Chapter 84: A Du, Sleep a Little Longer

Chapter 84: A Du, Sleep a Bit More

The next morning.

Woken by his internal clock, Chu Lanting instinctively buried his head into the chest of the person beside him.

Someone had deliberately trained this little habit into him, dating back to not long after they first met, when that someone had stuck to him like glue, pressing up against his back.

Because they slept together, that someone would always do little things after he fell asleep.

For example, reaching out to pull him into an embrace, wrapping an arm around him to keep him from wandering off.

At first, Chu Lanting wasn't used to this. He'd long been used to being alone—eating, sleeping, studying, working—always on his own.

After inexplicably being transported into a book, he suddenly had someone by his side who needed his care, and he could handle all of that.

The only thing he couldn't get used to was that every morning when he opened his eyes, he didn't see the ceiling or the view outside the window.

But a pair of well-developed... pectoral muscles.

At first, he had been startled, and A Du had apologized with reddened eyes, asking if he didn't like it.

To avoid hurting his feelings, he could only force himself to say it was fine.

He hadn't expected that A Du, after losing his memory, would be so clingy... and so fond of him.

To the point that every morning thereafter, he woke up to pectoral muscles, and he had even regretted getting used to it for a while.

Later, he gradually got used to it, until now his body couldn't forget the habits that had long since formed.

The originally cool woody fragrance, warmed by body heat, had been transformed into a warm, comforting scent.

When Chu Lanting felt someone rest a hand on his shoulder, he immediately buried his head even deeper: "A Du, sleep a bit more."

Who would've thought that Teacher Chu—so gentle and kind to everyone, so well-liked—was actually someone who loved to sleep in?

His hoarse tone carried a hint of coaxing.

Seeing Chu Lanting like this early in the morning was indeed delightful. But the thought that this coaxing wasn't for him—it was for another version of himself—made Pei Du's softened features immediately harden.

At the same time, his body went rigid.

Perhaps his change was too obvious, or perhaps Chu Lanting's foggy, just-awakened mind had finally cleared up.

In just a few breaths, the warm softness in Pei Du's arms suddenly fled, as if escaping from something terrifying.

Lowering his gaze to look at the empty space in his arms, his gaze darkened upon seeing nothing there.

His fingers gripping the blanket tightened, and before he could lift his eyelids, he heard a voice speak, tinged with chagrin.

"Sorry, I—I must've still been half-asleep."

"It's getting late, I'll go prepare breakfast first. Is bread okay?"

Chu Lanting moved quickly to get out of bed, afraid Pei Du behind him would start a confrontation.

After all, the relationship between the two was no longer what it used to be, and he was still the one being suspected. Being able to sleep in the same bed was probably already generous of Pei Du.

Scoffing at himself internally, Chu Lanting opened the wardrobe and picked up his clothes as usual, preparing to change.

Then remembering there was still someone in the room, he had no choice but to pick up his clothes and walk out: "I'll go get things ready. If your head still hurts, rest a bit more. I'll explain things at the factory and ask for leave in advance."

"But really, no definite return date?"

Chu Lanting, who had already reached the door of the room, suddenly stopped, turning his head to ask.

Pei Du hadn't expected him to suddenly look back. He quickly looked away, nodded in a deep voice, and lied without batting an eye.

"Mm, the procedures on the main star are very complicated, after all, they concern the safety of the youngest major in the Aland galaxy."

Pei Du deliberately stressed the words "the safety of the youngest major," and seeing the surprise on Chu Lanting's face quickly turn to helplessness, he watched him nod.

"I understand. In the morning, I'll go to the factory to wrap things up. After that, I'll stay home."

Working at the nutrient factory was to support himself, A Du, and kids like Xiaoyi.

Chu Lanting considered himself a bit of a saint at heart—having suffered too much hardship since childhood, he couldn't help but go soft whenever he saw people in similar situations.

"And I need to let Xiaoyi and Uncle Tian know too..."

This last sentence wasn't meant for Pei Du to hear. Before he even finished speaking, Chu Lanting turned and left the room.

Leaving Pei Du alone sitting on the large bed, staring blankly at his retreating figure, his expression unreadable, lost in thought.

Feng Xingyun had finally managed to escape from that creep Yan Que's clutches, thinking he could hide in his office and rest for a while.

-

He'd barely closed his eyes when he heard a knock at the door.

Without even opening his eyes, Feng Xingyun casually grabbed the cigarette box beside him and hurled it over: "Who's here to whine at this hour? If you're broke, go ask your brother-in-law for money. I don't have any!"

Not hearing the familiar sound of someone complaining about being poor, Feng Xingyun finally bothered to open his eyes, and he saw Chu Lanting bending down to pick up the cigarette box.

"Supervisor Feng, I'd like to request a longer leave. I should be able to return in about half a month."

On 207, longer leaves were practically nonexistent.

People in the wealthy district didn't need to work, so they didn't need to ask for time off.

People in the slums would starve if they didn't work, so they didn't dare ask for time off.

The polarization was extremely severe.

So when he heard Chu Lanting ask for half a month off, Feng Xingyun put down his legs from the coffee table. The movement seemed to pull at a wound, and he hissed through gritted teeth.

"Half a month off? Where are you going, visiting relatives?"

"But I remember your parents died long ago. What relatives do you even have left?"

Chu Lanting set down the cigarette box in his hand. After what happened yesterday, his expression lacked its usual spark.

Instead, Feng Xingyun could see a hint of exhaustion.

"It really is something important. I can work overtime to make up for it after I return, or have my wages deducted—whatever you think is fair."

This time, Feng Xingyun didn't respond verbally but just waved him over.

When he stepped forward, Feng Xingyun reached out and grabbed his chin: "Tsk, did that brat A Du mess with you?"

Chu Lanting's expression froze at the words, a look of astonishment surfacing in his amber-brown eyes.

"I said from the start that kid was unreliable. Wouldn't it be better to stick with me? At least you'd be living the good life, but no, you had to go with an outsider..."

"Wait! You just said you wanted a long leave—don't tell me it's for that punk?!"

"Why do you need a long leave? He's remembered everything, and he wants to take you away? How are you two leaving? His airship already blew up—the only piece left of the whole hull is that thing in Yan Que's hands."

"No way, I can't approve this leave. What if that punk turns out to be no good and lures you away, then carves you up and sells your organs? You stay put right here—don't you dare run off anywhere!"