HOLM : Chapter 20

Ji Mian grabbed Chu Shiye by the sleeve and pulled him back. 

“What are you doing?” 

Chu Shiye’s expression was blank. “Nothing.” 

Ji Mian studied his face, realizing that, for once, he couldn’t figure out what this Alpha was thinking. 

Weird.

He poked Chu Shiye. “Really nothing?” 

Chu Shiye’s gaze flicked briefly to Ji Mian’s pale fingers. “Nothing.”

“Then why did you run off just now?” 

“…” Chu Shiye replied awkwardly, “Nothing.” 

Ji Mian went silent. 

Was it because what I said earlier was too awkward? Maybe he didn’t like hearing it…

The two of them stared at each other before Ji Mian broke the silence. “Let’s rest.”

Chu Shiye immediately nodded, clutching his blanket tightly as if to shield himself.

Ji Mian thought, Ah, I really embarrassed him.

Since he doesn’t like it, I’ll try not to say such things in the future.

Ji Mian returned to his bed and glanced at Chu Shiye, who had lain down stiffly without a word. “What time are we heading out tomorrow?”

Chu Shiye was silent for a few seconds before replying, “The landlord probably won’t be up too early… How about ten o’clock?”

Ji Mian nodded. “Alright.” His tone lifted slightly. “Goodnight.”

To Chu Shiye, this might be the last time he would hear Su Lan say goodnight. 

He whispered back, “Goodnight.” 

The room’s lights went out, leaving only the faint glow of moonlight. 

After a long while, Chu Shiye turned his head and gazed at the edge of the bed. His eyes stayed there, unmoving.

—

The next morning, the bubbling sound of something cooking filled the room with warmth. 

Ji Mian sat up with his blanket still wrapped around him. Chu Shiye was standing by the stove, silently stirring a pot with a ladle. 

Ji Mian blinked. “Are you making breakfast?”

“Mm,” Chu Shiye replied. “I made porridge.”

Ji Mian paused for a moment.

Chu Shiye quickly added, “This time it’s normal… at least, it looks normal.”

Ji Mian smiled. “Alright.”

After washing up, Ji Mian returned to the table, where a bowl of plain porridge awaited him. 

A big improvement—it’s actually white this time.

Chu Shiye watched him expectantly.

Ji Mian lifted the spoon, blew on it to cool it, and took a sip. 

Hmm… there’s a burnt taste and a slightly strange bitterness.

But at least it was edible, which was already moving compared to the “porridge” from the first day. 

Ji Mian smiled cheerfully. “It’s delicious. You did a great job.”

Chu Shiye responded, “Because my teacher is good.”

Ji Mian’s tone stretched playfully. “Ohhh—such a good student, and so sweet-talking too.”

Meeting Ji Mian’s laughing gaze, Chu Shiye looked away after a second. He picked up his own bowl and took a small sip. 

… The taste wasn’t great, definitely far from what Su Lan could make.

But… 

Chu Shiye stared ahead as Ji Mian slowly and contentedly drank the porridge he had made. 

It seemed like Su Lan really enjoyed it. 

The corners of Chu Shiye’s mouth lifted into a barely noticeable curve before quickly returning to normal.

—

At ten o’clock, the two of them prepared to leave to look at houses. 

After a week of rain, the sky had finally cleared. Chu Shiye carried a spare umbrella just in case. “There aren’t many houses outside the city. Let’s start with the ones in the city first.”

“Alright,” Ji Mian replied. 

But he still preferred a house outside the city—it would be closer to Chu Shiye. If he moved into the city and still needed to do mental guidance for Chu Shiye, knowing his personality, Chu Shiye would likely spend hours commuting back and forth rather than letting Ji Mian come to him.

As they walked a bit further, Chu Shiye seemed to remember something. “Are you planning to move in as soon as you find a house?”

“More or less,” Ji Mian said. “I don’t have much luggage anyway.”

Chu Shiye nodded. “Mm.”

He said no more.

—

As they entered the city, they ran into a familiar face. 

“Oh, out shopping today?” 

Kane was sitting at a noodle stall, slurping noodles enthusiastically. 

Ji Mian greeted him. “You seem to be in a good mood.”

Kane replied, “Made some money. Of course I’m happy.”

“Last night, the Ye family hosted a grand birthday banquet for their precious son. Only a few big shots attended, the real important ones,” he said. “I got lucky and happened to deliver some goods to them. Got a nice tip out of it too.”

“And you two? What are you doing out here so early?”

Ji Mian answered, “I’m looking to rent a house.”

Kane paused mid-slurp and glanced at Chu Shiye.

Chu Shiye’s face was as calm as ever.

Kane teased, “…I thought you’d stay a bit longer. After all, that house has been Chu Shiye’s for years. Another person living there wouldn’t make much difference.”

Ji Mian replied, “That would be too much trouble for him. Because of me, he has to sleep on the floor every day.”

Kane clicked his tongue and gave Chu Shiye a knowing look. 

Chu Shiye: “?”

Kane smirked. “Why don’t you just sleep in the same bed?”

Before Ji Mian could respond, Chu Shiye cut in, “No.”

Kane shrugged. “Alright, fine. See you around.”

—

At the first house, Ji Mian commented, “This place feels damp.”

Chu Shiye nodded. “The walls are moldy. It might be uncomfortable during rainy days.”

At the second house, Ji Mian noted, “Too small, and it doesn’t even have a kitchen or bathroom.”

Chu Shiye agreed. “Not very convenient.”

At the third house, Ji Mian remarked, “It’s far and in a remote area.”

Chu Shiye added, “Commuting to work would be a hassle.”

One house after another failed to meet expectations. 

Finally, Ji Mian suggested, “Why don’t we check out some houses outside the city?”

Chu Shiye replied, “Alright.”

—

On their way out of the city, they passed Kane again, now ordering a second bowl of noodles at the same stall.

Ji Mian asked, “Are the noodles here that good?”

Kane grinned. “The first bowl was breakfast, and this is lunch.”

“So, did you find a house?”

Ji Mian shook his head. “Not yet.”

Kane glanced at Chu Shiye. “Good luck.”

—

Outside the city, the houses for rent were scattered and mostly consisted of simple mud structures. Finding a clean, livable place seemed nearly impossible.

Until they reached the last house.

The house was located halfway between Chu Shiye’s house and the city—a small space, just right for one person. Though the furniture was a bit outdated, it was complete.

Ji Mian walked around the house once. “This place doesn’t seem to have any major issues.”

Standing by the door, Chu Shiye asked, “Do you like it?”

Ji Mian glanced back. “What do you think?”

Chu Shiye’s expression revealed nothing. “It’s fine.”

Ji Mian walked another circle, then stopped at the doorway.

If he rented this house, he could move in immediately. Its location and rent were both reasonable, with no real faults.

So…

Ji Mian looked at Chu Shiye. The young man had his head slightly lowered, avoiding his gaze.

After a few moments of silence, Ji Mian said, “I don’t really like the color of the curtains and wallpaper.”

“…” Chu Shiye lifted his head. “I don’t like them either.”

Ji Mian suggested, “Should we keep looking?”

Chu Shiye replied, “Okay.”

—

At the city gate, Kane squatted by the noodle stall. “Boss, add an egg and some braised pork, extra spicy.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the two approaching and nonchalantly dragged a chair over.

Ji Mian asked, “Want to have noodles?”

Chu Shiye replied, “Sure.”

A moment later, the three of them sat around the same table, eating noodles.

Kane asked, “Did you find a place?”

Ji Mian shook his head. “Not yet. Nothing suitable so far. We’ll check again tomorrow.”

The noodle stall owner casually placed two bowls of noodles in front of them.

Ji Mian pushed the bowl of chili-oil-laden noodles toward Chu Shiye, who, in turn, swapped it for a bowl of clear soup beef noodles and added a few extra pieces of braised pork to Ji Mian’s bowl.

Ji Mian handed him a small jar of chili peppers.

Chu Shiye passed him the braised egg from his own bowl.

Kane glanced between the two of them, then raised an eyebrow. “I have a question.”

He set his chopsticks down. “Why do you two have to live separately?”

Ji Mian replied, “If we keep living together, he’ll have to keep sleeping on the floor.”

Kane scratched his head. “Then why not just buy another bed?”

“You can get one of those foldable ones—practical, and it doesn’t take up much space.”

Chu Shiye and Ji Mian both fell silent.

A few seconds later, Ji Mian said softly, “It just feels… wrong to stay there without contributing anything.”

Kane pointed at Chu Shiye. “Then pay him rent.”

“That way, it’s like you’re renting his place, and you don’t have to look for another house.”

“…”

Ji Mian and Chu Shiye were silent again.

It… actually made sense.

Wait, wasn’t this an option from the start?

Why… hadn’t either of them thought of it before?

R :   -_-  ….. 

Kane be eating popcorn seeing this couple hahaha 

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