Chapter 85: Assisting the Counselor

In the soft evening breeze, a bright red little e-bike sped along the road, heading straight for the commercial street ahead. Street lamps stood silently on both sides of the road like guards protecting the city, emitting a warm glow that added a sense of tranquility and serenity to the night.

Hao Anqi wore a warm apricot-colored knit sweater paired with a light blue pleated skirt. Her long legs were tightly wrapped in calf socks, and she wore a pair of black Martin boots. Shen Yan sat behind her, wrapping his arms around her slender waist and resting his chin on her fragrant shoulder, gently sniffing the fresh scent from her small ponytail.

It was the smell of high-end shampoo, mixed with the fragrance of roses; it was exceptionally pleasant.

Hao Anqi sensitively shrank her neck and asked Shen Yan, "You said you had things to do earlier; you didn't go and cause some big trouble again, did you?"

Speaking of this, Hao Anqi felt a little panicked.

The first time Shen Yan said he had things to do, it turned out he went to buy a car and a house. There was no guarantee he hadn't dropped another bomb now, one that would leave her charred and tender.

"It should count as a big deal, but I won't tell you yet," Shen Yan said softly.

Hao Anqi's spirits lifted. Oh my god! Was a pie falling from the sky again? Shen Yan indicated that there weren't that many great things happening, and he would tell her after a while; he would need her help then.

Hao Anqi relaxed slightly, then immediately thought of the various delicacies on the commercial street, and couldn't help but salivate, casting the matter to the back of her mind in the blink of an eye.

On the bustling commercial street, neon lights flickered incessantly, as brilliant and dazzling as a starry sky. The shouts of vendors were everywhere, and looking out, it was a sea of people.

After parking the e-bike and walking around, a steakhouse came into view. According to the introduction, the steakhouse had been in business for over ten years. The customers inside were packed, coming in an endless stream; the taste should be quite good, so Shen Yan took Hao Anqi inside.

Shen Yan chose a seat on the second floor and ordered a filet mignon, medium-rare. Hao Anqi ordered a sirloin steak, also medium-rare.

After ordering, Hao Anqi leaned in, covered her mouth, and asked in a low voice, "It's been a long time since I've had steak. Is it left hand for the knife or right hand for the knife?"

Shen Yan said there weren't that many rules; normally it's fork in the left and knife in the right, but it mainly depends on personal preference. Do whatever is comfortable; no one will say anything.

Hao Anqi's eyes curved into crescents. Actually, she didn't want to be so formal either, but she was worried Shen Yan would think she lacked upbringing. With these words, she felt much more at ease.

Not long after, two steaming steaks emitting an alluring aroma were served on the table. The steak was placed in the middle of an exquisite plate, sizzling, as if telling of its deliciousness. Beside it was a golden fried egg, as bright as the morning sun, and a pinch of noodles, soft and elastic.

It had to be said that the taste of this steak was indeed worthy of praise; no wonder the guests were endless. Hao Anqi ate with intoxication, satisfaction overflowing on her face.

From time to time, she would cut a piece of meat to feed Shen Yan, or cut a piece of filet mignon from Shen Yan's plate to compare them.

Finally, they concluded that the sirloin steak was better.

Shen Yan smiled and said, "Then I'll bring you again next time."

"Mm-hmm!"

After enjoying the steak, the two walked hand in hand aimlessly along the commercial street. Suddenly, a young man and woman not far away caught Shen Yan's attention.

What a coincidence! He ran into Huang Shuren again.

Only this time, he was no longer alone.

Huang Shuren was wearing a black shirt and slim-fit trousers, walking leisurely out of a clothing store. The woman beside him wore a khaki dress, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose revealed a touch of elegance.

The key was that Shen Yan had seen this woman yesterday; she was the teacher for the English A1 Class, named Wen Yali.

The two were walking shoulder to shoulder, man on the left and woman on the right. Her little hand hung limply by her trouser leg, and they were very close. It was obvious that Huang Shuren wanted to hold that hand, reaching out and pulling back several times, but he didn't dare to make a move.

Wen Yali seemed to sense something; her earlobes flushed red, and her eyes darted around to the right.

So this was the target Huang Shuren mentioned last time. Both were university teachers, so they were quite a good match.

Looking at the situation, it was clear the man was interested and the woman was willing; they were just one step away from breaking that layer of window paper.

But Huang Shuren was just too timid!

Seeing this scene, Shen Yan felt anxious for them and prepared to provide an assist.

Then Hao Anqi noticed Shen Yan walk behind the young couple, scratch the man's palm with the back of his hand, and immediately shrink back.

The man's body jolted. Without looking sideways, he tentatively and cautiously held the woman's hand. It immediately evolved into fingers interlaced, followed by their eyes meeting, and a sweet smile.

A perfect mutual attraction.

"Wow!" Hao Anqi covered her mouth in surprise.

And when Huang Shuren and Wen Yali's eyes met, his peripheral vision caught Shen Yan standing behind them.

Huang Shuren reflexively let go of her hand, his face turning bright red. Looking at Shen Yan, he stammered, "You... you... why are you here?"

A playful smirk tugged at the corner of Shen Yan's mouth as he said, "I just saw a couple who wanted to hold hands but didn't dare. It made me anxious, so I came over to help out."

Huang Shuren looked embarrassed. He never imagined that while he was dating, he would be caught red-handed by a student. Thinking of his series of performances just now, which were like those of a shy young boy, Huang Shuren was so embarrassed he wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Well, that was it; the dignity of a counselor was completely gone.

He had been wondering just now why Wen Yali would take the initiative to nudge him; it turned out this guy Shen Yan was playing tricks. But the result was good.

After this incident, the window paper between the two was completely broken.

Come to think of it, he had to thank this guy, otherwise he wouldn't have known Wen Yali's feelings.

Hehehe!

Seeing Shen Yan's youthful and handsome face, Wen Yali felt it was somewhat familiar. It wasn't hard to deduce that he was undoubtedly a student at Hangzhou University.

He might even be Huang Shuren's student, otherwise he wouldn't have looked so embarrassed.

Thinking of this, Wen Yali's face also flushed red, like a burning flame. Being treated as a matchmaker by a student was just too dramatic; where would her dignity as a teacher be in the future?

This student too—after doing a good deed, he should have just run away, but he insisted on staying to watch the fun. You're so cheeky, do your family members know?

Shen Yan was indeed staying on purpose to watch the fun. Seeing the two looking shy and embarrassed, he couldn't help but smile. It was hard to imagine that university teachers could have such a pure side.

Not intending to disturb them further, Shen Yan said, "Old Huang, you go ahead and get busy. Treat me to a meal when you have time."

"Easy, easy!" Huang Shuren readily agreed, wishing Shen Yan would get lost immediately.

After the two left, Wen Yali curiously asked who Shen Yan was. Huang Shuren said, "He is the Shen Yan I mentioned to you, a student in my class, the one who won two million in the scratch-off lottery."

Wen Yali suddenly realized, saying this student was very different, actually calling him "Old Huang." Huang Shuren said he really didn't look much like a student; he was very bold, daring to tease his counselor.

Speaking of this, the two looked at each other shyly, and then Huang Shuren took the initiative to hold that little hand. It was soft and boneless; Wen Yali did not refuse and quietly moved a little closer to Huang Shuren.

Under the brilliant neon lights, the shadows of the two were stretched very, very long.