Inside the room.

The simple furnishings hadn't changed much since Ye Chen last visited years ago.

The air was filled with the fragrance of books, fitting for a teacher's household.

All the calligraphy in sight was handwritten by Gao Shouyi himself.

Judging purely by skill, his work was on par with some of the current masters in the field.

"You brat, why bring so much stuff? What's this—cigarettes? Don't you know I quit smoking ages ago?"

Gao Shouyi laughed and scolded as he welcomed Ye Chen inside.

"Oh come on, Old Gao! You've got some nerve. Sure, you quit, but don't Old Huang and Old Chen light up every now and then like they're living the dream? You think these fruit baskets are just for you? It's not just us who treat Ye Chen like family—Old Huang, Old Chen, and Lan Qing do too. How could Ye Chen favor one over the others?"

Meng Wanrou, Gao's wife, glared at him, half-jokingly.

"I was just kidding! Can't you let me save face in front of Ye Chen?" Gao Shouyi replied awkwardly.

"Save face? Ye Chen's been here plenty of times. What's left to save?" Meng Wanrou laughed.

"Ye Chen, look at your teacher's wife—she hasn't changed a bit after all these years. But me? She keeps me in line!" Gao Shouyi smiled bitterly.

"Haha, Mr. Gao, if Mrs. Meng ever stopped keeping you in check, would you even know what to do with yourself?" Ye Chen chuckled.

Having lived two lifetimes spanning decades, Ye Chen felt a wave of gratitude seeing Gao Shouyi and Meng Wanrou unchanged from the past.

Aside from a few more wrinkles, they were almost exactly the same as when he was in high school.

"Ye Chen, you're still as smooth-talking as ever! Those years doting on you weren't wasted, haha!" Meng Wanrou laughed heartily.

She turned to Gao Shouyi. "Old Gao, aren't you going to call Old Huang, Old Chen, and Lan Qing? Tell them Ye Chen's here and to come over if they're free!"

"Right, right!" Gao Shouyi quickly pulled out his phone, grinning.

As he made the calls, Meng Wanrou watched Ye Chen with a warm, motherly smile.

"Mrs. Meng, is there something on my face?" Ye Chen joked, rubbing his cheeks.

"No, no. It's just... seeing you like this makes me so happy! If Jianjia weren't older than you, and if she hadn't already been in college when you started, I really would've tried to set you two up!" Meng Wanrou's motherly smile lingered.

Jianjia.

Gao Jianjia.

She was the only daughter of Gao Shouyi and Meng Wanrou.

Although Gao Jianjia was already in college when Ye Chen was in high school, they had a good relationship. She never felt jealous of how her parents treated Ye Chen like a son. In fact, she regarded Ye Chen as a younger brother.

Back then, she shared countless stories about university life and the world outside Ye Chen's reach. She even took him to her campus, used her part-time earnings to treat him to meals, and occasionally bought him clothes.

Ye Chen remembered every bit of it.

In his previous life, after achieving success, Ye Chen wanted to repay Gao Jianjia, who was more like a sister to him than his real one. But she always declined his offers, preferring their usual lighthearted interactions over grand gestures.

Ye Chen always felt fortunate.

Even though he died without knowing his birth parents, fate had brought him the kindness of people like the Gao family and his other mentors.

The three years of high school taught him warmth—true warmth.

At this moment, facing Meng Wanrou's words, Ye Chen smiled wryly.

"Mrs. Meng, having your love and care is more than enough for me. Please don't say things like that!"

He then asked, "By the way, Mrs. Meng, what's Jianjia doing now?"

"She's teaching in remote villages in Yunnan-Guizhou. This is her fifth year. She plans to return after this year," Meng Wanrou replied.

"What about her boyfriend?" Ye Chen inquired.

"Don't even get me started! It's driving Old Gao and me crazy. She doesn't even have a boyfriend yet—she's 33! How could she find someone willing to endure five years of village teaching? Unless he's doing the same thing!"

"Don't worry, Mrs. Meng. Love often comes when you least expect it. Maybe after Jianjia returns, she'll meet someone right away!" Ye Chen comforted her.

He wasn't just saying it to ease her mind. In his previous life, Gao Jianjia did meet someone—a remarkable man who rose from humble beginnings to become a high-ranking official in the provincial education department.

Ye Chen didn't know exactly when they married, but he was surprised Jianjia hadn't met anyone yet.

"I hope so... Anyway, enough about her—let's talk about you!"

Meng Wanrou shifted the conversation.

"Old Gao and the others said you've made a name for yourself. Even the chairman of the prestigious Wan'an Group treats them with respect because of you! We always knew you'd succeed, but this fast? Amazing!"

"Mrs. Meng, I was just lucky to catch the right opportunities. Honestly, I owe it all to you and my other mentors. Without you three shielding me in high school, I probably wouldn't be where I am now."

"That's not like you! Since when did you become so humble?" Meng Wanrou laughed.

Ye Chen smiled bitterly. It wasn't humility—just the truth.

At that moment, Gao Shouyi finished his calls.

"What were you two talking about?" he asked, smiling.

"Oh, just that Ye Chen's grown humble. He's not the same kid who used to say 'If I rise to greatness, I'll laugh at kings and conquerors!'" Meng Wanrou teased.

"A little humility is good. Ye Chen's not a kid anymore. Ambition is fine for the young, but now he's on the right path. Time to smooth out those rough edges."

"You're right, Old Gao, but I'm still not used to it! By the way, what did Old Huang and the others say?"

"They were thrilled. They're on their way!"

"See, Ye Chen? You've got some pull now!" Gao Shouyi laughed.

Ye Chen shook his head, smiling. "I'm just lucky to have mentors like you all."

"Oh, Mr. Gao, did you ever get that health check-up we talked about?"