Striving for Science C70 pt2

"Oh, come on, Shen Tu, you're just too honest. Vows are just words, you know." Shen Chang'an put his arm around Shen Tu's neck and smiled. "Why are you being so harsh? We're friends, how could I not trust you?"

Shen Tu: No! Shen Chang'an, you're a liar. If you really believed me, you should have stopped me when I was making the vow, not after I finished and then hypocritically say we're good friends.

Hypocritical human!

Toilet paper-like friendship!

Get lost, I don't have shameless human friends like you!

Shen Tu roared in his heart, but his body was exceptionally honest. Not only did he follow Shen Chang'an, but he also gave him a smile.

Passing by the flowerbeds, he saw a few particularly beautiful flowers and instinctively wanted to cut them and take them to Dao Nian.

But this wasn't Dao Nian's home.

Shen Tu understood his meaning and handed the flower shears to Shen Chang'an. "Here, cut them."

"Where... did you get the shears?"

"I'm not human, am I?" Shen Tu put his hands in his pockets. "It's not that hard to just pick up a leaf and turn it into shears.

Shen Chang'an nodded knowingly, cut the few flowers, and said, "Suddenly, I think learning cloud-walking from you would be pretty interesting."

Shen Tu: He just used trickery to get him hooked, and now he wants him to teach him magic? Humph!

"Okay, I'll start teaching you when we get back to Wuming City."

As a god who wasn't particularly powerful, he had managed to survive until now by being pragmatic.

Shen Chang'an found a vase, put the flowers in it, and carried it to Dao Nian's room.

"Dao Nian, are you awake?" Shen Chang'an knocked on the door. He heard a "Come in" from inside, pushed the door open, and saw that Dao Nian was already dressed and sitting in his wheelchair.

Actually, he was occasionally curious about how Dao Nian went to the bathroom, showered, and transferred from his bed to his wheelchair. But this curiosity was far outweighed by his concern for Dao Nian, so he never gave it a second thought or asked a single question.

"The flowers here aren't as beautiful as the ones at your place." He placed the vase on the table. "But these few are blooming nicely."

"Mm." Dao Nian's gaze fell on those hands arranging flowers.

Dao Nian, I want to ask you a question." Shen Chang'an pretended to be casual, "How long has Shen Tu been working for you?"

Dao Nian thought of the oath that had just flown into his palm, "It's been a long time."

"His... work efficiency is pretty good, right?" Shen Chang'an opened the window, letting the light from outside shine in.

"He's conscientious, hardworking, and also... honest." Dao Nian subconsciously used a common human description.

"Oh..." Shen Chang'an nodded. With Dao Nian's abilities, he should be able to tell if someone is good or bad. It seems Shen Tu is really a ya* who couldn't make it in the yao world and had to come to the human world to work and make a living.

Tsk, quite pitiful.

"Why did you suddenly ask about him?"

"Nothing, just seeing Shen Tu getting up so early every day, not only doing bodyguard work but also driving, I just asked." Shen Chang'an pushed him downstairs, "It's quite tough."

"Then I'll give him a raise." Dao Nian looked at Shen Tu standing in the hall, not daring to breathe, "It's not easy, indeed."

Shen Chang'an dryly laughed, not commenting on this matter.

It seems protecting the environment is urgent. Otherwise, the yao won't have a good life and will have to come to the human world to compete with humans for jobs. The human unemployment rate will increase again.

***

Shen Chang'an received news about Cao Jin again three days later. He was having mutton bone soup with Dao Nian when the traffic police contacted him, and he didn't react at first.

"Compensation negotiation?" Shen Chang'an chuckled. Cao Jin's family didn't lack that money. The so-called negotiation was probably just a way to cause trouble for him.

But thinking about Cao Jin, that madman, if he couldn't find him, he might go crazy and find Cai Ran. Shen Chang'an still agreed to the negotiation request.

I'll go with you." Dao Nian put down his chopsticks, "Compensation isn't important, what matters is your mood.

It's okay." Shen Chang'an said, "Cao Jin is just a nobody, nothing to worry about. If you're really worried, let Shen Tu accompany me, he can definitely ensure my safety."

Dao Nian looked at Shen Tu expressionlessly, "Really?"

Shen Tu had a piece of mutton in his mouth, unable to speak or swallow, he could only stare at Dao Nian with big, innocent eyes.

Unfortunately, he wasn't Shen Chang'an, and this kind of look couldn't move the heartless and ruthless Heavenly Dao Lord.

"Yes, Shen Tu is skilled, he can protect me." Shen Chang'an smiled, "So you don't have to worry."

"Oh." Dao Nian lowered his head and looked at his legs, his eyelids drooping, looking a little dejected.

Seeing him like this, Shen Chang'an realized that his words might have been inappropriate, making Dao Nian think too much. He quickly said, "The weather forecast says it might snow tonight, I don't want you to suffer." Then, he whispered in Dao Nian's ear, "Shen Tu is tough as nails, even if he gets into a fight, I wouldn't be worried."

Shen Tu: "..."

That's going too far, right? Although he didn't have the ability to hear everything, his hearing was still pretty good. In the entire world, who was tougher than Heavenly Dao?

Dao Nian blinked slowly.

He understood. Chang'an's words, in essence, meant that he would be worried if he got even a little hurt.

"Okay." Dao Nian nodded, "Wear something warm when you go out, don't catch a cold."

"I'll be waiting for you at home."

Shen Chang'an was slightly taken aback, then nodded vigorously with a bright smile: "Yes!"

***

Cao Jin, who had been detained in the detention center for several days due to drunk driving, looked much more subdued. He was wearing a thick coat, sitting on a chair with a bored expression.

His uncle and the lawyer hired by the family sat with him, their expressions grave. Cao Jin's case involved not only drunk driving, but also suspicion of assault while intoxicated. Several workers present at the scene came forward to testify, saying that Cao Jin had attempted to harm Shen Chang'an.

To make Cao Jin's sentence lighter, they needed Shen Chang'an to show forgiveness.

But seeing his nephew's flippant attitude, Cao Cheng became furious. If this were his own son, he would have broken his legs long ago.

It's just that his elder brother and sister-in-law had a child late in life, spoiling him rotten.

Especially when he heard that Shen Chang'an was his nephew's college classmate, and that they had conflicts at school, and that Cao Jin threatened Shen Chang'an in the police car, which was captured by the traffic police's enforcement recorder, he felt a sharp pain in his head.

Having such a junior in the family, everyone is restless. Before coming, he had carefully inquired about Shen Chang'an's information. He was a positive and enthusiastic person, with excellent grades, loved by professors and classmates alike. His own nephew, however, was the complete opposite: flaunting wealth, skipping classes, chasing girls, disrespecting others...

Such a good young man, instead of trying to recruit him into their company, they offended him. His older brother and sister-in-law, seeing that the child was an orphan, thought they could bully him. They didn't think about it, in a place like the capital, there's no shortage of powerful people. The feudal dynasty has long since perished, what could they do to him?

They say, "Don't bully the young and poor," but they went ahead and completely offended him. Now, Cao Jin has gotten himself into the police station, and there's nothing they can do. After inquiring for a long time, they finally learned that the victim's side demanded strict handling of the case.

With things said to this point, who would believe that Shen Chang'an was just a powerless orphan? His older brother and sister-in-law also knew this was bad, fearing that Shen Chang'an would make things worse if he saw them, so they called him over.

In his opinion, Cao Jin should be locked up for a while, to prevent him from being so reckless and daring to do anything, harming himself and others.

But his older brother and sister-in-law were already in their sixties, and they only had Cao Jin, a useless child. As his younger brother, even if he hated Cao Jin's actions, he still had to make this trip.

Five minutes before their scheduled meeting, Cao Cheng saw the police escorting two young men in. The one in front had fair skin and a smile in his eyes, making him seem like a very nice young man at first glance.

Thinking about this, Cao Cheng turned his head and looked at his nephew with disdain. They both came from the same school, how could the difference be so big?

Cao Jin noticed his uncle's disdain and couldn't help but widen his eyes. Who was the real Cao family member, him or Shen Chang'an?

"Mr. Shen, my surname is Cao, and I'm Cao Jin's uncle. Thank you for taking the time to come today." Cao Cheng stood up and greeted Shen Chang'an, shaking his hand. "I'm so sorry about what my nephew did…"

"Mr. Cao, there's a saying, 'One person does the deed, one person takes the responsibility.' While Cao Jin's character is despicable, I won't hold it against others." Shen Chang'an smiled politely, "You're too kind."

He hit a snag right off the bat, and Cao Cheng awkwardly smiled. While the words sounded respectful, Shen Chang'an was actually making his stance clear. Unless Cao Jin personally apologized, there was no room for compromise.

But when he turned to look at Cao Jin, he saw his good nephew staring at Shen Chang'an with a face full of resentment, and in front of the police, he looked like he wanted to eat him alive.

How could his family have such a stupid son?

His older brother and sister-in-law donated a teaching building to the university, sending him to a prestigious university, but it didn't make him any smarter.

"Everyone should talk amicably, no verbal or physical violence." The police officer sat beside them, gesturing for both sides to sit down. "Now, if you have any opinions, you can communicate with each other."

"I have no objections. The law should be applied as it should be." Shen Chang'an said, "I won't sign a letter of understanding for a scumbag who tried to kill someone."

"If you're not willing, why come here?" Cao Jin sneered. "Just want to inflate the price? Just say how much you want, I've seen plenty of people like you who won't let go of a piece of meat, be careful you don't break your teeth."

"Mr. Cao, please don't insult Mr. Shen's character." Shen Tu spoke up promptly. "Our Mr. Shen owns villas, companies, luxury cars, and various jewelry and watches, he doesn't need a few measly coins in compensation. Mr. Shen is willing to make this trip today to persuade you to be kind and righteous, to correct your mistakes, and become a good young man with ambition, principles, and achievements."

"Nonsense, you don't need a draft to brag, are you his shill?" Cao Jin scoffed. "You've been following him all day, how much do you get paid? I'll give you ten times that."

"Okay, Mr. Cao." Shen Tu smiled. "Mr. Shen offered me one million, are you planning to give me ten million?"

Cao Jin: "..."

Damn it, this guy's crazy.

Seeing that Cao Jin didn't speak, Shen Tu smiled even more gently: "Mr. Cao, if you don't have enough money, try to avoid boasting like that, or others will laugh at you."

“I…”

Shut up!" Cao Cheng interrupted Cao Jin's words, and said apologetically to Shen Tu: "Sorry, this kid is not sensible, you've been laughed at.

"“A twenty-something-year-old, they really don't know any better.” Shen Tu turned to look at Shen Chang'an, “My child isn't easy either, we're all children, what else can we do besides handling this officially?”

The police officer in charge of mediation and supervision almost couldn't hold back a laugh. He picked up his folder and carefully covered his face.

“That's different, those with parents are called children, those without parents can only be called orphans.” Cao Jin was so angry he spoke without thinking, “Shen Chang'an, don't try that on me, you want me to beg you, no way.”

“If you have the guts, hit me in front of the police!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he received a slap on the face. However, it wasn't Shen Chang'an who hit him, but his uncle, Cao Cheng.