ATMAWTPM Chapter 14

Chapter 14 That was indeed very dark.

Chapter 14 That was indeed very dark.

Ye Tingtong didn’t choose to live in the expensive Taizi Bay. The next morning, he took the clothes Shen Jun had bought for him and rushed back to school.

Last night, Yu Hui had messaged him, saying that the teacher would be calling roll in the last Advanced Mathematics class tomorrow, and anyone who didn’t show up would fail the course directly!

The good thing was that Ye Tingtong made it to the roll call; the bad thing was that the final exams for all subjects were coming up soon, and failing them would still result in failing the course.

After the Advanced Mathematics class, dorm leader Yu Hui saw Ye Tingtong’s gloomy face and patted his backpack. “What’s the panic? The essence of everything I’ve summarized is in here. I’ll organize it and send you a copy when we get back.”

Ye Tingtong exclaimed, “I won’t thank you verbally. Let’s go, let’s go, lunch at the cafeteria is on me!”

Shen Jun had already transferred 100,000 yuan to his card. Ye Tingtong first transferred ten yuan to his assistant Liu Hao, then topped up his campus card with one thousand.

It was more than enough to treat people to a meal at the cafeteria.

Yu Hui looked at his generous appearance and teased, “It’s only been a few days, and Tongzai has become a rich man? Then I’m having a large serving of spicy hot pot today!”

Another person in the dorm chimed in, “Then I’ll have a spicy hot pot with all meat!”

The three of them walked out, laughing and joking. Ye Tingtong was secretly calculating his wallet balance when suddenly someone grabbed his arm from behind. He thought it was Yu Hui and said quickly, “No more extra dishes!”

But when he looked up, he saw Yu Hui right in front of him.

Ye Tingtong turned his head and met Shen Minghuai’s surprised face.

“You’re okay?” Shen Minghuai checked Ye Tingtong up and down. “You weren’t hurt, were you?”

When he first met Ye Tingtong, Ye Tingtong had said that he would be beaten if he didn’t listen. He hadn’t taken it seriously before, thinking it was just an act, until he saw the message Yu Huanhuan sent him, saying that Ye Tingtong was being chased by the Ye family. Then he realized that Ye Tingtong was in real danger.

Ye Tingtong looked at Shen Minghuai’s worried expression and shook his head. “I’m okay.”

Yu Hui saw him come over and asked, “Minghuai, why are you here? I told you the teacher was calling roll before, and you didn’t react at all?”

Shen Minghuai glanced at him. “A classmate said they saw Tongzai come to class and messaged me.”

Ye Tingtong didn’t reply to his messages, and his roommates helped him cover it up, so he had spent a little money to get other students to inform him of Ye Tingtong’s whereabouts immediately.

Yu Hui could hear the blame in Shen Minghuai’s words and awkwardly touched his nose. “So have you two made up or not? You’re always putting me in the middle; it’s so hard.”

Earlier, Ye Tingtong had said that he had quarreled with Shen Minghuai and forbade him to pass on any information.

With the question thrown out, everyone’s eyes turned to Ye Tingtong.

Ye Tingtong, stared at by three pairs of eyes, pursed his lips. “We’ve kind of made up.”

He had already obtained his marriage certificate with Shen Jun and could no longer have any entanglement with Shen Minghuai. It was better to interact with him openly. Besides, Shen Jun was still Shen Minghuai’s uncle!

Shen Minghuai didn’t expect to hear this answer and tentatively asked, “Tongzai, are you really not bothered anymore?”

Ye Tingtong knew that Shen Minghuai was talking about the engagement, and he nodded, his eyes calm. “Yes.”

He used to hold a grudge against Shen Minghuai. He had emphasized to him many times that if he had a girlfriend or anything else, he must tell him. However, Shen Minghuai deliberately concealed it, and it was not until the moment before the engagement that he learned the news from someone else.

During the time he was locked in the small black room by Ye Guodong, Ye Tingtong couldn’t help but think that if he had made preparations earlier, he wouldn’t have ended up in that situation.

But now Ye Tingtong had let it go.

In the past few years, the first thing he would do when he went to school was to ask if Shen Minghuai was there and try to stay with him. Even if Shen Minghuai got engaged, he would find out all the details and avoid him.

A University wasn’t where he studied, but the most convenient way for him to contact Shen Minghuai.

But now, when they met face-to-face, Ye Tingtong realized that he hadn’t thought about Shen Minghuai in a long time. Coming to school was simply for class.

Shen Minghuai looked at Ye Tingtong’s calm expression, his heart twisting painfully. But he couldn’t explain why, so he had to change the subject. “I just heard you guys were going to the cafeteria for lunch. How about I take you out to eat?”

Ye Tingtong continued to walk towards the cafeteria. “I still have to go to the library to find a spot to review after lunch. You guys go ahead!”

The three of his roommates looked strangely at the person walking in front.

You had to know, in the past, Ye Tingtong was the most enthusiastic when it came to eating out.

“We also have to review later, so let’s not go that far.” Yu Hui smiled and bumped Shen Minghuai’s shoulder. “Are you trying to save Tongzai from treating us by offering a way out?”

The atmosphere seemed to have returned to the way it was when the four of them were together. Shen Minghuai caught up with Ye Tingtong. “If you’re paying for lunch, count me in!”

Ye Tingtong didn’t think for too long. “Okay!”

Shen Minghuai had treated him so many times; it was no problem for him to treat him once at the cafeteria.

“But, aren’t you keeping Liang Yuting company?”

The two had just gotten engaged, and they should be in their honeymoon phase.

Shen Minghuai didn’t expect Ye Tingtong to bring up Liang Yuting so openly. He looked away slightly. “She has her girlfriends to hang out with; she doesn’t need me to keep her company all the time.”

Ye Tingtong said “Oh” and didn’t ask any more questions.

The four of them went to the cafeteria for lunch, paid for with Ye Tingtong’s campus card.

Each time there was a ‘beep’ sound, Ye Tingtong felt a little pain. He belatedly realized that he was quite stingy.

But Ye Tingtong wasn’t embarrassed to show it, so he just buried his head and ate his food cleanly.

After lunch, Yu Hui handed Ye Tingtong a USB drive. “Go print out some of the review materials first. I’ll organize the other part for you when I get back to the dorm.”

Ye Tingtong went to the print shop, and Shen Minghuai followed. After the other two roommates walked away, Shen Minghuai asked in a low voice, “Did my little uncle help you?”

Ye Tingtong looked at Shen Minghuai in surprise. He knew that the other person would ask sooner or later, but he didn’t expect Shen Minghuai to guess so accurately.

However, Shen Jun didn’t plan to make public the news that they had gotten their marriage certificate yet, so Ye Tingtong only gave a vague “Hmm.”

Fortunately, Shen Minghuai somehow completed the logical self-justification and didn’t try to ask more questions.

While Ye Tingtong was printing out the materials, Shen Minghuai sent a message to Shen Jun.

[Shen Minghuai: Thank you, Little Uncle, for helping Tongzai out. If there’s anything you need my help with next time, just say it!]

After waiting for a while, Shen Jun didn’t reply.

Shen Minghuai didn’t pay much attention to it. After all, his little uncle was just like that.

While Shen Minghuai was sending the message, Ye Tingtong was also secretly sending a WeChat message to Shen Jun.

[Ye Tingtong: Does Shen Minghuai know something? Do I need to find another excuse to fool him?]

He had married Shen Jun to get rid of the Ye family, but he wasn’t very clear about Shen Jun’s intentions and didn’t want to ruin Shen Jun’s plans because of him.

[Shen Jun: Don’t worry about him.]

The reply was very fast. Ye Tingtong guessed that the other person might be eating and was relatively free, so he sent another message.

[Ye Tingtong: By the way, my final exams are coming up soon. Am I going to live in the dorm for the time being?]

[Ye Tingtong: I’m behind on my studies, so I’ll just review with my roommates~]

Ye Tingtong thought that this reply would also be quick, but he stared for a while, and his phone didn’t ring again.

So, he sent a cat-with-a-question-mark emoji.

Before the printing finished, Ye Tingtong finally received Shen Jun’s reply.

[Shen Jun: Okay.]

Ye Tingtong secretly complained about Shen Jun’s coldness in his heart. Then, he looked up and found that Shen Minghuai was staring at him.

Ye Tingtong quickly put his phone in his pocket, looking alert.

Shen Minghuai explained, “I wasn’t peeking at your messages.”

He paused. “Tongzai, you’re different from before.”

In the past, as soon as he looked at Ye Tingtong, Ye Tingtong would notice immediately and give him a sweet smile. Now, there was nothing.

Shen Minghuai comforted himself that he had been too wrong before and that even though Ye Tingtong said he wasn’t angry, he was definitely secretly blaming him in his heart.

Thinking of this, Shen Minghuai smiled. “Let me take you to a party tonight. There will be a lot of good food. I’ll pick you up later?”

He was planning to schedule his time, but he saw Ye Tingtong take the printed materials and wave his hand at him without turning his head. “No, I have to study.”

Ye Tingtong did as he said. He was either in the library or buried in his studies in the dorm, making Shen Minghuai feel too embarrassed to disturb him. He himself wasn’t as free as he seemed on the surface. He received several calls and finally left with a stern face.

Before leaving, he still said hello to Ye Tingtong. “I’m leaving. I won’t be back in the dorm tonight.”

All he got was a perfunctory “[Got it]” from Ye Tingtong.

Ye Tingtong knew that Shen Minghuai had stared at him for a while again before leaving, but he really didn’t have time to figure out his thoughts, because—

The courses were too difficult!!!

Ye Tingtong’s foundation was too weak, so even if he had the materials, it was like reading a book from heaven. His learning efficiency was very low. He always bothered Yu Hui and the others to explain things to him. After doing it too many times, Ye Tingtong himself felt embarrassed and could only secretly spend more time studying.

This Saturday, Ye Tingtong woke up late because he had stayed up all night studying astronomy and Advanced Mathematics. He didn’t get a seat in the library. Yu Hui and the other guy said they were going to attend a lecture by a big shot, so Ye Tingtong was left alone in the dorm.

He leaned on the table and struggled with Advanced Mathematics for a while. He realized that he was about to fall asleep, so he slapped his face and sat up. He decided to go downstairs and get some fresh air to wake up.

Before going out, he took a few sausages from the cabinet.

There was a small grove next to the dorm building. If he was lucky, he could spot a few stray cats.

Ye Tingtong had never raised a cat, but he liked them very much.

However, his luck didn’t seem to be too good today. Ye Tingtong had wandered around in the dark grove for more than ten minutes without hearing a meow. On the contrary, when he was meowing to call the cats, he attracted several girls.

Those girls glanced at him and turned away, not forgetting to complain, “I thought there was a cat!”

Ye Tingtong’s face flushed with shame. He was now very grateful that the streetlights in this grove were broken, so no one could see his embarrassing situation.

Just as he was about to return empty-handed with the sausages, the dorm group chat suddenly became lively.

[Yu Hui: @Tongzai, you really should come see this! The big shot is giving a great lecture. I thought it would just be some polite words, but it turned out to be all so vivid and practical experiences.]

[Song Wu: It’s said that Big Shot Shen also graduated from A University. He took time out of his busy schedule to return to his alma mater and give a lecture. The school leaders were all smiles.]

Ye Tingtong suddenly sensed something was off.

[Ye Tingtong: Which Big Shot Shen?]

[Yu Hui: It’s Shen Jun, the CEO of Shen Group, and also Minghuai’s little uncle.]

[Song Wu: I don’t know if it’s because we got our faces familiarized during Minghuai’s engagement last time, but I felt like Big Shot Shen glanced in our direction, and I was so excited.]

The more excited they were, the gloomier Ye Tingtong’s expression became.

He should have gone too!

It had been more than a week since he had last seen Shen Jun. When he sent messages, Shen Jun only replied occasionally, coldly.

Ye Tingtong sometimes wondered if he wouldn’t make it through the year and Shen Jun would divorce him.

Besides, Shen Jun had seen Yu Hui and the others. He must have realized that he wasn’t there.

Ye Tingtong thought for three seconds, picked up his phone, and before his courage faded, quickly called Shen Jun.

The beeping sound started. Ye Tingtong did not forget to build himself up psychologically. He just wanted to increase their familiarity and explain his absence, definitely not to find an opportunity to talk to Shen Jun.

The call was answered, and Ye Tingtong’s prepared speech suddenly got stuck in his mouth, only stuttering, “Shen Jun.”

The familiar cold tone came through the receiver. “Yes.”

Maybe it was because he was nervous, but Ye Tingtong’s heart was beating a little fast. He swallowed. “You came to our school? I didn’t know the lecture was yours. Otherwise, I definitely would have gone.”

After he said that, he realized that he had spoken too fast, and some words were strung together. Just as he was hesitating whether he should repeat it, Shen Jun said, “It’s okay. This lecture was just a last-minute decision anyway.”

Ye Tingtong asked, “Have you already left? I was thinking that I could take you to try some of the late-night snacks at our school.”

“It’s on me!”

Ye Tingtong, who said these words, didn’t feel any pain, probably because it was coming out of Shen Jun’s pocket, he was particularly generous to Shen Jun.

Shen Jun said, “I have a video conference tonight.”

Ye Tingtong said “Oh” dejectedly.

The two fell into silence.

Ye Tingtong thought that Shen Jun was really cold. As long as he didn’t take the initiative, the other party would never talk much.

Ye Tingtong vaguely heard the sound of keyboard tapping on the other end, guessing that Shen Jun must be very busy. His phone call was really too irrational.

He had taken Shen Jun’s polite words that he could call anytime seriously.

Just as Ye Tingtong was embarrassed and about to find an excuse to hang up, a cold wind blew in his face, making him sneeze. The keyboard sounds on the other end stopped instantly, and he clearly heard Shen Jun ask, “Where are you?”

Ye Tingtong sniffed. “I didn’t run around. I’m just downstairs in the dorm, getting ready to feed the stray cats, but I couldn’t find any. I just blew in the cold wind for a long time.”

When he said that, even he didn’t hear the grievance in his tone, but Shen Jun did notice. “It’s been getting colder recently, it’s very cold at night.”

Shen Jun’s voice lowered a little, revealing a touch of tenderness in the cold night wind.

Ye Tingtong nodded. “Yes, even the cats are hiding.”

Shen Jun listened to the howling wind on the phone, his tone a little helpless. “I mean, you should wear more clothes.”

Ye Tingtong was stunned for a moment. Was Shen Jun concerned about him?

He was just about to say something when he suddenly heard a few meows.

“Shen Jun, did you hear that?”

The howling wind couldn’t hide the joy in Ye Tingtong’s tone. Shen Jun also had a small smile on his lips. “I heard it.”

Ye Tingtong squatted down. Because he had fed them many times, the cats were not afraid at all and all surrounded him.

He wanted to put the phone on the ground, but the grove was too dark. He was afraid he wouldn’t find it later, so he simply stuffed it into his pocket. When he finished feeding the cats, he suddenly realized that he was still on the phone with Shen Jun.

Ye Tingtong quickly took out his phone and discovered something even more terrifying—

Shen Jun hadn’t hung up!

Just as he was racking his brains to find an excuse, Shen Jun slowly said, “Are you done feeding?”

The voice had suddenly become noisy, and he could occasionally vaguely hear Ye Tingtong’s voice, but it was all meowing, or names like Big Black, Little Black, and Fatty Ding. Obviously, he wasn’t talking to him.

Ye Tingtong quickly apologized. “I’m sorry! I was afraid they would run away, so I just put my phone in my pocket.”

“Actually, I was going to put it on the ground, but the streetlights are broken here. I was afraid I’d step on my phone or not find it.”

Ye Tingtong decided to blame it on the school. “I’ve almost tripped several times taking shortcuts. It’s too dark.”

He looked at the bright lights of the dorm building and lied through his teeth. “It’s the kind of darkness where even if I stood in front of you, you wouldn’t be able to recognize me.”

Shen Jun listened to his exaggerated tone, not calling him out, and chuckled. “That was indeed very dark.”

The chuckle transmitted through the receiver, low and pleasing to the ear.

Ye Tingtong rubbed his ears, feeling a little hot.

The phone call fell silent again, but it wasn’t as cold as before. Ye Tingtong touched the corners of his mouth again, which were turned up high.

The call lasted for almost twenty minutes before finally ending.

A business car was parked at the entrance of A University. Liu Hao, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, turned his head. “Mr. Shen, are we going into the school?”

They should have left half an hour ago, but Shen Jun had not given any instructions.

Shen Jun put down his phone. “No, let’s go to the company.”

Just as Liu Hao was about to start the car, he heard Shen Jun speak again. “The sponsorship that A University mentioned earlier, Shen Group will accept it.”

He looked at the bright and dazzling lights at the entrance of A University, his expression indifferent. “Renew all their broken public facilities.”

Liu Hao instantly understood. “Yes, Mr. Shen.”

Ye Tingtong’s voice when he was explaining himself was just too loud.

The extremely efficient Liu Hao immediately sent a message to the leader of A University—

[The sponsorship money will be transferred soon. Please repair the lights downstairs in the men’s dorm first. Thank you for your cooperation.]