My Underachieving Seatmate Doesn't Need Any Comforting

He Shen: “Don’t undervalue yourself.”

Qiao Shao: “Yeah, but I can’t have zero self-awareness either.”

He Shen laughed. “Be self-confident. You’re outstanding.”

Qiao Shao felt quite calm. “Only you think so.”

When He Shen was about to speak, Qiao Shao’s lips curved into a smile, and he said, “It’s fine.”

He Shen looked at him. “Huh?” It was rare that he didn’t understand something.

Qiao Shao’s eyelashes trembled. He was embarrassed but he said, “I mean ... well, just you is enough.”

He Shen’s eyes suddenly went blazing.

Qiao Shao felt that what he’d said sounded ambiguous and he quickly explained, “I mean it’s good enough that you think I’m outstanding. I don’t care what others think ...”

Why did it seem like this explanation wasn’t any better!

Qiao Shao looked up and was surprised when he looked into He Shen’s eyes.

At the foot of the mountain, the dazzling sunlight illuminate the two of them completely.

He Shen saw Qiao Shao’s heart.

And Qiao Shao saw his.

The two hearts were spread out in the sun, even the frequency of their beating became as one.

Qiao Shao understood what this look of his meant. He whispered, “Th-there are lots of people here.”

The implication being that you mustn’t kiss me in front of so many people.

He Shen was still aware of the gravity of the matter. He only quietly interlocked their fingers, and lowered his voice, “Who asked you to provoke me?”

Qiao Shao flushed, “How could I have provoked you!”

He Shen looked unblinkingly at him.

Qiao Shoa hem and hawed for a long time, before he came up with another sentence, “I’m- I’m just telling the truth.”

He Shen: “.........”

Qiao Shao regretted it to death!

He Shen asked abruptly, “Are you thirsty?”

Qiao Shao: “Ah?”

He Shen pulled him to the vending machine in the corner.

Qiao Shao was caught in the corner. He felt like a dragonfly had landed on his forehead. The briefest touch and it was gone. The lake in his heart burst with beautiful ripples.

He Shen only bought one can of drink. He opened it with one hand and handed it to Qiao Shao.

“Thank you.” Qiao Shao took it. He wasn’t thirsty at first, but now he felt his throat had gone bone dry and he needed this kind of cold drink to relieve it.

He Shen said, “I want a drink too.”

Qiao Shao handed it back to him. He Shen also took a sip. When he looked at Qiao Shao again, they laughed together.

Two people who were of the same mind were happy no matter what they did.

They had lunch together. After He Shen asked for the third time, Qiao Shao didn’t refuse and agreed to go to his house to hang out.

As soon as they got out of the taxi, they saw a white Bentley parked downstairs of He Shen’s apartment.

When Qiao Shao saw the car, the first thought that came to mind was, ‘Dad’s here?’.

He shouldn’t be...

Da Qiao never drives a four-seater when he’s out by himself&#k2026;

However, he was unsure, because after all, Comrade Qiao Zongmin’s car collection was so huge that he couldn’t remember all of them.

Qiao Shao was so scared that he didn’t notice how the person next to him had gone stiff.

Until He Shen said, “I’ll get you a taxi. You should go home first.”

Qiao Shao quickly said, “No need, I can just take the subway.”

Normally, when he hears Qiao Shao say this, He Shen would just hail down a cab without saying anything, but this time He Shen only said, “When you get home, send me a WeChat.”

Qiao Shao nodded and looked at the Bentley some more before leaving.

He Shen waited for Qiao Shao to leave before going upstairs. Three electric bikes were parked randomly in the corridor; the shiny reflection of the stair railings weren’t from cleanness, but was caused by wear and tear from people touching it all year round; the walls were covered with traces of past advertisements, the air was permeated with an unknowable odor, neither stinky nor clean.

For the young lady of the Xie Family to condescend to come down to such a place, shows that she couldn’t wait any longer.

He Shen could guess the reason for her arrival, but his heart remained undisturbed, and he was not the least bit upset.

If blood ties and familial affection have crumbled up to his point, what was the use of trying to maintain it?

He Shen laughed self-mockingly as he saw this woman who was completely out of place in this rental apartment.

She was wearing Chanel’s latest summer RTW, the black and white houndstooth pattern framed her body beautifully and elegantly. She wore a beautiful emerald necklace on her neck with matching earrings. On her wrist was a Chopard LA Strada in rose gold inlaid with diamonds. She sported an Hermès platinum bag. Only her fingers remained empty with no ring in sight.

This is Xie Qing, his paternal aunt who was only twelve years older than He Shen.

He Shen looked at her without saying a word.

Xie Qing wasn’t angry. She even let down her conceited look and put on a gentle one. “Xiao Shen, go home with auntie.”

From her birth til now, has the arrogant 29-year old young miss of the Xie Family ever spoken so meekly and subserviently?

Unfortunately, He Shen was unmoved. “My place is dirty and messy, and I have nothing here with which to entertain guests. I will have to ask Miss Xie to come back another time.”

Xie Qing said, “What’s with that kind of talk? I’m your aunt.”

He Shen said: “Didn’t you say I wasn’t allowed to call you aunt?”

A hint of embarrassment appeared on Xie Qing’s exquisitely makeup-ed face. “I was young and ignorant at that time. I just didn’t want to sound old, but I really am quite fond of you.”

He Shen was in no mood to talk with her. He said: “If nothing’s the matter then please go back.”

Xie Qing also knew what his temper was like, and she quickly said, “Your grandfather is very ill. He might not make it past this year!”

He Shen guessed as much. The only reason Xie Qing would condescend to come to a dirty place such as this was if Xie Yongyi’s health had already deteriorated to its utmost.

Xie Qing added, “Your grandfather has spoiled you since you were a child. Ever since he was bedridden, he would reminisce about you more and more. You should quickly go back and see him.”

He Shen looked at her. “Does he really want to see me?”

Xie Qing was seen through with a single glance. Her expression became a bit rattled. “Of course, he wants to see you! You’re his most beloved grandson. He’s shown you such care ...”

He Shen was thoroughly annoyed by these things, and he frowned. “I am no longer surnamed Xie. What happens to the Xie family has nothing to do with me.”

Seeing him so stubborn, Xie Qing could no longer hold back her anger. She never had a good temper to begin with. If not for... Why would she care about this idiot!

Xie Qing said bluntly, “Do you really think you can leave the Xie Family after earning 10 million yuan?”

He Shen kept his face impassive.

Xie Qing’s every word pierced through his heart. “You’re dreaming! When the old man goes, your father will be in power, we’ll see then if you ever have a single good day ever again! Your stepmother wants nothing more than to give you a new baby brother. Once she’s pregnant, you’ll be nothing but a thorn in her eyes. She will never let you go! ”

He Shen said blankly, “Are you finished?”

Xie Yan couldn’t help herself. She said angrily, “Why are you so stupid? So what if you changed your family name? Xie blood is flowing in your veins. You will belong to the Xie Family your entire life. Do you think you can escape? Let me tell you, once your father is dead, you and I will be buried along with him! ”

He Shen ushered her to leave. “I wouldn’t want to trouble you to worry about my business.”

Xie Qing was utterly discomfited. “Xie Shen, you will regret this. You’re living a carefree life now, but when you start to have concerns, you will know how stupid you are for trying to escape!”

He Shen slammed the door shut. Xie Qing had never suffered such humiliation. She was so angry that she slammed her six-digit worth bag against the door!

Qiao Shao sat in the car, his heart filled with uncertainties. He wasn’t stupid. Naturally, he had seen that He Shen had deliberately sent him away.

So the owner of that Bentley came to see He Shen? What for?

For work?

Impossible. A client would call first, not just directly appear at his door.

This situation ...

Qiao Shao suddenly had a lightbulb moment. He could only think of one possibility.

Could it be that he came to He Shen...to collect the debt?

The more Qiao Shao thought, the more likely it seemed!

Creditors wouldn’t be assured with just making a phone call. They will definitely coming by to check regularly, for fear of people running away.

Those who can lend out ten million must be able to afford three or four million worth cars.

Thinking about this, Qiao Shao really wanted to have the driver turn around and go back.

But he held back.

He Shen had such strong pride. He would not want him to be there.

When he returned home, he was still perturbed. When he estimated that about an hour had gone by, he sent a message to He Shen. “I’m home.”

He Shen replied to him after his meeting. “Sorry, I said I’d accompany you to do your homework this afternoon.”

Qiao Shao quickly replied back. “It’s all right, there’s a lot more days left in summer vacation.”

He Shen sent him a call request.

Qiao Shao closed the door and took it.

He Shen’s voice was a little depressed. “Qiao Shao ...”

Upon hearing from his voice that there was something wrong, Qiao Shao’s heart tightened. “What happened? I’ll go to you, I’m not doing anything at home anyway.”

His anxious tone reached He Shen’s ears, and the coldness in his eyes melted away. “Don’t, it’s a waste of effort going back and forth.”

Qiao Shao said, “It’s not a waste of effort...”

He had just finished speaking when He Shen suddenly said, “I want to ask you something.”

Qiao Shao sat upright and said, “Tell me.”

After a long pause on the other end, He Shen continued, “If I’m not the same as what you think, will you regret liking me?”

This made Qiao Shao’s back stiffen–

Speaking of which, he may not think the same as what He Shen thinks ...

Qiao Shao put himself in the other’s position and immediately replied, “I would like you no matter what you’re like!”

After speaking, he was startled. It seems he had been too straightforward.

Who knew that He Shen would quickly asked him again, “Really?”

Somehow, Qiao Shao heard the eagerness and anxiety from his tone. Qiao Shao said, “Of course!”

He Shen asked, “Even if He Shen isn’t He Shen?”

Qiao Shao thought this was a bit indescribable, and he made a joke to ease the tense atmosphere. “Even if you became Wei Shen, Chen Shen or Lou Shen, I’d still like you.”

He Shen chuckled. “Those sound so bad.”

Qiao Shao heard his voice relax and he was relieved, “I think so.”

“So ...” He Shen asked, “does Xie Shen sound good?”

Qiao Shao dodged the question wonderfully, saying, “To tell you the truth ...”

He Shen: “Huh?”

Qiao Shao’s eyes curved into a crescents, “I think Qiao Shen sounds very nice.”

He Shen smiled sincerely. He said, “If my surname were Qiao, would it be because I followed my husband’s surname?”

Qiao Shao blushed and said, “Something wrong with that?”

He Shen could finally crack jokes again, “That won’t do.”

Qiao Shao was shamed into anger. “Well then, you can just for-...”

He Shen interrupted him. “I would clearly be marrying into my wife’s family.”

Qiao Shao: “........................”

The next day, the two went together to Shen Hai Building to report for work and they successfully secured their posts as summer workers.

Such positions were actually set up by large groups in response to the work-study policy. They were divided into high school and university departments. Relatively speaking, the position of college students was more stringent, equivalent to an internship opportunity.

High school students were purely there to get some worldly experience.

The work that was arranged for them was simple; just running errands, making simple forms and documents, and occasionally following the marketing department to do their rounds.

Although it was very relaxed, people weren’t the same.

For example, Qiao Xiao Shao Tongxue’s biggest role was —“Oh, this child is so cute!” “It would be great if my son turned out to be this cute!” “Oh my, is this really a high school student?”

That’s right, all the female employees said things like these.

He Shen was different. In the morning, he was still making forms but in the afternoon, Qiao Shao found that he had been taken away by an elder brother in R&D department, and they had changed his job to one that Qiao Shao couldn’t understand ...

One of the comments they received was exactly the same, and that was—is this really a high school student!

For Qiao Shao, it was because of his short stature and tenderness, and for He Shen, it was because he was too capable and knew too much.

This comparison simply stabbed into Qiao Shao’s heart!

One week later, Qiao Zongmin couldn’t help it any longer. He asked his assistant to call the head of the personnel department.

The head was filled with fear and trepidation, thinking that there was an important personnel change happening. He was completely panicked on the way up.

Who knew when he arrived, President Qiao asked, “How is the performance of the new summer workers?”

Li Chen was dumbfounded. Summer workers?

In any case, Head Li was also a high-level executive. How could he know about such a trivial matter?

But Li Chen to have been able to climb to this position meant that he was still quite sensible. He immediately said, “Zhang Zhiyong is the one responsible for this matter. Should I call him over?”

Of course he should. Qiao Zongmin said, “En.”

After a while, Zhang Zhiyong of the Personnel Department fearfully walked through the president’s office, this legendary room!

The moment he saw Qiao Zongmin, Zhang Zhiyong was too nervous to speak.

Li Chen hurriedly asked that question.

Zhang Zhiyong was stunned and then said, “This summer, we have a kid who is particularly outstanding. Although he’s only 17 years old, he’s very familiar with all kinds of programming software. The R & D department praise him highly. His logical thinking ability is also very good. Strong, clear-cut; a rare talent ... ”

He chattered on and one, showering praises. Qiao Zongmin felt quite content hearing this—Birds of a feather flocked together. This seatmate of his son’s was definitely not bad.

Soon Zhang Zhiyong went off on another topic. “In contrast, the other kid is too far behind.”

President Qiao raised his eyebrows.

Zhang Zhiyong didn’t know he was spraying the crown prince, and he justified loudly, “This kid is probably young so he’s awkward and clumsy. It takes him an hour to do a simple form. He doesn’t have any ability to discern. He isn’t able to see what needs to be done next. He still waits for people to tell him what to do...”

The president’s assistant, who knew all the facts, stood helplessly in the corner and cast him a pitying glance—

Master Zhang Zhiyong, you are the first and only person who has and will ever have the nerve to say these things. You are truly worthy of having the “yong” character in your name; you are truly really a brave person!