I See through Everything

Although she had decided to research the formula for maximum mass production of Morchella, Lin Shuya wasn’t in a huge rush.

After dinner with Jiang Miao, she went to the third-floor lounge, took out her phone, found a name, and dialed the number.

RING... RING... RING...

After a moment, the call connected.

"Hello? Is that Shuya?"

"Brother Luo, how are you doing?" Lin Shuya asked, first inquiring about his condition to show her concern and close the distance between them.

In truth, Luo Yulin and Lin Shuya were on good terms. After all, they had shared a similar plight, both having been screwed over by their PhD advisor, Du Bolun.

Besides, after she had quietly left, Luo Yulin was the only one of her senior classmates who had called to ask what happened. None of the others had checked on her.

After all, some people were closer than others.

Some resented Du Bolun.

Naturally, others flattered and fawned over him.

A somewhat hoarse voice replied from the other end, "I’m fine, just broke a leg. I’m still in the hospital."

"What did the university say?"

"The dean’s office said they’d assign me a new advisor, but I’ve lost the heart to continue." Luo Yulin’s voice was heavy with exhaustion and defeat.

Hearing that Luo Yulin had given up on his PhD, her confidence in persuading him to join her grew immensely. "Brother Luo," she said, seizing the opportunity, "since that’s the case, why don’t you come do research at our company? After all, you don’t care about that degree anymore."

"Shuya, are you serious?" Luo Yulin sounded startled and uncertain.

"Brother Luo, the company my husband and I run is currently researching various types of edible fungi. The underlying techniques for edible and medicinal fungi are quite similar, anyway. I believe in your abilities. You shouldn’t let your talent be buried like this."

"Okay. I don’t want to stay in Hendong anymore, anyway. It’s time I started earning money to support my family so my parents don’t have to worry."

Luo Yulin came from a farming family and had always been supported by his parents, who tilled fields and grew vegetables. He was nearly thirty and still pursuing his PhD while his parents grew older by the day. It was precisely because of his family’s situation that his advisor, Du Bolun, had him in a stranglehold, forcing him to hand over multiple research papers to his son.

The final straw was when Du Bolun discovered that Yulin had reported him. Du Bolun not only took two of his important papers but also threatened to ensure he would never graduate.

Driven to despair, Luo Yulin had jumped from the third floor. Fortunately, there was a small patch of shrubs in a green belt below. He landed on them, which cushioned the impact of his fall.

Now, lying in his hospital bed and thinking of his elderly parents, he had finally seen things clearly. He decided to give up on his PhD and leave Hendong, this place of heartbreak.

Luo Yulin hadn’t figured out where to go next, but Lin Shuya’s call gave his aimless life a glimmer of direction.

"Brother Luo, once you’ve recovered, come to Lingnan. Just give me a call when you get here."

"Thank you. I’ll be there as soon as I can."

"Then I won’t keep you from your rest. Goodbye."

After hanging up, Lin Shuya sent him five thousand yuan through WeChat, calling it an advance for his travel expenses.

Luo Yulin, who was strapped for cash, knew this was a kind gesture. He figured she had called it an advance on travel expenses so his pride wouldn’t make him refuse the money, and he was deeply moved.

He didn’t have any improper thoughts about her, though, mainly because he already had a girlfriend.

「In the hospital room.」

With his lower left leg in a cast, Luo Yulin hung up the phone and looked at his girlfriend, Fang Yunyun. She was silently peeling an apple.

"Yunyun, I’m so sorry..."

"No, it’s okay. I respect your decision."

"I’m the one who’s held you back." Luo Yulin truly felt he had let Fang Yunyun down.

They had been dating for over five years. Three years ago, she had graduated from Handong University. To be with him, Fang Yunyun had rejected her parents’ suggestion to return to her hometown of Hang City to take the civil service exam. Instead, she found an unstable job as a private English tutor in Jingzhou, here in Hendong.

"Don’t say that. I’m actually very happy that you’ve figured things out. You still have your master’s degree, after all. We can just work hard together from now on."

"I... Thank you, Yunyun." Luo Yulin’s eyes welled with tears.

Fang Yunyun smiled, cutting a slice of apple and handing it to Luo Yulin. "If you’re going to work in Lingnan, I’ll go with you. A long-distance relationship is too hard, after all."

"Maybe we should wait a bit? I’m just going to check things out, after all. Junior Sister Lin’s company might not be a good fit for me."

"Okay. Just make your decision soon. If you really decide to build a career in Lingnan, then there’s no reason for me to stay in Jingzhou."

"Okay."

In truth, the moment Fang Yunyun said she would go to Lingnan with him, Luo Yulin breathed a secret sigh of relief. Her answer meant she wanted a future with him. If she had chosen to stay behind, their relationship would have most likely come to an end.

It’s hard for long-distance relationships to work out.

However, this was also a choice he was giving Fang Yunyun. He felt his own future was uncertain, and they were at an age where they should be discussing marriage. If she had chosen to stay in Jingzhou, he would have broken up with her without hesitation and let her find someone more suitable.

Having received his answer, Luo Yulin felt a great weight lift from his heart. Suddenly, it seemed there was no obstacle in life he couldn’t overcome.