Chapter Thirty-Two: The Professor Has Arrived at the School

"Alright." Zhou Jiajia took it, though her gaze kept flitting back and forth between the two, her eyes rolling with curiosity.

Ning Lebao was frantic with rage: "Ning Huaizhi, Mom and Dad entrusted you to look after me at school. Is this how you fulfill that duty? What do you think they would say if they found out?"

Ning Huaizhi’s movements stopped abruptly, which gave Ning Lebao a start. She looked at Ning Huaizhi with suspicion, fearing she might lash out.

Ning Huaizhi merely smiled. "Ning Lebao, instead of wasting your energy arguing with me, you’d be better off getting He Mingyuan out of trouble."

"What is that supposed to mean? I have no relationship with He Mingyuan. Stop throwing false accusations around." Ning Lebao’s body visibly stiffened, her eyes full of wariness.

"Is that so? I haven't even mentioned my history with He Mingyuan yet, so how did you come to the conclusion that you have no relationship with him? If He Mingyuan knew that after doing all this for you, he received such a dismissal, he would surely be heartbroken."

Ning Lebao fell silent for a moment. She knew she had slipped up, but she refused to admit it. Instead, she pulled the quilt over her head, her muffled voice coming from beneath it: "Say what you want, it doesn't change the fact that I have nothing to do with him."

Ning Huaizhi couldn't be bothered to force a confession; it served no purpose for her. Seeing that it was about time, she gathered her textbooks and began to eat her breakfast. Once finished, she and Zhou Jiajia headed toward the classroom.

Ning Lebao emerged from beneath the covers, staring at the place where Ning Huaizhi had left, her eyes filled with malice.

...

After the morning classes ended, while heading to the cafeteria, Ning Huaizhi encountered someone she really did not want to see.

The man before her had messy hair and dark, bruised circles under his eyes, suggesting he hadn't slept well. The stubble on his chin had grown out, unshaven, making him look quite disheveled.

Ning Huaizhi suddenly laughed. "I was just wondering this morning why Ning Lebao hadn't gotten you out yet. So, it turns out she had already succeeded; I just didn't know."

What a pity.

He Mingyuan, however, looked somewhat pleased. "Huaizhi, you do care about me, don't you? I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you, and I hope you can forgive me. I love you so, so much. If you don't forgive me, there's no point in me living."

"Oh," Ning Huaizhi said, enunciating each word with great sincerity, "then go ahead and die."

"W-what?"

He Mingyuan’s smile froze; he stood there like a wooden post.

"You said that if I didn't forgive you, you’d die, didn't you? Well, I’m telling you directly: I will never forgive you. You can go ahead and die."

Ning Huaizhi didn't want to see him playing the victim, so she repeated herself. He Mingyuan looked at her with complex eyes, eventually shaking his head.

"I know you’re just saying that out of spite. When you clear your head later and realize I truly did something foolish, you will surely feel heartache and regret. I don't want the one I love to be hurt, and I don't want you to regret what you've done. So, I will live; I won't let your lies become reality."

Not to mention Ning Huaizhi, even Zhou Jiajia’s expression turned strange. She mustered her courage and pulled Ning Huaizhi behind her. "If you really like Huaizhi, stop coming to find her. Isn't it obvious enough that Huaizhi doesn't want to see you?"

"What does it have to do with you? Get out of my way." He Mingyuan’s expression twisted. Just as he was about to pull her aside, he caught Ning Huaizhi’s gaze. Rationality returned in an instant, and he quickly changed his tone. "Huaizhi, I wasn't going to lay a hand on her. I just... I just like you too much. Give me a chance, won't you?"

*I must keep up the act; I cannot let her despise me,* He Mingyuan told himself inwardly. Even now, he believed that Ning Huaizhi still loved him. Since they were young, Ning Huaizhi had been beautiful, and countless people had wanted to date her, but none had succeeded. Only he, He Mingyuan, had managed to win her affection. He knew she had been in love with him for over a decade, which was why she had agreed the moment he confessed. *She is just afraid to admit she still loves me, but that’s fine. I will do the talking for her.*

He had assumed she would always love him, never expecting that the fallout from his affair with Ning Lebao would impact her so deeply. The moment she broke up with him, a strange, undefined emotion had surged in his chest. He felt sorrow. It was only then that He Mingyuan realized just how much space Ning Huaizhi occupied in his heart. He couldn't be separated from her; they had to be together—they *must* be together.

Seeing Ning Huaizhi’s cold gaze, the smile on his lips stiffened, and his heart throbbed with a dull pain. *Don't look at me like that, Huaizhi.*

Knowing apologies were useless, he decided to change the subject. "Huaizhi, it’s lunchtime now. Why don't I go to the cafeteria with you?"

"No need."

Ning Huaizhi couldn't be bothered to look at him. She grabbed Zhou Jiajia’s hand and walked toward a side exit. There weren't many people around now; only a few curious onlookers remained, while the rest had long since reached the canteen. Compared to watching a scene, eating was far more important.

...

If it weren't for He Mingyuan blocking their path, they would have been at the cafeteria by now. Seeing he was about to block their way again, Ning Huaizhi’s expression turned icy.

"Move. If you keep blocking us, I won't be able to get lunch today. Is that your goal?"

He Mingyuan quickly stepped aside, staring at her unblinkingly, feigning a pathetic look. "Huaizhi, I didn't mean to. I just want you to give me a chance."

Truth be told, He Mingyuan was not unattractive; he could be considered handsome, which was why Ning Lebao had intentionally pursued him. But this certainly did not apply to his current, unkempt state. He had likely forgotten that he had left the house looking like this in a bid to win Ning Huaizhi’s sympathy.

Ning Huaizhi felt a wave of nausea. She pulled Zhou Jiajia along and left quickly. He Mingyuan stood behind them, not following, but shouting, "Huaizhi, just trust me one more time!"

Ning Huaizhi shivered in disgust and quickened her pace.

They had arrived late, and as expected, there wasn't much left in the cafeteria. The two grabbed whatever food they could find and sat down to eat. Zhou Jiajia ate absentmindedly, glancing at Ning Huaizhi from time to time. Ning Huaizhi was clearly not focused on her food either, failing to notice Zhou Jiajia’s state.

Eventually, Zhou Jiajia asked, "Huaizhi, what are you going to do about He Mingyuan?"

Ning Huaizhi snapped back to reality. "Let's just leave him be for now." She wanted to find a way to deal with him, but she lacked the capacity at the moment, so she had to set it aside. There was something much more important waiting for her.

...

Professor Ming Shucheng had arrived at the school; she was also her teacher from her previous life. The Fu Group had joined forces with Jing City University and the Research Institute to conduct a joint study, with the location set at the university. Ming Shucheng was the lead professor from the Institute.

In her past life, by a stroke of fate, she had been bullied by Ning Lebao, and the Professor had witnessed her at her most vulnerable. Ming, a woman in her forties, had been shocked, but quickly brought her back to her dormitory, gently applied medicine, and asked what had happened. Ning Huaizhi, not knowing her status and fearing she might be implicated, had said nothing, and the Professor hadn't pressed her. After that, the Professor caught her being bullied a few more times, and each time, she would take her back to the dormitory to treat her, even though she remained silent.

Later, Ning Huaizhi couldn't take it anymore and asked her why she did it, and why she didn't question her. The Professor had simply said, "I respect your wishes. Whether you choose to speak or not does not change my attitude toward you."

They had grown close after that. Had it not been for that accident, Ning Huaizhi would likely have followed her, conducting experiments with her teacher for a lifetime.

And in this life?

Ning Huaizhi lay on her bed, staring blankly at the bed curtains above. *Should I try to engineer a chance encounter where I met her in my past life?*

No, a little investigation would reveal the truth, and what if the teacher suspected she had ulterior motives?

*Should I let Ning Lebao bully me, following the trajectory of my past life?*

Absolutely not. Putting aside the fact that things were already different, she simply couldn't stomach the humiliation. Ning Huaizhi desperately pulled the pillow over her face. *What on earth should I do?*

When Zhou Jiajia turned around, she saw Ning Huaizhi tossing and turning on her bed. She was silent for a moment. This was the third time she had looked back to find her like this. What could have happened to make her this way?

"Huaizhi, is something on your mind? Can you tell me?" Zhou Jiajia asked proactively.

Ning Huaizhi stopped moving. Keeping it bottled up wasn't solving anything. Maybe if she told her, she could suggest a solution? Ning Huaizhi became instantly energized. She sat up and asked, "Jiajia, if you really like a teacher and want to get close to them to become their student, what should you do?"

"Well, you just go to the teacher and express your interest," Zhou Jiajia said, tilting her head, seemingly confused as to why this would be difficult.

Ning Huaizhi had a sudden realization. *Ah, it really is that simple.*

This was the normal process; her own thinking had been warped. It was all Ning Lebao’s fault. If it hadn't been for the humiliating way she had met the professor in her past life, she wouldn't have come up with such twisted, roundabout ideas.

Come to think of it, the Professor’s laboratory was currently recruiting, wasn't it? The reason the corporate joint study had chosen Jing City University was precisely because there were enough students there. Submitting a resume now was a possibility.

*But it can't be me.*

Thinking of this, Ning Huaizhi flopped back onto the bed. The recruitment was aimed at juniors and seniors. She was only a freshman; she wouldn't even be considered. Freshmen hadn't even learned the basics; entering the lab would just be a hindrance. In her past life, she had only joined the lab as a junior.

But she was different now. She had the memories of a senior, but not the age. She wouldn't be selected. Which meant she still couldn't meet her teacher.

But this was the only way.

After pondering for a long time, Ning Huaizhi got out of bed, looking listless, every inch of her radiating pure exhaustion. Seeing this, Zhou Jiajia became even more concerned. "Huaizhi, are you alright?"

Ning Huaizhi shook her head. "I'm fine. I'm perfectly fine." She was going to use her best possible state to write the best possible resume.

"Huaizhi, which teacher are you interested in? Is there any teacher who wouldn't like you?" Zhou Jiajia, seeing she was okay, began to tease her. She wasn't lying; all the teachers liked Ning Huaizhi.

"She is a very good teacher," Ning Huaizhi thought for a moment, her eyes curving into a smile. "She will like me. I'm sure of it."

She would definitely leave the best possible impression on her teacher.

...

After bringing her clothes back from the hospital last time, Ning Huaizhi had just left them in her wardrobe. Having some free time today, she decided to take them out and refold them. A white handkerchief drifted from the clothes onto the floor.

Ning Huaizhi stared at the handkerchief for a moment, then crouched down to pick it up. She had intended to wash it and return it to Qin Qiuhong, but she had forgotten the next day. If she went to find him just for a handkerchief, it would seem a bit excessive. What she considered important might be trivial to him.

*Should I return it?* Ning Huaizhi asked herself. Then, she smiled and muttered to herself, "Ning Huaizhi, what are you thinking? Why would President Qin care about such a small thing? Making a special trip just for a handkerchief is not only a hassle for me, but it would also be bothering him. I mustn't cause him any trouble."

Despite saying that, Ning Huaizhi hesitated, then folded the handkerchief carefully and tucked it into a small corner of her wardrobe.

*Forget it. If I have a chance to meet him again, I’ll return it then.*

Ning Huaizhi spent the next few days preparing her resume. Although Professor Ming’s recruitment had no deadline, the earlier one joined, the more opportunities one had to learn under her. Many people had already participated, and Ning Huaizhi could hear people talking about it as she walked around.

Zhou Jiajia remarked, "They’re really impressive. To be able to submit a resume to Professor Ming, they must all be very talented."

"If you want to, you could submit a resume to Professor Ming too," Ning Huaizhi added.

"No, no. I haven't learned enough yet. Even if I were by her side, I’d just be holding her back. I'll study some more," Zhou Jiajia said, turning to her with a smile. "But Huaizhi, you could give it a try."

Ning Huaizhi sighed. "I want to, but a resume that catches Professor Ming’s eye isn't that simple."

Unfortunately, she was currently a blank slate, no different from a penniless student. What could she say after meeting the professor? Should she say, "Professor, pick me! I am the 'Dragon Overlord'—I promise I won't let you down"?

Ning Huaizhi covered her face. *Forget it. I can't afford to lose face like that. I wouldn't even have the courage to tell anyone I was her student in the future.*