The round trip took time, so he came home so late.
The girl was already fast asleep. The house was quiet. Peng Kai, exhausted, slumped on the sofa to have a smoke, when he saw the box and card on the coffee table.
He picked up the card, a smile spreading on his lips, quickly opened the box, and tried on the boots.
The black Martin boots went with everything, and the size was just right. He really liked them. @无限好文,尽在晋江文学城
At that moment, he suddenly understood why women love receiving gifts. The instant you get one, you really do feel happy.
The next morning, Lan Hui got up to wash up. Passing by the coffee table, she noticed the shoes and card were gone—Peng Kai must’ve taken them into his room.
He must’ve tried them on last night and they must fit, otherwise he wouldn’t have taken them.
Entering the bathroom, the sink was spotless. Lan Hui felt a little disappointed—her toothbrush didn’t have toothpaste on it, and there was no hot water in the basin.
Habit is a scary thing. After getting together with Peng Kai, she’d been cared for every day. Suddenly, when he didn’t do those things, she felt a little lost.
He probably worked too late last night and couldn’t get up today.
Thinking this, Lan Hui felt a bit sorry for him. He’d always taken care of her, so today she’d take care of him.
She squeezed toothpaste onto Peng Kai’s toothbrush, filled his cup with water, and, seeing she still had time, went to the kitchen to cook congee and steam dumplings.
Peng Kai woke up after eight forty, startled awake by the vibration of a phone call. Seeing it was a spam call, he hung up, then glanced at the time and shot up from bed.
Crap, he hadn’t made breakfast for Fufu today.
She’d probably be late.
Peng Kai hurriedly got dressed and rushed out.
Lan Hui had just finished tidying up and was about to leave for work when she saw Peng Kai come out, greeting him with a sweet smile, “Kai-ge, good morning.”
Peng Kai quickly apologized, “Fufu, sorry, I slept too late last night and didn’t hear the alarm.”
Lan Hui smiled, “It’s fine. You go back to sleep a bit more. You’ve been working so late recently, it’s too tiring.”
Peng Kai shook his head. “No need, I’ll drive you to work now, and buy you some breakfast nearby, okay?”
He asked this carefully, afraid his girlfriend would be upset.
Lan Hui felt both touched and pained. Maybe it was because he’d been hurt in his last relationship—he was especially cautious with her, even a bit humble.
Being abandoned once probably left him with little sense of security, always anxious and worried.
Lan Hui wanted to comfort him, but didn’t know how.
They hadn’t been together long; it was unrealistic to expect him to walk out of his last relationship’s shadow so quickly.
“Okay, let’s go then.” Lan Hui smiled like a flower, taking his hand.
“When you bring me back, the congee and dumplings in the kitchen will be almost ready. Remember to eat before going back to sleep, don’t forget!”
Peng Kai looked at her in shock. He’d gotten up late and hadn’t made her breakfast, yet she wasn’t angry!
Her smile was so sweet, and she’d even made him breakfast—she didn’t seem angry at all.
“Fufu, you’re so good.”
Standing at the door changing shoes, Lan Hui’s beautiful eyes sparkled with a smile.
“Kai-ge, you’re great too! You make me breakfast every day. Now you’re busy, so it’s only right for me to make it for you sometimes.”
Being together is just about treating each other well, being a little tolerant and accommodating with each other.
When both people work together, life will be full of happiness.
Peng Kai’s handsome face lit up with a smile, much brighter than before. “Fufu’s right, we have to live happily together.”
Hand in hand, they went downstairs. Lan Hui asked, “Kai-ge, do the shoes fit?”
Peng Kai nodded. “They fit great. I really like them.”
Lan Hui grinned, “Then wear them often. They go well with a lot of outfits.”
Peng Kai couldn’t bear to. “I’ll save them for New Year’s. I won’t wear them for work, afraid they’ll get dirty.”
Lan Hui said, “Just wash them if they get dirty. In this cold winter, you’re always lying under cars to fix them, so you need good shoes.”
He often spent half an hour or more under cars, sometimes up to an hour or two, and could easily get cold if he wasn’t careful.
“Okay, I got it.”
While chatting, they’d already reached downstairs. Lan Hui got into the car, ending the topic.
Peng Kai had to drive, and since it was rush hour, there were lots of cars. Lan Hui usually didn’t talk much during the drive, so he could focus.
Lan Hui was thinking, it had been over a week since she last handed out cards. She wondered if it had worked.
She decided to hand out another batch before going home.
The more she handed out, the more likely people would see them.
For three days before her trip, Lan Hui handed out cards every day.
She finished all five hundred cards.
The night before her trip, Lan Hui packed her luggage early, ready to leave for home the next morning.
After eight in the evening, Lan Hui was cleaning the living room when she heard the door open. Peng Kai came in, looking dusty and exhausted.
Lan Hui was surprised. “Kai-ge, you’re home so early today?”
***
With the New Year approaching, Peng Kai had been as busy as a spinning top, coming home at one or two in the morning every night. Midnight was considered early.
He had too many repeat customers and business was booming. Things like window tinting and maintenance were all booked up.
Well-known auto shops could get things done the same day, but Peng Kai’s shop only had two people, and their prices were one or two hundred cheaper than others.
If you got work done today, you’d pick up your car tomorrow.
To keep up, he had to work overtime.
A lot of people were happy to wait a day for a lower price.
“You’re going home tomorrow, so I came back early to help you pack.” Peng Kai changed shoes at the door, smiling. “If there’s anything you need, just tell me.”
“It’s all done, no need to help.” Lan Hui put down the mop and ran over to hug his waist. “Kai-ge, you’re so thoughtful!”
Peng Kai patted her back dotingly and handed her a bag. “Bought this for you, see if you like it.”
Lan Hui was surprised. “For me?” She took the bag suspiciously, peeked inside, and gasped. “It’s the latest Xingxing phone!”
She hurriedly put it back in the bag and tried to give it back. “Kai-ge, this is too expensive, I can’t accept it.”
The Xingxing phone was the hottest phone right now, costing four or five thousand—a month or two’s wages for most people. She was really shocked by his generosity.
Peng Kai stuffed the bag back into Yue Fu’s arms.
“What’s expensive about it? You’re my girlfriend, what’s wrong with me buying you a phone! I’m very possessive—I want you to think of me every time you pick up your phone when you go home for the New Year.”
Lan Hui couldn’t help but laugh—Peng Kai was obviously reusing the words she’d said when giving him the shoes.
“But, Kai-ge…”
“No buts. I did a rough calculation—I’ll make about fifty thousand this month. Buying you a phone is nothing. Don’t worry about saving money for me.”
Lan Hui was so moved her nose tingled. He must have seen her old phone was too shabby, so he bought her a new one.
She’d already been thinking of getting a new phone, but since she’d bought a lot of gifts and Red Envelopes for her parents for the New Year, she didn’t have much left.
She’d planned to get a new one after the New Year, but he beat her to it.
“Kai-ge, thank you. I’m really touched.”
Seeing the girl’s eyes rimmed red, like shattered starlight glimmering in her eyes, Peng Kai smiled and pulled her into his arms. “No need for thanks between us. Hurry and put your SIM in to try it out.”
Lan Hui nodded and handed her old phone to Peng Kai. “Help me, will you?”
Peng Kai smiled and took it, helping her switch cards responsibly.
“Oh, right, Kai-ge, have you eaten yet? I can make you some noodles?”
“Sure,” Peng Kai replied. “Thanks, Fufu.”
“It’s no trouble at all.” Lan Hui beamed and went to the kitchen, taking a tomato and two eggs from the fridge to make tomato and egg noodle soup.
In winter, a hot bowl of noodle soup was the best.
Ten minutes later, Lan Hui brought out the fragrant, colorful noodles. Peng Kai had already finished swapping the SIM and was charging her new phone.
“Kai-ge, time to eat.”
Peng Kai hurried over to help with the noodles. “Next time you’re carrying something this hot, just call me.”
“Okay.” Lan Hui didn’t stand on ceremony.
After eating, Peng Kai didn’t go to his room. The two chatted in the living room, the atmosphere warm and cozy.
“Fufu, want to watch a movie?”
He’d been too busy lately to take her to the cinema. He came home early tonight to spend more time with her.
“Sure, let’s use my new phone to watch. Let’s find a new release.”
“Alright.”
Peng Kai picked a comedy.
Lan Hui snuggled in Peng Kai’s arms, laughing and giggling.
Peng Kai sat stiffly, not daring to move an inch while holding her.
@无限好文,尽在晋江文学城
Lan Hui thought, since Peng Kai came home early tonight, there’d be sparks flying—if nothing else, at least a kiss.
But from start to finish, Peng Kai didn’t make a move.
There were even romantic scenes in the movie, with the leads kissing passionately.
When those scenes came up, Peng Kai excused himself to the bathroom, only coming back after the scene was over.
Lan Hui’s suspicions grew. Ever since their last kiss, Peng Kai hadn’t kissed her again.
She’d thought he was just busy and hadn’t found the right time.
But tonight was perfect, and he still didn’t act—something was definitely off.
Peng Kai was generous with her, so he definitely liked her.
Other than that, there was only one reason: he didn’t dare get intimate, afraid he wouldn’t be able to control himself.
Thinking back to how he lost control that night, Lan Hui became even more convinced.
“Fufu, go to bed soon. I’ll take you to the train station in the morning.”
Lan Hui nodded. “Okay.” She’d booked a sleeper—over sixteen hours, but after a good sleep, she’d be there.
Peng Kai sighed. “I really hate to see you go so early. There’s still more than ten days till the New Year.” He wished she’d leave a few days later. Yue Fu hadn’t left yet, but he was already missing her.
Lan Hui grinned slyly and revealed her little plan. “I’m going home early to spend time with my parents, so I can come back sooner after the New Year.”
“I already bought a plane ticket for the third day of the New Year. It’s cheap, only four or five hundred, just two hours, and I’ll see you that day. Aren’t you happy?”
Peng Kai hadn’t expected Yue Fu to be so meticulous. She was even flying back early—she must miss him too.
With such a cute, clingy girlfriend, what man could resist?
Peng Kai’s smile grew even brighter. “Happy. Really happy.”
The next day, Peng Kai took Lan Hui to the train station, then headed straight to the auto repair shop.
Business was good, and he threw himself into work, not having time to miss Yue Fu.
After Lan Hui got home, the clothes she’d sent her parents arrived too. They fit perfectly, and her parents were overjoyed.
They felt their daughter had really grown up, and with new clothes from Yue Fu, they showed off to everyone in the village.
Lan Hui had nothing much to do at home. With more people returning for the New Year, everyone gathered to play cards and have fun.
Peng Kai was busy, so she didn’t bother him. She learned Running Fast and played happily with her parents and relatives.
Day by day, the New Year drew closer, and more people went on holiday to return home.
Peng Kai also gave Xiao Pang time off to reunite with his family.
That day, Zhao Xinhua went fishing. Since his driver had gone home for the holiday, he drove himself to the river.
Getting in the car, he noticed the window was dirty, so he grabbed a towel to wipe it down. In the glove box, he found a small card.
Normally, he wouldn’t care about a card, but when he saw the enlarged, handsome face on it, his expression changed and he picked up the card for a closer look.
“So similar, really too similar—looks exactly like Old Chen when he was young.”
He quickly dialed a number. “Old Chen, are you back in the country yet?”
A middle-aged man’s voice came from the other end. “Still busy at the overseas branch. I’ll probably be back on New Year’s Eve.”
“I see, then we’ll talk when you’re back.” Zhao Xinhua hesitated, but didn’t say anything. After all, it was just a photo.
He hadn’t seen the person himself, and nowadays photos could be deceiving. Better to wait and see in person.
He didn’t want to give Old Chen hope, only for him to be disappointed if the person didn’t match.
He decided to visit the address on the card himself.
Peng Kai was exhausted these past two days. After Xiao Pang went home, he was the only one at the shop, doing all the washing and repairs himself.
One day he worked until after four in the morning, and another day he just stayed up all night.
Fortunately, it was only for a couple of days. As the New Year approached and people left S City, business slowed down. On the twenty-seventh, there was almost no one left.
He decided to close the shop for a day and get a good night’s sleep at home.
Chen Xinhua drove for over an hour before arriving at the door of Peng Kai Auto Repair Shop, only to find the shop closed. He sighed. They must have gone home for the New Year too.
“Sigh, I’ll just have to come back after the holiday.”