chapter 6 : Show off your skills but not your body

"Henela Lu was also stunned for a while after hearing Eiland's words, then said impatiently, 'I'm just asking if you have time tonight. What nonsense are you talking about?'
Eiland sweated and said, 'Principal Lu, are you asking if I have a girlfriend and if I have time tonight? Don't tell me you want to date me?'
'Uh!' Henela Lu was exasperated, but then said, 'Alright, I'll be honest with you. I think, based on your appearance, you do fit the bill. I want you to temporarily act as my boyfriend and meet my family.'
'I refuse.' Eiland immediately shook his head.
'You...' Henela Lu was infuriated. At twenty-seven, she had become the principal of MuLan Middle. She was not only beautiful but also intelligent. She was pursued by many, and with just a word from her, many would agree to her request. But Eiland unexpectedly refused outright.
The reason she chose Eiland was twofold. Firstly, he was a stranger, so it wouldn't be easily exposed if she brought him home. Secondly, Eiland's appearance and physique were good. With a little grooming and a fabricated identity, it would be relatively easy to deceive her family.
But Eiland's response was beyond Henela Lu's expectations.
Eiland scratched his head awkwardly and said, 'Principal Lu, it's not that I don't want to help you out. It's just that, look at me, I'm a rough person. I don't know how to act. If you want me to play your boyfriend in front of your family, and I mess up, what happens?'
'Well...' Henela Lu was taken aback by Eiland's words. In her mind, the impression of school physical education instructors was the same. She thought they were all rough types. While they could help in a fight, it wasn't easy to get them to act.
However, this was a sudden decision by Henela Lu, and she had to meet her parents in the evening. It wouldn't be easy to find a replacement in such a hurry. So, she gritted her teeth and said, 'Whatever, it's you. I see you don't have classes this afternoon. Get ready, I'll come find you in a while.'
'Uh, this...' Eiland hadn't fully agreed yet, but Henela Lu didn't give him a chance. She directly pushed him out of the office. It was like forcing a duck onto a shelf!
Leaving the principal's office, Eiland rubbed his stomach. He suddenly remembered he hadn't eaten lunch yet. So, he had no choice but to go back to Ming Ji Stall. However, compared to the lively scene earlier, there wasn't a single customer in Ming Ji Stall now.
Eiland walked in and saw Cole Ge sitting in a daze on the side. Curious, he asked, 'Boss, why is there no one here?'
Cole Ge looked up, glanced at Eiland, and smiled bitterly. 'Everyone knows I had a conflict with Flynn Zhang and those guys. Who would dare to come to my place?'
'Is it because of me?' Eiland felt a bit guilty. Cole Ge was just a commoner and didn't have the ability to contend with the hoodlums in society.
Cole Ge shook his head. 'It's not because of you. I borrowed money from them, and they often come looking for trouble. Sooner or later, my stall won't be able to stay open. Just now, I thought it through. I'll let go of this stall, pay them back a portion of the money first, and save myself from being bullied here all the time.'
'Uh!' Eiland knew that Cole Ge borrowing money from these people in the underworld was a very foolish thing. Many people ended up in ruins because of such matters. However, in Eiland's heart, he still felt apologetic towards Cole Ge.
Cole Ge patted his head and said, 'Instructor Eiland, you haven't eaten yet, right? Let me stir-fry some porks’ kidneys for you.'
'Sure, thank you, Boss.' Cole Ge was a very enthusiastic person. He actually went into the kitchen to prepare a few small dishes, brought out the meal, and even fetched a bottle of high-quality white liquor. He said with a smile, 'This is my prized Fire Ice Jade. I have a taste for it. Even if you offered me aged Moutai in exchange, I wouldn't take it. Right now, I've decided not to run this stall anymore. Keeping this liquor would be a waste. So, Instructor Ling, care for a drink or two with me?'
'Alright.' Eiland nodded in agreement.
At first, Eiland was a bit puzzled by Cole Ge's enthusiasm. However, as they drank and chatted, Eiland gradually understood what was going on. The reason was actually very simple. It turned out that Cole Ge's daughter worked as a teacher at MuLan Middle.
When it came to his daughter, Cole Ge immediately opened up and seemed to consider her his pride and joy. For his daughter to become a teacher at MuLan Middle was the happiest thing for him. Usually, if teachers from MuLan Middle came to his stall to eat, he would generously treat them. This was why he was so warm towards Eiland.
After several rounds of drinking, Cole Ge's voice choked up, 'In my heart, my daughter is the pride of my life. It's just... ever since her mother passed away, she has come to hate me, thinking I'm a heartless and unfeeling person. She hasn't called me, and she doesn't even see me as her dad anymore.'
'Uh!' Eiland looked at Cole Ge with pity and sympathy.
But he knew that every family had its own difficulties. So, regarding Cole Ge's family matters, he didn't ask too much. After all, even if he did ask, he might not be able to help. All Eiland could do was be a listener, drinking and listening.
Suddenly, Eiland's phone in his pocket rang. He took it out, and it was an old-fashioned black keypad phone.
'Uh, Instructor Ling, your phone...' Cole Ge looked at the phone Eiland took out, astonished. Nowadays, young people all had touch-screen smartphones, right?
Eiland smiled, 'I've been using this phone for many years. I can't bear to throw it away, so I've been using it.'
'Nostalgic. I like young people like you.' Cole Ge gave a thumbs up.
Eiland looked at the caller ID, and it was an unfamiliar number. He answered it, and on the other end was Henela Lu's voice, 'Eiland, where are you now? I'm coming to pick you up.'
'I'm at the Ming Ji Stall near the school gate, having lunch.'
'Get ready, I'll be there in a minute.'
After saying this, Henela Lu hung up. Eiland smiled wryly. This beautiful principal really was lively and energetic. Just as he had put down the phone and was about to take a sip of his drink, a crimson sports car pulled up at the entrance of the stall. The window rolled down, revealing Henela Lu's stunning and cold face. This woman always gave people a feeling of looking up to her.
'Old Ge, I'm leaving first. We'll have a drink together next time.' Eiland smiled and then left the stall, getting into Henela Lu's car.
Cole Ge was stunned for a while. In his heart, he was not just amazed but deeply amazed. An instructor at MuLan Middle had a sports car?
After getting in the car, Henela Lu unexpectedly said, 'Take off your clothes.'
'What?' Eiland was dumbfounded. Why did this woman speak so boldly? He said cautiously, 'Principal, I... I'm an artist, not a gigolo, you know?'
'...'"

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