The next morning, Andrew went to school with Scarlett.
Andrew and his classmates did not have English class today, but their schedules were still packed.
Scarlett also had classes to teach in other sections, so the two quickly separated.
Andrew had gone to bed very late the previous night, and coupled with his fatigue, he ended up falling fast asleep on his desk during the morning professional course.
If he had just been sleeping, Professor Charles from their Finance Department wouldn't have cared, but the problem was that Andrew was snoring loudly while asleep. This was something Professor Charles could not tolerate. After deducting points from Andrew's participation grade, he even went to find his Counselor, Suzanne, to report the matter.
Scarlett, who was in the same office as Suzanne, naturally heard everything.
"Suzanne, that Andrew from your class is going too far! Not only was he sleeping in class, but he was snoring loudly! Go and give him a good talking-to. University is for studying, not for wasting time. If he wants to play games, he should go home!"
Charles, being a long-serving professor at Blackthorn University, getting this angry and using such severe language showed how genuinely upset he was about Andrew's behavior today.
Suzanne hurriedly agreed after hearing this: "Okay! I will personally go and lecture him."
At this moment, Scarlett, who never concerned herself with others' business, unexpectedly spoke up to defend Andrew, "Professor Charles, Andrew had a bit of an issue last night and didn't rest well, which is why he was like this today."
Hearing Scarlett, who rarely spoke, stand up for Andrew, stunned Charles for a moment, and his anger subsided slightly.
He didn't doubt Scarlett's words, but still felt that Andrew sleeping and snoring in class needed to be addressed, "Even if he didn't rest well, he shouldn't be sleeping in class. It affects the other students."
"I know. I will go and remind him."
"Good. Make sure you supervise him closely."
Charles felt that having a strict teacher like Scarlett remind and supervise Andrew would definitely be more effective, so he agreed.
After Charles left, Suzanne asked Scarlett in confusion, "Sister Scar, weren't you feeling unwell last night? How did you know about Andrew's situation?"
"He... specifically told me this morning. I didn't see it and forgot to ask you to request leave for him."
Scarlett said this without changing her expression, showing no sign of lying.
"Huh? Why didn't he come directly to me if he needed leave?"
"Because..."
This sudden question caused Scarlett's mind to momentarily freeze, and she realized her lie was rather flimsy.
It was quite absurd for a student to bypass the Counselor and seek out her, the cold instructor, for a leave request.
"Hm???"
Suzanne raised an eyebrow, a look of doubt appearing on her face.
In a moment of desperation, Scarlett offered an explanation, "Because he is the son of my doctoral supervisor. We are quite familiar, so he came to me."
"Really? Isn't your supervisor Professor Alexa from Blackthorn University? Andrew is her son?"
"Yes. If you don't believe me, you can search for it, or ask."
The lie hardest to expose is one that is half-truth. Scarlett answered with so much confidence that Suzanne believed her.
"Then it is normal for him to approach you."
Suzanne nodded, then asked Scarlett again, "Oh, right. Last night when I asked if you were looking for a partner, you didn't refuse! Are you seriously planning to find someone?"
Scarlett replied coolly, "I can consider it."
"Wow! If this gets out, won't all the men in Blackthorn go crazy?"
Suzanne said excitedly, but then quickly realized something was amiss, "Wait! You wouldn't have secretly found someone already, would you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have agreed!"
"I haven't."
"You immediately denied it, which proves I guessed right! If I had guessed wrong, you would have been disdainful to answer."
"..."
Scarlett rolled her eyes and ignored Suzanne, letting her guess away.
After all that talking, it turned out to be nothing but a list of scumbags who had previously pursued her, making Scarlett inwardly complain.
How could I possibly want those guys? None were better than her Andrew.
The moment she thought of Andrew, Scarlett couldn't help but worry: How is that Little Fellow doing now? I hope he didn't catch my cold?
She picked up her phone and directly asked Andrew, "How are you now? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Then why were you sleeping in Professor Charles's class? And snoring."
When Andrew saw the message, he thought Scarlett was coming to hold him accountable, so he quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Teacher. I didn't mean to, I was just too sleepy."
"I'm not blaming you. I'm just asking if you feel uncomfortable anywhere."
"No, no."
Scarlett frowned slightly. She felt her tone in the message wasn't that severe; why did Andrew still think she was scolding him?
By evening, Scarlett's worries finally eased when she saw Andrew return home with her, looking energetic.
After entering the house, Scarlett told Andrew to sit on the sofa, "Don't go into your room yet. Sit here for a while."
"Okay."
Andrew sat down somewhat nervously. He knew that sleeping and snoring in class today was a significant mistake, and he figured Scarlett must have come to scold him.
If another teacher had scolded him a couple of times, he would have just listened, but Scarlett was terrifying when angry, and she might even tell his mother, which would spell total disaster for him.
"Were you criticized for sleeping in Professor Charles's class today?"
Scarlett asked Andrew, trying to keep her tone as flat as possible.
Andrew nodded, "Mm."
"In the future, if you rest poorly and are too sleepy, just tell me, and I'll help you ask the Counselor for leave. Sleeping in class is a mistake in itself, and you were sleeping uncomfortably."
"Oh, huh???"
Andrew first responded with an 'oh,' then his face filled with shock: This counts as criticism?
After hesitating for a while, he asked in disbelief: "You're not criticizing me?"
"Why would I criticize you? I know you were very tired yesterday and didn't rest well."
"Oh, thank you, Teacher."
As soon as Andrew heard that Scarlett had no intention of criticizing him, he immediately became happy.
"Stop saying thank you all the time. It sounds too formal."
"Oh."
Scarlett slipped on her slippers, preparing to take her notebook and textbooks to the study.
Andrew looked at Scarlett, who was still barefoot, and reminded her:, "Teacher Scarlett, why don't you wear socks? The doctor said you need to keep warm recently."
"I don't have any warm cotton socks."
Scarlett disliked wearing socks, but considering it, she thought Andrew was right. She hadn't completely recovered from her cold, and walking around in just slippers might easily lead to catching another chill.
"How about we go outside to buy some together?"
"Why would I go? I'm making dinner right here at home."
Andrew asked, confused.
"We're eating out tonight. You're tired too, so don't bother cooking."
"Then I'll just order takeout."
Andrew had trauma associated with shopping trips; he didn't want to be dragged along again just to be a bag-carrying tool.
This was the first time Scarlett had invited someone to go out with her, and Andrew refused consecutively, which made her slightly displeased, and she frowned.
Andrew noticed immediately and quickly changed his tune with a grin, "Hehe, I won't order. When are we leaving?"
"..."