TRMLCM Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Looking Up

[An An: Look Up]

Look up?

Cheng Yi stared blankly at the message on his phone, slightly raising his head and opening his eyelids to look ahead.

Not far away, a man in a white shirt was walking towards him with a bouquet of flowers.

In the bright sunlight, that face, always confined to the screen, approached him, bathed in light. He finally stood before him.

Shen Chang’an stopped, standing tall and straight. Whether it was from the heat or something else, his face was flushed. He raised his eyes to meet those deep, serene black eyes, a slight ripple stirring in his heart.

He held out the flowers in his arms, his clear, calm voice gently calling his name, “Cheng Yi.”

Cheng Yi lowered his gaze slightly, looking at the vibrant red roses. He lightly raised his eyebrows, a hint of a smile flashing in his long, narrow eyes.

The roses were fresh, as if they had been picked this morning. The rich, fragrant scent of the flowers still carried the essence of morning dew.

He released his grip on the suitcase, taking the bouquet of nine roses wrapped in colored paper. He gently sniffed them, confirming the scent of mountain morning dew.

Cheng Yi looked up at the slightly flushed face, feeling as if everything before him was like a dream he hadn’t woken up from.

His heart surged with emotion. He held it back, and his magnetic voice rang out.

“An Ge.”

Hearing Cheng Yi’s address, Shen Chang’an’s eyes crinkled, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, looking very pleased.

Cheng Yi watched his subtly happy expression, and despite his best efforts, he couldn’t resist. Holding the flowers, he opened his arms, took two steps forward, and embraced him, bag and all. The solid embrace brought a sense of fulfillment that filled his heart, defying description.

He sighed deeply, unable to help but exclaim, “I finally met you.”

Not only had he met him, but he had also hugged him.

His black eyes were filled with joy, but sensing the slight stiffness of the person in his arms, he restrained his excitement, tightening his arms slightly. He intended to release him after a few seconds, but then he paused.

When Shen Chang’an was first hugged, he hadn’t really reacted. Now, hearing Cheng Yi’s voice, he blinked and raised his hand to return the embrace.

A few seconds later, Shen Chang’an pushed him gently. There were so many people watching; a few seconds was enough. Any longer and they’d be treated like monkeys in a zoo.

Cheng Yi pouted, seeing that Shen Chang’an really couldn’t take it anymore, and reluctantly let go. Looking at the passionate red roses in his hands, a trace of regret flashed in his eyes.

When he came over, he was so excited that he forgot to buy flowers for An An. His first time giving flowers, and An An had beaten him to it.

“Thank you for the flowers, An An.”

Cheng Yi looked up at Shen Chang’an, saying slowly, “I like them very much.”

It was unclear whether he liked the flowers or the person who gave them.

A smile played on his lips as he carefully touched the delicate petals. After saying this, he lowered his head and sniffed them again, as if proving that his words were genuine.

Shen Chang’an’s skin was very fair, and the redness on his face hadn’t faded in the sunlight.

“Have you had breakfast? These are steamed sponge cakes, would you like to try some?”

Shen Chang’an changed the subject, taking out the steamed sponge cakes he had bought earlier and handing them to Cheng Yi when he shook his head. They were still warm, having been out of the steamer for not too long, making them just right to eat.

“A bit sweet.”

Cheng Yi took a bite, tasted it, and said.

Shen Chang’an asked, “Don’t you like sweet things?”

Cheng Yi shook his head. “No, these are quite delicious. I want more.”

With that, he stuffed the entire piece into his mouth, eating it slowly. Then, he took another piece from the bag.

Shen Chang’an had originally bought these to tide him over, but he guessed that Cheng Yi might not have had breakfast either, so he bought three extra. He hadn’t bought too many, and now Cheng Yi was eating them all.

Seeing how much Cheng Yi liked them, he couldn’t help but look towards the plaza.

“If you like them, would you like to buy some more?”

“No need, let’s go.”

Finishing the last piece of steamed sponge cake, Cheng Yi took the tissue Shen Chang’an handed him, wiped his mouth and hands, and walked towards the parking lot, pulling his suitcase. He casually tossed the crumpled tissue into a roadside trash can.

After taking a taxi from the suburbs to the more prosperous county, Shen Chang’an took Cheng Yi to a large supermarket.

“See if there’s anything you like. Let’s browse for a bit, and then have lunch here before we go back.”

Shen Chang’an reminded him, “Pick out your favorite toiletries. Don’t forget anything. My home is very remote, so it won’t be easy to buy anything once we get back.”

Cheng Yi, seeing his serious expression, listened very attentively, nodding to show that he understood.

Leaving the supermarket, Shen Chang’an put the things he had bought into the rustic backpack he had brought this morning, then slung it over his shoulder.

This bag used to be carried by his grandfather when he went to the market. It was used to hold small items, and its earthy yellow color didn’t match Shen Chang’an’s outfit at all, instead detracting from his overall aura.

But Cheng Yi didn’t mind at all. He even wanted to snatch it and carry it himself, but Shen Chang’an said he was already holding the flowers and pulling the suitcase, refusing to let him, so he couldn’t get it.

As Cheng Yi’s gaze fell on the earthy yellow backpack for the umpteenth time, Shen Chang’an helplessly pulled him into a small restaurant.

“What would you like to eat?”

This restaurant was just a small eatery, the tables wiped clean and shiny by the female owner.

Shen Chang’an, watching Cheng Yi constantly looking around, saw a hint of worry in his eyes.

He wondered if Cheng Yi, who was used to eating delicacies, could accept these simple and plain meals…

Thinking of the even more ordinary meals, the small, crowded room, and the messy environment back home… Shen Chang’an felt even more worried.

With unease in his heart, this anticipated lunch seemed to lose its flavor.

Cheng Yi didn’t know what he was thinking. He ate the beef noodles with chili sauce in large mouthfuls, not rudely at all. His movements were unhurried, appearing very elegant.

After finishing lunch, Cheng Yi stopped Shen Chang’an when he was about to hail a taxi.

“It’s my first time going to your house, what kind of gift should I bring?”

He asked very carefully, his deep eyes fixed on Shen Chang’an, his expression showing some nervousness, anticipation, and a hint of subtle hope.

He had planned to come over last night and came today. The actions were too quick, causing him to only now remember the etiquette taught to him by Cheng Fu and Qin Yun.

Oh, his parents and his brother didn’t even know he had run to City C…

Shen Chang’an, seeing his suddenly proper attitude, smiled and shook his head, his eyes full of tenderness.

“Your presence is enough. My family doesn’t have so many rules, you don’t need to buy anything.”

“That won’t do.”

Cheng Yi, seeing that he couldn’t get an answer and that Shen Chang’an even wanted to tear up the answer sheet, grabbed Shen Chang’an’s hand and turned back into the supermarket, thinking slowly.

Seeing that he was already in the women’s clothing section, Shen Chang’an found it funny. He pulled him back, saying with a helpless expression, “Yi Ge, there are only my grandfather and grandmother at home. They’re old, just buy some fruit.”

This small county was really barren compared to City S, and Cheng Yi couldn’t find anything satisfactory. He clicked his tongue, feeling very dissatisfied, but there was nothing he could do.

He followed Shen Chang’an back to the fruit section, and with Shen Chang’an’s persuasion, he chose two bunches of dark, gleaming grapes.

This time, Cheng Yi insisted on carrying them himself, even handing over the roses he had been carefully protecting to Shen Chang’an.

Whenever Shen Chang’an’s movements with the flowers became a little careless, he would gasp beside him, but when Shen Chang’an looked over, he would act as if nothing had happened, maintaining a very calm expression.

He blinked his eyes, looking innocently at Shen Chang’an.

Shen Chang’an: “…”

What was that saying…

Cheng Yi was such a tsundere!