Chapter 44: A Rainy Mountain Date

Chapter 44: A Rainy Mountain Date

At this time today, only Chi Yan was at home.

"Chi Jue has a project at the company that needs to be rushed, so he won't be back tonight. Mom and Dad have a banquet and will return later. Sit here and wait for me," Chi Yan led him to the living room sofa and then went to get some warm milk.

Chi Yan was, of course, busy too, arguably the busiest in the family. In the past, the house would have been empty tonight, but now it was different.

Chi Yan leaned against the marble countertop, watching the person sitting on the sofa waiting.

Someone needed to stay at home.

Secretary Xiao Li immediately compiled the family's schedule for the past month and handed it over to him. Chi Yan personally planned a well-balanced schedule for everyone, with "spending time with Xiao Man at home" as one of the key priorities.

He could have delegated this task to the secretary's office, but doing it himself was Chi Yan's personal hobby.

He enjoyed the feeling of personally arranging everything, making the schedules, planning the family's activities, and monitoring everyone's whereabouts. The dopamine rush brought him immense satisfaction.

If Ye Man hadn't just returned home and Chi Yan hadn't yet earned his trust, Chi Jue had reminded him that such strong control could make his brother resentful. Otherwise, Chi Yan would have applied the same pattern to Ye Man.

If he had personally called Ye Man before he left, informing him about his trip to a remote sanatorium, instead of finding out from Xiao Wu, he would have been in an exceptionally good mood all day, and his productivity would have skyrocketed.

But now, he couldn't even let on that he knew where Ye Man had gone. Because when Ye Man left during the day, he only told Auntie Zhou that he was going out, but didn't say where.

Even Auntie Zhou, whom he favored, didn't know.

He couldn't know either, of course.

But of course, Xu Huaiting could know.

And even personally drove him back.

Chi Yan slowly knit his brows.

Chi Jue had mentioned some situations, but it was still uncertain.

Xu Huaiting had casually mentioned that he happened to pass by and gave Ye Man a ride back while he was still asleep.

His gaze fell on the candy beside Ye Man's hand, recalling how Ye Man had offered candy to Xu Huaiting. Though it was commendable that his younger brother was polite and kind, offering candy to thank Xu Huaiting for the ride...

But Ye Man had never offered him any candy.

Chi Yan's frown deepened, as if he were strategizing a billion-dollar deal.

...

Ye Man checked his watch.

"The time was 10:32 PM."

Ye Man couldn't tell the time by the sky, but the watch made it easy. He loved it and hadn't taken it off since he got it.

According to the plan, he should have returned home around seven in the evening. At this time, there would be few people at home, and Ye Man could go out and come back without anyone knowing. He didn't have the habit of reporting his itinerary when going out, only telling Auntie Zhou that he was going out for a stroll.

He didn't expect to have slept so long in the big shot's car and even had Chi Yan come out to pick him up.

The warm air in the car was cozy, and the big shot's breathing beside him was soothing.

But Ye Man didn't expect to have slept so soundly, and several hours had passed in a flash.

"Why didn’t the big shot wake me?" Ye Man said with annoyance.

"Who knew you could sleep so soundly in a car," the system replied.

No matter how nice the car is, it’s never as comfy as a big bed, yet Ye Man always manages to find the coziest nooks to sleep in.

Ye Man doesn’t get good sleep easily. Xu Huaiting didn’t want to wake him, and even the system muted itself, afraid any noise might wake him.

Chi Yan brought him a cup of hot milk: "You hungry? Want something to eat?"

Ye Man shook his head: "I’m full."

He’s not a big eater; he didn’t even finish the bread Xu Huaiting brought him.

It was so good, and he’d planned to eat more, but the big shot, sharp as ever, stopped him.

"If you’re full, don’t push it. It’s not like this is your last chance to eat. You can have more anytime."

Ye Man wasn’t fully convinced, but since the big shot said so, he didn’t argue and reluctantly set it aside.

He wondered how the big shot knew he was full.

"Your stomach’s sticking out."

Ye Man touched his stomach, and indeed it was.

That’s when he remembered the leftover bread was still in Xu Huaiting’s car.

It’d probably get tossed.

Ye Man thought with regret.

After the hot milk, he felt warmed up, and Chi Yan walked him back upstairs and stopped him at the door.

Chi Yan stopped him but stayed silent, making the atmosphere awkward.

Chi Yan was trying to figure out how to ask about Xu Huaiting and their relationship without coming off as too controlling or nosy, when Ye Man tilted his head and hesitantly grabbed a handful of candies from his bag, offering them to Chi Yan: "Hey, big bro, wanna try these?"

Ye Man was just trying to make conversation. Chi Yan didn’t seem like the type to go for cheap candies.

He thought Chi Yan would refuse.

However, Chi Yan quickly took the handful of candies, his voice instantly softening by eight degrees: "Thank you, Xiao Man. By the way, your next activity fund has been transferred to your card. Do whatever you like, and if it’s not enough, just let me know."

"Go to bed early tonight."

Ye Man nodded in a daze.

Chi Yan walked away briskly.

Leaving Ye Man puzzled.

Entering his room, he checked his account balance and was shocked.

It was double the amount of the last 'activity fund' used for charity.

Ye Man swallowed hard, his hands trembling. After the excitement, he felt a pang of regret.

If only he could take all this money with him when he leaves in the future.

Since I can't take the money with me anyway, Ye Man thought for a moment and silently transferred some more to the account he had previously sent money to.

The reply from the other side came quickly.

"Being a big shot sure has its perks, with so much money you can't even spend it all, right?"

Ye Man held his phone and replied, "It's almost winter, make sure to get the kids at the orphanage some warm clothes. New Year’s just around the corner, so make sure to get them new clothes ahead of time. Don’t let them ring in the New Year in old clothes. It's cold, and the orphanage’s heating isn’t great, so don’t skimp on using the space heaters."

"Got it. When are you planning to stop by?"

Ye Man touched his eyes and replied, "Not for now."

Going there wouldn’t do any good, and in his current state, he’d probably just be in the way, so it's better to forget it.

System: "Host, I saw you transferring money to this person last time. Who exactly is it? Didn't you say last time that you would tell me what's going on?"

"Just someone who’s really kind-hearted," Ye Man said. "It’s nothing major, and it has nothing to do with the Chi Family or the mission. I’ve been so swamped with the mission that I haven’t had the chance. Once this mission is over, if you still want to know, I’ll fill you in on the details."

After saying that, Ye Man's expression turned serious.

With a grim expression, he said in a low voice, "Brother Tong, we absolutely cannot fail this time. I’ve never lost a fight in my life, but I keep tripping up over Chi Jue. He really lives up to being the main character."

System: "He must be something else."

Thinking about his string of failures, Ye Man felt both inferior and darkly speculated, "Brother Tong, do you think the other villainous cannon fodders would gang up behind my back and trash-talk me, saying I’m not cut out to be Brother Tong’s main host?"

The system gave a slight smile.

It didn't say anything, and Ye Man immediately bit his teeth sensitively, "I’ll make them eat their words sooner or later!"

After binge-watching a few short dramas recently, he wasn’t the same person he used to be; he was now the Pro Max version, all upgraded.

The system opened the storybook folder and said matter-of-factly, "Host, remember to brush your teeth."

Ye Man put away his sinister and evil side and climbed down from the bed, "Oh, okay, I'll go now."

...

Ye Man had been secretly observing Chi Jue for the past few days, and indeed, something was off. Occasionally, when talking to him, Chi Jue would suddenly zone out.

On the agreed day, Xu Huaiting came to pick up Ye Man as planned.

To avoid arousing Chi Jue's suspicion, Ye Man decided to go up the mountain ahead of Chi Jue and his group to stake out and ambush.

Originally, he was going to bring Xiao Wu, but thinking that since he had the big shot with him, bringing an extra person would just increase the risk of exposure when doing something bad, Ye Man simply gave Xiao Wu a day off.

When leaving, he deliberately told Auntie Zhou and the others that he was going out to play with friends today.

Then he sneakily got into Xu Huaiting's car.

Ye Man was very conscious of doing something bad. He deliberately wore a baseball cap and grabbed a pair of glasses from the wardrobe before leaving, disguising himself.

"I've done some research," Ye Man whispered in a conspiratorial tone, leaning over, "The car can only go up to the parking lot halfway up the mountain. We'll have to walk the rest of the way."

At this point, he tugged at his clothes and said sheepishly, "At that time, I might have to trouble you a bit."

The hair that flew up from under the brim of his hat was happily swaying in front of Xu Huaiting's eyes, and the metal frame of the glasses sparkled in the sunlight.

Xu Huaiting's Adam's apple bobbed, and he looked away, then remembering that Ye Man couldn't see, he turned back.

"No problem."

"Should I carry you on my back or in my arms?"

Ye Man: "Make sure to guide me when we get there."

Xu Huaiting: "Yeah."

Okay then.

The drive is about an hour and a half.

Ye Man had thoroughly researched the trip.

He said excitedly, "According to the search app, this month, the Red Maple Mountain looks completely red from the top—it’s supposed to be stunning!"

Xu Huaiting: "If we drive there and head up to the summit, we’ll make it just in time for sunset. It will look even more beautiful then. I brought a drawing board; I can teach you to draw."

He had taken him to draw Zheng Min’s face before—it was a good way to help a blind person understand shapes.

Ye Man let out a cheer.

But after cheering, he realized something was off.

He turned his head, put on a serious face, and corrected Xu Huaiting earnestly: "We’re here for serious business, not a picnic."

Xu Huaiting gave him a silent smile.

The car stopped at the foot of the mountain.

Ye Man drowsily opened his eyes, thinking they’d reached their destination.

But he heard Xu Huaiting say: "There’s a supermarket here. I’m grabbing some food—want anything?"

"Whatever’s fine..."

In his drowsiness, he felt something warm brush his face. "Just wait in the car for a bit."

Ye Man nodded.

Hearing Xu Huaiting unbuckle the seatbelt and open the car door, he jolted awake. Ye Man quickly grabbed Xu Huaiting’s sleeve.

Xu Huaiting turned to look at him. Ye Man didn’t seem to know why he’d grabbed him either. After a moment of silence, Xu Huaiting heard his voice, so quiet it was barely audible: "I don’t want to stay here alone."

He seemed a little uneasy.

He added nervously: "I... I want to go with you."

Xu Huaiting just looked at him, his eyes flickered, and his heart melted.

He handed him the cane, pulled his clothes for him: "It’s drizzling outside, it’s a bit cold."

He walked around to the other side, opened the car door, and extended his arm for him to hold: "Let’s go."

Ye Man nodded vigorously.

His hanging heart settled down.

The cool drizzle outside helped wake him up a little more.

Is it raining?

It seems like even the heavens are against him.

Xu Huaiting was carrying a large bag of food, while Ye Man, being a frail blind guy, only had to hold onto his cane and Xu Huaiting's arm. The two of them came out of the supermarket and stood under the eaves at the entrance, staring silently at the torrential rain.

Ye Man clenched his palm and stomped his foot in frustration, "Are Chi Jue and Meng Yao out of their minds, going up the mountain to date in such heavy rain?"

Hearing this, Xu Huaiting silently glanced at him.

"So... should we just head back?"

Ye Man wiped the rainwater splashed on his face with the back of his hand, "Let’s do it! We’ve come this far!"

Remembering that there was a big shot beside him, he could handle suffering alone, but dragging someone else into it was another story.

Ye Man's expression changed, from fierce to pitiful in an instant. His eyes reddened, and he carefully reached out to take Xu Huaiting's hand, whispering tearfully, "Xu Huaiting, I'm so scared alone, you... you won't leave me, will you? You'll stay with me, right?"