Winter Time Rendering

He was enjoying himself, but the woman across the dining table sighed.

"Goodness, child. Why would you run over here to smash flower pots on a day this cold instead of staying home?"

Du Kang could only manage an awkward laugh. He was too embarrassed to admit he’d been put up to it, and he certainly couldn’t say that he’d actually suspected her. All he could do was apologize profusely and go back to eating his noodles in silence.

"You’re... Qiumian’s classmate, right?" The housekeeper seemed to have more on her mind.

Du Kang nodded.

"I hear she doesn’t have many friends in her class. Since you’re her friend, please look out for her and try to get along, okay? Can you do that for me? I’m asking you as a favor."

Her words were sincere, but Du Kang felt an odd urge to laugh. ’Ma’am, you’re asking the wrong person,’ he thought. ’The one you need to talk to is someone else.’

But from what Ruoping said, it seemed her conflict with Gu Qiuyan had been resolved. In that case, he didn’t really have any grudge against the ’young miss’ either. So, he simply nodded and agreed.

The housekeeper, Aunt Wu, finally broke into a smile.

"That puts my mind at ease. Is that enough for you? I can get you another bowl if you’re still hungry."

"No need, Aunt Wu, this is plenty..." Du Kang tipped the bowl back, drinking the last of the broth. "I have to leave soon. Thank you for your hospitality, Aunt Wu."

Since he was already out, there was no point in going back home. So, he decided to go meet up with Qingyi and Ruoping.

Besides, Shutong had said he wasn’t needed for the next part, so he was free to do as he pleased.

Du Kang grinned and wiped his mouth. As the housekeeper told him to slow down, he jogged over to the entryway to put on his shoes. He was saying his goodbyes and opening the front door when the doorbell suddenly rang.

The villa had an electronic security system. He glanced at the monitor and saw an unexpected face.

Song Nanshan.

Or, to be more precise, their homeroom teacher.

On the camera feed, the man’s head was bowed. He had just hung up his phone, and his expression was unclear.

’Wait, what’s Song doing here?’

Du Kang watched, puzzled. He wasn’t great with these newfangled gadgets, so he could only wait for the housekeeper to open the door. He was about to explain who the visitor was, but he saw the housekeeper press a button, as if she and the visitor already knew each other.

"I’ve met your teacher," the woman explained.

"Oh..."

Du Kang nodded, a beat too late. ’Since they know each other, he must be here for Gu Qiuyan. It has nothing to do with me.’

He wasn’t sure if being seen by his homeroom teacher at a female classmate’s house was a good thing or a bad thing. While he was still mulling it over, his phone rang.

The man’s voice came from the other end:

"You’re at Gu Qiuyan’s house, aren’t you? Get your things, you’re coming with me. I have something urgent for you all."

"How did you know I was here, sir?" Du Kang asked, surprised.

"I just got off the phone with Qingyi and the others. Just come on out."

"Oh, okay..."

He was flustered. He couldn’t figure out his teacher’s intentions, he still had to say goodbye to the housekeeper, and now he was supposed to get into the small car waiting in front of the villa, completely bewildered.

"Picking up a student." The man lowered his window and offered the housekeeper a smile by way of explanation. Then he released the handbrake, and the Fox slowly pulled onto the road.

"Sir, my bike is still here!" Du Kang yelled.

"It’ll be fine. You can get it another day." The man glanced in the rearview mirror. "The housekeeper took it inside for you."

"Oh..." After a moment, Du Kang belatedly asked, "So where are we going, anyway? Why all the mystery?"

"We’re going to the school to help me with something. You’ll find out when we get there."

"So, are we going to pick up Qingyi and the others now?"

The man lit a cigarette and nodded without speaking, seemingly preoccupied.

"Wait a minute, Song," Du Kang said, suddenly slapping his thigh in realization. "There’s me, Qingyi, and Ruoping, that’s three people. Then there’s Shutong and Gu Qiuyan. Your car isn’t big enough for all of us."

As soon as the words were out, he realized he’d accidentally used his teacher’s nickname. Normally, the man would have chewed him out for being disrespectful, but this time, he acted as if he hadn’t even heard.

Song Nanshan suddenly chuckled. In the rearview mirror, Du Kang could see his teeth and the glowing tip of the cigarette clenched between them.

"Who said anything about picking those two up? There’s plenty of room."