Ye Liangchen was seated nearby. He didn't force Hu Yuying to accept the milk tea anymore, nor did he disturb her. He just watched her with a beaming smile.
It seemed that everything about Hu Yuying was beautiful to him.
Feeling Ye Liangchen's gaze, Hu Yuying would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous.
Anyone would feel frightened if they were stared at in such a way by a strange man.
Fortunately, Ye Liangchen started feeling unwell after drinking two cups of milk tea consecutively.
Taking advantage of the time he spent in the restroom, Hu Yuying left the mall half an hour early from her part-time work.
She couldn't quite understand, having clearly rejected Ye Liangchen, why he would still watch her with that smile.
Anyway, she decided to avoid him in the future.
Thinking this, Hu Yuying quickened her pace, terrified that Ye Liangchen would find out she was gone and come chasing after her.
On her way home, passing by a fresh market, she looked at the money in her hands and walked in.
The part-time job paid daily.
She wanted to buy some vegetables to take home.
Before, Hu Yuying used to visit the market in the afternoon.
Because vegetables are cheapest then.
But she didn't want to go out again after going home today.
Because she had to study and review more problems to ensure that when she explained problems to her elder brother, she would not stumble over unfamiliar ones.
Walking into the market, Hu Yuying started selecting vegetables from the stalls.
As the weather gradually warmed up, the vegetables Hu Yuying chose were mostly cheap and had a longer shelf life.
"Boss, I'll take these. How much?"
She handed the selected potatoes and sweet potatoes to the market vendor, asking in a soft voice.
After paying the money and picking up her bag, she was about to leave the market.
"Hu Yuying?"
Suddenly hearing someone call her name, Hu Yuying turned her head in bewilderment, but she couldn’t see who called her because of the many stalls and crowd.
"Over here!"
The voice sounded again and Hu Yuying looked toward the meat stall.
She saw a young man waving his right hand high at her, his black short hair soaked with sweat was stuck to his refined and handsome face.
He slowly walked towards her. Even in the hustle and bustle, at this moment, just this moment, at least this moment!
All the noise around seemed to disappear.
"Why are you standing there dumbfounded? Don’t you recognize me?" The young man in front laughed lightly. His laugh was like a clear spring in the summer, dropping pebbles into her heart and ripples spread unwittingly.
"Elder brother, what are you doing here?" Hu Yuying's eyes shimmered as if reflecting fragments of light, adding a touch of vitality to her face, instantly erasing all of her worries.
"My father sells pork over there. I'm here to help." He noticed the bag of potatoes and sweet potatoes in Hu Yuying's hand and frowned slightly, "Follow me."
"Okay," Hu Yuying nodded heavily, a faint dimple showed on her cheek.
He led Hu Yuying to the old man's stall.
The old man was surprised to see his son returning home with a girl.
"This is my father," Long Aotian introduced.
"And this is my classmate, also my little tutor."
It was the first time that his son had introduced him in front of a classmate, the old man was lost in a complexity of emotions. Unthinkingly, he removed his oil-stained apron.
Hu Yuying, however, was taken aback to be introduced as Long Aotian's little tutor in front of the latter's father.
Known for her introverted character, she was at a loss for a moment.
Out of courtesy, she softly greeted him, "Hello, uncle."
She then looked helplessly at Long Aotian.
Hearing the girl timidly calling him "uncle," the old man did his best to appear friendly, with a softened heart, he chuckled and said, "Has Long Aotian been causing trouble for you?"
Hu Yuying shook her head immediately. Long Aotian had not been troubling her, on the contrary, it was she who was always causing trouble for him.
"Trouble? Of course, there would have been trouble. In our busy senior year, she had to spend time tutoring your son. How could that not be troublesome?" Long Aotian had already cut a piece of nicely marbled meat during the conversation.
After packing it neatly, he put it directly into Hu Yuying’s bag.
Hu Yuying, seeing this, hurriedly declined, "I can't accept this."
She didn't have much money left since she wrapped up her part-time job early today.
She couldn't afford this meat.
"It's a gift, you look as thin as a bamboo pole, take it home and build up your strength."
These words were heartfelt. According to the original description in the novel, Hu Yuying's figure and height were supposed to be the most exquisite golden ratio - an enchanting curve with an indentation at the waist. But now, she was as thin as a line, completely unlike the original enchanting curves.
Frantically Hu Yuying looked at Long Aotian, "Big brother, I…I…" Her cheeks flushed as she felt embarrassed, "I...I don't have money..."
Long Aotian, amused, said, "It's a gift, my little tutor."
"But I can't accept it. You are businessmen and besides, I've already bought vegetables today. And I... I don't like eating meat..."
Long Aotian forcibly pulled Hu Yuying's hand from the bag, "I warn you, I can't bear your long-windedness anymore. Accept what's given to you or I might hit you!"
"But I don't like to eat meat."
Long Aotian gently tapped his knuckles on Hu Yuying's head, "Will you keep arguing?"
Hu Yuying rubbed her head, her teary eyes made her look like she would burst into tears any moment.
On seeing this, Long Aotian quickly rubbed the place where he had hit Hu Yuying.
Feeling the soft touch of Long Aotian's hand, Hu Yuying froze. It was as if an unknown force had compelled her.
Instead of responding in alarm, she continued looking up at Long Aotian, gazing at him in a daze.
"Did it hurt?"
It didn't hurt too much, but for some reason, Hu Yuying gently nodded her head.
"Will you behave next time, understood?"
"I understand."
"Do you live nearby?" Seeing Hu Yuying here was a surprise for Long Aotian.
"The village up front." Hu Yuying pointed in the eastern direction.
The old man, watching the two of them standing against the light, couldn't help but smile without uttering a word.
He noticed the changes in his son.
And since their family is into meat business, meat is nothing unusual for them.
If this young teacher can really educate his son, help him improve his grades, and get a university admission, then not just chunks of meat, even if he comes to dine every day, there wouldn't be any issue.
.......