Chapter 233: I Was Thinking of Arranging Your Engagement!

The furnishings inside the house hadn’t changed much compared to ten years ago.

The room was filled with the scent of books, and every available space was crammed with them.

“You! We’d already be happy just seeing you, why spend money on this?”

“Wait, is this wine? Let me take a look! But it’s really not my lucky day—your teacher’s wife has been keeping a strict eye on me, so no drinking!”

Deng Jianming muttered quietly to Shen Fei with a conspiratorial tone.

But, of course, his words were still overheard by his wife, Lin Qingyu.

“You old man, I don’t let you drink for your own health! Besides, the child already bought it, and it’s rare for him to visit. Why criticize him? If you don’t want it, won’t Lao Niu, Lao Liu, or Xiao Hong need it? They care about Shen Fei no less than we do!”

Lin Qingyu laughed softly as she scolded him.

Hearing this, Deng Jianming sighed in mock frustration.

“See that? I was just saying! And now she’s making me the bad guy, right in front of Xiao Fei!”

“Just because Shen Fei’s here doesn’t mean you get to use him as a shield!” Lin Qingyu shot a glare at Deng Jianming.

“Xiao Fei, look at this! Your teacher’s wife always picks on me!” Deng Jianming complained with a defeated look.

Though his words seemed aggrieved, his tone was filled with affection.

“Teacher Deng, I think you secretly enjoy it! If Teacher’s Wife didn’t ‘pick on you,’ you’d probably feel anxious!” Shen Fei chuckled.

Seeing his teacher and his wife joking around like this brought a smile to Shen Fei’s face. It reminded him of his middle school days, the memories perfectly blending with the present.

“Xiao Fei, you’re still as sharp-tongued as ever! Ha, ha, ha, it seems all the snacks I gave you back then paid off!”

Lin Qingyu laughed heartily, then turned to Deng Jianming and scolded, “Why are you just standing there? Call Lao Liu, Lao Niu, and Xiao Hong! Tell them Shen Fei’s here!”

“Got it, got it!” Deng Jianming replied cheerfully, quickly picking up his phone and heading out to the balcony.

During this time, Lin Qingyu looked at Shen Fei with a tender gaze, filled with affection and pity.

“Teacher’s Wife, why are you staring at me like that?” Shen Fei touched his face playfully and laughed.

“What? Can’t I look at you?” Lin Qingyu teased, then sighed, “You’ve grown so much! The more I look at you, the prouder I feel. It’s just a shame that Xuanxuan is five years older than you! Otherwise, after high school, I would’ve arranged for you two to get engaged!”

Her tone carried both pride and a hint of regret.

Deng Xuanxuan.

She was the daughter of Deng Jianming and Lin Qingyu.

Back when Shen Fei graduated from middle school, Deng Xuanxuan was already a sophomore at a prestigious university. Because Shen Fei often visited the Deng family, their relationship was very close—like that of siblings.

Despite her parents’ love for Shen Fei, Deng Xuanxuan never expressed any displeasure. Instead, she often helped Shen Fei in life and academics.

For instance, when Shen Fei refused direct financial aid, Deng Xuanxuan would find part-time jobs for him to earn tuition and living expenses. She also kept him updated on new trends and would buy him clothes or gifts on holidays.

Shen Fei had always remembered her kindness.

In his previous life, after becoming successful, Shen Fei tried to repay Deng Xuanxuan in many ways, but she always declined. Instead of feeling rejected, Shen Fei considered himself lucky to have encountered people like the Deng family.

Orphaned as a child, Shen Fei had received care and kindness from so many people. It was as if fate had taken pity on him.

“Teacher’s Wife, meeting all of you is my greatest blessing! As for Xuanxuan, though we’re not blood-related, she’s more like a sister to me than anyone else!” Shen Fei smiled and responded sincerely.

After a pause, he looked at Lin Qingyu curiously.

“By the way, Teacher’s Wife, what’s Xuanxuan doing now?”

Lin Qingyu sighed softly, “That girl went to a remote region in Sichuan to teach underprivileged children! But she’ll be back soon; this is her final year there.”

“Xuanxuan went there? What about her husband?” Shen Fei asked.

“Husband? What husband? She doesn’t even have a boyfriend! Your teacher worries about this all the time. She’s already in her thirties, and she’s still single!”

Lin Qingyu suddenly seemed both relieved and worried.

“But in a way, it’s a blessing. If she’d had a boyfriend, who would’ve waited for her for five years while she was away in a remote region?”

“Xuanxuan has her own convictions, Teacher’s Wife. You and Teacher Deng don’t need to worry—things will work out as they’re meant to!” Shen Fei said calmly.

He wasn’t just saying this to comfort her; he genuinely believed it.

In his past life, when Deng Xuanxuan returned from teaching, she met her destined partner. Her future husband went on to have a successful political career, eventually rising to become a senior official in the province.

However, Shen Fei didn’t know when they met or when they married.

“Let’s hope so.” Lin Qingyu sighed softly. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she smiled and turned to Shen Fei.

“I heard you’ve been doing well! After that class reunion, Lao Liu and Lao Niu were bragging like crazy. They said the chairman and young master of Donghai Group treated them with great respect—all because of you!”

“Teacher’s Wife, you and Uncle Yu should really open a fortune-telling stall under the bridge. You’d make a killing!” Shen Fei laughed heartily, then added sincerely, “All of this is because of the kindness I received from you and my teachers. Without the warmth and care you all showed me back then, I wouldn’t be who I am today. So if anyone’s successful, it’s you!”

“Haha, this kid’s still as sweet-talking as ever!” Lin Qingyu laughed.

At that moment, Deng Jianming returned from the balcony.

“What are you two talking about? So cheerful!” he asked with a smile.

“Just praising how sharp-tongued this kid is! Back in school, he could barely string together a sentence. Now look at him—he could sweet-talk anyone!” Lin Qingyu said with a laugh.

“A sweet tongue is good! But remember, don’t overdo it. As your career grows, you’ll need that tongue to build relationships and attract investors,” Deng Jianming advised.

“Oh, stop lecturing already! What did Lao Liu and the others say?” Lin Qingyu asked.

“They’re on their way!” Deng Jianming replied, then turned to Shen Fei.

“Only you, kid, have this kind of influence! I can never get all of them together, no matter how hard I try. But today, they’re all coming!”

“Teacher Deng, you’re exaggerating!” Shen Fei smiled modestly.

He looked at Deng Jianming closely, his expression turning serious.

“Teacher Deng, did you go for that health checkup you mentioned last time?”