CHAPTER 522: CHAPTER 522: ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR

On that day, Yan Qianyi brought New Year’s gifts to pay a visit to Teacher Mai Hunter.

She didn’t bring Aunt Xue with her this time, coming alone instead.

When Mai Hunter saw her, he was very happy and joked, "Well, look who it is! After patching things up with Teacher Mu, I thought you had forgotten about your old teacher."

"How could I ever forget about you, Teacher?" Yan Qianyi handed over the gift she had brought, "Just a little something."

"You know, you didn’t have to bring anything. Just visiting me is enough, no need for gifts," he said.

Despite his words, Mai Hunter quickly took the present and wore a blossoming smile on his face.

"As long as you’re not mad." Yan Qianyi said, sitting on the sofa with her pregnant belly.

Mai Hunter poured a glass of water and gave it to her, "You are my most favored student; why would I be mad at you?"

"I haven’t been in touch lately and haven’t made progress with helping Shirley like I promised," Yan Qianyi confessed with embarrassment.

She had a teacher-student relationship with Mai Hunter as well as a friendship.

Mai Hunter had not only taken good care of her at school but also helped her a lot.

If it weren’t for Mai Hunter playing peacemaker, she and Mu Yunlie wouldn’t have reconciled so quickly.

Later, she found out the night Mai Hunter had arranged for Mu Yunlie to come was not actually his birthday.

And the fire incident had been deliberately staged by him burning the curtains.

Being pregnant and on leave was also thanks to Mai Hunter’s help with the application, which allowed her to return to the Federation Military Academy after the baby was born.

"Do I really seem like a petty person?" Mai Hunter said, sitting down opposite Yan Qianyi and glanced at her belly, "You’re not so mobile these days. Besides, I’ve waited for Shirley to wake up for so long, a little longer won’t matter."

"I really haven’t had much time lately. After the baby is born, I will thoroughly investigate Shirley’s condition," Yan Qianyi said.

A lot had happened recently, leaving her no time to tend to other matters.

It was only recently that she found some free time.

"Good, no rush. Take care of yourself first, and come back to the academy soon after the baby is born."

Yan Qianyi nodded, "How is Shirley doing lately? Any changes from before?"

Mai Hunter sighed, "I’ve been observing her every day, without the slightest change."

Yan Qianyi pondered quietly for a moment.

Shirley’s condition and physical state were quite complicated; it might take her a year and a half or more to make her wake up.

After chatting with Mai Hunter for a few more sentences, Yan Qianyi prepared to leave.

Mai Hunter asked, "You’ve only been here for a few minutes, are you in such a hurry to go back?"

"I have no choice," Yan Qianyi said helplessly, "Ah Lie won’t let me drive out alone now. I snuck out while he wasn’t at home. I have to hurry back before he notices."

Right now, she had no personal freedom whatsoever.

"I never thought I’d see the day," laughed Mai Hunter, "I always wondered what kind of man could handle a girl like you. Seems Teacher Mu is quite something."

Yan Qianyi pouted, "It’s just because I’m pregnant and can’t do much right now. After the baby is born, he won’t be able to control me."

"Alright then, you better get going. I won’t keep you. Once you’ve had the baby, we’ll have a good drink together," Mai Hunter said.

"No problem!" Yan Qianyi pursed her lips.

She hadn’t had a drink in a long time and was really craving it.

After the baby was born, she was definitely going to have a good drink!

Mai Hunter saw Yan Qianyi out, then suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh, right, there’s something I need to mention."

"What is it?"

"You and Yun Mu are good friends, aren’t you?"

"Of course. What’s wrong with him?"

"Some time ago, I was at a bar and saw him mingling with several people of unclear identity, looking all secretive. I don’t know what they were up to, but those people didn’t seem like the good sort. I was going to ask him about it, but considering he’s not a student in my class, I thought it was none of my business."

Yan Qianyi thought for a moment. "But from what I know, Yun Mu’s circle of friends is quite pure. Are you sure you didn’t mistake him for someone else?"

"No, I’m certain it was him." Mai Hunter reminded her, "Since you’re good friends, you should keep an eye on him. If a student at the Military Academy is found associating with unsavory characters, they could be expelled from both the school and the military."

"Okay, I understand. Thank you for the heads up, Teacher."

On the drive back, Yan Qianyi sent a voice message to Xue Xiaoguang to ask about Yun Mu’s situation.

During the winter break, both Yun Mu and Xue Xiaoguang were still living in the school dormitory, and they shared a room, so he would have a good idea about Yun Mu’s recent activities.

However, Xue Xiaoguang was clueless.

"Sister, I’ve been working part-time at Yan Group every day during the break. I haven’t noticed him hanging out with any new friends."

"You share a room. Don’t you know about his comings and goings?"

"Basically, every time I get back from work, he’s there." Xue Xiaoguang gossiped, "Did you find out that Yun Mu’s got a girlfriend or something?"

"No, I’m just casually asking. I’m curious why he isn’t going home for New Year’s or working during the winter break, wondering what he’s doing staying at school."

"He’s studying, practicing his spiritual power every day; he’s very serious about it!"

"Then you should learn from him and practice more often when you’re free instead of playing around all the time."

"Come on, you’re my boss now. Don’t you realize how hard I’m working? Standing for twelve hours a day, I just want to crash and sleep when I get back."

Yan Qianyi laughed, "Don’t worry, your salary will be fair."

"Of course, you won’t shortchange me, otherwise why would I work as a security guard for you?"

"Let’s leave it at that for now. Remember to keep an eye on Yun Mu for me. If you notice anything unusual about him, you must tell me."

"Will do, Boss!"

Three days later, Yan Qianyi invited friends over to her house for a New Year gathering.

Yan Chuhua, Xue Xiaoguang, and Yun Mu arrived one after another. The first question each of them asked upon seeing Yan Qianyi was, "Is Teacher Mu around?"

They were genuinely fearful of Mu Yunlie.

That’s because during the time Mu Yunlie was teaching at the Military Academy, he was especially strict, rarely engaged in small talk or humor, and always carried a cold, aloof demeanor that kept others at bay.

Upon finding out that Mu Yunlie was at home, everyone became very restrained, sitting on the couch in silence.

Yan Qianyi beckoned them over with a curl of her finger.

So, four heads huddled together.

Yan Qianyi whispered, "Relax, my husband won’t bite. He’s heading out soon anyway."

Mu Yunlie had plans tonight and wouldn’t be home for dinner, which was precisely why she had arranged for everyone to come over for the New Year’s reunion today.

Xue Xiaoguang bravely said, "I’m pretty relaxed. I actually want to interact more with my brother-in-law. It’s just that..."

Before he could finish, Mu Yunlie’s voice suddenly came through, "What are you all whispering about?"

Upon hearing this, the three of them immediately stood up in unison, faced Mu Yunlie, and said together in a neat chorus, "Hello, Teacher Mu!"