The next day.
Uncle Zhang picked Yu Nian up at the airport.
Qin Yuheng was busy at the office and couldn't get away to pick him up.
Yu Nian didn't mind. After going home and petting the cat and dog, he went over to Xie Zhou's place to give him the autograph.
When Xie Zhou saw the handwriting on it, he delightedly hugged it to his chest and thanked him profusely again. He also offered him some treats he had baked himself.
Yu Nian tried two pieces and couldn't help giving him a thumbs-up. "You're amazing. How are you good at everything?"
"I just experimented a little at home," Xie Zhou said shyly. "I'm glad you like them."
Sitting at the little table, Yu Nian took a sip of the floral tea Xie Zhou had brewed for him. "Have you gotten used to living here by yourself?"
Xie Zhou sighed. "It's all right, I guess. Sometimes I still miss when Grandpa was here."
He smiled. "But I'm content now. I don't have anything to worry about, and I have you to keep me company."
"You're doing well now," Yu Nian reassured him. "Your grandpa would definitely be happy for you."
"I'm going back to school next semester," Xie Zhou said.
Xie Zhou looked quite young. Yu Nian had never asked before, assuming he had dropped out for some reason and worrying that asking would embarrass him.
"Were you on a leave of absence?"
"Yes," Xie Zhou said. "After Grandpa found me and brought me back, I went to school for a while. Then his health got worse, and the doctor said he might not get better... I wanted to spend more time with him."
After Old Master Xie passed away, Xie Zhou had sunk into depression and hadn't felt up