Chapter 9 Acquaintance

Ye Shikai chatted with the girl for a while and found out that her name was Han Ruoyao, a university student at Yanjing University. Ye Shikai was somewhat surprised; Yanjing University, as the nation's top academic institution, was known for its strict academic atmosphere. Su Qingyu had graduated from Yanjing University, and the girl in front of him was also a student there. Han Ruoyao felt discontented upon seeing Ye Shikai's doubtful look, "Really, uncle, I'm not lying to you. I truly am a student at Yanjing University. If you don't believe me, next time I'll take you to visit the university."

"Uh, I believe you, but why would a university student like you come to a bar so late?" Ye Shikai said disdainfully, still seeming somewhat skeptical.

Noticing Ye Shikai's gaze, Han Ruoyao chuckled, "Then why are you here so late at night, uncle?"

Ye Shikai coughed lightly and put on an air of deep understanding, earnestly saying, "Yaoyao, it's late, your parents must be worried about you not being home…"

"Alright, alright, uncle, why are you so naggy," Han Ruoyao said annoyedly, glancing at Ye Shikai beside her.

"Speaking of which, uncle, why aren't you heading home, and why have you drunk so much? Did you have a breakup, or is there something troubling you?" Ye Shikai was taken aback. This girl was quite the 'scamp,' and yet this reminded him of Su Qingyu. His expression turned somber, wondering if he should go home. It was so late, and the two of them didn't have any emotional foundation, just living together because of a marriage contract. Was this really okay? Ye Shikai gave a bitter smile, stood up, and said, "It's late, I should go back."

"Okay, uncle, where do you live? I can drive you," Han Ruoyao also stood up. For some reason, Han Ruoyao felt that Ye Shikai was different from other men; being by his side felt very safe and intimate. Many male students at university pursued her, but she wasn't interested in any of them. However, she felt a natural closeness with Ye Shikai.

Stepping out of the bar, the cold wind hit Ye Shikai's face. Where did he live? His relatives were no longer in this world, and his marriage was in name only. At this moment, Ye Shikai felt very lonely, like when his mother had died. His heart ached.

"Let's go to the nearest hotel," Ye Shikai decided after some hesitation, deciding not to return to Lishi Garden, just finding somewhere to sleep.

"What? Uncle, I must have heard wrong," Han Ruoyao said somewhat shyly and coquettishly. Actually, she didn't like men being too intimate with her, but she didn't feel "wary" of Ye Shikai. Could this be love at first sight?

"What are you thinking? I don't have a place to stay right now," Ye Shikai gave Han Ruoyao a flick on the forehead, this girl's thoughts were so out there.

"Ouch, uncle, I know I was wrong," Han Ruoyao said, her head lowered, looking very aggrieved as Ye Shikai saw Han Ruoyao driving a Bentley sports car.

Han Ruoyao dropped Ye Shikai off at the hotel entrance, "Uncle, do you want me to accompany you upstairs?" Ye Shikai saw some expectation in Han Ruoyao's eyes and shook his head, "No need, you should hurry home." On the way to the hotel, Ye Shikai seemed very despondent. Although Han Ruoyao didn't know why he felt this way, it seemed to be related to his home situation, especially when she asked where he lived, she could deeply feel the melancholy emanating from him.

Watching the Bentley disappear from sight, Ye Shikai turned and walked into the hotel. At this moment, a man in black in a distant car was taking a photo with a camera. With a "click", a photo developed, showing Ye Shikai, then he slowly drove toward the Chen family's main gate.

In the study of the Chen family, a graceful woman was handling documents. She was none other than the Family Head of the Chen family, Chen Yuxin. Suddenly, she heard footsteps at the door, "Thud thud," upon hearing the knock, Chen Yuxin lifted her head and said, "Come in." A woman dressed in a cheongsam walked in, the same black-clad woman from the cemetery day.

"Ruoya, is there something the matter?" Chen Yuxin lowered her head, continuing with her documents. Chen Ruoya always had many things to report daily, mostly about the group's affairs, which Chen Ruoya could handle by herself.

"Family Head, there is news from that side." Hearing this, Chen Yuxin's pen suddenly paused, she immediately looked up, her face filled with surprise. The woman in the cheongsam respectfully handed over a photo. Seeing Ye Shikai in the photo, Chen Yuxin's hands trembled with excitement, "It's really you, you really came back."

"Family Head, we have just investigated him. He is now working at Tianya Group."

Tianya Group, led by Su Qingyu. Chen Yuxin, like Su Qingyu, was also one of Yanjing's four beauties, so she was no stranger to Su Qingyu. Chen Yuxin stared at Ye Shikai in the photo, her eyes filled with endless tenderness.

Chen Yuxin slowly walked to the windowsill, looking up at the night sky, she muttered, "It seems, we have to start with the Tianya Group."

In Lishi Garden, Su Qingyu finished the last document and walked downstairs to the ground floor. Looking at the empty hall, she felt a bit forlorn. It was already late at night, and Ye Shikai had not yet returned home. This afternoon, after receiving a call from An Lan, she learned that Ye Shikai had left the company and his whereabouts were unknown. She was not overly concerned initially, but now that it was late at night and he had not yet returned, Su Qingyu began to worry. His phone was also turned off. Sitting on the sofa, Su Qingyu felt somewhat empty inside. "Was I too harsh?" she wondered, wanting to apologize to Ye Shikai, but it felt like her throat was choked up, unable to speak, her heart in turmoil.

"Ding-dong-ding" Su Qingyu picked up her phone and saw that it was a call from Su Pengzhan. Su Qingyu felt uneasy. Ye Shikai had left home; how could she explain it to her father? "Hello, dad."

"Hello, Yu, have you guys gone to bed yet?" Her father's voice came through the phone. "Not yet, Dad. Is there something you need?"

"How have you been getting along with Shikai recently? Pass the phone to him, I want to talk to him." As expected, the thing she most feared had happened; Su Qingyu felt anxious inwardly but couldn't hide it from Su Pengzhan. "Dad, he and I had a falling out, he... he's not at home right now."

The other end of the phone went silent for a dozen seconds. "Yu, tell me the truth, did you upset Shikai?" Su Qingyu did not respond, which was tantamount to admitting it. "Yu, did you also talk to Shikai in the tone of a CEO?"

"Yu, you have really disappointed me. Shikai is your husband, not an employee. How could you speak to him like that? You should at least consider his feelings."

"But, Dad..." Before Su Qingyu could finish, Su Pengzhan said, "There are no buts. Tomorrow I am coming over to your place to see both of you." After that, Su Pengzhan hung up the phone.