AD CH80

His mom’s check-up was fairly quick. By the time she finished, it wasn’t even ten o’clock yet. There was still a while before the agreed-upon lunchtime with his uncle’s family, but after resting in the hospital room for a bit, his mom grew restless.

“Let’s go to the company,” his mom said. “Go drive that car back.”

Shan Yu looked at her. “No rush, right? I’m not leaving yet.”

“Aren’t you going to hang out with Yue Lang and the others these next few days?” his mom said. “You need a car when you go out. Do you want to keep freeloading off mine?”

“Then wait here. Xiao Ye and I will go get it,” Shan Yu said.

To be honest, he was quite worried his mom would go to the company and refuse to leave. That was one of his childhood traumas.

“Today is Friday,” his mom said. “The people at the company absolutely do not want to see me right now. We’ll grab the car and go. Otherwise, just sitting around here is agonizing.”

In the end, they decided to go to the company to get the car.

“Shan Yu will drive,” his mom said. “When we get to the parking lot, Xiao Ye will get out, go to the office to get the keys, and drive the car out. Then we’ll head straight to the restaurant.”

Perhaps sensing Shan Yu’s reluctance, his mom designed the plan so she wouldn’t even need to step out of the car. She would stay in the same vehicle with Shan Yu the entire time.

While driving toward the company, Shan Yu looked at the bustling street scenes outside—cars lined up at red and green lights alike, nimble little electric scooters weaving alongside them, and people coming and going on the sidewalks. He asked, “What car is my dad driving now?”

“He’s still driving that beat-up little electric scooter,” his mom said. “He still hasn’t gotten his driver’s license.”

“He did get a license,” Xiao Ye reminded them from the side. “Got a motorcycle license.”

“Right, got a motorcycle license,” his mom clicked her tongue. “Like there’s something wrong with him. Drives the electric scooter to work normally, but says he needs the motorcycle to go fishing.”

“He still fishes now?” Shan Yu was a bit surprised. He hadn’t known his dad had this hobby before.

“He’s fishing for waterweeds, not fish. He just wants to join the fun when other people go,” his mom said. “He’s only gone three times in total. Once to a reservoir, twice to commercial pay lakes. The time at the reservoir, people took pity on him and gave him one of theirs. Same at the pay lakes—spent hundreds of yuan and didn’t catch a single one. Ended up secretly buying two at the wet market…”

Shan Yu laughed. “How did you find out?”

“I saw him when I was grocery shopping,” Xiao Ye said with a smile. “Uncle was carrying his tackle box and loading up on goods.”

“In the future…” Shan Yu hesitated, tilting his head slightly toward his mom. “When you have time, you can try going to Hongye Town. There should be fish in that river.”

“Yeah! The small town should be pretty fun during the New Year too, you can set off firecrackers and stuff,” Xiao Ye chimed in immediately. “More of a New Year vibe than in the city.”

Shan Yu glanced at her in the rearview mirror. As expected of an assistant trained directly by my mom—attentive and quick-witted.

“Then President Shan will have to arrange it for us?” his mom smiled.

“Alright,” Shan Yu nodded.

In his family, New Year’s Eve meant the entire extended family absolutely had to gather together. Lunch was with his dad’s relatives, and dinner was with his mom’s. Although the grandparents’ generation had passed, the bonds between the siblings of his parents’ generation remained very tight.

If his parents were willing to go to the small town, it would be after the first or second day of the New Year.

For some reason, even though it was only in the proposal stage, the hands gripping the steering wheel inexplicably started to sweat. It was an indescribable feeling.

Anticipation laced with resistance, nervousness tinged with excitement.

Incredibly complex.

His mom’s company was still in the same building as before; they hadn’t moved. Shan Yu inexplicably let out a sigh of relief. It wasn’t as if everything had changed while he remained entirely in the dark.

“Hurry, keep it quiet,” his mom poked Xiao Ye’s shoulder. “Go steal the car.”

“How long has it been since it was driven? Is there any gas left?” Only now did Shan Yu remember this crucial question.

“No gas,” his mom said. “Xiao Ye brought a rope to pull it while she runs.”

Shan Yu started laughing.

“It gets regular maintenance,” Xiao Ye said with a smile as she got out of the car. “Every two or three months, they have someone take it out for a spin.”

“Mm,” Shan Yu nodded.

Xiao Ye entered the garage. Shan Yu turned the car around and parked in a temporary spot near the garage exit.

With only him and his mom left in the car, he felt a bit more constrained than when they were drinking and chatting at home.

“How many days are you planning to stay this time?” his mom turned her head to ask.

“However long,” Shan Yu said. “No set time. There’s nothing pressing at the guesthouse.”

“Isn’t it peak season right now?” his mom asked. “Is Xiao Chen managing all alone?”

“The others can help out too, although…” Shan Yu mentally went through the guesthouse staff one by one and felt the urge to laugh again. “Everyone is actually quite dedicated to their work.”

“If it’s busy, go back when you need to. Don’t go out of your way to stay extra days just for us,” his mom said. “As long as we saw you come home, our hearts are at ease.”

“We’ll see next week,” Shan Yu said. “Are you guys planning to go anywhere for fun during the New Year?”

“If we go, Liu Wu will definitely tag along. And if he tags along, your uncle and aunt will definitely tag along too,” his mom said softly. “With that huge crowd showing up, will it put too much pressure on Store Manager Chen?”

“I won’t let Liu Wu go,” Shan Yu said.

“Oh?” his mom smiled. “You think you can stop him? Why does Liu Wu always stick to you? Because the one who spoils him the most is you.”

Shan Yu clicked his tongue.

“If we do end up going,” his mom said, “tell him in advance so things don’t get too awkward for him.”

“Mm,” Shan Yu nodded.

His mom paused for a moment, then asked, “What’s his family situation like?”

“When he was young… his mom passed away. The family owed a lot of debt, and he and his dad have been paying it off,” Shan Yu paused. “Haven’t finished paying it yet, but almost.”

“No wonder he didn’t go to university,” his mom said. “Are you… going to help him pay it off?”

“No,” Shan Yu said. “He wouldn’t accept it either.”

“Mm,” his mom nodded. “Actually, even without asking, I know you can handle it well. But as a mother, I can’t help but worry. Before, I was afraid you’d find it annoying…”

“It’s not annoying,” Shan Yu said immediately. “It’s not annoying now.”

His mom smiled. She raised a hand and reached toward him, but stopped mid-air, seemingly unsure whether to pat his shoulder or do something else.

Shan Yu leaned his head slightly toward her.

His mom ruffled his hair a couple of times. “Time for a haircut, your hair is getting long.”

“I’ll go this afternoon,” Shan Yu said. “I don’t know if the old place is still there.”

“It is,” his mom said. “Your dad still goes there all the time.”

“He rides that far?” Shan Yu asked.

“Speeding over on his little electric scooter, acting all cool,” his mom said. “If he wants to ride, let him. In a few years when his hair starts falling out, he won’t even need a haircut when he goes. A quick wash will do, and he can just use facial cleanser for it…”

“Hey,” Shan Yu laughed. “Don’t pick on my dad.”

Xiao Ye drove out of the garage in the S500 Shan Yu was so familiar with and honked the horn.

“Go, go, go,” his mom said. “Hurry, let’s flee.”

“Navigation, navigation,” Shan Yu started the car. “Which way.”

“Head toward the Blade Building first,” his mom directed him while tapping on the central screen. “Take a right after the building.”

“Got it.” Shan Yu pulled out of the intersection, with Xiao Ye following behind.

When he was little, his mom loved playing this game. Together with his dad, they’d take him along, pretending to flee from disaster or pretending to be Mr. & Mrs. Smith…

It was a pity opportunities for the whole family to go out together like this were so rare.

If his mom hadn’t suddenly brought it up, Shan Yu would have completely forgotten about it.

Trailing Xiao Ye, they “fled” all the way. Under the guidance of “Headquarters”, they arrived safely at the restaurant where they were meeting his uncle’s family.

“Call a car and go straight home,” his mom instructed Xiao Ye. “If there’s nothing pressing this afternoon, you don’t need to go back to the office either.”

“Mm,” Xiao Ye nodded. “You still have to handle the discharge paperwork tomorrow, right?”

“I’ll go take care of it,” Shan Yu said. “You rest.”

“Shan Yu! Ge!” Liu Wu’s voice came from behind. “My dear cousin—”

“Oh boy.” Shan Yu turned around helplessly and opened his arms.

Sure enough, Liu Wu was running over with his arms wide open.

“Did you just get here?” Shan Yu hugged him.

“Been here a while. Figured you guys were about due, so I came out to wait,” Liu Wu said. “Sitting in the private room is boring.”

“Did your mom ask about your girlfriend again?” his mom said.

“Told her no, no, no, but she wouldn’t believe me,” Liu Wu said.

“Then tell her yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, but we broke up right before the holidays,” his mom said. “Say you’re currently suffering the torment of heartbreak, snap at anyone who asks, and if she keeps asking, just lie down on the floor.”

“With his acting skills, forget it,” Shan Yu said with a laugh.

“If she keeps bothering me, I’m going to Dayin to live for the winter break,” Liu Wu said.

“Fuck off,” Shan Yu shot him a look.

“I tallied up the people staying to work during the New Year,” Hu Pan held her phone, leaning against the office desk. “Zhao-jie is going home for the New Year, Sister Huang is going home too, but if it gets busy, she can come over to clean. Lao Si is going back to the neighboring town and won’t be back until the third day of the New Year. Sanbing and Lao Wu can be here except for New Year’s Eve. Nana and I aren’t going home. What about you?”

“I’ll have New Year’s Eve dinner with my dad…” Chen Jian thought about it. “Or pick him up and bring him here.”

“Pick him up and bring him here,” Hu Pan said. “More people, more lively.”

“We aren’t taking reservations for New Year’s Eve, right?” Chen Jian asked.

“Right, but there are guests checking in early to stay through the New Year,” Hu Pan said. “Quite a few, actually.”

“Who’s cooking?” Chen Jian asked.

“…Me?” Hu Pan asked.

Chen Jian looked at her.

If Zhao-jie wasn’t around, the crew at this inn probably couldn’t even make breakfast.

“How about…” Chen Jian gritted his teeth. “My dad?”

“I think that works,” Hu Pan nodded immediately.

“My dad only knows how to cook farmhouse dishes,” Chen Jian planned. “We’ll confirm with the guests in advance. If they need meals during the days Zhao-jie is away, they need to let us know ahead of time. We can only provide farmhouse dishes, or if they’re willing to join us for the New Year’s Eve dinner, that works too.”

“Mm,” Hu Pan’s eyes lit up. “I think they’ll be willing. How fun would that be!”

“Gotta pay my dad a salary,” Chen Jian said.

“Of course. Triple pay for the holidays,” Hu Pan said.

“You and Nana run around the restaurants we’re familiar with over the next few days. See if we can pre-order the meals for the holiday period. Then have Zhao-jie stock up on vegetables in advance, and prep and freeze any semi-finished products we can…” Chen Jian looked at the document on the computer, his brain rapidly churning over what else needed to be prepared in advance.

“Hey, I realized something. Sitting behind this desk, you really look like a boss,” Hu Pan stepped back two paces to take a look.

“Rebelling while the boss is away, huh?” Chen Jian smiled.

“Don’t snitch!” Hu Pan said.

“Hush money,” Chen Jian said.

“One cup of coffee,” Hu Pan walked over and hopped against the desk. “A Breve I just learned from Nana. Super fragrant. Want to try?”

“How is it made?” Chen Jian asked.

“Just espresso plus milk plus cream. Half and half,” Hu Pan said.

“Half what?” Chen Jian looked at her.

“English!” Hu Pan said. “Half and half.”

“Hanging out with Nana has made you trendy, even using English now,” Chen Jian smiled. “Didn’t you get an English name?”

“Not yet,” Hu Pan said.

“I’ll give you one,” Chen Jian said. “Just call yourself Panpanda.”

Hu Pan froze, then started laughing uncontrollably.

“Short for Panpan. A matching set with Nana,” Chen Jian said.

“I’m dying laughing, hahahahahahaha…” Hu Pan walked out, still laughing. “Come down for coffee, Store Manager! Half and half!”

“OK and OK,” Chen Jian said.

He really did need to go downstairs. Not just to drink coffee, but also to discuss something with Sun Nana.

While chatting with Shan Yu last night, he was still feeling uneasy about the upcoming meeting. Even though he had practically memorized Shan Yu’s document, having lived twenty years, this was his first time “going to the city for a meeting”—he had never even imagined such a phrase before.

Shan Yu told him that if he was really nervous, he should take Sun Nana along.

“Is she going to pretend to be the boss?” Chen Jian asked.

“The leaders have met your boss, and they also know she’s the guest room manager,” Shan Yu reminded him.

“…Oh right,” Chen Jian remembered.

“Taking her gives you a companion so you won’t be as nervous, and you’ll have someone to discuss things with. Plus, you won’t have to hitch a ride with Old Ding,” Shan Yu said. “It’s also a perfect way to showcase the guesthouse’s image: one foot rooted in local authenticity, the other keeping up with young, modern trends. It’s great.”

“You really… think fast,” Chen Jian marveled.

“That’s all the skill I’ve got,” Shan Yu said.

“No,” Chen Jian said. “Your skills are huge. That laptop of yours—when I opened it, my only reaction was one word: shocked. I never imagined…”

“That’s two words, baby,” Shan Yu said.

Remembering this, Chen Jian couldn’t help but smile again.

“Hey,” Sun Nana waved a hand in front of his eyes. “Go to the meeting, and then what?”

“Mm,” Chen Jian quickly reeled his thoughts back. “Just the meeting. The two of us go, you drive.”

“Are there any requirements? Formal wear or something?” Sun Nana asked.

“A meeting at the Culture and Tourism Bureau… probably shouldn’t dress too…” Chen Jian pondered.

“Got it,” Sun Nana nodded. “Put together an outfit that’s low-key but still has flair. What about you?”

“I still… haven’t decided,” Chen Jian said.

He only had a few outfits, and it was too late to buy something new now. But Shan Yu had said rooted in local authenticity, so he only needed to showcase the state of a local young person.

He glanced at Sanbing, who was loitering nearby, listening to their discussion.

…Never mind. Let’s not be too authentic.

“Can you see clearly?” Chen Jian pointed his phone camera at the mirror in Shan Yu’s bedroom.

“Mm,” in the video, Shan Yu was sitting by his desk at home, leaning back in his chair and watching him. “Try that short one.”

“It’s so cold,” Chen Jian pulled Shan Yu’s short puffer jacket out of the closet.

“Your meeting isn’t outdoors!” Shan Yu said.

“…Mm,” Chen Jian changed into the short jacket.

“This one makes your legs look long,” Shan Yu said.

“Is that the main point?” Chen Jian asked.

“It’s my main point,” Shan Yu smiled. “You can wear whatever to the meeting.”

Actually, that was true. No one would care what a guesthouse representative wore. Chen Jian chatting with Shan Yu like this wasn’t really about picking clothes anyway.

He just wanted to chat. He was going to the meeting tomorrow, his heart was unsettled, and looking at Shan Yu calmed him down.

“Try on the pants,” Shan Yu said.

“If no one’s even looking at my clothes, then my pants matter even less, right?” Chen Jian said.

“They matter to me,” Shan Yu smiled. “Let me see.”

“See what?” Chen Jian froze.

“See the store manager change his pants,” Shan Yu said.

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