On Saturday night, Ye Qingyang returned home as promised.
By the time he got back, it was already late—almost ten o’clock. Wang Hui and the others had been waiting anxiously. Seeing him, she muttered quietly, “Why are you back so late? Don’t you know people at home are waiting for you?”
Ye Qingyang remained calm. “Something came up, so I got back late. By the way, sister, your money’s been returned.”
At this, Wang Hui’s previous complaint vanished, replaced with a bright smile. “Really? That fast?”
Ye Qingyang scratched his head. “It wasn’t supposed to be this quick. But the money I had earlier arrived in my account, so I asked my friend. He said your money would take another week or so, about 5,800 yuan. I thought I’d round it up and give you 6,000—you can use it now.”
Her tone softened, “Yangyang, you’re so good, truly a good brother to your sister.”
Ye Qingyang smiled and transferred 6,000 yuan to her.
Wang Hui received it and, after thinking, sent it back. “You keep it for now, Yangyang. I’ll give it to you next time after I earn it.”
“Okay,” Ye Qingyang said.
He stretched and asked, “Nothing else? If not, I’ll go back to my room. I’ve got things to do tomorrow, so I’ll leave after lunch.”
“Leaving so soon?” Ye Hong was surprised. “You rarely come home; stay a bit longer. Aunt even bought fish for you.”
Ye Qingyang declined. “No, I have things to do. Aunt, you can cook at noon, and I’ll leave after eating.”
Ye Hong glanced at Wang Yue, puzzled.
Ye Qingyang didn’t say more, went inside, changed, showered, and lay down. He was quite tired, so he sent Lu Jingcheng a message via the microchannel: “I’m sleeping. Good night, see you at noon tomorrow.”
Lu Jingcheng, still working on his studies, replied: “Okay.”
Thinking a moment, Ye Qingyang added: “Sweet dreams.”
Ye Qingyang thought that was cute and sent a “muah” emoji before putting down his phone.
Meanwhile, Ye Hong and Wang Yue were still in the room, hesitating.
“I think it’s doable,” Ye Hong said. “Look, Huihui’s money came today already—so fast.”
“I still feel it’s not reliable,” Wang Yue frowned.
“This kind of thing is never safe, but high risk brings high reward, right? We’re just taking a chance. Yangyang wouldn’t lie to us—he’s not that kind of brainless person.”
“That’s true… I just hope he hasn’t been tricked himself.”
“But he’s wearing brand names now; he shouldn’t be.”
Wang Yue frowned.
Ye Hong reassured him, “I’ve thought about it. Scams usually bait you with small rewards, then later make you invest more and run off. Even if Huihui is involved, this is only the second time. He won’t run off now. So we can invest a little this time, and if needed, stop later.”
“How much should we invest?”
Ye Hong thought a moment. “Huihui said Yangyang’s clothes alone cost several thousand, so even if it’s a scam, they wouldn’t care about a few thousand. Let’s invest 50,000. If it doubles, we’ll get 100,000—enough to buy a car for the family.”
“Better 60,000. Double that, 120,000, and we don’t need to add more.”
“Okay,” Ye Hong agreed. “Five or six thousand difference doesn’t matter.”
“Then I’ll tell Yangyang tomorrow.”
“Mm,” Wang Yue nodded. “Make sure he gets the money back quickly.”
“Good.”
“This is the only time we’ll do it. After this, we won’t get involved.”
“Agreed.”
The next day at lunch, they told Ye Qingyang.
He was shocked. “This… can’t work! I can’t agree to this.”
“It’s fine,” Ye Hong said.
“What if it loses money?”
“It won’t lose,” Ye Hong reassured.
“Then I absolutely can’t agree. These things always carry risk—otherwise, who profits?”
Ye Hong looked at him. “Just make sure your friend is careful and thorough.”
Ye Qingyang shook his head. “No, I can’t agree.”
“It’s fine,” Wang Yue said. “Even if it loses, it’s not your fault.”
Ye Qingyang still refused.
Ye Hong put down her chopsticks. “What’s wrong with you? Just helping Aunt, is it really that hard?”
“I’m afraid it’ll lose… 60,000 yuan is a big amount.”
“Your uncle already said it’s fine. What are you afraid of? Or are you deliberately trying to stop Aunt and Uncle from making money?”
“Of course not,” Ye Qingyang said, exasperated. “Fine, fine, just transfer the money to my account.”
“That’s better,” Ye Hong picked up her chopsticks again. “I’ll transfer it this afternoon.”
“Okay.”
Ye Qingyang said no more. After lunch, he grabbed his backpack and left.
Lu Jingcheng was already waiting at the community entrance. Seeing him, he opened the car door.
Ye Qingyang got in and put down his bag.
“Have you eaten?” Lu Jingcheng asked.
Ye Qingyang nodded.
Looking at him, Ye Qingyang said, “You’re really brave.”
Ye Qingyang laughed. “Blame you for being too handsome. You’re even better looking than a movie lead—way more handsome!”
Lu Jingcheng: …
The corners of his mouth curled, shamelessly agreeing in his heart.
Seeing him turn proud in just a second, Ye Qingyang almost couldn’t resist kissing him.
He realized now that his previous worry about whether Lu Jingcheng was gay was pointless. Lu Jingcheng’s allure was too strong. Gay or straight, his eyes were glued to Lu Jingcheng.
The difference was, before he realized, he could only think, He’s so cute; after realizing, he could act on it too!
Thinking this way, Ye Qingyang felt that “coming out” had really paid off.
Just then, his phone rang. Checking it, he saw a transfer of 60,000 yuan to his bank card.
Ye Qingyang smiled immediately.
He asked Lu Jingcheng, “Do you want a gift? I can buy you one, to commemorate our first date.”
“What do you want?” Lu Jingcheng asked.
Ye Qingyang sweetly said, “The thing I want most is right in front of me.”
Lu Jingcheng tapped his head. “Stop thinking only of me. Think of other things too. Seriously, is there nothing else in your little head but me?”
“I’ve got knowledge too,” Ye Qingyang said. “You and knowledge are enough. Nothing else is needed.”
Lu Jingcheng: …
Lu Jingcheng thought: the next time I get sick, it’ll probably be diabetes with all the sugar intake from this little sugar addict.
Sigh, all because of the little sweetie next to me.