Calling Him Teacher Lin by Day, Holding His Waist and Calling Him Baby by Night Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Who Are You Dressing Up For at Work?
Lu Zhengming’s face wore a look of detached, lazy indifference, his eyes shimmering with a faint, cool light.
What was the point of fighting for these hollow honors? The only serious business was getting his wife into bed as soon as possible.
“I appreciate Principal Fang’s kind intentions, but in terms of talent, I believe Teacher Lin Yu from the Chinese Department is better suited for the requirements”.
Lin Yu’s hard work was plain for everyone to see.
Lu Zhengming calculated in his heart that if Lin Yu had the backing of a city-level research project, his future path to promotion would be much smoother.
Principal Fang grew anxious. Why was Lu Zhengming only speaking well of others? He was always thinking about giving his spots away.
Wasn’t it said that he and Lin Yu were at odds, like fire and water?
“Teacher Lin is indeed excellent…” Principal Fang spoke hesitantly.
But Lin Yu was from out of town and had no background; what was the use of just working hard?
If Lu Zhengming had even half of Lin Yu’s ambition, the Principal wouldn’t be this worried.
Hearing the meaning behind the Principal’s words, Lu Zhengming let out a mocking “Heh.” He pushed the application form back toward Principal Fang, his eyes sharp.
“I think it’s better for the research group spots to be settled through fair competition. It’ll save other colleagues from gossiping”.
His wife worked overtime until late every night for this damn school.
He didn’t even have time to get in bed with him.
Was this Principal blind?
Instead of promoting such an excellent young teacher, he spent every day trying to promote an unmotivated “salted fish” like himself.
No wonder rumors were always flying around the school that he and Lin Yu were at daggers drawn, fighting over project quotas.
Most likely, more than half of it was due to this old man fanning the flames.
Principal Fang pondered the meaning in Lu Zhengming’s words.
Was Lu Zhengming afraid of other colleagues gossiping?
It was true that some gossipy teachers loved to join in on the drama. Principal Fang rubbed his chin; it seemed he couldn’t make the favoritism too obvious.
He tucked the application form back into his drawer and said solemnly, “Fine, I will reconsider this matter”.
Lu Zhengming curled his lip expressionlessly, revealing his sharp jawline.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going”.
Lu Zhengming stood up from his chair, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and turned to leave.
“Wait a moment!” Principal Fang called out, pulling a document from his desk. “Since you’re heading that way, stop by Lin Yu’s office. There’s a document here for him to sign”.
Upon hearing that he could openly go look for Lin Yu at school, Lu Zhengming’s mood instantly brightened.
He snatched up the black folder, a smile blossoming on his lips, his voice sounding a bit impatient.
“Sure, I’ll handle it right now”.
Chinese Department Office.
Lu Zhengming knocked twice and, with that flamboyant and unrestrained face of his, pushed the door right open.
Raising an eyebrow, his gaze swept across the office and landed accurately on the person he was looking for.
“Lu Zhengming, here for Lin Yu”.
As soon as he spoke, every teacher in the office looked up at once.
Zhou Xu, being the youngest and sitting opposite Lin Yu, was the first to lose his composure. His round eyes couldn’t stop darting around.
Lu Zhengming was from the Mathematics Department, which was a whole floor away from their office.
He never usually ran to their office, yet here he was, calling Lin Yu out by name.
Without any apparent reason, who knew what he wanted to do?
It wasn’t just Zhou Xu; every Chinese teacher in the office had the same thought.
The news of Lu Zhengming and Lin Yu’s discord had already spread through all of Yuying.
Just yesterday, for the sake of an Excellent Teacher title, Lin Yu had publicly given Lu Zhengming the cold shoulder at the general assembly, blocking the aisle and refusing to let him pass.
In this moment, all the Chinese teachers tacitly set down their work, peeking at the two subjects of interest from the corners of their eyes.
Lin Yu acted as if he didn’t notice the gazes of others in the room, saying simply:
“Come in”.
With one hand in his pocket and the black folder in the other, Lu Zhengming strode toward Lin Yu with long, swaggering steps.
Lin Yu’s gaze paused. Sometimes, he really found Lu Zhengming’s behavior baffling.
It was only a few steps from the door to his desk.
Was it really necessary for Lu Zhengming to strike such a handsome pose while walking?
If someone didn’t know better, they’d think he was on a runway!
Across from them, Zhou Xu blinked, thinking that Teacher Lu from the Math Department really paid attention to his personal image.
A black leather jacket over a white T-shirt, paired with that bold, unrestrained face—his walk was no different from a model’s.
Looking back at himself in a wrinkled shirt and baggy casual pants, he prioritized comfort above all else.
Zhou Xu curled his lip, grumbling in his heart: Who are you dressing up so nicely for at work?!
Lu Zhengming tossed the black folder onto Lin Yu’s desk with a “thud,” his voice sounding magnetic.
“The Principal wants you to sign this document”.
Lin Yu was currently grading student compositions and didn’t want to break his train of thought.
He didn’t even look up, merely using a red pen to tap a blank spot on his desk while speaking coolly.
“Leave it here. I’ll sign it later”.
Lu Zhengming arched an eyebrow, dissatisfied that Lin Yu wouldn’t even look at him while speaking.
He had gone through so much trouble to find a legitimate excuse to come to the Chinese Department office; how could he just leave after dropping off a file?
Naturally, he had to seize every opportunity to say a few more words to Lin Yu.
Lu Zhengming leaned one hand on Lin Yu’s desk, bending down to close the distance as he spoke forcefully.
“No, sign it now!”.
Every extra minute he could spend in the office counted.
When Lu Zhengming said this, the hearts of the other teachers in the office skipped a beat.
They didn’t know how Lin Yu had offended Lu Zhengming, but the man clearly loved looking for trouble.
For a small matter like a signature, he could have sent someone else, yet he insisted on coming in person. It was an obvious provocation.
His colleagues peeked at Lin Yu to see his reaction.
As expected, Lin Yu set down the composition he was halfway through grading and looked up.
What kind of document was so urgent that it had to be signed this second?
He didn’t interpret Lu Zhengming’s attitude as provocative or troublesome; he genuinely thought it was an emergency file.
He opened the black folder and looked at the contents.
It was an audit for the order list of Chinese teaching supplements.
Every semester, Yuying ordered the latest supplementary materials on the market for the students.
This wasn’t urgent at all.
The corner of Lin Yu’s mouth twitched. He didn’t understand why Lu Zhengming had to pester him over such a trivial matter.
Lin Yu’s temper flared. He pursed his lips and snapped the folder shut with a “thud,” his tone cold.
“I don’t want to sign it right now”.
Lu Zhengming was truly too much, specifically coming to disturb him while he was grading papers, forcing him to re-read the composition he was working on.
Lu Zhengming had absolutely no awareness that he was causing trouble. Instead, he stared with great interest at Lin Yu’s puffed-out cheeks.
He looked like an angry little hamster.
My wife looks so good when he’s acting spoiled!
Lu Zhengming felt a bit playful and forcibly pressed the document onto Lin Yu’s desk.
“If you don’t sign it… I won’t leave”.
He had found another opportunity to stay by Lin Yu’s side for a few more minutes. He really was a little genius.
Translator’s Note: “Salted fish” (鹹魚 – xián yú) is a popular internet slang term for someone who has no ambition and just wants to lie around doing nothing. It fits Lu Zhengming’s “I’m just here for my boyfriend” attitude perfectly!