Chapter 1121 - 738: The Benefits of Good Looks

Su Xiaomeng followed Chi Lun’s finger and looked over; the desk was as messy as a junk stall... she couldn’t maintain the smile on her face,

"There?"

Xiao Meng looked at Chi Lun incredulously.

Chi Lun seemed to realize the gap between the two desks wasn’t just about size and position, and hastily explained,

"No one used it before... I just used it to pile up junk. The professor only told me this morning that you’d be coming today, so I didn’t have time to tidy up. Don’t worry, it’s just a bit messy, not dirty."

Su Xiaomeng pursed her lips, thought for a while, then pointed at the two pots of succulents and asked,

"Then... this... has nothing to do with me either?"

"Um... if you want it, I can also..."

Chi Lun quickly said, but he dragged out the "can" as if waiting for Su Xiaomeng to refuse.

But Su Xiaomeng stared straight at him, and the two of them locked eyes...

Chi Lun smiled slightly and continued, "I’ll lend them to you to appreciate for a couple of days."

Su Xiaomeng took a deep breath. Although she didn’t have the habit of longing for others’ things, she truly didn’t expect that after everything said, this young associate professor just wouldn’t say the word "give."

Was Chi Lun really unwilling to say "give"?

It was just that Chi Lun saw Su Xiaomeng, and no matter what he said, she seemed uninterested in refusing.

Chi Lun genuinely couldn’t bear to just hand over the two pots of plants he had carefully nurtured for over a year, cautious of too much sun or rain, to a colleague he just met.

He didn’t know how the succulents felt, but he himself would definitely feel a sting.

Chi Lun pressed his lips together and didn’t say much.

"No need, I was being presumptuous. I thought they were for me, sorry..."

Su Xiaomeng felt the awkwardness, although it wasn’t Chi Lun’s fault, but... Xiao Meng thought the associate professor was quite stingy!

Chi Lun chuckled, not making much of it, and walked over to Su Xiaomeng’s desk,

"Anyway, I guarantee that when you actually use this desk, it’ll be sparkling clean!"

"Otherwise... I’ll tidy up myself, no need to trouble you, Professor..."

"It’s no big deal."

Chi Lun quickly replied.

Su Xiaomeng glanced at her watch, contemplated the time, and said,

"No worries, it seems early now, I’ll tinker with it myself, and besides..."

"...these are all my things here. If you tidy up, you might not know which ones are needed and which aren’t..."

Chi Lun said.

Su Xiaomeng had already rolled up her sleeves, but after hearing what Chi Lun said, she understood he wasn’t just being polite, he was worried she might lose his things.

Alright...

She didn’t add to the chaos.

She rolled down her sleeves again, gave a dry laugh,

"Okay then, I’ll trouble you, Professor."

Chi Lun nodded.

After looking around the office, Chi Lun took Su Xiaomeng for a tour around the campus.

Beijing Foreign Studies University isn’t too big nor too small, and Su Xiaomeng, wearing low-heeled shoes today, was a bit tired after walking a round around the Foreign Language College.

"Is the office really that far from the teaching building? Do you all normally walk like this?"

"No, I have a skateboard. Other teachers might choose to cycle."

"You... skateboard?"

Su Xiaomeng looked at Chi Lun with surprise, genuinely feeling the professor was quite different from the stereotypical image she had in mind, quite unexpected.

Chi Lun laughed,

"What? Is it strange for me to use a skateboard?"

"...No, no, it’s just that... I thought professors in China were more traditional. I thought only Western countries have professors like you who are kind of... how to say... easy-going? Yes, easy-going and free-minded."

The two sat in a pavilion near the Foreign Language College, the lush wisteria easing some of the summer heat.

Chi Lun adjusted his glasses,

"I only got promoted to associate professor in May, you’re a new teacher, and I’m a new professor, quite a coincidence. I was brought up by my teacher, so I might have adopted some of his personality."

"Professor Qi seems scholarly, not quite like you..."

"That’s because you haven’t seen him when he was young... Once you’re at Beijing Foreign Studies University, you’ll gradually learn about the past... some things might surprise you!"

Su Xiaomeng raised her eyebrows, hearing another layer of meaning in Chi Lun’s words,

"Are you just... a student of Professor Qi?"

"He’s my uncle."

"..."

"Otherwise, do you think I have the ability or luck to become an associate professor at the age of thirty-three? It’s quite irregular."

"Cough..."

It’s Su Xiaomeng’s first time hearing someone talk so openly and frankly about having connections.

One would think... reaching the level of associate professor, one would need to be mindful of their status when speaking and acting, and scholars naturally carry a slight pride.

Yet Chi Lun didn’t show any of that pride in his words or actions, he spoke candidly about his relationship with Qi Jun and candidly admitted that his promotion at thirty-three had a lot to do with Qi Jun.

He didn’t mind at all if Su Xiaomeng thought he had no ability and relied solely on connections.

Of course, Su Xiaomeng didn’t think so simplistically either; she believed Chi Lun must have his skills, because relying solely on connections wouldn’t be enough.

Otherwise...

Xiao Meng thought if she wanted to become a professor as well, using the connections of Old Sir Yin and Old Sir Bai would certainly make it possible.

But the truth is, whether it was getting into Bath, doing her master’s, or entering Beijing Foreign Studies University, Yin Shaohui and Bai Fengmao had no intention of opening back doors for her.

It’s another form of modesty...

Although Xiao Meng still felt Chi Lun was a bit stingy, overall, working with a young, distinctive professor like him would likely bring a fun beginning to her teaching career.

"How many years did you study at Bath?"

Chi Lun suddenly asked.

"Um, altogether, four years, but it got delayed because of some family issues."

"I saw on your profile that you’re twenty-seven this year?"

"Um... yes."

"You look like a college student in your early twenties."

"Is... that a compliment?"

"Of course."

Chi Lun was good-looking, able to carry off long hair without appearing sloppy or odd, rather making people glance at him a few more times...

"Do you think my long hair is too eye-catching?"

Chi Lun noticed Su Xiaomeng’s gaze, ran his hand through his hair, and smiled.

Su Xiaomeng quickly shook her head,

"Many men abroad have long hair, but there are few who keep it as nicely as you do, without looking messy."

"Haha, the benefits of having good looks."

"..."