Xue Jinxu arrived home at her apartment at around nine in the evening.
She noticed that all the lights were turned off, and it was too quiet. "Guangxi." She said soflty. There was no response. 'Where could he be?'
She went to the guest room where her brother stays. "Guangxi, are you here?" She knocked at the door, then entered. The bed was cleanly made up. The room was empty.
She checked the clock at the wall. It was half past nine. She's starting to get worried. Jinxu fetched her phone from her bag to give her little brother a call.
She realized that her phone was turned off. She needed to recharge it. Upon turning it on, she finally saw his message, "Heading off to the flat downstairs. I have lessons today. I'll be at Apartment 201." It was sent at around a quarter past five.
She headed to Apartment 201 right away. She had not even changed yet into more comfortable casual clothes. She was still wearing the long-sleeved dress and heels that she wore to the office today.
'Apartment 201. Here it is.'
She nervously clicked the doorbell. *Ding*
A brusque guy answered the door.
"Good evening. I'm looking for Xue Guangxi. He said he'll be going here this afternoon. Wondering if he's still here? He hasn't come home yet." She explained. "I'm his sister."
Xue Guangxi was popular. Being the COO of Xue Shipping, she was often shown in the news.
The moment Mo Wenbin saw her at their doorstep he exclaimed, "You're that kid's sister?!" He recognized her right away. He got extremely excited and shouted towards the house.
"Linyun, your woman is here at our house. She's this kid's sister!"
Xue Jinxu winced at the mention of 'your woman' but did not say anything. It did not seem appropriate for her to comment on it. She let it slip.
Chen Linyun came running towards the main door. He seemed to be panting from the running. He was still wearing an apron.
He too got excited, "So it's true. Xue Jinxu, is Guangxi you're brother?"
"Yes. I'm looking for him. Is he still here?"
"Come in. Come in. He's here. He's here. Take a seat." Chen Linyun let her in.
"The kid's sleeping in my room. He drank a little."
Surprise came flooding towards the girl's countenance followed by waves of horror and incredulity.
"You allow my brother to drink alcohol?! No, wait, you gave alcohol to my brother to drink?"
"You're supposed to be studying with him. Is that what you're teaching your student?"
"Chen Linyun, I'm disappointed in you."
Mo Wenbin came to the rescue. "No, no. You're mistaken. He's out of it. It's all me. Chen Linyun was in the kitchen washing the dishes. It's me who gave the kid the beer. It was just a little, though."
She shot her a look.
Mo Wenbin added, "It' won't happen again."
"Better not. Or else I would not allow him to go here again."
In her mind she thought, 'I'll deal with Guangxi later.'
Chen Linyun who was quietly watching the two's conversation finally spoke up when the misunderstanding was settled. "Have you eaten?"
Xue Jinxu was taken aback by this random question, but she answered truthfully. "Not yet. I just came back from the office."
Chen Linyun, headed towards the kitchen. He preheated the food from their feast earlier. There were still so much left.
"Eat first before you leave. I'm also brewing some tea."
"Ern, there's really no need for that. I don't want to bother you any further." She said standing up and following Chen Linyun towards the kitchen. She was shaking her arms in front of her in a gesture of rejection. She was trying to politely refuse.
"I insist. We can count it as our second meal together." He said while setting up the table. "I cooked all the food."
"You did?" She was amazed. Even she does not cook that often because of her hectic schedule. "Well, then I'll help myself." She smiled genuinely. She was touched.
Upon tasting the food she gasped in utter delight in disbelief. "You cooked this? It's sooo delicious. Didn't you just buy it from a restaurant or something? It's of gourmet quality. I could tell." She took another bite. And another. And another.
Chen Linyun laughed lightly. "Eat slowly. Eat more. I'm glad you like it."
"I really did cook it. My roommate and your brother are my witnesses."
"By the way, I haven't introduced my roommate yet. He's Mo Wenbin."
Mo Wenbin had been watching their interaction intently. His eyes were sore with all the dogfood [1].
"You finally realize that I'm still here."
"I'm Mo Wenbin. I met him first. We cohabit for a while now." There was something bitter in his tone. Jealousy perhaps.
He extended his hand towards Jingxu. She took it and shook hands with him gently. She noticed the hint in his tone. 'He's all yours.' She rolled her eyes.
After dinner they had some tea, while enjoying each other's company. The three of them settled in the living room and chatted about different topics. The atmosphere was lively and light.
After a short while Chen Linyun offered. "If it's okay with you, we can let Guangxi sleep here."
"Oh no, no. We have to wake him up. He needs to strictly go home tonight. I still have to reprimand him once he wakes up. He has to be subjected to disciplinary action."
"You're strict, aren't you?"
"Couldn't help it. I'm her guardian for now." She shrugged her shoulders and gently let out a laugh.
"Alright, as you wish." He also gave her a little smile and pulled back his glasses towards his face.
It was already eleven in the evening. Mo Wenbin went to his room to wake Guangxi up. However the boy was sound asleep.
Chen Linyun suggested to carry him on his back.
Before Xue Jingxu can refuse, he already swung him against his shoulder and onto his back.
[1] public display of affection