The living room.
The two men sat facing each other across the coffee table.
The durians rolling over Chu Ge's belly and back had been put away, but the ones on his head and shoulders were still balanced there. He sat with his hands tucked away, looking constipated.
Zhang Qiren looked this way and that, clicking his tongue.
He knew his way around the things here. Seeing how awkward things were for Chu Ge, he simply made the tea himself, practically half a host.
After all, how long had he been gone? Less than a month? An ordinary person coming home from a longer business trip would have been much the same.
Qiu Wuji had gone straight into her room to hide, refusing to show her face. She had no interest in socializing with mortals, especially when this particular mortal would most likely greet her with "Hello, sis-in-law." She had no desire to hear that.
Though she knew this mortal was somewhat interesting. He seemed to have become the focal point where all the various recent stories converged. If he had not come, Chu Ge would most likely have tried to find him. His coming on his own saved them the trouble.
Outside, she heard Zhang Qiren say, "Uh, Brother Chu, that's a pretty creative look you've got going at home..."
"This year's hottest style. You wouldn't understand," Chu Ge said. "Oh, right. Um, leave your key here..."
"Of course," Zhang Qiren said. "Just right for sis-in-law..."
Knew it!
Who are you calling sis-in-law?
Even more infuriatingly, Chu Ge did not deny it, simply accepting it. "Yeah, she was just saying a couple of days ago that she needed a key cut. We got busy and forgot..."
Pah! Qiu Wuji indignantly turned on the computer to watch videos.
Outside, however,