Mais que Apreço

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In golden October, the plane tree leaves along S University's shaded avenues turned to gold, swirling down in the breeze to carpet the ground. The afternoon air still carried a hint of dry heat as Zhong Yin hurried through the teaching building's long corridors, breaking into a light sweat by the time she reached her classroom.

Fortunately, the lecture had only just begun; she was not quite late. The usually severe old professor, upon seeing that it was her, refrained from harsh words, though his disapproval showed plainly on his face.

Under the curious and somewhat amused glances of her classmates, Zhong Yin made her way to the rear right row, where Guo Tao quickly shuffled over to make space for her.

"Did that mess blow up?" Guo Tao whispered as Zhong Yin settled in.

Zhong Yin had already opened her book. With her head bowed, long, wavy hair obscuring half her face, only her curled lashes could be seen, lowered in their usual attentive focus, seemingly unaffected by any disturbance.

"Not too much."

Guo Tao had barely exhaled in relief when another girl’s voice interjected, "But not too little, either."

"The counselor called you in for a talk?"

She shook her head. "No, not the counselor. The dean did."

Guo Tao's eyes widened in shock.

"Shh." With a slender finger pressed to her lips, Zhong Yin signaled with her gaze. "Professor Tang is looking this way—let’s talk after class."

Swallowing her questions, G