Chapter 4 – Preconceived Notions

Guan Heng graduated from Capital University with dual doctorates in Law and Sociology. He was the champion of the Asian Cup Debating Championship and fluent in four languages…

Each university provides a resume for each department’s professors, showcasing their excellent faculty. Zhou Jiayi merely took out his phone, logged onto the school website, clicked on the most prominent profile, and read through the list. But before he could finish, Ye Zhou was stunned.

Ye Zhou didn’t understand some of the more esoteric titles, but he knew they sounded impressive. Besides, during his university days, he was busy working part-time to earn tuition and living expenses, and after graduation, he immediately started working, never considering further studies. His lack of understanding was normal. Actually, he wasn’t cut out for academics; going to a vocational college would have been best. But at the time of applying for further education, on a whim, he applied for high school, wanting a university degree. Reflecting back, it was probably subconsciously driven by a desire to fulfill his parents’ wishes before their passing – despite his young age then, he remembered this one thing, perhaps the only expectation his parents had ever expressed.

As Zhou Jiayi read, he also marveled, “Although I’ve seen it several times, every time I look at it, I think… Professor Guan is simply not human, he’s too outstanding. But someone like him must have a hard time finding a partner, or rather, it’s difficult for anyone not to feel inferior in front of him. Could this be the reason why he’s still unmarried…?”

Lin Jie obviously knew Zhou Jiayi well, interjecting appropriately, “Just think about it yourself, don’t go around saying things carelessly when you’re at school.”

“I know. You and Brother Zhou aren’t strangers anyway…” Zhou Jiayi included Ye Zhou, but the emphasis was on the “you.”

Society was already quite open, likely only parents of high school students and below would concern themselves with what kind of person a teacher was. College students were relatively free, and a college professor’s responsibility was merely teaching, not involving themselves in students’ personal affairs. Although Guan Heng was a role model, Ye Zhou didn’t think he was the type to be bothered by such matters. Guan Heng’s decision not to disclose his orientation was certainly not due to any reservations.

But Ye Zhou didn’t intend to gossip about the neighbor’s love life with two twenty-something young men. He changed the subject, “Since your Professor Guan is so capable, why doesn’t he teach abroad? Salaries are higher overseas, and they’d probably offer him more money.”

Ye Zhou had no ulterior motives, just speaking factually. Much like many students choosing to pursue graduate studies abroad, obtaining degrees was often about paving the way for their future.

Zhou Jiayi was indeed distracted, “This question has been asked before… It seems Professor Guan insisted on staying in the country. Some say he stayed to contribute his knowledge, nurturing educational talent.”

Ye Zhou gave a light laugh; he didn’t harbor such lofty aspirations. But if Guan Heng truly thought that way, he was indeed a good teacher.

Perhaps due to this, Ye Zhou found himself somewhat changed in his perception of Guan Heng these past few days.

However, Guan Heng remained courteous and polite when he saw him, acting as if they weren’t familiar.

Adult-to-adult relationships were actually more challenging, as social experience made one more sensitive to others’ emotions. If certain actions weren’t taken initially, subsequent interactions became more difficult.

If Ye Zhou had been enthusiastic toward Guan Heng from the start, it could be attributed to his personality. But if he first treated Guan Heng indifferently and then suddenly became warm, it would seem like he had ulterior motives.

And Ye Zhou was currently stuck in this awkward position.

The most awkward part was that he felt Guan Heng had noticed this. The clearest example was that there were only a few restaurants near the university, and according to Zhou Jiayi, their restaurant had a high rating among students. Because of its proximity, numerous teachers and students frequented it, but Guan Heng had never visited. If that was the sole reason, it would indeed be too hasty, but Guan Heng was a notable figure on campus. According to Zhou Jiayi’s covert investigation, apart from not visiting Zhoujishi Restaurant, Guan Heng had been to all the nearby restaurants.

Ye Zhou: “…”

Ye Zhou had never worried about interpersonal relationships since childhood, and Guan Heng was the first. He suddenly realized that Guan Heng must have seen his predicament, which was why he hadn’t come.

If someone said he was scary, and an unfamiliar person heard it, they would certainly find him scary and avoid him. Although the truth might not be so, and misguidance was possible, that was human nature.

Ye Zhou had self-reflected and shouldn’t have formed preconceived notions based on others’ words. What kind of person Guan Heng was should have been confirmed by his own eyes.

And Ye Zhou wasn’t the type to hesitate; if there was a misunderstanding, they couldn’t continue in this awkward state. That wasn’t Ye Zhou’s style.

One evening, Ye Zhou happened to meet Guan Heng at the entrance gate as he returned home. He extended his goodwill, taking the initiative to invite, “The restaurant I run is nearby. Not to brag, but the food is pretty good. Would you like to try it when you have time?”

Guan Heng seemed surprised upon hearing this, but it wasn’t due to the fact that Ye Zhou owned a restaurant; it was Ye Zhou’s change in attitude. That morning, when Ye Zhou left, his reason was, “I need to open my shop.”

But Ye Zhou’s eyes were sincere. Although he didn’t know if Guan Heng would refuse him, he was straightforward, clearly genuine in his intentions. In an adult… especially a man in his thirties, that was indeed rare.

Indeed, Guan Heng had a good temper, as Zhou Jiayi had said, or perhaps he was influenced by Ye Zhou’s humor. He gave a gentle smile under the night sky, radiating a gentle and clear brilliance like stars and moonlight, making the surrounding lights seem dim in comparison. “Alright. I’ll come when I have time.”

Ye Zhou was momentarily stunned, then smiled, “Then I’ll wait for you.”

However, Ye Zhou waited for Guan Heng for several days but failed to see him. Ye Zhou didn’t think Guan Heng was brushing him off, nor was there any need for it. Moreover, Guan Heng had been returning home later than Ye Zhou recently, indicating he was very busy.

Actually, even if Guan Heng had an excuse for not coming, it wouldn’t matter, as his original words were, “I’ll come when I have time.”

It was just that Ye Zhou stared at the door every day, even the restaurant staff teased him, “Boss, you might as well sit outside and wait; you might attract more customers.”

When the restaurant first opened six years ago, business wasn’t great at the time, and Ye Zhou had done something similar. The older employees all knew. At the time, it did indeed attract some passing young girls, helping them barely survive the business crisis. But now, there was no need to do so, occasionally recalling those days, besides finding humor in hardship, he somewhat missed those struggling times.

Hearing this, Ye Zhou also laughed, self-deprecatingly, “Older now, maybe I can’t attract the young ones anymore.”

With the conversation starter, several employees joined in teasing Ye Zhou, “No, Boss is still as handsome.”

“Young people nowadays prefer mature and charming men.”

“The older, the better, they have money.”

Some entrepreneurial bosses would act superior and command their employees, but Ye Zhou wouldn’t. He had never been pretentious, even doing some of the tougher jobs himself. It was hard enough to make a living, let alone other employees who had families to take care of. They were all here to make money, none higher than the other. So he didn’t mind the employees’ teasing, occasionally joining in with a joke or two.

Another week passed, and Guan Heng still hadn’t come.

Ye Zhou basically gave up. He wouldn’t specifically ask about it, making it seem like he was forcing someone to show up and save face, that wasn’t his style. He believed that making friends still relied heavily on fate; sometimes, if you missed an opportunity, you wouldn’t get another chance, and that was common.

However, one day, unexpectedly, Guan Heng came to the restaurant.

The restaurant still had bar business to attend to at night, so their last order time was 7 PM. After that time, they switched menus to prepare for the bar operation. Even if the time arrived and there were still guests who hadn’t finished their meals, they wouldn’t rush them intentionally, as guests who finished eating might continue to stay and patronize the bar business.

But when Guan Heng arrived at the restaurant, it was already 7:30 PM.

Ye Zhou happened to be in the back kitchen, using a brush to clean lobsters. This batch of lobsters was ordered a few days ago and had just arrived today. To ensure freshness, he used the day’s catch on the same day, so today’s menu was temporarily changed, with the head chef preparing lobster dishes. And he picked the largest lobster for Fang Ji, planning to steam it as a dish to accompany alcohol, waiting for Fang Ji to come so they could have a drink together.

Ye Zhou had already sent a message to inform Fang Ji that afternoon, asking him to come over early tonight to feast on the lobster. But at that moment, a front desk employee entered the kitchen and told Ye Zhou, “Boss, your friend is here.”

“My friend?” Ye Zhou was still puzzled about which friend it could be, as no one had mentioned coming to see him recently.

“Yes, he said his name is Guan Heng.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhou immediately tossed the lobster back into the sink, hastily wiped the water off his hands, and headed toward the restaurant.