SAYE [Run Freely]

Chapter 14

Translate: An | Edit: Sae | Proofread: Anasofi

∞

The bus ride from the cemetery back home was a long one that circled over half the city. Gu Fei leaned against the window, allowing the bus to swing him around, and not two stops had passed, he was already swung to sleep.

It was only within a few stops before his house that he opened his eyes, but it was already past eight o'clock. He fished out his phone for a glance at the screen, Jiang Cheng hadn't sent any messages - probably hadn't arrived yet.

There was one message from Gu Miao though, containing only three words.

- I already ate.

When he came home late and didn't have time to cook dinner, the neighbor downstairs would set up a small table and Gu Miao would go downstairs by herself to eat with them. At the end of the month, Gu Fei would pay them the bill.

Sometimes, when their mother was carried away by a whim, she would also cook them a few meals. Their mother's dishes were all very delicious, he and Gu Miao both enjoyed them, except the opportunities were rare.

- Did you eat downstairs?

- Mm.

Gu Fei dropped his phone back into his pocket, then walked to the side of the door where he waited to get off the bus. This little girl was becoming more and more cool, even her text messages were reticent and words so few were cherished as gold.

Eight o'clock in this old part of the town was already considered late for its winter season, and for these streets that were described as the old within the old, it was basically considered midnight. The shops along the streets all closed at this time, and there was rarely anyone outside except for those out playing cards.

As Gu Fei was heading toward their family shop, he spotted someone standing at the entrance from quite a distance away. From the dimly cascading streetlight, he could tell that the person was jumping up and down on the pedestrian sidewalk, almost like they were dancing.

Jiang Cheng?

He increased his pace and walked over to see that it was indeed Jiang Cheng, jumping up and down the stairs of the store entrance with his neck shrunk into his jacket and hands dug deep in his pockets.

"The fuck!" Before he could make a sound, Jiang Cheng had already seen him approach. He wasn't sure if it was due to the cold or his menacing tone, but his voice had lowered greatly. "Why don't you just show up tomorrow!"

When this last sentence escaped his mouth, Gu Fei was able to confirm that it was due to the coldness. Jiang Cheng's voice quivered and there was also the sound of teeth clashing together.

"Sorry," Gu Fei said as he took out the keys. "I was on a bus that was going extremely slow."

"No, like," Jiang Cheng pointed toward the shop door. "Your family business is looked after quite carefreely ah."

"Mm?" Gu Fei gave him a glance.

"When the doctor from next door left, he said that you guys didn't even open this afternoon," Jiang Cheng replied.

"Is that right," Gu Fei opened the door, the warmth from inside cascaded them. "It's my mom's turn to be here today, this afternoon... something probably came up and she left."

"Move, move..." Jiang Cheng was right behind him as he pushed Gu Fei aside and stepped into the store. After jumping on the spot numerous times, he finally settled his butt on the chair. "Fuck, I'm freezing to death."