Fear

"Let's choose somewhere nicer to eat. You don't need to save money for my sake."

"As for the phone credit card, since it's a reward from my dear wife, I'll gladly accept it."

Seeing that Liu Shang did not reject the recharge card she had given him, Jiang Ruolin finally felt the weight in her heart lift.

But when she saw the word "wife," Jiang Ruolin knitted her delicate brows. After a soft sigh, she quickly tapped out a text message.

"Who's your wife? You've got some nerve!"

"...Liu Shang, perhaps you can't foresee or imagine how many thorns and rough roads lie ahead for us. If you truly want that day to come, then the two of us may have to make unimaginably great efforts together."

Lying on his bed, Liu Shang smiled and replied:

"Heaven has decreed that you belong to me. Leave every thorn and hardship to me. I don't want you to worry or suffer, and I won't let you endure even the slightest grievance! Good night. Go to sleep. I truly love you!"

As she felt Liu Shang's bold declaration through the message, Jiang Ruolin could already picture his sunny, youthful face.

Although she knew perfectly well how flimsy such grand words from a boy his age were, Jiang Ruolin's heart still tasted as sweet as honey, willingly savoring every drop.

Perhaps that was the magic of love. It had turned even someone as rational and wise as her into this—rather hoping for a beautiful bubble than believing in cruel, cold reality.

After letting out a soft sigh, Jiang Ruolin hugged her phone and drifted off to sleep with a smile. On the other side, Liu Shang became even more awake.

Because he was terrified. He was afraid!

He was afraid that if he fell asleep, he would never wake up again.

He was also afraid that this was all an illusion, and that when he opened his eyes again, the lovely figure in his heart would be gone.

The next day, he woke to the sound of his dormmates talking.

He had probably slept only four or five hours the night before, but it did nothing to diminish how full of energy he felt now.

Wasn't being "alive" the greatest happiness of all?

"Heh, people in love really are different. Look at Liu Shang—he's glowing with joy!"

As Zheng Shiwei burst into laughter, Fu Liang and Cheng Meng joined in, laughing and teasing him.

"Isn't that obvious? If it were me, I probably wouldn't be able to sleep at all tonight!"

"An idol! An absolute idol!"

Liu Shang smiled. After getting dressed, he was about to head out in sportswear when the others stopped him.

"Liu Shang, where are you going?"

Liu Shang paused. "Running!"

"Your health is the greatest capital you have. Want to come with me?"

The others shook their heads. "What time is it? We have class soon. If you go running now, you definitely won't make it back in time!"

"We have class? Then I won't go. If they call attendance, remember to answer for me!"

Liu Shang grinned, then darted out in a flash.

The courses he had to take over his four years at university had always been something Liu Shang complained about.

The Petrochemicals-related courses taught at school were outdated, behind the times, and severely disconnected from real-world applications.

Some teachers had barely changed their lectures in nearly ten years!

For Liu Shang, who now possessed world-class cutting-edge technology, attending class was no different from wasting his precious time.

He finished five kilometers in one go. Though he was panting heavily, it was still manageable. His physical condition as a freshman had been pretty good.

On the other side, Jiang Ruolin also had class that morning. She turned down Liu Shang's suggestion to have breakfast together, but still decided to find time to sneak out and see him.

Since yesterday, Jiang Ruolin had received far too many inquiries and indirect attempts to persuade her otherwise, leaving her somewhat irritated and worried.

Jiang Ruolin had always had her own mind and stuck to her beliefs, so she did not care about other people's opinions or doubts. Besides, no one dared to confront her face-to-face with accusations or questions.

What worried her more was Liu Shang's side of things.

So what she needed to do now was minimize the impact this matter had as much as possible.

"Liu Shang, what have you been doing? Why are you sweating so much?"

"Oh, right. I remember you have class in the morning too. You haven't even eaten breakfast yet. Aren't you running out of time?"

Seeing Liu Shang in his sportswear, with sweat-dampened hair, Jiang Ruolin immediately took out a tissue and handed it to him.

"I went for a run."

"I do have class first period this morning, but I'm not planning to go."

Liu Shang smiled as he took the tissue. Then, to Jiang Ruolin's surprise, he walked right up to her and pulled her tightly into his arms.

Before Jiang Ruolin, startled and slightly angry at Liu Shang's sudden and inappropriate action, could break free, one sentence from him worked like magic and instantly quieted her.

"It feels so good to have another day with you."

With that, Liu Shang smiled, took a step back, and released Jiang Ruolin.

"Alright, hurry to class. I'm going to eat!"

Jiang Ruolin watched Liu Shang wave goodbye with a smile before disappearing from sight, yet she did not move for a long time.

Just like before at the school gate, a single sentence and one tight embrace from Liu Shang had instantly drowned her in overwhelming emotion.

She was truly lucky to have such a pure, innocent, tender, beautiful first love—one that made her heart race like a green apple.

At the same time, her heart ached. Had she brought Liu Shang too much heavy pressure that did not belong to someone his age?

After parting with Jiang Ruolin, eating breakfast, and changing into a fresh set of clothes, Liu Shang first went to the student union and submitted his application to withdraw.

Now that Jiang Ruolin had become his girlfriend again, there was no need for him to keep wasting his precious time and energy in the student union.

Afterward, Liu Shang went to an internet cafe, rented a luxurious VIP private room, and began further researching current petroleum technology information and the major oil service companies in Wind City.

His greatest task had now been completed. He had been fortunate enough to have that girl again. Next, it was time for him to do other things.

Make money! Make himself stronger! Even change the entire world with himself as the starting point!

In theory, the technical formulas he possessed were all priceless treasures.

But Liu Shang, with his rich life experience and firsthand knowledge, deeply understood that possessing a treasure invited disaster. He had to remain calm, proceed with caution, make long-term plans, and advance step by step.

Finally, after spending an entire day on it, Liu Shang selected several sizable local oil service companies in Wind City.

How did that saying go?

Small companies depended on their bosses, medium-sized companies depended on their systems, and large companies depended on their corporate culture.

The companies Liu Shang had shortlisted all had relatively open-minded, bold, and decisive bosses.

By then, it was about time for his appointment with Jiang Ruolin.

Just as Liu Shang packed up and prepared to head out for dinner, he received feedback from Zheng Shiwei and Fu Liang.

Liu Shang, who had skipped class all day, had been called out by both instructors and caught red-handed. The teachers were very dissatisfied.

They could never have imagined that the consequences they considered so serious did not matter to Liu Shang in the slightest. He merely laughed them off.