ATPN Chapter 4
by VolareLooking like a pitiful little thing, Song Baiyan’s heart softened, and he teased: “Just because you called me ‘Senior,’ I can’t just dump you on the side of the road.”
Yu Zhanrong was secretly delighted.
Song Baiyan tapped the steering wheel with his index finger unconsciously: “Where do you need to go? I’ll take you there first.”
Damn, he’d completely forgotten about that. He’d been so focused on maintaining his persona and acting silly that he’d completely forgotten he hadn’t booked a hotel yet.
Yu Zhanrong smacked his forehead in annoyance: “Senior, find a place to park, I’ll go find a hotel myself in a bit.”
What a miscalculation, now he couldn’t stay a little longer even if he wanted to. Reluctantly, he stroked the seat beneath him; this was Song Baiyan’s passenger seat!
“You haven’t booked a hotel yet?” Song Baiyan frowned.
This kid probably ran out on a whim, without any preparations.
Yu Zhanrong awkwardly fiddled with his hat. “Not yet, I forgot.” He quickly scrolled through hotel information on his phone. “I’ll book one right away, it’ll be quick.”
The sight of him cramming at the last minute made Song Baiyan frown. How could he book anything good like that? What if…
Lately, there were countless news stories about hidden cameras being found in hotel rooms, and his newly minted junior seemed so naive and easily deceived.
Song Baiyan, with his hands on the steering wheel, thought for a moment and made a decision. He glanced at the rearview mirror, preparing to change lanes and turn around, and said to Yu Zhanrong, “Don’t book one.”
Yu Zhanrong was looking at hotel reviews and looked up at Song Baiyan in confusion at his words.
What did he mean?
He watched Song Baiyan turn the car around, and then looked at the road ahead. After the U-turn, the car turned into another street.
This seemed to be… the road to Hua University?
Seeing the look of alarm on his face, Song Baiyan couldn’t help but chuckle. “Are you afraid I’m going to sell you?”
Yu Zhanrong swallowed, and suddenly understood a little, asking in disbelief, “Senior, you…” Were you going to take me in?
Before he could finish the question, Song Baiyan cut him off: “Don’t worry, I won’t sell you, do you believe me?”
Although he didn’t say it explicitly, Yu Zhanrong understood the meaning of his words. He was both surprised and delighted. He originally just wanted to spend a little more time with him, but he didn’t expect this unexpected joy.
Yu Zhanrong suppressed his excited mood, adjusted his posture, and said proudly, “Of course I believe you. Senior looks like an upright and honorable gentleman, I’m not worried at all…”
“Okay.”
?
Although he wasn’t worried, he was nervous!
Yu Zhanrong quietly took a breath, tightly clutching the hat in his hand, his heart pounding non-stop. Was he really going to Song Baiyan’s house?
Yesterday, he could only secretly look at photos and browse forums, but today he could ascend the hall and enter the room to meet the parents?
This progress was faster than a rocket.
With a nervous and excited mood, Yu Zhanrong watched as the car drove through the bustling Hua University Student Street, turned left onto a side road, then turned right into a neighborhood called Purple Fragrance Garden, and then into the underground parking garage, where it parked.
Song Baiyan, carrying Yu Zhanrong’s suitcase, walked over from behind and noticed that the kid was still sitting foolishly in the car. He raised an eyebrow and knocked on the car window.
“Aren’t you supposed to be very brave? Getting cold feet now? Afraid to get out of the car?”
“I’m not.” Yu Zhanrong swallowed, unbuckled his seatbelt, got out of the car, and closed the door in one smooth motion.
He followed Song Baiyan’s footsteps, his heart pounding. He clenched his fists, cheering himself on.
Don’t be a coward, it’s just going home with Song Baiyan, right?
Don’t act like you’ve never seen the world before! Stay calm!
Be polite, greet the aunties and uncles proactively. Hmm, but wouldn’t it be bad to arrive empty-handed?
Actually, he wasn’t exactly empty-handed, he did bring a suitcase.
Yu Zhanrong clenched the hat in his hand, secretly taking a few deep breaths. Song Baiyan heard him in front and wanted to laugh, but remained calm.
He unlocked the door, grabbed a pair of slippers, and said to Yu Zhanrong, who was still standing at the door: “What are you doing standing there? Come in.”
He walked inside while explaining: “There are only drinks in the refrigerator, if you’re hungry, just order takeout. There are convenience stores outside the complex.”
Song Baiyan pointed to the room on the left, “That’s the guest bedroom, you can rest there. I have something to do and can’t stay here too long. If you need anything, give me a call.”
Yu Zhanrong nodded blankly, quickly scanning the room. “Is there… anyone else?”
“…”
Song Baiyan really couldn’t help but laugh this time. His little junior had a lot on his mind.
“Did you think I was bringing you home to meet my parents?” Song Baiyan folded his arms and leaned against the wall, his eyes lowered, focusing on the golden hair. “Thinking pretty far ahead, aren’t you?”
Yu Zhanrong’s face instantly flushed red. He quickly put on his hat, pulling the brim low to cover his eyes, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to disappear into.
So shy?
Song Baiyan glanced at his blushing profile, suspecting that if he said a few more words, this kid would burst into flames.
Calculating the time, it was almost time to meet Xu Yihang. Song Baiyan didn’t delay any further. “This is my own apartment, there’s no one else. You stay here for now, I really have to go. You’ll be alright on your own?”
“Yes.”
Song Baiyan reached the door and remembered that he didn’t have Yu Zhanrong’s phone number yet. He stopped, seeing his junior still standing there in a daze.
“Little junior, what’s your phone number?”
“137…”
A few seconds later, Yu Zhanrong’s phone rang. It was an unknown number.
“This is my number, save it. Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay.”
Song Baiyan left, and Yu Zhanrong stood in the unfamiliar living room, looking lost, with a very noticeable suitcase beside him.
He plopped down on the suitcase, resting his hands on the handle, thinking. How did things develop like this?
When he left home, his initial thought was to find a hotel to stay in for a day or two, then rent an apartment, find a job, and then…
How did he end up ascending the hall and entering the room?
Yu Zhanrong reached out and pinched his thigh, wincing in pain and quickly letting go to rub it.
It hurt, it wasn’t a dream!
Looking at the new number in his address book, the new contact, Yu Zhanrong smiled and kissed his phone repeatedly.
His movements were too violent, and the suitcase’s wheels rolled forward, causing Yu Zhanrong to lose his balance and fall to the ground, wincing in pain. Even so, he couldn’t stop his excited mood.
Today was July 7th, definitely his lucky day. From now on, he would make 7 his lucky number.
He sat on the floor and looked at the address book repeatedly before putting down his phone and starting to seriously examine Song Baiyan’s home.
The basic color scheme of the apartment was black, white, and gray. The overall style was very minimalist. There weren’t many fancy decorations in the house, and everything was clear at a glance. It looked very much like Song Baiyan.
Yu Zhanrong happily took photos in every corner of the house as a souvenir, contentedly looking at the photos in his album. These were all evidence of his “ascending the hall and entering the room.”
He dragged his suitcase into the bedroom Song Baiyan had mentioned and closed the door.
Yu Zhanrong threw himself onto the soft bed with a whoosh, his arm across his forehead, covering his crescent-shaped eyes and the sparkling stars within.
He had really moved into Song Baiyan’s house, with Song Baiyan’s bedroom right next door. Just thinking about how they were only separated by a wall made Yu Zhanrong want to punch the bed.
It was like a dream.
Whether it was because Song Baiyan’s bed was particularly comfortable, or because everything that had happened today was too dreamlike, Yu Zhanrong fell asleep while lying there, dreaming of Song Baiyan’s gentle and deep voice.
When Yu Zhanrong woke up, it was already two in the afternoon. The sun outside was still like a fireball, but he was really starving and desperately needed a cup of milk tea to keep him going.