Chapter 28: Brought Back

Early the next morning, it was time to send Xu Weiping off to catch his train. After returning home, Xu An and Zhou Yu washed up and went to bed.

The next day, the couple woke up early, got ready, and Xu An asked Zhou Yu to bring along the items they had bought for Xu Weiping. They headed to the hotel to meet him.

When they arrived, they found Xu Weiping already packed and waiting at the entrance. Xu An hurriedly ran up to him, calling out, “Brother.”

Xu Weiping turned to see his sister and nodded with a touch of relief. However, he frowned, worried about troubling her. “No need to see me off. You’ll just have to make your way back from the train station, which will be an extra hassle.”

Xu An shook her head. “It won’t be a bother. Zhou Yu and I can catch a ride back.” She continued softly, “Brother, you’re leaving today. We might not see each other again for a while. Let me at least send you off.”

Seeing that she made a valid point, Xu Weiping relented. He noticed the things Zhou Yu was holding, realizing that his sister had bought them for him. His heart warmed. He had initially come expecting his sister to be in trouble, but seeing her in good spirits, with a softer, more carefree demeanor, his anger about her marriage without the family’s consent faded.

Zhou Yu flagged down a car, placed the items in the trunk, and helped Xu An into the back seat. He arranged for Xu Weiping to sit in the front passenger seat, and they headed directly to the train station.

Xu An reminded him, “Brother, you’ve been traveling for the past two days without proper rest. Be sure to get some once you’re home, and don’t worry about me.”

Xu Weiping listened as she continued her gentle reminders throughout the ride.

At the train station, Zhou Yu was the first to get out, unloading the bags. They all headed to the ticket hall together. Xu An asked for her brother’s introduction letter, saying, “Brother, give the letter to Zhou Yu so he can buy your ticket.”

Xu Weiping frowned. “It’s fine, I can do it.”

But Xu An, worried that he might buy a hard seat ticket again and exhaust himself over several days of travel, insisted, “Brother, let Zhou Yu get the ticket while you rest with me and keep an eye on the bags.”

Unable to argue with her, Xu Weiping handed the introduction letter to Zhou Yu, who took it to buy the ticket. Before he left, Xu Weiping reminded him several times, “Just get a hard seat. I sat in one on the way here and I’m used to it.”

Zhou Yu didn’t respond and simply headed off. Xu Weiping watched his limping gait and felt a pang of sympathy. “You see, with his bad leg, I could have gone myself, but he insisted.”

Xu An, noticing his concern, reassured him, “Brother, except for his limp and some difficulty moving around, Zhou Yu can still handle everything. Don’t worry about him.”

Xu Weiping sighed. “Alright, I won’t worry. You two are married, after all. If you’re not worried, why should I be?”

Xu An felt a little guilty, touching her nose as she murmured an agreement.

Before long, Zhou Yu returned with the ticket and the letter, handing them both to Xu Weiping. He then picked up the bags and began leading them toward the train. Xu Weiping glanced at the ticket and saw it was for a sleeper berth. Feeling conflicted, he said, “An’an, a hard seat would have been fine. You didn’t have to…”

He started to take money from his pocket to pay her back for the sleeper ticket, but Xu An quickly declined, saying, “Brother, you’ve spent so much on this trip to check on your troublesome little sister. Don’t argue with me over this.”

She added, “I felt better spending it. I can’t go home with you for the New Year, so you need to travel back comfortably and in good spirits.”

Xu Weiping didn’t know where his sister had learned to be so considerate, leaving him unable to refuse her kindness.

Zhou Yu, being efficient, had already stored the bags and was waiting for them to board the train. Xu An nudged her brother forward. The three of them made their way to the sleeper car, where Zhou Yu placed the luggage neatly in the compartment.

Xu An softly reminded him, “Brother, I bought you slippers and loose cotton pajamas. Once the train starts moving, change into them. Sitting for several days will make you swell up, so it’ll be more comfortable.”

“I also got you snacks and biscuits. Don’t hold back on eating them. Take care of yourself.”

Her thoughtfulness touched Xu Weiping deeply, and he nodded firmly. “I understand.”

“An’an, live well with Zhou Yu. If anything happens, send us a letter. Trains are convenient now, so don’t hesitate. You’re not alone; you’re the baby of the Xu family, and we won’t let anyone bully you.”

Xu An nodded obediently.

Looking at Zhou Yu, Xu Weiping added with a serious tone, “My sister has a difficult personality. If you can tolerate her, treat her well. If you can’t, don’t resort to violence. Just send her back home safely. We’ll always be there for her.”

Zhou Yu glanced at Xu An, his expression no longer playful but solemn as he nodded. “I understand.”

“Alright, now that I’m settled, you two should get off the train and head home. There’s not much time before it departs, so hurry back and rest.”

Xu Weiping ushered them out of the train car. Xu An followed Zhou Yu but kept calling back to remind her brother, “Take care on the train, and don’t stress about anything. Rest is the most important thing.”

Xu Weiping chuckled at his sister’s naive advice, contrasting with how his wife and mother had warned him to stay vigilant on the way here, making sure not to fall asleep too deeply and risk losing his belongings.

His sister was truly carefree and worry-free.

“I know, don’t worry.”

Xu An nodded, feeling reassured. She watched her brother from the platform as the train slowly pulled away. As the distance between them grew, she waved until she saw him rummaging through his bags for the slippers and pajamas she had bought. Only then did she stop waving and turn away.

Turning to Zhou Yu, Xu An said softly, “Let’s go back. I’m a bit tired.”

Getting up early to send someone off was indeed exhausting.

Zhou Yu glanced at her slightly weary expression and nodded quietly. He guided her out of the train station.

After hailing a cab, they both got in. As the driver smoothly pulled away from the station, the fatigue hit Xu An like a wave. Her half-closed eyelids drooped for a moment, and she finally gave in to sleep, dozing off in the car.

Zhou Yu felt her head slump onto his shoulder. Glancing down at the woman sleeping soundly against him, he noticed her porcelain skin and slightly flushed cheeks. He then turned his gaze straight ahead, letting her rest on his shoulder without moving.

When they arrived at the alleyway near their home, Zhou Yu pulled out money with one hand and handed it to the driver. The driver’s playful glance didn’t seem to faze Zhou Yu. He gently touched Xu An’s face, feeling the softness of her skin, hesitating between waking her up or letting her continue to rest.

After a moment’s thought, Zhou Yu took off his thick coat, draped it over her, and carefully cradled her head with one hand. He stepped out of the car, walked around to her side, and gently lifted her out.

Carrying her in his arms, he headed toward their home, attracting the curious stares and whispers of onlookers. His injured leg made it difficult, causing him to walk unevenly, but he kept moving forward, holding her tightly.

Xu An, feeling drowsy, sensed she was being held, but her consciousness was too foggy to wake up fully. Her hand instinctively gripped his shirt as she curled into the warmth of his coat, unaware of the murmurs from passersby.

Zhou Yu remained calm as he carried her all the way home. After unlocking the door, he placed her gently on the bed, tucking her in. Xu An instinctively burrowed into the covers, leaving only her fluffy head exposed.

Zhou Yu gazed at her peaceful sleeping form, a faint smile tugging at his lips before he turned and left the room.

Xu An slept deeply, waking only in the afternoon to the smell of food wafting from the kitchen. She yawned, her eyes slightly misty, and looked around in confusion, trying to remember how she had gotten home. She distinctly recalled being in the car with Zhou Yu.

Puzzled, she got up, put on her slippers, and walked out of the room, finding Zhou Yu cooking.

Blinking, she asked hesitantly, “Zhou Yu, how did I get home?”

Hearing her, Zhou Yu paused his cooking and glanced back at her sleepy face. Amused, he replied, “You sleepwalked home.”

Knowing that was impossible, Xu An rolled her eyes. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Did you carry me back?” she asked, hoping he had at least piggybacked her.

Zhou Yu shot her a sideways look and raised his voice, “Not too dumb, I see.”

He thought for a moment, then met her gaze, his tone playful. “But you were heavy—like carrying a sack of bricks.”

Xu An took a deep breath, resisting the urge to throw her slipper at his smug face.

She exhaled, recalling his injured leg, and said softly, “Next time, just wake me up. You don’t need to carry me.”

Zhou Yu’s gaze lingered on her, his voice teasing again. “You sleep like a log. I couldn’t wake you.”

Xu An clenched her fists in frustration. “You’re making that up! I always wake up when you call me in the morning!”

“Oh,” Zhou Yu responded nonchalantly, his eyes resting on her flushed cheeks. “It always took effort to wake you up.”

Xu An’s angry expression faltered. Could that be true?

Zhou Yu lowered his eyes, his hand unconsciously rubbing his fingers together as if still feeling the softness of her skin. The scent of her lingered faintly.