"Big Brother Ye, please don’t tease me. By the way, can I treat you to a meal? I’ve been wanting to do so for a long time, and today I got promoted. So, it’s perfect timing." Shen Yuqin said shyly.
"Sure, and we can visit Uncle Shen after dinner." Ye Chenfeng nodded.
"Okay, Brother Ye, wait for me. I’ll just tidy up and come find you." Shen Yuqin turned and went into the office.
When Shen Yuqin reappeared, Ye Chenfeng was stunned.
She was wearing a white knitted top and blue pencil pants.
The outfit outlined Shen Yuqin’s graceful figure, exuding a vibrant and youthful aura like a girl next door.
"Shall we go, Big Brother Ye?" Seeing Ye Chenfeng staring at her unblinkingly, Shen Yuqin’s eyes flickered with a hint of shyness.
When Ye Chenfeng and Shen Yuqin stepped out, they found Chu Qingxue standing there silently waiting.
Having once declared Chu Qingxue as her idol, Shen Yuqin recognized her instantly.
She felt deeply disappointed, thinking Ye Chenfeng had come specifically to find her, only to realize he was accompanying Chu Qingxue and her presence was just incidental.
Ye Chenfeng walked straight toward Chu Qingxue.
"I’ll take you home first, I have something to do later." Ye Chenfeng said.
"No need, I’ll ask Mr. Sun to take me. You should go, don’t keep the girl waiting." Chu Qingxue’s tone was neither humble nor arrogant.
It sounded as if she was trying to set him up with Shen Yuqin.
"Then be careful, Xue’xue. I’ll go first."
Watching Ye Chenfeng’s departing figure, Chu Qingxue’s eyes brightened, and her gaze deepened, lost in thought.
"Yuqin, shall we go?" Ye Chenfeng said.
"Did Ms. Chu agree?" Shen Yuqin asked cautiously.
Ye Chenfeng grinned, "Why should she have any control over my freedom?"
"Aren’t you two a couple?" Shen Yuqin asked.
"We’re not married, why should she control me?" Ye Chenfeng retorted.
Immediately, Shen Yuqin’s face reddened again, wondering: Is Brother Ye trying to tell me something? Does he have feelings for me?
Shen Yuqin’s face grew even redder. It seemed she was always blushing in front of Ye Chenfeng, a girl easily embarrassed.
Guided by Shen Yuqin, they arrived at a snack street near Jiangnan University.
"The food here is amazing. I used to come here often while in school." Shen Yuqin said excitedly.
The snacks at this shop were something Ye Chenfeng had never tasted before; he was stunned by the first bite.
"Yuqin, the food here is simply fantastic, and this old soda is incredibly delicious too." Ye Chenfeng exclaimed.
"Since you like it so much, we can come back often." After saying this, Shen Yuqin blushed again, lowering her head.
She quickly realized that her words sounded like something a couple would say and wondered if Brother Ye might misunderstand. Thinking this, she sneaked a glance at Ye Chenfeng.
Seeing no reaction from him, Shen Yuqin sighed in relief.
But eating with Ye Chenfeng always made her heartbeat faster.
"I want to come here often from now on, but you’re paying since you offered!" Ye Chenfeng laughed.
"Big Brother Ye, you’re so stingy." Shen Yuqin pouted, her eyes filled with charm.
"Senior, is that you?" Suddenly, a very excited voice startled Ye Chenfeng and Shen Yuqin.
Looking up, they saw a guy in a gray tracksuit, with ordinary looks, wearing thick glasses, probably with over a thousand degrees prescription.
He looked average but was clean and tidy.
He had a scholarly appearance, carrying three thick books, causing a slight hunch due to their weight.
"Yang Zhe, is that you?" Shen Yuqin exclaimed, recognizing him as her junior from the economics academy, an exceptional scholar. He was not only outstanding in his major but also a versatile genius, knowledgeable in many fields, even researching Sanskrit and oracle bone script.
Shen Yuqin had heard rumors that Yang Zhe liked her.
"Senior, it’s been a long time since I saw you. Your phone number has been unreachable. I’m so excited to see you today! By the way, what brings you here?" Yang Zhe said, very excitedly, speaking quickly.
Ye Chenfeng was speechless, thinking: Of course, they come here to eat, what else? Connect to the Wi-Fi?
"Yang Zhe, I’m sorry, I changed my number a long time ago. I’m here today having dinner with a friend." Shen Yuqin smiled.
Yang Zhe excitedly asked, "What’s your new number, Senior? I’ll save it."
"No need." Shen Yuqin smiled.
Anyone with normal emotional intelligence would know Shen Yuqin was politely refusing.
But Yang Zhe didn’t get the hint: "Don’t worry, Senior. Just tell me once, and I’ll remember it."
"I trust your memory, you’re a top student, but really, it’s not necessary." Shen Yuqin politely declined.
To Ye Chenfeng’s surprise, Yang Zhe pulled out an old-fashioned phone and said, "If you’re not comfortable, I can save it on my phone."
Yang Zhe’s voice was so loud that many people in the restaurant heard him.
Everyone turned to look, some recognizing Yang Zhe.
"Isn’t that the top student of our school, Yang Zhe?"
"Is that Shen Yuqin?"
"There’s a rumor that Yang Zhe has always liked Shen Yuqin. She’s already graduated. Is he going to confess here?"
"If he does, that would be quite a scene."
As people gathered around, Shen Yuqin quickly said, "Yang Zhe, put your phone away. I’ll give you the number."
To demonstrate his memory, Yang Zhe put his phone away.
Unbeknownst to him, Shen Yuqin made up a random number, which Yang Zhe excitedly memorized and recited to confirm.
Ye Chenfeng couldn’t help but laugh, thinking: This guy’s emotional intelligence is really low. You won’t even call to confirm?
Senior actually gave me her phone number. I remember my roommate saying if a girl gives you her number, it means she likes you.
Could it be that Senior likes me? Certainly. She’s been out of school for a week and must have seen the ugliness of society.