Lu Nanchen, sitting on the side, was seated erect amongst the inebriated crowd, his complexion being the most fair and normal amongst them. Upon hearing this, his gaze was suddenly drawn to Zuo Fugui. After taking a deep look, he withdrew his gaze, blew on the water in the thermos cup in his hand, and then took a sip.
The water went down, prompting Lu Nanchen’s Adam’s apple to bob up and down in the sporadic light and darkness.
...
As the crowd drank more, the content of their conversation also became richer, and even Zuo Fugui’s embarrassing stories from kindergarten were being revealed.
Song Yue, who was sitting next to Lu Nanchen, drank in moderation, having just over one bottle. He occasionally made sarcastic comments about Zuo Fugui. His gold-rimmed glasses perched on his straight nose, the corners of his mouth curled upwards with an enticing smile under the neon light.
"You haven’t changed at all, after so many years you’re just the same."
Stiff, cold, and lacking in romance.
"Hmm."
"Does your wife put up with you?"
"...Hmm."
"What do you think of that woman?"
Song Yue asked in an orderly manner.
Lu Nanchen’s gaze dropped to the floor tiles, seeming as if the sounds around him had suddenly become quieter.
"She’s alright."
Not as annoying as them, and she can also open bottle caps.
"When are you going to bring her out and introduce her to us?"
Song Yue’s following sentence made Lu Nanchen pause, continuing to stare at the ground in thought.
Ding dong.
Ding dong.
"Oh, is your wife checking up on you?" Song Yue sipped his wine with a smile upon hearing the sound.
The ringtone coming from his trouser pocket interrupted Lu Nanchen’s train of thought. He took out his cell phone, which not only had an incoming call, but also a WeChat message that he had missed due to the loud music. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Incoming Call: Uncle.
After responding with a ’no’ to Song Yue, Lu Nanchen slid to answer and took the call first.
"Hello, Nanchen," came a deep male voice from the other end of the line.
"Hmm, uncle."
"Xiaobao went to your house after school today. The maid at home said he packed his clothes at lunchtime and must be planning to spend a few days at your place. You know how he is."
The speaker was Lu Nanchen’s uncle, his father’s younger brother.
The ’Xiaobao’ mentioned is the son of the uncle, a child who came late in life when his father was forty. He has been especially treasured since he was born. His formal name is Lu Yan, and his nickname is Lu Xiaobao. He has always adored Lu Nanchen since he was small. His kindergarten and elementary school were both near Lu Nanchen’s residence, a mere ten-minute walk.
During his senior year’s National Day holiday, he had run over once.
"Okay, uncle, I got it. Don’t worry about Xiaobao with me," Lu Nanchen’s eyes swiveled a few times as he spoke. He didn’t mind looking after the child.
"Yes, I trust you with Xiaobao. We just can’t help it, he still likes sticking to you even at seven."
"That’s alright, uncle."
The two men chatted for a while before hanging up the phone. The cell phone screen reverted back and there was a WeChat message from Yu Ting.
I Want to Get Rich: [30-second voice message]
Lu Nanchen clicked it, and the familiar voice of Xiaobao came out, in a voice that was common to young boys.
"Brother, I’m at your house~ Little sister-in-law is sitting next to me chatting, when are you coming back?"
Ding.
Yu Ting sent another message.
I Want to Get Rich: What are we having for dinner tonight? Shall Xiaobao and I go out and eat or what?
Lu Nanchen stared at this line of text in a trance, then typed a few characters and sent them off.
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