After finishing the infusion, Rong Xu’s complexion visibly improved. He returned to his usual appearance, coldly looking out the window. His expression softened slightly only when Chi Han appeared.
“The discharge certificate is ready. Let’s go. Shall we head home?”
Chi Han pushed Rong Xu’s wheelchair to the edge of the bed, helping him lower the bed rail.
Rong Xu supported himself on the bed and smoothly sat down as if he had done it a thousand times before.
Chi Han’s eyes darkened. He knew that Rong Xu usually managed everything by himself at home; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so proficient.
Once out of the car, the butler was about to push Rong Xu into the villa. Chi Han stepped aside, skillfully guiding him inside.
The butler stood awkwardly in place. After a moment of changing expressions, he followed them inside.
In the hurried visit the previous night, combined with the unlit living room, Chi Han just noticed that the narrow part of the staircase next to the wall on the second floor had a rail, just wide enough for a wheelchair.
“Let me handle the rest, Master Chi. You’ve worked hard. Hurry home and rest; it’s getting dark.”
The butler approached with a fake smile, but his eyes were filled with impatience as if he found Chi Han meddling in affairs unnecessary.
Chi Han had reserved all his patience for Rong Xu. Now, he couldn’t spare even a trace of goodwill for others, especially someone who had repeatedly failed in their duties.
“Wang Yao, the butler, right?” Poolan tidied the blanket on Rong Xu’s legs and spoke with a casual tone. “I checked last time, and you’re from ‘Love Family Company,’ right? I’m planning to ask your company if all their employees earn money lying down.”
Chi Han’s gaze lightly fell on the butler’s face, full of mockery.
“Butler Wang, is it comfortable to earn money lying down?”
Wang Yao’s smile froze, and he tried to defend himself, “You shouldn’t say those words seriously.”
“I heard people from your company say you were once dismissed for stealing. Why would you hire someone like him? Doing charity?” Chi Han pretended to be surprised, looking at Rong Xu. “Why bring in someone like that?”
Butler Wang: “…”
Rong Xu couldn’t help it and a small smile appeared at the corner of his lips. Every time he saw Chi Han confront someone like this, he felt a warm sensation in his chest.
It was all because of him.
Butler Wang’s face turned red, his eyes bulging with anger. When he was caught stealing, it almost landed him in jail. Fortunately, Mrs. Rong, remembering their childhood neighborhood relationship, intervened and saved him.
To repay Xu Man, since that day, he became Rong Xu’s butler.
Although it was called being a butler, he was basically getting money for free.
Xu Man made it clear to him that even if Rong Xu died, it wouldn’t matter.
So, for the past few years, Wang Yao had hardly taken care of Rong Xu. Sometimes, when he was in a bad mood, he would intentionally starve him for a few days.
Although he was lazy and greedy, he wasn’t foolish.
He was very clear about his relationship with Xu Man. All the talk about neighborhood relationships was nonsense; she just wanted someone to get rid of Rong Xu. In the end, if things were to be investigated, he would be the scapegoat pushed out.
She would then leave without any consequences.
So, even though Wang Yao sometimes went too far, when Rong Xu fell ill, he would still send him to the hospital, just not promptly.
Until Chi Han appeared, he vaguely felt that his good days might be coming to an end.
The power of the Chi family, even if not as large as the Rong family’s, was more than enough to deal with him.
As soon as the past was brought to light, he would inevitably face a lawsuit.
Thinking about this, cold sweat broke out on Wang Yao’s back, desperately trying to find reasons to justify himself.
Just as he was about to open his mouth to confront Chi Han, a cold gaze suddenly shot from the front.
With just one glance, Wang Yao felt a chilling sensation all over his body.
It turned out that Rong Xu had known all along that he was working for Xu Man!
Rong Xu revealed a mocking expression. From the first day Wang Yao entered the mansion, he knew this was another one of Xu Man’s tricks.
The old woman had been sending in so many people back and forth before, and she still didn’t stop.
But compared to the several aggressive dogs from before, at least Wang Yao was relatively quiet.
This was also the reason why Rong Xu reluctantly kept him.
Originally, he planned to deal with Wang Yao after he had grown stronger. However, since he had tainted Chi Han’s eyes, he decided to settle it in advance.
Rong Xu relaxed, leaning back in his chair with an indifferent expression.
Chi Han couldn’t be bothered to talk more with Wang Yao, directly telling him to pack up and leave.
Wang Yao’s mind was filled with the sinister gaze Rong Xu had just given him, like a venomous snake. Breathing became difficult for a moment.
He suddenly felt like he had always misunderstood Rong Xu.
Since Chi Han appeared, this disabled man who had been letting others exploit him began to reveal sharp claws.
It was as if he were protecting something precious.
***
With Wang Yao gone, Chi Han’s mood instantly improved. He stretched lazily and went upstairs with Rong Xu.
“Is this your room? Let me help you find the charm. Maybe it fell somewhere.”
Chi Han pushed him into the room, carefully examining every nook and cranny.
Rong Xu’s eyelashes trembled lightly, raising his hand to clasp his wrist.
Although he felt so uncomfortable after losing the charm last night, now he hoped it would be found later.
Because once it was found, he would be alone in this room again.
He pursed his lips, looking at the sky outside, contemplating how to keep Chi Han.
But even if he stayed, he wouldn’t be able to cook for him.
Rong Xu’s gaze fell on his own legs. Even through the blanket, he could see how slender they were.
His eyes gradually deepened, and a hint of blood appeared at the bottom of his eyes.
These legs could no longer stand.
“Ah, found it!”
Just as Rong Xu’s heart was gradually cooling down, Chi Han suddenly smiled and raised his hand towards him, holding a round charm between his fingertips.
“I guess the string broke while you were sleeping, and the charm rolled down along the bed,” Chi Han stood up and patted his pants, “Come, I’ll re-tie it for you.”
After tying the bracelet, Chi Han found that Rong Xu wasn’t as happy as he had imagined. He tilted his head, trying to read something from his face.
“It’s eight o’clock.”
Rong Xu moved his wrist, avoiding Chi Han’s gaze, and spoke with a somewhat muted voice.
Watching the somewhat indifferent Rong Xu, countless thoughts flashed through Chi Han’s mind.
Does Rong Xu want to be alone, so he urged him to leave?
Or was he hungry?
After weighing for a moment, Chi Han tentatively said, “It’s already eight o’clock. Are you hungry? How about I make you a bowl of noodles? Or do you prefer the one from last time?”
He stared at Rong Xu closely, and when he saw the obvious brightening of his eyes, his heart uncontrollably softened.
His voice softened a bit more.
“Alright, let me push you to the kitchen now? We’ll cook noodles.”
Rong Xu nodded, touching the charm on his wrist with some joy.
He thought, being with Chi Han, even if just for an extra minute, was worth it.
He was willing to exchange anything for it.
***
This time, Chi Han tried a different approach. He replaced boiling eggs with frying eggs, with golden-brown egg whites covered in a hint of shimmering oil.
It smelled extremely enticing.
“Come on, this is an upgraded version of noodles. Taste it and see how it is?”
Chi Han pushed the bowl over, looking pleased with himself.
But in fact, compared to the previous ones, these two bowls of noodles were not fundamentally different.
Rong Xu ate the noodles slowly, trying to extend the time Chi Han would stay as much as possible.
Meanwhile, Chi Han was absent-minded, wondering why Rong Xu hadn’t asked him to stay overnight at this late hour.
Did Rong Xu really dislike having one more person at home?
The two of them finished the noodles, seeming harmonious but distant.
Exactly ten o’clock.
Rong Xu closed his eyes, his expression lonely and melancholic.
He now had no reason to stop Chi Han from leaving.
And Chi Han, who had been waiting for an invitation to stay overnight but hadn’t received one, silently deployed his strategy of playing the victim.
“You…”
Rong Xu’s attempt to detain Chi Han was cut off by Chi Han’s somewhat aggrieved expression.
“Rong Xu… actually, I’m not living at home now. My mom… kicked me out.”
Chi Han sighed, sneakily glancing at Rong Xu’s expression.
Seeing the slight furrow of his brows, Chi Han decided to persist.
“Can I stay at your place for a few days? Once I find a place, I’ll move out. Can you accommodate me? I can pay rent!”
The way the young man’s eyes drooped at the corners resembled a pitiful rabbit, looking at himself with a helpless gaze.
Rong Xu felt his heart being gently kneaded, a tingling sensation spreading.
But he maintained a calm demeanor, light and ethereal, almost unreal.
“Sure,” Rong Xu forcefully suppressed the curve at the corner of his mouth, his face serene. “Let’s go with monthly rent, and you can pay later.”
Chi Han, with his forlorn expression, paused, “???”
This was not quite what he had imagined.
Isn’t it usually, “Forget about the rent”?!
Chi Han: “…”
Outrageous!
He declared the termination of their friendship for a minute!
Rong Xu turned his head slightly, and the corners of his eyes bent quickly.
Once a promissory note was signed, there was no way for the person to move out so easily.
Author’s Note:
Chi Han: I’ll give you all a little performance, I’m selling myself!
Although I’m late and brief, but! I love you all!
(Throwing a coquettish look.jpg)
