73: Chapter 73 Chen Hao's Pickup Line

At 4:00 PM, the sunlight gradually softened, shedding the oppressive heat of midday.

The first class meeting for the freshmen of the Music Department at Haishi University concluded successfully. After the head teacher finished explaining the entrance regulations and course schedules, she announced the dismissal.

Han Yan packed up her things, walked quickly out of the school gate alone, and headed straight to the building at Yujing Residential Area across the street.

On the street side of the residential area was a milk tea shop with cozy decor and a healing name, Jieyou Tea Shop, which was exactly where she worked part-time.

This shop was a small, individually-owned business with no complicated rules. The work was easy, making it very suitable for college students to work part-time during their spare time to supplement their household expenses.

The owner, Sun Rong, was a mature and beautiful woman around thirty years old. She usually wore gentle dresses, treated people with generosity and kindness, and took special care of the part-time students.

There was also another female college student, Gu Man, who worked part-time at the shop. She was from the Art Department of Haishi University, had a cheerful and easygoing personality, and was very easy to get along with.

Han Yan gently pushed open the shop door, causing the wind chimes at the entrance to jingle softly. She looked at Sun Rong and Gu Man behind the counter, her eyes curving into crescents, and greeted them softly and obediently: "Sister Sun, Gu Man, good afternoon!"

The two also waved and responded with smiles: "Good afternoon, Han Yan. Don't rush when making milk tea; take your time."

Hearing this, Han Yan smiled and said: "Okay, I will keep that in mind."

After speaking, Han Yan did not delay at all. She quickly changed into the simple and clean uniform of the shop, washed her hands, and immediately threw herself into work, her attitude both serious and diligent.

Not long after, customers came to place orders. Han Yan had already received complete pre-job training. Her technique for making milk tea was skilled and proficient; adding ingredients, extracting the tea, and mixing the drink were all done in one fluid motion. She quickly finished a latte with a smooth texture and politely handed it to the customer.

Time passed quietly. In the blink of an eye, two hours had gone by, and the flow of customers in the shop gradually decreased, bringing a brief moment of leisure.

Han Yan had just finished the drink in her hand and leaned against the counter for a short rest, gently rubbing her slightly sore wrist, her expression quiet and indifferent.

Just then, the shop door was pushed open again. A young man with a slender build, wearing a white T-shirt, walked in. His gaze was locked straight onto Han Yan behind the counter; the person who arrived was none other than Chen Hao.

He had gone to great lengths, specifically asking people around to find out that Han Yan worked part-time at this milk tea shop. As soon as he entered, he stared at Han Yan with eyes full of light, his heart filled with joy.

At this time, there were few customers in the shop. Chen Hao walked to the counter naturally and spoke to Han Yan, his attitude gentle: "Excuse me, classmate, give me a pudding milk tea, with less ice."

Han Yan raised her eyes to look at him, her expression cold and calm, and responded softly: "Okay."

After speaking, she turned and walked towards the workstation to start making the milk tea.

Chen Hao looked at Han Yan's cold and stunning side profile and her proficient way of making milk tea. Thinking of drawing closer to her, he took the initiative to strike up a conversation: "Miss, you are also a student at Haishi University, right?"

Listening to Chen Hao's inquiry, Han Yan understood in her heart that this boy in front of her was here specifically to hit on her.

She was relatively introverted by nature and did not like chatting with strangers. While her hands kept moving, she still responded politely: "Yes, are you also a freshman this year?"

Chen Hao felt a surge of joy, thinking the other party was willing to communicate. He quickly took the initiative to introduce himself, deliberately lowering his posture to try to close the distance: "Yes! My name is Chen Hao, and I am in the Computer Science major of the Information Department. What is your name? Which major are you in?"

He voluntarily revealed his own information, wanting to gain Han Yan's trust so she could feel at ease and open up a conversation with him.

However, Han Yan glanced at the Chen Hao in front of her, and her internal assessment was: Although his face was delicate, his build was thin and weak, his height didn't even match her own, and his temperament was mediocre and ordinary—not the type she liked.

At the same time, she subconsciously compared Chen Hao with Qin Yi in her heart—Qin Yi wore a black suit, his posture was upright, and he carried an inherent, awe-inspiring dignity. His gaze was deep, his aura powerful, making people feel a sense of reverence just looking at him, and his every gesture exuded the noble elegance of a top-tier aristocrat.

Compared to him, the Chen Hao before her was like the difference between clouds and mud; the gap was vast, and there was absolutely no comparability.

Moreover, Chen Hao was not her type to begin with. Han Yan did not like people pestering her deliberately, nor did she want to reveal her private information.

Her expression remained calm, but her tone carried obvious detachment as she politely refused: "Sorry, classmate Chen, I don't want to expose my private information."

Han Yan killed the conversation with that one sentence. The smile on Chen Hao's face froze, his expression full of embarrassment, and he didn't know where to put his hands and feet. He could only sheepishly scratch his head and smile reluctantly: "It's okay, it's okay. Protecting privacy is the right thing to do; I was too abrupt."

He was unwilling to give up and wanted to change the topic to continue communicating with Han Yan, but Han Yan was extremely quick. In just a moment, she placed the finished pudding milk tea in front of the counter and said quickly and decisively: "Your pudding milk tea is ready."

The words Chen Hao had on the tip of his tongue were forced back down. Full of embarrassment, he could only mumble a response, take out his phone, and hurriedly scan the code to pay.

He understood now that Han Yan's attitude had been cold throughout, and she had no interest in him whatsoever. Continuing to pester her shamelessly would only lead to his own humiliation.

Chen Hao gripped the milk tea in his hand, his face turning alternating shades of green and white. Without saying another word, he turned and left the milk tea shop dejectedly.

Walking out of the shop, a trace of unwillingness flashed in his eyes, but he still comforted himself: "She is stunningly beautiful and has a cold personality; it's normal for her to be resistant when we just met. As long as I come here every day and get closer to her slowly, I will definitely be able to move her with my sincerity!"

Thinking this way, Chen Hao walked along the street, heading back in the direction of Haishi University.

When passing the main entrance of Yujing Residential Area, he stopped in his tracks because he felt a sense of oppression. Even though it was restrained, it was still captured by his keen perception.

This sense of oppression came from a security guard, and Chen Hao exchanged a glance with him.

This security guard was none other than Lord Asura Ye Tianhan, who had just started his job less than ten minutes ago.

He was wearing an ordinary security guard uniform, yet it could not hide his upright, pine-like stature. He was 1.85 meters tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His face was cold and sharp, and his eyes concealed the murderous aura of someone who had experienced blood and rain. Even though he deliberately restrained all his aura, the sense of oppression around him that warned strangers to keep away was still chilling.

The moment their eyes met, the hairs on Chen Hao's body stood up instantly. The Red Sun True Qi in his dantian tightened subconsciously, a monstrous wave surged in his heart, and his entire body tensed to the extreme!

He was now a bona fide martial arts expert at the late stage of the Grandmaster Realm. As a Great Grandmaster, his perception far exceeded that of ordinary people, yet he could not see through this security guard at all!

He could only vaguely perceive that a thick, incredibly cold, murderous aura was swirling around the other person.

Chen Hao was horrified in his heart, simply unable to believe what he was sensing: "To be able to make even me, with my Grandmaster Realm cultivation, unable to see through him, this person's cultivation must be at least at the peak of the Grandmaster Realm!"

A dignified peerless expert at the peak of the Grandmaster Realm actually lowering himself to be a bottom-tier security guard in a residential area? This was simply unimaginable and unheard of!

At the same time, Lord Asura Ye Tianhan's cold eyes also flickered slightly, and his heart was equally filled with surprise.

He had cultivated bitterly for twenty-five years, experiencing countless life-and-death battles, before finally stepping into the peak of the Grandmaster Realm and becoming a top-tier martial arts expert.

Yet the young man before him, who was definitely no older than twenty, had already reached the late stage of the Grandmaster Realm. Such talent was rare in the world!

Lord Asura Ye Tianhan sighed to himself: "As expected of China, it is truly full of hidden talents; to actually encounter such a monstrous expert on the street."

The two Great Grandmasters looked at each other. Their auras collided silently, their fields of energy stalemated, yet neither took the initiative to strike, nor did they exchange words.

Chen Hao was full of wariness and dared not easily provoke this mysterious peak Great Grandmaster; he just wanted to leave quickly.

Lord Asura Ye Tianhan only wanted to quietly protect his wife and daughter; he had no intention of causing trouble or making enemies.

During the few seconds of eye contact, the two tacitly understood each other and nodded slightly in a polite gesture, then each looked away.

Chen Hao did not linger any longer. Suppressing the shock and wariness in his heart, he turned and walked quickly away from the entrance of Yujing Residential Area, returning rapidly to Haishi University.

As for Lord Asura Ye Tianhan, he remained standing at the entrance of the residential area, continuing to be an inconspicuous, ordinary security guard. Only his gaze remained fixed in the direction of Jieyou Tea Shop.

The next morning, in the female dormitory of Haishi University, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Han Yan woke up from her narrow dormitory bed.

She had good living habits, going to bed early and rising early every day. Just as she sat up and rubbed her sleepy eyes, the phone by her pillow vibrated gently.

She picked up the Redmi phone she had used for five years, tapped on the screen, and saw a WeChat message sent by Teacher Qin.

Teacher Qin: "Han Yan, the school starts freshman military training today. Do you want to participate in the military training, or come here to me so I can guide you in vocal practice?"

Han Yan looked at the message, her fingertips paused, and she soon had an answer in her heart.

Her constitution was relatively weak, and she might not be able to handle the high-intensity military training that lasted for half a month. Moreover, she had to go to the milk tea shop for her part-time job every afternoon. If the military training was too tiring, not only would she not be able to do her part-time job well, but she wouldn't even have the energy to practice singing.

Her fingertips tapped quickly on the screen, and she replied to Teacher Qin with a hint of hesitation.

Han Yan: "Teacher Qin, may I ask if it is possible not to participate in the military training?"

Not two seconds after the message was sent, Teacher Qin's reply popped up.

Teacher Qin: "Of course you can. I will handle the procedures for the military training for you. Then, starting from today, come to my office every morning, and I will create an exclusive vocal training plan for you to polish your singing skills."

Looking at this message, light instantly lit up in Han Yan's eyes. Her heart was filled with uncontrollable joy and gratitude, and she replied quickly.

Han Yan: "Okay! Thank you, Teacher Qin! It's really too much trouble for you!"

She quickly got up, washed, changed into a clean, plain-colored long dress, took her music score, and walked towards the Music Department office building.

The whole morning passed just like that in vocal training.

After a simple lunch at noon, Han Yan said goodbye to Teacher Qin, arrived on time at Jieyou Tea Shop across from the school, changed into her work uniform, and began her afternoon part-time job.

Time flew by, and it was 4:00 PM again. In the security booth at the main entrance of Yujing Residential Area, Lord Asura Ye Tianhan had switched shifts with a colleague and finally found some time.

He walked slowly across the street and pushed open the door of Jieyou Tea Shop; the wind chimes at the entrance jingled softly.

The moment Lord Asura Ye Tianhan entered the door, his gaze was firmly locked onto the slender figure bowing her head and working busily at the workstation.

That was his daughter, his own biological daughter whom he had never met and whose life he had been absent from for a full nineteen years.

Lord Asura Ye Tianhan stood in place, watching Han Yan wearing a simple work uniform, her eyes focused and her movements proficient as she shook the milk tea.

She was clearly at the age of a blooming flower and should have been happily enjoying her college life, but due to her family circumstances, she had to come here to work part-time in her spare time to supplement their household expenses.

An irrepressible wave of heartache and guilt swept through his heart.

His fingertips tightened slightly, and his heart felt as if it were being pricked by countless fine needles, a dense, aching pain.

It was all his fault. If not for him, how could they, mother and daughter, have suffered for so many years? How could Han Yan have had to shoulder the heavy burdens of life at such a young age, unable to even freely enjoy her college days?

He possessed immense power and countless wealth, yet his wife and daughter had endured in a dilapidated rental house for over a decade.

The more he thought, the more intense the emotions in his eyes became. He even forgot how long he had been standing there, completely losing his usual calmness and self-restraint.

On the other side, Han Yan handed the freshly made milk tea to the customer in front of her. When she looked up, she bumped into Lord Asura Ye Tianhan's gaze.

She was slightly stunned. In normal circumstances, being stared at so directly by a strange man, she would definitely have felt resistance and detachment, just like she did with Chen Hao yesterday.

But strangely, looking at the man in the security guard uniform before her, she did not feel any aversion in her heart.

She looked into the eyes of the man before her. There was not a shred of offense or covetousness in those eyes, only overflowing heartache and guilt, as well as a pure, elder-to-younger type of cherishing—looking exactly like how she imagined a father would look at his daughter.

Han Yan took the initiative to speak, her tone gentle and soft, with a polite smile on her face: "Sir, what kind of milk tea would you like to order?"

Hearing Han Yan's inquiry, Lord Asura Ye Tianhan came back to his senses, only then realizing that he had just lost his composure.

He quickly restrained the surging emotions in his heart, trying his best to make his voice sound calm, and said with a hint of apology: "Oh, sorry, I was lost in thought. Give me a pearl milk tea."

"Okay, one pearl milk tea." Han Yan's eyes curved, and she continued to ask, "Would you like to add ice?"

"Less ice is fine, thank you." Lord Asura Ye Tianhan's voice was very soft.

"Okay, please wait a moment." Han Yan responded, then turned and walked to the workstation, proficiently starting to make the pearl milk tea.

During this process, Lord Asura Ye Tianhan did not try to strike up a conversation or get close like Chen Hao did. He just stood quietly in front of the counter, his gaze landing on Han Yan's busy figure, thinking to himself:

"I actually lost my composure just now; I'm really getting worse with age. But that's fine. This shop is close by. I will come often after my shift in the future. I will start by getting familiar with her as a customer, and when she gets used to me, I will find an opportunity to tell her the truth."

A few minutes later, Han Yan sealed the finished pearl milk tea, placed it gently in front of the counter, and handed it over with a smile: "Sir, your pearl milk tea is ready."

"Okay, thank you." Lord Asura Ye Tianhan took the milk tea, his fingertips touching the slightly cool cup wall, but his heart felt a warmth rise up.

This was his daughter, the first cup of milk tea she had made for him with her own hands, even though she didn't know it.

He did not turn and leave, but instead took the milk tea, walked to the table by the window inside the shop, and sat down, slowly tasting the milk tea in the cup.