DCTMOAS Chapter 44

Winter break had already lasted over a week.

Chu Cheng was living a blissfully easy life at home — no students to worry about, no meetings, no lesson plans. Aside from eating and sleeping, he read books and regained the few pounds he’d lost during his hospital stay.

After lunch one day, he remembered the little flowerpot he’d won at the fair and went out to check on it in the greenhouse. To his surprise, he found that his ranunculus had sprouted.

Tiny, fragile roots poked out of the soil, and a few two-to-three centimeter green shoots had emerged, the leaves shaped a bit like celery. The soil underneath looked fluffy and rich. It was clear that Professor Jin, who loved tending his own plants, had kindly added some extra fertilizer for him too.

In the dead of winter, this soft, tender green was a rare sight. Chu Cheng wanted to take a photo, so he pulled out his phone — just as it buzzed in his hand. It was a notification from the campus app.

[The midterm exam results for the junior year fall term have been released.]

His heart gave a little jolt. Who’d have thought that so many years after graduating high school himself, he’d get that same nervous thrill of checking final grades?

He logged into the teacher portal but couldn’t bring himself to look right away — inch by inch, he moved his hand away from the screen.

Class 7 (Grade 11) Subject Average Rank:

[Chinese Language] Rank: 6

A tiny number, but it made all the tension drain from Chu Cheng’s shoulders. If he’d checked this before lunch, he’d probably have eaten half a bowl more.

It might sound trivial, but nobody else could understand how hard it was to climb even three spots. Seeing his kids make even a little progress gave this rookie teacher an immense sense of satisfaction.

Chu Cheng took a screenshot of the teacher portal, closed the app, and opened Class 7’s group chat. Sure enough, the place was buzzing — everyone was talking about their results.

[Mu Yiyang]: Are we sure they didn’t grade the math paper wrong? I’m never going to enjoy this holiday now.

[Lu Yan]: Quit dreaming. Study more, ask more questions. Maybe you’ll earn yourself a Diligent but Defeated award next time.

While they were chatting, the students started dropping their own screenshots too. Lu Yan hadn’t just reclaimed the top score in math — his total score put him at the very top of the whole district’s rankings.

Truly worthy of being this year’s projected city champion — every single one of his subjects was solid.

Watching this little competitive frenzy unfold, Teacher Chu could only think: I love to see it. Keep the drama coming.

[Chu Cheng]: How come no one’s fighting over the Chinese top score?

[Li Sheng]: I’m fighting! 119 points, I’m in!

[Wu Yuqing]: Step aside, I haven’t even bragged yet — I got 126.

[Han Rui]: Huh? Are you guys all stuck with bad internet? Can’t even log into the campus portal?

Then the true Chinese champion stepped up, dropped a screenshot, and instantly silenced the entire group chat for three seconds.

Chu Cheng was crouched in the greenhouse, hugging his phone and grinning like an idiot.

My class rep really is the GOAT.

[Bai Xiaolong]: Okay, okay, whatever — I didn’t even participate, alright?]

[Xie Xing]: I’m not trying to keep up with the big shots, but hey — I passed!]

[Li Sheng: Seeing how everyone’s Chinese scores turned out pretty decent, what’s our class average rank then?]

The screenshot Chu Cheng had just taken came in handy.

[Ji Yanan: Sixth place!]

[Han Rui: That’s awesome — all those lectures from Teacher Chu were worth it!]

[Lan Zeyu: 👏👏👏]

[Xu Wanwan: Surprise!]

[…]

Among the students’ flood of excited messages, one simple line popped in from their homeroom teacher.

[Yu Siting: Congratulations.]

[Bai Xiaolong: Holy crap, the Big Bro just appeared in the group!]

[Mu Yiyang: Why’s he lurking? Lu Yan, how are you leaking our frontline reports to him?]

[Lu Yan: We’re not even together — how would I know?!]

The students, who’d been chattering away seconds ago, all went:

[Okay, I’m out.]

The group gradually fell quiet.

Chu Cheng had been thinking about sending that screenshot to Big Bro directly, just to show he hadn’t let him down — but now that he’d already seen it, doing so would just look like he was fishing for praise. He dropped the idea.

Just as he was about to put his phone away, a private message popped up.

[Lu Yan: Congrats to Teacher Chu for hitting your semester KPI!]

[Chu Cheng: Hahaha — and congrats to my top student for once again taking first place on the district leaderboard!]

[Lu Yan: You have no idea — during the test I only double-checked my Chinese answer sheet. I was so scared of bubbling something wrong and dragging the average down.]

[Chu Cheng: Careful your uncle doesn’t catch you saying that.]

[Lu Yan: It’s fine — I’m home alone. My aunt has a book signing event today, and he got roped into being her bodyguard and driver.]

[Chu Cheng: Have you eaten? Aunt Chen went home for her break, right?]

[Lu Yan: Had lunch, but no dinner plan yet. Oh right — Teacher Chu, are you free this afternoon?]

[Chu Cheng: What’s up?]

[Lu Yan: The weather forecast says we’ll get some light snow tonight. This kind of weather is perfect for a good copper hotpot. But I don’t have many classmates or friends in Beijing — no one to go with me. If you’d join me, we can celebrate together.]

Honestly, Chu Cheng had been getting a little bored stuck at home all week. He was still hesitating when Lu Yan, from the other side of the screen, started shamelessly laying it on thick.

[Come on, come on, Teacher Chu. You can’t just let your student sit alone and depressed with no one to care for him, right?]

[Chu Cheng: Don’t make it sound so pitiful. I can take you for hotpot, but you have to tell your family before you leave the house.]

[Lu Yan: No problem — see you later.]

After settling things with his beloved top student, Chu Cheng took a few photos of his little flower sprouts on his phone. When he stood up, he couldn’t help but let out a hiss — “Tsk…”

He’d been so happy squatting there that his legs had gone numb. This dad energy of his was getting stronger by the day.

At two in the afternoon, Chu Cheng left home and took a cab to the address Lu Yan had sent him. At the top of a tall flight of stairs, the boy in a white puffer jacket was waving at him.

Chu Cheng glanced at the gilded, extravagant sign overhead and paused for a second. “Didn’t you say we were having hotpot? Why’d you pick a hot spring spa?”

“It’s not dinner time yet anyway.” Lu Yan walked over with a smile, explaining, “The boss who invested in this hotel does business with president Yu. Whenever they send gifts to the house, they always include all sorts of membership cards. I just grabbed one — may as well use it for free, right?”

“Their private bath suites are pretty famous, actually.” Chu Cheng looked closer at the spa’s name — he did have a faint impression of it: one of those ridiculously expensive, upscale wellness clubs. “But you’re underage — will they even let you book a room?”

Lu Yan blurted out, “Aren’t you here too?”

Chu Cheng sighed, helpless. “You really planned this all out, huh? So this is why you called me here?”

Lu Yan was tall and lanky, almost eye-level with his teacher when he stood straight, but his grin was still pure and boyish. “So… shall we go in?”

Well, we’re here already.

Chu Cheng glanced at the elegant lobby. “Let’s go.”

Turned out, Lu Yan hadn’t come up with this on the fly at all — he’d even booked a VIP private suite in advance.

Chu Cheng bought a brand-new pair of swim trunks on the spot, changed clothes, wrapped himself in a towel, and then he and Lu Yan each slipped into their own individual hot spring pools that had been specially prepared for them.

“Winter hot springs help relieve fatigue and improve circulation,” Lu Yan said, lounging against the edge of his little pool with a grin, watching Chu Cheng’s ‘I totally got tricked’ expression. He added mischievously, “It’s good for people with weak constitutions.”

Chu Cheng shot him a look. “You’re the one with a weak constitution.”

But — since he was here, he might as well enjoy it.

The spa really did live up to its reputation. It was private, quiet, warm-toned — a light, gentle fragrance drifted through the mist that curled around them, making it easy to relax.

Chu Cheng slowly sank lower, letting the hot spring water cover his shoulders. He leaned his head back to gaze up at the crystal chandelier overhead, feeling a rare moment of tranquil comfort.

Behind him, he could hear the soft hum of Lu Yan fiddling with the massage jets on the pool wall. Chu Cheng chuckled and teased him, “You’re awfully familiar with all these features — looks like you’ve been here plenty of times.”

“Not really.” Lu Yan tilted his head back with a contented hum. “After all, my uncle and I only come back during winter and summer breaks.”

Chu Cheng thought for a moment. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you mention your father.”

Lu Yan’s tone was casual. “Honestly, I’ve never even met him. President Yu says, “anything you’ve dealt with yourself is in the past — no need to bring it up again.”

Hearing him say that, Chu Cheng could more or less guess the story. He didn’t pry into other people’s family matters. He was just curious: “Then your last name…”

Lu Yan seemed to remember. “Oh, I took my grandma’s surname. She was from Tingzhou, so my household registration is there too — that’s why I could attend No. 10 High. There’s another reason, too. Grandpa always said our family’s feng shui was bad — all the kids turned out rebellious and impossible to manage. He hoped I’d be more obedient and well-behaved, more like Grandma.”

“Are all kids naturally rebellious?” Chu Cheng latched onto that line. “Does that include Teacher Yu too?”

“Mm-hmm.” Lu Yan shifted in the pool, the water sloshing gently as he moved closer to the edge near Teacher Chu. “Don’t you think my uncle’s quite a character?”

“That’s true, but it doesn’t stop him from being outstanding — rational and self-disciplined, hardworking and determined, unafraid of challenges.” Chu Cheng recalled what Teacher Zhong had once said about Yu Siting, and wholeheartedly agreed.

“Wow, all pros, huh? Then what about his aloof arrogance, his sharp tongue, that nasty temper, and his terrible patience?” Lu Yan didn’t hold back in roasting his own uncle. “A rose can’t come without thorns, right?”

Chu Cheng picked up the floral fruit tea sitting by the pool, took a sip to soothe his throat, then chuckled as he reminded him, “Don’t poke fun at your elders behind their backs — especially in front of his colleague. When the time comes, I won’t be able to explain who’s leading who astray.”

Lu Yan nodded in understanding, sinking deeper into the pool with a comfortable sigh. After a while, he let out a low breath. “Honestly, my uncle’s really not that bad. Like I complained when we first met, he’s just too cold outside and warm inside — and now he’s getting older without ever finding a partner.”

“If that’s how you put it, you’re underestimating him.” Chu Cheng closed his eyes, his voice soft and steady. “With your uncle’s charisma and attention to detail, if he ever meets someone he truly likes, he’d have no trouble winning them over.”

Lu Yan just chuckled at that and fell silent.

The two of them kept chatting and sipping tea until they felt so relaxed they were a little drowsy. Finally, they put on their bathrobes and headed to their guest room to rest. On the way, they passed the buffet. Lu Yan said he wanted to grab some snacks and fruit.

Chu Cheng waited nearby and happened to notice that the bookshelf in the reading room next door had a suspense novel written by Yu Chen. He casually picked it up.

He flipped to the title page and saw the blurb: That night, I killed my own younger brother and buried his body beneath our mother’s beloved Persian daisy bed…

Whoa. Spicy stuff.

Sure, fiction elevates life, but it’s always rooted in life too — there had to be some personal feelings tucked between these lines.

“Let’s go, Teacher Chu.” Lu Yan came over, balancing two little bamboo trays in his hands.

Chu Cheng quickly checked the book out with the librarian and brought it back to the guest room to read.

The rest room here was a double room with excellent privacy. To set the mood for proper relaxation, the lights were dimmed just right.

Chu Cheng lay back in the recliner and switched on the bedside reading lamp, feeling that the brightness was just perfect.

Once they’d settled in, there was a knock at the door.

After getting their permission, a staff member in a matching spa robe poked their head in and politely asked, “Would you gentlemen like any guest room services?”

Lu Yan, nibbling on fruit, glanced at the service price list on the wall and picked one. “Hmm… I’ll have a wellness meridian massage, please.”

The staff turned toward the recliner. “And for you, sir?”

Chu Cheng had just gotten into the suspense novel and was thoroughly hooked. He looked up and said, “Nothing for me, thank you — but could I trouble you for a cup of snow-top coffee?”

“Alright.” The attendant nodded and backed out of the room.

Lu Yan glanced over. “You’re reading my aunt’s book?”

Chu Cheng replied, “Yeah — it’s really interesting. I only read one chapter and I’m already hooked.”

Lu Yan turned over and laid on his stomach, propping his chin up with his hands. He offered an objective opinion: “Teacher Yu Chen is actually pretty charming when she’s not going crazy. My favorites of hers are Killing My Third Self and The Summer in the Dry Well. Except for the second one — its protagonist is called Yan Yan — all of them are exactly my kind of suspense.”

“Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check them out later.” Chu Cheng made a mental note of the titles and went back to his book.

Knock, knock —

“Come in.”

The person who came to give Lu Yan his muscle-relaxing massage was a woman in her thirties. She quickly got everything ready, came to the side of the recliner, and asked in a soft, routine tone, “Sir, there aren’t any problems with your lumbar spine, right? Do you have any areas that feel stiff or uncomfortable?”

“My shoulders and neck hurt a bit.”

“What kind of pain is it?”

Lu Yan lazily replied, “From doing winter break homework.”

The masseuse laughed at that, then nodded. “Alright, I’ll focus on that area for you, to help relieve it.”

“Mmm…” Lu Yan hummed softly and absent-mindedly started scrolling on his phone.

Masseuses at places like this usually had warm, chatty personalities — but the two guests in this room clearly wanted a quiet, restful atmosphere, so she didn’t make any small talk.

No one knew how much time had passed when Lu Yan’s phone suddenly rang.

“Where are you?” It was Yu Chen calling.

Lu Yan, still lying face down, mumbled into the receiver, “At the hot spring spa.”

Yu Chen hesitated on the other end. “With Teacher Chu?”

“Mm, I’m getting a massage, he’s reading.”

“What is wrong with you?” Yu Chen’s voice dropped a notch lower in scolding. “I told you to invite him out to bond a little — drop some hints, help your uncle build a good image. And what do you do? You’re out here enjoying yourself instead! Have we spoiled you for nothing?”

Lu Yan said innocently, “I didn’t slack off — I already carried out my mission from HQ.”

Teacher Chu had just described his uncle using nothing but glowing praise. His uncle’s image was already golden. What did this have to do with him anymore?

But Yu Chen wasn’t buying it for a second. “Don’t give me that. So he came out just to keep you company? And I bet you’re planning to drag him off for hotpot too, huh?”

Lu Yan laughed. “How’d you know?”

“You’ve been craving it for days — you think I don’t know?” Yu Chen sighed in defeat. “Fine, you’re hopeless. You two just enjoy yourselves, but don’t corrupt him or — wait, huh?”

The voice on the other end suddenly cut off.

Lu Yan frowned in confusion, but then another voice — low and restrained — came through the receiver: “When did you ask him out?”

“Uncle?” Lu Yan instantly recognized that voice.

Yu Siting: “Mm. I asked you a question.”

Lu Yan let out a nervous hiss and braced himself to confess. “Just earlier. Teacher Chu said he’d take me out for copper hotpot, but it wasn’t mealtime yet…”

“So you’re at a hot spring hotel now?”

“Ah.”

Holding his second sister’s phone, Yu Siting took a deep breath and steadied his voice back to its usual calm as he asked, “So — had your fun? It’s going to snow soon, so it might be hard to get a cab. I’ll come pick you two up.”

The call was cut off. Lu Yan stayed lying there for a moment, but his brain was spinning through multiple survival scenarios. Then, suddenly, he shot up like a spring.

The masseuse working on his cervical spine jumped in surprise. “Did I press too hard?”

Lu Yan waved his hand. “Nope. Let’s wrap it up here — thank you, sis, you can rest now.”

The masseuse looked a bit baffled but nodded politely, packed up her things, and left the room.

Lu Yan scrambled to pull on his bathrobe and got off the bed, adjusting the lighting in the room to full brightness. He looked over at the person still leisurely reading and planted his hands on his hips, deep in thought.

Chu Cheng lifted his eyes. “What is it?”

“The disciplinary team captain will be storming the battlefield in ten minutes — I’ve got to come up with a survival plan!” Lu Yan anxiously raked his fingers through his hair.

“What do you mean?” Chu Cheng didn’t quite get it.

“No time to explain — just consider this saving a life. Play along, please!” Lu Yan darted around the room looking for props. He finally grabbed the feedback notebook and a pen from a shelf, then sat himself primly beneath a decorative painting done in a classical style.

He began reading out the classical Chinese text written there, then asked earnestly, “Teacher Chu, how do you translate this sentence?”

Looking at this kid, who had suddenly transformed into a diligent student mid-drama, Chu Cheng didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh. He still had his suspense novel in hand, and he lifted his brow, bewildered. “Huh?”

————————

Author’s note:

Yu Siting: While I’m not home, you take the future little aunt out for a full-body spa treatment? And now you’re begging to survive? What’s going through that head of yours?

Lu Yan: Impossible! Don’t twist the story — we were clearly having a Chinese literature tutoring session! Ask him if you don’t believe me!

Chu Cheng: The kid just got sore from homework, wanted a shoulder rub and some hotpot — what’s so wrong with that?