You Sound Sleepy

Translator: BipBop

In a bright, tidy office, the faint aroma of coffee pervaded throughout the air. Coffee was brewing. A half-opened case file with a black pen to the side rested on a mahogany table. Que Qingyan unscrewed the pen cap and signed a place that indicated who the thesis supervisor was. 

“Much thanks, teacher.” Xu Zhu put away the papers. “I used the recommendation letter that you gave me, and the law firm agreed to give me a three-month internship. They also wanted me to kindly enquire if you have any spare time.”

“I’ve been busy lately.”  Que Qingyan answered, his tone smooth. “There’s still another student here, anything else?”

Xu Zhu hurriedly said, “I’m good, thanks.”

When passing by the waiting Lin Mian, Xu Zhu slightly slowed his steps, winked, and mouthed, “Why are you here?”

Lin Mian mouthed back, “Mind. Your. Business.”

It was a little embarrassing. She just couldn’t bring herself to say it.

In fact, Lin Main didn’t really mind coming into Que Qingyan’s office for a second time.

As long as I…. don’t have to do work. She shuddered, recalling her first experience there.

After Xu Zhu left, Lin Mian obediently handed the midterm paper and the reflection book to Que Qingyan, and shyly whispered, “Professor Que, this is my mid-term paper, and this is the reflection paper…”

Strictly speaking, the reflection book wasn’t actually 40,000 words.

For the 40,000-word reflection book, Lin Mian managed to miserably scrape together 34,000 words. The remaining 6,000 words were《A Discourse on Teachers》[1] copied and pasted ten times. On the last page, she had drawn a vivid picture of a donghua villain, and a little girl with an expression of remorse kneeling on the ground. Hand-drawn couplets accompanied this scene.

Left couplet: Pain and regret can mend the past

Right couplet: Put down your knife for my repentance shall last 

Middle couplet: Please don’t kill me just because this reflection book is half-assed

“…” Que Qingyan stopped at the last page, his eyes staring at the page for a few seconds. He then opened his mouth and called her. “Xu Tong.”

The reflection book was obviously a… mess. 

Lin Mian timidly responded, “Ah?”

He pressed his forehead. “Is my class really sleepy?”

The question wasn’t intended to scold, as Que Qingyan’s tone was flat. After thinking it over, Lin Mian confirmed that this was just an ordinary question.

“No…”

Actually, you’re the only class I slept in. When I was in college, I had never slept in any of the other classes. 

Of course, Lin Mian still wanted to live and was afraid of death, so she just barely stopped herself from saying that. She didn’t dare say those sentences. 

She quickly changed her words. “I – I’ll sign a contract with you. If I commit the same offense again, I’ll….” After a split-second thought, she blurted out, “I’ll just not receive a grade.”

“No need.” Que Qingyan shut the reflection book, his gaze sweeping over to Lin Mian. He said lightly, “There won’t be a next time.”

The punishment was given, and the reflection paper had been written. Punish minor mistakes so they don’t make big ones. He had never believed in corporal punishments. In addition, his standards for undergraduates were lower than his graduate students so punishing a sophomore with a 40,000-word reflection paper was a little harsh. 

Her eyelashes trembling, Lin Mian raised her eyes and looked at Que Qingyan. 

What does ‘there won’t be a next time’ mean?

He won’t be angry at me again?

Lin Mian’s expression was obedient and soft, her lower lips a dark red from biting her lips, which accentuated her dark pupils. The huge word ‘uneasy’ was completely stamped to her face.

Que Qingyan had taught many students and had fought many cases in court. Sometimes, wielding a frigid demeanor, he was indeed overbearing, and his words were extremely sharp when he presented in court. However, no one who knew him was more afraid of him than her.

Nervous and stiff, she was like a child, fearful of angering him.

“I mean.” He couldn’t help but chuckle at Lin Mian’s appearance. Turned away from the light coming through the window, his pupils faintly sparkled. “Forget it this time. But there’s no next time, understand?”

His voice was deep and gentle, like a hand stroking the heart, the force perfectly squeezing it. Her heart became mushy.

She could see Que Qingyan’s clear lines from his chin down to his slender neck, the rest of the scene hidden by his collar button. He placed down the reflection book, causing his shirt to tug on his muscle lines, creating folds. 

His ineffable restraint was seductive, and he carried himself differently from young men. It was a mature charm.

The tips of Lin Mian’s ears noticeably reddened. She curled her fingers, feeling her mind breaking down, snapping.

“Professor Que.” Her eyes couldn’t tear themselves from his face. Her mouth moved faster than her brain. “Has anyone ever told you that you look handsome?”

[1] 《A Discourse on Teachers》is paper in the Tang dynasty that discussed teaching. It also criticized teachers that made the student ashamed to learn. Looking at you Que Qingyan. 

TL Note: Those couplets were all idioms, so I took liberties when translating.