Morning sunlight poured into the lecture hall in warm stripes. The students were already seated, chatting softly, notebooks open, coffee cups resting beside laptops.
The clock ticked past the starting time.
Then the door opened.
Liang Chen stepped in, slightly out of breath, coat draped over one arm, hair a little tousled from rushing. It was a rare sight — their always-composed professor looking just a bit flustered.
He smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry for being late," he said. "There was… a kitchen disaster at home."
The class blinked.
Then laughter rippled through the rows.
Even Chen chuckled softly as he placed his books on the desk.
"I've learned," he added, "that some people should be permanently banned from touching vegetables."
More laughter.
He began opening his laptop, regaining his usual calm rhythm.
That was when a voice came from the back of the room, lazy and teasing.
"Professor," it said, "I'm back. Did you miss me?"
Heads turned instantly.
The troublemaker stood by the doorway, grinning like he owned the place.
Chen adjusted his glasses, expression bright but controlled.
"Oh," he said. "You're back from detention."
The student laughed. "Yes, sir. Reformed and reborn."
Chen nodded thoughtfully.
"Excellent," he said. "Then you'll answer the first question today."
The class erupted.
The troublemaker froze.
Chen smiled, cheerful and innocent.
And the lecture began.
The troublemaker finally stepped fully into the classroom.
He was tall — not quite Xu Jin tall, but enough to stand out. Broad shoulders under a half-worn uniform jacket, tie loose, shirt collar open like rules were optional suggestions. His hair was dyed a warm chestnut brown, slightly wavy, falling into mischievous eyes that sparkled with constant amusement. A dimple appeared when he smiled — which was far too often for someone who caused so many problems.
He strolled down the aisle like he was arriving at a fan meeting.
"Name?" Chen asked calmly, even though everyone already knew.
The boy stopped at his seat, resting a hand on the desk.
"Zhou Kai, Professor. Your favorite student."
Snickers rolled through the class.
Chen raised an eyebrow, lips curling in quiet amusement.
"I see detention did not cure your confidence."
Zhou Kai grinned. "Detention was boring. I reflected deeply."
Chen nodded thoughtfully.
"Oh? And what did you reflect on?"
Zhou Kai tapped his chin theatrically.
"That Professor Liang Chen is the most handsome and kind professor in this university, and I should cherish his lectures."
The classroom exploded into laughter.
Chen pressed a hand to his forehead lightly, shoulders shaking just a little.
"Your reflection skills need improvement," he said, still smiling. "But your speaking skills are excellent."
Zhou Kai pulled out his chair and sat down, satisfied.
"So Professor," he said, leaning back, "since I'm reborn, what's today's first question?"
Chen clicked open his presentation.
"Since you asked," Chen said cheerfully, "stand up."
Zhou Kai obeyed.
Chen looked at the slide.
"Explain the metaphorical significance of 'quiet water runs deep' in classical literature."
Zhou Kai blinked.
The room went silent.
He cleared his throat.
"…Quiet water… is deep… because… it is quiet?"
The class burst out laughing again.
Chen laughed too, shaking his head.
"Sit," Chen said kindly. "We'll work on your rebirth later."
Zhou Kai sat, defeated but still smiling.
The lecture began properly after that — Chen moving smoothly into teaching mode, voice warm and clear, energy bright. The students settled, notebooks opening, pens moving.
But every few minutes, Zhou Kai would glance at the front — at the professor who was cheerful, calm, and looking too handsome.
And somewhere in the back row, a student quietly updated the university forum:
"Troublemaker Zhou Kai returned. Professor Liang still smiling. World peace achieved."
The lecture continued smoothly.
Liang Chen moved through the slides with practiced ease, explaining metaphors and poetic structures, voice gentle but lively. Chalk tapped lightly against the board, pages turned, pens scribbled.
Students listened.
Well—most students.
Zhou Kai sat in the third row, elbow on his desk, chin resting on his hand.
But he wasn't listening.
Not to literature, anyway.
His eyes were fixed on the front.
On Liang Chen.
The sunlight from the window hit the professor's hair just right. His sleeves were rolled neatly to his forearms. His voice carried warmth. His smile appeared every time a student answered correctly. His expression softened whenever he explained something difficult patiently.
Zhou Kai's heart did something extremely inconvenient.
He sighed quietly.
Love… is too cruel.
Why did it have to be this person?
Truly majestic. Untouchable. Out of reach. Like a mountain peak covered in snow.
These past days had been terrible. Torture, even.
Detention. Missing his lectures. Not seeing him.
And then—
That forum post.
Professor Liang Chen. Coffee. Cake. Professor Xiao Yushen.
A date rumor.
Zhou Kai's soul had briefly left his body.
He remembered staring at the forum thread at 2 a.m., whispering to himself,
"It's just gossip… it's just gossip… please be just gossip…"
His dramatic suffering continued in silence.
At the front, Chen clicked to the next slide.
"Now," Chen said, voice clear, "who can tell me how this metaphor reflects emotional restraint?"
Silence.
Chen glanced at the class.
"Zhou Kai."
No response.
"Zhou Kai," Chen repeated.
Still nothing.
Zhou Kai was busy internally drowning in tragic romance.
Love is cruel. Fate is cruel. Coffee dates are cruel.
Chen paused.
Then walked down the aisle.
His steps were light. Calm. Purposeful.
Students straightened immediately. Some leaned away instinctively. Some leaned forward to watch.
Chen stopped beside Zhou Kai's desk.
"Zhou Kai," he said again, gently.
Zhou Kai remained lost in his doomed lover thoughts.
Chen sighed softly.
And—
Flick.
A clean, crisp flick on Zhou Kai's forehead.
Not hard. Just enough.
Zhou Kai jolted upright.
"Ow—!"
The entire class gasped.
Then laughter burst out like fireworks.
Zhou Kai clutched his forehead, eyes wide.
Chen stood beside him, hands behind his back, expression bright and innocent.
"Welcome back to reality," Chen said kindly. "Now. Answer the question."
Zhou Kai's face turned red.
"…I… um… emotional restraint is… not thinking strange things in class."
More laughter.
Chen nodded seriously.
"Excellent self-awareness."
The class nearly collapsed.
But in the back row—
A student had been recording.
Just a short clip.
Professor walking down.
Professor flicking.
Troublemaker jolting.
Entire class laughing.
UPLOAD → Unofficial Campus Forum.
Caption:
"PROFESSOR LIANG FLICKED ZHOU KAI'S FOREHEAD 😭💥 WHO GAVE HIM THE RIGHT TO BE THIS CUTE AND DEADLY"
Within minutes—
NEW THREADS
PROFESSOR LIANG'S HAND-TOUCHING INCIDENT???
ZHOU KAI'S SOUL LEFT HIS BODY
PROFESSOR XIAO HAS RIVAL???
CAMPUS LOVE TRIANGLE CONFIRMED???
The forum exploded.
Again.
Meanwhile—
Chen returned to the front of the class, completely unaware that he had just ignited another internet war.
And Zhou Kai sat stiff as a statue, forehead burning, heart racing, dignity destroyed, love life tragic, and forum famous.
Truly.
Love was cruel.