“If Teacher Sheng wishes, I’ll comply with whatever you want, even making love right here.”

Zhou Shiyu’s unexpected proactive cooperation left all the interview personnel present showing expressions of surprise.

Not to mention the waves Cheng He had stirred in the financial sector in recent years, just the fact that its core team was founded by young people in their early twenties led by Zhou Shiyu was enough to become a news sensation.

However, Zhou Shiyu was usually too low-key and mysterious, never appearing before public cameras unless necessary, and privately refused even financial interviews categorically.

Yet this morning he had actively sent people to make contact, agreeing to an invitation from “Entrepreneurial Youth Interview Series” from a month ago, with the time set for noon.

Faced with this windfall, the team was left with nothing but shock and disbelief. They quickly finalized the interview script within two hours, then rushed to Cheng He with people and equipment in great haste.

Interviewer Xiao Li had worked for several years and interviewed quite a few celebrities and A-list entertainment stars. Now sitting nervously across from this man of similar age with a faint smile, even as a fellow male, he couldn’t help but sigh that this person, whether in bearing or appearance, far exceeded all the celebrities and artists he had seen.

Yet throughout the interview with this legendary figure who was both gentle and aloof, Xiao Li’s attention was entirely focused on the ring on the man’s right ring finger.

For no other reason than that this ring’s presence was simply too strong.

Zhou Shiyu had none of the airs of a so-called “industry elite.” His long legs were casually crossed, both hands resting flat on his thighs with his left hand below and right hand above. When thinking about answers to questions, his gaze would naturally drop down.

With the keen eye cultivated through years of interviewing, Xiao Li acutely noticed that every time Zhou Shiyu lowered his gaze, he was looking at the ring on his ring finger, without exception.

…It was as if the man couldn’t think without the ring on his hand.

Only daring to complain inwardly, Xiao Li maintained a professional smile on his face, not forgetting to ask the most crucial question prepared beforehand:

“I heard that First Hospital is specially organizing a series of activities regarding adolescent mental health issues, and Cheng He will fully support them. May I ask Mr. Zhou Shiyu, as your company is a venture capital firm, what is the reason for your strong support of this project?”

This question wasn’t originally in the interview script but was specifically designated by Cheng He’s liaison during their phone conversation.

—Or rather, this was the real reason Zhou Shiyu agreed to the interview.

The man pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then looked up with a slight smile: “When Cheng He was first established, most of our investment projects centered around Type 1 diabetes research. Data shows that Type 1 diabetes mostly affects adolescents under twenty years old, yet there’s almost no discussion of related topics in the market—as if these children have long been forgotten by society.”

“Similar situations don’t only happen to Type 1 diabetes patients. Mental health issues have always troubled countless adolescents, yet related topics are rarely discussed correctly, seriously, and with professional education. As a result, truly troubled adolescents struggle to find channels to understand their conditions and help themselves. Instead, because of their incompatibility with those around them and society’s long-standing stereotypes about specific illnesses, their sense of shame about their condition continues to grow.”

“Until very long ago, even I followed this socially accepted phenomenon.”

In the surrounding silence, the low and gentle male voice rose, slowly spreading throughout the spacious office: “But recently, someone told me that this is wrong.”

“Those children who suffer from physical or mental illness are innocent victims. They shouldn’t receive pointing fingers and judgment from society and those around them because of this.”

His words paused slightly. Zhou Shiyu lowered his gaze again into momentary contemplation, looking at the simple and plain ring on his ring finger, his pitch-black eyes revealing a rare, genuinely warm smile:

“She told me that precisely because we were fortunate enough to grow up into adults, we cannot forget the unfair treatment those children suffer. If some things always need someone to do them, she’s willing to be the first person to stand up and speak out.”

“…”

Even Qiu Si and Secretary Chen hadn’t expected the topic to unfold this way. After the words fell, there was another moment of silence, with only a soft sigh of admiration heard from the corner.

Finally, it was Xiao Li who broke the quiet, thinking of the man’s disclaimer before the interview, tentatively guessing: “The person who could say such words is truly remarkable—may I boldly ask if the person who said this to you was your wife, Mr. Zhou?”

“Yes.”

After Xiao Li finished speaking, he saw Zhou Shiyu look up. For the first time since the interview began, he saw the man smile, every word seeming to carry warm mirth: “My wife is a remarkable person, far more excellent and brave than my words could describe.”

For Zhou Shiyu to give such high praise, even setting aside its explosive nature, Xiao Li was more curious about the reasons: “Mr. Zhou’s wife must be equally outstanding, but what made her think to speak out for adolescents?”

“She’s a special education teacher who hopes her students and other special needs children can be treated with kindness.”

Zhou Shiyu’s low voice was calm, gently correcting the other’s phrasing: “Also—”

“Her excellence is because she is inherently outstanding, not because she’s my wife.”

Sheng Sui could be his one and only beloved for life, could be the wife he cherished and treasured, but she could never be merely “Mrs. Zhou.”

Zhou Shiyu was unwilling to diminish even the slightest bit of his beloved’s brilliant radiance.

Though the man’s words were a correction, because his tone contained unmistakable tenderness, it made Xiao Li lose his initial awe. He smiled and sincerely offered his blessings: “It seems you two must have a very good relationship normally. Would Mr. Zhou be willing to share with us how you two usually get along?”

“…How we get along.”

Zhou Shiyu lightly pursed his thin lips, his distinctly jointed hand tapping on the table surface, as if finding this question quite interesting. He suddenly smiled: “She’s responsible for ideals, and I’m responsible for being the lover who supports those ideals.”

After the hospital’s official statement, public opinion took another ninety-degree shift, rising from the initial “Lin Xi’s press conference” to “facing special needs children seriously” and then to “paying attention to adolescent mental health issues.”

At exactly 2 PM, Cheng He’s official account reposted Qi Xiajing’s microblog expressing full support. Simultaneously, the blogger “Entrepreneurial Youth Interview Series” with millions of followers released a text preview, claiming that in their upcoming interview, Zhou Shiyu would discuss related issues. The event’s popularity finally reached its peak.

Because of the simultaneous appearance of the hospital’s official account, Cheng He, and Zhou Shiyu, the focus of the event was no longer simple entertainment but transformed into serious social issue discussions.

Most importantly, Sheng Sui discovered that in the discussions about her audio, fewer and fewer people were entertaining themselves or researching her identity.

She knew clearly in her heart that from Qi Xiajing’s “perfectly timed” statement to the appearance of Cheng He and the interview, all were efforts made by Zhou Shiyu.

However, there was one thing Sheng Sui hadn’t anticipated at all.

Among the school teachers, rumors began spreading that the mysterious business mogul behind Lin Xi was Zhou Shiyu himself.

“…No wonder Zhou Shiyu came to Zhou Yi’s parent-teacher conference last time, and this time immediately stood up for Lin Xi.”

During the last class break, Qi Yue came to share gossip she’d heard all afternoon elsewhere, then said with conviction: “I said last time that Zhou Shiyu is Zhou Yi’s father. They look so alike, like they were carved from the same mold.”

Sheng Sui found this both amusing and exasperating. Thinking that Zhou Shiyu’s visits to school were no longer secret, she defended her husband: “You’re overthinking it. They’re biological brothers.”

“Besides, Zhou Shiyu isn’t even 30 yet, and Zhou Yi is over seven. How could that be possible?”

“That’s exactly why Lin Xi never acknowledged him all these years,” Qi Yue argued with conviction and evidence:

“If they’re really half-brothers with the same father as you said, why would Zhou Shiyu help Lin Xi? He never appears in public view normally, yet now he’s willing to accept an interview from an internet celebrity?”

“…”

Sheng Sui was momentarily speechless.

Seeing her unable to respond, Qi Yue leaned close to her ear again to share gossip: “And I just heard from a teacher next door that Zhou Shiyu is coming to our school later. The leadership is all preparing.”

“?”

Sheng Sui didn’t know about this.

So when Qi Yue went to the podium to teach with another teacher, she returned to the classroom office and took out her phone to text Zhou Shiyu:

[SS: Are you coming to school later?]

A few seconds after sending the text, the other side showed “typing”:

[Z: Yes, just confirmed. Want to go home together?]

Sheng Sui was the one who proposed keeping their relationship secret, but when she saw the man’s question in the white chat box, she felt inexplicably annoyed.

He was already coming to school, so why ask the obvious question about going home together?

Pursing her lips, Sheng Sui typed back: “Now the teachers are all saying Lin Xi is your secret lover.”

As soon as she sent the message, she immediately regretted it. Just as Sheng Sui was hesitating whether to recall it, the other side called first.

As soon as the call connected, she heard the man’s pleasant and magnetic low laughter, each sound burning hot in Sheng Sui’s ears.

“Sui bao,” Zhou Shiyu’s gentle low voice carried some teasing meaning, “I think I smell vinegar.”

“No way,” Sheng Sui defended herself guiltily, “I just saw online that people are curious about your relationship with Lin Xi too. Is it okay to leave it alone?”

Zhou Shiyu considered for a moment, no longer as thoughtfully considerate as before, saying slowly:

“If Teacher Sheng doesn’t mind, then it’s fine.”

“…”

Sheng Sui simply couldn’t respond to this. She puffed out her cheeks in embarrassment, and just as she was about to say more, the warning bell for dismissal rang. She could only hurriedly hang up and rush back to class to organize student dismissal.

Fortunately, she was sufficiently absorbed in her teaching work. Sheng Sui quickly forgot the earlier embarrassment, gently asking students to line up in the front of the classroom, then crouching down to zip up the loose jacket of a student with intellectual disabilities to prevent them from catching cold.

Just as she was about to escort the students downstairs, Sheng Sui heard Qi Yue calling her name from behind. She stood up and turned toward the voice, only to discover the academic director standing outside the door, along with Zhou Shiyu with his leisurely smile.

The man’s well-pressed pure black suit was still what Sheng Sui had chosen this morning, and even the tie was one she had personally tied while being held on the glass display case. Now examining him carefully in front of everyone, there was a certain inexplicable strangeness and excitement.

The academic director beckoned for Sheng Sui and Qi Yue to come over, while another teacher behind them took charge of leading the students for dismissal.

“Mr. Zhou, regarding the cooperation on filming promotional videos, the school leadership instructed me to thank you repeatedly.”

With a smile plastered on his face, the academic director kept nodding and bowing to Zhou Shiyu, while repeatedly giving meaningful looks to Sheng Sui and Qi Yue.

Qi Yue was very tactful, following along with bows and greetings: “Hello, Mr. Zhou—”

“Teacher Sheng.”

Before the colleague could finish speaking, the man’s warm greeting sounded simultaneously. Zhou Shiyu actively extended his hand toward Sheng Sui, the wedding ring on his right ring finger clearly visible:

“—Long time no see.”

Their four eyes met. When Sheng Sui heard Zhou Shiyu say those four words again, she was momentarily dazed.

Seeing her slightly stunned, and the academic director beside them blinking frantically like having eye spasms, Sheng Sui collected her thoughts and reached out to shake hands.

“…Hello, Mr. Zhou.”

Quite coincidentally, she also wore her wedding ring on her right ring finger. When they shook hands, the obviously matching couple’s rings became incredibly conspicuous at this moment.

Sheng Sui could clearly hear the intake of breath from her colleague beside her during the handshake.

Sharp as Zhou Shiyu was, he couldn’t possibly be unaware of this. Instead of releasing her hand to end this ceremonial greeting, he smiled leisurely and meaningfully said:

“Teacher Sheng’s wedding ring is very beautiful.”

“…”

This time, Sheng Sui could even hear the academic director’s sharp intake of breath from across and the sounds Qi Yue made beside her, creating quite a symphony.

The man’s words were truly ambiguous, seeming to say nothing while appearing to say everything.

Seeing through the laughter behind Zhou Shiyu’s glasses, Sheng Sui secretly pinched the man’s right hand while smiling nonchalantly:

“I wonder if Mr. Zhou came specifically to the classroom to see Zhou Yi’s learning environment?”

“Good idea.”

Seeing her counterattack, Zhou Shiyu’s eyes showed even more mirth. Ignoring the two gazes around them and the secretly watching eyes from the corridor outside, he said matter-of-factly:

“I’ll follow Teacher Sheng’s arrangements entirely.”

“…”

Very well, now the atmosphere became even more awkward.

Finally, it was the academic director who actively tried to smooth things over, his mouth twitching as he asked Sheng Sui to tour the school with Zhou Shiyu “alone.”

Hearing the usually stern-faced person heavily emphasize the word “alone” as if his tongue was tied, Sheng Sui somehow felt like laughing.

After students left campus, teachers who hadn’t finished work would occasionally pass by. Walking with Zhou Shiyu through the school corridors, Sheng Sui actually experienced the secret thrill of secretly dating at school behind teachers’ backs—something she’d never felt during her own adolescence.

The two walked along the corridor. When they were nearly at the end, seeing no one around, Sheng Sui lowered her voice and asked:

“Why did you suddenly act like that just now?”

As soon as she finished speaking, she felt someone hook her right thumb. She stopped walking and looked up to meet Zhou Shiyu’s downward gaze.

“To promptly dispel rumors,” the man suddenly leaned down, making Sheng Sui’s heart jump violently as she worried people might pass by at any moment. A deliberately lowered, seductive male voice then fell by her ear:

“Now it depends on whether Teacher Sheng is willing to give me a proper status.”

The two were currently standing at the end of the corridor, with the emergency exit in a surveillance blind spot right behind Sheng Sui.

Looking at the half-challenging, half-seductive faint smile in Zhou Shiyu’s eyes, Sheng Sui lightly bit her back teeth, following his force to pull him into the emergency exit doorway while standing on tiptoes to lightly bite his thin lips.

Her heart beating so fast it was deafening, Sheng Sui’s breathing was somewhat uneven, her earlobes red with defiance: “…I think I should bite you first.”

What kind of person acts wild like this at school?

“That works too.”

Like their first meeting in the safety passage, Zhou Shiyu was no longer the refined gentleman from a month ago.

Faced with Sheng Sui’s heated ears, the base instincts hidden in the man’s bones were instead aroused. He raised his hand to knead them slowly and deliberately.

Simultaneously leaning down, when his dark shadow pressed down, he tilted his head with thin lips stopping at Sheng Sui’s flushed earlobe, adding word by word:

“Never mind biting—if Teacher Sheng wishes, I’ll comply with whatever you want, even making love right here.”

Author’s Note:

Thank you very much for everyone’s support. I will continue to work hard!