Yes, we definitely have to take him in.
If we don't, what if you run off to your sister and whisper in her ear?
"What, you're interested in this too?" Gu Ye handed him a drink.
Li Zheng nodded. "I've always been interested in this stuff. You've seen the figurines in my room."
Gu Ye was curious. "You're pretty eager to start working, little bro. What's with this sudden drive to get ahead?"
"Ah, it's just from scrolling on Douyin. I keep seeing posts about how tough the job market is. They all say you need to start gaining experience early."
"If you're genuinely interested, you can come by for a few hours every day later on. I'll teach you."
"Brother-in-law, you're the best. If we weren't both guys, I'd give you a hug," Li Zheng said cheerfully.
Gu Ye checked the time; it was almost time to clock off. "Let's go, time for dinner at home."
So, when Jiang Mo got off work and returned to Riverside Bay, she was greeted by the sight of her dear little brother.
She paused in the living room. "What are you doing here?"
Li Zheng, wearing a thin shirt and holding the cat, grinned widely. "Sis, Brother-in-law's place is warmer than our home, huh."
With this view and this spacious, luxurious apartment, if it were him, he'd have packed his bags and moved in ages ago.
Jiang Mo raised an eyebrow at Gu Ye, who had just come out of the bedroom. What's going on?
After Gu Ye explained, Jiang Mo didn't approve of Li Zheng going to the studio.
"You have time to enjoy yourself now, so you should enjoy it. Once you graduate and start working, you'll have plenty of time for that. You won't even have time to play then."
The unspoken implication was also that the studio was just getting started and shouldn't be burdened with extra trouble.
"That sounds terrifying," Li Zheng said. He had initially just wanted to try it out in his spare time, but hearing his older sister's opposition made him change his tune. "Brother-in-law, let me think about it."
"Alright, the door to my studio is always open for you," Gu Ye said, beckoning to them both. "Let's get ready to eat."
Eating out all the time wasn't good, so Gu Ye had asked Su Yunjin to help find an auntie to cook at home.
Looking at the full table of dishes the auntie had prepared, Li Zheng said enviously, "Sis, you really hit the jackpot."
Jiang Mo glanced at her brother. Seeing him being such a chatterbox, she decided not to tell him about the family's rental property income just yet.
"Just eat your food and head back early after you're done."
Li Zheng turned to tattle. "Brother-in-law, look, my sister's trying to kick me out."
"Your sister doesn't mean that. Just treat this place like your own home," Gu Ye said. "Didn't you want to play games? We can play a few rounds after dinner."
Jiang Mo's mouth twitched. Where did her little brother learn these antics?
After dinner, Jiang Mo lounged on the sofa reading a novel, while the other two played games.
Seeing it was almost ten o'clock, Jiang Mo spoke up. "Hey, it's getting late. You should head home."
Li Zheng was right in the middle of the fun. It was more enjoyable with more people, and the atmosphere was great. Going home felt so cold and lonely, literally cold too.
He fawned over Gu Ye, "Brother-in-law, I noticed there are quite a few empty rooms here. Could you put someone up for a bit?"
Gu Ye understood perfectly. "Xiao Mo, why don't we let our little brother stay and play for a few days?"
"Sis, look, this place is so big, it needs someone to help keep it tidy. The cat needs company too. How about me?" Li Zheng said with sincere eyes.
"The auntie cleans, and the cat entertains itself just fine," Jiang Mo said flatly. She was living in Gu Ye's place herself, but seeing that Gu Ye had already agreed, she relented. "Fine, you can stay for a couple of days, then go home."
Li Zheng nodded. "Thank you, Brother-in-law! Thank you, Sis!"
The next afternoon, Gu Xuan showed up at the doorstep with his suitcase.
But no one was home. When Gu Ye and Li Zheng got the message and returned, they were met with Gu Xuan's resentful little gaze.
"Hmph, so you've got a new brother-in-law now and you've forgotten all about your little brother."
