Yuan Yi couldn’t quite understand He Yanwu’s temperament. Sometimes, this person gave off a dangerous feeling, making others instinctively want to keep some distance. But other times, he seemed a bit unpredictable and was actually quite approachable.
Right now was probably one of those approachable moments because that initial sense of dominance seemed to have disappeared.
Yuan Yi took out a tightly sealed package from his backpack. “Senior He, I have another question. Do you know any place that can perform a chemical composition analysis on clothing?”
It was the clothing he had brought from the Zhou family. He had been busy before and hadn’t found time to get it tested. Worried that any chemicals on it might evaporate, he had stored it in a sealed bag.
“A chemical analysis related to clothing? That depends on what you want to analyze,” He Yanwu said. “Did you buy some defective clothing?”
“It’s hard to say for now. There’s a rather peculiar scent on the clothes. When smelled on its own, it’s quite pleasant, but when it comes into contact with my pheromones, it triggers a different chemical reaction, changing my pheromone’s scent. But I can’t be a hundred percent sure that the issue is with this piece of clothing. So, I want to find a place to analyze its composition. If the fragrance agent on it really is problematic, then of course, I can’t… wear this brand’s clothes anymore.”
“That’s easy. The school’s laboratory can do it.”
“But I want to go to an official testing institution that can issue an inspection report,” Yuan Yi said. “The more legitimate, the better.”
“Then go to the testing center at Jihua University Affiliated Hospital. If you go to a textile quality inspection center, they usually test for issues related to the fabric itself or the dyes, but from what you’re saying, that’s not what you want to check, right?”
Yuan Yi nodded.
He Yanwu guessed, “Could it be that this clothing is also from the North?”
The Zhou family was indeed directly north of the Li family.
Yuan Yi felt that He Yanwu was a little too sharp, but there was no need to lie about it. He simply said, “That’s right. Thanks for your help today, Senior He. I’ll head to the hospital now.”
He Yanwu said, “I’ll go with you. Even if you get the test report, people could still claim that you forged it yourself. Whatever you’re trying to prove, having a witness would make things more credible.”
That did make some sense.
Yuan Yi pondered for a moment before saying, “Then, Senior, you might find yourself being smeared before the night is over.”
He Yanwu scoffed, “Do I look like someone who’s afraid of being smeared? Don’t worry. Whoever dares throw dirt on me tonight will be kneeling and repenting by morning. Let’s go.”
Yuan Yi didn’t move right away.
“What? Afraid Principal Li and Professor Jian will hear about this?”
“No such thing.”
Yuan Yi had indeed thought about Principal Li and Professor Jian. Although the two elders didn’t seem like old-fashioned people—this wasn’t the past, after all—
As parents, he felt they might still feel uneasy knowing he was going out with another Alpha. The hospital was, after all, outside the school, and at the moment, he had no intention of doing anything that would upset them.
He Yanwu said, “You care a lot about their opinions.”
Yuan Yi replied, “They are my family now.”
Even if he didn’t yet have deep emotional ties to the two elders, they were still the biological grandparents of his child—an unchangeable fact.
“So, are you going or not?”
“I’m going.”
Yuan Yi stood up and left the library first.
He Yanwu followed, carrying his bag in one hand. As he walked down the aisle, he suddenly stopped by a certain table.
An Alpha male student was studying there. He Yanwu knocked twice on the table. “Classmate, you sure switch seats quite often.”
The Alpha male student cautiously looked up and forced a smile that was even uglier than crying. “Senior Yanwu.”
He Yanwu said, “Next time you’re taking pictures, try to find a better angle. At the very least, don’t let me catch you in my peripheral vision—it’s safer that way.”
The Alpha student didn’t even dare to make a sound. It was only after He Yanwu left that the student sitting across from him asked, “What did Senior Yanwu mean just now?”
The Alpha student shook his head. “Nothing. I… I have something to do at the lab. You keep studying, I’ll head out first.”
His classmate found it strange, but after leaving the library, the Alpha student looked visibly uneasy. He walked into a grove of trees, carefully checking his surroundings to make sure no one was around before taking out his communicator.
But just as he was about to send a message, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. He changed locations again, heading to the nearest restroom. Only after locking the stall door did he finally sit down and send a message—to someone named “Officer Auntie.”
– I thought it over. I really can’t handle what you asked me to do. Please find someone else for the job. I’ll pay back the money I owe you as soon as possible.
– How can that be? Besides, you did a great job today. I was even thinking of rewarding you. It’s just taking some photos and listening to what he says at school. That’s not exactly a difficult task, is it?
– But they’ve already noticed me. If I keep taking pictures and they report me, what am I supposed to do?
– It’s just some photos. Do you really think it’s serious enough to be reported? And if you’re so afraid of them reporting you in the future, aren’t you just as afraid of me reporting you to the school right now?
The Alpha student’s heart pounded wildly—he wished he could go back three days and beat himself to death. But no matter how much he regretted it, it was already too late. His father owed money outside, and he had borrowed money from this “Officer Auntie” to pay off the debt.
2.7 million—there was no way he could have come up with that kind of money all at once.
A new transfer appeared in his communicator—5,000 in full. He stared at the number for a long time before finally pressing “Accept.”
Officer Auntie asked: “What did they talk about today? How much did you hear? Tell me everything. If it’s useful, I’ll send you another 5,000. This isn’t a loan—it’s your payment.”
No matter how he thought about it, the Alpha student knew there was no way he could repay that 2.7 million within three to five years. What’s more, he was terrified that she might actually report him to the school—if that happened, his life would be completely ruined.
After much hesitation, he finally revealed what he had overheard: Yuan Yi was planning to take some clothes for testing. He had no idea if this information was useful. After waiting for a while, Officer Auntie went completely silent.
Fang Jing never expected Yuan Yi to have such a backup plan. How dare he!
She had heard about Yuan Yi’s plans to transfer departments and had been thinking of ways to get him out of Jihua University first. Once her son’s arrangement with Bai Wanzhe was finalized, it wouldn’t matter if Yuan Yi reappeared later. She had gone through some effort to find this Alpha student to act as her informant.
The Alpha student’s name was Luo Chuanxin. His father had once been a well-known photographer, but after falling into gambling, the family had gone bankrupt and was now drowning in debt.
Seeing an opportunity, Fang Jing had someone approach him and have him take photos of Yuan Yi. She had already planned it out—if Yuan Yi always kept to himself, she would have Luo Chuanxin get close to him. One way or another, she would ensure some ambiguous photos were taken and then present them to the Li family elders.
No in-laws in this world could tolerate their daughter-in-law having unclear relationships with outsiders. As long as suspicion took root, Yuan Yi’s education could very well be hindered. At the very least, he might only be allowed to continue studying after the child was born.
But Yuan Yi actually took his old clothes for testing?!
Fang Jing felt she couldn’t wait another moment. She immediately called Professor Jian Yurou.
“Professor Jian, are you busy? There’s something extremely important I need to discuss with you in person. Would you be available?”
Jian Yurou happened to be free at the moment, so she agreed to meet Fang Jing at a tea house—mainly because she didn’t want this person visiting her home.
Fang Jing arrived at the tea house first. On the way, she transferred money to Luo Chuanxin, instructing him to keep watching Yuan Yi. Her original plan was simple—since Luo Chuanxin was at the medical school, if Yuan Yi really went there, he could snap a few photos of him “pretending” to study. After all, she refused to believe that Yuan Yi could actually get into the medical school.
She had raised the boy—she knew exactly what he was capable of. As long as the world saw through Yuan Yi’s so-called efforts as nothing but an act, he would have no place left at the university.
But she never expected this sudden turn of events! Still, it wasn’t too bad—at least Luo Chuanxin had gotten the photos first. If necessary, she would simply speed up her plan.
Fang Jing poured a cup of tea for Jian Yurou, putting on a sincere and concerned expression. “Professor Jian, I know you’re busy. But after thinking it over, I really feel uneasy about something and had to tell you. It’s about Yuan Yi’s schooling. Did you know that today, he was photographed with an Alpha student named ‘He Yanwu,’ and the pictures were posted on Jihua University’s forum? The whole school is buzzing about it. People are saying that he just got pregnant with Li Heng’s child, and now he’s already trying to seduce another Alpha. I know you want to support him in his studies, but hearing these kinds of rumors really makes me upset. This kind of influence is simply terrible.”
Jian Yurou gently blew on her tea. “I know He Yanwu. He’s an outstanding alumnus of Jihua University’s medical school and was also Li Heng’s college classmate. Principal Li and I are both aware that he has been mentoring Yuan Yi. But I’m curious—what exactly do you mean by ‘photographed together’? If the two of them were simply discussing academic matters, with a senior guiding a junior, then I don’t think there’s any need for excessive speculation. Don’t you agree?”
Fang Jing hesitated before saying, “That’s true, but Yuan Yi is still young. I’m just worried that if he can’t control himself… it wouldn’t be good. It wouldn’t be good for either family’s reputation. And I’m sure you wouldn’t want anyone using this to tarnish Li Heng’s name, right?”
Of course, Jian Yurou didn’t want that. In fact, she had already considered the possibility that Yuan Yi might eventually find someone he liked. Neither she nor Principal Li were against it. There was no need to force a young person to remain alone for the rest of their life. That would be cruel. However, if possible, she did hope that at least it would happen after the children were born.
Fang Jing saw that Jian Yurou remained silent, so she continued, “In my opinion, why don’t you try persuading Yuan Yi to take a leave of absence? Since he wants to apply to medical school, the amount of preparation needed isn’t small at all. He needs to really settle down and study properly. Wouldn’t it be better for him to stay home, focus on his studies, and take care of his pregnancy at the same time? If there’s anything he doesn’t understand, you and Principal Li surely have ways to help him. Don’t you think?”
Jian Yurou smiled and said, “Thank you for telling me all this, Ms. Fang. I’ll consider your suggestion. But I am a little curious—Yuan Yi was only at school asking his senior for guidance for two or three hours at most. How did you find out about it so quickly?”
It was normal for a student to casually browse the forum and come across the news, but what parent had the habit of constantly checking a university student forum?
Fang Jing’s smile stiffened slightly. “Oh, you must’ve forgotten—my son is also studying design at Jihua University. He was upset about the nasty things people were saying, so he told me immediately.”
Jian Yurou nodded. “Ah, I see. No wonder people say their cousinly bond is strong. It really is.”
A cousin who, upon seeing Yuan Yi facing trouble, didn’t think to help clear things up but instead ran to report it to the family. Such an earth-shattering display of brotherly affection.
Jian Yurou felt nothing but disdain, but she only took a light sip of her tea and smiled politely. “This is truly a fine tea, Ms. Fang.”
wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1