It was well into the night when Ming Luchuan drove Xia Wennan back to the city. Since he regained his consciousness at the hospital, his main concern had been his grandpa, and now that the dust had settled, a profound weariness assailed his still recovering body. Seated on the passenger’s side, he fell asleep midway home. Xia Wennan awoke to find that the car had come to a halt. He opened his eyes to the sight of the dimly lit parking lot outside the window, as well as Ming Luchuan beside him, the man’s gaze fixed on him. Ming Luchuan had probably been staring at him for a good while. He didn’t avert his gaze when Xia Wennan’s eyes blinked open and only asked, “You’re awake?” Xia Wennan rubbed his eyes. Stretching his arms, he gazed out the window. “We’ve arrived?” Ming Luchuan didn’t answer, instead opening the door and stepping out of the car as he said, “Get out of the car if you’re awake.”
Despite the large number of parked cars, the underground parking lot seemed vacant. As Xia Wennan followed Ming Luchuan to the elevator, he saw that the parking spaces were largely occupied by pricey luxury cars. Groggy from sleep, he inquired, “Where do I currently work?” When they entered the elevator, Ming Luchuan answered, “You don’t work. You stay at home to take care of me.” Xia Wennan fought off a yawn. His reply came off a little sluggish. “Can you try to sound a little more convincing?” He’d spent enough time with Ming Luchuan to figure out some of the man’s tricks, and he’d also come to realise that Ming Luchuan wasn’t all that scary. “Since I was little, my grandpa always told me that a man has to stand on his own two feet and not rely on others.”