That night, he returned to the He family residence.

  When the servants saw him, all of them stopped to call out, “Second young master.”


  He Cheng Ming passed by with both hands in his pockets, unwilling to respond even with his eyes. He had always resented such a hierarchical feudal system.

  Despite being in the 21st century, this old-fashioned manner was still ongoing.

  But it had been like this in the He family for generations and he couldn’t change it. As a result, he didn’t like living at a home that oppressed him.

  Before he arrived, he had already greeted He Mu Sheng. With long strides, he went upstairs to the study room where He Mu Sheng was looking through some documents.

  “Sign it.” He Cheng Ming walked over and put the part-time contract on the table.

  He Mu Sheng glanced at it and thought it was funny. “Haven’t you already successfully pursued him? Still so enthusiastic?”


  “This is called interest. Strengthening of feelings, understand? Don’t talk nonsense and quickly sign it. My mom will be back soon,” He Cheng Ming urged unhappily. If Zhao Mei Lan knew about this matter, she would put an end to it.

  He Mu Sheng didn’t add in his thoughts and changed the subject. “Not planning to stay for dinner? You haven’t come back for a long time. Dad asked about you previously.” He signed the contract as he spoke.

  He Cheng Ming glanced at the contract, kept it in his pocket and said coldly, “What else can he ask about me? Aren’t all my results reported directly to his office?”


  “Thanks, I’m leaving.” With that, he left the room. Before he could go downstairs though, he met Zhao Mei Lan coming back from shopping.

  He Cheng Ming froze upon hearing Zhao Mei Lan’s surprised voice. “Xiao Ming is back. Mom missed you to death. Come down quickly and let Mom have a look.”


  Being a Su Zhou native, Zhao Mei Lan spoke softly with a graceful and charming tone.

  He Cheng Ming went downstairs with a wooden expression, feeling slightly fidgety as he knew that he couldn’t leave tonight.

  Zhao Mei Lan put the many bags she was carrying onto the sofa and ran to hug her precious son. Thinking that he had lost some weight recently, she asked the kitchen to cook some soup to make up for this.

  “Is it the school holidays? I’ve been hoping that you should be back soon. Your father also missed you, Xiao Ming. Stay here today. Mom makes sure that auntie cleans your room every day, so it’s very tidy.”


  Zhao Mei Lan took He Cheng Ming’s hand and said kindly. The more she looked at her son, the more satisfied she became.

  She wasn’t the first wife of He Yue Jin. His former wife was He Mu Sheng’s mother, and it was a business marriage without any feelings. After the birth of their first child, they led separate lives. Zhao Mei Lan had only been a lover whom He Yue Jin supported discretely, but after an accidental pregnancy, which brought happiness to the middle-aged He Yue Jin, he divorced and married her.

  To the wealthy, family background was extremely important. Since she had been supported by her lover and had no proper qualifications, the ladies within the circle looked down on her. Fortunately, her son was ambitious and had a good memory since he was young. When he grew up, he became even more talented and received excellent grades, putting her in a very good light.

  Therefore, Zhao Mei Lan had great expectations for He Cheng Ming, hoping that he could get rid of He Mu Sheng and receive the He family inheritance in the future. This way, she could lift her head high and become the best.

  “Okay,” He Cheng Ming responded coolly, then got up. “If there’s nothing else, I’m going to my room.”


  Although Zhao Mei Lan was accustomed to his attitude, she still felt a little dissatisfied. She reminded him, “Later when your father comes back, don’t put on that expression.”


  He Cheng Ming just turned and left, gloomily shutting himself inside the room.

  After lying on the bed for a while, he sent Ji Liao a message. When no reply came, he threw his phone towards his bedside. Sitting up, his slender fingers pulled open his bedside cabinet. There was a diary lying inside with its most important contents torn out. But on a blank page, there was a shallow imprint of Ji Liao’s name.

  He Cheng Ming’s eyes dimmed, and he lay down again, closing his eyes.

  Elsewhere, Ji Liao was having dinner with Xu Ai Wen, who informed him about issues with her own part-time work.

  Xu Ai Wen only disclosed that her company was getting busier since it was the end of the year. Since that was the case, she was unable to attend to simultaneous matters at the same time, hence Ji Liao’s matter was pushed aside for the time being.

  When Ji Liao returned to his room after the meal, he saw He Cheng Ming’s message:

  He lay on his stomach on the bed and texted:

  He Cheng Ming replied immediately:

  Ji Liao laughed, got up to lock the door, and called the other boy on the phone.

  He Cheng Ming picked up the call and walked to the window with his lips curved slightly. “You dare to call me even though you’re at home?”


  Leaning against the door, Ji Liao whispered, “I’m calling from my room. My mom doesn’t know.”


  Hearing the silence from the other end, he added, “It will be colder tomorrow, so remember to put on more clothes.”


  When he recalled hearing the weather forecast from the living room, he wanted to remind He Cheng Ming that his body was too susceptible to the cold and often suffered from it.

  “Okay.”


  His low response reassured Ji Liao, and since there was nothing else to mention, he hung up the phone.

  However, the next day, somebody still got sick. Whether it was due to removing his clothes from last time or the cooler temperature, his cold was serious.

  “I told you to put on more clothes,” Ji Liao grumbled, running out to buy him some medicine, and afterwards retrieving some warm water from the coffee shop to let him take the medicine.

  He Cheng Ming complied with his arrangements but looked listless the whole time. Ji Liao was slightly worried. “Why don’t you take a day off and go back to rest?”


  He Cheng Ming picked up his work uniform to change. “How can I take a day off on my first day of work?”


  He smiled and massaged Ji Liao’s shoulders to set his mind at ease. “I know myself. I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”


  The two of them changed into their work uniform, and glancing over them, the manager was very satisfied. After working in the afternoon, He Cheng Ming felt a little drowsy after his medicine and fell asleep while sitting in the staff lounge.

  Ji Liao came in carefully, afraid of waking him.

  He walked over and felt the boy’s forehead. Fortunately, it wasn’t very hot. Then he sat beside He Cheng Ming, letting the boy’s head rest against him. He Cheng Ming raised his heavy eyelids slightly. Seeing that it was Ji Liao, he held him, propped his chin on his shoulder and closed his eyes to rest.

  Their posture was very intimate, drawing looks from the other employees, who thought it was fishy.

  Much later in the afternoon, putting his good looks to use, He Cheng Ming was sent to distribute flyers outside. But since he was sick, Ji Liao volunteered to go for him. The manager dismissed them with a wave of his hand. “Then both of you can just go together.”


  It was cool that day with the sun obscured. The wind was still strong, which was annoying.

  Ji Liao shivered slightly as he wasn’t wearing much. He Cheng Ming took off his coat and gave it to him, but of course, Ji Liao refused to wear it. He stared at him and protested, “You still have a cold!”


  He Cheng Ming didn’t like his weakness being mentioned constantly, so he was a little agitated. He frowned and insisted on making him put it on.

  “Be obedient.” His tone wasn’t very nice; he was suppressing his emotions but his face was still dark.

  Sensing his faint anger, Ji Liao was too afraid to pester and ignore him further.

  But this didn’t stop the complaints in his heart. Yesterday, he said he would listen to him, but today, he went back on his word!

  Not far away from them, Xu Ai Wen stopped within the crowd and had a complicated look in her eyes.

  That afternoon, she was nearby for a meeting and recalling the address on the contract that Ji Liao had asked her to sign last night, she remembered it was just ahead.

  She wanted to go and visit Ji Liao but didn’t expect to see such a scene.

  Her phone sounded and Xu Ai Wen saw that it was a call from Meng Yuan. She picked it up and turned away.