Beyond Reach - Chapter 17 - Exchange Application
The shift to being an underground couple did not seem to bring much change, at least in Shi Sui’s perception.
Both of them had classes from Monday to Friday. Yan Tingli was also involved in various competitions, and Shi Sui knew that, in private, he was still participating in his company’s R&D, spending a lot of time training new AI models.
He was naturally laid-back and did not enjoy such a high-intensity schedule. When unexpected events disrupted his plans, he would even frown and say coldly, “Even making love requires setting aside time.”
Shi Sui would look at him, expressionless.
She didn’t need him to “set aside” that kind of time in his busy schedule.
Just as Shi Sui felt slightly at ease from the calm of the past two days, a message from Yan Tingli arrived on Wednesday.
[ I want to see you tonight ]
Shi Sui lingered on the word “want” for several seconds.
A slight stir in her heart.
It was “want”.
Not “need”.
Did that mean she now had the right to refuse?
Thursday was the only morning she didn’t have an early class-rare free time she could actually control.
She really didn’t want to go and do that sort of thing again.
It was happening too often.
Shi Sui paused, her fingertip hovering over the screen, then typed slowly: [ But today’s still a workday ]
[ You don’t have class tomorrow morning ]
Shi Sui: [ I want to sleep a bit more ]
[ Come over and sleep all the same ]
It’s not the same at all, Shi Sui thought to herself.
But Yan Tingli’s patience did seem better than before.
Sensing there was still room to negotiate, Shi Sui continued typing: [ It’s just one morning, going back and forth is a bit too much trouble ]
The other side showed “typing”.
Then the indicator disappeared.
Back and forth, several times.
Shi Sui had a bad feeling.
Sure enough.
The next second, the screen flashed.
[ I want to see you, tonight ]
“……”
He really was more patient now.
But not by much.
Shi Sui replied sullenly with an “oh”.
Just after she sent the message, the dorm door was pushed open. Xue Jing came bustling in with a stack of documents, hurriedly sat down, and opened her laptop.
Lin Anran, who was watching a drama, looked at her rushed movements. “What’s up? More work?”
“Yeah.” Xue Jing sighed, especially regretting how clueless she’d been during freshman year by being both class committee and joining the student union. Now she was swamped with endless chores every day. “Next semester’s exchange documents from each school just arrived. We’re busy helping the teachers review them.”
At the word “exchange”, Shi Sui’s lowered lashes fluttered slightly.
“Exchange?” Lin Anran asked offhandedly, “How many slots does our major get?”
Xue Jing counted on her fingers: “Two.”
“Oh well, that’s not my turn.” Lin Anran shrugged and continued watching her drama.
In the quiet, a voice suddenly sounded in the room: “Jing, can I take a look at the files?”
“Huh?”
“You want to apply for exchange?”
Both looked at her at the same time.
Their surprise was understandable.
Based on her grades, Shi Sui could indeed compete for a slot, but she was introverted, quiet, and strongly attached to home-not the type to willingly go off alone to a strange environment.
Shi Sui was silent for a moment, then said, “I just want to take a look.”
“Here.” Xue Jing handed them over.
Shi Sui took them, lowered her eyes, and flipped through the pages.
“Do you have to apply in advance?”
Xue Jing nodded, “Yeah, at least three months ahead.”
Shi Sui hummed softly through her nose, skimmed through, and placed the documents back on Xue Jing’s desk.
Just like before, exit the west gate of the school, walk another two hundred meters forward, and Yan Tingli’s car would be waiting there.
A quarter-hour later, the car was parked in the underground lot of the apartment complex.
Seeing Yan Tingli didn’t head to the elevator after getting out, Shi Sui was surprised, “Aren’t we going back?”
“To the supermarket, to buy groceries.”
Neither of them had eaten dinner yet. Shi Sui was silent for two seconds but still nodded.
She’d never dared bring it up, since Yan Tingli seemed passionate about cooking, but his skills were honestly mediocre-so bland she’d rather fill up on snacks.
She didn’t understand his insistence on cooking in the apartment, and had even discussed it with Zhou Xuyan.
Zhou Xuyan replied, “Rich people all eat clean. They’re scared of dying.”
That made sense. Shi Sui nodded.
“He’s even more scared.”
Shi Sui: “?”
Zhou Xuyan said seriously, “If he dies too early, how’s he supposed to keep tabs on you?”
“……” How absurd.
The supermarket was close by-just a few dozen meters around the corner.
Naturally, the prices at the supermarket next to a high-end apartment complex were sky-high. Yan Tingli pushed a shopping cart, casually tossing in a small box of strawberries that cost two hundred yuan.
Noticing her widened eyes, Yan Tingli said calmly, “Don’t you like eating these?”
Shi Sui blinked and said nothing.
They weren’t even in the same consumption bracket. Pointing it out would only make a fuss.
Yan Tingli proceeded to toss in several more boxes.
“That’s too many, we can’t finish them.” She couldn’t help herself and stopped him.
He turned his head, “What else do you want to eat?”
Shi Sui pointed to the little cakes on the other side.
Again, each cost several hundred yuan. Yan Tingli grabbed several flavors without a second thought.
He then lingered in the fresh produce section for a long time, checking the origin of every single item.
Shi Sui, bored, heard Yan Tingli say from behind, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, “Go grab the snacks you want.”
Shi Sui’s eyes brightened, and this time she didn’t hold back.
Many imported snacks, usually only available through resellers, were in stock here, though very expensive. But since Yan Tingli was paying, she might as well take advantage.
Shi Sui filled the cart with big and small bags.
Just as she was torn between two flavors of potato chips, a familiar voice sounded behind her, “Shi Sui? What a coincidence, running into you again.”
Shi Sui: “……”
She slowly turned around and saw Gao Linhan behind her.
Lately, the frequency with which she’d been running into this old classmate was surprisingly high.
“You live here too?” He stopped, clearly ready to strike up a conversation.
Shi Sui replied vaguely, “I have relatives nearby. What about you?”
“My sister goes to the affiliated primary school, so my family bought a school district apartment here. It’s her birthday today, so I came back especially, and thought I’d pick up some things.” Gao Linhan chattered away.
In her memory, Gao Linhan’s family conditions were pretty good-upper middle class. Living here made sense. Shi Sui nodded.
“By the way, didn’t I add you to the group a few days ago? Let’s get together sometime.”
“Sure.” Shi Sui replied casually, quickly tossing two bags of chips into the shopping cart. She didn’t dare linger, now only relieved that Gao Linhan hadn’t seen her with Yan Tingli.
Just as she was about to find a topic to end the small talk, Gao Linhan suddenly exclaimed, “No way! Guess who I just saw?” He nodded his chin towards the space behind Shi Sui.
“…” Shi Sui didn’t want to guess. She quickly averted her gaze and pushed the cart forward, “I still have some things to buy. I’ll go check over there, talk later.”
“Hey, why are you in such a hurry-” Gao Linhan turned his head to see Yan Tingli approaching. He muttered in slight confusion, “What a coincidence, I keep seeing you two together.”
“Yan Tingli.” As Yan Tingli got closer, he patted his shoulder and glanced at his shopping cart, surprised, “You actually do your own grocery shopping?”
Yan Tingli’s gaze brushed past the hand on his shoulder, “I also cook my own meals.”
“…”
Gao Linhan awkwardly withdrew his hand.
He tried to make small talk, “Do you live around here too?”
“Yeah.” Yan Tingli replied absentmindedly, his gaze shifting slightly.
“What are you looking at?” Gao Linhan followed his gaze.
Yan Tingli: “Looking for someone.”
“Did someone come with you? Who?” Gao Linhan continued.
“My girlfriend.”
“Oh, girlfrie…” Realizing what he heard, Gao Linhan’s voice shot up, exploding, “Girlfriend?! You have a girlfriend?!”
“Is that not allowed?”
“Of course, it is,” Gao Linhan was still in shock, marveling, “I really didn’t expect that.”
“Oh?”
“I wonder who managed to win you over.”
Yan Tingli replied nonchalantly, “You might have met her.”
Gao Linhan searched his memory, “I’ve met her? Someone from high school?”
“Can I have a bag of those?” Yan Tingli pointed at the packaging in his basket, “They’re out on the shelf.”
It was tomato-flavored, and Gao Linhan had taken the last few bags. He handed over two bags, “Take them, don’t be shy.”
Yan Tingli took them without hesitation.
He changed the topic so naturally that it wasn’t until he pushed his cart away that Gao Linhan realized belatedly, scratching his head-
Wait.
Who exactly is this girlfriend?
Unable to suppress his curiosity, he pushed his shopping cart in the direction Yan Tingli had left to find him.
But he didn’t know where he had gone, and he disappeared as soon as he turned around.
Standing in a daze for a while, he scratched his head again and left dejectedly.
The moment before he left, across an aisle, Shi Sui stood on tiptoe, covering Yan Tingli’s mouth tightly to prevent him from making a sound.
Only when she confirmed with her peripheral vision that Gao Linhan had left did she breathe a sigh of relief and let go.
“Why did you tell him you were looking for your girlfriend?” Shi Sui asked. They had been debating this topic before Gao Linhan arrived.
Yan Tingli casually picked up an item, “Aren’t you my girlfriend?”
Shi Sui was momentarily speechless, “But there’s no need to tell the truth.”
“I don’t lie.”
What a lousy excuse! Shi Sui was utterly speechless. He could lie without blinking an eye usually.
She said with a headache, “What if he spreads the word that you have a girlfriend?”
Yan Tingli examined a can of milk powder, indifferent, “Then my surroundings will be quieter in the future.”
“We appeared here one after the other; what if he figures it out?”
Yan Tingli thought for a moment, “That would mean he has some intelligence.”
“…”
Shi Sui took a deep breath, still feeling she couldn’t back down on this issue: “…You shouldn’t have said that in the first place!”
Yan Tingli’s lips twitched slightly.
He leaned closer, his dark pupils capturing her, “I couldn’t help it, just wanted to say it.”
“I have a girlfriend now.”
“…”
Shi Sui could see clearly; it was a mischievous triumph, like a child showing off a beloved toy.
All her words stuck in her throat.
Her heart felt a subtle, indescribable sensation. She gripped the cart tightly, took two steps forward.
With Yan Tingli, whether he was tough or gentle, Shi Sui always found herself at a loss.
After taking a few steps, she turned back, leaving a powerless warning, “Don’t say it next time!”
She didn’t care about the laughter coming from Yan Tingli behind her.
Back home, Yan Tingli prepared the ingredients and cooked as usual.
Before dinner, Shi Sui had some cake. Although she wasn’t particularly fond of Yan Tingli’s healthy meals, she still gave him face and ate half a bowl.
Feeling the dining table was too quiet, Yan Tingli asked Little Snail to turn on the TV.
It randomly landed on a channel playing a well-known cartoon-Big-Eared Tutu1.
Shi Sui had watched it since she was a child, and even after so many years, she still enjoyed it.
She glanced at Yan Tingli across the table, curious, “Did you watch this when you were little?”
He glanced at it and nodded.
Shi Sui was surprised that they had watched the same cartoon as children, “You actually watched cartoons.”
“It was my brother who watched it,” Yan Tingli said lightly, “His mom played it for him during meals.”
This was the first time he had voluntarily mentioned this brother, his tone understated.
Shi Sui paused her actions, sneaking a glance at him, unsure of what to say for a moment.
She racked her brain to lighten the mood: “Every time I watch, I really crave the food Tutu’s mom makes.”
Yan Tingli glanced at the TV, which was showing a scene of a family having dinner, and said leisurely, “Then next time, I’ll cook for you.”
Shi Sui: “…” That’s really not necessary.
Yan Tingli’s lips curved slightly, almost imperceptibly.
“Tutu’s home is very cozy,” Shi Sui said, resting her chin in her hand. “When I was little, I always wished for a home like that, but my parents were always too busy, never at home.”
“In the future, we…”
“Hmm?”
Shi Sui seemed to hear Yan Tingli say something, but the ending theme was too loud, drowning it out.
When she turned her head and met Yan Tingli’s gaze, his eyelashes fluttered, and he looked away.
“Nothing.”
That night, everything was so peaceful it was unbelievable to Shi Sui.
In the past, their meetings mostly took place at night, in bed, on the sofa, in any hidden corner.
Bodies intertwined, warmth exchanged.
Yan Tingli would enter her body, the closest distance in the world, and even when she was exhausted, he still seemed unsatisfied.
Shi Sui never imagined she could have a day with Yan Tingli where they simply slept under the covers.
Yes.
Just slept.
After his shower, Yan Tingli came over, and Shi Sui was on the bed, working on a computer model.
She had mentally prepared herself, even placing the condoms in the most convenient spot on the bedside table-if she didn’t choose in advance, leaving it to Yan Tingli, he would definitely play tricks, with textures, cooling sensations, all sorts.
“What time do you want to sleep?” He asked her, looking down.
Shi Sui glanced at the time.
Not wanting to work too long, she chose an hour later and softly said, “I want to sleep at ten thirty.”
“Then ten thirty it is.”
Yan Tingli had Little Snail turn on the TV, and the cheerful music of “Big-Eared Tutu” filled the bedroom.
Shi Sui’s fingers paused on the keyboard, incredulously looking up.
He turned his head to meet her eyes: “Watch with me.”
Watching cartoons under the covers with Yan Tingli was indeed a novel experience.
Shi Sui had a low threshold for laughter, and watching Tutu’s adorable antics and childlike words made her laugh until she was almost falling over.
Suddenly, someone brushed her hair with a palm, gently pressing her head to the side.
Shi Sui was slightly stunned.
Hesitating for a moment.
Finally, she slowly and lightly rested her head on his shoulder.
The bedroom was dim, with only the light from the projection.
When Shi Sui felt a bit sleepy, she noticed Yan Tingli had been silent for a long time. She slightly raised her eyes to look at his profile.
Only to find his long eyelashes lowered, he had actually fallen asleep.
Yan Tingli was always very quiet when he slept.
Only when he was asleep did his aloofness and coldness dissipate, like the most ordinary beautiful boy.
Shi Sui didn’t realize she had been watching him for a long time.
Until her phone on the bedside lit up with a message from Xue Jing.
Shi Sui reached out to grab it, glancing at Yan Tingli to make sure he hadn’t woken before opening the message.
[You were looking at the first draft this afternoon. This is the revised document we’ve reviewed. The conditions have changed a bit. Do you want to take another look?]
Shi Sui’s hand hovered over the screen for a long time, not wanting her to send it now.
Sending the document would leave a trace.
At least for now, she couldn’t alert him.
Shi Sui lightly tapped the screen: [I’ll check it on your computer when I get back.]
After replying, Shi Sui deleted the chat record.
And at that moment.
Yan Tingli moved beside her, making Shi Sui’s heart skip a beat as she turned to look-
He hadn’t woken, just changed his position, sinking lower, his long arm naturally wrapping around her waist, holding her in an embrace.
At this height, his head naturally buried in her chest, exposing his soft neck.
Shi Sui’s fingers could just touch his hair.
A complex tinge of bitterness flashed in her eyes.
This person, so domineering and cold in every way, yet when quiet and unguarded.
His hair was soft.
His body warm.
Late March at A University was the most beautiful. Willow branches sprouted by the lake, and the trees along the sidewalks were lush and green. With a breeze, spring was in full swing.
“Suisui, why are you suddenly so interested in the exchange program? Are you really planning to go abroad?” Xue Jing asked as they walked back from the cafeteria.
“Not yet,” Shi Sui said softly, “I just want to understand it first.”
She hadn’t made a firm decision yet, but A University’s exchange spots were limited and highly competitive. To be honest, her current qualifications were still a bit lacking. It would be better if she had more awards in her field.
Every step felt like walking on a tightrope.
She wasn’t sure if, when the day came that she had no other options, she would use this as a last resort.
The past half month had been calm.
She and Yan Tingli had settled into a routine of meeting on Wednesdays and weekends, and Shi Sui had watched all the cartoons she had seen as a child with him.
To bolster her resume, Shi Sui had recently signed up for several professional-level animation production competitions. Her new work required 3D technology, necessitating self-learning of new software, and time was tight, making her somewhat frantic.
She was struggling, dizzy from learning, while Yan Tingli flipped through the textbook in one night and began teaching her.
Once again, Shi Sui deeply experienced the IQ gap between a genius and an ordinary person.
“You’ve signed up for a lot of competitions recently,” Yan Tingli asked her last night by her ear, “Do you have any plans?”
Shi Sui’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she tried to speak calmly, “It’s already the second semester of sophomore year, it’s time to participate in more competitions to gain experience, otherwise it will be hard to find a good job later.”
“At least in Jing City, it’s difficult to get into those good companies,” she added.
Upon hearing this, Yan Tingli chuckled softly.
He lowered his head, his chin brushing against the top of her head. These affectionate gestures had become quite natural for him.
“Then get ready, Tingli-Ge will help you win the gold.”
Back in the dormitory, Shi Sui’s phone lit up, displaying a call from Li Yin.
She pressed to answer.
On the other end, the voice was cheerful, smiling as it said, “Suisui, Mom is in Jing City, do you miss me?”
Shi Sui sprang up from her chair in surprise, “Really? When did you arrive? What about Dad?”
“Your dad isn’t here, I came for a business trip, arrived this morning,” Li Yin said.
“When can we meet?” Shi Sui asked eagerly.
“Tonight, around half-past five, I’ll pick you up at the school gate,” Li Yin glanced at her watch, her tone suddenly becoming mysterious, “By the way, today Mom wants to introduce you to someone…”
Before she could finish, someone called out “Li-Jie2” from the other side, probably due to sudden work.
Li Yin lowered her voice, “Mom has something to do here, I’ll tell you later, bye-bye, sweetheart.”
In the past two years, her parents’ work had been especially busy, phone calls were always squeezed in between tasks, Shi Sui was used to it, she blinked and put down the phone.
On the other side, Li Yin had just hung up when her assistant beside her spoke indignantly, “Jie, Xinshuo Group only plans to settle 10% of the payment, citing platform deductions and operating costs as reasons, they claim it’s not easy for them either.”
Li Yin had come specifically to discuss the contract with Xinshuo Group.
A month ago, she had delivered goods from her subsidiary brand, Meiyan Intelligence, but only 10% of the deposit had been settled, and the remaining balance was being postponed with various excuses.
Even if legal procedures were pursued, Xinshuo Group was a large enterprise, their Legal Department was notoriously aggressive, and her small studio couldn’t afford to provoke them.
Li Yin had come over to negotiate but was met with a lukewarm reception.
After calming down for quite a while, she couldn’t hold back her frustration.
She picked up her phone and called Song Jie.
Xinshuo Group was a Yan Family enterprise.
The call was quickly connected, accompanied by the sound of papers rustling in the background, indicating busyness.
“Speak.”
Song Jie was sparing with words when working, sounding somewhat impersonal.
“It’s me, Song-Jie,” Li Yin greeted politely.
Song Jie’s tone softened slightly, “Oh, what can I do for you?”
Li Yin explained the situation in the simplest terms and requested, “Could you please help me with this?”
She really needed this payment to clear the debts from starting her company, after which she would be free of burdens.
“I’m on a business trip in the US,” Song Jie said, “I’ll have my secretary contact-”
She paused halfway.
The Yan Family was internally chaotic, and the Xinshuo branch was not on good terms with their faction, merely sending a secretary might not suffice, and it could end up embarrassing her.
“Here’s what you do, call Tingli and have him make a trip, the person in charge of Xinshuo’s Meiyan Intelligence is his cousin.”
Li Yin quickly expressed her gratitude.
“No need to be polite,” Song Jie said before hanging up, “Suisui is very well-behaved.”
Li Yin was momentarily stunned, slowly understanding the meaning.
The reason Song Jie was willing to help was based on Suisui’s obedient and well-behaved nature, which made her worry-free.
She felt a slight discomfort in her heart.
But she swallowed it down, smiling and agreeing.
When calling Yan Tingli, Li Yin prepared herself mentally.
Privately, she had never interacted with this young master, only knowing he was exceptional beyond reproach.
Unexpectedly.
He answered the call quickly.
Li Yin, not wanting to make her predicament too obvious to the young man, hinted at the situation, and he almost immediately understood, saying before she could speak, “I understand, are you at Xinshuo? I’ll come over now.”
Half an hour after Yan Tingli arrived, the matter was resolved.
The assistant came running over, excitedly saying, “Jie, they said they’ll transfer the remaining payment within a week!”
Li Yin sincerely thanked him, “Thank you so much, Tingli.”
Yan Tingli straightened up, coldly cutting off a call from his cousin, and smiled, “Auntie, you don’t need to be polite with me.”
As they walked out of the company building, he held an umbrella for Li Yin, “What are your plans next? Do you need me to accompany you?”
Li Yin smiled, “It’s rare for me to come here, I want to have dinner with Suisui tonight.”
When talking about meals, people naturally add a polite remark, “If you have time, Tingli, you can join us.”
She assumed Yan Tingli wouldn’t be so free, “If you’re busy, it’s okay, Auntie will specially-”
“I’m free.”
Li Yin was momentarily stunned, thinking she had misheard.
Until the young man repeated, “I am free, Auntie.”
Li Yin: “…”
She was a bit dumbfounded, took a few seconds to quickly nod, “Oh, oh, it’s great that you can come.”
For this dinner, Li Yin also invited Fang Huaijing.
They had met by chance during the Spring Festival, and upon learning he was studying in Jing City, she proactively exchanged contact information, intending for the two young people to meet for a meal.
She had watched Fang Huaijing grow up, his appearance, education, and character were top-notch, and the family backgrounds were comparable, if he and Suisui liked each other, it would be perfect.
But now, there was an unexpected addition of Yan Tingli.
Li Yin discreetly observed the polite and perceptive young man beside her, pondering-
It shouldn’t be a problem, right?
Footnote:
- Big-Eared Tutu(大耳朵图图):Big-Eared Tutu (大耳朵图图, Dà ěrduǒ Tútú) is a highly popular Chinese animated television series that premiered in 2004. It follows the daily life and adventures of a curious and imaginative young boy named Tutu, who is characterized by his unusually large ears. It’s widely recognized and beloved by generations of Chinese children.
- -Jie(-姐):In Chinese culture, using “xx姐” (pronounced as “xx jie”) to address someone is quite common, especially in Mainland China and other Chinese-speaking communities. The term “jie” means “older sister” and, when used in this context, typically carries a sense of affection and friendliness. It indicates respect and amiability towards the person, similar to calling someone “sis” or “big sister” in English.
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