Chapter 7: Instant Noodles Are a Good Thing
Wei Xun glanced at him, his heart softened by the slightly childish face. He imagined a scene of a timid newcomer sitting outside his office, unsure of himself, and his tone softened. “Can you read?”
Mu Jiashu: “…”
“Yes, Young Master Wei.” Isn’t that on the resume? When hiring a bodyguard, you don’t even bother to check resumes properly. Do people have no rights?
So frustrating…he had a double master’s degree, and now he’s back to square one…
Wei Xun didn’t notice the gloom in Mu Jiashu’s tone. He rummaged through the pile of books on his desk—mostly military or finance—and finally found one that looked interesting. He remembered receiving it from the organizers when he donated to Hope Primary School a while ago. He handed it to Mu Jiashu: “When you’re not going out with me and there’s nothing to do, you can read this.”
Mu Jiashu took it. The cover had four flamboyant characters—”Baby Picture Book.”
Mu Jiashu: “…”
Wei Xun, fearing he’d be embarrassed, said kindly, “There are a lot of pictures inside, you should be able to understand it.”
Wei Xun, you jerk!
Mu Jiashu resigned himself to his fate, forced a thank you, and took the picture book to stand guard outside.
Only two people remained in the office, silent for a while.
Liang Pingzhao couldn’t help but say, “Third Young Master seems very…”
He paused to choose his words, “…appreciative of this Shen Shu.”
Wei Xun said, “No.”
He knew he was indeed kind to Shen Shu, but “appreciative” didn’t quite capture it.
Basically, when he first met him, he felt incredibly angry. Everyone knew that Wei Sanshao and Mu Dasao were childhood friends with an exceptionally close relationship, so much that they were practically inseparable. After Mu Jiashu’s death, many people tried to exploit this aspect. He disliked seeing anyone resembling Xiaoshu, as it felt like a desecration of the deceased.
But strangely, as they interacted, he gradually felt a strange familiarity. Shen Shu’s every move made him feel admiration, pity, yet also something expected…as if Xiaoshu had really come back.
His brother, his…beloved.
His reaction had been clearly pointed out by Liang Pingzhao, causing inner turmoil for Wei Xun. The Wei family had strict upbringing from childhood. He wasn’t interested in any substitute games, especially since, in Wei Xun’s heart, no one in the world could compare to Mu Jiashu. Viewing someone else as him was insulting to Xiaoshu, and of course, unfair to that person.
However, despite knowing this, he couldn’t help but want to be kind to Shen Shu whenever he saw him.
Should he just fire him?!
…No, this kid’s family already struggles financially.
Damn it, it’s so frustrating! Wei Xun said, “Pingzhao, work late with me tonight.”
Liang Pingzhao: “…Huh?”
Wei Xun said, “I value you, aren’t you happy?”
Liang Pingzhao said, “…Happy.”
Seeing his bitter expression, Wei Xun felt a little better and began to discuss business: “You said Shen Shu had a previous record of theft?”
Liang Pingzhao entered elite assistant mode: “Yes. But I found only two records of theft. He doesn’t seem addicted, rather like he encountered some difficulties. And…both times he failed, causing a huge fuss, making everyone think he has poor character.”
The subtext was, he’s not a habitual offender; habitual offenders aren’t this clumsy. Considering his young master’s favoritism towards Shen Shu, he didn’t say it out loud.
Wei Xun understood instantly: “Perhaps someone like that better fits my standards.”
His standards certainly weren’t dating standards. Liang Pingzhao said, “I think Pang Xing looks a bit impatient today.”
Wei Xun sneered, “Useless trash that won’t amount to anything.”
He opened the documents on his desk: “Alright, keep an eye on him.”
Usually, this meant he was entering work mode. However, Liang Pingzhao hesitated and added, “Third Young Master, there’s something I didn’t mention…”
Wei Xun looked up at him. Liang Pingzhao stammered, “I heard that Shen Shu risked his life to save Third Young Master today, and I’m very grateful to him…uh, but why?”
Wei Xun rested his elbows on the table and looked at him.
Under his bewildered gaze, Liang Pingzhao couldn’t hold back: “Shen Shu had a boyfriend before, and they broke up recently. It seems Shen Shu was dumped, and when people are heartbroken…” His voice softened, “Anyway, Third Young Master should be careful.”
“…” Wei Xun, “Go work.”
He was alone in the office. Wei Xun quietly started reviewing documents. After a few pages, Shen Shu’s refined face unexpectedly appeared before his eyes.
This person, no matter how you look at him, seems like the type to break countless hearts. How could he be dumped?
He shook his head, dismissing the image, and officially entered work mode.
When completely focused, time always flew by. When Wei Xun closed the document and stood up, he realized it was lunchtime.
He stretched and stood up, ordered takeout, and opened his office door to find the entire company quiet. At this time, most employees had gone out to eat or take a nap.
The takeout arrived quickly. Wei Xun went downstairs to pick it up. The windows in the corridor were open, and the distant streets echoed faintly with pop music from some store.
He walked through the empty corridor; the sun cast a faint shadow on his figure. At such times, one easily felt lonely and lost.
Past events were like waves crashing ashore, suddenly evoking desolation.
Previously, influenced by Mu Jiashu’s grumpy temper, he also disliked smelling food in the work environment. Therefore, he took his meal to the break room, but when he opened the door, he saw Mu Jiashu sitting at the table, his chin resting on his hand.
Mu Jiashu heard the sound, looked up in surprise, and the two looked at each other, then both looked down, saying in unison, “You’re eating here too?”
Wei Xun: “…”
Mu Jiashu covered his lips with the back of his hand, pulled out a chair next to him, gesturing for Wei Xun to sit. “I didn’t expect Young Master Wei to still be in the company at this time.”
That was a pointless remark—as Wei Xun’s personal bodyguard, Mu Jiashu had to follow if he left the company. But they both knew it effectively eased the somewhat abnormal atmosphere.
Wei Xun suppressed the turmoil in his heart, nodded, hesitated, and didn’t sit next to Mu Jiashu, instead sitting opposite him.
Mu Jiashu glanced at him, his face showing no embarrassment or displeasure. He smiled faintly and pushed the chair back.
However, after Wei Xun did this, he felt he had offended the other party and felt inexplicably guilty. After opening his lunch box, he hesitated and then made small talk: “You’re eating instant noodles for lunch?”
Mu Jiashu thought it was almost ready. He opened the lid and said with a smile, “Yeah, it’s delicious.”
Due to his health problems before, he’d been forbidden from eating junk food. A few days ago, he tried it and found the taste surprisingly amazing, instantly falling in love with instant noodles.
He opened the lid, the aroma of instant noodles wafted out. Mu Jiashu picked up the sausage on the table, broke it into two pieces, and threw it in. Just as he was about to use his chopsticks, he noticed Wei Xun staring at him blankly, a look that reminded him of when they were young.
Both their families were strict, especially about eating. At the dining table, it was strictly forbidden to stand up to reach for dishes farther away. Children have short arms. Therefore, whenever they ate together, if Wei Xun saw something he wanted but couldn’t reach, he would stare intently with that look of wanting yet not being able to get it.
“Uh, do you want some?”
Mu Jiashu picked up a piece of sausage with his chopsticks, intending to place it on Wei Xun’s open lunch box.
His action of picking up food was so familiar that before Wei Xun could think, his body acted before his mind. He lowered his head and directly took half the sausage from Mu Jiashu’s chopsticks.
Mu Jiashu: “…”
You’re so eager; you really want to eat it?
Wei Xun: “…”
Damn it! This guy, he’s toxic.
Wei Xun, chewing the sausage, was bewildered and annoyed, while Mu Jiashu was bewildered…still bewildered. The atmosphere was awkward and ambiguous.
After a long time, Wei Xun swallowed the sausage. They both buried their heads in their meals.
Mu Jiashu finished quickly, nodded at Wei Xun, and picked up his instant noodle bowl to throw it away. Wei Xun suddenly said, “You’re only eating this for lunch? Is it enough?”
He’d wanted to ask this for a long time.
Mu Jiashu was stunned: “It’s alright.”
Wei Xun said, “Don’t always eat this stuff, it’s bad for your health. If you don’t have enough money, tell me.”
Mu Jiashu held the plastic bowl in one hand and the doorknob in the other. He turned his head to look at Wei Xun. A ray of sunlight through the curtain gap cast a warm glow on both their faces. He smiled: “Thank you, Young Master Wei.”
Author’s Note: I’m sorry, everyone. I’ve been busy these days, so I’ll probably update late at night. I apologize in advance, bowing deeply.
And don’t stay up late, you guys. Go to sleep early; the update will definitely be there when you wake up.
Mwah!
Final exams, so difficult (?`」 ∠)_
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