The train journey from his hometown to Capital City took more than ten hours. Even the earliest train would not arrive until after midnight.
At first, calls to Fang Lele's phone went through, but no one answered. Later, his phone was switched off.
When Ji Huaijin called, Cheng Yue was waiting outside the train station.
Hearing the noisy background on the other end, he asked, "You're not home?"
It was already past nine that evening. Cheng Yue had come straight here after hanging up with Aunt Fang that afternoon.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, his head aching, and briefly explained what had happened.
Ji Huaijin's brows drew together involuntarily. "Was it Chu Jiye?"
"Who else could it be?"
Cheng Yue slapped the steering wheel in anger, then rubbed it tenderly. He gritted his teeth as though he wanted to tear someone apart. "He's a complete lunatic!"
The worst part was that he had caused a whole mess of trouble, then vanished without a trace.
It was daytime where Ji Huaijin was. He raised his wrist to check his watch and stated matter-of-factly, "So you haven't had dinner yet."
Some of Cheng Yue's agitation suddenly softened. "I don't have an appetite."
He still had not managed to contact Fang Lele, and Aunt Fang was back in their hometown, caught in the middle of the storm.
His troubled thoughts wound around him like vines. How could he possibly be in the mood to eat?
The conversation fell silent. A moment later, Ji Huaijin's cool, composed voice came through. "I've ordered some congee from Ding Sheng Lou. Remember to accept the delivery when it arrives."
At last, a little sweetness seeped into the misery of the day, and Cheng Yue's taut nerves relaxed considerably. "But I still don't want to eat."