Chapter 8

On Wednesday morning, just after getting off work, Fang Shimian saw a private message from Manager Yang, telling him that he didn’t need to work the night shift today as a night shift order post had been arranged to cover for him.

Fang Shimian felt uncomfortable, but he couldn’t quite describe what was bothering him. It was as if many things were weighing him down, numbing his senses, and he couldn’t figure out which issue was causing him continuous pain.

He and Xu Long returned to the residential area together. Xu Long went upstairs to catch up on sleep, while Fang Shimian rode his electric scooter to buy some goji berries, milk, and fruit. He carried the ‘inspiration’ he had drawn in the surveillance room over the past few days, rode through a few alleys, and after a simple identity check with the security personnel, entered an old residential community.

Although this community was old, it was different from the chaotic and crowded one where Fang Shimian rented. This place had fewer residents, more greenery, and strict security. Visitors had to call the residents for confirmation and fill out a visitor registration form.

There was a senior activity center downstairs, with a few elderly men playing chess in the hall, and several others sitting in the central garden, walking dogs or birds.

Fang Shimian parked his electric scooter in the shed outside. Just as he was passing through the central garden, he heard someone calling his name.

He turned around and saw a young man with a crew cut wearing a vest waving at him from outside the activity hall and quickly running towards him.

Before Fang Shimian could react, the young man had already taken the things from his hands.

The young man had a dark complexion, a well-proportioned build, and looked quite young. He flashed a shy smile, revealing two rows of white teeth, “Mr. Fang Shimian, right? Grandpa Zhao is playing chess and wants you to go up with him later.”

Fang Shimian quickly nodded and reached for the things in the young man’s hands, but the young man skillfully dodged. He looked at Fang Shimian, still smiling brightly, “I’m the new Xiao Zhang. You go accompany the old gentlemen, and leave these small tasks to me.”

An old lady walking her dog happened to pass by. She pushed her reading glasses up and looked at Fang Shimian, “If they call you, just go. Young people should be energetic, not dragging their feet.”

The little white dog sniffed around Fang Shimian, wagging its fluffy tail happily.

Fang Shimian couldn’t say much more and obediently followed Xiao Zhang to the senior activity room hall.

Grandpa Zhao was sitting proudly on a small stool, holding a thermos cup, watching his opponent scratch his head in frustration. When he saw Fang Shimian, he quickly called him over to watch.

“Oh, Xiao Fang is here.” The elderly men surrounding the chessboard all knew Fang Shimian and cheerfully made room for him to watch.

“So, Xiao Fang, do you think Old Zhou still has a chance to turn the tables?” one of the elderly men in a floral jacket asked loudly.

Grandpa Zhao covered his thermos cup, glared with sharp eyes, and looked at Fang Shimian, “No talking while watching chess, no talking!”

The floral jacket grandpa laughed heartily, “Old Zhao, you didn’t say that last time.”

“A good man doesn’t boast about past achievements, don’t bring up old scores.” Grandpa Zhao directly pulled Fang Shimian to his side from the group of old men, “No giving them advice.”

Fang Shimian nodded. He was young, with rosy lips and white teeth, and his smile was very endearing.

“Xiao Fang is good at chess, why not come back and be my granddaughter-in-law?” An old man in an old military coat looked at Fang Shimian with a kind smile.

This remark drew laughter from those around, “I say, Brother Wang, aren’t both of your kids boys? Who are you going to make Xiao Fang a son-in-law for? Hahaha.”

Old Wang was silent for a moment, “Then let him be my grandson. Raising two is the same as raising three.”

“Checkmate!” Grandpa Zhao made a decisive move, stood up, and looked at the other old men with a proud chin, “Xiao Fang is my family’s child. If you want him, humph! Two words for you, no way.”

With that, he ignored the others’ protests and pulled Fang Shimian’s hand, “Let’s go home!”

Xiao Zhang followed behind with the things, and Fang Shimian looked back twice. Grandpa Zhao stopped and said to Xiao Zhang, “Give him the things. This kid is sincere and doesn’t like to trouble others.”

Fang Shimian took the things and thanked him, and Xiao Zhang turned and left.

The old and the young took the elevator up. The door was wide open, and a fragrant aroma wafted from inside.

Grandpa Zhao and Fang Shimian sat outside to change their shoes. Grandma Zhao, wearing an apron, ran over when she heard the noise. She hugged Fang Shimian when she saw him, “Just in time, today’s dishes are all your favorites.”

Ginger duck, spicy boiled beef, sweet pumpkin soup, and a few side dishes. Fang Shimian looked at them one by one, all his favorites from when he was tutoring here. The teacher’s family didn’t particularly like oily and spicy dishes, but because he liked them, these dishes gradually appeared on their table.

Fang Shimian could almost imagine Grandma Zhao knowing he was coming today and preparing this meal early, yet only saying it was a coincidence.

Thinking about how he hadn’t contacted his teacher because he didn’t take the college entrance exam, causing the elderly couple to worry about him, he held back tears and hugged Grandma Zhao again. After a moment, he asked, “Grandma, where’s Brother Shun?”

Grandma Zhao touched Fang Shimian’s eyes with a smile, “He’s downstairs. Go call them up for dinner.”

The two floors weren’t connected, so Fang Shimian didn’t wait for the elevator and went down the stairs directly.

The door downstairs wasn’t closed, and when Fang Shimian entered, he saw Zhao Shun curled up on the big sofa in the living room, sleeping.

Zhao Shun was taller than Fang Shimian, fair and chubby, with a shiny bald head reflecting the sunlight, like a mushroom buried in the sofa.

Zhao Shun’s chubbiness was different from Xu Long’s. Xu Long’s fat could turn into strength when needed, and his skin was a healthy wheat color, unlike Zhao Shun’s obvious lack of exercise and sun exposure, resulting in a flabby appearance.

Fang Shimian walked over, put the brown bear hat that had fallen beside him on Zhao Shun, and gently pinched his hand.

Zhao Shun woke up groggily and saw Fang Shimian. Before his brain could react, big tears started rolling down. Fang Shimian quickly hugged him, red-eyed, and comforted him softly, “Brother Shun, don’t cry, don’t cry.”

As he comforted him, the bedroom door inside suddenly opened with a ‘bang,’ startling Zhao Shun. Fang Shimian quickly reassured him.

Zhao You came out, leaning against the partition between the living room and the bedroom, staring at the two of them expressionlessly.

Seeing Zhao You, Zhao Shun wiped his tears, slowly let go of Fang Shimian, but his expression was a bit pitiful, like a little dog abandoned, lowering his wagging tail.

Fang Shimian didn’t expect Zhao You to be home on a Wednesday. The sound of game kills faintly came from the bedroom. He asked in confusion, “Xiao You, aren’t you supposed to be in class today?”

Zhao You didn’t speak, glanced at him, and turned back to the bedroom, the game sounds getting louder.

Fang Shimian knew he had upset him again and could only turn back to rub Zhao Shun, who was secretly wiping tears behind him, “Brother Shun, don’t cry. I’ll play with you and Xiao You today, won’t go anywhere.”

Zhao Shun, seeing his brother wasn’t around, held Fang Shimian’s hand, kissed him on the cheek, then let go and sat obediently on the sofa.

Fang Shimian took a gray and white bear from the storage box beside the sofa, and Zhao Shun reached out for it to play.

The bedroom door wasn’t closed, and the sound effects of the game kills were very good. The screen was big and clear enough, and the scenes of headshots and flying flesh seemed to happen face-to-face.

Fang Shimian closed the bedroom door and sat next to Zhao You, quietly and seriously watching the game.

When it came to the settlement screen, Fang Shimian sincerely sighed, “You had that guy in your scope, such a pity.”

“……”

Zhao You looked helpless, unable to keep up the act, and threw the mouse aside, “Did you come in here just to tell me that?”

“Oh, no.” Fang Shimian remembered, smiled at him, “Xiao You, did you skip class today?”

Zhao You: “……”

“Fang Shimian.” Zhao You’s face turned pale with anger, speaking word by word, “Can’t you see I’m angry? Asking this now, do you think it’s the right time?”

Fang Shimian just found the sulking Zhao You adorable. His eyes curved, “Xiao You, you can’t just throw a tantrum at your brother.”

Zhao You, interrupted again, felt his anger dissipate. He leaned against Fang Shimian, resting his head on his shoulder, and said softly, “I didn’t skip class. Grandma got me a leave, just got back not long ago.”

Fang Shimian nodded, “Are you going back to school after dinner?”

“No.” Zhao You sat up, glaring at Fang Shimian, “I’m also mad. Why don’t you comfort me?”

Still a kid, Fang Shimian thought, feeling like an adult already working, he should be nicer to Zhao You.

“After dinner, rest a bit, and I’ll take you to school.” Fang Shimian’s eyes were dark and bright, as if proposing something grand, “Then we’ll go to the supermarket to buy snacks for you to take to school.”

Zhao You’s eyes were initially fixed on his face, but when Fang Shimian finished speaking and looked at him, his gaze shifted, and he softly said, “Okay.”

The two of them opened the bedroom door together, and Zhao Shun, barefoot, holding a cloth bear, stood at his bedroom door looking towards Zhao You.

Fang Shimian reached out to Zhao Shun, who, despite being a bit afraid of his brother, ran over to hold Fang Shimian’s hand.

Zhao You let go of Fang Shimian, standing at the living room door, impatiently huffing.

Fang Shimian led Zhao Shun to the sofa, found the socks that had been pulled off on the floor, and put his shoes on properly before taking the two brothers upstairs for dinner.

“Xiao You knew you were coming today, insisted on coming home, couldn’t be persuaded otherwise, that child.” Grandma Zhao served Fang Shimian some food, “But your teacher and the others can’t make it back today, they’re out for training, probably won’t be back until next week.”

Fang Shimian buried his head in his meal, and Grandma Zhao felt heartache seeing it, “Take good care of yourself outside, look at you, you’ve lost weight.”

Zhao You watched Fang Shimian, who hadn’t looked up, put down his chopsticks, “Brother Mian will take me to school later.”

The two elders exchanged a glance, Grandpa Zhao looked at Zhao Shun, who was eating seriously, hesitated to speak.

Zhao You didn’t look at them, his face cold, added, “Take Zhao Shun too.”

The atmosphere at the table finally lightened, and Fang Shimian looked up, smiling as he served food to the two elders.

After dinner, Fang Shimian and Zhao You washed the dishes together.

There was a dishwasher in the kitchen, but the elders didn’t like these machines, thinking they wasted water and electricity, only used it once after buying it.

Grandpa Zhao first looked at the drafts Fang Shimian brought, picked one to examine closely, then asked, “Do you want to sell this?”

Fang Shimian nodded.

“Make some minor changes, it could be a nice little thing, find someone to take a look when you have time.”

Fang Shimian nodded, a bit embarrassed, and said, “Thank you, Grandpa.”

Grandpa Zhao sighed, “Come here often when you have nothing to do, treat this place as home.”

Zhao You’s school wasn’t far from the community. Originally, Fang Shimian planned to take him to school on the electric scooter, but with Zhao Shun joining, Grandpa Zhao arranged for someone to pick them up.

For the two brothers, Fang Shimian treated them equally, all snacks and items in pairs, no favoritism, no grievances.

Zhao You carried the things into the school, very concerned about his image, not looking back.

Zhao Shun was well-behaved, although he couldn’t speak, he seriously waved goodbye to his brother. Fang Shimian smiled and patted his head, and Zhao Shun lowered his head, dimples appearing on his cheeks.

“Isn’t this Mr. Fang?” A strange voice sounded from behind, and Fang Shimian turned around.

In the sunlight, Huo Jun was holding a suit jacket, lazily smiling at him, “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Fang Shimian also smiled politely, “Mr. Huo.”

Zhao Shun stood behind Fang Shimian, curious about the stranger.

Huo Jun looked down at the young man’s deliberately calm face, his eyes moved slightly, and he chuckled, “Mr. Fang’s selfless act at the banquet left a deep impression on Mr. Huo.”

“May I invite Mr. Fang to dinner?”