Chapter 38: Can I get to know you?

Watching his sister run to the man and engage in lively, intimate conversation, Yu Jingchuan called out, “Chengyu!”

Yu Chengyu froze.  “Bro… Brother, Mom, why are you here?”

Yu Chengyu looked embarrassed.

Yu Jingchuan wheeled Chu Peilan closer, his cold gaze sweeping over the man beside Yu Chengyu.

“Introduce him.”

Yu Chengyu blushed, whispering, “Brother, this is Liang Wenbo. He’s… my classmate.”

Liang Wenbo greeted them respectfully.

Yu Jingchuan’s face darkened.  “We’ve come all this way.  Show us around.”

He didn’t mention Liang Wenbo, wanting him to leave.

Liang Wenbo’s smile faltered, but he wisely said, “Chengyu, I won’t disturb you.  Let’s go to the library next time.”

“Okay.”

Yu Chengchuan’s attitude displeased Yu Chengyu, but she didn’t dare say anything, watching Liang Wenbo leave reluctantly.

“He’s gone! Chengyu, are you dating this Liang?” Chu Peilan saw her daughter’s feelings.

“Not yet, Mom! Don’t ask!” Yu Chengyu stamped her foot, blushing.

“You’ve grown up! You have a crush!” Chu Peilan exclaimed.

“Yu Chengyu, don’t date casually. Bring anyone home for us to meet before you date.” Yu Jingchuan’s serious tone made Yu Chengyu pout.

“Brother, I’m grown up! Dating is my business!”

“So, you’re dating Liang Wenbo?” Yu Jingchuan stopped, scrutinizing Yu Chengyu.

Yu Chengyu felt uneasy under his gaze.

“No, he’s pursuing me. I… I like him a little.”

Yu Jingchuan snorted. “Your taste is poor. He’s no good.”

Yu Chengyu protested, “Why?”

“He’s calculating. He might have ulterior motives.”

Even in a brief meeting, Yu Jingchuan disliked Liang Wenbo; he was too opportunistic and insincere.

Yu Chengyu, spoiled since childhood, was easily deceived.

Lin Yitang glanced at Yu Jingchuan, impressed by his judgment.  Perhaps her rebirth had changed things.

In her past life, they hadn’t visited Yu Chengyu and didn’t know she was secretly dating a classmate. 

Yu Chengyu brought Liang Wenbo home, and Yu Jingchuan strongly opposed it, as did Yu Jianguo and Chu Peilan.

Yu Chengyu was stubborn, refusing to give up Liang Wenbo. 

She made a terrible mistake; she got pregnant before marriage.

This angered Yu Jingchuan; he beat Liang Wenbo severely. 

If Yu Chengyu hadn’t intervened, Liang Wenbo might have been seriously injured.

The deed was done; even if the Yu family opposed it, Yu Chengyu married Liang Wenbo.  But his true nature emerged; his temper was far from mild.

He benefited from the Yu family but treated Yu Chengyu increasingly poorly.  Just before her delivery, a woman with a child appeared, claiming to be Liang Wenbo’s wife.

Liang Wenbo was a former intellectual youth who’d married and had a son in the countryside but abandoned them to return to the city. 

They came to confront him, causing Yu Chengyu to go into premature labor; her baby didn’t survive.

Yu Chengyu divorced Liang Wenbo, but the scandal ruined her reputation; she became depressed.

Lin Yitang felt a pang of sympathy.

“Brother, you’re wrong! Wenbo isn’t like that!” Yu Chengyu defended him.

Yu Jingchuan warned, “Stay away from him!”

Yu Chengyu, fearing her brother more than her parents, obeyed.

“There’s a basketball game today! Let’s watch!”

Huaqing University had a vibrant extracurricular life, often organizing competitions.

Yu Chengyu took them to the field, which was crowded.  Two teams were playing fiercely.

“Who’s the red team’s leader? He’s handsome and plays well!”

“I don’t know him. He’s not from our school.”

“I know! He’s Professor Song’s son, filling in for an injured player.”

“Professor Song’s son is so handsome?”

“He scored again! We won!”

Song Yucheng smiled, wiping sweat, and high fived his teammates. 

He saw Lin Yitang and froze, staring at her.

“Yuchen, let’s go to the canteen!”

Song Yucheng refused. “I’m going home for dinner. I’m reporting tomorrow.”

“Okay, see you next time!”

Song Yucheng unconsciously sought the figure he’d glimpsed, spotting her in the crowd and approaching.

Lin Yitang was leaving when she heard a clear voice.

“Comrade, wait!”

Lin Yitang turned, puzzled.  Song Yucheng approached.

“You’re Lin Yitang?”

“Yes. I’m Song Yucheng. Can I get to know you?”

His face was flushed with excitement.

Yu Jingchuan stepped beside Lin Yitang, scrutinizing Song Yucheng.