Don't Say You're Heartless (Modern Edition)

63 Dinner

Teachers start their work one week before students return to school since there are many preparatory tasks to complete before the new semester begins. All tasks must be finished within this week, so it's still quite busy. On Monday, as usual, teachers greet each other with New Year's wishes. In the teaching building, the sounds of "Happy New Year!" echoed throughout.

Shen Qiuhua and Yang Qiong, like everyone else, greeted each colleague with New Year's wishes. When Shen Qiuhua entered the office, the other five teachers were already there. They exchanged New Year's greetings and then proceeded to a thorough cleaning of the office. With the dust accumulated over the holiday, it was necessary to clean properly before resuming work.

Sweeping, mopping, wiping desks, tidying up... After more than an hour of hard work, the office was finally clean again. Only then did everyone feel like sitting down and chatting, since they hadn't seen each other for the entire holiday.

Teacher Zhang looked at Shen Qiuhua and asked, "Xiao Shen, why do you seem to have lost weight?"

Teacher Wang nodded as well, "I envy you! Look at me, I've gained three pounds over the holiday. How much exercise do I need to lose that?"

Shen Qiuhua hadn't noticed it herself. She had lost some weight during the holiday due to worry about Yang Qiong's safety and hadn't gained it back. Although she had eaten quite a lot of greasy food during the New Year, her exercise routine had been sufficient. Thinking of Yang Qiong's stamina... she blushed.

"I eat less, so I can't gain weight."

Teacher An praised, "Youth is still a great asset. Once a woman turns forty, unless she actively controls her weight, it's like being inflated. Ah, Xiao Shen, you're at a good age!"

The office was filled with light-hearted conversation and a relaxed atmosphere. The broadcast then came on, announcing the work for the day. The first day back at work generally doesn't involve much, mainly just allowing everyone to adjust their mood and prepare for the busy work ahead. The morning schedule was for cleaning, and the afternoon had a meeting to arrange the work plan for the near future.

Yang Qiong soon slipped in, greeted everyone, and moved a chair to sit next to Shen Qiuhua.

"Why are you here?" They had only been apart for a short time.

"I missed you," Yang Qiong said earnestly.

"Stop teasing," Shen Qiuhua said helplessly, as Yang Qiong always found a way to be sentimental.

"Really, I missed you," Yang Qiong said, pulling Shen Qiuhua's hand to her chest, "Feel it, it's all because of you."

Their small, affectionate gestures caught the attention of others. Teacher Wang asked, "What are you two up to? Acting all mysterious."

"It's nothing. I haven't seen Qiuhua for a holiday, so I just wanted to chat with her," Yang Qiong said, coming up with a story on the spot.

Teacher Wang shook his head, "I can't stand you two, always so close. It makes people misunderstand."

As for the misunderstandings, no one probed further. In this era, loving someone of the same sex might sound novel, but it's not particularly rare. However, everyone just mentioned it in passing without seriously considering it.

Having finished the busy preparations before the school year started, the two quickly got to work with various materials. The day passed in no time. In the evening, when work was over, Mr. Li called to invite Shen Qiuhua to dinner.

"Is it Mr. Li or Li Enyi this time?" After hanging up, Yang Qiong asked unhappily.

"Jealous?" Shen Qiuhua ruffled her hair, "It doesn't matter who it is. It's no big deal."