After dinner, Meng Ting called out to Zhen Han.
“Yan Sui and I are going to find Dr. Gu Li to listen to his stories. Do you want to join us?”
Yan Sui was slightly speechless upon hearing this. He had clearly said they were going to ask Gu Li about Meng Ting’s injury.
Zhen Han turned around, met Yan Sui’s gaze, hesitated for a moment, and then shook his head.
“You go ahead and listen. I’ll ask you about it later…”
But hearing this, Meng Ting also hesitated. He reluctantly said, “I’ll try not to get it wrong…”
Because Meng Ting seemed so uncertain, when he and Yan Sui arrived at the small living room in Gu Li’s building, Zhen Han also showed up.
“I came to borrow a book…”
Meng Ting had his shirt lifted as Gu Li examined his wound. He turned his head and gave Zhen Han a curious look.
As for Gu Li, who was examining Meng Ting, he clearly smiled. He then composed himself and looked at Yan Sui. “The scar will be difficult to fade, but everything else is healed. Just watch his diet and make sure he doesn’t overexert himself.”
Yan Sui nodded upon hearing this, finally feeling reassured. Seeing Yan Sui nod, Meng Ting also relaxed and smiled.
He turned his attention back to Gu Li and brought up the reason for their visit. “Dr. Gu Li, last time you mentioned that you saved a wealthy man in Country D. What happened next? Why didn’t he give you money and instead had people chasing you?”
Meng Ting really had come to listen to stories. He was so invested in Gu Li’s tales because, in his eyes, Gu Li seemed even more pitiful than himself—constantly pursued by enemies, hiding all over the world. Yet, Gu Li showed no trace of despair and appeared remarkably carefree.
Meng Ting wanted to know how Gu Li managed to stay so composed, but such things were hard to explain directly. Gu Li knew Meng Ting wouldn’t fully understand, so he used stories to let Meng Ting figure it out on his own.
Gu Li stood up, removing his gloves as he recalled, “Because when I treated him, I discovered he had a severe history of drug abuse. During a small party at his house, I reported it to the police, and they caught everyone red-handed.”
This was far more serious than directly reporting the wealthy man for drug use. That party was clearly a gathering for drug abuse, and the attendees were all of high status. Who knows how many people were implicated? That wealthy man must have hated Gu Li to the core.
Meng Ting thought for a while before nodding to Gu Li, “You did the right thing. He was the one who did wrong, and it was necessary to call the police.”
Hearing this, Gu Li smiled, “Do you want to hear other stories?”
Meng Ting nodded without hesitation. After nodding, he turned to look at Yan Sui, “If you’re busy, you can go back to the study. I’ll come back after listening to the stories.”
This was the first time Meng Ting had driven Yan Sui away. Yan Sui hesitated for a moment before nodding.
As he walked to the door of the small living room, he glanced back at Meng Ting, who also turned to look at him and waved. Yan Sui paused for a moment before continuing to walk out of the side building. He really didn’t know that Meng Ting was so interested in adventure stories—it seemed to surpass his interest in him.
After mastering multiple life skills, would it still be necessary to learn how to tell stories to Meng Ting?
Zhen Han was also interested. He came to borrow books and stayed to listen to Gu Li’s stories before leaving.
Originally, his future plan was to open a pet hospital and use his spare time to pursue his own interests in learning and research. But Gu Li’s stories showed him another kind of life, full of challenges and value.
Over the years, in order to study medicine, he had traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally—a year here, half a semester there. He had visited many countries, but he had never delved into the lower strata or cultures of those countries. His medical skills were currently inferior to Gu Li’s, but that could be improved with practice. However, experience and insights couldn’t be gained just by staying in a research lab.
Gu Li seemed to have an endless supply of stories. Each time he finished one, he would leave a cliffhanger for Meng Ting and Zhen Han, waiting for them to come back for more. Occasionally, he even managed to lure Yan Manjia along.
He had only been living at the Yan family’s house for a month, but he felt as if it was a destined place he had to come to—a destiny tied to Yan Manjia and Zhen Han.
After listening to the stories, Meng Ting went back to the study to find Yan Sui. Yan Sui continued with his work, while Meng Ting wrote papers and organized his perfumery notes. Only when Yan Sui called for him did he follow back to their bedroom for the night.
Late-night revelry every night wasn’t good for the body, and Meng Ting didn’t think about it every night either. He waited for Yan Sui to come out of the bathroom, leaned against his side, and after hearing his goodnight, he closed his eyes and fell asleep peacefully.
Yan Sui looked at Meng Ting, kissed him on the cheek, turned off the light, and soon fell asleep as well.
***
The next day, Meng Ting finally woke up early for once. He quietly kissed Yan Sui on the lips and then lay obediently by his side, waiting for him to wake up. When Yan Sui woke, they went for a run together and then took a car to the hotel where the Xiao family was staying.
Places like the airport were too chaotic, and neither Yan Sui nor Meng Ting were suitable to be seen there. Even the Xiao family shouldn’t linger there for too long.
Xiao Zimo opened the door but was first dazzled by a bouquet of flowers before seeing Meng Ting holding the flowers and Yan Sui standing beside him.
“Second Brother, are Mom and Dad awake?”
“Everyone’s awake, come on in.”
Xiao Zimo watched Meng Ting holding the flowers, and the first thing that came to mind was the oil painting Yan Manjia had done of Meng Ting. There was something uniquely captivating about the scene. As he looked at the person, his hands also itched. Perhaps one day he could also give Meng Ting a painting like that.
“Mom, these are for you,” Meng Ting walked straight up to Ning Zhou, whose face lit up with surprise, and handed her the flowers. Then he slipped his hand back into Yan Sui’s, giving Yan Sui’s thumb a reassuring squeeze.
He had asked Yan Sui before giving Ning Zhou the flowers. Logically, since Yan Sui had agreed, he shouldn’t be jealous. But the way Yan Sui looked at the flowers still seemed a bit off, so Meng Ting just assumed he was jealous.
“Yan Sui and I came to see you off.”
“Thank you, Ting Ting. Mom really likes them,” Ning Zhou held the flowers, smiling with pure happiness. The gloom that had lingered all night was completely dispelled. “They smell so nice, very fragrant.”
“As long as Mom likes them,” Meng Ting remained by Yan Sui’s side, watching as Xiao Huimin and Xiao Zi’ang also emerged from their rooms. He greeted them as well.
“Good morning, Dad. Good morning, Eldest Brother.”
“Morning, morning…” Xiao Huimin responded with uncontrollable joy. Seeing Ning Zhou smiling like a blooming flower, he felt a twinge of defeat. He hadn’t been able to cheer her up all night, but his youngest son had managed it with just a bouquet of flowers.
But his youngest son’s way of comforting people was quite sophisticated, knowing to give Ning Zhou flowers. Neither he nor Xiao Zi’ang or Xiao Zimo had that romantic gene.
“It’s still early. Nuo Nuo and Yan Sui, why don’t you join us for breakfast?”
“Sure,” Meng Ting agreed immediately. They had eaten a little something before coming but hadn’t had a proper breakfast. They had actually saved their appetite to eat with them. He had been wondering how to bring it up when Xiao Huimin mentioned it.
Then Xiao Huimin received an especially radiant smile from Meng Ting.
Xiao Zi’ang and Xiao Zimo went to call and order food, while Yan Sui and Xiao Huimin sat on the sofa talking about things only they could understand. Ning Zhou also asked Meng Ting some simple, easy-to-answer questions, like whether he had slept well and if his wound still hurt. The atmosphere was very harmonious.
However, no matter how good the atmosphere was, after breakfast, Ning Zhou, Xiao Huimin, and the others had to leave.
They all went downstairs together, and Meng Ting took the initiative to hug Ning Zhou, who was on the verge of tears from reluctance. “Mom, if you miss me, just call me. If I miss you, I’ll call you too.”
“Okay, okay,” Ning Zhou agreed, then got into the car, looking back every few steps.
Meng Ting continued to wave at Ning Zhou, who was leaning against the car window. He also felt a bit of reluctance, but not enough to bring him to tears. Of course, if it were Yan Sui leaving, Meng Ting definitely wouldn’t be this calm.
“Mom loves to cry so much. She needs to be coaxed,” Meng Ting sighed softly, then glanced at Yan Sui. Although his Yan Sui didn’t cry much, he could be very unreasonable when angry and also needed to be coaxed.
“Are you unhappy that I gave Mom flowers?” Meng Ting asked Yan Sui curiously after they got into the car.
A look of helplessness and something inexplicable appeared on Yan Sui’s face. He rubbed Meng Ting’s cheek. In Meng Ting’s heart, just how jealous did he think he was?
“No, I’m not unhappy. It’s just…”
“What?” Meng Ting pressed for an answer, sensing the emotional fluctuation in Yan Sui. Though he couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason, Meng Ting wasn’t particularly concerned. If he couldn’t figure it out, he could always ask, and Yan Sui was usually willing to tell him.
“It’s just that the Xiao family’s recognition of you might still face some twists and turns.”
Yan Sui hadn’t discussed much about the Xiao family’s internal affairs with Xiao Huimin, but he could guess why Xiao Huimin was in such a hurry to return with Ning Zhou. The old master of the Xiao family was still alive and held some power. If he agreed, it would be fine, but if he didn’t, Xiao Huimin would indeed face some difficulties.
“However, these are things they should do for you. We just need to wait.”
Meng Ting wasn’t too concerned about external possessions, but Yan Sui would ensure that he got what he deserved. Even if it was just the icing on the cake, Meng Ting would still be Meng Ting, untouchable by anyone.
Meng Ting trusted Yan Sui’s words the most. Whether he understood them or not, if Yan Sui said to wait, he would wait. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”
Yan Sui escorted Meng Ting to the laboratory and accompanied him inside before leaving. However, he didn’t head to the Yan Corporation building but instead went to the tea room to meet Meng Qi, who had been somewhat overwhelmed recently.
As a member of the Meng family, Meng Qi couldn’t avoid being affected by the second house’s downfall. Although he was the acting CEO of the Meng Corporation, the real decision-maker was still his grandfather, Meng Jia. He couldn’t bear to see the Meng family’s century-old foundation destroyed, nor did he want his power to be completely stripped away.
Thus, even if Meng Qi had ideas, it was difficult for him to implement them, something he only realized after taking this position.
“What? You want the main house to break away from the Meng family?” Meng Qi’s voice was filled with confusion. Now that the second house had finally fallen, it was the perfect time for them to take full control. Withdrawing now would mean handing the Meng family back to the second house.
“Yes. Otherwise you’ll only be dragged down by them.”
Yan Sui’s voice remained cool and detached. He wasn’t saying this because he particularly liked Meng Qi, but because both he and Meng Ting owed Feng Zejiao a favor for her role in connecting them. When Feng Zejiao first contacted He Wan, it wasn’t out of pure goodwill but rather seizing an opportunity she didn’t want to miss.
But by chance, she also facilitated the marriage between Yan Sui and Meng Ting. Now that Yan Sui has separated Feng Zejiao’s lineage, it can be considered as repaying her favor. However, whether they can make the decision still depends on Meng Qi and Feng Zejiao themselves.
[dropdown title=”List of Idiom in Chapter 077.2″]
夜夜笙歌 (yè yè shēng gē): lit. with dancing and singing performances every night—(of emperors or officials) live an extravagant, unscrupulous, and dissolute life; (Classical, of a king, emperor, monarch, etc.) to leave alone their works and duties while enjoying nonstop; the emperors and generals live extravagantly and debauchedly; give oneself over to debauchery and sensuality; (slang) to have sex day and night. It describes a person’s decadent life of indulgence in sensual pleasures.樂不可支 (lè bù kě zhī): overjoyed; on cloud nine; as pleased as punch; ecstatic; elated; jubilant; in high spirits; beside oneself with joy; extremely happy. An idiom that comes from a historical story. The original meaning is to be so happy that one cannot hold on any longer, which describes extreme happiness.
身外之物 (shēn wài zhī wù): mere worldly possessions; things external to one’s life; material wealth; worldly possessions.
焦頭爛額 (jiāo tóu làn é): lit. badly burned about the head (from trying to put out a fire) (idiom); to be scorched by the flames; fig. hard-pressed; under pressure (from a heavy workload, creditors etc); in a sorry plight; overwrought; in trouble; overwhelmed.
毀于一旦 (huǐ yú yī dàn): to be ruined all at once; be ruined overnight; be destroyed in a day; come to naught in an instant; collapse in a moment; be wrecked in a short time; destroyed in one fell swoop; complete destruction in a very short period of time.
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