Study System: I'm a 38-Year-Old Student-Chapter 358 - 241: He’s a Big Tree Now!

"Let me first show you two seniors what’s going on at the tavern."

"Although our tavern isn’t big, it’s packed every day, so it’s very busy."

Shen Yanran took the initiative to guide the newcomers.

Before Xiao Sinian and Hu Jian could speak, Shen Qiushan waved his hand first: "Yanran, the arrangements for work should be handled by your Aunt Tingting."

"You and Jiayu should go help in the kitchen; we’re short on hands right now!"

Shen Qiushan naturally didn’t want to give his daughter a chance to interact with Xiao Sinian, though he could only manage that for a while.

But driven by the instinct of an old father, he would subconsciously set up some barriers.

"Dad, I’m not arranging work, just familiarizing them with the tavern environment!"

"After I show them around, I’ll head to the kitchen right away!"

With that said, Shen Yanran winked at Xiao Sinian and Hu Jian and left the bar with them before her dad could react.

"Jiayu, you go along too and have a look!"

Seeing he couldn’t stop his daughter, Shen Qiushan hurriedly sent his sister-in-law Lin Jiayu to be the "third wheel."

"Oh, alright!"

Lin Jiayu agreed reluctantly. She certainly knew why Shen Qiushan wanted her to follow Shen Yanran.

However, in this matter, Lin Jiayu naturally stood on her niece Shen Yanran’s side.

Young people!

They still believe in and yearn for love.

So Lin Jiayu also hoped that her niece and best friend Shen Yanran could experience a sweet romance.

The four young people left the bar.

Shen Qiushan asked Xu Pipa to pour him a glass of strong whiskey and drank it on his own.

After a while, Hu Tingting returned from the restroom.

"Brother Shen, what’s up with you?"

"You’re drinking alone?"

Hu Tingting cheerfully sat on the high stool next to Shen Qiushan.

"Nothing."

Shen Qiushan shook his head: "Just feeling a bit nostalgic, the kids have all grown up."

"How does that saying go? Time is like a wild donkey; once it runs, it doesn’t stop!"

"Exactly!"

Hu Tingting nodded in agreement: "Yanran and Xiaoxiao are grown-ups now!"

"By the way, Brother Shen, how about those two part-time workers for the winter break? Are they staying?"

Hu Tingting shifted the topic back to before she went to the restroom.

"Yes, they’re staying."

Shen Qiushan nodded rather gloomily.

"I think they’re pretty good. Both kids are down-to-earth characters."

"And I’ve heard that Xiao is the belle of Sanjiang University. With him working at the tavern, it might even attract more customers."

Hu Tingting didn’t notice the change in Shen Qiushan’s mood and continued to promote Xiao Sinian.

"Tingting, do you think our tavern is short of customers?"

Shen Qiushan questioned her.

"Uh, not at the moment."

Hu Tingting shook her head and added, "But, you know, better be safe than sorry; the hype always fades eventually."

Shen Qiushan didn’t continue on this topic. With a serious face, he said, "Tingting, you’re in the shop more often, keep an eye on Xiaoxiao and Yanran for me."

"Brother Shen, when did you become so polite?"

"For such a small matter, there’s no need for you to mention it specifically!"

Hu Tingting waved her hand with a smile and continued, "Brother Shen, don’t worry."

"If there’s any hint of trouble with Xiaoxiao and Yanran, I’ll let you know immediately!"

"Hmm, but wait, what could possibly happen between them?"

"Our tavern’s customers are quite decent, and most of them are tourists. We’ve never had conflicts like at bars."

Hu Tingting suddenly realized that Shen Qiushan’s earlier instructions were a bit unusual.

"Yanran and that Xiao Sinian have a somewhat delicate relationship, keep an eye on them for me."

Shen Qiushan no longer beat around the bush and spoke directly.

"Yanran and Xiao Sinian?"

Hu Tingting widened her eyes in surprise and then solemnly said, "Brother Shen, don’t worry, if there’s any hint of trouble between the two, I’ll let you know immediately!"

Shen Qiushan nodded and said nothing more, but his eyes drifted toward Shen Yanran and the group in the distance. At that moment, his daughter was animatedly talking about something.

From her expression, it was clear that Shen Yanran was in a very good mood!

Shen Qiushan sighed quietly again. An old father with a daughter probably has to face this hurdle.

"Uncle Shen, have a Blue Ocean!"

At this moment, Xu Pipa handed over a blue cocktail.

The drink was called "Blue Ocean," a popular one at the tavern.

Its ingredients included "almond syrup," giving it a calming effect.

"Pipa, you and Yanran are close. If she starts dating, you must tell me immediately."

Shen Qiushan took the drink, sipped it, and said.

"Mm-hmm."

Xu Pipa nodded obediently.

Although she was quite close to Shen Yanran, in Little Mushroom Head’s heart, Uncle Shen was naturally more important.

The next day.

Shen Qiushan drove to the girls’ dormitory after finishing his exams.

He had made arrangements to accompany Xu Pipa to visit "Old Xu" at the mental hospital.

Just as he parked his car, Xu Pipa walked out of the dormitory building, clearly not a coincidence.

"Did you come down early?"

Once Little Mushroom Head was in the car, Shen Qiushan asked casually.

"Just a little early."

Xu Pipa replied softly.

In fact, she had been downstairs for quite a while because she didn’t want Shen Qiushan waiting for her.

For some girls, it’s perfectly natural for their boyfriend to wait downstairs, and it would be odd if they didn’t.

But Xu Pipa never thought so. She believed liking someone shouldn’t mean making them do "uncomfortable" things; it should mean making them comfortable!

Naturally, Shen Qiushan didn’t dwell on this little detail. He drove out of the dormitory area and asked, "Do you want to stop by the supermarket to buy some fruits and snacks?"

"Already bought them!"

Xu Pipa pointed to the backpack she was holding in her lap.

Shen Qiushan smiled and nodded, silently thinking to himself: Of the same age, this Little Mushroom Head is much more considerate than my two kids.

An hour’s drive passed in no time.

The two soon arrived at the Second Mental Hospital of Sanjiang City.

During visiting hours, they entered the hospital with other relatives.

In a small garden.

Shen Qiushan once again saw Xu Pipa’s father, the once-famous poet Xu Yunzhou.

Last time they met, he was holding an umbrella, cosplaying as a mushroom—very abstract, yet deeply saddening.

Today, he had no umbrella, but stood still with open arms by the flower bed.

At this moment, the doctor accompanying Shen Qiushan and Xu Pipa whispered, "He’s a big tree now; started a week ago!"