The Long Road Ahead

Notified

Xiao Ning found an hourly worker to go by and clean the apartment the following day, and also went online to buy some electrical appliances he needed. He figured they would arrive at the door around evening time a couple days later, and such a time frame was alright. In addition to those electrical appliances, Xiao Ning bought a lot of household ones too, his expenses adding up to quite a considerable sum. But it was fine as well, as long as he focussed on how useful they would all be in the future.

Suddenly, Lu Yan stood up. "Xiao Ning."

"Moving?!" Lu Yan was shocked, so much so, forgot himself, asking with a shout, "You're moving?"

Tossing the menu to Xia Li, Lu Yan casually asked, "How was your Monday?"

Xiao Ning thought to himself that it would be troublesome to say he was still playing around all over the place. "Yes, because he company picked up a new project. So it possible he'll be busy for a while."

Notified

It honestly felt a bit strange. He clearly had only rented a house, and even though his feelings couldn't be described as as that of rebirth, it did indeed feel as though that life of his which had lain stagnant for too long had finally began moving forward.

"Got it." Shan Haiming then said simply, "I told my parents."

Without thinking, Xiao Ning smiled. "You two should go eat as a couple. I'll just be a third wheel if I come along."

Chen Shuyun replied gratefully, "Ah, yes, it does. Your uncle used it to soak his feet and his rheumatism has improved a lot."

Right now, he may not be able to change it for a while.

◈◇◈

Xiao Ning was not good at brushing off that excitable boyfriend of Lu Yan's, so with each he received he would only listen patiently, as well as adding on a few words to encourage that child-like boyfriend to continue speaking.

Xiao Ning walked out of the restaurant, just in time to be showered by Lu Yan asking: "What do you mean by this?"

Of course, even then, Lu Yan had yet to have contacted him. Xia Li calls him every day, however, regarding Xiao Ning as his "bestie", one he told of all the places went to entertain themselves, what they had eaten, or what good thing they had watched.

"But what about us is there to raise any doubts?" Lu Yan looked into the shop with an inconceivable expression. "We've purely been just brothers over all these years. If we wanted to be together, we would've been together earlier. So why would we wait for him to come intervene?"

Knowing he was only joking, Xiao Ning let a smile spread on his face. "Alright then. It'll be my treat, so you two decide on the place and send me the address after you get there."

After saying a few more words of concern for the two elders, Xiao Ning ended the call, a trace of worry for the two entering his mind. If Lu Yan is really serious about Xia Li...

Right as Xiao Ning was again about to persuade Lu Yan, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Shan Haiming and didn't dare not immediately answer. "Hello? Why are you calling right now?"

"What do I mean?" Xiao Ning then asked with a strange expression, "You just left Xia Li on his own in there, I should be asking you what you mean by that. Why are you treating your boyfriend like this?"

But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.

Lu Yan remained silent for a moment, seeming to give the matter serious thought, but then suddenly shouted, "No—you're not moving away! That's what we were discussing, right? Or... or how about I just buy you a house in this neighbourhood?

They were like a pair of enthusiastic young, the kind that renders the 'single dogs' amongst them blind with their brilliance.

Lu Yan didn't utter a word, no different than a kid who had his toy stolen, his face covered in unwillingness.

"Hey, don't go accusing me wrongly. I've just been busy recently because I'm moving." After Xiao Ning spoke, he lowered his gaze, fixing it upon the simple and unadorned teacup.

There was also a few times he had received calls from, Lu Yan's mother, Chen Shuyun too, with her asking how Lu Yan was doing recently and nothing more. Such calls were as a result of Lu Yan finding it too much of pain to answer his parents' calls, so Chen Shuyun had developed the habit of phoning Xiao Ning to ask what Lu Yan was up to.

Xiao Ning was not good at brushing off that excitable boyfriend of Lu Yan's, so with each he received he would only listen patiently, as well as adding on a few words to encourage that child-like boyfriend to continue speaking.

Xia Li was startled by Lu Yan's sudden outburst. "Why, what's wrong?"

Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.

From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming asked, "How enthusiastic... What's wrong, is there someone beside you?"

Saying this, looked at Lu Yan. I'll be taking this call, so you can go back in first, okay?

Xiao Ning walked out of the restaurant, just in time to be showered by Lu Yan asking: "What do you mean by this?"

There was also a few times he had received calls from, Lu Yan's mother, Chen Shuyun too, with her asking how Lu Yan was doing recently and nothing more. Such calls were as a result of Lu Yan finding it too much of pain to answer his parents' calls, so Chen Shuyun had developed the habit of phoning Xiao Ning to ask what Lu Yan was up to.

But once Lu Yan saw how he hurried to answer the call, along with his cheerful tone, and the smile he wore when her answered; for no reason at all, his chest tightened, and without knowing why, he didn't want to leave. So he stood there with arms folded over his chest.

I sliver of dread flashed within Xiao Ning's mind, from which he quickly awakened. This was nothing serious, it couldn't be. What was I even thinking?

"How will..." Xiao Ning regretted greatly he had not said he would be working overtime earlier. As now if he said it, it would be too obvious he was trying to avoid them.

Right now, he may not be able to change it for a while.

Right now, he may not be able to change it for a while.

Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issue? What's wrong with it now?"

Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt hen it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."

But when asking Xiao Ning, even he didn't know. So putting together the bits and pieces of what Xia Li had told her, he replied to Chen Shuyun.

N/A

"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"

The other person he was speaking to should be Lu Yan. Because the person on the line was immediately switched, and Lu Yan's voice when heard sounded more than a little angry. "So now even being invited out for a meal was something you can't do?"

"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"

Xiao Ning looked at him with little regard, saying, "Lu Yan, are you kidding me right now? You and your partner are living together as a couple, and I am an outsider. Are trying to piss off me or piss off Xia Li?"

Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.

But once Lu Yan saw how he hurried to answer the call, along with his cheerful tone, and the smile he wore when her answered; for no reason at all, his chest tightened, and without knowing why, he didn't want to leave. So he stood there with arms folded over his chest.

Xiao Ning thought to himself that it would be troublesome to say he was still playing around all over the place. "Yes, because he company picked up a new project. So it possible he'll be busy for a while."

Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.

Xiao Ning listened with all smiles, but then Lu Yan interrupted. "Xia Li, let's order first."

From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming asked, "How enthusiastic... What's wrong, is there someone beside you?"

Without thinking, Xiao Ning smiled. "You two should go eat as a couple. I'll just be a third wheel if I come along."

Just let it be, alright? Thinking about it is fine but insisting on making him go hang back and watch was just too much.

Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.

Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.

"Oh... Then please tell him to take care of himself on my behalf, as well as, um..." Chen Shuyun's voice was reduced to a whisper, "When will you two return for a visit? By plane, it will take just a couple of hours."

Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt hen it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."

Notified

Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.

"Okay, I'll tell him what you said, along with returning to see you guys one day." Xiao Ning's heart softened at this. In his childhood years, his parents relationship was quite awful, and neither cared about him in the least. After some time he then found himself orphaned by both parents. Due to this, the left over love and care Lu Yan's parents gave to him was the closest thing to family Xiao Ning had ever known in his entire existence. "You and uncle should take care of yourselves too. Does the medicine I sent to you guys before still work?"

Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.

"Okay, I'll tell him what you said, along with returning to see you guys one day." Xiao Ning's heart softened at this. In his childhood years, his parents relationship was quite awful, and neither cared about him in the least. After some time he then found himself orphaned by both parents. Due to this, the left over love[1] and care Lu Yan's parents gave to him was the closest thing to family Xiao Ning had ever known in his entire existence. "You and uncle should take care of yourselves too. Does the medicine I sent to you guys before still work?"

Xiao Ning listened with all smiles, but then Lu Yan interrupted. "Xia Li, let's order first."

There was also a few times he had received calls from, Lu Yan's mother, Chen Shuyun too, with her asking how Lu Yan was doing recently and nothing more. Such calls were as a result of Lu Yan finding it too much of pain to answer his parents' calls, so Chen Shuyun had developed the habit of phoning Xiao Ning to ask what Lu Yan was up to.

Right now, he may not be able to change it for a while.

Xiao Ning found an hourly worker to go by and clean the apartment the following day, and also went online to buy some electrical appliances he needed. He figured they would arrive at the door around evening time a couple days later, and such a time frame was alright. In addition to those electrical appliances, Xiao Ning bought a lot of household ones too, his expenses adding up to quite a considerable sum. But it was fine as well, as long as he focussed on how useful they would all be in the future.

"Oh... Then please tell him to take care of himself on my behalf, as well as, um..." Chen Shuyun's voice was reduced to a whisper, "When will you two return for a visit? By plane, it will take just a couple of hours."

Chen Shuyun replied gratefully, "Ah, yes, it does. Your uncle used it to soak his feet and his rheumatism has improved a lot."

Xiao Ning found an hourly worker to go by and clean the apartment the following day, and also went online to buy some electrical appliances he needed. He figured they would arrive at the door around evening time a couple days later, and such a time frame was alright. In addition to those electrical appliances, Xiao Ning bought a lot of household ones too, his expenses adding up to quite a considerable sum. But it was fine as well, as long as he focussed on how useful they would all be in the future.

◈◇◈

Chen Shuyun replied gratefully, "Ah, yes, it does. Your uncle used it to soak his feet and his rheumatism has improved a lot."

Xiao Ning found an hourly worker to go by and clean the apartment the following day, and also went online to buy some electrical appliances he needed. He figured they would arrive at the door around evening time a couple days later, and such a time frame was alright. In addition to those electrical appliances, Xiao Ning bought a lot of household ones too, his expenses adding up to quite a considerable sum. But it was fine as well, as long as he focussed on how useful they would all be in the future.

◈◇◈

◈◇◈

Lu Yan didn't utter a word, no different than a kid who had his toy stolen, his face covered in unwillingness.

Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt hen it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."

"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"

Lu Yan asked him to call...

Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.

After saying a few more words of concern for the two elders, Xiao Ning ended the call, a trace of worry for the two entering his mind. If Lu Yan is really serious about Xia Li...

Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issue? What's wrong with it now?"

Xiao Ning was not good at brushing off that excitable boyfriend of Lu Yan's, so with each he received he would only listen patiently, as well as adding on a few words to encourage that child-like boyfriend to continue speaking.

Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.

"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"

The words he spoke were according to reason, and there was no need to move Shan Haiming to block Lu Yan's firm hold.

"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"

Xiao Ning found an hourly worker to go by and clean the apartment the following day, and also went online to buy some electrical appliances he needed. He figured they would arrive at the door around evening time a couple days later, and such a time frame was alright. In addition to those electrical appliances, Xiao Ning bought a lot of household ones too, his expenses adding up to quite a considerable sum. But it was fine as well, as long as he focussed on how useful they would all be in the future.

Those two elders having their hearts broken, and it making Lu Yan be put n a difficult position... Neither of those things was something Xiao Ning wanted to see.

"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"

Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.

Lu Yan asked him to call...

After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning, and took the lead to turn then walk out on his own.

"But what about us is there to raise any doubts?" Lu Yan looked into the shop with an inconceivable expression. "We've purely been just brothers over all these years. If we wanted to be together, we would've been together earlier. So why would we wait for him to come intervene?"

◈◇◈

After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning, and took the lead to turn then walk out on his own.

Chen Shuyun replied gratefully, "Ah, yes, it does. Your uncle used it to soak his feet and his rheumatism has improved a lot."

"It was great, incredibly funny." Xia Li looked up from the menu, just itching to chime in. "Especially the beginning. I laughed so much I thought I would die."

On Thursday, Xia Li called as usual. "We're close to your company, so let's have dinner together!"

It honestly felt a bit strange. He clearly had only rented a house, and even though his feelings couldn't be described as as that of rebirth, it did indeed feel as though that life of his which had lain stagnant for too long had finally began moving forward.

Without thinking, Xiao Ning smiled. "You two should go eat as a couple. I'll just be a third wheel if I come along."

The words he spoke were according to reason, and there was no need to move Shan Haiming to block Lu Yan's firm hold.

Xiao Ning walked out of the restaurant, just in time to be showered by Lu Yan asking: "What do you mean by this?"

It honestly felt a bit strange. He clearly had only rented a house, and even though his feelings couldn't be described as as that of rebirth, it did indeed feel as though that life of his which had lain stagnant for too long had finally began moving forward.

◈◇◈

But once Lu Yan saw how he hurried to answer the call, along with his cheerful tone, and the smile he wore when her answered; for no reason at all, his chest tightened, and without knowing why, he didn't want to leave. So he stood there with arms folded over his chest.

"Hey, don't go accusing me wrongly. I've just been busy recently because I'm moving." After Xiao Ning spoke, he lowered his gaze, fixing it upon the simple and unadorned teacup.

"But what about us is there to raise any doubts?" Lu Yan looked into the shop with an inconceivable expression. "We've purely been just brothers over all these years. If we wanted to be together, we would've been together earlier. So why would we wait for him to come intervene?"

Just let it be, alright? Thinking about it is fine but insisting on making him go hang back and watch was just too much.

But Lu Yan paid no mind to why Xia Li had laughed, and was not one bit moved by Xiao Ning's statement at all. His voice as he responded was full of reproach. "You're all happy and go lucky, aren't you? All smiles when you meet someone new but when you meet someone old you're all tears!"

"Hey, that doesn't matter. It's not like you're an outsider anyhow." Xia Li's laugh was a now away from the receiver. "Xiao Ning said he's afraid of disturbing us."

◈◇◈

"Okay, I'll tell him what you said, along with returning to see you guys one day." Xiao Ning's heart softened at this. In his childhood years, his parents relationship was quite awful, and neither cared about him in the least. After some time he then found himself orphaned by both parents. Due to this, the left over love and care Lu Yan's parents gave to him was the closest thing to family Xiao Ning had ever known in his entire existence. "You and uncle should take care of yourselves too. Does the medicine I sent to you guys before still work?"

After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning, and took the lead to turn then walk out on his own.

Lu Yan didn't utter a word, no different than a kid who had his toy stolen, his face covered in unwillingness.

But Lu Yan wore look of his top being blown to high heaven as he blurted out, "Then come back to live with me."

The other person he was speaking to should be Lu Yan. Because the person on the line was immediately switched, and Lu Yan's voice when heard sounded more than a little angry. "So now even being invited out for a meal was something you can't do?"

"How will..." Xiao Ning regretted greatly he had not said he would be working overtime earlier. As now if he said it, it would be too obvious he was trying to avoid them.

To this, Xiao Ning then added, "Furthermore, Lu Yan, have you seriously not noticed it? Xia Li has been suspicious of our relationship from the get-go, so if you act like this, even if I jump into the Yellow River, I wouldn't be able to wash myself clean. Am I wrong or not?"

But when asking Xiao Ning, even he didn't know. So putting together the bits and pieces of what Xia Li had told her, he replied to Chen Shuyun.

After saying a few more words of concern for the two elders, Xiao Ning ended the call, a trace of worry for the two entering his mind. If Lu Yan is really serious about Xia Li...

Right then, Xiao Ning stood as well, sending a placating smile in Xia Li's direction while he said, "We'll only be gone for a short while, so play on your phone in the meantime."

"How will..." Xiao Ning regretted greatly he had not said he would be working overtime earlier. As now if he said it, it would be too obvious he was trying to avoid them.

Xiao Ning was unwilling to get tangled up with him over this matter, so he changed the topic. "Your mother called me today. You should give Aunt a call hen you have the time, she and Uncle miss you a lot. You should also go back to visit them sometime in the near future."

Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.

Xiao Ning was unwilling to get tangled up with him over this matter, so he changed the topic. "Your mother called me today. You should give Aunt a call hen you have the time, she and Uncle miss you a lot. You should also go back to visit them sometime in the near future."

"So are you coming or not? Who do you even know? Acting so grumpy all of a sudden." Lu Yan tossed the phone to Xia Li after he was speaking. "Hello? Xiao Ning, it's mainly because it's been so long since we've seen you, okay? There's no other meaning, so you can relax. I'm not that stingy."

"It was great, incredibly funny." Xia Li looked up from the menu, just itching to chime in. "Especially the beginning. I laughed so much I thought I would die."

Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt hen it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."

Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt hen it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."

Knowing he was only joking, Xiao Ning let a smile spread on his face. "Alright then. It'll be my treat, so you two decide on the place and send me the address after you get there."

"Aren't you used to this, though? When you fall in love, I disappear out of sight." Xiao Ning raised his brows, his hands moving to pour tea for al three of them. "Don't irritate a single guy like me, okay?"

After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning, and took the lead to turn then walk out on his own.

"Oh... Then please tell him to take care of himself on my behalf, as well as, um..." Chen Shuyun's voice was reduced to a whisper, "When will you two return for a visit? By plane, it will take just a couple of hours."

Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.

"How will..." Xiao Ning regretted greatly he had not said he would be working overtime earlier. As now if he said it, it would be too obvious he was trying to avoid them.

Xiao Ning was unwilling to get tangled up with him over this matter, so he changed the topic. "Your mother called me today. You should give Aunt a call hen you have the time, she and Uncle miss you a lot. You should also go back to visit them sometime in the near future."

From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming asked, "How enthusiastic... What's wrong, is there someone beside you?"

Xia Li sputtered out a chuckle. "Let Lu Yan be the one to treat. He's the one who made me call you out. Okay then, see you in a bit."

Tossing the menu to Xia Li, Lu Yan casually asked, "How was your Monday?"

But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.

Chen Shuyun replied gratefully, "Ah, yes, it does. Your uncle used it to soak his feet and his rheumatism has improved a lot."

"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would have a fight because of that matter, so he quickly just continued, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."

On Thursday, Xia Li called as usual. "We're close to your company, so let's have dinner together!"

Xia Li was startled by Lu Yan's sudden outburst. "Why, what's wrong?"

I sliver of dread flashed within Xiao Ning's mind, from which he quickly awakened. This was nothing serious, it couldn't be. What was I even thinking?

Lu Yan asked him to call...

"Hey, don't go accusing me wrongly. I've just been busy recently because I'm moving." After Xiao Ning spoke, he lowered his gaze, fixing it upon the simple and unadorned teacup.

I sliver of dread flashed within Xiao Ning's mind, from which he quickly awakened. This was nothing serious, it couldn't be. What was I even thinking?

Confused, Xia Li looked up at Lu Yan, but Lu Yan didn't look back at him, because his towering gaze was trained on the top of Xiao Ning's head. "Let's step out for a moment."

Just let it be, alright? Thinking about it is fine but insisting on making him go hang back and watch was just too much.

Knowing he was only joking, Xiao Ning let a smile spread on his face. "Alright then. It'll be my treat, so you two decide on the place and send me the address after you get there."

On Thursday, Xia Li called as usual. "We're close to your company, so let's have dinner together!"

Of course, even then, Lu Yan had yet to have contacted him. Xia Li calls him every day, however, regarding Xiao Ning as his "bestie", one he told of all the places went to entertain themselves, what they had eaten, or what good thing they had watched.

Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.

Knowing he was only joking, Xiao Ning let a smile spread on his face. "Alright then. It'll be my treat, so you two decide on the place and send me the address after you get there."

"It was great, incredibly funny." Xia Li looked up from the menu, just itching to chime in. "Especially the beginning. I laughed so much I thought I would die."

"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"

But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.

Xiao Ning listened with all smiles, but then Lu Yan interrupted. "Xia Li, let's order first."

It honestly felt a bit strange. He clearly had only rented a house, and even though his feelings couldn't be described as as that of rebirth, it did indeed feel as though that life of his which had lain stagnant for too long had finally began moving forward.

Just let it be, alright? Thinking about it is fine but insisting on making him go hang back and watch was just too much.

Right now, he may not be able to change it for a while.

Xiao Ning thought to himself that it would be troublesome to say he was still playing around all over the place. "Yes, because he company picked up a new project. So it possible he'll be busy for a while."

But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.

"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"

Xiao Ning pulled his lips into a smile. "Right... But we understand that, Xia Li does not. He also likes you a lot—like, a whole lot."

"It was great, incredibly funny." Xia Li looked up from the menu, just itching to chime in. "Especially the beginning. I laughed so much I thought I would die."

But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.

Xiao Ning walked out of the restaurant, just in time to be showered by Lu Yan asking: "What do you mean by this?"

Xiao Ning pulled his lips into a smile. "Right... But we understand that, Xia Li does not. He also likes you a lot—like, a whole lot."

"It was great, incredibly funny." Xia Li looked up from the menu, just itching to chime in. "Especially the beginning. I laughed so much I thought I would die."

Xia Li and Lu Yan chose a Japanese restaurant again, a self-service one, costing three-hundred a person. The two sat side by side and Xiao Ning sat facing them. He had no appetite to speak of, but ultimately still ordered a Japanese-styled meatball hotpot and sea salt grilled shrimp.

"Moving?!" Lu Yan was shocked, so much so, forgot himself, asking with a shout, "You're moving?"

Saying this, looked at Lu Yan. I'll be taking this call, so you can go back in first, okay?

Knowing he was only joking, Xiao Ning let a smile spread on his face. "Alright then. It'll be my treat, so you two decide on the place and send me the address after you get there."

Xiao Ning pulled his lips into a smile. "Right... But we understand that, Xia Li does not. He also likes you a lot—like, a whole lot."

To this, Xiao Ning then added, "Furthermore, Lu Yan, have you seriously not noticed it? Xia Li has been suspicious of our relationship from the get-go, so if you act like this, even if I jump into the Yellow River, I wouldn't be able to wash myself clean. Am I wrong or not?"

Tossing the menu to Xia Li, Lu Yan casually asked, "How was your Monday?"

Having mentioned this, Lu Yan's attention immediately changed, a face saying, spare me the trouble. "We'll discuss it later."

But once Lu Yan saw how he hurried to answer the call, along with his cheerful tone, and the smile he wore when her answered; for no reason at all, his chest tightened, and without knowing why, he didn't want to leave. So he stood there with arms folded over his chest.

Xiao Ning found an hourly worker to go by and clean the apartment the following day, and also went online to buy some electrical appliances he needed. He figured they would arrive at the door around evening time a couple days later, and such a time frame was alright. In addition to those electrical appliances, Xiao Ning bought a lot of household ones too, his expenses adding up to quite a considerable sum. But it was fine as well, as long as he focussed on how useful they would all be in the future.

Those two elders having their hearts broken, and it making Lu Yan be put n a difficult position... Neither of those things was something Xiao Ning wanted to see.

爱屋及乌: love the house and its crow. Is an idiom similar to "Love me and my dog."

"It was fine." Xiao Ning then calm and collectedly brought up the topic: "How was your play?"

"Oh... Then please tell him to take care of himself on my behalf, as well as, um..." Chen Shuyun's voice was reduced to a whisper, "When will you two return for a visit? By plane, it will take just a couple of hours."

"It was great, incredibly funny." Xia Li looked up from the menu, just itching to chime in. "Especially the beginning. I laughed so much I thought I would die."

Xia Li sputtered out a chuckle. "Let Lu Yan be the one to treat. He's the one who made me call you out. Okay then, see you in a bit."

Xiao Ning pulled his lips into a smile. "Right... But we understand that, Xia Li does not. He also likes you a lot—like, a whole lot."

Xiao Ning was unwilling to get tangled up with him over this matter, so he changed the topic. "Your mother called me today. You should give Aunt a call hen you have the time, she and Uncle miss you a lot. You should also go back to visit them sometime in the near future."

"It's really inconvenient, seriously so." Helplessly and meekly, Xiao Ning then added, "And before, your bed... your partners had a time limit, so each time I would think I'd just be staying there for a short time and would just endure the inconvenience when I left. But I think it's possible Xia Li will be staying with you for a long time, so I just thought about renting my own place that's close by."

Chen Shuyun replied gratefully, "Ah, yes, it does. Your uncle used it to soak his feet and his rheumatism has improved a lot."

Xiao Ning listened with all smiles, but then Lu Yan interrupted. "Xia Li, let's order first."

"What do I mean?" Xiao Ning then asked with a strange expression, "You just left Xia Li on his own in there, I should be asking you what you mean by that. Why are you treating your boyfriend like this?"

N/A

Lu Yan didn't utter a word, no different than a kid who had his toy stolen, his face covered in unwillingness.

On Thursday, Xia Li called as usual. "We're close to your company, so let's have dinner together!"

N/A

Tossing the menu to Xia Li, Lu Yan casually asked, "How was your Monday?"

Lu Yan remained silent for a moment, seeming to give the matter serious thought, but then suddenly shouted, "No—you're not moving away! That's what we were discussing, right? Or... or how about I just buy you a house in this neighbourhood?

"Oh, okay." Xia Li then looked down and chose some dishes from the menu, asking Lu Yan for his opinion from time to time and ordering them a lot of fresh food. Turning his head, Lu Yan then asked, "You've been enjoying yourself quite a bit these days, haven't you? You haven't even called once."

Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.

"So are you coming or not? Who do you even know? Acting so grumpy all of a sudden." Lu Yan tossed the phone to Xia Li after he was speaking. "Hello? Xiao Ning, it's mainly because it's been so long since we've seen you, okay? There's no other meaning, so you can relax. I'm not that stingy."

Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.

"Aren't you used to this, though? When you fall in love, I disappear out of sight." Xiao Ning raised his brows, his hands moving to pour tea for al three of them. "Don't irritate a single guy like me, okay?"

Of course, even then, Lu Yan had yet to have contacted him. Xia Li calls him every day, however, regarding Xiao Ning as his "bestie", one he told of all the places went to entertain themselves, what they had eaten, or what good thing they had watched.

Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.

"It was fine." Xiao Ning then calm and collectedly brought up the topic: "How was your play?"

"Listen to me, even if you buy one now, the renovations and delivery would also take a few years, right?" Xiao Ning laughed hopelessly. "So don't worry about it. Oh, I almost forgot, since I met up with you today, can you give me a lift back to your place so I can get my stuff?"

But Lu Yan wore look of his top being blown to high heaven as he blurted out, "Then come back to live with me."

But Lu Yan paid no mind to why Xia Li had laughed, and was not one bit moved by Xiao Ning's statement at all. His voice as he responded was full of reproach. "You're all happy and go lucky, aren't you? All smiles when you meet someone new but when you meet someone old you're all tears!"

Lu Yan asked him to call...

Saying this, looked at Lu Yan. I'll be taking this call, so you can go back in first, okay?

From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming asked, "How enthusiastic... What's wrong, is there someone beside you?"

Xiao Ning listened with all smiles, but then Lu Yan interrupted. "Xia Li, let's order first."

"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"

"Hey, don't go accusing me wrongly. I've just been busy recently because I'm moving." After Xiao Ning spoke, he lowered his gaze, fixing it upon the simple and unadorned teacup.

But when asking Xiao Ning, even he didn't know. So putting together the bits and pieces of what Xia Li had told her, he replied to Chen Shuyun.

"Moving?!" Lu Yan was shocked, so much so, forgot himself, asking with a shout, "You're moving?"

"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would have a fight because of that matter, so he quickly just continued, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."

Lu Yan remained silent for a moment, seeming to give the matter serious thought, but then suddenly shouted, "No—you're not moving away! That's what we were discussing, right? Or... or how about I just buy you a house in this neighbourhood?

They were like a pair of enthusiastic young, the kind that renders the 'single dogs' amongst them blind with their brilliance.

Xia Li was startled by Lu Yan's sudden outburst. "Why, what's wrong?"

"Hey, that doesn't matter. It's not like you're an outsider anyhow." Xia Li's laugh was a now away from the receiver. "Xiao Ning said he's afraid of disturbing us."

Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.

Without thinking, Xiao Ning smiled. "You two should go eat as a couple. I'll just be a third wheel if I come along."

"Oh... Then please tell him to take care of himself on my behalf, as well as, um..." Chen Shuyun's voice was reduced to a whisper, "When will you two return for a visit? By plane, it will take just a couple of hours."

Lu Yan remained silent for a moment, seeming to give the matter serious thought, but then suddenly shouted, "No—you're not moving away! That's what we were discussing, right? Or... or how about I just buy you a house in this neighbourhood?

Lu Yan didn't utter a word, no different than a kid who had his toy stolen, his face covered in unwillingness.

"Got it." Shan Haiming then said simply, "I told my parents."

"Oh. It's just that the place I was staying at before was too far from my work, so I asked my friend to find me a place that's closer." Xiao Ning didn't look up, didn't look at the ones across from him, as he explained to Xia Li in an effort to sidestep Lu Yan's questioning. "So the new place is close and only has one stop between it and my company. It's really convenient. I can even get some more sleep at morning time."

To this, Xiao Ning then added, "Furthermore, Lu Yan, have you seriously not noticed it? Xia Li has been suspicious of our relationship from the get-go, so if you act like this, even if I jump into the Yellow River, I wouldn't be able to wash myself clean. Am I wrong or not?"

The atmosphere at the table fell into a silence, a silence which made one feel uneasy.

Saying this, looked at Lu Yan. I'll be taking this call, so you can go back in first, okay?

Suddenly, Lu Yan stood up. "Xiao Ning."

◈◇◈

Having mentioned this, Lu Yan's attention immediately changed, a face saying, spare me the trouble. "We'll discuss it later."

"It was fine." Xiao Ning then calm and collectedly brought up the topic: "How was your play?"

Confused, Xia Li looked up at Lu Yan, but Lu Yan didn't look back at him, because his towering gaze was trained on the top of Xiao Ning's head. "Let's step out for a moment."

"It's really inconvenient, seriously so." Helplessly and meekly, Xiao Ning then added, "And before, your bed... your partners had a time limit, so each time I would think I'd just be staying there for a short time and would just endure the inconvenience when I left. But I think it's possible Xia Li will be staying with you for a long time, so I just thought about renting my own place that's close by."

Xiao Ning pulled his lips into a smile. "Right... But we understand that, Xia Li does not. He also likes you a lot—like, a whole lot."

"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"

Suddenly, Lu Yan stood up. "Xiao Ning."

"It was fine." Xiao Ning then calm and collectedly brought up the topic: "How was your play?"

After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning, and took the lead to turn then walk out on his own.

Without thinking, Xiao Ning smiled. "You two should go eat as a couple. I'll just be a third wheel if I come along."

But Lu Yan paid no mind to why Xia Li had laughed, and was not one bit moved by Xiao Ning's statement at all. His voice as he responded was full of reproach. "You're all happy and go lucky, aren't you? All smiles when you meet someone new but when you meet someone old you're all tears!"

Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt hen it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."

Right then, Xiao Ning stood as well, sending a placating smile in Xia Li's direction while he said, "We'll only be gone for a short while, so play on your phone in the meantime."

爱屋及乌: love the house and its crow. Is an idiom similar to "Love me and my dog."

But when asking Xiao Ning, even he didn't know. So putting together the bits and pieces of what Xia Li had told her, he replied to Chen Shuyun.

"So are you coming or not? Who do you even know? Acting so grumpy all of a sudden." Lu Yan tossed the phone to Xia Li after he was speaking. "Hello? Xiao Ning, it's mainly because it's been so long since we've seen you, okay? There's no other meaning, so you can relax. I'm not that stingy."

Xia Li then stared at his departing shadow, his lips parting before he began chewing on them.

Right now, he may not be able to change it for a while.

"But what about us is there to raise any doubts?" Lu Yan looked into the shop with an inconceivable expression. "We've purely been just brothers over all these years. If we wanted to be together, we would've been together earlier. So why would we wait for him to come intervene?"

Right as Xiao Ning was again about to persuade Lu Yan, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Shan Haiming and didn't dare not immediately answer. "Hello? Why are you calling right now?"

◈◇◈

Turning his body around, Xiao Ning said with a smile, "Yep."

Xia Li and Lu Yan chose a Japanese restaurant again, a self-service one, costing three-hundred a person. The two sat side by side and Xiao Ning sat facing them. He had no appetite to speak of, but ultimately still ordered a Japanese-styled meatball hotpot and sea salt grilled shrimp.

"Aren't you used to this, though? When you fall in love, I disappear out of sight." Xiao Ning raised his brows, his hands moving to pour tea for al three of them. "Don't irritate a single guy like me, okay?"

Xiao Ning walked out of the restaurant, just in time to be showered by Lu Yan asking: "What do you mean by this?"

On Thursday, Xia Li called as usual. "We're close to your company, so let's have dinner together!"

Xia Li sputtered out a chuckle. "Let Lu Yan be the one to treat. He's the one who made me call you out. Okay then, see you in a bit."

From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming asked, "How enthusiastic... What's wrong, is there someone beside you?"

"What do I mean?" Xiao Ning then asked with a strange expression, "You just left Xia Li on his own in there, I should be asking you what you mean by that. Why are you treating your boyfriend like this?"

Xiao Ning looked at him with little regard, saying, "Lu Yan, are you kidding me right now? You and your partner are living together as a couple, and I am an outsider. Are trying to piss off me or piss off Xia Li?"

N/A

"Oh, okay." Xia Li then looked down and chose some dishes from the menu, asking Lu Yan for his opinion from time to time and ordering them a lot of fresh food. Turning his head, Lu Yan then asked, "You've been enjoying yourself quite a bit these days, haven't you? You haven't even called once."

Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt hen it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."

Tossing the menu to Xia Li, Lu Yan casually asked, "How was your Monday?"

Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issue? What's wrong with it now?"

Xia Li and Lu Yan chose a Japanese restaurant again, a self-service one, costing three-hundred a person. The two sat side by side and Xiao Ning sat facing them. He had no appetite to speak of, but ultimately still ordered a Japanese-styled meatball hotpot and sea salt grilled shrimp.

To this, Xiao Ning then added, "Furthermore, Lu Yan, have you seriously not noticed it? Xia Li has been suspicious of our relationship from the get-go, so if you act like this, even if I jump into the Yellow River, I wouldn't be able to wash myself clean. Am I wrong or not?"

But Lu Yan paid no mind to why Xia Li had laughed, and was not one bit moved by Xiao Ning's statement at all. His voice as he responded was full of reproach. "You're all happy and go lucky, aren't you? All smiles when you meet someone new but when you meet someone old you're all tears!"

Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issue? What's wrong with it now?"

Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.

Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.

爱屋及乌: love the house and its crow. Is an idiom similar to "Love me and my dog."

"It's really inconvenient, seriously so." Helplessly and meekly, Xiao Ning then added, "And before, your bed... your partners had a time limit, so each time I would think I'd just be staying there for a short time and would just endure the inconvenience when I left. But I think it's possible Xia Li will be staying with you for a long time, so I just thought about renting my own place that's close by."

Right then, Xiao Ning stood as well, sending a placating smile in Xia Li's direction while he said, "We'll only be gone for a short while, so play on your phone in the meantime."

"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would have a fight because of that matter, so he quickly just continued, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."

After he spoke, he did not wait on Xiao Ning, and took the lead to turn then walk out on his own.

I sliver of dread flashed within Xiao Ning's mind, from which he quickly awakened. This was nothing serious, it couldn't be. What was I even thinking?

Right then, Xiao Ning stood as well, sending a placating smile in Xia Li's direction while he said, "We'll only be gone for a short while, so play on your phone in the meantime."

Xiao Ning was not good at brushing off that excitable boyfriend of Lu Yan's, so with each he received he would only listen patiently, as well as adding on a few words to encourage that child-like boyfriend to continue speaking.

Xiao Ning looked at him with little regard, saying, "Lu Yan, are you kidding me right now? You and your partner are living together as a couple, and I am an outsider. Are trying to piss off me or piss off Xia Li?"

The words he spoke were according to reason, and there was no need to move Shan Haiming to block Lu Yan's firm hold.

Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.

"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would have a fight because of that matter, so he quickly just continued, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."

"Oh. It's just that the place I was staying at before was too far from my work, so I asked my friend to find me a place that's closer." Xiao Ning didn't look up, didn't look at the ones across from him, as he explained to Xia Li in an effort to sidestep Lu Yan's questioning. "So the new place is close and only has one stop between it and my company. It's really convenient. I can even get some more sleep at morning time."

"Oh. It's just that the place I was staying at before was too far from my work, so I asked my friend to find me a place that's closer." Xiao Ning didn't look up, didn't look at the ones across from him, as he explained to Xia Li in an effort to sidestep Lu Yan's questioning. "So the new place is close and only has one stop between it and my company. It's really convenient. I can even get some more sleep at morning time."

Xia Li was startled by Lu Yan's sudden outburst. "Why, what's wrong?"

"Oh, okay." Xia Li then looked down and chose some dishes from the menu, asking Lu Yan for his opinion from time to time and ordering them a lot of fresh food. Turning his head, Lu Yan then asked, "You've been enjoying yourself quite a bit these days, haven't you? You haven't even called once."

"So are you coming or not? Who do you even know? Acting so grumpy all of a sudden." Lu Yan tossed the phone to Xia Li after he was speaking. "Hello? Xiao Ning, it's mainly because it's been so long since we've seen you, okay? There's no other meaning, so you can relax. I'm not that stingy."

But Lu Yan wore look of his top being blown to high heaven as he blurted out, "Then come back to live with me."

But at present, this habit has already grown far too tiresome.

Lu Yan didn't utter a word, no different than a kid who had his toy stolen, his face covered in unwillingness.

"So are you coming or not? Who do you even know? Acting so grumpy all of a sudden." Lu Yan tossed the phone to Xia Li after he was speaking. "Hello? Xiao Ning, it's mainly because it's been so long since we've seen you, okay? There's no other meaning, so you can relax. I'm not that stingy."

Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.

◈◇◈

Xiao Ning looked at him with little regard, saying, "Lu Yan, are you kidding me right now? You and your partner are living together as a couple, and I am an outsider. Are trying to piss off me or piss off Xia Li?"

Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.

"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would have a fight because of that matter, so he quickly just continued, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."

Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issue? What's wrong with it now?"

To this, Xiao Ning then added, "Furthermore, Lu Yan, have you seriously not noticed it? Xia Li has been suspicious of our relationship from the get-go, so if you act like this, even if I jump into the Yellow River, I wouldn't be able to wash myself clean. Am I wrong or not?"

I sliver of dread flashed within Xiao Ning's mind, from which he quickly awakened. This was nothing serious, it couldn't be. What was I even thinking?

Lu Yan asked him to call...

"It's really inconvenient, seriously so." Helplessly and meekly, Xiao Ning then added, "And before, your bed... your partners had a time limit, so each time I would think I'd just be staying there for a short time and would just endure the inconvenience when I left. But I think it's possible Xia Li will be staying with you for a long time, so I just thought about renting my own place that's close by."

N/A

"Listen to me, even if you buy one now, the renovations and delivery would also take a few years, right?" Xiao Ning laughed hopelessly. "So don't worry about it. Oh, I almost forgot, since I met up with you today, can you give me a lift back to your place so I can get my stuff?"

Lu Yan didn't utter a word, no different than a kid who had his toy stolen, his face covered in unwillingness.

Confused, Xia Li looked up at Lu Yan, but Lu Yan didn't look back at him, because his towering gaze was trained on the top of Xiao Ning's head. "Let's step out for a moment."

"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"

Chen Shuyun replied gratefully, "Ah, yes, it does. Your uncle used it to soak his feet and his rheumatism has improved a lot."

From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming asked, "How enthusiastic... What's wrong, is there someone beside you?"

Suddenly, Lu Yan stood up. "Xiao Ning."

"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would have a fight because of that matter, so he quickly just continued, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."

Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.

"Nothing!" Xiao Ning was afraid Lu Yan and Xia Li would have a fight because of that matter, so he quickly just continued, "It was because of your carelessness so don't try to blame others. Anybody looking in can see it clearly, and I'm also not blind."

Right as Xiao Ning was again about to persuade Lu Yan, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Shan Haiming and didn't dare not immediately answer. "Hello? Why are you calling right now?"

"But what about us is there to raise any doubts?" Lu Yan looked into the shop with an inconceivable expression. "We've purely been just brothers over all these years. If we wanted to be together, we would've been together earlier. So why would we wait for him to come intervene?"

There was also a few times he had received calls from, Lu Yan's mother, Chen Shuyun too, with her asking how Lu Yan was doing recently and nothing more. Such calls were as a result of Lu Yan finding it too much of pain to answer his parents' calls, so Chen Shuyun had developed the habit of phoning Xiao Ning to ask what Lu Yan was up to.

"It was fine." Xiao Ning then calm and collectedly brought up the topic: "How was your play?"

Xiao Ning was relieved. Uncle Anguo's rheumatism was quite severe. It hurt hen it swelled up so high he couldn't say anything, he couldn't even walk. It left him constantly worried. He looked far and wide to find doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare medicines for him. So upon hearing the ones he sent were useful, Xiao Ning felt relieved. "I'll send you both some more then next time. You can use it to soak your feet when the weather turns cold, Aunty. It'll be good for your health."

The words he spoke were according to reason, and there was no need to move Shan Haiming to block Lu Yan's firm hold.

Confused, Xia Li looked up at Lu Yan, but Lu Yan didn't look back at him, because his towering gaze was trained on the top of Xiao Ning's head. "Let's step out for a moment."

◈◇◈

Right now, he may not be able to change it for a while.

Xiao Ning pulled his lips into a smile. "Right... But we understand that, Xia Li does not. He also likes you a lot—like, a whole lot."

"Listen to me, even if you buy one now, the renovations and delivery would also take a few years, right?" Xiao Ning laughed hopelessly. "So don't worry about it. Oh, I almost forgot, since I met up with you today, can you give me a lift back to your place so I can get my stuff?"

Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issue? What's wrong with it now?"

N/A

It honestly felt a bit strange. He clearly had only rented a house, and even though his feelings couldn't be described as as that of rebirth, it did indeed feel as though that life of his which had lain stagnant for too long had finally began moving forward.

"Hey, that doesn't matter. It's not like you're an outsider anyhow." Xia Li's laugh was a now away from the receiver. "Xiao Ning said he's afraid of disturbing us."

Lu Yan remained silent for a moment, seeming to give the matter serious thought, but then suddenly shouted, "No—you're not moving away! That's what we were discussing, right? Or... or how about I just buy you a house in this neighbourhood?

Those two elders having their hearts broken, and it making Lu Yan be put n a difficult position... Neither of those things was something Xiao Ning wanted to see.

"Listen to me, even if you buy one now, the renovations and delivery would also take a few years, right?" Xiao Ning laughed hopelessly. "So don't worry about it. Oh, I almost forgot, since I met up with you today, can you give me a lift back to your place so I can get my stuff?"

Just let it be, alright? Thinking about it is fine but insisting on making him go hang back and watch was just too much.

Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.

"It was great, incredibly funny." Xia Li looked up from the menu, just itching to chime in. "Especially the beginning. I laughed so much I thought I would die."

Xiao Ning walked out of the restaurant, just in time to be showered by Lu Yan asking: "What do you mean by this?"

"Oh, okay." Xia Li then looked down and chose some dishes from the menu, asking Lu Yan for his opinion from time to time and ordering them a lot of fresh food. Turning his head, Lu Yan then asked, "You've been enjoying yourself quite a bit these days, haven't you? You haven't even called once."

Lu Yan didn't utter a word, no different than a kid who had his toy stolen, his face covered in unwillingness.

"Oh. It's just that the place I was staying at before was too far from my work, so I asked my friend to find me a place that's closer." Xiao Ning didn't look up, didn't look at the ones across from him, as he explained to Xia Li in an effort to sidestep Lu Yan's questioning. "So the new place is close and only has one stop between it and my company. It's really convenient. I can even get some more sleep at morning time."

Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.

"How will..." Xiao Ning regretted greatly he had not said he would be working overtime earlier. As now if he said it, it would be too obvious he was trying to avoid them.

"Suspicious?" Lu Yan froze, his brows frowning in irritation. "What did he say to you?"

"Hey, don't go accusing me wrongly. I've just been busy recently because I'm moving." After Xiao Ning spoke, he lowered his gaze, fixing it upon the simple and unadorned teacup.

Xiao Ning was unwilling to get tangled up with him over this matter, so he changed the topic. "Your mother called me today. You should give Aunt a call hen you have the time, she and Uncle miss you a lot. You should also go back to visit them sometime in the near future."

After saying a few more words of concern for the two elders, Xiao Ning ended the call, a trace of worry for the two entering his mind. If Lu Yan is really serious about Xia Li...

"Hey, don't go accusing me wrongly. I've just been busy recently because I'm moving." After Xiao Ning spoke, he lowered his gaze, fixing it upon the simple and unadorned teacup.

Without thinking, Xiao Ning smiled. "You two should go eat as a couple. I'll just be a third wheel if I come along."

Having mentioned this, Lu Yan's attention immediately changed, a face saying, spare me the trouble. "We'll discuss it later."

"Oh, okay." Xia Li then looked down and chose some dishes from the menu, asking Lu Yan for his opinion from time to time and ordering them a lot of fresh food. Turning his head, Lu Yan then asked, "You've been enjoying yourself quite a bit these days, haven't you? You haven't even called once."

Xia Li sputtered out a chuckle. "Let Lu Yan be the one to treat. He's the one who made me call you out. Okay then, see you in a bit."

Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.

Xia Li and Lu Yan chose a Japanese restaurant again, a self-service one, costing three-hundred a person. The two sat side by side and Xiao Ning sat facing them. He had no appetite to speak of, but ultimately still ordered a Japanese-styled meatball hotpot and sea salt grilled shrimp.

"Listen to me, even if you buy one now, the renovations and delivery would also take a few years, right?" Xiao Ning laughed hopelessly. "So don't worry about it. Oh, I almost forgot, since I met up with you today, can you give me a lift back to your place so I can get my stuff?"

Right as Xiao Ning was again about to persuade Lu Yan, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Shan Haiming and didn't dare not immediately answer. "Hello? Why are you calling right now?"

Xiao Ning was not good at brushing off that excitable boyfriend of Lu Yan's, so with each he received he would only listen patiently, as well as adding on a few words to encourage that child-like boyfriend to continue speaking.

Saying this, looked at Lu Yan. I'll be taking this call, so you can go back in first, okay?

The atmosphere at the table fell into a silence, a silence which made one feel uneasy.

"It seems like he's doing well. I can rest easy now." Chen Shuyun then asked, "Has he been busy recently?"

Before, he never could help himself from thinking about Lu Yan, insisting on thinking up some kind of possibility looming in that sort of impossible situation, making him happy for a long time, as he again would tuck it away like something precious—something he would look back on when he grew too weary, so everything would seem as though it was worth it.

Xiao Ning pulled his lips into a smile. "Right... But we understand that, Xia Li does not. He also likes you a lot—like, a whole lot."

The atmosphere at the table fell into a silence, a silence which made one feel uneasy.

"Got it." Shan Haiming then said simply, "I told my parents."

"Hey, that doesn't matter. It's not like you're an outsider anyhow." Xia Li's laugh was a now away from the receiver. "Xiao Ning said he's afraid of disturbing us."

But once Lu Yan saw how he hurried to answer the call, along with his cheerful tone, and the smile he wore when her answered; for no reason at all, his chest tightened, and without knowing why, he didn't want to leave. So he stood there with arms folded over his chest.

Xiao Ning pulled his lips into a smile. "Right... But we understand that, Xia Li does not. He also likes you a lot—like, a whole lot."

I sliver of dread flashed within Xiao Ning's mind, from which he quickly awakened. This was nothing serious, it couldn't be. What was I even thinking?

Right as Xiao Ning was again about to persuade Lu Yan, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Shan Haiming and didn't dare not immediately answer. "Hello? Why are you calling right now?"

Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.

They were like a pair of enthusiastic young, the kind that renders the 'single dogs' amongst them blind with their brilliance.

From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming asked, "How enthusiastic... What's wrong, is there someone beside you?"

"So are you coming or not? Who do you even know? Acting so grumpy all of a sudden." Lu Yan tossed the phone to Xia Li after he was speaking. "Hello? Xiao Ning, it's mainly because it's been so long since we've seen you, okay? There's no other meaning, so you can relax. I'm not that stingy."

"Hey, that doesn't matter. It's not like you're an outsider anyhow." Xia Li's laugh was a now away from the receiver. "Xiao Ning said he's afraid of disturbing us."

Xiao Ning wrinkled his brows, also not knowing what was wrong with that young master.

Turning his body around, Xiao Ning said with a smile, "Yep."

"Okay, I'll tell him what you said, along with returning to see you guys one day." Xiao Ning's heart softened at this. In his childhood years, his parents relationship was quite awful, and neither cared about him in the least. After some time he then found himself orphaned by both parents. Due to this, the left over love and care Lu Yan's parents gave to him was the closest thing to family Xiao Ning had ever known in his entire existence. "You and uncle should take care of yourselves too. Does the medicine I sent to you guys before still work?"

Ignoring that question, Lu Yan licked his lips, a way in which he displayed his anxiousness. "It's not like it's the first time you've stayed there, so haven't you always stayed there without any issue? What's wrong with it now?"

Xia Li let out a light chuckle at this, sending Xiao Ning a wink when Lu Yan wasn't looking his way.

"Got it." Shan Haiming then said simply, "I told my parents."

爱屋及乌: love the house and its crow. Is an idiom similar to "Love me and my dog."

Xiao Ning listened with all smiles, but then Lu Yan interrupted. "Xia Li, let's order first."

◈◇◈

"Got it." Shan Haiming then said simply, "I told my parents."

But Lu Yan wore look of his top being blown to high heaven as he blurted out, "Then come back to live with me."