Fancy Me, Professor!

~Earlier, Same Day Before Monday~

Zhang Ren came home after eating dinner with Shi Lian's mother. As he now arrived in his home via cab, his personal psychiatrist greeted him, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"You know, your grandfather called me tonight—looking for you."

"Oh, really?"

Zhang Ren widened his eyes slightly as he scratched the back of his head.

"I'm sorry. I was out with Shi Lian and had a dinner with her mother at their house."

The psychiatrist had a teasing smile on his face. As he closed the door behind them, he crossed his arms in front of his chest and then leaned on the door as he told him his comment.

"Uhuh… you're now going out and having fun. You're forgetting you have me here with you?"

"Oh, big brother Su Yan… you know I'm becoming better—are you gonna scold me?"

Su Yan, the name of his psychiatrist. With him always with Zhang Ren since he was diagnosed with depression and had always guided him even before they were here in City S, both of them became close as if Zhang Ren saw him as his older brother.

"Well…" Su Yan trailed off, letting out a soft chuckle. "I'm glad that you're going out more and that you're opening yourself up to people, but I worry. I won't scold you, just tell you that you have to tell me your whereabouts from time to time. Understood?"

"Yes," Zhang Ren said, now patting his shoulder as he got what he was pointing out. "I'm sorry. I'll let you know next time."

As they now made way to the living room, both of them sat on the couch, Zhang Ren lounging as Su Yan playfully hit his leg so he can make space for him.

"Anyway, what's up with you and Shi Lian? Things progressing well based from you two starting your relationship?"

"Uh, yeah," Zhang Ren answered, looking at Su Yan. "But you know… I'm thinking of my other friend."

Su Yan cocked his head to the side, furrowing his brows as he already understood who he was talking about.

"You mean…  Shu Xian?"

Su Yan asked, knowing who she is since Zhang Ren had always been updating his life to his psychiatrist not only because he needed to keep track with the progress…

But because Su Yan is like his older brother from another mother.

"Yeah, Shu Xian." Zhang Ren then sat up, further telling his concern to his brother. "You know, I learned about her background and I start to worry about her. It seems that something important is being kept from her—like her identity."

"That sounds serious," Su Yan commented, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "And why are you worried about this?"

Zhang Ren stayed quiet for a while. With him letting out a sigh, he looked at Su Yan then replied to what he said.

"She ran away from the person who raised her—but turns out that the person who raised her is an evil man."

Su Yan arched a brow at him, quite lost at the conversation but still, listening to what he's saying.

"Sounds complicated."

"It is."

Zhang Ren then stood up, thinking of talking to his grandfather since at this time of night, he is still awake.

"Maybe I'll talk to grandfather about this," he added, Su Yan nodding as he stood up as well, saying something that sounds delicious.

"Want fried noodles?"

"Yes, please!"

"Guess you needed more than the dinner you had with Shi Lian."

With a chuckle coming from Zhang Ren, he now went straight to his room, in the mood to talk to his grandfather.

As he closed the door and then got his phone, he dialed his grandfather's number, the old man already greeting him with a loving tone as he did not wait for the phone to ring anymore longer.

"Zhang Ren! How are you, my boy?"

"I'm fine," Zhang Ren said, sitting on the side of his bed as he remembered that he did not yet tell his grandfather that he is in a relationship with Shi Lian. "Remember the girl I told you I was visiting?"

"Of course!" Mr. Chen chuckled, as if reading his grandson's mind. "It's official now?"

Zhang Ren grinned, nodding even though he couldn't see.

"You're really my grandpa. You know me so well."

Mr. Chen chuckled again. However, he knew that this is not the reason why his grandson had called him. If it is about Shi Lian, he could've told him later but with him not excited to tell him just yet, Mr. Chen can deduce that something might be up.

"Is there something else you need to tell me, child?"

"Yes."

And with that, Zhang Ren told Mr. Chen about Shu Xian, the old man's facial expression changing from time to time.

***

"Oh… her story seems sad," the old man commented, the two of them already finishing the story about Shu Xian's background.

"I know," Zhang Ren agreed, letting out a sigh. "That's why I'm telling you now to ask for help. Shu Xian is my friend and in just a short amount of time, I already find them important. Can you help when it comes to finding connections?"

"Of course."

Mr. Chen didn't hesitate to answer, actually happy that his grandson is asking help from him when it comes to someone precious in his life.

With him also feeling warm in his heart that Zhang Ren is now feeling better and happier with his newly formed friendship and relationship, he wouldn't want nothing more but to support him with every decision he has.

Better than how he was years ago before they met them.

"Let me meet her, child. And I will promise to help you and of course, her."

Zhang Ren knew that he could trust his grandfather. With him also telling his grandchild that a lot of people are asking help from him when it comes to looking for someone, Zhang Ren requested that he hopes that he could listen to him first—before he decides to help someone else.

Of course, he's going to take advantage of his connection towards his grandfather sometimes…