Chapter 119: Stay or Leave
The surrounding noise hummed around them, but the two in the corner remained silent for a long moment.
Wen Yan was quiet. He hadn’t expected Professor Smith to bring this up now.
Seeing his hesitation, Professor Smith let out a soft sigh, and his usually stern face softened slightly. “Wen Yan, if you are worried about your family, don’t be. We can arrange immigration for your parents, and your residence in Country D will be taken care of.”
He truly hoped Wen Yan would stay. Although science knew no borders, Wen Yan was one of his proudest students, and he dearly wished for them to continue their research together. Wen Yan was serious, brilliant, hardworking, and polite—a rare talent. It wasn’t that the immigration application was difficult; rather, Smith had been pushing for the highest possible benefits for Wen Yan, which was why he only received a definitive answer now.
“You have unpleasant memories here, don’t you?” he continued. “The conditions for your field of research in Country D are far superior to those in Country C. If you have any other concerns, you can tell me directly.”
“Of course, I won’t force you. It all depends on your own wishes.”
Wen Yan remained silent for a long time. Finally, his lips moved slightly as he whispered, “Could you please give me some time to think about it?”
Professor Smith finally smiled.
After they parted, Wen Yan sat alone in the corner. Soon, someone noticed his dejected mood. His Shixiong and Shijie immediately came over to ask if there was bad news, offering their comfort.
“It’s nothing; it’s actually good news.” He didn’t want his mood to dampen their excitement, so he forced a smile.
Claiming he felt unwell, he excused himself from the dinner.
Outside, a cold wind was biting.
Wen Yan looked up at the darkening sky and the leaves rustling in the wind. He thought to himself that A City was a truly strange place. It had almost no autumn; one day was short-sleeve weather, and the next required a heavy coat, giving people no time to breathe or transition.
In the distance, Pei Zhouye stood beneath a tree in a black wool coat, waiting for him quietly.
Wen Yan pulled himself out of his thoughts and walked over.
“I heard Professor Smith spoke with you privately today. Did something happen?” As they walked side-by-side, their arms occasionally brushed inadvertently before quickly pulling apart.
Wen Yan was silent for a few seconds, letting the cold wind fill the gap between them. He heard his own voice, so soft it nearly scattered in the wind. “He asked if I would be willing to stay in Country D.”
He answered honestly, but his heart felt a slight tug. He mentally listed all the benefits of staying: his parents’ comfort, a top-tier research environment, and peace from past rumors… every reason was impeccable. It was the simple, happy life he had once craved. The only catch was that he still couldn’t bear to leave this place. Born and raised here, he had never truly considered leaving Country C forever.
There was also another reason, one that weighed heavily on his heart, making it impossible to say “yes” easily.
For a moment, the only sound was the wind through the leaves.
Pei Zhouye’s pace slowed.
“Did you agree?” he asked, his voice a fraction deeper than before.
“Not yet,” Wen Yan said, his gaze dropping to the ground. The streetlights stretched their shadows long; occasionally they overlapped, only to part again. “I said I needed time to consider.”
Pei Zhouye spoke slowly, clearly giving the matter serious thought. “No matter what you choose, I will support you.”
“If I choose to stay in Country D…” Wen Yan trailed off, already regretting the words as they left his mouth.
He didn’t know what he wanted to say, or what he wanted to hear.
The man beside him answered almost instantly, with absolute certainty. “Then I will go to Country D with you.”
Wen Yan’s footsteps faltered. He let out a light laugh, his eyes curving into crescents as if he were truly happy. He didn’t say anything more and simply kept walking.
The sprawling, international Pei Corp was rooted in this soil. As the Chairman of the domestic robotics giant, Pei Corp Technology, Pei Zhouye’s travel would likely be restricted, surrounded by bodyguards wherever he went. The responsibility of an entire clan and immense wealth rested on his shoulders. Words like that were best taken with a grain of salt.
Pei Zhouye guessed he didn’t believe him. His voice remained steady. “Wen Yan, I’m not choosing between two options.”
When it came to Wen Yan, there was only ever one answer. If he didn’t answer immediately, it wasn’t because he was wondering if he should go, but rather how to make it happen so he could be with him.
Silence drifted between them once more.
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