Chapter 89: Phone Call

To artists and writers, the concepts of a “girl” and a “woman” were entirely different. A girl represented youth, beauty, liveliness, and innocence, while a woman was synonymous with maturity, allure, and seduction.

The person standing before the boy was undoubtedly a woman among women.

At school, no one questioned the character and grace of Naoko-sensei. She was as mesmerizing as a flower, polite, and gracious—this was her truest representation. She treated everyone with courtesy, but she kept a safe distance from the men who attempted to get close to her, maintaining a boundary that wasn’t cold. Despite this, the subtle maturity and feminine charm she exuded occasionally drove male teachers and students to near uncontrollable states.

One year without seeing her, and she looked even more stunning and mature. A faint, almost imperceptible fragrance drifted from her alluring figure, filling the boy’s nostrils and creating a strange ripple in his normally calm mind.

As the boy observed her, Naoko also observed him.

He had grown taller in the year they were apart—now, she barely reached his earlobe. His face, once innocent, now carried an inexplicable glow. There wasn’t a trace of acne, unlike what one might expect from an ordinary teenager. The only thing that hadn’t changed was his deep, almost otherworldly eyes. With those eyes and his tall frame, he exuded an indescribable, unique aura.

Though he still seemed like an ordinary boy, in a crowd, no one might have noticed him, but once someone locked eyes with him, it was hard to look away.

Like the waxing crescent moon, this was the only description Naoko could think of.

“Naoko-sensei, when did you come back?” After the initial shock, the boy asked.

“I just got back this morning. My sister probably doesn’t know I’m back yet. I didn’t expect to run into you here. It’s been so long, Masashi,” the beautiful teacher said with a slightly excited look.

“Has it been almost a year? How have you been, Sensei?”

“I’m well. Have you eaten? If not, would you like to have a meal with me?” Naoko offered.

“No, I’ve already eaten at home. Please, don’t worry about it,” Masashi declined.

Hearing this, Naoko looked a little disappointed.

“If you have some free time, you can call me on my cell. We can chat more then.” Seeing her disappointment, Masashi added.

“But I don’t have your phone number,” Naoko responded wistfully.

“Has your number changed? If not, I’ll call you now,” Masashi said as he pulled out his phone.

“You remember my phone number?”

“Of course, it’s saved on my phone,” Masashi casually replied. There was no need for him to memorize it.

“My number hasn’t changed,” Naoko said, smiling happily.

“Goodbye, Naoko-sensei.” After exchanging numbers, Masashi bid her farewell.

“Masashi,” Naoko suddenly called him.

“Yes?”

“I’m no longer your teacher. If you don’t mind, could you call me Naoko?” After a brief hesitation, Naoko said softly.

Masashi was a little surprised but quickly nodded.

“Naoko, welcome back.” Masashi smiled.

In that instant, Naoko’s smile bloomed like a flower.

***

“Senpai, please take care of me,” Rumi, dressed in her kendo uniform with a helmet on, bowed to Masashi in the spacious, wooden-floored basement.

“Let’s begin,” Masashi, in casual clothes, responded calmly.

Without further hesitation, Rumi stepped forward swiftly, thrusting her bamboo sword at Masashi…

Twenty minutes later, Masashi pulled the exhausted Rumi up from the ground, drenched in sweat.

“Not bad, little one. You’ve improved a lot,” Masashi said with a smile as he removed her helmet. Seeing his warm smile, Rumi felt a wave of helplessness surge in her heart, and soon that emotion turned into an overwhelming impulse. She couldn’t hold it back any longer and suddenly threw herself into his arms, crying.

This was the third time that day that Masashi was stunned.

Confused by her actions, Masashi gently patted her back, trying to comfort her.

After a while, Rumi’s crying subsided, though her body still occasionally trembled.

“What happened, little one? Tell your senpai,” Masashi said, helping her sit against the wall, looking drained from crying.

“Senpai, I missed you…” Rumi said, and then hugged his neck tightly again.

“Foolish girl, I’m already back,” Masashi laughed.

Rumi lifted her tear-streaked face and gazed at him, stunned. “Senpai, I…” She paused, unsure of how to continue.

“What is it?”

“I… I’m a little hungry,” she said, immediately scolding herself in her mind for bringing up something so trivial.

“Really? You turned the atmosphere so serious, and I thought something was wrong. Let’s go upstairs, Mom and Kazumi should have dinner ready,” Masashi helped her up.

Rumi nodded, still silently watching him as if he might disappear again.

“By the way, did you like the gift I got you?” Masashi pointed to the necklace hanging around her neck as they headed up the stairs.

“Yes, I love it. I’ll take good care of it.”

“Silly, what’s there to take care of? It’s just a little gift.”

Rumi shook her head gently, holding the necklace tightly in her hand.

***

At 9 AM, Chang’an held his regular meeting with his subordinates.

Though this middle-aged man was usually sparing with his words, he spoke when necessary. His brief, decisive statements were well-known among his employees.

During the meeting, he listened with apparent patience as a manager reported performance data. Suddenly, his phone vibrated.

Seeing the caller’s number, Chang’an apologized to the group. “Sorry, I need to step out for a moment. Continue without me. Ms. Guan, please leave the meeting notes on my desk.”

“Understood, Mr. Shen,” the secretary nodded.

“Excuse me, everyone,” Chang’an said as he exited the meeting room.

The remaining people exchanged curious glances. It was the first time in years that their boss left a meeting like this.

Some began to speculate who could be calling with such importance.

Back in his office, Chang’an answered the phone.

“Xiao Lei, what’s going on?” He knew that if it wasn’t something urgent, Lei Li wouldn’t be calling him at this hour.

“Chang’an, those guys attacked us again,” Lei Li’s voice sounded strange over the phone.

“When did this happen?” Chang’an asked, taking a deep breath.

“It was around 4 AM today, at the same locations as last time. This time, more people died,” Lei Li’s tone was cold as ice.

Chang’an understood why Lei Li was so upset.

Those people had the audacity to strike the same places again. It was a blatant provocation, showing that they didn’t take them seriously at all.

“Have you notified the boss?”

“Not yet.”

“Wait for me at the usual spot. I’m coming right now.”

“Got it.”