Chapter 101: Closing In Step by Step!

As Qin Luo and Wang Jiujiu reached the school gate, the long-anticipated raindrops finally began to fall.

Rain in the north carries a certain grandeur compared to that in the south. It started with flashes of lightning and booming thunder, accompanied by fierce winds. The overwhelming downpour seemed as if it intended to drown the entire world.

A thick mist blurred the vision of passersby; even standing side by side, Qin Luo could not clearly discern the delicate features of Wang Jiujiu’s face, so close at hand.

A couple returning late ran past them hand in hand, their steps light and skirts fluttering. Their smiles blossomed like white lotus flowers, singing a youthful song amidst the rain.

Wang Jiujiu looked out at the increasingly heavy rain with delight, trying not to let her happiness show on her face. She then asked Qin Luo, “Teacher Qin, with such heavy rain, how will you get home?”

“It’s alright. The rain will stop soon,” Qin Luo replied with a smile. Because of the downpour, not a single taxi could be found at the school entrance. Under such circumstances, it would be truly foolish for Qin Luo to walk back to the Lin family villa.

“Alright. Then I’ll wait with you,” Wang Jiujiu said.

Qin Luo glanced at Wang Jiujiu’s thin dress and said, “You’d better return to the dorm first. Be careful not to catch a cold.”

The nights in Yanjing were already somewhat chilly. With such heavy rain, the temperature naturally dropped further. Wang Jiujiu was dressed in only a long dress, her arms and calves exposed, making it difficult to withstand the cold.

“How could I do such a disloyal thing?” Wang Jiujiu smiled and refused. She actually hoped the rain would last longer. There were some things she had never dared to ask aloud.

Perhaps, if given a little more time, she could prepare herself fully.

There were two difficult things in life: one was asking someone, “Do you love me?” and the other was saying, “I love you.”

“But you’ll catch a cold,” Qin Luo said.

Wang Jiujiu gave him a side-eye glance. “What’s there to fear about a cold? After all, standing in front of me is the world’s best doctor.”

“The world’s best doctor? Well, I won’t deny that. But even so, getting sick isn’t good. It lowers your body’s resistance,” Qin Luo advised.

Wang Jiujiu felt conflicted. Why was this man so stubborn?

As a lady, I’ve already shown my feelings clearly. Can you just let me have a little bit of restraint?

As if harboring some bitterness, Wang Jiujiu said straightforwardly, “I’m not going back. I just like being with you.”

“—” Qin Luo looked at her in surprise. Under the night sky, the girl’s eyes met his without retreat, and his heart began to flutter. Like a thief caught red-handed, he quickly looked away.

“Are you cold?” Qin Luo said awkwardly. As a virgin, he didn’t know how to handle the situation.

“Yes,” Wang Jiujiu said, looking intently at Qin Luo’s face.

Since you asked, I’ll be honest. Now let’s see what you’ll do.

“Well—” Qin Luo glanced at his robe and said, “If I take off my clothes for you, I’ll be cold as well.”

“—”

Wang Jiujiu felt exasperated. Who answers like that?

Her stubbornness, like moss rapidly growing in the rain, spread throughout her body. Like an unyielding warrior, she said, “It’s okay. I can bear it. After all, you’re a doctor. Even if I fall ill, you’ll cure me, right?”

As she spoke, she deliberately coughed twice.

A shameless person is invincible.

If a woman is shameless, the entire universe has no match for her.

Thus, Qin Luo was defeated by this woman.

He began to remove his robe as he said, “I’m really not used to taking off my clothes in public.”

“You don’t have to take it off,” Wang Jiujiu said. She stepped forward and pressed her body against Qin Luo’s, saying, “This way is fine.”

This way is fine?

The warm softness pressed against him, her chin resting on the girl’s silky hair, breathing in the fruity scent of her shampoo—Qin Luo raised his hands helplessly, feeling at a loss.

Perhaps the lonely rainy night gave her inexplicable courage, making her feel as if the whole world belonged only to the two of them. So, words she once dared not say, or could not say yet, slipped out naturally.

Wang Jiujiu’s heart pounded fiercely, giving her the sensation of riding a roller coaster.

Had she been too forward?

But if she didn’t take the initiative, how long would she have to wait?

Women age quickly. Every wasted day shortens the time she can spend with him by one day.

Now that she had confessed her feelings, all that remained was to await his choice.

Acceptance or rejection.

Love or indifference.

She needed an answer. Perhaps rushed, but at least to make him understand: she liked him.

Even if he pushed her away, she would still face a future of waiting. But she wanted him to know she was waiting for him, and no one else.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds—

Amid the pattering of raindrops striking the cement ground, time passed second by second.

Yet Qin Luo remained rigid, his body stiff and upright, hands raised midair, showing no sign of pulling her close.

Since childhood, Wang Jiujiu had always been known for her independent spirit. In any matter, she strove to solve problems by herself.

Many things she handled well.

She could do many things alone. But there was one thing that required two people’s effort.

That was love.

With each passing second, Wang Jiujiu’s heart sank further. At that moment, she truly felt the chill of the deep night.

She felt her face pressed against his chest, her uncovered hands, exposed calves, her back—her heart, her liver, her very soul—chilled to the bone.

She sighed softly in her heart.

The hard-won courage, her first confession in life, was likely to fail.

His hesitation showed he was unwilling to accept her.

Not accepting meant not loving.

The daughter of a soldier, with resolute decisiveness flowing in her veins, found herself ill-suited for the battlefield of love.

Wang Jiujiu moved, ready to climb out of Qin Luo’s embrace.

Such a one-sided hug offered no warmth.

Then—

Perhaps Qin Luo’s arms had grown tired of holding them up, or perhaps he felt that as a gentleman, he ought to hold the girl in his arms tightly.

Slowly, his hands lowered, gently—almost afraid to startle her—resting on Wang Jiujiu’s back.

In that instant, filled with warmth, Wang Jiujiu, nestled in Qin Luo’s arms, wept silently.

This was the girl who, when born, had not cried but stared wide-eyed in wonder at the strange new world; now, tears streamed down her face.

She did not expect a promise—only the hope that when she said “I love you,” he would not panic and run away.

At least, give me a little hope.

*****************************

Qin Luo walked along the classroom corridor, asking, “Last time I spoke about the four pillars of health. Can anyone tell me what those four pillars are?”

“A peaceful mindset, balanced nutrition, moderate exercise, and sufficient sleep,” a student answered.

“Correct. If one can maintain these four, it’s very difficult to fall ill. Therefore, I believe prevention is better than cure. Those who understand how to nurture their health generally live long lives. However, weather changes, life is unpredictable; it’s impossible to never get sick. So when we prescribe medicine, we must seek the root cause—trace the illness to its origin—”

While Qin Luo was speaking eloquently, the back door of the classroom suddenly opened. Led by Department Chair Guo Renhuai, a group of blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigners entered.

Qin Luo immediately understood—they must be the delegation from Tiansen University in the United States, here to inspect the Capital Medical University.

As usual, when other department leaders received notice of such visits, they would act as though facing a formidable enemy—urgently warning the main lecturer, fearing any mistakes. Some even rehearsed their lectures repeatedly before the department leaders to find flaws.

Qin Luo, however, was entirely unaware. It was only when these people entered the classroom that he realized today was the day of the delegation’s visit.

It seemed that the incident at the Traditional Chinese Medicine symposium, where he had stabbed Guo Renhuai in the back in front of the deputy minister, had reached Guo’s ears through whispers. This time, Qin Luo was standing bare, waiting to see himself embarrassed.

Because Qin Luo’s lectures were very popular, the classroom was always packed. Now, with these guests arriving, finding a seat or even a standing spot was difficult.

Guo Renhuai frowned as he scanned the room, finding no empty seats. Feeling embarrassed, he said to the last row of students, “Everyone, please stand to give our guests a row of seats.”

In his eyes, these students were far less important than the foreign visitors.

It was no big deal for the students to stand, but having these foreign guests stand to listen to the lecture? What kind of insult would that be? Wouldn’t it disgrace the great nation of etiquette?

Though unwilling, the students dared not disobey the department chair. Their graduation, grades, and even job placements depended on others.

Seeing this, Qin Luo frowned and stopped his lecture. He looked at Guo Renhuai and said, “In my classroom, there is always a first-come, first-served rule. Early arrivals get seats; latecomers stand. No exceptions.”

Foreigners are human beings, but are the Chinese not? He despised this servile attitude of treating foreigners like masters.

Hearing Qin Luo’s words, the students immediately ceased their movements and sat firmly in their seats.

They feared Guo Renhuai, but they admired Qin Luo.