Chapter 23: Going Home

Yu Xiaozhe got into the driver’s seat, while Yu Yue dragged Ruan Xingwen to sit in the back. Ruan Xingwen felt it wasn’t right to leave Mr. Yu alone in the front seat, so he cautiously asked, "Mr. Yu, how about I drive?" Although he didn’t own a car, he had a driver’s license and occasionally drove the company car for errands. The car smoothly started and headed towards Times Garden. "No worries, you should take a break, you’re probably tired today." Ruan Xingwen felt that although Mr. Yu’s tone was flat, it carried a hint of concern. Maybe the events of today had left him so exhausted that he was imagining such unrealistic scenarios. Saying Yu Yue was concerned about him seemed more reliable than Mr. Yu showing concern for him. So he shook his head, "I’m alright, I was prepared, not really that tired. Besides, it’s been a hassle for you and Ah Yue today. When you have time, let me treat you both to a meal." After saying that, he remembered something and added, "I’m too broke right now, so I can only invite you to my place for a meal. We can have hotpot. What do you think?" He could tell that Yu Xiaozhe made the decisions, and Yu Yue clearly listened to him. So he directed his question to Yu Xiaozhe. Indeed, Yu Yue had no objections. "Sure, I’m looking forward to it. I’ll contact you when I’m free." As soon as the words were out, Yu Yue eagerly reached for the front seat, "Bro, give me your phone, I’ll help you add Xingxing’s WeChat~ " He glared at him through the rearview mirror warningly, "I’m driving, we’ll talk when we stop. Sit back!" He said sternly. Yu Yue sat back dejectedly, casting a rueful glance at Ruan Xingwen, his eyes filled with accusation. Ruan Xingwen shrugged to show he was powerless and this time he supported Mr. Yu’s decision. Times Garden wasn’t far from Xing Yue. Yu Xiaozhe drove steadily, it was already late, and there weren’t many cars on the road, so the speed wasn’t slow. In less than half an hour, the car entered the complex. The neighborhood was quiet, with no one on the road, and not many lit windows in the buildings. Looking outside the car, at an intersection, Ruan Xingwen spoke gently, "Mr. Yu, just stop here. It’s convenient whichever way you head." Yu Xiaozhe also looked out the window and nodded, "Alright, take care and let me know when you get home." "By the way, we will have to wait a few days for the endorsement. I have to join a production tomorrow, and I’ll be available in about a week." Ruan Xingwen obediently nodded, "Okay, Mr. Yu." Pushing open the car door, he bent down and waved to the man in the driver’s seat, said goodbye, and then straightened to walk home. Meanwhile, the car remained stationary. Inside, the two exchanged looks, and Yu Yue finally gave in and cautiously spoke, "Bro, don’t you think you’ve forgotten something?" "..." "Did you really not remember?" "..." "Bro, haven’t you added Xingxing as a friend yet?" "..." "Bro, it’s okay, when we get to Grandpa’s house, I’ll hel—" Before he could finish, the car started again, moving in the opposite direction of Ruan Xingwen’s home. Yu Xiaozhe hadn’t forgotten; he just didn’t know how to bring it up. When Ruan Xingwen hadn’t gotten out yet, he wanted to remind him, but seeing that he seemed to have forgotten, he didn’t take the initiative to ask. Growing up with people always catering to him, he never needed to ask for anything actively. Thus, with one not knowing how to start and the other too tired to remember, neither had exchanged any contact information. Talking, they reached their destination. If Ruan Xingwen had come too, he would have found the place very familiar. Yu Yue’s grandfather lived on the third floor. It was already midnight, and the old man was asleep. Yu Xiaozhe called the caretaker to open the door. Shortly after, the door opened from the inside. "Mr. Yu, Mr. Yu, you’re here." A young man inside respectfully welcomed them in and began sharing the old man’s amusing anecdotes from the day, "Grandpa had another argument with Grandpa Zhang over chess today, so he got a bit tired and went to bed early." Saying this, he prepared plain water and iced coke for the two based on their habits, placing them on the coffee table in front of them, and stood beside Yu Xiaozhe. If one looked closely, they would notice a clear adoration in his eyes when looking at Yu Xiaozhe. "Thank you for taking care of Grandpa. You can go rest. Sorry for the trouble so late." Yu Xiaozhe ignored his gaze, having no time to entertain it. Yu Yue was rather impatient, noting how the man seemed reluctant to leave and wanted to say more, finally urging him to go, "You can go, we don’t need you here anymore." Yu Xiaozhe signaled with his eyes for Yu Yue not to be too harsh, but didn’t stop him. They were quite tired today, and he didn’t want to deal with more people. The man reluctantly walked away, looking back every three steps. "Sigh, have to find someone new to take care of Grandpa again." Though Yu Xiaozhe didn’t say it, Yu Yue already understood through his expression and voiced his thoughts. He nodded silently, raised a hand to lightly massage his tense forehead, and finally relaxed back against the sofa. "You should go to bed early too." "I’m fine, young people don’t need sleep, I can keep going!" Yu Xiaozhe looked at him disapprovingly, eyes filled with reproach. Before he could deliver a lecture, Yu Yue naturally changed the subject, "We’re home, Xingxing should be there too." Seeing his brother follow his lead and shift focus, Yu Yue quietly let out a breath of relief, narrowly avoiding another lecture... "I’ll text him." Meanwhile, Ruan Xingwen, already home, remembered he hadn’t added Mr. Yu yet but hurriedly left the car and went home. With a right turn at the intersection, he was at his building. Dragging his tired body up five flights, the moment he hit the soft sofa, he didn’t want to move anymore. But he hadn’t washed up yet, and the unpleasant smell of alcohol clung to him, so he dragged his weary body into the bathroom, ran hot water, and prepared for a soak. He didn’t soak for long, fearing he’d fall asleep in the tub, he got out after about half an hour. Leaning on the sofa, drying his hair, he felt as if he’d forgotten something. Just then, his phone rang, signaling a message. [Most Handsome in the Universe: Xingxing, we’ve arrived at Grandpa’s, are you home yet?] Seeing this nickname, Ruan Xingwen couldn’t help but laugh and replied, [Wen Xingcui: I’m home, about to sleep.] He also clicked into Yu Yue’s contact card and changed the note to [Ah Yue], or else chatting with him later, seeing this nickname, responding would feel weird. Wait! He seemed to remember what he forgot! He hadn’t added Mr. Yu yet!