Chapter 8: The Incompetent and Malicious Ex-Boyfriend (8)
Shen Ci hadn’t expected Ming Yanzhou to have such a tragic background.
It suddenly reminded him of his own college days, when he worked all sorts of part-time jobs just to scrape together enough for living expenses and tuition.
Because he had walked in the rain himself, he wanted to hold an umbrella for someone else.
After a moment of silence, Shen Ci finally spoke.
“If you stay at my place, I can only set up a folding bed for you in the study…”
His apartment was a three-bedroom unit, but one of the bedrooms had been converted into a study. If Ming Yanzhou moved in, a folding bed was the only option.
However, since it was summer, it wasn’t impossible to sleep there.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ming Yanzhou’s eyes lit up.
“That’s fine, Brother Shen! I can sleep on the sofa or even the floor. Thank you for taking me in, Brother Shen.”
Having said that, he didn’t forget his persona.
“Brother Shen, I don’t have much money on me right now. Can the rent be deducted from my salary?”
“Forget the rent. It’s only for two months anyway; I’ll just consider it a good deed. Besides, didn’t you say you can cook? Cooking dinner for me in the evening will count as your rent.”
Shen Ci took a cigarette pack out of his pocket and shook one out.
Suddenly remembering that this kid also smoked, he asked, “Do you want one?”
Ming Yanzhou wasn’t addicted to smoking and rarely did so. The last time he asked Shen Ci for a cigarette was merely an excuse to strike up a conversation.
“Thank you, Brother Shen, but I don’t smoke in the morning.”
Shen Ci arched an eyebrow and put the cigarette pack back into his trouser pocket.
He tucked the cigarette between his lips and only took out his lighter to light it after they stepped out of the elevator.
Ming Yanzhou’s gaze fell unobtrusively on the lips holding the cigarette.
They were very red.
Very soft.
And looked incredibly sexy.
…
The two of them each ate a bowl of noodles at the noodle shop downstairs.
Upon leaving the shop, Shen Ci’s gaze fell on the rows of shared yellow bikes parked next to the community.
He looked up at Ming Yanzhou. “Do you know how to ride a bike?”
Ming Yanzhou was stunned for a moment. “I do.”
“It’s still early. Let’s ride bikes to the company; it’ll be good exercise.”
Ming Yanzhou: “…”
The ride to the company wasn’t actually that far.
Ming Yanzhou followed behind Shen Ci, his gaze lingering on Shen Ci’s—
So perky.
…
In the evening, Shen Ci drove Ming Yanzhou home.
Ming Yanzhou didn’t have many belongings, just a cheap bag worth about a dozen yuan.
Shen Ci’s gaze fell on that inexpensive bag, and he felt certain once again that Ming Yanzhou’s family was indeed not well-off.
If Ming Yanzhou knew what Shen Ci was thinking, he would definitely praise his own ingenuity. After all, his previous suitcase was a “brand-name” item.
…
The two of them stood in the supermarket, and for a moment, they stared at each other blankly.
“What dishes can you cook?”
Ming Yanzhou hesitated. “I can probably do any home-cooked meal. What do you like to eat, Brother Shen?”
“I’m not a picky eater.”
Having grown up in an orphanage, he didn’t have the luxury of being picky. As long as it wasn’t exceptionally bad, he could eat it.
“Then does Ye Qi have any dietary restrictions?”
Shen Ci arched an eyebrow and spoke nonchalantly. “He’s working his part-time job; he won’t be home in the evening.”
Ming Yanzhou felt a surge of joy in his heart, but he kept his expression calm.
“Then with just the two of us, two stir-fried dishes should be enough.”
“Mm…”
In the end, Shen Ci bought two tomatoes and a few eggs, along with a small piece of lean meat and two large green peppers.
After returning home, Ming Yanzhou placed the bag containing his clothes on the shoe rack.
Shen Ci put the groceries in the kitchen and looked at him.
“I’ll go set up the bed for you. You start cooking. We’ll organize your things after dinner.”
“Okay, Brother Shen.”
…
The kitchen was very clean. It was obvious that it wasn’t used for cooking often, but the seasonings and supplies were all there.
To Shen Ci, he might not cook, but he couldn’t be without the basic essentials like oil, salt, and rice. Therefore, these things were always well-stocked.
After Ming Yanzhou started steaming the rice, he began washing and cutting the vegetables.
By the time the food was ready, Shen Ci had already finished setting up his bed.
There was tomato and scrambled eggs, and stir-fried pork with peppers.
There was no soup; instead, Shen Ci had bought a large bottle of ice-cold Cola.
…
Ming Yanzhou indeed had some skill in cooking, but only just a bit.
The good news: it was cooked through.
The bad news: it wasn’t particularly delicious.
However, it couldn’t be called terrible either. Shen Ci still managed to finish a bowl of rice with those two dishes.
After dinner, Ming Yanzhou went to wash the dishes while Shen Ci went to his room to shower.
Once Ming Yanzhou finished cleaning the kitchen, he carried his bag into his room.
The folding bed wasn’t big, but it was manageable for him. After taking out his pajamas, he also went into the bathroom to shower.
When he came out again, Shen Ci was leaning on the sofa watching TV, wearing a white tank top and black shorts.
Ming Yanzhou’s hand holding his underwear paused for a second.
“Finished? Throw your dirty clothes in the washing machine later. I’ve already put detergent in, so you don’t need to add more.”
“Okay, Brother Shen.”
After speaking, Ming Yanzhou went to the balcony.
The sheets Ye Qi had washed that morning were hanging there.
Beside them, a pair of black underwear hung in the drying area; it had just been washed and was slowly dripping water.
Ming Yanzhou’s gaze darkened as he stared at that pair of underwear. After a moment, he carefully hung his own underwear right next to it.
After finishing this, Ming Yanzhou looked at the two pairs of underwear hanging side-by-side and felt strangely flushed.
He then tossed his clothes into the washing machine and returned to the living room.
Shen Ci was leaning lazily against the sofa, clutching a gray throw pillow with his legs propped up on the table in front of him, completely lacking any formal image.
Ming Yanzhou’s gaze fell on those long, straight legs and then slowly moved to his feet.
The toenails were trimmed neatly, and every toe was rounded and full, glowing with a healthy pink hue.
Ming Yanzhou was a bit puzzled. How could even this person’s feet fit his aesthetic so perfectly?
He was certain he didn’t have a foot fetish, but he really wanted to hold those feet in his palms.
Perhaps… it wasn’t as simple as just holding them.
But in short… he really liked them.
“What are you standing there for? Watching TV?” Shen Ci noticed Ming Yanzhou’s gaze and glanced at him. However, he didn’t pay it much mind and turned back to the screen. “I’m telling you, this drama is hilarious.”
Ming Yanzhou glanced at the title in the top right corner: Rebirth: The Days I Went Crazy at My In-Laws’ House.
Uh…
(=_=)
You could say it was very “Tomato-style.”
It clearly wasn’t the type of show he enjoyed, but he didn’t mind watching it with Shen Ci.
After hesitating for a second, Ming Yanzhou shamelessly sat down next to Shen Ci.
There was still a one-person gap between them—not too far, but not too close.
Shen Ci didn’t notice Ming Yanzhou’s little scheme. His eyes were glued to the TV, and he occasionally let out a few foolish chuckles.
He had just showered, and he carried a faint fruity scent—the same as Ming Yanzhou’s own.
This realization made Ming Yanzhou’s heart burn. He couldn’t help but take a quiet, deep breath.
So fragrant!
But in the next second, he remembered that Ye Qi used the same shower gel as them.
That bit of romantic sentiment was like a blazing fire being doused by a bucket of cold water.
The burning heart was no longer hot. He furrowed his brows irritably.
How could he legally take his place?
Translator’s Note: Hey guys! Shen Ci is so soft-hearted, letting our “poor” little puppy Ming move in. “I’ve walked in the rain, so I want to hold an umbrella for someone else” is such a beautiful Chinese sentiment about empathy. But little does he know, Ming Yanzhou is already eyeing his feet!
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