My Sister Is Acting Strange - Chapter 23 - A Handshake

Tang Huaijin barely managed to get through the first two classes of the afternoon. His eyelids were fighting to stay open again. It was indeed too much to attend school in the afternoon after having a fever in the morning.

As soon as the Chinese class started, Tang Huaijin saw Shen Yiqiu walk in with two books in her arms. He felt a sense of relief, assuming it would probably be a self-study class.

Shen Yiqiu stood on the podium, glanced around the classroom, and waited for everyone to quiet down before announcing, “Unfortunately, your Teacher Xu cannot continue teaching Chinese due to health reasons. The school has arranged for me to take over the Chinese classes.” Teacher Xu, the previous Chinese teacher, was a frail-looking middle-aged man who often coughed in class. Since last week, his classes had turned into self-study sessions.

The students exchanged bewildered glances before reluctantly applauding.

They were certainly not thrilled about it. It was like having the class teacher teach them, and Shen Yiqiu was notoriously unsympathetic. Sleeping in her self-study class would definitely result in being called out to stand as punishment. There were rumors of a rebellious student who tried to defy her, relying on family wealth, but eventually, the student quietly withdrew from school.

Shen Yiqiu didn’t mind the sparse applause. She took out her lecture notes and began teaching.

Although her voice was devoid of emotional fluctuations, it was clear and carried a subtle elegance, like a serene orchid in a secluded valley, as she lectured at a steady pace.

However, Tang Huaijin found himself drowsy. The material was already second nature to him, and the medication he took at noon had a sedative effect. His eyelids drooped, and soon he was dozing off on his desk.

While Shen Yiqiu was teaching, she keenly noticed someone in the back row slumping down. She gracefully walked off the podium, heading towards Tang Huaijin.

Bai Yuerou coughed repeatedly, trying to alert Tang Huaijin. Seeing no response, she was about to nudge him when Shen Yiqiu’s gaze stopped her.

Xia Xinya couldn’t suppress her laughter, peeking from behind Bai Yuerou, watching the scene unfold with schadenfreude.

The rest of the class looked at Tang Huaijin with sympathetic eyes.

As expected, Shen Yiqiu, with her usual calm demeanor, tapped Tang Huaijin’s shoulder with her lecture notes, seemingly about to call him out for punishment.

When Tang Huaijin groggily woke up, Shen Yiqiu’s lips parted slightly, her tone still calm, “Come with me.”

Feeling a bit apologetic, Tang Huaijin obediently stood up and followed Shen Yiqiu out.

Outside the classroom, Tang Huaijin scratched his head awkwardly, apologizing, “I’m sorry, Teacher. I fell asleep.”

After all, it was Shen Yiqiu’s first class, and Tang Huaijin had openly slept through it, which was quite disrespectful.

He braced himself for a reprimand, but Shen Yiqiu merely glanced at him and said calmly, “It’s alright, follow me.”

Tang Huaijin couldn’t tell if Shen Yiqiu was genuinely upset and didn’t dare to ask further, trailing behind her.

Shen Yiqiu was wearing her signature black suit, her long legs moving gracefully. The loose trousers hinted at her well-shaped legs beneath.

As her legs moved upward, the curves filled out quickly, the loose suit pants stretched taut, subtly outlining her hips, reminiscent of a ripe peach, full and inviting.

Most women sway their hips consciously, but Shen Yiqiu was among the few who did so naturally, thanks to her innate physique. It didn’t come off as flirtatious but rather exuded an elegant allure.

In terms of hips, among the women Tang Huaijin had seen, he considered Shen Yiqiu the finest.

There’s an old saying in rural areas that wide hips mean good childbearing, highlighting the appeal of a shapely figure.

Tang Huaijin was somewhat entranced by the view when Shen Yiqiu suddenly stopped, turning to face him as he walked with his head down, not watching his step, and asked, “What are you thinking?”

Startled, Tang Huaijin blurted out, “Wide hips mean good childbearing…”

He froze immediately after.

Did I just… say that out loud?

Did I… go too far…?

Seeing a rare hint of embarrassment on Shen Yiqiu’s usually composed face, Tang Huaijin had a sudden realization.

Hmm… I’m done for.

…

“In the future, don’t say such things to a teacher.” Shen Yiqiu paused, her expression returning to calm, though her tone carried a subtle hint of embarrassment.

“Sorry, Teacher Shen, I was thinking about something else. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Tang Huaijin had been expecting a scolding, but hearing Shen Yiqiu not holding it against him, he felt relieved.

The beautiful teacher had a generous spirit, indeed, with great tolerance.

“Alright…” Shen Yiqiu nodded, opening the office door and leading Tang Huaijin to her chair, saying, “You can rest here for a while.”

Tang Huaijin was a bit uneasy, wondering how Shen Yiqiu would punish him. Surprised, he asked, “Rest here?”

“Why, do you prefer standing outside the classroom?” Shen Yiqiu’s tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.

“Uh… not really.” Tang Huaijin chuckled awkwardly, sitting down in Shen Yiqiu’s chair, “Thank you, Teacher.”

“Rest well. The next class is also self-study. I’ll wake you before school ends.” Shen Yiqiu glanced at Tang Huaijin, hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Do you want some water?”

Feeling flattered, Tang Huaijin quickly waved his hand, “No need to trouble yourself, Teacher. I’ll just rest for a bit.”

Shen Yiqiu nodded, said nothing more, and left the office.

Tang Huaijin found it odd. Despite having a reason, he had slept through her class, yet Shen Yiqiu not only refrained from punishing him but also let him rest in her office. This seemed at odds with her cold and aloof reputation.

Unable to figure it out, he eventually let it go, finding some pleasure in the unexpected favoritism. Tang Huaijin lay on Shen Yiqiu’s desk, inhaling the faint, elegant fragrance, and gradually fell asleep.

…

During the self-study class, Shen Yiqiu stayed in the classroom. The order was unusually poor, with students whispering among themselves. Shen Yiqiu frowned slightly, feeling puzzled.

There wasn’t any special event these days.

Seeing there were about ten minutes left before the end of class, Shen Yiqiu stood up, intending to return to the office to wake Tang Huaijin. Glancing at the students still whispering, she said, “Quietly continue your self-study. Monitor, maintain order. You can leave when the bell rings.”

As Shen Yiqiu walked past Bai Yuerou, Bai Yuerou tugged at her sleeve, whispering, “Teacher Shen, how is Tang Huaijin?”

“He’s fine, resting in the office.”

Bai Yuerou glanced at the students still murmuring, hesitated for a moment, but said nothing.

Shen Yiqiu didn’t mind and returned to the office.

Tang Huaijin was sleeping soundly on the desk.

Shen Yiqiu reached out, gently nudging his shoulder, softly calling, “Tang Huaijin, wake up, it’s time to go home.”

Tang Huaijin frowned, his shoulder twitching in annoyance, brushing off Shen Yiqiu’s hand.

This familiar scene brought a hint of nostalgia to Shen Yiqiu, a smile flickering in her eyes, though her face remained expressionless. She nudged his shoulder again, this time with more force, “Wake up, go home to sleep.”

Tang Huaijin finally stirred, instinctively grasping the small, soft hand, mumbling, “Sis, stop it…”

Caught off guard, Shen Yiqiu’s usually composed face showed a rare flash of fear, her pupils instinctively contracting.

In her fear, Shen Yiqiu closed her eyes, but instead of the dreaded sensation, a peculiar tingling coursed from her skin to her brain, causing a faint blush to spread across her face.

Why… is this happening?

Is my condition cured?

Surprised, Shen Yiqiu opened her eyes, her hand still held by Tang Huaijin, his fingers lightly caressing her hand as he murmured, “Sis…”

Suppressing her tumultuous thoughts, Shen Yiqiu slowly withdrew her hand from Tang Huaijin’s grasp, taking a few deep breaths before nonchalantly calling, “Tang Huaijin, wake up!” Her voice was much louder than before.

Tang Huaijin blinked, his eyes opening, still a bit dazed, “Teacher Shen, is school over?”

Shen Yiqiu squinted, finding nothing amiss, then replied in her usual calm tone, “Yes, it’s over. You can leave.”

“Thank you, Teacher.”

Tang Huaijin stood up, smiled politely, and quickly left the office.

After he left, Shen Yiqiu exhaled, staring at her hand that had just been held, lost in thought.