Chapter 5: A Changed Person

Thinking of this, Lian Meng felt as if her heart had been wrenched painfully, so much so that tears streamed down her face.

While she was lost in thought, Lu Ming's car had already driven out of the parking lot and stopped right in front of her.

"Teacher, is this your car?" Lian Meng looked at the ostentatious Maserati sports car with suspicion. "Are teachers these days really so wealthy?"

Although she was born in the 1970s, she'd spent time in the entertainment industry and had some understanding of high society. Maserati was a world-class vehicle, and its price was far from modest.

Had the average income in the country risen to such heights in the past twenty years?

Or was it that Maseratis were no longer worth much and could be seen everywhere on the streets?

"I do some side jobs in my spare time," Lu Ming replied nonchalantly.

Once inside, the car's interior features left Lian Meng utterly amazed. From keyless ignition and automatic seat heating to the cruise control that allowed the car to maintain a set speed without pressing the accelerator, everything seemed so novel to her. Like a curious child, she couldn't help but ask question after question.

After a while, Lian Meng felt embarrassed to keep asking. She felt just like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden.

Alas, she couldn't even understand modern cars—who knew how many things ahead she wouldn't comprehend? It was all too much; perhaps it would be easier simply to remain dead.

"If you have any questions, just ask me," Lu Ming suddenly spoke, as if he could read minds.

Lian Meng noticed the golden badge pinned to his chest, printed with two lines: "Coastal University, Professor: Lu Ming." She asked, "Professor Lu, don't you find me strange?"

She wondered if Professor Lu suspected she'd injured her brain in her fall from the sixth floor.

"It is a bit strange," Lu Ming nodded slightly, his gaze deep. "Compared to before—"

"It's as if you've become a completely different person."

Lian Meng shivered all over. Had she been exposed so quickly?

She swallowed and feigned composure. "People change after certain experiences, Professor Lu. You seem to know me quite well."

Lu Ming curled his lips, saying nothing.

Feeling uneasy, Lian Meng added, "People have many sides."

"Indeed," Lu Ming spoke, offering a way out of the conversation. Human desires are always insatiable and never truly satisfied. When she was close to death, she only wished to see her daughter for a little longer, to know what she would look like when grown.

Now she knew her daughter's appearance: she resembled her by ninety percent, beautiful—especially those large, expressive eyes, almost identical to her own, clear and bright, as if they could speak.

Having seen her daughter's face, she yearned to understand her daughter's personality. In fact, she wished all the more to accompany her daughter, to watch her grow, not to miss a single moment of her childhood.

But she had missed her chance.

Lu Ming didn't reply. The car was silent, the atmosphere oppressive.

He didn't know how to respond. Though she was his student, they rarely interacted.

Even though Lian Youyou had excellent grades, she always seemed rather gloomy. In every class, he'd see her sitting alone, and after class, she'd leave with her head bowed, hair falling to hide her face, quietly exiting the classroom alone.

Yet now, with her shy curiosity, she finally looked like a young girl.

The car pulled over by the roadside. After turning off the engine, Lu Ming turned to Lian Meng. "Give me your glasses."

Lian Meng had no idea why he wanted her broken pair with only one lens, but she obediently complied.

Lu Ming took her glasses outside. After a short while, he returned to the car and handed her two small boxes.

"What are these?"

"Contact lenses. Do you know how to wear them?"

"I think so..." Lian Meng replied uncertainly.

She'd heard of contact lenses and even seen actors wear them on set, but her vision had always been good, so she'd never used them herself.

After much effort, she managed to put in the lenses, and Lu Ming resumed driving.

"Do you watch television?" Lu Ming casually turned on the car's TV.

There was a television in the car?

Coincidentally, the screen was broadcasting the emergency press conference held by Fan Chi and Qu Wuyan, the married couple.