Of the four people in the private room, ostensibly, Yan Tingli only knew Gao Linhan.

This question also sounded like it was directed at him.

Only Shi Sui felt her spine turn ice-cold, even her complexion turning slightly pale.

“Not welcome?”

Gao Linhan stood there dumbfounded, taking a while to react before finally saying repeatedly: “Welcome, of course you’re welcome.”

He quickly moved to make space between himself and Xue Jing, leaving exactly one seat directly across from Shi Sui.

“This is Yan Tingli,” having just talked about him behind his back, Gao Linhan looked somewhat embarrassed and tried to liven the atmosphere, “a famous name, everyone should know him, haha.”

“Fang Huaijing, Xue Jing.” Gao Linhan introduced each one, and when his gaze fell on Shi Sui, he emphasized, “Shi Sui, she’s our high school classmate and also at A University now.”

Yan Tingli methodically placed the red wine on the table.

His tone rising: “Shi Sui?”

Not knowing what he was up to, Shi Sui’s heart jumped, her gaze quickly lifting then dropping.

“I remember you.”

“…” Shi Sui clenched her hands.

Gao Linhan became interested: “Hey, you’ve met before?”

“The school elective class the day before yesterday, thanks to Student Shi covering for me,” Yan Tingli looked down while pouring wine, pushing it in front of Shi Sui, maintaining his outward display of refined politeness, “I haven’t properly thanked you yet.”

Shi Sui paused slightly.

Not knowing whether she should accept this wine.

—He knew she couldn’t drink much.

After a moment of standoff.

A hand reached over from the side, Fang Huaijing took the wine glass: “She doesn’t drink well, and it’s not safe for girls to drink outside. I’ll take it.”

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Shi Sui felt the air instantly freeze.

“Sorry,” Yan Tingli responded indifferently, “am I being too forceful?”

Though his tone was apologetic, Shi Sui saw the coldness in his eyes.

She quickly pressed down on the wine glass, lowering her head to take a sip: “It’s fine, I can drink a little.”

Fang Huaijing: “You…”

“I want to drink.” Shi Sui interrupted him.

She knew her current behavior was quite ungrateful.

But survival was more important.

Yan Tingli finally smiled lightly, continuing to pour wine, serious: “Drinking with me won’t be unsafe.”

After saying this, he looked at Xue Jing with an inquiring look: “What does Student Xue think?”

Xue Jing was stunned by the close-range beauty attack, forgetting all directions: “Yes, yes, yes, we’ll just taste it, drinking a little is fine.”

Besides, she had noticed the wine’s label.

Château Pétrus, she’d only seen it in magazines. Any bottle costs tens of thousands, so tasting it was pure profit.

“Aren’t you having dinner with your advisor next door? How did you come over here?” Until now, Gao Linhan was still confused, accepting the wine Yan Tingli handed him.

He didn’t want to seem overwhelmed, but Yan Tingli suddenly taking initiative to come over here was truly incomprehensible based on his understanding of him.

“Seeking some peace.” Yan Tingli was concise.

Gao Linhan still had concerns: “Won’t your Professor Su be unhappy?”

Yan Tingli’s gaze swept lightly over Shi Sui.

Seeing her head getting lower and lower.

A faint cold curve appeared at the corner of his lips, saying as if joking: “As long as I’m happy.”

This statement was truly arrogant.

Fang Huaijing glanced over, meeting his casual, cold gaze that fell on him.

—Scrutiny. This word popped into his mind.

He was scrutinizing him from a high position, not particularly friendly.

Yan Tingli had an extremely good reputation outside.

Young genius, outstanding appearance, distinguished family background, all halos combined. Those in the same major spoke of him with nothing but admiration; professors and teachers discussed him with nothing but praise.

But Fang Huaijing had encountered him multiple times in mecha competition venues.

Contrary to the word “tingli” (listen and be polite), he was arrogant and sharp-edged.

This was his complete impression of Yan Tingli.

After a moment of quiet, the private room door opened again. A waiter placed a plate on the table: “Hello everyone, Guangdong-style roast goose, lower portion.”

“Eh?” Gao Linhan was surprised, “Ours was already served.”

“This is another portion; this gentleman ordered it.” The waiter smiled at Yan Tingli.

“Weren’t you going to take it for takeout?”

“Not needed anymore.”

Gao Linhan: “Eh?”

“Eating here is fine too.”

When he said this, Shi Sui felt an almost imperceptible gaze.

“Student Shi.” He suddenly called her.

Shi Sui was drinking soup and suddenly choked.

This call made everyone at the table look up.

Fang Huaijing handed her tissues, placing them at the table edge, and poured her water.

“Sorry, I startled you.” Yan Tingli said indifferently.

He seemed to be apologizing, but when Shi Sui looked up, she met his expressionless face, where was there any hint of regret?

He looked into her eyes, pushing the roast goose forward: “This is a thank-you gift for you, I don’t know if you like it.”

Shi Sui was already full, but still forced herself to pick up a piece: “I like it, thank you.”

“No need to thank me.”

Fang Huaijing saw her slightly wrinkled face and couldn’t help saying, “If you can’t eat anymore, don’t force yourself.”

Yan Tingli suddenly laughed once.

Seeming casual: “You two seem very familiar.”

Gao Linhan took the opportunity to continue: “Speaking of which, it’s coincidental—”

“Sorry.” Shi Sui suddenly stood up, interrupting the conversation, “I need to go to the restroom.”

Her movement was urgent, almost running out.

Shi Sui reached the door and sent Yan Tingli a message: [Come out for a moment]

[Come out for what?] he replied.

Shi Sui had no patience to argue: [Come out, I’m waiting for you outside]

She walked forward to the end of the corridor, turning the corner.

Going to the same place where she’d taken the phone call earlier.

Waited for a while.

Soon.

Unhurried footsteps came from behind.

Before Shi Sui could turn around, someone embraced her waist from behind.

With the scent of wine, breathing heavily at her neck, voice revealing no joy or anger: “What for?” He played with the hair by her ear, leaning close to ask: “Having an affair?”

Shi Sui ignored this, her voice tense as she asked:

“What exactly do you want to do?”

“Bringing Sui Sui her favorite roast goose.”

“What a pity,” his palm came to her abdomen, slowly moving up, at the stomach position, pressing down, sighing, “this place seems to have already been fed full by someone else.”

Shi Sui felt very uncomfortable hearing this. She turned her head, avoiding his breath: “Don’t talk like that.”

Yan Tingli gripped her chin with his thumb and forefinger: “Tell me, who fed you? Hmm?”

Shi Sui thought of the few pieces of roast goose Fang Huaijing had served her when she went to take the call, her eyelashes trembling lightly: “…No one, stop asking.”

But her lies had always been transparent to him.

Yan Tingli let out a “heh” laugh from his throat, casually looking down, sorting through possibilities in his mind.

“When was it?”

“Was it during that half month of sketching,” he paused, “or those few days during Spring Festival in Hangzhou?”

Shi Sui took a while to react.

Only then did she realize he was investigating when she and Fang Huaijing had crossed paths.

Cold sweat broke out on Shi Sui’s back.

Forcing herself to stay calm: “Neither! It was today, we only met today.”

This sentence wasn’t a lie, just concealed some truth.

Yan Tingli leaned closer.

Feeling his gaze examining her from top to bottom, Shi Sui held her breath, suddenly remembering.

—He had studied microexpressions.

In the Yan family study, there were wall-to-wall bookcases, densely lined with various types of books, with psychology books taking up more than half.

The Yan family aunties had proudly mentioned that Yan Tingli had read all these books.

After several seconds, the stare fixed on her face disappeared.

The matter seemed to have passed.

Shi Sui imperceptibly breathed a sigh of relief.

The next second, her chin was lifted.

Yan Tingli looked at her directly, saying, “Kiss me.”

Shi Sui didn’t like doing such things outside.

But today, she pressed her lips together, looked around, and still stood on her tiptoes.

The moment their breaths approached, Yan Tingli’s fingertip pressed heavily against her lower lip, the temperature in his eyes instantly turning cold: “Told to kiss and you kiss, when have you ever been this obedient?”

“…” Shi Sui’s mentality completely exploded.

“I’ll give you one more chance to tell the truth.”

Shi Sui’s chest rose and fell.

Her heartbeat was also rapid, and she felt a suffocating sense of palpitation.

Just then, Shi Sui’s phone rang. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, looking down at the caller.

It was Xue Jing.

“If I don’t answer, she’ll worry.” Shi Sui said.

She’d been gone too long, Xue Jing was worried and called to confirm her safety: “Good that you’re okay, I thought you were drunk.”

Shi Sui replied: “I’ll be back soon.”

“Do you want me to come get you?”

“No need, I’m almost at the door.”

After hanging up, Shi Sui said with some pleading: “I need to go back.”

“Finish before 8:30.” Yan Tingli glanced at his watch, saying coldly.

Shi Sui opened the door and returned to the private room.

“Finally back.”

“The restroom was a bit crowded.” Shi Sui made an excuse.

She glanced at where Yan Tingli had been sitting, putting on an appropriately surprised expression.

“His dinner party needed him back, so he left.” Gao Linhan said.

Shi Sui: “…I see.”

“Just looked it up.” Xue Jing elbowed her, nodding toward the wine bottle, saying in shock, “This bottle of wine, sixty thousand yuan. He just casually left it here and walked away? Is his family also very wealthy?”

Gao Linhan interjected: “That’s not just wealthy, the domestic AI giant, Qisheng Technology, belongs to his family.”

“Oh my god.” Xue Jing looked at Shi Sui, sighing, “How can someone be so fortunate?”

“Don’t compare, comparing people will anger you to death,” Gao Linhan had now seen through it, shaking his head and sighing, “He’s someone you can’t envy.”

Shi Sui forced a smile.

She was having a headache about how to face Yan Tingli next.

Her heart felt heavy, inevitably distracted.

Seeing her expression, Fang Huaijing asked: “What’s wrong?”

Shi Sui shook her head: “Nothing, maybe I’m a bit tired.”

Saying she was tired inevitably spoiled the mood.

“As long as you’re full,” Fang Huaijing looked up, saying to Gao Linhan, who was still talking endlessly, “Let’s wrap up soon.”

“Alright.” Gao Linhan pointed to the wine that was only half-drunk, “What about this wine?”

Sixty thousand yuan wine, even taking it back felt too hot to handle.

Fang Huaijing stood up with his backpack: “Return it.”

Gao Linhan scratched his head: “That works too.” He put the cork back in: “I’ll go to the next private room.”

Xue Jing handed her bag to Shi Sui: “Help me carry this, I’m going to the restroom.”

Only Shi Sui and Fang Huaijing remained, walking out of the private room one after the other.

Both somewhat at a loss for words.

Shi Sui was too embarrassed to know what to say, even having a sense of giving up—things were already bad, what’s a little worse?

This was also a reunion of old friends, but the entire evening had been disrupted by Yan Tingli.

After thinking for a long time, she finally managed: “I’m sorry.”

“Hmm?” Fang Huaijing raised an eyebrow, “I haven’t said anything yet and I’m already being rejected?”

“No, no,” Shi Sui felt even more embarrassed, saying quietly, “I was impolite today…”

She was referring to ungratefully insisting on drinking Yan Tingli’s wine.

Fang Huaijing looked ahead: “It’s not your fault. Yan Tingli’s true personality is very domineering, it’s normal for you to be intimidated by him.”

His tone was flat, clearly not thinking highly of Yan Tingli.

Shi Sui almost wanted to nod frantically.

Finally, someone saw through Yan Tingli’s surface to his true nature!

As they talked, Xue Jing and Gao Linhan caught up.

Xue Jing looked at Gao Linhan: “Why did you bring the wine back?”

“He didn’t want it.” Gao Linhan handed the wine bottle to Shi Sui, “Said it’s for you, as a thank-you gift.”

Shi Sui’s hand hung in mid-air, her face wrinkled, as if looking at a hot potato.

Xue Jing tsk-ed: “Really generous, sixty thousand yuan wine.”

“Take it, opened wine isn’t worth much anyway.” Gao Linhan directly stuffed it into her hands, “I’m leaving, let’s gather again next time.”

Fang Huaijing also nodded slightly, saying goodbye and leaving.

“Let’s go, back to the dorm.” Xue Jing patted Shi Sui’s shoulder.

Shi Sui was troubled.

…She couldn’t leave yet.

After considering for a long time, she said quietly: “I might need to go home…”

“Go home now?” Xue Jing was surprised, “Tomorrow’s Monday, you’re still going back?”

“There’s something urgent at home.” Shi Sui made up a reason.

Xue Jing didn’t say more: “Alright then…”

Shi Sui nodded: “Be careful on your way back.”

“I’m not far, just a ten-minute walk.” Xue Jing looked at her meaningfully, “You’re the one who should be more careful.”

Her words carried deep meaning.

Just as Shi Sui’s heartbeat quickened, thinking she had seen through something, Xue Jing patted her shoulder and turned back.

Leaving Shi Sui standing there.

A wave of cold evening wind swept by, making her head throb.

Private room 205.

The team had just defeated S University and won the finals championship, plus Su Ye was willing to show up, making the atmosphere at the dinner table very lively and joyful.

The table was full of proud students, especially seeing Yan Tingli at the lower seat, Su Ye was in particularly good spirits.

“Xiao Han, you and Tingli are more familiar, so sit next to him.” Su Ye said.

The table quieted for a moment. The people present included Su Ye’s doctoral and master’s students, their gazes drifting over with subtle scrutiny.

Su Ye acted as if he didn’t see.

His support and favor had never been refused by anyone.

Midway through drinking, seeing the empty seat next to Su Han, Su Ye frowned: “Where’s Tingli?”

Someone answered: “Seems like he went out.”

“Still not back after so long?”

No one answered.

Su Ye put down his wine glass, his expression slightly cold. Just then the door opened and Yan Tingli stepped back in.

“Where did you go just now?”

Yan Tingli: “Got some fresh air.”

This answer didn’t satisfy Su Ye, who said coolly: “I think you were trying to avoid drinking.”

“I’ll penalty drink three cups for you.” Yan Tingli responded smoothly.

Su Ye’s expression improved slightly. Toward Yan Tingli, he admired, cherished, and was proud. Just occasionally his edges were too sharp, and he wanted to grind away this layer of sharpness.

When it ended, Su Han linked arms with him out of the restaurant. Only after being sent to the car did Su Ye glance at his daughter: “What’s wrong, why is your mouth pouting so high?”

Su Han turned her head away, sulking: “Don’t try to matchmake me with Yan Tingli anymore. Didn’t you see he barely pays attention to me? Today he was out for so long too.”

Su Ye smiled dismissively: “Petty.”

Su Han was unconvinced: “Anyway, I don’t want to throw myself at him anymore, it’s beneath me!”

“Whether he likes you or pays attention, does it matter?” Su Ye said indifferently, “What I ask him to do, which one would he dare truly disobey? Not just him, even his father has to give me face.”

He patted Su Han’s head: “Don’t be disturbed by these useless details. My daughter gets what she wants. Don’t worry about his reaction first, your own core needs to be stable.”

Hearing this, Su Han felt much better.

Fortunately, she didn’t really like Yan Tingli that much. She just wanted to get the most prominent man, drawing everyone’s envious gazes.

Even more fortunately.

She had such a capable father.

Shi Sui probably waited in the nearby coffee shop for about fifteen minutes.

Through the second-floor window, she saw Su Han linking arms with Su Ye getting into the car.

And behind them, all the students and fellow disciples seeing the two off, everyone’s expressions and body language very enthusiastic.

Shi Sui rested her chin, her gaze falling on Yan Tingli who lagged a step behind.

Unlike the others, his expression was as calm as usual, as if he wasn’t seeing off Su Ye but was just being basically polite.

All the fame, fortune, and money that people fought for, he had everything.

Even higher-level resources, he didn’t compete for or care about, only pressuring her again and again.

The more Shi Sui thought about it, the more frustrated she became.

[Come down]

Her phone buzzed once.

Shi Sui looked outside. Everyone had dispersed, Yan Tingli leaned against the wall, his gaze raised, looking in her direction.

Shi Sui gripped the teacup in her hand, lowering her eyes to send a message: [I have class tomorrow, can we just talk here]

The response: [Up to you]

Before Shi Sui could be happy, another message popped up: [I don’t mind kissing you here]

“…” Shi Sui expressionlessly deleted what she was about to send.

Since Yan Tingli had been drinking tonight, they took a taxi back to the apartment.

The distance wasn’t far, about fifteen minutes.

The back seat was very quiet, Yan Tingli looked straight ahead without speaking.

Shi Sui kept her eyes on her nose and nose on her heart, unconsciously fidgeting with the wine bottle cork, mentally calculating all the places Yan Tingli might confront her about when they got back.

Thinking it over, analyzing all her behavior tonight, basically everything had made him unhappy.

Realizing that muddling through when they got back would be nearly impossible.

Shi Sui’s brain spun rapidly, trying to find some countermeasures.

There was one thing that absolutely had to be hidden—that Fang Huaijing and she knew each other.

Yan Tingli’s possessiveness was inexplicable.

Even changing “Sui Sui” to “Xiao Yuan” could make him dislike Xiao Yuan from then on.

Shi Sui didn’t dare think what would happen if Yan Tingli knew she had once stayed at Fang Huaijing’s house—he might target Fang Huaijing because of it.

Not only were they opponents in various competitions.

Especially since the Yan family dominated the artificial intelligence field.

If Fang Huaijing suffered this kind of undeserved disaster because of her, it would be too innocent.

“Knock knock” twice.

Yan Tingli tapped the car window edge twice with his finger.

Shi Sui glanced over from the corner of her eye.

A hint of coldness at the corner of his lips: “You have five more minutes to continue thinking.”

Shi Sui: “…Thinking about what?”

“Thinking about how to make things up.”

“…”

Stay calm. Don’t panic.

Shi Sui pinched her palm, summarizing from her countless experiences of being tricked by Yan Tingli.

This time was also him tricking her.

She held her breath, turned her head, looking at him with an “I don’t understand” expression.

Yan Tingli slowly leaned closer.

He should have also been drinking when he went back, the rich wine aroma at his nose lingering.

His gaze wandered over her cheek.

Shi Sui remained motionless.

Suddenly, fine breath brushed against her face.

Looking up, Yan Tingli’s chest vibrated, a short cold laugh from his throat.

His hand tugged at her cheek: “Breathe.”

“Also,” he said a few words in her ear.

Shi Sui quickly shifted her eyes, glaring back angrily.

You’re the one with crossed eyes!

Feeling his mood seemed slightly better, Shi Sui’s heart relaxed a bit. Just as she was about to continue speaking, his phone suddenly rang. Looking down at the caller.

Yan Tingli’s expression became cold and indifferent.

Shi Sui caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye.

It was Uncle Yan.

She looked out the window, not making another sound.

Yan Tingli rested his hand on the car window, answering the phone half-heartedly, mostly ending with “mm.”

His tone audibly impatient.

Not knowing what was said on the other end, suddenly he laughed.

“Since you like Su Han so much, have my mother divorce you and marry her yourself. Both of you should be very willing.”

Shi Sui beside him slowly widened her eyes.

The noise from the phone grew louder, probably Yan Zecheng losing his temper.

Yan Tingli held the phone away.

His thumb pressed the screen, directly hanging up.

The taxi driver probably had never seen such a rebellious young man, even stopping his voice chat with friends.

After an eerie silence, the car slowly stopped outside the apartment building.

Yan Tingli paid the fare, and the two got out one after the other.

Shi Sui secretly glanced at Yan Tingli’s expression.

Clearly, he was in a very bad mood.

Actually, it had been bad from the start.

After Yan Zecheng’s call, it was even worse.

She closed her eyes, her heart pounding.

They fingerprint-scanned and entered the apartment door in wordless silence.

Shi Sui slowly followed behind, taking a deep breath before stepping inside.

The lights weren’t on inside.

Yan Tingli suddenly stopped.

Night shadows cast a deep, dense silhouette.

Shi Sui also stopped.

Not knowing what he was going to do, her expression somewhat blank.

Until cool fingers supported her chin, lifting it.

Yan Tingli leaned down closer, dark eyes looking into her eyes.

Shi Sui felt numb all over from his stare.

Hallucinating the last look he’d given her in the daytime dream.

Until Yan Tingli softly said: “Why aren’t you angry?”

“…Angry about what?”

Coldness seeped into his eyes, making Shi Sui’s gaze involuntarily dodge.

Her chin was gripped hard, forcing her to turn her face back.

“Fang Huaijing sitting next to you, I just wanted to pour the entire bottle of wine on his face and make him get lost.”

Yan Tingli spoke word by word: “Since you saw me having dinner with Su Han tonight, heard Yan Zecheng wanting me to marry Su Han.”

“Aren’t you angry? Hmm?”

The final note struck Shi Sui’s heart. Instinct told her this question was very dangerous.

Her lips opened and closed.

After a long while, she softly managed: “…I trust you.”

“How much do you trust me?” Yan Tingli tilted his head with a curious expression.

“Just…” Shi Sui organized her words, “trust that you won’t have any relationship with other girls.”

“If you trust me so much, then let’s get married.” Yan Tingli cupped the back of her head, his kisses like feathers, lightly brushing past her ear, her neck, “How about it?”

In the darkness.

From shock, Shi Sui’s eyes slowly widened, her lips parted, unable to make a sound for a long time.

“Why no answer?”

Shi Sui was scared into cold sweats all over, not daring to answer.

Light laughter sounded.

Yan Tingli’s last bit of patience seemed to disappear completely. One hand slipped under her sweater, past her smooth waist, coming to Shi Sui’s still swollen stomach.

Suddenly, he pressed down with neither light nor heavy pressure.

Already stuffed, Shi Sui almost bent over and vomited from this pressure.

“Little liar.” She heard his ice-cold voice.

Looking up.

Yan Tingli’s expression was hidden in shadow, looking down from above, unclear: “Last chance to tell the truth.”

“When exactly did you meet Fang Huaijing?”