Chapter 83

Suddenly grabbed by the arm, Ji Nian looked at Chen Mo in confusion. The child seemed startled, her expression somewhat dazed, and she instinctively answered Chen Mo's question: "...No need, teacher?" In reality, only the system knew that this seemingly frightened individual was actually quite excited inside. [Hehe? Why are you angry, beauty?] [Hmm, earlier I mentioned the princess, and he didn’t seem happy. Now, such an obvious emotional shift—what’s the reason this time?] [What did I even say? Sweeter than poop, less sticky than poop?] [Could it be that Teacher Mo’s family business is making dried yogurt?] Though puzzled, Ji Nian chose to continue acting. "Not that line." Chen Mo tightened his grip, his fingers pressing harder, making Ji Nian’s arm ache. The little girl looked terrified, her emerald-green eyes welling up with tears. At this point, the other teachers also reacted, stepping forward. "Hey, Teacher Mo, what are you doing?" "You’ve scared her." The math teacher frowned and reached for Chen Mo’s hand, trying to free Ji Nian, but before he could touch Chen Mo, the latter let go first. "Sorry..." He looked at Ji Nian, her eyes brimming with tears. It was the color he hated the most—green—yet somehow, when he met her gaze, it felt as if his heart had been bitten by a snake, a sharp pain piercing through. Chen Mo closed his eyes, no longer looking at Ji Nian, and muttered again, "Sorry." Then he turned and left the office. The other teachers comforted Ji Nian, their voices tinged with reproach toward Mo Chen. The math teacher, however, was puzzled: "What did we even say earlier?" Ji Nian sniffled, waving her hand to reassure the teachers that she was fine. "Teacher Mo didn’t use much force; it doesn’t hurt. I was just startled." From an angle no one else could see, Ji Nian glanced in the direction Chen Mo had left, her expression thoughtful. ... Chen Mo walked into the restroom and splashed water on his face. Droplets soaked his bangs, sliding down his pale face. The reflection in the mirror looked disheveled, his dark eyes carrying a hint of regret. He thought he had changed so much, yet his emotions were still so easily stirred. He took a few deep breaths, clenched his jaw, the lines of his profile tightening as he suppressed the emotions swirling in his heart. When he opened his eyes again, he had returned to the gentle, frail Teacher Mo Chen. He went back to the office, but Ji Nian was no longer there. Chen Mo apologized softly to all the teachers, saying that something had happened at home, which had thrown off his mood all day. He promised to quickly adjust himself and ensure such an incident wouldn’t happen again. He spoke sincerely. Despite being a man over six feet tall, there was a fragility in his brow that made him seem full of stories, evoking sympathy from many of the teachers. ... "Here, this." "That kid Ji Nian was sneaking around outside earlier. When I came back from the restroom, she stopped me and asked me to give this to you." He placed the item on Chen Mo’s desk and left. Ji Nian? She had come by earlier? He thought she would avoid him like the plague after what happened. What Ji Nian had sent was a small paper box folded into the shape of a rabbit, with cute facial features drawn on the front. Pulling out one of its ears opened the box. Chen Mo expressionlessly turned the opened rabbit over. Inside was a pile of candy, with a note on top. The child’s handwriting was sincere and adorable. "Teacher Mo, if I said something wrong, please don’t be angry. I’ve sent you some candy, and I hope you’ll be happy every day! (*╹▽╹*)" His slightly overgrown bangs fell over his pale cheeks as Chen Mo stared at the note for a long time. ...He had frightened the child without good reason, and she had even cried. He hadn’t controlled his strength well, and her arm might even be bruised. Yet, despite being so scared that she didn’t even want to come to the office, she still wrote a note and sent candy to comfort him. Even with his biases, Chen Mo could see it now. This child... really had a good heart. But why did she have to be Ji Tingzhou’s daughter? ... When school ended, Ji Nian picked up her backpack and was about to leave when she saw an "unexpected" person outside the classroom. Chen Mo was standing in an inconspicuous spot, but anyone with eyes would inevitably notice him. "Ji Nian." Ji Nian had been planning to slip away with the crowd, but Chen Mo had sharp eyes and immediately spotted the shortest little figure. When her full name was called, Ji Nian felt a secret thrill but acted meekly, shuffling over with small steps. "Teacher Mo..." She called out to him without looking up, as if afraid to meet his eyes. The system: [He actually came... You just sent some candy and wrote a note, right?] Ji Nian: [That’s why I say, you don’t understand humans.] Chen Mo crouched down. He handed her a large bag of familiar orange-yellow snacks. "I heard you like these." Ji Nian took a look. Wow, it was her old friend—Mimi shrimp crackers. They weren’t sold at the school store; you had to go to a big supermarket far outside the school to get them. "I’m sorry about what happened this morning." Ji Nian looked up and met Chen Mo’s gaze. It was an extremely conflicted, rational, and complex look.