That night time, Ji Ruan, feeling pissed off, despatched Mr. Gu a five-hundred-character textual content composition. Nonetheless, when Mr. Gu awoke at 5:30 a.m. the following day, he discovered a single character response: 

[. ] 

The little unlucky Ji Ruan turned so offended that he misplaced his urge for food for all the day, solely managing to eat an additional plate of cherries. 

Within the following days, Mr. Gu returned to work, and Ji Ruan spent his days alone. He indulged himself fully, spending most of his time mendacity in mattress. It wasn’t as a result of he all of the sudden turned lazy, however fairly as a result of crying had drained him of all vitality. 

They are saying that crying could be cathartic, however after shedding his tears, Ji Ruan felt empty inside. It took him a very good two days to recuperate, lastly regaining his vitality on the third day. 

The cycle of laziness and social nervousness appeared to be intermittent. Initially, staying house felt liberating, however after some time, boredom set in. 

That day, as Ji Ruan lazed on his mattress, consuming cherries and considering whether or not to ask Han Xiaolin out to play, his cellphone rang. 

“Whats up?” Ji Ruan rapidly answered. 

“Hey, bro!” Han Xiaolin’s distinctive voice got here by way of. “Let’s exit and have some enjoyable!” 

With plenty of noise within the background, Ji Ruan grabbed the ear of his teddy bear and requested, “Are you joking? The place are you?” 

“We’re on our commencement team-building journey!” Han Xiaolin exclaimed. “There is a get together on the online game metropolis within the central sq.. Are you coming?” 

“Positive!” Ji Ruan obtained up and opened his closet. “Look forward to me, I will be there quickly.” 

“Okay, I simply obtained right here, and nobody else has arrived but. Take your time preparing.” 

“Alright.” 

After hanging up, Ji Ruan casually became a t-shirt and shorts and headed to the kitchen to seek out Aunt Zhao. 

Aunt Zhao, who had years of expertise, melted instantly upon seeing the furry head peeking out from the wall. Ji Ruan blinked his huge spherical eyes at her. 

Overwhelmed by Ji Ruan’s cuteness, Aunt Zhao waved repeatedly. “Why are you hiding there, Ruan Ruan? Come right here!” 

Ji Ruan squeezed out his dimples and ran over to hug Aunt Zhao’s arm. She coyly requested, “Zhao Ma… have you learnt when Mr. Gu got here again?” 

Aunt Zhao, overwhelmed by the presence of the cute little pal, pinched Ji Ruan’s face and playfully replied, “Oh, who is aware of? He is been working continuous, so we do not even know if he’ll be again this week.” 

“I see…” Ji Ruan rolled her eyes. “Nicely, Zhao Ma, I need to exit and play.” 

Aunt Zhao burst into laughter. “So that is what you needed to speak about! If you wish to play, go forward. The place are you going? Watch out!” 

Ji Ruan seemed severe. “Our commencement staff constructing is on the central sq.. I heard there is a online game metropolis there. It is fairly shut.” 

Aunt Zhao contemplated for a second. “Hmm… I vaguely keep in mind a gathering of younger folks in that space… Anyway, go on and have enjoyable. Shall I name Uncle Zhang—” 

“No want,” Ji Ruan interrupted, choosing up her cellphone and heading in direction of the door. “I am going to simply take a taxi. It is not too far. Oh, by the best way, Zhao Ma, I will not be again for dinner. We’ll eat out later.” 

“Alright, alright,” Aunt Zhao smiled and waved her hand. “Go on, do not hold your classmates ready.” 

Ji Ruan was about to placed on his sneakers, however then he dashed again with a smile and gave Aunt Zhao a bear hug earlier than leaving, forsaking a fluffy head and a waving goodbye: 

“Goodbye, Zhao Ma!” 

Aunt Zhao, overwhelmed by the hug, was left feeling dizzy with pleasure. After watching Ji Ruan depart, she could not assist however smile. She tidied up and ready to take a nap. 

In the meantime, Mr. Gu returned house at that very second. 

Half an hour after Ji Ruan left, Gu Xiuyi, who had been away for 3 days, lastly opened the door to the villa. 

Nonetheless, the room felt completely different from its regular vigorous environment. There was no sound of Aunt Zhao’s cheerful laughter, and Ji Ruan’s infectious laughter was noticeably absent. The room was unusually quiet, harking back to the chilly and empty days earlier than Ji Ruan’s arrival. 

Suppressing the discomfort in his coronary heart, Gu Xiuyi walked across the room, looking for any indicators of Ji Ruan’s presence. He began with Ji Ruan’s room, knocking on the door, however obtained no response. Apprehensive that Ji Ruan won’t have heard, he pushed the door open barely however discovered the room empty. 

Gu Xiuyi stepped inside, checking the toilet and the cloakroom, confirming that Ji Ruan was certainly not there. He proceeded to look each flooring of all the villa, even venturing to the yard swimming pool, however there was no hint of Ji Ruan to be discovered. 

Feeling a way of urgency, Gu Xiuyi reached for his cellphone, desiring to name Ji Ruan for solutions. Nonetheless, he hesitated when his finger hovered over the dial key. Unsure of what to say, he put his cellphone away and located himself drawn again to Ji Ruan’s room. 

“Hey, Xiao Gu!” Aunt Zhao’s voice all of the sudden echoed from someplace. “What brings you again?” 

Gu Xiuyi withdrew his cellphone and scanned the realm, then he glanced over the railing and noticed Aunt Zhao on the primary flooring. She had became her pajamas, holding a towel as if she had simply taken a bathe and was about to relaxation. 

“It is nothing.” Gu Xiuyi cleared his throat and descended the steps. “The challenge in Lingzhou is completed, so I made a decision to take just a few days off.” 

“Oh, that is uncommon. What number of years has it been? It is uncommon to see you on trip,” Aunt Zhao remarked, elevating her eyebrows in shock. 

Gu Xiuyi sidestepped the subject of trip and gestured towards Ji Ruan’s room. “The place is everybody?” 

Aunt Zhao could not assist however smile when Ji Ruan was talked about. “He went out to play along with his classmates.” 

“Taking part in?” Gu Xiuyi made his approach to the kitchen counter. “The place did he go, and the way lengthy will he be out?” 

Aunt Zhao wiped her damp hair with the towel and defined, “They went for a commencement staff constructing. A big group of classmates gathered on the online game metropolis. They are going to be enjoying for fairly a while. Ji Ruan will not be again for dinner.” 

“Actually…” Gu Xiuyi crammed a glass with water, pouring it slowly, earlier than all of the sudden recalling one thing and asking, “Hasn’t he been feeling unwell these previous few days? Why did he all of the sudden exit right this moment?” 

“He is feeling higher,” Aunt Zhao recollected. “He wasn’t very energetic because of a light sickness, however right this moment he appeared higher. I allowed him to exit and play. In spite of everything, Ruan Ruan simply graduated from highschool. It is regular for him to get pleasure from some leisure time. It is higher than being bored at house all day, do not you assume?” 

Gu Xiuyi felt conflicted however hid it behind a smile. “Sure, you are proper. Relaxation nicely, Zhao Ma. I am going to take a bathe and nap.” 

“Alright… Take care,” Aunt Zhao replied, nonetheless in a daze, as she left the room. Gu Xiuyi, then again, remained standing, holding the glass of water. 

Hugged…performing like a child? 

Mr. Gu took a sip from the glass, mulling over the ideas that got here speeding in. 

Nonetheless, performing spoiled? 

President Gu let loose a dry chuckle. 

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts of Ji Ruan’s picture, he centered on having fun with his trip wholeheartedly. 

At two o’clock within the afternoon, Mr. Gu took a nap. 

At three o’clock within the afternoon, Mr. Gu awoke. 

At three thirty, Mr. Gu watched TV. 

At three-fifty, the TV didn’t seize his curiosity. 

He discovered himself wandering into Ji Ruan’s room. 

As a result of a mistake within the adorning course of, Ji Ruan’s room ended up with a cartoonish theme harking back to a kids’s room. Ji Ruan appeared to be thriving on this setting, cherishing the unintended attraction it held. 

On the small picket desk, there sat a fortunate cat with its claws eliminated. Although it appeared a bit ugly, Ji Ruan appeared to get pleasure from consuming cherries with this peculiar merchandise. 

Gu Xiuyi noticed his naked paws whereas involuntarily twitching the corners of his lips. It was all nicely and good. 

Unfold out on the desk have been a number of A4 papers that Ji Ruan used for doodling when he grew bored. A few of them featured Aunt Zhao, who possessed a expertise for portray. 

Gu Xiuyi rapidly glanced over them, relieved to not discover any portraits of himself… a lucky consequence. 

The balcony housed the grass Ji Ruan had introduced house to nurture, which had since flourished right into a lush, vibrant inexperienced… a nice sight certainly. 

Earlier than departing, Gu Xiuyi encountered the big teddy bear, as soon as once more, a favourite of Ji Ruan’s that he would often embrace and cuddle. 

Curiosity prompted Gu Xiuyi to achieve out and pinch the bear’s stomach. It felt bizarre sufficient. Nonetheless, he could not assist however surprise why Ji Ruan usually pressed his face in opposition to it. 

By 5 o’clock within the night, Mr. Gu navigated his method by way of all the villa in fast three-step intervals, lastly reaching dinnertime. 

Following dinner, Mr. Gu resumed his TV-watching endeavors. 

After scrolling by way of all of the obtainable channels in a mere ten minutes, Gu Xiuyi flung the distant management onto the espresso desk, sank again into the couch, and glued his gaze upon the chandelier hanging from the ceiling. 

Having lived for practically thirty years, this was the primary time Gu Xiuyi skilled such an absurd, overwhelmingly absurd sensation. 

How might somebody detest working however wholeheartedly cherish trip time? 

What was the aim behind such a monotonous trip? 

How might Ji Ruan handle to remain at house for half a month and enjoy it? 

These have been perplexing questions solely Ji Ruan himself might reply. However the particular person able to resolving Gu Xiuyi’s lifelong doubts was at present gallivanting round and having fun with himself with out even bothering to make a cellphone name. 

Within the night, Gu Xiuyi assumed Ji Ruan’s regular spot and accompanied Aunt Zhao in watching a rural ethics drama. 

Each Aunt Zhao and Xiao An totally loved the present, however for some motive, Gu Xiuyi discovered it incomprehensible. 

Why did the eldest brother of a specific household fancy the sister-in-law of one other household? 

Why did everybody within the village appear to dislike this sister-in-law? 

And why did she at all times weep whereas cradling a child? 

Ji Ruan would possible perceive the nuances. Gu Xiuyi resolved to ask him about it when a chance arose. 

Because the wall clock approached midnight, Gu Xiuyi glanced at it and casually inquired, “Why hasn’t Ji Ruan returned? It is getting late.” 

Aunt Zhao grew anxious as nicely, about to rise and retrieve her cellphone, however a sudden change of thought prompted her to have a look at Gu Xiuyi and alter the topic: “Why do not you give him a name?” 

“Me?” Upon listening to these phrases, the corners of Gu Xiuyi’s mouth barely lifted, a response he promptly suppressed. 

He raised his hand, pinching his chin, and retrieved his cellphone, talking in a composed tone. “Then permit me to ask you one thing.” 

The cellphone rang for what felt like an eternity. Gu Xiuyi and Aunt Zhao sat collectively in silence, ready patiently till the decision was on the verge of mechanically disconnecting. 

Gu Xiuyi activated the speakerphone, however earlier than he might utter a phrase, an ear-splitting noise erupted from the opposite finish. 

Drums, clamor, melody, rhythm—all intermingled with roaring cheers. Gu Xiuyi’s brow wrinkled instantly. 

“The place are you?” 

Ji Ruan’s fragile voice appeared feeble amid the overwhelming waves of sound, but he shouted vehemently, “Superior—superior! Let’s go, child! Rock on!” 

Gu Xiuyi: “…” 

Aunt Zhao widened her eyes in horror. The picture of the online game metropolis in her thoughts didn’t match the scene unfolding earlier than her… 

Gu Xiuyi’s lips pressed tightly collectively, his expression turning icy chilly. He enunciated every phrase with deliberate pauses, “Are you at a disco?” 

—– 

Writer’s Be aware: 

Mr. Gu: I took day without work for my spouse, but she went to a disco, leaving me on their lonesome on this desolate home. 

Ruan Ruan: Ye—Pai—Ye—Ye—Pai—Ye! Come on, child, let’s rock! 

Mr. Gu: …No, I have to apprehend him.