The partition in the car slowly lowered. Ji Huaichuan was half-asleep, while the driver drove with a look of utter misery on his face.
Suddenly, Zhou Chiye spoke up: “Bro, why don’t you guys move in with me? I happen to have a place near school.”
The driver shot a bewildered glance at the rearview mirror. Had the young master been possessed? Who was he calling “bro”?
Ji Huaichuan heard the voice but didn’t pay it much attention. He opened his eyes and let out a big yawn.
Just then, he sensed a gaze fixed on him. After a moment’s hesitation, he turned around and found himself locking eyes with Zhou Chiye.
“Green Street is too far from school, and the area is full of street vendors. It’s going to be noisy at night.”
Ji Huaichuan froze for a moment, then scratched his head. “It’s fine. My sister and I are used to it.”
Zhou Chiye was silent for a beat. “You should still move to my place. Everything’s already there, and it’ll be more convenient when you’re seniors. Plus, there’s a chef, so you won’t have to cook.”
The word “chef” made Ji Huaichuan’s heart waver completely, but he knew this wasn’t a decision he could make alone.
“I’ll talk to her after she wakes up.”
“Alright, Bro.”
Ji Huaichuan was about to turn back when the address startled him.
“You called me ‘Bro’?”
What the hell?!
Zhou Chiye had nearly scared Ji Huaichuan to death.
Zhou Chiye gave a light cough. “Since you’re Xixi’s brother, that makes you my brother too.”
The driver continued driving, utterly stunned. Ji Huaichuan fell silent for a long moment.
“You two aren’t even dating. No need to call me that.”
What he meant was: Zhou Chiye didn’t have the official title yet!
Now it was Zhou Chiye’s turn to fall silent.
Once they entered City A, the roads suddenly brightened, and the driver breathed a sigh of relief. They’d finally reached the city, and the drive felt smoother now.
Outside, the streets buzzed with activity. Shops lined both sides, lights glowing everywhere. Ji Zhaoxi slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurry, and spotted the bakery near their school.
“Awake?” Zhou Chiye looked down at her, gently pinching her cheek.
Ji Zhaoxi gave a drowsy nod. Her eyes hurt.
“Ahem, Xixi, how about you and your brother move in with me? It’s really close to school.”
Zhou Chiye made it sound so casual, slipping her nickname into the conversation.
He thought he’d pulled it off flawlessly, but the two in the front seat exchanged a knowing glance.
Ji Zhaoxi sat up, her face still marked with sleep creases, which Zhou Chiye pretended to casually rub away.
“How much?” she asked.
Zhou Chiye’s heart raced at the question, but he kept his cool. “If you come, I’ll give you whatever you want. Don’t worry, I’m rich.”
Ji Zhaoxi stared at him in confusion, then muttered quietly, “I was asking about the rent.”
What was he even talking about?
Up front, Ji Huaichuan shut his eyes in despair.
He really wished someone would appear in his life and say the sweetest words ever: “I’ll give you as much money as you want.”
Would he ever see the day?
Zhou Chiye glanced at her, genuinely thinking. “How about the same rent you’re paying now?”
He felt pretty clever about that. A solid answer, indeed.
Ji Zhaoxi gave him a look, hesitating as if to say something.
Zhou Chiye frowned. Was she embarrassed? He debated whether to add a few extra bucks just to be polite.
But he didn’t want her rent. Still, if he didn’t charge, she definitely wouldn’t agree to stay.
Ji Zhaoxi kept eyeing him hesitantly, long enough for Zhou Chiye to worry she might say no. Just as he was about to suggest terms she couldn’t refuse—
“Boss, could you cut me a deal?” Ji Zhaoxi asked, her face scrunched with concern.
Turns out, she and her brother weren’t paying cheap rent. Their place was in the city’s urban village, but this was City A’s urban village, and it wasn’t that far from school. They’d chosen it for the location.
Zhou Chiye paused at her earnest expression. There was a slight redness at the corners of her eyes as she looked at him seriously.
When their eyes met, his hand shot up to cover his face. That serious look of hers burned into his mind, leaving it blank.
So cute!
The way she’d stared at him seriously was adorable. The way she’d called him “Boss” was just as cute.
Zhou Chiye pressed his hands to his face, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably. He didn’t dare look at her now. All he wanted was to pull her into his arms and squeeze her tight.
Ji Zhaoxi watched him for a while before realizing he was laughing.
“Are you mocking me?!” she snapped, blushing with anger, punching him a few times.
Zhou Chiye took the hits without flinching, too embarrassed to lift his head. His face was completely red.
Damn it!
He started to suspect Ji Zhaoxi was doing this on purpose. She had to be—talking to him in such an unbearably cute way.
He wanted to nibble on her. So badly, so, so badly!
Outside, the scenery shifted from tall buildings to cozy, lived-in apartment blocks. Soon, they arrived at Ji Zhaoxi’s rental place.
Just as she was about to get out, she spotted a bunch of people standing at the entrance of the alley. She stared at them, baffled.
Who owed loan sharks money now?
Zhou Chiye got out of the car with a relaxed air. “Well, let’s move now.”
“Now?!” Ji Zhaoxi, Ji Huaichuan, and the driver all stared at him in shock.
Zhou Chiye looked away, slightly uncomfortable, and nodded.
“I called them to help with the move. The bed over there’s already made up. You can sleep there tonight.”
The moment she’d agreed in the car, he’d immediately called people.
Ji Zhaoxi was overjoyed. Finally, she wouldn’t have to deal with the unpredictable hot-and-cold shower water tonight, or face the moldy clothes hanging on the balcony—though she hadn’t checked, she knew they had to be moldy.
It had rained in City A a couple of days ago, and her clothes were still hanging on the drying line.
Ji Huaichuan was already ready to grab his bags and go.
Earlier, he’d been playing it cool in the car, but now he just wanted to leave quickly.
The moving crew was incredibly professional. They jumped into action, hauling things with surprising strength. Before long, the entire place was empty.
Ji Zhaoxi had never seen a move go so fast. Neither had the driver.
Next time he moved, he’d hire them too. It’d be a shame not to.
Back at the Zhou household, the atmosphere was tense.
“Sir, Ma’am, the young master said that living near school would help him focus on his studies, so he won’t be coming home for now,” the butler reported in a formal tone.
Actually, Zhou Chiye hadn’t said the first part. His exact words were: “Tell my mom I’m not coming back.”
But as a proper butler, he understood that a little addition kept the family peace—especially for someone like Zhou Chiye, who never spoke properly.
Zhou’s mother sipped her tea, her mouth twitching.
Across from her, Father Zhou quietly puffed on his cigarette, though his hand trembled slightly.
He’d never thought Zhou Chiye would turn out to be such a romantic fool. He’d assumed his son did nothing but exercise all day—never a single brain-requiring activity.
