"Xiao Zhu, I'm full."
"How about calling me something else? Call me Rongxuan." Little Xie, Xiao Zhu, Xiao Zhou-why did none of them sound all that nice?
In his previous life, Xie Zhuzhou had no elder to give him a courtesy name, so he had chosen "Rongxuan" for himself. Rongxuan signified tolerance and generosity, vitality, and a dignified bearing.
In truth, he felt that the more he lacked something, the more he wanted to associate himself with it. He was not someone who tolerated others. On the contrary, without a mother to rely on, he had been harsh with the servants since childhood and indifferent to those around him. Even when people tried to get close to him, he preferred to shut them out, erecting thick walls within his heart.
That was his way of surviving.
At the thought, Xie Zhuzhou gave a self-mocking smile.
"Rongxuan, is that your name too? It sounds lovely... Rongxuan."
Chu Yanzhang repeated it softly a few times. Though his eyes were lifeless, his gentle smile was plain to see.
Xie Zhuzhou watched him, thinking that Chu Yanzhang really was strong. If he went blind, he certainly would not get over it for a long time. Apart from the inconveniences in daily life, however, Chu Yanzhang's state of mind seemed unchanged.
"Mm, let me take you home. Xiao Nan said the power's back on at your complex. Your microwave seems to be the only thing you need electricity for."
"Yes."
"Until your cousin gets back from his business trip, I'll have someone deliver your meals at set times for the next few days. Don't go out either. It isn't safe outside."
After seeing what Chu Yanzhang had encountered at his school, Xie Zhuzhou could never quite stop worrying. After all, Chu Yanzhang's face attracted perverts far too easily.
"All right. Thank you, Rongxuan. You've helped me so much again. I don't even know how to thank you."
"Repay me once your eyes get better."
Chu Yanzhang froze at those words, his expression forlorn. Finally, he rallied and asked, "Then, Rongxuan, will you come see me?"
"Yes, but I have things to do on weekends."
"What things? May I ask?"
"I took a part-time job. During the day, I have to spend some time checking in over there, and at night, I have to go home to sleep. Most of my time is for my own things. I'll come see you when I'm free."
Parasol Tree Residential Complex was not all that far from Ji Wuqiu's estate villa compound, either. It was a ten- to twenty-minute drive, and he could sleep a little in the car.
These days continued for half a month, with leisure mixed into the bustle.
Of course, visiting Chu Yanzhang was the most relaxing part. In front of a blind man, he did not have to worry about maintaining any persona. He could simply empty his mind.
Xie Zhuzhou was nowhere to be seen in the villa all day long. At last, Ji Wuqiu, his old father, could not stand it anymore and waited until eleven at night to catch his youngest son, who was even busier than he was.
"Good evening, Father." Xie Zhuzhou felt as though he had not seen his father in half a month. From a distance, the man looked somewhat tired.
"Mm. Sit down. Let's chat."
Chat...
Xie Zhuzhou took slightly longer strides than usual as he walked over and sat on the sofa, choosing a spot neither too close to nor too far from Ji Wuqiu.
"What have you been busy with lately?"
With a meek, obedient air, Xie Zhuzhou said, "Classes, going to the production team, visiting a friend's place. Once I get home at night, I paint a little in the studio."
"I remember you don't study traditional Chinese painting."
Xie Zhuzhou kept any unnecessary movements of his hands and expressions on his face under control, merely smiling as he said, "I'm teaching myself."
This was Ji Wuqiu's first time seeing his youngest son smile. It was just that his smile was... a little.
"Are you having any trouble with your studies? Do you still like your major?"
His major was sculpture.
Actually, on the whole, it was much better than other, more complicated majors. Although it gave him a headache sometimes, it was... a very interesting major.
Every time he saw his classmates' abstract works, he almost failed to hold back his laughter.
"I suppose I do."
Ji Wuqiu: "..."
The two exchanged a few more casual remarks, and Xie Zhuzhou, "brimming with filial devotion," also asked after his father's health and quality of sleep.
Ji Wangchen, who had just come home after working overtime, saw Xie Zhuzhou's smile and found it hard to describe. Whose little brother looked so... villainous when he smiled?
And was there really anyone who could not tell he was pretending to be well-behaved?
But Ji Wuqiu could not tell. Even if he knew, he would think that at least Xie Zhuzhou was willing to put on an act.
Thinking of how he had failed his youngest son, Ji Wuqiu once again waved a generous hand and transferred five million to Xie Zhuzhou as spending money.
Xie Zhuzhou: ...
Ji Wangchen walked past to get some water, acting as though he had seen nothing. He even followed suit and transferred another five million to Xie Zhuzhou after Ji Wuqiu got up and went to rest.
"If there's anything you want, buy it. If you want to date, go ahead." Ji Wangchen knew that Xie Zhuzhou had cast a wide net, fishing for three fish at once, but had caught none.
He attributed this to three possible reasons: 1. the other parties were blind, 2. insufficient sincerity, 3. too little money spent.
Xie Zhuzhou quietly saved the money, planning to return it in the form of gifts on holidays and special occasions. Excellent.
"Thanks, Brother, but I'm not dating."
"Why go on a dating show to play around if you're not dating?"
"I'm not going on a dating show to play around." Xie Zhuzhou sounded helpless.
Ji Wangchen ignored his excuses. "Tomorrow is my maternal grandfather's birthday. He wants to meet you too. Do you want to go?"
In City A's elite circles, the major families maintained close ties with social celebrities, political dignitaries, and renowned artists, attending high-end parties, charity dinners, art exhibitions, and other events to mingle with society's elite. To pursue fame and fortune and secure their standing, they could not remain an invisible old family within this circle.
Even up above the clouds, the aloof Sheng Family was no exception.
Hearing that Old Master Sheng wanted to meet him, Xie Zhuzhou shuddered, wondering whether his elder brother's grandfather would summon him over to put him in his place!
"Don't worry. He just wants to meet you. You are my little brother, after all." Ji Wangchen treated Xie Zhuzhou fairly well. After all, Ji Wuqiu had not fathered this little brother through an affair.
"Will anyone recognize me?"
"No. We aren't inviting anyone from the Ji Family with ill intentions, and hardly anyone else in the circle has met you." Ji Wangchen saw that Xie Zhuzhou wanted to refuse every time something required him to show his face.
"Then, the gift..."
"You don't need to prepare that. The banquet probably won't be too boring."
Only then did Xie Zhuzhou relax a little. Actually, if his elder brother wanted to deal with him, there was no need to go about it in such a roundabout way. Wouldn't crushing him be as easy as crushing an ant?
"All right, understood."
"Okay, go get some sleep."
Xie Zhuzhou looked perfectly obedient now. Apart from being a little hardheaded, he was a younger brother Ji Wangchen was reasonably satisfied with. After all, having grown up outside the family for so many years without going astray or picking up bad habits was already, in a sense, a miracle.