Chapter 476: A Chance Encounter

Chapter 476 An Unexpected Meeting

Shen Qiuyu gave Ye Changan a light shove. "As their elder brother, how can you say such things?"

Ye Changan shook his head helplessly. It wasn’t that he didn’t care, but he had come to realize that there was little room for them to interfere in their younger brothers’ relationships.

They would just have to wait until the two were older and actually worried about it before bringing it up again.

Besides, in the next couple of years, they might still find girlfriends on their own.

Meanwhile, after arriving, Ye Changsheng headed straight back to campus. The school was deserted, with few students in the graduate dormitory.

His roommate, however, was there. His family was from the south, so he hadn’t gone home for the holidays.

"Changsheng, you’re back so early."

Ye Changsheng handed over some roast chicken he had brought from home with his roommate. "I wanted to come back early to get started on experiments."

His roommate looked at him admiringly. "No wonder the advisor thinks so highly of you. Not only are you a top student, but you’re also this diligent."

Ye Changsheng: "Come on, don’t hype me up. You’re no slacker yourself."

Anyone who could get into graduate school was undoubtedly capable.

Ye Changsheng also knew his roommate well—aside from studying, he spent all his time in the lab.

His family wasn’t well-off, so he pulled double shifts.

The roommate took the roasted chicken from Ye Changsheng. Though it had cooled down during the trip, it was still edible.

He went straight for a drumstick right away.

"Wait, shouldn’t you heat it up first? You’re eating it just like that?"

Ye Changsheng was startled by his roommate wolfing it down.

The roommate waved it off. "Nah, it’s good cold. The school cafeteria is closed now, so there’s nowhere to heat it up."

Ye Changsheng thought to himself that at least it was chicken—anything else would’ve been too gross cold.

Seeing his roommate enjoying the meal, he went to tidy up his things.

He had brought quite a lot from home, including some spending money his third brother had insisted on giving him.

Truthfully, he had already saved up a decent amount of money, and with the graduate student stipend from the school, he didn’t need financial support from his family anymore.

But his third brother had been adamant, stuffing the cash at him, so he had no choice but to accept it.

He couldn’t leave the money in the dorm, so after straightening up, Ye Changsheng prepared to deposit it in the bank.

"I’m heading out. I’ll bring you back some food later."

Since the school cafeteria wasn’t open yet, their only option was to buy meals from the small restaurants outside the campus gate.

They didn’t cost much, but the prices were definitely higher than the cafeteria’s.

They were stuck with it for now—they couldn’t cook in the dorm either.

"I already have the roasted chicken, so just bring me some rice, man," the roommate cut in.

Ye Changsheng answered, stepping out of the dorm with the money.

Ye Changsheng put all the money into his bank account. The old paper slips weren’t safe—anyone could withdraw the money with them. Using a bank card was easier.

After depositing the money, Ye Changsheng planned to pick up some things before heading back to school.

He was out of some stuff, so he needed to restock.

When he got to the mall near campus, Ye Changsheng first bought what he needed.

Out of nowhere, he bumped into someone he knew. As he turned around with his toiletries, he saw Su Tong, who he hadn’t seen in ages.

Su Tong also looked at Ye Changsheng in surprise.

She had come here just to stay for a while, to get inspiration and relax. Though she’d meant to look him up at some point, she hadn’t expected it to be now.

She’d just gotten into Ha City that day to buy some daily necessities.

Su Tong had a place near the university district, bought during her student days. Whenever Beijing got to be too much, she would come here to stay for some time.

"Ye Changsheng, what brings you back to Ha City already?"

Su Tong had left Beijing because she was fed up, but Ye Changsheng’s family shouldn’t have such troubles.

From what Xiao Xiao had said before, the Ye family got along great.

"There’s some lab work that needs finishing up, so I came back early to tie up loose ends with the data," Ye Changsheng replied truthfully.

Su Tong: "No way! I just arrived today too."

Ye Changsheng glanced at Su Tong—she was indeed holding some daily supplies.

"So, you’re here to…?"

"Get ideas. I heard it might snow here soon—it’ll be really pretty."

Ye Changsheng didn’t really get it but respected it. "It’ll be very cold."

Su Tong wasn’t concerned about the cold right now. Since she had run into Ye Changsheng, she might as well take the chance.

"Are you done shopping? Let’s get some food together."

Su Tong guessed that Ye Changsheng had just gotten off the train. Since the school cafeteria was closed during the break, he probably hadn’t had time to eat.

If she had asked, Ye Changsheng might have refused, but since she directly invited him, declining would be impolite.

So, Ye Changsheng nodded. "Alright."

Su Tong then said, "I know a really good hole-in-the-wall spot near your school. I haven’t been there in a while—not sure if it’s still open. Let’s go check."

Ye Changsheng naturally had no reason to refuse. Thus, what was supposed to be a simple shopping trip somehow turned into an unplanned dinner.

The private kitchen Su Tong remembered was still open. After entering, the two ordered directly.

Since there weren’t many diners during the break, the dishes arrived quickly.

They ordered a few of the restaurant’s signature dishes and a hot soup because of the cold weather.

Given how rarely they met, dinner was a little stiff.

One was an art student, the other a science major—their majors were worlds apart.

In the end, Su Tong took the initiative: "I'm staying in Harbin these next few days. Do you have time? I want to go explore, but I don’t know who to ask to come with me."

Had she not bumped into Ye Changsheng, Su Tong would have gone alone.

She had always been a very independent girl, and actually liked her alone time.

But she already had a good impression of Ye Changsheng, and since he was her best friend’s older brother, he was reliable. He was literally the perfect choice.

Ye Changsheng thought for a moment. "I’ll be in the lab in the morning, but I’ll be free in the afternoon."

Since classes hadn't started yet, even though he had data to organize, there was plenty of time.

Su Tong didn't beat around the bush: "Great, so we're on."

Since they were already at the restaurant, Ye Changsheng also picked up takeout for his roommate.

He paid the bill himself, and the meal he got for his roommate wasn't just some basic rice.

Seeing Ye Changsheng take the initiative to pay, Su Tong let it slide.

She knew the Ye family's means—this meal was pocket change for them.

"Where are you staying?"

Ye Changsheng asked, worried about Su Tong getting home safe.

Su Tong told him her address: "It’s very close. I'm good walking back."

There were many universities in the area, all nearby.

Su Tong’s own school was nearby, so she was very familiar with the surroundings.

But even so, Ye Changsheng wasn't comfortable with her walking alone.

"Let me walk you to your building," he offered.

"Alright," Su Tong didn’t refuse this time.

Ye Changsheng walked her right to her door before leaving. Before parting, Su Tong made sure to say, "Come find me tomorrow afternoon."

Since she didn’t know where to look for Ye Changsheng, but her own place was fixed, it was easier for him to swing by her place.