If I hadn’t taken a professionally organized tea ceremony class, I probably never would have imagined that even a simple teapot for pouring water could have so many nuances. Not to mention, the tea brewing process itself had a strict sequence of steps that had to be followed to the letter.
Step one—just selecting and boiling water—was already a deep and complex science in itself.
And then came warming the teacups, adding the tea leaves… every detail made my brain buzz. It felt like all that remained before my eyes were those few grams of green tea leaves, dangling my half-dead body through the rest of the lecture.
Even teapots had a hierarchy. A regular one and a Yixing clay teapot were worlds apart in price alone.
I used to think—
Different types of teapots just looked different, that’s all.
But in reality, their effectiveness truly had tiers. A high-grade Yixing teapot would pour water with stability and consistency. Even from a great height, it wouldn’t spill a single drop when filling a cup.
“Mommy, once you learn how to brew tea, does that mean you’ll become a proper green tea bitch?”
Zhi Zhi was attending the class along with me, listening intently while sneakily making sarcastic remarks in my mind.
The best form of prenatal education is taking college classes with your mom.
My face immediately darkened. “Where did you even pick up that expression…”
“You’re not even born yet, and you already know about green tea girls?”
“From the books you bought,” Zhi Zhi blinked her big innocent eyes, once again leaving me utterly speechless.
All I could do was grind my teeth and swallow my frustration, repeating firmly:
“Without my permission, you’re not allowed to read any more of those books.”
“Okay…” Zhi Zhi pouted a little but ultimately decided to listen to Mommy.
She sat in the only empty patch of space in my mental sea, playing with her chubby fingers.
Another thing she wasn’t allowed to do.
So what should she do to pass the time next?
Ah-ha! Her eyes suddenly sparkled with excitement—she’d come up with a new idea.
“Who’s whispering down there?”
The tea ceremony instructor, who was in the middle of demonstrating the tea set, furrowed his brows and scolded sternly.
Unlike your average lecturer, this tea master was already in his seventies and had stepped down from front-line teaching ages ago.
Not only was he a senior professor at Beiqing University, but he was also one of the country’s top scholars in traditional culture. Retirement had been too dull for him, so he started this tea ceremony class just for fun.
His temper? Infamously old-fashioned.
He didn’t give face to anyone. Anyone who dared disrupt his class would be met with a ruler smack, no exceptions.
By all rights, physical punishment in a modern society should have resulted in countless student complaints.
Unfortunately—
His seniority was just that strong, and he was nearing his eightieth birthday. Others could only sigh: “The law can’t touch the boss.”
According to the campus confession wall—
If you don’t like him, then don’t sign up for his class.
After all, it’s just an elective.
“You know what he’s like—still went and acted out? If that isn’t asking for trouble, I don’t know what is. Serves them right.”
At that moment, after the old professor’s reprimand, some students were already waiting to enjoy the drama.
No one had noticed who exactly had been whispering just now.
Until—
I lowered my head slightly and quietly raised my hand. “Professor, it was me.”
Several students stared in disbelief. Why is it her?
They rubbed their eyes, as if trying to confirm whether the girl now obediently raising her hand was truly the same heir to a prestigious aristocratic family everyone talked about.
Even the old professor, eyes clouded with age, stared at me for a long moment.
Then, after a brief silence, he picked up the tea set again and said plainly, “Put your hand down.”
“If you want to say something next time, remember to raise your hand first.”
Such a gentle and casual response left the rest of the class visibly stunned. Even I hadn’t expected it.
Wait— was this really that infamously strict old man everyone warned about?
Why was he suddenly acting like a different person?
Unless… could it be that this so-called “young lady” had backing so strong even the professor didn’t dare offend her?
Taking advantage of the hands-on practice time, I quickly pulled out my phone and scanned the course description. I located the section about the instructor.
Shangguan Bai — National studies master. Lifetime Honorary Professor of Beiqing University…
Staring at the name, realization slowly dawned.
So this elective class of mine hadn’t been randomly chosen at all.
The one with connections… was me?
I was completely stunned.
Just then, Shangguan Bai strolled over to my side.
Despite his snow-white hair, the old gentleman’s eyes still shone with spirit. “Little one, if there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me.”
“…In terms of academics, too,” he added.
Was this… blatant favoritism?
The other students didn’t even know how to react.
With Shangguan Bai saying that, anyone with half a brain could see it: this was clearly a case of special treatment.
He smiled with squinted eyes, his words even more straightforward than his actions. “This old man’s worked hard his whole life, and I’ve only got one granddaughter. It’s only reasonable to look after her only friend just a bit.”
“If any of you were my granddaughter’s friend, I’d look after you the same way.”
“Equal treatment.”
The moment those words were spoken, those who knew the inside story glanced at one another.
Who would dare try to get close to that ice-cold goddess?
Honestly, even getting “special treatment” in this class didn’t seem worth the risk.
A few students who weren’t in the loop still dared to ask, “Professor, who’s your granddaughter?”
“Shangguan Xiyue.”
The elderly professor, hair completely silver, beamed with pride as he uttered the name.
My suspicions were finally confirmed, but I still asked, “You’re… Shangguan Xiyue’s grandfather?”
The old professor suddenly changed his tone and expression, stern and sharp, “Alright, back to class. No off-topic discussion during lecture time.”
My little face stiffened slightly—I finally understood why everyone said he had such a peculiar temper.
“You’re not warming the cup the right way,” the professor said as he took the thermos from my hands. Nearly eighty years old, yet his hand holding the thermos didn’t tremble at all. “What you need to pay attention to is…”
*****
The day’s classes were finally over.
Dragging my tired body, I was just about to board the school shuttle to go home when I spotted Su Liumeng up ahead.
Pouting, I ran over to her and whined like a spoiled child, “So tired…”
I had overestimated myself.
Being pregnant, just focusing through half a day of classes was already pushing my limits.
“Worn out, huh?” Su Liumeng gently ruffled my hair.
This girl… she was really getting better at coaxing people. I had no idea who she’d learned it from.
“Just look at you. Not even a hint of masculinity left,” she teased with a laugh.
I bit down on my teeth and mumbled back, “Whose ‘manly man’ has a baby in their belly?”
No way in hell was I going to admit that I used to be that person.
Well, not because it was shameful… just a little embarrassing.
That’s just the kind of person Su Liumeng was.
Every time we met, she had to tease me a bit—it was practically a ritual. And by now, I’d gotten used to this dynamic between us.
“I wanted to be a boy too, but…”
“But you’re not anymore,” I said, my face giving away nothing.
“Boy or girl, you’ll always be the baby I spoil,” Su Liumeng smiled as she gave my cheek a gentle pinch, then naturally took my small hand and led me forward.
Only then did I notice a sleek black sedan parked up ahead.
“Young Miss,” a middle-aged man who looked very much like a butler bent slightly at the waist and opened the rear door for us. “Please get in.”
Su Liumeng and I got into the back seat. She still hadn’t let go of my hand.
The way she held it was a little domineering.
Not the usual interlocking fingers—it was more like she had wrapped her entire hand around mine, as if to keep it protected.
“I just turned eighteen and passed the driver’s written exam. I haven’t gotten my license yet, but once I do next month, I’ll take you out myself.”
She rested her head on my shoulder. The motion was so gentle that I didn’t even feel any pressure before she pulled back again.
“I want to lean on your shoulder for a while,” she murmured, “but I’m afraid I’ll crush you.”
“What’s the big deal?” I masked all traces of exhaustion from my face, reached out with my other hand, grabbed her shoulder, and gently pulled her a little closer to me. “Lean on me.”
The way this Young Miss clung to someone like that—it was truly rare to see.
She—
Did something happen again… something that made her feel vulnerable?
Su Liumeng just slowly shook her head.
“You’ve been at school all day, that’s exhausting. Just making you walk already makes my heart ache—how could I possibly use you as a pillow?”
“It’s just class, what’s the big deal? So many people go through a full day. If I start crying from just half a day, people will probably say I’m delicate for the rest of my life.”
“Su Liumeng, come on already!” My tone suddenly turned firm. “Since when did you become so whiny? No more acting soft with me.”
I seemed a little annoyed and forcefully pulled her onto my lap.
Su Liumeng froze instantly.
It was her first time experiencing Xiaoyan’s lap pillow, and her mind went completely blank.
It wasn’t as firm as she had imagined. On the contrary, it was very soft—just like a perfectly fluffed cotton pillow. The warmth radiating from the thighs beneath her cheek made her belatedly aware of how ambiguous the position was.
Her long, slender legs crossed awkwardly.
Then, as if that felt even more uncomfortable, she slightly uncrossed them again.
I noticed her odd behavior and asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”
“I… it’s not like I’m all bones or anything,” I said, a little confused.
Ever since I had Sizhizhuo, I’d gained a little weight all over. My previously slender legs had become a bit rounder too.
Su Liumeng’s face turned bright red, overwhelmed by a rare and indescribable sense of embarrassment.
She really wanted to be honest with Xiaoyan—share some of the private worries that most girls had.
But she was also afraid that after pretending to be a guy for so long, Xiaoyan wouldn’t be able to understand all that right away.
So all she could do was mumble awkwardly, “N-no, nothing’s wrong.”
“It’s very comfortable.”
“Xiaoyan smells nice… how could I be uncomfortable?”
Su Liumeng rested there for a little while longer, then finally lifted her blushing face. Her dark, silky hair was a little messy around her seductive side profile, and the look in her eyes—gentle and full of emotion—was intoxicating. My breathing grew heavier, though I tried to hide it.
“Xiaoyan, do you like older sisters?” Su Liumeng noticed the change in me, and before the blush had faded from her cheeks, she was already teasing me, pinching my cheeks.
That sudden change in her demeanor—it was strangely adorable.
Faced with such a perfect chance to strike back, of course I wouldn’t miss it.
“Our mighty Su the Pervert is actually shy today?”
“Yeah, I’m shy,” Su Liumeng huffed softly. “Because our little Xiaoyan is just too tempting. A flower in bloom like me can barely control herself.”
“Tempting? What are you even talking about…”
“You’re just saying stuff no one else can understand.” I pretended to be confused, though I knew exactly what she meant.
“Okay, enough with the pinching.”
I slapped her mischievous hand away and feigned annoyance to change the subject.
“I’m exhausted, you know… all you remember is to pinch my face…”
My voice sounded a little aggrieved, and the playful glint in my eyes couldn’t be hidden at all.
“You even got the lap pillow…”
“You’ve enjoyed your lap pillow, haven’t you? Our dear Miss Su, could you help massage my legs for a bit too?”
“Of course, your humble servant is willing to serve Your Majesty.” Su Liumeng bent forward, her whole body leaning toward me. Her smooth black hair cascaded down like silk, with a few strands falling across my skirt.
A flicker of confusion crossed my eyes.
When I slapped Su Liumeng’s hand just now, why were her fingertips so cold?
It was…
It was simply not like that of a normal person.
But Su Liumeng’s pressure was just right, and it quickly made me forget the strange moment earlier. I closed my eyes in comfort.
My thighs were incredibly sore, like I’d been walking for a long time—but it wasn’t quite the same kind of soreness caused by lactic acid buildup. It felt more like something was slowly swelling inside the muscle. No matter how I adjusted, the skin that was once firm now felt oddly uncomfortable.
But compared to my thighs, my lower abdomen hurt even more.
It was like… a screw had been jammed inside me, twisting and pulsing with sharp pain.
Even so…
Since Su Liumeng wasn’t a professional, I didn’t dare ask her to massage my stomach directly.
“Does it hurt here too?” Su Liumeng’s fingertips slid slightly upward.
“Mm.” My reply was barely audible.
I didn’t want to open my eyes for the moment. The rare sensation of comfort was like a warm ocean current washing over me, even making me feel a little drowsy.
Su Liumeng was just about to—
When a cold sweat broke out all over her body.