AAWOMAHI Chapter41

On the balcony, the lights were off. Lu Shiran’s cigarette tip flickered in the dim light, and his expression was obscured. His tall, handsome figure was motionless, as if deep in thought, until the heat on his fingertips brought him back to reality. He snuffed out the cigarette.

 

On this day, Lu Shiran made a decision in his heart.

 

At six-thirty, Lu Xingmian woke up.

 

He still hadn’t adjusted his sleep schedule from his senior year of high school. Also, his sleep quality hadn’t fully improved, so he slept less than the average person.

 

There was another reason he woke so early: he had to rush back to SS city for work. He had already left half an hour early yesterday, so being late again today would be inappropriate.

 

He could just make it to work if he left now.

 

While washing up, Lu Xingmian noticed his eyes were a bit swollen. He blinked, they were definitely swollen. But he hadn’t cried for very long yesterday. Aside from his swollen eyes, he also saw a new earring, the birthday gift Lu Shiran had given him.

 

He touched the earring, and, thinking of how Lu Shiran had stayed with him all night, his face inexplicably turned red again.

 

After washing up and putting on his own clothes, he noticed they had the fresh scent of laundry detergent. Last night, after Lu Shiran had washed and dried his clothes, he had folded them and placed them by his bed.

 

When he was dressed and went out, Lu Shiran was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

 

Seeing Lu Shiran’s busy figure, Lu Xingmian had a flash of memory from Chinese New Year, when Lu Shiran had also cooked for him just like this.

 

Except this time, it was in Lu Shiran’s home.

 

Lu Shiran had made a very generous breakfast.

 

During breakfast, Lu Xingmian said he would be heading back soon. He thanked Lu Shiran for taking him in yesterday and for the birthday gift.

 

Lu Shiran looked at him and said slowly, “Lu Xingmian, since both are part-time jobs, why don’t you work here? The pay here is higher than in SS city. Have you considered it?”

 

Lu Xingmian finished his milk. “But the travel expenses would be a lot.”

 

Working in SS city meant lower pay, but he could walk to work every day.

 

If he worked in this city, the monthly round-trip fare would be close to a thousand, and he would waste four hours on the road every day.

 

Lu Shiran replied, “You can live at my place.”

 

Lu Xingmian looked at him and realized he was serious.

 

Lu Shiran cleared his throat and placed a steamed bun on his plate. “It’s your birthday today. At least let me celebrate your birthday with you before you go back.”

 

When Lu Shiran spoke in that gentle, deep voice, Lu Xingmian had almost no resistance. Lu Shiran’s voice was just too charming and pleasant to listen to.

 

“I’ll stay today.” Lu Xingmian said. He actually wanted to spend more time with Lu Shiran, too.

 

A smile appeared on the corner of Lu Shiran’s lips.

 

“Lu Xingmian, please think about my suggestion,” Lu Shiran said. “I live alone, and it’s quite boring. Having one more person would make it livelier. If you live with me, I can also lull you to sleep every night, and you can grab onto my clothes whenever you want as well.”

 

Lu Xingmian’s eyes went wide. He couldn’t imagine Lu Shiran lulling him to sleep every night, this was truly a reason he couldn’t resist.

 

Lu Xingmian blinked, his heart beating wildly.

 

Since he couldn’t go to the store today, he messaged the manager to ask for leave. The manager on the other end saw Lu Xingmian’s request and fell into thought. This guy had only been at the station for one day and was already asking for leave. The manager had a feeling Lu Xingmian wouldn’t be coming back.

 

Before Lu Shiran left for work, he registered Lu Xingmian’s fingerprint for the front door so that Lu Xingmian wouldn’t get locked out.

 

After leaving, Lu Shiran told Lu Xingmian that he would be home early that afternoon to celebrate his birthday. He said Lu Xingmian could go out for a walk if he got bored.

 

After Lu Shiran left, Lu Xingmian stayed for a bit before heading out himself. He wanted to see if there were any shops nearby looking for part-time help.

 

Lu Shiran’s suggestion that morning had really gotten to him.

 

Lu Xingmian walked around the neighborhood and, luckily, found a cafe looking for part-time staff. Because summer was the busy season, the cafe needed extra help, and a student was the perfect fit. He saw the wages on the sign, and they were indeed very high.

 

Lu Xingmian hurried inside and asked the young man at the counter, “Excuse me, are you looking for part-time help?”

 

The young man stared at Lu Xingmian, astonished that someone had shown up in under ten minutes after the sign was put up.

 

The manager gave Lu Xingmian a brief interview and, upon learning he was a recent graduate looking for a part-time job, decided to hire him on the spot.

 

Lu Xingmian quietly double-checked the salary with the manager, and the number they gave was the same as on the sign outside.

 

The working hours were from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with one day off per week and lunch provided.

 

Lu Xingmian thought it was a great deal. Even after deducting the bus fare for returning to SS city, the pay was still higher than at the station. All things considered, he could work here for two and a half months, which would be enough to cover a year of university expenses.

 

Furthermore, Lu Xingmian had planned to work his way through school after classes started.

 

The manager asked when Lu Xingmian could start, and he said he could begin tomorrow.

 

After leaving the cafe, Lu Xingmian took out his phone and called Lu Shiran.

 

Lu Shiran had been busy all morning and had instructed his assistant to push back all of his afternoon appointments.

 

He was about to start a meeting when he received Lu Xingmian’s call.

 

Lu Xingmian asked, “Ge, does your offer for me to live at your place still stand?”

 

Lu Shiran replied, “Of course it does.”

 

Lu Xingmian said, “But if I live with you, it’ll be for about three months.”

 

Lu Shiran laughed. “Even if it was three years or thirty years, it’s no problem.”

 

On the other end of the line, Lu Xingmian’s chest tightened. He steadied his breath and told Lu Shiran he’d found a part-time job not far from Lu Shiran’s community, it was five bus stops away, or a twenty-minute ride on a shared bike.

 

Lu Shiran was a little surprised that Lu Xingmian had found a part-time job so quickly, but now he wouldn’t have to worry about Lu Xingmian leaving anymore.

 

Lu Shiran said, “I’ve already made lunch and put it in the fridge. You can just heat it up when you get back. I’ll be home earlier this afternoon.”

 

Lu Xingmian said, “Ge, I need to go back to SS city.”

 

Lu Shiran fell silent.

 

Lu Xingmian explained that since he would be moving in with Lu Shiran, he needed to go back and pack some clothes. He also had to personally resign from his job at the station.

 

At two o’clock in the afternoon, Lu Shiran rushed home, but Lu Xingmian still hadn’t returned.

 

At home, Lu Shiran kept glancing at the clock, beginning to wonder if Lu Xingmian wasn’t going to return after all.

 

At four o’clock in the afternoon, Lu Xingmian finally returned, pulling a suitcase.

 

From that day forward, he would officially share a home with Lu Shiran.

 

That evening, Lu Shiran displayed his cooking skills and personally made dinner for Lu Xingmian.

 

As he was busy in the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Lu Shiran asked Lu Xingmian to get the cake, which was likely the one he had ordered.

 

When the cake was handed to him, Lu Xingmian was a bit taken aback, it was enormous and, to his delight, his favorite chocolate flavor.

 

On his 18th birthday, Lu Xingmian was surrounded with care and received warm wishes from his friends.

 

In the morning, Chen Che and a few friends had created a group chat to discuss how to celebrate Lu Xingmian’s birthday, but Lu Xingmian told them he wasn’t in SS city; he was in Yancheng.

 

Everyone was dumbfounded. The birthday boy wasn’t even at home. How could they celebrate his birthday now?

 

Chen Che wrote: [Is anyone celebrating your birthday with you today?]

 

Lu Xingmian looked at Lu Shiran in the kitchen.

 

[Yes, my brother.]

 

Chen Che replied: [That’s good. Your brother is pretty nice to you.]

 

Lu Xingmian clarified: [He’s not my biological brother; we’re not related by blood.]

 

Reading Lu Xingmian’s message, Chen Che fell into deep thought, wondering what Lu Xingmian meant by that.

 

By the time Lu Xingmian finished replying to all his friends’ and classmates’ messages, Lu Shiran had also finished cooking.

 

On the table was a rich meal, a beautiful large cake, and a bowl of longevity noodles that Lu Shiran had made.

 

While eating the cake, Lu Xingmian stared intently at Lu Shiran.

 

Lu Shiran shook his head.

 

Lu Xingmian looked at him expectantly. “Ge, please, just this once.”

 

Lu Shiran let out a soft sigh, his voice filled with affection as he said, “Alright.”

 

With Lu Shiran’s permission, Lu Xingmian excitedly dabbed some cream on his finger and smeared it on Lu Shiran’s face, then giggled to himself.

 

Even with cream smeared across his face, Lu Shiran remained just as handsome.

 

On this day, Lu Xingmian had the happiest birthday of his eighteen years.

 

–

 

It was also Lu Sihang’s birthday on the same day. The Lu family held a birthday party for him, allowing Lu Sihang to invite his friends and classmates.

 

On this day, Song Mingyi and his wife both sent him birthday wishes.

 

Many people came to Lu Sihang’s birthday party, and his birthday cake was a ten-layer cake.

 

On his birthday, Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang fulfilled their promise and gave him a sports car worth a million.

 

–

 

Lu Xingmian reported to the cafe on time the next day. The manager had him start with simple tasks like taking orders and working the cash register, telling him he could ask for help from him or anyone else if he didn’t understand something. Lu Xingmian adapted very quickly and soon got the hang of the job.

 

Besides the manager, there were two other employees, both older than Lu Xingmian. Lu Xingmian’s well-behaved and handsome appearance made him very likable, and they all took good care of him.

 

Cai Youqi, the young man who had spoken to him during his interview yesterday, warned him that with his looks, many people would likely ask for his contact information.

 

Lu Xingmian pressed his lips together and insisted it was impossible, no one would be so idle as to ask a stranger for their contact details. Cai Youqi only smiled silently in response.

 

Then, on his very first day, a boy asked Lu Xingmian if he could have his contact information while checking out.

 

Lu Xingmian was speechless.

 

“I’m sorry, I can’t use my phone during work hours.” Lu Xingmian said.

 

The boy walked away feeling disappointed, yet he kept sneaking glances at Lu Xingmian as he sipped his coffee. But Lu Xingmian acted as if he hadn’t noticed.

 

The cafe was busy. When there were no orders, Lu Xingmian would help with serving and tidying up.

 

He was so busy that he didn’t see the message Lu Shiran sent until an hour later, during his lunch break.

 

Lu Shiran asked him how work was going and if he had eaten. Lu Xingmian took a picture of his lunch and sent it to Lu Shiran.

 

Cai Youqi, who was beside him, asked, “Messaging your partner?”

 

Lu Xingmian almost choked and quickly replied, “No, it’s a friend.”

 

Cai Youqi understood, assuming it was someone Lu Xingmian had a crush on.

 

After a long day, Lu Xingmian felt some soreness in his back and calves.

 

Cai Youqi reassured him that it was normal for the first day of standing all day and that it would ease in a few days.

 

There were a few leftover slices of cake at the cafe that would be disposed of at the end of the day. Employees could buy them for 30% of the price. So Lu Xingmian bought a slice of the cafe’s best-selling cake, thinking he would bring it back for Lu Shiran to try.

 

After the cake was packed, Cai Youqi asked Lu Xingmian how he was getting home. Lu Xingmian pointed outside. “A shared bike.”

 

Cai Youqi raised an eyebrow. “Do you live nearby?”

 

Lu Xingmian said, “I’m staying with my friend.”

 

Lu Xingmian stepped outside with the cake and suddenly spotted a familiar car by the roadside. Hesitant, he approached and realized that it was indeed Lu Shiran.

 

“I was just passing by and happened to catch you leaving. Let’s go home together.” Lu Shiran said.

 

“Okay,” Lu Xingmian replied. He got in the car and handed the cake to Lu Shiran. “This is the best-selling cake at the shop. You should try it, too.”

 

“Why did you buy such an expensive cake?” Lu Shiran asked.

 

“It’s not expensive, it’s not expensive. Employees get a 70% discount, so it was less than ten yuan.” Lu Xingmian explained, worried that Lu Shiran would misunderstand. “Don’t think of it as leftovers. It was made less than two hours ago, so it’s at its best. It’s the recommended cake at the shop, and it’s really delicious.”

 

“Okay,” Lu Shiran laughed. “You hold it for me for now; I’ll eat it when we get home.”

 

On the way back, Lu Shiran chatted with him, “Are you tired today?”

 

“No, I’m not tired. I’m very happy. The shop has air conditioning, so it’s very comfortable.” Lu Xingmian replied.

 

Lu Shiran then asked if his coworkers had bullied him, and Lu Xingmian said that everyone at the shop was very kind to him.

 

In the end, they shared the cake.

 

It was indeed the best-selling cake at the shop and was very delicious. Lu Xingmian thought this part-time job was great because he could buy delicious desserts at a great price. Now he could often bring home more tasty cakes for Lu Shiran.

 

Suddenly, Lu Shiran reached out and wiped Lu Xingmian’s lips, saying naturally, “You have cream on you.”

 

Lu Xingmian froze, his face turning red again. He softly said, “Thank you.”

 

Lu Shiran had wiped his lips with his bare hand, and Lu Xingmian was surprised he didn’t seem to mind. Thinking about the feeling of Lu Shiran’s thumb running across his lips, Lu Xingmian’s heart began to beat wildly again.

 

Lu Shiran looked up and noticed that Lu Xingmian’s ears had turned red. His red ears looked quite cute.

 

Lu Xingmian looked up, met Lu Shiran’s eyes, and quickly got up. “I’m going to take a shower.”

 

Lu Shiran looked at his fingertips, a little stunned. He wondered if Lu Xingmian was angry because he had suddenly wiped his mouth. Had he overstepped? Did Lu Xingmian not like it?

 

Fortunately, Lu Shiran’s self-doubt didn’t last for long.

 

Later, when Lu Shiran was lulling Lu Xingmian to sleep, Lu Xingmian looked at him pleadingly, “Ge, can I hold your hand today?”

 

Lu Shiran held out his hand, and Lu Xingmian took it.