93: Chapter 93 He got his period

The meeting ended just after four o'clock.

The students dispersed one after another, leaving only the figures of staff members tidying up tables and chairs on the playground.

Folding chairs were stacked one by one, making clanging sounds that echoed across the empty playground along with scattered conversation.

Jiang Chen leaned against the back of his chair and didn't move.

Wang Hao had already stood up and stretched, holding his phone to his mouth and shouting to the other end, "Alright, alright, I'll be there soon. You guys start the game first."

"Chenzi, I'm heading out first. We're one short for the game tonight, I need to hurry and fill the spot."

Wang Hao patted Jiang Chen's shoulder with an excited look.

"Aren't you eating with sister-in-law today? I won't disturb your world for two."

Jiang Chen gave an "mm" without even lifting an eyelid.

Wang Hao dashed off, leaving Jiang Chen sitting alone by the side of the mostly empty playground.

He took out his phone and opened the chat with Su Wanqing. Sure enough, he saw a location message with a brief note: "Seven o'clock, don't be late."

He scanned the address: 108 Wutong Lane. It wasn't far, a twenty-minute drive.

Jiang Chen replied with a "Good," put away his phone, and stood up to walk toward the parking lot.

6:50 PM.

Jiang Chen parked the car in an alley near Su Wanqing's apartment.

This alley was a characteristic block left over from the renovation of Jiang City's Old City District. French planes were planted on both sides of the bluestone road, their lush branches providing a dense shade.

The newly opened private kitchen restaurant was hidden in a small Western-style building with Republic of China era styling.

Warm yellow lanterns hung at the entrance, and light filtered through the wooden lattice windows. It was warm and quiet, a world apart from the noisy city outside.

He pushed the door open and entered. A waiter came forward and asked, "Do you have a reservation, sir?"

"A reservation by Ms. Su."

"This way, please. Ms. Su has already arrived."

The waiter led him through the corridor and opened the door to a private room by the window on the second floor.

Su Wanqing was already sitting inside. She had changed her outfit; her chiffon shirt was replaced by a simple black knit sweater, and her long hair was let down, accentuating the long, beautiful lines of her neck.

She was looking down at the menu, but looked up when she heard the movement, her lips curving slightly.

"Quite punctual."

"How would I dare be late for something Teacher Su scheduled?" Jiang Chen sat down opposite her.

Su Wanqing gave a soft huff and didn't respond, pushing the menu over. "See what you want to eat. Their specialties are Osmanthus Braised Pork and Sautéed Seasonal Vegetables. The reviews say they're both pretty good."

Jiang Chen scanned the menu and closed it. "You order. I'm not picky."

"Alright, then I'll decide."

Su Wanqing beckoned, and the waiter came jogging over.

She efficiently ordered four dishes, a soup, and a dessert. Her tone was crisp and organized, like assigning tasks in a classroom.

The dishes were served one after another, exquisitely plated, with portions just right for two people.

Su Wanqing picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth. After chewing carefully for a couple of bites, her eyes narrowed slightly. "Mm, it really is good. Fatty but not greasy, and the sweetness is just right."

Jiang Chen watched her eat, thinking she looked quite cute while eating.

Sitting across from him now, occasionally frowning because a dish was a bit salty, or laughing until her eyes curved into crescent moons, she looked more like the vibrant woman in her early thirties she was supposed to be.

"What are you looking at?"

Su Wanqing noticed his gaze and paused her chopsticks. "Eat your food."

"Looking at you because you're beautiful." Jiang Chen said it naturally, as if stating that the weather was nice.

The tips of Su Wanqing's ears turned slightly red. She lowered her eyes and continued eating, her tone feigning indifference. "Slick-tongued. Who did you learn that from?"

"Learned it from you."

"I never taught you that."

"Then it might be natural talent." Jiang Chen's lips curled.

Su Wanqing was left speechless by him and simply ignored him to focus on her food.

The meal was pleasant, with the two of them chatting idly.

Su Wanqing mentioned that a student was twenty minutes late for the meeting today. When she stopped him to ask why, the student said his alarm didn't go off, making the whole class burst into laughter.

Jiang Chen talked about how Wang Hao's attempt to cover his attendance was exposed by Old Zhang. Su Wanqing couldn't help but laugh out loud after hearing it.

"Have you written that self-reflection yet?" she asked.

"Not yet."

"Write it soon. Don't wait until they actually make you read it on stage; I won't be able to save you then."

"Will you write it for me?"

"In your dreams."

After the meal, Su Wanqing insisted on paying. "I said I'm treating you, don't argue with me."

Jiang Chen didn't argue either. He leaned back in his chair and watched her take her phone out of her bag to scan the code for payment; her movements were efficient and graceful.

Leaving the restaurant, the night wind carrying the scent of plane tree leaves hit them, feeling chilly.

Su Wanqing shrugged her shoulders. Jiang Chen naturally draped his jacket over her, the action as fluid as if he had done it countless times.

"Let's go, I'll take you back," he said.

Su Wanqing's home was near Wutong Lane, less than a ten-minute drive away.

The two walked to where Jiang Chen had parked.

Su Wanqing opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat. She suddenly turned her head to look at him, her tone carrying a hint of a playful smile.

"President Jiang is a busy man now. I just wonder if I'm the first girl in your car."

Jiang Chen was fastening his seatbelt. His fingers paused at her words, and he awkwardly rubbed his nose without responding.

Seeing his reaction, Su Wanqing chuckled softly and didn't press further.

The car drove into the apartment complex where Su Wanqing lived. Jiang Chen parked downstairs and turned off the engine.

The lights in the car were off, with only the dashboard emitting a faint glow, making the profile of Su Wanqing's face appear soft yet clear.

Her eyelashes were very long, casting a faint shadow under her eyes when she looked down. A bit of lip glaze she hadn't wiped off after dinner remained on her lips, shimmering slightly.

Jiang Chen turned his head to look at her, his gaze moving from her eyes to the tip of her nose, and finally resting on her lips.

Sensing his gaze, Su Wanqing's ears began to heat up again. Her fingers unconsciously rubbed her knees twice as she spoke in a low voice, "Stop looking."

"Why can't I look?"

"As if I don't know what you're thinking?"

Jiang Chen didn't deny it. Instead, he leaned forward, bracing his arm against the back of her seat, half-drawing her into his embrace.

They were very close, close enough to smell the faint scent of her perfume.

It wasn't a strong floral scent, but a crisp woody note. Like her, it was reserved yet had a distinct presence.

Su Wanqing raised her hand to press against his chest, her fingertips applying slight pressure to keep him from getting any closer.

She looked up at him, her eyes holding a trace of helplessness and a bit of softness. She whispered, "Don't. I can't these few days; it's that time of the month."

Jiang Chen looked down at her hand, then up at her face.

She didn't dodge; her gaze was candid, her meaning very clear.

He didn't move forward any further, but he didn't pull away either. His gaze slowly drifted down, landing on her lips and staying there for two seconds.

When he looked up to meet her eyes again, his tone was unhurried, with a hint of laziness. "It's fine. There are other ways."