Chapter 7: Temptation
May's weather mirrored the number "5"—moderate, neither cold nor hot.
Though not her first Labor Day, Lin Zhengmo felt a faint anticipation. Students were endearing, often surprising her with flowers or letters, their affection hidden in subtle gestures.
That morning, she found a greeting card on her desk from Zhao Xiaoxiao:
"Happy Labor Day, Ms. Lin! Came early to be the first to give you this card! Wish you forever young and beautiful! Love you!"
A cute smiley face drew the end.
Lin Zhengmo smiled, tucking the card into her drawer. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a figure—Jian Yue. Morning sunlight draped over the director's shoulders, casting a soft glow on her slim frame. Perhaps due to the gentle light, Lin Zhengmo found Jian Yue's features surprisingly delicate.
Her gaze lingered briefly before she looked away, pretending to grade papers. But her ears tracked every footstep as Jian Yue approached, her grip on the pen tightening. A distracted stroke left a thick mark on the page, yet she refused to look up.
"Ms. Lin." Jian Yue leaned on the desk, eyes fixed on her.
Lin Zhengmo looked up to see a bouquet in Jian Yue's hand—lilies, white petals with green centers, elegant and charming.
"Need something, Director Jian?"
"These are for you." Jian Yue placed the lilies beside Lin Zhengmo's pen holder, amber eyes unwavering. "Aren't they?"
"For me?" Lin Zhengmo glanced at the flowers, then at Jian Yue. "I didn't buy any."
"Must be a delivery mix-up. I checked the card—it has your name." Jian Yue's finger tapped the card, inviting her to look.
Lin Zhengmo hesitated—these were surely from AhAhAh. "A friend sent them, I think." She hid her excitement. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Jian Yue didn't leave, instead studying the flowers. "Nine lilies, I counted."
Lin Zhengmo was taken aback—she knew lilies, no need for a reminder. What was she getting at?
"Nine lilies have a meaning, but I forget," Jian Yue mused, still not looking at her. "They felt heavy when I carried them."
The casual words held a hint. Lin Zhengmo noticed the bouquet's large wrapper for only nine flowers—something else must be inside.
"Thanks again, Director. Happy Labor Day."
"You too. I'll be off."
As Jian Yue left, Lin Zhengmo's eyes followed her, the sunlight fading. AhAhAh's words echoed: We will meet.
We met today—not with AhAhAh, but with Jian Yue, who'd brought the flowers.
Focusing on the bouquet, Lin Zhengmo plucked the card while the office was still quiet:
"Happy Labor Day. Wish you joy and health every day. Love you, my baby."
The handwriting was elegant, in blue ink—too neat to be from a florist, more like AhAhAh's style, though she dismissed the thought.
Wait—Jian Yue had read the card! She'd seen "Love you" and "baby"!
How embarrassing!
Beneath the lilies, Lin Zhengmo found roses and eucalyptus—floral symbolism: blazing love. Deeper still, a small box held an old-fashioned MP3, the kind with a headphone jack, obsolete among the young.
She snapped a photo:
[Flowers are beautiful.]
[But why an MP3?]
AhAhAh replied instantly: [Listen when you get home.]
[Can't at school—no headphones. What's on it?]
[It's a surprise.]
[Ugh, you're so mean!]
[Hope my baby likes it~]
[I do! But the card—our grade director saw "baby" TAT.]
Meanwhile, next door...
Jian Yue sat alone, the blue pen on her desk a silent accomplice. Sending the flowers and card had been deliberate—her Labor Day gift, fulfilling last night's promise: We will meet.
Reading Lin Zhengmo's messages, she could imagine her flustered expression—shy yet annoyed.
[She saw it? What should I do?]
[Probably fine.]
[Will she tell others?] —Jian Yue needed to know Lin Zhengmo's true feelings.
[Doubt it.] Lin Zhengmo replied. [She's not gossipy. Probably didn't care.]
Relieved, Jian Yue typed: [Ordered your favorite milk tea. Should arrive after second period.]
Lin Zhengmo had recently obsessed over a certain drink, and AhAhAh often sent it to her office.
[Thanks, baby.]
[kiss jpg.]
[hug jpg.]
After second period, Lin Zhengmo got a delivery call.
"Teacher, your order's here!"
"Just leave it on my desk."
"Too many—can't fit!"
She rushed to the office to find 20+ milk teas. Colleagues assumed she'd treated everyone—a common courtesy—so they happily helped themselves.
"Ms. Lin, can I have one?" Teacher Zhao asked eagerly.
"Help yourself." Lin Zhengmo distributed them, keeping her favorite.
Older teachers politely declined at first, but soon sipped happily. The drinks melted her aloof image—colleagues now saw her as "quiet but kind."
AhAhAh's gift worked better than expected, she thought.
"Ms. Lin, one left," Zhao Ming noted. "For Director Jian next door?"
Lin Zhengmo tensed. "Take it to her, please..." She didn't want direct contact.
"But it's your treat—I shouldn't."
She couldn't drink two, and Zhao Ming didn't deserve it. Jian Yue's face... Why so nervous?
"Coincidentally," Zhao Ming said, "that's Sweet Guava, Director Jian's favorite. Saw her order it at team building."
"Really?"
Driven by an invisible force, Lin Zhengmo grabbed the drink and wandered to Jian Yue's office. Knocking, she heard "Come in."
Standing before Jian Yue, cup in hand, her face burned. "Director Jian... Want some milk tea?"
Jian Yue feigned surprise. "For me?"
"Yeah." Lin Zhengmo handed it over. "Not sure if you like it."
"Thanks—this is my favorite." Jian Yue smiled, eyes bright. "You seem happy today."
I'm not! Lin Zhengmo wanted to protest, but it was futile. "Not really. Enjoy, I'll go."
"Wait." Jian Yue sipped the tea. "Practice relay tonight."
"Again?"
"We slacked off last night, didn't we?"
"True." Lin Zhengmo nodded. "Tonight, then."
"Mn." Jian Yue changed the subject. "Perfect sweetness. I like it."
"Glad you do."
As she left, Lin Zhengmo turned back: "Director, about my dating... Please keep it private. I hate gossip."
Jian Yue bit her straw, suppressing a smile. "Of course. After this Sweet Guava, why would I tell?"
"Thanks. I'll send all Ms. Zhang's blind dates to you from now on."
Jian Yue choked, tea threatening to spill.
Cough—
Pfft.