The Scheming Ex-Husband's Courtship-Chapter 534 - 470 One Above in Heaven, One Below on Earth

Chapter 534: Chapter 470 One Above in Heaven, One Below on Earth
Mu Chenxi only found out at this moment that Luo Shangqing came to the train station to pick up his mentor, an elder who looked very dignified and respectable.
The elderly gentleman was dressed in casual sportswear with a coat on top, vigorously waving at Luo Shangqing.
Luo Shangqing walked over, and with a polite demeanor took the suitcase from the elder’s hands.
"Haha, I really didn’t expect you to come pick me up. How come you are free today?" The elder’s face was all smiles upon seeing Luo Shangqing, one could guess that Luo Shangqing must be his proud student, his eyes full of admiration and satisfaction.
"School’s out and there’s not much going on at the hospital, I heard you were coming alone so I came over," Luo Shangqing appeared particularly humble in front of the elder, not at all like his usual aloof and serene demeanor.
Only then did the elder notice the little figure standing beside him, and curiously pointed, "And who is this?"
"This is my student." Luo Shangqing turned back to look at Mu Chenxi.
Mu Chenxi had just been pondering how to address her teacher’s mentor, but now being looked at by Luo Shangqing, she blurted out: "Greetings, Grandmaster."
The elder was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter, "This little girl is interesting, very interesting."
With a helpless face, Luo Shangqing corrected her, "This is Professor Yuan, a national academician and Nobel Prize in Medicine laureate."
Mu Chenxi did not expect that this unassuming elder in front of her held such prestigious titles, she immediately stood up straight and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Professor Yuan."
Professor Yuan laughed again, seemingly very happy, "This girl, haha, has such a festive appearance, just looking at her makes one joyful."
Mu Chenxi felt awkward hearing Professor Yuan’s compliment; what did he mean by a ’festive appearance’? She wasn’t a Buddha beloved by everyone.
"Professor, my car is over there, let us head over first," Luo Shangqing cast a glance at her and motioned towards the old man’s luggage suitcase.
Mu Chenxi followed behind, silently pondering his glance earlier, it seemed like a scoff at her.
Mu Chenxi felt somewhat indignant. Just because she looked rather plain, did it really matter? How many people could look as ethereally stunning as him, practically begging to be detested?
Arriving at the parking lot, Luo Shangqing placed the suitcase in the trunk and then opened the car door for Professor Yuan, showing the utmost respect like a well-mannered student despite his distinguished background.
After getting into the car, Professor Yuan didn’t rush to close the door but leaned on the window and said, "Girl, come up as well, come sit at the old man’s home. It’s been a long time since my place felt lively."
Mu Chenxi was just about to make her excuses to leave when she suddenly heard Professor Yuan’s invitation and awkwardly looked towards Luo Shangqing, feeling it wasn’t quite appropriate for her, an outsider, to visit Professor Yuan’s home.
Expecting Luo Shangqing might seize the opportunity to let her leave, she was surprised when he instead pointed to the passenger seat: "Get in."
Mu Chenxi felt confused and overwhelmed by the situation; what had started as a simple trip to send off a classmate had escalated into visiting an academician at his home, making her, an ordinary individual feel quite out of place.
Professor Yuan’s home was decorated in an ancient traditional style, and the aura of scholarship was pervasive everywhere.
When they entered, the servant had already prepared the meal, and Professor Yuan invited her to dine together.
Mu Chenxi felt very restrained in the presence of this highly esteemed elder; usually vibrant and chatty, she now transformed into a quiet and mannerly girl, eating slowly and cautiously, careful not to make any sound that would seem impolite.
While Luo Shangqing and Professor Yuan were discussing academic matters and barely eating, she felt it inappropriate to indulge freely, so she ate only enough to half satisfy her hunger before putting down her chopsticks.
"Professor Yuan, Professor Luo, I am done eating," Mu Chenxi ed honestly while sitting upright in her chair.
Professor Yuan laughed, "Girl, don’t be so restrained, I usually don’t have many visitors, your presence means you don’t disdain mingling with an old man like me. Since you are Shangqing’s student, you are my student as well, and my students always consider this place their own home, feel free to be at ease, no need for formalities."
Professor Yuan’s easy-going nature made Mu Chenxi feel less constrained. Seeing that they still had topics to discuss and knowing she couldn’t contribute, she stood up and said, "Professor Yuan, Professor Luo, I’ll go to the living room."
"Girl, feel free to look around. Although there is nothing much interesting in this old man’s house, it can still kill some time."
Mu Chenxi, indeed bored, took up Professor Yuan’s permission and began visiting every room.
Professor Yuan’s room was spotlessly clean, all things neatly organized, reminding her of Luo Shangqing’s always pristine desk. Comparing it to her own desk and bedroom, she suddenly felt the vast gap between people was truly immense.
In Yuan Lao’s study, Mu Chenxi saw many photos placed on the bookshelf, all of which were group photos of Yuan Lao with his students. Among them, Mu Chenxi spotted a familiar figure.
Back then, Luo Shangqing still had an air of youthful naïvety, looking barely in his twenties, far from the composed demeanor he wears today like mist in the wind. He stood beside Yuan Lao, clearly a dutiful and diligent student, meticulously looking at the camera.
Mu Chenxi leaned in closer to study his face, his skin so flawless that even women might envy, with a hint of rebellious cunning deep in his eyes.
She didn’t know what Luo Shangqing’s personality might have been like at her age, but certainly not the aloofness he exhibits now.
Next to this group photo was another one, which also featured Luo Shangqing. He stood to the left of Yuan Lao, while on Yuan Lao’s right was an incredibly beautiful girl in school uniform.
Mu Chenxi suddenly remembered her; this was the woman who was chatting with Professor Luo at the restaurant in Xiangshan. It turned out they were from the same mentoring lineage.
"This is another of my proud students, her name is Cheng Lin, a professor of pathology." Yuan Lao appeared behind Mu Chenxi at some point, squinting his eyes, "This girl is talented and highly competitive. She was two years junior to Shangqing. I remember she pursued him aggressively, everyone in the school knew about this bold girl chasing after our talented boy."
"Did she manage to catch him?" Mu Chenxi asked curiously, somehow reminded of her own unrequited love.
Yuan Lao shook his head with a smile: "She didn’t catch him during school, but what happens now is unclear. I see that Shangqing is still unmarried despite his age, I, as his teacher, am indeed anxious for him; however, I heard recently that Shangqing seems to have someone he fancies..."
Just as Mu Chenxi’s ears perked up, she heard Luo Shangqing’s voice from outside: "Professor Yuan, where did you put that academic journal last time?"
Professor Yuan quickly responded, "I’ll find it for you."
He hurried off, aging in years but still brisk in his steps.
Mu Chenxi felt it inappropriate to continue inquiring or stay too long in someone else’s study, but before leaving, she couldn’t help but take another glance at the group photo. Perhaps only such equally talented and striking people are suitable for each other, just like Professor Luo.
As she was leaving, she passed by a mirror; Mu Chenxi saw her reflection with a ponytail, a face of youthful naivety. Although thin, she had also lost her curves, lamentably lacking in many aspects – even she couldn’t bear to look at herself, while Cheng Lin was not only stunningly beautiful but also a medicate doctor, and she was just a poor student, worlds apart, not even needing a comparison.
Professor Luo would have to be suffering from both presbyopia and cataracts to choose her over Cheng Lin.
"Girl, why the sigh?" Yuan Lao somehow appeared again, cheerfully saying: "Come on, watch this old man practice a bit."
Mu Chenxi was wondering what Yuan Lao was about to practice when Luo Shangqing, who hadn’t shown himself until now, came over and clarified: "Professor Yuan is going to practice calligraphy."
Mu Chenxi immediately thought of a cunning plan. While Professor Yuan was practicing his calligraphy, she decided to ask him for a piece. There was a writer who won the Nobel Prize, and even bricks from his hometown were sold at high prices by tourists – perhaps she could get rich off this calligraphy, and if she couldn’t find a job later, she could sell it to make ends meet.
With that thought, Mu Chenxi’s mood brightened, obligingly following: "Professor Yuan, let me help you grind the ink."
Watching her eagerness to please, Luo Shangqing guessed her little scheme. A young girl’s heart isn’t deeply hidden, her dimples nearly holding two ounces of water from her grin.
Professor Yuan picked up the brush and arranged the paper, cleared his throat forcefully, and started to write.
In Mu Chenxi’s hopeful gaze, a calligraphic work was formed on the paper, but it wasn’t quite what she had imagined — Professor Yuan’s calligraphy... seemed even worse than hers.
"How is it, girl?" Yuan Lao held up the paper against the sunlight, his face full of satisfaction, "Give some feedback."
Mu Chenxi twitched her mouth, debating whether to flatter or to be honest, after wrestling with the pros and cons internally, she decided to offer insincere praise.
Before she could speak, Yuan Lao burst into hearty laughter, put the paper down and wiped his hands: "You, girl, I can tell you’re honest. If it were someone else, they wouldn’t have thought twice before starting their praises."
Feeling caught, Mu Chenxi was a bit embarrassed, worried that she had embarrassed herself in front of Luo Shangqing, sneaking glances at him with her eyes.
Luo Shangqing stood to the side, bending slightly to inspect seriously, "Teacher, there’s some improvement, seems like you’ve been practicing recently."
This? This is improvement?
Mu Chenxi thought to herself, wondering how bad Professor Yuan’s writing must have been before.
"You see, I know my calligraphy is terrible, so I need to keep practicing hard. But some things rely on talent, and mere effort isn’t enough." Yuan Lao said as he crumpled the paper he just wrote into a ball and threw it in the trashcan, "Girl, your Professor Luo is actually my calligraphy teacher, haven’t you seen his authentic works?"