Chapter 15: University Professor Father

She had no time to be surprised. Following the person around a corner, she found herself in a traditional medicine clinic. The clinic had an old signboard with traditional Chinese characters, and next to it was a door that seemed about to fall off.  

The person held her wrist and directly pulled her behind that door.  

Outside, footsteps and shouts could already be heard on the staircase. The gangsters yelled, “Don’t run!”  

Ye Tianhui calmed her panting breaths and, amidst the shouts, looked up at the person in front of her.  

The person before her had a tall and lean figure, much taller than her by a head. Her gaze swept past the casually buttoned blue shirt, landing on a somewhat familiar face.  

She remembered this person—it was the young man she had seen when she left the squatter hut that day.  

The gangsters had reached the top of the stairs. Not seeing Ye Tianhui, they began looking around and shouting loudly, “We saw you! You think we can’t find you hiding there?”  

Ye Tianhui paid no mind to their bluff.  

After searching around without finding anything, the gangsters cursed a few times and led the group further ahead in pursuit.  

Only after their footsteps faded did the two people step out from their hiding spot.  

The young man spoke in a low voice, “Let’s leave here first in case they come back.”  

Ye Tianhui nodded. The two quickly left and reached another bustling street filled with people, instantly feeling much safer.  

Ye Tianhui looked at the young man and said, “Thank you for helping me.”  

The young man appeared indifferent. “It’s nothing, just a small effort.”  

Ye Tianhui asked, “Why are you here?”  

The young man replied, “I’ve been keeping an eye on them these past few days.”  

Ye Tianhui thought for a moment and understood. She looked at him and asked, “Is this your job? What do you do for work now?”  

The young man pursed his lips slightly and said, “I work as security at a casino.”  

Ye Tianhui seemed thoughtful.  

In her silence, the young man lowered his eyes and softly explained, “It’s not bad, just helping out with some tasks, not managing the operations inside the casino.”  

Ye Tianhui said, “I see, that sounds good…”  

The young man didn’t respond further.  

Ye Tianhui hesitated for a moment and finally tentatively asked, “How’s the job? Does it pay well?”  

The young man looked at her, puzzled.  

Ye Tianhui clarified, “I mean, if the job is good, could you recommend me for it? Do they hire women?”  

Hearing this, the young man’s expression showed a hint of something unusual before he said, “It seems they only hire men.”  

He added, “The women there are all hostesses, working with clients.”  

Ye Tianhui said nothing further, realizing this job wasn’t for her.  

She knew what it meant for women to be hostesses. It wasn’t just about serving drinks—they’d likely be groped, and possibly even rented out by the hour, essentially being taken out for other services.  

In such nightlife establishments, gambling and prostitution were often intertwined.  

This kind of work was certainly not something she could do.  

The young man asked, “Where do you live? I’ll walk you back.”  

Ye Tianhui asked curiously, “Aren’t you going back to work now?”  

The young man shook his head. “No, I don’t need to right now.”  

Ye Tianhui noticed that his voice carried a slight southern accent.  

Despite his lean and stubborn appearance, his accent had a soft quality to it.  

Ye Tianhui smiled slightly and asked, “What’s your name? Where are you from?”  

The young man looked at her and said, “My name is Jiang Lingfeng, from Jiangsu.”  

Ye Tianhui replied, “My name is Ye Tianhui. I used to live in Beijing.”  

The two walked along the street, chatting as they went.  

Ye Tianhui was usually wary of strangers, but since the young man had saved her, she felt grateful and naturally let her guard down a bit.  

As for the young man, it was clear that he wasn’t someone easy to get close to—perhaps even a bit solitary. However, after this experience, he didn’t seem as reticent anymore.  

The two exchanged a few simple words as they walked. 

Although Jiang Lingfeng didn’t elaborate, Ye Tianhui could roughly guess that his family’s situation must be difficult, forcing him to come here.  

What surprised Ye Tianhui was that he had brought his grandmother and younger sister with him.  

It wasn’t easy to get here. Everyone had endured considerable hardships, and for him to bring along an elderly woman and a young girl must have been especially arduous.  

Jiang Lingfeng said, “In the past few days, we managed to gather some wood and other materials to build a temporary house. It’s small, but at least it’s a place to stay. So now, I need to earn more money.”  

He looked at the bustling crowd ahead and said softly, “If possible, I hope my sister can go to school. Maybe one day, she can go to university.”  

Hearing this, Ye Tianhui tilted her head slightly to look at him.  

Sunlight filtered through the gaps between skyscrapers, falling on his well-defined jawline. Amidst the cool sharpness of his features, there was an unexpected warmth.  

She chuckled lightly and said, “You’ll definitely make it happen.”  

Jiang Lingfeng pressed his lips together slightly and said, “I need to thank you.”  

Ye Tianhui: “Oh?”  

Jiang Lingfeng: “That day, you saved my sister.”  

Ye Tianhui was surprised. She thought for a moment. “Your sister, is she about six or seven years old and called Xiao Yu’er?”  

Jiang Lingfeng nodded. “Yes.”  

Ye Tianhui understood. That day, when the government was distributing relief meals, everyone was scrambling for buns and bread. The crowd was so dense it nearly caused a stampede. Xiao Yu’er, being small and thin, was jostled and fell. It was Ye Tianhui who, quick-eyed and quick-handed, pulled her out of the crowd.  

At the time, Ye Tianhui only knew the girl’s name was Xiao Yu’er and didn’t think much of it. She hadn’t remembered the incident until now.  

She smiled and said, “It was just a small effort. We’re all from the mainland, unfamiliar with this place, with no friends, and it’s hard to make a living here. We should naturally look out for each other.”  

Jiang Lingfeng turned to look at Ye Tianhui. Her eyes lit up when she smiled, full of sincere kindness.  

He nodded slightly. “Alright.”  

Then he added, “I don’t have many skills, but I’m good at fighting. If you ever run into trouble, you must come find me—I’ll help you.”  

He spoke slowly, but with great earnestness.  

Ye Tianhui understood that he was serious.  

He must be the kind of person who rarely makes promises but, once he does, keeps his word to the end and is willing to go to great lengths for his friends.  

She was naturally pleased to have such a friend. Being in an unfamiliar place, she needed someone trustworthy to rely on.  

She smiled and said, “Thank you. If I need help, I’ll definitely come to you. As for today, let’s have a meal together—my treat?”  

Jiang Lingfeng: “No need, I’ll eat at home.”  

Ye Tianhui: “Let me treat you, please? I earned some money from selling lottery tickets today and am feeling quite happy. Eating something nice alone doesn’t seem as enjoyable, and I don’t know many people here.”  

Jiang Lingfeng hesitated for a moment, looked at her, and then nodded. “Alright, I’ll eat with you.”  

Ye Tianhui laughed and said, “But I’m very stingy and don’t want to spend too much. Let’s just have some imitation shark fin soup.”  

Jiang Lingfeng: “Okay.”  

Like cart noodles, imitation shark fin soup was a common street food in Hong Kong, affordable for low-income outsiders like them.  

It wasn’t that Ye Tianhui couldn’t afford to treat him to something better. With her recent earnings of 4,000 HKDs, she had been thinking about splurging on a nice meal.  

However, she understood that someone like Jiang Lingfeng, a reserved young man, likely had a strong sense of pride. If she treated him today, he might feel obligated to return the favor someday.  

Unlike her, who only needed to take care of herself, Jiang Lingfeng worked hard to earn a living and had to support his elderly grandmother and younger sister.  

She wanted to leave room for him to return the favor in the future without feeling burdened.  

The two of them walked forward, and up ahead, there was an open-air food stall bustling with customers and a lively atmosphere. 

They found a stall, and Ye Tianhui was very generous, asking the owner to add as many ingredients as possible, ordering a large bowl for Jiang Lingfeng.  

She smiled at Jiang Lingfeng, “We’ve been running around for so long just now, I’m starving. I need to eat more.”  

Jiang Lingfeng nodded slightly.  

Soon, their bowls of imitation shark fin soup were ready. The portions were indeed generous, packed with ingredients—chicken, shrimp, and fish, with additional shredded pork, complemented by wood ear mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms, all seasoned with a spoonful of red vinegar. The texture was soft and smooth, rich and fragrant. Their previously empty stomachs were instantly comforted, leaving them feeling satisfied.  

After finishing the meal, Ye Tianhui felt even more at ease with Jiang Lingfeng. Worrying for Ye Tianhui’s safety, Jiang Lingfeng insisted on escorting her home. However, Ye Tianhui still had her mind set on visiting her university professor father and wanted to head to Hong Kong University.  

Jiang Lingfeng glanced at her and said, “Then be careful.”  

Ye Tianhui replied, “Don’t worry, I’m not someone who gets bullied easily.”  

Jiang Lingfeng paused for a moment, then nodded, with a faint hint of a smile in his eyes. “That seems to be true.”  

Ye Tianhui raised her hand and affectionately patted Jiang Lingfeng on the shoulder. “Alright, I’m heading back. You should hurry home too. Say hi to Xiaoyuer for me. When there’s a chance, I’ll invite you all out to eat again.”  

Jiang Lingfeng was clearly not used to such close contact. His body stiffened slightly.  

Even so, he still nodded. “Alright.”  

************  

After boarding the bus, which traveled along Central, Ye Tianhui curiously looked out the window. Across the street was a pier where some boats were docked. On the pier, workers in tattered clothes were unloading cargo, sweating profusely as they labored.  

From their demeanor, Ye Tianhui vaguely felt that they were likely mainlanders who had come here to “find work.”  

Beside the pier were some ordinary household boats, crammed together and partially covered with black tarps—perhaps for aesthetic reasons?  

As for the streets, coffee shops and bars were everywhere, along with vendors selling various snacks: candy blocks, maltose, and crispy sugar rolls. Their shouts were lively and loud. Women carrying infants on their backs were even selling cigarettes.  

Many people here were dressed in traditional Chinese long robes, reminiscent of mainland China before liberation.  

Ye Tianhui observed the urban landscape with great interest. While she was watching, she unexpectedly came across a group of people chanting slogans—  

Ye Tianhui was slightly surprised. She hadn’t expected to hear such slogans in Hong Kong.  

They were reciting quotations.  

Looking closely, she noticed a full-length portrait of a great leader and a red star hanging nearby, along with a handwritten replica of 《Qing Ping Yue: Liupan Mountain》 posted beside the gate.  

It was worth noting that Hong Kong was still under British rule at this time…  

This world was truly diverse. Ye Tianhui felt she had broadened her horizons.  

At this moment, the bus arrived at her stop. Ye Tianhui got off and asked someone for directions along the way, successfully finding Hong Kong University.  

In this land-scarce Hong Kong, the university campus was built along a mountain. Traditional Chinese-style buildings were distributed along the winding main road, and the red-brick-paved paths exuded a quaint and classical charm.  

Young students dressed fashionably walked in and out, chatting and laughing. Their outfits were trendy and full of Hong Kong-style chic, presenting a stark contrast to Beijing.  

Though Ye Tianhui had seen much of the world, she still felt out of place in this environment.  

Her father, who taught here—what kind of person would he be? 

She thought of the young ladies from the Gu and Ye families. They belonged to Hong Kong; they blended seamlessly with its aura, whereas she did not. Even if she wore the same clothes as them, she still looked out of place.

Standing there for a while, she noticed a nearby café where many students seemed to be going in. She hesitated for a moment before following them in, intending to listen to their conversations and learn about life at the university.

She had never drunk coffee before, only knowing of its existence. Now, stepping inside, curiosity got the better of her. She imitated others and ordered a cup.

When the server asked her what she wanted, she pointed randomly. When asked if she wanted sugar, she shook her head.

Under the server’s slightly disdainful gaze, she finally received a cup of coffee and sat down by a window to drink it.

Taking a sip, she almost spat it out.

It was so bitter.

She suspected someone had deliberately tampered with her drink. How could others enjoy theirs so much while hers was unbearably bitter?

But there was nothing she could do. Since she didn’t understand coffee, she forced herself to drink half a sip, then began eavesdropping on the conversations around her.

It seemed that most people here were students from Hong Kong University. Their chatter covered a wide range of topics, mostly trivial, but to Ye Tianhui, it was all new and unfamiliar. It allowed her to get a sense of the atmosphere at this capitalist world’s university while also picking up some Cantonese.

At first, they discussed plans like “going to Mong Kok for lunch.” Later, they talked about tomorrow’s class schedules. Finally, Ye Tianhui caught a word that made her ears perk up—“Professor Ye.”

“Have you all prepared for Professor Ye’s discussion class tomorrow?”

“I went to the library to look up some materials, but I’m not sure if it’ll be enough. Professor Ye is so strict! I’m starting to regret taking his class!”

“But Professor Ye is so handsome. I really like him!”

The female student looked utterly starstruck.

Ye Tianhui was surprised. Could this Professor Ye be her father?

As the conversation continued, the female students excitedly gushed about Professor Ye—how unbelievably cool he was, how stunningly handsome he was, how incredibly stylish he was!

Just as Ye Tianhui began doubting whether this Professor Ye was the same person as her father, they mentioned the Ye family and Professor Ye’s illustrious background.

At this point, Ye Tianhui was certain that the “unbelievably handsome” Professor Ye they were talking about was indeed her father.

She had subconsciously imagined her father to be in his seventies or eighties, with gray hair and kindly wrinkles.

But she quickly realized that in her past life, her military father had been in his thirties when she was born. By the time she was twenty-five, he was nearly sixty. Moreover, having spent his life battling on the front lines and enduring harsh conditions, he naturally looked like an old man.

Now, however, people lived in prosperity and stability, maintaining a youthful appearance. Furthermore, this father of hers had apparently had her in his early twenties. At eighteen, she calculated, he might not even be forty yet. It made sense that he could still be described as “unbelievably handsome.”

Indeed, having children early was the way to go!

As the young students continued to chatter about Professor Ye, Ye Tianhui had already stood up.

She threw away the barely-touched coffee and headed straight for Hong Kong University.

From her observations, Hong Kong University didn’t restrict entry to outsiders; anyone could come and go freely. As expected, everything went smoothly, and she quickly entered the campus.

Once inside, she followed the signage and soon found the Physics Department.

Before she could go far, someone wearing glasses stopped her, asking who she was looking for. She replied that she was looking for Professor Ye.

She explained, “I mean Professor Ye Lixuan.”

The man with glasses looked at her in surprise. “You’re looking for Professor Ye?”

Ye Tianhui nodded repeatedly.

The man with glasses seemed impatient. “He’s not here today.”

Ye Tianhui: “Not here? Why not?”

The man with glasses replied coldly, “There are no classes today.”

Ye Tianhui said, “I’m a relative of his. Could you leave a message for me? When he returns, could you please tell him?”

Seeing this, the man with glasses went to discuss it with a female teacher nearby. Then, they directed her to the front desk, where she dictated her message, and the staff helped her record it. She left a contact number near her place of residence.

The female teacher responsible for recording didn’t seem very willing either. Ye Tianhui noticed this and realized that her chances were slim. Still, this was the best approach she could think of for now.

Having finished this task, Ye Tianhui felt she had at least planted a seed of hope.

She thought to herself that she needed to gather more information about the Ye family as soon as possible. Only by knowing her opponent could she achieve success. Otherwise, blindly rushing forward like this might lead to her downfall without even knowing how.

She left Hong Kong University immediately. By the time she walked out of the campus, it was nearly dusk.

In the sunset, young and fashionable male and female students entered the campus. They were discussing restaurants, cafeterias, physics classes, and their plans for tomorrow, looking carefree and untroubled.

She remembered Ye Wenyin.

She thought, a person’s experiences would always be deeply etched into their heart.

Children growing up in spacious, bright villas would always be different from those raised in cramped and chaotic shanty homes.

Her father, by nature, must also be more suited to having a daughter like Ye Wenyin rather than someone like herself, right?

This was truly a depressing thought.

If it weren’t for her memories of her past life, or her mental and physical strength, facing the bustling and flashy Hong Kong, she would have likely quickly fallen into endless pain and regret, unable to move on.

Fortunately, she had never harbored high expectations to begin with.

As she walked forward, she suddenly heard a voice. “Miss Ye, is that you?”

Ye Tianhui looked up and saw a tall figure standing under a blooming bauhinia tree.

It was Gu Shizhang.

The autumn wind rustled, the bauhinia flowers bloomed, and he stood there in a casual suit, his tall figure exuding a relaxed demeanor as he looked at her.

He raised an eyebrow and smiled. “It really is you. What a coincidence.”