Chapter 7: Set Off

Cheng Daichuan had those sharply defined features— a high brow and a prominent nose that drew attention, just like Shang Auntie.

Those slightly upturned, almond-shaped eyes of his— whenever he looked at someone seriously, Ruan Xi often felt she couldn’t withstand it.

She fanned herself with the Cruise Ticket beside her face, keeping her secret about paying extra under wraps. “…What are you thanking me for? You paid for your own Cruise Ticket. I just chatted with the salesperson a bit more.”

She didn’t realize how much she was talking, almost as if she was trying to cover something up. “Aren’t we good friends?”

Cheng Daichuan smiled for a moment. “Let’s go, good friend.”

Dusk boarded at six o’clock, so they still had a whole day to get ready.

After telling their families about the trip, Ruan Xi received a call from her Mother, saying she’d make time to have lunch with them as a send-off.

Lunch was hosted by Ruan Xi’s parents at a small restaurant serving home-style dishes.

Cheng Daichuan’s Mother arrived late— she came hurrying into the Dormitory, carrying a huge black Gift Bag, just as the first Hot Dish was served.

“Sorry, sorry…”

Cheng Daichuan’s Mother sat down, catching her breath. “I just went shopping and made everyone wait.”

Ruan Xi’s Father said, “We just got here too. This place serves food pretty fast.”

Ruan Xi’s Mother poured a glass of Lemon Water for Cheng Daichuan’s Mother and asked what she’d bought.

Inside the Gift Bag were Travel Gifts for Ruan Xi and Cheng Daichuan.

“Wishing you both a wonderful trip.”

Shang Auntie handed over the Gift Bag and winked. “Open it once you’re on the cruise.”

Ruan Xi smiled and thanked her, “Thank you, Shang Auntie!”

After lunch, the adults had to get back to work.

Before leaving, Ruan Xi’s Mother pulled her aside and reminded her to be mindful of her words and actions outside, to not be rash or speak without thinking.

Ruan Xi nodded obediently.

Her Mother continued, “You know what’s going on with Aunt Shang’s Family. Daichuan may not say anything, but those things must affect him. Xi Xi, you’re friends— take care of his feelings, just like they looked after you when you first transferred.”

Ruan Xi said, “Mom, I know.”

She really owed a lot to Cheng Daichuan and Shi Chao during that time. If not for them, Ruan Xi couldn’t imagine what she might have become.

The New School was great— spacious classrooms, and a Playground nearly twice the size of her old High School’s.

But something still felt off.

Sometimes, in class, she’d suddenly space out, thinking of a Classroom she was more familiar with, and the faces she knew better sitting inside it.

She’d also remember her Grandmother, who used to be wheeled downstairs by the Ayi to bask in the sun at the Park.

Her parents had managed to get along well with their new Colleagues and sometimes went out for dinner with them after work.

It seemed they got along with the Neighbor Aunt upstairs too, as there were often pretty, color-coordinated Flowers at home.

Only Ruan Xi was left, living in the new environment but also feeling out of place in it.

Until Cheng Daichuan and Shi Chao reached out to her, not taking no for an answer.

Ruan Xi somehow owed a debt of Fried Sausage and Oden. The day she tried to repay them by treating them to snacks, Cheng Daichuan suddenly asked, “Ruan Xi, do you know why the rent for my place downstairs is so cheap?”

A hundred scary thoughts flashed through Ruan Xi’s mind. Standing at the Convenience Store entrance in the bright Sunset, she suddenly felt a chill and nervously rubbed her arms, pressing for an answer.

Cheng Daichuan was especially mischievous and refused to say, just looking at Ruan Xi’s face as he twisted open a cold cola.

Carbon dioxide rushed out from the gap between the bottle cap and mouth—“Pssst—”.

He said, I’ll tell you tomorrow.

Homesickness turned into worry about the new apartment.

At dinner that night, Ruan Xi tried probing her parents, asking if they knew what kind of people had lived there before.

Her Father said he didn’t know— a Colleague from work helped rent it and only said it was a good deal.

The apartment was fixed up so nicely, and it was in a School district. How could it be so cheap?

Could something bad have really happened there…?

Ruan Xi was especially timid about such things. She left her nightlight on all night before she could fall asleep.

The next day, on her way to and from School, she deliberately waited around but didn’t see Cheng Daichuan or Shi Chao.

As soon as she got home, the Security Door was knocked on—just once, very softly.

It was Cheng Daichuan.

She opened the Security Door and saw him beckon. “Let’s go.”

Ruan Xi was confused. “Go…where?”

Shi Chao came up from behind, carrying a Soccer Bag. “To President Cheng’s place for snacks, of course. It’s his turn to treat us today.”

Ruan Xi didn’t eat much, and she’d never mentioned it before, but eating snacks at this time would ruin her appetite for dinner.

But Cheng Daichuan said, “Don’t you want to hear the reason?”

Ruan Xi responded almost instantly, “Yes.”

Without hesitation, she followed them upstairs.

Cheng Daichuan’s home had the same layout as the one downstairs, but the interior design was even more refined.

The Balcony was set up like a Flower Garden, blooming with all kinds of colorful Flowers. In less than ten square meters, it felt like summer was living there.

Ruan Xi stood awkwardly in the Living Room.

Shi Chao, already familiar with the place, quickly changed into Slippers, tossed down his bag, and threw himself onto the soft Sofa.

Cheng Daichuan handed over a new pair of Slippers. “Come in.”

“Oh, okay.”

Suddenly, Ruan Xi saw a large, furry, smoky-gray creature walk out from the crack in the bedroom door.

Was that…a bear…?

She’d been bitten by a dog as a child and was very afraid of long-haired animals, so she instantly covered her mouth and let out a cry of alarm.

The “bear” also cried out, “Meow~”

Cheng Daichuan paused and blocked Ruan Xi’s view. “Are you afraid of cats?”

Ruan Xi was so scared she said something silly, “That bear is a cat?”

“Yeah, my cat. His name is Ais.”

Shi Chao, holding the iPad, chimed in, “Ais is really gentle, don’t be scared.”

Ruan Xi was still shaken. “But why…is it so big?”

Cheng Daichuan picked up Ais with one hand and carried him back to the bedroom. “Maine Coons are all big. Don’t worry, come in.”

In the ten minutes after entering Cheng Daichuan’s home, Ruan Xi learned two things—

The first was a call from her parents: they had a dinner party that night and wouldn’t be home, so she should order takeout.

The second was from Cheng Daichuan: her apartment’s rent was low because the Landlady was a kind-hearted Old Couple. They were elderly and had trouble with stairs, so they rented out the place…

Cheng Daichuan said, “You’re just lucky, that’s all.”

Ruan Xi: “?”

So, after all his mysterious build-up and making her worry all night, it turned out to be this simple?

“You’re not lying to me?”

Cheng Daichuan smiled, “No, I was just teasing you yesterday.”

That night, Ruan Xi was kept upstairs by Cheng Daichuan and Shi Chao for dinner.

Cheng Daichuan cooked, making instant noodles with Fried Egg and Beef Slices while doing practice questions.

The Instant Noodles were steaming hot, each of them getting a big bowl.

Shi Chao said, “President Cheng, I always thought the Ayi had no talent for cooking. Even her instant noodles aren’t as good as yours.”

Cheng Daichuan took out his phone, and Shi Chao asked what he was doing.

He replied, “Telling Ms. Shang.”

“It’s fine, Ayi is gentle.”

Shi Chao even grabbed a women’s Windbreaker from the coat rack, barely managing to put it on, then stood on tiptoe pretending to wear High Heels, pinching his voice to imitate Cheng Daichuan’s Mother, “Shi Chao, if you keep talking like that, Ayi won’t give you any more Meat~”

Cheng Daichuan could only shake his head helplessly.

Ruan Xi was stunned for a moment, then buried her head and took a big bite of the hot noodles.

If not for Cheng Daichuan and Shi Chao, it would have taken her much, much longer to adapt to her new environment…

So Ruan Xi never told her Mother about spending an extra thousand yuan.

When her Mother asked if she had enough money, Ruan Xi mentally calculated the pocket money she’d earned tutoring in college and smiled, “Don’t worry, Mom, I’ve still got plenty.”

After the adults left, Ruan Xi and Cheng Daichuan went their separate ways.

Cheng Daichuan said he was tired and wanted to go back to the Hotel for a nap before packing.

Ruan Xi, meanwhile, had her own plans and ran to the nearby Mall to buy things she thought she’d need.

At 4:30 in the afternoon, Ruan Xi and Cheng Daichuan set out together from the Hotel with their suitcases.

The Pier was as lively as ever.

Cheng Daichuan looked toward the Port not far away. “Is that the cruise ship?”

In the Port, a grand cruise ship floated on the shimmering sea.

Seagulls swooped between the dozen decks, and the white-and-blue hull gleamed with a fresh, tranquil sense of strength under the sun.

On the side of the ship was written “Dusk”.

Ruan Xi wore a denim skirt, walking with a spring in her step. “Wow, that’s it, Cheng Daichuan! Let’s go! Charge!”

Despite saying he needed a nap, Cheng Daichuan still looked tired.

As they waited to board at the cruise center, he sat on the Sofa with his arms folded, head tilted back, eyes closed, resting.

Ruan Xi asked, “Didn’t you sleep well these past two days?”

“Mm, not really.”

“Why not?”

Cheng Daichuan kept his eyes closed. “Guess.”

Ruan Xi thought about it. “Stayed up late playing Hearthstone?”

Cheng Daichuan calmly replied, “Beep, wrong answer.”

She laughed, asking what he’d really been doing, but he insisted he’d done nothing—just couldn’t sleep.

“As if.”

Mentioning Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, Ruan Xi’s fingers itched. She used to love playing on Cheng Daichuan’s Account because he was good, had lots of Cards, and was great at Deck Building— he rarely lost.

She asked, “Hey, Cheng Daichuan, lend me your Hearthstone Account?”

He still kept his eyes closed. “Mm, play.”

She knew his phone was in the pocket of his loose cargo pants, so she reached in to get it.

Cheng Daichuan suddenly opened his eyes and caught Ruan Xi’s wrist.

The cruise center was bustling, but he stared at her without blinking, then let go and placed his phone in her palm.

Being stared at by Cheng Daichuan made Ruan Xi nervous— her heartbeat went haywire, and the skin on her wrist, where he’d touched her, felt warm.

It wasn’t until she’d finished a round of Hearthstone, crushing her opponent, and the victory Dopamine surged, that she managed to subdue the Hormone from their eye contact.

Turning her head, Cheng Daichuan was still in the same pose as before, calmly resting with his eyes closed and breathing evenly.

Ruan Xi pouted. “Unbelievable, did you sneak out to plant landmines last night?”

Cheng Daichuan was clearly not asleep. “Overpraise.”

Ruan Xi started a new game. “Get some sleep on the cruise, okay? I heard the Cruise Ship Room has Silent Mattresses that are as good as a Five-star Hotel.”

Cheng Daichuan was quiet for a few seconds, then casually tossed out a question. “Ruan Xi, have you actually looked at the cruise room assignments?”