Rumor Has It I Don’t Follow A-Class Morals - Chapter 36

No one really knew whether it was a bad night’s sleep or something else, but today, this Zhou girl just lay slumped over her desk watching Su Yin take notes. She didn’t sleep—just stared.

When class ended, most of the students relaxed during the break. But as long as Su Yin was seated, she was focused on her math problems, racing against time to see if she could finally crack them.

“Hey.”

Zhou reached out and poked Su Yin, resting her chin on the desk as she asked, “Why are you so serious?”

Su Yin glanced at her, confused. “You’re awake?”

“I actually slept properly last night, so now I can’t fall asleep,” Zhou replied with a grin, showing off a tiny fang as she greeted her. “I’m Zhou Zhou. What’s your name?”

“I’m Su Yin.” After answering, Su Yin went right back to her notes.

Zhou stayed lying on the desk, bored, hugging a plush pillow under her head. “You’re an Omega, right?”

Su Yin turned to look at her, puzzled by the sudden question.

Zhou was hugging her soft little seal plushie, half her face squished against it, making her cheeks look adorably round. She smiled at Su Yin and said, “I’m an Omega too. And since we’re desk mates now, let’s hang out sometime, yeah?”

It was rare for someone to be this friendly with her, so Su Yin nodded. “Sure, as long as it doesn’t interfere with studying.”

Zhou tilted her head to peek at Su Yin’s notebook. The handwriting was neat and elegant, and she couldn’t help asking, “You’re a transfer student, right? Were you reviewing on your own before this?”

Su Yin shook her head. She felt it was best not to share too much about herself. After all, she and Zhou Zhou weren’t close, and what Ming Muyao had done to her was something she wanted to keep to herself.

Seeing that her pretty little desk mate didn’t want to talk about it, Zhou didn’t push. She hugged her pillow, let out a yawn, turned her head, and went right back to sleep.

Su Yin couldn’t help glancing at her again, silently admiring her ability to fall asleep anywhere, anytime.

If she loves sleeping this much, why would she spend money to attend a prep course?

Maybe she came here for the white noise???

Su Yin couldn’t figure it out, but didn’t dwell on it either. She focused on her notes until class ended.

The bell rang.

Zhou Zhou instantly sat up, yawned, stuffed her pillow into her desk in one smooth motion, and slung her light little backpack over her shoulder.

“I’m heading home. See you tomorrow!” she said to Su Yin.

Before Su Yin could even react, Zhou was already gone, leaving her a bit baffled.

Whatever. There are always a few oddballs at these training centers. No need to overthink it. Just take it as a casual classmate interaction.

Su Yin slung her backpack over her shoulder and walked out of the prep center—only to see Ming Muyao sitting on the bench right outside.

Today, Ming Muyao was dressed in a sleek blue suit and wore sunglasses. She had a sundae in each hand and was happily eating away. When she spotted Su Yin, she waved her over to sit beside her.

“Strawberry’s for you. I already had the blueberry one,” she said, placing the sundae into Su Yin’s hand. “Eat first. We’ll go home after.”

Su Yin quietly sat down next to her, setting her things at her feet. She held the cold sundae in her hands, staring off into space.

Ming Muyao glanced at her, and in a tone typical of any parent, asked, “How were your classes today? Were you able to follow along?”

“Math is still kind of tough, but everything else is okay.” Su Yin scooped a spoonful into her mouth. The ice cream melted instantly, cool and soothing.

“Math being hard is totally normal. I struggled with it too back in school,” Ming Muyao said, watching her eat. “Auntie Chen said you have a hospital appointment this Saturday. Want me to go with you?”

“Mm.” Su Yin nodded. Then, as if remembering something, she looked over and asked, “Why are you off work so early today? Don’t you usually get off around six?”

“Something came up at the office, but once I handled it, there wasn’t much left to do, so I came to pick you up.” Ming Muyao set her empty sundae cup aside, crossed her legs, and leaned back into the bench. “Gotta steals a moment of peace when I can, right? I’m not a machine—working nonstop gets exhausting.”

Earlier today, Ming Muyao had paid a visit to Xu Bu and managed to get the secret videos and photos from that private room scandal. She sent out everything involving that sleazy young boss and deleted the rest. The internet was probably blowing up by now.

Su Yin didn’t really have much to talk about with Ming Muyao. Their relationship was already complicated, and even though Ming Muyao had changed lately, Su Yin still didn’t know what to say to her.

She lived a quiet life. She’d been locked up at home for so long, and even now, all she could talk about was her prep classes.

But Ming Muyao’s life was… different. Work drama, social circles—it was all far more intense and eventful.

They were two people living completely different lives.

Su Yin poked at her quickly melting sundae with her spoon and ate quietly.

Ming Muyao, on the other hand, really enjoyed spending time with Su Yin. The girl was quiet, easy to be around, and with just a sundae to keep her company, she could sit silently for fifteen minutes. She didn’t make a fuss, didn’t complain—just stayed by Ming Muyao’s side, and that was enough to make her feel at peace.

It was as if all the day’s fatigue just vanished with Su Yin nearby.

The two of them sat there, each lost in their own thoughts. When Su Yin finished her sundae, Ming Muyao got up, tossed both cups into the nearby trash can, and said, “Let’s go.”

She grabbed Su Yin’s backpack, smiled, and added, “Let’s go home.”

Saturday was a sunny day.

When Ming Muyao got up early, she saw Su Yin downstairs helping Auntie Chen with breakfast. The girl greeted her politely when she came down.

“What time are we heading to the hospital?” Ming Muyao asked casually over breakfast.

Auntie Chen replied, “The earlier, the better. That way we won’t have to wait too long.”

“Gotta waits that long in line?” Ming Muyao raised her head, surprised.

“There’s the check-up and treatment—it all adds up. Takes at least half a day,” Auntie Chen said. “Are you going with Su Yin today?”

“Yeah, I’ll take her.” Ming Muyao popped the last bite of shumai into her mouth. “You can stay home and rest.”

“Well…” Auntie Chen looked at Su Yin, then smiled. “Alright. It’s nice out today, I’ll stay home and do some laundry. I’ll wash and sun-dry all your bedding.”

After breakfast, Ming Muyao and Su Yin left the house. In the car, Ming Muyao set the GPS to the hospital Su Yin usually went to.

Su Yin glanced at the screen and said, “The parking lot at the hospital is usually full. You can park at the paid lot across the street. We just need to cross the road.”

“Good idea.” Ming Muyao laughed and changed the address. “I don’t go to hospitals often—I forgot how crowded they are.”

Su Yin lowered her head to buckle the seatbelt, but no matter how she tried, she couldn’t get the buckle to click into place.

Watching her struggle, Ming Muyao chuckled softly and gently reached over to stop her hands.

“Hold still,” she said. “Let me do it.”

She took Su Yin’s hand and guided the buckle into the slot hidden by the seat. Click—it locked in place.

When she looked up, she saw Su Yin’s ears had turned red. The girl was clutching the seatbelt, head down, sneaking a glance at her.

That one look made Ming Muyao’s heart skip a beat.

She let go of Su Yin’s hand and tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “Alright. Buckle up—we’re heading out.”

“Mm,” Su Yin answered softly.

As the car slowly pulled out of the garage, Ming Muyao felt a little calmer. Still, she kept sneaking glances at Su Yin, who was quietly sitting with her hands clasped, either gazing out the window or fidgeting with her fingers.

Neither of them spoke, but there was a lingering tension in the car.

What is this… I only touched her hand. Why does it feel like I’m back in middle school, just starting to date someone?

Even as she silently teased herself, Ming Muyao noticed her heartbeat was faster than usual. And in the air, there was a faint trace of citrus.

The scent was light, barely there, but familiar—she’d caught it many times before. She looked over at Su Yin, only to find the girl already looking at her.

Before she could say anything, Su Yin flinched and quickly looked away, eyes fixed on the window. But her ears turned even redder than before.

They parked in the lot across from the hospital, and Ming Muyao led Su Yin inside.

The whole time, Su Yin seemed awkward and shy. She barely made eye contact and spoke so softly it was hard to hear her in the noisy hospital.

When she mumbled something again and Ming Muyao couldn’t catch it, she grabbed Su Yin and pulled her into a quiet corner.

Su Yin clutched her paperwork, confused about what was going on.

After a long pause, Ming Muyao placed her hands on Su Yin’s shoulders, leaned down slightly, and asked, “Am I really that scary to you right now?”

Su Yin shook her head.

“Then why have you been whispering the whole time?” Ming Muyao looked at her, puzzled. “This place is noisy. If you don’t speak up, I can’t hear a word.”

Su Yin pressed herself against the hospital wall, trying to make herself as small as possible.

“I didn’t mean to…”

The scent from Ming Muyao was strong at this distance, and it hit Su Yin hard. It was familiar—too familiar. Every time she smelled it, something bad would happen.

Goosebumps spread down her arms. She shut her eyes tight and curled in on herself, avoiding Ming Muyao’s gaze.

Her reaction made Ming Muyao uncomfortable. She didn’t understand what was going on with Su Yin today, why she was being so evasive and distant.

People around them were starting to stare, and the directness of their gazes made Ming Muyao uneasy.

After a moment of thought, she grabbed Su Yin’s hand, pushed open the stairwell door, and pulled her inside.

Once the heavy safety door closed, the hospital’s noise faded significantly. Ming Muyao realized she was quite a bit taller than Su Yin, so to make herself less intimidating, she stepped down two stairs so they were eye to eye.

“Can we talk now?” she asked, looking at Su Yin. “I don’t like it when people go quiet on me. There’s no one else around. If something’s bothering you, let’s talk it out.”