Scum A with a Sweet Black Lotus O – Chapter 45
by Little PandaEating Vinegar
[吃醋 | chī cù | traditional Chinese expression for feeling jealous/envious in romantic contexts]
“Why did you come?” Pei Xuezhi asked.
Fu Chaoyun looked at her with warm, clear eyes, showing no trace of last night’s awkwardness, as if truly having forgotten everything.
She tilted her head, her silky waves cascading over her fair shoulders, with one curl falling just so against her collarbone, creating an unintentionally alluring scene.
“Just visiting~” Fu Chaoyun said, “To absorb some culture from the historical artifacts.”
Pei Xuezhi was a History major student. Of course, with her status as the national college entrance exam’s top scorer, she could have chosen any school or major, but her choice of the relatively unpopular History department was naturally related to her personality.
At this moment, the two were in the museum. Looking at the brightly dressed alpha who seemed completely out of place here, Pei Xuezhi fell silent for a moment before asking.
“Do you like these?”
“No.”
“…”
“I don’t even understand them!”
Pei Xuezhi didn’t believe this.
With the artifacts displayed in exhibition cases and explanatory text beside them, how could one not understand?
Seeing Fu Chaoyun’s self-righteous expression, Pei Xuezhi said, “Wait for me a moment.”
“Mm-hmm~”
When Pei Xuezhi turned around, she saw her advisor and her senior fellow students looking in their direction. When they noticed her looking back, they began talking in small groups, pretending to be engaged in serious academic discussions, while some stared intently at the display cases as if trying to burn holes through them with their eyes.
Pei Xuezhi walked over, “Professor…”
Before she could continue, the elderly professor jumped in, “Xiaoxue, going to accompany your friend?”
“Yes.”
“Then go ahead.” The professor said with a warm smile, “I have so many people here, we won’t miss one person. Now that your friend has come to find you, go have a good time.”
“Yes, we’ll take care of the professor.”
“Go ahead, junior sister.”
“It’s better if you go, so the professor won’t use you as an excuse to criticize us!”
“Have fun, junior sister!”
The senior students joined in the teasing, and though some of their words seemed dismissive, they were all genuinely happy for Pei Xuezhi.
【The atmosphere here is so nice.】
【As soon as Fu Chaoyun arrives, they immediately let Pei Xuezhi go to accompany her (date) friend (love).】
【The professor is such a nice person, definitely confirmed as a playful elder!】
Though Fu Chaoyun wasn’t standing far away, she didn’t approach uninvited, instead waiting obediently on the side.
After all, her reputation at Rong University hadn’t been great, being the type that teachers and good students typically disliked.
Suddenly, she saw the elderly professor, surrounded by his disciples, wave at her.
Fu Chaoyun was dumbfounded, pointing at herself.
Me?
The elderly professor nodded with a smile and waved again. Helplessly, Fu Chaoyun finally went over.
“Hello,” Fu Chaoyun greeted first, her manner somewhat timid, “Is there something you need?”
It couldn’t be helped.
This was ingrained from years of compulsory education – no matter one’s age, meeting teachers would instinctively make one submissive, and the older they were and the more students they’d taught, the more well-behaved she became.
Pei Xuezhi turned at Fu Chaoyun’s voice, and seeing her expression, knew her professor had summoned her.
She broke away from her seniors and walked to Fu Chaoyun’s side, “Professor called for her?” The elderly professor, who had been observing Fu Chaoyun, smiled at Pei Xuezhi’s reaction, “I just called her over to take a look, I’m not going to eat her. Xiaoxue, don’t be so nervous~”
“She’s a bit afraid of meeting teachers,” Pei Xuezhi explained.
“It’s fine,” the professor continued smiling, “She’ll get used to it after meeting more often.”
Then looking at Fu Chaoyun, “You’re Xiaoxue’s friend, and I remember your name has ‘yun’ in it, so shall I call you Xiaoyun?”
Fu Chaoyun was stunned for a moment, “Whatever you prefer, please call me as you like.”
The other party already knew her name, and the safest would be to use her surname, like “Xiaofu,” but instead chose the more intimate “Xiaoyun.”
She, just a “building donor illiterate”, what merit did she have to receive such kind treatment from a senior professor?
This was completely thanks to Pei Xuezhi’s influence!
“Good, good, good child.” The professor’s smile widened, “I just wanted to see you. Xiaoxue doesn’t have many friends… I’ve agreed to let her go, so have a good time with Xiaoxue, enjoy yourselves.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“Whatever you need to say, say it well, communicate properly, don’t keep things bottled up inside, or you’ll only end up suffocating yourself.” As he said this, the professor glanced at Pei Xuezhi.
Pei Xuezhi’s face remained expressionless, but Fu Chaoyun was very agreeable at this moment, “I understand.”
A senior student came up from behind and whispered something in the professor’s ear.
“Xiaoyun, did you drive here yourself?”
“Ah… yes.”
“We need to go back to discuss our research topic. I only brought Xiaoxue along to let her get some early exposure, but we won’t need her for what comes next. Since you’re here, could you trouble yourself to take her back?”
“…Eh?”
Fu Chaoyun glanced at Pei Xuezhi, and only after seeing no objection, agreed, “No problem.”
“Thank you for the trouble.”
“It’s no trouble at all.” Fu Chaoyun paused, “Thank you.”
How could she not know that the elderly professor was creating an opportunity for her to spend time alone with Pei Xuezhi?
The professor smiled warmly, “Have fun!”
After bidding farewell to her teacher, Pei Xuezhi turned to Fu Chaoyun, “Let’s go.” Fu Chaoyun could only hastily say goodbye and follow.
At this moment, the danmu were flooding in:
【Fu Chaoyun is so well-behaved in front of Pei Xuezhi’s teacher.】
【Professor, this isn’t what you said when you brought Pei Xuezhi here! Weren’t you going to have her participate in the research? How come she’s not needed now? (pointing out the obvious)】
【Have to say, the old professor did well! He’s so perceptive!!】
【Mixed feelings, never expected Fu Chaoyun would be the first to meet Pei Xuezhi’s ‘family’.】
【Hahahaha help!!】
Perhaps feeling the weight of the gazes behind them, Pei Xuezhi led Fu Chaoyun around a corner before stopping.
“What would you like to see?” Pei Xuezhi asked.
“Is Zhizhi going to be my tour guide?”
Pei Xuezhi remained silent, just looking at her.
Fu Chaoyun smiled and shrugged, “But I don’t know anything. Why don’t you show me what interests you?”
“Alright.”
In front of them was a displayed piece of porcelain. Pei Xuezhi only needed one glance, without even looking at the description, to begin explaining.
“This is a porcelain piece from the Jiayuan period, which was during the Southern Dynasty about 1,300 years ago. The vessel’s mouth…”
【Ah, this really turned into a historical artifacts educational channel?】
【I’m not camping in this livestream to watch this!】
【Wait… where’s the follow-up to last night’s bathroom rush and surprise kiss? You two finally meet and there’s no awkwardness? I’d even accept just a symbolic blush to follow protocol!】
【Previous commenter, I think we’re the awkward ones now.】
【…】
Pei Xuezhi’s voice was cool and clear. Considering Fu Chaoyun’s complete lack of interest in these matters, she used the most straightforward, colloquial way of explaining things to a layperson [外行人 | wài háng rén | non-expert], without any showing off, yet even so, her cultural refinement showed through.
Moreover, after every few sentences, Pei Xuezhi would turn to check Fu Chaoyun’s reaction, gauging from her expression whether to continue explaining.
No matter what she said, Fu Chaoyun would nod, occasionally giving soft responses, letting Pei Xuezhi know she was truly listening.
【Pei Xuezhi is quite skilled.】
【Well, she’s the national exam champion, isn’t she?】
【I feel my soul has been purified, even though I came to this livestream just wanting to see some spicy content _(:3″∠)_】
【While the fool is still listening to the lecture, smart viewers are already enjoying the sweet moments – Pei Xuezhi’s gaze at Fu Chaoyun is so sweet!】
After Pei Xuezhi had explained seven or eight exhibits, Fu Chaoyun seized a chance to hand her a bottle of water.
Pei Xuezhi was about to open it when she noticed marks showing the bottle had been pre-opened.
She paused.
“I opened it earlier,” Fu Chaoyun noticed her hesitation, “Was that unnecessary? You can give it back, I’ll go buy another one.”
Fu Chaoyun’s attitude was natural, her eyes clear, showing no signs of being hurt.
“No need.”
Pei Xuezhi took a direct drink, and as she tilted her head back, the lines of her neck and collarbone were particularly elegant.
“Are you bored?” Pei Xuezhi asked, knowing her chosen major wasn’t particularly interesting – usually only her classmates and senior students would listen to her talk about these things.
“Not at all, Zhizhi’s explanations are very interesting!”
Her? Interesting?
Seeing the confusion in Pei Xuezhi’s eyes, Fu Chaoyun smiled, “Everything is interesting when Zhizhi is the one speaking!”
Pei Xuezhi: “…”
Someone clearly wasn’t interested in history itself.
Never mind.
Pei Xuezhi’s expression dimmed slightly.
Fu Chaoyun noticed this, but before she could salvage the situation, someone called out to her, “Beautiful lady, where did you find this guide?”
Fu Chaoyun turned around to face a young man who continued, “Be careful not to get scammed. Your guide might be pretty, but everything she just explained was completely wrong!”
He thought he was being helpful.
Usually, he wouldn’t bother being so kind, but seeing Fu Chaoyun’s beauty, he reluctantly opened his mouth, waiting for her to question “You know about this?” so he could smoothly reply, “A little bit.”
Wouldn’t that start a conversation?
Instead, Fu Chaoyun replied, “Impossible.”
“Miss, don’t be so stubborn! Look at the labels, check for yourself, does anything she said match up?”
Fu Chaoyun stood firmly on Pei Xuezhi’s side without hesitation, “Then the staff must have put the wrong labels.”
“This is a museum, not some random shop. How could they make mistakes?” The man was getting agitated, nearly shouting “Wake up!” at Fu Chaoyun.
Despite his earnest advice, Fu Chaoyun dismissed him entirely, “My Zhizhi can’t be wrong, so the museum must be!”
She didn’t flaunt expertise or explain further – just that single phrase “my Zhizhi” was enough to defend everything.
Pei Xuezhi watched her argumentative [杠精 | gàng jīng | internet slang for someone who argues for argument’s sake] behavior, and her slightly raised guard began to lower.
She suddenly felt there was no need to ask about that former roommate anymore, her previous worries were unnecessary, because Fu Chaoyun’s attitude was crystal clear.
But—
How could there be someone like this, who would stand completely on her side without any reasoning, solely based on a name, solely because she was Pei Xuezhi?
Pei Xuezhi didn’t know, but her heart softened.
While Fu Chaoyun continued arguing, the well-meaning man was nearly furious. Just as their argument was about to devolve into a childish quarrel, Pei Xuezhi, the cause of this commotion, finally stepped forward.
She had never cared about others’ opinions and usually wouldn’t bother arguing in such situations, but seeing Fu Chaoyun standing up for her… she gave another explanation, this time using highly professional terminology.
With the other party staring in disbelief, she said coolly, “The labels are wrong. You can check with the museum staff.”
Seeing Pei Xuezhi’s certainty, the man hesitated for a moment.
Could he be wrong?
“Hurry up and apologize to our Zhizhi!” Fu Chaoyun shouted from the side.
Instantly, his temper flared up and he took the challenge, “Fine, let’s check!”
The young man quickly found a museum staff member, who took one look and confirmed – the labels were indeed wrong!
It turned out two exhibits had switched positions, but the labels hadn’t been changed, causing today’s incident.
As the staff member made the correction while thanking the man, he became embarrassed, not wanting to take credit, muttered “It wasn’t me,” quickly apologized to Pei Xuezhi, and slunk away.
The staff member promptly left.
Having proven her Zhizhi wasn’t wrong, Fu Chaoyun was quite pleased, but after this incident, Pei Xuezhi’s interest in touring the museum had waned.
“Let’s go.”
Fu Chaoyun didn’t catch on immediately, “Done looking?”
“Mm, if you don’t like it, there’s no need to stay here.”
“Who said that? Who said I don’t like it?!”
The previously agreeable Fu Chaoyun suddenly raised her voice. Though mindful of the museum’s need for quiet, she kept her volume controlled, but her anger was still evident.
Since meeting Pei Xuezhi this afternoon, Fu Chaoyun’s eyes had been soft and warm, but at this moment, they took on a darker shade.
Now, finally matching her red dress, her whole presence became brilliantly striking as if to steal one’s gaze. Looking at Pei Xuezhi again, she suddenly smiled.
“What’s this? Yesterday you chatted so happily with Qin Zhenyan, but today with me, you don’t want to talk anymore?”
Thank you for the chapter!