Under the moonlight

Xu Ao escorted Huang Meng home, then stood at the entrance of their residential compound for a long time.

He had never felt this way before, so eager to know about someone's past. He was always clear-headed and rational, and even with past relationships, he had never wanted to delve into the other person's past. Sometimes he even resented the other person talking about their past to show off their charm.

He felt that enjoying the present moment was enough, as long as the two people's hearts were close to each other at that moment.

But, just now, listening to Huang Meng recount her youthful days, I felt a pang of loss for some reason. Back then, she was just as she described—shy and introverted. What kind of person was she then? And that Zhao Meng, who left such a deep impression on her memories that she often dreams of him. Since they got together, she has never heard him say that he has dreamt of her.

Xu Ao looked up at the deep night sky. Zhao Meng, what kind of man are you that she has been thinking about you for so long?

A short while later, Xu Ao suddenly seemed to remember something, took out his phone and made a call, "Hey, Chen Che, didn't you say before that you have an old classmate here who's been living abroad and you want to rent out a house, right?"

After a few brief words, Xu Ao hung up the phone, hailed a taxi, and drove away.

When Huang Meng returned home, her parents were watching TV in the living room. Huang Meng greeted them and went to remove her makeup. Just after she finished wiping her face, her WeChat rang. It was a video message from Liang Yuanyuan.

"Hi Huang Meng, sorry to send you a video so late, hehe~"

"Hmm, it's not late, what's up?"

"Oh, you need to come to the company tomorrow. We have a batch of products that need packaging, but the boss isn't comfortable with the product names and advertising slogans translated directly from the computer. He wants you to come and check if there's anything unreasonable about the printed content. If not, we'll print it on the product packaging accordingly," Liang Yuanyuan explained slowly. She had never understood why the company had suddenly become untrustworthy, since the computer was still controlled by human brains. However, since he specifically asked Huang Meng to oversee it, she had no choice but to comply.

"Okay, no problem." Huang Meng readily agreed.

"What, going to work tomorrow? I have to say, this job of yours feels like it can be summoned at will and dismissed at will," Huang Guodong said, still dissatisfied with her unstable job as he listened to their conversation.

"Hey Dad, what era are we living in? You should change your mindset. You can make money even without working a 9-to-5 job every day!" Huang Meng changed into her home clothes and plopped down next to him.

“Exactly, an old relic!” Xiao Yun chimed in, cracking sunflower seeds.

"Alright, alright, I'm an old-fashioned person. Humph, you're all trendy women of the new era, okay?" Huang Guodong has always been very clear about his status and voice at home, especially when living with two ladies. He understands even more that a real man must be able to bend and stretch.

After chatting and laughing for a while, Huang Meng stretched and went back to her room first.

Once I got to my room and picked up my phone, I discovered that Xu Ao had sent me several messages.

"There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

“Chen Che’s classmate has a house that’s been empty. He lives abroad and doesn’t feel comfortable renting it out, so he came to me and asked if I wanted to rent it to him.”

“My workplace provides dormitories, and it’s been fine living here. However, this morning the director mentioned to me that Sister Li from our workplace lives far away and has a young child, so she wants to live in the company dormitory.”

"Reply to me when you have time."

Huang Meng quickly glanced through it and understood what it meant.

"I think if Chen Che's apartment isn't too far from your workplace, you could consider renting it. After all, Sister Li has a child and it's inconvenient for her, so what are you afraid of, you're a grown man!"

"Sigh, but would that house be expensive to rent?"

Huang Meng had just put down her phone when it rang.

"Not expensive, a friendly price."

Huang Meng looked at her phone and thought for a moment, "That's good then. I think it's fine. Didn't you say before that most of the dormitories in your unit are occupied by families? Maybe your director is referring to you!"

"Okay, then would you be interested in coming with me to take a look at that house?"

"Well, I have to go to the company tomorrow morning. I don't know if I'll be free in the afternoon. I'll see." Huang Meng wasn't sure what kind of job she was doing.

"Okay, it's getting late, get some rest, goodnight."

Goodnight~

Huang Meng put down her phone. Today, she told Xu Ao so many things that she had kept to herself and never told anyone before. He listened attentively, and after listening, he didn't ask her any random questions, or even about Zhao Meng. It was as if he was really listening to a story, and that was it.

Huang Meng didn't know what she was feeling. His not asking was a sign of his trust in her, but she also vaguely hoped that he would ask, hoping to see that he cared.

Huang Meng drifted off to sleep, lost in thought. In her dream, she saw Xu Ao, who was smiling at her as always. But behind him stood Zhao Meng. Unlike before, this time, he was not turning his back on her and looking away. Instead, he was looking at her gently, his features unchanged.