flirting with her constantly these past few days, with small gestures both overtly and covertly. The other person had known all along that Seasonal Wind was her.

Ji Pei felt deceived, but also immensely fortunate. Thankfully, Winter Sun was Jiang Xianhan. It was the most perfect ending.

“Professor Jiang, what kind of cuisine do you like?” Ji Pei spoke casually as usual, but turned her head to see Jiang Xianhan staring intently at her. Ji Pei quickly corrected herself, “My love, is there anything you’d like to eat?”

The restaurant Ji Pei took Jiang Xianhan to was a five-star restaurant founded by Liu Yanfen, with chain stores across the country. She hadn’t taken Jiang Xianhan there before because Ji Pei always felt uncomfortably conspicuous as soon as she entered the restaurant, and the staff would constantly try to seek attention. But since she was taking her girlfriend out, she had to ensure Jiang Xianhan received the highest quality service and the most premium ingredients.

“What I’d like to eat…” Jiang Xianhan thought for a moment and smiled. “I still prefer the steamed egg you made for me when I sprained my ankle.”

Ji Pei could tell this was intentional flirting. She pursed her lips. “We can’t always eat at home. We should try external restaurants.”

“This place was founded by my mother. She doesn’t have any other hobbies. She just likes to make money and fiddle with food.”

Jiang Xianhan asked, “You’re a great cook. Were you subtly influenced by your mother?”

Ji Pei thought, Educated people are different, they even use idioms when speaking. “Yes, my mother loves to cook and research all kinds of food. Growing up, my dad, my sister, and I ate her ‘dark cuisine’ every day, praising it repeatedly and supporting her.” Ji Pei shuddered at the memory of the round and pleasant Madam Liu Yanfen cooking her dark cuisine. Even the memory was dark.

“I remember once she made us a cold dish with overnight black fungus, which almost sent all four of us to the afterlife.” Ji Pei sighed. “Fortunately, it tasted awful, or you wouldn’t see me now. But since then, I never eat black fungus, no matter who makes it.”

Jiang Xianhan closed her mouth upon hearing this, seemingly contemplating whether to eat at this so-called high-end restaurant. Ji Pei saw Jiang Xianhan hesitating and felt her words had scared her.

“Don’t worry, my mother later learned her lesson and studied with a state banquet chef for a few years. She improved rapidly upon her return. Even her Western cuisine is delicious.”

Just before arriving at the restaurant, Ji Pei opened the partition. The two people in the back who hadn’t buckled their seatbelts and were eavesdropping cried out and fell forward. Ji Pei saw their plight in the rearview mirror, gave a cold snort, and instantly knew they had been listening to her conversation with Jiang Xianhan. Ye Wenzhu almost hit her teeth, but since she was eavesdropping first, she couldn’t complain and just rubbed her nose sheepishly.

“Pei Pei, you should have given us a heads-up. You almost knocked out my front teeth.”

Ji Pei pulled the car over and gave Ye Wenzhu the middle finger in the mirror. “Next time you eavesdrop, I’ll knock your teeth out.”

Ji Pei’s license plate was very recognizable. The restaurant staff, seeing the Rolls-Royce, dispatched seven or eight people to welcome her. It was the same scene again. Ji Pei looked at the general manager’s posture with a bit of embarrassment and smiled. “My love, they’re just too enthusiastic. Just pretend you don’t see them.”

The restaurant manager walked over respectfully and opened the car door for Ji Pei. “Miss, what a pleasant surprise to see you today.”

Ji Pei gently hooked her arm around Jiang Xianhan’s. “I’m bringing my girlfriend for lunch.”

The restaurant manager also bowed and greeted Ji Fan. “Miss Ji, good to see you.”

Guests in the restaurant turned to look, whispering and staring at the four people. If their looks were average, they wouldn’t attract much attention, but all four had looks that could launch a career. Ji Pei held Jiang Xianhan’s hand. Seeing more people staring at their intertwined hands, she simply laced her fingers with the other’s, not shying away from others at all.

Ji Fan and Ye Wenzhu, standing behind, started whispering to each other upon seeing this scene. “I think your sister looks like a peacock displaying its feathers. Anyone who didn’t know would think she and Jiang Xianhan were walking a wedding red carpet, eager for the whole world to know about their relationship.”

Ji Fan nodded, following behind. “I think you’re right.”

The restaurant manager was a shrewd worker. Seeing the young mistress holding another woman’s hand tightly, seemingly deeply in love, she took them to the restaurant’s couple’s private room. Ji Pei was stunned as soon as she entered. The table was covered with vibrant red roses, and even the plates and candles were arranged in the shape of a heart. The corner band was already prepared, and the moment the door opened, they began playing “Wedding March” on the violin.

“…”

Hearing the elegant violin music, Ji Pei couldn’t help but pinch her forehead. She just wanted to take Jiang Xianhan out for a simple meal. She didn’t want a candlelight lunch or such a grand display.

“This…” Ji Pei pulled out a chair for Jiang Xianhan and whispered in her ear, “Do you like it? If you don’t like the band, I’ll ask them to leave.”

Jiang Xianhan’s hand reached behind to stroke Ji Pei’s face. She smiled. “Then let’s listen to this song before they leave.”

When the song ended, lunch began to be served. Ji Pei looked at the heart-shaped French foie gras on the exquisitely outlined ceramic plate and cut it in half. She was taking her girlfriend out to eat. Why did she feel embarrassed seeing all this? Looking up, Ji Pei saw Jiang Xianhan’s gaze on the plate in front of her. After the foie gras, the next dish, a steak, was also heart-shaped.

Ji Pei: “…”

It wasn’t like this when I ate here before. It must have been the manager’s doing, but she was touched by her thoughtfulness.

Jiang Xianhan slowly cut the medium-rare steak with a silver knife, elegantly putting it into her mouth, then wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin. The candlelight was warm. The band had left, and no ambiguous music was playing. But through the bright red candlelight, Ji Pei still felt the scene was extremely ambiguous, perhaps because Jiang Xianhan had taken off her coat. The room temperature was just right. Ji Pei, wearing a black turtleneck, even felt a little hot. She adjusted her collar. While Jiang Xianhan wasn’t looking, she wiped the sweat from her forehead with a napkin. Whether it was the heat or watching Jiang Xianhan, Ji Pei couldn’t tell.

She stared at Jiang Xianhan eating, finding the food on her own plate bland. What was that idiom again? A beauty that is appetizing. Yes, that perfectly described Jiang Xianhan right now.

“Why are you staring at me and not eating?”

Ji Pei was pulled back to reality by Jiang Xianhan’s words. She put down her knife and fork, but before she could speak, she heard Jiang Xianhan’s laughter.

“Not to your taste?”

“No.”

In this setting, Ji Pei felt she had to say something suggestive, or it would be a disservice to the atmosphere. “I was just watching you and got a little… distracted…”

After saying this, Ji Pei’s ears burned uncomfortably, red and hot. She lowered her head and cut a large piece of steak, trying to plug her mouth. Seeing her shyness, Jiang Xianhan initially wanted to say something else to tease her, but then decided not to bully Ji Pei anymore.

Ji Pei naturally had fair, warm-toned skin. Her skin was also thin. As soon as she got shy or nervous, her entire body would turn a faint pink, especially her cheeks. Jiang Xianhan had seen it countless times. When she held Ji Pei’s hand, she had observed her fingers. Slender, long, with pale pink knuckles—truly exquisite hands. These hands could hold a paintbrush, create sculptures, and, despite being delicate, were strong, capable of grasping a slender waist.

Jiang Xianhan’s eyes darkened. She lowered her gaze and ate the last piece of beef.

After finishing the last piece of dessert, Ji Pei wiped the fresh cream from the corners of her mouth with a napkin. Her lips were full, a healthy pale red, and the perfect shape that others dreamed of. With melted cream on her lips, they had a moist sheen. When slightly parted, a glimpse of her white teeth was revealed. Just looking at Ji Pei’s mouth, Jiang Xianhan clenched her napkin restlessly, lightly poking it with her fingernail a few times.

After drinking half a glass of red wine, Ji Pei’s face gradually became rosy, tempting and appealing, as if soaked in sweet rose juice. Jiang Xianhan had previously heard Ji Pei say she had low alcohol tolerance and would get slightly drunk even from red wine. Seeing Ji Pei like this, Jiang Xianhan held her breath and leaned forward after standing up.

Ji Pei’s eyes were misty. She stared blankly at Jiang Xianhan’s movements. The other person reached out her hand, and her soft fingertips gently pinched Ji Pei’s delicate, smooth chin. Ji Pei knew what she wanted to do, so she held her breath and slightly parted her lips.

The next second, Jiang Xianhan used her napkin to wipe away the cream at the corner of her mouth and smiled. “The cream wasn’t wiped clean.”

Ji Pei: “…”

Damn it, I was tricked.

She thought it was a kiss, but it was just wiping cream. Seeing Ji Pei’s disappointed look, Jiang Xianhan smiled faintly. “What’s wrong?”

Ji Pei snorted twice, with a faint, unclear sniffle. “Nothing.”

Unhappy. I want a kiss, but I don’t have the courage. She had assumed Jiang Xianhan would initiate the kiss but was only given a wipe of the cream. Ji Pei fiercely licked the corners of her mouth twice, which Jiang Xianhan caught perfectly.

After finishing the last sip of red wine, Ji Pei realized that she had driven here. She couldn’t drive after drinking. Exiting the private room, Ji Pei considerately draped her coat over Jiang Xianhan again, holding her slightly cold hand and passing on her warmth.

Ji Fan and Ye Wenzhu also finished eating and came out. Unfortunately, Ye Wenzhu had also had some wine and couldn’t drive. Ji Fan saw this, raised her right hand eagerly, and even took out the driver’s license she carried in her bag.

“Sister! I’ll drive! Look, I’m fully prepared, even brought my driver’s license!”

Ji Pei looked at the situation and expressionlessly called for a designated driver.

Ye Wenzhu had never ridden in a car driven by Ji Fan. Seeing the child’s distressed face, she nudged Ji Pei’s shoulder. “Give Fanfan a little confidence, at least. She hasn’t been drinking and has her license. What a great opportunity for practice.”

Ji Pei looked at the tearful Ji Fan and sighed. “If you had experienced her crashing two of my Porsches and hitting someone, not to mention the airbag nearly suffocating her, you’d know why I don’t let her drive.” Ji Pei patted Ye Wenzhu’s shoulder and looked at Jiang Xianhan. “I’m doing this for all of our safety. Now, do you want her to drive, or should I get a designated driver?”

Ye Wenzhu rubbed the head of the near-crying Ji Fan. “Be good, Fanfan. It’s mainly because your Sister Wenzhu hasn’t lived enough, and your sister just got a girlfriend. Be good. We won’t play such dangerous games.” Ye Wenzhu leaned into Ji Pei’s ear and whispered, “Did your sister’s driving instructor let her slide? How did she even get her license?”

Ji Pei shrugged, indicating she didn’t know how she passed either.

Five minutes later, the designated driver Ji Pei called arrived. But the next second, upon seeing the Rolls-Royce, the driver immediately canceled the order, citing an inability to drive the car.

Thus, the four returned to the restaurant. Ji Pei eventually called Uncle Zhang, the family’s trusted driver, to come pick them up. Uncle Zhang drove a Bentley. Ji Pei held Jiang Xianhan’s hand and sat in the back. As Ji Fan and Ye Wenzhu prepared to get in the car, Ji Pei quickly said, “Uncle Zhang, lock the doors.”

And so, the silver Bentley sped away, leaving Ji Fan and Ye Wenzhu to eat a mouthful of exhaust fumes. Finally, after Ji Fan’s persistent pleading, Ye Wenzhu reluctantly got into the passenger seat of the Rolls-Royce. She buckled her seatbelt, wishing she could wrap it around herself twice.

After ditching the two tag-alongs, Ji Pei held Jiang Xianhan’s hand and leaned lazily on her shoulder. “Let’s just enjoy our time alone.”

Ji Pei was slightly tipsy from the wine, much more clingy than usual, and her actions were bolder. She wrapped her left arm around Jiang Xianhan’s waist, pressing against her, unwilling to let go. She felt light, as if sitting on a soft cloud.

Uncle Zhang, the driver, saw everything in the rearview mirror, his eyes wide. Uncle Zhang was a veteran figure in the Ji family, watching Ji Pei grow up, but he had never seen the young lady this clingy before. Uncle Zhang’s gaze slowly shifted to the left, clearly seeing the woman Ji Pei was embracing. The person’s lips were curved, and her expression looked relaxed and doting. Uncle Zhang shook his head vigorously, thinking he had been listening to too many “Domineering CEO’s Fierce Love” stories lately to have such a word pop into his head. Soon, Uncle Zhang raised the partition in the car.

The car’s interior was a bit small. Ji Pei had been exposed to the cool air for a while, and the alcohol quickly dissipated. Jiang Xianhan’s shoulder felt slightly numb from her weight. The pressure eased, and she saw Ji Pei sit up, her earlobes bl00d-red. Jiang Xianhan stretched her right shoulder, reaching out to gently pinch Ji Pei’s soft, hot earlobe.

“What’s wrong?”

Ji Pei quickly massaged Jiang Xianhan’s shoulder. “Was I too heavy?”