Ji Yuning thought she could refrain from asking Fang Bai or those self-humiliating questions.
But when everyone was focused on Fang Bai's concern and didn't ask her anything, Ji Yuning couldn't help herself.
She asked, "And me?"
If I died during those three years you disappeared, would you fill with tears for me within seconds?
Fang Bai was taken aback, not understanding the meaning of Ji Yuning's question, "What's wrong with you?"
Author's Note:
Xiao Ji: Auntie seems to have forgotten that you still owe me a bowl of noodles.
Aunt Fang: (Puts the cooked noodles on the table)
Xiao Ji: Please ask Auntie to lie down on the table.
Chapter 77
Fang Bai's eyes were filled with questions.
Ji Yuning stood up straight, her wisps of hair obscuring part of the light in her eyes. She said calmly, "Why didn't you ask me how I am?"
—It's not that I don't want to ask you, but it's a bit awkward, so I wanted to talk about other people to ease the awkwardness.
Fang Bai couldn't say this aloud, so she said gently, "Because you're right in front of me."
Fang Bai smiled and said, "Besides, you were already an adult when I left, and you could take good care of yourself."
This was also the premise that allowed Fang Bai to make up his mind to leave.
If Ji Yuning hadn't been a minor when she transmigrated, and Fang Bai hadn't taken on the responsibilities of a parent, he probably wouldn't have waited until Ji Yuning turned eighteen; he would have run away right away.
The problem is that she has a strong sense of responsibility, or perhaps she feels she can atone for the sins committed by the original owner.
Ji Yuning's eyes were calm, but a dark light flashed in them after Fang Bai finished speaking. She asked, "Does Auntie mean that adulthood means becoming a grown-up?"
Fang Bai replied without hesitation, "Of course."
Ji Yuning narrowed her eyes slightly.
Before the amusement in Ji Yuning's eyes could disappear, Fang Bai paused for a moment and then said, "But you are your own adult. In Auntie's heart, you will always be my child."
To protect himself, Fang Bai was trying to please Ji Yuning with words. She had said this many times before, but her words were sincere and contained many of Fang Bai's true thoughts.
"You will always be my child"—what a touching love confession to anyone else.
But Fang Bai doesn't like children.
These words, when spoken to Ji Yuning, are like being struck by lightning on a clear blue sky.
Ji Yuning: "..."
The good mood that had just started suddenly vanished.
Fang Bai thought that her words were too sweet, causing Ji Yuning to suddenly fall silent. She coughed lightly, pointed to the bowl in front of Ji Yuning, and asked, "Want to eat more?"
Ji Yuning shook her head.
After only eating half of what they had eaten, Fang Bai asked, "Are you full?"
“Yes,” Ji Yuning nodded, “Thank you, Auntie.”
"What are you thanking me for?" Fang Bai stood up from his chair and said, "I owe you this."
Ji Yuning lowered her eyes and said calmly, "This bowl doesn't count."
Fang Bai: "?"
Why doesn't it count?
Before Fang Bai could ask a question, Ji Yuning looked up and met his gaze, answering, "It's not birthday noodles."
Fang Bai pointed at the noodles, "You've already eaten them."
Then he told me that didn't count, and that I still owed him a bowl?
Ji Yuning nodded: "That's why I said thank you."
Seeing Ji Yuning's serious expression, Fang Bai couldn't help but wonder if Ji Yuning was being unreasonable, or if her bowl of noodles really wasn't compensation.
A dozen seconds later, Fang Bai was vaguely convinced by the statement that it was "not birthday noodles".
After letting out a breath, Fang Bai reached for the bowl, but Ji Yuning took it first.
Ji Yuning said, "I'll take care of the washing, Auntie, you can rest."
Hmm, not bad, quite well-behaved.
Fang Bai's pent-up anger was thus relieved.
But... why would Ji Yuning do this?
Three minutes later, Ji Yuning came out of the kitchen.
Fang Bai stood in the living room with a light jacket draped over her arm. She handed the jacket to Ji Yuning and said, "Put this on, and I'll take you to the hotel."
Ji Yuning stood still and said, "There are no hotels."
She added, "I didn't book."
Fang Bai was surprised. Was there really such a rush to capture her? They hadn't even found her a place to stay.
"Then I'll take you to a room," Fang Bai said.
Ji Yuning pulled a tissue from the table and wiped the water droplets off her hands.
After drying her hands, she said slowly, "No need to trouble yourself."
So you don't need to book a room for her?
"Are you going to drive yourself? Do you need me to give you a ride?" Fang Bai asked.
Ji Yuning half-opened her eyelids, the light flickering in her dark pupils. Although there was no ripple in her eyes, Fang Bai could see a trace of...sadness?
The next second, Ji Yuning whispered, "Auntie, won't you take me in?"
To take them in.
Ji Yuning used the word "take in".
You're not homeless, nor were you driven to Nancheng by someone.
What's with the hurt feeling in your voice?
Fang Bai said coldly, "My place is small, there's only one bed and that sofa where I can sleep."
The apartment has two bedrooms and a living room. Apart from the bedroom where Fang Bai lives, the remaining room is used as a storage room.
"The sofa is too small, you can't sleep on it," Fang Bai said deliberately.
She wanted Ji Yuning to go to the hotel, giving her a chance to leave.
Ji Yuning walked up to Fang Bai and took the clothes from his hand.
Fang Bai's heart skipped a beat, thinking that Ji Yuning had been persuaded by him. "I'll call a car."
Ji Yuning stopped Fang Bai, saying, "I didn't say I was leaving."
"and you…"
Ji Yuning hung the clothes she was holding on a rack not far away, then turned to Fang Bai and said, "The sofa is small, I can sleep in the bed with Auntie."
Fang Bai instinctively said, "I'm not used to it—"
Sleeping with other people.
Before Fang Bai could utter the last four words, Ji Yuning sealed her words in her throat.
Ji Yuning said, "Didn't we sleep together?"
Fang Bai: "..."
That's true, she can't deny it.
They even slept very comfortably.
After a pause, Fang Bai asked, "Are you really going to stay?"
Ji Yuning nodded.
Fang Bai didn't insist any further and compromised, saying, "Okay."
Two seconds later, Fang Bai asked again, "Then why don't you go take a shower first?"
You can tidy up a bit while Ji Yuning takes a shower.
"Is Auntie planning to leave while I'm taking a shower?"
Fang Bai: "".
She doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve, so how would Ji Yuning know!
Fang Bai smiled, her eyes crinkling: "No."
Ji Yuning smiled and said, "Auntie said she would take me home."
In Ji Yuning's mind, Fang Bai's claim that he wouldn't leave was completely untrustworthy.
My weakness has been hit again.
Fang Bai has always remembered this matter, and thinking about it now, it feels very against his conscience.
Fang Bai asked, "Shall I wash first?"
Ji Yuning said calmly, "Auntie, just give me the room key."
Fang Bai had completely lost patience with dealing with Ji Yuning. She had figured it out: even if she ran away tonight, Ji Yuning would still be able to catch up with her in such a short time.
Ji Yuning seems to be in a good mood right now, and she's not in any immediate danger. But if she angers Ji Yuning…