Chapter 123: The Odds of Reconciliation Are Higher

Gu Shengyu insisted on blocking Shen Tiantian’s path, though his attitude was no longer as arrogant as before.

He was joking, wasn't he? This was the young heiress of the Shen family; how could someone from the Gu family dare to be arrogant in front of her?

"Tiantian, I know my attitude toward you was bad before, but that was only because I like you."

"Like?"

Hearing this, Shen Tiantian couldn't help but laugh with disdain. "Like what? Is your version of liking me shouting and screaming? Calling me 'Little Potato' in public?"

Recalling Gu Shengyu’s behavior at school, Shen Tiantian wanted to tear him to pieces. She took a deep breath and asked, puzzled, "I don't know where you get the nerve. I’m at least 1.6 meters tall—that’s a passing grade!"

"And you?"

Shen Tiantian looked him up and down. She really didn't want to resort to personal attacks, but some people just deserved it, and the man before her was one of them. "You aren't even 1.7 meters. Maybe 1.68 at most? And you have the audacity to call me 'Little Potato'? How dare you?"

With that, Shen Tiantian rolled her eyes. Her family’s genetics were certainly fine; after all, both her older brothers were quite tall. As for Gu Shengyu... this was clearly a genetic issue. Shen Tiantian found even standing near him repulsive, let alone the thought of having "little potatoes" with him.

She tried to leave again, but Gu Shengyu, impatient by nature, couldn't hold back and reached out to grab her, pinning her against a nearby wall. He had been putting in effort to "woo" girls. He had read online that girls were all into the "domineering CEO" type, and after reading that, Gu Shengyu felt he hadn't been domineering enough.

Shen Tiantian’s vision blurred as Gu Shengyu’s large face suddenly loomed over her. Due to their height difference, he didn't look like a domineering CEO at all; instead, he looked like someone struggling with a motor impairment.

"Tiantian, I don't want to be like this, but you’re always so disobedient..."

Gu Shengyu’s greasy expression combined with his words made Shen Tiantian feel sick. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore; she bent her knee and struck him in a sensitive area with controlled force. Gu Shengyu crumpled instantly, and Shen Tiantian seized the chance to escape.

"Don't bother me again. That’s a lesson for you."

She hailed a taxi and left. Not far away, Ye Shen happened to witness the entire scene. Who was that man? Shen Tiantian’s ex? Were they just entangled? Since he couldn't hear their voices, he only saw their intimate struggle. No wonder Shen Tiantian had been so cold toward him; was this the type she liked?

That evening, on her way to tutoring, Shen Tiantian kept looking back. Gu Shengyu’s behavior during the day made her worry he might be crazy enough to follow her. Fortunately, he wasn't.

Seeing Ye Shen waiting early, Shen Tiantian pushed the lunchbox toward him. "Eat something first. We can talk after you're full." She had even thoughtfully prepared a drink, inserting the straw before pushing it toward him.

However, Ye Shen seemed completely uninterested. Shen Tiantian opened her books and set up her laptop to review yesterday’s material.

Ye Shen: ?

It was rare for him to express his emotions so clearly; could this woman be completely oblivious? Was she really that dense, or was she doing it on purpose? Distracted by his own thoughts, Ye Shen had no appetite. He watched quietly and noticed a mistake in Shen Tiantian’s review. Without a word, he reached over, took the laptop, and demonstrated the correct method.

Shen Tiantian’s attention was entirely on the screen. After watching him finish, she tapped her head. "Right, that’s exactly how it should be! I knew something was wrong!" She looked relieved, took the laptop back, and from start to finish, didn't spare Ye Shen a single glance.

By the time the tutoring session ended that night, Shen Tiantian still hadn't noticed that anything was wrong with Ye Shen. She smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Mr. Ye."

"Is that all?" Ye Shen asked coldly.

Shen Tiantian was stunned, looking blank. She thought for a moment, and her final question almost made Ye Shen spit blood.

"Was the lunch not to your taste?"

Ye Shen: ... What on earth was he expecting?

"I'll drive you home."

"Oh... no need, I can just take a taxi—"

Before she could finish, Ye Shen grabbed her and started walking. With his height of nearly 1.9 meters, his long strides were fast, and she had to jog to keep up. After reaching the parking lot, she was shoved into the passenger seat. Shen Tiantian watched him, confused. What happened today? Why was he in such a bad mood? To avoid being caught in the crossfire, she decided to keep a low profile.

Throughout the drive, Shen Tiantian remained silent, stealing glances at Ye Shen every now and then, immediately looking away whenever their eyes met. That was close; she had almost been in trouble.

When they arrived at the apartment, Ye Shen got out of the car with her. Shen Tiantian offered a casual invitation: "Mr. Ye, would you like to come in for a glass of water?" She assumed he would refuse since he was in a bad mood. To her surprise, he immediately agreed. "Sure."

He stepped inside. Shen Tiantian used her key to open the door and ushered him in. Shen Yan was in the living room; he looked up at the sound and locked eyes with Ye Shen. The atmosphere froze for a moment before Shen Yan’s gaze shifted to Shen Tiantian. He wondered why he hadn't noticed before that his younger sister could be so charming.

"Why are you here?" Ye Shen asked coldly. He knew about Shen Yan’s persistent pursuit, but wasn't that a while ago? Why now...

"I’m here to cook. Care to join us?" Shen Yan invited. He knew there was something between Ye Shen and Shen Tiantian, and he thought this might be good—it would keep the two Ye brothers from fixating on Ye Yaoyao alone.

"You’re cooking?" Ye Shen sat down at the dining table.

"Naturally."

"Fine."

"Brother, let me help you." Shen Tiantian followed him into the kitchen. Compared to being near the volatile Ye Shen, she felt it would be better to be with Shen Yan, who seemed to be in a good mood today.

Once inside the kitchen, Shen Tiantian let out a long sigh. Shen Yan looked at her. "What is your relationship with Ye Shen?"

"Huh?" Shen Tiantian blinked. "Nothing special. He’s just tutoring me for Ye Yaoyao’s sake, nothing more."

Shen Yan clearly didn't believe her. Ye Shen had been so hostile toward him before; there was no way he would tutor someone related to him unless he had feelings for Shen Tiantian. Thinking of this possibility, Shen Yan couldn't help but stare at her intently. Perhaps it was just the mutual disdain between siblings, but he truly couldn't see what was so special about her.

Feeling his gaze, Shen Tiantian touched her face. What was going on? Why was her brother looking at her like that?

"Go back out there. I don't need help." Shen Yan dismissed her. Rather than having her help in the kitchen, he preferred that she go out and "conquer" Ye Shen. That way, his own chances of reconciling with Ye Yaoyao would be even greater.