"O-okay..."
Qin Chuan responded hastily, heart pounding with fear that the surrounding classmates might discover something.
It had to be said, this teacher Jian Ya was truly daring.
To tease him in front of so many classmates.
If anyone noticed, Qin Chuan thought he would never have the face to stay in this classroom again.
"Qin Chuan, you're really lucky, Teacher Jian is giving you special treatment."
The boy sitting next to Qin Chuan couldn't help but express his envy.
In school days, most boys harbored a crush on a charming female teacher.
They fantasized about spending a romantic night with this alluring teacher someday.
Unfortunately, it only existed in fantasy.
For most boys, such teachers were a teenage dream, to be admired from afar but never approached.
And Jian Ya was exactly that kind of enchanting teacher.
Countless boys in the school admired her.
In fact, some wealthy students had even pursued her, emboldened by their family's wealth.
But without exception, she rejected them.
They would never have imagined Qin Chuan had already experienced the teacher's charm.
Facing the envy of his classmates, Qin Chuan merely smiled and said nothing, not wanting to reveal too much.
His relationship with Jian Ya was a secret between them.
Gradually, Qin Chuan's emotions settled, and he focused entirely on the class.
But just as the class was about to end, two middle-aged men in black T-shirts appeared at the classroom door.
The two men were tall, with intimidating tattoos on their arms, clearly not from the school.
"Teacher Jian, can we have a word?"
One of the men gave Jian Ya a lewd glance, a greedy look flashing in his eyes, even licking his lips grotesquely.
Qin Chuan noticed that Jian Ya's expression changed upon hearing those words.
She immediately said, "Self-study now, class monitor, maintain order, please."
After leaving those words, Jian Ya followed the two men out.
Watching this, Qin Chuan couldn't help but frown.
His instincts told him Jian Ya was probably in trouble.
He thought for a moment, then asked the class monitor for leave, using a restroom excuse to leave the classroom and follow Jian Ya.
Even though Jian Ya treated him as a casual partner.
To Qin Chuan, she was still his first woman.
Moreover, Jian Ya possessed unique qualities.
Whether for personal reasons or for growth, Qin Chuan didn't want to see her harmed.
Soon, Qin Chuan found Jian Ya arguing with the two men in a hidden corner behind the teaching building.
"How did you find me at school? I said I'd pay back the money, but you can't disturb my life!"
Jian Ya was somewhat agitated.
The leading man sneered, "Ms. Jian, it will take forever if you repay just ten to twenty thousand a month."
"I only get so much salary. What can I do?"
Jian Ya angrily said, "If the school finds out you're after me, I lose my job, and you won't get a penny."
"True, but the money you're giving us each month doesn't even cover the interest."
The man smirked, producing an IOU: "This is what your father borrowed a few days ago, adding up to one and a half million total."
"Wha-what?"
Jian Ya widened her eyes, snatching the IOU: "Wasn't it just two hundred thousand before, how..."
"Your father had bad luck and lost another one hundred thirty thousand at our casino a few days ago," the man said with a cunning smile.
"Go find him, I don't want to deal with this anymore."
Jian Ya said in despair, her voice tinged with helplessness.
"Repaying debt is a matter of course; what, are you trying to skip out now?"
The man stepped closer, looking at Jian Ya playfully: "Your father used you as collateral when he borrowed the money. If you don't pay, we'll use our methods to get it back."
At this point, the other man swallowed his saliva, saying lewdly: "Brother Cat, with her looks, she could fetch a good price in Northern Myanmar."
Brother Cat chuckled: "Selling her to Northern Myanmar would be a waste, better let her work in our casino for a few years first, then sell—much more profit."
Jian Ya instinctively retreated two steps facing their unscrupulous expressions.
"Don't do anything reckless, I'll call the police," Jian Ya said, panic-stricken.
"What's the point in calling the police when we have the Red Dragon Association?"
Brother Cat nonchalantly smiled, "Come with us, keep me company for two days, and I'll waive ten thousand for you."
The other man eagerly added: "Brother Cat, after you've had your fun, could you let me try too?"
"No problem."
Brother Cat readily agreed and reached out to touch Jian Ya's face.
But just as he extended his hand, a figure suddenly stepped in front of Jian Ya, grabbing Brother Cat's wrist.
Hiss!
Brother Cat's expression twisted, sucking in a cold breath, visibly uncomfortable.
"Let go! Damn it, let go!" Brother Cat grimaced in pain, his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
"Scram!"
Qin Chuan, expressionless, kicked Brother Cat away with a foot, sending him flying.
"Damn you..."
The other man swung his fist at Qin Chuan.
Qin Chuan kicked him away too, landing him three meters away.
Brother Cat and his man's cries filled the air.
"Let's retreat!"
Brother Cat, realizing they were outmatched, quickly grabbed his subordinate and left.
But Qin Chuan knew Brother Cat would definitely return.
"Teacher Jian, are you okay?"
Qin Chuan turned to the panic-stricken Jian Ya.
Jian Ya shook her head, still with a lingering look of fear, then leaned on Qin Chuan's shoulder, sobbing.
Her family situation was not good.
She had a father who gambled, a biased mother, and a delinquent brother.
Neighbors envied her for having a respectable job.
But only she knew she had lived in dire hardship her whole life.
She had hoped that going to college and becoming a teacher would break the cycle.
But her gambling father only fueled his addiction, running up more debts as her job improved.
Her salary each month went towards repaying his gambling debts.
She couldn't afford nicer clothes, only cheap imitations and thrift finds to maintain appearances.
The one and a half million in gambling debt had become the final straw.
Tears in her eyes, Jian Ya felt overwhelmed by life's pressure.
Looking up at Qin Chuan, she pleaded, "Kiss me, let me feel there's still someone in this world who loves me, please?"
Watching her teary face, Qin Chuan felt deep compassion, gently holding and kissing her.
"Come to my dorm,"
Jian Ya suddenly suggested, seeking escape from her dire situation: "I'll get you excused this afternoon, just stay with me, really stay with me, okay?"