Ch.46 – Grow Up

Shen Yu smiled and said, “Aren’t you seeing me now?”

A perfunctory answer.

Yi Heng seemed unsatisfied with Shen Yu’s words, and did not know how to reply.

In fact, even if Shen Yu ignored him, it’s not like he had and qualifications to accuse Shen Yu. After all, there was no special relationship between them, unlike Tang Li and Shen Yu.

Thinking of Tang Li, Yi Heng’s eyes dimmed a little, but his face still maintained a pure and innocent smile.

“I heard you were sick. I wanted to see you, but Tang Li kept standing in my way,” Yi Heng said.

“Oh?” Shen Yu said quietly, “Maybe it wasn’t very convenient, and that’s why he blocked you.”

Yi Heng was stunned. He didn’t realize that Shen Yu would take the initiative. Shen Yu was like a cold-hearted person who was thousands of miles away, and his laughter had disappeared in the distance.

He tilted his head and approached Shen Yu. He asked in a very serious tone, “Do you hate me?”

Shen Yu didn’t hate him.

He just didn’t like him.

Shen Yu answered in his heart but dared not say it to his face. For better or worse, Yi Heng is the hero of this world. He has the halo of the hero, so Shen Yu knew he should try to avoid starting any conflicted with the little male lead unless absolutely necessary.

While Shen Yu was struggling with how to reply, he suddenly heard quick footsteps coming up from behind him. Before Shen Yu could respond, a tall and thin figure had blocked Yi Heng from his line of sight.

“He may not hate you, but I hate you very much.” Tang Li did not hide the strong disgust in his tone and stared at Yi Heng coldly.

After that, Tang Li turned around and put a bottle of mineral water into Shen Yu’s hands.

The water bottle was ice cold, Shen Yu’s was relieved by the cold feeling. He grabbed Tang Li’s hand from behind and squeezed it gently two times. He smiled and said, “Thank you, Chestnut.”

Tang Li’s cheeks were slightly red, and the depression that had just risen in the face of Yi Heng’s presence disappeared in an instant.

Then Uncle Zhang came and said, “Sir, the car is here.”

Shen Yu nodded. “Let’s go.”

Before leaving, Shen Yu looked at Yi Heng, who stood opposite Tang Li, and saw that Yi Heng also stared at him with an indescribable feeling in his eyes.

The teacher standing by the road called out for Yi Heng.

Yi Heng responded, and then turned his head and left.

The second before turning his head, he recovered his usual expressionless face, as if the smiling face just now was a mask. He could take it off if he wanted to and put it back on when he wanted to.

Apparently Tang Li also noticed the change of Yi Heng’s expression and raised a corner of his mouth in a mocking manner.

But when he looked back at Shen Yu, he suddenly resumed his gentle smile.

Shen Yu: “…”

When it comes to changing facial, the male lead and villain are on par with a face changing performer[1]!

——————-

The English contest in Jincheng was held for only two days. They should have stayed in Jincheng for only two days before returning. However, Shen Yu suddenly fell ill and delayed their journey.

The vice principal intentionally flattered Shen Yu, so he dragged the teachers and students to stay in Jincheng for a few more days. Of course, all the expenses were reimbursed by the school.

Returning to the airport in S city, Shen Yu looked at the flattering smile of the vice principal and felt sorry. He immediately decided to donate two more dormitory buildings.

It didn’t matter, the Shen family has a lot money.

When Shen Yu told the vice principal about the decision, the vice principal was surprised and delighted. He held Shen Yu’s hand excitedly and refused to let it go for a long time.

Uncle Zhang took great pains to break off the vice principal’s vice like grip.

Shen Yu smiled helplessly, unconsciously turning to search for Tang Li’s figure, but instead met the cold eyes of Yi Heng.

Yi Heng was not far behind him, leaning lazily on his suitcase. He was wearing a white shirt and jeans which made his his sickly pale face appear bloodless.

His facial features are extremely delicate, but unfortunately, they looked unhealthy.

Some doubts appeared in Yi Heng’s eyes, and Shen Yu’s eyes were full of exploration.

Two people and four eyes stared at each other.

Shen Yu felt a little embarrassed.

Just as he was about to turn his eyes away, he suddenly saw Yi Heng grinning at him, and then the little male lead said with envy coloring his voice, “You are so kind to Tang Li…”

There was a little distance between them. So in the bustling Airport lobby, Shen Yu couldn’t hear Yi Heng’s voice. But Yi Heng’s words were simple. Just by looking at his mouth move, Shen Yu could guess what he said.

Shen Yu was stunned for a moment.

He had not yet responded before Yi Heng had turned his head and looked blankly in the other direction.

“…”

Before he couldn’t guess the male lead’s thoughts. Yi Heng was very indifferent to him when they met for the first time. However, when they arrived in Jincheng, he suddenly became enthusiastic about Shen Yu.

But now, he could vaguely guess the thoughts of Yi Heng.

Perhaps it was because of his biological family’s influence, but he was always unconsciously looking for a sense of belonging. In his eyes, Tang Li, who has the same type of tragic past as him, is the same kind.

Unfortunately, he was regarded Tang Li as someone who “betrayed” him.

Because Tang Li came to Shen’s house…

After thinking about these things, Shen Yu was a little helpless and angry. He didn’t like the idea that Yi Heng selfishly wanted Tang Li to be suffering. Just because Yi Heng still lived in the past, Tang Li must be tormented by those pains in his past too?

What’s more, Shen Yu didn’t think that Yi Heng’s experience was more tragic than Tang Li’s.

There are more miserable people in the world.

After saying goodbye to the vice principal and the others, Shen Yu left with Uncle Zhang and Tang Li. He did not look at Yi Heng anymore and also made up his mind to avoid Yi Heng from now on.

————-

Only a week after leaving, the company had piled up with both large and small affairs for Shen Yu to handle. Additionally, near the end of the month Shen Yu was required to check the accounts of the two dessert stores.

As a result, Shen Yu began to be busy again.

Although Shen Yu did not spend all his energy on dessert shops, he spent a lot of time pondering the signature dishes and the business model. Although the business of the two dessert shops was not outrageously prosperous, he still had a group of loyal customers.

Now the two dessert stores are on the right track. Apart from checking the accounts at the end of each month, Shen Yu almost never asks about the dessert store and leaves it to Uncle Zhang.

Uncle Zhang could feel the importance Shen Yu placed on the two dessert stores, so he did his best to manage the store’s business, but at the same time, he also had many doubts in his heart.

One afternoon, Uncle Zhang couldn’t help saying to Shen Yu, “Sir, the value of any random project under your command is enough to make the ten years’ worth of the two stores profits. Isn’t too wasteful to spend your time on the stores…”

Shen Yu sat in his wheelchair, facing the bookcase that occupied the entire wall. He held a half-opened book in his hand and turned his head to Uncle Zhang.

“It’s not a waste.” Shen Yu smiled and said, “Baking is my hobby.”

Uncle Zhang was speechless.

He wanted to say that Shen Yu did this not out of interest for a mere hobby, but as if he was leaving a way for himself in case something went wrong.

But this sentence is too straightforward, so Uncle Zhang hesitated for a long time but in the end, dared not say it.

Did god hear him slandering Shen Yu in his mind? He heard Shen Yu sigh sadly: “Besides, what if the Shen family went bankrupt? People always have to leave a way out for themselves.”

Uncle Zhang: “…”

At this moment, Uncle Zhang almost doubted that he hadn’t accidentally said what he was thinking.

Shen Yu raised his eyes and saw Uncle Zhang’s nervous appearance. He knew he had guessed the other party’s mind. He was immediately amused and waved his hand. “I’m kidding. Don’t take it so seriously.”

Uncle Zhang’s solemn expression did not relax under Shen Yu’s comfort. He was silent for a long time and opened his mouth in earnest: “The Shen family has a big business and a strong foundation, it’s not a small family established in a few years or more. Even if something happens later, it will surely survive, after all, a plucked phoenix is still better than a feathered chicken.”

Shen Yu laughed and said, “I hope so.”

But no one knows for sure what will happen.

If the phrase ” a plucked phoenix is still better than a feathered chicken” could be used in any case, there would not be so many bosses who were forced to jump from a building and commit suicide by the company’s bankruptcy in the original novel.

Moreover, the original plot clearly states that the Shen family will go bankrupt.

Shen Yu had thought about protecting the Shen family through his own efforts. Unfortunately, he was a dessert master who could only bake. He had come to this world knowing nothing about the company’s affairs or how to run a corporation.

He worked hard, and exhausted all his perseverance, but it was still difficult running the company.

Uncle Zhang has taken care of Shen Yu for so long, it was natural to know that Shen Yu works very hard every day but still has worries. There are even many things that need Kang Lin’s help.

Uncle Zhang knows all about it, otherwise he wouldn’t even consider the worst case scenario.

The two people stared at each other in silence for a full minute, and finally Shen Yu burst into laughter. He pointed at Uncle Zhang and laughed for half a day, and tears gushed from the corners of his eyes.

Uncle Zhang was in a daze.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you look so miserable.” Shen Yu raised the back of his hand to wipe away the tears on his cheeks and coughed twice with his fist to his lips. Then he resumed his serious manner and said, “Chin up, you look better when you’re cold-faced.”

Uncle Zhang’s smile broke through in an instant and he laughed.

The two men laughed at each other silently for a while. Shen Yu shut the book in his hand and handed it to Uncle Zhang. “Put this in Chestnut’s room.”

Uncle Zhang looked at the word “management” on the cove, and hesitated slightly: “Chestnut is only eleven years old, won’t it be too early to learn this?”

Shen Yu shook his head. “It’s not too early for him.”

Uncle Zhang could not understand the meaning of Shen Yu’s words, but he said nothing more and left the study with the book.

———————–

In the final exam of the second semester, Tang Li again won first place in the whole grade, only 17 points short of a full score. It is also the first place of the same grade in the whole city.

The principal warmly invited Shen Yu to attend the end-of-year school meeting for the whole school. He personally sat at the parents’ table with Shen Yu and watched Tang Li’s speech as a student representative. He also indicated that he would prepare a bouquet of flowers for Shen Yu and arranged the staff to send flowers to Tang Li.

Shen Yu couldn’t figure out whether to laugh or cry.

If other parents saw this scene, who knows just how depressed they would be? The spotlight for the end-of-year meeting was completely snatched away by him and Tang Li.

The principal spoke excitedly about Shen Yu staying to chat but was eventually declined by Shen Yu.

It’s not that he afraid of causing complaints from other parents. It’s just that he didn’t want to accidentally run into Yi Heng.

He listened to the principal saying that Yi Heng not only took the first place his whole grade, but also went to Jincheng to take part in the English contest. Only Yi Heng made it to the top five and even went on to win the championship.

Therefore, when Tang Li’s speech is over, it was Yi Heng’s turn to take the stage. Unfortunately, Yi Heng’s parents are too busy to be here.

After hearing these words, Shen Yu, who had just refused him in a very euphemistic way, immediately became upright and blunt.

“Don’t try to persuade me.” Shen Yu lowered his voice and said sharply, “Do you think I’m not busy?”

If he stays, he was afraid Yi Heng would cling to him again.

Originally, the principal wanted to try and persuade Shen Yu again. However, when he noticed Shen Yu’s anger, he dared not say anything more on the matter. He carefully said a few flattering words, and then quickly ended the conversation.

In the blink of an eye, it was summer vacation.

Shen Yu pushed away all the remedial classes and private lessons Tang Li usually had, and spent a lot of money hiring two retired top-level employees to explain business and management to Tang Li.

In order to ensure that Tang Li’s knowledge can be fully utilized, Shen Yu arranged Tang Li to work in the Shen company over the summer break. He closely followed Shen Yu’s second assistant every day, without a penny’s salary, only getting an allowance for lunch and overtime dinner.

Many times, Tang Li became confused.

After all, he is still under twelve years old. Although he is smart and precocious, he has no idea about the operations and projects of the Shen Company. He can only gain some knowledge from the second assistant.

Two months later, Tang Li was tired and thin.

Shen Yu looked at the lackluster Tang Li, and became very distressed, but at the same time he did not regret his original decision.

He didn’t really care if Tang Li learned anything about a company’s work, but just wanted to increase the ability of Tang Li to resist pressure. Now he’s training Tang Li. In the future, once Tang Li and the Tang family get involved, it’s not like they can just wish to go back and do more to prepare.

Fortunately, Tang Li never complained.

Although he did not know why Shen Yu did this, since Shen Yu said so, he would go all out to act in the way Shen Yu wanted.

—————–

After the summer vacation, Tang Li began the sixth grade of primary school life.

However, instead of the burden on his shoulder relaxing, it became heavier and heavier.

Shen Yu began to expose him to computers.

Not just learning how to use a computer but instilling a deeper level of learning skills such as coding.

When Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen learned Shen Yu’s plan, they were so shocked that their chins almost fell to the ground.

Before when Shen Yu arranged for Tang Li to work in the company for summer vacation,they did not express their opinions but thought that Shen Yu wanted to increase Tang Li’s ability to endure hardships.

But now that Shen Yu has arranged for Tang Li to learn coding. Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen can’t figure out his objective.

Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen, who were deeply distressed for the little villain, talked for half a day and decided to go together to persuade Shen Yu.

That afternoon, Shen Yu directed several servants to empty a spare room and turn it into a small study for Tang Li.

While the other servants had received their orders and began to quickly leave, Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen slowly placed themselves in front Shen Yu.

Shen Yu wanted to check the computer. However, when he looked up, he saw two figures standing quietly in front of him. He was shocked and complained, “When did you get here?” He didn’t hear them come in.

“Just now.” Aunt Chen muttered.

After that, Aunt Chen quietly bumped Uncle Zhang with her elbow.

Uncle Zhang hesitated and looked at Aunt Chen several times. At last, urged by Aunt Chen’s sharp elbow, he opened his mouth with a hard scalp and said, “Sir, we want to discuss with you about young master Tang Li.”

“Well?” After hearing the little villain’s name, Shen Yu, who was absent-minded at first, immediately gave his full attention to the duo. “What’s wrong with him?”

Uncle Zhang said: “Software programming is something that most people need to learn when they go to college. I’m afraid that young master Tang Li will be too busy if he learns it earlier, and next year will be the unified examination for elementary school. I think the young master should concentrate more on his studies.”

Shen Yu smiled and said, “Chestnut’s academic performance is very good. Before the beginning of school, I asked him to do the unified examination exam from last year. The scores were not low. There is no problem with the elementary school exam.”

Aunt Chen couldn’t help saying, “Actually, we are just distressed for the child…”

After a pause, she added, “When my children were Chestnut’s age, they couldn’t even do housework. All day long, they knew they would just make the house filther.”

Hearing this, Shen Yu’s expression appeared a little helpless, he shrugged his shoulders: “I did not have Chestnuts do any housework.”

Aunt Chen: “…”

When Uncle Zhang saw Aunt Chen being overwhelmed by Shen Yu’s quick tongue, he had to help and said, “We mean that young master Tang Li is still a child. Maybe he shouldn’t be under such pressure. A child should have time to play. It’s not too late for you to arrange these courses for when he’s in high school…”

“No.” Shen Yu shook his head and interrupted Uncle Zhang. “By then it would be too late.”

Uncle Zhang could not understand Shen Yu’s meaning: “Young master Tang Li will only be fifteen or sixteen years old when he was in high school. It was just the beginning of his life. How could it be too late?”

Because he’s the villain.

Because he was destined to have a sad ending.

Because the male lead has already appeared, and female lead could land in their lives at any time.

Because of so much uncertainty, Shen Yu had to be prepared in advance.

There are still quiet threats like the Tang family in C city. If we follow the plot line, then the time for Tang Li and Tang family to get involved with each other is just three or four years from now, the situation is very urgent.

Sometimes Shen Yu can’t even sleep because he has so much anxiety bottled up in his heart.

He used to be anxious about his own destiny, fearing that he would be killed by Tang Li one day. Now he is anxious about Tang Li’s destiny. He does not want to see the child he raised set on the wrong road.

A lot of thoughts flashed through Shen Yu’s mind, but he did not reveal a single one to Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen.

He gradually fell silent until he heard footsteps behind him.

“Shen Yu!”

Tang Li just came out of his bedroom after taking a bath. He was wearing a loose jacket and shorts. His hair was blown dry, so it was very fluffy. He looked like a puppy waiting for his master to pet him.

His voice was clear and melodious, like a spring breeze, which instantly dispersed all the troubles lingering in Shen Yu’s heart.

“Here we are.” Shen Yu turned to look at Tang Li, and when he touched the little villain’s hair, and his face rippled with a gentle smile. He had led Tang Li to the spare room that was going to be his new study. “The servants have moved everything in. Do you want to go in and have a look?”

“Of course.” Tang Li showed a happy expression, but his dark eyes were like a calm, wave less lake.

Obviously, Tang Li was not interested in his new study at all, but in order to please Shen Yu, he deliberately put forward a very happy and interested look.

Uncle Zhang and Aunt Chen have been around for many decades. How can they not see the real inner thoughts of Tang Li?

They looked at each other before Uncle Zhang hesitated and said, “Young master Tang Li…”

Uncle Zhang’s words had just started, but Tang Li seemed to know what he was going to say. He turned his head and ran directly into the study.

“…” Uncle Zhang gave up and swallowed back all the words that had just barely reached his mouth.

When Shen Yu manipulated the wheelchair to follow Tang Li into the study, Uncle Zhang turned his head and smiled bitterly at Aunt Chen.

“It’s his choice.” Uncle Zhang said, “We can’t interfere.”

Aunt Chen nodded and felt a little strange.

She always thought that children like Tang Li, who had experienced many things, would have their own ideas, and it would be difficult to listen to other people’s teachings.

But Tang Li is totally different…

He almost regards Shen Yu’s words as a holy decree, even if Shen Yu wants him to jump from a building, he won’t even blink his eyes. He will immediately find a roof and jump down without hesitation.

————–

Shen Yu was challenging the limits of Tang Li.

He arranged Tang Li’s daily life to be completely full. When Tang Li opened his eyes in the morning, there were a lot of things waiting for him to finish. He could not relax even a little before going to bed at night.

To be fair, if Shen Yu was Tang Li, he would have never lasted that long.

Therefore, he is waiting for Tang Li to take the initiative to tell him that he is tired. Only when he knows where the limit of Tang Li is, can he make better use of the little villain’s time to arrange a suitable schedule for him.

Unexpectedly, five years had already passed without that happening.

In the past five years, Tang Li was promoted from sixth grade to the second grade in high school. He not only accomplished every extra-curricular task Shen Yu left him, but also maintained first place in his grade.

As if in the blink of an eye, he grew from a thin child to a tall, handsome young man.

Shen Yu didn’t know what to say.

Tang Li, a sophomore in senior high school, is over 1.8 meters (5ft 9in) tall, half a head taller than Shen Yu, who is only about 1.78 meters (5ft 8in) tall!