Chapter 64
The autumn wind brushed past, and maple leaves fell, then fluttered up again.
Holding the roses in his arms, Yu Chen walked through campus with a warm face.
Inside the lecture hall, Wang Lei and the others had already saved seats. Seeing that Yu Chen had come late for once—and was even carrying a bouquet of white roses—they gathered together and teased him. “What can I say? Our Yu Chen really is charming, getting such a huge bouquet of roses first thing in the morning.”
Suppressing the heat at the tips of his ears, Yu Chen pretended to stay calm. “He gave them to me.”
“Oho!”
“Oho!”
The few of them immediately began hooting together.
With a sly grin, Wang Lei reached over to touch Yu Chen’s roses. “Not gonna lie, that white moonlight of yours really is handsome. Now that he’s back in the country, is he leaving again?”
“He graduated early.” The moment Yu Chen mentioned it, the corners of his lips could not help lifting. “He reported to the company today.”
Twisting around in his seat, Chen Xing asked, “Can you maybe reveal a little about the job prospects for an MIT top student?”
Yu Chen answered vaguely, “Him? He’s helping out with the family business.”
“That white moonlight of Yu Chen’s—no need to guess, he’s definitely some rich young master from a wealthy family. He’s obviously gone back to inherit the family company.” Wang Lei laughed as he teased him. “Yu Chen, if you strike it rich, don’t forget us! If one day you become the chairman’s spouse of some giant corporation, don’t forget us poor relatives.”
“Don’t worry. If I make it big, I won’t forget you guys.”
Yu Chen had just logged into WeChat on his laptop when he received a message from the counselor.
“Food Culture Festival…”
Wang Lei immediately explained, “Our school holds a food culture festival every winter. If you want to sell something there that day, you can apply.”
Yu Chen looked through photos from previous years and suddenly felt a little tempted. But he had far too much coursework. If he applied to be a vendor, he would probably be worked to death.
Just as Yu Chen was sitting there troubled, Xiao Yu sent him a WeChat message.
[Xiao Yu: Fat Chenchén, let’s go out and eat this afternoon.]
[Yu Chen: Can’t, Boss is back. I need to go home and prepare dinner.]
[Xiao Yu: You two are living together already?]
[Yu Chen: No, he bought a place near my university.]
[Xiao Yu: Be careful then, Fat Chenchén. You’re about to get eaten clean.]
[Yu Chen: Shy puppy jpg.]
That morning’s topic was ecology.
After class, while Yu Chen was packing up his bag, Song Wenjing came over to him. “Yu Chen, I want to discuss something with you.”
Wang Lei and the others all looked over curiously, sizing Song Wenjing up.
“What is it?” Yu Chen was in a hurry to get home and change clothes. In the afternoon, he still had to accompany Professor Lin to an event.
“This summer, a lab under my dad is recruiting project members. There are two spots. Are you interested?”
Yu Chen paused. “What research direction?”
A smile lingered in Song Wenjing’s eyes. “The one you like—oceanography.”
“Thank you for the invitation, but this opportunity should be pretty valuable. Shouldn’t you consider someone else first?”
Ever since Yu Chen first came into contact with oceanography, he had fallen completely in love with it. Coincidentally, he did not want to waste the summer, so if he could study in a lab group working on a matching field, that would be even better.
“Everyone else is going home for the summer and isn’t interested in the ocean.” Song Wenjing sent the project proposal to Yu Chen. “Think it over. If you’re willing, we can report there together in the summer.”
“Alright, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The moment Song Wenjing left, Wang Lei and the others instantly crowded around.
“I heard Song Wenjing’s dad is kind of amazing. The way he pulled this move… feels a little suspicious?”
Chen Xing said, “What’s suspicious about it? He wants to pursue Yu Chen, obviously.”
Wang Lei said, “But Yu Chen already has someone. Didn’t he see that the other day?”
Chen Xing joked, “Probably wanted one last shot.”
“I’m out of time, I’m leaving first.” Yu Chen had no time to keep chatting with them and rushed downstairs in a whirlwind.
On the way to the academic conference with Professor Lin, he carefully looked through the project proposal Song Wenjing had sent him. That lab’s topic was research into exploitable deep-sea resources. He had seen it before in a life sciences SCI journal and had been very interested back then.
But for Song Wenjing to invite him into such a sought-after project, there was probably some selfish motive mixed in as well.
If he accepted it as though it were the most natural thing in the world, that would not be quite appropriate.
After thinking it over again and again, he decided to turn it down.
Seeing how absorbed Yu Chen was, Professor Lin teased him. “Working that hard?”
“No, it’s just a project invitation Song Wenjing sent me.” Two dimples appeared at the corners of Yu Chen’s lips. “I want to find something to do this summer.”
Professor Lin nodded approvingly. “Work hard. Young people should accumulate more hands-on experience. It’ll help in the future.”
Yu Chen nodded shyly. “Got it.”
This academic conference had invited many well-known professors in the field of biology. Yu Chen listened with great interest, though his gaze kept drifting toward the tea break area, wondering what he should eat later.
Seeing him turn his head over and over again, Professor Lin patted his hand. “If you’re hungry, go eat.”
Caught red-handed, Yu Chen’s face reddened, and he bent his eyes sheepishly.
Three hours later, the conference ended.
Professor Lin had originally wanted to invite Yu Chen to a meal, but when Yu Chen told him he already had plans, Professor Lin did not press him.
Professor Lin teased, “Is it that boy who came to class with you the other day?”
Yu Chen’s heartbeat suddenly sped up for no reason. “Mm-hmm.”
Professor Lin sighed. “I keep feeling like he looks familiar. I may have seen him somewhere before. Where are you young lovebirds going for your date tonight?”
Yu Chen answered, “I have to wait for him to get off work.”
Professor Lin frowned lightly, then thought seriously again. “Does that boy happen to have the surname He?”
Yu Chen’s mind went blank for an instant, and panic flashed through him.
He had almost forgotten—Professor Lin was very well-known in Hai City’s academic circles. In the past, He Zhen had worked on research with so many famous professors, so it was perfectly normal for the two of them to have met.
Afraid that what he had with He Zhen might somehow reach Grandpa He’s ears, Yu Chen hid his emotions and smiled. “His surname isn’t He.”
Professor Lin smiled. “Then I must have remembered wrong.”
At seven in the evening, He Zhen was driven home by He Heng.
Today had been He Zhen’s first day at work, and many of his actions had surprised He Heng. Based on He Zhen’s personality, He Heng had assumed he would first call a board meeting and strike a blow against those old men on the board who liked forming factions. But He Zhen had appeared remarkably steady. He had spent the entire day in the important archives, familiarizing himself with the operating procedures of every branch of the company and the latest reports from each department.
Even more surprising, when they ran into a mid-level manager after work, He Zhen had actually been able to identify the man’s department and name.
“Young Master He, you’ve worked hard today. Have a good rest.”
He Heng glanced at the time. “The dinner I arranged for you will be arriving soon.”
“No need. Yu Chen is making dinner for me at home.” The moment Yu Chen was mentioned, the fatigue in He Zhen’s heart was instantly swept away. He fastened his watch and unbuckled his seatbelt. “Today’s workload was alright—not even a third of how busy I get during finals.”
He Heng said sincerely, “Looks like you had a hard time in America.”
“It’s better to work hard.” He Zhen looked out at the completely darkened sky. “If I’m not strong enough myself, how could I protect the person I want to protect?”
He Heng smiled. “Well said.”
“I want to trouble you with something.” He Zhen sent two names over to He Heng. “Help me look into this couple. Let me know if you find anything.”
He Heng’s expression grew thoughtful. “This person’s surname is Yu?”
“They abused Yu Chen before and nearly kidnapped him.” He Zhen had already gotten out of the car. “Thank you.”
He Heng smiled. “That’s part of my job.”
Looking at He Zhen’s retreating back, the doubts in He Heng’s heart only grew stronger. He had always known Yu Chen was important to He Zhen, but he had not realized he was this important. Just now, when He Zhen mentioned Yu Chen making dinner, even his eyes had changed. That was not something ordinary friends could reach.
Fifteen years ago, Grandpa He had once asked him to investigate this couple. They had been acting under the orders of He Zhen’s two uncles, trying to take Yu Chen away. As for why those two uncles had wanted to target Yu Chen in the first place, that remained an unsolved mystery even now.
At that time, Yu Chen had only been four years old.
After thinking about it for a long time, He Heng suppressed the questions in his heart for the time being.
In the dining room, Yu Chen watched He Zhen nervously, afraid the food he had made would not suit He Zhen’s tastes.
To his surprise, He Zhen—who had always carried himself with elegance—was eating with rare roughness, finishing a whole bowl of rice in just a few minutes.
“Slow down.” A faint smile hid in Yu Chen’s eyes as he helped refill his bowl. “I’m starting to suspect you didn’t even eat lunch.”
“I had two bites. Today was pretty busy.” Looking at Yu Chen’s back, He Zhen added, “Most importantly, what you make tastes good.”
Yu Chen showed a proud smile. “Of course. I inherited my dad’s skill.”
“How was your academic conference today?” He Zhen took the bowl from him and thanked him.
“As for me, I gained a lot.” Yu Chen held his chopsticks in both hands, then suddenly remembered Professor Lin’s question. “Boss, Professor Lin asked today whether your surname is He.”
His brows had still not relaxed, and his tone carried some concern. “He probably has seen you before. And now that he knows about us, I’m worried the wind might carry this to Grandpa’s ears.”
Ever since He Zhen returned, Yu Chen had been thinking about this constantly. His head was full of bad assumptions. If, when he was younger, his worry and unease had only been an imagined possibility, now it had become a real problem sitting right in front of them.
He knew how deep He Zhen’s bond with Grandpa He was.
And he understood his own bond with Grandpa He more clearly than anyone.
These past two years, Grandpa He had treated him like a real grandson. When he found out Yu Chen was coming to Fuda, he even arranged for the villa nearby to be transferred into Yu Chen’s name. If Li Huan had not stopped it, the transfer would have gone through the very next day.
Yu Chen had never lived alone before. Living in a villa honestly frightened him. That was why Li Huan used it as an excuse to refuse, and instead paid out of pocket to buy him a smaller apartment.
Li Huan often reminded him that the He family had done them great kindness. They could not forget where their roots were, much less grow greedy.
When it came to housing and things like that, since they had the money themselves, they still ought to handle it on their own.
If one day Grandpa He truly could not accept him and He Zhen, Yu Chen had no idea how he would face Grandpa He’s disappointment and heartbreak.
And for He Zhen, Grandpa’s disappointment would be even harder to bear.
At that moment, He Zhen lightly hooked his pinky finger around Yu Chen’s.
Yu Chen suddenly looked up.
“You don’t need to worry about this. Because—” He Zhen’s gaze deepened as he raised a hand to smooth the crease between Yu Chen’s brows. “Even if the wind reaches his ears, by then he’ll already have agreed to us.”
“Really?” Yu Chen lowered his eyes uneasily. “What if he doesn’t accept it?”
At this moment, he did not dare meet He Zhen’s eyes.
Even though he knew He Zhen’s feelings for him.
He was just afraid… what if…
“Leave it to me. Don’t overthink it.” He Zhen joked, “At worst, we’ll just elope.”
“As if I’d elope with you.” Yu Chen was amused at last and muttered with his head lowered, “From where I stand, when the time comes, you’ll probably just marry some rich young lady or some wealthy young master who matches your status, and by then you’ll have forgotten all about me.”
After saying that, Yu Chen deliberately gave a little huff.
The tip of his small nose was damp with sweat, and it wrinkled in grievance.
He Zhen looked at him in silence for a moment.
Then he stood and quietly walked over to sit beside Yu Chen.
“What rich daughters and sons of wealthy families?” He Zhen took Yu Chen’s tense hand in his and spoke in a low voice. “In my heart, there’s only one chubby baby who loves little cakes.”
Yu Chen’s heart suddenly skipped half a beat, and in an instant it turned hot.
“I know what you’re worried about. There really isn’t any perfect way to tell him, but trust me—I’ll protect you and Uncle from being hurt as much as possible.”
Yu Chen tilted his head slightly. “Really?”
“Mm.” The light reflected in He Zhen’s eyes, and there was a quiet determination in them. “I already have a plan. I’m carrying it out step by step.”
“What plan?” The moment He Zhen turned mysterious, Yu Chen’s eyes lit up at once. “Hurry up and tell me.”
A smile that was not quite a smile deepened in He Zhen’s dark eyes. “That eager?”
“Hey, I’m just curious.” Yu Chen wrinkled his nose lightly. “Even if you’re still pursuing me, I still have to plan our future, right?”
He Zhen gave a meaningful hum. “You really want to know?”
“From where I’m sitting, you’re just bluffing me.” A trace of dissatisfaction leaked into Yu Chen’s eyes, and he deliberately used provocation. “Maybe you’re just waiting to marry some wealthy heiress.”
As he said that, he quietly studied He Zhen’s expression, trying to find his own answer in his eyes.
“Poor me, running into a heartless man! After studying abroad for two and a half years, you came back this tall and this handsome. There’s probably no place for me in your heart anymore.”
Yu Chen played up his misery, deliberately whining twice, all thunder and no rain, his shoulders trembling in grievance.
He Zhen was amused by the sight of him and tilted his head to look at him. “Chubby baby, can we be a little reasonable?”
Yu Chen lay against the table and deliberately covered his ears.
“I really do have a plan. I’m not lying to you about that.” He Zhen’s tone suddenly turned perfectly serious, making Yu Chen quietly loosen his hands a little.
“If you really want to know, then I’ll need to collect a patent fee in advance.” He Zhen gave a soft sigh, his dark gaze falling on Yu Chen’s face, and a trace of helplessness appeared in his expression. “How about trading one kiss for it?”
