Chapter 102
Chapter 102
Rely on Shen Youlin? No, no matter what, Yu Shu would not allow herself to rely on a man, placing all her hopes and expectations on someone other than herself.
Her earlier question to Shen Youlin was somewhat excessive. If she was good for nothing and had nothing, she wouldn\'t even love herself like that, so how could she expect him to fall in love with her?
There was no selfless love. All love came at a cost.
In times of peace, prepare for danger. She couldn\'t control her worry about those "what-ifs."
Somehow, she suddenly remembered something Shen Youlin had said before - her problem was that she read too little but thought too much.
If she lacked confidence, then she should go create some confidence. Idle fantasies were useless.
The next day, Yu Shu left the hotel early. The lights were blazing when she got home before dawn.
Shen Youlin was afraid of the dark. When she was home, she only needed to leave a small lamp on in the bedroom when sleeping at night. She wouldn\'t turn on all the lights like this.
Curled up asleep on the small sofa in the study, she discovered Shen Youlin. His long legs had nowhere to put. He only had a blanket over him, holding something in his hand that revealed a bit of translucent green jade - it was the peaceful talisman she had given him.
Dou E was sleeping next to the small sofa. As soon as she entered the study, Dou E woke up, looking at her with eyes open without making any noise.
Yu Shu reached out and pinched its ears, then stroked it twice on the head. Dou E happily stuck out its tongue.
Waking from his sleep, Shen Youlin’s eyes widened when he saw her. He swiftly hid the peaceful talisman under a pillow. "You\'re back!"
With a flip, he rolled off the sofa. "My legs... fell asleep."
Yu Shu helped him up from the floor, half amused and exasperated. Shen Youlin hugged her waist and refused to let go. "You came back!"
"Mm," Yu Shu rubbed the crown of his head. "Still separation anxiety at your age."
Shen Youlin hummed twice without refuting. He nuzzled her stomach.
"I\'m sorry. I was overthinking things."
"You don\'t need to apologize to me. Just promise you won\'t leave home again. If you want to be alone in the future, kick me out. Or be softer and let me sleep in the study or living room."
"Would you really sleep obediently in the living room?"
"No way," Shen Youlin giggled. "I\'d cut the power in the house and then climb into your bed and refuse to leave. I\'m scared of the dark. You definitely wouldn\'t bear to kick me out!"
Yu Shu laughed. "You sly fox."
"If you didn\'t like me, this would be sly. But since you do, it\'s flirting. It\'s acting cute."
"Hm, your warped logic always abounds."
"Go wash up and eat. I brought breakfast back."
"Great!"
Before leaving the study, Shen Youlin secretly stuffed the peaceful talisman into his pocket. Yu Shu pretended not to see.
On the writing desk by the window sat a finished plaque - May we stay together until we become dust.
Yu Shu\'s heart skipped a beat as she carefully stroked the corner of the rice paper.
At breakfast, Yu Shu said she planned to take the postgraduate entrance exam.
"Why? You don\'t need those credentials. And you\'re not looking for a job anyway."
Yu Shu asked back, "Then why did you get your PhD?"
"I was bored and had nothing to do," Shen Youlin replied breezily.
Yu Shu spread her hands. "Well I\'m bored and have nothing to do too."
They looked at each other and chuckled.
"It\'s not about the degree or needing to prove myself. I want to systematically study some things, meet more outstanding people, and see more things. People can\'t stay idle. Once idle, you can\'t help but overthink."
Shen Youlin enthusiastically clapped. "Well said. I fully support you. And don\'t think about getting rid of me. Wherever you go to school, I\'ll follow."
"Did I say I don\'t want you around?"
"Where do you plan to apply? I\'ll buy a house there ahead of time near campus."
He spoke casually, like saying these bok choy looked quite fresh, I\'ll take one.
"Of course I plan to aim for the best."
"NTHU huh. Then no need to buy. I already have a place nearby. Lived there during college. We can redecorate later."
"Tsk. I suddenly feel like praising your thrift."
Shen Youlin immediately became smug. "As expected! I\'m so domestic now!"
"Come with me later to buy books and find a mounting shop to frame the plaque you wrote."
Shen Youlin was stunned for a moment before giggling again. "I want it hung in the bedroom! No, I\'ll write a few more to hang in every place we live, in every room."
"You\'re going overboard!"
That night, on the excuse of not sleeping alone in the study casting a shadow, Shen Youlin insisted on doing it with Yu Shu there several times, demonstrating the multiple uses of writing brushes...
For several days after, Yu Shu couldn\'t calm her heart enough in the study to focus on reviewing. She reluctantly moved her study area to the dining table instead.
While Yu Shu was busy studying, Shen Youlin was busy working out. He had boasted that he would build a four pack in four months. The fitness coach tortured him until exhaustion every day. He would hug Yu Shu and didn\'t even have the energy to whine.
Yu Shu was very supportive of this. Him spending energy at the gym meant he had no strength left to bother her.
Yu Shu and Shen Youlin returned to Chengdu once where she held With Book\'s annual meeting for the first year as the boss. It wouldn\'t do for the big boss to not show.
Shen Youlin insisted on tagging along. His reason was that a boss must have a boss\'s wife by their side. Otherwise those birds and bees might get ideas.
Before leaving, Yu Shu helped him put on cufflinks. Like magic, she took out a strand of jade beads and put them around his wrist. She then gently tapped her bracelet of the same color and material against his.
The jade collided, emitting a clear, melodious chime.
Shen Youlin\'s mouth stretched to his ear.