Chapter 61: Here to Pick a Fight

Zhou Qishi casually explained, “It’s because my mom took 11 hours to give birth to my sister, so she’s called Shiyi. I took 7 hours, and just calling me Zhou Qi didn’t sound good, so they added ‘Shi’ to it.”

Wen Zhixian chuckled. “So that’s the story.”

She had thought it might have been about lucky numbers.

“Go back to work,” she said, waving him off before heading to the back.

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That morning, Qi Yanjing finished guiding the three students he was mentoring. Around 11 a.m., Zhou Chuyu returned after his class.

As expected, he started chatting with Qi Yanjing.

“Fewer people showed up for my lecture today,” Zhou Chuyu said, taking a sip of water.

Qi Yanjing replied, “Isn’t that a good thing?”

Often, students from other departments would attend their lectures—not to learn, but to see the lecturers themselves.

“They probably went to listen to that finance department lecture,” Zhou Chuyu guessed, turning to Qi Yanjing. “You know, the one I mentioned before—Gu Yuchen from Huayi Group.”

Zhou Chuyu clicked his tongue. “Here’s hoping they get captivated by the excellent, handsome alumnus and stop bothering us.”

Being good-looking could be exhausting. Some admirers were just there to appreciate, but a few were overly obsessive.

“I suddenly remembered a few years back at school—those were tough times.”

To deter a particularly obsessive female student, Zhou Chuyu had resorted to spitting on the ground whenever he spotted her from a distance, ruining his own image. The other teachers understood his intent and didn’t report him for disrupting campus cleanliness. He always cleaned up afterward once she left.

Thinking back on it still made him cringe.

Qi Yanjing had experienced even crazier situations himself.

What a bittersweet memory.

Ah, he’d forgotten to mention this amusing story to his wife over dinner last time.

All Qi Yanjing caught from Zhou Chuyu’s rambling was that Gu Yuchen was at the school. The rest went over his head.

He hadn’t expected Gu Yuchen to come and give a lecture today.

If Gu was targeting him, so be it—he’d never been afraid.

“Looks like all the school leaders are over there. They’ve tried inviting him multiple times, and he finally gave them the honor,” Zhou Chuyu commented.

Qi Yanjing gave a noncommittal “Hmm” as he flipped through a book. Suddenly, he closed it, stood up, and said, “Lunch.”

Zhou Chuyu packed up his things. “Let’s go.”

For lunch, they ordered squirrelfish. Zhou Chuyu was curious. “You don’t usually go for sweet and sour flavors, do you?”

“My wife loves it. I’m learning how to make it.” Zhixian had a sweet and sour palate, so he’d been eating more of it lately and was getting used to it.

Zhou Chuyu closed his eyes and massaged his temples. “I should’ve known better than to ask. That was a critical hit.”

After lunch, it was only 11:30. On their way back, they overheard some finance students discussing Gu Yuchen.

Irritated, Qi Yanjing didn’t want to hear that name, but he maintained a calm exterior.

On the way, the finance lecture seemed to have just ended. Gu Yuchen was surrounded by several school leaders as they walked out.

As they say, enemies often cross paths. What you don’t want to see often appears.

“Gu Yuchen is quite good-looking,” Zhou Chuyu remarked, glancing at him. Hmm… He could go toe-to-toe with Professor Qi, but they had entirely different vibes.

Qi Yanjing kept his gaze straight ahead and walked away.

Gu Yuchen spotted him too. Whatever the people around him were saying didn’t register. He stood still, staring at Qi Yanjing for a few seconds.

His former teacher, now the department head, noticed his gaze and followed it. Seeing Qi Yanjing, he smiled and introduced him. “That’s one of our Chinese department professors. He became a professor at 27. Young and promising.”

Years ago, Qi Yanjing had participated in a finance competition and won an award, despite it being outside his field. Back then, Gu’s teacher had been deeply impressed. Later, when Qi became his colleague, they had the occasional professional exchange despite being in different departments.

Gu Yuchen’s voice turned cold. “I know him.”

“President Gu seems to know his alma mater well,” a few people said with polite smiles, exchanging casual conversation.

Suddenly, Gu Yuchen left the group and strode toward Qi Yanjing, calling his name coldly, “Qi Yanjing.”

His voice was loud and intimidating, drawing attention.

Qi Yanjing had no interest in engaging, but it was obvious Gu Yuchen was heading straight for him.

Zhou Chuyu glanced at Qi Yanjing. “You two know each other?”

Last time, he’d felt there might be some tension between them, but he hadn’t given it much thought. Now it turned out they really did know each other.

“Not well.”

Qi Yanjing stopped, watching Gu Yuchen approach with an expression that suggested deep hatred, as if he wanted to tear him apart.

Sure enough, Gu Yuchen was there to pick a fight.

Without saying a word, Gu threw a punch directly at Qi Yanjing’s face.

Qi Yanjing, understanding this wasn’t the place for a fight, didn’t retaliate. If he did, it would escalate into mutual combat. He simply blocked the punch with his hand.

But Gu Yuchen wasn’t about to let it go. He’d wanted to hit Qi Yanjing for a long time. Not fighting back only made Qi a target, and his arm took a solid hit.

The school leaders nearby were horrified and rushed over to intervene.

Gu Yuchen shook off the elders trying to restrain him, his face dark and full of hostility. He sneered, “Why the hell aren’t you fighting back, Qi Yanjing? Feeling guilty? When you stole my fiancée, weren’t you full of bravado?”

His words stunned everyone around them.

Qi Yanjing remained calm. “You weren’t married, and you know very well how you treated her.”

He and Zhixian had nothing to hide. Their relationship was open and honest—there was no fear of being questioned.

Gu Yuchen let out a cold laugh. “We weren’t married yet, but I considered her my wife. We were about to register for marriage, and then you swooped in. You took advantage of her vulnerability during an emotional low to deceive her into marrying you. Professor Qi Yanjing, how does someone like you even have a shred of decency? Living in her house, sweet-talking her parents—you’re just a leech, a bottom-feeder.”

“A professor, a role model for students? You’re nothing but a disgrace,” he spat, glaring at Qi Yanjing, emphasizing each word. “I’m ashamed that someone like you teaches at this school.”

Qi Yanjing’s composure was unnerving. Even after being accused so harshly, he remained serene, as if Gu Yuchen’s words had nothing to do with him.

Zhou Chuyu didn’t believe a word of it. He’d known Qi Yanjing for years and couldn’t reconcile the accusations with the man he knew. Qi had no need to act as some “leech.” He had enough talent to succeed anywhere. If he wanted money, why stay at the university? He could make far more outside academia.

In Zhou Chuyu’s eyes, Qi Yanjing was someone who sought a quiet, simple life.

That said, he did wonder if Qi had truly “stolen” Gu Yuchen’s fiancée.

Even if he had, Zhou Chuyu was ready to believe him—provided Qi had a good reason.

“Gu Yuchen,” Qi said calmly, “she is my wife. Show some respect. You two had already broken up before we married.”

Gu Yuchen cut him off. “I never agreed to break up. Why don’t you show me some respect? I don’t care about your excuses. She’s my wife, and I’ll make sure she willingly comes back to me. I’ll also be watching for the day you’re utterly disgraced. I won’t let you off the hook.”

Rabid dog.

Qi Yanjing had no desire to argue further.

Gu Yuchen stormed off, radiating cold fury.

The school leaders exchanged awkward glances before one finally asked, “Professor Qi, is what he said true?”