Chapter 73: Just Classmates

Before going to university, Chen Han Sheng was a rebellious kid who often found ways to get into trouble. It wasn't unusual for him to bring home materials to irritate his mother, Liang Meijuan. So, after receiving a good scolding, he simply dusted himself off and even offered to massage his mother's sore wrist as a sign of filial piety.

Liang Meijuan was at her wit's end and looked at her husband, Chen Zhaojun, asking, "Do you think we swapped our child at the hospital?"

Chen Zhaojun, while smoking a cigarette, gave a bitter smile but didn't say anything. He had heard the continuation of her complaint before:

 "If I had known he was so disobedient, I would have thrown him in the trash."

 "It would have been better if he were just like me."

 "It's your poor parenting that made him this way."

In the end, no matter how the conversation shifted, it was always Chen Zhaojun who took the blame. He had grown used to it, and with a resigned sigh, he asked seriously, "So, what are you thinking about all this?"

Han Sheng casually responded, "It doesn't matter what I think. You should finish your meal and head to Zhongshan Mausoleum. It's more meaningful than worrying about our relationships."

Trying to lighten the mood, Han Sheng teased, "Mom, since you're holding both hands in front of me, should I order some pig's feet for lunch?"

"Stop trying to get on my good side!" Liang Meijuan rolled her eyes and pointedly asked, "What is your relationship with Xiao Rongyu?"

"Just classmates."

"And Shen Youchu?"

"Also, just classmates."

Liang Meijuan was speechless. No matter how many times she asked, he insisted they were just classmates. She couldn't find any holes in his story.

She sighed, realizing that her son was impossible to deal with. "Let's go eat. I'll pretend I never had a child."

After lunch, Chen Zhaojun and Liang Meijuan left without a word, leaving Han Sheng behind at the restaurant. He wasn't bothered by it and, after finishing his meal, ordered a light shrimp fried rice and vegetables to take to Shen Youchu for lunch.

Shen Youchu, however, wasn't keen on eating takeout. She hesitated before saying, "I'll just go to the cafeteria later."

Feeling a little embarrassed by this rejection, Han Sheng said, "Alright, I'll just take it back then. Just say you don't appreciate my mother's kindness."

Shen Youchu paused, then softly said, "Okay, I'll eat it."

Han Sheng was amused by the situation. Why was it that when he brought food, she didn't want it, but when it was his mother, she gladly accepted? He couldn't help but wonder, "Does Liang Taihou's food have magic powers that keep you young forever?"

The rest of the day passed with Han Sheng continuing to make arrangements for his business. He spent the afternoon at the Yiwu Small Commodity Center, purchasing some tablecloths, then headed over to a local courier company. After finishing business at the company, Han Sheng quickly returned to school.

By the time he arrived at the entrepreneurial base, the students who had been there earlier were gone. Now, it was just him and Shen Youchu.

"I'm going to meet my parents for dinner," he told her, "Do you want to come?"

He asked sincerely, but Shen Youchu hesitated, nervously saying, "It's too soon."

Chen Han Sheng chuckled to himself. Given her personality, she likely wasn't ready to dine with his family yet. So, he went to dinner with his own family, just as they had in Hong Kong.

During dinner, Liang Meijuan, not engaging much with Han Sheng, suddenly pulled out two boxes.

"The big box has winter boots. It's getting cold, and canvas shoes aren't enough. The smaller box has a pearl hairpin. Xiao Rongyu likes these little things."

"We'll be going back to Hong Kong in two days. I can't do anything about your feelings, but I won't accept the gloves for those two girls without giving something in return."

She'd carefully picked out boots for Shen Youchu, who was still wearing canvas shoes, and a hairpin for Xiao Rongyu, who didn't lack for anything. Han Sheng, a little taken aback, asked, "Why not give them the gifts directly?"

Liang Meijuan huffed, "Giving them in person would make the meaning different. Since you insist they're just classmates, I'm going to treat them as such."

She added, "And remember, don't let the 'classmate relationship' become something more."