Chapter 119 Psychological Burden

Ning Min watched Chu Rongshi holding Qi Nian back to the room, took a deep breath, and the scene just now kept repeating in her mind.

At this moment, she felt as if everything had suddenly become clear.

No wonder, no wonder she always felt that Chu Rongshi and Qi Nian seemed a little too close sometimes. At first, she never thought about it that way and just thought they were good brothers.

Why didn't she think of it... Why didn't she find out, if she had found out earlier... Ning Min's expression turned dull, even if she had found out earlier, what would it matter?

Nothing can be changed. Ning Min knows her eldest son. Once he has chosen someone, how can she change him?

But despite this, Ning Min still couldn't convince herself to calm down. She had experienced too many things throughout the day, and her emotions had reached a critical point, and she could collapse at any time.

However, Ning Min looked as calm as ever. She sat outside quietly waiting, because she knew that Chu Rongshi would come out soon.

But after waiting for a long time, she found that the other party had not come out yet. Ning Min looked a little anxious. She just saw what Chu Rongshi was doing, and now the other party and Nian Nian were alone in the room...

Thinking of this, Ning Min couldn't sit still. She stood up and was about to go take a look when the bedroom door rang. Chu Rongshi came out and closed the door quietly.

Looking at his angry mother, Chu Rongshi remained calm and explained, "Nian Nian just woke up again, so I coaxed her for a while."

Ning Min's face turned green. Normally, if her eldest son said this, she would definitely not think too much about it, but now, no matter how she listened to it, she felt that this "coaxing" was particularly ambiguous.

She glared at Chu Rongshi and said, "Come with me."

Because she was afraid of disturbing Qi Nian, Ning Min took Chu Rongshi to the gym farthest from the bedroom.

After closing the door, the two of them remained silent. Ning Min couldn't help but break the silence first. She raised her head slightly and looked at her son who was much taller than her. She said with a hint of anger, "Don't you have anything to say?"

"Didn't you see it?" Chu Rongshi said.

Ning Min's chest rose and fell visibly, and she was obviously very angry. Her anger level was off the charts, and she couldn't help but ask loudly: "Chu Rongshi, what were you doing just now!"

Chu Rongshi still said: "Didn't you see it?"

Ning Min never knew that her eldest son, who never had to worry about anyone, was so gifted in making people angry: "How am I going to explain to Lu Ling in the future if you treat Nian Nian like that!"

Chu Rongshi frowned slightly, but seeing that Ning Min was angry, he didn't say anything.

Ning Min: "You...you can't be together!"

Chu Rongshi looked at his mother and said, "Impossible."

Ning Min: "You...you are really going to piss me off to death!"

Chu Rongshi knew that she was angry, so he tried to speak calmly, "I don't think it's right for two people who like each other to be together. Why would you be angry? We haven't violated any ethics, and our love won't hurt anyone."

Ning Min was so angry that she turned around. She saw a wooden stick not far away. She walked over, picked up the stick, and pointed it at Chu Rongshi: "Say it again!"

Chu Rongshi's expression remained unchanged: "No matter how many times, I always give the same answer."

Ning Min was so angry that she hit Chu Rongshi on the back with a stick, crying, "Lu Ling asked me to take good care of Nian Nian. How can I explain to her what you did to me? How can I be worthy of her!"

The pain on his back made Chu Rongshi frown slightly and groan. Ning Min was angry and used real strength this time, causing Chu Rongshi's face to turn a little pale.

Ning Min's fingers trembled. This was the first time she had hit her son. The stick fell to the ground. She felt distressed and angry: "Why didn't you hide!"

Chu Rongshi smiled and said, "How can you calm down if I avoid you?"

Ning Min didn't say anything, trying hard to suppress the urge to care about Chu Rongshi.

Chu Rongshi said seriously: "Mom, if you are not so angry, can we have a good chat?"

Ning Min's expression changed, but she still said stubbornly: "I don't know what we have to talk about."

Chu Rongshi: "Nian Nian and I truly love each other. I think even if Aunt Qi is here, she won't stop us."

Ning Min sneered: "Do you mean I'm old-fashioned?"

Chu Rongshi: "So I hope to have a good talk with you, for me and for Nian Nian, okay? Your proposal of a so-called breakup will hurt us."

Ning Min closed her eyes, but eventually softened her attitude and agreed to have a chat with Chu Rongshi.

——

Qi Nian didn't know how long he had slept. He finally opened his eyes slowly. He sat up, looked around, and found that Chu Rongshi was not in the room.

Qi Nian was a little unhappy, so he deliberately got out of bed barefoot, walked to the bedroom door, opened it, and said, "Brother..."

"Niannian, ouch, why aren't you wearing shoes? Your feet are so cold." Before Qi Nian could finish her words, she saw Ning Min walking towards her with a concerned look on her face.

Qi Nian's expression froze in embarrassment for a moment, and he quickly put on a well-behaved expression: "Yeah, I'll go put on my shoes now."

Having said that, like a frightened lamb, he quickly ran back to the room and put on his slippers.

He came out slowly and found Ning Min had already prepared the meal. She called him, "Come and have breakfast."

Qi Nian was stunned for a moment: "Breakfast? I slept for the whole afternoon and night?"

Qi Nian soon got a positive answer. He thought to himself, no wonder he felt dizzy, it turned out that he slept too much.

Qi Nian was eating breakfast with puffy cheeks. He glanced at Ning Min secretly and couldn't help asking, "Auntie, where is my brother? Why can't I see him?"

Ning Min paused and said calmly, "He had some urgent matters at the company, so he went to the company."

"Oh, why are there still things to do on the weekend?" Qi Nian sighed, unable to hide the disappointment on his face.

After breakfast, Qi Nian found that Ning Min had not left yet. Ning Min said, "Don't worry about me. Just do what you need to do."

Qi Nian nodded and went to Chu Rongshi's study.

After reading for a while, he became a little restless and took out his cell phone to send a message to Chu Rongshi.

【Read in unison】：Ding ding!

【Chu Rongshi】: Are you awake?

Qi Nian thought, the reply is quite quick, and he doesn't look very busy at all.

[Qinian]: You woke up a long time ago, okay? When do you finish your work? Why do you work on weekends?

[Chu Rongshi]: Mom said that?

【Qinian】：Yes.

【Chu Rongshi】: Be back soon.

【Qinian】：Why is Auntie here? I was startled this morning.

Especially when she deliberately didn't wear slippers and was caught by Ning Min. Qi Nian still feels embarrassed when she thinks about it now.

[Chu Rongshi]: She heard that you drank alcohol and came to check on you out of concern.

[Qi Nian]: Okay...but I think Auntie is acting weird today. She keeps looking at me with a...slightly guilty look.

[Chu Rongshi]: Maybe he’s worried about you.

Everyone thought in unison: “?” I’m not well educated, so don’t treat me badly.

But he couldn't figure out why, so he just put the matter behind him.

Ning Min couldn't stay here forever. Seeing that Qi Nian had no intention of going back with her, she took the initiative to propose it, but it seemed too deliberate, so she finally left.

He also took away the garbage from home.

Not long after Ning Min left, Chu Rongshi came back. Qi Nian walked over happily and saw Chu Rongshi bending down to change his slippers. He chuckled and immediately jumped on Chu Rongshi's back.

Then he took a breath when he heard Chu Rong.

Qi Nian quickly got off his back and asked worriedly, "Brother, what's wrong with you? Is your waist hurting?"

Chu Rongshi: “…”

He was speechless: "No, I was just kidding you."

Qi Nian snorted: "I knew it, your acting skills don't seem to be that good!"

Chu Rongshi changed into slippers and straightened up. The wound on his back was pulled lightly, causing a tingling pain. He just frowned slightly. It was a very slight movement and Qi Nian didn't notice anything unusual.

Qi Nian touched his chin and looked at Chu Rongshi with a puzzled look in his eyes: "It's so strange, why do I feel that you and Auntie are both weird today."

He decided to deceive Chu Rongshi for a moment, pointed at him and said, "Tell me quickly, are you hiding something from me?"

Chu Rongshi calmly grabbed Qi Nian's finger and said, "Yes, I've been hiding something from you."

Everyone thought: “?”

Seeing Chu Rongshi like this, Qi Nian felt that nothing was wrong. He snorted, "Then tell me."

Chu Rongshi: “I won’t say.”

Qi Nian was angry on purpose.

Chu Rongshi coaxed him: "Don't be angry, I'll make you something delicious."

Qi Nian: "You want to buy me off with a delicious meal?"

"Then how can we buy a baby?" Chu Rongshi asked Qi Nian seriously.

Although he faces this face every day, Qi Nian still can't stand this beauty. His cheeks are red and he stammers, "How about... also, I have to eat two meals, right?"

Chu Rongshi looked at Qi Nian's expression, pinched his cheek and smiled.

Qi Nian was so embarrassed that he became angry: "What are you laughing at?"

Chu Rongshi coughed lightly and said, "Nothing, I just laughed at you for buying it."

Qi Nian regretted hearing this. It turned out that he was trying to bribe him. He muttered, "If I had known earlier, I would have asked you to cook ten meals for me!"

"Don't even mention ten meals, even a lifetime is fine." Chu Rongshi said as he picked up the dishes.

Qi Nian's mouth curled up, he covered his red cheeks with his chin lifted up, and let out a brisk "ah".

As for the disagreement between Chu Rongshi and Ning Min today, he had long forgotten about it. Today he was more concerned about what delicious food Chu Rongshi would make for him.

Although Chu Rongshi had an injury on his back, there was nothing wrong with his movements, so it was no wonder that Qi Nian couldn't see it.

——

Qi Nian didn't expect that he would meet Yan Jiru again, but this time it seemed that the other party took the initiative to find him.

The smile on Qi Nian's face paused, and Liu Yu beside him asked in confusion: "That person seems to want to talk to you about something, should I avoid him?"

Today at noon, they only had one class in the latter period, so they had more time. After discovering that there was nothing delicious in the cafeteria, Liu Yu dragged Qi Nian out to eat.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I left school, I ran into Yan Jiru, who seemed to have been waiting here for a long time.

Qi Nian said, "No need."

As he was about to turn around and leave with Liu Yu, Yan Jiru's voice came from behind him. His voice was a little dull, as if he hadn't spoken for a long time, or he finally mustered up the courage to speak: "Child...you, can you let me say a few words?"

The other party's voice was not loud, but Qi Nian suddenly stopped and turned to look at Yan Jiru.

Yan Jiru looks a little better than before, but only compared to before. He still doesn't look well now.

The middle-aged man looked at Qi Nian with an unconcealable caution. Qi Nian suddenly felt a sore nose for no reason. He turned his head away, not wanting Yan Jiru to see his appearance at this moment.

Liu Yu immediately understood what was going on. There must be something else going on. She knew better than to disturb him and found an excuse to leave.

Yan Jiru did not pay any attention to Liu Yu, but only looked carefully at the young man not far away.

A moment later, in a street restaurant, Yan Jiru kept asking Qi Nian about his dietary restrictions, and then added the foods that Qi Nian liked to the menu.

Seeing that the other party had already ordered quite a few dishes, Qi Nian could only say: "That's too much. If you order more, we won't be able to finish it."

Yan Jiru seemed to come to his senses after being reminded by him, and said quickly: "That's enough, that's enough."

Yan Jiru felt uncomfortable as he had nothing to do. He didn't know how to face Qi Nian. Language seemed extremely pale at this moment.

Until Qi Nian whispered: "Did you abandon my mother back then?"

"No, no..." Yan Jiru looked sad, but he still told Qinian what happened that year in earnest.

"I didn't expect it. I really didn't expect that Lu Ling had already..." Yan Jiru trembled, unable to utter those two words.

Qi Nian looked at his father, whom he had never met, and his regret and grief did not seem fake.

He suddenly felt somewhat powerless, as if in an instant, everyone became a victim and no one was at fault. In the end, he could only sigh: what a trick of fate.

"I'm sorry, I should have returned home earlier... maybe I wouldn't have missed so much," Yan Jiru said.

Qi Nian's eyes were slightly red, and he tried to stay calm: "Even if you return to China, you can't change anything."

Qi Luling's death was not an accident. Even though medical treatment has made great progress now, malignant tumors are basically incurable, let alone twenty years ago.

Although it is difficult to be rational when facing the death of a loved one, Qi Nian also clearly knows that this matter cannot be blamed on Yan Jiru.

"No, at least I... I can take care of you." Yan Jiru said without much confidence. Of course he wanted to fulfill his father's responsibilities, but Qi Nian might not be willing to do so.

Sure enough, Qi Nian lowered his head, looked at the cup in his hand and said, "I'm doing well."

The following words were too hurtful, so he didn't say them.

Yan Jiru said anxiously: "Child, you...you should at least give me a chance to make amends."

Qi Nian felt very tired. He really didn't know how to deal with these things. If Yan Jiru had really abandoned his mother, maybe he could blame him, but he was also a victim.

He seemed unable to blame Yan Jiru, but he didn't know how to accept this sudden fatherly love.

He felt that he was already living a good life and had a good family. Why did a father suddenly appear when he didn't need these?

And he was a father without any flaws except that he did not raise him.

So Qi Nian didn't know how to answer Yan Jiru's question. Fortunately, the fast food restaurant waiter came over to serve the food. He ate the food in silence and ignored Yan Jiru's words.

Yan Jiru's disappointment was visibly evident, but he also knew that it was impossible for him to suddenly jump out and have Qi Nian accept him.

Being able to sit together and eat in such peace and quiet was something he had never dared to imagine.

But Yan Jiru had no appetite and ate almost nothing.

Qi Nian glanced at him and frowned, "If you want to soften my heart by fasting, that's impossible. I will only think that you are irresponsible."

It was a very awkward sentence, but Yan Jiru managed to hear some concern in it, and he immediately said that he would eat well.

As he spoke, he began to eat with big mouthfuls.

Qi Nian frowned again. Would he really not get a stomachache from eating like this? However, he paused and didn't say anything. Why should he care about these things?

Because of Qi Nian's awkward concern, Yan Jiru seemed to be energized. He also understood that his desire to make up for the child did not mean forcing the other party to accept him immediately, so he should not expect the other party to soften his attitude.

He had thought wrong before.

After dinner, when Qi Nian was leaving, Yan Jiru offered to see him off, but Qi Nian refused.

Yan Jiru looked at Qi Nian's leaving back and frowned. How tiring it must be to walk like this. He had to buy a few scooters for his son. He didn't know what a child of this age would like.

Fortunately, he has an adopted son and can ask Yan Yuchuan for advice.

When Yan Yuchuan heard that his father had actually had a meal with the other party, he was very excited and thought that there was a chance that his father and the other party would get to know each other.

He seriously recommended several cars to Yan Jiru, well, he selected some expensive ones!

Qi Nian didn't know that he was about to receive several sports cars.

When he returned to Chu Rongshi, he was in a low mood and told Chu Rongshi what Yan Jiru had come to see him about today.

Chu Rongshi listened carefully and asked, "Are you very resistant to contacting him?"

Qi Nian frowned, then shook his head honestly: "Well...it can't be considered resistance."

Chu Rongshi: "You just don't know how to get along with him, or in other words, you don't know how to accept him suddenly entering your life."

Qi Nian nodded, and rubbed against Chu Rongshi affectionately: "You really understand me, this is how I feel."

Chu Rongshi sighed slightly: "Baby, you don't need to think so much."

Qi Nian looked at Chu Rongshi in confusion: "?"

Chu Rongshi nodded: "Well, you can't enjoy his kindness with peace of mind, so there are these entanglements."

"Probably. I actually wish he wasn't that nice." Qi Nian frowned and spoke out his thoughts unconsciously.

"So, don't think too much." Chu Rongshi held Qi Nian's little face, made her face him, and said seriously: "You just need to follow your heart. In this world, feelings are the most difficult thing to force, whether it's love or family affection, it's all the same."

"Follow your heart?" Qi Nian repeated these words, then buried his head in Chu Rongshi's arms and rubbed it: "Wuwuwu, it's so difficult."

"Well, from now on, don't worry about this matter anymore and think about something else." Chu Rongshi pinched his cheek.

"What are you thinking about?" Qi Nian rolled his eyes and rubbed his flat belly: "What delicious food did you make today?"

Chu Rongshi chuckled and pinched his nose: "Is that all you thought about?"

Qi Nian blushed a little, and said unconvincedly: "People are iron, and food is steel!"

Chu Rongshi: "Don't you want to eat clay pot rice?"

Qi Nian's eyes sparkled: "You made clay pot rice?"

He just said it casually today, but he didn't expect Chu Rongshi to write it down!

Like a little tail, I followed each other to the kitchen, and sure enough, I saw the fragrant clay pot rice in the pot.

"Hmm...it smells so good!" Qi Nian was very sure that he really couldn't think of anything else right now, hehe.

Qi Nian took the small bowl Chu Rongshi gave him, took a bite of rice impatiently, and then said happily: "Brother, you are so kind, aren't you?"

Chu Rongshi asked: "Who is better, me or the clay pot rice?"

Qi Nian rolled his eyes, smiled, and said cleverly: "You are the best because you can make clay pot rice for me!"

Chu Rongshi couldn't help but curl his lips.

After dinner, Qi Nian glanced at his phone which had been vibrating and found that Ning Min had sent him several messages.

Qi Nian was originally lazily lying on the sofa, but after seeing the message, he immediately sat up, clicked it with a guilty conscience, and found that it was Ning Min asking him why he hadn't returned home yet.

Qi Nian coughed lightly and simply made a phone call: "Hello? Auntie, I'm not going home today. I'm staying at my brother's place."

"Why are you living with your brother again? He is so busy every day, can he take good care of you?" Ning Min frowned.

Qi Nian felt that Ning Min treated him like a child: "I don't need to be looked after, and I just had the clay pot rice made by my brother, it was super delicious."

Ning Min: “…”

She was silent for a moment, then said helplessly, "Forget it, forget it. I can't control you."

After hanging up the phone, Qi Nian looked at the phone in confusion, always feeling that Ning Min was a little strange.

"What are you thinking about?" Chu Rongshi sat down beside him.

"It's weird to miss your aunt." Qi Nian fell into his arms. Maybe it was because they had been alone together recently and their relationship had become closer, so he didn't feel shy to do these actions.

When he hugged Chu Rong, he saw that he frowned slightly, as if he was hurt by Qi Nian. Qi Nian let go of his hand, looked at Chu Rong, and muttered: "You want to deceive me again?"

Chu Rongshi smiled: "You found it."

Qi Nian clicked his tongue: "Do you think I would be fooled twice about the same thing?"

Chu Rongshi sighed with regret: "It's not good to lie."

Qi Nian was not convinced: "I have never been good at lying!"

In the evening, Qi Nian finished his shower early and fell asleep on the bed. Chu Rongshi lay down beside him and gently rubbed Qi Nian's cheek with his slightly rough fingertips. The latter was unaware of it and smiled helplessly.

Why did you go to bed so early today? But it doesn't matter, Qi Nian won't notice anything.

After an unknown amount of time, Chu Rongshi's breathing became steady. What he didn't know was that Qi Nian, who had just been "asleep", suddenly opened his eyes with a clear look in his eyes.

He sat up and called Chu Rongshi softly a few times. There was no response. He breathed a sigh of relief and his eyes fell on Chu Rongshi's back.

He had already noticed that something was wrong with Chu Rongshi. The wrinkled brow was obviously not fake, and Chu Rongshi would not lie to him twice about the same thing.

When he looked at Chu Rong at this time, he found that the other party was sleeping on his side and his back might really be injured.

Thinking of this, Qi Nian's mood sank. He pursed his lips, carefully got out of bed, walked behind Chu Rongshi, and then gently lifted up from under Chu Rongshi's clothes.

What came into view was Chu Rongshi's back covered with bruises, which clearly showed that he had been hit by a stick. Although there was only one bruise, it almost went through his entire back.

Qi Nian's eyes widened, his nose felt sore, and tears immediately flowed down.