Chapter 22
After coming out of the principal’s assistant’s office, Yu Chen was in rather a good mood. He kept reciting the ancient poem he had just learned recently, Pity the Farmers, and solemnly vowed not to waste even a single grain of food.
By contrast, He Zhen looked obviously preoccupied, clearly still worrying about the snack issue.
Among the first-grade children, Yu Chen’s height was fairly average. But in a sea of second graders, he was practically a tiny bean sprout. Whether it was choosing seats or standing in line, he was always first.
Ever since Yingzhuo and Hongwen No. 1 Primary School had merged, all the original classes had been broken up and reformed according to the ratio of boys and girls.
The reason He Zhen and Yu Chen ended up in the same class naturally had everything to do with He Jinglin’s arrangements. Little friend He Zhi’an, of course, followed along in order to stay with the big and second-in-command bosses, so he also ended up in Class One. What dissatisfied He Zhen, however, was that Li Ye had somehow, by sheer coincidence, also been placed in the same class as them.
Back in kindergarten, Li Ye had already liked getting close to Yu Chen. Fortunately, He Zhen had stayed vigilant, so Yu Chen had never been snatched away. Though He Zhen was now very confident in the depth of his and Yu Chen’s friendship, that still did not rule out the possibility that Li Ye might stubbornly cling to Yu Chen.
Treating Li Ye as an imaginary enemy, He Zhen gripped Yu Chen’s chubby little hand tightly, the corners of his brows slightly lifting. Now seven years old, he already fully carried himself like an older child. His delicate, proper features had grown more and more deep-set, just like his mother’s. Even the simple pale-pink school uniform looked faintly noble on him.
Today was September 1st, the first day of school.
The busy hallway was lively and full of noise.
The students passing by all noticed these two transfer students with completely different styles. Because of He Zhen’s keep-strangers-away aura, they did not dare approach him first. But the fair, clean little sweet bean beside him looked like someone gentle and well-behaved.
That evening, after the two boys got home, Li Huan learned that He Zhen had gone to see the principal’s assistant during the day. Busy arranging the flowers in the vase on the table, he asked, “What did Teacher Jin say?”
While feeding sweet cantaloupe to Yu Chen, He Zhen replied, “Teacher Jin agreed.”
Li Huan smiled lightly. “Teacher Jin didn’t say anything else?”
He Zhen muttered, “She said I should build myself up a bit too.”
Looking at his own precious little one—fair and plump—Li Huan felt both gratified and faintly worried.
Though children being a little plump was generally a good thing, and Yu Chen’s figure could at most be called slightly chubby, he still worried that if Yu Chen kept gaining weight, it might affect his health in the future.
In truth, aside from loving snacks, Yu Chen’s appetite was not actually that large. Because of his heart condition, he could not conveniently exercise to burn off calories. Little by little, that was why Yu Chen had grown a bit sturdier than he had been in kindergarten.
Still, Yu Chen had not only gained weight—he had also grown seven centimeters taller, and Li Huan found that deeply gratifying.
Besides, his precious treasure was really growing more and more beautiful. Not only was he fair and adorable, he also had a lively personality and knew how to care for people. He was at the level where stranger aunties would stop and take photos if he were brought outside.
“Yu Chenchen, drink some milk.”
He Zhen held out the cup and thoughtfully inserted a straw.
Not long ago, Yu Chen had been playing too wildly and injured his hand in a pinch. It still had not fully healed. Because of that, He Zhen had taken over the task of feeding him. The wound had actually been very shallow, and the doctor had said it did not affect daily activities at all. But He Zhen did not believe it. Every time Yu Chen used chopsticks, he would scrunch up his round little face and whimper in a spoiled way. He Zhen felt sorry for him, so he simply started feeding him directly.
Li Huan had every reason to believe that one of the culprits behind Yu Chen’s weight gain was also He Zhen’s overindulgence.
By now, every word and action of He Zhen carried the bearing of a big child. In daily fencing, swimming, and combat practice, his athletic ability was outstanding. He always received full marks in those classes and was deeply favored by his teachers.
Still, in these past two years, his temper had not changed one bit. Aside from being gentler toward Yu Chen, he remained rather cold toward everyone else and unwilling to socialize.
A few days earlier, Doctor George had re-evaluated He Zhen. The results were quite a pleasant surprise. He Zhen’s psychological assessment scores had improved noticeably, and he now showed very few signs of anxious or depressive tendencies.
Doctor George had even said outright that He Zhen’s good condition was inseparable from Yu Chen’s companionship.
Naturally, Li Huan was relieved. His only wish was that both little boys could grow up healthy and safe.
But Yu Chen’s heart condition was, to him, always a hidden mine—one that might explode someday without warning.
Last year, through He Jinglin’s connections, Li Huan had taken Yu Chen for a consultation with the country’s top cardiology specialist.
After the examination, the doctor told him that Yu Chen’s illness was extremely rare, with an incidence rate of only two in a hundred thousand. Put simply, compared to a normal person, Yu Chen’s heart was like a mirror-image reversal, with the left ventricle connected to the pulmonary artery. With current medical technology, surgery was possible, but the success rate was only forty percent. If they chose not to operate, he might still live for decades. But once an episode occurred, then it would be hard to say.
Li Huan could not bear to take such a risk with Yu Chen. Following the doctor’s advice, he decided to wait until the newest international techniques had fully matured before arranging surgery for him.
When first-grade Yu Chen heard about this, he had certainly been scared—but what concerned him more was whether the surgery was expensive.
Back when Yu Chen’s parents had taken him into the city to see a doctor at a big hospital, the doctor had quoted a number so huge, so unimaginably huge, that his mother had cried again and again.
Because of that, in order to save Li Huan money and save up for treatment, Yu Chen had spent three days in a row eating only the tiniest amounts. He refused snacks, fruit, and chocolate, and would not let Li Huan buy them either. In the end, he fainted from hunger before finally confessing the truth, which left Li Huan utterly heartbroken.
“Uncle, please prepare a little more fruit for Yu Chenchen.”
He Zhen’s voice pulled Li Huan back from his thoughts.
By now, He Zhen had long stopped calling Li Huan “butler” and followed Yu Chen in calling him “uncle.”
Li Huan nodded. “Don’t worry. I prepared double portions. If anything urgent comes up at summer camp, call me.”
Yu Chen nodded his little head and lay comfortably against the cushion with his feet lifted. In front of him was He Zhen’s iPad, playing his favorite cartoon. He did not have to do anything except open his mouth and, every now and then, praise feeding-NPC He Xiao Zhen until He Zhen was blooming with joy.
Even Li Huan, as Yu Chen’s father, sometimes felt it was too much to watch.
The next day, He Zhen and Yu Chen pulled their Mickey Mouse suitcases and officially began their study summer camp.
On the bus, Yu Chen buried his plump round face into He Zhen’s arms, lifted his little legs, and slept especially sweetly.
Mornings in September were already somewhat chilly. He Zhen wore a black children’s outdoor jacket with the collar zipped all the way up, revealing only his beautiful brows and eyes and his high nose bridge.
Holding Yu Chen in his arms, He Zhen lightly rested his cheek against Yu Chen’s round little head. Out of boredom, he silently worked through the Olympiad math problems he had studied the night before.
In the diagonally rear seat, two boys were secretly discussing He Zhen.
Fang Jingrao’s father was the chairman of a famous local snack manufacturing company, and his family was very well-off. Before Fang Jingrao went to school, his father had repeatedly instructed him to build a good relationship with He Zhen, the new transfer student from Yingzhuo Primary School, because He Zhen’s family was the kind of rich that he could not even imagine.
After observing for a long time, Fang Jingrao thought he had discovered an even bigger secret. That beautiful child named Yu Chen was even wealthier than He Zhen’s family!
Just look at how He Zhen protected Yu Chen—like a tiny bodyguard, always afraid someone might bully him.
Because of that, little classmate Fang Jingrao made up his mind to build a good relationship with Yu Chen and become good friends.
He Zhi’an sat across from the two of them and had long since grown used to their sticky-clingy behavior.
As the saying went, friendship among three people was too crowded. Little friend He Zhi’an had enough self-awareness to know his place, so he obediently settled into the role of a follower in the gang. His thoughtful actions were highly appreciated by He Zhen.
He remembered that this was how his mother evaluated him.
—A show-off clown.
He did not understand. What exactly had he done that was showy?
Once their gang grew bigger and stronger, he would be the third-in-command—also a boss!
He quietly searched among the clever classmates, preparing to find the right moment to recruit a little follower of his own as his successor.
When He Zhi’an’s and Fang Jingrao’s bright, clear gazes collided in midair, both of them suddenly felt a strange sense of meeting a kindred spirit.
“Students, time to get off the bus.”
Under the teacher’s instructions, the three hundred second-grade students pulled their suitcases and lined up at the entrance to the summer camp.
Besides the study tasks, another major purpose of this summer camp was to cultivate a spirit of endurance and hard work in the students.
Because it had been stated in advance that snacks were forbidden, everyone’s luggage had to be opened and inspected before entering camp.
Teacher Jin had already spoken to the homeroom teacher beforehand, so when Yu Chen’s suitcase full to bursting with snacks was opened, the teachers were not especially surprised.
Still, the teacher in charge of inspection did not completely indulge Yu Chen and deliberately used a little wooden stick to sift through the snacks, teasing him for fun.
When they saw Yu Chen twisting his little hands together, his blinking big eyes full of anxiety, quite a few teachers secretly laughed.
The story that He Zhen’s younger brother suffered from malnutrition and needed to bring supplements had already spread throughout the school. The teachers, watching the fun, whispered among themselves while staring at the beautiful, rounded little boy in front of them.
In the end, after screening, only milk and calcium tablets were left in Yu Chen’s suitcase. All his biscuits, chocolates, potato chips, and other snacks were confiscated.
Dragging his suitcase and looking back every few steps, Yu Chen looked so aggrieved he nearly cried. His round black eyes were full of reluctance. If He Zhen had not been leading him along, he might have asked the teacher whether he could at least finish eating the snacks before going in.
Inside the dormitory, six little boys arrived one after another with their bed numbers.
Unfortunately, Li Ye was in the same dorm as them.
Even more unfortunately, when the teacher asked who was willing to be the dorm leader, Li Ye raised his hand and ended up becoming the little leader over Yu Chen and He Zhen.
Because Yu Chen could not climb up onto the upper bunk, He Zhen voluntarily gave up the lower bunk. Of course, he had no intention of actually sleeping in the top bunk. Sleeping under one blanket with Yu Chen while hugging a soft little heater was far more comfortable.
Yu Chen had still not recovered from the grief of losing his snacks. Sitting on top of his suitcase, he dazedly rubbed at his runny nose, his little mouth pouted high.
“Yu Chen, aren’t you unpacking?”
As dorm leader, Li Ye kindly reminded him, “There are fifteen minutes left before assembly.”
Yu Chen nodded his little head and laboriously pulled open his suitcase. The moment he saw how empty it looked now, after once being so bulging full, his sadness grew bigger than a pizza. Puffing out his cheeks, he bitterly pulled out his little underwear and pajamas.
“His hand is injured. I’ll help him.”
He Zhen jumped down from the bed, lightly lifted Yu Chen, and sat him down firmly on a little stool, where Yu Chen immediately began swinging his feet.
“Yu Chenchen, sit and wait for me.”
“Roger that, Boss!”
Their mode of interaction drew not only Li Ye’s attention, but also that of the other boys in the dorm, who kept glancing over in secret.
To everyone else, He Zhen had always been a mystery.
On the day they first came to collect their new textbooks, tall and handsome He Zhen had attracted everyone’s attention. But that cool expression of his had also made everyone instinctively keep their distance.
The classmates who had known He Zhen back at Yingzhuo Primary told everyone that Yu Chen was He Zhen’s younger brother, and that He Zhen only played with Yu Chen and really did take excellent care of him.
But then there was another little loudspeaker spreading gossip, claiming that Yu Chen was not actually He Zhen’s biological younger brother, but just the son of He Zhen’s butler uncle.
No one could tell what was true and what was false, so they could only secretly observe.
He Zhen’s ability to take care of himself was extremely strong. In just a few short minutes, he had already made Yu Chen’s bed and tucked the sheet neatly, folding the blanket into a very tidy square.
At that moment, someone knocked on the dorm door.
A brown-haired boy with small curls and his hands in his pockets slowly walked in.
His name was Xiao Yu, the well-known young master of the famous Xiao family. After hearing that He Zhen was in this dorm, he had specially come over under orders from home to build some friendship.
Xiao Yu was handsome, with a pretty white round face under those little curls. His proud way of carrying himself was lively and spirited, and he was about the same height as Yu Chen.
“Are you He Zhen?”
With both hands behind his back, Xiao Yu looked around the dorm like a little leader inspecting the place.
He Zhen was busy tucking in Yu Chen’s bed sheet. Hearing someone call his name, he turned with cold aloofness. “Do you need something?”
Xiao Yu cleared his throat and said with mock gravity, “Let’s be friends. We’re in the same class.”
“I don’t want to be friends with you.” He Zhen hated people who casually came up to strike up conversation like this, and his tone was as arrogant and aloof as ever. He lowered his head again and continued what he was doing. Because of the heat, the tips of his hair were already damp with sweat.
Xiao Yu lost face after being rejected. He deliberately made a face at He Zhen, but when he turned around, he discovered that the pretty chubby doll sitting on the little stool was staring at him.
“Who are you? Are you also a new transfer student?”
Yu Chen’s long black brows lifted slightly. “I’m He Zhen’s little follower. My name is Yu Chen.”
“Little follower?” Xiao Yu looked both surprised and envious.
No wonder He Zhen acted even more arrogantly than he did.
So even at such a young age, he had already taken in a little follower?
“Boss, can I get down now?” Yu Chen had always listened very obediently to He Zhen and was still remembering what He Zhen had told him, so he sat there quietly without moving around.
“Mm.” He Zhen walked over to Yu Chen, casually patted down a few silly little hairs at the crown of his head, and led him to sit on the neatly made bed.
Xiao Yu, who had not yet left, began to sense that something about all this was not quite right.
Since when did bosses make beds for their followers?
Shouldn’t it be like in Hong Kong movies, where the follower serves the boss?
“Boss, you worked hard. I’ll massage your shoulders.” A clear little baby voice suddenly rang out. Xiao Yu looked at Yu Chen and saw that he was earnestly waving his little fists, giving He Zhen a shoulder massage.
He Zhen looked like he was thoroughly enjoying it, though his proper, delicate features still carried a hint of disdain. “Yu Chenchen, use a little more force.”
“Got it!” Yu Chen powered up to full strength, his chubby little face jiggling as he made engine noises throughout the room.
“Boss, are you satisfied?”
He Zhen raised a brow. “It’s acceptable.”
Receiving He Zhen’s praise, Yu Chen proudly lifted the corners of his lips, then flopped down onto the soft bed with a pa, becoming a little salted fish.
He had gotten up too early that morning, so he was taking the chance to nap for a bit.
After witnessing all of this firsthand, Xiao Yu felt as though he had been forcibly given a whole new understanding of the latest boss-and-follower interaction model.
Pressing his lips together, he swore that he too would find himself a little follower who could massage his shoulders.
Of course, there was no way he would ever make a bed for his follower.
Meanwhile, the dormmates eating this melon on the side all found themselves admiring Yu Chen.
Honestly, Yu Chen was just too good with words.
If it were them, they would also be willing to make Yu Chen’s bed. After all, being treated to those little fists massaging your shoulders probably felt pretty good.
Ten minutes later, all the second-grade students gathered in front of the forested area, ready to begin the day’s activities.
Because Yu Chen had a heart condition and could not take part in many physically demanding activities, the teacher called him away during the morning run and hiking segment to help at the supply station.
Rather than “help,” it would be more accurate to say he was sent there to chat.
The teachers at the supply station had long since been interested in the legendary weak and sickly little chubby treasure, so they rushed to call Yu Chen over first.
Yu Chen was a very serious child. After politely greeting all the teachers, he gripped the table edge and stood on tiptoe. “Teacher, do you need me to help with anything?”
Teacher Zhao at the side smiled and teased him. “Yes! Yu Chen, can you answer one question for me?”
Yu Chen nodded with extreme seriousness, his clear, pure black eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Yes!”
Teacher Zhao asked, “Am I pretty?”
Yu Chen’s plump little face froze for a moment, then he sweetly replied, “Super extra pretty!”
Teacher Zhao instantly bloomed with joy and hurriedly pulled a piece of chocolate out of her pocket, handing it to Yu Chen. “Here, teacher is treating you to candy.”
The moment Yu Chen saw the chocolate, his eyes lit up at once. He immediately cupped it reverently in his little fat palm. “Thank you, pretty teacher!”
Seeing how much Yu Chen loved snacks, the other teachers quickly felt around in their pockets too. Using treats as bait, they pulled him over and started asking all sorts of strange questions.
“Yu Chen, is teacher handsome?”
“Yes! You’re just like a movie star!”
“Yu Chen, am I prettier or is Teacher Zhao prettier?”
“You’re as beautiful as Chang’e, and Teacher Zhao is as beautiful as a princess!”
“Yu Chen, what should I do if I’m very sad right now?”
“Teacher, don’t cry. Shall I give you a hug?”
In just ten short minutes, Yu Chen’s little pockets were stuffed to overflowing—chocolate, lollipops, cheese biscuits, everything. He covered them up tightly, terrified that someone might snatch them away.
After playing enough at the supply station, Yu Chen was called away by his homeroom teacher, Teacher Li, to help hand out bottled water to the students after their hike.
On the grass, the students of Second Grade Class One were panting from exhaustion. These pampered children had never walked as far as three kilometers before, let alone through such wild, uneven forest terrain.
He Zhen sat in the back row of the group. His black bangs had been brushed back and tucked behind his ears, though one lock still stuck up at the side. Fine beads of sweat slid down along that cold, pale neck of his. His gaze kept roaming, searching for Yu Chen’s figure.
He Zhi’an was gasping desperately for breath. Seeing that He Zhen still looked fairly composed, he said with envy, “Boss, aren’t you tired?”
He Zhen gave a short reply of “No,” and continued scanning the area.
“Everyone, rest for fifteen minutes first. Student Yu Chen will hand out bottled water to everyone.”
The moment he heard the two words “Yu Chen,” He Zhen quickly craned his neck forward.
Little classmate Yu Chen, having received his task, was extremely proud. Pulling a small cart loaded with bottled water behind him, his bright eyes were smiling sweetly as he bent over and handed water to each classmate one by one.
“Thank you, Yu Chen.”
“Thank you, little brother Yu Chen.”
“…”
The more thanks he received, the prouder Yu Chen became. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he greeted each of his new classmates one by one and exchanged names with them.
When it came to Xiao Yu’s turn, Xiao Yu arrogantly accepted the water. “Thank you, He Zhen’s little follower.”
Yu Chen did not mind being called that at all. On the contrary, it made him very happy. Pulling the little cart, he worked with even more energy and soon reached the back of the line.
Watching Yu Chen, who was clearly very popular, He Zhi’an said enviously to He Zhen, “Second Boss is amazing. He must’ve already made lots of good friends.”
He Zhen stared blankly at Yu Chen’s smiling face turned toward others. Some classmates even bumped fists with Yu Chen. He found himself starting to anticipate what Yu Chen’s reaction would be when he reached him.
They had not seen each other in an hour already.
Time suddenly seemed to pass much more slowly.
When Yu Chen finally pulled the pale-yellow little cart to He Zhen, he quickly handed him a bottle of water. “Boss, drink some water.”
He Zhen nodded. Just as he was about to say something, Yu Chen had already moved on to the younger classmates behind him, sweetly greeting them.
Staring at Yu Chen, the heat rising from He Zhen’s whole body suddenly disappeared. He gripped the water bottle tightly, coldness flooding through him as if he were being swallowed by some enormous whirlpool.
Sitting across from him, Li Ye watched everything.
He liked observing people very much.
Just as his father had said, if you wanted to become an excellent manager, you first needed to understand the hearts of others.
He was far too curious about He Zhen and Yu Chen.
But unfortunately, He Zhen was unwilling to let him join them.
Having finally gotten his water, He Zhi’an immediately tipped his head back and gulped it down. When he noticed that He Zhen was sitting silently with a darkened expression, he asked in a small voice, “Boss, why aren’t you drinking your water?”
He Zhen slowly shook his head and sat there with his legs folded, head lowered.
Suddenly—
A sweet milky fragrance drew near him.
Before he had time to react, Yu Chen was already leaning against his back, his chubby face rubbing against the hollow of his neck. “Boss, come with me.”
He Zhen turned his head and clicked his tongue. “What for?”
Yu Chen whispered mysteriously, “There’s something good.”
Curious, He Zhen followed Yu Chen away.
Behind a large tree, Yu Chen pulled a piece of chocolate from his pocket and quickly stuffed it into He Zhen’s mouth.
With his hands behind his back, he proudly swayed his round little body. “Boss, is it sweet?”
Tasting the rich fragrance of chocolate spreading across his tongue, He Zhen nodded lightly. “Sweet.”
Yu Chen was extremely satisfied. He generously pulled out the snacks the teachers had given him and divided half of them to He Zhen in a very fair way. When only one sticky rice puff remained at the end, he tore it open, bit off one half, and then stuffed the other half into He Zhen’s mouth.
Crunching the crispy, fragrant puffed rice treat, He Zhen asked, “Where did all these snacks come from?”
Yu Chen told him all about what had happened that morning, then curled up his lips. “If you want more snacks, just tell me. I’ll go praise the teachers some more.”
At last, He Zhen smiled, though the smile still carried a trace of disdain.
“Yu Chenchen, who all did you share your snacks with?”
Yu Chen had made so many new friends just now. If he got too happy, who knew whether he might have shared some with the other classmates too?
The moment he heard that, Yu Chen immediately covered his pocket and muttered, “Only you. I wouldn’t give them to anyone else.”
Then he suddenly remembered little friend He Zhi’an.
At once, he lowered his big eyes guiltily. “I forgot to give some to my little follower. I’ll give him a little too.”
With a smile still lifting his lips, He Zhen reached out and poked Yu Chen’s soft, fair cheek. “Why didn’t you keep these snacks for yourself?”
Yu Chen frowned in a very serious way. “Boss and I are best friends. Whatever I have, I should always split it in half with you.”
This time, He Zhen was finally satisfied. Holding Yu Chen’s little hand, he separated out some of his own share and gave it to He Zhi’an.
Yu Chen was such a little glutton. Better to let him keep the rest for himself to eat.
After another full afternoon of activities, Yu Chen and He Zhen were put into the same group to jointly observe how ants built their nests.
After spending the whole afternoon catching ants, Yu Chen’s little arms and legs ached terribly. Once dinner was over, he immediately flopped onto the bed and refused to move.
At summer camp, the students had to fetch hot water themselves to wash their clothes.
Watching as all the other dormmates carried their washbasins out in line to wash up, Yu Chen sank into a sulk, resting his little face on the pillow as he began feeling sleepy and cranky.
Yesterday, in order to free up more room in his suitcase for snacks, Yu Chen had brought only one pair of socks. So if he wanted clean socks to wear tomorrow, he absolutely had to wash them tonight.
Kicking his chubby little legs, Yu Chen got sleepier and sleepier.
Bit by bit, he fell asleep.
On the other side, He Zhen came back carrying hot water. Seeing that Yu Chen was sleeping soundly on the bed, he hesitated over whether to wake him.
Just then, Li Ye walked in, hair still damp from washing his clothes. He glanced at He Zhen, who was tucking the blanket over Yu Chen, and asked softly, “Are the two of you going to stay in the same class forever?”
Without even thinking, He Zhen answered, “Of course.”
Li Ye had always been unusually mature-minded for his age, and that was also one of the main reasons He Zhen disliked him. Supporting his chin with one hand, Li Ye smiled thoughtfully. “What about middle school? Also together?”
Already thoroughly annoyed by him, He Zhen snapped, “Not just middle school. We’ll be together in high school too, university too, and even work too.”
Li Ye seemed even more interested now. Straightening his blanket, he said, “You can’t live without Yu Chen, can you?”
That sentence instantly provoked He Zhen. At once, he entered a volatile state. “What do you mean I can’t live without Yu Chen? Yu Chen is my little follower. He can’t live without me. He needs me to take care of him.”
Li Ye smiled faintly. “Lots of people in class like Yu Chen. Even without you, he’d still be very happy.”
That line thoroughly lit the fuse on He Zhen’s anger meter. Like a firecracker about to explode, he glared coldly at Li Ye.
Sure enough, Li Ye was still just as annoying as ever.
He only knew how to say strange things that made people mad.
“Are you angry?” Lying on the top bunk, Li Ye propped his chin up and looked down at He Zhen as he spoke. “That’s the conclusion I arrived at after thinking about it. If you want to refute it, you’ll need to present your reasons.”
“I—” He Zhen clenched his little fists tighter, and his disgust for Li Ye deepened further. Though his ability to organize words was not as strong as Li Ye’s, he could still understand everything Li Ye had just said.
For a moment, all that filled his mind were the scenes from today of Yu Chen chatting and fooling around with his classmates.
He Zhen did not know what was wrong with him. He just suddenly felt awful. His chest felt stuffed with grievance and sadness.
To Yu Chenchen, he should be unique, right? He should be the most important person, right?
Just then, a familiar voice sounded behind him.
“Without Boss, I’d be like a little fish without water, like a bird without wings—I’d die!”
Yu Chen had actually been awake all along. After racking his brains for ages, he had finally managed to come up with that parallel sentence and metaphor.
He Zhen turned around in disbelief. He had never expected Yu Chen to be so unable to live without him.
All the grievance and sadness from just now vanished in an instant. Walking to Yu Chen’s side, He Zhen stared at him closely, his eyes desperately trying to hide his delight.
Unable to help himself, he pinched Yu Chen’s cheek. Then, pretending it was unintentional, he leaned in close and lightly pressed his ear against Yu Chen’s round little face.
He really was very important to Yu Chen, wasn’t he!
Just then—
A little hand suddenly rose between He Zhen and Yu Chen, holding up a pair of smelly socks.
Pouting shyly, Yu Chen said, “Boss, can you help me wash a pair of socks? Chenchen can’t reach the sink.”
He Zhen was still too immersed in the depth of their friendship to climb back out.
When he saw the smelly socks, he paused, seeming not to have fully processed what was happening yet.
Yu Chen pressed his advantage, rubbing his little shoulder against He Zhen in a sticky, clingy way. “Boss! When I grow to two meters tall, I’ll wash your socks too, okay?”
“Really?” Taking the socks from him, He Zhen did not think much at all before cheerfully dropping them into the plastic basin.
“Really! Not only will I wash your socks, I’ll wash your clothes too! I’ll even cook for you!”
“Deal!”
Out in the noisy hallway, He Zhen walked alone with a basin full of stinky socks in his hands, his steps light and delighted.
What no one noticed was that the always-cool Young Master He was actually humming a children’s song in obvious joy.
