About a week passed without me seeing Willow again. Though Elder Sister Liu occasionally summoned me to the editorial department on weekends to discuss turning serialized novels into standalone books, Willow was never there.
Thank goodness if that last incident was truly behind us.
After returning to the office with Willow that time, Elder Sister Liu had specifically taken her to the restroom to check if she’d been bullied. Willow had protested loudly, “I’m not a kid anymore!” but Elder Sister Liu remained firmly in charge.
Was I just the villain in her eyes?
Later, from Elder Sister Liu’s demeanor, it seemed Willow really hadn’t told her what happened. I breathed a sigh of relief—until Willow mimed a phone call at me as she left. That gesture haunted me for days.
My nerves were frayed to breaking point.
Just as I’d resolved to call Willow and demand she “end this torture,” I realized—we’d never exchanged numbers!
Like a light at the end of the tunnel!
Unnoticed, the week slipped by. Just as I thought everything had settled and I could finally execute my revenge plan—
Noon.
The school store.
“Teacher Gale Splendor!”
That voice—unmistakable! Only one person called me that. Trembling, I turned toward the sound. Willow stood among a group of girls, holding a pineapple bun from the store.
“Pineapple bun? Want one?” She lifted it slightly.
But I had zero patience for this. Ignoring the girls’ startled stares, I yanked Willow out of the crowd.
Only when we were alone did I stop, panting.
“What are you doing here?!”
“Me? Duh! I’m a student here!”
Only then did I notice her school uniform—the star-shaped shoulder badge marking her as a special admissions student. Our school recruited talents in fields like math, chemistry, or literature each year. They studied separately in the modest-sized west building, far from the regular east classrooms.
Our paths rarely crossed.
“What a coincidence! My teacher’s actually my classmate! I was worried I’d never get your contact info!” Willow flashed a “kind” smile that sent chills down my spine.
I nearly wanted to transfer schools.
“But now it’s convenient! I can see Teacher often. Saves time for redeeming you…”
“Wait! Willow—stop calling me ‘Teacher’ at school!”
“Heh-heh! Has Teacher not revealed her ‘maiden’ side yet? No wonder I didn’t know we attended the same school!”
If you know, then don’t shout “Teacher” in public!
She softened slightly at my glare but still looked thrilled.
“Got it!”
I was just relieved she wasn’t pushing harder. Switching gears, I asked casually, “Do you usually buy buns here?”
“Nah. Just wanted to try their pineapple buns. We eat at the cafeteria normally.”
“Oh? And you, Teacher—Gale Splendor—you shop here too?”
*Because I can’t afford the cafeteria!*
“Eating there daily gets boring. Besides, their pineapple buns are delicious!”
“Right… I should head back. Your friends are waiting.”
*I can’t afford the cafeteria!*
My royalties were controlled by my mom; what reached my hands was pitiful. I despised those lunchtime cafeteria tycoons.
“No problem! I’ve got something more important!”
I froze mid-turn.
“I’m your official supervisor now! Replacing my sister to monitor you 24/7… It’s necessary. My supervision plus your talent will create the world’s greatest novel!”
Danger. She was getting cocky.
“Supervisor” this, “supervisor” that!
She’d just caught me off guard thanks to her own airheadedness! Every drop of that was my tear.
“So! Let’s plan your next novel!”
“You remembered?!”
“How could I forget? It’s about Teacher Maple Splendor’s new work!”
*Maple Splendor?* My head throbbed. I missed her timid “little animal” mode from our first meeting.
“I recall the new protagonist is based on a real girl… and you need to ‘get to know her intimately’…”
Why did such an ordinary line sound so lewd? Was my mind broken?
“Is your target also from this school?”
Faced with her “enthusiasm,” I could only nod weakly.
“Yao Star-yen?”
“Pfft!”
“Don’t act so shocked! She’s the campus goddess, after all!” Willow covered her mouth, giggling. “You’re pretty, Gale Splendor, but goddesses aren’t that easy to win over.”
“You sound like you know her well.”
“Of course! We’re in the same club. We eat lunch together often.” She tilted her head up slightly, looking at me sideways—a clear boast.
“More importantly—” I suddenly realized something critical. “Was Yao Star-yen with you just now?”
The store had been crowded. Willow’s loud “Teacher” had stolen all my attention. I hadn’t even glanced at the girls beside her.
If Yao Star-yen had been there—
I’d confessed to her days ago, then dragged another girl away by the hand. That was textbook scumbag behavior.
Revenge… might not be so simple after all.
