Chapter Twenty-One: Beware the Appearance of the Psychology Department Beauty!

Chapter Twenty-One: Beware, Beauty from the Psychology Department

"Those who labor with their minds govern others; those who labor with their bodies are governed by others. Those who are governed serve others, while those who govern are served by others. Such is the moral principle of the world."

Jiao Yuheng was especially fond of these lines from "Mencius: Teng Wen Gong I" and had always adhered to the principle of "those who labor with their minds govern others" in his conduct. As the dean of the School of Psychology at Southern University, his workload was not particularly heavy.

He delegated all routine tasks to his subordinates, focusing only on steering the overall direction to prevent any major errors. This allowed him to spend more time on his own interests, such as research in applied psychology and writing monographs to document his findings.

In Huaxia, applied psychology was still in its infancy. Many people had yet to accept it as a discipline in everyday life, yet the number of people succumbing to psychological disorders was rising every year—a deeper exploration and wider application of psychology could not wait. As a leading figure in the field, it naturally fell to him to spearhead these efforts.

Knock, knock—

Someone rapped on the door.

"Come in," he called out without looking up.

Zhu Li, the secretary of the dean’s office, pushed the door open and entered with a smile. "Dean Jiao, there’s a young lady named Nan Xin here to see you—she says she’s your granddaughter."

"Nan Xin is here?" Jiao Yuheng stood up from his chair in delight. Then, smiling, he sat back down and said, "By my reckoning, it’s about time for her to report in. Bring her in."

"Yes, sir," Zhu Li replied.

Before long, the door opened again. This time, it was not Secretary Zhu Li at the threshold, but a strikingly beautiful girl with short hair, delicate features, and sun-kissed skin.

She was tall—at least one meter seventy-two. Her well-developed figure, with shapely hips and full chest, was particularly eye-catching. She wore faded jeans, brown hiking boots, a white tank top, and a plaid shirt thrown loosely over it, fastened only with the bottom two buttons. The look was both fashionable and crisp.

Slung across her back was a large, overstuffed backpack, over a meter tall, like those carried by backpackers about to embark on long journeys.

Upon entering, her lively, untamed eyes darted around the room before settling on Jiao Yuheng, who was watching her with grandfatherly affection from behind his desk. She quipped, "The old man’s office is nicely arranged. And you look well. I can call your son and daughter-in-law to reassure them."

"You little rascal." Jiao Yuheng could no longer contain his fondness. He rose from his chair and hurried over to help with her backpack, saying affectionately, "What do you mean, 'old man'? I’m your grandfather, after all. And my son and daughter-in-law are your parents, aren’t they?"

"Hey, old man, don’t move—you might strain your back." Nan Xin strode forward, not letting him touch her pack, and instead carried it herself to the lounge sofa before unloading it. "It's heavy. I’m used to carrying it; you don’t need to help."

She retrieved a water bottle from her bag, poured some cool tea from the table into it, and gulped it down before explaining, "I’d call them mom and dad if they recognized me as their daughter. They said if I dared leave home again, I shouldn’t call them mom and dad anymore—so now I can only call you 'old man' and them 'your son and daughter-in-law.'"

"You..." Jiao Yuheng pulled his dust-covered, travel-weary granddaughter down onto the sofa, his heart aching. "They were just speaking out of anger. And you—a young lady traipsing across the country with a backpack all day... If you went to Huangshan or Zhangjiajie, fine, but you had to go to Yunzang, Shennongjia, the Dead Sea—those places are dangerous, you know that! They’re only worried about you."

Nan Xin grinned, her eyes forming crescents, revealing two dimples. "What’s there to see in Huangshan or Zhangjiajie? Am I going to see people or scenery? Grandpa, I know—they’re worried about me, you’re all worried about me. But I just want to see the world. I’ve worked so hard to come into this world; if I don’t explore its rivers, mountains, and cultures, wouldn’t that be a wasted life?"

"Besides, I go in teams, not alone. It’s not dangerous. You know me—who could bully me? I’d be giving them face if I didn’t moonlight as a highway robber along the way."

"You..." Jiao Yuheng was left speechless by his beloved granddaughter. He had taught so many outstanding students, but when it came to this girl, he was at a loss.

Other students were willing to absorb his teachings; she, however, was fiercely independent, with her own perspective on everything. It was hard to persuade her—she’d even try to persuade you.

"Alright, alright." Nan Xin squeezed his hand, wheedling, "Don’t be angry, old man. If you fall ill, won’t those people come after me? Besides, I’m here to report in. From now on, I’m your little soldier—scold me, order me about as you please. Grandpa, give me a smile."

Jiao Yuheng couldn’t help but burst out laughing. His granddaughter always knew how to cheer him up.

"Wow, Grandpa, you’re still quite the handsome old gentleman when you smile!" Nan Xin exclaimed theatrically.

"You brat." Jiao Yuheng gave her a playful smack on the head—though it looked forceful, it was really just a gentle pat.

"Your parents called me just yesterday to ask if you’d reported in. I told them you had, to put their minds at ease—being your parent really requires a strong heart. I knew you’d keep your word; since you got into Southern University, you’d show up. Luckily, you’re here today; otherwise, I’d have started worrying too."

"Of course! I’m your granddaughter, Grandpa—once I give my word, it’s as good as a daughter married off—no going back on it," Nan Xin declared, patting her chest.

"Alright, enough joking. Nan Xin, I’ll have someone take you to complete your registration. After that, you can stay with us. If your grandmother hears you’ve arrived, she’ll be over the moon."

"Oh no," Nan Xin quickly refused, waving her hand. "I’ll handle the registration myself. If you send someone with me, everyone will know I’m your granddaughter—how am I supposed to blend in with the other students? You know, students these days don’t think much of those in power. Even if I haven’t done anything to deserve a bad reputation, they’ll still think I’m a ‘second-generation official.’ I’d rather go alone."

"Also, I don’t plan on living with you. If I did, Grandma would nag me to death. You know she wants me to be the perfect lady—graceful, demure, the sort who chews slowly and never shows her teeth when she laughs. But aside from my female features, is there anything ladylike about me? So, for the sake of your long and happy marriage, you’d better not put us together."

"You—" Jiao Yuheng wanted to protest, but after a moment’s thought, he realized Nan Xin was right.

His wife came from a distinguished family, raised with the most traditional upbringing for young ladies, and naturally hoped to pass on her legacy to her granddaughter. But their granddaughter was no easy case. She could climb trees and catch birds, dive and slay dragons, but to learn the etiquette of a socialite—well, that was asking too much.

"Fine. You’ll stay in the student dormitory," Jiao Yuheng relented. "But you must come home for meals."

"Deal," Nan Xin agreed readily. "I do love Grandma’s braised pork, after all."

"Good. Now that you’re nearby, she can make it for you every day." Jiao Yuheng was delighted.

As the two chatted happily, there was another knock at the door.

Zhu Li came in, apologetic. "Sorry to interrupt, Dean Jiao. There’s a student named Tang Zhong here to see you. I told him you were busy, but he insists it’s urgent."

"Tang Zhong?" Jiao Yuheng immediately thought of the student who spoke methodically but always avoided his gaze. "Let him in."