ROT CH 6

Chapter 6: An Unexpected Encounter

Who would have thought the little leopard would be his student in this class?

At the start of the new semester, Han Junzhou received a request from Professor Li Fan, the vice dean of A University’s medical school, to temporarily fill in for another professor. Professor Chen, who typically taught the mandatory course Secondary Gender Reproductive Biology, had fallen ill and needed time to recuperate. Unable to find a suitable replacement on short notice, Professor Li sought the assistance of his esteemed protégé, Han Junzhou.

For Han Junzhou, an expert in secondary gender medicine, the course material posed no challenge. Professor Chen was also one of his former mentors, so there was no question he would agree to this favor. After coordinating his hospital schedule and class timetable, Han Junzhou accepted the request without hesitation.

The class was scheduled for Friday afternoons at 2:00 PM, and on the first day of the semester, Han Junzhou arrived early to the lecture hall.

The course, Secondary Gender Reproductive Biology, covered the reproductive systems of Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. One might expect students, full of youthful curiosity, to take an interest in such topics—akin to the secret excitement adolescents feel during health education lessons on puberty. However, for medical students, reproductive biology was no different from studying other systems like the cardiovascular or nervous system—just another heavy, credit-intensive subject.

Professor Chen, renowned in the field of medical education, was highly respected but also notorious among students for his dry and demanding teaching style. His rigorous grading made his classes a source of dread.

As students grumbled about their predicament, a strikingly handsome man entered the lecture hall. He casually walked up to the podium and began setting up the computer for the classroom’s screen. His confident and familiar demeanor led the students to assume he was a new teaching assistant.

Liang Chan, a lively girl who had been chatting with her friends, immediately ran up to help.

“Good afternoon, TA^[1]!” she greeted him eagerly, her voice filled with curiosity. “Are you new here? I don’t think I’ve seen you before. I was in Professor Chen’s class last semester. My name’s Liang Chan. What’s yours?” Her cheeks turned a faint pink as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

At that moment, Bai Chengyu walked into the classroom.

His gaze instantly landed on the “massage stick”—no, the doctor—standing at the podium. Bai Chengyu stared at Han Junzhou, then shifted his gaze to Liang Chan, his expression unreadable. Without pausing or altering his stride, he continued up the steps to the seat his friends Wang Heng and Liao Sheng had saved for him.

Liang Chan’s close friend, Lin Yunru, who was seated in the row ahead, turned around to address Bai Chengyu. “Hey, how come you didn’t contact Chan during the summer? She’s mad and says she wants to break up with you.”

As Bai Chengyu rummaged through his backpack, he frowned at her words. This matter still hadn’t blown over? Controlling his irritation, he politely asked, “Were we even dating?”

Lin Yunru was momentarily stunned and then turned back around, clearly displeased. Next to them, Wang Heng, overhearing their conversation, asked in surprise, “Really? You two weren’t dating? Well, if that’s the case, I might try my luck.”

Bai Chengyu shrugged nonchalantly and gestured for Wang Heng to go ahead.

At the start of the semester, Bai Chengyu and Liang Chan, a handsome boy and a beautiful girl, had been unofficially crowned as the “Most Attractive Pair” by classmates and seniors on the university’s online forums. Since they were classmates, many assumed they were a couple, and speculation about their romantic involvement ran rampant. Liang Chan herself harbored feelings for Bai Chengyu, pursuing him openly and subtly for a year. However, the school heartthrob had always maintained an indifferent attitude toward her.

Last semester, toward the end of the term, Bai Chengyu had been dragged to a class gathering, which turned out to be Liang Chan’s birthday party. Without a gift prepared, he ended up singing a duet with her amidst the crowd’s cheers. Later, out of gentlemanly courtesy, he even ensured she got home safely after she drank too much. The next day, a photo of the two of them singing together and leaving in the same car was posted on the university’s gossip board. The rumor that the school flower and school grass were officially dating spread like wildfire.

Bai Chengyu, finding it bothersome, neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, assuming they would die down after the summer break. Yet here they were, the first day of the new term, and the topic still lingered, with Liang Chan supposedly ready to “break up” with him.

The whole situation struck him as absurd. His gaze drifted toward the podium, where Liang Chan stood gracefully chatting with Han Junzhou. One was his rumored girlfriend, the other, his… bed partner. The combination was an eyesore. Seeing Liang Chan smiling shyly while Han Junzhou looked elegant and poised, a strange irritation bubbled in his chest. He hadn’t expected his uncle to be so… charming.

Ignoring the scene at the front, Bai Chengyu pulled a book from his bag and began reading.

Around him, his classmates were whispering excitedly about the handsome “teaching assistant” on stage, speculating about his identity. Though Bai Chengyu typically stayed out of such gossip, he was even less inclined to reveal that he knew Han Junzhou personally.

Wang Heng, meanwhile, clicked his tongue in annoyance, clearly displeased at the sight of Liang Chan engaging with the new rival for her attention.

When the bell rang, Han Junzhou politely asked Liang Chan to return to her seat. Picking up the microphone, he addressed the students. “Good afternoon, everyone. Let’s begin. Your usual professor, Chen Tingyu, is currently recovering at home due to health issues. This semester, I’ll be teaching in his place.”

Smiling warmly, he introduced himself. “I’m Han Junzhou, your lecturer for Secondary Gender Reproductive Biology this semester. I look forward to working with you.” He turned and wrote his name on the board.

It was only then that the students realized their teacher for this supposedly dull course was no stodgy old professor but the exceptionally handsome man standing before them.

Han Junzhou’s thick brows and defined features were complemented by his choice of attire—a dark blue shirt and tailored slacks. Due to the warm weather, he had rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, revealing the taut lines of his forearms. With his broad shoulders, slim waist, and long legs, he leaned casually against the podium, his warm gaze and gentle smile captivating the room.

The classroom fell silent for a few seconds before erupting into cheers and an enthusiastic whistle from one of the students, eliciting laughter all around. Han Junzhou chuckled. “What are you all so excited about? I’m actually quite strict. Whatever Professor Chen requires of you, I’ll expect the same. If you don’t study properly or skip class, I won’t hesitate to fail you.”

“Teacher, you’re so handsome! We’ll definitely come to class!” a bold female student called out, drawing another round of laughter. Bai Chengyu subtly frowned.

Han Junzhou, momentarily speechless, pointed in the direction of the voice, surprised at the students’ audacity to openly tease their teacher. Shaking his head with a smile, he muttered, “You all… really have no reservations.”

The students were brimming with curiosity about Han Junzhou:

“Teacher, how old are you?”
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“Are you married?”
“Or maybe you have a boyfriend?”
“Teacher, are you an Alpha?”
“You must be an Alpha!”

The questions grew increasingly unruly, and the laughter echoed throughout the classroom.

Before Han Junzhou could regain control of the situation, a familiar scent reached him. His expression didn’t falter as he scanned the classroom discreetly, eventually landing on a familiar figure.

Bai Chengyu?

Han Junzhou’s gaze lingered on him. It was truly a coincidence—little leopard was one of his students this semester?

He had heard some time ago that Bai Chengyu had taken a break from school, assuming the boy had stopped studying altogether. Who would’ve thought he’d later enroll at A Medical College and now, here he was, already in his second year?

A strange mix of emotions surged within Han Junzhou. There was irritation—how could he have not known such a basic detail about Bai Chengyu despite their two-year relationship? But more than that, he felt an inexplicable joy. Finally, he had an opportunity to establish a connection with him outside the confines of the bedroom. Though judging by Bai Chengyu’s current demeanor, he seemed entirely uninterested in any such interaction.

Observing Bai Chengyu’s furrowed brows and the way he was absentmindedly massaging his temples, Han Junzhou surmised the boy wasn’t feeling well. Pondering for a brief moment, he discreetly retrieved a pheromone inhibitor patch from his bag, peeled off the backing, and applied it to the back of his neck under the pretense of adjusting his collar.

“All right, settle down,” Han Junzhou straightened his posture and picked up the attendance sheet. “Let’s start with roll call.”

As he went through the list of names, he noted Bai Chengyu’s languid response when called. Without even sparing him a glance, the boy lazily said, “Here.”

Once the roll call was complete, Han Junzhou announced that he needed a class assistant to help with the course. Several eager students immediately volunteered, hands shooting up. Pretending to choose at random, Han Junzhou pointed at the roster. “Bai Chengyu, would you be willing to assist me this semester?”

Bai Chengyu, who had been resting his head on his book, looked slightly annoyed at being singled out. His dizziness and the heat creeping through his body weren’t helping his mood. Still, under the watchful eyes of his classmates, he forced himself to appear composed. Sighing internally, he stood and feigned reluctance. “I’d love to help, Professor Han, but I’m already the class representative, so I don’t think I’ll have much time to assist you.”

Hearing his polite refusal, other students eagerly chimed in:

“I’ll do it!”
“I can help!”
“Pick me!”

Bai Chengyu turned to them with a faint smile. “I’m sure there are plenty of classmates willing to take on this responsibility.”

The courteous tone barely concealed his disdain, and Han Junzhou couldn’t help but smile wryly at the underlying rejection.

“Very well. You may sit down,” Han Junzhou gestured for Bai Chengyu to take his seat. After scanning the eager faces of the other students, he finally selected Liang Chan. “Let’s have Liang Chan, who assisted Professor Chen last semester, continue in the role.”

Liang Chan nodded enthusiastically, while the other students sighed in disappointment.

“Let’s begin,” Han Junzhou announced, returning to the podium. “Please open your textbooks to the general overview section…”

As the lecture progressed, Han Junzhou kept an eye on Bai Chengyu. It wasn’t until the boy finally lowered his hand from his forehead and began taking notes that Han Junzhou felt a sense of relief.

(To be continued…)

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