#19 — Beautiful Teacher [3]

"Lei-zi, thank you!" Ji Feng patted Zhang Lei's shoulder and said.

Zhang Lei shook his head slightly and replied, "Feng-zi, why are you being so formal? That's not like you at all!"

Ji Feng immediately shook his head with a laugh, "You're something else! All right, enough of this. It's getting late, I should head home!"

"Ji Feng!"

At that moment, a crisp and melodious voice suddenly rang out, as if it were heavenly music that made one feel utterly at ease. The owner of this voice was none other than the school beauty of Second High School—Tong Lei.

Seeing Tong Lei, Zhang Lei's expression instantly changed, and he hurriedly said, "Oh, I just remembered, I have something to do. I'll be going now!"

Before Ji Feng or Tong Lei could react, Zhang Lei bolted off as if fleeing in a panic, leaving Ji Feng staring in stunned silence.

"That guy…" Tong Lei watched Zhang Lei's retreating figure, shaking her head with a mix of exasperation and amusement. She then approached Ji Feng and asked, "Ji Feng, what were you talking about with Xu Mo just now?"

"It was nothing, just casual conversation," Ji Feng replied with a faint smile. There were some things he didn't want Tong Lei to know. He had only a shred of dignity left. Zhang Lei standing up for him was an act of brotherhood, but if Tong Lei found out, she would surely confront Xu Mo—and Ji Feng didn't want a woman defending him.

"Really nothing?" Doubt filled Tong Lei's eyes as she pressed, "I know my brother… Zhang Lei's personality well. He wouldn't talk to Xu Mo without a reason. Did Xu Mo cause trouble for you?"

But Ji Feng hadn't heard Tong Lei's words clearly because his attention had been completely captured by her first sentence.

"Class President, did you just say… Zhang Lei is your brother?!" Ji Feng asked in astonishment.

Tong Lei's face immediately shifted, and she shook her head, saying, "Ji Feng, don't misunderstand. I just…"

"He's your brother, isn't he?" Ji Feng interrupted her. "No wonder Xu Mo was so wary of Lei-zi. That scoundrel tricked me good."

Tong Lei quickly explained, "Ji Feng, don't be upset. My brother didn't mean to deceive you!"

Ji Feng laughed, "Why would I be upset? I'm thrilled! The 'prince' of Mangshi County turns out to be my brother. Hmm, not bad at all!"

"What prince? He's just a carefree slacker!" Tong Lei pouted slightly, then chuckled softly, "Ji Feng, you're really not mad?"

"Everyone has their own privacy. Some things can be shared with others, while others can't. I also have many things I can't tell others. This is perfectly normal," Ji Feng nodded, speaking matter-of-factly.

"You're very rational!" Tong Lei praised.

Ji Feng chuckled lightly, "It's not about being rational. I've just experienced a lot and seen a lot. Nothing surprises me anymore."

Looking at Ji Feng's carefree smile, Tong Lei seemed to glimpse a trace of weariness in his eyes. She couldn't help but find it strange—how could a high school student not yet twenty years old carry such a sense of world-weariness?

"Class President, do you have anything else to say?" Ji Feng, oblivious to Tong Lei's expression, asked.

Tong Lei smiled and shook her head, her eyes shimmering like ripples, leaving Ji Feng momentarily entranced.

It wasn't until he left the campus that Ji Feng's racing heart finally began to settle. But whenever he thought of Tong Lei's radiant smile, his heart couldn't help but skip a beat again!

"Ji Feng, stop daydreaming. Your most important task right now is to grow stronger, to mature," Ji Feng muttered to himself. "Tong Lei belongs to a different world. Forget about her!"

Though he said he wanted to forget, images of Tong Lei's smile lingered in his mind, especially the sight of her snow-white, alluring figure he had glimpsed through the intelligent computer that morning—a memory he simply couldn't erase.

Ji Feng walked along somewhat absentmindedly, bitterly smiling as he thought, "No matter how beautiful Tong Lei is, she's not someone you can dream of right now. Keep her in your heart for now. When you truly make something of yourself, then you can pursue her wholeheartedly!"

Just as he was thinking this, something soft suddenly collided with him. He was startled, and a cry rang out: "Ah!"

"Who is it?!" Ji Feng jumped back two steps in alarm, immediately thinking of the thugs Xu Mo might have sent after him.

The night was pitch black, and with no streetlights, Ji Feng couldn't see anything clearly. He could only retreat cautiously, his face full of alertness.

"Ouch! It hurts so much!" A tender voice reached Ji Feng's ears.

A woman?!

Ji Feng stepped forward hesitantly, seeing only a shadow on the ground shifting faintly. He hesitated before asking, "Are you a girl?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he realized how redundant his question was. From her voice alone, it was obvious she was a girl.

"W-who are you?!" the shadow stammered, her voice trembling slightly, whether from fear or something else.

Ji Feng scratched his head awkwardly and said, "I-I'm Ji Feng, a student. I wasn't paying attention while walking and bumped into you. I'm really sorry! Are you okay?"

"My foot hurts badly. I can't get up. Can you help me?" Hearing that Ji Feng was a student and not some thug, the girl relaxed slightly.

"Oh, no problem. It's the least I can do!" Ji Feng immediately nodded and, relying on the dim light of the night, stepped forward to help the girl up.

The girl winced, drawing in sharp breaths—it was clear the pain was intense. Ji Feng couldn't help but say, "I should take you to the hospital. You seem seriously injured!"

"No need, I just twisted my ankle. Resting a bit will be fine!" The girl quickly replied, "C-can you help me to Second High School ahead?"

"You're a student at Second High? I'm so sorry. I'll take you there right away!" With that, Ji Feng supported the girl and began walking toward Second High School.

As he helped her, Ji Feng noticed a subtle fragrance wafting from her, refreshing and almost intoxicating.

For some reason, her soft voice and delicate scent stirred something restless within him.

Shaking his head, Ji Feng pushed aside those unsettling thoughts and focused on helping the girl walk toward Second High School.

Soon, they arrived at the school gate. Under the glow of the streetlamp near the entrance, Ji Feng finally got a clear look at the girl's face.

Stunning.

That was Ji Feng's first impression.

The girl appeared to be in her early twenties, with a curvaceous and elegant figure. She was tall and slender, her captivating eyes shimmering like the bright moon in the night sky—radiant and enchanting.

She wore a white dress, her exposed arms and smooth neck as delicate as if carved by a master craftsman.

What captivated Ji Feng the most, however, was the mature charm she exuded—a presence that was almost intoxicating.