Chapter 1178: The Taste Of Home
"Wake up, people!"
Hyson clapped his hand as soon as he entered the room. The two people inside the room gave him a look and said, "Fai, we are already awake."
"Oh," responded Hyson and looked at his Lin Zhen Ge who was drinking coffee, and Fang Yiwen who was playing on his phone. "Did you guys have breakfast?"
"Yup," answered Fang Yiwen. "I have had my breakfast. Zhen Ge is only making do with his coffee for some reason."
"Zhen Ge," Hyson looked at the leader of his group.
Lin Zhen looked up at Hyson and smiled at him, "I'm not hungry."
"How is that relevant here?" asked Hyson while Fang Yiwen pursed his lips to hide his smile.
"Isn't it relevant?" asked Lin Zhen.
"Not at all. It's breakfast. Even if you are not hungry, you have to eat."
"I don't wanna talk to you about it," said Lin Zhen. He knew he wouldn't be able to outdo the chatterbox named Hyson so he stopped himself in time. He really couldn't take it.
"So, how was last night for you two singles? Sharing a room? Didn't you both have a separate room? Why did you insist on living together?"
"As you just said," started Fang Yiwen. "Single dogs like us also need some company."
"You didn't see Shuyi Ge since last night?" asked Hyson.
"Nope," answered Lin Zhen. "Who knows where he is? But I did send everyone a message. Both of them should be here soon. I do have something important to discuss with you. Besides, it's been a while for all of us to gather. So, taking this chance I decided to treat you all to lunch."
"Wow! Zhen Ge is mighty! Zhen Ge is the best! Zhen Ge is..."
"Yiwen, you keep playing your game. I don't like your cheering."
Fang Yiwen shrugged his shoulders, "Alright. I was just trying to lift up your mood."
"I told you, nothing is wrong with my mood. You insisted on hugging me like a koala last night," reminded Lin Zhen.
"Ge, I told you. I get scared at night," said Fang Yiwen righteously.
"How old are you? You came out of your hometown to this big city when you were barely a teenager. You weren't even familiar with anything or anyone in this city and even your accent wasn't proper and you had difficulties in communicating with people. I didn't see you getting scared back then."
Fang Yiwen licked his canines habitually before saying, "I did get scared. It's an unfamiliar place. And an unfamiliar bed. You can't blame me for being a little scared."
"If only I could believe your nonsense," said Lin Zhen and ignored him as he went back to his room.
Hyson went to sit beside Fang Yiwen and asked, "What happened?"
"I don't know. But Zhen Ge seems to have a lot on his mind. He looked like he was in a daze and I didn't feel like leaving him alone. And it's true. It was more fun teasing him than sleeping alone in a big suite all by myself. What's the fun in that?"
"I agree. It wasn't fun at all," said Hyson. "But what could be wrong with Zhen Ge?"
"I think his love life is not going well," commented Fang Yiwen casually.
"I think so too," agreed Hyson.
"You agree? Really? I thought he was single. Am I really the slowest in this group?"
Hyson patted his shoulder, "Hang in there, Yiwen. You're the fastest." He pointed at the game he was playing as he added, "Look, you have been married in this game for six years. People can't even maintain a real-life relationship for so long. You're doing great already."
Fang Yiwen gave him a look, "How do you know if that 'wife' of mine is a guy behind the screen or a girl?"
"So, why don't you call this 'wife' out sometime?" suggested Hyson.
"No thanks. Real life is real life. The game is just a game. If I mixed up both, I'll lose the fun and peace of my life."
"Why do you say that?" asked Hyson.
"Just think about it. Let's say it's a girl and we really hit it off in real life too. But there is no guarantee in life. What if she and I got bored of each other and parted on bad terms? Later, even if I want to play this favorite game of mine, I won't be able to have the same fun because I'll keep associating this game with her and in turn, it'll remind me of our bitter ending. Too much to handle for me. So, I'll pass."
Hyson gave him a look. He always thought his Yiwen Ge was too carefree in life but it seemed, that wasn't the case. He did think of things clearly. So, it could be seen that when he came to this city with the dream of being an idol, it wasn't just a whim of a teenager. He really had his plans.
"Also, this 'wife' of mine, is only there because we make a good team," added Fang Yiwen. "I don't waste my time chatting with this person. Besides, now I rarely even play this game. So, I might not be as attached to it as it seems."
"What's going on with your game endorsement?" asked Hyson.
"I'm already done with the ads, live streaming, and even the campaign. Now, their annual championship is gonna start next month. I'd have to appear in the finals."
"Had fun?" asked Hyson.
"It was okay."
"Just okay? Don't you love gaming?"
"It might not seem like it, but I still love our group a lot more. I'd rather be on a tour." Fang Yiwen took a look at Hyson and asked, "What about you? Having fun?"
"Ge, I miss you too! I'd also rather be on a tour or even in the rehearsal room getting tortured by your dancing lessons."
"What? Acting isn't fun? With your character, I thought you'd enjoy it more."
"It's okay. I'm not against it. Doing it occasionally is fine. But I still love singing a lot more."
"What are you both taking about?" asked Lin Zhen as he came out.
"Just chatting," replied Hyson. "Zhen Ge, where are we having lunch?"
"You just had breakfast and you're already looking forward to lunch?" asked Lin Zhen with a helpless smile.
"Recently, my day goes like this. Wake up looking forward to breakfast, after breakfast push my life forward with the hope of lunch and after lunch, only dinner is my motivation."
"And after dinner?" asked Fang Yiwen.
"Of course, I'd love some late night snacks but considering I'm already pushing the limit of my weight, I can't do it everyday. So, I can only console myself with the idea of having anything in my dreams."
Fang Yiwen threw his head back and laughed unabashedly while Lin Zhen was a little restrained but it could be seen that he was also very amused by Hyson's words.
Hyson looked at their reaction and shrugged his shoulders. He was being very serious. How can people amuse themselves on the expense of his misery.
"If you have to eat the boxed lunches on the production set, you'll understand my pain!"
"It couldn't be that bad," said Lin Zhen. "Even if it's a boxed lunch, considering the investments of that movie, I don't think the production team would wrong their staff and actors."
"It's edible and better than most. But I'm someone who craves delicious food. How can I be satisfied with that lunch box? Even the hotel food is not enough. I wish I could pack up my godmother or my mum in a suitcase and take them with me."
"I've been hearing this for years," said Fang Yiwen. "Whenever we went on tours, you always had the same thing to say. I didn't understand the reason why but after eating the food at your home, I do understand why you'd be so persistent about this idea."
"I'm not saying that five stars chefs are not better than my godmother but it's just that I'd still prefer my godmother's food over anything."
"You should broaden your horizon and try all the delicacies in the world," suggested Lin Zhen.
"I have this goal. Why else do you think I always order all sorts of things when we go out? Isn't it just to try something new? But after all these years, I still think the taste of home is the best. The bestest!"
"The taste of home?" repeated Fang Yiwen and Lin Zhen simultaneously. Both had their own thoughts but they both sighed with a bitter taste at that.
Tha taste of home for them was far different than what Hyson had. Maybe that's why they were never able to understand his stubbornness. But it didn't matter. As long as he was happy, they'd go along with him. Who made him the youngest of their group? They had to give some way to this kid, no?
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶