It took over half an hour to drive from S University to the hospital in the city center.
Zhao Minqing drove an expensive sports car, its engine roaring loudly. Shen Yu sat in the passenger seat, raising his hand to gently massage his temples—he found it too noisy.
Both the car and the person beside him were irritating.1Same, the author better take this dude offline sooner.
Zhao Minqing kept trying to make conversation, jumping from topics like the recent lab accident to the upcoming research group meeting, then veering off to discuss Shen Yu’s daily life while writing papers. It was all quite scattered.
Despite Shen Yu not responding at all, Zhao Minqing continued chattering away, seemingly entertained by his own monologue.
Eventually, perhaps running out of topics, Zhao Minqing pondered for a moment before suddenly asking, “Professor, do you know how much this car costs?”
Shen Yu leaned back in his seat with his eyes half-closed, responding coldly, “No idea.”
He didn’t even know what brand the car’s logo represented. Shen Yu never paid attention to such things; he couldn’t even recognize all the cars parked in the underground garage at home.
Zhao Minqing smiled modestly, mentioned the car’s make, and said with a hint of shyness, “It’s over a million yuan.”
Shen Yu ignored him.
While waiting at a red light, Zhao Minqing noticed a small truck keeping its distance behind them in the rearview mirror. He commented, “Professor, you usually take taxis to and from work, right? Isn’t that tiring?”
Zhao Minqing had been observing for some time. Shen Yu took the bus to work every day and wore very ordinary clothes. He looked like he came from a poor but educated family, probably without much money.
Given Shen Yu’s personality, even if he had money, he’d likely spend it all on academic research. Rumor had it that when the school’s subsidies weren’t approved, Shen Yu used his own salary to buy lab equipment for his students.
Zhao Minqing’s family was wealthy and had even donated a small teaching building to S University. He had entered the school as a sports recruit after the college entrance exam, then switched majors, claiming he got in with high scores. For his master’s degree, his family had directly secured a spot for him with the school. He planned to use the degree to boost his credentials before entering the workforce.
Originally, Zhao Minqing had chosen to study finance for his master’s degree. However, one day while visiting a friend, he happened to see Shen Yu teaching a class. He stood outside the classroom window, listening to most of the lecture, then went back to cram biology knowledge. He managed to pull strings to be assigned to Shen Yu’s group.
Shen Yu hadn’t shown much reaction. Every year, new master’s students, both academic and professional, would report in. For those with average aptitude, he’d simply guide them through to graduation over two years. Only for those with notable talent would he personally involve them in major projects.
Shen Yu was unaware of Zhao Minqing’s background, assuming his decent scores were earned through his own efforts. During the interview, Zhao Minqing had been able to answer most questions, appearing to be a very ordinary student.
As the light turned green, Zhao Minqing accelerated through the intersection. The hospital’s outline was visible in the distance. Looking ahead, he said, “When’s your birthday? I’d like to gift you a car.”
Shen Yu replied impatiently, “I don’t have a driver’s license.”
“…” Zhao Minqing was stunned for a moment, then chuckled, “Then I’ll teach you. Professor, in this day and age, not having a driver’s license won’t do…”
The sports car had barely come to a stop in the hospital’s parking lot when Shen Yu opened the door and got out, heading straight into the hospital without a moment’s pause.
Zhao Minqing could only follow behind.
*
Inside the hospital.
Qi Fang was in a foul mood.
“Who told you to give them my phone?” he sighed deeply, exasperated. “Who told them to call Shen Yu and say I’d been in a car accident?”
Assistant Xiao Lin replied nonchalantly, “Boss, when something happens to you, we’re supposed to inform your family.”
“What happened to me?”
Qi Fang glared at him, throwing off the blanket and jumping out of the hospital bed to pace around. “I’m fine everywhere except for a small scrape on my leg. I’ll be able to leave the hospital this afternoon without any issues. Why should I make Shen Yu worry?”
Xiao Lin retorted, “The full-body exam results aren’t back yet. You might have a concussion, internal bleeding, a ruptured liver, or heart problems.”
Qi Fang snapped, “…Get out.”
Assistant Xiao Lin swiftly made his exit. Just before leaving, Qi Fang called out to him, saying resignedly, “Next time, if it’s not urgent, don’t bother Shen Yu. He’s at work. Let him finish his classes in peace first.”
As Xiao Lin stepped out of the hospital room, he saw Shen Yu emerging from the elevator.
Shen Yu was rubbing his temples, his brow furrowed, looking rather unwell. Behind him followed a tall young man, whose identity was unclear.
“Professor Shen,” Assistant Xiao Lin greeted him.
The first time he had met Shen Yu, he had called him “Boss’s wife” and nearly got beaten up by Qi Fang. Now he had learned his lesson and addressed him properly as Professor Shen.
Shen Yu nodded, lowering his hand from his temples, and asked, “How’s Qi Fang?”
“He’s fine,” Xiao Lin replied. “Sitting in the room, lively as ever.”
As Shen Yu was about to check on Qi Fang, he suddenly noticed a middle-aged man with a look of despair in the corridor nearby. Opposite him was a policewoman with a notebook, questioning him.
Shen Yu asked, “Who’s that?”
Xiao Lin glanced over and explained, “Oh, that’s the guy who hit the boss with his delivery truck. The boss was turning on a green light when this guy ran a red light and crashed into him. The boss’s car has a huge dent, and the passenger door is damaged.”
Zhao Minqing looked over, confused. “Why does he look so desperate? Doesn’t he want to pay compensation?”
“Ah,” Xiao Lin pushed up his glasses and calmly said, “He crashed into the boss’s Bentley worth several million yuan. His insurance doesn’t fully cover it, and the insurance company is refusing to pay. They’re probably arguing about it.”
Shen Yu frowned. “It’s just a car worth a few million. The insurance company won’t even cover that?”
Xiao Lin replied, “Yeah, they’re cunning old foxes.”
The onlookers and patients’ families nearby: “…”
Zhao Minqing: “…”
“Oh, are you the other party’s family?” The policewoman noticed Shen Yu and hurried over. “Please come verify this list of damaged items. It’s related to the subsequent compensation.”
Shen Yu took the list. Besides the car parts, there was also an “XX Brand Smart Cooking Machine” listed.
Shen Yu asked, puzzled, “Why was he driving around with a cooking machine?”
Assistant Xiao Lin explained, “The boss called me this morning to find a nearby recycling center. He was probably going to dispose of the cooking machine.”
Shen Yu: “.”
Shen Yu signed the list and then headed towards the hospital room.
Zhao Minqing didn’t follow. He had some questions, so he asked Assistant Xiao Lin, “What’s the relationship between Professor Shen and your… boss?”
“They’re legally married,” Xiao Lin adjusted his glasses, sizing up Zhao Minqing for a moment before emphasizing, “Professor Shen and our boss are married.”
“…” Zhao Minqing asked, “So, is he very rich?”
Xiao Lin’s gaze behind his glasses was penetrating as he stared at Zhao Minqing for a moment before saying, “Just moderately wealthy, I suppose. He’s merely the CEO of Qiling Group. His monthly attendance bonus isn’t even as much as mine.”
Zhao Minqing: “…………”
“Though Professor Shen’s family isn’t in business, they’re quite well-off, too,” Xiao Lin continued slowly. “I heard Professor Shen’s mother just won a major international award in physics last month. Her team was invited to participate in an academic roundtable in Iceland.”
“Our boss and Professor Shen are truly a perfect match, made for each other.”
Xiao Lin concluded with this profound statement, and the onlookers nearby listened intently, nodding in agreement.
Zhao Minqing turned and left.2Good riddance!
As Shen Yu entered the hospital room, he felt a slight dizziness in his head. He shook it off, managing to dispel the discomfort.
Opening the door, he saw Qi Fang lying stiffly on the hospital bed, covered with a thick blanket, his face pale and his breath seemingly faint.
“You’re here,” Qi Fang said, carefully choosing a tone that was weak but not excessively so. “Did I interrupt your meeting? I’m really not that bad, just a bit dizzy. I’ll be fine after some rest…”
He paused, then moved slightly, attempting to prop himself up. “I’m happy you could come…”
Shen Yu rushed forward in one swift motion, pressing down on Qi Fang’s waist.
Qi Fang: “?”
“You’ve fractured a bone. Don’t move,” Shen Yu said coldly and seriously, holding him down. “Do you need to use the bathroom? I’ll get you a bedpan.”
Qi Fang: “???”
What? A bedpan?
TL Notes
- 1Same, the author better take this dude offline sooner.
- 2Good riddance!
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