Chapter 20 I Live With You
The airport terminal was bustling with people. Pei Song stood in front of the security checkpoint and looked back at the departure hall for the last time.
Just as he was about to turn around, he seemed to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.
But when he looked more closely, the tall figure had disappeared in the crowd.
"Maybe I just can't bear to leave him..." Pei Song shook his head and dragged his luggage towards the security check passage.
While boarding the plane, Pei Song was packing his backpack and accidentally bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry..." He looked up and his words froze in an instant.
Shi Yanchen was standing in front of him, dressed casually, but still couldn't hide his innate elegance.
"Why...are you here?" Pei Song asked in surprise.
"Going to China for a trip." Shi Yanchen said calmly, "It's a good time for the holidays."
"But didn't you say there was a group meeting today..."
"Cancelled." Shi Yanchen said calmly, "I just wanted to go to China to have a look."
Pei Song looked at his seat number: "You are...28F?"
"Um."
"Then I'm 28E..." Pei Song was stunned, "This is too coincidental."
Shi Yanchen didn't say anything, but just helped him put the luggage into the overhead luggage compartment.
After sitting down, Pei Song still couldn't believe it: "You didn't say you were going to China before."
"It was a last-minute decision." Shi Yanchen fastened his seat belt, "I just wanted to experience the hometown food you often talk about."
This reason made Pei Song couldn't help but laugh: "Just for food?"
"No way?" Shi Yanchen made a rare joke.
After the plane took off, the flight attendant pushed over the dining cart.
"Forget it." Shi Yanchen glanced at the airplane meal and frowned.
Pei Song smiled: "Are you a picky eater now?"
"I'm used to your cooking." Shi Yanchen said, and then seemed to think that this was too straightforward, and added: "Airplane meals are not very delicious."
Pei Song felt warm in his heart and took out a thermos box from his bag: "I prepared some snacks, would you like to try some?"
Shi Yanchen took the thermos box, opened it and saw his favorite Sichuan snacks.
"When did you..."
"I made it last night." Pei Song said, "I thought you might want to eat it, so I left a box for you in the refrigerator."
"That's a pity, I didn't notice it." Shi Yanchen glanced at him and started eating silently.
But Pei Song noticed that the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
The two chatted idly.
Shi Yanchen asked Pei Song about his hometown, and Pei Song introduced him to the local delicacies and specialties.
"I'll take you to try some authentic Sichuan cuisine then." Pei Song said, "Haven't you always wanted to eat it?"
Shi Yanchen nodded: "Okay."
Long-haul flights always make people sleepy.
Not long after, Pei Song fell asleep leaning on the chair.
In a daze, he felt someone covering him with a blanket and adjusting the angle of his seat.
When I woke up, I found myself leaning on Shi Yanchen's shoulder without knowing when.
He quickly sat up straight: "Sorry..."
"It's okay." Shi Yanchen's voice was surprisingly gentle, "Sleep a little longer, there are still four hours."
"Aren't you tired?"
"I'm used to it," Shi Yanchen said. "I often stay up late to do research."
Pei Song recalled those nights when the lights in the study were always on and the sound of keyboards continued until late at night.
"Take care of yourself in the future." He couldn't help but say, "No one will take care of you after I'm gone."
This sentence caused both of them to fall silent.
Finally, Shi Yanchen spoke up: "I will take good care of myself."
The plane landed at C City Airport.
Just as Pei Song was about to pick up his luggage, Shi Yanchen had already taken the suitcase down with swift movements.
"I can do it myself..."
Shi Yanchen insisted on sending Pei Song home.
"Which hotel are you staying at? I'll ask the driver to..."
"I'll live with you." Shi Yanchen said directly.
Pei Song was stunned: "Ah?"
"Inconvenient?" Shi Yanchen asked.
"No...it's just that maybe at home..." Pei Song said hesitantly.
"I want to continue eating the food you cooked." Shi Yanchen looked at him, "Can I?"
Pei Song was choked by his straightforward words, and nodded after a while: "Well...Okay then."
On the way home, Pei Song took Shi Yanchen to visit the most famous food street in the area.
Shi Yanchen was curious about everything and asked about the cooking methods of various snacks from time to time.
"The base of this spicy hot pot..."
"This dandan noodles..."
Pei Song patiently answered them one by one, and looking at Shi Yanchen's serious expression, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Are you so interested in cooking now?"
Shi Yanchen stopped and said, "I am more interested in you."
These words made Pei Song's heart skip a beat.
Just as he was about to say something, a harsh voice exploded in his ears: "Hey, isn't this the eldest young master of the Pei family?"
Pei Song turned around and saw that it was his cousin from his second aunt's family.
"I heard you finally decided to come back?" My cousin said sarcastically, "You can't make it abroad, right?"
Pei Song was about to respond when Shi Yanchen stood in front of him.
"Who are you?" The cousin looked Shi Yanchen up and down.
"His roommate." Shi Yanchen said coldly, "What's the matter?"
My cousin was intimidated by his aura and said awkwardly: "No...nothing, just saying hello."
Pei Song heaved a sigh of relief after his cousin left: "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Shi Yanchen said, "I just don't like people talking to you like that."
When I got home, my parents were waiting for me in the yard.
Seeing the tall figure beside Pei Song, they were both stunned.
"Who is this..." the mother asked tentatively.
"This is my roommate in Country D, Shi Yanchen," Pei Song introduced. "He came to China for tourism and wanted to experience the local culture."
"Come in, come in!" my father greeted us warmly, "I have prepared a table of dishes."
Shi Yanchen nodded politely: "Thank you for your help."
The mother pulled Pei Song aside and asked in a low voice: "Is it the roommate who often takes care of you?"
Pei Song nodded, his face a little hot.
"That's great! We must treat you well!" Mother immediately went to prepare the guest rooms.
The family was having dinner happily.
Shi Yanchen's good manners and excellent conversation quickly won the favor of his parents.
I was even more surprised to learn that he could speak fluent Chinese.
"My grandmother is Chinese," Shi Yanchen explained politely, "and I learned Chinese since I was a child."
"No wonder he knows our etiquette so well," said the mother admiringly. "He also looks steady and reliable."
Pei Song looked at Shi Yanchen chatting and laughing with his parents, and an indescribable feeling surged in his heart.
This man who always had a stern face in Country D behaved so decently at this moment.
At night, Shi Yanchen stayed in the guest room next to Pei Song.
"If you need anything, just let me know." Pei Song stood at the door. "I'll take you for a walk tomorrow."
Shi Yanchen nodded: "Have a good rest."
It was late at night and Pei Song tossed and turned in bed.
The sound of Shi Yanchen making a phone call came from next door, and it sounded like he was handling work.
He recalled that when he was in Country D, every time he stayed up late to finish his thesis, Shi Yanchen would also work in the study until very late.
At that time he thought it was just a coincidence, but now he thinks...
His thoughts were interrupted by the vibration of his cell phone.
It was a message from Shi Yanchen: "Are you asleep?"
Pei Song replied: "Not yet."
Shi Yanchen: "Take me to eat the most authentic Dandan noodles tomorrow."
Pei Song smiled: "Okay."
Shi Yanchen: "Good night."
"Good night." Pei Song replied and put the phone on his chest.
In the darkness, his heartbeat was particularly clear.
He knew that from today on, everything would be different.