Chapter 12: Cultivating Feelings
The first image Zhao Yuheng received was actually a selfie sent by Shen Shuyi.
It was taken with the front camera, capturing the top of Shen Shuyi’s round head and a pair of eyes still burning with anger, glaring resentfully at the camera.
It looked like a photo a cat at home might accidentally take while pawing at a phone.
Within less than 0.1 seconds, Shen Shuyi had already retracted it.
[Shen Shuyi: Damn! I forgot to switch the camera!! Don’t save the pic!!!]
Too late—Zhao Yuheng had saved the selfie in just 0.05 seconds.
He replied to Shen Shuyi, feigning surprise: [What photo? I didn’t see it.]
Shen Shuyi let out a sigh of relief.
His scalp tingled with embarrassment. How unlucky can one man get? He almost accidentally sent out a selfie so ugly, the original photo no less!
Remember, this is the type of man who, if hit by a car and thrown ten meters away, would still crawl over to his phone just to delete his original selfie. His ego as an idol was enormous.
The second image was the actual correct location Shen Shuyi had intended to send.
Zhao Yuheng zoomed in and studied it, noticing that Shen Shuyi had parked near the HKU library.
The spot was indeed a bit secluded. Even students who had already studied at HKU for a semester could easily get lost around there.
Thinking back on his earlier attitude toward Shen Shuyi, Zhao Yuheng felt a faint twinge of guilt.
But he quickly adjusted his mindset.
There was no reason to feel guilty toward a capitalist who demolished houses for profit—doing so would be a betrayal of the proletariat.
Finding Shen Shuyi wasn’t hard.
He was like a little sun that naturally radiated light, sparkling in any crowd.
Shen Shuyi’s presence attracted attention like fire draws moths. Soon, Zhao Yuheng followed the flow of people and found him.
At the main entrance of the HKU library, a flamboyantly modified Ferrari supercar was parked arrogantly.
Its sleek, dazzling body screamed for attention. The license plate was a custom abbreviation of the owner’s name, followed by a string of consecutive “1”s. Just the plate alone could probably buy an apartment in Hong Kong.
Shen Shuyi leaned casually against the Ferrari, playing with his phone, oblivious to anyone around.
Passersby couldn’t take their eyes off him.
Today, he wore a cropped black jacket that exposed a slim, soft waist. Underneath was a silk cardigan shirt with a wide-open collar, revealing a lace white mesh inner layer over his chest and abdomen. The belt was replaced with a few thin white ribbons loosely tied around his hips, with the excess hanging almost to the ground.
His long, fair swan neck was wrapped with a matching lace scarf, and exaggerated cat-eye sunglasses covered most of his face.
His lower half was clad in loose, ripped jeans, giving off a Rococo-style vibe—exquisite and high-end, yet a little lazy and casual.
The young master was in his element, standing confidently as the visual center of the crowd, more relaxed than any top-tier supermodel.
His aura was both cool and imposing; when silent, he exuded an unapproachable coldness.
Countless people tried sneaking photos, but none dared approach him.
Shen Shuyi was strikingly sharp and flamboyant.
On his way over, Zhao Yuheng overheard students whispering:
“Who the hell is that? A celebrity? So beautiful.”
“OMG, that Ferrari is worth five million!!!”
“Such good taste… Could he be from the art department?”
“Wake up, we don’t even have an art department at HKU… must be some rich second-generation guy picking up his girlfriend.”
Exaggerated whispers of admiration filled Zhao Yuheng’s ears. He looked up.
Was he really that good-looking?
It seemed… okay. Not as striking as the all-black suit Shen Shuyi wore at the villa in Shallow Bay, adorned with only a small white jasmine on the chest. Simple, clean, elegant, and showing off a slim waist.
Shen Shuyi noticed Zhao Yuheng from afar but didn’t greet him—he had sworn he wouldn’t talk to him today.
When Zhao Yuheng approached, the crowd no longer focused on Shen Shuyi, but on the two of them together.
Zhao Yuheng didn’t mind. Apart from his grandfather and money, he rarely cared about anything else.
Out of courtesy, he greeted Shen Shuyi pleasantly: “Waited long?”
Shen Shuyi didn’t respond, not even taking off his sunglasses.
The sunglasses represented a dark barrier, a seal over his heart to make himself cold—today, he wouldn’t talk to Zhao Yuheng.
Zhao Yuheng remembered—Shen Shuyi was still angry.
“Still mad?”
Hmm hmm hmm, only an interjection, not speaking, Shen Shuyi explained silently.
Zhao Yuheng handed him the milk tea, joking flatly: “Here, fire extinguisher.”
Shen Shuyi: …
The next moment, he couldn’t hold it in and lost his composure.
He laughed and scolded: “You’re crazy! What kind of joke is that? Not funny at all!”
Hahaha.
Shen Shuyi silently took the milk tea, suppressing the smile at the corner of his mouth, finally removing his sunglasses.
Zhao Yuheng glanced at him and had to admit, Shen Shuyi looked really good today.
Fashion really is about the face.
Shen Shuyi took a sip of milk tea, finally calming down. He decided to forgive Zhao Yuheng for now.
Seeing his softened attitude, Zhao Yuheng asked: “Can we talk now?”
“Depends.” Shen Shuyi replied.
“Sorry.” Zhao Yuheng suddenly spoke.
Shen Shuyi was startled, almost spitting out the milk tea he’d just taken.
Zhao Yuheng’s tone was calm but sincere: “I didn’t know you got lost near the library. The paths here are hard to find.”
Shen Shuyi was initially shocked that this stubborn guy actually said sorry, then immediately pouted: “Of course! Not just the library, your university is hard to find too! I drove an hour to get here.”
Zhao Yuheng wanted to say he didn’t need to come if it was far, but Shen Shuyi’s mood had just improved slightly. Saying that might make him sulk forever, so he held back.
Shen Shuyi started complaining again: “And that guard at your school entrance… I won’t even talk about him! He wouldn’t let me in the front gate, forced me to use the west gate. Where’s west? How am I supposed to know?”
“Mm.” Zhao Yuheng obediently replied: “The guard’s fault.”
“Exactly!” Shen Shuyi fumed. “And the road! Full of bumps, can’t walk properly, my feet are killing me!”
“Right.” Zhao Yuheng looked at the smooth asphalt and, following the principle of ‘less trouble is better,’ agreed: “The road’s at fault.”
He paused and kindly asked: “Do you want me to step on it a few times for you?”
Shen Shuyi: ?
Shen Shuyi looked at him in disbelief: “You’re insane? Treat me like a three-year-old? Have me stomp the road if I fall?”
Exactly, Zhao Yuheng thought calmly.
“I’m burning under the sun.” Shen Shuyi complained for a while, then finally changed the subject awkwardly: “You said you have a class in ten minutes… still enough time?”
Zhao Yuheng was a bit stunned—he hadn’t expected Shen Shuyi to remember.
Shen Shuyi didn’t notice his expression and hesitated slightly: “It’s okay if you’re late… can’t leave you at the door.”
Zhao Yuheng’s irritation melted away.
“No problem, it’s fine.”
“Really?” Shen Shuyi was skeptical.
More importantly, he realized coming to find Zhao Yuheng was sudden; normally, dates required advance notice.
But the 24 million yuan dose from Shen Lu required immediate action—he had to show full support for this arranged engagement, or risk the diamonds disappearing.
His tone softened: “Next time I come, I’ll notify you in advance.”
…Next time? Zhao Yuheng felt disaster looming.
Seconds later, Shen Shuyi urged him: “Hurry up! Don’t just stand there. Find your next classroom!”
Zhao Yuheng checked his schedule. Shen Shuyi pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head, peered over, and Zhao Yuheng immediately smelled the sweet fragrance.
He looked at the schedule for a while, but couldn’t find the next classroom.
Shen Shuyi helped, pointing: “Is it this one? Building 11, 4th floor, 407.”
“You study translation? Next class is Business Interpretation, what language?” Shen Shuyi asked, excited.
“French.”
“…Oh.”
Shen Shuyi took a sip of one of the two milk teas Zhao Yuheng bought, tasting it.
Zhao Yuheng couldn’t find anywhere to leave the drinks near the Ferrari.
With greetings done and milk tea bought, Zhao Yuheng was ready to say goodbye.
Unexpectedly, Shen Shuyi grabbed his bag from the passenger seat and said: “Lead the way.”
“?”
Zhao Yuheng reacted: “You’re coming with me to class?”
“Of course.” Shen Shuyi replied confidently.
After all, he’d traveled far just to come here. How else would he cultivate feelings if he didn’t stay a bit?
This was also a way to prove to Shen Lu that he was making the effort to bond with Zhao Yuheng.
Business Interpretation ended, and Shen Shuyi didn’t drink another sip.
Zhao Yuheng used the class time efficiently—the milk tea was sweet and cloying, just like Shen Shuyi himself.
Shen Shuyi seemed unfamiliar with domestic universities. Coincidentally, the HKU cherry blossoms were in bloom, so after class he insisted Zhao Yuheng take some photos downstairs.
One set for social media, one to report to his brother—his wrist was missing a Vacheron Constantin that needed matching.
Shen Shuyi had fun; Zhao Yuheng’s mood grew heavier.
After taking a few photos, Zhao Yuheng finally spoke: “Shen Shuyi, what exactly are you doing here today?”
Shen Shuyi, holding a half-heart gesture to the camera, kept it in place and answered: “I told you, to cultivate feelings with you. Take the photos!”
Zhao Yuheng frowned: “There’s no feelings between us to cultivate.” He pressed the shutter.
Shen Shuyi reviewed the photos, satisfied, not bothered by Zhao Yuheng: “Exactly, that’s why they need cultivating.”
Zhao Yuheng rubbed his forehead, thinking this rich second-gen’s emotional values were skewed.
He reminded gently: “Shen Shuyi, didn’t you say you have a boyfriend?”
Oh. Shen Shuyi remembered: “But didn’t you say you don’t mind?”
Zhao Yuheng: ?
Shen Shuyi patted his shoulder: “Don’t worry, I didn’t tell my boyfriend about you.”
Their relationship was purely a business engagement for family benefit. Unlike with Li Sijia, which was a love match.
Shen Shuyi honestly: “You’re not like my boyfriend.”
He leaned in, speaking just for them: “Between us, there’s only money and benefit. Understand?”
Author’s note:
Little Zhao: Pupils tremble! He… won’t… try to… support me…?
