Chapter 44: An Unexpected Visit and a Blushing Hostess

“Professor Fulin, could it be that you’re attempting to tempt me?”

“Haha, I’m only jesting. This is merely an invitation extended solely by me.”

Fulin chuckled softly, shaking her head.

“Given those perilous circumstances, the fact that you managed to rescue Liyang truly earns my deepest gratitude.

Should you ever wish to learn more about your mother, please don’t hesitate to seek me out. I would be delighted to share everything I know with you… though, admittedly, it isn’t a great deal.”

With her hands clasped behind her back, she ambled through the laboratory before returning to the doorway.

“However, let us now revert to our previous discussion. So, Yalin, have you made up your mind?”

Yalin fell into a brief contemplation.

While he yearned to return home promptly, the vice-dean’s invitation proved exceedingly difficult to decline.

Furthermore, the matter involving Liyang was an inevitable confrontation, and resolving the trouble sooner rather than later seemed advantageous.

Consequently, Yalin offered a courteous nod.

“It is indeed an honor to receive your invitation, Professor. Might I, however, be permitted a moment to prepare? Having just concluded an experiment, my clothes still carry a rather distinct scent.”

“Of course. Please, take all the time you need; I shall await you by the door.”

Fulin, her spirits visibly brightened, closed the door and waited patiently outside.

Yalin removed his outer coat, draping it over the back of the chair, before retrieving the necklace from his pocket and placing it into a storage box.

It was, after all, Liyang’s possession, which he had merely borrowed. Should its presence be revealed, he would undoubtedly have to return it.

He harbored no desire to engage in any petty schemes before Fulin.

Once he had tidied himself, Yalin departed the academy alongside Fulin.

Fulin’s abode lay not far from the academy, becoming visible after a mere two turns down the street.

It was a modest two-story house, its exterior walls of pale gray stone brick completely enveloped by climbing ivy, lending it an exceptionally quaint appearance under the glow of the setting sun.

While the house possessed an undeniable charm, it struck Yalin as perhaps a touch too humble for the residence of a vice-dean.

Pushing open the slightly rusted courtyard gate, Yalin found himself in a small garden where a flagstone path wound past abundant plantings of roses and lavender, their subtle fragrance perfuming the air.

“Pardon the intrusion.”

Yalin traversed the garden, following Fulin into the house.

The interior décor was remarkably elegant: dark wooden floors stretched beneath several oil paintings and an antique world map adorning the walls, while towering bookshelves groaned under the weight of countless venerable tomes.

Despite its modest dimensions, every detail of the space was arranged with such precision that it never felt cluttered.

“Please, make yourself comfortable and take any seat you wish. Our home is a bit small, I hope you don’t find it too cramped.”

Slipping into a pair of house slippers, Fulin approached the staircase leading to the second floor and called up, “Liyang, hurry down! I have something wonderful to show you!”

“Grandma, you’re back?”

Pitter-patter.

A flurry of movement emanated from the second floor, followed by the distinct *pitter-patter* of slippers padding across the floorboards.

“Honestly, what is it? Stop keeping me in suspense…”

Liyang descended, stifling a yawn, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

Yet, no sooner had her feet touched the bottom step than she froze, her gaze fixed, utterly bewildered, on the figure standing in the living room.

“Ya… Yalin? What are you doing here??”

Yalin offered a warm, beaming smile as he extended a hand in greeting.

“Ah… I…”

A few strangled sounds escaped Liyang’s throat; her mind had gone utterly blank, leaving her speechless.

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined Yalin would appear in her home at such a moment.

Instinctively glancing down, Liyang’s eyes widened in horror as she realized her lower half was completely bare.

She had merely slipped into a loose-fitting nightgown, which, while covering the upper part of her thighs, left her entirely without trousers or socks. Her two fair, slender legs were thus exposed without reservation, even her toes distinctly visible.

“Ah… Aaaaaah! Don’t look!!”

Liyang’s face instantly flushed a vivid crimson, and with a mortified whimper, she frantically tugged down her hem before bolting back to the second floor like a sudden gust of wind.

“My apologies. She’s a rather shy child, so please be understanding.”

Fulin adjusted the broad brim of her hat, a subtle smile playing on her lips.

“She hasn’t been feeling well these past few days, barely able to walk. I was quite concerned, but now it appears she can run rather swiftly, wouldn’t you agree?”

‘…’

Yalin cast her a speechless glance.

‘That sly old woman, she absolutely did it on purpose.’

The commotion from the second floor intensified, punctuated by the occasional ‘thump-thump’ of cabinet doors being flung open.

After a considerable wait, Liyang finally reappeared, descending the staircase once more.

This time, she wore a neat, uniform-style long dress, its flowing hem reaching her ankles and completely concealing the legs that had been so unceremoniously exposed moments before.

Her long, inky hair was now tied back with a ribbon and meticulously combed, though a small, defiant wisp near her temple still curled upwards, a tell-tale sign of a hasty preparation.

“Liyang, I’ll go prepare a pot of tea. Please, make haste and see to our guest.”

“I… I understand…” Liyang mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.

As Fulin disappeared into the kitchen, only the two of them remained in the living room.

“Uhm, that… this way, please…”

Liyang pursed her lips, her movements stiff as she led Yalin towards the sofa.

A faint blush still colored her cheeks, and her eyes, refusing to meet Yalin’s gaze, darted nervously as she restlessly rubbed her subtly trembling fingers.

‘Yalin… he didn’t see anything just now, did he?’

‘It’s fine, that nightgown was actually quite long. From his angle, he shouldn’t have been able to see anything below…’

‘Wait, come to think of it, was I even wearing anything at all just now?’

At this thought, Liyang’s face deepened to an even fiercer shade of crimson.

Yalin, casting a sidelong glance, observed the subtle changes in Liyang’s expression with amused interest.

It was difficult to reconcile her current bashful demeanor with the courage she had shown in confronting Nabel entirely on her own.

‘However, in the original story, Liyang’s character was always depicted this way.’

‘Though typically a timid and socially anxious individual, she would display extraordinary resolve when faced with a critical moment.’

‘Ah, so this is what they call ‘contrast moe’ (TL Note: A Japanese term describing the appeal of a character who exhibits a surprising contradiction in their personality, often a cute or endearing quality juxtaposed with something unexpected).’

The silence between them grew, becoming almost oppressive in the living room.

Liyang shook her head, attempting to dislodge the chaotic thoughts swirling within her mind.

As the hostess, she couldn’t allow the atmosphere to remain so awkwardly frigid.

“Uhm, that, why are you here today?”

“Oh, Professor Fulin extended an invitation for me to come.”

“I-I see. My apologies for making you come all this way… By the way, did she say anything… unusual to you?”

“No.”

‘Fulin herself is an eccentric individual; in truth, every single thing she says is rather peculiar.’

‘However, she utters so many odd remarks that they become countless, and after hearing them often enough, one begins to perceive her words as not strange at all.’

“Well, in that case, that’s good…”

Liyang, a touch embarrassed, idly twirled a strand of hair near her ear.

“Oh, and speaking of that day, I truly can’t thank you enough. If it hadn’t been for you, I certainly would have…”

“It’s quite alright. Everything has been resolved, so perhaps we should let bygones be bygones.”

Before she could complete her sentence, Yalin swiftly cut her off.

‘His sole purpose in coming today was to sever ties with Liyang, to quickly draw a definitive line under the entire affair.’

‘Having already suffered a setback due to that ‘old man’ (TL Note: A colloquial, sometimes derogatory term for an older person, implying they are a ‘boomer’ or out of touch, though here used to refer to a specific character from Yalin’s past experiences), Yalin was loath to repeat the mistake of allowing anyone to feel indebted to him.’

“Ah, w-well then…”

Abruptly cut off by Yalin, Liyang’s carefully composed words lodged themselves firmly in her throat.

Her lips parted, poised to shift the topic, when a sudden thought struck her.

“Oh, Yalin, by the way… is my necklace still with you?”