After a Flash Marriage with a Professor - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Love Brain

A treasure?

Yu Le’s eyes practically glazed over when she heard this, feeling it was the kind of declaration only possible when one was completely infatuated.

Who was Shen Junlan? The well-known ascetic professor of H University, who usually maintained a gentle, dignified, self-disciplined, and courteous demeanor. Who would have thought she would be out late at night drinking away her sorrows? But a professor is a professor; she still had a sliver of rationality left, knowing to drag her friend and utility person out to accompany her for safety.

However, Yu Le didn’t understand. How long had Shen Junlan and Ming Shu been reunited? Could their feelings be this deep already?

Yu Le looked at Shen Junlan suspiciously.

“You’re not… actually a pervert, are you?”

Shen Junlan, already slightly drunk, frowned. Yu Le smiled mischievously. “Don’t look at me like that, it makes me nervous. It reminds me of the feeling when a professor stared at me for creating academic garbage, making my scalp tingle.”

Shen Junlan also smiled.

Yu Le pouted. “Professor Shen, seriously? You’re happy when I’m uncomfortable, aren’t you?”

Shen Junlan said nothing, leaning forward to snatch the bottle of wine in front of Yu Le.

“Hey, I’ve already drunk from that one,” Yu Le lied to trick her.

The bottle was already raised to her lips, on the verge of being chugged, but Shen Junlan sharply turned her head, her hand shaking, and the wine spilled onto her collar.

Yu Le nervously swallowed, wrestled the green bottle of wine from Shen Junlan’s hand, and advised, “Junlan, I’d better take you home. I can’t handle you like this.”

Shen Junlan, about seven or eight parts drunk, felt her scalp tingle and stumbled to her feet. Yu Le quickly got up to support her, but Shen Junlan waved her hand to push her away.

Yu Le found this hilarious. Jealous to this extent, yet still so strongly self-regulating. If she had known this tactic was so effective, she would have used it ages ago.

She now had another trick up her sleeve to manage Shen Junlan.

Yu Le laughed while following Shen Junlan, who was staggering out. Many people in the bar were watching them. The women who had tried to chat up Shen Junlan earlier were staring intently.

“The person behind that beautiful woman has shifty eyes, a wicked grin, and doesn’t look like a good person.”

“He looks dangerous, like he’s following her. Should we call the police?”

Yu Le didn’t realize they were talking about her as she passed them. Once outside the bar, she realized they were talking about her and was tempted to go back and confront them. But there were indeed many people who took advantage of drunk people in bars. She was worried about Shen Junlan, so she gritted her teeth and decided to just tolerate it. After all, Shen Junlan could tolerate being jealous.

Wait, no, why tolerate it? If someone made her that jealous, she would either make them feel the same way or say goodbye!

Old Liu was still waiting outside, asleep in the driver’s seat. Yu Le knocked on the car door and woke him up.

As she helped Shen Junlan into the car, Shen Junlan once again waved her hand away.

Yu Le burst out laughing. “Please, Professor Shen, if I was really interested in you, I would have made a move ages ago! Would I wait all these years?”

Shen Junlan looked at her skeptically for several seconds before nodding. “You… have a point.”

“Ms. Yu, is Professor Shen drunk?”

“No.”

“Yes, she is,” Yu Le exposed Shen Junlan.

Old Liu found this highly amusing, shook his head, and turned to prepare to drive.

“Hey, Old Liu,” Yu Le leaned forward. “Let me ask you something.”

“Ask away, Ms. Yu,” Old Liu smiled as he turned around, thinking Ms. Yu probably wanted to inquire about what had happened to Professor Shen.

Yu Le asked, “Old Liu, do you think I have shifty eyes?”

Old Liu looked at her seriously for a few seconds and answered cautiously, “Ms. Yu’s eyes are just a little small.”

“Eyes… small~” Shen Junlan, leaning against the window, echoed.

Yu Le pretended not to hear, took a deep breath, and continued asking Old Liu, “So, do you think I should get a canthoplasty?”

Old Liu scratched his head and said awkwardly, “I’m just a rough guy; I don’t understand girls’ matters. I only know how to drive. For things like that, Ms. Yu should consult a professional.”

At the mention of a professional, Old Liu couldn’t help but look at Shen Junlan in the back seat.

Yu Le held her forehead. “Old Liu, Junlan isn’t a plastic surgery expert either! I’m just asking for your opinion as an average person should I get a minor cosmetic procedure?”

Old Liu shook his head. “Natural is good. It’s unique. There are always people who like small eyes.”

Yu Le was finally satisfied. Old Liu turned back to drive. After starting the car, he asked, “Ms. Yu, should I drop you off first?”

“No need. I’m staying at Professor Shen’s house tonight. I need to keep an eye on her.”

“Oh, by the way, is Jiajia at Professor Shen’s house?”

“She was still there when Professor Shen and I left. I don’t know about now.”

She should still be there. Yu Le was quite sure of this. The young girl was interested in Junlan and was trying every means to get Junlan’s attention. Even after Junlan got married, she wouldn’t give up. When Ming Shu wasn’t around, she’d likely seize the chance to stay at Junlan’s house, especially since Aunt Zhang, her own aunt, was there, providing a perfect excuse.

Yu Le was uneasy and felt it was better to go and check.

“Auntie, why isn’t Sister Junlan back yet?” Zhang Jiajia was pacing the bright living room, walking circles around the sofa.

Aunt Zhang was getting dizzy watching her.

“Jiajia, sit down first. Auntie needs to talk to you.”

“I don’t want to! You’re just going to lecture me again! What’s wrong with me liking Sister Junlan? Can’t I like Sister Junlan?”

Aunt Zhang felt a headache coming on. “Jiajia, be sensible. You’re still young. You may not even understand what love is. Don’t mistake respect and admiration for liking.”

“I hate it when you adults say that! People nowadays mature very quickly! I’ve known I liked Sister Junlan for years. I’ve liked her since I was little,” Jiajia insisted righteously.

“Oh dear… this just won’t do.”

“Why not?”

“Junlan is already married.”

“They’ll get divorced! Yan Mingshu doesn’t truly like Sister Junlan. Sister Junlan is just temporarily mesmerized by her looks. She’ll get tired of her soon enough.”

“Jiajia!” Aunt Zhang’s heart ached with anger. She let out another “Oh dear” and raised her hand to clutch her chest.

“Auntie, are you… are you okay?” Jia Jia panicked, her voice softening a few degrees. “We have different opinions, and neither of us can convince the other. I won’t talk about it anymore. I won’t make you angry.” Jiajia went to the side to rub Aunt Zhang’s back to help her calm down.

Aunt Zhang was suffering inwardly. Oh, the hardship! This is truly a hardship.

Jiajia didn’t think there was anything wrong with her thoughts. She felt Yan Mingshu wasn’t worthy. Not only did she marry Sister Junlan with an agenda, but she also left to celebrate someone else’s birthday two days and two nights after getting married. Even the best friends should know to avoid suspicion at a time like this. Being so thoughtless, aside from her face, she didn’t deserve Sister Junlan at all.

If she had known Sister Junlan would marry someone so unsuitable, regardless of the outcome, she would have confessed earlier. It was just a matter of timing. Zhang Jia Jia felt she was better than Yan Mingshu in any case. At least she truly liked Sister Junlan.

“Jiajia, listen to your auntie. You and Junlan can’t happen. She watched you grow up. It’s impossible for her to like you.”

“No, Sister Junlan even taught Yan Mingshu in college and married her!”

Aunt Zhang was stunned. To this day, she wasn’t clear about Ming Shu’s family situation or how Junlan and Ming Shu met. She had simply naturally accepted Ming Shu as Junlan’s wife.

“Auntie, you find it hard to believe too, don’t you?” Jiajia pressed.

Aunt Zhang felt her head ache even more. It was improper to discuss her employer’s affairs with her niece, so she could only continue her lecture. “That’s a different matter. In any case, Jiajia, you and Junlan are unsuitable. Developing a relationship would be unhealthy.”

Jiajia was unconvinced. “How is it unhealthy? If anything is unhealthy, it’s Sister Junlan and Yan Mingshu being together.”

Aunt Zhang was left speechless. She also felt a bit guilty. Junlan was a child she watched grow up. In a family like this, a personality molded to be overly proper would inevitably be accompanied by some suppressed complexities inside. To what extent, she wasn’t sure. Junlan never liked confiding in people since she was little.

Jiajia felt she had gained the upper hand and pressed on. “Auntie, I know you want the best for Sister Junlan and for me, but to truly do what’s best for us is to support the two of us! That way, I can stay with you every day in the future too!”

“Auntie.” Jiajia shook Aunt Zhang’s arm, hoping for an affirmative response and support from her elder.

The sound of a car was heard outside. Aunt Zhang listened carefully. “It’s Junlan coming back.” She immediately stood up to greet her.

Jiajia chased after her. “Auntie, you still haven’t answered me.”

Aunt Zhang stopped, turned around, and said with the unquestionable authority of an elder, “Forget about it. It’s impossible. Auntie won’t help you sabotage their marriage, and you need to give up on this idea. You’ll definitely meet someone you like again. Don’t be so fixated.”

“I don’t care! I will be fixated!” Jia Jia shouted, following closely behind Aunt Zhang.

The car drove into the yard, and Jiajia quieted down, standing obediently behind Aunt Zhang, wondering if Sister Junlan had brought Yan Mingshu back this time.

The car door opened, and someone she hadn’t expected stepped out.

“Sister Lele, why are you here?” Jiajia felt extremely guilty, remembering how she had used Yu Le to bait Sister Junlan before.

Yu Le saw Jia Jia’s guilt clearly, smiled faintly, and her eyes narrowed into a slit. “I came to see you, little sister Jiajia.”

Yu Le had small eyes, and when she smiled, they were reduced to slits, making her expression utterly unreadable, which made Jiajia even more nervous.

“Where is Sister Junlan?” she asked, peering around.

“She’s drunk, still in the car.”

Yu Le bent down and helped Shen Junlan out of the car. The alcohol was taking its toll. Shen Junlan was dizzy and disoriented, having trouble walking. Jiajia also wanted to step forward to help, but after hesitating, Aunt Zhang got there first. She quietly followed behind.

“I’ll go make Sister Junlan some hangover soup.”

“I’ll do it. Junlan might not be used to yours,” Aunt Zhang said bluntly. Jiajia pursed her lips, her index fingers continuously twirling.

Shen Junlan was being helped by Yu Le, temporarily sitting on the sofa, her consciousness cloudy.

The clear-headed Yu Le smiled as she confronted the guilty Jiajia.

On the other side, Ming Shu was very worried about the professor. Jiang Lingyu also worried and suggested Ming Shu call to check on her.

Ming Shu held her phone, hesitant to dial.

She rarely initiated contact, even with the closest people, fearing she would bother them, especially since it was past one in the morning.

Lingyu knew Ming Shu was struggling, but she didn’t have as many reservations. She was only worried that Ming Shu and Professor Shen would develop a rift because of her birthday and wanted to make amends. So, she snatched Ming Shu’s phone and dialed Professor Shen’s number.

She deliberately checked Ming Shu’s contact name for Professor Shen simple and direct: Professor Shen.

Shen Junlan’s phone was tucked into the pocket of her grey suit pants. She was practically passed out. Yu Le reached in and pulled it out. Seeing the illuminated screen, she laughed.

Little Rabbit Wife? That contact name was a bit cloying. It was clearly the name for Ming Shu.

“Junlan, your phone. Ming Shu is calling you.” Yu Le waved the phone in front of Shen Junlan’s eyes.

Shen Junlan’s head felt heavy and spinning. She wasn’t conscious enough to answer the phone.

“I’m answering it for you, okay?” Yu Le chuckled. “I’ll help you report that you’re safe, so your treasure, your little rabbit wife, won’t worry about you.”

Jiajia stood beside her, silent, her fingernails digging into her flesh.

Why was Sister Lele also supporting Sister Junlan and Yan Mingshu being together? Didn’t she know Yan Mingshu’s true colors?

Yu Le swiped the screen and answered the call. The other side was slightly noisy, as if someone was grabbing the phone.

“It’s connected, Ming Shu. Here,” Jiang Lingyu handed the phone back to Ming Shu.

Ming Shu hesitantly opened her mouth to ask, “Professor Shen, are you still awake?”

Yu Le laughed. “Junlan is asleep, but only because she’s drunk. You don’t need to worry.”

Ming Shu clenched the phone and asked, “May I ask who this is?”

“I’m Junlan’s friend. I’ve met you, but we haven’t formally been introduced. I’m Yu Le. I’m just dropping her off. You don’t need to worry about anything.”

Ming Shu slightly relaxed. “I’m not worrying about anything. Thank you for taking care of Professor Shen tonight, Ms. Yu.”

The person on the other end was too calm. Yu Le was momentarily stunned. She suddenly understood why Junlan was in this state tonight.

Jiajia leaned in behind Yu Le, listening to the calm voice on the other end, and exploded in fury. “Yan Mingshu! Is this how a wife acts? If you have the guts, don’t ever come back!”

Yu Le covered the receiver and whispered, “Jia Jia, what nonsense are you talking about?”

“I’m not talking nonsense!” Jia Jia continued to shout, “I will take good care of Sister Junlan!”

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