Chapter 10 I Am Strong [Please Recommend, Please Collect]

"How does it feel? You're satisfied, right?" Cheng Le Hao asked.

"Very good," Ge Dongxu nodded.

"Since you're satisfied, I should tell you that originally the rental was just for one of the two rooms on the fifth floor. But it's empty anyway, so from now on the whole fifth floor is yours to use. If guests come, however, and I can't manage room arrangements on my side, you'll have to temporarily vacate the back room," the landlord said with a concealed sigh of relief, smiling after seeing Ge Dongxu's satisfaction.

To be honest, he rather liked Ge Dongxu. Although he came from the countryside, his whole demeanor was proper and polite, and he looked honest. His clothes were plain but very neat and clean. Of course, the main reason was that he was an exceptional student at Changxi No.1 Middle School.

"Then I really thank you, Uncle," Ge Dongxu was very satisfied with such a room for the price and quite grateful to the landlord.

"From now on, we're like family, no need to be polite with Uncle here," the landlord said with a smile, then turned to Cheng Le Hao, "Le Hao, go downstairs and help Dongxu carry his luggage up."

"Okay!" This time Cheng Le Hao didn't grumble and agreed readily, then was about to go downstairs to carry the luggage.

"No need, I can do it myself, I'll do it myself," Ge Dongxu hurriedly said.

"Dongxu, you must be exhausted from looking for a room all day. You rest first, let this kid carry it, he's so plump he should move around more!" the landlord said.

The landlord could say that, but of course, Ge Dongxu couldn't really let him do that, so he quickly followed downstairs.

But Cheng Le Hao was quite enthusiastic, and quick to act in this matter. Ge Dongxu hadn't even reached the ground floor when the plump boy had already descended the stairs, his face flushed red, both hands straining to lift the luggage.

"The stuff is a bit heavy, let me do it," Ge Dongxu hurriedly said upon seeing this and went down the stairs.

"It's not just a bit heavy, it's seriously killing me! It's better if we both do it," Cheng Le Hao said, gasping for air.

"Nonsense! I just saw Dongxu carrying it with one hand into our house. It comes to your hands, and suddenly it's killing you, and you can't lift it with both hands! I bet it's not the luggage that's heavy, it's that you spent the entire summer just eating, sleeping, and playing games, and now you're weak!" the landlord also went downstairs and seeing his son's face beet red and forehead sweating, whilst saying the luggage was incredibly heavy, he couldn't help but glare angrily.

At that moment, Ge Dongxu just reached out and took the suitcase from Cheng Le Hao, who was straining to carry it, indeed with just one hand, effortlessly.

Cheng Le Hao stood there dumbfounded! And the landlord took the opportunity to lecture his son again, "You brat, do you see that? You're almost the same age, and as for stature, you're even larger than Dongxu, yet look at him? Now look at yourself? Aren't you ashamed?"

Cheng Le Hao, being reprimanded like that by his dad and seeing Ge Dongxu's ease, didn't believe it and naturally felt disgruntled. He stepped forward briskly, grabbed the handle of the luggage, and said, "Dongxu, let go, let me try again. I refuse to believe this. You can lift it so easily with one hand, and I struggle so much even with two!"

"No need to try again, it really is quite heavy. I'm a mountain person, used to heavy labor, so I'm strong," Ge Dongxu said kindly, not wanting Cheng Le Hao to embarrass himself further.

But Cheng Le Hao was stubborn and insisted on trying, so Ge Dongxu reluctantly let go.

"Bang!" The moment Ge Dongxu let go, Cheng Le Hao, still not exerting full strength in his tug-of-war, not only failed to lift the luggage all at once but was also pulled forward by its weight, nearly toppling over it.

"Look at you, all you do is play games, sleep, and snack all day. From today on, your gaming console is confiscated, no more snacks, and you're starting to exercise," the landlord said sternly after seeing Ge Dongxu handle his bag with ease while his own son nearly toppled over with the luggage, his heart wrenching.

"Dad, you really can't blame me for this, the suitcase is seriously heavy. If you don't believe me, try lifting it yourself," Cheng Le Hao immediately burst into tears and cried out in protest.

"I'll lift it myself, but if it turns out to be light, you, my boy, will have to seriously start your workouts," the landlord didn't believe Ge Dongxu could lift what seemed to be a heavy suitcase effortlessly. He walked over, pushed Cheng Le Hao aside, grabbed the suitcase with one hand, and said with an easy smile, "Silly boy, look... "

However, before he could finish his sentence with "okay," his face turned red, and it took a strong yank to lift it.

"Dad, seems like you also need to step up your exercise," Cheng Le Hao couldn't help but laugh when he saw his dad's face turn red and struggling to lift the suitcase with one hand, and quickly teased.

"Cheeky kid, itching for a spanking, huh? Even daring to boss your own dad around!" The landlord glared at Cheng Le Hao, then turned his astonished gaze to Ge Dongxu and asked, "Dongxu, what on earth did you pack in this suitcase? Why is it so heavy?"

"The weather is still hot, and clothes are lighter, so I brought some extra books. That's why it's a bit heavy," Ge Dongxu explained with a smile.

"No wonder it's so heavy! But you're strong, almost catching up to your uncle," the landlord revealed a look of understanding.

"Oh, come on, Dad, don't flatter yourself. Dongxu lifted it easily with one hand, while you almost popped a vein on your forehead," Cheng Le Hao immediately unabashedly pointed out.

"All you do is run your mouth. Look at Dongxu, he knows to bring books when he goes out. And you?" The landlord's face turned slightly red, and then he swiftly changed the subject and started to scold.

"Aren't my books at home? Why would I need to lug them around?" Cheng Le Hao muttered, then, seeing his dad raise his hand as if to hit him, he quickly scampered up the stairs.

After reaching the stairs, he couldn't resist shouting to Ge Dongxu, "Dongxu, you're strong, I'll leave the heavy lifting to you!"

Having said that, he promptly dashed upstairs.

"This kid!" the landlord shook his head in defeat and then told Ge Dongxu, "You see what I'm dealing with, this guy has been coddled since he was little. You guys will be attending the same school, the same year, and you might even end up in the same class. Now you'll be living one floor apart; you've got to help your uncle keep an eye on him."

"Rest assured, Uncle, I will," Ge Dongxu, now rather fond of the father and son duo, nodded with a smile and agreed.

"Good, good, with your help, I'll feel much more at ease," said the landlord, his mood brightening as he patted Ge Dongxu on the shoulder. "You go settle into your room. If you need anything, just let your uncle or aunt know, I'm going to check on the store."

"Thanks, Uncle, go ahead with your business; I'll bring down the rent later," Ge Dongxu replied.

"No rush about the rent, no rush!" said the landlord, still smiling as he headed to the store.

Ge Dongxu went up to the fifth floor, opened his suitcase, took out his toiletries, arranged them in the bathroom, and was about to put away his clothes when Cheng Le Hao suddenly barged in, grabbed Ge Dongxu's arm, and dragged him towards the window.

"Do you see that girl with the ponytail and denim shorts?" Once by the window, Cheng Le Hao pointed to the house across the street, his eyes lighting up as he asked in an excited, wolfish manner.