A month into the new school year, as the head teacher of an ordinary class, Old Yu’s life had been going along smoothly. On top of that, the top student in the grade was in his class, which made him quite the figure wherever he went.
Moreover, in the top fifty of the grade, Class 18 almost held a small corner of the rankings, and such enviable results made him not even care about the heated “school bully crush” post that had been circulating in the school forum.
However, Old Yu, who had been teaching steadily for more than ten years, never imagined that what was discussed in the forum was nothing compared to what was coming his way.
His top student, the one treated like a treasure in the grade, seemed to have a different sexual orientation.
Old Yu wasn’t discriminatory about these things, but in today’s complicated and fast-changing society, homosexuality often faces many obstacles and opposition.
He didn’t want someone like Jiang Yan, a good student, to be influenced by such idle gossip and have a promising future ruined.
So after hearing Old Yang’s report, Old Yu immediately called Jiang Yan to his office.
He didn’t beat around the bush this time. As soon as Jiang Yan arrived, Old Yu got straight to the point and said, “I’ve heard from Old Yang about your situation, and I understand.”
Jiang Yan: “…”
Old Yu looked at the young man in front of him, as clear and pure as a breeze after a rain, and his tone softened involuntarily. “But does your family know about this?”
“They don’t,” Jiang Yan instinctively responded, but the next moment, he quickly realized the implication and immediately corrected himself. “I mean, I’m not—”
Old Yu waved his hand, interrupting him. “I understand. I know. It’s really hard to explain this to your family.”
Jiang Yan’s words got stuck in his throat.
Old Yu looked at him again, not sure whether it was regret or something else, and sighed. “Here’s the thing. I’ve spoken to Old Yang, and we’ll keep this secret for you. You don’t need to worry about anyone else finding out. But this is a serious matter, and no matter what, you should tell your family.”
—
“But you must remember, no matter what the outcome is.” Old Yu carefully chose his words, speaking earnestly, “Liking someone is not your fault.”
Jiang Yan’s eyelid twitched, and he felt an inexplicable urge to laugh. But after thinking about it carefully, he found it oddly heartwarming.
To be fair, Yu Bing Shan was indeed a very good teacher, and his teaching methods were quite unique. He never suppressed his students' nature; he was more about advising and guiding them.
If this situation had been handled by another teacher, it could have easily escalated, possibly even turning into a psychological issue for the student.
But Old Yu was different. He respected his students. As long as they didn’t do anything morally wrong, he typically wouldn’t say much.
Most of the time, he was the reliable and strong support for Class 18, the warm, broad harbor from the storm.
Jiang Yan thought that it was rare to encounter such a teacher during his school years.
However, this wasn’t the time to be moved. He interrupted Old Yu’s long speech in time. “Teacher Yu, please let me explain.”
“You don’t need to explain. Didn’t I already say? I understand.” Old Yu picked up his teacup and took a sip of hot tea, trying to comfort him. “I’ve been teaching for over ten years, and I’ve seen all kinds of things.”
Old Yu wasn’t just talking nonsense. He did understand. At this age, kids are just beginning to experience their first love, but what’s wrong with liking someone?
Of course, there was nothing wrong with it.
No one says that boys can’t like other boys.
Jiang Yan: “…”
Damn it.
Jiang Yan had been in Old Yu’s office for half a lesson. When he returned, the chemistry teacher happened to be absent, so he didn’t even report in and just walked straight into the office.
Lin Tiao put down her phone and stared at his expressionless face for a few seconds, then cautiously leaned over and asked, “Old Yu didn’t say anything, right?”
Jiang Yan paused in flipping through his book, turned his head to look at her, and said casually, “He didn’t say anything.”
Then, he turned his gaze back to the book, pressing his finger against the spine and nonchalantly continued, “He just told me that he supports me and understands me.”
“Hmm.” Lin Tiao looked at him with confusion. “What does he understand about you?”
Jiang Yan’s finger on the book page tapped rhythmically, and he glanced at her before speaking, each word slow and deliberate. “He supports me, understands me, and came out of the closet.”
“…”
Lin Tiao truly didn’t expect Old Yu to handle it this way. After a few seconds of stunned silence, she couldn’t hold back her laughter, paying no mind to Jiang Yan’s almost-breaking-down expression.
Jiang Yan stared at her for a few seconds, his tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek, his voice coming out in a tone that seemed to be squeezed through his teeth. “Is it funny?”
Lin Tiao quickly stopped laughing, though her eyes still sparkled with amusement. She said, with no conviction, “Not funny at all, not funny at all.”
Jiang Yan lightly closed his eyes, pursing his lips and holding his breath for a moment, not wanting to say more.
But Lin Tiao’s curiosity had been piqued. After a short pause, she reached out and tugged at his sleeve with two fingers, unafraid of death, asking once more, “What exactly did Old Yu say to you?”
Jiang Yan’s fist clenched slightly, his hand trembling as he desperately controlled his urge to punch her. “I advise you not to ask anymore, or you might not see the sun tomorrow.”
Lin Tiao responded with a playful “Ah,” her eyelashes lifting in amusement, and a grin on her face. “The weather forecast says it’s going to rain tomorrow, so I won’t be seeing the sun anyway.”
“…”
She’s my girlfriend.
I can’t hit her.
I have to endure.
Jiang Yan relaxed his clenched fist, his long, fair fingers stretching in the air before his thumb pressed against the knuckle of his index finger, making a crisp cracking sound. He drawled, “Girlfriend, you’re a bit arrogant today.”
“No, I’m not.” Lin Tiao immediately denied it, defending herself. “I’m just concerned about you, my boyfriend, who got called into the head teacher’s office.”
She leaned closer, winking at him, her eyes bright and deep, like they hid a galaxy of stars. “Don’t slander me. I’m a model girlfriend, twenty-four filial and loving.”
“So?” Jiang Yan extended his hand, pinching her chin with a little force, leaning in closer. Their breaths intertwined. “Why would such a ‘filial’ girlfriend be browsing that kind of post during class?”
“…“ Lin Tiao’s gaze wavered. She reached out and patted his arm, speaking softly. “Boyfriend, we’re still in the classroom. Calm down.”
“My girlfriend is too noisy; I can’t calm down.”
After saying that, he moved even closer.
“…” Lin Tiao realized she couldn’t beat him, so after a short pause, she lowered her head and admitted defeat. “I was wrong.”
Jiang Yan lightly snorted, feeling a sense of satisfaction as if avenging a great grievance. His finger deliberately brushed up her lips, clearly enunciating, “What exactly did you do wrong?”
This was completely overstepping.
Lin Tiao was the type of person who would take a step back when you did, but if you took one more step forward after that, she'd take two steps. And when people act on impulse, their actions are always faster than their thoughts.
She parted her lips and, using the force from him pressing down, bit his finger. Her sharp upper teeth grazed his knuckle.
Jiang Yan froze for a moment, and by the time he came to his senses, his bitten finger instinctively curled, accidentally brushing against her tongue.
Both of them paused.
Lin Tiao instinctively pressed her lips together, her soft lips gently brushing over the back of his finger.
The touch on his fingertip was clear and distinct, warm, with the contrast between her rosy lips and fair, beautiful hand being stark.
Jiang Yan lowered his gaze, staring at where their fingers met for a few seconds, his thoughts in turmoil. He felt his mind go blank, full of inappropriate thoughts.
Without warning, he averted his gaze, his Adam's apple bobbing, his voice oddly hoarse. “Let go.”
Lin Tiao froze, blushing, and released her grip.
Jiang Yan swiftly pulled his hand back. His fingertip brushed across one of her sharp teeth, sending a slight, sharp pain through him.
As his finger pulled away from her lips, a thin strand of saliva followed, creating an intimate, suggestive image.
Lin Tiao had no idea how things had escalated so quickly. All she knew was that she was burning up and felt a strange, indescribable sense of embarrassment.
The two fell silent.
Jiang Yan grabbed a tissue and wiped the moisture off his finger. When he finished, he noticed a distinct bite mark on the lower part of his index finger.
He couldn’t help but think of the feeling of his finger enveloped in the soft warmth, and the slight tingle from her tongue gently brushing the tip of his finger.
Every sensation was magnified a thousand times.
Damn.
Jiang Yan cursed inwardly, his jaw clenched tightly. He rubbed his brow to push down the overwhelming surge of desire rising within him.
After that incident, both Jiang Yan and Lin Tiao were silent for the rest of the afternoon, calm on the surface, but behind them, Hu Hang Hang and Song Yuan couldn’t keep their hands to themselves.
The two were just a desk apart from the couple, and whenever they looked up, they could see the small movements between them. Sometimes, just a slight shift in posture allowed them to catch a glimpse of their hands holding under the table.
Soon after Jiang Yan returned, Hu Hang Hang and Song Yuan finished a game. When they looked up, they saw the two of them almost touching noses, so close they could almost kiss.
Hu Hang Hang and Song Yuan exchanged glances, both thinking they should remind them to be mindful of their image, considering they were still in class.
Just as Hu Hang Hang was about to intervene, he saw Lin Tiao bite Jiang Yan’s finger.
Hu Hang Hang: “…”
Song Yuan: “…”
They simply couldn’t tolerate it.
What kind of place do they think this classroom is? It’s fine to hold hands, but to take it this far—escalating to this level?
Naturally, such things couldn’t be said in front of the girls. So, during evening self-study, Hu Hang Hang created a small group and pulled Jiang Yan, Xu Yichuan, Guan Che, Song Yuan, and the others into it.
The group name was blunt and to the point.
Can you be a human?
When Jiang Yan was added to the group, the others who had no clue about what happened had already been briefed by Hu Hang Hang.
Guan Che: “Holy shit, the moral decline of society is real.”
Xu Yichuan: “What the hell, can a person actually do this?”
Hu Hang Hang: “It’s not something humans would do.”
Song Yuan: “Jiang Yan hasn’t been a human for a long time.”
Guan Che: “You poor guys, having to sit with him in the same class.”
Jiang Yan: "..."
The moment he spoke, the four of them unleashed a flurry of comments one after another: “Jiang Yan, can you act like a human?”
Jiang Yan laughed in anger, said nothing, and directly left the group.
The four of them didn’t realize anything was wrong until halfway through their bombardment. Hu Hang Hang glanced at the member list and then, in front of the whole class, shouted, “Damn, Yan Ge, can you be a human?”
Hu Hang Hang’s voice was already loud, and the surprised tone made it even more noticeable. His voice rang out, causing most of the class to turn and stare.
Jiang Yan: “…”
Damn.
He wanted to kill someone.
By the time the last evening self-study session ended, calming music played over the PA system, and the entire campus glowed with lights. Laughter echoed in the hallways.
Lin Tiao had been writing a test paper during the three evening self-study sessions. When the school bell rang, she had just reached the last question, planning to finish it before leaving. She didn’t stop writing.
Jiang Yan finished watching an episode of a documentary, rubbed his nose, and seeing that she hadn’t moved, asked, “Aren’t you leaving?”
“I’ll finish this question.”
Lin Tiao didn’t look up, keeping her head lowered. Her neck and spine formed a smooth, straight line.
The classroom was quite hot, so she had taken off her outer jacket and was wearing a thin sweater. As she bent down to write, the sweater clung to her back, revealing the beautiful curve of her shoulder blades.
Jiang Yan felt like a pervert.
He quickly averted his eyes, lowering his head to look at his phone, feeling the heat rising from his ears to his neck.
Lin Tiao didn’t notice any of his actions. Stuck on a question, she paused, picked up her test paper, and leaned it over to him. “Can you help me with this question?”
She glanced at him, somewhat confused. “Are you hot? Your ears are all red.”
“…” Jiang Yan stopped himself from touching his ears, turned sideways to open the window, and cleared his throat, “It’s a bit hot.”
Lin Tiao didn’t think much of it, poking the question on the test paper with her pen. “How do you solve this?”
“I’ll take a look.” Jiang Yan moved the paper closer to himself, subtly increasing the distance between them.
But it didn’t help.
The gap between the seats was only so wide. No matter how much he tried to retreat, the familiar scent of the girl was still in the air with every breath he took.
He simply couldn't focus his thoughts.
At this moment, there were only two students left, the last ones cleaning the floor, but they quickly finished and were about to leave.
Before they left, one of them called out to Lin Tiao, “Make sure to turn off the lights when you leave.”
Lin Tiao smiled and nodded, “Okay, got it.”
The two of them left the classroom soon after.
Lin Tiao spun her pen in her fingers and turned her head to look at the silent Jiang Yan. “Have you made up your mind?”
Jiang Yan raised his eyes to meet hers. “Yes, I’ve decided.”
As soon as his words fell, he suddenly reached out and grabbed her arm. Before she could react, he pulled her forward. The refreshing scent of mint and the sweet fragrance of fruit intertwined perfectly, and his warm palm pressed against the back of her head. Without any hesitation, he kissed her.
He had made his decision.
He chose not to be human.