Chapter 174: 174 Today's auspicious: catching ghosts; inauspicious: studying for graduate exams

174 Today's auspicious: catching ghosts; inauspicious: studying for graduate exams

Although it had been less than a year since she left school, Tushan Jiu felt as if she had been away for a long time.

She entered university at fourteen; at that time she had no particular goals, just passing the days in a new place.

It's not showing off, after all, she's different from ordinary people.

Just as she told her mentor back then.

She is someone who has a family business to inherit.

As for knowledge, it's enough to know a little about everything.

So she honestly muddled along until eighteen, also picking up a few extra languages, and graduated with honors, ranking first in her major courses.

Her photo is still up on the school's publicity board.

Tushan Jiu never expected that, as soon as she entered school with Xie Shiyu, she would see the person she least wanted to see.

She quickly lowered her head, swapped positions with Xie Shiyu left and right, then raised her hand as if shielding her face from the sun, and pulled Xie Shiyu to quicken their pace.

Xie Shiyu was still somewhat familiar with this gesture, like when classmates used to see the discipline master.

But he glanced around; everyone else was walking by normally, only she acted like that—wasn't she a bit like covering her ears while stealing a bell?

"Jiu..." Xie Shiyu was about to remind Tushan Jiu, but a voice came from opposite them.

Mao Dezhi shouted confidently: "Tushan Jiu!"

The familiar voice and tone triggered Tushan Jiu's conditioned reflex of being caught sleeping in class: "Ah, here!"

Xie Shiyu found it novel to see Tushan Jiu like this—she was utterly adorable.

Mao Dezhi hurried over two steps to stand before Tushan Jiu and Xie Shiyu.

His face lit up with surprise: "What wind blows our little genius back here? Why, did you see me just now and run?"

Mao Dezhi muttered: "Look at you, scared like that—you've graduated, and you hardly ever come home; can't I even nag you a bit?"

Back then, Tushan Jiu was his proudest student—she picked up anything quickly, and after hearing him explain once she could apply it to three other things.

Moreover, she could derive even more answers and possibilities from that—keep in mind she was only fourteen at the time.

Such a student, instead of continuing her studies, said she wanted to go home and inherit the family business—how could he not be anxious?

During that time, he tried every trick, coaxing and deceiving, to keep her.

But in the end she still chose to graduate, not pursuing further graduate or doctoral studies.

Angered by her, on graduation day when photos were taken, he simply stood beside someone else, refusing to be in a picture with her.

With Tushan Jiu's keen senses, she naturally heard what Mao Dezhi said behind her.

Her mouth twitched up involuntarily as she popped her head out from beside Xie Shiyu: "Hello, Professor Mao! I'm back home to take a look."

Tushan Jiu pulled Xie Shiyu over: "Professor Mao, this is my fiancé Xie Shiyu. Xie Shiyu, this is my university major professor, Professor Mao."

Xie Shiyu extended his hand: "Hello, Professor Mao; I'm the junior Xie Shiyu, pleased to meet you."

Upon hearing this, Mao Dezhi's smile widened; he shook Xie Shiyu's hand and patted his shoulder with the other: "Hehe, good, good, good, hello, this young man looks quite striking, not bad, not bad, you're quite fortunate, kid—no, I'm not boasting, but you could marry into our...... wait!"

He suddenly stopped, then looked at Tushan Jiu in surprise: "Fiancé? You're engaged? You just graduated last year, and this year you bring back a fiancé?"

Tushan Jiu nodded: "Yeah, my family arranged it."

Mao Dezhi loosened his grip on Xie Shiyu's hand, and the smile faded a bit from his lips.

He grabbed Tushan Jiu and pulled her out, walking a few steps to the side, then lowered his voice to ask her:

"You just don't listen to me—getting into a business marriage right after graduation! With your abilities you wouldn't stop here; I'm not saying inheriting the family business is necessarily bad, but oh well, since things have come to this, saying more won't help—I'll just ask you one thing: does that guy treat you well?"

Tushan Jiu was a bit dazed—business marriage?

Professor Mao must be misunderstanding...

But upon reflection, she and Xie Shiyu really do seem to have a bit of that.

At the same time, Tushan Jiu felt warm inside, didn't bother explaining, nodded, and honestly answered Professor Mao: "Don't worry, Professor, he treats me very well—we're in a free love relationship."

Upon hearing that, Mao Dezhi immediately understood: "Fine, fine, fine, that's okay—but let me add one more thing as a teacher: I'm really curious what your family does, needing a girl just come of age to inherit the family business; this is supposed to be the age for fun, yet you're thrust into society so early!"

Tushan Jiu chuckled lightly, knowing Mao Dezhi was showing concern and speaking up for her.

This old man's nature is just that of a warm-hearted person.

"Professor Mao, do you remember last time you asked me who inheriting the family business could keep in check, and what I answered you?"

Mao Dezhi glared at her, annoyed: "That classic exchange of ours is still posted on the school forum—do you think I don't remember?!"

Tushan Jiu looked at him, just smiling without speaking.

Mao Dezhi froze.

After a moment he spoke again: "That remark—wasn't it a joke?"

Tushan Jiu shook her head: "No, you know I don't lie."

Mao Dezhi was dumbfounded.

Tushan Jiu gave him time to digest, then said: "Professor Mao, I'll come see you later; I'm taking my fiancé to the cafeteria for a meal now—bye."

"Bye." Mao Dezhi just replied instinctively; in fact he hadn't yet come to his senses.

Tushan Jiu walked back to Xie Shiyu's side, took his hand, and said: "Sorry for the wait, boyfriend—let's go."

Xie Shiyu nodded, then gave a smiling nod to Mao Dezhi in the distance, and followed Tushan Jiu.

On the way to the cafeteria, Tushan Jiu first pulled Xie Shiyu to the milk tea shop she used to frequent, planning to get two cups of milk tea before heading to the cafeteria.

Yun Da's cafeteria doesn't have a dedicated milk tea shop.

While waiting for the milk tea, she proactively told Xie Shiyu about Professor Mao's misunderstanding earlier, and brought up that funny exchange.

Tushan Jiu also took out her phone and logged onto Yun Da's forum.

Sure enough, as soon as she logged on she saw that post with tens of thousands of replies.

She was also curious what they had been saying.

So I just clicked in to have a look.

First floor: I'm dying of laughter, thread starter, pay with your life!

Second floor: Good, good, good, turns out 'inheriting family property' can be played like this!

Third floor: Hahaha, this sentence could totally be included in the 'Contemporary College Students' Bizarre Statements Compendium'.

Fourth floor: Dying of laughter, one second it was a business war film, the next second it switched straight to a ghost story film, hahaha.

Fifth floor: Friendly reminder: today is auspicious for catching ghosts, inauspicious for graduate studies.

Sixth floor: Hahaha, you upstairs are really talented!!!