LiWei watched as Ms. Liang turned to leave, her slim figure blending into the dimming evening light.
He was about to shove his hands deeper into his pockets and wander off when her voice floated back to him.
"Wait."
He blinked and looked up.
Ms. Liang had stopped a few steps away, her hand half-lifted, as if even she wasn't sure why she called out.
She hesitated, then said, in that cool, almost-professional tone of hers,
"You helped me just now. I should at least treat you to lunch."
LiWei stared at her, surprised.
Did she just... voluntarily offer food?
"You serious?" he blurted before he could stop himself.
Her lips twitched again, the ghost of a smile. "Unless you prefer not to?"
"No, no! Food's great! Food is always great," he said quickly, jogging up to her.
She raised an eyebrow at his enthusiasm but said nothing more, simply nodding once and leading the way.
They ended up at a quiet little noodle shop tucked in a corner street, far away from the busier parts of town.
The inside was simple: a few wooden tables, a warm smell of broth in the air, and soft golden lighting that made everything feel... strangely cozy.
Ms. Liang sat down near the window, her posture straight but relaxed.
LiWei sat across from her, still half-wondering if he was dreaming.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "You sure you're not... I dunno, allergic to noodles or something?"
She looked up from the menu with a faintly amused glint in her eyes.
"If I were, I wouldn't have picked this place."
"Fair enough," he said, grinning.
They ordered two bowls of beef noodles and tea.
For a while, there was only the soft clatter of chopsticks and the muted hum of conversation around them.
LiWei slurped his noodles happily, then paused, realizing he should probably say something.
"So, uh... you're pretty strong, huh?"
Ms. Liang looked at him, puzzled.
"I mean, you handled that creep back there without flinching. You didn't even look scared," he explained.
She shrugged lightly. "Fear is only useful when it sharpens your instincts. Otherwise, it's a waste of energy."
LiWei blinked. "Dang. That's deep."
She gave him a small, almost reluctant smile. "Just experience."
He tilted his head, curious. "You seem like you've seen a lot."
"Maybe," she said, noncommittal.
There was a short silence. Not uncomfortable, but thick with unsaid things.
LiWei tapped his chopsticks against the rim of his bowl.
"You know," he said, "I used to think teachers were all... well, boring."
Her mouth twitched again.
"Not that you're boring!" he added quickly. "You're... uh, different. In a good way."
"I'll take that as a compliment," she said dryly, sipping her tea.
LiWei smiled sheepishly.
Honestly, there was something about Ms. Liang that made it hard for him to joke too much.
She wasn't scary exactly... just serious.
Like someone carrying a heavy backpack you couldn't see.
"So... boyfriend?" he teased lightly, remembering what he said earlier.
She gave him a flat look.
He laughed and held up his hands. "Okay, okay, fake boyfriend. Got it."
Ms. Liang set down her cup.
"You were quick on your feet back there. Good instincts," she said thoughtfully. "Most people would have walked away."
He shrugged. "I almost did. But... well, you looked like you needed a rescue."
"I didn't," she said, a small smirk playing at her lips.
He grinned wider. "Yeah, yeah, let me have my hero moment."
For a brief second, her face softened.
It wasn't a full smile.
But it wasn't cold either.
LiWei suddenly realized how pretty she was when she wasn't wearing that 'strict teacher' mask.
Her features were elegant — sharp eyes, high cheekbones, lips that always looked a second away from a real smile.
They finished their noodles quietly after that, the air between them much lighter.
When they stood up to leave, the sky outside had turned a deep purple, the first stars beginning to prick through.
They walked side by side for a while, neither saying much.
At a small intersection, Ms. Liang stopped.
"This is where I turn," she said.
LiWei nodded.
"Thanks for the food."
She looked at him for a second longer than necessary, like she was about to say something else.
But then she just gave a small nod.
"Be careful," she said instead.
"You too, Teach."
He watched her walk away until she disappeared around the corner.
Only then did he exhale, realizing he had been holding his breath a little.
By the time LiWei got home, it was fully dark.
The streetlamps buzzed softly, moths fluttering in their orange light.
He dropped his backpack by the door, kicked off his sneakers, and collapsed onto the couch.
"Man..." he muttered, staring up at the ceiling. "Today was way too eventful."
For a few minutes, he just lay there, letting the soft noises of the house settle around him.
Then, with a groan, he sat up and dug into the side pocket of his bag.
His fingers brushed against a smooth card.
He pulled it out.
Jiang Yue.
Elegant black print on thick ivory paper.
Her personal number was written neatly at the bottom.
LiWei stared at it for a long second.
Honestly, he wasn't sure why he felt nervous.
It's not like he was calling to ask her on a date or anything.
Just... business stuff.
Basketball coaching.
Totally normal.
Taking a deep breath, he grabbed his phone and dialed the number before he could chicken out.
The line rang once.
Twice.
Then clicked.
A clear, composed voice answered.
"Hello?"
LiWei almost dropped his phone.
"Uh—Hi! Uh, this is LiWei. From... uh, school. Basketball court. Uh, you—your sister—"
There was a soft laugh on the other end.
"I know who you are," Jiang Yue said, amusement clear in her voice.
LiWei wanted to bury his head into the couch cushions and die.
"Oh. Right. Cool. Uh... I just... about that coaching thing?"
"Yes," she said smoothly. "Are you free tomorrow afternoon?"
"Yeah! Totally! I mean... yeah, I'm free," he said, trying to sound casual.
"Good. I'll text you the address. It's a private court. I'll bring my sister."
"Cool, cool," he said, heart hammering for no reason.
"See you then," Jiang Yue said, and hung up.
LiWei stared at the phone for a second.
"...She's way too cool," he muttered.
Then he tossed the phone onto the couch and flopped back down, grinning like an idiot.
Tomorrow was going to be interesting.