After Liang Zhirou's eyes were less swollen, Chen Lu helped her out of the car.

The two walked side by side through the alley, the overhead lights casting long shadows.

When she got to the door, Liang Zhirou suddenly realized that she had gone straight home wearing her newly bought dress...

There was nowhere to exchange it, so I could only lower my head in embarrassment and shame to take out my key and open the door.

Chen Lu followed behind, carrying large and small bags.

As soon as the door opened, Xiao Xunfang was seen sitting in a wheelchair, silently looking at the small window. Only a little moonlight shone on her, making her figure appear somewhat lonely.

Although she is about the same age as her mother, Wang Xiaoxia, she has hardly ever been seen looking at a mobile phone or watching TV. Perhaps for her, who came from the mountains and is unable to walk, staring blankly at the night is already a way to pass the time.

I don't know if it's because they're reluctant to turn on the lights, but the room is pitch black.

Chen Lu suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.

"Ni'er, why are you so late coming back?"

Xiao Xunfang's tone was full of worry and longing, with little blame.

Liang Zhirou was about to speak when Chen Lu explained for her, "Hello, Auntie, we were having dinner together tonight."

Hearing Chen Lu's voice, she seemed to feel much more at ease and turned around, pushing her wheelchair.

"I feel relieved to be with you," she said with a smile, then paused when she saw the large pile of things Chen Lu was carrying. "Why are you carrying so much stuff?"

While Liang Zhirou was fumbling in the dark to turn on the light, Chen Lu had already squatted down next to Xiao Xunfang.

He tilted his head slightly, deliberately lowering his gaze a little below Xiao Xunfang's.

He chuckled and said, "I saw that the mall was having a promotion today, so I bought you some supplements."

Xiao Xunfang hesitated, "How can your auntie accept so many things from you? You should save this money and buy yourself something nice to eat..."

Chen Lu said with a wronged expression, "You can't say that, Auntie. You've fed me before. I was planning to come here often in the future. When my mom scolds me, I'll come here to freeload a meal."

"If you don't accept my offer, I'll really feel embarrassed to come back in the future."

Xiao Xunfang unconsciously patted Chen Lu's head, "Okay, okay, Xiao Lu, you can come whenever you want. But you have to listen to your aunt, we won't buy anything from you anymore."

She reached out and suddenly realized that Chen Lu was much taller than her; if she wanted to touch his head, she would have to stretch her arm down a bit.

Looking to the side, I saw Chen Lu kneeling beside me, his knees not touching the ground in order to maintain this height, which looked very uncomfortable.

She was somewhat dazed. Chen Lu was still talking as if nothing had happened. If she hadn't reached out, she probably would have missed the child's silent tenderness.

Thinking about this, my eyes involuntarily became a little moist.

"Auntie welcomes you anytime, remember to come often," Xiao Xunfang said softly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Lu quickly put the things he bought in the corner so that he wouldn't be asked to take some back with him when he left. "I can't do without them, Liang Zhirou's cooking is so delicious."

Xiao Xunfang saw Liang Zhirou, dressed in a new dress, pouring water for Chen Lu, and a smile appeared on his somewhat weathered face.

......

After seeing Liang Zhirou off, Chen Lu prepared to return to his dormitory.

He sat in the car, not in a hurry to get on the road, tapping his index finger on the steering wheel as he quietly pondered.

What help can he possibly give Liang Zhirou right now?

It seems that Liang Zhirou's mother's leg may still improve with surgery, but the cost is unknown.

It's certain that the price won't be low; at least for this simpleton, it's something he can't afford for the next few years.

The problem is that their relationship isn't good enough for him to interfere in this kind of thing. Overstepping his bounds to help would only make Liang Zhirou lose face, and then their status would be unequal.

This is not what Chen Lu wants. He doesn't want to see a simpleton who is obedient to him because he owes him something.

Moreover, although my parents are kind-hearted and might be willing to lend me money, it has to be money that I earn myself, otherwise it's not a good thing.

I don't deserve to use money like this if it's not money I earned myself.

He chuckled softly, started the engine, and sped away.

Taking good care of this silly boy is a troublesome task that requires a long-term, meticulous approach.

Let's take it one step at a time.

My phone rang halfway there.

It was actually Li Sinian who made the call.

"Hey, Brother Lu~"

"Tell me what it is first, and then I'll decide whether he's your brother or not," Chen Lu said in a deep voice.

This guy wouldn't be so attentive for no reason. He usually calls for Brother Lu when he needs something, and otherwise he calls for his good son.

"It's nothing serious, it's just that... I wanted to borrow some money from you." Li Sinian sounded somewhat embarrassed.

Are you outside right now?

Chen Lu asked curiously, "Logically, if I wanted to borrow money, I could have waited until I got back to my dorm. There was no need to make this call."

Li Sinian seemed to have been seen through, and for some reason became very embarrassed. "Yes, I was treating someone outside, and the menu looked a bit intimidating... so I ran to the bathroom to call you."

Chen Lu smiled helplessly, "How much? I'll send it to you on WeChat."

Li Sinian paused for a moment, then said, "Two thousand."

"How much?! Li Sinian, did you go eat gold? Two thousand yuan worth?!" Chen Lu almost ran a red light in a moment of distraction.

Li Sinian's monthly living expenses seem to be only 1,000 yuan.

"Who knew Japanese food was so expensive..." Li Sinian's voice trailed off, but the embarrassment was gone.

Since Chen Lu scolded him, it meant he hadn't refused. The two most reliable people in their entire dorm were Chen Lu and Jiang Chao, and they usually consulted these two about anything.

However, he didn't dare call Jiang Chao this time. Although both of them would lend him money, Jiang Chao's insults were far more offensive than Chen Lu's.

Chen Lu looked at the countdown timer on the traffic light, sighed, and asked, "Eating with a girl?"

Li Sinian hummed in agreement.

"You want to follow my old path, huh?" Chen Lu said irritably. Li Sinian's actions didn't even qualify as following his old path; at least Chen Lu had never been ripped off like this before.

"Would you like to come and eat with us?" Li Sinian whispered, changing the subject.

Chen Lu snorted coldly, "What would I go there for? To steal your thunder?"

He said it very subtly: Jiang Chao never took him out to eat with girls back then.

Even if Chen Lu doesn't say anything and just sits there, he's still stealing the show. Sometimes, being too handsome can even prevent you from being a wingman.

"It's okay, you come on, help me liven things up." Li Sinian muttered to himself. He had been in the student council for so long, but in the end, he still couldn't compare to Chen Lu in terms of interpersonal skills.

Seeing that Chen Lu ignored him, he added, "Please, Brother Lu, just this once. Wenxi is really a good girl."

"A good girl like you're going to spend two thousand yuan on a meal, huh?" Chen Lu spat at him. "Fine, tell me the location, I'll go see what kind of monster she is."