Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

"..."

Different timelines, yet people blushing at the same time.

Ruan Mei never imagined that she would actually order her students around...

And then, thinking back to Amu's transgression back then...

A certain possibility flashed through my mind, and a very bad premonition immediately arose in my heart.

Take a quick glance at the memory reception progress.

Immersed in memories for a long time, only a short while has passed in reality.

She suppressed her turbulent emotions and continued reading.

"Okay, you don't need to pinch anymore."

Upon hearing the teacher speak, Qi Zhimu, who had endured half an hour of torment, felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

Carefully lower your lotus feet and wait for the signal that you can leave.

"Come here, Xiao Mu..."

"Is there anything else you need, teacher?"

Qi Zhimu didn't think much of it and moved closer to the bedside.

Unexpectedly, Ruan Mei suddenly reached out and pulled him into her arms, pressing his face against hers.

Even if lightning were to explode, it would be nothing more than this.

Qi Zhimu's brain instantly turned into a complete mess.

"Um... Teacher, you... you're drunk..."

"I am perfectly sober."

"I...I can't breathe, teacher!"

As if hearing his call, Ruan Mei loosened her grip slightly.

Qi Zhimu had just caught his breath when he felt a soft touch on his face.

My newly regained consciousness went completely blank.

However, this time, Qi Zhimu quickly came to his senses.

Because he saw his teacher, whose eyes were misty with tears, slowly leaning her cheeks toward him, her moist red lips slightly parted, her breath warm.

"Little Mu is such a good boy... Teacher will give you a reward now..."

"No, teacher, you can't kiss here...!"

Qi Zhimu used all his willpower to prop himself up, placing his hands on Ruan Mei's shoulders to prevent her from getting any closer.

"If the teacher says it's okay, then it's okay."

Ruan Mei forcefully pulled off his arm and pushed him down once again.

Without saying a word—

Her dark hair was slightly entwined, and her lips and teeth were fragrant.

The bath towel quietly slipped off.

By the time Qi Zhimu regained his right to breathe freely, he had no idea how much time had passed.

Tonight's experience has had an immense impact on his still-developing mind.

Ruan Mei, however, was completely oblivious to this, and patted his head.

"Alright, the rewards are given. Now, let's go and complete the assigned tasks."

"...Understood! You should get some rest..."

Qi Zhimu fled as if he were escaping.

The teacher didn't care, a slight smile playing on her lips, and drifted off to sleep.

"..."

silence--

Still, silence.

Silence remained.

Ruan Mei found it hard to believe that her drunken self was not only drastically different, but also so audacious in her actions.

Many questions have been answered, with only two remaining unanswered.

1. Why would someone do such a thing to a student while drunk?

2. How exactly did she get drunk?

In the past, I could drink half a jar of plum blossom wine without ever feeling drunk, but this time...

A guess is emerging, but it is not yet certain.

She could only continue searching for the truth in Qi Zhimu's memories.

When Ruan Mei woke up the next day, she stretched her body lazily, revealing her curves.

As usual, I walked to the wardrobe and slowly dressed myself.

She often falls asleep without wearing pajamas and didn't find anything strange about this morning.

After washing up and leaving the room, I saw Qi Zhimu carrying breakfast out of the kitchen as soon as I entered the lobby.

"Good morning, teacher."

Ruan Mei nodded slightly, habitually sat down in her usual spot, and picked up the glass of water on the table.

Such scenes have long become commonplace.

During the meal, she noticed that Qi Zhimu would steal glances at her from time to time.

"What's wrong?"

"...Teacher...do you remember what happened last night?"

last night?

Ruan Mei recalled for a moment.

After the birthday banquet, I took a shower to relax and then went back to my room to rest, sleeping soundly until dawn.

"You remember everything, so what?"

"...It's nothing." A moment of helplessness flashed across Qi Zhimu's face.

Ruan Mei was looking down, picking up pastries, and didn't see the change in the boy's expression.

She didn't know what Qi Zhimu was thinking at that moment, nor did she know what the words "remember everything" meant to him.

Ruan Mei was quite fond of the plum blossom wine brewed by Qi Zhimu, and would drink a few cups every now and then.

After drinking it, the situation from that night did not recur.

At most, he would let his students massage his shoulders, back, and legs, and tuck his feet into his arms.

This occasional occurrence continued until the following year's birthday.

Qi Zhimu brought the wine jar to the table as usual.

"Teacher, this is four-year-old plum blossom wine, please... don't drink too much at once."

"I have never been drunk since I was able to drink alcohol."

"..."

The boy gave a helpless smile.

Over the past year, the teacher had actually gotten drunk many times, but he never said it out loud.

It's hard to explain to a drunk person, and it's embarrassing to talk to a sober person.

Most of the jar of plum blossom wine disappeared.

The teacher, who was usually aloof and indifferent, now had a familiar, misty look in her eyes.

"Xiao Mu, come here..."

Should I massage your shoulders or your feet, teacher?

"I want them both."

"..."

The subsequent developments, while not exactly the same as last year, were at least a 90 out of 100.

But this time, the boy miscalculated.

Once he was pinned down, the subsequent events spiraled completely out of control.

"Teacher...you can't...you'll be responsible for this..."

"Didn't I take responsibility for you long ago, from the day I brought you back?"

"But we are—"

"Be good, listen to me~"

"…good."

Upon seeing and hearing the trembling voice, a slight startle and a flush of red appeared.

Before I knew it, it was past midnight.

"this……"

Ruan Mei was shocked and staggered backward, crashing into the center console and tearing off the electrodes on her forehead.

Memory reception interrupted.

If it were the technology that Qi Zhimu possessed, this would be enough to cause someone's memory to become confused and their mind to be completely lost.

However, the program compiled by Ruan Mei takes into account unexpected human factors, so there is no risk.

But right now, she simply can't spare any attention for anything else.

Memories that don't belong to oneself begin to merge with those that overlap with one's own memories.

Gradually, those images that were filtered out by the brain due to force majeure also returned in sync.

Everything tells her that those things really happened back then!

a long time.

After calming down a bit, Ruan Mei, who had already lost her composure, trembled slightly as she picked up the electrodes and placed them on her forehead.

She wants to see the whole truth!

The next morning.

Nothing different from usual.

Ruan Mei sat down at the dining table and ate her breakfast.

Hmm, it is somewhat different; the pastries are much tastier than before.

"What is this?"

"Plum-pickled soybean cake, a new recipe I developed. What do you think of the taste, teacher?"

"very nice."

My mood improved after eating it.

Ruan Mei didn't notice that the corners of her mouth were slightly turned up at that moment.

"Teacher, do you remember last night being your birthday?"

"How could I forget? Xiao Mu did a great job, and the teacher will give you a reward."

"…Um."

"..." Ruan Mei closed her eyes helplessly.

Another year has passed.

"Teacher, try this three-year-old plum blossom wine and see how it differs from the four- or five-year-old version."

"It's not that thick; I prefer the texture of the three-year-old one."

"From now on, we'll brew three-year vintages."

"Okay, come closer."

Without thinking much, Qi Zhimu habitually reached for his teacher's smooth and delicate ankle.

Stunned, puzzled, pondering, frowning.

In less than two seconds, Ruan Mei went through a series of emotional shifts, and finally said:

"Qi Zhimu, you have overstepped your bounds."