CHAPTER 288: CHAPTER 287: LET ME CARRY YOU

"Mom! I’m back!" Zhen Yan dashed into the house, "Has Han Jiayang arrived yet?" Mrs. Zhen glanced at him, "Come here first!"

"We’ll dine out for dinner tonight! Once you kids have eaten, hurry back to watch the store, got it? We adults have things to discuss and won’t be back early."

"I got it, mom! But where’s Han Jiayang?"

"Upstairs! Go find him yourself." Mrs. Zhen waved her hand, shooing her son away.

She had already arranged with the Han Family couple at noon to come over before six o’clock so that everyone could head out together from the game arcade.

It was already 5:30 pm; they should be arriving any minute now.

Mrs. Zhen then called Li Si’er over, gave him several instructions, and told him to greet Zhang Sanson, who was taking over the night shift, before she waited at ease.

---

Zhen Yan began shouting, "Han Jiayang!" as he climbed the stairs.

Han Jiayang was fretting, wondering when he would no longer be the third wheel! Hearing the voice, he immediately got up and rushed out to meet Zhen Yan, with a woeful expression, "Zhen Yan! You’re finally back!"

Seeing that, Zhen Yan was like, whoa! Missed me that much?! Seems his popularity still hasn’t waned!

He immediately gave Han Jiayang a big hug, "How is it? Qi City’s nice, right? Tomorrow, I’ll take you out for some fun!"

Han Jiayang excited when he heard that, "Your sister said you’ll take me to the Martial Arts Hall tonight! I want to see the Martial Arts Hall!"

Zhen Yan laughed heartily, "Hey! That’s easy! We can go right now if you want!"

"Really?! Well,"

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted, "No way! We’re about to go out for dinner!"

"Mom must have invited Master Xu too. Later you can introduce him to Han Jiayang, and after dinner, you can go to the Martial Arts Hall! Didn’t you say there’s always someone at the hall every evening?"

"Oh! Right!" Zhen Yan assured, patting his chest as if he’d just awakened from a dream, "Master Xu will definitely come for dinner later, I’ll introduce you then!"

"Fine, after dinner you have to take me to see the Martial Arts Hall, okay?" Han Jiayang reluctantly agreed but couldn’t help adding another reminder, "Make sure we go!"

"Go go go! Of course, we’ll go!" Zhen Yan put the ’watch the store after the meal’ commanded by his mother out of his mind or rather, he thought it would be fine since his sister would be back to watch the store.

---

In the reserved private room, greetings were exchanged, and everyone took their seats.

There were people Zhen Yu knew, some she didn’t, and also newly acquainted ones like Old Gu from next door.

It seemed that although Mrs. Zhen had only been in Qi City for a short two months, her social circle had expanded significantly.

The adults were discussing important matters while the children quietly ate their meals. As usual, Zhen Yan and Han Jiayang grouped together, and Zhen Yu was with Han Mingyue.

While eating, Zhen Yu felt a growing pain in her stomach, just like three days ago! Damn... Did she have a grudge against dinner? Why did her stomach ache every time she ate dinner?

The next second she realized something was off; it was her dysmenorrhea starting again, right?! Then she thought about the cold drink she had in the afternoon...

After all the fuss, the consequence was waiting for her here! Thankfully, the dishes were already served, the adults were engrossed in their conversation, and she had eaten enough.

Zhen Yu quietly pressed her hand against her stomach, contemplating how to excuse herself to leave.

But before she could figure it out, Han Mingyue leaned in and whispered, "Does your stomach hurt?"

A bit embarrassed, Zhen Yu nonetheless nodded in affirmation.

"Then let’s go back! Anyway, we’re not needed here!"

"Okay." After agreeing, Zhen Yu got ready to stand up and say goodbye to everyone at the table.

However, Han Mingyue stood up before her and bid farewell to the elders. As he stood up, Han Jiayang couldn’t hold back either, pulling Zhen Yan along, saying they were leaving too.

Zhen Yu took the opportunity to get up at this moment. As the parents of both families urged them, the four children left the banquet one by one.

As soon as they exited the restaurant, Han Jiayang said, "You two go back and look after the shop! We are going to the Martial Arts Hall!"

Han Mingyue nodded, "Be safe, go there and come back early!"

"Got it!"

---

Zhen Yu casually waited to the side until her brother and Han Jiayang ran off. It was then that she frowned slightly, revealing a hint of discomfort on her face.

"How are you feeling?" Han Mingyue immediately grabbed Zhen Yu’s left hand with concern, "Why is your hand so cold!"

Enduring the recurring pain in her abdomen, Zhen Yu gestured to Han Mingyue, "Let’s go, back to the shop."

Han Mingyue didn’t move. "Or... I can carry you!" Her words shifted from hesitation to determination, and she finally bent down directly, commanding, "Climb on!"

Looking at the boy’s not-so-broad back, Zhen Yu was stunned for a moment, then as if possessed, she leaned onto it...

The distance from the restaurant to the game arcade was neither too close nor too far. After Han Mingyue carried Zhen Yu on his back, he walked forward silently.

No one spoke at first, and when they had walked for about a hundred meters, Han Mingyue bounced the girl on his back slightly, "...hold on tight!"

"Oh." Only then did Zhen Yu realize she had been too relaxed, causing her to slip down. So she quickly tightened her arms and squeezed Han Mingyue’s neck firmly.

Han Mingyue stumbled a bit, and thinking she had choked him, Zhen Yu quickly loosened her grip a little and apologized, "Uh, sorry..."

"It’s fine." Han Mingyue responded instantly, and perhaps afraid that Zhen Yu might not believe him, he emphasized again, "Really, it’s fine!"

Zhen Yu: "Oh."

Perhaps it was from being snuggled against Han Mingyue’s burning back, or maybe the intense focus shifted her attention, but Zhen Yu suddenly felt that her stomach didn’t hurt as much.

Satiety breeds licentiousness.

Once comfortable, one’s mind starts to wander. Relying on the fact that Han Mingyue couldn’t see her, Zhen Yu suddenly felt much bolder in the cover of night.

"Han Mingyue, can I ask you a question?"

The warmth of the girl’s breath on the nape of Han Mingyue’s neck felt ticklish. He took several seconds before counter-asking, "What question?"

"Just, that,"

Before Zhen Yu could organize her words, Han Mingyue seemed to have a stroke of insight, "Shen Qi! You met her privately to threaten her, to stop her from harassing you!"

"...Sorry."

The apology came out of nowhere, but both knew exactly why. This sort of tacit understanding felt very subtle.

Han Mingyue was silent for a few seconds before saying, "If you have any issues, you can ask me directly! Or you can write me a letter."

"Okay." Zhen Yu thought the idea of writing letters was good, since Mrs. Zhen was still at home, and it wasn’t very convenient to always make phone calls.

"How about we correspond on the fourth day of the lunar month?"

Han Mingyue didn’t even think before nodding in agreement, as it wasn’t just Zhen Yu who found it inconvenient.

As they were about to reach the entrance of the game arcade, Han Mingyue put Zhen Yu down.

Just as Zhen Yu was about to walk inside, Han Mingyue pulled her back.

"Eh?" Zhen Yu was confused, why weren’t they going in when they had arrived?

Han Mingyue carefully observed Zhen Yu’s expression, "Does your stomach still hurt?"

"Ah? Much better now!"