This time, Shang Yan didn't stay in bed. He rolled off the bed and put on his shoes.
Looking at the mess he had made of the blankets on the bed, Shang Yan felt a little guilty and reached out to tidy them up.
Zhou Ping's sleeping posture was very upright, and he didn't move at all in the same position all night. It was obvious that the messy marks on his body were made by Shang Yan rolling around.
After folding the blankets, Shang Yan clapped his hands in satisfaction and went out.
When he arrived at the bathroom, Zhou Ping had just finished washing up. When Shang Yan came in, Zhou Ping just stood behind him and didn't leave.
Shang Yan realized something was wrong when he was brushing his teeth.
"Zhou Ping, why are you looking at me like that?" He rinsed his mouth, then turned around and asked, puzzled.
"...You're going out like this?" Zhou Ping's gaze fell on Shang Yan's chest. Shang Yan's shirt was only buttoned up at the bottom two buttons, with the collar wide open.
From Zhou Ping's angle, he could see Shang Yan's flat stomach directly from the exposed chest at the neckline, with nothing left to see.
"What's wrong? You know, it's actually quite refreshing," Shang Yan said, having finished brushing his teeth and putting the toothbrush in the cup.
It's not just cool, it's also drafty.
"..." Zhou Ping slowly exhaled, and then, as if resigned, reached out to button Shang Yan's clothes as he turned around, one button at a time, until he reached the collar. Shang Yan stretched his neck uncomfortably when he did.
Seeing that Shang Yan was dressed neatly, Zhou Ping nodded in satisfaction.
The two went downstairs one after the other. Third Uncle was already washing vegetables in the kitchen. Zhou Ping skillfully opened the door, ready to go in and help.
Seeing this, Shang Yan squeezed in before Zhou Ping could close the door, saying, "Third Uncle, I'll help you too."
"You're just too enthusiastic and honest, kid. We don't need your help here..." Uncle San waved his hand, trying to shoo Shang Yan away, as he couldn't always expect others to do the work.
He also gave Zhou Ping a wink, signaling Zhou Ping to take the person out.
Shang Yan stepped forward and began washing the vegetables, his face beaming with a vibrant smile. "I love working! Just treat me like a donkey!"
So full of youthful energy, just like a fresh-faced, innocent college student.
Seeing that he couldn't be chased away, the third uncle laughed and said, "You little rascal, are you coming over for dinner tonight?"
Mentioning this, Zhou Ping, who was washing vegetables nearby, paused, while Shang Yan smiled, her eyes crinkling, "Can I come often? I don't eat much..."
"It's no big deal to add an extra pair of chopsticks and a bowl. Just come and eat. After you're done, Zhou Ping will take you home," Uncle San said with a wave of his hand, agreeing very generously.
"Okay!" Shang Yan readily agreed, and he washed the vegetables very quickly.
Although Shang Yan's mind is sometimes a bit foggy and his memory occasionally goes haywire, he is quick and efficient in everything he does.
Seeing that the vegetables had been washed, Shang Yan wanted to pick up a knife to chop them, but Zhou Ping stopped him.
"My sister should be here soon, go and check on her," he said, still somewhat worried about Shang Yan carrying the knife.
"Oh," Shang Yan glanced at the time, turned around, and pushed open the door to leave.
As soon as Shang Yan pushed open the kitchen door, he saw Shang Qingqian sitting at a table at the entrance of the shop, and he ran over excitedly.
At around 7 a.m., most people in Xijin City are rushing to their early shifts, hurrying past the restaurants.
Restaurants usually start to get busy around noon.
When Shang Qingqian saw Shang Yan coming over, she patted the empty seat next to her.
Upon seeing this, Shang Yan plopped down on his seat. "Sis, why are you here so early today?"
"...I was just worried about you." Shang Qingqian looked Shang Yan up and down, and seeing that Shang Yan looked refreshed, she couldn't help but be a little suspicious.
Click, the kitchen door opened.
Zhou Ping came out from inside.
Shang Qingqian quickly looked Zhou Ping up and down again. His clothes were very neat and meticulous. There were indeed some dark circles under his eyes, which showed that he had stayed up all night. However, his walking posture was natural and there was nothing wrong with it.
Shang Qingqian glanced at the medicine she had packed in her bag; she had gotten up early to buy it for her younger brother.
Perhaps she was overthinking it, and the two were actually just friends?
But since she'd already bought the medicine, she definitely couldn't bring it home. What would her parents say if they saw it?
Shang Qingqian silently stuffed the box of ointment into Shang Yan's pocket, saying, "I bought this medicine for you. I hope you won't need it."
"Huh?" Shang Yan didn't know what other illness he had besides taking medication to treat his brain.
However, seeing Shang Qingqian's solemn expression, he silently accepted the medicine.
"Alright, tell Zhou Ping, then go to the bakery with your sister." Shang Qingqian patted Shang Yan's shoulder, then picked up her bag and walked out the door.
Shang Yan held the box of ointment, unsure where to put it. He was wearing Zhou Ping's clothes, which had few pockets.
"Zhou Ping, I have to go now. I'll come back to you this afternoon." Shang Yan scratched his head and placed the ointment in Zhou Ping's hand.
Zhou Ping:?
"I don't have any pockets, so it's inconvenient to carry it around in my hand. You can put it in your room, and I'll pick it up when I come back this afternoon!" Shang Yan immediately came up with a solution.
“Okay.” Zhou Ping glanced at the medicine box and then put it in his pocket.
Hmm... what kind of medicine is this?
"Then I'll be going!" Shang Yan smiled and waved to Zhou Ping, then turned and walked towards Shang Qingqian at the door.
Zhou Ping watched Shang Yan leave until his figure disappeared into the street before turning around, picking up a broom, and sweeping the floor.
Shang Yan and Shang Qingqian were baking bread in the bakery until noon when someone walked into the not-so-big bakery.
"Kid, I've been looking for you for ages." Shang Yan recognized the voice all too well, and immediately looked up from his phone.
"Uncle Zhao?" Shang Yan put down his phone. "How did you end up here?"
Hearing Shang Yan say this, Zhao Kongcheng was furious. "How dare you say that? You promised to join us, but where were you when I went to the mental hospital that afternoon?"
"After that, I waited two more days and asked the doctor at Sunshine Mental Hospital, only to find out that you had already been discharged."
"It took me quite a bit of effort to find your place," Zhao Kongcheng said, browsing through the bakery and picking out two Viennese breads. "Did you tell your family about that matter?"
"Not yet," Shang Yan called out to the kitchen. "Sis, someone's here. They say they want to discuss something with you!"
It's not too late to say it now, and with Zhao Kongcheng around, there's no need to worry that Shang Qingqian will think that Shang Yan is making all this up.
Shang Qingqian responded and came out of the kitchen, looking somewhat puzzled. "Who's here?"
...
"No, I disagree!" Shang Qingqian raised her eyebrows and firmly rejected the idea. "Mr. Zhao, as you probably know, my brother is not in good mental health, so he cannot join the army."
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