Chapter 204 Can Your Matter Wait a Little?

A City, Shu Wei Lai Sichuan Restaurant.

The aroma of chili peppers mixed with the numbing scent of Sichuan peppercorns filled the air. The red oil of the boiled fish bubbled vigorously, and the spicy fragrance of Mao Xue Wang penetrated the nose.

“Keyan,” Mrs. Leng placed a piece of fish into her son’s bowl with a smiling face and asked, “You mentioned that Teacher Yin last time—he’s teaching at your school now?”

“Yes,” Leng Keyan ate a piece of fish. “The youngest teacher at A University Medical School, very popular among students.”

Mr. Leng nodded. “Orthopedics, practical. One day if my back hurts, I can go see him.”

“Dad, your back is fine, don’t curse yourself,” Leng Keyan muttered.

Across from him, Cao Yu wore a flashy pink shirt, hair perfectly styled with gel, swinging a wine glass with a look of amusement.

“Keyan,” Cao Yu drew out the word, “I’m not criticizing you, but how old are you? Dating is one thing, but dating a teacher too?”

“Is a teacher-student romance more exciting?”

Leng Keyan rolled his eyes. “Mind your own business.”

“I’m just concerned about you. You can’t be too trusting.”

Leaning closer, he added, “What if Teacher Yin knows your uncle is a big star and your other uncle is a CEO? Maybe he’s only after money. Be careful not to get scammed down to your underwear.”

Leng Keyan slammed his chopsticks on the table.

“Shut up,” he said angrily. “Teacher Yin isn’t that kind of person.”

He paused, then pursed his lips, lowering his voice: “Actually… I kind of hope he is after money.”

Everyone at the table froze.

Mrs. Leng blinked. “Keyan, what nonsense are you talking?”

“I’m not saying nonsense.”

Leng Keyan picked up his chopsticks and poked at the rice in his bowl. “Money in a bank account is endless. Compared to my clingy personality and aging face, money is far more reliable.”

“If Yin Siyao is after money, I’d actually feel relieved. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about him getting tired of me someday and running away.”

He fell silent for a moment, his expression a little awkward.

Cao Yu’s eyes lit up. “Whoa, that look—how much did he scam off you? Tell me so I can feel sorry for you.”

Leng Keyan snapped, “Get lost. Teacher Yin even transferred me ten thousand yuan a few days ago.”

Mrs. Leng put down her chopsticks, looking seriously at her son. “I thought you said his family wasn’t wealthy. How could you even take ten thousand from him?”

“My parents controlled my allowance to prevent me from spoiling myself. Dating costs money, so this month my allowance tripled.”

“Teacher Yin insisted I take it, and he didn’t know my family is wealthy either.”

Keyan kept his head down, poking little holes in the rice with his chopsticks.

He muttered, “I told him my parents are just ordinary farmers.”

“Pfft!”

Cao Yu sprayed out his drink, choking and coughing.

“Farmers?”

Wiping his mouth, he laughed uncontrollably. “Millions of mu of land, a few modern farms, annual income over a hundred million… yeah, those farmers are definitely still farmers, no problem.”

Mr. Leng cleared his throat and glared at his nephew.

Mrs. Leng’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “Before, we worried about the age gap. We didn’t want you to hold him back, that’s why we thought it was unsuitable. But seeing how well you get along, we won’t oppose it anymore.”

“And this also proves he truly likes you, doesn’t care about background, just wants you for you. You’ve found a treasure. Why be unhappy?”

Keyan lifted his head, frowning, eyebrows drooping.

“Mom, that’s the problem.”

His voice bitter, “I only said my parents are ordinary farmers because I was afraid Teacher Yin would feel the gap was too big.”

“If he finds out that my ‘farmer parents’ actually own tens of thousands of mu of land and modern farms, he’d feel deceived.”

Then arguments would be the least of it. If Yin Siyao felt the difference was too much and said it’s unsuitable, what would I do?

Mr. Leng pondered for a moment, putting down his wine glass.

“When two people are together, honesty is the most important. Any relationship built on deceit won’t last.”

“If you like someone, you have to trust them. If they shrink back because of your wealth or look down on you for your lack, that person isn’t worth entrusting your heart to.”

“But if you use deception to test or maintain the relationship, it’s disrespectful to them and to the relationship itself.”

Keyan’s nose tingled.

“Dad, I know…” His voice choked. “But I’m scared. Teacher Yin is too good.”

“I finally got him to like me. I’m afraid that if I reveal everything, it’ll all be gone.”

Cao Yu unusually didn’t joke this time; he just patted Keyan’s shoulder. “He’ll find out eventually. Better to be honest than have him discover it on his own.”

Mrs. Leng sighed. “I agree with your father. Deception is wrong. Find a good time and explain clearly.”

Keyan ate the meal like cardboard.

The boiled fish no longer tasted good, Mao Xue Wang no longer spicy, even his favorite couple’s lung slices were flavorless.

His mind filled with thoughts of what would happen if Yin Siyao found out.

Disappointment? Anger? Or… would he just leave?

He couldn’t bear to think.

After the meal, his parents and cousin went to see a client.

Keyan said he had something to do and took a taxi to Yin Siyao’s place.

The house was dark, curtains drawn.

Two pairs of slippers neatly at the entrance: a deep gray pair for Yin Siyao, a bright yellow pair with cartoon corgi prints that Keyan had insisted on placing there.

Yin Siyao wasn’t home.

Keyan took off his shoes and walked barefoot into the living room.

On the coffee table was his half-drunk cola—Yin Siyao didn’t allow him to drink too many carbonated drinks.

Keyan sat on the sofa, took out his phone, opened Yin Siyao’s chat, and dialed.

Just as he thought Yin Siyao wouldn’t pick up, the call connected.

“Hello?”

Yin Siyao’s voice came through, background a little noisy with sounds of a rolling cart.

“Teacher Yin,” Keyan’s voice was small, “are you busy?”

“Yes, night shift. What’s up? Aren’t you having dinner with your family?”

“I…” Keyan’s throat tightened. “I have something very important to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I…” He bit his lip. “If I lied to you, would you forgive me?”

While Keyan was having dinner with his family, Yin Siyao’s mind flashed through possibilities.

His parents didn’t approve, so he said they did.

He might be forced to break up.

Should they just stay as teacher and student?

Yin Siyao’s heart sank bit by bit.

“I’m busy tonight. Can we talk later?”

“But…” Keyan panicked. “Just two minutes, or I can come to the hospital.”

“Keyan, I’m on duty now.”

Fatigue in Yin Siyao’s voice, “Just treated a serious car accident patient, prepping for surgery. Can your matter wait?”

Keyan froze.

He could hear the distance and coldness in Yin Siyao’s tone, and it made his heart race.

“Teacher Yin, are you angry?”

He asked cautiously.

“No,” Yin Siyao’s answer was simple and decisive. “Busy. Gotta hang up.”

Keyan sat dumbfounded in the dim living room.

Yin Siyao didn’t even ask what he had lied about.

Could it be that once he knew he was deceived, he didn’t care anymore, not even enough to ask?