Thank you

Back at the hillside villa, Yan Ningke went straight out to walk the dog without even taking a sip of water.

Once the dog had relieved himself, he coaxed him into going home at lightning speed.

"Lars, if you go home right now, I'll find you a sister-in-law tomorrow!"

Lars really was something. The moment Yan Ningke finished speaking, he turned and left, his solemn figure showing a brave, fearless resolve beneath the moonlight.

Lars (the version that misread the question): I'm getting a wife. Hehe.

Watching him pick up the leash in his mouth and head back of his own accord, Yan Ningke paused, then silently gave him a thumbs-up.

Lars, rest assured. The Party and the people will remember your sacrifice!

My barbecue, stir-fried rice cakes, spicy duck snacks, here I come!

However readily Yan Ningke made himself at home, he never forgot his boundaries.

He set the snacks on the wooden table in the yard, fetched a few cans of beer from the fridge, and politely asked Shao Ke, who had returned to his study, whether he wanted any.

After receiving a simple refusal, he finally sat down with a clear conscience.

Life still needed a little ceremony. He picked up his beer and first raised a toast to the bright moon, took a blissful gulp, then let out a satisfied, fizzy burp.

"That hits the spot!"

Time to dig in!

The overpowering aroma of the snacks drifted away on the evening breeze and quickly dispersed.

Locked in his crate in the corner, Lars stared blankly at his "good buddy," who cared only about enjoying himself.

Huh, why did something feel off?

Where was my sweet-smelling, soft little lady dog?

Only when Yan Ningke started feeling dizzy did he realize he had already drunk four cans of beer.

Neither he nor the original owner of this body could hold his liquor very well.

He slouched lazily against the back of his chair, tilting his head up to gaze at the stars with slightly unfocused eyes.

In his previous life, as far back as he could remember, he had never quietly watched the sea of stars like this.

Every day, he had struggled anxiously and tirelessly just to survive.

Sometimes, he felt that he was pitiful and that his life was miserable, but when he woke up the next morning, he would go right back to working hard to get by, without a moment's rest.

He knew he could not stop.

Perhaps the overworked masses of modern society would say, "Who doesn't live like that?"

But at least-at least most people still had a chance to stop for a moment.

Yan Ningke did not.

He had no one to fall back on.

He had no retreat called "home."

He did not even have a home.

Yan Ningke tipped his head back and gulped down a mouthful of beer, then laughed for no particular reason.

Come to think of it, the world really was unpredictable. After transmigrating into a novel, he had actually gotten to enjoy a life that had been far beyond his reach in his previous life.

What he had lost in one place, he had gained in another.

A well-paid job, a handsome employer-aside from a few messy situations and people, it was practically perfect.

I'll just muddle along like this.

"Still not going to bed?"

Yan Ningke turned and draped himself over the back of his chair. Looking at the man in the wheelchair, as serene as a clear breeze and moonlight, he waved the hand holding his beer bottle. "Haven't finished drinking yet."

Perhaps because of the alcohol, his voice was soft and thick, his words drawn out.

Across the night, Shao Ke looked at his faintly shining eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing unconsciously. "If you're going to act drunk, you can sleep in the yard tonight."

Yan Ningke burst out laughing, tilted his head, rested his chin on the back of his hand, and called softly, "Mr. Shao."

After a long silence, Shao Ke heard his own voice. "Mm."

"Mr. Shao, thank you."

Thank you for the warmth that came just when I needed it.

The yard was quiet. Lars had long since fallen asleep.

Apart from the occasional chirping of insects, there was only the glitter of starlight.

Shao Ke turned his wheelchair around, a little warmth entering his cool voice. "Go to bed soon."

Yan Ningke raised his cup toward his retreating figure and drained it.

The consequence of a hangover was waking up the next morning feeling uncomfortable all over.

After washing up, Yan Ningke made a simple breakfast, brewed a cup of coffee more bitter than his life, and sprawled over the table, groaning.

Shao Ke snorted. "Getting your just deserts?"

Pressing a hand to his stomach, Yan Ningke glared at him. "You're my just deserts!"

Shao Ke took a bite of his sandwich and said unhurriedly, "Oh, then you should consider it an honor."

Pah!

Would you like this honor instead?

Yan Ningke shot him an angry look, then turned to lie facing the other way. Out of sight, out of mind.

After breakfast, he curled up on the sofa for over an hour. When he woke again, he felt much better.

For lunch, he made stir-fried hand-rolled noodles and a cucumber and beef salad, simple and refreshing.

Summer weather was like a child's moods, always changing without warning.

The sun had been shining brightly that morning, but by afternoon, dark clouds filled the sky. Before long, lightning flashed and thunder rolled as rain came pouring down.

After standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows to admire the rain for a while, Yan Ningke had nothing to do, so he slipped into the kitchen to make some little desserts.

With a tutorial playing on his phone, he hummed an unknown tune, a gray apron tied around him. Even from behind, he looked utterly cheerful.

In the second-floor study, Shao Ke looked at his computer with an unreadable expression.

"A-Ke, the Ren Family got someone to approach me. They said they wanted to meet with you."

Hearing no response from the other end, Si Yanzhuo capped his fountain pen and continued casually, "The Ren Family's youngest son has been shipped abroad. I heard they carried him straight onto the plane."

He had caused so much trouble that the company had nearly gone bankrupt. He was lucky they had not beaten him to death. With only a broken leg, he ought to count himself fortunate.

Shao Ke stared fixedly at the surveillance footage without shifting his gaze in the slightest. "Mm. Understood."

"So, what's the answer?"

His low voice, carrying a faint chill, echoed through the room. "Leave them waiting for now."

That meant he would not see them. Si Yanzhuo said nothing more about it and changed the subject. "How have things been going with your little housekeeper lately?"

On the surveillance feed, the person carefully took a tray out of the oven. Judging by his expression, it must have turned out well.

The young man smiled happily. Shao Ke lightly rubbed his fingertips together, his tone perfectly level. "Do you have nothing to do?"

Si Yanzhuo chuckled. "However busy I am, I can always make time to show concern for the lives of people with disabilities."

His answer was the beeping of a disconnected call.

Si Yanzhuo lowered his phone and raised an intrigued eyebrow.

It looked like something really was going on.

Meanwhile, Shao Ke had only just hung up when someone knocked on the study door.

He glanced at the now-empty kitchen on his computer and said calmly, "Come in."

Holding a tray in one hand, Yan Ningke tiptoed inside.

Seeing him creeping around like that, Shao Ke immediately frowned. "Walk properly."

"Hey, I just didn't want to disturb you."

Since the master of the house had spoken, Yan Ningke dropped the act and showed his true colors. He strode eagerly up to the desk and set everything down. "Esteemed VIP customer, it's now teatime. Please enjoy."

Shao Ke looked at the snacks beside him, then raised his eyes to look at him.

Understanding what he meant, Yan Ningke said irritably, "Relax and eat. I didn't poison it!"

If I wanted to poison you, grass would already be growing over your grave by now!

Yellow cookies studded with dried fruit were stacked on an exquisite blue-and-white porcelain plate, thoughtfully accompanied by an Americano.

Shao Ke picked one up and chewed slowly and elegantly, then took a sip of coffee.

"How is it?"