Chapter 153

Chapter 153

As soon as the words "kneel down and apologize" come out, Shen Ming Le’s face instantly turns red.

He clenches his teeth, balls his fists tightly and then quickly loosens them, as he throws his backpack aside and takes half a step back, about to bend his knees.

Yu He finally understands why Shen Ming Le has a bad relationship with his dad. A teenager of sixteen or seventeen is at an age where face matters a lot, and his dad is forcing him to kowtow and apologize to someone he just met; anyone would be upset by that.

Yu He wraps an arm around Shen Ming Le’s shoulder and supports him under his armpit, stopping him from bending his knees.

Shen Ming Le's muscles tense up, and he finds himself stuck in place, half-embraced and half-trapped by Yu He, unable to move.

Yu He pats Shen Ming Le’s shoulder and turns to Shen Song Feng, "Big Brother Shen, let’s skip the kowtowing and apologizing. Don’t you have a forum seminar to attend? I won’t keep you for dinner, in case it delays your work."

Shen Song Feng, trying to show his dominance in front of Yu He, originally intended to make Shen Ming Le show some humility, while at the same time showing his stance to Yu He, “Little Junior Brother, please bear with him, and sorry to trouble you and Mr. Fu.”

Yu He says, “It's fine, Big Brother Shen, you're being too polite.”

Shen Song Feng nods, “If Shen Ming Le disobeys, feel free to discipline him. Just make sure he’s still breathing.”

Yu He doesn't even know how to respond to that; he turns to look at Shen Ming Le.

Wow, this kid is so angry that veins are popping out on his neck.

As for Shen Song Feng, a father who doesn’t know how to get along with his son, Yu He just wants to say: it’s okay not to ease the relationship, but don’t step on your son’s anger points with every single word! The kid is about to explode from anger!

Yu He waves his hand at Shen Song Feng, “Alright, Big Brother Shen, we’ll meet again.”

Fu Yunzhen escorted Shen Songfeng out on behalf of Yu He.

For a moment, the room was left with only Yu He and Shen Ming Le.

After Shen Songfeng left, Shen Ming Le’s tense back visibly relaxed a bit.

Yu He withdrew his arm from around Shen Ming Le, creating some distance between them as he leaned against the wall, “What do you want for dinner? It’s my treat.”

Shen Ming Le shifted uncomfortably, “Thanks, but no need.”

Yu He lifted his head, “If I’m not mistaken, those adults, in order to make you listen to me more, have probably already frozen your bank account. If you don’t eat with me, you’ll just have to go hungry.”

Shen Ming Le, who had never had his card stopped before, didn’t believe Yu He’s words. He turned to pick up his bag, “Master, I’m going back to my room to sort out some things. Call me if you need me.”

After saying this, Shen Ming Le slightly bowed as a form of salute, took two steps back, and left.

*

When Fu Yunzhen returned, Yu He was lying on the bed flipping through a medical book.

This was indeed a new sight. Since returning from Northern Myanmar, this was the first time Yu He had touched a medical book.

It seems old man Shen has some tricks up his sleeve.

Fu Yunzhen chuckled, “Young Master Yu is hitting the books now, I see.”

Yu He gave Fu Yunzhen a pitiful look, his eyes shining, “I’ve taken on a disciple, what choice do I have but to study?”

Fu Yunzhen considered himself to be of decent character, certainly not the type to take pleasure in others’ misfortunes. However, for some unknown reason, seeing Yu He in low spirits made him want to laugh uncontrollably, his sense of joy radiating from inside out, impossible to hide.

Worried that Yu He might get angry, Fu Yunzhen did not tease him any further. Instead, he opened his laptop to deal with the emails from the company.

In the tranquil evening, Yu He read his medical book and Fu Yunzhen went through his emails, neither disturbing the other.

After finishing the medical book and gaining some insights, Yu He went to the desk with the book to take notes. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Fu Yunzhen was playing games again.

Yu He: "......"

Yu He leaned on Fu Yunzhen’s shoulder with a pout, “Why didn’t you call me to play games? Do you think I’m not good at it?”

Indeed, Yu He was really not good at playing games.

He played games merely for the fun of it; winning or losing was never his priority. His main focus was on loyalty; he never betrayed his teammates, often working with them to feed the enemy team. He was practically a philanthropist in the gaming world, always ready to make a 'sacrifice.' Whenever Fu Yunzhen’s gaming character died, regardless of how many enemies were present, Yu He would recklessly charge into the crowd to avenge Fu Yunzhen.

And then graciously serve up a double kill.

Fu Yunzhen said, “You should continue reading your book.”

Yu He, lowering his head to write his reflections, responded, “I want to play games.”

Fu Yunzhen: “...Why the sudden urge to play? Earlier when I asked you to play, you didn’t want to.”

Yu He was quite honest: “I didn’t have to study before.”

Fu Yunzhen: “...”

Wanting to play games as soon as you start studying, huh? How can this kid be so unabashedly unambitious?

Am I really spoiling him too much?

Fu Yunzhen moved the mouse, “Then go ahead and play; I’ll write the notes for you.”

“I’m not taking notes; I’m writing reflections.” Yu He laughed, busily writing, “Boss Fu is even helping me with my homework. You’re really nice.”

Once engrossed in his game, Yu He completely forgot about his apprentice. It was only when he got hungry at nine o'clock in the evening and went downstairs to find food that he remembered he had an apprentice.

In the dining room, Yu He and Fu Yunzhen exchanged glances.

Fu Yunzhen asked, “What’s wrong?”

Yu He put the back of his hand on his forehead, responding weakly, “I was too absorbed in the game. My apprentice is probably starving.”

Fu Yunzhen brought out the food left in the kitchen, “I’ll warm up the food; you go call him down.”

Yu He suddenly developed social anxiety, “You go.”

Fu Yunzhen: “You’re not even afraid of me; why are you afraid of your own apprentice?”

Yu He fanned his collar, accurately self-assessing, “I’m afraid he might suddenly ask me a question, and I won’t be able to answer.”

Fu Yunzhen taught Yu He a trick on how to bluff: “If he really asks you something you can’t answer, just repeat the question, laugh softly, and tell him to organize his doubts about this question and submit them to you in a written report. Then you can look it up later, and it’s all solved.”

Yu He was utterly astonished, “President Fu, is this how you deceive people in business?”

Fu Yunzheng leaned back leisurely in his chair, chuckled lightly, shook his head, and remained silent.

Yu He felt uncertain, tilting his head to look at Fu Yunzheng.

Fu Yunzheng rested his fist against his lips, “Never mind, I'll call Shen Mingyue down.”

Yu He also stood up, “What do you mean by ‘never mind’?”

Fu Yunzheng’s eyes brimmed with amusement, “Rather than teaching you how to deceive, it’s easier to just call Shen Mingyue down.”

Yu He clicked his tongue, “So you think I’m stupid.”

With a smile playing on his lips, Fu Yunzheng patiently said, “It’s not that I think you’re stupid. You’re simply a sincere person. Teaching you these tricks would be leading you astray. In the future, leave the deceiving to me. You just need to stay clean, happy, and be yourself.”

Yu He’s eyes trembled slightly, suddenly wanting to hug and kiss Fu Yunzheng.

Just as their eyes locked, Shen Mingyue came downstairs and entered the dining room.

Shen Mingyue felt extremely awkward, not knowing whether to retreat or to continue walking in, so he could only clear his throat lightly, “Master.”

The intimate and tender atmosphere instantly dissipated.

Yu He was startled, reflexively stepping back half a step. He turned to Shen Mingyue, “What did you call me?”

Shen Mingyue quickly walked to Yu He’s side, looked up at him, glanced at Fu Yunzheng, pursed his lips, and said with difficulty, “My dad froze my card.”

Yu He exclaimed, “I knew it. Don’t worry, your master is rich.”

Yu He extended his hand towards Fu Yunzheng.

Fu Yunzheng took out his wallet, pulled out a stack of red bills, and without counting, handed them to Yu He.

Yu He took the money, also without counting, and directly stuffed it into Shen Mingyue’s hand, “Here, take the money and go have fun.”

Shen Mingyue: “......”

The impact of a stack of cash is always greater than a string of numbers in electronic payment.

After all, the Shen family is a respected medical family with integrity, and they do not endorse extravagant waste.

Both of Shen Mingyue’s parents are doctors, ensuring he never lacked food or clothing from childhood to adulthood. As long as it didn’t affect his academic performance, they fulfilled his every desire. However, neither his parents nor his grandfather ever handed him a substantial sum of money without counting it first. His grandmother would occasionally sneak him some money, but it was always a modest amount, no more than five hundred to a thousand yuan.

When he was younger, a patient’s family member did give him a considerable sum of money, which resulted in Shen Mingyue kneeling in front of the family shrine for an entire night.

Now, with Yu He nonchalantly handing him a wad of cash, Shen Mingyue estimated it to be around three to five thousand yuan.

While the amount wasn’t staggering, Shen Mingyue’s monthly living expenses for university only amounted to two thousand yuan.

“This is too much,” Shen Mingyue instinctively tried to return the money to Yu He, “Master, I just wanted to buy a book. I’ll pay you back when I get home.”

Yu He promptly stuffed the money back into Shen Mingyue’s pocket, “Just go. Don’t worry, I definitely won’t tell Senior Brother. Giving my disciple some spending money is only right and proper. Go have fun, and if it’s not enough, just ask me for more.”

Go have fun?

Where was he supposed to go for fun in the middle of the night? Stay overnight at an internet café?

The Shen family held strict household rules. Even though Shen Mingyue was already in university, there was a curfew at night. He had to notify his family in advance if he wasn’t going to be home for dinner, and he had never been sent out to have fun after nine o’clock at night.

Shen Mingyue, in a daze, had no idea where to go.

Yu He pushed Shen Mingyue towards the door, “It’s only nine o’clock; the night has just begun. When I was your age, I never went home before four in the morning. There’s a music festival tonight; I’ll have the driver take you.”

“Music festival?” Shen Mingyue turned his head to speak to Yu He, “Master, I’m not a fan of celebrities.”

Yu He opened the door and pushed Shen Mingyue out, “Listening to music cultivates one’s sentiment. Just go.”

The driver, quick to notice, stepped forward to guide Shen Mingyue out, “Young Master Shen, this way, please.”

In his seventeen years of life, it was the first time someone had addressed Shen Mingyue as ‘Young Master’. He didn’t know how to respond and could only say, “My name is Shen Mingyue.”

The driver smiled politely, “Young Master Mingyue.”

Shen Mingyue: “......”

Watching Shen Mingyue’s stiff departure, Yu He draped an arm around Fu Yunzheng’s shoulder, his confidence fully restored, “He’s still a kid, quite easy to fool.”

Fu Yunzheng cast a sidelong glance at Yu He, then turned back to sit at the dining table, “The Shen family upholds integrity and honesty, unlike us businesspeople tainted with the smell of copper.”

Yu He followed him back, but instead of sitting on his own side, he squeezed in next to Fu Yunzheng, leaning in to sniff near his ear, “Tainted with the smell of copper? I don’t smell anything.”

Fu Yunzhen gently pushed Yu He away, admonishing, "Be serious. Your apprentice has a knack for appearing out of thin air. It wouldn't be good for the child to see us like this."

"Is a seventeen-year-old still a child?" Yu He leaned back, folding his arms and speaking leisurely, "When I was nineteen, I started following you. How do you account for that?"

Fu Yunzhen replied offhandedly, "What's there to account for? How old are you now?"

Yu He tilted his head, leaning bonelessly against Fu Yunzhen, "My God, I always feel like I’m still nineteen, almost the same age as Shen Mingyue. But when I actually do the math, I realized I'm nearly ten years older than him."

Fu Yunzhen turned his head to look at Yu He, puzzled, "How do you calculate that 25 minus 17 equals 10 with your fingers?"

Yu He extended his hands to Fu Yunzhen, "I don't know how I worked it out either. You count and see."

Fu Yunzhen took Yu He’s hand, their fingers intertwining. He spoke half-jokingly, yet seemingly truly worried, "What should we do if you never grow up?"

Yu He’s fingers rested on the back of Fu Yunzhen’s hand, "With Mr. Fu taking such good care of me, how can I possibly grow up?"

Fu Yunzhen wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Yu He didn’t return to his own seat, but instead sat shoulder to shoulder with Fu Yunzhen, sharing a bowl of wontons.

The soup had seaweed and shrimp skins in it, topped with sesame oil. Yu He tasted it and felt it wasn’t flavorful enough. Suddenly, he expressed a desire for duck bone soup.

Fu Yunzhen looked at the time, called the kitchen, and asked them to prepare duck bone soup for Yu He.

Making soup is a time-consuming task. The kitchen staff didn’t dare to be careless with the order for Fu Yunzhen. The head chef deliberated and said, "Mr. Fu, the soup will be ready by early morning."

Fu Yunzhen responded, "Whenever it’s ready, bring it here."

After hanging up the phone, Yu He stirred the seaweed soup in his bowl, chuckling.

Fu Yunzhen asked him, "What are you laughing at?"

Putting down his spoon, Yu He turned to look at Fu Yunzhen, "I heard that Mr. Fu always does some strange things for me."

"What strange things?"

Yu He, observing Fu Yunzhen’s expression, slowly said, "I suddenly remembered, that year when I was live-streaming downstairs, I lost a PK battle. Later, a wealthy supporter named Pan Annie gave me gifts worth millions...” Yu He continued, “Later on, I found out that Mr. Fu’s financial assistant is also called Pan Annie. What a coincidence, isn’t it?"

Fu Yunzhen’s pupils dilated and then suddenly contracted, as if he had not expected this old story to be dug up by Yu He. He was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure of what to say.

Seizing the opportunity, Yu He pressed on, moving closer to Fu Yunzhen, "I thought you never watched live-streams? Mr. Fu, how could you lie?"

Fu Yunzhen’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke, "You are mine; I can’t stand by and watch you being bullied."

A warmth spread through Yu He’s chest, and he pursed his lips, "I am yours, but why have you done so much without letting me know?"

Fu Yunzhen’s gaze drifted away, his right hand lightly tugging at the collar of his shirt, as if he felt hot.

Fu Yunzhen took a sip of water before slowly speaking, “There’s nothing worth mentioning.”

Yu He fixed his eyes on Fu Yunzhen, like a fierce beast searching for its opponent’s weakness.

He wanted to hear more about what Fu Yunzhen had done for him. However, Fu Yunzhen was too reserved, never boasting about his achievements. He always supported Yu He silently from behind, giving much but showing little. Yu He could only see half, or even less, of what Fu Yunzhen had done for him.

But even just half of Fu Yunzhen’s efforts were already a lot.

Yu He abandoned his meal, dragging Fu Yunzhen back to the room and circling around him.

Fu Yunzhen remained silent, but Yu He was relentless.

Fu Yunzhen, besieged by Yu He’s persistence, had a small tail following him everywhere. Yu He didn’t speak, only gazing at him with bright, affectionate eyes.

Fu Yunzhen felt a warmth in his heart, his blood flowing faster, and his whole body felt as if it were basking in the spring breeze.

Fu Yunzhen took out a sleep mask and secured it over Yu He’s eyes, “Stop looking; go to sleep.”

With the sleep mask covering his eyes, darkness enveloped Yu He.

Yu He shifted his head, the navy blue silk sleep mask accentuating his sharp jawline, “I can't see now; carry me back to bed.”

Fu Yunzhen sidestepped Yu He, who was standing in the middle of the corridor, and did not give in to his demands, “I’m going to take a shower.”

Yu He curled his lips, “What if I fall down because I can’t see?”

The moment Fu Yunzhen turned to look at Yu He, Yu He fell backwards, face up.

The feeling of weightlessness was fascinating.

Yu He held his breath, his heart racing as he allowed himself to fall.

Yu He fell into a gentle embrace.

The mask on my face was lifted, revealing Fu Yunzhen's handsome face.

Fu Yunzhen's sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed as he picked up Yu He, "Don’t you feel uncomfortable if you don’t stir up something every day?"

Yu He buried his face in the crook of Fu Yunzhen’s neck, taking a deep breath, “You always catch me; I really love you.”

Fu Yunzhen threw Yu He back onto the bed, leaned over him, and looked down at Yu He, “I love you too.”