Chapter 106: A Night in Sichuan and Chongqing (Part 2)

"Chen Hansheng, I was just joking," Wang Zibo quickly stepped forward to stop Chen Hansheng. If the ticket got torn, his mom might actually call the police to look for him.

Chen Hansheng stared at Wang Zibo. "Do you know what to say when we go back?"

"Yes, I know, I know," Wang Zibo nodded immediately, even adding, "Let's think about any gaps in our story. Xiao Yu'er is very smart—she might just not want to expose us."

Chen Hansheng thought to himself, *Do I not know how smart Xiao Yu'er is? If only every girl were like Shen Youchu, I wouldn't be this tired.*

The next morning, Chen Hansheng was woken up by the barking of dogs outside. He wanted to stay in bed a bit longer, but the door creaked open, and a small head peeked in—it was Anning.

"Is there anyone in the courtyard?" Chen Hansheng asked.

Chen Ningning shook her head.

"Then why is it so noisy?"

"The dog is chasing the cat," the little girl replied honestly.

Chen Hansheng couldn't help but chuckle. Were all kids in this place this simple?

While he got dressed, he called out to wake Wang Zibo. But as Chen Hansheng put on his shoes, Anning darted back out. She seemed curious about Chen Hansheng yet shy at the same time, torn between wanting to approach him and feeling a bit scared.

When Chen Hansheng stepped outside, he saw Shen Youchu making breakfast. Her soft, oval face was flushed red from the firelight, her slightly wavy hair tied into a loose ponytail. Her almond-shaped eyes were misty from the smoke, and she would occasionally cough softly into her hand. However, the image was somewhat ruined by the puffy cotton jacket she was wearing—a clearly handmade piece. Both she and Anning wore similar ones, though they seemed warm.

"You're up," Shen Youchu greeted shyly. She felt strange seeing Chen Hansheng in her small courtyard.

Chen Hansheng walked over and said, "Don't make too much. We'll eat and then leave."

Shen Youchu froze for a moment.

"It's almost New Year's, and the roads are crowded and uncomfortable. I'll come back to pick you up after the holiday break," Chen Hansheng explained.

"No, no need…" Shen Youchu didn't want Chen Hansheng to go to the trouble, but he waved his hand and interrupted her, "The tickets are already bought. Are we just going to waste them?"

"Oh, oh, oh, then I'll wait for you at home," Shen Youchu stammered, afraid of being scolded again. She lowered her head and began serving breakfast.

While they spoke, Shen Youchu's grandmother sat quietly in the courtyard. With Sichuan and Chongqing's limited sunlight, the elderly woman probably wasn't soaking in much warmth. Still, she sat there peacefully, with Anning leaning against her lap.

When Chen Hansheng called Wang Zibo over to eat, he noticed only two bowls on the table and asked curiously, "What about Grandma and Shen Youchu? And the little girl—why aren't they eating?"

"They won't eat until we're done. Stop asking questions and start eating," Chen Hansheng said curtly, not wanting to dwell on the subject.

Shen Youchu had made two egg pancakes. Such a treat was rare for Anning, who watched the pancakes with wide eyes, her mouth moving as if swallowing her saliva. Wang Zibo couldn't bear it anymore. He pulled out all the money left in his wallet—196 yuan and 30 cents—and handed it to Shen Youchu's grandmother.

"Grandma, I didn't bring any gifts for my first visit, and this is all I have on me. But I'll definitely come back in the future, and then I'll buy—buy—buy you Brain Platinum!" Wang Zibo stammered, finally blurting out the name of a well-known supplement from a commercial.

Shen Youchu's grandmother naturally declined, but Wang Zibo insisted. He wouldn't put the money back in his pocket no matter what. Chen Hansheng quickly finished his breakfast, walked over, and patted Wang Zibo on the shoulder. "Give the money to me."

"Just make sure Grandma accepts it," Wang Zibo said emotionally, almost in tears. This sincerity was one reason why Chen Hansheng valued him as a friend—his pure heart.

Chen Hansheng took the 196 yuan and 30 cents and added a stack of his own money from his wallet. Then he placed it all into Anning's left pocket. "Do you want Grandma to eat meat every day?" he asked.

Anning nodded.

"Do you want your sister to buy pretty clothes?"

Anning nodded again.

"Do you want books and stationery for yourself?"

Anning nodded once more.

Chen Hansheng patted the little girl's head. "Then keep it, okay?"

Anning turned to look at her grandmother and Shen Youchu. The latter was about to speak but was silenced by a sharp glare from Chen Hansheng. She bit her lip and remained quiet, looking aggrieved.

After a long pause, Shen Youchu's grandmother glanced at Chen Hansheng's defiant expression and then at Shen Youchu's obedient demeanor. Finally, she nodded.

"Thank you, big brother! Now I can buy a schoolbag!" Anning was the happiest of all. She had never seen so much money before.

Watching this, Wang Zibo suddenly began to cry, feeling a pang in his heart. Chen Hansheng slapped him on the back of the head. "Don't get all sentimental. This is a good thing. Why the hell are you crying?"

After breakfast, Chen Hansheng prepared to leave. The grandmother handed him a large bag of chili peppers as a parting gift.

"We shouldn't take anything," Wang Zibo protested. "They've worked so hard already."

Chen Hansheng glanced at him. "Our moms both know we came to Sichuan and Chongqing. We can't go back empty-handed."

"Don't worry; this isn't worth much," Chen Hansheng reassured him.

"But it looks heavy," Wang Zibo said, still concerned.

Chen Hansheng shrugged. "Heavy? So what? It's not like I'm carrying it."

It took Wang Zibo a moment to realize what he meant. 

"You bastard! Always bossing me around!"

---

As Chen Hansheng and Wang Zibo left, Shen Youchu held Anning's hand and followed them to see them off. Chen Hansheng turned back and said sternly, "Are you planning to follow me back to Hong Kong? Then hurry up and pack your bags."

"I-I-I can't bear to…" Shen Youchu looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. She wasn't good at lying, let alone hiding her emotions.

Chen Hansheng wiped away her tears and pinched her cheek. "I know. I can't bear it either. I don't want to leave anyone behind."

Then he drew a line in the dirt with a stick. "Don't cross this line. Understand?"

Shen Youchu obediently nodded.

Chen Hansheng waved goodbye again. Shen Youchu stood still, not stepping past the line, but she kept watching them leave. Beside her, Anning, feeling a chill, slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out another bundle of cash.

"Big sis," Anning said, handing it to Shen Youchu.

"I thought we gave all the money to Grandma?" Shen Youchu counted the bills—exactly 800 yuan. Suddenly, she realized what had happened. She looked up, but Chen Hansheng and Wang Zibo were already out of sight.

To Chen Hansheng, his parents were the most important, and no one could surpass the standards he had set for them. But giving two sets of the same amount wasn't breaking the rules, right?

*If you don't know how to adapt, how can you be a proper scoundrel?*