Chapter 17: Staying the Night

“I’m so tired, my legs are so sore, I shouldn’t have come on my own bike, just sit on the back of your bike.”

Lin Jingyi said in a funereal manner, she had already thrown her own school bag into the basket of Cheng Ming’s car to minimize the load.

“Then the one who died of exhaustion might be me.” Cheng Ming said with a bitter smile.

He had overestimated his stamina, especially after doing extras around the clock, and his body was still a bit floaty.

The two men took a walk break holding their bikes.

The night had completely fallen, and the two had only just returned to Nanming City, still some distance from home.

Cheng Ming saw the public phone booth under the streetlight and drew out the ic phone card and said, “I’m going to make a call home.”

The phone rang several times before being answered.

“Hello, hello, who are you looking for, please?”

The other end of the microphone came from the sister’s lethargic and impatient voice, you can still hear a trace of the TV’s murmur, must have been watching TV while being shouted over by his mom to answer the phone, “Xiao Li, it’s me, your brother.”

“Clam? Where have you been playing and why aren’t you home yet? I’m starving.”

“Hungry? Mom’s not home yet?”

“Home early, dinner’s all done and hot in the pot, she said it’s fine if dad doesn’t come home for dinner, but to wait for you to come home for dinner.”

Hearing this, Cheng Ming’s heart warmed, his family was always the softest part of his heart.

“I’m going to my classmate’s house, I won’t be home for another fifteen minutes or so, so tell mom you guys eat first, don’t wait for me.”

“Xiao Ming, have you gotten better yet?” Lin Jingyi, who was waiting outside the phone booth looking at the bike, urged.

“Right away right away.”

“Lai, that’s all for now then, I’m hanging up.”

“Wait a minute, whose voice was that just now? Brother you stayed with that guy Lin Jingyi?” Cheng Li pursued.

“Uh huh.”

That’s nothing to hide.

“Mom, brother said he’s not coming back for dinner and sleep tonight, he’s going to fool around with Lin Jingyi outside.”

My sister’s voice was getting lower and lower, apparently putting down the microphone and telling off my mom.

“Hey, where did I say I wasn’t coming back to bed, I just said I’d be back later for dinner so you guys wouldn’t have to wait for me ……”

Cheng Ming’s defense was completely spoken to the air and Lin Jingyi on the side.

“What?” Lin Jingyi asked with a puzzled expression.

Cheng Ming shook his shoulders and said, “Xiao Li is going to tell my mom that the two of my mom are fooling around outside and not coming home to sleep, alas, this girl.”

“So ah …… eh eh eh! Wouldn’t it be bad for Auntie Ri to know that you’re staying with me?”

Lin Jingyi thought it didn’t matter at first, and after reacting she let out a big yelp, even her voice trembled.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“It’s Auntie Lai who misunderstood our relationship.” Lin Jingyi even stomped her foot somewhat anxiously.

“No way, no way, you’re overthinking it, our families are too familiar.” Cheng Ming waved his hand and said.

It didn’t matter if it was misunderstood, it was so close to becoming that kind of relationship after fifteen years anyway.

As soon as she heard this, especially since Cheng Ming said it so decisively and without leaving any room for error, Lin Jingyi expressionlessly pinched the soft flesh around Cheng Ming’s waist.

“Hiss …… Jing Jing, what are you doing all of a sudden!”

Taking a breath of cool air from the pain, Cheng Ming directly said Lin Jingyi’s nickname.

“Hmph! Think for yourself.”

Lin Jingyi inclined her head, not answering.

“Xiao Ming, are you staying with Jing Jing now?” Mom picked up the phone and asked.

“Well, I’m going to my classmate’s house in Mingxi Village with her, and I’ll be home soon.” Cheng Ming rubbed his waist and answered.

“Why is she with you? Never mind, just give her the phone.”

“Lin Jingyi, my mom wants to talk to you.”

“Oh!” Lin Jingyi took the microphone and started to greet politely, “Hey, Auntie Lai, good evening, it’s me …… Well, my parents are having a wine dinner tonight, okay, I know.”

After chatting, Lin Jingyi hung up the phone and pulled out her ic calling card to Cheng Ming, inquiring with a sad face, “Auntie Lai asked me to go to your house for dinner, what should I do? I agreed to it in a brainstorm.”

“What about what? Don’t you want to go to my house for dinner? Or is there something delicious waiting for you at your house?”

“Home only has leftovers from lunch, heat it up and eat it like this.”

“Good grief, you’d better go to my house for dinner then, get in the car and go, stop dawdling.”

Cheng Ming got on his bike and took the lead and sped off.

“Ming wait for me!”

Afraid that Lin Jingyi wouldn’t be able to keep up, and also afraid of accidents at night, Cheng Ming didn’t dare to ride too fast, and arrived home a few minutes later than expected.

The two of them parked their bikes downstairs, and Lin Jingyi, who was carrying a school bag, followed Cheng Ming up the stairs in an apprehensive mood.

“Mom, Lai, I’m home, just wear my slippers, I’ll wear my dad’s.”

Lin Jingyi said in a formal manner, “Excuse me.”

“Finally back ah, you guys quickly go wash your hands and come eat dinner, I’ll add one or two dishes for you.” In the kitchen, Li Ying poked out her body and said.

“Looks like we’re blessed with a mouthful today.” Cheng Ming said with a smile.

Cheng Li, who was watching TV on the sofa, emerged with a small head, his eyes glancing thievishly at the two men in the doorway.

Then he grabbed the remote and frantically changed the channel without stopping, but it was basically a news broadcast at this point in time.

Aside from a handful of commercial stations, there are just a few local stations and Cartoon TV showing cartoons.

Lin Jingyi took off her school bag and put it on the sofa, and looked around curiously, the bedroom doors were left open, this side should be the master bedroom, this room with the muppets must be Xiao Li, then this room with the computer and a little bit messy must be Xiao Ming’s.

What Lin Jingyi didn’t know was that a big part of the reason why Cheng Ming’s room was a bit messy was attributed to Cheng Li, who had gone in and popped in when Cheng Ming wasn’t home.

Cheng Li stared straight at Lin Jingyi, full of hostile sight to see her scalp numb, and in her heart, she still wondered what she had done to make her unhappy?

The fidgety Lin Jingyi got up, intending to go to the bathroom to wash her hands, only to see Cheng Ming with his back to the door, holding up his pants, and was shushing, the water gurgling.

“WOW ……”

Lin Jingyi let out an adorable sad sound and threw the door open with a ‘swish’.

“Ming, can’t you close the door when you go to the bathroom?”

zzzz Big Sis, I’m relieving myself, and it’s my own home, it’s just a pee, it’s not like I’m in a state of combat, is there a need to cover it up?

Lin Jingyi went to the kitchen with a big red face and washed her hands, looking at the busy Lai Ying, she asked nicely, “Auntie Lai, is there anything I can help you with?”

“Just sit and wait for dinner to start.”

“I really like cooking, it’s good to learn some of Auntie Lai’s craftsmanship from the sidelines… Is this fish soup stew?” Lin Jingyi said as she smelled the aroma.

“Well, you’re in the same class as Ming, right? It seems like you haven’t been to our house since we moved.”

Although the two families are still in contact, the relationship is not as close as it used to be, with visits and phone calls only during the holidays.

“It’s not as easy as it used to be to hang out because it’s so far apart, and Mom and Dad and Auntie and Uncle everyone is busy.”

“Yeah, busy, all busy.”

Riying thought again about the smelly man who was too busy to care about his family.

Due to the presence of Lin Jingyi as a little guest, the atmosphere at dinner was quite a bit better than the previous nights, with mom talking and laughing, constantly giving Lin Jingyi dishes and shushing her.

My sister is still young enough to think of her parents’ fight that night as a dream, and it’s impractical for her to comfort her mom.

Cheng Ming was not an emotional person, and having been a man for two lifetimes, he preferred to keep everything in his heart and keep his joy and anger to himself.

Letting Cheng Ming comfort people is not as straightforward as finding evidence of Dad’s innocence.

“I’m full.”

Cheng Li put down the dishes and ran back to the sofa to watch TV.

Tonight’s meal was quite sumptuous, and there was no shortage of Cheng Li’s favorite foods, but her appetite wasn’t too good.

“This child, must have snacked again before dinner.” Li Ying shook her head helplessly and said, “Jing Jing eat more, you are my goddaughter.”

After the meal, Lin Jingyi helped Lai Ying clear the table and wash the dishes again.

“Pretentious.” Cheng Li muttered in a disgruntled whisper.

“You also learn more, don’t just eat and sleep and watch TV all day long, just like a little fat pig.” Cheng Ming said with a smile.

Cheng Li beckoned and said, “Brother, stick your head over.”

“Ah, what? To whisper something?”

Cheng Ming curiously moved his head over.

Cheng Li grabbed Cheng Ming’s ear and yelled, “You’re the pig, big piggy!”

Eardrums are blown out, thanks to my sister, and have gone deaf.

“You’re a pig, I’m your brother, of course I’m a pig too.” Cheng Ming said as he covered his ears.

Cheng Ming huffed and puffed up her cheeks, “Where did you and Lin Jingyi go to play? How dare you not take me with you!”

“Didn’t we say we were going to a classmate’s house?”

“Liar, you guys must have gone to the game room and spent all your allowance, right?”

“Uh ……”

Cheng Ming was momentarily speechless, and was actually misrepresented by his sister.

I did spend about all the pocket money I brought out today.

Lin Jingyi got up to say goodbye, “Auntie Lai, Xiao Ming, Xiao Li, I’ll be going home first then, bye.”

“It’s so late, let Xiao Ming take you back, it’s not very peaceful lately.”

“No, no, I can go back alone.” Lin Jingyi politely refused, in her heart, she certainly hoped that Xiao Ming would send him back, so that the two of them could stay longer.

But it’s too bad Ming has to go home alone later.

Cheng Li said contemptuously, “You’re such an adult, and you still don’t know how to go home alone? Simply not even as good as me.”

“Then I’ll call your house and ask your dad to come pick you up, your parents should be home by now.” Li Ying dialed Lin Jingyi’s home number.

“Jing Jing, your dad is too drunk to drive, why don’t you stay and sleep, sleep in the same bed as Xiao Li, just like before.”

As soon as Lai Ying’s words fell, Cheng Ming, Cheng Li, and Lin Jingyi were dumbfounded.