take care of
The car stopped at the entrance of Yucaiyuan residential area. Qi Shuo turned off the engine, removed the car key, picked up Tan Huaiyu's schoolbag from the back seat, and said casually, "It's too late, I'll take you upstairs."
Tan Huaiyu was taken aback, then turned to look at him. His amber eyes shone brightly in the dimly lit carriage, like two tiny flames. He nodded vigorously, his voice trembling slightly: "Okay."
The two got out of the car and walked into the residential area side by side. It was late at night, and the streetlights cast a dim yellow light, making their shadows, one tall and one short, stretch long on the ground.
Tan Huaiyu walked rather slowly, probably because he had just finished an IV drip and was still a little weak. Qi Shuo noticed this and subtly slowed his pace as well.
The hallway was narrow, the stairs were steep, and the motion-activated lights flickered on and off. Tan Huaiyu walked in front, with Qi Shuo following behind, their footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.
On the third floor, Tan Huaiyu stopped, took out a key from his pocket, inserted it into the lock, and turned it gently.
With a click, the door opened.
Tan Huaiyu pushed open the door, stepped aside, hesitated for a moment, and then said softly, "Brother Qi Shuo, would you like to come in and have some water?"
Qi Shuo had originally planned to see him to the door and leave, but upon hearing this, he nodded as if possessed: "Mm."
Tan Huaiyu's eyes brightened again, and he quickly stepped aside to let him in. Qi Shuo walked in carrying his schoolbag, his gaze sweeping across the room, and he froze for a moment.
The living room was small; you could see it all at a glance. There was a dusty, old-fashioned fabric sofa and a low coffee table with worn edges, on which sat an open book and a pen.
There was no television, no TV stand, only a few plastic chairs piled in the corner. The kitchen was open-plan and small, the stovetop spotless, showing almost no signs of use. The whole house was incredibly shabby; the walls were slightly yellowed, there were water stains in the corners of the ceiling, and the linoleum flooring was peeling, making a slight creaking sound when stepped on.
This... is where Tan Huaiyu lives?
Qi Shuo stood there, unsure what to say. He knew Tan Huaiyu had left the Tan family, and he knew he had exchanged his inheritance for a sum of money. But that money was enough for an ordinary person to live comfortably in Beicheng, certainly not enough to live in this… dilapidated old place.
"You live here?" Qi Shuo finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse.
Tan Huaiyu nodded, closed the door, walked to the sofa, and put down his schoolbag: "Okay."
"Are you comfortable living here?" Qi Shuo asked again.
"It's alright," Tan Huaiyu replied softly, his gaze falling on the book on the coffee table. "As long as it's a place to stay, it's fine."
Qi Shuo fell silent. He looked at Tan Huaiyu's pale face and the dark circles under his eyes, and then at the extremely simple living environment, and that inexplicable irritation welled up in his heart again.
What kind of place did Tan Huaiyu used to live? He had been to the Tan family's old mansion, which was as magnificent as a palace. And now, this once pampered young master was living in such a dilapidated shack, worse off than even an average working-class family?
He was momentarily speechless, unsure of what to say or why he cared so much. What did it matter to him whether Tan Huaiyu was living comfortably or not?
"You go and rest first." Qi Shuo finally said simply, "I'm going to buy something."
After saying that, he turned and walked towards the door.
Tan Huaiyu stood there, watching his departing figure. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately said nothing. He simply nodded slightly, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: "Mm."
The door closed. The footsteps faded into the distance in the hallway and eventually disappeared.
Tan Huaiyu stood there, staring at the closed door, the light in his eyes gradually dimming until it finally faded into a silent darkness.
He slowly walked back to the sofa, sat down, and reached for the book on the coffee table—"Tender Is the Night." He turned to the page with the folded corner, his fingertips gently tracing the edge of the page, his eyes vacant.
He's gone.
I doubt they'll come back.
Tan Huaiyu tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile that looked more like a grimace.
What was he expecting? The fact that Qi Shuo brought him back and even came in to take a look was already a tender gesture he dared not hope for. How could he expect more?
He put down his book, slowly stood up, and walked towards the bedroom. The bedroom was small, with only a single bed, a simple wardrobe, and a small desk. He took off his coat, lay down on the bed, and wrapped himself tightly in the blanket, like a wounded little animal curled up in its den.
That's enough.
That's enough.
He shouldn't have asked for that.
Tan Huaiyu closed his eyes, letting the exhaustion and drowsiness brought on by the medicine engulf him.
In his last moments before falling into a deep sleep, he thought that when he woke up tomorrow, everything would be back to square one. Qi Shuo would still be the same indifferent and aloof Qi Shuo, and he would still be the same Tan Huaiyu, all alone and ignored by everyone.
That's fine too.
One hour later.
"Knock knock knock—"
The urgent knocking startled Tan Huaiyu awake. He opened his eyes abruptly, momentarily unable to distinguish between dream and reality. The knocking continued, accompanied by a familiar voice: "Open the door."
Is it... Qi Shuo?
Tan Huaiyu froze for a second, then suddenly jumped out of bed and almost stumbled towards the door. He hurriedly opened the door and saw Qi Shuo standing outside, carrying large and small bags, his face showing a hint of helplessness and exhaustion.
"Qi... Brother Qi Shuo?" Tan Huaiyu's voice was hoarse from just waking up and filled with disbelief, "What's wrong with you...?"
"Make way." Qi Shuo said calmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Tan Huaiyu subconsciously turned to the side, and Qi Shuo walked in carrying his things, heading straight for the kitchen.
He placed the bag on the kitchen counter and began taking things out one by one—rice, noodles, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, eggs, vegetables, fruit, milk, bread, frozen dumplings, instant noodles…and even a small rice cooker and a simple set of tableware.
Tan Huaiyu stood at the kitchen doorway, watching Qi Shuo's busy figure, completely dumbfounded. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He could only stare blankly as the items were placed one by one into the empty cupboards and refrigerator.
"Brother Qi Shuo..." He finally found his voice, but didn't know what to say.
Qi Shuo didn't turn his head and continued tidying up: "Your refrigerator is empty, and the kitchen hasn't been used. You've just recovered from acute gastroenteritis, so don't eat junk food from outside. This rice and flour should last you for a while. Frozen food can be heated up and eaten. Keep the fruit and milk in the refrigerator, and remember to drink them every day."
After he finished speaking, he turned to look at Tan Huaiyu, his brows furrowing slightly: "Can you cook?"
Tan Huaiyu shook his head blankly.
Qi Shuo sighed, "Never mind, I'll teach you how to cook porridge and noodles tomorrow. Now..." He pointed to the living room, "Go sit on the sofa, I'll cook you something to fill your stomach."
Tan Huaiyu seemed to have a switch flipped, his eyes instantly reddening. He bit his lip hard, trying not to cry, and just nodded forcefully, turning to walk to the living room and sitting down on the sofa.
Soon, the sounds of water running, chopping vegetables, and the clanging of spatulas filled the kitchen. Tan Huaiyu sat on the sofa, listening to these sounds and watching the busy figure in the kitchen. Her heart felt as if it were being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, a mix of soreness and pain, yet also a warm, full feeling she had never experienced before.
He looked down at his hands, his fingertips trembling slightly.
Qi Shuo is back.
Not only did she come back, but she also bought him so many things and is going to cook for him.
This was a scene he never dared to dream of.
In the kitchen, Qi Shuo was focused on cooking noodles, while white rice porridge was simmering in the rice cooker.
He didn't really know why he did it. He had already done more than enough by taking Tan Huaiyu home; he could have just turned around and left; there shouldn't have been this entanglement between them.
But when he saw that extremely simple house, the empty refrigerator and kitchen, and Tan Huaiyu's pale face and dark circles under his eyes, he went to the nearby supermarket as if possessed and bought these things.
Let's just consider it... repaying the debt of saving Qingran eight years ago.
Qi Shuo told himself this.
The water boiled, and the noodles went into the pot. He skillfully cracked an egg and added a few pieces of greens. Soon, a steaming bowl of clear broth noodles was ready. He carried the noodles out of the kitchen and saw Tan Huaiyu still sitting on the sofa, head down, seemingly lost in thought.
"Eat up." Qi Shuo placed the noodles on the coffee table, his voice still calm. "Keep it light, it's better for your stomach. There's some plain porridge left for you in the kitchen, you can warm your stomach if you get hungry later."
Tan Huaiyu raised his head, his eyes still red, but no longer brimming with tears. He looked at the bowl of noodles, then at Qi Shuo, a faint but genuine smile slowly spreading across his lips: "Thank you, Brother Qi Shuo."
Qi Shuo looked away and sat down on the plastic chair next to him: "Eat quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold."
Tan Huaiyu picked up his chopsticks and lowered his head to eat the noodles. The noodles were cooked just right, the broth was light yet delicious, the vegetables were vibrant green, and the egg was tender. He ate slowly, one bite at a time, as if savoring some heavenly delicacy.
Qi Shuo sat beside him, watching him eat, and the irritation in his heart finally subsided a little.
He looked around, his gaze falling once again on the humble house. Cracks in the walls, peeling linoleum, old furniture… everything seemed out of place for Tan Huaiyu.
"Why are you living here?" Qi Shuo suddenly asked. "The money the Tan family gave you is enough for you to rent a better place."
Tan Huaiyu paused for a moment while eating his noodles, then continued eating with his head down, his voice very soft: "This place... is close to the school."
"You're lying." Qi Shuo exposed him without any mercy. "There are better residential areas near No. 1 Middle School."
Tan Huaiyu fell silent. After a long while, he said softly, "It's cheap here. I want to save the money for... college later."
Qi Shuo was taken aback. He hadn't expected this answer. How old was Tan Huaiyu? Seventeen? And he was already thinking about things so far ahead? Besides… with his grades and background, he shouldn't need to worry about tuition and living expenses at university, right?
"Is the money the Tan family left you not enough to finish college?" Qi Shuo asked.
Tan Huaiyu shook his head, his voice even lower: "It's enough, but I... want to spend it sparingly."
Qi Shuo fell silent. He looked at Tan Huaiyu's lowered head, at his wrists that stood out prominently because of his thinness, and at the extremely simple house. The complex emotions in his heart surged up again.
What exactly did Tan Huaiyu go through?
The bowl of noodles was quickly emptied. Tan Huaiyu put down her chopsticks, looked up at Qi Shuo, and asked with a hint of caution in her eyes, "Brother Qi Shuo, would you... like some too?"
"No need." Qi Shuo stood up. "After you finish eating, wash the dishes and get some rest. The medicine is in the bag; remember to take it on time."
Qi Shuo paused for a moment, then continued, "Remember to reimburse me for all the things I bought for you today."
Tan Huaiyu was stunned and looked at him in confusion.
Qi Shuo raised an eyebrow and asked casually, "What? Trying to get something for nothing?"
"No, no, I'll pay you now." Tan Huaiyu obediently took out his phone to scan the QR code and pay, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his face.
"Alright, you should get some rest." Qi Shuo put away his phone, then turned and walked towards the door.
"Brother Qi Shuo!" Tan Huaiyu suddenly called out to him.
Qi Shuo stopped and turned to look at him.
Tan Huaiyu stood by the sofa, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her voice trembling slightly: "Will you... come again tomorrow?"
Qi Shuo looked at his expectant yet apprehensive eyes, remained silent for a few seconds, and finally nodded: "Okay. I'll teach you how to cook porridge tomorrow."
Tan Huaiyu's eyes lit up instantly, as if filled with starlight. He nodded vigorously: "Okay!"
Qi Shuo turned around, pushed open the door, and walked out. The moment the door closed, he heard a suppressed laugh from inside, a laugh that was both tearful and relieved.
He stood outside the door, took a deep breath, and looked up at the dark night sky. There were few stars, the moon was obscured by clouds, and only the streetlights shone lonely.
Will it come again tomorrow?
He didn't know either.
But at least tonight, he did what he could.
That's enough.
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