Chapter 1020: Chapter 1019: There’s Someone in the Living Room
Hao Meili proactively helped Luo Yirui carry the small bag containing clothes, reached out her hand, and led him into the room.
Upon entering, Luo Yirui looked around and found the room to be quite spacious. Besides the bedroom, there was a small living room and an en-suite bathroom, which was much better than the room they were staying in.
"Do you sleep in the same bed as your mom?" Hao Meili asked joyfully.
Luo Yirui looked calmly at her and said earnestly, "Auntie, I have a mom."
Hao Meili’s smile froze on her face, and then her expression turned forlorn. After a pause, she said, "So, do you want to sleep with me?"
At this age, many children already slept on their own; that’s why she asked, to see what his habits were like.
"I’m fine sleeping here." Luo Yirui pointed to the sofa in the small living room.
This sofa could be opened up. It was quite comfortable to lie on and watch TV, and sleeping on it was just like sleeping in a bed.
Hao Meili nodded with a smile. Her cheeks were thin, and she really couldn’t be considered pretty. Her eyes were somewhat lifeless, but at least there was a little more vitality than before.
She neatly folded Luo Yirui’s clothes and asked the maid to prepare a small cabinet for him.
"Why just these few clothes? Tomorrow mom... tomorrow I’ll take you shopping for clothes!" Hao Meili said with a distressed look upon seeing them.
Luo Yirui shook his head and said, "There’s no need, I grow fast, and too many clothes won’t last long."
Hao Meili reached out and touched his small face, "What a good child."
Luo Yirui resisted a bit, gently dodged, not letting Hao Meili touch him. With the earlier rejection, Hao Meili didn’t show much emotion. She stood up, showing a look of exhaustion on her face.
"Good boy, go play, I’m going to sleep for a while."
Her spirits were very low; she slept a lot every day, but she still wasn’t energetic.
Watching Hao Meili enter the room and close the door, Luo Yirui went out. Her room was somewhat dark overall, probably because the curtains were drawn, which he didn’t quite like.
After he came out, he saw Jing Changle still standing at the door looking in, and he couldn’t help but laugh, "What are you looking at?"
Seeing him come out, Jing Changle let out a sigh of relief, "I was wondering when you’d be let out for air. How come they let you out so quickly?"
Luo Yirui said, amused, "It’s not like I’m being imprisoned. They just wanted me to keep Aunt Hao company. You’re so nervous; I’m pretty free. Even the servants listen to me now — it’s like I’ve been promoted. How about it? Isn’t that impressive?"
Jing Changle didn’t believe him, but knowing this wasn’t a suitable place to talk, he stopped asking more questions.
Hao Rong stormed out of Hao Jiacheng’s study, and upon coming out saw the two of them. He looked a bit embarrassed and gestured for them to follow him outside.
Out on the shaded path, lined with tall poplar trees on both sides, they sat on the edge of the road where there was no chance of being overheard, a clear view stretching to the distance.
"Brother Xiao Rui, you’ve been wronged!" Hao Rong said apologetically.
Luo Yirui waved his hand, "It’s only right to keep Aunt company after living off your hospitality for so long. Can’t live here for free, right?"
Hao Rong immediately declared with righteousness, "Brother Xiao Rui, do you look down on me or something? I’m willing for you to stay and eat here. We’re good friends; what’s mine is yours! Brother Xiao Rui, don’t say such alienating things in the future."
Luo Yirui smiled; this was just something to listen to. Even Jing Changle didn’t take it seriously. Both children had different experiences from ordinary kids; if it were an ordinary child, they might have been moved to tears.
Although he knew Hao Rong had his own calculations, he and Jing Changle were indeed currently living and eating at their house, and this favor needed to be repaid somehow.
"Do you want to have the premium feast of Heavenly Blessing?" Luo Yirui asked.
Hao Rong’s eyes lit up, "Of course I do, but forget it. I’ve heard that one table of a premium feast costs over a hundred thousand!"
Just thinking about the price alone made him step back, even though Luo Yirui was the young master of Heavenly Blessing; it just seemed too extravagant.
Luo Yirui, however, shook his head with a smile, "That’s not the premium feast. The real premium feast is custom-made, prepared by special grade chefs trained by Heavenly Blessing."
The price is at least in the millions, with pure medicinal cuisine tailored to the diner’s health. The talismanic water, as the main ingredient, is provided by Uncle Yuan. Having such a premium feast is immensely beneficial to one’s health.
Luo Yirui didn’t plan to say all of this, so as not to burden Hao Rong. This was his way of repaying Hao Rong.
Though Hao Rong outwardly said to forget it, in his heart he still wished to eat it. Regardless of the taste, the price alone was something to boast about for years!
His dad probably hadn’t even eaten it.
The three chatted for a long time by the roadside, all with smiles on their faces. Sometimes Hao Rong would get up and dance around, the three all laughing together.
On the villa’s second floor, Hao Meili stood by the window watching them, her eyes complex and hard to read.
In the evening, Luo Yirui went back to stay in Hao Meili’s room. It didn’t seem as dim when he entered at night, probably because the lights were on.
"You’re back? Come sit down, I’ll peel an apple for you to eat." Hao Meili picked up the fruit knife from the table and started peeling an apple.
Luo Yirui sat down, watching Hao Meili with a smile on her face. He looked away; with her current body, she probably couldn’t hold on much longer. Even with intense nourishment, this kind of body couldn’t be restored.
In the battlefield of live bacteria, surviving was a miracle. At least she lasted until mom intervened, but it was only to temporarily extend her life.
Hao Meili pierced a piece of apple with a toothpick and brought it to Luo Yirui’s lips, smiling, "How about calling me mom?"
Luo Yirui looked at her with a calm expression, his eyes indicating it was impossible.
Hao Meili sighed, pushed the apple into Luo Yirui’s mouth, "Little guy... eat up. Remember to brush your teeth afterward."
Her face once again showed signs of fatigue, and she turned to return to her room to sleep.
Luo Yirui ate the apple in his mouth, didn’t eat any more, brushed his teeth, and lay down on the sofa, closing his eyes to sleep.
In his dream, he dreamt of his mother, lullabying him as she did when he was very young, gently patting his back and singing to him...
He missed his mother...
He didn’t know if it was because he’d been away from his mother for too long or if Hao Meili’s actions today made him miss her more. He woke up in the middle of the night only to realize he needed to use the bathroom.
He lifted the thin blanket, sat up, and was about to stand when he saw a figure standing in the room, scaring him to the point where he jumped to the side of the sofa, his entire body drenched in cold sweat. He trembled and asked, "Who’s there!"
Standing in the living room in the dead of night, you tell me, aren’t you afraid!
Luo Yirui asked twice, and the person didn’t respond. Just when he thought about going over to take a look, the person suddenly moved.
