Chapter 51: What's Going On

"Please ask your questions," Lan Chu nodded with a furrowed brow, seemingly impatient with his hesitation.

"Why did you advertise for a sports teacher and suddenly switch to recruiting a dormitory supervisor?" Lin Yu regained his composure and inquired.

"I changed my mind. I think you are more suitable for the role of a dormitory supervisor," Lan Chu's statement left Lin Yu feeling utterly perplexed. Despite her words seeming complimentary, they left him feeling disconcerted. He, an accomplished returnee, couldn't fathom how he was suitable for a dormitory supervisor's position.

However, Lan Chu's response blocked all avenues for further inquiry, leaving him no choice but to sidestep the topic and continue, "Given Mingren High School's reputation, resources, generous compensation, and favorable conditions, why not recruit talent from elsewhere? Why focus on local hiring?"

"Too much hassle," Lan Chu bluntly replied, her succinctness suffocating Lin Yu.

"With numerous candidates, why did you choose me? And why were you so helpful yesterday?" Lin Yu persisted, unwilling to relent.

"Because you're outstanding, and Mingren Girls High School ardently seeks talent. Do you crave my praise? Congratulations, you've achieved your goal," Lan Chu's eyes sparkled with a mischievous hint.

"I am not as self-centered and vain as you are," Lin Yu retorted, his casual comment triggering a flicker of anger in Lan Chu's eyes, which surprisingly brought him a sense of satisfaction for no apparent reason.

"Despite your certainty and zeal, your consistently poor attitude toward me contradicts your supposed eagerness to recruit talent. It makes me question your resolve and determination," Lin Yu, puzzled by Lan Chu's fluctuating temperament, was determined to address his profound curiosity about her.

Lan Chu's demeanor, switching from poised to erratic, had left him bewildered. The incongruence in her behavior seemed mysterious, compelling him to seek clarity.

"Because I'm on my period and not in a good mood, I've been neglectful. Should I apologize for that?" Lan Chu's tone remained cold, continuing her previous day's attitude in this serious moment, speaking provocatively yet resolutely.

Lin Yu nearly choked on his saliva. Her unabashed bluntness astonished him. He thought to himself, "This woman is bold enough to say anything, isn't she?"

"May I perceive this as a form of teasing? Let me tell you, I am a serious individual," Lin Yu coughed, then resumed, earnestly and solemnly.

"I'm merely stating a fact. Does a woman become frivolous because of her menstrual cycle? Are all men serious because they don't have it?" Lan Chu's composed yet firm response provoked a peculiar sensation in Lin Yu, concealed beneath her elegant facade, an unexpected but alluring provocation that stirred something within him—his first experience of such subtle and artful teasing. Regardless of whether it was a form of teasing, Lin Yu found himself unusually intrigued.

"Can we refrain from discussing the relationship between menstruation and seriousness? It's a bit too... much," Lin Yu decided to divert from this topic.

"Fine, continue your questioning," Lan Chu maintained her composed demeanor, though her eyes betrayed a hint of enigmatic amusement.

"I wanted to ask, is managing this dormitory challenging? Otherwise, despite the favorable treatment at Mingren Girls' High School, wouldn't it be unusual to offer such high wages to a dormitory supervisor?" Lin Yu bypassed any subtleties, directly addressing the issue.

"Difficulty varies from person to person. If you are confident in yourself, sign the contract and stay. If not, give back the contract, and you can leave," Lan Chu's eyes glinted with a cunning light, her tone firm.

"Joking aside, why should I lack confidence? There are few things in this world I cannot handle," Lin Yu retorted, his pride stung by Lan Chu's challenge. He took up the pen and swiftly signed his name, confidently and boldly, producing two copies, leaving one on Lan Chu's desk.

"You've finally acted decisively," Lan Chu picked up the contract, admiring Lin Yu's vigorous and elegant handwriting. It appeared practiced, as though he had honed the skill, impressively beautiful and appealing.

"I've always been decisive. However, I avoid unpleasant things," Lin Yu asserted, adopting a cool posture.

Ignoring his attitude, Lan Chu raised an eyebrow, resumed her seat, and crossed her long legs. "Remember, everything must be done according to our requirements. Specific terms are stipulated in the contract. Meet the standards, receive the salary in full. Fail to meet them, and you'll work for free. Mingren Girls' High School employs the competent, not the mediocre," her tone turned stern, projecting the aura of a strong, determined woman before Lin Yu.

"I'll receive my rightful salary," Lin Yu chuckled, holding the contract. He nodded respectfully and, maintaining his own air of sophistication, stepped out of the office.

However, as he was about to leave the building, Lan Chu's voice echoed from behind, "Lin Yu, wait."

"Yes? Is there something else?" Lin Yu's heart skipped a beat, finding himself unexplainably wary of the formidable principal.

"Nothing much, but you look handsome in that suit," Lan Chu smiled faintly, pressing a button on her desk, and the door automatically closed behind him. This vice principal was exceptionally sophisticated, and Lin Yu couldn't help but feel a bit bewildered by the interaction.

Upon leaving the grey office building, Lin Yu felt somewhat confused, as if he had gained clarity yet found no answers. Why did everything he experienced today seem inexplicably odd? What was the cause of it all?

He was left with an inexplicable sense of strangeness, an experience surpassing his control. For the first time, he encountered an uncertainty that felt surprisingly refreshing.

"Well, since I have time to spare, let's play along and see what you're up to," Lin Yu rubbed his chin, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he walked towards the main gate.

However, as he casually turned his head, he froze. There were students playing basketball on the playground. Students playing basketball weren't unusual, but what struck him was that these students were all boys.

"What the heck? What's going on? Isn't this a girls-only high school? Why are there male students here?" Lin Yu was dumbfounded, standing there in disbelief.