CHAPTER 396: CHAPTER 396: YOU MUST SAVE ME

Yun Shifei had a dream. In the dream, Cheng Lie was assassinated in a mountainous region.

When she woke up, she wiped the cold sweat off her forehead, clutching her wildly beating heart, and told herself that dreams and reality were opposites. Surely, it was because she’d been thinking about Cheng Lie and worrying about him over the past few days that she’d had such an absurd dream.

Yun Shifei reassured herself, gradually calming down.

Nonetheless, she sent Cheng Lie a text to ask how he was doing recently.

But then she recalled that he was currently in the mountains, and how she had mentioned last time that he didn’t need to contact her so frequently. She was worried he’d exhaust himself running around trying to find a signal.

The last time they spoke was two days ago.

Yun Shifei couldn’t help but touch her chest, then lifted her gaze to the rising sun outside the window, comforting herself that everything would be fine, that Cheng Lie wouldn’t come to any harm.

After getting out of bed, Yun Shifei went for a jog outside and made up her mind to buy a computer to work from home.

With the computer and an internet connection, her work could slowly get underway.

After all, since she had decided to help them set up an online store, she had to upload actual product photos; otherwise, who would buy anything?

Yun Shifei wandered around a computer store and chose a model that seemed suitable. Computers nowadays were bulky, but there was no choice. Technology was constantly advancing; it wouldn’t be until a few years later that slim LCD screens would emerge, gradually becoming lighter and thinner.

After picking out her computer, someone suddenly called out to her from behind.

She turned around and saw a familiar face.

"Senior brother."

Ye Yi nodded at her. He was also looking to buy a laptop and was surprised to run into Yun Shifei.

"Shi Fei, are you here to buy a computer too?" Ye Yi asked.

Yun Shifei nodded.

Their relationship had gradually drifted apart over time. Yun Shifei understood Ye Yi’s feelings, and Ye Yi also knew their paths couldn’t align.

Coupled with the increasingly hectic college life—they were in different years and majors—it was naturally difficult to meet. Eventually, their bond faded away.

Encountering Yun Shifei here by chance made Ye Yi quite happy.

He couldn’t help but say, "Shi Fei, could you help me pick out a laptop? I can’t make sense of those specifications."

He had been watching Yun Shifei browse computers earlier and thought she seemed quite knowledgeable about them.

"Sure," Yun Shifei agreed readily—it was a small favor.

She asked Ye Yi what he needed the computer for and then picked out the most suitable model for him from the store.

After both had bought their computers, Yun Shifei loaded hers into her car. Ye Yi looked at her and said, "Thank you for today. Let me treat you to a meal."

Yun Shifei instinctively wanted to decline but stopped short when she heard Ye Yi continue, "I heard from your father that you’re planning to set up a website to help him sell goods online. I find it quite interesting—do you think my family’s products could be sold online as well?"

Yun Shifei: "..."

Well then, for this reason, how could she bear to refuse him?

So Yun Shifei replied, "Sure, we can chat about it."

Ye Yi couldn’t help but smile. His sunny smile was warm and handsome.

They chose a Western restaurant, and after ordering, Yun Shifei began discussing her plans for the website—its purpose and functionality.

Ye Yi listened attentively.

After hearing her out, he looked at Yun Shifei with admiration. "Junior sister, you have some great ideas."

Hearing Ye Yi call her "junior sister," a formal and slightly distant term, oddly made Yun Shifei feel more relaxed.

She said, "So, senior brother, are you interested in joining us?"

She recalled that Ye Yi’s family produced ceramics, which seemed quite suitable for selling online.

However, Ye Yi expressed concern: "Our family specializes in ceramics—wouldn’t it be too fragile during transportation?"

Their current business mainly catered to local customers, with deliveries made by car.

Yun Shifei shook her head. "It wouldn’t be a problem as long as the packaging is done properly. If you’re still unsure, you could try it out first."

As she spoke, Yun Shifei suddenly thought of another angle.

Logistics in this era was still dominated by state-owned enterprises, with very few private delivery companies. The major giants had only recently begun to emerge.

Should she consider approaching them for collaboration? Transport and shipping weren’t her strong suits—not even with her early advantage. Unlike the internet, she wasn’t particularly familiar with this field and had little time to spare. Direct collaboration seemed to be the better approach.

Thinking of the popular courier brands from her previous life, she realized they were now in their budding stages. Yun Shifei felt a bold idea brewing in her mind.

With conversations flowing and ideas being exchanged, time passed quickly.

Ye Yi no longer seemed as stiff and awkward as before. Watching the girl in front of him talk about the internet, her eyes sparkling, he thought: She truly is passionate about this industry.

If he could provide her with some help, he’d feel quite fulfilled as well.

As they were deep in conversation, a voice suddenly cut in: "Shi Fei, you’re here too?"

It was Sun Xiaoqi’s voice.

Yun Shifei turned toward the source and greeted Sun Xiaoqi, "What a coincidence."

She froze momentarily upon seeing Sun Xiaoqi, noting how formally dressed she was today. Sun Xiaoqi had on a plaid dress, her hair neatly pinned up, with a touch of light makeup.

Sun Xiaoqi’s features leaned toward the cute side, and with makeup, she looked a few years more mature.

Yun Shifei almost didn’t recognize her.

"You look really nice today," Yun Shifei said, smiling as she sized her up.

Sun Xiaoqi frowned with a look of annoyance. "Don’t even mention it. My mom insisted that I dress like this and even helped me do my makeup, saying I should meet my blind date today."

Speaking of which, Sun Xiaoqi snorted coldly. "How old am I? I’m still a young girl, okay? And here she is saying I’m too old already and must hurry up to get married and have kids."

In this era, early marriage was common, so it wasn’t unusual for Sun Xiaoqi to be pressured into it.

Thinking about it, Yun Shifei chuckled lightly. "And you just showed up like this?"

"Of course! But here’s the thing—I didn’t expect the guy to be super into me. What do I do? I’m completely uninterested in him!"

As she spoke, Sun Xiaoqi noticed Ye Yi and froze for a moment.

Ye Yi nodded politely at her.

Sun Xiaoqi’s eyes flickered briefly before turning back to Yun Shifei. "And who is this...?"

"He’s my senior brother," Yun Shifei explained.

Senior brother!

Sun Xiaoqi immediately turned to Ye Yi and exclaimed, "Senior brother, if you’re Shi Fei’s senior brother, then you’re practically my senior brother too. You must save me!"

Ye Yi, encountering such an overly familiar girl for the first time, paused in surprise. Xu Yuejiao had always been lively and outgoing, but she carried herself with sophistication—not like Sun Xiaoqi’s coquettish antics.

He coughed lightly and asked, "How can I help you?"

"You—could you pretend to be my boyfriend and tell that guy we’re together?"

Ye Yi froze.

This kind of request—he’d never heard anything like it before.