Chapter 17

The autumn wind was rising, and the deeper the night, the colder the wind became.

Cheng Yanran sat inside the car, playing on her phone while waiting for Zhou Zhou.

It was almost 10 PM, but she still hadn’t come back.

Cheng Yanran felt worried and couldn’t help but send her a WeChat message.

“Are you home yet?”

“Almost. Just dropped off the boss.”

That meant she would be back in about half an hour.

That was enough time.

Cheng Yanran made a phone call, started the car, and drove off first.

About 20 minutes later, he came back with a thermal bag.

He walked to the security guard at the gate of the apartment and handed him a pack of cigarettes.

“Sir, I brought some food for a friend. Can I leave it on the table?”

“Of course. Leave it there. Take a photo; I’ll watch it to make sure no one takes it.” The guard hid the cigarettes in his pocket.

That pack of cigarettes was worth a little more than his whole shift’s pay.

After leaving the thermal bag, Cheng Yanran said “Thanks” and got back into the car, took out his phone, and started messaging Chen Jing.

“I brought some snacks for Zhou Zhou. The excuse is that we are eating at the hotel next to the bay. Don’t let her find out.”

Chen Jing was at a bar when he saw the message and almost swore.

Cheng Yanran ignored him and sent Zhou Zhou a message:

“Chen Jing and I are eating at the hotel by Emerald Bay. Their porridge is really good. I brought you some and left it at the security office by the door. Not sure if you like it, just eat it to fill your stomach.”

He also sent a photo.

It was a very famous hotel with great food, and of course, it was expensive.

Zhou Zhou was very hungry. Seeing the picture made her feel warm inside.

She was almost eager to get home.

Cheng Yanran and Chen Jing, when they met again, were still as warm and sincere as they were in high school.

She knew good friends were rare, especially real, sincere friends in a world full of greed.

She didn’t want to make it complicated, so she created a group chat called “The Three Milk Tea Brothers.”

Zhou Zhou wrote:
@Cheng Yanran @Da Jing Thanks, you milk tea brothers. You haven’t arrived yet, but my heart is already warm.

Chen Jing almost dropped his drink laughing when he saw the group’s name and laughed for a long time inside.

He didn’t know what Cheng Yanran was feeling now, but he really wanted to laugh.

Zhou Zhou was still as straightforward as ever!

Da Jing replied:
“You’re welcome, it’s all Cheng’s money.”

Cheng Yanran stared at the group name for a moment and quietly sighed:
“Just on the way.”

He was sitting in the car, about to type more, when he saw a black business car pull up to Emerald Bay’s entrance. Zhou Zhou stepped out wearing a long gray coat. Her back looked so elegant it made his heart flutter.

His car was parked right by the gate, so he could see her clearly.

Zhou Zhou walked into the security office, immediately saw the thermal bag, picked it up and said “Thank you,” then turned to leave, but the security guard called her back.

“Miss, there’s a bouquet of flowers next to it.”

She was surprised and turned to look at the orange bubble flowers.

The guard smiled and said, “Your boyfriend put them here too.”

He was a little confused because the thermal bag had the famous hotel’s name, but the flowers looked like they were just bought casually.

Her phone vibrated again. Chen Jing sent a message in the group chat:

Da Jing:
“Brother is at another place, can’t hang out. Here’s a photo from the bar.”

Then Cheng Yanran sent her a private message to explain:
“The flowers are leftover decorations from the hotel’s wedding setup. Just take them home for fun.”

She had been on a business trip for four days, eating plane meals at night. She was tired, exhausted, and hungry. Honestly, to receive such sincere care from friends on a cold, quiet night touched her deeply.

Zhou Zhou turned and held the orange bouquet close. Her hands were full.

But she was very happy.

Cheng Yanran sat in the car, watching her drag the suitcase, hold the flowers, and carry the thermal bag. His face showed a big smile, just like a 20-year-old girl.

He felt happy too, leaned back in his seat, and smiled quietly.

His car was still downstairs.

Zhou Zhou had already gone upstairs.

She put down the suitcase and opened the thermal bag.

It felt heavy in her hand. When she opened it, she found plenty of food inside:

One porridge, two side dishes, one snack, and a pack of fruit.

The porridge and snacks were wrapped in an insulated cover and were still warm to the touch.

She quickly finished the porridge and snack, leaving only the fruit.

Since cherries just came into season, she decided to save them for work tomorrow. She was already full and couldn’t eat more.

She sent a photo of the empty food containers to the “Three Milk Tea Brothers” group.

Zhou Zhou:
“All safely in my stomach. (happy)”

Cheng Yanran:
“Good example of not wasting food. (like)”

Zhou Zhou:
“So tasty. Thanks, Cheng and Chen, for thinking of us working horses.”

Cheng Yanran laughed when she called herself a “working horse”:
“It’s late. Go rest early.”

Zhou Zhou:
“Okay~ See you guys on the weekend.”

Cheng Yanran:
“Call anytime.”

He wasn’t a stalker and didn’t follow Zhou Zhou upstairs. After seeing the pictures of her finishing the food and knowing she was safe at home, he felt at ease.

Looking at his phone, it was already 11 PM. He happily drove home.

Though she didn’t know everything he had done tonight, those last two messages made him very satisfied.

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Emerald Bay was too far from his house, so Cheng Yanran went straight home.

When he arrived, he found Cheng Anzhi and Liu Chuanxiu were still awake.

Cheng Anzhi was just coming downstairs to get some water.

Seeing him, he was surprised and asked, “Why are you home today?”

His son was grown up and rarely came home no matter how much they called. It was rare to see him.

“Just happened to be nearby.”

Cheng Anzhi looked at the wall clock. It was already past 11. He guessed Cheng Yanran might have eaten out. Remembering he saw him at the car dealership earlier, he asked, “Did you buy the car for your friend?”

“Old He told you?”

“I went there this afternoon. You left just as I arrived.”

Cheng Yanran knew Old He had probably told him most of it, so he hesitated before answering, “Bought it. But it was for her father.”

Cheng Anzhi laughed and teased, “You kid, never cared when your mom buys things.”

Cheng Yanran awkwardly touched his hair and said nothing.

Cheng Anzhi asked again, “So, what’s the situation now?”

Old He said the girl didn’t look like an ordinary girl and had a good temperament. Nothing else.

But judging from Cheng Yanran’s careful actions, it seemed a bit one-sided.

If he really caught her heart, he wouldn’t be so cautious.

“Just like that.” Cheng Yanran didn’t want to talk more and quickly ran upstairs.

What was there to say now?

Nothing was decided, and saying anything wouldn’t help Zhou Zhou.

Cheng Anzhi saw this and knew he couldn’t get any more information, so he stopped asking and went upstairs to sleep.