Fancy Me, Professor!

Chapter 181 - Might Have A Rival Soon

[This chapter is dedicated to LilaB for leaving nice comments in my story for the month of June! Thank you so much for the support! I hope to see more of your comments soon!]

***

Shu Xian further explained to Zhong Li who the characters are based from the reference that they saw from the net. Shu Xian made it simple for Zhong Li to understand so he would understand.

Emily Grierson is the object of fascination in the story. An eccentric recluse, Emily is a mysterious figure who changes from a vibrant and hopeful young girl to a cloistered and secretive old woman.

Devastated and alone after her father's death, she is an object of pity for the townspeople.

After a life of having potential suitors rejected by her father, she spends time after his death with a newcomer, Homer Barron, although the chances of his marrying her decrease as the years pass.

Bloated and pallid in her later years, her hair turns steel gray. She ultimately poisons Homer and seals his corpse into an upstairs room.

For Homer Barron, he is a foreman from the North. Homer is a large man with a dark complexion, a booming voice, and light-colored eyes.

A gruff and demanding boss, he wins many admirers in Jefferson because of his gregarious nature and good sense of humor.

He develops an interest in Emily and takes her for Sunday drives in a yellow-wheeled buggy. Despite his attributes, the townspeople view him as a poor, if not scandalous, choice for a mate.

He disappears in Emily's house and decomposes in an attic bedroom after she kills him.

Although there are other characters found in the story such as Judge Stevens, Mr. Stevens, Tobe, and Colonel Sartoris, Shu Xian only focused on telling Zhong Li who the important characters are.

"Okay, these two characters are already okay as I want it to be the focus of my analysis. The others aren't relevant," Zhong Li said, Shu Xian nodding as she cocked her head to the side and asked him a question. 

"So, shall we move on to the themes present and have a brief discussion about it as you take notes?"

With a nod coming from Zhong Li, Shu Xian then discussed the main themes of the story, based from the analysis found in their reference.

The first theme was tradition versus change, portrayed by Emily living as if still in the past. And for the power of death, it is clearly portrayed with Emily as a character who killed Homer and then kept him, especially his corpse, to herself until she died.

Even though that Zhong Li is already aware of the scary theme of the story, he still shuddered at the plot, making Shu Xian laugh when she saw his reaction. 

"What do you think?"

"Really creepy," Zhong Li answered as he scrunched up his nose. "Why would the professor ask us to read this when it's better to study our country's literature?"

Shu Xian grinned. With her taking another bite of her burger, she stated what she thought is the reason why they are studying it. 

"Well, maybe it's because the subject description is World Literature?"

With that said, she then stood up, getting Zhong Li's attention.

"I'll be going to the comfort room for a while. For now, try to formulate the concepts you jotted down and then I will discuss the symbolisms that are present in the story."

As Zhong Li nodded, Shu Xian then excused herself and then left the room. 

Zhong Li was then writing on his notebook. Soon after, suddenly the door of the lounge opened. With Zhang Ren coming in, Zhong Li arched a brow at him and asked a question.

"Aren't you alone in the work station since Shu Xian is on her break?"

Zhang Ren chuckled. With him getting his water bottle which he forgot, he took it with him and talked to Zhong Li for a while.

"No patrons. And aren't you taking too much of Shu Xian's time, especially now that it's her birthday?"

"Birthday?"

Zhong Li furrowed his brows, asking about it from Zhang Ren.

"Today is Shu Xian's birthday?"

"Uh, yeah," Zhang Ren answered, arching a brow at him at the same time. "Well, its okay for you not to know since you're not close with her, anyway. Knowing her, she's willing to help with whatever you're doing."

With that, Zhang Ren already left the lounge to go back to his work station. With Zhong Li already left alone in the lounge, he quickly opened his bag. He then got his sandwich and then a bottled chocolate drink that he cherishes.

Knowing that Shu Xian's birthday is today and that she is even helping him on her special day, he couldn't help but feel a bit bad that he is asking favor from her even though she was willing to help.

Even though that it's his favorite food and drink and even though he hasn't eaten lunch yet, he wanted to do something for Shu Xian. 

He then got a marker from the lounge's table. With him scribbling a simple note saying "Happy birthday and thank you" on the water bottle, he then stood up and walked his way to the workstation.

Zhang Ren was busy typing the abstracts of the theses that was given to him. With Zhong Li suddenly appearing before him, Zhang Ren blinked his eyes a few times, wondering why he's there in front of him.

"What's up?"

Zhong Li didn't answer immediately. He rather shoved the food on his hands, making Zhang Ren blink his eyes a few times. Zhong Li then explained the reason of his action.

"Give this to Shu Xian," he rushed, a small blush appearing on his face. "Just put it in her bag or whatever... if she asks, don't tell her who gave it."

"Zhong Li--"

Before Zhang Ren could even react and tease him, Zhong Li already went back to the lounge before Shu Xian could see them both talking. 

As Zhang Ren chuckled, he shook his head, not believing that Zhong Li is warming up to a girl.

'I guess Professor Pan An might have a rival soon!'