Yan Huiming hadn't expected to run into Chen Yang here. Coincidentally, Aunt Zhou's next-door neighbor was Yan Huiming's grandfather.
The old man was a retired worker from the Rongcheng City Printing and Dyeing Factory. Although his two sons were a high-ranking official and a wealthy businessman, he preferred living in the old neighborhood, feeling more comfortable with his neighbors. So, no matter how much his sons tried to persuade him, he refused to move in with them.
Today, Yan Huiming's father had gone to Xiamen to arrange the opening of a branch store. On his way back, he bought some seafood and asked Yan Huiming to deliver it to his grandfather. Reluctantly, Yan Huiming carried the things to his grandfather's house. Unable to bear his grandfather's nagging, he put the things down and went outside to smoke in the yard.
Before he could even finish his cigarette, Yan Huiming heard Chen Yang's unforgettable voice coming from next door. He immediately threw down his cigarette and listened intently. He heard everything clearly: Chen Yang haggling with Aunt Zhou and the subsequent signing of the preliminary agreement.
Watching Chen Yang's retreating figure, Yan Huiming thought disdainfully, "A country bumpkin is a country bumpkin, actually coming to the slums to buy a house..."
He never imagined that his greatest support was his father and uncle, who had also come from this so-called slum.
"You want to buy this house? I'll make sure you don't get your way!" Yan Huiming thought bitterly.
"Lei Zi, I need to talk to you. Come out!" Yan Huiming pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and said, "I'm at Grandpa's. Let's meet at Abiao's billiards room at the alley entrance!"
Hanging up, Yan Huiming spat in the direction Chen Yang had left, didn't even say goodbye to his grandfather, and strode towards the alley entrance.
...
Back at school, Chen Yang saw he still had some time, so he went to the resource room and started revising his paper on the computer. The morning's discussions were mostly complete, and many of Liu Xinyao's suggestions were helpful to Chen Yang.
Chen Yang quickly became engrossed in his paper, oblivious to the passage of time. Typing the last word, Chen Yang looked at his meticulously crafted paper with satisfaction, feeling confident about participating in the forum.
When it came to authorship, Chen Yang hesitated for a moment, but still put his name first. He knew Liu Xinyao's personality; if he insisted on listing her as the first author, he would definitely end up embarrassing himself.
Moreover, in terms of contribution, he, as the first author, was undoubtedly deserving.
After carefully checking it, Chen Yang printed out a copy of the paper and carefully put it in his bag. Looking up, he realized it was already dark. He hadn't noticed while focusing on revising the paper, but now that he had stopped, he suddenly felt incredibly hungry.
Chen Yang quickly tidied up and grabbed a quick bite at a Shaxian snack shop near the school gate.
After paying the bill and getting up, Chen Yang was about to head to a bar when he suddenly remembered Liu Xinyao, who was still at the school hospital, and felt a little uneasy. Although she was cold towards him, even showing a hint of dislike, they were, after all, collaborating on a paper, and there was also their past relationship!
So Chen Yang called Zhou Weiqiang and told him he would be at the bar later. Considering Liu Xinyao was a patient, Chen Yang got two light stews and a vegetable dish from the Shaxian snack shop and headed towards the school hospital.
In the hospital room, Yang Xiaoxian cleared away the dishes while saying to Liu Xinyao:
"Xinyao, since the doctor said you need to stay in the hospital for observation for two days, you'd better stay here obediently and not go anywhere, understand?"
"The 'Armed Conflict Law' exam is coming up soon, these two days of class are very important!" Liu Xinyao said, frowning.
Yang Xiaoxian glared at her and patted her chest, saying:
"Nothing is more important than your health! Just rest well, I'll take care of the class notes!"
Liu Xinyao pouted, a little worried about Yang Xiaoxian's carefree personality. Upon seeing Liu Xinyao's expression, Yang Xiaoxian immediately became anxious and said,
"Don't you trust me? Xinyao, you've hurt me so much. I rushed over as soon as I heard you were in the hospital, even chased away that lecherous man for you, and brought you delicious meals to your bedside at mealtimes. I took care of you day and night, and you treat me like this..."
"Alright, alright! I'll listen to you, okay?" Liu Xinyao reluctantly agreed, seeing Yang Xiaoxian's expression, then muttered, "You're not even pretending properly..."
Yang Xiaoxian chuckled, tucked the blanket around Liu Xinyao, and said,
"Miss Liu, you should be content! If I were you, I'd be so happy! Is there anything happier in the world than eating and sleeping?"
"Of course, it's eating and sleeping with the man you love..." Chen Yang pushed open the door, just in time to hear this, and blurted out instinctively.
Dead silence.
The two girls in the ward stared blankly at Chen Yang, somewhat taken aback by his rather "implied" remark. After a long pause, Yang Xiaoxian, usually a tomboy, blushed, and spat through gritted teeth:
"You pervert!"
Chen Yang also realized he'd misspoke. Jokes should be made in the right place and with the right person; Liu Xinyao certainly didn't seem like the type to take that kind of joke. Actually, Chen Yang regretted it as soon as he said it, but the words were already out and couldn't be taken back.
However, Chen Yang's slight guilt vanished without a trace after Yang Xiaoxian called him a "rogue." He glanced at Yang Xiaoxian and said indifferently:
"Watch your words. Defamation is a crime, punishable by up to three years imprisonment, detention, probation, or deprivation of political rights. We all studied this, you must know that, right?"
Before Yang Xiaoxian could speak, Chen Yang muttered again:
"You obviously don't have a boyfriend..."
Yang Xiaoxian was furious. She glared at Chen Yang with her small eyes, like she was fighting, and shouted:
"Whether I have a boyfriend or not is none of your business! You pervert! You filthy rogue!"
Chen Yang shrugged speechlessly:
"Fine, a good man doesn't argue with a woman!"
"Hmph!" Yang Xiaoxian sat down angrily, glancing sideways at Chen Yang, and said, "I was wondering why I dreamt about it last night..." "So you were bitten by a dog! It turns out it was you who got bitten!"
Chen Yang was already prepared to back down, but Yang Xiaoxian's words were really harsh, so he couldn't help but retort:
"Dreams are always the opposite of reality. Tell your dog to be careful!"
Yang Xiaoxian was stunned for a moment. The oblivious girl didn't realize the hidden meaning in Chen Yang's words and subconsciously replied:
"I don't have a dog..."
Liu Xinyao couldn't stand it anymore and whispered in Yang Xiaoxian's ear:
"Silly girl, he's saying you bit the dog..."
Yang Xiaoxian suddenly realized, and immediately jumped up in anger, her face flushed red. Pointing her finger at Chen Yang's nose, she said:
"You're the one who bit the dog! You bit the dog and got a mouthful of fur..."
Upon hearing Yang Xiaoxian's nonsensical words, even the usually aloof Liu Xinyao couldn't help but burst out laughing. Chen Yang shook his head with a wry smile and said,
"Girl, you're really something! This is the first time I've ever seen someone get so caught up in their own insults..."
"You..." Yang Xiaoxian was so angry with Chen Yang that she was practically in a trance, her words becoming somewhat incoherent.
"Alright, alright! I was wrong, okay?" Chen Yang was finally fed up with Yang Xiaoxian. This girl was relentless when she was right, and even when she was wrong, she could still make a scene, leaving Chen Yang somewhat helpless. "Excuse me, classmate, can we stop arguing about the dog? I need to talk to Liu Xinyao about something, could you..."
"What do you want?" Yang Xiaoxian looked at Chen Yang warily and said, "Can't you say this to my face?"
"Xiaoxian, didn't you just say you were going to help me organize my notes? Why don't you go back first!" Liu Xinyao suddenly said.
"But..." Yang Xiaoxian looked at Chen Yang and said. "It's alright, this is a hospital, you don't need to worry about my safety," Liu Xinyao said, her gaze fixed intently on Chen Yang, a hint of warning in her eyes.
"Fine!" Seeing Liu Xinyao's resolve, Yang Xiaoxian didn't say anything more. She packed the tableware and other items into a bag, glared at Chen Yang again, and turned to leave the ward.
Chen Yang placed the packed stew and other items on the bedside table, smiling as he said,
"Looks like these will only be good for a midnight snack..."
Liu Xinyao said calmly,
"Chen Yang, let's get down to business!"
Chen Yang felt a surge of frustration. He considered himself quite nice to Liu Xinyao, but he didn't know why this girl just didn't like him.
He didn't know that Liu Xinyao inherently disliked boys, and coupled with her preconceived prejudice against Chen Yang, it was no wonder she wouldn't give him a friendly look! Chen Yang shook his head helplessly, took out the printed paper from his bag, placed it on the bedside table, and said,
"I've revised the paper according to our discussion. Take a look, and if there are no problems, I'll hand it in to Professor Yan tomorrow!"
Liu Xinyao, hearing that the paper was revised so quickly, couldn't help but glance at Chen Yang again, then propped herself up on the bed with one hand, trying to sit up a little.
Chen Yang quickly went over and raised the headboard a few degrees, then took another pillow from the empty bed next to her and placed it behind her back.
"Thank you…" Liu Xinyao said softly, then began to read the paper carefully.
After a short while, Liu Xinyao finished reading. She put down the paper and said seriously,
"I have no further comments. You can submit it to Professor Yan like this tomorrow!"
"Okay, I'll go back now!" Chen Yang put the paper back in his bag and said, "You should get plenty of rest!"
Liu Xinyao nodded silently. Although she didn't speak, a warm feeling welled up inside her. She could sense the sincerity in Chen Yang's words; his concern for her was completely genuine.
After leaving the hospital, Chen Yang went straight to work at the bar, and the night passed uneventfully.
The next morning, Chen Yang printed out the official house transfer contract, intending to first give his thesis to Professor Yan, and then go to Hengxiang to sign the contract and complete the transfer with Aunt Zhou.
However, a phone call disrupted Chen Yang's plans.
"Young man, we're not selling the house anymore. Can I return your deposit?" Aunt Zhou's voice on the phone carried a hint of panic…