Although it was just a stack of papers, it was still a token of Sui Yuesheng’s sincerity, something he had specially brought back from the Western Continent. Besides, he worked so hard…

Thinking of this, Tao Fengche, who suddenly felt a pang in his heart, forced out a rather difficult smile.

“Thank you, Ge, you’ve worked hard. I really like it…”

He managed to endure the overwhelming wave of despair through sheer willpower, racking his brains for words of gratitude. His expression was like a palette that had been knocked over, looking both aggrieved and pitiful.

He was just like a poor little puppy, forcing a smile while facing a bone he didn’t like, wagging his tail in an effort to please the human.

Even Sui Yuesheng, with his dark humor and stone-hearted nature, couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy and decided not to continue teasing.

“Alright, I was just kidding,” he said with a light cough. “I brought some local snacks for you. Some of them I personally tried and found pretty good, so I asked Assistant Zhou to buy them. Others were selected by him after consulting some guides. They’re all in your room now, delivered by Uncle Xu.”

Tao Fengche instinctively glanced at Xu Song, who nodded with a smile, confirming Sui Yuesheng’s words.

Tao Fengche: “…”

He silently sighed in his heart.

Well, snacks are better than nothing. Although it reminded him of the times when Tao Zhixing would bring back treats from business trips when he was a child, it felt like Sui Yuesheng still saw him as a kid. But it was definitely better than a mountain of test papers and study materials.

That’s why they say happiness is always relative, isn’t it? Compared to the stack of papers from the Western Continent, facing the foreign snacks that seemed to be meant to placate a child, Tao Fengche not only felt relieved but even found a bit of sweetness.

He was no longer that little kid eagerly waiting for his parents to come home. Even the parents he once waited for were no longer in this world. He had quickly grown up, shouldering all the responsibilities and obligations, doing better than most adults.

—Outsiders always said that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and that Tao Zhixing’s youngest son was no small fry. He had grown to a point where others would be wary of him, but in Sui Yuesheng’s eyes, he still seemed like that little boy who could act spoiled and threw tantrums.

Tao Fengche pursed his lips, trying not to smile too obviously. He took a moment to adjust his emotions and then began chatting with Sui Yuesheng about what he had experienced recently. While secretly probing into the details of Sui Yuesheng’s life, he also subtly showcased his mature side, hoping to let his brother feel his growth.

…The plan was perfect, but unfortunately, reality is always harsh.

Like a peacock showing off its feathers, Tao Fengche was destined to fail because Sui Yuesheng wasn’t really paying attention.

Though he pretended to be listening, nodding continuously in agreement, responding and commenting at the right moments, and answering every question Tao Fengche asked, he seemed like the perfect conversational partner. In reality, his mind was elsewhere.

Sui Yuesheng had been patiently waiting for an opportunity. Finally, at the moment when Tao Fengche was completely engrossed in their conversation and oblivious to everything else, he quickly turned his head and gave Xu Song a signal.

—Hurry up and bring that stack of papers to Xiao Che’s room!

Xu Song, understanding the seriousness of the matter, nodded gravely and quickly went to carry out the order.

Tao Fengche, deeply engaged in his conversation with Sui Yuesheng, didn’t notice anything unusual.

After taking a step onto the stairs, the ever-reliable butler, unable to hold back, finally let out a broad smile.

This is great, he thought with satisfaction.

…

After a long and tiring journey, Sui Yuesheng had finally returned to Jingpu. He had held on until Tao Fengche came home and had dinner with him. Even an iron man would find it hard to keep going.

During their post-dinner chat, his exhaustion was almost tangible, making Tao Fengche feel heartache. He tried to subtly suggest that Sui Yuesheng should go back to his room and rest, but Sui Yuesheng inexplicably insisted, claiming he had slept on the plane and wasn’t tired at all. Then he quickly changed the subject, asking if Tao Fengche had any other plans for the day.

Tao Fengche, of course, did.

According to his plan, the day after tomorrow was the day to close in on Liu Tianlei’s mistress’s house to catch them. He intended to review the floor plan of the mistress’s neighborhood a few more times after dinner to find the quickest and most convenient route. He also needed to position snipers at several vantage points… But when he opened his mouth, the words that came out were, “No.”

Faced with Sui Yuesheng’s skeptical gaze, he awkwardly added, “I was thinking of watching a movie.”

“Would you mind if I join you?”

“Huh?!”

Tao Fengche could hardly believe what he was hearing. He couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, and in the next moment, a flood of joy burst from his heart.

He knew that Sui Yuesheng should be resting right now, as he needed plenty of sleep to recover his strength. But when he heard that sentence, he was overwhelmed with ecstasy.

After all, it had been ten years since they last watched a movie together.

He had lost his mother at a young age and was raised solely by Tao Zhixing. The renowned patriarch had always dismissed suggestions about parent-child activities from nannies. He was too busy to play blocks with Tao Fengche, couldn’t ensure to read bedtime stories every night, and couldn’t take him to the amusement park weekly, let alone learn new skills together.

But he always managed to spare some time each month to watch a movie with Tao Fengche on a night after his homework was done. Father and son would sit side by side on the sofa, Tao Fengche with a soda drink and Tao Zhixing with tea, with pastries and cookies from the kitchen in front of them, as they intently watched the screen together. This was a very warm scene in Tao Fengche’s memory.

When Sui Yuesheng came to the Tao family, there were three people on the sofa.

But now, there were only two left.

Tao Fengche felt a pang in his heart and didn’t dare to let himself dwell on the memories. Although he was looking forward to watching a movie with Sui Yuesheng, his concern for Sui Yuesheng still took precedence. He was about to speak up to dissuade him when he heard Sui Yuesheng say, “If you mind, then forget it.”

“No!” Tao Fengche denied strongly, “Of course not! What I mean is…”

He couldn’t bring himself to refuse Sui Yuesheng or disappoint him, especially in this situation.

Faced with those smiling, gray-blue eyes, Tao Fengche’s mind felt like it was filled with sticky glue, leaving him at a loss for words.

He eventually sighed in defeat, confirmed that Sui Yuesheng had no other work that night, and walked with him toward the home theater.