Shen Yuqing glanced inside the store; it was a bookstore. Song Lejin was carrying a bag, having just bought some books.
Song Lejin walked up to Shen Yuqing with a smile. “What a coincidence, running into you here.”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “Yeah, what a coincidence.”
Then he added, “Isn’t Lin Sui with you?”
“Brother Sui went back to the academy first. Since I had nothing else to do, I came to see if there were any books I liked.” Song Lejin remained cheerful. “Want to head back together?”
Shen Yuqing had no objections, so the two walked side by side.
Song Lejin said, “Brother Sui mentioned you live nearby.”
“Yeah, it’s convenient. No need to wake up early,” Shen Yuqing replied lazily.
Song Lejin continued, “Are there any available units in your complex? I’d like to live closer too. My place is far, and I have to get up early every day to make it to class. It’s really exhausting after a while.”
Shen Yuqing glanced at him and shook his head. “No vacancies in my complex. You might want to check other places.”
Song Lejin sighed. “Makes sense. The housing around the academy is always in high demand.”
Shen Yuqing simply nodded. He wasn’t particularly close with Song Lejin, so once they reached the school gates, he said, “I’ll head to the mecha department first.”
Song Lejin agreed. “Let’s hang out sometime.”
Shen Yuqing gave a noncommittal hum and left without looking back.
After just a few steps, the system popped up: [Host, he’s still watching you.]
[Let him look. It’s not like I’ll lose a piece of flesh.] Shen Yuqing didn’t care, but then it occurred to him why was Song Lejin staring at him?
Just as he was about to glance back, the system added: [He’s gone now.]
Fine, no need to turn around then.
When Shen Yuqing returned to the classroom, he spotted Song Wangzhuo sitting in a corner, chewing on a piece of bread. The encounter with Song Lejin had nearly made him forget his original purpose.
He carried his things to the seat behind Song Wangzhuo, fiddled with his phone for a moment, and then sent a message.
Song Wangzhuo, still munching on his bread, felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it out and saw Shen Yuqing’s message:
[I topped up your meal card. Eat properly next time, don’t make it seem like I’m neglecting you.]
At the same time, a new notification appeared:
[Your meal card ending in 0091 has been credited with 200,000 yuan. Current balance: …]
Even someone as composed as Song Wangzhuo couldn’t help but turn around and look at Shen Yuqing after reading that.
Shen Yuqing tilted his chin up slightly in acknowledgment.
Song Wangzhuo frowned. Once money was deposited into the meal card, it could only be spent, not withdrawn.
Besides, he’d graduate in a year. Even if he ate out every day, he probably wouldn’t finish it all.
Soon, another message arrived from Shen Yuqing as if he’d already guessed what Song Wangzhuo was thinking.
[It’s not much. You’ll burn through it quickly just buying snacks. Every employee at Shen Corporation gets meal allowances. I said you’d get the same treatment as a full-time employee, so here you go.]
Song Wangzhuo lowered his gaze, thought for a moment, and replied with a simple “Thanks.”
Shen Yuqing put his phone away, but now the data in his mind began updating.
[Corruption Value: 55 | Favorability: -40]
This plan was definitely working.
Shen Yuqing struggled to suppress the upward curve of his lips. If things continued according to his plan and went smoothly, it might not be long before Song Wangzhuo’s darkening value decreased.
Finally, there was some hope to look forward to.
Shen Yuqing let out a sigh of relief. So good! So nice!
*Weekend.
Shen Yuqing finally got a full, peaceful night’s sleep and woke up feeling refreshed and energetic. However, by the time he got up, Pei Yiyan had already left the house. According to Xiao Zhao, he had gone to the hospital for a check-up.
Lately, Pei Yiyan seemed to be visiting the hospital more frequently. Was something wrong with his health again?
He pursed his lips. That medicine from last time must have had quite an impact on him, but there was nothing to be done about it now.
Shen Yuqing hadn’t expected the drug to have been meant for him. Otherwise, he would never have let Pei Yiyan drink that glass of water.
But it was too late for regrets now. All he could do was hope Pei Yiyan would be alright.
He had a late breakfast. Xiao Zhao knew he had been looking for a tutor to help him with his studies and had mentioned Shen Yuqing’s situation to Shen Zhen. Shen Zhen suggested preparing more snacks for him so he wouldn’t get hungry while studying.
Today, Xiao Zhao had made fruit yogurt and a rolled sponge cake both looked delicious and were flavors Shen Yuqing loved. There was also an extra portion, as Shen Yuqing had requested, for the tutor.
Xiao Zhao accompanied Shen Yuqing to the rental apartment. Song Wangzhuo hadn’t arrived yet, so Xiao Zhao arranged the fruit yogurt and cake on the dining table, tidied up the place, and then left.
Shen Yuqing sat at the desk, idly flipping through the books. He had to admit, Song Wangzhuo was an excellent tutor. After studying with him for just a few days, Shen Yuqing had already grasped some of the basics much faster than he had expected.
Chewing on the end of his pen, he gazed out the window. It was rare for him to have such a leisurely moment to just daydream.
He had been in this world for a while now and realized he had fully adapted to life here. Sometimes, when he thought about his past life, it felt almost surreal.
He wondered who had buried him after his death.
Most likely, it was his company. Or maybe the orphanage where he had grown up.
The headmistress would have been heartbroken to see him gone.
Though he didn’t have much, there had been some savings in his bank account. He wasn’t sure if the headmistress had withdrawn it, but even if it wasn’t much, it could have bought the orphanage kids a few good meals…
Lost in thought, Shen Yuqing didn’t even notice when the front door opened.
When Song Wangzhuo stepped inside, the first thing he saw was Shen Yuqing propping his chin on his hand, staring out the window. His face was turned away, so his expression wasn’t visible, but just from his posture, Song Wangzhuo could sense a deep loneliness emanating from him.
The realization gave him pause, and he almost laughed at himself for overthinking. What loneliness could a reckless little troublemaker like Shen Yuqing possibly feel?
He deliberately made his footsteps heavier to announce his arrival. Sure enough, Shen Yuqing turned to look at him the next second.
“You’re here,” Shen Yuqing said, straightening up.
Song Wangzhuo walked over and immediately noticed the afternoon tea set on the table.
For the past few days, there had always been two servings of desserts waiting for them when they arrived.
At first, he refused to eat it, but Shen Yuqing immediately threw it in the trash without a word. Yet the next day, there was still a portion for him.
After seeing it wasted twice, Song Wangzhuo couldn’t stand it anymore. After all, waste was shameful.
The amount of sweets he’d eaten these past few days already exceeded what he’d normally have in a year.
But one thing was undeniably true: sweets really did lift one’s mood.
He pulled a test paper from his bag. “We have extra time today, so let’s start with a practice test, then analyze the mistakes to reinforce what we’ve covered these past few days.”
Shen Yuqing had no objections. Taking the paper from Song Wangzhuo, he heard him say, “Let’s begin now.”
Picking up his pen, he lowered his head to examine the questions.
