As soon as he decided, Cheng Zhou immediately took out his phone and called Su Yumian.

  "Yumian-jie, how have you been? I have something to tell you..."

  After expining his intention, the other end of the line fell silent.

  Cheng Zhou guessed what she was hesitating about and immediately patted his chest in assurance. "Yumian-jie, don't worry. This time, I'm the one inviting you. It's just a casual meal between friends, and I promise I won't invite Jiang-ge."

  "…Alright." Su Yumian finally agreed.

  After hanging up, Cheng Zhou shrugged. That’s what he said, but if an 'accidental' encounter happened, well, that wouldn’t be his fault.

  Shen Shiyan took the initiative. "I'll be the one to notify Huai-zi."

  "Alright, it's settled then!"

  Cheng Zhou was eager. If they got back together, he'd be the biggest hero.

  —

  The sun was shining brightly in a clear sky.

  Cheng Zhou had booked a table at Jinyu Chun in advance. They used to come here often, so as soon as she heard the name, Su Yumian knew where to go. As soon as she walked in, before she could even look around, Cheng Zhou was already waving at her enthusiastically.

  A waiter led her to the table, and she put down her bag and sat across from him.

  "Yumian-jie, I heard you finished your exams. Congratutions!"

  "I already ordered the food—everything you like. Let’s have a drink ter to celebrate!"

  Cheng Zhou didn’t come from as privileged a background as some others, but he had the best personality. He had helped her out a few times before, and their friendship had gradually formed over time.

  "Thank you, I’ve always appreciated your kindness."

  Cheng Zhou grinned. "It’s been so long since we st met, and now you're being all formal with me? No need for thanks between us!"

  He snapped his fingers, and the dishes were brought out in an orderly manner.

  "Cheng-zi? What a coincidence."

  A deep voice sounded above them. Cheng Zhou looked up and, in the next second, his smile froze. He gnced behind Shen Shiyan—where was Jiang-ge?

  What happened to the ‘coincidental’ meeting?

  Why was the person switched out?

  "…Hey, what a coincidence!" Cheng Zhou snapped out of it and forced a smile in greeting.

  Shen Shiyan asked, "You don’t mind if I join you, do you?"

  A huge question mark popped up in Cheng Zhou’s mind, but he could only reply, "…No, no problem at all."

  Before he even finished speaking, Shen Shiyan had already seated himself, his gaze briefly and naturally sweeping over Su Yumian.

  "You're in a good mood today."

  Cheng Zhou forced a grin. "I specifically invited Yumian-jie out to celebrate…"

  Then, he shot Shen Shiyan frantic gnces—Where's Jiang-ge? You were supposed to bring him!

  Shen Shiyan smiled but didn’t respond. Instead, he slightly raised his brow and looked at Su Yumian. "Oh? Celebrating what?"

  He was clearly asking her directly. Though she and Shen Shiyan weren’t close, it would be rude to ignore him.

  "I just finished my exams," Su Yumian answered.

  Shen Shiyan pondered for a moment. "Judging by the timing… a postgraduate entrance exam?"

  Cheng Zhou: "…" Why are you pretending to be all sophisticated? And why does it actually seem convincing?

  Su Yumian nodded.

  "Which university?"

  "B University."

  "Which major?"

  "Bioinformatics."

  Shen Shiyan responded, "An interdisciplinary field based on biology, mathematics, and information science?"

  Su Yumian looked at him with some curiosity. "You know about it?"

  "I took an elective, but I’m not an expert. Actually, I’ve always wondered—what’s the difference between Applied Life Sciences, Bioinformatics, and Biology?"

  Su Yumian answered seriously, "Applied Life Sciences focuses on the practical applications of biomolecules in anthropology, chemistry, biology, and physics. Biology is a broad branch of natural science that studies the functions and properties of living organisms. Bioinformatics, on the other hand, uses computers as a research tool to analyze biological big data. Uh… was that too complicated?"

  Shen Shiyan thought for a moment. "So, if I understand correctly—Biology is a broad concept, Applied Life Sciences focuses on practical applications, and Bioinformatics leans towards computing, using applied mathematics, informatics, statistics, and computer science to study biological problems?"

  Su Yumian's gaze became more serious. "That’s quite accurate."

  "Is that so?" Shen Shiyan smiled, his brows rexing. "That’s because you expined it well—I just summarized it in simpler terms."

  Su Yumian found herself reassessing the man in front of her. From what she remembered, Shen Shiyan only ever showed up in restaurants, bars, or clubs—definitely a pyboy. She never expected him to have knowledge in the field of biology.

  It was true—people shouldn't be judged by their appearance.

  She had been with Jiang Yihuai for six years, yet he never even knew what her university major was, let alone discussed anything academic with her.

  Most of their time together was either spent at bars with his friends or tangled up in bed at his vil. So, hearing professional terms from Shen Shiyan’s mouth was truly unexpected.

  Meanwhile, Cheng Zhou sat there completely lost, his brain ready to explode from all the unfamiliar terminology.

  Finally, after finishing the meal, he was the first to rush off and pay the bill.

  Shen Shiyan watched his retreating figure with a smirk before turning to look at Su Yumian, whose eyes held a faint glimmer. His gaze deepened. As they continued talking, he gnced at his phone.

  "Cheng Zhou said something came up st minute and asked me to take you home."

  Su Yumian checked her watch. It was getting te. "No need to trouble yourself, I can call a cab."

  "As a gentleman, how could I let a dy go home alone after dinner? Besides, I’m just fulfilling a request."

  Su Yumian hesitated before nodding. "Then… sorry for the trouble."

  "It’s my pleasure."

  They left the restaurant, and Shen Shiyan took her gloves and opened the passenger door for her. "After you."

  He really did seem like a gentleman. "Thank you."

  The twenty-minute drive was quiet, with neither of them speaking much.

  Shen Shiyan drove steadily, making the ride so smooth that Su Yumian found herself gazing out the window at the passing scenery—the retreating streets, the snow-covered tree branches, the bare twigs, and the crisp, chilly wind…

  Shen Shiyan gripped the steering wheel, occasionally gncing at the woman beside him. She was fair-skinned and quiet. Just sitting there, she carried a faint schorly aura.

  A delicate nose, a refined nose tip, rosy lips, long shes like a fan…

  Lost in thought as she gazed out the window, she looked unexpectedly soft and adorable. She used to have long, curled hair—pretty but generic, without personality.

  Now, she wore her hair straight. No need for eborate styling, just casually tucked under her scarf, and yet she looked breathtaking.

  A flicker of amusement passed through Shen Shiyan’s eyes, but it disappeared quickly.

  He kept his hands on the wheel, eyes forward, as if entirely focused on the road.