Beyond Reach - Chapter 14 - Preview of the Asura Field

In the evening, there was a dinner gathering. Two hours in advance, Xue Jing was already in the dormitory, putting on makeup and curling her hair.

Seeing her enthusiasm, Lin Anran, who was passing by, asked curiously, “What level of handsome guy is on the other side that makes you go to such lengths?”

“How vulgar,” Xue Jing glanced at her and continued applying eyeshadow in the mirror. “A top-level academic star from S University. Such a great networking opportunity, why not make a friend?”

Lin Anran nodded towards Shi Sui, who was sleeping soundly on the opposite bed, “What’s up with her? Lying so flat.”

Shi Sui had finally returned to stay in the dormitory for once, and it was as if she hadn’t rested in ages. Any bit of time she had was spent sleeping.

“She’s naturally beautiful,” Xue Jing waved her hand, “Don’t worry about her.”

Lin Anran stifled a laugh and nodded, feeling a bit wistful inside.

-They had never seen a girl as laid-back as Shi Sui.

Apart from her major courses, she seemed indifferent to everything else. When speaking with her, her reactions were always a beat slow, possessing a unique, harmless tranquility akin to a herbivore.

Sometimes, it felt like an illusion; she was a fluffy creature, and getting close to her, one could smell the scent of fresh grass.

This feeling was quite magical.

Being around Shi Sui brought a special sense of peace, a comfort that was almost addictive.

As the two chatted, there was movement from behind the bed curtain; Shi Sui had woken up.

Lin Anran covered her mouth, “Did we wake you up with our talking?”

“No.” Shi Sui shook her head, but her expression was still unfocused, staring blankly at a spot.

Lin Anran asked, “What’s wrong?”

Shi Sui came back to her senses, “I had a nightmare.” She turned on her phone to check the time and exclaimed, “Did I sleep for that long?”

“Yes,” Xue Jing closed her eyeshadow palette and said leisurely, “You slept through the entire weekend.”

Because she couldn’t sleep well when she was with Yan Tingli.

Calculating that there was still some time left, Shi Sui rubbed her groggy temples and leaned back again to relax her nerves.

“Still sleeping?”

Shi Sui mumbled, “Just resting a bit.”

Although she had slept for a long time, the quality wasn’t great, filled with many nonsensical dreams.

Probably triggered by the watch in the afternoon, Shi Sui dreamt of doing homework at a neighbor auntie’s house during middle school, with Fang Huaijing teaching her on the side.

This neighborly brother was also the child that others often praised, excelling in academics from a young age.

He didn’t talk much but was very patient, teaching in a way that matched her pace.

She listened until she was drowsy, her eyelids drooping.

Her head was gently patted, and she mumbled, “Huaijing-Ge, I’m so sleepy, can I nap for a bit?”

But the response was a pair of cool hands.

Someone lifted her chin from behind, a breath lightly brushing her neck, the voice cold, “Suisui, what did you call me?”

She woke up with a start.

Turning around, she met Yan Tingli’s dark, cold eyes, with emotions naturally intimidating to her buried within them.

Even after being awake for so long, the last scene of the dream kept flashing in her mind.

Shi Sui sighed, feeling that sooner or later, Yan Tingli would drive her to madness.

Seeing Shi Sui still lying in bed, Xue Jing turned her head, “Suisui, aren’t you going to get ready? Are you really planning to go to dinner looking so sloppy?”

Shi Sui didn’t feel like moving yet, rubbing her eyes, “As long as you look good.”

“No way!” Xue Jing said sternly.

In the end, Shi Sui still changed into a dress and put on light makeup under Xue Jing’s orders, with the reason being, “You looking like this makes it seem like I put too much effort into my appearance!”

Shi Sui was embarrassed, quickly waving her brush, “Got it, got it.”

“And, do you think you can find love just sitting in the dormitory?” Xue Jing lectured with her hands on her hips, “With such a passive attitude, are you planning to be a nun for life?”

“Fake nun” Shi Sui glanced at the “real nun” and didn’t dare to speak.

Watching Shi Sui finish her makeup in just twenty minutes on her smooth face, yet still looking stunning, Xue Jing pinched her face enviously, “If I had your face, I’d dress up and go out every day.”

Shi Sui rubbed her face against Xue Jing’s hand, “Then I’ll tell Nuwa to reserve it for you in your next life.”

Xue Jing was coaxed into laughter.

A University and S University were not far apart, facing each other in the same university town.

Being the weekend, the nearby restaurants were all packed, especially Wangxian Restaurant, which was a renowned Cantonese restaurant here, famous for its Cantonese roast goose. If you went even a little late, it would be sold out.

To secure this famous dish, Gao Linhan set off from the dormitory half an hour early.

The place wasn’t far, just a ten-minute walk.

As Gao Linhan walked, he turned his head to speak to the person behind him, “This watch of yours really cost me a lot of effort, even using my connections at A University.”

The tall, fair-skinned young man behind him, with a calm demeanor, knew exactly what Gao Linhan was up to. Fang Huaijing said lightly, “Thanks, I’ll treat you to a week’s worth of meals.”

“Now you’re talking.” Gao Linhan patted Fang Huaijing’s shoulder with satisfaction, “But I remember that watch of yours isn’t some famous brand, why go to such lengths to get it back?”

Fang Huaijing replied, “I’m used to wearing it.”

“Alright then.”

Gao Linhan wasn’t particularly interested in the watch and changed the topic, “I see you’re usually so indifferent, today I’m introducing you to two pretty girls-”

Fang Huaijing had already pushed open the restaurant door as he spoke, “You go order the dishes.”

“Oh.” Gao Linhan stopped talking.

They thought they had arrived early, but Wangxian Restaurant was already packed.

Gao Linhan headed straight to the ordering counter and loudly said, “Private room 208, one order of roast goose.”

“Sorry, sir,” the manager apologized, “the roast goose is sold out.”

“But I see you still have one left,” Gao Linhan pointed ahead.

There was still one card for the roast goose.

“Apologies, the last one has been reserved for takeout by that gentleman,” the manager said.

Following her gaze, Gao Linhan looked through the crowd.

He spotted Yan Tingli leaning against a pillar, his head lazily hanging down, fingers tapping lightly on a screen. His manga-like handsome features and the simplest sweatshirt and pants exuded an ethereal coolness.

Even though the manager didn’t explicitly say, Gao Linhan instinctively knew that the last order of roast goose was the one Yan Tingli had reserved for takeout.

Not only eating but also taking away, and it had to be the last one.

Truly born to counter him.

Gao Linhan stepped forward.

“What are you doing?” Fang Huaijing held him back by the shoulder.

Gao Linhan said, “I’m going to ask him to let us have that roast goose. After all, it’s a treat, and we can’t do without the signature dish.”

Fang Huaijing glanced in Yan Tingli’s direction, not thinking Yan Tingli was the type to be easily persuaded, “Forget it.”

Gao Linhan waved him off, “We were high school classmates, he should give me some face.”

Seeing he couldn’t be dissuaded, Fang Huaijing gave up and followed Gao Linhan over.

Gao Linhan approached in two steps, noticing Yan Tingli was sending a message, and familiarly patted him on the shoulder, “Brother, we meet again. Are you here for a gathering too?”

Yan Tingli put away his phone, his peripheral vision returning from the shoulder that was touched, and responded with a hum.

On the surface, there was nothing wrong.

But it was clear his attitude was as plain as water, with no intention of extending the conversation.

Gao Linhan considered himself socially adept, but when facing Yan Tingli, that invisible sense of distance surged once more.

He unconsciously straightened up a bit, “It’s like this, I’m here to treat some long-lost friends to dinner, and when ordering, the manager said the last roast goose was reserved by you-”

Before he could finish, Yan Tingli already said, “I can’t let it go.”

Gao Linhan: “…”

He tried to struggle a bit more, “I’m treating some old classmates I haven’t seen in a while, gotta have some signature dishes to hold the scene, give me some face.”

“Today, let me have it,” seeing Yan Tingli about to leave, Gao Linhan chased after him, pestering, “Next time I’ll pack one just for you.”

“You already have one on your table, this thing is greasy, you can’t finish it, why insist on taking it?”

“Please, Yan-Ge, Yan-Ge.”

Probably annoyed, Yan Tingli closed his eyes for a moment before saying, “Take it.”

“Huh?”

“Tell the server to move the roast goose from 205 to your private room.”

Gao Linhan was surprised, “Huh? Do you really have to take it away?”

Yan Tingli didn’t want to argue further, “Anything else?”

“No, that’s it.” Gao Linhan knew when to stop, “Thanks, my Yan-Ge~”

Yan Tingli averted his gaze, and his eyes met Fang Huaijing’s for a moment.

Though they knew each other, neither was particularly sociable, so a slight nod was enough to keep the peace.

As they were about to leave, a tall, curly-haired beauty approached, her eyes sparkling, heading straight for Yan Tingli.

Gao Linhan looked over gossipingly, pricking up his ears and slowing his steps.

Fang Huaijing, uninterested, walked on ahead.

The conversation beside him reached his ears.

“You came so early, Dad said we still have to wait a bit.”

“No problem.”

“Dad asked me to come over, hope it’s not a bother?”

“Not a bother.” Yan Tingli headed to the private room first.

His response was so cold, the girl’s expression showed some disappointment.

She stood there for a while before following.

Gao Linhan listened to the entire exchange, clicked his tongue, and took two steps to join Fang Huaijing, who was continuing to order, nudging him with his elbow, “Hey, let me tell you some gossip.”

“Then you order the dishes.” Fang Huaijing tossed the menu to him and turned to leave.

“…” Gao Linhan: “Damn, boring, no wonder you’re a monk.”

There was a bit of traffic on the way, so Shi Sui and her companion arrived at the restaurant a few minutes late.

“Which private room is it?” Xue Jing asked her at the entrance.

Shi Sui took out her phone, just finding the private room information Gao Linhan sent in the afternoon, when a message popped up at the top of the screen.

Yan: [Eight thirty]

Yan: [I want to see you]

Afraid Xue Jing would see, Shi Sui quickly swiped the message away.

With a tumultuous heart, she found Gao Linhan’s message, “Let’s go, 208.”

The private room wasn’t the only crowded place; the hall was bustling too.

Shi Sui absentmindedly followed Xue Jing to find the private room until Xue Jing stopped, “Here it is.”

The two entered one after the other.

Neither noticed.

The door of the private room behind them suddenly opened too, as a group rushed to greet the fashionably late Su Ye.

Behind them.

Yan Tingli leaned against the wall, his expression indifferent, his dark pupils aimlessly scanning the surroundings.

Suddenly.

His gaze slowly fixed, watching the hem of a pale yellow dress disappear into the private room across the way. The expression on his face vanished.

“Hey, they’re here.”

Seeing the door pushed open, Shi Sui and her companion entered the private room. Gao Linhan nudged Fang Huaijing with his elbow and enthusiastically stepped forward to greet them.

“Sorry, there was a bit of traffic, we’re late,” Xue Jing said.

“It’s no big deal, we just got here too,” Gao Linhan pulled out a chair, “Have a seat.”

Shi Sui nodded and sat down.

Her mind was entirely occupied with the news about Yan Tingli, constantly pondering his intentions, appearing absent-minded.

Until Gao Linhan said, “Let me introduce, this is my roommate, Fang Huaijing, the one who lost his watch yesterday.”

Hearing the name “Fang Huaijing.”

The string in Shi Sui’s mind was plucked, and she abruptly looked up.

Meeting the gaze from the side.

The boy had probably been observing her for a while, his calm eyes showing a slight, almost imperceptible change.

After a few seconds, he hesitantly asked, “…Shi Sui?”

His features hadn’t changed much compared to a few years ago, so Shi Sui could recognize him: “Huaijing-Ge?”

“It’s me.”

“You know each other?” Gao Linhan was astonished, “What’s your relationship? How come I didn’t know?”

Xue Jing also looked back and forth between the two.

Shi Sui opened her mouth, thinking about how to explain, but Fang Huaijing spoke first, “We were playmates a long time ago, haven’t seen each other in ages, didn’t expect to run into each other today.”

Xue Jing raised an eyebrow, “What a coincidence.”

“It is quite a coincidence.” Shi Sui’s emotions were stirred.

She had just dreamt about him that afternoon, and now they met in the evening, a coincidence that made her a bit uneasy.

Unexpected reunions are always surprising. Shi Sui brushed away the chaotic thoughts in her mind, no longer concerning herself with Yan Tingli’s news, and took out a watch from her bag, handing it to Fang Huaijing, “My roommate Xue Jing helped you find this.”

She didn’t mention the origin of the watch. Fang Huaijing accepted it, thanked Xue Jing, and they tacitly avoided mentioning the past.

Gao Linhan glanced at the watch, “I can’t see what’s so special about this watch, who gave it to you?”

Shi Sui hesitated on how to respond, but Fang Huaijing said flatly, “Mind your own business.”

Gao Linhan: “…”

At that moment, the waiter knocked on the door and began serving the dishes.

The first dish was the enticingly colored roast goose, its aroma filling the air.

Shi Sui licked her lips at the sight.

It reminded her of the skilled Cantonese cuisine auntie from the Yan Family, whose roast goose was always perfect in color, aroma, and taste.

Unfortunately, the auntie resigned and returned to her hometown shortly after. The few times Shi Sui had the chance to enjoy it, she couldn’t eat to her heart’s content because Yan Tingli sat opposite her at the dining table, exuding an air of nobility.

This unspoken regret was later discovered by Yan Tingli.

He raised an eyebrow and mocked her, giving her three words: “Such a faker.”

After that, he would occasionally bring back roast goose for her, like a human observer, watching her eat the whole portion alone, and then audaciously pressing on her stomach: “You really can pack it in.”

This time, he was referring to her stomach.

It made Shi Sui blush furiously.

“I heard the roast goose here is a signature dish, it sells out early,” Xue Jing said, “It’s impressive to even get a serving.”

“Found someone who knows their stuff,” Gao Linhan patted Fang Huaijing’s shoulder, “Good thing I managed to get it today.”

“How so?”

Gao Linhan lifted his chin, “Well, I had to plead for a long time before they agreed to let me have it. He ordered two, couldn’t finish, and even packed it up, such dominance.”

With the two of them keeping the atmosphere lively, the dining table had a pleasant vibe.

Shi Sui ate slowly, her head down, and heard Fang Huaijing softly ask her, “Are you at A University now?”

“Yes.” Shi Sui nodded.

Her eyes were clear, still as obedient and quiet as before. Fang Huaijing’s eyes warmed, “What a coincidence, Uncle and Aunt have returned to Hang City, I thought you would go back there for school too.”

Shi Sui was taken aback, “You’ve seen my parents?”

“I ran into them during the winter break,” Fang Huaijing said, “But it was brief, we didn’t have a detailed conversation.”

Shi Sui had been forced back by Yan Tingli on the sixth day of the new year, and hadn’t stayed home long, so she was unaware of this.

After a moment, she came back to her senses, “I’ll go back after graduation anyway.”

Fang Huaijing nodded and continued, “I heard from Aunt Li that they returned to Hang City during your senior year, so how did you manage on your own that year-”

Halfway through his sentence, Shi Sui’s phone in her bag suddenly rang.

She took out her phone, and upon seeing the caller, her fingers paused slightly before she quickly stood up, “I’ll take this call outside.”

“Okay,” Gao Linhan waved his hand.

He then turned back to continue chatting with Xue Jing, “Where were we?”

“Talking about the old classmate you ran into today.”

“Oh, him. He’s also from your A University, you might have heard of him.”

“Who?”

“The one we competed against yesterday, Yan Tingli.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Shi Sui had already closed the door, cutting off the sound.

Shi Sui walked all the way inside, reaching the end of the corridor, before answering the call.

“Where are you?” Yan Tingli’s voice was calm, betraying no emotion.

Shi Sui pressed her lips together. “…Having dinner with my roommate.”

She wasn’t good at lying, so she opted for a different approach.

“Is there anyone else?”

Shi Sui’s heart raced a little, sensing something unusual about Yan Tingli. Normally, he wouldn’t have the time to dig so deeply.

“…No.” She heard herself say.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, then Yan Tingli seemed to chuckle softly, asking her word by word, “Which restaurant? I’ll come over.”

Shi Sui replied, “No need, I’ll be done soon.” Unable to continue the charade, she hung up first, “I’ll be waiting for you at the school at eight-thirty.”

The call ended.

Shi Sui took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure if Yan Tingli had caught on to anything, but her intuition told her that he mustn’t find out, lest it complicate matters.

She made her way back to the private room.

As she opened the door, she heard the private room opposite hers close a moment earlier.

Shi Sui paused slightly, turned her head, but saw nothing.

Inside the private room, Xue Jing was still chatting with Gao Linhan.

Shi Sui sat back down, noticing a few pieces of roast goose piled in her bowl.

Turning her head, Fang Huaijing noticed her gaze. “I used the serving chopsticks.”

“That’s not what I meant.” It had been a while since they last met, and Shi Sui couldn’t quickly get into the right state of mind. She said softly, “Thank you.”

Just then, she heard Gao Linhan mention “Yan Tingli” in some context, and her fingers paused.

“Gao Linhan wants to share some gossip with us,” Xue Jing leaned over and said, “About Yan Tingli.”

Shi Sui had grown accustomed to the inescapable loop of hearing that name wherever she went, and she responded with feigned interest, “What gossip?”

Seeing her interest, Gao Linhan asked, “Is he famous at your A University too?”

“Yes,” Xue Jing replied, “Even we know about him.”

“He’s only in his sophomore year and he’s already in Su Ye’s project team,” worried she might not know Su Ye, Gao Linhan explained, “He’s a world-class expert in Artificial Intelligence that A University poached from MIT, and several top domestic technology companies want him for their R&D.”

Shi Sui nodded slowly.

Fang Huaijing asked, “You know?”

Shi Sui shook her head again, appearing detached and absent-minded, “No, I just find it impressive.”

Fang Huaijing was amused by her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Seeing the interaction between the two, Xue Jing blinked with interest, and Gao Linhan clicked his tongue, hinting at Fang Huaijing, “You’re quite lively today.”

Fang Huaijing ignored him.

Gao Linhan pouted and continued gossiping with Xue Jing, “Doesn’t that Professor Su have a daughter? I heard she’s in your school too.”

“Daughter? Su…” Xue Jing thought for a moment, then suddenly looked at Shi Sui with a flash of insight, “Could it be Su Han? If her dad is really Su Ye, no wonder she’s so arrogant.”

Shi Sui’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she said softly, “Maybe.”

Xue Jing asked Gao Linhan, “How do you know?”

“I heard it from my cousin at A University, who’s doing his graduate studies under Professor Su,” Gao Linhan said enthusiastically, “Last time at a gathering, he said Professor Su really likes Yan Tingli, might even want him as a son-in-law, especially since Qisheng Technology is trying to recruit Su Ye.”

“Then it must be Su Han,” Xue Jing said, “Yan Tingli even came over to take an elective course before, and they sat together.”

“Tsk.” Gao Linhan rested his chin on his hand in frustration, “How can someone be so lucky? Having everything they want.”

“Just today, when I asked Yan Tingli for this roast goose, a pretty girl came over, being very friendly with him. I guess that must be Su-”

He didn’t finish his sentence before there was a sudden “clink.”

The porcelain spoon in Shi Sui’s hand fell, rolling from the table to the floor.

She looked at the shattered spoon in shock, “You said this roast goose is-”

“Yes, I got it from Yan Tingli.”

Thinking Shi Sui was upset about the broken spoon, Xue Jing comforted her, “It’s okay, it’s just a spoon.”

Fang Huaijing stood up, “I’ll get you another one.”

The realization that Yan Tingli might be in the room next door hit her belatedly. Shi Sui’s scalp tingled, and she almost wanted to leave immediately.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

It’s okay.

They hadn’t met face to face, and if she left early, there was still time-

Just then.

There was a gentle knock on the private room door.

Thud, thud, thud.

Three leisurely knocks, carrying a certain ease.

“Hmm? Is there more food?” Xue Jing, being closest to the door, went to open it.

Shi Sui watched the door, her heart pounding with a sixth sense, instinctively reaching out to grab Xue Jing’s sleeve.

But the visitor seemed to lose patience, and after a few more light knocks, the door was opened from the outside.

A tall, slender figure of a young man appeared in view, holding a bottle of red wine in his right hand.

His gaze swept across the room, slightly cold.

Yet his face still bore a gentle smile, looking quite pleased, “Mind if I join you for a drink?”