Chapter 325 Ring - Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten

Two days later, Jiang Xueli, He Qing, and Han Wenwen went to see their counselor to apply for off-campus housing. The three girls stood together in the office, each expressing the same idea. "Teacher, we would like to apply for off-campus housing." Sipping a cup of tea at her desk, Jiang Jingshi looked at the three of them in surprise. "Off-campus?" She put down her cup, turned around to face the three who were still her students, and asked, "You three don't want to stay in the dorm anymore?" The three nodded in response. Little He Qing said, "We've decided to live off-campus. We've already discussed it with our parents. Counselor, could you let us know what other procedures are needed?" Jiang Jingshi pondered for a moment. In truth, applying for off-campus housing was quite common. Since university students are adults, they enjoy a certain degree of freedom. Many who have part-time jobs or personal matters often choose to live off-campus. However, these three girls were different in Jiang Jingshi's eyes. She smiled gently, "Can I ask if you feel uncomfortable living in the dorm? Isn't it convenient? You three seem to get along well in one room, so why..." The three girls suddenly smiled. Jiang Jingshi seemed to understand something and didn't press further. If being together was convenient, yet they still wanted to live off-campus, there was likely only one reason, and that had to do with Zhengran. "Alright then, I'll give each of you an application form. Have your parents sign it in the next few days. I'll also call them later to confirm." He Qing and Jiang Xueli nodded. Han Wenwen asked, "Counselor, would it be okay if I have my uncle sign it?" Jiang Jingshi, aware of Han Wenwen's unique family situation, replied, "That's fine. As long as a guardian signs, it's just a necessary step." "Thank you, Counselor." The three left the office with their forms. Jiang Jingshi took out her phone to call their parents as a routine check. After confirming everything, Jiang Jingshi took a sip of her tea. A curious colleague in the office asked, "Teacher Jiang, were those three pretty girls the ones always hanging around with Lin Zhengran?" Since Lin Zhengran was this year's freshman representative, many teachers remembered him. Jiang Jingshi nodded, "Yes, that's them." "Oh, they're all really attractive. Isn't one of them Lin Zhengran's girlfriend? I once saw him with that girl with the fox-like demeanor, and they seemed quite intimate, like a couple." Jiang Jingshi's lips curled into a slightly jealous smile. "I wouldn't know. I haven't really paid attention." It wasn't just with Han Wenwen. In fact, Lin Zhengran was equally close to all three, something easily noticed over time. Jiang Jingshi gazed out the window with a hint of jealousy in her heart, lost in thought. By noon, the sun was warm and gentle. Jiang Jingshi, in a three-quarter skirt and high heels, walked to the station to pick up a package containing some work files and materials. As she opened the package, possibly distracted, her ring accidentally slipped from her finger and rolled into the nearby sewer. Bending down, she peered into the sewer but couldn't see any sign of the ring, which was quite valuable. She had it custom-made to celebrate meeting Zhengran. But now it seemed lost for good. "Teacher Jiang? What's wrong?" A familiar voice made Jiang Jingshi immediately look up. No valuable item could compare to the sound of his voice. It was naturally Lin Zhengran. Jiang Jingshi stood up, and because many students were picking up packages nearby, she couldn't act too familiar. "Student Lin Zhengran, what are you doing here?" Lin Zhengran replied, "I came specifically to find you, to request some information." Off-campus housing information? Her eyes widened involuntarily, and her lips pressed together. Lin Zhengran asked, "What were you looking for in the sewer just now? Did something fall in?" Jiang Jingshi regained her composure and instinctively raised her left hand, the ring on her middle finger now missing: "It was a ring I always wore. It accidentally fell into the sewer." Lin Zhengran knew her jewelry wasn't cheap, so he quickly crouched down to look. However, with occasional summer rains and the sewer being filthy and deep, finding a small item like a ring seemed impossible. Jiang Jingshi said, "It's fine, if I can't find it, so be it. I'll just have another made." Lin Zhengran looked at Jiang Jingshi, and they shared a resigned smile. They walked side by side on campus. Jiang Jingshi softly asked, "Do you have classes this afternoon?" "No, nothing this afternoon." Holding the work documents, Jiang Jingshi's fingers moved slightly: "I don't have much to do this afternoon either, how about keeping me company?" She blushed and looked ahead, speaking in a voice only audible to the person next to her: "It's been days since Zhengran last kept me company." "Sure, I was actually hoping to visit where you're staying." He had come specifically to spend time with Jiang Jingshi, as he had been with those three girls often recently, leaving little time for her. Hearing it was really possible, Jiang Jingshi beamed with joy: "Really? Great, then I'll take the afternoon off!" Realizing her excitement might draw attention, she quickly coughed and said seriously, "I'll apply for leave this afternoon. Wait for me outside school, I'll meet you at the first street outside the campus entrance." "Okay." Jiang Jingshi couldn't help but smile. After parting with Lin Zhengran, she cheerfully went to her office to leave the documents. Lin Zhengran headed to their meeting spot. While she was putting away the documents, a colleague asked, "Teacher Jiang, what's making you so happy?" Jiang Jingshi was puzzled, "Happy?" The colleague scribbled with a pen, "Yes, since you started working here, you rarely smile, but you seemed quite cheerful when you returned." Jiang Jingshi blushed but didn't deny it. The colleague guessed, "Could it be that Teacher Jiang's boyfriend came to see her?" with an insinuating tone. Jiang Jingshi nodded, "He's pretty busy, so it isn't often he has time to come by. Since I'm free this afternoon, I thought I'd take some time off to be with him." The office colleague smiled, "I thought as much, but I didn't expect someone as beautiful as Teacher Jiang to be so fond of her boyfriend. Are you getting married soon?" Jiang Jingshi smiled, "Probably in a few more years. Anyway, I'm off to request leave from Director Zhao; bye, see you tomorrow." "Bye, Teacher Jiang." Watching her leave, the colleague sighed, "She looks genuinely happy." Even in high heels, Jiang Jingshi walked with a nimble gait, quickly leaving the school to meet her loved one at the gate. Upon seeing him from afar, she paused, smoothing her hair and checking her appearance with her phone. Then she hurried over, "Zhengran! Have you been waiting long?" (End of chapter)