Chapter 631 Dilemma
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Shen Zhijin left after giving his instructions for the day.
The entire laboratory was eerily quiet until his figure completely disappeared outside the door.
Gulp–
Ning Li bit on the straw and finished her last sip.
She looked at Yan Qiu.
“Senior Brother, wasn’t Teacher Shen being quite lenient?”
Yan Qiu gave her a faint gaze. He really did not want to recall the tragic past of him being punished by having to clean the laboratory for an entire week after he had drunk a cup of coffee in the laboratory.
Why had he been punished when he had drunk it, but when Little Junior Sister had drunk it… She was given free rein to do so?!
Tang Yi had only been under Shen Zhijin this year, so he did not know much about it. When he saw the situation, he chimed in.
“That’s right. Eldest Senior Brother, why were you so nervous?”
Fu Niannian patted Yan Qiu’s shoulder with a sympathetic expression on his face.
“Eldest Senior Brother, I understand you, but different people have different destinies. You–”
Yan Qiu face was blank.
“Put away the smile that’s on your face. Both ends are going to reach the back of your head.”
Fu Niannian hissed and touched his face.
“Is it that obvious?”
Ning Li threw the cup into the trash can and returned to her seat. Her slender fingers tapped on the keyboard a few times.
“Senior Brother, I’ve finished writing my summary and sent it to your email. Please check and see if there are any problems with it.”
Yan Qiu was shocked.
“You’ve already finished writing it?!”
He was still one-fifth away!
Ning Li nodded.
“If there are any issues, I’ll make the necessary changes.”
Yan Qiu had witnessed Ning Li’s amazing memory before.
She had always been very efficient and accurate in writing things like this.
Since she had sent it over, she must have already checked it herself so there should not be any problems.
Fu Niannian glanced at him and shook his head.
“Sigh, it seems that the boss’s differential treatment isn’t unreasonable.”
Yan Qiu was momentarily speechless.
Fu Niannian looked at Ning Li with a smile.
“Speaking of which, we still have to thank Little Junior Sister properly. If it weren’t for her, would we be able to live a life of drinking coffee in the laboratory?”
As he spoke, he suddenly thought of something and his eyes lit up.
“Oh right, Little Junior Sister, do you like durian?”
Ning Li looked at him warily. “… Just so-so.”
Fu Niannian looked disappointed.
“Sigh, it’s really delicious…”
Ning Li hesitated for a moment.
“Durian flavored mille-feuille is alright. I would eat it again if I had the chance–”
“Thank you, Little Junior Sister!”
Fu Niannian immediately replied happily.
Tang Yi was also itching to make a move.
“Junior Sister, then do you like snail powder–”
Ning Li looked at him indifferently.
Fu Niannian had already picked up a book.
“Tang Yi! If you dare to eat snail powder noodles in the laboratory, I’ll beat you to a pulp even if the boss doesn’t let you finish it!”
Tang Yi said, “Eh, watch what you’re saying, Second Senior Brother. Would I be that kind of person?”
Fu Niannian sneered.
“You better not be.”
Yan Qiu reflected on his life for a while and decided to let everything slide.
Then, he quickly took his phone out and searched for the nearest coffee and milk tea shop. He then solemnly ordered a cup for himself.
Yan Qiu finally handed over the summary of the seminar to Shen Zhijin before the group meeting on Wednesday.
After the group meeting, Shen Zhijin assigned tasks to them.
Ning Li was responsible for organizing and analyzing the data measured by the Chinese Science and Technology Observatory.
She had sat in her seat for most of the day, until Gu Siyang had called in the evening.
Ning Li had hung up at first, but Gu Siyang had persistently called a second time.
She then stopped what she was doing, walked out of the lab, and picked up the call in the corridor.
“Hello?”
Gu Siyang’s cheerful voice came through.
“Ning Li! Have you set off yet?”
Ning Li paused for a moment before she remembered something.
She had previously made an appointment to have dinner with Liang Su tonight.
She needed Liang Su to confirm the final draft of her design with her. Liang Su had also said that she did not have time to measure her finger previously, so she did not know how big the ring should be. Thus, she had
specially invited her to have dinner with her.
She had been busy processing the data all day and had actually forgotten about this.
She looked at the time.
“I’m still at school.”
Gu Siyang was a little surprised.
“Oh? You’re not here yet?”
“Yes, there’s still the last bit of data that needs to be done. Teacher Shen needs it urgently.” Ning Li did some calculations. “But it’ll be done soon so there won’t be any delay.”
After she had finished speaking, Gu Siyang did not reply.
She felt that something was a little strange.
“Hello?”
A moment later, Liang Su’s gentle voice sounded.
“It’s alright, Ah Li. You go ahead. We’ll wait for you.”
We…
Ning Li’s heart moved slightly.
“Besides you and Siyang, there’s also–”
Liang Su gave a helpless look to Gu Tingfeng who was beside her.
Everything had been fine initially, but Ning Li had suddenly mentioned Shen Zhijin.
She said, “…and your Uncle Gu.”
Chapter 632 Uncle Gu?
Ning Li silently sighed and said into the phone, “I’ll be there soon.”
As she said that, she ended the phone call and walked into the laboratory. “Teacher Shen, shall I send you the portion that has already been dealt with?”
Shen Zhijin nodded calmly.
Ning Li’s hand tapped on the keyboard.
Actually, there was really only a small portion left, and it would not take much time.
However, it was clear that this situation was a confrontation between the Gu family and Shen Zhijin, and she had inadvertently gotten stuck in the middle. It was really a difficult position to be in.
No, or rather, it was the Gu family who was treating Shen Zhijin coldly.
When she had met with Liang Su previously, Shen Zhijin had called her “Sister-in-law”. Today, upon hearing that she was going to meet the Gu family today, Shen Zhijin had told her to leave early…
From then until now, Shen Zhijin had always been the one to compromise and give in.
After witnessing Gu Tingfeng’s attitude towards Shen Zhijin, she understood now that Liang Su’s treatment of Shen Zhijin had been rather gentle in comparison.
She closed her laptop and picked up her backpack.
“Teacher Shen, I’ll be taking my leave first.”
Shen Zhijin’s response was faint as he walked towards his office.
He went to his desk and pulled out a chair to sit down. He turned on his laptop and saw that Ning Li had already sent the content over.
He opened it, and a large string of data spread out onto the screen.
Outside the door, the sound of footsteps gradually faded away.
Shen Zhijin sat there, staring at the screen without moving for a long time.
After a long time, he lowered his eyes and looked at his left hand.
The watch that had stopped working was quiet.
He pursed his lips, and his voice was very soft.
“Yinyin, I’ve made them angry again.”
Gu Tingfeng’s family was now living in Jinshui No. 1 Courtyard, a famous top-class villa area in the Capital. Every inch of land was worth a fortune.
The roads were indeed a little congested and it took Ning Li a full 50 minutes to get there by taxi.
Outside vehicles were not allowed to enter this area, so the taxi stopped outside the gates of the residential area.
As soon as Ning Li got out of the taxi, she saw a person waiting at the gate.
It was Gu Siyang.
He also saw Ning Li and immediately waved at her.
“Ning Li! Over here!”
Ning Li walked towards him.
This was her first time coming here. Gu Siyang was worried that she would not be able to find the place, so he had deliberately waited here.
“Did you wait long?” Ning Li asked.
“No, I calculated the time. I only came when you were almost here.” Gu Siyang raised his chin. “My parents are waiting for you at home. Let’s go!”
Ning Li followed him inside.
There were no more than thirty owners in the whole of Jinshui No. 1 Courtyard.
Looking up, the greenery was and the lake water was clear. Several villas were scattered among them.
In the core area of the Capital, such a scenery had the word “expensive” written all over it.
As Gu Siyang walked, he enthusiastically explained, “We’ll be heading to my parents’ house. The house number is 6. It’s just a little further in. You turn the corner, cross a bridge, and you’ll be there.”
Ning Li was stunned.
“Your parents’ house? Then you–” “Oh, me. I don’t usually stay with them.”
Gu Siyang shrugged.
“They thought I was too noisy, so they asked me to move to No. 2. Oh, it’s that building over there.”
As he spoke, he raised his finger and pointed.
Ning Li followed his gaze. The first thing that she saw was the number of luxury cars parked in front of the courtyard.
Needless to say, they all belonged to Gu Siyang.
Ning Li understood.
Gu Siyang pointed to the side. “No. 5 belongs to my uncle. However, he doesn’t stay in the Capital for long, so the house is basically empty.”
Ning Li, “… It looks like your family bought quite a number of houses here.”
The Gu family was indeed not short of money. Four people and three villas.
“No.” Gu Siyang shook his head. “This land belongs to my family.” Ning Li, “…”
She had been too hasty in her estimation.
“By the way, did you manage to finish your work at school?” Gu Siyang scratched his head, a slight conflicted expression on his face. “Um… My parents said that I shouldn’t have called to rush you. It’s okay to eat later, but the key is not to delay your official business.”
Ning Li had a headache.
Business.
This word sounded very subtle.
They clearly knew that she was helping Shen Zhijin with the data, but the way they said this was because of Shen Zhijin.
“It’s okay. Teacher Shen handled the last part himself.”
Ning Li paused after saying this. She really should not have mentioned Shen Zhijin again and again in front of the Gu family…
Gu Siyang seemed to have noticed something as he coughed. “Oh, I see.”
Ning Li asked, “Uncle Gu and the others…”
“It’s okay. Even if they’re angry, it’s not because of you.” Gu Siyang also felt helpless when he said this. “Just don’t mention it in front of them later.”
Ning Li’s lips twitched slightly. “Okay.”
As the two of them chatted, they soon arrived at Villa No. 6.
“Ah Li has arrived? Come in quickly!”
Liang Su smiled as she held Ning Li’s hand.
“Why did you carry such a heavy bag over here?”
Ning Li smiled.
“The drawing of your gown is inside. I thought of bringing it here directly so that you can look at it and make revisions to it. Also, I’m used to carrying it, so I don’t feel it is heavy.”
Liang Su nodded repeatedly and said yes, before casting a glance at Gu Siyang. “Why didn’t you help Ah Li carry it?” The corners of Gu Siyang’s eyes twitched.
It was not that he did not want to help. It was that he did not dare!
Apart from Ning Li herself, only Lu Huaiyu had the right to help carry Ning Li’s backpack. Why would he want to provoke that person??
After being criticized by his own mother, Gu Siyang felt wronged. He looked around and tried to complain to his father
“Mom, where’s my father?”
“He’s on the phone with your third uncle.”
Liang Su said before asking Ning Li to put down her backpack. “Let’s talk about the gown and the ring later. Ah Li, go ahead and wash your hands first. Dinner will be ready soon.”
The corners of Ning Li’s lips were pursed in a smile.
“Okay, thank you, Mrs. Gu.”
Liang Su said with a smile, “We’re all here at home, so there’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Auntie Su from now on.”
Ning Li paused.
“Thank you, Auntie Su.”
Gu Siyang turned around and went to look for his father.
Gu Tingfeng was talking to Gu Tingyun. “Mmm, after I’m done with this, I’ll return to Hong Kong City–“
“Dad.”
Gu Siyang walked over.
“Have you finished your call with Third Uncle yet? It’s time to eat.”
Gu Tingfeng glanced at him, then immediately looked behind him without hesitation.
Ning Li and Liang Su were standing together. He did not know what they were talking about, but there was a smile on their faces.
Gu Tingyun said, “Then Big Brother, you should go and eat first. It’s the same even if we talk about it later.”
Gu Tingfeng replied.
“Then what I told you just now, you just have to keep an eye on it later.”
Gu Siyang suddenly thought of something. He turned around and called out to Ning Li, “Oh right, Ning Li, I even specially brought some snacks from Hong Kong City for you. Should I give them to you now or later?”
Gu Tingyun was about to hang up the phone, but when he heard this, he immediately quieted down.
A moment later, he asked casually, “Big Brother, did Ning Li go to your house?”
Gu Tingfeng coughed.
“Siyang went back to the Capital and insisted on inviting her over. As you know, Ning Li has signed with LY–“
Ning Li vaguely heard her name being mentioned and turned to look.
“Uncle Gu, did you call for me?” Gu Tingfeng’s voice stopped abruptly. Gu Tingyun paused and smiled.
“Uncle Gu?”
Chapter 633: High Emotional Intelligence of Ning Li
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Previously in Hong Kong City, he had politely been addressed as Mr. Gu, but now, in the blink of an eye, he had become Uncle Gu?
Gu Tingfeng choked.
“… Well, look at Ning Li, she’s just so polite… Tingyun, your sister-in-law is urging me, so I’ll hang up first–”
“Why is Big Brother in such a hurry? Since I heard her already, I should at least greet her.”
Gu Tingyun spoke slowly.
“You did say that she is a polite child, right?”
Gu Tingfeng was rendered speechless. He could only say to Ning Li,”Ning Li, you… uh, Third Brother would like to say hello to you.”
Ning Li felt a little strange.
Gu Tingfeng and Gu Tingyun were on the phone with each other. Why had they dragged her into this for no reason?
However, the third master of the Gu family had specially sent her a gift in Hong Kong City before. He had even personally stepped forth to help solve the problem between her and Lin Fengmian. It was indeed time for her to greet him.
She walked over and took the phone from Gu Tingfeng.
“Mr. Gu San?”
Gu Tingfeng heard her speak and glanced over.
Snort.
Did he really think that he could be called uncle just by having a conversation over the phone?
She was not even looking at him. Liang Su and Gu Siyang had been there together. That was why he had been called Uncle!
Such wishful thinking.
Gu Tingyun’s voice was gentle.
“Ning Li, how have you been lately?”
These words seemed to be a greeting between acquaintances.
Strictly speaking, she and Gu Tingyun were definitely not close. However, Gu Tingyun had helped her before, so she was not ungrateful.
Ning Li felt that he was probably asking about how she was after the previous news had subsided.
She nodded and said seriously, “Pretty good. Also, about what happened earlier… Thank you.”
Gu Tingyun smiled.
“No need to thank me, it’s nothing.”
Ning Li said, “To Mian and I, it’s a big deal.”
To Gu Tingyun, it might have just been a phone call, but to both Lin Fengmian and her, it was far more than that.
This thank you, of course, had to be said properly.
Gu Tingyun thought for a moment, then asked with a smile, “Then how would you like to thank me?”
Ning Li had actually thought about this before.
The third master of the Gu family did not lack for anything. No matter how much she thanked him, it would probably just be a small token of gratitude to him.
However, it was something that still had to be done.
As if sensing her hesitation, Gu Tingyun took the initiative to help her out with a suggestion.
“How about this, the next time I go to the Capital, why don’t you treat me to a meal?”
Ning Li was stunned. “Just… a meal?”
This was too…
“Yes, my taste is very similar to my big brother’s. Whatever you eat today, I can have the same.” Gu Tingyun was being very amiable. “I’m not picky.”
Ning Li felt that something was strange, but she could not tell what it was exactly.
However, since that was his suggestion, there was no reason for her to refuse.
“Okay. I’ll wait for you to come to the Capital then.”
Hearing this, Gu Tingyun relaxed and finally felt at ease.
“It’s settled then. Alright, you may go and have dinner with them.”
Ning Li agreed and returned the phone to Gu Tingfeng.
Gu Tingfeng had been listening at the side and was feeling displeased.
This third brother of his was truly shameless. Was it not just a small favor that he had done for Ning Li previously? How dare he make a big deal of it?
[f it had not been for the fact that he held Gu Media in his hands, would he have been able to do this?
He had only just taken the phone back, but before he could say anything, he heard Gu Tingyun say, “Big Brother, I won’t need to wait for you to return to Hong Kong City. I’ll go to the Capital to look for you instead.”
Gu Tingfeng, Why are you in such a hurry? That project will only start next month.”
Gu Tingyun sighed softly.
“Didn’t you hear it just now, Big Brother? Ning Li invited me to the Capital for a meal. I couldn’t possibly refuse a child’s kindness, could I?” Gu Tingfeng gritted his teeth. “Suit yourself then!”
He simply hung up the phone.
Ptui!
Looking at the phone after he had been hung up on, Gu Tingyun smiled.
Uncle Gu, did he think he was that great?
You could tell the difference just from a meal.
Ning Li was bewildered as she looked at Gu Tingfeng and saw the interesting expression on his face,
Had he not been… fine just now?
Why did he seem to be…
Gu Siyang was not bothered about his old father’s expression at all.
He had seen worse, and he was of the opinion that this was already considered good.
He went up to him to complain.
“Dad, mother just blamed me for not helping Ning Li carry her backpack. Have I not been wronged?”
Gu Tingfeng frowned and looked at him.
“Yeah, why didn’t you help Ning Li carry her backpack?”
Gu Siyang,
Gu Tingfeng: “You eat so much every day, yet you can’t even use the energy that you get at critical moments!”
If he had not shouted out just now, would Third Brother have known that Ning Li had come?? Would he have been able to seize the opportunity and beg for that meal?!
What’s more, Ning Li was the one who had taken the initiative to invite him!
Gu Siyang decided to quietly withdraw.
Very good, now this was the expression he was very familiar with.
Gu Tingfeng waved at Ning Li.
“Ah Li, come over and eat. Your Auntie Su specially cooked for you today…”
Ning Li followed.
Gu Siyang stood where he was, feeling a little doubtful of life.
Why did it seem like he was a little redundant?
Although there were only four people at the dinner, the food was very sumptuous.
Ning Li silently noted it down in her heart. After all, she would have to treat the third master of the Gu family to a meal later…
Gu Siyang took his phone out and took a photo.
Tsk, it was rare for him to have a meal cooked by his mother. He had to immortalize the memory!
Click.
Hearing the sound, Liang Su looked over and suddenly said, “Ah Li, let’s take a photo together,”
Ning Li was stunned for a moment before nodding.
“Okay.”
Liang Su was very happy.
“Come, sit closer. Siyang, help us take a photo.”
Gu Siyang readily agreed. “Okay.”
Ning Li moved closer to her.
Gu Siyang raised his phone and was about to take a photo when another face barged into the camera lens.
He paused and said to Gu Tingfeng, “Dad, you’re in the frame. Move to the side.”
His father had never liked taking photos before.
Gu Tingfeng•s face darkened.
Liang Su smiled as she looked at him.
This is Ah Li’s first time at our home. Let’s take some photos.”
Gu Tingfeng’s expression eased up a little. Gu Siyang, “… Alright, then I’ll begin shooting now.”
As he spoke, he raised his phone again.
Liang Su sat in the middle with a gentle smile on her face. Ning Li was on her right and was closer to her. She pursed her lips while Gu Tingfeng was on the other side with a rare gentle expression on his face.
Click.
After Gu Siyang finished taking the photo, he lowered his head to check it again.
The lighting was sufficient and the colors were sharp. It was a perfect composition!
Very good!
He smiled smugly.
“I told you that with my talent, I should become a professional photographer. However, I still feel that there’s something missing here…”
As he spoke, he handed the photo over to the others.
“Is that so?”
Gu Tingfeng, “It’s pretty good.”
Liang Su, “It’s not lacking. Siyang took such a good photo.”
Ning Li was silent for a moment. Don’t you think it’s lacking you?”
Gu Siyang,
In the end, under Gu Siyang’s strong request, the four of them finally took another photo.
Ning Li and Liang Su went upstairs.
Liang Su helped her measure the size of her finger and let her choose the color of the precious gem that she wanted.
She was very satisfied with Ning Li’s drawing and only changed a few small details.
After everything was over, Gu Siyang drove Ning Li back to school.
Ning Li had originally planned to go straight back to the dormitory, but she remembered that she had accidentally left her water tumbler in the lab, so she changed direction halfway.
The time now was nine o’clock in the evening, and many of the rooms in the institute’s laboratory building were still brightly lit.
Ning Li arrived at Room 601.
Yan Qiu and Fu Niannian were not around. Tang Yi was the only one recording the data in front of the equipment.
Just as she was about to leave, Shen Zhijin came out of his office.
Tang Yi, where’s Yan Qiu?”
Tang Yi turned around.
“Eldest Senior Brother wasn’t feeling well so he went to the school hospital just now. Why are you looking for him?”
Shen Zhijin said, “There’s a German document that needs to be translated. Forget it, I’ll do it myself.”
Tang Yi was momentarily stunned. “Don’t you still have to deal with the observatory’s total measurement data tonight? Why don’t I call Eldest Senior Brother–”
If he added on the task of another document, he would probably be delayed even more.
Shen Zhijin looked at the clock on the wall and said in a flat tone, There’s no need. You guys should go back soon. I’ll lock the door tonight.”
Teacher Shen.”
Ning Li put down her backpack.
“Let me help you with that document.”.
Chapter 634 A Letter
Shen Zhijin looked over.
Tang Yi asked in surprise, “Junior Sister, do you know German?!”
Translating professional documents required a high level of language ability.
W
He himself knew some simple German, but it was barely enough for daily communication. It was far from enough to be able to translate documents.
Ning Li had a low-key and steady personality. Her making this statement proved that she had absolute confidence in doing this well.
Ning Li nodded and asked again, “Teacher Shen, when do you want this document?” Shen Zhijin stared at her for a few seconds before handing the document over.
“Just give it to me before 1 pm tomorrow.”
Ning Li took it.
“Okay.”
After she finished speaking, she pulled out a chair and sat down as she turned on the computer.
Then, she flipped to the first page, and her slender white fingers quickly began to tap on the keyboard.
Feeling curious, Tang Yi came over to take a glance at the document. What he saw were a few unfamiliar words appearing in the first paragraph of the text. Those words appeared to be professional astronomy terms.
He felt like there were crackling sounds in his ears.
He turned his head to look at Ning Li, and when he saw her typing rapidly, he could not help but be shocked. Wasn’t this speed a little too fast?!
Tang Yi asked in disbelief, “Little Junior Sister, you… are you able to understand all of this?”
Ning Li stared at the computer and gently tapped her chin.
Tang Yi’s emotions were very complicated.
Surely this was not just a mere matter of understanding it?
With her browsing and translation speed, it would not be an exaggeration to say that she was proficient.
“I didn’t expect Little Junior Sister to have studied German before…” he muttered softly.
Ning Li said lightly, “Yes, many of the documents that I read in the past were originally in German. Because there were no translations, I learned German on my own.”
As it turned out, this had indeed greatly increased her reading speed later on.
To her, mastering a language was much easier than translating the documents word by word.
Tang Yi was shocked and his entire body went numb.
Just for the sake of reading documents… she had learned German on her own?!!
The key was that she could actually make such a statement in such a calm tone!
Shen Zhijin’s gaze swept across her computer screen.
In fact, from the moment Ning Li had opened her mouth, he had already been certain that she was qualified for this task.
Sure enough, it was as expected.
Hearing Ning Li’s words, his gaze shifted slightly and he looked at her again.
He also knew a little about Ning Li’s family situation.
She had needed to earn her own tuition and living expenses without any help. Of course, she could not have been able to afford to pay for German lessons.
So, she had taught herself, and she was even better than most people.
Shen Zhijin watched for a while, then turned around and went back to the office.
Tang Yi also moved back to continue to record the data.
The entire laboratory fell silent.
Time always passed quickly when she was focused on something.
Ning Li turned another page and heard someone knocking on her desk.
She looked up.
Shen Zhijin said, “It’s late. Let’s go back first.”
Ning Li looked at the time and realized that it was already past 10 pm.
She had to go back before the entrance to the dormitory was closed.
She got up to pack her things and bid farewell to Shen Zhijin and Tang Yi before leaving.
306.
When Ning Li returned to the dormitory, she saw Xue Langlang on the phone.
“Okay, then mom, can you send me the time of your flight again? I’ll go and pick you up.”
Xue Langlang sounded very happy.
After listening to the reply from the other end, Xue Langlang dragged out her reply. “Hmm… okay. I’ll wait for you guys at the school then. Call me when you’re almost there.”
As she spoke, she laughed again.
“Hmmm… Bye, Mom. Mwah!”
Ning Li put down her backpack, took out the document and laptop, and continued to translate.
Xue Langlang hung up the phone call and looked at Ning Li.
“Ning Li, are you free tomorrow night?”
Ning Li turned her head. “What’s the matter?”
Xue Langlang’s eyes sparkled. “Tomorrow is my 19th birthday. My parents will be coming over to celebrate it with me, and they really want to invite you and Ding Yu over. I’ve already confirmed with Ding Yu that she’s free. I just didn’t know if it was convenient for you.”
Ning Li paused for a moment.
Xue Langlang was afraid that she would refuse, so she quickly said, “My parents know that you and Ding Yu are both very outstanding, especially you. They heard that you’re doing a project with Dean Shen, so they really want to meet you!”
As early as the first day of school, when she arrived at the dormitory, she had not been able to suppress the excitement in her heart. She had told her family that she and Ning Li would be sharing the same dormitory room.
Her parents were both university teachers, both of which taught subjects related to physics. Thus, they had always been very appreciative of Ning Li.
They were both even more impressed with Ning Li after her paper had been published in “Universe”.
It was quite touching because they would be making a special trip to accompany Xue Langlang on her birthday. At this point, Ning Li really could not refuse.
She nodded in reply.
“Okay.”
Xue Langlang happily made a “Yes” gesture.
Her family worshipped and admired Shen Zhijin, and now that Ning Li was highly valued by Shen Zhijin, they were naturally excited to have dinner together.
“Then, let’s go together at 6:30 tomorrow afternoon.”
As Xue Langlang spoke, she caught a glimpse of the document in Ning Li’s hand out of the corner of her eye. She was a little surprised, “Ning Li, are you… translating this document?”
“Hmm, Senior Brother Yan Qiu isn’t feeling too well, so Teacher Shen passed the task to me,” said Ning Li.
Xue Langlang glanced at her with a sigh.
“Sigh, Dean Shen already values you so highly… If my parents knew that you were helping Dean Shen with these matters, they would definitely be so envious!”
Ning Li, “…
It had to be said that Shen Zhijin’s status in the physics world was indeed extremely high.
In the past, she had only had a vague understanding of this concept, but she had not had any concrete feelings about it.
However, the more and more time she spent with Shen Zhijin, this perception had become more and more profound.
She gathered her thoughts and continued to look at the document.
At 10 am the next day, Ning Li sent the translated manuscript to Shen Zhijin’s email.
Half an hour later, she received a reply from Shen Zhijin.
To her surprise, Shen Zhijin had actually commented on her translation.
The completion of the whole manuscript was actually very good, but there were a few minor errors.
Shen Zhijin had spent many years in Bai City, so his German was naturally more proficient and more accurate than hers.
Ning Li noted down the few points he had pointed out and thanked him again.
It was a rare opportunity to meet such a teacher who was so willing to teach.
Especially this person, who was Shen Zhijin.
In the afternoon, after Ning Li’s class had ended, she received a call from Xue Langlang. She said that she had already met up with her parents and Ding Yu had already arrived. She was just waiting for her to go over, after which everyone would take a taxi to have dinner together.
Ning Li walked out of the complex and was about to head towards the west gate when she received another message from Tang Yi.
[ Little Junior Sister, a letter has been sent to the Institute. I’ll help you take it to the lab. Just come and get it when you’re free. ]
Letter?
Who would write a letter now? Especially to her?
Ning Li frowned.
[ Senior Brother, who sent the letter? ]
After a while, Tang Yi sent a photo over.
A letter.
Recipient: Ning Li, Institute of Physics, Xijing University.
Sender: Ning Haizhou.
Chapter 635 Parents
Ning Li stared at the photo and her face turned pale.
Ning Haizhou had been in prison for eleven years, and he had written no more than three letters to her in that time.
Now that this letter had come so suddenly, she could almost guess the content without thinking.
She stood there for a while before replying to Tang Yi.
“Thank you, Senior Brother, I’ll come and get it now.”
The Institute of Physics’ Laboratory Building, 601.
After Tang Yi had taken the photo, he had placed the letter back on Ning Li’s desk.
Fu Niannian followed Shen Zhijin in, as they discussed the latest progress of his thesis with Shen Zhijin.
Shen Zhijin said, “Bring the thesis to me. I’ll read it now.”
Fu Niannian responded before quickly walking to his seat and turning on the computer. Shen Zhijin walked over and bent over slightly.
Fu Niannian happened to look up and noticed what Tang Yi was doing. He asked curiously, “Tang Yi, what are you holding in your hand? A letter?”
“It’s not mine, it’s Junior Sister’s.” Tang Yi glanced at the name on the letter again. “It should be from her family.”
Fu Niannian asked, “Family?”
Apart from the mother who had come to cause trouble and the younger brother who had stabbed someone, what other family did Ning Li have now?
“That’s right, the surname is Ning.”
Tang Yi stopped there.
Fu Niannian instantly understood something.
Ning Li also had a father who was serving his prison sentence.
He glanced at the letter and whispered, “Junior Sister has been in school for so long, but I’ve never seen her receive letters before…”
However, this was Ning Li’s family matter after all, so he did not say anything more.
Shen Zhijin’s gaze swept over and he immediately pointed at the screen.
“There’s something wrong with the format here.”
Fu Niannian immediately retracted his thoughts and focused on reading.
After a while, Ning Li walked in. “Teacher Shen, Senior Brothers.”
She greeted them.
Tang Yi said, “Junior Sister, I left your letter on your desk.”
Ning Li walked over and picked up the letter lightly.
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
“You’re welcome.”
Ning Li looked at the letter and opened it.
There was only a thin piece of paper inside.
[ Ah Li, your mother came over a few days ago and told me about your recent situation. I’m happy for you. Since a very long time ago, I knew that you were very smart. Now that you’ve grown up, you’ve become very outstanding. If your grandmother knew that you were doing well now, she would definitely be very pleased.
All these years, I haven’t been able to be by your side and have made you suffer a lot. I’m sorry. I know that you have resentment towards your mother. But it’s been so many years. No matter what, she’s still your mother. Now that she is in trouble, can please you help her?
Just think of it as a plea from your dad. ]
It was a very short letter, but Ning Li held on to it for a long time as she read it.
She stood there with her eyelids slightly lowered, maintaining that posture without moving at all. She read the words on it over and over again.
er a
She felt a little confused and wanted to laugh.
However, in the end, she could not understand or laugh.
Something seemed to be colliding within her chest. It was silent and screeching, as if it wanted to tear everything apart. However, her lips remained tightly pursed, and she did not say a word.
“Junior Sister? Junior Sister?”
Tang Yi called her a few times before she came back to her senses.
She looked up and saw Tang Yi looking at her with a worried expression. “… Junior Sister, are you okay?” He looked at Ning Li, feeling that something was wrong. He did not know what was written in the letter, but he had never seen Ning Li look like that.
She was clearly expressionless, but…
Shen Zhijin and Fu Niannian heard this and looked over.
Ning Li shook her head gently.
“I’m fine.”
Tang Yi hesitated for a moment, but he still asked carefully, “That’s… a letter from your family, right?”
“Yes.” Ning Li’s tone was indifferent. “A letter from my dad.”
As she spoke, she took one last look at the letter before putting the letter back into the envelope.
Just then, her phone rang.
It was Xue Langlang calling.
She picked it up. “Hello?”
“Ning Li, why aren’t you here yet? Did you get delayed by something?” Xue Langlang asked.
She had last called Ning Li after class. Judging by the time, it had been more than enough time for her to walk over. However, there was still no sign of her, so she could not help but call Ning Li again.
Ning Li paused for a moment.
“No, I just came to the lab to get something. I’ll be there right away.”
Xue Langlang heaved a sigh of relief.
“That’s good! Then we’ll wait for you!” “Okay.” Ning Li ended the call and put her phone away. Then, she picked up the letter, tore it up, and threw it into the trash can at the side.
Throughout the whole process, her face remained calm.
It was as if what she had thrown away was not a letter from her father, whom she had not seen for a long time, but something unimportant.
The laboratory had become very quiet.
Tang Yi and Fu Niannian looked at each other, both at a loss.
This…? What kind of letter was it that she would tear it up and throw away after reading
it?
However, Ning Li did not seem to take this matter to heart.
“Teacher Shen, Senior Brother, I’ll be taking my leave now.”
After she finished speaking, she turned around and left.
After she left, Tang Yi could not help but sigh.
“This is the first time I’ve seen Junior Sister like this…”
Fu Niannian asked, “Is Junior Sister going out for dinner today?”
Tang Yi nodded.
“Yes, one of her roommates is celebrating her birthday. She said that her parents came all the way from the province to celebrate her birthday and invited Junior Sister and their other roommate to join them.”
He hesitated for quite a while before adding, “Actually, I think that letter has something to do with Junior Sister’s mother…”
After Su Yuan had come and caused a ruckus, this letter had come. It was really hard not to suspect the connection.
Fu Niannian’s lips moved as he sighed.
“No wonder.”
Other people had harmonious and happy families, but she did not.
Other people had caring parents, but she did not.
He could not help but say, “How can there be parents in this world who treat their own daughter this way?!”
Chapter 636 Missing You
In fact, it was more than that.
Everything she had experienced over the past 18 years had been the result of having such parents.
If her mother had loved her, she would not have left when she was six years old and never looked back.
If her father had loved her, he would not have written her such a letter just when she had finally crawled out of the mire of life after suffering so much.
What she was facing today was not the same torture she had had to go through every single day in the past.
Tang Yi did not say anything because he really had nothing to say. The laboratory quieted down, the atmosphere now feeling a little more depressing. Shen Zhijin stood up straight. “That’s all for now. Send it to me after you’ve made the necessary changes.”
Only then did Fu Niannian come back to his senses. “Alright, Teacher Shen.”
Shen Zhijin walked to the side. As he passed the trash can, he tilted his head slightly and took a look.
The torn envelope had been messily thrown inside. The name of the sender could be vaguely seen.
Ning Haizhou.
Ning Li rushed to the west gate and saw Xue Langlang and Ding Yu at first glance. A middle-aged couple was standing beside them.
Xue Langlang called out to her.
“Ning Li!”
Ning Li walked over and greeted Xue Langlang’s parents one by one.
“Hello, Uncle and Auntie. I’m sorry I’m late.”
At first glance, Xue Tao and his wife looked like high-ranking intellectuals with gentle temperaments.
When they saw Ning Li, both of them smiled with undisguised admiration in their eyes.
Xue Langlang shook her head.
“It’s not too late! You’re following Dean Shen now. Isn’t it normal for you to be busy? So, shall we go now?”
The corners of Ning Li’s lips curled up.
“Okay.”
Xue Langlang’s parents had rented a car here, which could fit five people. All of them got into the car and headed to the restaurant.
They headed to a restaurant where they had booked a private room in advance.
The whole group sat down. Xue Langlang ordered a meal and handed the menu over.
“Ning Li, Ding Yu, what else would you like to eat?”
Ning Li felt that all these were about the same, so she let Ding Yu order.
Xue Tao looked at Ning Li and asked curiously, “Ning Li, I heard that Professor Shen’s research direction this time is–“
Before he could finish, Xue Langlang shot him a disdainful glance.
“Dad, I know that you admire our Dean Shen, but isn’t it inappropriate to ask this now?”
Xue Tao coughed. “That’s true, that’s true. Today is Langlang’s birthday, we won’t talk about anything else.”
As he spoke, he laughed again.
“Guess what gift your dad has prepared for you this time?”
Xue Langlang shook her head, but a look of anticipation appeared on her face.
Xue Tao walked to the side and took a huge box out of the cabinet in the private room.
Ning Li took a look and saw that it was a Lego model of the Milky Way.
“Wow! Dad, you truly understand me!”
Xue Langlang was pleasantly surprised. She cherished the Lego box greatly. “I’ve wanted it for a long time!”
“Your dad knew that you liked it. This time, he specially asked someone to bring it back from Hong Kong City,” Xue Langlang’s mother said with a smile.
Xue Tao laughed.
“As long as Langlang likes it!”
Xue Langlang conveyed her feelings to the two of them.
“Thank you, Father! Thank you, Mother!”
Ning Li observed quietly from the side.
She seemed to be thinking a lot, but it also seemed like she was not thinking about anything at all.
The waiter quickly began to serve the dishes.
Xue Tao and his wife were both very talkative people so the atmosphere during the meal was very pleasant.
It was also this kind of family that could nurture Xue Langlang’s lively and optimistic character.
Just as Ning Li was thinking about it, her phone vibrated.
She took a look and saw that it was a message from Lu Huaiyu.
( Li, how was dinner? ]
He knew that Ning Li was accompanying Xue Langlang tonight for her birthday celebration.
Ning Li lowered her eyes.
( Delicious. ]
After a pause, she typed another line of words.
[ I just miss you a little. ]
After dinner, it was time to cut the cake.
Just as Ning Li had accepted a piece of cake from Xue Langlang, her phone vibrated.
Lu Huaiyu was calling her.
She put down the cake and picked up the call.
“Second Brother?”
There was the sound of wind from the other end of the phone.
Lu Huaiyu said, “I’m downstairs. Which private room are you in?”
Ning Li was stunned and subconsciously asked, “You’re here?”
“Yes.”
Lu Huaiyu’s voice contained a smile.
“Didn’t you say that you missed me?”
‘Because you missed me, I came.
‘You just have to wait where you are.’
Ning Li curled her fingers.
“Ning Li?”
Xue Langlang suddenly called out to her and winked at her.
“Since Senior Lu has come to pick you up, I won’t keep you!”
As she spoke, she packed two more cakes and handed them over.
“I promise!”
Ning Li carried the cake downstairs and indeed saw the familiar tall and straight figure.
He was wearing a trenchcoat today, which made his waist and legs look even longer.
When he saw Ning Li, he walked over.
When he stood in front of Ning Li, he tilted his head and swept his gaze over her face.
Then, he ruffled her hair and said in a low and gentle voice,”Who bullied Ah Li?”
Ning Li raised her face.
“I received a letter from my father today.”
Lu Huaiyu paused.
Ning Li continued, “He asked me to help Su Yuan. I tore up the letter.”
Lu Huaiyu’s eyes were deep as he looked at her.
Ning Li seemed to be recalling something as she spoke softly.
“The last time he wrote to me was when Grandma had passed away. And the last time… was about eleven years ago. I can’t remember it clearly.”
For him, for Grandma, for Su Yuan.
But not for her.
Lu Huaiyu opened his trenchcoat, pulled her into his embrace, and kissed her between the eyebrows.
“You don’t have to remember it if you can’t remember it clearly.”
The familiar smell of cedar filled the air, and his body exuded a warmth that dispelled the bone-deep chill of late autumn.
Ning Li pressed her forehead against his chest.
“Okay.”
Chapter 637 Was Bathed in Ning Li’s Light
Lu Huaiyu held her hand.
The night wind blew, rustling up her wavy hair.
High-rise buildings lined both sides of the street. The lights were bright, making the atmosphere very lively. They walked slowly like this.
The cool cedar fragrance from his body wafted to the tip of her nose, as the heat from his palm warmed her hand.
It was enough to comfort her.
She let out a gentle breath.
Lu Huaiyu turned his head to look at her and asked in a low voice, “Are you going back to school today, or are you coming home with me?”
Ning Li said, “I should go back to school. I have a class tomorrow morning.”
Lu Huaiyu held her hand and kissed her on the lips. The corners of his lips curved slightly, and his voice was gentle.
“Okay.”
Xijing University, West Gate.
Xue Tao and his wife dropped Xue Langlang and Ding Yu off just outside the school gates.
Xue Langlang said, “Dad, Mom, you should go back. The school has been very strict with the people who enter and exit recently. It’s quite troublesome to go in and out. I can just go back to the dormitory with Ding Yu.”
Xue Tao was a little puzzled.
“Is it that strict now? It didn’t seem like this the last time I came here.”
“Yeah. Just before that… Ning Li’s mom came here once,” Xue Lang sighed, “Dean Shen happened to see her that time, so he ordered the school to strengthen the security.”
This was Ning Li’s private matter, so she did not actually want to talk about it.
It was just that this matter had been a big deal on the Internet recently. Thinking that her parents should already know about it, she did not intentionally hide it.
Realization dawned upon Xue Tao and his wife and they looked at each other, the sympathy clear on their faces.
Xue Langlang usually mentioned Ning Li with a hint of admiration.
She talked about how she had gotten full marks in the National Physics Competition, that she was the top scorer in the science department in the college entrance examination, and that an exception had been made for her by Shen Zhijin to enter the research group even though she was only a freshman…
She seldom talked about other things.
“This child… Her life has not been easy,” Mother Xue said.
“Yeah. Fortunately, Dean Shen had been there at that time, or else…”
When Xue Langlang talked about these things now, she still felt indignant about it.
“Forget it, there’s no point in talking about these things. Let’s first–“.
“Eh, is that Professor Shen?” Xue Tao looked in the direction of the school gates and asked in surprise.
Xue Langlang and the others subconsciously turned their heads to look.
A few people who looked like leaders were walking over. The one on the left was Shen Zhijin.
Xue Langlang nodded. “Yes, that’s Dean Shen in the middle. The one next to him seems to be the other Vice-Principal Zhang of the school and our Dean Bi.”
Shen Zhijin was the honorary dean of the Institute of Physics. His position was high, but it was actually more in name only.
He held several important positions, so the time and energy he invested in the Xijing University Institute of Physics were limited.
Dean Bi Zhitong was still in charge of many matters in the Institute of Physics.
Xue Tao was a little excited.
“It’s a rare opportunity to run into each other. Why don’t we go over and say hello?” Mother Xue looked hesitant. “This… I don’t think it’s quite appropriate? We don’t even know Dean Shen.”
Although the two of them were also university lecturers who specialized in physics, the school they worked at was in another province, and it was quite different from Xijing University.
Shen Zhijin was a figure who stood at the top of the pyramid in the domestic physics world. He was generally not very accessible to the general public.
Although they both admired Shen Zhijin very much, it just seemed too abrupt to suddenly approach him at this time.
Xue Tao looked regretful.
“… That’s true.”
Shen Zhijin and the others walked towards the school gate.
Vaguely sensing something, Shen Zhijin raised his eyes and looked forward. He noticed a middle-aged couple standing outside the school gate. There were two girls who looked like students of Xijing University standing beside them.
They were looking over in his direction. To be more precise, they seemed to be looking at him.
Shen Zhijin was no stranger to such gazes.
His face would often be recognized as he walked on the road, and people would come over to chat with him.
He withdrew his gaze without minding about it.
However, in the end, those people did not come over.
As he walked out of the side door, he heard a girl’s voice speaking. “Ning Li doesn’t seem to have returned to the dormitory yet. I’ll call her later to confirm it.”
Hearing this, Shen Zhijin stopped in his tracks.
“Are you Ning Li’s roommate?”
The man’s clear and calm voice rang out, immediately startling Xue Langlang and the others.
Xue Langlang’s eyes widened slightly. She realized that Shen Zhijin, who was about to walk past, had suddenly stopped and looked over.
And his words–
“Dean Shen, are you… asking us?” Because of his nervousness, Xue Langlang’s voice trembled slightly. She had always regarded Shen Zhijin as her idol, and she admired and respected him very much.
Although Ning Li had joined his research team, Xue Langlang had never thought of relying on her relationship as a roommate with Ning Li to ask for anything. So when Shen Zhijin had taken the initiative to ask this question, she was stunned.
Shen Zhijin’s gaze swept over the few of them, and finally stopped on the huge Lego gift box in Xue Langlang’s hand for a moment.
It looked like a birthday present.
“She didn’t come back with you?” Shen Zhijin asked.
Xue Langlang was now sure. Her face flushed with excitement and she quickly nodded.
“Oh, right! After cutting the cake, Senior Lu came to pick her up. She left before us.”
Senior Lu.
Of course, it was Lu Huaiyu.
Shen Zhijin looked at the gift that Xue Langlang was carrying. The couple next to her had to be the parents who had specially come to celebrate her birthday.
He thought of the torn letter in the trash can and was silent for a moment.
Xue Tao finally could not hold himself any longer and took a step forward. He was nervous but also excited.
“Hello, Professor Shen. I’m Xue Tao from Southeast Polytechnic University. I’ve always been interested in your research on the direction of gravitational wave detection…”
Mother Xue pulled him back.
Professor Shen was just here to ask a question, why did he have to talk to him directly? How embarrassing Xue Tao seemed to have realized that it was not appropriate for him to be like this, so he opened his mouth.
“Well, I’m sorry, Professor Shen. I’m a little excited to see you all of a sudden, so please don’t take it to heart. Then– do you still have some other matters to tend to? It’s very late, so we won’t delay you.” Shen Zhijin paused and read out a string of characters.
“This is my email. If you have any questions to discuss, just send an email.”
Xue Tao and the others were still in a daze when Shen Zhijin turned around and left.
He looked at Xue Langlang in disbelief.
“Professor Shen is so easygoing?!” Shen Zhijin was famous in the physics circle for his arrogance and reserved nature! He had thought that it would be good enough if he could go up and say hello, but who would’ve guessed that Shen Zhijin would actually take the initiative to give him his email address?!
Xue Langlang was also stunned for quite a while.
Looking at the figure gradually disappearing into the distance, she slowly raised her head to look at her father and muttered, “… Dad, I think we… have benefited from Ning Li?”
“It’s really rare to see Zhijin actually give people so much face.”
Bi Zhitong and Zhang Yao looked at each other and saw the shock in each other’s eyes.
They had overheard the conversation between Shen Zhijin, Xue Tao, and the others just now.
Bi Zhitong smiled and said, “It seems that you really value Ning Li.”
Chapter 638 She Was Here for Lu Huaiyu
Shen Zhijin’s expression was calm when he heard this, but he did not deny it.
Zhang Yao teased.
“Who doesn’t know that Ning Li is now the treasure of your institute? One by one, all of you pamper her.”
Xijing University had never been lacking in geniuses.
However, it was indeed rare to see someone as outstanding as Ning Li.
Otherwise, she would not have been liked and valued by Xu Yin and Shen Zhijin consecutively.
Bi Zhitong laughed.
“That’s true! But–“
He changed the topic and shook his head regretfully.
“It’s just that the child’s family is too… Fortunately, she is sensible and capable.” When Su Yuan had come to the school to make a big fuss, the matter had become a hot topic.
Shen Zhijin had even specially ordered the school to strengthen the management of the people who entered and left the venue. It would be difficult for the school leaders not to know this.
Which teacher would not like such a student? When Bi Zhitong said this, he turned his head to look at Shen Zhijin with a hint of envy in his eyes.
“When I entered the school, I wanted to find an opportunity to ask her if she would be interested in studying as my graduate student in the future. Who knew that in the blink of an eye, Zhijin would snatch her away?”
As he said this, he was filled with regret.
Zhang Yao mercilessly struck back.
“It’d be useless even if you had asked. That child signed up for the astronomy department. It’s obvious that she’s aiming for astrophysics. You’re in solid-state physics, how could you possibly snatch her away from Zhijin?”
Bi Zhitong was speechless.
“Let me think about it, alright?”
Zhang Yao suddenly thought of something and laughed.
“Speaking of this, I do remember something. A while ago, I had a meal with a teacher from Hua University. He said that from the National Physics Competition to the college entrance examination, Hua University’s admissions office had spent a lot of effort to persuade Ning Li to apply to Hua University. In the end, however, they were still rejected. I think this child has always had her own ideas. She has been thinking about our school’s astronomy department for a long time.”
As he spoke, he teased.
“Perhaps her aim had always been Zhijin from the beginning?”
The University of Xijing’s astronomy department was ranked first in the country, and Shen Zhijin was like a gold-plated signboard.
In fact, there were indeed many students who applied for the University of Xijing’s physics department every year who had indeed come for Shen Zhijin, not to mention the astronomy department.
Hearing this, Shen Zhijin’s eyebrows moved slightly. He pondered for a long time, his handsome and clean eyebrows relaxed, and the corners of his lips pursed into a faint smile.
Bi Zhitong suddenly said, “Not necessarily. Who knows whether she came here for that kid, Lu Huaiyu?”
The air was quiet for a moment.
The smile on Shen Zhijin’s face faded a little.
Zhang Yao asked, “What do you mean?”
Bi Zhitong raised his chin.
“No, isn’t that…?”
Shen Zhijin looked in the direction he pointed.
Beneath the night sky, Lu Huaiyu and Ning Li were walking together. Ning Li was walking along the narrow steps that were slightly higher. Lu Huaiyu was beside her, holding her hand.
Suddenly, Lu Huaiyu took half a step back.
Ning Li seemed to be affected by this force and lost her balance. She let out a small cry as she fell to the side.
Lu Huaiyu stepped forward again and grabbed her slender waist. He caught her and held her tightly. He looked down at her with a smile on his lips.
“Why are you so careless?” Ning Li raised her head from his arms and stared at him with her beautiful eyes.
“Lu Huaiyu! You did that on purpose!”
Lu Huaiyu raised his eyebrows slightly.
“Is Ah Li so smart? Then, you should reward
me.”
As he said that, he bent his head and leaned in closer, smiling as he kissed her lips.
At first, she dodged a few times, but she was trapped in his embrace, unable to move.
In the end, she could only obediently raise her little face and return his kiss.
Zhang Yao said, “Whoa, then I guess she really came for Lu Huaiyu.”
Shen Zhijin’s expression returned to his usual cold and indifferent expression.
In fact, the school leaders had not had any intention of watching the young couple in love It had really been just a coincidence.
However, whether it was Ning Li or Lu Huaiyu, both very outstanding. Therefore, the teachers’ attitudes were very open-minded.
Zhang Yao laughed.
“I heard that Professor Fang from the School of Mathematics has now made this kid obedient. Not only did he come back to accompany Ning Li to make up for his Advanced Mathematics lessons, but he also hasn’t even missed his homework.”
Professor Fang had become famous for winning this one battle, and since then, he had made the Finance Department teachers cry with envy.
Shen Zhijin did not say anything.
Lu Huaiyu held and kissed Ning Li for quite a while. He only let go of her when the phone in her pocket vibrated.
It was a call from Xue Langlang.
“Ning Li, Ding Yu and I are about to arrive at the dormitory. When are you coming back?”
Ning Li said, “Soon. I’m at the school gates.”
Hearing her words, Xue Langlang felt much more relieved, and only then did she hang up.
Ning Li put away her phone.
“Second Brother, I’ll be leaving now.”
Lu Huaiyu held her hand.
“I’ll send you to the door.”
Ning Li looked at him speechlessly.
There was only less than a hundred meters left, the entrance being just across the road.
Just as she was about to speak, she saw a familiar figure from the corner of her eye.
“Teacher Shen.” She moved slightly to the side, keeping a respectable distance from Lu Huaiyu,
“Vice-principal Zhang, Dean Bi.”
Lu Huaiyu raised his eyebrows and could not help but laugh.
However, it was in front of the leaders after all.
Immediately, he also turned to the side and greeted them one by one.
Zhang Yao and Bi Zhitong had smiles on their faces, while Shen Zhijin still nodded indifferently.
After that, they soon left.
Lu Huaiyu walked Ning Li to the entrance. After watching her enter the school, he turned around.
As soon as Ning Li returned to the dormitory, Xue Langlang could not help but pounce on her.
Placing both hands on her heart, she looked excited.
“Ning Li! Principal Shen is so good to you!” Ning Li looked at her blankly. “What?”
Xue Langlang immediately recounted to her what had happened at the school entrance. After she finished, she did not forget to prod Ding Yu. “Ding Yu! You were there too. You can prove that that’s what happened, right?” Ding Yu shut the computer helplessly.
“Yes.”
Xue Langlang had been in a state of extreme excitement ever since she had come back and she had not been able to suppress it at all.
She felt that she would have to listen to Xue Langlang repeat this paragraph endlessly for the next month.
Ning Li was also very surprised to hear this. “… Really?”
After following Shen Zhijin for some time, she could be considered to have some understanding of his character and temper. This kind of situation was quite a common occurence for him.
After all, he was a top boss in the industry.
However, with his usual habits, he really would not take the initiative to give out his email.
Ning Li thought for a moment.
caus
“Perhaps… it’s because your parents are also in the physics field?”
“No, no, no! This time, it’s definitely for your sake!” Xue Langlang was resolute and decisive, “You don’t know, my dad has a senior brother. His title is higher than my dad’s, and he has published more papers than my dad. I met Dean Shen twice last year, but I didn’t receive such treatment! Moreover, the reason Dean Shen took the initiative to speak to us at the beginning was to ask if you had returned! He was probably worried that you wouldn’t be safe as a girl in the middle of the night, right?”
As she spoke, she sighed.
“Sigh, Dean Shen may look cold and arrogant, but he’s actually a really good person!” Ning Li did not say anything. She actually understood what Xue Langlang meant.
After a long while, she nodded.
“Teacher Shen is indeed very good.”
Xue Langlang patted her shoulder and said solemnly, “Ning Li, you must work hard with Dean Shen!”
Ning Li, “… Oh.”
Chapter 639 Propriety
Ning Haizhou’s letter had been torn up and thrown into the trash bin without causing any waves. Ning Li’s life continued on peacefully in this way.
Yunzhou.
In a dilapidated and narrow house, Ye Cheng was lying on the sofa playing games.
Su Yuan had just returned from buying groceries. When she saw this scene, she was once again filled with anger.
“Ye Cheng!”
Ye Cheng turned a deaf ear to her.
Su Yuan became angrier and angrier.
Because Ye Cheng had caused so much trouble when he had stabbed someone, she did not know how much torture she had suffered during this period of time. She was under so much pressure that she had almost broken down.
However, he was still not sensible at all.
No school wanted to accept him. Instead, he was happy to stay at home every day. Other than eating and sleeping, all he did was play games.
In the past, he had always been a little arrogant and willful. However, he had not been the way he was now, stubborn and unrepentant!
She put down the vegetables that she had been holding
“You didn’t read the book I asked you to read today, did you?!”
Ye Cheng did not answer.
She quickly walked over and snatched his phone away.
“I’m asking you a question!”
Ye Cheng stood up in frustration.
“The school won’t let me go anyway. What am I supposed to read then?”
Su Yuan was so angry that her whole body was trembling.
“Then are you going to stay in here all day?!”
Ye Cheng kicked the stool beside him and raised his voice.
“I’d like to go out! But do you know what the people outside say?!”.
It was not just him, but Su Yuan as well.
The Ye family had lost everything, Ye Cheng had stabbed people, and many people even knew that Su Yuan had gone to find Ning Li. Now, whenever they were out of the house, all that awaited them was endless ridicule and disdain.
Of course, he was unwilling to go out.
“By the way, I’m out of money. Transfer me some more.”
When Su Yuan heard this, her face turned red.
“Ye Cheng! Don’t you know what’s going on at home?! What do you need money for? To continue playing games?!”
Ye Cheng was impatient. “Didn’t you go to Lincheng previously? You even said it yourself that this time, she’ll definitely help!”
Of course, the person he was referring to was Ning Li.
These words were what Su Yuan had told those people the last time they had come to collect their debts. Ye Cheng had heard it as well.
Hearing this, Su Yuan’s lips turned pale.
Yes, she had gone to look for Ning Haizhou.
She had never thought that in this life, there would be a time to ask Ning Haizhou for help.
However, she really had no other choice.
Ning Li had a grudge against her, and she had no feelings for Ye Cheng. No matter what, she had refused to make a move.
She had thought about it and gone to Lincheng to visit Ning Haizhou. She had asked him to write a letter to Ning Li.
She had thought that Ning Li would relent on account of Ning Haizhou. But until now, there had been no movement at all.
Su Yuan guessed that Ning Li must have rejected her again.
Seeing her like this, Ye Cheng knew that it was probably hopeless. He muttered under his breath.
“I knew she wouldn’t do it. It’d be better for me to go and find my sister!”
As he spoke, he snatched the phone back from Su Yuan’s hand and turned to call Ye CI.
However, even though he called a few times in a row, no one picked up the call.
Ye Cheng frowned as he looked at the phone. Ever since his sister had gone to the Capital, she had had virtually no contact with her family.
Now, he often called but no one answered.
“I don’t know why my sister has been so busy lately…”
He went back to his room gloomily and slammed the door.
Bang!
Su Yuan sat on the sofa in a daze and suddenly felt extremely tired.
Friday, Advanced Math class.
Ning Li’s phone lit up. It was a friend request.
Note: Gu Tingyun.
Lu Huaiyu turned his head and raised his eyebrows slightly.
“The third master of the Gu Family?”
“Yes, he should be arriving in the Capital soon.”
As Ning Li spoke, she accepted the request before looking at him.
“I agreed to treat him to a meal the other day to thank him for helping out that time.”
She briefly explained the situation that day to Lu Huaiyu.
Lu Huaiyu understood.
“Then, he should indeed be treated to this meal.”
He thought for a moment.
“How about this, I’ll hire a chef to prepare the dishes according to the menu and get them delivered to Rongyue Mansion. When the time comes, I’ll invite the third master of the Gu family over myself.”
Since it was a thank you, there was always a need for sincerity. Ning Li considered whether she should personally cook the dishes, but the menu was indeed somewhat difficult.
Lu Huaiyu’s idea was feasible.
She said, “Why don’t we go to Shuiyuan Shijia? After all, he helped me…”
The corners of Lu Huaiyu’s lips curled up.
“He helped my girlfriend. It’s appropriate for me to thank him too.”
Ning Li, “…”
This man was still brooding over the fact that the third master of the Gu family had been ahead of him…
Gu Tingyun sent a message over.
( Ning Li, I’ll be arriving in the Capital tomorrow. I wonder if I could have the meal that you agreed to treat me to tomorrow? ]
Ning Li nodded at Lu Huaiyu.
“Alright, Rongyue Mansion it is then.”
After saying that, she lowered her head and replied to Gu Tingyun. [ You’re very welcome. What time is your flight tomorrow? Would it be better to set it for the afternoon or evening? ]
After a while, a line of words was sent over from the other side. The tone was very friendly and gentle.
[ You shouldn’t be having classes on Saturday, right? But it depends on your time. I’ll be traveling by private plane so it’ll be faster. ]
Ning Li, “…”
Excuse me.
( Then let’s do it at noon. Second Brother and I will be waiting for you at Rongyue Mansion. )
Rongyue Mansion.
This was Lu Huaiyu’s place of residence.
Gu Tingyun tapped his phone and smiled.
This kid from the Lu family was really…
[ Sure. ]
Just as he finished replying, he heard a voice coming from the front. “Third Brother, what are you so happy about?” Gu Tingyun raised his head and saw Gu Tingchuan walking over, his eyes casually looking at his phone.
He quietly held his breath.
“Nothing much. I was just discussing with Big Brother that I’ll be going to the Capital tomorrow.” Gu Tingchuan was not bothered and nodded in response.
He thought of something and frowned. There was a slight furrow between his brows. “Oh right, when you go this time, please give Big Brother a reminder.”
“What?”
Gu Tingchuan snorted.
“I just found out yesterday. Big Brother invited Ning Li to his home in the Capital a few days ago for dinner. Gu Siyang even sent a group photo to Mother. I heard that Mother looked at it for a long time…”
As he spoke, his brows furrowed even more, “Back then, Big Brother clearly promised that everything would be fine, so why is it like this now? When you go, remember to remind him. It’s not that we don’t want them to interact with Ning Li, but Big Brother should at least grasp the boundaries!”
Gu Tingyun put away his phone and gave a slight smile.
“Alright, I got it.”
Chapter 640 Levelling the Playing Field
The next day, Gu Tingyun left for the Capital.
At noon, he arrived at Rongyue Mansion. He got into the elevator and rang the doorbell.
The sound of footsteps came from inside, before the door was opened from the inside.
It was Ning Li who had opened the door.
The heating for the floor had been turned on. Ning Li was wearing a thin beige sweater, black pencil pants, and her wavy long hair draped over her shoulders.
She was slender and tall, beautiful and elegant.
When she saw Gu Tingyun, she smiled. “Mr. Gu San.”
Gu Tingyun’s gaze lingered on the dimples at the corner of her lips for a moment.
“Ning Li.”
She greeted him and looked behind him.
Gu Tingyun smiled.
“I asked my assistant to go back first. I’m alone.”
Ning Li understood.
“Please come in.”
Gu Tingyun followed her inside.
Lu Huaiyu was in the dining room.
Gu Tingyun took a look and found that the table had already been set.
His gaze swept past both Ning Li and Lu Huaiyu, and he raised his eyebrows slightly.
Although he knew that this was Lu Huaiyu’s residence, he had mentally prepared himself on the way to the appointment today.
However, when he saw the two of them standing together, he could feel a feeling of indescribable tacit understanding from them.
“Mr. Gu San, long time no see.”
Lu Huaiyu walked over and took the initiative to extend his hand.
On his handsome face, there was a polite smile. “I haven’t had the time to thank you properly for what happened before. Today, I finally have a chance to do so.” Gu Tingyun smiled slowly and shook hands with him.
“It’s nothing. It’s a small matter, there’s nothing to mention.”
Lu Huaiyu raised his eyebrows slightly.
It had not been a small matter for Gu Tingyun to step forth to intervene.
“It’s related to Ah Li so it is a big matter,” he said.
He said this seriously.
Gu Tingyun paused for a moment and smiled faintly.
Ning Li watched from the side. She felt that the atmosphere was a little strange. She said, “Mr. Gu San, please take a seat.” Gu Tingyun casually pulled out a chair and sat down.
Then, Ning Li and Lu Huaiyu took their seats opposite him.
Actually, Ning Li and Gu Tingyun did not know each other very well, but he was gentle, refined, and very talkative.
Adding to that was the presence of Lu Huaiyu, so they had quite a good chat.
“Oh right, Ning Li, I heard that you’ve been helping my sister-in-law by designing a high-quality gown for her recently?”
Gu Tingyun’s question seemed to be unintentional.
Ning Li nodded.
Gu Tingyun smiled and said, “Sister-in-law has always had high standards. She must like you a lot to ask for this.”
The corners of Ning Li’s lips curled up.
“Aunt Su has indeed been very good to me. Moreover, that gown won’t be for free. Aunt Su has designed a colored gemstone ring as a gift for me in return.”
“Oh? Is that so…” Gu Tingyun nodded as if he was deep in thought.
Tsk, so there had actually been a reason for the gift to be given… What a mistake.
He changed the topic. “You haven’t been to Hong Kong City for a while. When you have the time later, you can take some time to visit Qingfeng.”
I can
Ning Li actually had the same idea, but she had not found the right time yet.
“I need to find some time to go back and take a look,” she said.
Gu Tingyun paused for a moment and said with a smile, “The other day, Siyang sent a photo of you and my big brother to my mother. She liked it very much.”
“Old Madam Gu?”
Ning Li was slightly taken aback, and a sense of emotion welled up in her heart.
In fact, she could vaguely guess that Old Madam Gu might have thought of the Fourth Miss Gu when she saw the photo of them together.
“Yes, after you left, my mother mentioned it many times.” Gu Tingyun’s smile was gentle. “As you know, old people like to be lively when they’re old. Naturally, I’m happy to see this.”
Ning Li actually missed Old Madam Gu a little.
When she was in Hong Kong City, Old Madam Gu and Old Master Gu had treated her extremely well. Even the last time Gu Tingyun had helped her might have been for the same reason.
Lu Huaiyu raised his eyes slightly and looked at Gu Tingyun.
Gu Tingyun seemed to be unaware of it.
Ning Li thought for a moment and said, “Then… shall we take a photo today? You can show it to Old Madam Gu and Old Master Gu later?”
Gu Tingyun pondered for a moment, then nodded with a smile.
“Sure.”
Lu Huaiyu leaned back with a faint smile on his face.
It was said that the third master of the Gu family was thoughtful, tactful, and meticulous. He had finally seen it for himself.
He said, “Ah Li, let me take it then.” Ning Li was a little surprised, but since he was willing to help, it was quite convenient.
“Sure.”
Lu Huaiyu raised his phone, but it was in selfie mode.
Three faces appeared on the camera.
He and Ning Li were on one side of the dining table, while Gu Tingyun was on the other side.
“I think I’m blocking you a little. Ah Li, let’s switch seats.”
As he said this, he actually pulled Ning Li to adjust their seats.
Then, he raised his hand again, and his long arm went around Ning Li’s body.
This time, all three people could finally be seen completely in the camera frame.
However…
Because they were holding their cell phones up to take photos, Lu Huaiyu looked as if he was holding Ning Li in his arms.
It was an extremely intimate gesture.
Gu Tingyun smiled.
Click.
Lu Huaiyu finished taking the photo and handed it to Ning Li for her to check.
Ning Li felt that there was no problem, so she said, “It’s pretty good. Second Brother, you can send it to Mr. Gu San and me later.”
Lu Huaiyu agreed and tapped a few times on the screen.
Gu Tingyun looked down at the photo.
Ning Li asked, “Mr. Gu San, what do you think?”
Gu Tingyun nodded with a smile.
“It’s pretty good. But, we’ve already eaten a meal and taken a photo. You don’t need to be so polite as to call me Mr. Gu San any longer.” Ning Li was stunned for a moment.
“Then…”
“Call me whatever you call my big brother.” Gu Tingyun was a man of negotiation, and his tone was kind and gentle.
Ning Li thought it made sense. Gu San had helped her so much, so it was only right for her to call him Uncle.
“Third Uncle Gu.”
Gu Tingyun’s smile relaxed.
“Ah Li, you don’t have to be so polite. If you need any help in the future, just say the word.”
Lu Huaiyu’s cell phone rang. He glanced at it and picked it up. “Doctor Gu.”