ASSHKHME Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Coward

Xu Keyuan was still in the hospital. Xu Qingyou’s grandparents had passed away in the previous two years, making this Lunar New Year’s Eve feel particularly desolate for the Xu family.

The television played the Spring Festival Gala, with the hosts repeatedly uttering auspicious New Year greetings.

Before a table laden with fragrant and visually appealing New Year’s Eve dishes, Zheng Fei fiddled with a ceramic spoon, glancing at the television. “The Spring Festival Gala is getting more and more boring these days. I don’t recognize any of them. Is it because I’m getting old?”

Xu Qingyou placed a piece of tender, juicy fish in her bowl. “Mom, you’re overthinking it. It’s just that society is developing too fast, people are stressed and restless, making it difficult to create good works that can stand the test of time.”

Zheng Fei’s gaze swept over Chen Zhuo, who was focused on eating, and she recalled what Xu Keyuan had told her during her hospital visit today: I suspect Qingyou harbors feelings for Xiaozhuo that go beyond brotherly affection. I can’t ask him directly about this kind of thing, so keep an eye on them.

Zheng Fei picked up the piece of fish and put it in her mouth. “Xiaozhuo, are you adjusting well to university life?”

Chen Zhuo didn’t expect the topic to suddenly shift to him. After swallowing the food in his mouth, he said, “I’m adjusting well, thank you for your concern, Auntie.”

Zheng Fei nodded. “Good that you’re adjusting,” she suddenly asked. “There must be a lot of girls pursuing you? Do you have a girlfriend?”

Xu Qingyou, without betraying any emotion, ladled a bowl of soup for Zheng Fei and said, “Mom, today’s soup is very fresh, you should try it.”

Zheng Fei’s brow twitched slightly, but she didn’t say anything. She took a sip. “Hmm, the taste is indeed good.”

Chen Zhuo knew that Xu Qingyou was getting him out of an awkward spot. He tentatively gripped the chopsticks in his hand and smiled faintly. “Auntie, I’m dating someone. We’re in the same year, but in different majors.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Zheng Fei surreptitiously observed Xu Qingyou’s expression. Even though Xu Qingyou showed no outward signs, as a mother, she still sensed a fleeting moment of sadness.

She said, “That’s good. Young people should enjoy their youth. Dating will be expensive, I’ll give you a generous red envelope later.”

Chen Zhuo smiled reservedly and raised the glass of red wine in his hand to her. “Thank you, Auntie. Happy New Year, Auntie.”

“We’re family, no need for thank yous. Your Uncle Xu and I also treat you like our own child.”

Zheng Fei said pointedly, “Qingyou, you, as the older brother, should sometimes learn from your younger brother. How old are you? Still as rebellious as a child, even daring to call off an engagement without your father and I’s permission.”

Xu Qingyou rarely interrupted her. “Mom, I know what I’m doing. You and Dad don’t need to worry about me.”

Zheng Fei didn’t continue the topic, but looked at Xu Qingyou and warned, “You’re my son, I know you better than anyone. I hope you really know what you’re doing, and don’t do anything foolish again.”

Xu Qingyou’s movement of putting food in Chen Zhuo’s bowl paused.

The crispy spare rib eventually landed in his own bowl. He gave a faint “Mm.”

After finishing the New Year’s Eve dinner, Zheng Fei took out the prepared red envelopes, two thick ones, gave them to Xu Qingyou and Chen Zhuo, and then went upstairs to rest.

The television continued to play a skit, the audience’s laughter scattering into the spacious villa. Chen Zhuo also laughed along.

Close to midnight, Chen Zhuo’s phone rang. It was a video call from Xie Yu.

Chen Zhuo glanced at Xu Qingyou, who was sitting on the sofa next to him watching television. After hesitating again and again, he quietly got up and went to the backyard to answer the call.

Xie Yu’s handsome face appeared on the small phone screen. He was wearing a red cashmere sweater, and the cheerful voices of his family, the clinking of glasses, and the sounds of conversation could be heard beside him. “There are two minutes left until the New Year, Brother, where’s my red envelope?”

Ever since he realized that the word “Brother” could trigger Chen Zhuo’s blushing skills, he had been using it more and more smoothly.

Chen Zhuo wanted to laugh, but he turned his head and sneezed, rubbing his nose. “I’ll transfer it to you later.”

Xie Yu frowned slightly. “Are you not inside? You’re wearing so little, are you outside?”

Chen Zhuo turned the camera around to show him the flowers and plants in the yard. “I’m in the yard, I’ll go back inside after celebrating the New Year with you.”

Xie Yu hummed. “What’s wrong? Are you afraid that Xu Qingyou will hear you on a video call with your husband and cry his heart out?”

Chen Zhuo didn’t hide it from him. After talking to Xu Qingyou that day, he had truthfully told Xie Yu everything.

This had made Xie Yu so angry that he cursed loudly, accusing Xu Qingyou of being secretly malicious and trying to steal him away. He immediately wanted to drive over and take Chen Zhuo away.

Chen Zhuo pleaded with him, exaggeratingly acting out the scene of him giving Xu Qingyou the “brother card,” presenting the facts, reasoning, and acting skills. He almost wore his lips out, and finally managed to persuade Xie Yu.

Initially, Xie Yu was still unwilling, insisting that Chen Zhuo keep a voice call open with him 24 hours a day. Chen Zhuo threw out the “trust” mountain, and only then was he able to suppress this irritable, spoiled little wild boar.

After all, they had always spent the New Year together at the Xu’s house in the past, and Xu Qingyou had very decently stated that he would try not to like him anymore. If he left now, he would not only be childish but also hurt people’s feelings.

Chen Zhuo glared at him. “Don’t joke around. It’s almost midnight, aren’t you going to celebrate the New Year with your family? Won’t they suspect something?”

Xie Yu took the opportunity to stop, no longer mocking Xu Qingyou.

He didn’t want Chen Zhuo to think he was an ignorant, petty person. He could secretly curse in his heart.

He said shamelessly, “I told them I have someone I like, but I didn’t say whether the person is male or female. They misunderstood on their own, what can I do?”

Chen Zhuo chuckled. “Keep your voice down, if someone hears…”

Before he could finish speaking, the happy voices of Xie Yu’s family came from the phone. It should be his grandfather or maternal grandfather. “Eh! Is that your girlfriend on a video call? Let me see what my future granddaughter-in-law looks like.”

Xie Yu said loudly, “I’m not going to show you, she’s shy.”

Cheng Tangyu said, “Why do I feel like I heard Xiaozhuo’s voice? Xie Yu, who are you on a video call with?”

After hearing his name, Chen Zhuo almost dropped his phone in fright. He frantically hung up the video call, his heart beating wildly. The cold north wind sent a chill down his spine.

Xie Yu, holding the phone with the screen turned off, leaned against the window and laughed. “That’s right, I’m on a video call with Chen Zhuo, my future son-in-law. Didn’t you say we were betrothed from the womb?”

Cheng Tangyu didn’t know his malicious intent. She turned her head and happily told the elders, “Oh yes, Mom and Dad, you don’t know, Xie Yu and my former university roommate’s child have become roommates. What a fate! If only one of them had been a girl back then, with this fate, they might really have been together.”

No one suspected the truth behind Xie Yu’s joking words. They cheerfully and quickly changed to a new topic.

Xie Yu held the phone with the screen turned off, leaned against the window, and laughed. “Chen Xiaozhuo is a coward.”

Fireworks suddenly soared outside the window. It was midnight, the New Year.

A new message popped up on WeChat, from Precious Xiaozhuo: [Happy New Year, love you]

Following it was a transfer of one thousand yuan. Xie Yu clicked to return it.

[I don’t want this, I want the one thousand yuan in a little dog “Woof Woof Woof” red envelope.]