Chapter 410 A Smile and a Wave
Han Yuyan's face was pale, and he looked emaciated. He sat opposite Ye Shengge, a smile constantly on his face.
"Teacher Han is my cousin, related within five generations. He came to Mi Province early on, and we've been in touch."
Teacher Han nodded at Ye Shengge, then bent down to pick up the still unconscious Lei Ai and left.
Ye Shengge watched the person's actions speechlessly. This was to clear the space for her and Han Yuyan.
Ye Shengge carefully observed her surroundings. She realized that unless she incapacitated Han Yuyan directly, she would have no chance to escape.
Since escape was not an option, she decided to avoid angering him and that a conversation was necessary.
Han Yuyan's entire attention was on Ye Shengge, so he could more or less guess what she was thinking.
"Shengge, I just wanted to see you today, and I would never hurt you. As for what happened last time, I was inconsiderate. I was so focused on taking you away that I did something unforgivable."
"Is this the state you intended for yourself? You had such a good life, why would you ruin it?"
Han Yuyan smiled faintly. His life had always been unfortunate.
"It seems you already know about my illness. Are you scared?"
"What's there to be scared of? It's not happening to me."
Ye Shengge replied irritably. If the person concerned didn't care, why should she?
"Last time, I had an opportunity to change my life. I thought about taking you abroad and living a peaceful and happy life. But I couldn't take you with me. Missed opportunities are missed."
Ye Shengge frowned. It sounded as if she had ruined his life.
"I want to ask a question."
"Ask away. I'll answer anything you ask."
Ye Shengge shifted uncomfortably.
"How did I come to like you? We didn't interact much. In Qi City, you only ate at Yangfang for a while. We barely spoke a few times. I don't understand, why was your liking so sudden? And, *cough*, so persistent!"
After asking, Ye Shengge felt even more awkward. Was she being too conceited?
Han Yuyan looked at Ye Shengge's rare display of varied expressions and felt much better.
"Hahahaha, you're still as direct as ever, and a bit shameless. But, that's what makes you different from others. Do you remember our first meeting? I was telling the truth then, love at first sight. I felt you were the one most suited for me."
Ye Shengge pouted and raised her eyebrows. Such a casual liking; a fickle person might not be any different.
"You don't believe me?!"
"Cough, I believe you. How could I not?"
"Then tell me, how long does it take for someone to fall in love with another person?"
Ye Shengge truly couldn't answer this question, at least not after having thought about it herself.
Han Yuyan saw a flash of pain in Ye Shengge's eyes.
"If you hadn't met Zi Yisheng, would there have been a possibility of you liking me?"
This was a good question. Ye Shengge felt that Zi Yisheng had appeared at just the right time. Among the people she knew, she had chosen the best, although she hadn't met many men.
"Probably not. After all, you never really caught my attention. I just thought of you as my elder brother's friend."
Ye Shengge didn't consider if her honesty would hurt him.
Han Yuyan wasn't hurt. He just nodded in agreement.
"It was my one-sided affection. Seeing that you're still living so well makes me feel at ease."
Ye Shengge smiled faintly. This person seemed to have changed.
"And you? Did you find doctors abroad?"
"I did, but there were no good solutions. I'm just living one day at a time."
"Did Teacher Han examine you?"
Han Yuyan's smile grew softer, and his heart felt warm.
"Hearing your concern suddenly makes me feel very happy."
Ye Shengge got goosebumps all over her body. This misunderstanding was truly unintentional.
Han Yuyan and Ye Mu'en were smoking in the car. The car was parked about twenty meters away from the courtyard house, but neither of them had any patience left. Shengge had been inside for too long, and she hadn't mentioned staying for dinner.
Ye Mu'en threw his cigarette out and opened the car door, stepping out.
"Let's go and take a look. I'm feeling uneasy."
Zi Yisheng also got out of the car. He had been impatient for a long time.
When Ye Shengge heard the knock on the door, she immediately looked at Han Yuyan. Han Yuyan smiled.
"It must be them. Should I open the door?"
Ye Shengge quickly nodded. Was that even a question?
"Alright, I'll let them in right away."
Ye Shengge watched Han Yuyan make no move and was about to ask, but then she saw the vanished Teacher Han walk out.
Seeing the person who opened the door, Zi Yisheng quickly put on a gentle smile.
"Hello, sir. I am Ye Shengge's fiancé. This is Ye Shengge's elder brother. We've come to pick her up because of an urgent family matter."
"Oh, student Ye is inside. Please come in."
Zi Yisheng's heart settled seeing this situation. Perhaps his elder brother's intuition was wrong this time.
As Zi Yisheng and Ye Mu'en entered the main hall, their expressions immediately changed. Ye Shengge also quickly ran towards Zi Yisheng. The two of them quickly moved to shield Ye Shengge behind them.
Han Yuyan calmly drank his tea, not looking in the direction of Zi Yisheng and the others.
Zi Yisheng turned and carefully examined Ye Shengge.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. He just talked to me for a while."
"Then let's go home now."
As Zi Yisheng spoke and was about to pull Ye Shengge out, he saw Ye Mu'en sit down opposite Han Yuyan.
"Han Yuyan, enough is enough."
Han Yuyan put down his cup and looked at his old partner, his eyes showing a hint of warmth.
"Mu Zi, I just wanted to say a few words to Shengge. After all, I don't have much time left."
Ye Mu'en didn't know how he felt. The original owner and Han Yuyan were sworn brothers, and he himself had interacted with Han Yuyan for quite some time. While they weren't best friends, there was some camaraderie.
"Han Yuyan, let it go. Live your remaining days well."
"I will. I'll stay in Mi Province for a while longer and then leave to find a quiet place for my final days."
Zi Yisheng had been suppressing his anger. He should have dealt with this lunatic Han Yuyan immediately. But hearing Han Yuyan calmly arrange his remaining life, he saw no need to dirty his own hands.
"Alright then. This is the last time you see Shengge. There must not be a next time, or else..."
Han Yuyan looked at Ye Shengge, but unfortunately, she was well protected by Zi Yisheng. He wished Ye Shengge could look back at him just once.
As they neared the main entrance, Ye Shengge stopped and turned to look at Han Yuyan, who stood not far away. She smiled and waved at him.
Han Yuyan's face instantly bloomed like a flower, smiling so happily. That was enough. This last smile was sufficient.
A smile, a wave goodbye. It wasn't that difficult after all. Giving it to someone who was dying was a true farewell.
Teacher Han stood with Han Yuyan for a long time, his heart aching deeply.
"Let it go, Yuyan. Your life has been too hard. Make your final days happy."
"Old Han, I want to be cremated after I die. Help me scatter some of my ashes on the mountains of Bai Rong Brigade, and some in Ming City. She'll eventually return to Ming City."
He wanted to be by the places Ye Shengge had been, so he could sleep more soundly.
In fact, Ye Shengge was Han Yuyan's deep, deep obsession. This obsession might not have been love, but rather a desire to see hope in this girl.
He endured the same painful, tormented youth, but Han Yuyan tormented himself with hatred. Yet, they were so similar. Why could Ye Shengge transform her life into a completely different one?
This was why Han Yuyan wanted to get close to and understand Ye Shengge. He just hadn't expected to become a hardship in Ye Shengge's life.
Zi Yisheng, Ye Mu'en, and Ye Shengge didn't speak on the way back, not knowing what to say.
Mother Ye had been waiting for her daughter to return for lunch. But when lunchtime arrived, not only had her daughter not returned, but the other two at home were also gone. She was about to ask Father Ye to go look for them.
Father Ye was about to go to Mi Province University to inquire, as he didn't know where Teacher Lei Ai lived. Just as he got on his bicycle, he saw their car returning.
"Wife, they're back."
"They're back? Did Shengge return with them?"
Mother Ye also hurried out. Seeing her daughter get out of the car, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why are you back so late? I thought something had happened."
Ye Shengge didn't want her family to worry about something that had already passed, so she didn't show any signs of distress.
"We were chatting for too long. If Big Brother and the others hadn't come to pick me up, I wouldn't have realized it was already noon. Mom, I'm so hungry. Is there anything good to eat?"
"A Zhen, quickly bring the food out. Shengge must be starving."
Ye Shengge turned and winked at her elder brother and Zi Yisheng. Ye Mu'en gave an "okay" gesture. Zi Yisheng saw it and also gave an "okay" gesture.
Okay, let everything be okay.
More than two hours had passed when Lei Ai woke up. She was still confused to find herself sleeping in Teacher's room. Suddenly, she remembered Ye Shengge and rushed out.
She arrived at the main hall and panicked when she saw only her teacher and not Ye Shengge.
"Teacher, where is Ye Shengge? Also, how did I fall asleep?"
Teacher Han put down the book he was holding and glared at Lei Ai unceremoniously.
"I never expected my student to not only have subpar skills but also be so stupid. You still don't know how you fell asleep. You'd better not say you were my student if you go out."
Lei Ai pouted, completely unconcerned by Teacher Han's "criticism."
"Don't change the subject. Where is Ye Shengge?"
"She's gone. Her family came to pick her up."
"Her family? How would her family know where you live?"
Teacher Han ignored his foolish student and continued reading his book.
"Hurry up and eat, and think hard about how you fell asleep."
Lei Ai picked up the phone receiver and dialed Ye Shengge's home number. Only when she learned that Ye Shengge had indeed returned home did she feel relieved. However, she didn't mention falling asleep, as she was still confused herself.
Lei Ai was absent-minded while eating in the restaurant. She replayed everything that had happened at her teacher's house in her mind.
But after drinking Ye Shengge's tea, she had a blackout. The more she thought about it, the more surprised she became, and a sense of fear washed over her.
Lei Ai threw down her chopsticks and rushed to the main hall.
"You drugged Ye Shengge's teacup!"
"What are you shouting about? It's slow enough that you're only realizing it now, you're quite foolish."
"Why? Why did you do this? How did Ye Shengge offend you?"
Lei Ai couldn't understand her teacher's reason for doing this. Her slightly tanned face turned red with anger.
"For no reason. I just wanted to know Ye Shengge's true capabilities."
"Teacher, are you sick? You drugged someone just to know their true capabilities? How am I supposed to face Ye Shengge from now on? What will others think of me?"
Lei Ai was truly angry, extremely angry. If it weren't for the "bottom line" of respecting her teacher, she would have wanted to hit him.
"Hmph, *you're* the one who's sick. Ye Shengge is much smarter than you. She knew the tea was poisoned just by smelling it. She even watched you drink it. At least at that moment, she knew you weren't involved in the drugging."
"Ahhhh! I'm going to die of anger! I'm going crazy! I'm breaking off relations with you for a week."
Teacher Han shrugged and gestured towards the door.
"Go ahead and break off relations. I'll need a week to recover from my bruised ego. Goodbye, and don't let the door hit you on the way out!"
Lei Ai stood up and stormed to her teacher, snatched the book from his hand, and threw it forcefully towards the entrance of the main hall. As she walked towards the door, she deliberately stomped on the book.
Teacher Han couldn't help but laugh at his student's puffed-up rage, like a fighting rooster. His laughter could be heard by Lei Ai, who had already reached the main gate. This infuriated her, and she drove the car as if it were a cannonball.
"You too, why do you always agitate Lei Ai? Be careful she really doesn't come to see you for a week."
Uncle Shen picked up the book, which had many footprints on it, and patted it vigorously. Unfortunately, the marks couldn't be completely removed.
"What are you afraid of? If she doesn't come, I'll go find her. Do you think she can escape?"
Uncle Shen shook his head helplessly. This pair of teacher and disciple were definitely nemeses, nemeses with a deep bond. But who would end up getting the upper hand?
Lei Ai drove all the way to Ye Shengge's house. Her furious emotions had subsided by the time she stood at the door of Ye Shengge's house.
Ye Mu'en opened the door and saw Lei Ai without saying anything. He politely invited her in.
"Shengge, I'm sorry. I didn't expect my teacher to be a lunatic. How could he drug you!"
"Drugged!"
"Drugged with what!"
Great. Ye Shengge put her hand on her forehead. Her actions were really no match for Lei Ai's mouth.
Ye Shengge couldn't bother with Lei Ai anymore. There were a bunch of people in her family who were on the verge of exploding and needed to be appeased.
As for Lei Ai, she was already weak, and now she was scared. She could only shrink into the furthest corner of the sofa like a little quail, mentally torturing her teacher millions of times.
Teacher Han was now permanently blacklisted by the Ye family. Within a few days, a major news story broke out at Mi Province University—Professor Han of Mi Province University had a fit in his office, constantly looking for places to scratch himself. He'd scratch while walking, lean against walls to scratch, and even get people to help him.
As Teacher Han's only disciple, Lei Ai's main activity was to "comfort" her good teacher by following him around.