ATMAWTPM Chapter 19

Chapter 19: It’s okay, I’m here.

Chapter 19: It’s okay, I’m here.

Ye Tingtong realized that confirming the date was not necessarily a good thing.

In just two days, he couldn’t help but wonder what clothes he should wear on Saturday. After the exam, should he go directly to the school gate, or go back to the dorm to put down his backpack first?

Would there be any smell on him after the exam? Should he change into a new set of clothes before going out…

Until the day of the exam, he hadn’t made up his mind.

Seeing that he was absent-minded and mumbling in front of the closet, Yu Hui thought that Ye Tingtong was worried about the exam and comforted him, “This subject isn’t that difficult. You’ve been reviewing for so long, you’ll definitely be fine.”

Ye Tingtong’s biggest weakness was Advanced Mathematics.

Song Wu also didn’t think there was any need to worry, and even had the leisure to discuss what to eat, “The barbecue place last time was pretty good, should we go have a feast after the exam?”

“You guys go, I’m not going.”

After Ye Tingtong finished speaking, he took out the light gray bear hoodie from the closet and put it on, wore a long white down jacket outside, matched with casual pants, both warm and good-looking.

Seeing him comparing himself in the mirror, Yu Hui teased, “Yo, is our Tongzai going on a date? He’s even dressing up now?”

In the past, when Ye Tingtong was with Shen Minghuai, he would always wear matching outfits. Recently, Ye Tingtong’s style of clothing seemed to have changed a lot. It wasn’t as refined as before, focusing on comfort and casualness.

Hearing his roommates’ teasing, Ye Tingtong explained, “It’s not a date.”

But he couldn’t find the right words to describe his meeting with Shen Jun, so he had to shut up and pretend to be reviewing in his seat.

Song Wu guessed, “Are you going out to eat with Minghuai?”

The two had always had a good relationship, so he subconsciously thought that Ye Tingtong would be with Shen Minghuai during this post-exam relaxation time.

Hearing this, Yu Hui remembered something, “Oh yeah, Minghuai just sent me a message asking if you were here, saying he’d come over later, he has something very important to ask you.”

Ye Tingtong frowned. What else was there to say between him and Shen Minghuai?

After the last annual meeting, Shen Minghuai had calmed down for a while. He was nowhere to be seen at school or in the dorm. If they happened to bump into each other, he would avoid him. Why did he suddenly have something to say now?

*

On the other side, at the Shen family villa.

Shen Minghuai was being questioned by his mother, Yao Mingzhu.

“Why haven’t you been seeing Xiao Ting recently?” Yao Mingzhu looked suspicious, “Did you two have a fight?”

At the last annual meeting, the two of them were awkward when they stood together, and their eyes didn’t even meet.

“Mom, why are you asking so many questions?” Shen Minghuai was a little impatient, “I’m already engaged to her, do I still need to coax her about everything? You want to spoil her like a princess, that’s your business, I’m not interested.”

Before, Yao Mingzhu ordered him not to contact or help Ye Tingtong, which was why Ye Tingtong was forced to marry Shen Jun to seek protection.

It would be a lie to say that he didn’t resent Yao Mingzhu, but Shen Minghuai didn’t dare to show it.

But who was Yao Mingzhu? How could she not guess what her son was thinking? She snorted coldly, “Are you blaming me now? If you were with that Ye Tingtong, our fourth branch would be finished.”

She only had this one son, and he was spoiled. He was lazy and useless, and when she sent him to the company to intern, he only worked for three days and then took two days off. It was so frustrating for her.

Luckily, they had boarded the Liang family’s ship.

Shen Minghuai was obviously unwilling, “Then why can my little uncle directly get a marriage certificate with Ye Tingtong, and even do it before telling anyone? I can’t even help him?”

If Yao Mingzhu had loosened up a bit, Ye Tingtong wouldn’t have ended up with Shen Jun.

“Shen Minghuai, are you really bewitched by that vixen?” Yao Mingzhu was furious and kicked him, “That’s Shen Jun, he dares to go head-to-head with even your grandmother, what else can’t he do? Are you trying to compete with him?”

Yao Mingzhu’s face was ugly, “Shen Jun chose to marry Ye Tingtong just to find an easy pawn. If you were to get involved with him, you’d probably be so infatuated that you’d throw our family’s wealth into it.”

The Ye family was a pit of fire, whoever jumped into it was a fool, but her son had only Ye Tingtong in his heart and eyes, and he was making trouble with her every day.

Shen Minghuai’s calf hurt from the kick, but he didn’t care about the pain, and asked, “Wait, what did you mean just now by saying that Shen Jun sees Ye Tingtong as a pawn?”

Yao Mingzhu’s forehead was twitching with anger, “Shen Minghuai, you’re not usually stupid, right? How come you can’t see this situation even now?”

“Your grandmother has always been trying to put people next to Shen Jun. Do you really think she’s trying to find him a caring partner?” Yao Mingzhu took a sip of tea to moisten her throat, “She wants to control Shen Jun’s bed partner, so that she can get information or shares.”

Shen Jun must have been aware of this, so he randomly found someone he knew well to get the marriage certificate, to avoid others from coveting his position.

Shen Minghuai’s expression went from surprise to joy, “So, they’re not sincere?”

Seeing him like this, Yao Mingzhu’s eyebrows jumped, “Shen Minghuai, I’m warning you, don’t get any funny ideas.”

Her stupid son wouldn’t be so stupid as to try to steal someone from Shen Jun, right? Especially a married man who is useless.

Shen Minghuai quickly lowered his head to conceal his expression, “What funny ideas could I have? I just suddenly remembered that I have an exam tonight.”

After speaking, he hurried out, “Mom, I’m going back to school!”

On the way, he sent messages to Yu Hui and the others, confirming that Ye Tingtong was still at school.

Shen Minghuai secretly thought that he was really confused by concern, and hadn’t noticed such an obvious thing.

If Shen Jun really had feelings for Ye Tingtong before marrying him, how could Ye Tingtong still be living in the dorm and eating in the cafeteria?

If he were in his place, he definitely wouldn’t let Ye Tingtong sleep on the narrow wooden bed at school, and would take him out to eat gourmet meals every day.

Moreover, during the days he was clinging to Ye Tingtong, Ye Tingtong was either reviewing or reviewing. He rarely looked at his phone, let alone make phone calls or send messages to anyone.

He would even believe it if someone told him Ye Tingtong and Shen Jun were strangers.

The more he thought about it, the happier Shen Minghuai became. He urged the driver, “Hurry up, I have something urgent.”

Ye Tingtong was eating in the cafeteria with Yu Hui and the others. He had just sat down with his food when someone plopped down next to him.

Shen Minghuai had a layer of sweat on his forehead, obviously from running. He took a breath, “Luckily, I made it!”

Ye Tingtong looked at the cafeteria tray in his hand, a question mark appearing above his head.

When did this young master become so enthusiastic about cafeteria food?

The cafeteria was a public place, he had no reason to drive him away, and he didn’t greet him either. He lowered his head and focused on eating, but after just one bite, a fried chicken leg suddenly appeared in his bowl.

Ye Tingtong turned his head to meet Shen Minghuai’s bright smile, “I specifically asked the server to add it. They said it was the last one, eat it!”

Even though he was a little tempted, Ye Tingtong still politely refused, “I can’t eat that much.”

After their last conversation, he and Shen Minghuai were already half-torn apart. He didn’t know what was wrong with Shen Minghuai, he came to talk to him again without any resentment. Anyway, he still felt awkward and uncomfortable.

Seeing that he didn’t appreciate it, Shen Minghuai wasn’t angry. Instead, he coaxed him in a low voice, “You don’t have an appetite today? Yeah, this chicken leg looks a bit greasy. I’ll order a milk tea, what would you like to drink?”

Young Master Shen was considered a celebrity at A University. He rarely appeared in the school cafeteria. Today, he didn’t know what was wrong with him, dressed so flamboyantly. Combined with his already handsome looks, he attracted a lot of attention as soon as he entered. He smiled at the boy next to him, and even when he was snubbed, he would coax him in a low voice, which was astonishing.

Ye Tingtong could already feel many people looking this way. He frowned, “Can you not talk like that?”

The gooey tone made his arms break out in goosebumps.

The smile on Shen Minghuai’s face stiffened slightly. After all, he was used to being the center of attention, and rarely had anyone reject him like this multiple times.

Seeing the atmosphere become awkward, Yu Hui said, “Hey, if you’re not going to eat this chicken leg, can you give it to me? My mouth is watering and you guys are still dragging your feet!”

After speaking, he unceremoniously took the chicken leg from Ye Tingtong’s bowl.

Song Wu laughed and fought with him, “Dorm leader, don’t eat it all by yourself, share some with me~”

The atmosphere returned to normal. Shen Minghuai didn’t say anything strange again, but he ordered milk tea for everyone after they finished eating. The other two had the signature drink, and only Ye Tingtong’s was the strawberry milk pudding he liked to drink.

Ye Tingtong’s sense of strangeness grew stronger, but Yu Hui and the others didn’t think anything was wrong. They even took the initiative to hand Ye Tingtong his milk tea.

Their thoughts were very simple, Ye Tingtong was the youngest, and his personality was soft. It was normal for him to be a bit delicate. Moreover, Ye Tingtong and Shen Minghuai’s relationship was indeed closer, and they were happy to have milk tea to drink.

Seeing Ye Tingtong hesitate even when drinking milk tea, Shen Minghuai took the initiative to put a straw in it and handed it over, “It’s hot, holding it will also warm your hands.”

Ye Tingtong held the milk tea in his hand, but he still couldn’t bring himself to drink it.

He knew that ordering milk tea was previously his responsibility. Shen Minghuai’s taste, the types he liked to drink at each milk tea shop, how much sugar to add and what toppings to add, he knew them all very well. He even had to remember the preferences of each of Shen Minghuai’s ambiguous partners.

Once, Shen Minghuai changed partners too frequently, and he accidentally mixed them up. That girl got angry, and Shen Minghuai blamed it on him. He didn’t take him out to play for a whole month.

It happened not long ago, but when Ye Tingtong recalled it, he felt it was both distant and strange.

Perhaps it was because he would never have to go through those things again.

In the end, the milk tea was placed in the corner of the dorm table by Ye Tingtong, untouched.

When it was almost time for the exam, the four roommates packed up their things and headed to the examination hall. Shen Minghuai quickly walked to Ye Tingtong’s side, “Want to have dinner together tonight? You know you don’t want to be too far from school recently, so let’s go to that tea restaurant we went to last time, you really liked their after-dinner desserts, right? I’ll book a table in advance.”

After he finished speaking, he called out to Yu Hui and the other two, “Let’s all go together.”

He thought that Yu Hui would help him speak, but Yu Hui awkwardly touched his nose, “Tongzai has a date tonight. I wanted to ask him out for dinner before, but he refused.”

Song Wu didn’t think so much, and casually said, “I thought Tongzai was going with you, so he’s not?”

This was really heartbreaking, and the smile on Shen Minghuai’s face froze at the corner of his mouth, “Who did you make a date with? It’s so mysterious, that even if I offer to treat you can’t join?”

Even though he already had a vague guess in his heart, he still didn’t want to believe it, and also felt it was impossible.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ye Tingtong refused, “No need.”

He wouldn’t let Shen Minghuai get in the way.

Shen Minghuai didn’t give up, and jokingly said, “Who exactly did you make a date with? It’s so mysterious that I can’t even be at the table when I offer to treat?”

The two had already arrived at the examination hall. Ye Tingtong found his seat and sat down to wait for the exam to start. Shen Minghuai still lingered by his side, unwilling to leave. He was also annoyed, and said directly, “I made a date with your little uncle, do you think he needs your treat?”

The tone of his voice wasn’t loud, but it was decisive, making Shen Minghuai’s expression instantly turn ugly. He couldn’t say a word for a long time.

His worth was too far behind Shen Jun’s.

Five minutes before the start of the exam, the invigilator came in. Seeing Shen Minghuai standing blankly in the middle of the classroom, he glanced at his student ID and seat, and said in a deep voice, “Student, please go back to your seat. Don’t disturb the order of the examination hall.”

Even if Shen Minghuai was angry, he couldn’t argue with the teacher in front of everyone. He had to walk back with a dark face.

When the exam started, Ye Tingtong was still quite uncomfortable, feeling that there was a pair of eyes staring at him behind his back.

Was Shen Minghuai out of his mind? He got engaged to Liang Yuting, and he had never made a scene. Why did Shen Minghuai keep coming over to stir up trouble after he married Shen Jun?

Ye Tingtong even started to wonder if he had offended Shen Minghuai before. Was Shen Minghuai holding a grudge, so he didn’t want him to have a good time?

However, he couldn’t figure out the reason, so he immersed himself in the questions and stopped paying attention to the person behind him.

As the time to submit the exam was approaching, Ye Tingtong looked at his filled-up paper and was very satisfied.

However, after escaping from the sea of questions, he felt the gaze from behind again.

Was Shen Minghuai going to keep doing this?

He carefully covered his paper. In just a few minutes, Ye Tingtong felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. When the bell rang, he quickly got up and submitted the paper. He hurriedly rolled his pen up and rushed out the door.

Shen Minghuai was a bit obsessed, it was better to avoid contact.

To avoid people, Ye Tingtong deliberately took a long way around, intending to take the stairs behind the comprehensive building near the small door.

He was walking and took out his phone to contact Shen Jun to confirm the meeting location. He discovered that the other party had sent him a message five minutes ago.

[Shen Jun: Tell me when you finish the exam.]

[Ye Tingtong: I’m done with the exam! I’m walking towards the school gate now, I’ll be there within ten minutes.]

His slightly bad mood was smoothed out by a message from Shen Jun.

He hadn’t taken the initiative to contact Shen Jun before the exam, firstly because he was afraid that he would talk too much and be annoying, and secondly because he was worried that Shen Jun would be too busy and forget about their agreement.

He couldn’t expect Shen Jun to be as excited about this meeting as he was. Perhaps the other day, the other party had seen his expression was too pitiful, and just wanted to take him out for another meal, like giving alms to a cat or dog.

Fortunately, Shen Jun remembered and came to the appointment in advance! Ye Tingtong felt like he was walking lighter.

When he reached the stairwell, the phone in Ye Tingtong’s pocket rang, it should be Shen Jun replying. He was about to check it when a voice filled with anger suddenly came from behind him, “Ye Tingtong, why are you running!”

Shen Minghuai sat in the examination hall for several hours. He couldn’t do the questions, and Ye Tingtong ignored him. His anger was burning stronger and stronger.

Ye Tingtong, who was well aware of Shen Minghuai’s temper, knew that now wasn’t a good time to communicate with him. Just as he was about to run down, his arm was grabbed.

Shen Minghuai pulled him in front of him and angrily said, “Are you in such a hurry to see him?”

“What’s so good about him? You’ve only known him for a few days, and you’re already rushing to stick to him?”

These words carried a clear sense of demeaning. Ye Tingtong forcefully broke free from the grip on his arm, “I don’t know what madness you’re on, but now I’m married to Shen Jun, you’re with Liang Yuting, everyone should mind their own business. If you don’t want to be friends with me, stay away from me.”

He originally thought that as long as he didn’t cling to Shen Minghuai, the two of them wouldn’t have any interaction. Shen Jun didn’t need him to accompany him to various high-end occasions, he just needed to study hard at school.

And Shen Minghuai had only come to school a handful of times in the past month, so it should be difficult for them to even meet.

But Shen Minghuai was stubbornly clinging to him, and he couldn’t shake him off.

He gritted his teeth, and his tone was very harsh, “When I was clinging to you before, why didn’t you have any objections? I could only revolve around you, like your so-called friends said, be your follower, right?”

“Shen Minghuai, are you sick!”

Ye Tingtong rarely lost his temper, but once he did, he would not hold back at all. His words were like a string of firecrackers, slamming Shen Minghuai into a daze.

“I didn’t mean that…” Shen Minghuai also realized that what he said was wrong, and quickly tried to salvage the situation, “I just don’t want you to be so close to my little uncle.”

He lowered his eyes, looking sincere and affectionate, “I already know that you’re in a fake marriage, and I can also understand that you resent me for not reaching out when you needed it the most, but I have my reasons.”

“Can’t you give me a chance?”

Ye Tingtong’s eyes widened, “Do you know what you’re saying, Shen Minghuai!”

He was Shen Jun’s legal partner, in other words, he was Shen Minghuai’s elder. What nonsense was this engaged man talking about!

“I know!” Shen Minghuai’s eyes were red, filled with unwillingness and bitterness, but also with determination, “I won’t actually marry Liang Yuting, and Shen Jun doesn’t have to have you, I can introduce him to someone more suitable, and even give up some benefits to make him give you back to me.”

These words made Ye Tingtong feel shocked and panicked.

His lips turned pale, and he took a few steps back, but Shen Minghuai still wouldn’t let him go.

“I can study hard, and even intern at the company. My parents only have one son, and my grandmother has also said that as long as I’m ambitious, she can give me the shares she has.” Shen Minghuai stepped forward, “Tongzai, give me time, I will definitely not be worse than Shen Jun.”

Ye Tingtong didn’t want to listen, and forcefully covered his ears, “Shut up!”

Shen Minghuai wanted to pull him, but Ye Tingtong turned and ran. However, he forgot that there were stairs behind him, and he stumbled, falling heavily.

The world spun around, and Ye Tingtong rolled down several steps before stopping.

He felt a piercing pain in his ankle and couldn’t sit up for a while.

Shen Minghuai also panicked and quickly went downstairs, “Tongzai, are you okay? I’ll call 120!”

“No need.” Ye Tingtong’s lips were bitten with a row of teeth marks from the pain, and cold sweat was dripping down his face, “I just twisted my foot.”

He was wearing thick clothes in winter, and he had protected his head in time, it was just his ankle that hurt.

“Then you might have fractured it!” Shen Minghuai wanted to pick him up, “I’ll take you to the nearest infirmary to take a look.”

But where had this young master ever taken care of anyone? When he helped him up, he used the wrong force, and Ye Tingtong’s right foot hit the wall next to him, causing him to gasp in pain.

“Let me be.” Ye Tingtong pushed Shen Minghuai away forcefully and sat back down on the ground, “I’ll call Yu Hui and the others.”

They were all taking the exam in this building, just not in the same exam hall, so they shouldn’t have gone too far yet.

Just as Ye Tingtong grabbed his phone, it rang. After he saw the name on the caller ID, the first thing he said after picking up the phone was an apology, “I’m sorry, I had a bit of an accident here, I can’t have dinner with you.”

Shen Jun paused, “What’s wrong?”

Compared to Ye Tingtong’s chaotic state, Shen Jun’s voice was gentle and steady, and his low voice clearly reached his ears.

The ground was cold and bone-chilling, and his ankle was throbbing with pain. Ye Tingtong suddenly felt wronged, and sniffled, “I accidentally twisted my ankle when I was going downstairs, I’m sorry.”

Hearing his continuous apologies, Shen Jun’s eyes darkened, “You don’t need to apologize for this kind of thing.”

He looked at the teaching building in front of him, where people were coming and going, and asked, “Where are you now? I’m at the entrance of the comprehensive building.”

Ye Tingtong was stunned for a moment. The comprehensive building was where he took the exam, “I’m at the small door.”

In less than two minutes, Ye Tingtong saw a familiar figure appear at the door.

Shen Jun was not wearing a suit today. A simple black coat made him look tall and imposing, and his face was cold and stern. As he approached, a gust of cold wind came in.

Shen Minghuai didn’t expect him to arrive so quickly. He braced himself and stood in front of Ye Tingtong, “Little uncle, I will take responsibility for this, you don’t have to–”

“I’m not interested in listening to your nonsense.” Shen Jun interrupted him, with a flash of hostility in his eyes, “Get out of here.”

His tone was cold and forceful.

Shen Minghuai clenched and then released his hands at his sides, and didn’t block him anymore.

Shen Jun walked past him. When he saw the pitiful figure with a pale face on the ground, the momentum he had disappeared like a tide. He bent down and carefully picked up Ye Tingtong,

“It’s okay, I’m here.”