Zhao Minqing’s smile froze.
“Professor…?” He frowned in confusion. “Did I do something wrong? Is it because I didn’t prepare well for today’s report? I wasn’t feeling well last night, so I went to bed early…”
Shen Yu shook his head, cutting off Zhao Minqing’s words. He said coldly, “It has nothing to do with anything else. I simply don’t want to continue supervising you, that’s all.”
Zhao Minqing bit his lip and, under everyone’s gaze, couldn’t help but say, “Professor Shen, isn’t this a bit unfair? I’ve only been in your group for a short time. If you kick me out now, where am I supposed to find a suitable advisor?”
Shen Yu, who had finished packing up and was about to leave the conference room, paused for a moment upon hearing this.
“I will recommend that the academy reconsider your advisor options,” Shen Yu’s gaze swept briefly over Zhao Minqing’s face, his emotions completely unruffled. “Until you find a new advisor, you may continue to follow up on daily experiments in my group, but I will no longer offer you any guidance.”
With that, Shen Yu left the conference room without further delay.
Zhao Minqing remained rooted to the spot, his face instantly darkening, a gloomy expression settling over his features.
A few senior students who were more familiar with him walked by, hesitating slightly before patting Zhao Minqing’s shoulder in consolation. “It’s okay… Professor Shen just has that kind of personality. Maybe you’ll have less pressure with another advisor, right?”
Zhao Minqing looked up, having already masked his displeasure with a smile. He said, “I’m fine. The professor is just angry because I didn’t prepare the report well. I’ll organize the materials later and go to his office to apologize in person. It’s no big deal.”
He emphasized the last few words with particular emphasis.
The senior students exchanged glances, secretly shaking their heads, but didn’t say anything more.
*
Qi Fang wheeled himself into the company.
The bespectacled receptionist took off his glasses, put them back on, and repeated this process several times before confirming that the person before him was indeed their young CEO.
“Boss,” the receptionist exclaimed in shock, “Who beat you up?”
He wondered if a rival company, displeased with them, had engaged in a low-level and malicious business war, directly disabling their boss.
The receptionist hurried out, intending to push Qi Fang’s wheelchair, but his hand was avoided before it could even touch it.
Qi Fang cleared his throat. “What are you shouting about? I’m fine.”
The receptionist looked skeptical. “Then why are you in a wheelchair?”
Qi Fang casually replied, “Just getting used to it. Who knows, I might have plenty of opportunities to use it in the future.”
The receptionist pressed the elevator button for him, his expression involuntarily showing a mixture of fear and pity. “Boss… don’t be afraid of people from other companies coming to beat you up. We just upgraded our security system yesterday. We won’t let anyone break your legs.”
Qi Fang: “… Go back to your position and spend less time watching TikTok videos.”
The elevator arrived at the top floor, where the CEO’s office was located. Assistant Xiao Lin, ignoring Qi Fang’s wheelchair, calmly began to organize the documents for Qi Fang to review and sign, occasionally reporting on the progress of several major project signings.
Qi Fang spent an hour signing documents, then had Xiao Lin call several vice presidents for a meeting. He cordially exchanged work experiences with the Vice Presidents and, under the gaze of several resentful eyes, delivered a bombshell announcement:
“I’m taking a week off.”
Vice President A immediately said, “Mr. Qi, you still have two project signing meetings to attend.”
Vice President B added, “There are seven potential business partners we need to dine with and discuss collaboration progress.”
Vice President C: “Three media interviews are scheduled for next week.”
Vice President D: “…The year-end is approaching quickly. We need to hold an employee motivation meeting to encourage everyone to push for year-end performance…”
Qi Fang nodded, extending his hand to the side. Assistant Xiao Lin promptly handed over a tablet with the schedule, which highlighted the tasks mentioned by the Vice Presidents.
“Reschedule this signing for this afternoon. Move the other one to next week.”
“For the dinners with potential partners, arrange the Jiang Group for today at noon. You can attend the rest.”
“For media interviews, only accept online voice interviews,” Qi Fang said. “I never show my face. If there’s no problem, Xiao Lin can communicate with me later via WeChat to set the times.”
He glanced down at the tablet, unable to suppress a chuckle:
“The employee motivation meeting is scheduled for Sunday? Cancel it. Instead, give everyone a one-time bonus of 5,000 yuan next month, announce the new performance plan simultaneously, and arrange for each department to take a week of rotating leave within half a month after the New Year, not counting as annual leave.”
Qi Fang closed the tablet and handed it back to Xiao Lin, addressing the Vice Presidents with a pleasant expression, “What motivation meeting? This is what you call employee motivation.”
Vice President A spoke again, “Mr. Qi, there’s also one tonight…”
“Tonight?” Qi Fang shook his head, refusing outright. “Tonight won’t work. After work, I need to check on Shen Yu at his school, and later I have to go home to cook.”
“It’s been so many days since I cooked for myself,” Qi Fang said wistfully.
He was itching to get back in the kitchen.
The Vice Presidents: “…………”
What’s it like having a direct superior who’s always thinking about going home to cook? Unbelievable!
*
Shen Yu sat in his office, finished replying to all the emails in his inbox, and finally moved to shut down his computer.
As his thoughts detached from work, Shen Yu sat quietly in his seat, momentarily feeling a bit out of sorts.
According to his usual routine, after handling the day-to-day affairs of the school, he would immediately begin reading new academic literature, not just in his own field but in other related areas as well—the world was changing rapidly, with scientific achievements emerging constantly, and even a slight lapse could mean missing out on a lot of new knowledge.
But Shen Yu’s hand hovered over the tablet, pausing for a few seconds before he looked up at the wall clock.
Five thirteen in the afternoon.
He needed to go home and pack his luggage.
He couldn’t waste any more time at school.
He needed to be at the airport an hour before the 9 a.m. flight tomorrow. It would take at least forty minutes from the apartment to the airport, so 7:20… To ensure the other person got enough sleep, the evening rest time would be… Working backwards, he had to return home to pack by… o’clock.
Shen Yu was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice someone pushing open his office door.
Zhao Minqing, holding a stack of papers, entered silently without knocking. He immediately saw Shen Yu sitting in his chair, lost in thought.
All of Shen Yu’s students knew that when Professor Shen was spacing out, he was likely pondering academic problems and wouldn’t easily snap out of it.
So at times like this, no matter how much one observed him or made small movements nearby, it wouldn’t be noticed.
Zhao Minqing thus leaned against the door with his arms crossed, staring at Shen Yu.
After three minutes, Shen Yu finally organized his thoughts, concluding that he needed to return home by 7 p.m. tonight to smoothly arrange the upcoming travel plans.
He collected himself, suddenly feeling a bit hungry and dizzy.
Shen Yu belatedly remembered he had forgotten to eat lunch. He habitually reached for the glucose jar on his desk, only to find it empty when he picked it up.
“Professor,” Zhao Minqing finally spoke, his lips curling slightly. “Out of glucose? Shall I buy you a jar?”
Shen Yu’s movement halted as he turned his head, frowning at Zhao Minqing.
When had Zhao Minqing come in?
“This is the professor’s office,” Shen Yu said.
“I know, that’s why I came,” Zhao Minqing lowered his arms and stepped closer, placing the stack of reports on Shen Yu’s desk. He said softly, “I brought my work to apologize to you, didn’t I?”
Shen Yu lifted his eyelids, glancing briefly at the reports before withdrawing his gaze.
“Where did you pay someone to write this report?”
Zhao Minqing froze.
“I didn’t,” he was actually a bit embarrassed but still smiled, lying, “I spent all day writing it.”
Shen Yu simply couldn’t be bothered with him.
Zhao Minqing’s smile gradually stiffened on his face. Seeing Shen Yu preparing to leave, he stepped forward and pressed his hand on the computer Shen Yu was about to put away.
Shen Yu looked up: “?”
Zhao Minqing’s lips twitched. “Professor, you—”
“Shen Yuyu.” The office door was suddenly knocked twice and pushed open. Qi Fang wheeled himself in, saying, “Did you forget to eat lunch again? Let’s clock out and go home…”
The wheelchair stopped at the doorway. Qi Fang glanced at Zhao Minqing, who was in a standoff with Shen Yu, and his words took a turn.
“Well,” he greeted enthusiastically, “If it isn’t my love rival? What was your name again, Zhao… Zhao San’er1He’s calling ZMQ a Xiaosan (小三) – a slang term for a mistress or a third party ?”
Shen Yu: “…”
“…” Zhao Minqing said, “Hello, Mr. Qi. My name is Zhao Minqing. I’m Professor Shen’s student.”
“Oh,” Qi Fang feigned sudden realization, his face full of apology. “I’m sorry, I got your name wrong. But isn’t it strange? As soon as I saw you, I felt you should be called something like San or Si. How odd…”
Zhao Minqing: “.”
Shen Yu exerted a bit of force to pull the computer from Zhao Minqing’s hand, put it in his laptop bag, and came out from behind his desk. He looked at Qi Fang and said, “Let’s go home.”
“Alright, alright.” Qi Fang’s face was full of smug satisfaction, as if he hadn’t noticed Zhao Minqing’s unsightly expression at all. He wheeled over, took the laptop bag from Shen Yu’s hand, and muttered:
“You didn’t reply to my message at noon. I knew you’d forgotten to eat, so I came to pick you up. Can’t have you fainting on the bus…”
Zhao Minqing suddenly spoke from behind, “Mr. Qi, are your legs permanently damaged? Why aren’t you wearing a cast anymore, but still using a wheelchair?”
Qi Fang raised an eyebrow at him, noticing the young man’s challenging gaze, and smiled.
“My legs are fine, it’s my heart that’s not well,” Qi Fang said gently. “Your Professor Shen was worried about me exerting myself walking, so he specially asked someone to buy this wheelchair. It helps me reduce my activity and not strain my heart.”
“Mr. Qi seems quite frail,” Zhao Minqing said through gritted teeth. “The professor is so busy with work, yet he still has to make time to take care of you.”
Qi Fang replied nonchalantly, “What does that matter? Your Professor Shen is willing to do it.”
As he spoke, he looked at Shen Yu and asked, “Right?”
Shen Yu met his gaze for a moment, nodded slightly, and said, “You are my…”
Shen Yu paused for a few seconds, searching his memory for a term Qi Fang had once used, and mimicked it: “Lover.”
“I will take care of you,” Shen Yu said very seriously.
“Ah…” Qi Fang was also stunned, his tone unconsciously softening, “Shen Yuyu…”
Beside them, Zhao Minqing’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot. He suddenly felt like a ridiculous clown. Shen Yu didn’t see him, Qi Fang was mocking him, yet he still had to maintain the image of a “good student,” speaking politely to Qi Fang.
“My love for the professor will never change.”
Zhao Minqing suddenly spoke again, “Mr. Qi, with your broken bones and heart condition, it seems you won’t live much longer. After you pass away, I will pursue the professor. I hope he can accept me, and we can become a couple.”
Shen Yu turned back, looked at him, his eyes puzzled.
Was this student mentally ill?
Ignoring Shen Yu’s strange look, Zhao Minqing smiled at Qi Fang and politely asked, “Mr. Qi, do you think that’s alright?”
Qi Fang glanced at him.
“I’m not feeling well,” Qi Fang rubbed his chest, speaking slowly. “Your words are too harsh. They’re making my heart hurt.”
“Ah,” Qi Fang slumped back in his wheelchair in front of Shen Yu and Zhao Minqing, acting half-dead. “Quick, send this Zhao San away, Shen Yu. I think my heart condition is acting up. Oh, the pain…”
Zhao Minqing: “???”
TL Notes
- 1He’s calling ZMQ a Xiaosan (小三) – a slang term for a mistress or a third party
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