Shen Yanlang took his phone to the living room, told his parents and Qiu Shan, and also told them in the group chat of eight people. Finally, he found Hu Yanxin's WeChat.
He didn't call; there was no need. He just sent a message.
Shen Yanlang: [Don't do anything pointless. I'll let it slide this time for Uncle Hu's sake, but don't contact him again, or don't blame me for being impolite.]
After sending the message Shen Yanlang immediately deleted her from his friends list.
After doing all that, Shen Yanlang took a shower in the bathroom, then turned off the lights and lay down next to Duan Xu.
He held the person in his arms, inhaled the scent of his pheromones, and felt a surge of satisfaction.
He had originally thought that since it was their engagement tonight, they should at least have a celebration together, and Duan Xu himself had agreed. But in the end, he fell asleep first.
He could have woken her up like before, but he thought that Xuxu was nervous and tired today, and had also drunk alcohol, so it wasn't suitable to do it again. He decided to let her off the hook for now and make up for it later.
*
Duan Xu slept very soundly and was truly well-rested, waking up feeling particularly energetic.
"Shen Rascal?" Duan Xu had called him that so often that it was an unconscious habit.
Shen Yanlang wasn't in the bedroom, but in the living room. Hearing the call, he got up and came over, opening the door and saying, "Go wash up, I've ordered breakfast."
"Mmm." Duan Xu happily got dressed, got out of bed, and ran to wash up.
I suddenly paused while brushing my teeth, huh?
They didn't do anything last night and just went to sleep?
Shen Rascal no longer a rogue?
Upon entering the living room, Duan Xu noticed Shen Yanlang working on a laptop. He walked over and saw a string of incomprehensible code. "You have a project to work on?"
"Hmm." Shen Yanlang nodded. "A senior told me about it this morning, and I happened to need the experience, so I agreed."
After speaking, Shen Yanlang paused in his actions and looked up at Duan Xu.
Duan Xu's clothes were new, bought by Shen Yanlang; the light blue T-shirt made him look particularly youthful and energetic.
"Xuxu, I'll probably be busy for a while afterward," Shen Yanlang with some reluctance. "I won't have as much time to spend with you."
Duan Xu sat down next to Shen Yanlang, crossed his legs, and said with a smile, "It's okay, you still have to be busy when you need to be. I'll just find something to do too."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yanlang's heart stirred slightly, and he suddenly had an idea. "Xuxu, are your aunt and uncle going abroad again in a few days?"
"Yes," Duan Xu nodded, "I should be leaving after my birthday."
Duan Xu's birthday is August 16th, which is a week away.
Shen Yanlang held Duan Xu's hand and said, "After your aunt and uncle leave, will you come to City A? We'll stay at the school, just the two of us."
Even when he's busy, he stays in his study at home, only occasionally going out. Duan Xu will also be in his study, so they can keep each other company.
Duan Xu's eyes lit up. "Great!"
Since his parents were gone, he was bored at home alone anyway, and being able to spend time with Shen Yanlang was wonderful!
Shen Yan smiled contentedly, pulled the person close, and kissed them.
Just as I was about to give them another kiss, there was a knock on the door; their breakfast had arrived.
The two ate breakfast in the room, then tidied up and went out together to meet Qiu Shan and the others.
After the engagement party ended, Qiu Shan told Duan Xu to stay with Shen Yanlang for a couple more days before going back to celebrate his birthday.
Shen Yanlang was naturally happy, and Ye Lan was even happier. She wanted to take Duan Xu home, but Shen Yanlang stopped her and took Duan Xu to their home near the school.
Duan Xu found a part-time job online, designing business cards for people. The pay was very low, but at least it was experience, and this industry is all about starting from the very basics.
They were both busy with their own things, and although they had less time to talk, they were still by each other's side.
Two days later, Duan Xu went back alone. He was considerate of Shen Yanlang busy and didn't ask anyone to take him. So Shen Yanlang called his own driver to take him.
Duan Xu was busy after returning home, spending most of his time on the phone with Shen Yanlang. They didn't speak, just listened to each other's breathing.
The 16th is Duan Xu's birthday.
He received many messages from classmates early in the morning, some from university and some from high school.
Duan Xu replied first in the group chat of eight people.
Duan Xu: [Thank you everyone, I'll treat you all to a meal when school starts!]
Zhou Zhou: [I've already decided what I want to eat.]
Ye Xinyu: [Tell me your thoughts, let me see.]
Zhou Zhou: [Grilled fish!]
Xiao Xu: [Grilled fish.]
Du Shen: [Grilled fish is boring, hot pot is better.]
Xue Jingshu: [I'm fine with anything.]
Han Xi: [Same as above.]
Ye Xinyu: [I think it's great! I didn't think so until you mentioned it, but now that you mention it, I want to eat it.]
Du Shen: [Then I have no problem.]
Zhou Zhou: [...]
Shen Yanlang: [Xuxu's birthday, we need to choose something Xuxu likes.]
Then a row of ellipses followed.
Duan Xu couldn't help but chuckle when he saw it, and then asked him in the group chat, "[Where are you?]"
Shen Yanlang was coming over to celebrate Duan Xu's birthday, but he also had things to do, so he had his driver take him and made the most of his time to get things done in the car.
Shen Yanlang: [We'll be there in half an hour.]
Duan Xu: [Oh, okay, I'll wait. Dad said he's cooking today, we're in for a treat!]
Shen Yanlang: [I benefited from your success.]
Ye Xinyu: [Don't you guys have any friends? Can we chat privately? I'm already full.]
Du Shen: [Who's the group admin? Kick these two out!]
Zhou Zhou: [Haha...]
Duan Xu laughed along, then returned to the list interface and replied to a few more high school classmates, one of whom was Duan Xu's deskmate, a female beta Sun Yao.
Sun Yao: [Happy birthday, handsome boy!]
Duan Xu: [Thank you!]
Sun Yao: [How have you been in the past year? You haven't contacted me at all. Has our friendship as deskmates fallen apart?]
Duan Xu was silent for a moment, then replied: [So you didn't contact me either? Has our friendship as deskmates broken down?]
Sun Yao: [...]
Sun Yao: [Let's change the subject.]
Sun Yao: [Have you seen the messages in the group chat? There's a gathering on the 20th, organized by the class monitor. Are you going?]
Duan Xu didn't see it; he had already set the group messages to "Do Not Disturb."
Duan Xu: [Let me see first.]
He first checked the group chat and found that an announcement had been posted, saying that they would go to a karaoke bar on the afternoon of the 20th and then have dinner together in the evening.
His parents are leaving on the 17th, and he estimates he'll be heading to City A with Shen Yanlang that afternoon. Would it be troublesome if he came back for the gathering on the 20th?
However, he got along well with his classmates, especially his deskmate. Although she was a female beta, they didn't develop any romantic feelings for each other; it was purely a friendship.
Duan Xu and replied, "Are you going or not?"
Sun Yao: [Of course I'll go! It's been a year since we last met. You wouldn't refuse, would you?]
Duan Xu: [I was in City A that day; if I went, I could only make it to the evening dinner party.]
Sun Yao: [That works too. Just tell the class monitor later.]