Chapter 81

Ye Qiusuo did not spend the night at Xie Xi's house. She had matters to attend to that evening, but having slept for a while, her mental state had improved considerably.

Just as she arrived home, her parents called. Ye Qiusuo found it strange; her parents rarely called her, fearing they might disturb her work, especially on a weekday.

"Dad, is something wrong?"

Ye Qiusuo's father hummed in response and then said softly, "We're fine. We just suddenly wanted to call and talk to you."

Ye Qiusuo did not let her guard down. She continued to ask what had happened, knowing it was impossible for them to call at this time for no reason.

The person on the other end soon changed. Ye Qiusuo's mother took the phone, her voice sounding a bit raspy. "Qiusuo, don't push yourself too hard while you're out there alone. We know you're doing great things, but your health is important too. Be a good girl and get more rest."

"I know." Ye Qiusuo frowned. These were common refrains, but not enough to make her parents call specifically. "What happened at home?"

"..." Her mother sighed. "The child from the family upstairs passed away today."

Ye Qiusuo was startled. "Which family upstairs?"

There were three households on the floor above them. Two children were the same age as her and had attended the same elementary school.

"The child from the family that skipped grades along with you in the later years." Remembering the sounds of crying coming from upstairs today, Ye Qiusuo's mother felt a wave of panic in her heart. "That child was too competitive and developed psychological issues. News came from the school today that something happened."

"We just want you to be safe and healthy," her father shouted from the side.

"I know." Ye Qiusuo decided to distract them. "Dad, Mom, I have a boyfriend."

"Yes, yes, you should get along well with your fri—what friend?" Her mother was halfway through nodding when she finally reacted to what was said.

"I have someone I like," Ye Qiusuo repeated patiently.

Her parents on the other end of the line seemed to disappear for a moment. It took a long time before her father spoke up. "That’s good, haha." His voice was clearly filled with a dazed sort of joy.

After all, Ye Qiusuo's parents had already prepared themselves mentally for the possibility that their daughter might never get married.

Years ago, when Ye Qiusuo was in university, an old professor had visited their home and said something they always remembered: Qiusuo's studies were no longer just for herself.

The parents were in a state of immense shock; they didn't even remember to ask what kind of person the boyfriend was before hanging up.

In contrast, the three people in the Xie family WeChat group were very lively.

Xie Xi: [Red Envelope. I'm happy today.]

Xie Xi's mother: [Red Envelope. Cheers to our Xixi having a partner.]

Xie Xi's father: [Red Envelope. To buy things for my future daughter-in-law.]

The three of them sent red envelopes to each other, spamming the screen for several minutes before stopping. It was as festive as the Lunar New Year.

Xie Xi's mother: [Xixi, when can we go meet Professor Ye?]

Xie Xi's father had even learned internet slang: [+1.]

Xie Xi: [She’s very busy right now. Maybe in a while.]

Xie Xi had already planned to spend the two dating slots Ye Qiusuo had set aside just resting with her, so he didn't want his parents coming over.

Anyone with a bit of knowledge knew about the clash between Tianqiu Technology and the Lu Group, not to mention that Xie Xi himself was constantly paying attention to Ye Qiusuo’s side.

She was busy.

...

When the time for their second date arrived, Ye Qiusuo had spent the entire morning teaching classes at the university, and students had kept her back for over an hour asking questions.

Xie Xi started by waiting in the office building parking lot, but later he disguised himself, got out of the car, and tried to sneak toward the laboratory.

Since it was a workday and no one had cleared him in advance, Big Star Xie was stopped by the security guard at the entrance.

"What are you doing? You look suspicious!" The guard looked at the heavily muffled Xie Xi and asked sternly, "This is a laboratory. What do you want?"

Xie Xi lowered his voice and leaned toward the guard. "I'm looking for my girlfriend."

Seeing him lean in, the guard thought it was going to be something serious, but hearing this, he completely lost his temper. "Can't you go somewhere else to be romantic? You want to come into the lab building? Out, out! Wait at the gate!"

Students these days really had no sense of propriety. How could they just let someone in for a girlfriend in such a serious place like the lab building?

The Big Star Xie was scolded and had no choice but to turn around and leave.

Just then, Professor Ye came down from upstairs and saw him. "Why are you here?"

Xie Xi immediately turned around upon hearing her voice. He glanced at the guard and whispered, "I came to find you."

Ye Qiusuo lifted her hand to check the time; she had indeed run late. "Sorry, we can leave now."

The guard knew Professor Ye and was stunned as he watched their retreating figures. "Since when does Professor Ye have a boyfriend?"

"Uncle, what boyfriend?" Lin Lu came down and asked casually.

"Just now, some gho—some tall guy said he was Professor Ye's boyfriend," the guard said, scratching his head.

Lin Lu exchanged looks with Ding Hong and Sun Jiajia, who were beside him. As expected, they all looked shocked.

Sun Jiajia was the first to react, sprinting out immediately to see what kind of "three-headed, six-armed" legendary figure Professor Ye's boyfriend could be.

Lin Lu and Ding Hong followed close behind.

The three of them only managed to catch a glimpse of a back as he got into the car.

"What a pity, we were one step too late," Lin Lu said, shaking his head.

Sun Jiajia, however, frowned as she watched. Why did that back look so familiar?