Chapter 56: Jealousy

“So many dishes,” Zhong Yuxiu smiled with her eyes squinting, delighted to see that most of them were her favorites. “Dog Egg did a great job, so capable and diligent.”

Yan Rushan glanced at Dog Egg—a lump of iron, nothing more.

“So dumb and slow, what’s so good about it?”

“You just don’t get it! Men who can cook are the best. Even though Dog Egg is a robot, at least its gender setting is male. Just look at the dishes Dog Egg made—color, aroma, and taste all in harmony, and it’s enough to whet anyone’s appetite.” Her words teased and mocked him.

Yan Rushan: “......” Is cooking really all that matters?

Zhong Yuxiu took a seat and asked, “Why hasn’t Comrade Hao Nan returned yet today?”

“He’s busy. He’ll be back tomorrow.” Yan Rushan sat down beside her and continued, “The higher-ups have already made a decision regarding Li Yun. Starting today, she’ll be interrogated thoroughly.”

Tian Shangguo sat across from them, ears perked up as he listened. When Li Yun was mentioned, he was still bewildered—Li Yun had been taken away and would now face intense questioning. What did that mean? It meant Li Yun had betrayed them, betrayed the country, betrayed the career she had devoted half her life to.

Hao Nan had kept the matter so confidential that he hadn’t said a word even to him.

“Comrade Yan, did you all know about Sister Li’s issues beforehand?”

“We only found out a few days ago,” Yan Rushan’s gaze was sharp as a blade. “To ensure smooth operations, we told no one except for Hao Nan, who was tasked with keeping an eye on Li Yun.”

Tian Shangguo nodded, “I understand.”

“You never had your guard up against Sister Li. If you had known, both you and Comrade Hao would have changed your attitude toward her, which would have made her suspicious.” That was one reason why, after discovering Li Yun’s problem, they didn’t immediately inform the two guards.

First, she wanted to see how far Li Yun could go; second, she didn’t trust them at the outset.

“I understand, Comrade Zhong. You don’t need to explain. Those of us in this line of work know the importance of secrecy best,” Tian Shangguo replied earnestly. “I only hope that next time you’ll give me a hint. No matter who it is, I won’t let anything slip—and Hao Nan is the same. We’ve both undergone special training.”

Feelings would not interfere.

Seeing he was not offended, Zhong Yuxiu smiled, “Alright, next time.”

Tian Shangguo: “......”

After the meal, Tian Shangguo took the initiative to wash the dishes, while Yan Rushan went upstairs with Zhong Yuxiu to the laboratory.

“Brother Yan, make yourself comfortable,” Zhong Yuxiu waved casually as she settled at her computer. She scanned through the thesis she had written earlier, her fingers tapping the keyboard as she made revisions.

Yan Rushan didn’t follow her instruction to sit, but instead walked behind her. “You’re revising your thesis?”

“Yes, Professor Ding asked me to write up the research I’ve done so far—it can be used as my future graduation thesis.” Her starry eyes were fixed on the screen, fingers flying, yet she still found time to answer questions.

“You’re already thinking about your thesis this early?” Yan Rushan asked.

Zhong Yuxiu finally glanced at him, “I skipped grades through exams. I plan to do it again this semester, aiming to graduate.”

“You can graduate early? Has the university approved it?”

“No, but the professors in my department have already prepared fourth-year exam papers. Soon, fifth-year papers will be ready, and then I can apply to graduate early,” Zhong Yuxiu said, full of hope.

Yan Rushan rubbed his forehead, “University requires credits—without enough, you can’t graduate.”

“It’s alright, I already have a professional title and research results. Professor Ding should count those towards my credits. And graduation doesn’t require that many credits.” Exams yield credits, too—graduation credits are easy for her.

Yan Rushan felt a flicker of inspiration, the idea of early graduation involuntarily taking root in his mind.

That night, he relayed all this to Elder Yan, “Grandfather, do you think it’s feasible for me to apply to skip grades and graduate early?”

“Dashan, have you thought this through? The situation right now is far from stable.” Yan Guofeng frowned. “If you want to go into business, I have no objections, but the circumstances are still unclear.”

Order had just been restored—what would graduating accomplish?

“Grandfather, I’ve thought it over. Perhaps this uncertain time is the best opportunity.” Yan Rushan was eager to grow; living under his grandfather and family’s protection had not let him mature.

Yan Guofeng looked at him meaningfully, “Are you worried that Comrade Zhong will look down on you?”

Yan Rushan’s expression froze, and after a moment he said, “I want to be better, so that when I stand by her side, everyone will say we’re truly a good match.”

“Other people’s opinions are nothing but empty words. Why care?”

“Comrade Zhong is exceptionally talented.” This was no idle boast; he didn’t want future conversations to revolve around how outstanding Comrade Zhong was—smart, beautiful, diligent, steady, perfect in every way—and then, when they looked at the eldest grandson of the Yan family...

“When did you become so insecure?” Yan Guofeng shook his head with a gentle smile, amused. “Comrade Zhong is indeed a rare talent among her peers; but no matter how accomplished she is, you’re not a couple yet. Why are you thinking so far ahead?”

Yan Rushan’s face darkened, “Who says we aren’t?”

Elder Yan’s eyes paused, his brows twitching before slowly relaxing. A smile spread in his gaze as he studied his grandson closely.

“Comrade Zhong agreed to date you?”

“Yes,” Yan Rushan’s ears reddened. “She’s busy with her thesis and thinking about graduating. I can’t lag too far behind.”

Yan Guofeng laughed heartily. It was rare to see his grandson embarrassed, and even rarer to see him so lacking in confidence.

“Will you be able to keep up academically? If you skip grades, there’ll be no specialized professors to guide you. No one knows how your development will turn out.”

“I can keep up.” Knowing Zhong Yuxiu frequented the library, he often borrowed books himself—all professional texts. Given his family background, he could access any material he needed, and with a solid foundation, he never struggled.

Yan Guofeng’s smile deepened, his whole demeanor radiating delight. “If you’ve made up your mind, then do it. All your grandfather can do is support you.”

He wouldn’t hold him back—he would support his grandson.

“Thank you, Grandfather,” Yan Rushan said with gratitude, rising to return to his room.

True to his decisive nature, Yan Rushan went to the university early the next morning, found the professor in charge of his class, and explained his intentions. The professor was astonished but eventually persuaded, agreeing to let him skip grades.

The finance department had its exams set much quicker than the physics department, with all the papers for the next five years already mapped out; they only needed minor annual updates, with no major changes.

Yan Rushan told no one. He began skipping grades from the second year straight to the fifth, and his supervising professor was both surprised and delighted, his joy barely concealed.

“Student Yan, have you considered staying on at the university?”

Stay on?

Yan Rushan shook his head. “Thank you for your kind offer, Professor, but my goals lie elsewhere.” He wanted to be the support for the one he loved, and needed to grow rapidly.

The next decade would be his opportunity; now was the best time to build his foundation. Once the situation cleared up, it would be his moment to act. Staying at the university would only hold him back.

From then on, Yan Rushan enjoyed a leisurely life, rarely attending classes. He gathered a group of friends, prowling the black market and accumulating funds.