Chapter 9: He Must Be Jealous of Me

The car arrived at a luxury apartment building. Ning Wu parked the car neatly, then put away the keys and got out. He originally planned to follow the familiar route home, but after taking two steps, he realized there were no footsteps behind him.

Curious, Ning Wu turned around and found that Meng Weiyu was still sitting in the passenger seat, completely motionless. Helplessly, he walked back, opened the car door, and asked, “Even if you’re seventeen right now, you still know how to open a car door, right?”

Meng Weiyu grabbed the seatbelt, suddenly raised his head to look at Ning Wu, and narrowed his eyes warily.

Ning Wu was first dazzled by his overly brilliant beauty, then failed to understand why Meng Weiyu was staring at him like that.

“This isn’t your home. Who are you? Why did you bring me here?” Meng Weiyu was familiar with Ning Wu’s family address. This was definitely not his home.

“Ah.” Ning Wu suddenly understood and hurriedly explained, “After I got married, I moved out of my family home because my wife wasn’t used to living with my parents.”

“You should’ve said so earlier.” Meng Weiyu understood. He unfastened his seatbelt and prepared to get out.

Ning Wu did not move away immediately and blocked the door.

“Please move,” Meng Weiyu said as if it were only natural.

“Why exactly is your temper this rotten?” Even though Ning Wu had been his good friend for many years, he was still often shocked by Meng Weiyu’s various behaviors.

Seeing that Ning Wu would not move, Meng Weiyu propped his chin on his hand, raised his head, and revealed a smile beautiful enough to overturn all living beings.

Ning Wu stared blankly.

Meng Weiyu crooked his finger at him.

“No.” Ning Wu woke up at the last moment. Struggling, he said, “I don’t like men. And I’m married. There’s no future between us.”

“You’re overthinking it. I just wanted to tell you that since I’m this wealthy and possess this level of beauty, what use does having a good temper have for me?” Meng Weiyu found it funny.

“That’s true too.” Ning Wu once again agreed with Meng Weiyu without any principles.

“Rich people are prone to arrogance, and good-looking people are prone to being spoiled.” Meng Weiyu rested his chin in both hands and blinked at Ning Wu. “Does there really exist someone in this world who’s rich, good-looking, and has a good temper?”

Ning Wu did think of someone who matched Meng Weiyu’s standards, so he answered, “Shen Zhoudu.”

Hearing this, Meng Weiyu narrowed his eyes and carefully considered whether Ning Wu had done it on purpose or unintentionally. Considering Ning Wu’s acting skills had not yet reached the level where he could deceive him, Meng Weiyu decided to forgive him this once.

“Shen Zhoudu isn’t good-looking at all!” Meng Weiyu strongly refuted him.

“Heh.” Anyone with eyes knew Shen Zhoudu was good-looking.

“His temper isn’t good either.” Meng Weiyu described the Shen Zhoudu in his impression. “Haven’t you noticed that he’s always secretly picking fights with me?”

“But he’s never caused trouble for me. Nor has he done that to anyone else…” At this point, Ning Wu did not believe Meng Weiyu still did not understand the reason.

Meng Weiyu gnashed his teeth and said, “He must be jealous of me, that ugly bastard.”

Ning Wu no longer wanted to discuss things with him that would make him doubt Meng Weiyu’s intelligence. He moved away and made space.

Meng Weiyu got out of the car and turned around to close the door.

There was one thing Ning Wu had forgotten to say: from his perspective back then, Meng Weiyu also seemed very strange. Although his temper looked bad, in reality, there was nothing he truly took to heart. Seeking attention was his hobby. Gazes of disgust or affection were just seasoning for his boring life. Other people’s feelings toward him were vivid and intense, while he remained equally indifferent toward everyone.

Then why was Shen Zhoudu different from everyone else, always able to easily stir up his anger?

When the two arrived at Ning Wu’s door, Meng Weiyu stood behind him and watched as Ning Wu pressed his ear against the door like a pervert, eavesdropping on the sounds inside.

Meng Weiyu: “…”

Unfortunately, the soundproofing of this apartment was too good. Ning Wu heard nothing, so with an anxious heart, he unlocked the door with his fingerprint.

The door was pushed open, and inside was completely dark.

Ning Wu immediately let out a breath of relief. After turning on the lights, he welcomed Meng Weiyu inside.

“The place is a little small. Just make yourself comfortable,” Ning Wu said politely.

Meng Weiyu, however, sighed without the slightest politeness, “It really is such a small home.”

Ning Wu, who was changing into house slippers, suddenly said seriously, “Leave.”

“I only casually said one sentence, and you already want to kick me out.” Meng Weiyu sighed. “I can help you change to a bigger house.”

“No need. For my wife and me, this place is already enough.” It was not as if Ning Wu’s family had no money. If he wanted to change to a bigger home, he could do it himself. “Besides, you only feel it’s small because you’re standing at the door. Once you come in and look around, it’s actually very spacious.”

His words sounded like he was coaxing a child.

Meng Weiyu believed him. He changed into slippers, walked inside, and looked around. Afraid that he would really be kicked out, he did not dare say anything, but he revealed an expression of understanding.

As expected, it was very small.

“You should still leave.” Ning Wu did not need him to speak. Just by looking at his eyes, he could guess what he was thinking.

Meng Weiyu tilted his head and revealed a cute smile.

Please forgive me.

Ning Wu had no way to deal with him, so he invited him to sit first, then poured tea and brought snacks for him.

“Then do you have children?” Meng Weiyu cracked sunflower seeds while curiously looking around the home. He knew nothing about the experiences of his friend from the memories he had lost.

“No. Unlike you, I only got married last year.” Ning Wu rummaged through the fridge and found a bottle of drink, then handed it to Meng Weiyu. “And my wife’s career is rising steadily now. She’s so busy that she has no plans to have children. She’s been too busy. For the past few days, her life has basically been coming home in the middle of the night, showering, sleeping, and then going to work in the morning before I even get up.”

Meng Weiyu understood. He leaned against the back of the sofa, turned his head, and looked at Ning Wu, who was rummaging through things. With a gentle smile, he asked, “And then? Why did you quarrel?”

Hearing his tone, Ning Wu immediately turned his head sharply.

Meng Weiyu propped his chin on his hand, leaned against the sofa, and watched him with a faint smile that seemed to understand everything and hold everything in its grasp.

Back then, when their group played together, they centered around him not only because young people naturally liked to follow the most dazzling person among them, but also because this guy was truly terrifying. Sometimes, he could practically be called a master of psychological manipulation.

“This…” Just as Ning Wu was about to forget that the person in front of him was psychologically ten years younger than him and was about to spill everything, the sound of the door opening came.

Ning Wu’s hand trembled in fright.

“Why is there one less pair of slippers by the door…” A cold voice that was not unfamiliar to Meng Weiyu entered his ears.

Meng Weiyu turned his head to look.

A tall woman in a suit appeared in his line of sight. She had tied up her long hair, looking efficient and refreshing. This person’s defining trait was her stern expression. She looked ruthless and dictatorial.

“Meng Weiyu.” The moment she saw the guest, she recognized him. “I heard you got into a car accident. I originally planned to visit you today, but Ning Wu said you were being discharged today.”

Meng Weiyu: “…”

She was indeed an acquaintance. This woman’s name was Xiao Jialu, an honor student sponsored by his grandfather. She narrowly lost to Shen Zhoudu in every exam, and because of various reasons, she often followed Meng Weiyu around and occasionally explained schoolwork to him… She was someone who was extremely not to be provoked.

Since childhood, there had always been many people around Meng Weiyu, but in reality, Ning Wu was the only one he truly got along with. Since they were all people around him, Xiao Jialu and Ning Wu must have interacted. But he remembered that Ning Wu was good-tempered toward everyone, while Xiao Jialu was not interested in their group at all. Her interactions with Ning Wu were also reluctant.

How did these two… get together?

Meng Weiyu’s thoughts, along with his expression, returned to emptiness.

“Sit for a while. I’m going to the study to get a document and take a photo for my colleague.” Xiao Jialu had something to handle and hurried into the study.

Once she left, Meng Weiyu’s neck stiffly turned toward Ning Wu.

Meeting Meng Weiyu’s gaze, Ning Wu laughed awkwardly and slowly shuffled to Meng Weiyu’s side, sitting on the other end of the sofa.

“Come here,” Meng Weiyu ordered coldly.

“You have a husband, and I have a wife. I think it’s better if we keep some distance.” Ning Wu thought this was reasonable.

Meng Weiyu threateningly raised his fist at him.

I can’t stand you, you bastard. No wonder back then, whenever Xiao Jialu came to tutor me, you would appear for no reason.

The undercurrent between the two of them did not last long, because Xiao Jialu came out of the study with her phone. Her brows were tightly furrowed as she glanced at the information on her phone, then looked up at Meng Weiyu.

Meng Weiyu’s very existence was flashy. Even though he was now dressed simply, with bandages still wrapped around his face and hand so that his whole face could not even be seen, he leaned slightly against the sofa and, the moment he met someone’s gaze, sent out a charming smile as if it cost nothing. His purpose was not necessarily to charm others into losing their senses, but the actual effect accurately made people’s faces flush and hearts pound.

“What’s wrong, little baby?” Meng Weiyu deliberately said. “Did seeing me finally make you realize your husband has grown old and faded?”

“What do you mean?” Ning Wu became furious. He picked up the throw pillow beside him and lightly knocked it against the uninjured half of Meng Weiyu’s face.

The pillow fell, and Meng Weiyu stretched out his slender, fair hand to touch his own face.

“I only just saw the message Ning Wu sent me saying you lost your memory.” She had truly been too busy recently.

“It’s fine.” He had merely lost a bit of memory. Since things had already reached this point, crying and shouting would be useless.

Because Meng Weiyu still had not recovered from the shock of several facts, he spoke a little slowly. Before he could say the second half of his sentence, Ning Wu cut in from the side, speaking in a strange tone, “Lawyer Xiao really is a busy noble person. I sent that message to you yesterday, right? And you’re only seeing it now.”

“That’s true. I’m certainly not as idle as certain people who can’t get work.” The moment Ning Wu’s last word fell, Xiao Jialu immediately followed up.

In an instant, the atmosphere dropped to freezing point.

Meng Weiyu sat between the two of them, ignoring the atmosphere between them. He clenched his hand into a fist, placed it beside his mouth, thought for a moment, then raised his head to look at the sky, and shook his leg.

He had already performed such a set of actions full of things to comment on, like a hyperactive child, yet no one spoke.

Meng Weiyu had no choice but to speak first. “I understand. I’m going home.”

A few minutes later, in the residential complex, a black Bentley drove out. Ning Wu drove Meng Weiyu onto another road.

Ning Wu felt that Meng Weiyu’s shadow regarding family was too serious, so he had no choice but to explain in the car, “Just because we quarrel doesn’t mean our relationship is bad, and it doesn’t mean we don’t love each other.”

Meng Weiyu did not speak. He only propped up his face and looked out the window.

Ning Wu sighed. The car drove onto an unfamiliar road.

“My friend Ning Wu,” Meng Weiyu finally spoke.

“What is it?” Ning Wu thought he was finally willing to listen to him properly.

“Are you going to sell me?” Meng Weiyu asked uneasily.

“This fucking road leads to your home.”

“Oh.”

Actually, Meng Weiyu wanted to go to his maternal grandparents’ or paternal grandparents’ place more, but he was indeed worried that if something happened to him, there would not even be anyone to discover it.

The car stopped in a whole estate district filled with mansions. Ning Wu prepared to turn off the engine and said, “I’ll go in with you.”

“No need. I’ll just ring the doorbell myself.” Meng Weiyu unfastened his seatbelt. “You go back first. While Xiao Jialu is still home, say a few nicer things.”

Ning Wu looked at him worriedly. However, once Meng Weiyu had made a decision, it was generally not easy for him to interfere. So he could only instruct him, “Hurry inside. Contact me immediately if anything happens.”

“No need to worry so much about me. Go back. Be careful on the road.” Meng Weiyu had already gotten out of the car. He turned and shut the door, then bent down and smiled at Ning Wu through the car window, waving at him.

Ning Wu smiled back and rolled down the window.

“Ning Wu, knowing that ten years later, we’re still good friends… I’m really happy.” Meng Weiyu smiled from the bottom of his heart, his smile so pure that it was almost a little silly.

Hearing this, Ning Wu’s eyes warmed. He could not help raising his fingers to rub his nose and told him, “Of course I’ll always be close to you.”

“Go back and rest well.” Meng Weiyu waved, chasing him away.

Ning Wu nodded. Before leaving, he said, “Go in quickly, okay?”

His concern was right. After Ning Wu left, Meng Weiyu turned his head and stood at the entrance in a daze.

The doorbell was in an obvious place, but he stubbornly did not reach out to press it.

Meng Weiyu raised his hand…

Then pressed his temple with a headache.

He stood blankly in front of the door, his mind completely empty. Then, helplessly, he crouched beside the door, propped his chin on his hand, and leisurely raised his head to admire… the sky covered densely with dark clouds.

The muggy, humid air slowly swept over from the city opposite. Meng Weiyu, who could not think of anywhere else to go, remained unmoved and continued crouching at the entrance in a daze.

A drop of water fell from the sky and landed directly on Meng Weiyu’s face, sliding down his smooth cheek.

Heavy rain always arrived suddenly. Just as Meng Weiyu had prepared himself to be drenched by the rain, a sound came from the gate.

Meng Weiyu turned his head to look. Because of his movement, the transparent liquid in his eyes instantly fell. With tears in his eyes, even without relying on any technique, he was enough to make people feel pity for him.

Shen Zhoudu walked out from inside, holding a tiny ragdoll cat in his arms, expressionless. Then he lowered his head and stared at him.

The two looked at each other. The light within the estate was bright yet dim, and the thick black clouds seemed about to crush the entire city.

Seeing Meng Weiyu, the kitten excitedly raised its head and cried, “Meow, meow~”

Heavy rain began from a farther place, pouring down in torrents.