Chapter 67

Chapter 67

"067"

At 8 a.m. sharp, Xiao Lancui had just come downstairs when WeChat messages popped up all at once.

"Brother, I brought you Matcha Milk Pudding Ice Bread. Can you... come out and grab it?"

Xiao Lancui's long lashes fluttered.

He didn't give an address—Lu Ao was already near the Xiao house.

He shot back a text, "Meet at the same spot as last time in ten minutes."

"Whatcha looking at, bro?" Xiao Mian came over from the dining room.

It was the first time he'd ever gotten up this early at home, hoping to catch Xiao Lancui for breakfast together. Seeing Xiao Lancui paused looking at his phone, he came over.

Xiao Mian was still stewing over Lu Ao; he had a hunch Xiao Lancui was reading a message from Lu Ao.

Too late—Xiao Lancui put away his phone and said flatly, "Nothing." He made his way to the dining room first.

Sure enough, Xiao Jingli and Xie Jingfang were both there. Xiao Jingli acted like nothing had happened, occasionally exchanging a word or two with Xie Jingfang. The moment Xiao Lancui entered, he immediately smiled and greeted, "Dong Dong's here, come sit by Dad. Xiao Zhang," he called to the servant, "bring the young master his favorite soup dumplings."

Xiao Zhang hurried to the kitchen. "Yes, Mr. Xiao."

Xie Jingfang also looked at Xiao Lancui, her expressionless face finally cracking a smile as she spoke to him, "Did you sleep well last night?"

Xiao Mian also came into the dining room. He'd become hyper-aware of everything Xiao Lancui did, and noticed Xiao Lancui hadn't sat down. His eye twitched—he wasn't about to go have breakfast with Lu Ao, was he?!

Xiao Lancui spoke up at the same time. "I slept fine," he answered Xie Jingfang first, then told Xiao Jingli, "I'll skip breakfast. A friend is waiting for me."

Xiao Mian said, his voice dripping with jealousy, "What kind of friend needs to meet this early in the morning? You didn't eat dinner at home last night, and now you're skipping breakfast too..."

Xiao Jingli cut him off with a smile, "It's good for your brother to get out more, stop complaining. There'll be plenty of opportunities for the family to eat together." He set down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth, saying as if offhandedly, "But Dong Dong, be careful who you make friends with. Take Lu Siye..." He still gritted his teeth at the mention of the name, "He's not a good person. If the friend you're meeting is him, Dad won't allow it."

Xiao Mian heard Lu Siye's name mentioned again. He couldn't care less about the whole Lu Siye and Xiao Anfeng thing anymore.

At the end of the day, Xiao Anfeng was a grown man, and Lu Siye was basically a nobody to him. Aside from the initial shock, when he thought about it, it had nothing to do with him—let alone now that Xiao Anfeng's true identity had come out, he cared even less.

The only thing he cared about now was the fact that Lu Siye was Lu Ao's brother! They really were brothers, all right—Lu Ao was just as annoying as Lu Siye, if not more.

Always hanging all over Xiao Lancui—doesn't he have a brother of his own?!

Xiao Mian let out a "hmph" and muttered, "His brother's even more annoying!"

Xiao Lancui said coolly, "It's not him. You guys eat, I'm heading out."

Xie Jingfang hurriedly reminded him, "It's cold out. Bundle up, don't catch a cold."

Xiao Lancui nodded and left.

It really was freezing outside—a lot colder than the coldest it ever got in Dali. Xiao Lancui pulled his scarf tighter and hurried off to find Lu Ao.

From a distance, Xiao Lancui saw a tall figure in black running toward him.

Without his glasses, he couldn't see clearly beyond a few meters, but he knew it was Lu Ao. The young man had been eating well lately, his build growing more robust, full of energy. Xiao Lancui gave a light cough and simply stopped to wait for Lu Ao to arrive.

Lu Ao ran fast, and soon Xiao Lancui could make out his face clearly. He studied him—the young man must have been waiting a long time; there was a hint of frost on his brows.

Lu Ao's first words were, "Caught a cold again? Why do you keep coughing?"

Pulling off his glove, the back of his hand pressed against a small patch of Xiao Lancui's forehead.

Xiao Lancui's long lashes brushed against the warm palm, and he was somewhat surprised. He'd only coughed twice, his scarf covering his mouth so it couldn't be seen—how had Lu Ao heard him from that far away?

His ears really were sharp.

In Dali, he'd have great potential for his intelligence agency.

Xiao Lancui blinked twice and said flatly, "No, just a dry throat."

He then noticed the dark circles under Lu Ao's eyes and his brow furrowed slightly. "You didn't sleep well?"

"I didn't sleep." Lu Ao answered quickly. Having confirmed Xiao Lancui's forehead temperature was normal, he lowered his hand, hooked his arm through Xiao Lancui's, and led him outside. "It's too cold—let's talk at the shop!"

He quickly brought Xiao Lancui to a nearby coffee shop.

They ordered hot drinks and some Western-style breakfast items. Lu Ao took out two packs of Ice Bread, opened one before handing it to Xiao Lancui. "From the convenience store. Mine still doesn't taste that good."

Xiao Lancui was still thinking about him not sleeping. He took a small bite of the bread and asked casually, "Why didn't you sleep? Homesick?"

Lu Ao hadn't expected Xiao Lancui to connect it to the Lu family. The explanation was on his lips, but then he propped his chin on his left hand and asked with a grin, "Is brother jealous?"

Xiao Lancui's throat caught. A second later, he swallowed hard, and the small piece of bread slid down.

The thought that Lu Ao might be so lovesick for someone else that he couldn't sleep did indeed bother him—did that count as jealousy?

An old memory suddenly flashed through his mind. His gaze met Lu Ao's for a brief moment of distraction, but he quickly recovered and didn't answer Lu Ao directly. "So why didn't you sleep?"

"Thinking about you."

Two blunt words. The dark eyes across from him gazed at him deeply, tinged with grievance. "I missed brother too much to sleep."

Xiao Lancui felt scorched by Lu Ao's gaze. His fingers gripping the bread curled slightly, sinking into the soft, fluffy bun through the wrapper.

He wanted to respond to Lu Ao, but the words tangled up the moment they reached his lips. He fell silent, and it was only when the server brought their food that the scorching gaze from across was blocked.

Xiao Lancui took another bite of the bread.

Chewing slowly, he felt that today's bread seemed to have extra sugar—much sweeter than usual.

The server left, and he changed the subject. "Going back to sleep after you finish eating?"

Lu Ao nodded. "Mm." He finally withdrew that burning gaze and tore open his own pack of Ice Bread. "Once I've seen brother, I can sleep peacefully."

Xiao Lancui counted the days and arrived at a rather unpleasant conclusion—at least until the new year, he wouldn't be able to go home.

He quietly finished his Ice Bread, then picked up his cup and took small sips of warm water with a slice of lemon, a faint fragrance rising from it. He occasionally glanced up at the young man across from him, who had long finished his Ice Bread and was now on his third sandwich.

He was at the age for growing—nutrition needed to keep up, and sleep too, right?

Xiao Lancui thought this as he watched Lu Ao clean every last bite from his plate. Then Xiao Lancui set down his cup and said, "I'd like some noodles or wontons in the morning. Next time—actually, from now on, bring me an Ice Bread every day at six in the evening."

Lu Ao's dark eyes lit up instantly. "I can come see you every day?"

A faint smile spread across Xiao Lancui's lips. "Of course. It's break now—I have plenty of free time."

For the next stretch of time, Lu Ao showed up like clockwork at six to drop off Matcha Milk Pudding Ice Bread.

Sometimes he’d just stop by for a quick look and leave; other times, when Xiao Lancui had ample time, he’d take her to wander around nearby spots.

Parks, shopping malls, the old hutongs of the capital, and streets lined with poplar trees on both sides—all bore witness to their footsteps.

It wasn’t until the twenty-eighth of the twelfth lunar month that Xiao Lancui told Lu Ao he didn’t need to come that day.

This year, the twelfth lunar month was a short one, making the twenty-ninth New Year’s Eve. On the twenty-eighth, Xiao Lancui was to accompany Xie Jingfang back to the Xie family for a reunion dinner.

Xiao Liqin would also be there.

This time, Xiao Lancui didn’t mention Xiao Anfeng. She’d decided that if Xiao Anfeng showed up, she’d just leave.

Just before leaving, Xiao Jingli received a phone call. After exchanging a few words, he hung up and said to Xie Jingfang, “Something came up at the company. I won’t join the dinner today. Let Dad know.”

Now Xie Jingfang regarded Xiao Jingli as an enemy, a jinx. She couldn’t be happier that he wasn’t coming along. She nodded coldly, then turned with a smile and immediately took Xiao Lancui’s hand to get into the car.

Through the car window, Xiao Lancui watched Xiao Jingli’s car drive past. No chauffeur—Xiao Jingli was driving himself.

Xiao Jingli was careful, trusting no one, not even his driver. Every time he went to Yujing Garden, he drove himself there.

Xiao Lancui looked away, responding to Xie Jingfang, “Mm, I’d like some pear soup.”

Xie Jingfang immediately told Xie’s mother on the other end of the line, “Pear soup, less sugar.”

An hour later, they arrived at the Xie residence. A Bentley was already parked in the garage.

Xie Jingfang worried Xiao Liqin might cause trouble again, or bring Xiao Anfeng along. She texted Xie’s mother first to confirm Xiao Liqin had come alone, and only then did she fully relax.

Then she spaced out for a second.

So feelings really do fade over time. After being completely out of touch with Xiao Anfeng this whole time, she didn’t feel anything anymore.

Especially now, knowing Xiao Anfeng wasn’t coming, she was hugely relieved.

The fact that she could move on so fast from this messed-up mother-son bond was all thanks to Xiao Lancui.

She adored Xiao Lancui now, her heart and mind completely focused on him. She’d give everything to make it up to him and love him.

Xie Jingfang thought about Xiao Anfeng for a few seconds, then turned with a smile and immediately took Xiao Lancui’s hand, gripping it as she led him inside.

Xiao Mian teased from behind them, “Mom, you’re about to crush Big Brother’s hand. Loosen up—he’s not going anywhere.”

Xie Jingfang chuckled, “You little brat, teasing your own mother.” But she was also afraid she might actually bruise Xiao Lancui’s skin. She’d long noticed her son had delicate skin that turned red at the slightest touch. Holding too tight really might leave marks, so she quickly loosened her grip.

The three of them were chatting and laughing as they walked into the Xie house.

The moment they stepped inside, Xiao Mian’s smile froze on his face.

He was getting annoyed with Xiao Liqin, who was always picking on Xiao Lancui.

Xiao Liqin grunted an “Mm,” then turned to Xie Jingfang. “Mom.”

Xie Jingfang was delighted. Xiao Liqin was, after all, her eldest son, and his attitude toward Xiao Lancui had changed. Now Xiao Liqin was taking the initiative to improve, which put her at ease. She smiled and said, “That’s right. Lan Chui is your brother. You should treat him well.”

Xiao Liqin smiled too, without rebutting. “I know, Mom.” He gestured, “Come on in. Grandma and Grandpa are waiting in the living room.”

Xie Jingfang first got slippers for Xiao Lancui.

As they changed their shoes, Xiao Liqin waited nearby. Xiao Lancui observed him from the corner of his eye and quickly noticed something.

Xiao Liqin was really focused on his phone.

In under a minute, Xiao Liqin glanced at it four times, distracted.

Today, Xiao Lancui told him not to come, so he knew it was time.

Xiao Liqin’s task for Cheng Peng was to make sure Xiao Anfeng accidentally found out about the relationship between Xiao Jingli and Cheng Peng.

Xiao Jingli swiped his elevator card for the 26th floor, glancing sideways at Lu Ao.

It was hard not to notice the guy.

Really tall, all in black, with a cap and black mask—from his eyes and brow, he was young, but he gave off an intense, oppressive vibe.

Xiao Jingli gave him a few extra looks.

Lu Ao let him look, pulled out his phone, held the QR code to the scanner, and with a beep, the 27th-floor button lit up.