Chapter 36. Whatever makes you happy.

Jin Huan was frightened.

She looked at him, slowly realizing that he had just said something to scare her, so she lay back down in his arms.

"Why are you like this?" Jin Huan murmured softly.

Zhong Yan paused for a moment, then placed his hand on her back, his palm resting on her shoulder.

Jin Huan behaved herself for a moment, then looked up at him curiously, winked, and asked, "How do I want to be beaten?"

No one has ever hit her since she was a child.

Her parents wouldn't hit her, and neither would her aunt and uncle. Regarding Zhong Yan's mention of "being beaten," Jin Huan was both puzzled and somewhat expectant. Of course, she knew that Zhong Yan couldn't really beat her.

Zhong Yan pressed down her curious head, placed his palm on her lower back near her buttocks, and gently massaged it.

He didn't say anything.

Jin Huan's eyes shifted from curiosity to surprise, and then she pursed her lips and buried herself in Zhong Yan's arms.

A tingling sensation followed the pressure of his palm, and her delicate flesh couldn't help but clench twice.

She brought up what her aunt had said to her that day. After she came back, she thought that as his daughter, it should be a perfectly normal thing to go out for dinner on his birthday.

There are more valid reasons not to go than reasons to go.

For so many years, she had lived with her aunt and had not had much contact with her father and his new family. Her sudden appearance would make her seem out of place, and she did not want to put herself in such an awkward situation.

He wanted to see her but didn't even tell her directly. He had to ask his aunt to pass on the message, which shows that he couldn't bring himself to do it and wasn't really that eager to see her.

And she even felt she couldn't bring herself to say "Dad".

She no longer considered him her father.

Therefore, after clarifying all the reasons, Jin Huan said seriously and firmly, "I've decided to get rid of him."

The words "get lost" were spoken so gently, yet the person clenching their seemingly harmless fist acted as if they could overturn the universe. Zhong Yan lowered his eyes and saw the unwavering determination in the person's gaze. He chuckled and agreed, "Whatever makes you happy."

Jin Huan suddenly looked up, her gaze locking onto his eyes, and couldn't help but laugh, "Is everything good as long as I'm happy?"

Zhong Yan replied, "Mm."

Jin Huan thought to herself, she was very happy, of course she was very happy.

With Zhong Yan here, I am especially happy right now.

.

Before leaving home in the morning, Jin Huan took out the newly bought tie and had Zhong Yan try it on.

Jin Huan held the light silver tie, which matched Zhong Yan's black suit perfectly. She looked at him obediently and asked, "I watched a video last night to learn how to use it. Can I try it out?"

Jin Huan was very curious about this.

When she became a Young Pioneer in elementary school, she had to learn how to wear a red scarf. After studying it carefully last night, she found that the way to wear a tie is similar to that of a red scarf, basically the same steps.

She should be able to learn it.

Zhong Yan readily agreed.

He stood there, watching her stand in front of him with the tie in her hand. Zhong Yan asked with concern, "Are you sure you can make it?"

I wonder if this will make it too difficult for her to tie.

Jin Huan tiptoed slightly and then nodded.

You should be able to reach him, but you have to stretch your hand out and... get a little closer.

Jin Huan stared intently at the tie in her hand, recalling the techniques taught in the video. She thought about it carefully, and her movements were also meticulous. Zhong Yan watched as she took each step cautiously and carefully. The shadow of her eyelashes fell on her eyelids, a little bluish, and her eyebrows and eyes were as gentle as if they were immersed in spring water.

This was the first time someone had tied a tie for him.

She is his wife.

Zhong Yan also began to enjoy this feeling on such a morning, and he couldn't help but look down at her. Jin Huan finally managed to complete all the steps with difficulty in her mind. She gently patted the bow tie and said softly, "It's done."

"Was my tying okay?" Jin Huan asked.

He listened with great pleasure, and couldn't stop smiling.

She suddenly felt very confident and started thinking about learning other techniques next time, such as the Windsor knot or the double loop knot. These all have their own specific applications, and she could try them out next time.

She is someone who absolutely needs encouragement-based education.

Zhong Yan gently pinched her cheek, as if tolerating a child, and said slowly, "That was really great... We had a wonderful time. From now on, I'll be relying on you to make my ties."

Her voice was so gentle and joyful, it was almost intoxicating.

She nodded vigorously: "Yes, that's fine!"

Besides, what's the trouble? She enjoys doing these little things for Mr. Zhong; it's not troublesome at all!

After Zhong Yan left, Jin Huan eagerly ran to the balcony to water the flowers. Today was her day off; she wasn't going to school and was staying home to pack her luggage.

This weekend, their research group is going on a study tour to a neighboring city. It's an activity that Professor Tan contacted and planned, and the itinerary is relatively simple. She just needs to pack a few things.

Jin Huan was still considering whether she should bring a suitcase for the two days.

At this time of year, a light shirt and pants are enough. For two days, just bring pajamas, a change of underwear, and some basic necessities.

Then I'll just bring a bag and travel light.

The group members were discussing the itinerary for this study tour. In addition to visiting other people's laboratories, there would also be a face-to-face exchange and seminar, which would be a valuable learning opportunity for them.

It was something that Teacher Tan worked very hard to obtain.

Jin Huan was very enthusiastic about this study tour.

She loves learning and cherishes every opportunity to learn. Since she had some free time today, she packed her things and then went to the official website to learn about the basic information of the laboratory. She listed several questions that she wanted to know the most and wrote them down in her notebook.

Finally, Jin Huan put the notebook and pen into her bag.

.

The weather was great on the weekend. Jin Huan left home at 7 a.m. for the 8 a.m. high-speed train, and Zhong Yan went out with her to see her off at the train station.

Teacher Tan arrived with the other students. Jin Huan saw them from afar and turned to Zhong Yan to ask if they should get out of the car to say hello to Teacher Tan.

If it's difficult to explain appearing with her, she could avoid it for a while or find another reason.

Jin Huan was very considerate of him.

Since the two had not discussed the matter of "going public," Jin Huan naturally assumed that he wanted to keep it a secret, since they had not yet held a formal wedding and there was indeed not enough reason to go public.

Zhong Yan didn't pay much attention to what Jin Huan was saying.

He stared ahead, in the direction of her teacher and classmates, including that "classmate" he didn't quite like.

After Jin Huan talked to him last time, she briefly told him what happened next, without going into too much detail. Basically, she said that she seriously rejected him... and that was the process.

He said it after he recovered from his illness.

But Jin Huan's refusal was exactly what Du Qingxu had expected.

He had already said that his decision to confess his feelings and express his love was his own business, and he just wanted to find some solace in life.

After all, he's already living such a terrible life.

Zhong Yan carefully read the resume he handed over.

For someone like Du Qingxu, who lives in poverty, having such an impressive resume is no easy feat. It is said that great talents often come from humble backgrounds, and the poorer people are, the more spirited they tend to be, and the more motivated they are to strive for success than others.

Zhong Yan agreed with this point.

He will conduct the assessment himself, and if he is indeed qualified, he will consider letting him join his core research team.

He respects and cherishes every talented person.

"Mr. Zhong?" Jin Huan hesitated for a few seconds before calling out to him when he didn't speak and just stared in Teacher Tan's direction.

"Hmm?" Zhong Yan came back to his senses and smiled, "I won't go over there. Be careful and stay safe."

An unnatural look flashed in his eyes, making Jin Huan suspicious, and she couldn't help but glance at Teacher Tan a few more times.

She lowered her eyes and obediently agreed, "Okay."

Jin Huan then got out of the car and walked over there.

Du Qingxu saw her, gave a slight smile, and greeted her.

Jin Huan smiled at him.

Friends with whom you've confessed your feelings are different from friends with whom you only have a platonic friendship.

Some things, once they've happened, can never be erased from memory.

Tan Xi watched the two of them laughing.

Ever since Du Qingxu fell ill, she could clearly sense that the atmosphere between the two of them was a bit strange, a kind of ambiguous feeling that was hard to describe, and a kind of bittersweet feeling.

Tan Xi didn't know why she thought of these things. Maybe it was because the two children were so well-matched in appearance and personality. Putting aside Du Qingxu's family situation, the two of them standing together were a perfect match.

I never imagined that I would one day become a fan of my own student's romantic pairing.

That night, Tan Xi and Jin Huan shared a room, and she couldn't help but discuss the topic of "love" with her.

Tan Xi is 33 years old this year, which is the age when she should be married and have children in the conventional sense. However, she has not only not entered into marriage, but has not had children, and is still single.

Anyway, she has been single ever since Jin Huan became her student.

And for many years before that, she had never been in a relationship.

“I don’t need it,” Tan Xiqian said with a smile. “For me, I only need things that can add icing on the cake. If it doesn’t have any value to me, then I choose not to have it.”

She has a good job and enough earning power, which enabled her to achieve economic independence at a young age. If she can't find a man better than her, it would be like helping others out of poverty. She is very clear-headed and will not engage in such meaningless poverty alleviation for anyone.

Furthermore, unless she is ready to have children, she will not choose to harm her body by doing something with too high a sunk cost.

In this world, her most precious possession will always be herself.

Cherish your value in this world, cherish every minute of your life, prioritize your own needs and desires, and strive to accomplish everything that you will not regret later.

This is what Tan Xi, a 30-year-old, wants to say to a girl in her twenties.

Never let yourself have regrets.

Tan Xi said, "Jin Huan, do you know? Truly high-quality men are extremely rare in this world, and it's very difficult to meet one."

Jin Huan listened to her and nodded thoughtfully. She had thought about what Teacher Tan was talking about before, but her experience was unconventional. When she met Zhong Yan, she had long forgotten those thoughts.

The person who makes her willing to take a gamble.

After a pause, Jin Huan asked, "Have you ever encountered this, teacher?"

Tan Xi paused for a moment.

She nodded and replied, "I have encountered that before."

Tan Xi has certainly encountered this before.

She mentioned her last relationship, which was when she was a graduate student, about the same age as Jin Huan is now. It was not only her first love, but also her only relationship.

Speaking of events from nearly ten years ago, Tan Xi still feels as if it happened yesterday.

After that, Tan Xi never met anyone who could compare to him.

No one else could make her like him like that.

Tan Xi's face was filled with regret as she spoke of the past. She sighed softly, "Even now, I still think that if we had been able to overcome all the difficulties and be with him back then, we would definitely have always loved each other."

Jin Huan was listening intently to someone else's love story for the first time. Clearly, these stories were very appealing to her, and she enjoyed listening to them.

"And what about you?" Tan Xi asked her with a smile, "Do you want to be in a relationship?"

Startled by the question, Jin Huan paused for a moment. She couldn't help but think of Zhong Yan, and then, as if thinking of something else, her cheeks slowly turned red. She lowered her head and answered in a slightly embarrassed voice, "We're in talks."

After getting married, she is now in the opposite of what she was thinking and is in the dating stage. At this point, it can be described as "being in love".

Tan Xi was surprised. She didn't expect Jin Huan to actually be in a relationship. In her opinion, Jin Huan was so well-behaved that she didn't seem like someone who was in a relationship.

"From our school?" Tan Xi asked.

Jin Huan immediately shook his head in denial.

Since that wasn't the case, Tan Xi didn't ask any further questions.

Even if I told her, she wouldn't know.

Just then, Jin Huan's phone rang.

She immediately picked it up to look, and sure enough, it was a message from Zhong Yan asking if it was convenient for her to take a video call.

Jin Huan really wanted to agree, but the current situation was simply inconvenient, so she could only decline, regretfully typing, "Is there something you need?"

Zhong Yan: "It's nothing important."

Immediately following was a short voice message, only three seconds long, after which no further messages were sent.

Jin Huan managed to control herself from converting her speech to text.

She waited until Teacher Tan went to take a shower before putting on her headphones and opening the voice message.

Zhong Yan's voice was very low, his deep tone almost whispering in her ear: "I just missed you... Xiao Bao."