Despite the heavy traffic jam, they managed to catch the flight.
After hours of driving, Chen Qianqing felt tired and started to doze off as soon as the plane took off. He was awakened by Lu Zhengfei when they arrived at their destination.
Lu Zhengfei said, "Qianqing, wake up. We're here."
Chen Qianqing yawned and slowly undid his seatbelt before going to collect their luggage with Lu Zhengfei.
Lu Zhengfei brought many gifts for Chen Qianqing's mother, all of which were checked in as baggage. He only had a backpack for himself, but he was struggling to manage the gifts.
Chen Qianqing pretended not to notice Lu Zhengfei's awkwardness. Back then, he didn't receive such treatment from Lu Zhengfei. Compared to the welcoming smile of the present Liao Huamei, the Liao Huamei of that time only had one word for him: "Get lost."
Liao Huamei originally wanted to pick up Chen Qianqing from the airport, but Chen Qianqing refused, so now she and Lu Zhengfei had to take a taxi by themselves.
It was the National Day holiday, and the place was crowded. Lu Zhengfei and Chen Qianqing finally managed to get a taxi, and it was almost midnight.
The only fortunate thing was that as soon as they got into the car, it started to drizzle outside.
Inside the car, Lu Zhengfei started chatting with Chen Qianqing aimlessly, avoiding certain topics. They discussed trivial matters about the local customs and history, both avoiding certain topics tacitly.
After midnight, Chen Qianqing finally arrived home.
He got off the car first, with Lu Zhengfei following behind carrying a bunch of gifts. Though his face showed no expression, one could vaguely see a restless and anxious expression in his eyes, like a foolish boy meeting his future in-laws.
Liao Huamei hurriedly opened the door upon hearing the doorbell. "Finally, I was thinking if you guys were stuck in traffic again."
Chen Qianqing replied as he changed his shoes, "There was a bit of traffic on the way, but it's fine now."
Chen Qianqing bent down, ignoring Liao Huamei's words. He only noticed Lu Zhengfei standing behind him when Liao Huamei said, "You brought him back and didn't ask him to come in first. You're busy changing your shoes. Here, wear these shoes."
Lu Zhengfei wore a sweet smile and said, "Thank you, Auntie."
Liao Huamei squinted and smiled, probably thinking that he was a well-mannered young man.
Chen Qianqing ignored Liao Huamei's words. He was not happy to see Lu Zhengfei happy. The more Liao Huamei liked Lu Zhengfei, the more displeased he became. This sense of displeasure probably contained some feelings of "Why did I get beaten with bricks back then, while you received smiles?"
Lu Zhengfei changed his shoes and brought in a bunch of gifts.
Liao Huamei began to nag about the things Lu Zhengfei brought. "You just came, why did you bring so many things? Qianqing injured his leg, and I haven't properly thanked you for your help yet."
Lu Zhengfei maintained his harmless smile. "Auntie, it's just a small gesture. If you really consider me Qianqing's friend, then don't be so polite with me."
How could a middle-aged woman not like a sweet-talking young man? Liao Huamei was delighted by Lu Zhengfei's words, and her eyes almost disappeared from laughing. She almost forgot that her son was still there.
Chen Qianqing saw that Lu Zhengfei and Liao Huamei's conversation seemed endless, so he weakly said, "Mom, I'm hungry."
Upon hearing this, Liao Huamei immediately said, "Oh, my head, I forgot that you haven't eaten yet. Wait a moment, I made a lot of dishes, but they're probably cold now. Let me warm them up." After speaking, she hurried into the kitchen.
Lu Zhengfei whispered, "Qianqing, look at how much your mom likes me."
Chen Qianqing glanced at Lu Zhengfei wearily and said, "Why don't you go after her?"
Lu Zhengfei: "..."
Since getting on the plane, Chen Qianqing had been feeling a bit unwell. At first, he thought he was just tired, but after careful consideration, he realized that he was actually experiencing airsickness. However, the original Chen Qianqing never told him about experiencing airsickness.
Without communication, it's like many things have already been sentenced to death before they even start. Chen Qianqing didn't feel like talking due to his bad mood, and Lu Zhengfei didn't disturb him either. The two of them silently watched the boring commercials on TV, and it didn't feel awkward at all.
Liu Huamei had finished cooking and came out to see this scene. Her son was sitting on the sofa, chin resting on his hand, with a cold expression while watching TV. Lu Zhengfei was sitting next to Chen Qianqing, but his gaze was fixed on Chen Qianqing, with a gentle and affectionate look. This momentary gaze made Liu Huamei freeze for a moment. However, the next second, Lu Zhengfei's gaze shifted away as if what she saw was just an illusion. Somehow, at this moment, Liu Huamei felt that something was very wrong.
But this feeling disappeared in an instant, and Liu Huamei quickly regained her senses, calling out, "The food is ready, you two come and eat."
Chen Qianqing and Lu Zhengfei both got up and walked towards the dining room.
"Qianqing, why aren't you eating more? Is the food not to your taste?" At the dining table, Liu Huamei used chopsticks to pick up a piece of fish for Chen Qianqing, saying, "This is braised yellow croaker specially made for you. Try it."
Liu Huamei picked the tender meat on the belly for Chen Qianqing. Chen Qianqing made a sound and put the fish into his mouth.
"Xiaolu," Liu Huamei continued, "try this crispy milk pudding. It's my specialty dessert that Qianqing always loves."
Lu Zhengfei smiled and accepted Liu Huamei's kindness.
Chen Qianqing ate even slower now. He already had a poor appetite, and after hearing Liu Huamei's words, he found it even harder to swallow. He thought that, in his past life, he had done so many wrong things, but at least one thing was good, which was his love for Chen Qianqing. But now... looking at Liu Huamei's kindly smile, he realized that he wasn't even qualified to love.
He didn't know about the criticisms Chen Qianqing had faced, he didn't know about the bullying Chen Qianqing had endured, he didn't know about Chen Qianqing's fear of flying, he didn't know about Chen Qianqing's favorite dessert...
"What's wrong, Qianqing?" Liu Huamei's hand touched Chen Qianqing's forehead. "Why do you look so pale?"
Chen Qianqing said, "It's nothing, just a bit tired."
Liu Huamei said, "Then finish your meal quickly. I've already prepared the beds for you. Xiaolu, do you want to sleep in the guest room or with Qianqing?"
Lu Zhengfei immediately said, "I'll sleep with Qianqing."
Chen Qianqing: "..."
Liu Huamei laughed and said, "Alright, I'll add an extra blanket to Qianqing's bed later."
Lu Zhengfei smiled contentedly, but that smile looked particularly foolish in Chen Qianqing's eyes. It even made him feel the urge to hit Lu Zhengfei's head a few times.
Liu Huamei said, "Qianqing, take a shower after you finish eating. You must be tired from the flight, so go to bed early tonight."
Chen Qianqing replied, "Okay," and got up to go to the bedroom to find a change of clothes.
To be honest, this wasn't Chen Qianqing's first time coming to this house, but it was the first time he came as a welcomed guest. Remembering the hateful and angry look Liu Huamei used to give him, and then seeing her loving smile now, Chen Qianqing could only sigh softly.
Because Chen Qianqing didn't live here for long periods of time, there weren't many clothes in the closet. When Chen Qianqing found the pajamas, he hesitated for a moment.
He was extremely familiar with this pajama. It was the one Chen Qianqing wore when they first shared a bed together. At that time, he hadn't yet started to harm Chen Qianqing, so they were almost like brothers.
With his face buried in the pajamas, Chen Qianqing took a deep breath, then neatly folded the pajama and put it in the wardrobe. He changed into a different one before entering the bathroom.
Warm water poured down from above, numbing certain unusual emotions in his heart. Chen Qianqing stayed in the bathroom for more than forty minutes, until Liu Huamei knocked on the door and asked why he was taking so long. He dried off the water from his body and walked out.
Chen Qianqing picked up a dry towel and, as he gently pushed open the half-closed bedroom door, his whole body froze.
Lu Zhengfei was sitting on the bed in the bedroom—this wasn't the main point. The main point was that he was holding a pajama that Chen Qianqing had just piously put into the wardrobe, and he was now burying his face in it with an intoxicated expression.
Chen Qianqing: ".........." History is always astonishingly similar.
When Lu Zhengfei heard the sound of the door opening, he looked up and saw Chen Qianqing. There was a hint of uneasiness in his expression, but it quickly returned to normal. He solemnly said to Chen Qianqing, "Qianqing, are you finished showering?"
Chen Qianqing: "...Mm."
Lu Zhengfei: "Then I'll go shower now. Can I wear this pajama?" He even held the clothes to his chest.
Chen Qianqing: "No."
Lu Zhengfei felt that Chen Qianqing's expression was somewhat strange, but he quickly realized that Chen Qianqing might be unhappy seeing him in such a fanatic state. So he asked, "....Why?"
Chen Qianqing replied, "I really like this pajama and I won't give it to you."
Lu Zhengfei: "..." Wait, why am I thinking like this and how did you know?
Chen Qianqing repeated seriously, "Lu Zhengfei, I really like this pajama and I won't give it to you. Do you understand?"
Lu Zhengfei nodded.
Just as Chen Qianqing was relieved, he heard Lu Zhengfei continue, "Then how about I just take it without you giving it to me?"
Chen Qianqing: "..." Hehe, he never realized before that he could say such shameless things so confidently.