Two days later, Jiang Xueli, He Qing, and Han Wenwen went to see their class advisor to submit their off-campus living applications.

The three girls stood together in the office, expressing the same thought:

“Teacher, we’d like to apply for off-campus living.”

Jiang Jingshi, holding a teacup at her desk, looked at them in surprise.

“Off-campus?” She put down her teacup, turned around, and looked at the three girls who were still her students. “You three don’t want to stay in the dorm anymore?”

All three nodded in response.

Little He Qing said, “We’re planning to move out. We’ve already talked to our parents. Please let us know what other procedures are needed.”

Jiang Jingshi thought for a moment. Actually, applying for off-campus living was a pretty common thing.

College students were already adults, after all, with a lot more freedom. Many who had part-time jobs or personal matters often lived off-campus.

But these three girls... to Jiang Jingshi, they weren’t just “any” students.

She gave a faint smile. “Can I ask, is it that you feel the dorm isn’t a good environment? Or is something inconvenient? Normally, the three of you sharing one room should get along just fine. So why...”

The three girls suddenly smiled.

Jiang Jingshi understood something then and didn’t press any further.

If living together in the dorm wasn’t a problem but they still insisted on moving out—there was only one reason: because of Zhengzheng...

“Alright then. I’ll give each of you an application form. In the next few days, have your parents sign it. I’ll also give them a call to confirm.”

He Qing and Jiang Xueli nodded.

Han Wenwen asked, “Advisor, is it okay if I get my uncle to sign?”

Jiang Jingshi had always paid close attention to the three of them, so she already knew about Han Wenwen’s unique family situation.

“That’s fine. A guardian’s signature is acceptable—it’s just part of the formalities.”

“Thank you, Advisor.”

The Three Little Ones left the office with their application forms. Jiang Jingshi picked up her phone and began calling their parents, which was a necessary part of the teacher’s duty.

After confirming everything through a round of calls, she took a sip from her teacup.

A fellow teacher in the office asked curiously, “Teacher Jiang, those three pretty girls who just left—are they the same ones who are always with Lin Zhengran?”

Since Lin Zhengran was the freshman representative this year, many teachers had a strong impression of him.

Jiang Jingshi nodded. “Yes, those three.”

“Oh, they’re all so beautiful. Isn’t one of them Lin Zhengran’s girlfriend? I once saw him being really close with the one who looks like a Little Fox. They looked like a couple.”

Jiang Jingshi’s lips curved up slightly in a jealous smirk.

“I wouldn’t know. I didn’t really pay attention.”

As if it were only Han Wenwen he was close to. Anyone observing long enough would see that Lin Zhengran treated all three of them with the same level of intimacy.

Jiang Jingshi took another sip of tea, her face full of jealous energy as she gazed out the window, lost in thought.

It was noon, and today’s sunshine was pleasantly gentle.

Wearing a three-quarter-length skirt and heels, Jiang Jingshi walked to the delivery station to pick up a package—some school documents and supplies.

When she opened the package, perhaps distracted, she moved a bit too quickly—

and her ring accidentally slipped off her finger.

It rolled away and vanished into the nearby storm drain.

Jiang Jingshi bent over to look into the drain, but the ring was nowhere in sight.

It was a valuable one—custom made to commemorate her first meeting with Zhengzheng.

But now, it was clearly gone.

“Teacher Jiang? What’s wrong?”

A familiar voice made her lift her head almost instantly. No matter how expensive something was, it couldn’t compare to hearing his voice.

Naturally, it was Lin Zhengran.

Jiang Jingshi stood up. Since there were quite a few students around picking up packages, she couldn’t act too close.

“Lin Zhengran, what are you doing here?”

Lin Zhengran: “I came to see you on purpose. I wanted to request some documents.”

Documents... off-campus paperwork?

For some reason, her pupils widened, and her lips pressed tight.

Lin Zhengran asked, “What were you looking for in the drain just now? Did you drop something?”

Jiang Jingshi came back to her senses and instinctively lifted her left hand. The ring on her middle finger was gone.

“It was a ring I’ve always worn. It slipped into the drain just now.”

Lin Zhengran knew her jewelry was never cheap, so he quickly crouched down to take a look.

But it had rained a bit recently, and the drain was filthy and deep.

The ring was so small—there was no clear way to retrieve it.

Jiang Jingshi said, “It’s fine. If we can’t find it, I’ll just get a new one made. I bought it myself anyway.”

Lin Zhengran glanced at her, and they both gave a helpless smile.

They walked side by side through the campus.

Jiang Jingshi asked softly, “You don’t have class this afternoon, do you?”

“Nope. I’ve got nothing on.”

Holding the work documents in her hands, Jiang Jingshi’s fingers twitched slightly.

“I don’t have anything going on this afternoon either. How about... Lin Zhengran, would you keep your teacher company?”

Blushing, she looked straight ahead and whispered in a voice only he could hear:

“Zhengzheng hasn’t spent time with me for a few days...”

“Sure. I was actually hoping to visit the place where you’re staying now.”

He had come specifically to spend time with Jiang Jingshi today.

He’d been with the other three so much lately, his time with her had been sorely lacking.

When Jiang Jingshi heard he really agreed, she beamed with joy.

“Really? Great! I’ll request leave this afternoon then!”

Right after saying that, she realized how overly happy she looked—she might catch someone’s attention.

So she quickly cleared her throat and said seriously, “Alright, I’ll ask for time off this afternoon. Wait for me just outside the campus gate, at the first street corner. I’ll drop these things off and meet you there.”

“Okay.”

Smiling to herself, Jiang Jingshi said a quick goodbye and headed to the office to put down her files.

Lin Zhengran went ahead to the meeting spot.

When she entered the office, a colleague asked, “Teacher Jiang, what’s got you so happy?”

Jiang Jingshi blinked. “Happy?”

The teacher held a pen and said, “Yeah, ever since you started working here, you’ve rarely smiled. But just now, you walked in absolutely glowing.”

Jiang Jingshi was too shy to answer, but the other teacher quickly guessed.

“Could it be that your boyfriend came to visit? Very suspicious.”

She didn’t deny it and nodded. “He’s been super busy lately. Finally had time to come by. And I’ve got a free afternoon today, so I’m taking leave to spend time with him.”

The teacher laughed. “I thought so. Still, I didn’t expect someone as beautiful as you to be that into your boyfriend. Are you two getting married soon?”

Jiang Jingshi smiled. “Probably not for a few more years. Anyway, I’m off to request leave from Director Zhao. Bye! See you tomorrow.”

“Bye, Teacher Jiang.”

Watching her leave, the teacher sighed. “She really looks happy.”

Even in heels, Jiang Jingshi walked with a spring in her step.

She quickly left the school and headed to the campus gate to meet her beloved.

From a distance, she spotted him and paused to smooth her hair, pulling out her phone to check her reflection.

Then she hurried over, calling out:

“Zhengzheng! Been waiting long?”