Guardian Chapter 9: Selling the House

 

Chapter 9 Selling the House

Silence. A long silence. Realising what he'd said, Yu Shulin silently covered his face and croaked, “No, it's nothing. I'm just feeling down. I came out to clear my head. You don't need to worry…”

“Why are you in a bad mood?”

His words cut off, his nerves, overly relaxed tonight, couldn't snap back instantly. He opened his mouth, sighed, and spoke the truth: “My exam results were rubbish. Yu Xiu's been a pain…”

“So the ‘filthy gutter’ was referring to your uncle?”

“‘...Yeah.”

“...And the exam results?”

“Terrible.”

“...”

Silence fell again. Yu Shulin crouched down, rubbing his face as he steeled himself—poor results weren't the end of the world. Having lived two lifetimes, he knew grades were insignificant, utterly insignificant!

The night deepened. The clamour of the city subsided, leaving only the sound of cars passing by.

Liang Zhou clearly heard it too, his voice softening slightly: “Where are you?”

Yu Shulin looked up at the streetlight, blinking. “Outside.”

“Why haven't you gone back yet?”

“...”

“Lost?”

Yu Shulin wished he could smash his head against the lamppost and be reborn.

“Take a cab back.”

“I've no money…” He lowered his head, sat down on the kerb, and forced his voice to sound calm.

“What?” The roar of passing traffic drowned out his words.

“I said I've no money!” Yu Shulin snapped, his frustration boiling over. Why ask so many questions? Don't you know teenagers go through rebellious phases? Keep pestering me and I'll rebel right in front of you, just to annoy you!

Liang Zhou clearly lacked experience dealing with adolescents too. After a pause, he repeated his original question: “Where are you?”

Yu Shulin felt utterly defeated. “I'm at the bus stop sign... I'm not a child, I can find my own way back.” So stop asking so many questions. Though the feeling of being cared for was rather nice, almost addictive, this was just too humiliating.

“I need your exact address.”

“...One hundred metres right of Huading Hotel, at the Ronghua bus stop on Jianshe Road.”

“Stay put. I'll be there.”

Liang Zhou hung up immediately. Yu Shulin glared at the phone, tugging at his hair in frustration. He couldn't believe how easily he'd been led by the nose, answering every question without protest.

How had he let himself be led around by the nose, answering everything without question? He was thoroughly chagrin'd. So what now? Obey and stay put, or simply walk away? Would this cheap older brother think him a complete idiot and a nuisance?

After much internal struggle, he glanced at his empty wallet, lowered his head, and suppressed the rebellious urge rising within him. He obediently sat down with his backpack, staring blankly at the streetlight.

Oh well. He was still a minor anyway. If he lacked presence now, so be it... He could always make up for it later!

Ten minutes later, He Long hurried over and whisked him to his hotel.

“Don’t wander off tonight. The boss will worry.” After much hesitation, He Long finally spoke up in his employer’s defence. Heaven knew how his heart had leapt when he’d received that strangely ominous call from his boss.

“I'm sorry for troubling you,” Yu Shulin bowed his head, admitting his fault without argument—it was late at night, and he really had inconvenienced the other man.

Ah, so obedient... Had he frightened him? He Long felt a bit conflicted, stammering for a while before managing a dry, “It's fine.”

It was too late for hotels to have vacancies. He Long led him to his own room, efficiently gathered a set of clean clothes, handed them over, and apologised, “You'll just have to make do sharing my bed tonight. These clothes are new. It's summer, so sleeping in them won't be a bother. Go and have a shower.”

“No, this is perfectly fine. I'm the one causing you trouble,” Yu Shulin reiterated his thanks, taking the clothes and heading into the bathroom.

When he emerged from the bathroom, He Long was standing by the window on the phone. Hearing the noise, he turned to glance at him, muttered a few words into the receiver in a hushed tone, then hung up. Walking over, he said, “The hairdryer's in the bedside cabinet. Remember to dry your hair. You go to bed first. I've got something to discuss with Lawyer Ling. I'll be back shortly.”

Yu Shulin nodded in acknowledgement, watching obediently as He Long exited the room.

After hastily drying his hair, he buried himself beneath the duvet. Sleepiness surged instantly, engulfing him... He must avoid Yu Xiu and get along well with his new guardian... It seemed he couldn't stay in W City any longer. If he had to leave, then the house his mother had left behind…

As a model young man with a strictly regimented routine, Ling Chun met He Long's late-night visit with palpable hostility. Rubbing his sleep-heavy eyes, he flicked back a strand of bed-tousled hair, glared at him with half-closed lids, and snapped impatiently, “Spit it out. Then get out.”

He Long choked slightly, waving his mobile phone expressionlessly. “The boss says you need to find a way to look into Yu Xiu's accounts.”

“That's it?” Ling Chun stared at him with a deadpan expression.

He Long nodded obediently. “That's all... The boss says it's best to sort things out over here as soon as possible.”

Ling Chun gripped the door handle, gave a nod, and snapped impatiently, “Finished?”

He Long nodded. The next instant, the door slammed shut with a loud bang, nearly hitting the tip of his nose.

...What a terrible temper.

The next morning at breakfast, Yu Shulin mentioned his intention to sell the house.

“You've decided?” Ling Chun stirred his porridge and asked with a smile, “You won't miss it?”

“There's nothing to miss,” he shook his head. “A house is just an inanimate object. Holding onto it won't bring my mother back to life.”

He Long wholeheartedly supported the decision, immediately taking charge of the matter. “I'll handle it for you. Rest up for a few days. Once it's sorted, we'll head back to City B. The boss's place is enormous—you'll love it.”

“Rich men have no love,” Ling Chun rolled his eyes, finishing his breakfast before rising and waving to the pair. “That lawyer Zhou's being rather uncooperative—probably because Yu Xiu hasn't given up yet. You two enjoy yourselves; I'll go deal with that old baldie.”

“I'll handle the property arrangements. Come on, I'll accompany you to pack. Before heading to City B, you'll stay with us at the hotel—convenient for looking after you.” He Long efficiently finalised the itinerary, turning to the silent Yu Shulin: “Does this arrangement suit you?”

Yu Shulin blinked and nodded. “Yes, thank you for your trouble.” Being looked after like a child, not having to worry about anything... felt rather pleasant.

Truthfully, there wasn't much to pack. A few photo albums, some scattered mementos left by his mother, a handful of textbooks, a few changes of clothes. All these items combined wouldn't even fill a small suitcase.

He Long, carrying the suitcase that felt almost too light for him, asked in surprise, “Is that all?”

Turning back one last time to look at the house that held all his happy memories, Yu Shulin nodded, hugging the small box in his arms. “Yes, let's go.”

Everything in this home had been meticulously arranged and decorated by his mother. Since he couldn't take it all with him, he'd simply leave it here—to remain in his memories.

Author's Note:

Liang Zhou: Shulin, was I the first man you shared a bed with?

Shulin: Of course not!

Liang Zhou [Dark Face]: Who was it then?

Shulin [Grinning]: Have you forgotten? It was Brother He. That one time I got lost in XXX, you rang me and had Brother He come pick me up.

Liang Zhou [Low Pressure]: He Long, come out here. I promise I won't beat you to death.

He Long: QAQ Young Master Shulin, why did you have to betray me?

 

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