In the quiet car, Qingmian in the passenger seat subconsciously leaned towards the car door. It had been a long time since she was alone with Chen Yu'an, and now she felt a bit uncomfortable.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Chen Yu'an noticed her little movement and asked with concern. His sudden voice broke the silence in the car. Qingmian was startled and stammered, "N-no, I'm fine."
She sat up straight again and stared at the road ahead. Chen Yu'an shifted his gaze and asked gently, "Do you have to go to work tomorrow?"
The milk - tea shop had a work - one - day - rest - one - day schedule, so she didn't need to go. Qingmian was silent for a moment before answering, "No."
"A new little white cat has come to the yard," Chen Yu'an tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "If you're free tomorrow... would you like to go with me to take it to the pet hospital for a check - up?"
There was a hint of caution and tentativeness in Chen Yu'an's tone. Qingmian turned to look at him in surprise. "Aren't you allergic to cat fur?"
"Well, I used to be." The implication was that he had already been treated.
Qingmian remembered that his hands had broken out in rashes instantly when a cat rubbed against him before. She blurted out, "But didn't Brother Jibai say you shouldn't be around cats anymore? I thought..." She thought he would have torn down all those cat houses overnight after she left.
Chen Yu'an felt Qingmian's subconscious concern for him, and his voice became more calm and gentle. He joked with her, "Jibai's medical skills are not that good. Don't believe what he says."
This made Qingmian burst into laughter. "Does Brother Jibai know you talk about him like this?"
Chen Yu'an's joke was like a stone dropped into a calm pond, making a hole in the barrier that had separated them for some time. At least Qingmian was no longer emotionless in front of him.
Looking at the curve of her lips, the sharpness in Chen Yu'an's eyebrows softened. Qingmian didn't even realize her subconscious concern for Chen Yu'an.
Soon, the car slowly drove into Qingyuan. Chen Yu'an parked the car in the garage, and they got out one after another. Qingmian followed behind him, her eyes fixed on the man walking steadily in front of her.
Chen Yu'an was wearing a polo shirt and a pair of simple jeans today. His arms exposed outside the clothes didn't seem as strong as before. The wind blew his clothes, and through the arc of the wind, Qingmian saw his back.
This was the first time Qingmian had carefully observed Chen Yu'an since she returned to the imperial capital. He seemed... thinner than before.
"Qingmian?" Chen Yu'an noticed she wasn't keeping up, turned around, and saw her in a daze. He called out to her.
Qingmian came back to her senses. Looking at Chen Yu'an from afar, there was still not much expression on her face, but the aloofness and coldness in her eyes faded a bit.
She said, "Brother, let's take the kitten for a check - up together tomorrow."
Chen Yu'an's hand holding the key suddenly tightened. Looking at her, he replied, "Okay."
...
Meanwhile, at the Chi family's house, Chi Yu was sitting in the living room playing Chinese chess with Chi Weimin.
"Dad, your skills have really declined." Chi Yu captured Chi Weimin's last chess piece and proudly looked up at the man across from him.
Chi Weimin leaned back in his chair, picked up the teacup beside him, and took a sip. "Your mom makes the best tea for my taste."
He slowly put down the teacup, crossed his hands in front of him, and squinted his eyes. "I heard that most men who are 26 and still single have some issues. I wonder if it's a psychological or physical problem for our family's young man here."
As soon as he said this, Chi Yu knew what the old man was going to say next. He stood up, patted his butt, and was about to leave. "If there's nothing else, I'll go back. I have classes tomorrow."
"Humph, stop right there." Chi Weimin snorted and stopped Chi Yu.
"You rascal, trying to pull this on me? It's Sunday tomorrow. What classes do you have? Is this how you treat your old man when I come back once in a while?"
Chi Weimin had been in the army all year round, and Chi's mother, Jiang Shu, had always been with him. They only saw their son once every ten days or half a month.
The Chi family adhered to the principle of free love and never interfered in Chi Yu's love life. There was no problem in the previous two years, but in the past two years, seeing that their son was still not in a relationship, the old couple started to worry about him.
"General Chi, please spare me. I have my own plans. Keep your ways for your soldiers." Chi Yu looked at his father helplessly.
Chi Weimin didn't believe him. He used the same excuse before going abroad, and now, after several years, he was still using the same one. He wouldn't believe it anymore. He continued on his own, "I heard that the daughter of Division Commander Wang opened a milk - tea shop opposite your school. You should spend more time getting to know her."
Before Chi Yu could say anything, he seemed to remember something. He slapped his forehead and continued excitedly, "I remember you were college classmates, right? Being classmates is great. It's easier to develop feelings."
"Tomorrow is Sunday. Invite her over for dinner."
"Don't interfere in my business. Stop playing matchmaker. I have my own plans." Chi Yu sat back on the sofa, rubbing his temples with one hand, ready to be lectured.
"What plans do you have? I thought there was something wrong when you were reluctant to go abroad. Now that you've been back for so long, I haven't seen you make any progress. I'd like to hear your plans."
Chi Yu couldn't refute this. He had been reluctant to go abroad because of Qingmian. Later, after learning about Qingmian's thoughts, he left reluctantly.
Abroad, he often regretted not insisting more. After coming back, he swore that he wouldn't back down this time, but he never expected that Chen Yu'an would send her abroad.
Now that she had just returned, he couldn't just kidnap her and take her home.
Chi Weimin had been observing Chi Yu's reaction secretly. Seeing his dejected look, he could tell at a glance that his son had someone in his heart, but the other person might not like him.
Chi Yu was Chi Weimin's only son. He had always gotten whatever he wanted since childhood. What hadn't he seen? It was the first time he saw his son so unconfident. He suddenly became curious about who the other person was.
"Anyway, don't interfere." Chi Yu replied to what Chi Weimin had said earlier.
He stood up from the sofa, put one hand in his pocket, and waved the other hand at Chi Weimin. "You and Mom should go to bed early. I'll come over for lunch with you tomorrow. Bye."
Before Chi Weimin could react, Chi Yu quickly slipped out of the door. The sound of a car starting immediately rang out in the yard, and soon it disappeared into the night.