Chapter 9 Even the smallest brick and tile evoked a sense of disgust.

Running away from the wedding?

Chen Yao'an was stunned for a moment, as if she had heard something very surprising.

She never imagined that such a thing as eloping still existed in this day and age.

"Are you kidding me?"

Xu Jialan was amused by her reaction. "I'm not joking at all this time."

Chen Yaoan thought about it and realized it made sense. How could someone like him be bound by marriage? It was probably because his family was pressuring him to get married.

The two ate and chatted, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious. Before they knew it, the topic turned to Yuu.

She said, "My shop not only sells ready-made clothes, but also provides private customization for customers."

"Personalized customization?"

Xu Jialan found it quite interesting. Personalized customization is something for the rich, but she never expected that she would bring it to such a small place.

"Why don't you make two sets for me too?"

Xu Jialan mentioned it casually, but to her surprise, Chen Yaoan agreed without hesitation.

"no problem."

She owed him a huge favor, and a single meal wasn't enough.

"I was just kidding."

"I'm serious." Chen Yao'an looked at him sincerely.

Xu Jialan was about to say something more when suddenly a ball flew over from somewhere and landed on the baking tray on Chen Yaoan's side, instantly splattering oil everywhere.

Fortunately, Chen Yao'an had almost finished eating and was leaning back in her chair, far from the table, but oil splattered onto the back of her hand.

The pain lasted only a moment.

Chen Yaoan didn't pay attention; her gaze was fixed on the ball flying towards her.

The ball landed on the baking tray, bounced once, and finally came to rest in a plate.

As for Hsu Chia-lan, she was far away and was completely unaffected.

He immediately inquired about Chen Yao'an's situation.

"It's okay, I wasn't burned."

As soon as they finished speaking, a little boy ran up to their table, pointed at the ball, and said, "That's my ball."

Chen Yao'an picked up the ball but didn't give it to him immediately. His tone was still relatively kind. "You can't play ball in the restaurant, you know that?"

Surprisingly, the kid was quite fierce, yelling, "Mind your own business! Give me back the ball!"

Xu Jialan clearly didn't have Chen Yaoan's good temper, and her tone was somewhat fierce, "Hey, kid, you threw a ball into our pot, and it almost burned someone, do you know that?"

The child, however, was not afraid at all, and even said confidently, "I'm just a child, I don't know anything, why don't you all hide away!"

This isn't a lack of understanding; this is clearly a great understanding!

Chen Yaoan tightened his grip on the ball, really wanting to punch this kid!

She hesitated for a moment, just about to pass the ball out, when a slender hand snatched it away first.

Xu Jialan held the ball in her hand for a few moments, then found the right angle and threw it forcefully to the ground.

The ball slammed to the ground, then bounced up and hit the little boy.

That was quite a blow.

"Wow- -"

Immediately, the little boy's cries echoed throughout the entire restaurant.

Chen Yaoan pursed her lips, secretly feeling a sense of satisfaction.

She looked at Xu Jialan, who was looking at the child with a smile on his face, looking relaxed.

Xu Jialan seems to do everything without any scruples.

The child's crying quickly attracted his parents, who immediately looked at the two of them with reproachful expressions.

"Don't look at me like that. It was your kid who threw the ball into our pot first, almost scalding us. Make him apologize to us first."

The child's mother said, "He's just a child, what does he know..."

Xu Jialan snorted coldly, "Like mother, like son. Make him apologize to us first, and we'll let this matter go. Nobody's leaving today without an apology."

After he finished speaking, he crossed his arms, leaned back in his chair, and seemed determined to see things through to the end.

The child's father was perceptive enough to see that Xu Jialan was so assertive, and given his own demeanor and expensive clothes, he immediately weighed the pros and cons.

"Quickly apologize to your uncle and aunt!"

His wife looked at him with displeasure, only to be glared at back by him.

Seeing his father's attitude, the child immediately lost his arrogance and said, "Uncle, I'm sorry."

Xu Jialan raised her chin and pointed at Chen Yaoan.

The child turned to her again, "Auntie, I'm sorry."

Xu Jialan was finally satisfied.

The little boy was hurriedly taken away by his parents.

Chen Yaoan noticed it was getting late and was about to pay the bill when Xu Jialan stopped her.

She reflexively tried to shake him off, but he said, "I told you you weren't burned, your hand is all red."

Only then did she belatedly realize that a small red patch had appeared on the back of her hand, accompanied by a sharp pain.

Xu Jialan pulled her towards the bathroom, put her hand under the tap, and turned on the cold water.

"Keep going, don't stop, I'm going out for a bit."

Chen Yaoan didn't know where he went, and he didn't return for a long time.

When he came back, he had a tube of ointment in his hand, which he handed to her. "This is burn ointment. Apply it later to prevent scarring."

He was so thoughtful. She reached out and took it, saying, "Thank you."

After leaving the restroom, Chen Yaoan went to pay the bill, only to be told that it had already been paid by Xu Jialan.

After leaving the house with Xu Jialan, she felt a little annoyed. "Didn't I say I was treating? Why did you pay the bill?"

Noticing her emotions, Xu Jialan was taken aback. In the past, when he went out to eat with women, they would all be eager for him to pay the bill. But with Chen Yaoan, it was the other way around, which made him feel a little uncomfortable.

"It's my problem."

“I didn’t mean that. I was the one who said I would treat you, but in the end you’re the one paying the bill.”

"Then next time?"

That's the only way, she nodded.

Xu Jialan looked at her and smiled.

It started raining outside. The weather had been terribly overcast before, and I thought there would be a heavy downpour, but it only turned out to be a light drizzle.

"I'll go get the car first. Wait here for me, I'll give you a ride."

Chen Yao'an agreed and stood under the eaves at the shop entrance to wait for him.

Xu Jialan drove the car over, and Chen Yaoan got into the passenger seat.

As soon as she got in the car, she started fiddling with her phone. After a while, she turned to Xu Jialan and said, "You must collect Grandma's medical expenses this time."

She had invited him to dinner today to repay a favor, but in the end she didn't pay, and it seemed like she owed him another favor.

Xu Jialan's phone buzzed.

To avoid getting entangled in these matters any further, Xu Jialan accepted the money directly in front of her while driving, and even showed it to her phone afterward.

Chen Yao'an felt a little embarrassed.

After these two interactions, Chen Yaoan realized that Xu Jialan wasn't as bad as she had thought.

He knows how to be tactful in his interactions with others, and he is meticulous and considerate, making people feel very comfortable. He is a very good person.

Its biggest drawback is probably that it's too carefree and dissolute.

Xu Jialan took her directly home.

Chen Yao'an didn't rush to get out of the car. She asked him, "We were talking about making clothes for you when we were eating. I'll draw up a design for you first. When you have time, come to the store and I'll take your measurements. What style do you want?"

As she spoke, she took out a notebook from her bag, intending to write down Xu Jialan's requirements.

The rain outside intensified, the raindrops hitting the car window with a rhythmic patter, making the surroundings seem exceptionally quiet.

Only the overhead light was on in the car, casting a dim yellow glow on Chen Yao'an's face. Xu Jialan could see the shadows cast by her eyelashes on her face, making her face appear exceptionally delicate.

She looked at him intently, waiting for his answer, her coldness and aloofness fading slightly.

"Anything is fine, it doesn't matter."

He didn't care that much.

"Really not?"

"You decide what to do."

It seemed that Xu Jialan really didn't have any requirements. "Then I'll draw up the design and show it to you. I'll be going now."

Chen Yao'an opened the car door and got out. The rain was still falling outside, making the night even darker.

Xu Jialan didn't rush to leave. Instead, she adjusted the car's direction, pointing the headlights directly at the alley and turning on the high beams.

The car headlights pierced through the dark alley, illuminating Chen Yao'an's path ahead.

She stopped and looked back.

Xu Jialan waved to her from inside the car, and she nodded at him before continuing to walk forward.

-

Chen Yaoan was busy all morning and finally managed to eat lunch after lunchtime. Just as she had a moment to relax, she received a call from Yan Shumei.

Yan Shumei's anxious voice was tinged with anger as she said, "Come back and check on your mother, she's gone crazy again!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yao'an also became anxious, "What happened?"

"Your mother somehow got into your brother's room and got a shock! Come back quickly!"

"How could that be? Didn't I lock it?"

Yan Shumei was annoyed. Why ask such useless questions at a time like this!

"How would I know where she got the key? Is this the time to be thinking about that? Hurry back, I can't keep an eye on her. If she runs away, I won't be responsible!"

She managed to keep Zhou Yao locked in the room for now; if she went crazy and ran out, her old arms and legs wouldn't be able to catch up!

Chen Yaoan hurriedly hung up the phone, put up the "Closed for Business" sign, and rushed home.

She rushed home, covered in sweat.

Zhou Yao was temporarily locked in her younger brother's room by Yan Shumei, who stood at the door and heard Zhou Yao crying inside.

She felt a tightness in her chest and couldn't breathe.

She didn't want to open the door.

"What are you standing there for!" Yan Shumei urged her.

Where are the keys?

Yan Shumei handed her the key, and Chen Yaoan opened the door.

As soon as the door opened, Zhou Yao rushed towards her, grabbed her arm, and called her name, "Yao Yao, where's your brother?"

Zhou Yao used a lot of force, and Chen Yaoan gasped, "Mom, you're hurting me."

Zhou Yao acted as if she hadn't heard at all, still holding on tightly, her nails digging into her flesh. "Yaoyao, where's your brother! I'm asking you a question!"

Chen Yao'an broke out in a cold sweat from the pain and could only try to pry her hands off.

Zhou Yao tried with all her might, but couldn't pry it open at all. She could only comfort her, "Mom, my brother went out and isn't home."

"Then why don't you go find him! Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on him?!"

Yan Shumei, watching this scene from outside the door, muttered repeatedly, "What a tragedy! What a tragedy!"

He turned and left, wanting to avoid seeing her and getting annoyed.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yao'an's nose stung, and a large tear fell onto the back of Zhou Yao's hand that was holding hers, but she remained unmoved.

She raised her hand to wipe away her tears and tried to soften her voice, "My little brother has gone to school."

"Nonsense!"

"As the older sister, shouldn't you be looking after your younger brother? All you do is draw all day. Have you even bothered to keep an eye on him? Huh?"

Chen Yao'an bit her lip and nodded, "I know, I know."

"Mom, don't worry, he just went to school today."

Zhou Yao seemed to have taken it to heart, and slowly calmed down and let go of her hand, but her expression was somewhat dazed. "You really went to school? That's good."

Unfortunately, these words only calmed her down for a moment. As if convinced that Chen Yao'an had lied to her, she raised her hand and slapped Chen Yao'an's arm, "What's the point of going to school! Your younger brother is still so young!"

Chen Yao'an took a solid slap from Zhou Yao, which landed right where Zhou Yao had just pinched her, causing her to curl up in pain.

However, Zhou Yao still wouldn't give up, so Chen Yaoan had to grab her and say, "Mom, you forgot, your little brother is already in elementary school!"

Zhou Yao finally stopped what she was doing, stared blankly for a moment, as if only belatedly realizing, "Right, right, your younger brother is already in elementary school. What time is it now?"

It's almost four o'clock.

"At this time, he should be in school."

Zhou Yao smiled, believed her words, and finally quieted down, much to Chen Yao's relief.

Ignoring the pain in her arm, she quickly continued to comfort her, "Mom, are you tired? Let's go to sleep. When you wake up, your brother will be back."

After all that commotion, Zhou Yao was indeed exhausted and quite tired.

Chen Yao'an coaxed her, "How about we go to sleep?"

Zhou Yao nodded.

Chen Yaoan helped her back to her room, coaxed her to take her medicine, and then Zhou Yao fell asleep peacefully in bed.

Once Chen Yao was sure Zhou Yao was fast asleep, she left the bedroom and, after thinking for a moment, locked the bedroom door.

Zhou Yao is likely to sleep for a long time.

It was always like this before; after Zhou Yao calmed down from her excitement, she would always sleep for a long time.

Chen Yao'an touched her arm; the burning pain shot straight to her heart, but she didn't bother to look at it.

She went back to her brother's room, where there were signs that Zhou Yao had rummaged through it earlier. She tidied it up briefly.

After her brother passed away, fearing that everyone would be reminded of the tragedy, Chen Yuandong originally planned to renovate the room, but Zhou Yao absolutely refused.

At the time, Zhou Yao was devastated, but she was not completely mentally unstable. She insisted on keeping the house as it was, and so it has remained so for many years.

She locked the room again and carefully put the key away.

Upon arriving in the courtyard, she turned to look at Yan Shumei's room. The door was tightly shut, and there was not a sound, as if no one was inside at all.

She looked around the desolate courtyard.

The sun had already set most of the way down, leaving only a sliver of its last rays, and everything was lifeless in the darkness.

She felt a deep-seated disgust for every brick and tile in the courtyard.

The thought startled her, and she broke out in a cold sweat.

She didn't dare to think about it further and hurriedly left the house.

A note from the author:

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