Lan Hui went home, tossed her schoolbag onto the chair, kicked off her shoes, climbed into bed, sent a leave message to the store manager, and then wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, falling into a deep sleep.
The next day, Lan Hui slept until after three in the afternoon before waking up.
After sleeping until she woke up naturally, Lan Hui felt completely relaxed, and her fever was gone.
Her phone had received quite a few messages, some from the store manager telling her to rest well, and some from Peng Kai asking if she was feeling better.
Lan Hui replied to each, saying she was fine now.
The store manager told her to stay home and observe for three days, and only return to work once she was fully recovered.
Peng Kai only replied with an “Oh,” which counted as him reading it.
Lan Hui let out a long sigh. Not working for three days meant next month’s salary would be at least five hundred less.
After deducting rent, utilities, and daily expenses, she would have to tighten her belt again next month.
But being a Breastfeeding Consultant was indeed a strict job. The people they came into contact with were new mothers and babies; if she infected them, the consequences would be very serious.
Lan Hui ordered a serving of porridge and two eggs. The doctor had said she needed to eat light food while sick.
***
At five in the afternoon, Lan Hui, bored at home, got up and started getting ready for class.
She’d originally planned not to go tonight, but since her body seemed fine and staying home was too boring, going to class would at least make her feel productive.
As soon as Peng Kai entered the classroom, he saw the girl smiling and waving at him. His eyes flashed with surprise, and he quickly walked over and sat down.
“You’re coming to class today?”
Lan Hui smiled, “I feel better already. I’ve always had a strong constitution since I was little. I recover from illnesses faster than most people.”
Peng Kai nodded and didn’t say much more.
The man was too reserved and didn’t talk much. For a moment, Lan Hui didn’t know what to say either, so she simply opened her book and started reading.
The original owner only attended class for the diploma, never really listening. The Accounting textbook was spotless, not a single note inside.
But Accounting wasn’t hard. As long as she read carefully, memorized the formulas, and applied them to the bills, she’d be fine.
Time always passed quickly when studying seriously. In the blink of an eye, it was time for class to end.
Lan Hui was packing her books when Peng Kai said directly, “I’ll take you home later.”
Lan Hui was surprised for a moment, “No need, I can get home myself.”
Peng Kai didn’t give her a chance to refuse, “It’s settled.”
Lan Hui didn’t resent his overbearing attitude; instead, she felt a bit guilty.
He’d probably guessed she took the bus tonight and knew she was reluctant to spend money on a taxi, so he insisted on giving her a ride.
It was true, she really didn’t want to spend money on a taxi.
A single ride cost more than sixty yuan.
Round trip, that was over a hundred.
She was poor; with that money, she’d rather buy something tasty.
Although Peng Kai had transferred her some money, she had no intention of spending his. She’d pay him back later.
Peng Kai asked again, “Are you going to wait for me at school, or go back with me? My car’s parked in the complex.”
Hearing this, Lan Hui felt a little guilty. How could she trouble him so much? Gritting her teeth, she said, “Forget it, I’ll just take a taxi home!”
Peng Kai could tell she was reluctant to spend money. “Let’s go, downstairs.”
Lan Hui nodded, feeling her heart ache with every step, clutching her phone but unable to bring herself to open the Didi app.
Peng Kai walked ahead, acting as if he hadn’t noticed, his face expressionless.
When they reached the school gate, Peng Kai went straight to a car with its hazard lights on. Lan Hui was surprised—wasn’t that Peng Kai’s Black Volkswagen?
Just then, a chubby guy got out of the driver’s seat. He smiled and handed the car keys to Peng Kai, gesturing with his hands as if to say something about refueling.
Peng Kai also made a few gestures, then turned to Lan Hui, “Get in.”
Lan Hui nodded and hurried over, opening the back door and quickly getting in.
The chubby guy was still smiling at her, waving goodbye. Lan Hui smiled back.
As the car merged into traffic, Lan Hui couldn’t help but ask, “Classmate, was that your younger brother just now?”
Peng Kai answered briefly, “He’s my store employee.”
“Oh.”
Lan Hui asked the question on her mind, “Was he using sign language just now?”
“Yes, he’s a person with a hearing disability.”
Peng Kai was brief, but Lan Hui was deeply moved. The more she interacted with him, the more she could feel his kindness.
A boss willing to employ people with disabilities must have a kind heart.
It wasn’t that Lan Hui was overestimating Peng Kai, but no matter what world it was, finding a job was always hard for people with disabilities.
What Peng Kai offered wasn’t just a job, but also recognition, value, and hope for life.
“Classmate, I have to give you a thumbs up.”
Peng Kai didn’t reply, focused on driving, completely unmoved by Lan Hui’s flattery.
Watching him drive so seriously, Lan Hui was a little lost in thought. How could she help him untie the knot in his heart?
His heart’s knot started with Gu Shinan’s heartless abandonment, which left him hopeless about love.
As the saying goes, “Whoever tied the bell on the tiger must untie it,” but if Gu Shinan really did turn back and get back together with him, could he really untie his knot?
In her past life, after finding his family, he became a distinguished young master, with countless girls lining up to marry him, but he remained unmoved, never marrying.
From his actions, it was clear he was a proud man, unable to tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes. He could give everything for love, but would never allow himself to be tainted.
Someone like that, even if Gu Shinan turned back, he could never accept her.
Hurt was hurt; once stabbed, how could you pretend it never happened?
Lan Hui felt that to truly untie Peng Kai’s knot, he had to fall in love with another girl.
But what kind of girl could be worthy of him?
No, that’s not right. What kind of girl could even catch his eye?
In his previous life, faced with so many beauties, he never even glanced at any of them.
Lan Hui had an even bigger headache than before.
Peng Kai had been listening to the girl sighing the whole way, her hands on her forehead, brows tightly knit, looking like she was in a lot of pain.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?”
Lan Hui shook her head, “No, I’m not sick. I was just thinking about something and it made my chest hurt.”
Peng Kai didn’t say anything more, focusing on driving.
Just then, a phone rang. Peng Kai answered on speaker.
Lan Hui hadn’t meant to listen, but the speaker was too loud, so she heard most of it.
Peng Kai was taking a call about showing an apartment. He lived in a two-bedroom, one-living-room place, and one room was empty.
He planned to rent it out, and the other party was calling to arrange a viewing for tomorrow.
Lan Hui was tempted. After Peng Kai hung up, she quickly spoke up, “Classmate, we know each other pretty well. Why don’t we become roommates?”
As soon as she said that, Peng Kai was startled, “Do you know what you’re saying?”
Lan Hui nodded, “I do. I want to be your roommate.”
Peng Kai took a deep breath and calmed himself for a while, “Yue Fu, I’m a man!”
Lan Hui nodded, “I know, it’s pretty obvious you’re a guy.”
Peng Kai gritted his teeth, “Aren’t you afraid something might happen if you live with a guy?”
Lan Hui had never thought about it that way. If she were sharing with another man, given her looks, something might happen. But with Peng Kai, there was… absolutely no chance.
“I’m not afraid. We’re both decent people. I believe we’ll get along just fine.”
Peng Kai was at a loss for words. In all his years, this was the first time he’d met such a straightforward girl.
Lan Hui pressed on, “So, classmate, what do you think? If it’s okay, I can move in tonight.”
Peng Kai’s face darkened, “You haven’t even seen the place. Are you sure you want to live there?”
If he didn’t know she was just a straightforward person, and that he was just a debt-ridden repair shop owner, he’d really think she had other intentions!
Lan Hui nodded.
“I’m sure. Your place is close to school and work. I can sleep in every day, at least half an hour more.”
“And after class I can get home sooner, no more squeezing into the bus for an hour.”
“With just the two of us, there’s fewer people, no fighting over the bathroom or kitchen. I can shower or cook whenever I want.”
“Most importantly, the rent’s only fourteen hundred a month—great value!”
Although her current place only cost a thousand a month, commuting to work and school cost three or four hundred, so it all added up to about the same as Peng Kai’s place.
But living at Peng Kai’s would make her life so much easier.
“All right, I’ll take you to see the place now. If you like it, we’ll settle it today.”
Since the girl had said so much, Peng Kai didn’t have anything else to say. He turned on the left signal, spun the steering wheel, and headed back.
Lan Hui quickly said, “No need to see it, I’ll just move in. Going back and forth is a hassle.” He’d already gone halfway to drop her off, and now turning back was really wasting his time.
Peng Kai’s place was close to both her school and work. No matter what it was like, she was willing to move in.
Most importantly, living closer meant they’d see each other all the time, making it easier for her to complete her mission.
“Let’s go take a look anyway. If you’re not satisfied, you can still change your mind.” Peng Kai was worried she’d be too hasty and regret it later; that would be real trouble.
If she liked it after seeing it, he’d call the prospective tenant and turn them down.
“Thank you so much, classmate! Once I get paid, I’ll treat you to three meals.”
Peng Kai didn’t say anything, focusing on driving. About twenty minutes later, the car stopped steadily at the foot of the apartment building.
“We’re here.”
Peng Kai unbuckled his seatbelt and got out.
“Okay.”
Lan Hui quickly opened the back door and got out too.
***
After locking the car, Peng Kai led the way, “This complex is a bit old, no elevator. I live on the sixth floor.”
Lan Hui smiled, “It’s fine, good exercise every day.”
Peng Kai explained the situation as they went upstairs, “My last roommate was a colleague from my old job. We lived together for almost four years.”
“He just went back to his hometown to work, so the place is empty now. It’s too expensive for me to live alone, so I’m looking for a roommate.”
Lan Hui nodded in understanding and curiously asked, “Why didn’t you ask your store employee to move in?”
“He’s got his own place, no plans to move.”
“Oh.”
Soon, they reached the sixth floor. Peng Kai’s apartment was 602.
He opened the door, turned on the lights, and handed a pair of slippers to Lan Hui, “Wear mine for now.” With that, he took off his shoes and walked in wearing just his socks.
Lan Hui felt a little embarrassed—she hadn’t even moved in yet and was making him go barefoot.
But Peng Kai didn’t care what she was thinking, urging her, “Hurry up, it’s getting late.”
Lan Hui didn’t hesitate anymore and quickly changed shoes to go inside.