I, the spiritual mentor of beautiful girls from all over the world

Qiong had no concept of money. She simply scanned the menu carefully with her dark eyes, then extended her fair fingers and ordered a few dishes with the most appealing names.

After what happened that night, Qiong is now much bolder.

Whatever Onii-chan says goes.

Yui watched from the sidelines, her heart bleeding.

Oh my god, Xiao Qiong, the price on the back of that caviar you ordered looks like my entire year's allowance...

In the end, after a huge internal struggle, Yuihama only ordered the cheapest salad.

Exquisite dishes were quickly served, and the air was filled with the enticing aroma of food and the soft, melodious strains of classical music.

Yuihama sat upright, gripping the heavy silver knife and fork, feeling every cell in her body screaming "nervousness."

She looked at the steak in front of her, adorned with exquisite sauce and resembling a work of art, and for a moment she didn't know where to begin.

This awkwardness naturally did not escape Lynn's notice.

He didn't point it out directly, as that would only make the girl more embarrassed.

He simply wiped his mouth elegantly with a napkin, then spoke in a casual, conversational tone.

"Speaking of which, Yuihama-kun, how's your Sabre doing lately?"

"Huh? Sabre... Sabre?"

Yuihama was taken aback, not expecting the teacher to suddenly mention her beloved dog's name.

This incredibly familiar topic, like a warm current, instantly dispelled much of her tension.

"Hmm! It's great! It's just... it seems to have gained a little weight recently, and Mom keeps nagging me to put it on a diet!"

Once she started talking about her beloved dog, she immediately became very talkative, and her facial expressions became much more lively.

Lynn smiled as she skillfully cut her steak, guiding the conversation.

"Really? It seems you've been taking too good care of it. Next time you have the chance, you can take it and Qiong for a walk in the park."

However, just as Yuihama's eyes lit up at the suggestion, Sora, sitting next to Lynn, made a move.

She silently cut a small piece of lobster meat from her plate, then reached across the table with her fork and offered it directly to Lynn's mouth.

Her movements were natural and without the slightest hesitation. Her dark eyes were quietly watching Lynn, as if in her world, Yui Hama and their conversation were just background noise that didn't exist.

This sudden turn of events left Yui-hama speechless, and a subtle, awkward atmosphere, akin to a "battlefield," filled the air.

Lynn paused for a moment, then looked at Qiong with a helpless yet indulgent gaze before opening his mouth to accept the food.

He chewed for a moment, then gave Yui an apologetic smile and continued the previous topic: "Sorry. Anyway, don't let it eat too many snacks."

His handling of the situation was impeccable; he soothed Sora's possessive dependence without neglecting Yui, and firmly controlled the pace of the conversation.

Yuihama watched this scene with mixed feelings.

She envied Qiong for being able to act so naturally and affectionately towards her teacher, and her heart raced at Lin En's impeccable gentleness and thoughtfulness.

He noticed my nervousness, so he deliberately brought up a topic I liked...

This realization, like a pebble thrown into a lake of the heart, rippled outwards in concentric circles, creating waves of emotion.

During the meal, Yuihama felt as if she were walking on clouds, dizzy and unable to even taste the food.

What matters is who is sitting next to you, and the subtle and gentle tenderness that he inadvertently reveals.

……

After dinner, Lynn drove his secondhand Toyota to take Yuihama home first.

The car came to a smooth stop in front of a cozy, off-white two-story building. Several well-maintained petunias were planted under the porch, giving the place a lively atmosphere.

"Thank you so much for today, Ms. Lynn!"

Yui Yuigahama stood at the door, her face flushed, and bowed deeply to Lynn in the car, her voice still carrying a hint of lingering joy.

Just then, the door clicked open, and a beautiful woman emerged, dressed in casual clothes, with a gentle demeanor and a resemblance to Yuihama, but with a more mature and sophisticated air.

It was Mrs. Yuihama.

"Oh, Yui, so late... And who is this?"

When her gaze fell on Lynn as she got out of the car, she was visibly stunned.

'What...what a handsome young man...'

A small ripple stirred in Mrs. Yuihama's heart.

She had seen many handsome celebrities, but the young man in front of her gave her a completely different feeling.

That composure and ease beyond her years, mixed with a touch of just the right amount of languor, as if she had everything under control, has an almost fatal attraction for women of her age.

What surprised her even more was her own daughter.

She noticed Yui, whose face, which always carried a somewhat ingratiating smile, now radiated a genuine, heartfelt glow, a mixture of shyness and pure joy, that she had never seen before.

That light made her, as a mother, feel a sense of unfamiliarity and unease.

"Hello, I am Yui's Mandarin teacher, Lynn."

Lynn nodded politely, a gentle smile on her lips.

"Ah! It's Ms. Lynn! How rude of me! My daughter Yui is always so well taken care of by you at school!"

Mrs. Yuihama snapped out of her daze, hurriedly tidied her hair, and warmly extended the invitation.

"Teacher, please come in! And this... student, would you like to come in and have a cup of tea?"

"No, it's getting late. I'll definitely visit you next time."

Lynn politely declined her offer, then turned to look at Yui, who was so embarrassed she was practically burying her head in the ground, and spoke in a serious tone, like a teacher addressing a student.

The voice seemed to have a penetrating power, carrying a convincing quality.

"Yuhihama-san, I've seen everything you've done at school."

Yuihama's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively looked up.

Lynn continued, "You are kind and hardworking, and you always bring warmth to those around you like a little sun. This is your most precious quality."

This heartfelt compliment, like the gentlest warmth, instantly flowed through Yuihama's entire body.

She had always felt that she was just trying to please others, and this "kindness" sometimes even made her feel tired, but when he said it, it became "the most precious quality".

Lynn paused, her gaze becoming even more profound, as if she could see through all of Lynn's unease and confusion.

"Also, you need to be more confident. You have your own ideas, so trust your own judgment."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Yuihama's heart heavily.

"Many times, your intuition is far more accurate and valuable than anyone else's rational analysis. Keep it up, I have high hopes for you."

Boom—! 3.3!!

Yui Yuigahama felt her brain completely explode from that last, god-like affirmation!

Intuition...my intuition...is it precious?

These words, like a lightning bolt piercing the night, precisely illuminated the deepest corner of her heart, a corner she herself dared not even be sure of.

So...so he knew all along...so those inexplicable "feelings" of mine were actually such important things in his eyes!

She was so happy she almost fainted. All her tension, anxiety, and inferiority complex were washed away in that moment, leaving only endless sweetness and emotion.

She lowered her head, her cheeks as red as ripe apples, and could only say goodbye in a whisper, barely audible voice.

"Goodbye, teacher!"

Lynn nodded to Mrs. Yuihama again, then took Sora and drove away.

The car's taillights disappeared around the street corner, but Yui Yuigahama remained standing there, stunned.

The evening breeze blew by, ruffling her orange-pink hair.

A tremendous, indescribable joy and sweetness, like the finest wine, instantly intoxicated her.

Her cheeks were burning, and her heart was pounding.

At this moment, the whole world seemed to bloom with pink, sweet flowers.

"Cough cough."

Mrs. Yuihama finally came to her senses. She patted her daughter on the shoulder and teased her in a joking tone.

"Yui, your new teacher is such a handsome guy."

Yuihama just blushed, smiled foolishly, and didn't answer.

Yes.

However, he's not just some incredibly handsome guy.

Chapter 43: School Festival Dilemma 1: The Art Club's Ace

The next day, it was just getting light.

The doorbell of Lynn's apartment was gently rang with a rhythm that carried a hint of trepidation and anticipation.

I opened the door, and sure enough, it was there.

Yui Yuigahama stood nervously in the doorway.

She wore a clean school uniform today, and her orange-pink bun seemed to be styled more carefully than usual, with a few wisps of hair playfully hanging by her ears, making her face, which always had a flattering smile, blush with a charming rosy hue.

"Good morning, Lynn-sensei! Sora-chan!"

Her voice was very soft, and she dared not look directly at Lynn, but she couldn't help but steal glances at him from the corner of her eye.

Lynn glanced at the clock on the wall; it was still plenty of time.

He smiled knowingly and stepped aside.

"Come in. Judging from your appearance, you definitely haven't had breakfast."

"Eh?!"

Yui Yuigahama's cheeks flushed bright red, almost to the point of bleeding, and her little hands frantically thrashed about in front of her.

I was...I was seen through!

She was so excited last night that she barely slept, her mind filled with Lynn's words, "Your intuition is precious." As soon as it was light, she rushed over, not even bothering to eat breakfast.

Soon, the kitchen was filled with the sizzling sound of frying eggs and the aroma of toast.

Yui Yuigahama sat upright at the dining table like a schoolchild who had made a mistake. Watching Lynn's incredibly skillful movements, which seemed to have been practiced a thousand times, her heart started pounding uncontrollably again.

Qiong, who had already changed into her school uniform, sat quietly next to Lynn like a kitten that had declared its ownership. With her dark eyes, she subtly observed the restless Yuihama, her gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"..."

On their way to school together, the atmosphere subtly changed.

Yuihama no longer walked cautiously half a step behind the two as before, but instead mustered her courage and walked side by side with Sora on Lynn's left.

Although she still didn't dare to make too much eye contact with Lynn, the light in her eyes when she occasionally looked up was brighter and more confident than ever before.

……

Zongwu High School, Faculty and Staff Office.

Lynn's return was like a stone thrown into a calm pond.

"Hey, Ms. Lynn, you're back from your business trip 'abroad'? How was it?"

"I've heard that girls abroad are very enthusiastic. With a guy as handsome as Lynn, you'd better be careful not to get snatched away!"

His colleagues teased him in good-nature.

Lynn just smiled lazily and gave a few perfunctory replies before returning to her seat.

At that moment, a strong smell of women's cigarettes came from afar.

Hiratsuka Shizuka, wearing high heels and carrying a nearly burnt-out cigarette, strode over and slammed her hand on Lynn's desk with such force that the pen holder jumped.

"You little rascal, you've finally decided to come back?"

Her sharp eyes, which always held a scrutinizing quality, looked Lynn up and down, as if trying to find some clue in him.