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After a year of review, Yu Tian successfully re-enrolled as a master’s student at Rong City Medical University. During this period, she had to divide her attention, but fortunately, with Ren Yali’s help—alongside Jiang Yuming—they secured Ren Yali’s mother’s approval and support. This allowed Ren Yali to fully commit to their medical science communication career instead of begrudgingly following her mother’s wishes to pursue an unloved profession. Yu Tian could now focus entirely on her work as a science content creator.
With Ren Yali’s assistance, Yu Tian’s account didn’t miss a beat during her exam preparation. They even experienced several viral moments. Together, they decided to expand their small team by hiring more people, further strengthening their capabilities. Additionally, each month, they allocated a portion of their earnings from views to fund surgeries for financially disadvantaged patients in need.
With her content creator career on solid footing, Yu Tian had no lingering worries. In September, she returned to campus, embarking on a new journey of academic challenges.
Determined to pursue an academic path while occasionally balancing her medical video content creation, Yu Tian’s coursework proved demanding, leaving her with little time to spare. Even Yan Ming teased her, saying she was “busier than a doctor,” subtly hinting his dissatisfaction about their limited dates.
Despite her busy schedule, Yu Tian managed to navigate through the first academic year. She declined most extracurricular activities, though some were unavoidable—
“Yu Tian, you absolutely must attend this year-end gathering. It’s not just our class reunion—it’ll also include notable alumni from previous years. Many are now leading researchers in labs or renowned doctors in various medical fields. We’ll discuss future career planning and share insights on job opportunities for medical students. And!”
The one trying to persuade Yu Tian was Chen Gang, their class monitor: “Most importantly, there will be a mentorship pairing program. Our vice-dean worked hard to secure this collaboration with many distinguished alumni. Since our class is small, the vice-principal arranged for an equal number of alumni to pair up with us. At the event, based on mutual interests and rapport, we’ll form one-on-one mentoring relationships.”
“For instance,” he continued, “if you’re planning to pursue academia, you can pair up with a senior researcher. You’ll have someone to consult whenever you encounter problems.”
Chen Gang concluded his earnest persuasion by revealing his trump card: “Since it’s a one-on-one pairing, you must come. If you don’t, there’ll be an alumnus left without a partner, and if that happens, I’ll be held accountable as class monitor for failing my duties.”
“And though it’s a formal pairing activity, the format is relaxed—a small salon-style party. It’s not too serious; think of it as an opportunity to make new friends!”
Chen Gang was a bright, responsible young man who took both his studies and class activities seriously. With him putting it this way, Yu Tian couldn’t refuse.
Besides, the academic year was ending, and summer vacation was approaching. Yu Tian wanted to unwind and enjoy some relaxation. Attending a class reunion sounded fun, especially since notable alumni would be present. Who knows? Maybe she could even secure sponsorships or resources for her medical education videos.
When she mentioned it to Yan Ming later, he asked about the details of the event and then surprised her with a revelation—
“I’ll be attending this gathering too.”
Yan Ming spoke calmly: “The vice-dean reached out to me.”
“At first, I didn’t want to go,” he added, glancing at Yu Tian. “But when I heard your class was involved, I agreed and adjusted my work schedule accordingly.”
Yu Tian was thrilled: “That’s great! I can hitch a ride with you!”
Yan Ming paused, then chuckled: “Did you really think I wouldn’t drive you there even if I weren’t attending?”
Though his demeanor remained composed, Yu Tian could easily tell he was fishing for praise. Not one to be stingy, she leaned over and kissed him sweetly: “Thank you, Brother Yan Ming.”
Yu Tian had achieved the top score in her final exams that semester, which already made her ecstatic. Unable to contain her excitement, she hugged Yan Ming tightly and showered him with kisses.
“Brother Yan Ming is the best.”
She’d noticed something interesting: although Yan Ming once insisted she stop calling him “Brother,” every time she did, he visibly softened. Even now, hearing that affectionate title still caused his ears to turn slightly red.
Of course, Yu Tian knew better than to use such a term in certain situations—like in bed.
Because in those moments, Yan Ming shed all traces of his usual reserve and shyness. Hearing her soft, breathy calls of “Brother” only fueled his intensity, pushing him further into unrestrained passion.
Yet, when Yu Tian complained afterward, the culprit himself showed no remorse.
Last night, when she tearfully accused him of being too rough, he hadn’t stopped. Instead, he pinned her shoulders down and continued, his hands roaming everywhere. Yu Tian’s senses were already overwhelmed, her body limp and powerless, yet Yan Ming persisted, nibbling on her earlobe and whispering hoarsely in her ear, sending shivers down her spine—
“Aren’t you always complaining you’ve never seen me lose control?”
Kissing her neck, his gaze heated and possessive, Yan Ming growled into her ear, word by word—
“This is what losing control looks like.”
…
Now, Yu Tian stared at the poised, dignified man before her. If it weren’t for personal experience, she’d never associate the current Yan Ming with the passionate one from last night.
Yellow sunflowers seemed more fitting for Yan Ming—his mind was full of that color.
Qian Zhongshu once said that teenage boys’ thoughts were dirtier than public restrooms. Yet here was Yan Ming, nearly thirty, and Yu Tian felt his maturity in this area rivaled that of teenagers. He was far from refined.
Stop thinking about it…
Blushing, Yu Tian decided to put an end to these thoughts.
Soon, the class monitor sent out the list of participating alumni. Sure enough, Yan Ming’s name appeared. But what caught Yu Tian’s attention more was the presence of He Ming, a senior researcher from the medical institute!
He Ming was a few years ahead of Yan Ming, not as famous or prodigious, but he was a solid, steady achiever often praised by professors. Unlike Yan Ming, He Ming had committed early to academia and now led his own lab and research team. Several of his ongoing projects aligned with Yu Tian’s future interests. She had long hoped to connect with professionals like him to prepare for her career. Finding He Ming invited to this event felt like a stroke of luck.
Yu Tian resolved: she had to pair with He Ming!
On the day of the event, Yu Tian feared He Ming might get snatched up by others. As soon as Yan Ming parked the car, she dashed into the venue without waiting for him to finish parking.
Fortunately, He Ming had arrived early and was chatting with other alumni.
Using the name tags as a guide, Yu Tian quickly located him and approached confidently.
As she expected, He Ming exuded scholarly charm. While not as strikingly handsome as Yan Ming, his refined intellect and dedication to academia gave him a professional glow. When Yu Tian approached him directly, he seemed genuinely surprised. Being immersed in research, he wasn’t used to interacting with women and initially appeared nervous. However, once they delved into academic topics, He Ming relaxed, speaking eloquently and displaying impressive expertise.
Yu Tian’s intuition was correct. He Ming was indeed surprised. During his time at Rong University Medical School, while he performed well academically, he wasn’t particularly prominent. Many of his peers were smarter and more talented, but He Ming’s persistence set him apart. Free from distractions like romance or material pursuits, he steadily advanced. Looking back, many of his classmates had either gained beer bellies or abandoned their medical dreams, but He Ming had carved out a stable academic career.
Still, academia wasn’t lucrative, and He Ming wasn’t wealthy or conventionally attractive. His social skills were lacking, and he remained single into his late twenties. Thus, being approached by a beautiful junior like Yu Tian came as a pleasant surprise.
He Ming had attended this event partly out of curiosity but also with a personal agenda. If he could find a compatible junior among this cohort, it might solve his romantic woes. Having established himself professionally, it was time to consider marriage.
Though hopeful, He Ming hadn’t been overly optimistic. After all, the attendees mostly consisted of successful alumni, including prodigies like Yan Ming.
Shortly after He Ming and Yu Tian began talking, Yan Ming entered the venue. True to his reputation, Yan Ming was tall, handsome, and wealthy. He immediately drew attention, surrounded by a group of admiring juniors.
Clearly, Yan Ming was popular with the opposite sex.
He Ming felt a twinge of envy but reminded himself that he was luckier—he was talking to the prettiest girl in the room.
Or so he thought.
Moments later, Yan Ming’s sharp gaze landed on He Ming. Despite being surrounded, Yan Ming kept glancing toward their direction, clearly intent on breaking free and approaching them.
Did Yan Ming know He Ming personally? Was he trying to greet him?
Before He Ming could dwell on it further, Yu Tian captured his full attention. As they talked, he realized she possessed genuine knowledge and clear aspirations for her academic path.
They hit it off, quickly agreeing to pair up as mentor and mentee.
At this point, tea break began. The school spared no expense, offering a lavish spread of cold dishes, desserts, coffee, beverages, cocktails, and fruit wines. The atmosphere shifted to a relaxed salon-style party.
Given the casual nature of the event, discussions turned away from academics to lighter topics. Eating and drinking together naturally fostered closer connections.
Feeling pleased, He Ming followed Yu Tian closely as they searched for seats. Along the way, they encountered many juniors and seniors who greeted Yu Tian warmly. Her popularity was evident, especially among male juniors. Some notable male alumni even shot envious glances at He Ming.
Yu Tian, seemingly thirsty, picked up a glass from the buffet table. It looked like juice, and she quickly drank several cups. Finding the taste enjoyable, she grabbed another and continued chatting with He Ming as they found their seats.
Perhaps due to the warmth of the venue, He Ming noticed Yu Tian’s cheeks turning rosy and her lips a deep red. Feeling warm himself, he couldn’t help but feel a flutter in his heart.
________________________________________
Meanwhile, their class monitor, Chen Gang, was in high spirits. The caliber of notable alumni attending was impressive, and Chen Gang, eager to secure a rotation in ophthalmology post-graduation, had his sights set on Yan Ming.
Initially, he thought Yan Ming’s arrival meant no chance for pairing, as Yan Ming was quickly surrounded by female classmates. To his surprise, however, Yan Ming politely declined many requests for contact information and instead paired with Chen Gang.
Chen Gang couldn’t believe his luck.
Chen Gang was almost overwhelmed with gratitude. He discussed many ophthalmology-related matters with Yan Ming and benefited greatly. However, although Yan Ming answered every question, his strikingly handsome appearance gave off an inexplicable sense of distance—like a flower on a high mountain, aloof and cold. This made Chen Gang, who usually loved to joke around, hesitate to be too casual.
This senior was rumored to be very hard to approach in his personal life. Chen Gang had just witnessed several girls fail to get his contact information. Even the class’s social butterfly, using a flirtatious tone to ask for his phone number, received the reply: “We’re not close, and I don’t think we’ll communicate in the future, so there’s no need to exchange numbers.” Truly, he lacked any romantic sentiment.
By the tea break, Chen Gang sat down with Yan Ming in an empty seat to continue discussing career prospects. However, it seemed that there were not enough seats prepared, so Chen Gang had to sit with Yan Ming on a small three-person sofa. With two tall men sitting down, the space between them became negligible.
Not long after, Chen Gang heard Yu Tian’s voice. She had been chatting happily with Senior He Ming and now held a glass of juice, her cheeks slightly flushed, eyes moist, as she approached them.
“There’s still space here!” Seeing the tiny gap between Chen Gang and Yan Ming, she was pleasantly surprised. Then she gestured for He Ming to sit in a recently vacated single armchair opposite. “Senior He Ming, you sit there, and I’ll squeeze into the three-seat sofa.”
After saying this, Yu Tian promptly sat down next to Yan Ming. The small sofa barely had any space left after accommodating the two men, and Yu Tian seemed dissatisfied with the cramped spot. Pouting slightly, she leaned closer to Yan Ming.
From Chen Gang’s perspective, it felt like she was almost leaning entirely against Yan Ming. Yu Tian didn’t usually participate much in class activities and was generally polite but not overly familiar. Her behavior now was unusually boundary-less, which puzzled Chen Gang. And the person she was being so forward with was none other than Yan Ming...
Chen Gang was somewhat dumbfounded, and sure enough, Yan Ming also slightly furrowed his brows at Yu Tian’s closeness. He Ming across from them looked awkward, wanting to help resolve the situation but unsure what to say.
Yu Tian’s actions were excessively intimate; some might even call it flirtation. She nearly leaned half her body into Yan Ming’s arms, her face slightly red as she raised her glass toward him and smiled. “This is really good, would you like a sip?”
Before Chen Gang could intervene, Yan Ming naturally took the glass from her, then slightly frowned at He Ming. “Did she drink alcohol?”
He Ming was taken aback, equally confused. “She only drank that... I thought it was juice.”
Yan Ming didn’t pursue it further. Instead, he sniffed the contents of the glass and quickly understood. “It’s fruit wine.”
Chen Gang let out a sigh of relief. “Maybe my classmate mistook it for juice and accidentally drank alcohol. She... she probably doesn’t hold her liquor well and is a bit tipsy. Senior Yan Ming, please bear with her. Or, how about I switch places with her? I’ll sit next to you, and she can take my seat.”
Chen Gang was genuinely considerate, noticing that Yu Tian appeared somewhat dazed. Knowing that some people are sensitive to alcohol and can easily get drunk, he feared she might do something inappropriate and offend Yan Ming unintentionally.
However, his goodwill was unappreciated by the slightly intoxicated Yu Tian. “I don’t want to switch,” she said, even going so far as to hook her arm through Yan Ming’s and bury her head in the crook of his arm. “I want to sit next to him.”
Chen Gang was sweating profusely, his scalp tingling. He dared not look at Yan Ming’s expression, fearing that the cold-faced senior would mercilessly push Yu Tian away without hesitation.
To his surprise, nothing happened. After a moment, not only did Yan Ming not remove Yu Tian’s arm, but he also gently adjusted her head to a more comfortable position. He did all this naturally and calmly, as if everything was perfectly reasonable.
Once Yu Tian settled comfortably, resting her entire head on Yan Ming’s shoulder, he finally turned his attention back to Chen Gang. “What was the difficult case in ophthalmology you wanted to ask about earlier? Could you repeat it? Sorry, I didn’t catch it before.”
Chen Gang felt uneasy but seemed unable to react appropriately due to sheer shock. Stammering, he began asking his question again.
Throughout the conversation, Yan Ming remained patient while Yu Tian, unable to handle the alcohol, fell asleep leaning against his shoulder...
And Yan Ming cooperatively lowered his voice while answering Chen Gang’s questions.
He Ming watched the trio blankly, still processing the situation.
Moments later, he seemed to regain his composure. Technically, Yu Tian was He Ming’s paired partner for the event, and he felt responsible for her current behavior.
Apologizing to Yan Ming, he said, “Junior Yan Ming, Yu Tian is my responsibility. Maybe we should wake her up and have her family come pick her up. It seems best for her to rest at home.”
“No need,” Yan Ming replied, smiling faintly. “I’ll take her with me when I leave.”
He Ming still seemed concerned. “But...”
“It’s fine, Senior He Ming. She just went to bed late last night and has been yawning since morning. She was already tired and not very tolerant of alcohol. Drinking made her drowsy.”
Yan Ming’s tone remained calm, yet his words were akin to dropping a bombshell in front of He Ming and Chen Gang. Both were stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Unable to contain himself, Chen Gang blurted out, “Senior Yan Ming, are you saying... you and Yu Tian...”
Hearing her name vaguely in her daze, Yu Tian shifted slightly in Yan Ming’s arms, then clung to him more tightly, her voice soft. “Big Brother Yan Ming, what time is it?”
Yan Ming gently patted her back. “It’s still early. You can keep sleeping.”
Realization dawned on Chen Gang. “So, Senior Yan Ming, you’re Yu Tian’s older brother?”
No wonder they were so close and without boundaries.
Seizing the opportunity, Chen Gang flattered him. “No wonder you both are so good-looking, and your intelligence must be genetic. You’re both talented in medicine! No wonder you’re family!”
He Ming also looked surprised. “You’re relatives?”
“Not relatives,” Yan Ming clarified with a smile, careful not to wake Yu Tian. His voice remained soft. “She’s my girlfriend.”
He glanced at He Ming casually. “She just likes calling me ‘Big Brother.’ We’re not related.”
Pausing briefly, he added thoughtfully, “But perhaps in the future, we may indeed become officially registered as one family.”
Though typically aloof, Yan Ming revealed a rare tenderness as he gazed at Yu Tian and smiled faintly. “Of course, I’m still working on that.”
Yan Ming continued to hold Yu Tian, though the position wasn’t comfortable for him. To ensure her comfort, he remained mostly still while continuing his conversation with Chen Gang about ophthalmology.
The latter half of the gathering was relatively relaxed. Many alumni knew each other, and besides professional discussions, some chatted about their lives, families, or new additions to their households. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
Yu Tian woke up shortly after leaning on Yan Ming’s shoulder, but the strange atmosphere made Chen Gang feel as if much time had passed. Her face, buried against Yan Ming’s chest, was flushed. Realizing her inappropriate behavior, she also deduced that what she drank earlier wasn’t just juice but likely contained alcohol.
After greeting Chen Gang and apologizing to He Ming, Yu Tian found He Ming already engaged in lively conversation with Yan Ming.
“Senior He Ming, I’ve often heard professors mention you during my school days. Our little Yu plans to focus on an academic path, and she’s thrilled to be paired with you. Please guide her in the future.”
Yan Ming spoke with the tone of a parent. “By the way, she runs a medical science popularization side business online and occasionally hosts live Q&A sessions. If you ever can’t reach her, feel free to contact me directly. I’d love to exchange contacts with you. If there are regular gatherings in the future, count me in—I’m also interested in academic research and would love to seek advice from you. Plus, having more people makes events livelier.”
He Ming nodded immediately, pulling out his phone to exchange contact details with Yan Ming.
The simple-minded He Ming might not understand Yan Ming’s intentions, but Chen Gang, observing everything, couldn’t help but admire his cunning. With a few carefully crafted sentences, Yan Ming had not only clarified his girlfriend’s pairing arrangements but also subtly asserted his ownership while blocking any possibility of He Ming interacting with Yu Tian alone.
He Ming didn’t realize the implications. Though surprised that Yu Tian had a boyfriend, considering her beauty and Yan Ming’s excellence, he accepted the fact quickly and sincerely blessed the couple.
Due to an urgent matter at the institute, He Ming excused himself after a phone call, confirming the pairing arrangements with Yu Tian and bidding farewell to everyone. Out of respect, Yu Tian escorted him out.
With He Ming and Yu Tian gone, only Chen Gang and Yan Ming remained on the sofa.
Yan Ming turned to Chen Gang.
Chen Gang wasn’t naive. He immediately expressed his loyalty. “Senior Yan Ming, rest assured, I’m not single. I have a girlfriend—a childhood sweetheart after a decade-long relationship. We’ve met each other’s parents and plan to marry after I graduate with my master’s degree.”
Yan Ming chuckled softly, his tone mild and amiable. “I didn’t ask about that.”
Nevertheless, Chen Gang didn’t miss the satisfied look in Yan Ming’s eyes.
“In any case, as Yu Tian’s class monitor, I’ll rely on you to take care of her during her remaining years of graduate school. If there are any difficulties or issues, feel free to contact me anytime.”
Chen Gang quickly grasped the implication behind these words. Fawningly, he said, “Senior Yan Ming, rest assured. Although we’re paired for this program, you’re truly my older brother. My only brother! Yu Tian is practically my younger sister-in-law. I’ll ensure no misunderstandings arise among her peers, and I’ll report anything unusual to you immediately.”
Yan Ming raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t ask you to do that.”
“Of course not—it’s entirely voluntary! I detest third-wheelers. How could a decent man always covet someone else’s girlfriend?” Chen Gang laughed. “Leave it to me. I’m a self-proclaimed moral role model! Brother, you can trust me completely!”
Yan Ming smiled. “You’re quite perceptive. Pairing with you seems to have been the right choice. If you’re interested in ophthalmology, come visit the First Affiliated Hospital sometime. I’ll give you a tour and introduce you to the work environment.”
Chen Gang’s heart nearly leapt with joy. Given Yan Ming’s value of time, his prestigious position, and rumored family background, he didn’t need to go this extra mile. The academy’s pairing program merely required email communication, but Yan Ming’s willingness to engage offline exceeded expectations.
Soon, after escorting He Ming, Yu Tian returned. Sensing the cue, Chen Gang quickly made an excuse and left, giving the couple privacy.
Unlike Chen Gang’s perceptiveness, Yu Tian was slower to grasp things. She even apologized hesitantly. “I’m sorry, Big Brother Yan Ming. I didn’t know there was alcohol in that drink... and then...”
“I admit I had some misconceptions about you earlier. I thought you might be upset that I didn’t pair with you, but you not only helped me earlier but also supported my communication with Senior He Ming. I feel bad for misjudging you as jealous...”
Yu Tian looked remorseful, while Yan Ming feigned wounded disbelief. “How could you think that of me, Yu Tian? It hurts a little.”
“Then let me kiss you to make it better!” As the event neared its end, Yu Tian followed Yan Ming toward the parking garage. Seeing no one around, she quickly pecked his cheek.
But Yan Ming still pretended dissatisfaction. “Is that it? Don’t you think it’s too perfunctory?”
“What would be less perfunctory?” Yu Tian pondered. “Why don’t you suggest something I can do for you?”
“I don’t have any special requests. But it’s been over a year since our last public acknowledgment as a couple. Few remembered the comic incident back then. Internet memory fades quickly. Besides your social media followers, it seems most people in real life have forgotten I’m your boyfriend.”
“So, I think it’s necessary to reiterate my identity,” Yan Ming cleared his throat. “Misunderstandings could cause trouble, especially with classmates like Gao Mei. Their impact could be significant.”
Seeing Yu Tian’s puzzled expression, Yan Ming cut to the chase. “Haven’t you noticed there’s a higher proportion of male students in your class?”
“And while talking with Chen Gang earlier, I learned that many of your male classmates are single. Naturally, aside from studying, they might also pursue relationships. If they mistakenly believe you’re available and invest their feelings, wouldn’t that waste their emotions and time?”
Yan Ming reasoned persuasively. “As you know, medical students’ time is precious. Clarifying your relationship status early spares others unnecessary effort—a virtue of consideration.”
Yu Tian now understood clearly. Despite her earlier thoughts of Yan Ming being generous, she realized he was simply marking his territory.
Just as she was about to tease him, Yan Ming calmly added, “I’m older than you and your male classmates. They’re young, energetic, and creative. Unlike me, they’re not as busy and have more time to spend with you. This year’s cohort looks promising, with many excellent male students. Some might even surpass my abilities. Compared to them, I’m just an ordinary person with insecurities.”
His tone was calm, but it softened Yu Tian’s heart even more. Yes, Yan Ming was older. She hadn’t expected him to harbor such concerns. Feeling guilty for not being considerate enough, Yu Tian resolved to be more understanding.
However, her sympathy evaporated the next morning after experiencing the previous night. What nonsense about being old—he was far stronger than her youthful self and played far more creatively in certain moments.
Yu Tian decided she wouldn’t fall for Yan Ming’s tricks anymore!