Psst! We're moving!
Ren Yali hit a soft nail, knowing that this matter couldn’t be rushed. After repeatedly thanking them, she reluctantly left.
Before leaving, she persistently pleaded with Yu Tian: “Send me your brother’s WeChat. He has helped me so much; I must thank him properly.”
“That won’t do,” Yu Tian remained unmoved. “And how is it that he helped you? Clearly, I was the one who helped you. There’s no need to treat him to a meal; treat me instead.”
“...”
In short, despite Ren Yali’s threats and enticements, Yu Tian firmly refused to hand over Yan Ming’s WeChat.
After bidding farewell to Ren Yali and seeing her out of the hospital, Yu Tian made her way back to Yan Ming’s office.
This matter, Ren Yali could thank her for, but she indeed should express her gratitude to Yan Ming.
Yu Tian had just reached the entrance when Yan Ming, who had been deeply engrossed in clinical literature, heard the commotion and looked up.
His eyes still carried the focus from reading the literature, but now they were calm and gentle, always enigmatic — seemingly cold yet passionate, with warmth lingering beneath the surface like blended paint, where the original colors are hard to distinguish but create a unique shade.
These were indeed eyes that easily inspired dependency and affection — clean, indifferent, yet tender and affectionate.
They also easily aroused selfish thoughts of wanting to possess them.
Yan Ming’s long, curled lashes fluttered slightly as he looked at Yu Tian: “What is it? Is there anything else?”
Yu Tian suddenly felt her heart pounding. Though it was a normal expression of gratitude, she unexpectedly became somewhat guilty and nervous.
Yu Tian suddenly didn’t know how to start the conversation. She stared blankly at Yan Ming’s phone on the desk, seeing her own reflection in the screen looking helpless.
“Ding”
“The UP main ‘Xiao Yu Loves Candy’ you follow has uploaded a new video...”
With the familiar update notification sound from the platform, Yu Tian stared blankly as such a prompt popped up on Yan Ming’s phone...
This was Yu Tian’s scheduled release. Since she had already posted an inventory science video last night, to avoid traffic congestion and better apply for platform recommendations, she had set another inventory science video to be released today.
After some thought, the scheduled time she had set seemed to be exactly now.
But...
Yu Tian looked inquiringly at Yan Ming.
Hadn’t he said that he wouldn’t look at such self-media accounts after work, clearly indicating that he wouldn’t follow her?
Yan Ming appeared slightly awkward for a second, then naturally picked up the phone from the table and put it into the drawer.
“It’s a recommendation forcefully pushed by the system,” his gaze shifted elsewhere. “Maybe because location services are on, it forced me to follow local UP mains.”
The man solemnly said, “That’s why I don’t like following self-media accounts. They constantly push update notifications regardless of the situation, affecting my work.”
“...” Never heard of the platform having issues with forced city-based recommendations...
But Yu Tian didn’t care why Yan Ming followed her. Just the fact that he did made her happy.
“Since this is the case, it’s fate. Then don’t unfollow. You can set it not to notify you in the future! It helps boost my follower count!”
Yan Ming coughed lightly: “Alright then.” He glanced at Yu Tian, “You said so yourself.”
Yu Tian smiled brightly: “Thank you, thank you!”
However, after expressing her thanks for following her, she had something more important to thank Yan Ming for.
“Brother Yan Ming, thank you so much for helping with Ren Yali today. Let me treat you to dinner tonight!”
But Yu Tian’s painstakingly prepared mental fortitude and courage to say these words were met with an immediate rejection from Yan Ming without hesitation.
“I won’t eat. I’ve already made plans for tonight.”
Oh...
Though a little disappointed, it was expected. After all, doctors are very busy.
On her way home, Yu Tian still felt mixed emotions.
Tonight, Yu Tian’s mother had gone out, most likely on a date, so only Yu Tian was at home.
Thinking about making dinner alone, Yu Tian felt lazy. She aimlessly wandered around the streets a few times, realizing it was almost dinner time, so she decided to find a high-end restaurant.
Previous episodes of food therapy programs had received traffic support and gained considerable revenue shares. Yu Tian decided to treat herself to a good meal.
However, upon receiving the menu, Yu Tian regretted it. The prices at this place were proportional to its expensive and upscale appearance. She flipped through it, wincing as she selected dishes. When she finally looked up, she saw Yan Wenhua.
He was dressed in a suit, his hair waxed, obviously well-groomed.
This...
Although the restaurant was quite high-end, it wasn’t business-oriented but rather suited for couples or friends’ dates.
Moreover, her mother was also out tonight. When Yu Tian asked where she was going, her mother hesitated.
So this...
Was she on a date with Yan Wenhua?
Yu Tian’s heart suddenly became tense and excited.
Logically speaking, they had known each other for so long, there was no need to dress so formally for a meal.
Yan Wenhua was clearly dressed up, showing great seriousness. But it wasn’t any special holiday or anniversary.
Yu Tian’s heart suddenly started pounding.
She had a bold guess.
Given the time, Yan Wenhua and her mother had been dating for a while. Yu Tian had heard Qi Sihao say that in remarriages, both parties weren’t young. If they liked each other and got along well, remarriages often proceeded naturally and quickly.
So could it be that tonight, Yan Wenhua dressed so formally to propose to her mother?
Yan Wenhua obviously looked nervous, adjusting his clothes before choosing a large table to sit at.
Yu Tian suddenly didn’t want to leave this expensive restaurant. She was glad she chose a very secluded spot since she was dining alone. From this position, she could completely see what was happening at Yan Wenhua’s table, while the potted plants in the corner provided excellent cover. Most people wouldn’t notice her.
Yu Tian anticipated seeing her mother appear, but contrary to her wishes, someone else soon sat opposite Yan Wenhua — another woman.
Though roughly the same age as her mother, the woman was elegantly dressed, delicate, and had a completely different demeanor from her mother.
If they were relatives or friends of Yan Wenhua, their mannerisms didn’t suggest so. They looked like newly acquainted middle-aged couples, somewhat familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar, with more ambiguity flowing between their gazes.
Yu Tian’s dishes had arrived, but she lost her appetite. She put down her cutlery and began staring at the movements at Yan Wenhua’s table.
Sure enough, shortly after sitting down, their physical interactions became much closer. Yan Wenhua’s gaze towards the woman was filled with obvious love and affection.
Yu Tian’s heart sank like ice.
She had only one realization.
Yan Wenhua was cheating!
The angrier and more panicked her heart felt, the calmer her behavior became.
Mechanically stuffing food into her mouth, Yu Tian watched Yan Wenhua, her mind racing with solutions.
She definitely couldn’t immediately tell her mother. Her mother had worked hard to open her heart to a new relationship, perhaps hoping it would blossom. Discovering such a betrayal would surely devastate her.
But doing nothing and letting Yan Wenhua secretly carry on right under her nose was also unacceptable.
Fuming, Yu Tian almost instinctively took out her phone to call Yan Ming and confront him.
Her mind was chaotic, unable to formulate how to phrase things to Yan Ming. Unexpectedly, she saw Yan Ming walk into the restaurant from the entrance, accompanied by a fashionably dressed young girl. The girl looked shy and timid, tentatively following Yan Ming, eager to strike up a conversation but unsure what to say.
Then Yu Tian watched as these two walked to Yan Wenhua’s table and took their seats.
Yu Tian suddenly felt uncertain. Could this be Yan Ming’s blind date? Were they the girl and her mother?
As the meal progressed, they merely chatted, offering no clues about their relationship.
Yu Tian’s heart continued to beat heavily and fast. Whether out of anger over Yan Wenhua’s suspected infidelity or due to Yan Ming’s supposed blind date, she was unsure.
However, she soon found an opportunity. Midway through, the girl opposite Yan Ming excused herself to the restroom.
Yu Tian almost immediately stood up, bypassing the concealing greenery, and entered the restroom from an angle unseen by Yan Ming and Yan Wenhua.
But what use was following her to the restroom?
Could she really block the girl and question her?
When Yu Tian calmed down, she couldn’t help but laugh at her own stupidity.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, she saw the girl come out of the restroom stall, talking on the phone —
“I saw the son of my mom’s blind date prospect.”
The excitement and thrill were evident in her voice: “Damn, he’s so handsome! You have no idea, his height, looks, and charisma are just perfect! I never imagined meeting such a hot guy in real life. He’s a bit cold, like an ice prince, you know? I can’t even describe it.”
“And I heard his family is super rich. Though I’m happy my mom met such a blind date prospect, I feel a bit sorry too. If my mom ends up with him, he’d technically be my older brother, which means I can’t pursue him…”
Halfway through her sentence, the girl suddenly seemed to make a decision: “Forget it. Even if we’re step-siblings, there’s no legal relationship, and it doesn’t fall under marriage laws prohibiting marriage. Close quarters first advantage, I’m still going to pursue him! Marrying into the family isn’t bad, right? I’ve been worried about finding an excuse to contact a guy of this caliber. Now this works perfectly; I can keep approaching him because of my mom’s matters, haha!”
The girl hung up boldly, touched up her makeup, and resumed her shy, quiet demeanor before walking out of the restroom.
Yu Tian stood in front of the mirror, glaring at her reflection.
The girl in the mirror was beautiful but fierce-eyed, teetering on the edge of losing control.
She was really, really angry.
Yan Wenhua actually came out to cheat and go on a blind date!
While dating her mom!
Even worse, Yan Ming seemingly knew everything but not only failed to stop it, he even aided and abetted! Participating in his father’s blind date and covering for him!
Yu Tian’s heart alternated between cold and hot. Though it was Yan Wenhua who was cheating, her disappointment and anger towards Yan Ming were stronger, as if she herself had been betrayed.
Angry and impulsive, she sent a WeChat message to Yan Ming.
[Xiao Yu]: Where are you? What are you doing?
Yan Ming was chatting with the people at the table and indeed did not check his phone or reply to Yu Tian’s message.
Yu Tian suppressed her temper, calming her emotions, patiently waiting like a leopard ready to hunt until this blind date ended.
Yu Tian’s side was deathly silent, while Yan Ming’s table was lively and harmonious. After the meal, Yan Wenhua obviously planned to go shopping with the lady from the blind date. With a wave of his hand, just as he had arranged previously during the blind date with Yu Tian’s family, he naturally and generously arranged Yan Ming’s itinerary.
Yu Tian strained her ears—
“Yan Ming, take Miss Chen Xi shopping too. Didn’t she say she wanted to buy a tablet? This task is yours. Take her to buy it!”
Yu Tian’s inner anger reached its peak.
She paid the bill first and then walked out of the restaurant, “ambushing” in the shadows behind the potted plants at the entrance.
Actually, Yu Tian regretted hiding behind the plants. Tonight’s weather was very stuffy, and the dark area behind the plants was full of mosquitoes.
Moreover, she suddenly found it meaningless.
After all, Yan Wenhua was just dating her mom, not legally married. She couldn’t really “catch him in the act.”
Just as Yu Tian was preparing to give up the “ambush” and leave from behind the plants, Yan Ming and the girl named Chen Xi had already arrived at the restaurant entrance.
The two stood on the open ground not far from the plants. Yan Ming stopped.
“Brother Yan Ming, are we going to Digital Port? It’s closer here. I’m not familiar with computer configurations. If you’re coming along, it would be great...”
Before the girl finished, she was interrupted by Yan Ming.
“Sorry,” his voice was distant, but his refusal was unequivocal. “I have another appointment after this, so I can’t accompany you.”
Chen Xi showed obvious disappointment: “Is that so...”
But she quickly smiled, pretending to be nonchalant: “If I have any questions, I’ll call you!”
Unfortunately, Yan Ming was quite unsentimental: “Better not ask me. I don’t know computer configurations.”
He gave her a slight smile: “I only know how to check eyes. If your eyes aren’t good, you can register with me.”
“...”
At this moment, even Yu Tian hiding behind the plants felt speechless.
But then again, it takes poor eyesight to fall in love with Yan Ming at first sight.
He was a man covering for his dad’s cheating blind date!
How loyal could he be to his future partner!
And with such a busy schedule, after finishing this engagement, he needed to rush to the next one!
Soon, Yan Wenhua and his blind date lady left, Chen Xi left, and Yu Tian waited for Yan Ming to leave so she could come out from behind the plants and go home.
Once home, she could think long-term about how to handle the situation.
Unfortunately, Yan Ming, for some reason, stood at the restaurant entrance, neither playing with his phone nor making calls, but seriously watching the bustling traffic and the city’s night scenery.
Didn’t he say someone was waiting! Didn’t he say there was another engagement!
Why hasn’t he left yet!
Behind the plants where Yu Tian stood, there were many mosquitoes. Her exposed calves were already covered in bites from the “mandatory blood donation,” and she just wanted to go home. But Yan Ming’s position was tricky; if she came out from behind the plants to walk onto the road, she would inevitably pass in front of him.
Through the plants, Yu Tian glared at Yan Ming.
In the night, his profile was smooth and fair, with long, thick lashes casting shadows under his eyes. His delicate features exuded a soft appearance, like moonlight—bright but perpetually cold.
Yu Tian suddenly wasn’t angry anymore.
She just felt disheartened and wronged.
To build a good relationship with Yan Ming, she had put in a lot of effort. Normally, if anyone treated her so indifferently, Yu Tian would probably have left long ago. But with Yan Ming, whether through the idol filter or the hope of becoming part of the family, she stubbornly and awkwardly tried to be friendly.
She thought she had become somewhat familiar with Yan Ming, and he should treat her differently, at least with some sense of morality. Even if he couldn’t restrain his father’s cheating behavior, he shouldn’t actively participate or cover for him!
But...
But Yan Ming was like an unreachable moon, generous with his light to everyone but equally distant.
Yu Tian’s thoughts wandered further, hoping Yan Ming would leave soon. Then she received a WeChat message from him.
[Yan]: What? Are you coming to find me?
Yu Tian was furious. Who wants to find you!
Looking at her previous message, she realized the impropriety—it sounded like a jealous wife checking up on him.
This can’t be.
Even if betrayed, one must maintain dignity and pride.
Hiding behind the plants, Yu Tian sternly replied to Yan Ming.
[Xiao Yu]: Oh, I sent it to the wrong person. I meant to send it to Qi Sihao. I’m editing videos at home and am pretty busy, so let’s not talk.
After replying, Yu Tian finally felt a bit better.
Look at how smug Yan Ming is. Does he really think just because I idolize him, he can do whatever he wants?
There are limits to fandom, not to mention that strictly speaking, Yu Tian doesn’t even count as a fan of Yan Ming.
Once he leaves, she will go home immediately, call Qi Sihao, rant about Yan Ming for three days and nights, and then fully assist Qi Sihao in stealing Gao Mei away, leaving Yan Ming to grow old alone!
Yu Tian’s inner passion and fighting spirit surged. She meticulously planned and envisioned the future, but then a cold yet familiar voice came from above—
“Your house is quite unique.”
This voice...
Yu Tian frowned and glared upward.
Then she saw Yan Ming calmly looking at her.
“...”
Yan Ming gave her a friendly smile: “Editing videos at home must be quite tiring.”
“...”
Yu Tian kept a straight face, puffing her cheeks, refusing to acknowledge the undeniable fact, believing she was silently retaliating.
Having caught them, Yan Ming should realize that his and his father’s despicable actions had been exposed.
Unfortunately, the panic and shame Yu Tian imagined did not appear on Yan Ming’s face. He was even calmer than Yu Tian, able to converse normally without blushing or fluster.
“I’ll escort you to the subway station.”
Yu Tian was very annoyed. She coldly said: “Didn’t you say this engagement ended, and you had another appointment?”
“Isn’t it you?” Yan Ming pursed his lips. “You’ve already been lying in wait for me. Of course, I can’t make other arrangements.”
After saying this, Yan Ming didn’t say anything else, calmly walking forward.
Finally, Yu Tian couldn’t hold back: “Don’t you have anything to say about tonight’s events? No explanation?”
Even as a bystander, Yu Tian felt embarrassed, even ashamed to utter the word “cheating.”
But Yan Ming seemed to have no psychological barriers.
He was momentarily stunned, even showing a puzzled expression: “Should I say something?”
Was he starting to play dumb?
Yu Tian was a bit angered, too late to carefully organize her words, impulsively blurting out: “I thought given our current relationship, there should be some exclusive agreement.”
She had already hinted subtly enough, considering Yan Ming’s face, fearing that laying bare the truth would embarrass him. Yet, Yan Ming seemed determined to brazenly ignore it.
He looked at Yu Tian, incredulous, even raising his voice slightly: “Exclusive based on our current relationship? What kind of relationship do we have?”
How dare he ask what kind of relationship?!
Yu Tian defiantly glared at Yan Ming, no longer hiding: “Of course, the relationship of becoming family in the future!”
After saying this, Yan Ming showed a quite astonished and shaken expression.
After a moment, he seemed to regain his composure, his eyes complex as he looked at Yu Tian: “I think you shouldn’t think so far ahead. There’s been no progress to that point yet, so don’t jump to conclusions about the future.”
Although Yan Ming’s tone remained calm, his expression turned somewhat unnatural: “We are not in that kind of relationship now, so I think you keeping tabs on me is a bit much. Everyone has normal social interactions. Some possessiveness as a woman is reasonable, but being overly jealous turns into paranoia.”
“No man likes a jealous woman.”
Yan Ming’s words were chilling. His gaze was fixed ahead, not on Yu Tian.
Isn’t that true?
Would he dare look at her?
Indeed, Yu Tian’s mother and Yan Ming’s father hadn’t reached the stage of discussing marriage. Legally remarrying was still far off, but since they had started dating and weren’t seeing others, this was basic morality!
How dare Yan Ming accuse her of being jealous!
Looking at Yan Ming’s handsome and refreshing profile, it was hard to believe such words came from him. But reality slapped her in the face.
Good looks don’t necessarily mean good character.
Yu Tian felt her idol filter for Yan Ming rapidly crumbling.
His surgical skills and professional knowledge were still exceptional, but his moral character was questionable!
Indeed, like father, like son. Yan Wenhua could lead the way in cheating blind dates and having backup options, and Yan Ming, his biological son, could not help but follow suit?
Look at his righteous and justified attitude now!
This was no longer a minor flaw that could be tolerated; it was a fundamental, principled issue!
Yu Tian couldn’t help but glance at Yan Ming again.
His forehead was fair and smooth, his eyebrows handsome yet spirited, his gaze forever mysteriously and distantly alluring. In terms of external conditions, he was still very, very attractive.
Who could imagine that beneath this beautiful exterior lay a hollow core.
Yan Ming was blatantly a scoundrel.
Yu Tian bit her lip: “So you think this level of social interaction is fine?”
“Of course,” Yan Ming looked at Yu Tian strangely. “It’s very normal.”
Yan Ming truly believed everything was perfectly normal.
His father and Yu Tian’s mother had broken up for a while. Although his father was the one dumped, at their age, they wouldn’t cling or beg like young lovers.
At this age, people learn to accept failure. If it’s not working, it’s not working. Nothing can be forced, and there’s no need to dwell on past disappointments. One should continue moving forward.
Thus, after a brief heartbreak, Yan Wenhua restarted his blind dates, which was very normal. As a son, to express sincerity, interacting with families interested in remarrying his father fell within the normal scope of social activities.
He didn’t understand why Yu Tian reacted so strongly, even feeling jealous of his father’s blind date partner’s daughter.
He hadn’t even established any relationship with Yu Tian.
But Yu Tian looked like she was about to explode. Her beautiful eyes seemed ready to spout fire, occasionally stealing glares at him, thinking she was well-hidden and unnoticed.
Jiang Yuming was right about one thing. Yu Tian was indeed very beautiful. Even her angry expressions were radiant, with a touch of cuteness and charm.
Thus, Yan Ming felt he could tolerate and forgive her behavior.
But principles had to be stated. On this point, Yan Ming wasn’t willing to compromise.
Fortunately, due to his cold treatment, Yu Tian seemed to quiet down, possibly finally calming down and regaining rationality.
Yu Tian indeed calmed down, though not in the way Yan Ming thought.
She now didn’t want to deal with Yan Ming and was internally struggling with how to bring up this matter with her mother.
No matter what, even if her mother was very satisfied with Yan Wenhua, Yu Tian couldn’t stand idly by and watch her mother jump into a fire pit.
Originally eagerly anticipating becoming family with Yan Ming, Yu Tian now only thought about how to make her mother see Yan Wenhua’s true nature and break up peacefully, distancing herself from Yan Ming’s family.
The subway station wasn’t far from the restaurant, but when they reached the convenience store entrance, Yan Ming suddenly called out to the preoccupied Yu Tian.
“Wait a moment. I’ll buy something.”
Yu Tian’s mind was in turmoil, and she didn’t respond, just nodded absentmindedly.
A moment later, Yan Ming came out of the convenience store with a small bag. He held it in his hand, and when they reached the subway station entrance, he suddenly handed the bag to Yu Tian.
Yu Tian was somewhat confused: “Hmm?”
“For you.”
After saying this, Yan Ming shoved the bag into Yu Tian’s hands: “Go home early.”
Yu Tian hadn’t fully processed it, standing there dazed, even forgetting to look inside the bag.
Just this brief pause revealed a somewhat helpless and troubled expression on Yan Ming’s face. Then he gave her a resigned look: “Alright, understood. I’ll escort you to the train.”
He glanced at Yu Tian, his gaze shifting awkwardly, as if declaring a principle, emphasizing in a flat tone: “Coincidentally, I’m free today. I ate a lot for dinner, so taking a few more steps will help digest.”
Yu Tian was a bit puzzled. By the time she realized, Yan Ming had already walked ahead of her. He turned to look at her.
“Let’s go.”
Before Yu Tian could say anything, Yan Ming took the bag back from her hands and didn’t say anything else, carrying it all the way to escort her into the station. Only when the subway Yu Tian needed to board arrived did Yan Ming hand the bag back to her.
“Send me a message when you get home.”
Then he succinctly bid farewell to Yu Tian.
Yu Tian was jostled by the crowd onto the subway. As the train started and moved away, she saw Yan Ming on the platform.
Though he said he would leave, he didn’t immediately depart.
Almost everyone on the platform had boarded the subway, leaving only a few scattered individuals. Yan Ming, tall and handsome, stood out even more. Upon catching Yu Tian’s gaze, he shifted his eyes and waved in her direction, like consoling a reluctant puppy.
Yu Tian’s mood was complex.
When she opened the bag Yan Ming had handed her, her inner turmoil increased.
Inside was a bottle of mosquito repellent and a small tube of itch-relief gel.
Yu Tian looked at the numerous mosquito bites on her legs and pursed her lips tightly.
So Yan Ming was feeling guilty, resorting to this method to appease and plead. Did he expect her to pretend she didn’t know, turning a blind eye and not telling her mother?
Was he too naive!
People always side with reason over personal relationships, especially when both reason and familial ties were on Yu Tian’s side.
Whether escorting her onto the train or buying mosquito repellent and itch-relief spray, none of it would soften Yu Tian’s heart!
Trying to help his father keep two women? Dream on!