Chapter 516 - 515: IF Storyline: Did the Big Shot Vie for Favor Today? 84

Chapter 516: Chapter 515: IF Storyline: Did the Big Shot Vie for Favor Today? 84

Ye Ming was a top student at Capital University, and also the most dedicated and brilliant scholar in the economics department.

Whether as a teacher or a student, his achievements were plain for all to see.

He had reached at least a 70% level of professional mastery in his economic research. In particular, the new economic theory and practical strategies proposed in his master’s thesis had already sparked heated debates among relevant experts. If his proposed theory were implemented, simulations showed that the probability of everyone achieving a comfortable standard of living could increase by ten percent.

This ten percent figure alone was enough to draw the nation’s attention.

Once he returned with his doctorate, he was very likely to become the leading figure in his field.

At the very least, Ye Ming’s doctoral advisor believed he already possessed this potential and shouldn’t let his talent and expertise go to waste by not continuing to delve deeper into the field.

However, Ye Ming was determined to switch majors. He wanted to transfer to companion animal behavior studies, a field that primarily involved in-depth research and analysis of the behavior and activities of household pets.

In modern society, more and more people were keeping pets, but due to the language barrier between humans and animals, owners were often unable to understand their pets’ true needs.

Although Ye Ming hadn’t discussed it much with Yan Huoshui, he felt that Fei Mo’s departure was because he, as an owner, had failed in some way. His inability to understand its language had led to an accumulation of disappointment, ultimately causing it to choose to leave him.

Ye Ming always found himself thinking, ’If I could have better understood Fei Mo’s psychology and behaviors, if I could have reduced the communication barrier between us, would Fei Mo still have left...?’

Perhaps this had become a regret and an obsession buried deep in his heart.

Ye Ming’s doctoral advisor tried to persuade him several times. Even the professors who had previously been Ye Ming’s colleagues came to talk him out of it, but he still wouldn’t change his mind.

The biggest problem was that the major Ye Ming wanted to study wasn’t offered at Capital University, which meant he would have to retake the entrance exams and transfer schools.

And the Capital schools were not about to let such a talented student go.

In the end, Ye Ming’s doctoral advisor used his connections to contact the dean of L City University of Technology. He arranged for Ye Ming to study there as an auditing student for three months, with the additional requirement that Ye Ming give a bi-weekly economics lecture at the university.

Any professor with a few connections had heard of Ye Ming’s name. He was a rare talent, and students needed exactly his kind of guidance to inspire them. The dean of L City University of Technology couldn’t possibly pass up such an opportunity to get something for nothing.

The advisor told Ye Ming about the arrangement, and Ye Ming had no objections. In fact, deep down, he preferred L City University of Technology anyway.

Although L City University of Technology had "Technology" in its name, this only signified that their industrial and mechanical engineering-related majors were stronger; it didn’t mean they lacked other disciplines.

L City was home to a zoo with the widest variety of animal species. It was also the first province-level city to implement memorial plaques for deceased pets and had always been known for its inclusivity. Consequently, L City University of Technology offered many related majors, such as veterinary medicine and psychology, including the companion animal behavior program.

Once both sides agreed on the terms, Ye Ming finished up his coursework at Capital University and set off for L City.

L City was a major tourist destination, boasting not only the zoo with the widest variety of species but also several famous scenic landscapes.

Shi Lan’s company had originally started out in the tour guide business before branching out and gradually entering the travel photography industry.

The weather in L City was quite nice; summers were mostly sunny.

After his plane landed, Ye Ming collected Fei Mo, who had traveled in cargo, and took a taxi to L City University of Technology.

To better study animal behavior, he had brought Fei Mo along, even with its changed personality, so he could also take care of it.

Even though it was no longer the Fei Mo he had loved, Ye Ming would still patiently raise this cat out of a sense of responsibility.

Ye Ming had already rented an apartment near L City University of Technology. He dropped the cat off at the rental first before heading to the university to check in.

By the time he had finished everything, it was already past six in the evening.

He strolled slowly through the L City University of Technology campus. As he passed by the school’s magnificent yet somewhat dated buildings, his complicated feelings gradually gave way to a sense of peace.

The buildings at Capital University were constantly being renovated or expanded. Aside from its landmark buildings, the campus facilities looked very modern. But the architecture at L City University of Technology was very retro, blended with modern civilization, giving it a sense of deep history. It was quaint and filled with an academic charm that Ye Ming quite liked.

However, he was handsome, and on his walk, he had to turn down several students who asked for his WeChat, including some guys.

Ye Ming hadn’t even started his studies yet, but he was already getting a taste of L City’s "inclusivity"...

For once, he lost the desire to walk around campus. He hurriedly left, had a simple dinner out, then bought some protective netting, a few pet supplies, and some groceries before returning to his apartment.

L City University of Technology had, of course, arranged a dorm for him, but Ye Ming felt the conditions weren’t suitable for raising a cat, so he rented a large two-bedroom apartment to give the cat more space to move around.

He cleaned and rearranged the new apartment, even taking a break to make a meal for Fei Mo. Unfortunately, the cat only took a few bites before refusing to eat any more.

Left with no choice, Ye Ming filled its bowl with cat kibble, and only then did the cat happily bury its head in the bowl and start to eat ravenously.

After he finished setting up, he took a shower. The day had passed without him realizing it. Ye Ming checked on the cat, which was already lying in its bed looking drowsy. He gently stroked its head, then closed the bedroom door and returned to his own room.

Lying on the large bed in the unfamiliar apartment, he felt no trace of sleepiness. He couldn’t resist pulling up that old video of Fei Mo rolling its eyes. As he watched, a fond, doting smile crept onto his lips.

’So cute.’

’Too bad the current Fei Mo isn’t him anymore.’

A hint of frustrated nostalgia appeared in Ye Ming’s eyes. He lovingly tapped the cat’s head on the screen before finally putting his phone down.

He tossed and turned in bed for a while before finally drifting off to sleep.

Shi Lan felt that fate had a twisted sense of humor. She had been determined to avoid any situation involving Yan Huoshui, yet she was suddenly informed that she’d been chosen as a "lucky fan" for the concert and would get to speak with Yan Huoshui live on a call.

The first time she received the call, Shi Lan hung up without a second thought. It was obviously a scam call. Why would a huge star like Yan Huoshui call a fan? It’s not like it was for some TV show stunt.

The caller was persistent and dialed a second time. Shi Lan answered and said directly, "I know you’re a scammer, so stop calling. Besides, I’m not a fan of Yan Huoshui. If you’re going to try and scam me, you might as well say you’re calling for Li Wenyi’s fans. I might actually be patient enough to listen then."

Li Wenyi was the male lead of an "older woman-younger man" drama she had recently gotten into. She was discovering that younger guys could actually be pretty great. The main thing was that the character looked like a big, fierce "wolf-dog" type but was actually a total softie in private, often acting cute and clingy toward the "green tea" female lead. The plot was really interesting.

As soon as she finished *The God*, she was going to marathon this new drama. Watching two shows back-to-back was the best way to avoid the dreaded "drama drought."

The person on the other end paused, went silent for a good while, and then hung up.