Chapter 26

Cheng Yanan looked at the lights in the dining and living rooms.
“Do you like this kind of decoration? It’s kind of Japanese style, right?”

“Huh?” Zhou Zhou thought for a moment.
“Not really. This is a second-hand house. The previous owner decorated it like this. Since I was just moving in, I didn’t redecorate. I only changed the furniture, curtains, and made some small changes.”

Although she said the changes were small, Cheng Yanan knew she must have put in some effort.

Without careful planning, the place wouldn’t look so warm and cozy.

The furniture, curtains, lights, and plants matched perfectly. He even saw a bouquet she had hand-crocheted in the living room. Even the stuffed dolls from the mall were placed inside a clear container about a person’s height.

Cute and romantic.

She took kitchen paper and carefully wiped each plate and bowl dry.
“But I really like it like this now. It feels very warm.”

Cheng Yanan thought carefully about what she meant—she liked bright and warm decorations.

He thought about his own home, which was simple black, white, and gray. Suddenly, he felt a little regret.

“It really is warm.”

Warm enough that he wanted to copy the exact same style for his own home.

Warm enough that when he first came in, he almost thought this was the little home he had dreamed about many nights.

Warm enough that he didn’t want to leave.

Just leaning by the door, talking with her, chatting like countless ordinary couples, finding a home in everyday life.

“Yeah, I was so tired looking at houses. I looked at several neighborhoods, but I liked this one at first sight, and I didn’t really bargain much.”

Cheng Yanan thought about how she had been rushing back, dealing with a sudden family loss and pressure from work and life. It must have been very hard for her.

She hadn’t come back for a long time and had spent so much effort finding a house, with no one to help. Even the renovation had to be done slowly by herself.

Sure enough, Zhou Zhou said next,
“I have to work during the day, so I can only check on the renovation at night. That’s why I didn’t change much. Sometimes when I’m in a hurry, my dad closes his shop to help me check on furniture delivery and such.”

He felt very sorry for her. Suddenly, a wild thought popped into his mind—he wanted to ask if she would give him a chance to take care of her.

But it was just a quick thought that he stopped himself from saying.

She had already gotten through all those hard and painful times. The life ahead would surely be smooth and happy.

He liked her and wanted to be by her side, but she didn’t need his care. Instead, he needed her kindness.

If one day his sincerity could move her, he would come running whenever she called.

“But that’s all in the past now.” Zhou Zhou wiped the kitchen counter again with a dry cloth, washed her hands, and said to Cheng Yanan,
“I’ll go get the ladder for you.”

“I’ll get it. Where is it?”

“On the balcony.” She turned to go to the balcony, but her phone rang.

Seeing it was Chi Yao’s video call, she whispered to Cheng Yanan,
“I’ll answer this call.”

Cheng Yanan understood and went to the balcony by himself to move the ladder.

Her voice was low, but he could still hear clearly.

He didn’t want to disturb her, so he turned on the balcony light and started assembling the ladder.

“She’s not alone. A friend came to help install the surveillance,” Zhou Zhou explained.

Who was she explaining to?

A man she knew before? Or an ex-boyfriend?

His mind wandered, and his hands assembling the ladder slowed down.

Just thinking that she might already have a man she likes made his heart ache and feel heavy. Even the sweet potato porridge he just ate tasted bland.

“Oh, it’s just an old high school classmate! You know him too!”

“Cheng Yanan. I met with Chen Jing and the others before, and we had a meal together.”

“What? Your plane is coming back tomorrow? No surprise, only a scare, okay? Chi Yao.”

When Cheng Yanan heard the last two words, he completely relaxed.

He held the ladder and made a gesture to the person still on the phone, saying he would go outside to install the surveillance camera first.

After the person on the sofa gave him a thumbs-up, he happily opened the door and went to install the camera.

“I probably won’t work overtime tomorrow night. When does your plane land?”

“No need to pick me up? You’re going straight to the mall to buy clothes? Okay, then 7 o’clock. I should be able to make it.”

“I’m fine. Work every day, black and white and gray, same as you.”

“Mm-hmm, good. They probably have new styles at their store. Let’s go check it out tomorrow night.”

“No, it’s the first time, okay? I can’t talk now. I have guests.”

Cheng Yanan had already finished installing the camera outside, but since Zhou Zhou was still on the phone, he didn’t come back in. When she finished the call, he quickly folded the ladder and put it back on the balcony.

“Give me your phone. I’ll show you how to log in with your phone. Is it Chi Yao?” Cheng Yanan washed his hands and came in front of her.

Zhou Zhou was sitting on the sofa and hadn’t stood up yet. Suddenly, she felt a big figure standing in front of her. She looked up and saw his chin and his throat moving slightly.

Her face warmed, and she quickly stood up, but then she noticed they were very close—close enough to smell his fresh and gentle scent.

“Xiaochuan—he definitely likes you.” Chi Yao’s words seemed to echo in her ears. “A normal person is tired after work. Who would go help you install a surveillance camera after work? Ask him where he lives. Maybe he traveled across half the city.”

She awkwardly brushed her hair and handed him the phone.

Cheng Yanan took the phone and downloaded the app from the store, but it needed fingerprint unlock. He held it out to her, saying, “Unlock it.”

“Oh,” Zhou Zhou put out her thumb but since the phone was still in his hand, she had to move closer.

He was tall, so when she leaned in, it felt like she was in his arms.

She quickly unlocked the phone and stepped back.

Cheng Yanan entered her username and password and then came to her side.
“There, it’s done. You can check it yourself.”

Zhou Zhou glanced at the phone and saw the picture from outside the door. It was much clearer than the doorbell camera she bought before. She wanted to say thanks but instead asked, “Where do you live?”

“Uh? I usually live near the company. I have a house there. Sometimes I go home.”

Their company was in the High-Tech Development Zone, which was about a half-hour drive from here.

“Is your family still living in the old city?”

“No. Do you know Xixi Villa nearby? My family moved there after I finished high school.”

Zhou Zhou naturally knew about Xixi Villa. Chi Yao lived there with the Wei family. It was a famous villa area in H City.

But it seemed normal. Cheng Yanan was already a rich second-generation when he was in school. Now with two family car businesses, it would be strange if he still lived in an old, broken house.

She became a little more clear-headed. “So, are you going back to the development zone tonight?”

“No. I’m going back to Xixi Villa.”

The house at Guanyun Impression wasn’t really a home. It was more like a nice dorm and personal office.

Especially after seeing Zhou Zhou’s home tonight, he didn’t want to go back there. It was better to go see his parents.