Chapter 47: A Long and Winding River

After Liang Zhirou’s eyes stopped swelling, Chen Lu took her out of the car.

They walked side-by-side through the alley, the overhead lights casting long shadows behind them.

As they reached the door, Liang Zhirou suddenly realized she was wearing the new dress she bought and was going straight home…

There was no place to change, so she could only blush and lower her head, fumbling with her keys to open the door.

Chen Lu followed behind, carrying bags of things.

As the door opened, they saw Xiao Xunfang sitting in her wheelchair, silently gazing at the small window. Only a sliver of moonlight fell on her, casting a lonely figure.

She was about the same age as Liang Zhirou’s mother, Wang Xiaoxia, but Chen Lu had never seen her look at her phone or watch TV. Perhaps for someone who came from the mountains and was unable to walk, staring at the night was her way of passing the time.

The room was pitch black, as if she was reluctant to turn on the lights.

Chen Lu felt a sudden pang in his heart.

“Nier, why are you back so late?”

Xiao Xunfang’s voice was filled with worry and longing, with little blame.

Just as Liang Zhirou stammered to speak, Chen Lu explained for her, “Auntie, we had dinner together tonight.”

Hearing Chen Lu’s voice, she seemed to relax a little and turned her wheelchair.

“I feel at ease when you’re with her,” she said with a smile. Seeing the bags Chen Lu was carrying, she suddenly froze, “Why did you bring so many things?”

While Liang Zhirou fumbled to turn on the light, Chen Lu knelt down beside Xiao Xunfang.

He looked up slightly, intentionally keeping his gaze lower than hers.

He chuckled softly, “I saw the mall was having a sale today, so I bought you some supplements.”

Xiao Xunfang felt a little embarrassed, “Auntie can’t accept so many things from you. Why don’t you keep the money and buy yourself some good food…”

Chen Lu looked wronged, “Don’t say that, Auntie. You’ve fed me before. I plan to come here often in the future. Whenever my mom scolds me, I’ll come here to mooch off your food.”

“If you don’t take it, I’ll be too embarrassed to come in the future.”

Xiao Xunfang unconsciously reached out to touch Chen Lu’s head, “Alright, alright, Little Lu, come whenever you want. But you have to listen to Auntie, we won’t buy any more in the future.”

As she reached out, she suddenly realized that Chen Lu was so much taller than her. She had to reach down to touch his head, her arm barely reaching.

She looked sideways and saw that Chen Lu was half-kneeling beside her, his knees not even touching the ground to maintain that height. It looked uncomfortable.

She felt a little dazed. Chen Lu was still talking as if nothing was wrong. If she hadn’t reached out, she might have overlooked this child’s silent kindness.

Thinking about it, her eyes welled up.

“Auntie welcomes you anytime, remember to come often,” Xiao Xunfang said softly.

Chen Lu quickly put the things he bought in the corner, so he wouldn’t be asked to take some back when he left. “I can’t come less often, Liang Zhirou cooks so well.”

Xiao Xunfang saw Liang Zhirou, wearing a new dress, pouring water for Chen Lu. A smile appeared on her weathered face.

……

After dropping Liang Zhirou off, Chen Lu was about to go back to the dorm.

He sat in the car, not rushing to drive away. His index finger tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel as he thought quietly.

What could he actually do to help Liang Zhirou?

Liang Zhirou’s mother’s leg might have a chance of recovery through surgery, but he didn’t know how much it would cost.

He could confirm that it wouldn’t be cheap, at least not something the simpleton could afford in the next few years.

But the problem was, their relationship wasn’t close enough for him to intervene in such matters. Helping out would make Liang Zhirou feel indebted and unable to hold her head up, and their positions would become unequal.

That’s not what Chen Lu wanted. He didn’t want to see a simpleton who was subservient to him because she owed him.

Although his parents were kind and might be willing to lend him money, he could only use money he earned himself, otherwise, it wouldn’t be right.

He chuckled softly and started the engine, driving away.

Taking care of this simpleton was truly a troublesome matter that required a long and winding river of effort.

One step at a time.

While he was still on the road, his phone rang.

It was Li Sinian calling.

“Hey, Brother Lu~”

“Tell me what you want first, then I’ll decide if you’re my brother,” Chen Lu said in a deep voice.

This guy wouldn’t be calling for no reason. Usually, he called Brother Lu when he needed something, and otherwise, he called him Big Son.

“It’s not a big deal, just that… I want to borrow some money from you,” Li Sinian’s voice seemed a little embarrassed.

“Are you outside?”

Chen Lu asked curiously. Logically, he could just borrow money when he got back to the dorm, there was no need to call.

Li Sinian seemed to be seen through, and he became even more embarrassed for some reason, “Yeah, I’m outside having dinner. The menu scared me… so I ran to the bathroom to call you.”

Chen Lu smiled helplessly, “How much? I’ll send it to you on WeChat.”

Li Sinian hesitated, “Two thousand.”

“How much?! Li Sinian, are you eating gold? Two thousand for a meal?!” Chen Lu almost ran a red light in shock.

Li Sinian’s monthly allowance was only a thousand yuan.

“I have no idea Japanese food is so expensive…” Li Sinian’s voice became quieter and quieter, but the embarrassment had disappeared.

Since Chen Lu scolded him, it meant he wouldn’t refuse. The two most reliable people in their dorm were Chen Lu and Jiang Chao. They usually consulted these two for anything.

But this time, he didn’t dare call Jiang Chao. Although they would both lend money, Jiang Chao’s scolding was much harsher than Chen Lu’s.

Chen Lu looked at the countdown on the traffic light and sighed, “With a girl?”

Li Sinian hummed.

“Want to walk my old path, huh?” Chen Lu said sarcastically. Li Sinian wasn’t even walking his old path, at least he wasn’t ripped off like this.

“Do you want to come with me?” Li Sinian quietly changed the subject.

Chen Lu snorted, “What would I go for? To steal your thunder?”

He said it subtly. Jiang Chao never brought him along when he had dinner with girls.

Even if Chen Lu just sat there without saying anything, it would be too much of a show-stealer. Sometimes, being too handsome wouldn’t even make you a wingman.

“It’s okay, come with me, help me liven up the atmosphere,” Li Sinian mumbled quietly. He had been in the student union for so long, but he still couldn’t compare to Chen Lu in terms of social skills.

Seeing that Chen Lu wasn’t paying attention to him, he added, “Please, Brother Lu, just this once. Wenxi is a really good girl.”

“A good girl who eats two thousand yuan for a meal, huh?” Chen Lu spat at him, “Forget it, tell me the location, I’ll go see what kind of monster it is.”