Chapter 8 This Young Man is Reliable

Su Meixi treated this uncle with great respect, "Yes, Uncle Zhang, I just got off work."

Uncle Zhang, seeing Gu Wei, asked curiously, "This is..."

"My... a friend, named Gu Wei." Su Meixi didn't plan to tell the truth for the time being.

Uncle Zhang seemed to "get it," and he looked Gu Wei up and down before happily saying, "This young man is truly handsome and imposing, Xiao Xi, Uncle Zhang is old, but I can tell a good person when I see one. This young man is a keeper, you can depend on him for life."

Su Meixi smiled awkwardly.

Gu Wei also politely greeted, "Hello, Uncle Zhang."

Uncle Zhang's expression became serious again, "Xiao Xi, you did the right thing bringing your friend here. Last night I saw that unrelated older brother of yours loitering downstairs again, and then another group came, and they started fighting. Scared us to death, we did. Although this area is old, it's safe, there has never been such a serious fight before, right? You must be careful, Xiao Xi."

Su Meixi said, "I've come back to pack my things; I plan to move to my friend's place."

Uncle Zhang immediately expressed support: "Right, if you can move, do so as soon as possible. Our family is also moving out soon. My son bought an apartment in the new district and doesn't want us to live in this old building anymore. I was telling my wife this morning that when we move, who will look after you. But knowing that you're moving too, we can rest assured."

Su Meixi felt a sense of loss at first, but then happily said to Uncle Zhang: "Uncle Zhang, then congratulations to you. You have a filial son."

It seemed that the decision to move to Gu Wei's place was the right one.

...

Gu Wei followed Su Meixi into her home.

Though it was old, it was tidy, and it was evident that she liked to read. There were books on the coffee table, on the TV cabinet, and even more on a bookshelf beside the window.

There were medical books, martial arts novels, classics from China and abroad, even self-help books, the complete Harry Potter series, and The Three-Body Problem.

As Su Meixi packed, she mentioned to Gu Wei, "I usually read books when I'm off work."

"You don't watch TV or play with your phone?" asked Gu Wei.

Su Meixi smiled, "The TV is too old; it breaks down now and then, and I'm too lazy to buy a new one. As for the phone, it's just for calls, messages, or looking things up. But occasionally, I do watch some dramas. Do you... think I'm boring?"

Suddenly, she cared about his opinion.

"Of course not," said Gu Wei. "But you still need to exercise and stay fit when you have the time."

"I have a habit of jogging in the morning."

"That's not enough." Gu Wei flipped through a book on the coffee table titled "Sun Zhenren's Sea Formula" and said, "When you have time, I'll teach you some self-defense techniques so you won't be bullied when I'm not around."

Su Meixi felt warmth in her heart, "Yeah, I've wanted to learn for a long time but couldn't find a good instructor."

She packed up some clothes and a pile of books, deciding not to take anything else since Gu Wei's house had everything she needed.

"Are you packed up?" asked Gu Wei.

"Yes," Su Meixi came up to him, pointing to the book in her hand, "This is the one I've been reading recently, I want to take it too."

Gu Wei smiled and handed the book back to her.

Just as they were about to leave, they heard a knock on the door.

Su Meixi thought it was Uncle Zhang, so she hurried to open the door.

But standing outside was a middle-aged woman, over fifty, with a face that bore the harsh marks of life.

Su Meixi hadn't seen her for more than half a year; the last time was during a certain New Year, when she pretentiously brought a basket of dumplings over to inquire about Su Meixi's salary.

"Ah Xi, what are you doing..." Fang Xin saw a suitcase and a box of books inside and couldn't help asking, "Are you moving out?"

Su Meixi, seeing her, had a cold demeanor, "I'm temporarily moving out to live elsewhere for a while."

A smile immediately appeared on Fang Xin's face, "Then, this house will be empty, won't it?"

"What do you want?" Su Meixi stood at the door, not intending to invite Fang Xin in.

Fang Xin looked embarrassed, "Ah Xi, isn't your little brother about to start middle school..."

Su Meixi corrected her: "I don't have a little brother."

"What do you mean you don't have a little brother? Xiao Zhuang is your brother, isn't he? Your half-brother from the same mother is still a brother, and he's related to you by blood."

"What's your point?"

"Ah Xi, Xiao Zhuang is starting middle school, but the middle schools in his area aren't good, not like the schools here. I was thinking, could we register his residency with your address so he could attend a middle school in this area?"

"You came today just for this?"

"Yes, and also to check on you. Ah Xi, how have you been lately? Are you living a happy life?"

Su Meixi replied coldly, "You care about me now? It's too late. Besides, this house was left by my grandfather; your son isn't his direct grandson. He wouldn't agree to registering someone unrelated. Give up on that notion."

"Ah Xi, although Xiao Zhuang hasn't lived with you since he was little, you wouldn't be so heartless as to let him miss out on a good middle school, right? What if he doesn't study well and ends up like your brother?"

"First, I don't have a brother, nor a little brother. Second, your son has books to read, and studying mainly depends on oneself, not the location of the school. Third, I don't want to have anything to do with your family."

Fang Xin got angry as well, "What do you mean you don't want to have anything to do with us? You are my daughter, that's undeniable. You will always be my daughter, and I will always be your mother."

"Then where were you all this time? You moved away when I was in elementary school, and from seventh grade on I lived alone, managed myself. Why didn't you say I was your daughter then?"

"I... I was abandoned by your father then, wasn't I? I couldn't manage. Ah Xi, mother had her difficulties."

"Difficulties or not, you could have at least checked in. Enough of this, I've made it through, and from now on, don't disturb my life."

After saying this, she picked up her suitcase.

Gu Wei came over from behind and took the box of books for Su Meixi.

It was then that Fang Xin noticed Gu Wei in the room.

She quickly asked, "Ah Xi, where are you moving to? Is it your boyfriend's place? Leave me an address, so I can come visit you."

"There's no need."

"Ah Xi..."

Fang Xin wanted to follow, but Gu Wei stood in front of her.

Gu Wei spoke indifferently, "Auntie, Ah Xi doesn't want to see you."

Fang Xin got angry, "Are you Ah Xi's boyfriend? Then you might be my future son-in-law. Is this how you treat your mother-in-law?"

Gu Wei's expression remained cold, "Auntie, please respect yourself."

After saying that, Gu Wei carried the books downstairs.

A ride-share car was parked downstairs, summoned by Gu Wei from a ride-hailing app during the argument between Su Meixi and her mother, to help transport the luggage.

Su Meixi didn't want to see Fang Xin and decided not to worry about her scooter for the time being, so she got into the ride-share car.