Chapter 69: The Uncle Visits with an Ulterior Motive

After washing up, Shen Yan scooped white porridge from the pot and slurped it down with pickled mustard greens and a salted duck egg.

Just then, Shen Jiaxin and Shen Jiakang, who had been in Grandma Shen's room teasing Danta, walked over. Shen Jiakang said longingly, "Brother Yan, I saw a skateboard on the coffee table; can I play with it?"

Both were the children of Shen Liangcheng; the slightly older girl was named Shen Jiaxin, 14 years old this year, and the younger boy was named Shen Jiakang, 11.

Shen Yan was quite fond of these two cousins and readily agreed: "Jiaxin, take your brother downstairs to play, and be careful."

The two immediately scampered out the door.

After finishing breakfast, Shen Yan did not want to get involved in the adults' conversation. It happened to be a clear, bright day with a gentle breeze, perfect for taking Danta out for a stroll.

On the open ground in front of Zhongxinyuan, the two little novices were playing with the skateboard timidly. Danta, having just come downstairs, noticed this scene and excitedly stood on its hind legs, jumping repeatedly while barking at Shen Yan, as if saying, "Let's go over and look."

Shen Yan unclipped the leash to let it go play, then found a lounge chair to sit under a big tree. He took out his phone and found several friend requests from high school female classmates, which he ignored directly.

There were also a few unread messages from Xu Lin.

"Shen Yan, push me the QQ of that classmate of yours."

"You there? Don't ignore me."

"Brother, you are my own brother."

Shen Yan: "Aren't you deeply devoted to Youwei? How did you change your affections so quickly?"

Xu Lin: "What do you mean 'change affections,' that sounds so harsh. I call this making the best choice on the path of life."

"Get lost!"

After sending the message, Shen Yan added this guy to his blacklist.

What a person!

With nothing to do, Shen Yan just sat under the big tree, reading a novel and chatting with Hao Anqi, enjoying the pleasant time.

An hour later, Shen Liangping pushed open the unit building door and walked out. He patted Shen Yan on the shoulder affectionately and said, "Little Yan, my shop is busy, so I have to head back. Come visit the house when you have time."

Shen Yan tried to persuade him to stay: "How about I go buy some groceries? Why don't you stay for a meal before leaving?"

Shen Liangcheng politely declined. Half an hour later, Shen Liangcheng and his wife also prepared to leave, but their expressions were not very good when they came down; they didn't even say goodbye, just grabbed their children and left immediately.

"What a person!" Shen Yan muttered.

Just as he was about to go home to ask what happened, he saw Danta scramble onto the skateboard and boldly start trying it out.

Unfortunately, it had no idea what it was doing; its four legs were busy in a chaotic mess, yet Danta possessed a spirit of perseverance, failing repeatedly but trying again and again.

Shen Yan watched from the side, amused, and quickly used his phone to record the video.

Then he posted it to his social feed.

Before long, comments started appearing below.

Lin Yang: "Old Shen, animals aren't allowed to become spirits after the founding of the nation; hurry up and neuter it."

Tang Song: "I've seen a Corgi play with a skateboard. Old Shen, practice well; if you take it out, it will definitely be the coolest kid on the street."

Yu Youwei: "So you actually post on your feed too."

Chen Shanni: "Border Collies have the highest IQ in the dog world; it could learn it after a few days of training."

Luo Qiqi: "With a master like this, can it even get enough to eat?"

Hao Anqi sent a QQ message directly: "There are tutorials online for dogs learning to skateboard. You should try it; Danta is so smart, it will definitely be able to learn."

Shen Yan searched online as suggested. There were indeed many instructional videos, but they were all based on dogs being afraid to try. Since Danta was so brave and proactive, figuring it out on its own would be enough.

Not long after, Wu Yue'er opened the unit door, copied Shen Yan's actions, moved a lounge chair to sit under the big tree, and noticed Danta making progress bit by bit, unable to hide her surprise.

She immediately nudged Shen Yan with her elbow and said, "Hey! Ask you something."

Shen Yan turned his head to look at her in confusion. Wu Yue'er said, "Are you and Youwei really just friends? The way she looked in the car yesterday was like she was jealous, very bothered that you took me out to play."

Shen Yan didn't take it to heart at all and said: "She's just feeling unbalanced; annoy her a bit more, and she'll get used to it."

Wu Yue'er couldn't help but snicker.

Making someone get used to being angry? He really came up with that.

No way! Such an infuriating thing to say must be kept in mind; it could be useful for roasting people later.

Then Wu Yue'er said again: "I don't think Youwei is feeling unbalanced. Could it be that she likes you and is jealous?"

"How is that possible? She has always looked at me as a brother." Shen Yan denied this speculation directly.

Wu Yue'er asked, "Then what about you?" Shen Yan looked at her in confusion. Wu Yue'er asked tentatively: "Youwei is so pretty, and you grew up together since you were kids; don't you have any thoughts?"

"Why should I tell you?" Shen Yan tossed his head and observed Danta playing with the skateboard with interest.

"Don't be like that; we're good buddies, these words will stay between us." Wu Yue'er moved her lounge chair and leaned right next to Shen Yan.

Shen Yan didn't like wasting words and said bluntly: "Let's put it this way: her personality isn't suitable for a girlfriend. She likes to manage this and that; getting along with her isn't even as comfortable as it is between us."

Wu Yue'er understood instantly.

Although she didn't know why Shen Yan liked Yu Youwei before, times had changed; on the road of growth, everyone's thoughts become more mature, and preferences change.

And the only thing she needed to confirm was that the current Shen Yan did not like Yu Youwei.

Yu Family, second bedroom.

This news was like a bolt from the blue, shocking Yu Youwei into helplessness. She sat blankly on the bed, muttering, "Impossible, it's impossible."

Wu Yue'er comforted her: "Perhaps you really aren't meant to be, missing each other at the crossroads twice. Just forget about this and focus on your studies; that would be good."

Yu Youwei seemed not to hear her, her heart in unprecedented disarray.

Next door, Shen Family.

After Shen Yan returned home, he saw Grandma Shen sitting there watching TV with great interest, so he asked: "Grandma, why did Uncle and Aunt come over today?"

Grandma Shen said crossly: "I heard you won two million, they came over to borrow money."

Hah! Just as expected, the weasel paying respects to the chicken—no good intentions.

Seeing Grandma Shen's attitude, it was clear she hadn't agreed, so Shen Yan didn't ask further, lest he upset her.

Grandma Shen took the initiative to explain: "I just did the math for them: two million in winnings, 400,000 in taxes, 300,000 for a car, 1.25 million for a house; the remaining money isn't even enough to buy appliances and furniture."

"The two of them just said you were insensible and spent money extravagantly, but they ran off with their tails between their legs after I scolded them a few times."

Shen Yan didn't take it to heart at all, told Shen Nainai to calm her anger, and then took the initiative to go into the kitchen and get busy.