The landlord has multiple personalities and wants everyone to pay him.

When Ye Shu returned to the living room, Ye Guoqiang, An Jianxing, and Shen Jingwan were sitting on the sofa, chatting about everyday things.

Upon seeing Ye Shu, Shen Jingwan smiled and waved:

"Xiao Shu, come sit here. Is Xiao Qing asleep?"

"Okay, I'm going to sleep."

Ye Shu sat on the sofa and took the cup of tea that Shen Jingwan poured for him.

The group chatted for a while longer, mostly An Jianxing and Ye Guoqiang exchanging information about their hometown customs and everyday life.

After finishing a few cups of tea, Ye Guoqiang glanced at the clock on the wall, put down his teacup, and said:

"It's getting late, I have to go."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jingwan immediately stood up and brought out several bulging bags from the kitchen, filled with various vacuum-packed local specialties, mostly seafood.

"Brother Ye, these are some local specialties. Take them back for your family to try. Let them know that Xiao Shu is here and we're taking care of him, so they can rest assured."

Ye Guoqiang quickly waved his hand:

"Sister-in-law, I can't accept this. It's already too much trouble for you to come all this way, and you've brought so much stuff. It's too much of a waste of your money, no, no..."

An Jianxing also chimed in from the side:

"Brother, we're honest people. Those fancy-packaged things aren't good value for money. Ours may have simpler packaging, but it's much more affordable than those gift boxes."

Ye Guoqiang stopped refusing and smiled:

"Well... then I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you, brother, thank you, sister-in-law! You're both so thoughtful, I really feel bad about it."

His large travel bag, which had become lighter after taking out the mountain goods, was instantly stuffed full again, and the zipper could hardly be closed.

After getting ready, An Jianxing got up to get his car keys:

"Come on, bro, I'll drive you."

Ye Guoqiang grabbed him:

"No, no, no, Brother An, really, there's no need! You've been busy all morning, and you even had drinks at noon. You should just rest at home. It's very convenient for me to take a taxi; it'll take me straight to the airport. I won't bother you."

Ye Shu quickly spoke up as well:

"Uncle An, Aunt Shen, I'll take my dad."

Shen Jingwan had wanted to stop him earlier; her husband seemed to have drunk too much again. Why was he driving after drinking? She said, "..."

"Xiao Shu, please be careful on the road and take good care of your dad. Why don't you come home tonight? There are rooms available."

Ye Shu shook her head:

"No, Aunt Shen, I have to get up early for work tomorrow, and it's too far from here. After dropping my dad off, I'll just go back to Yunduanyuan on my way. Sister Xia Qing... let her rest here."

"You kid... alright then, be careful on the road, and let us know when you get home."

On the other side, An Jianxing held Ye Guoqiang's hand:

"Brother, when you have time, bring your grandma over here for a visit, and we'll have a good drink!"

"Definitely, definitely! Wait, wait!"

The ride-hailing car arrived at the door. After putting the large travel bag in the trunk, Ye Guoqiang and Ye Shu got into the car and waved to An Jianxing and his wife through the window.

An Jianxing and Shen Jingwan stood at the door, watching the car drive away until it turned the corner.

Speechless all the way.

When the two arrived at the airport, Ye Guoqiang stopped near the entrance and turned to look at Ye Shu. He reached out and patted the large travel bag Ye Shu was carrying.

"Alright, that's enough. You've been running around with me these past two days, you must be exhausted. Go back and get some rest."

"It's okay, Dad, I'm not tired."

Ye Guoqiang didn't say anything more. He reached out and took the travel bag from his son's shoulder, then slung it over his own shoulder, adjusted the straps, and then looked up at Ye Shu, instructing him:

"You and that girl... it's been tough for both of you."

He spoke a little slowly, then added:

"But her parents are kind people. Your grandma and I feel at ease with you around. Just focus on your work here and don't worry about things at home."

After saying this, Ye Guoqiang reached out and unzipped his jacket, then pulled out a neatly folded envelope from his inner pocket.

Ye Shu recognized what it was at a glance and quickly refused:

"Dad, what are you doing? I have enough money, really, my salary is enough to live on, please don't..."

"Take it."

Ye Guoqiang didn't waste any words. He stuffed the envelope into Ye Shu's hand and shook Ye Shu's hand with his own to make sure he held it firmly.

"You're a boy, so in the future... when you're with other girls, whether it's for a meal, shopping, or holidays... you can't be stingy when it comes to spending money. You can't let them think you're not honest, understand?"

A man should be able to shoulder responsibilities and not be too stingy with money, especially towards those he cares about.

The thickness of the envelope reminded Ye Shu that this was no small sum.

"dad……"

"Alright, stop dawdling."

Ye Guoqiang released his grip and swayed the travel bag on his back:

"I'm going in. You should go back now."

After saying that, he stopped looking at Ye Shu and turned to walk towards the security checkpoint. He leaned forward slightly, remaining silent.

Ye Shu held the envelope in her hand, watching her father stand in line at the security checkpoint, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

A bittersweet feeling, warmth, guilt, and a sense of responsibility.

I'm already an adult and financially independent, but in my father's eyes, I always seem to be the child he needs to worry about.

Ye Shu watched as Ye Guoqiang passed through security, carrying his large travel bag, and walked inside. Just as he was about to disappear from sight, Ye Shu took a deep breath, waved in that direction, and called out:

"Dad! Remember to call me when you get there!"

It's unclear whether Ye Guoqiang heard what he shouted, but he simply turned around and waved in Ye Shu's direction, the meaning being quite simple: "I understand, go back."

Then he turned around and disappeared behind the door.

Ye Shu stood there for a while longer before lowering her arm. She carefully put the envelope away, then turned and walked alone toward the door.

As he stepped out of the airport, the afternoon sun was so bright that he could hardly open his eyes.

They came as a pair, but left alone. Their shoulders felt lighter, but their hearts seemed to be filled with something even more.

As Ye Shu was pondering this somewhat poetic phrase, trying to give a fitting summary of the past two days, suddenly…

"Young man, need a room? Our place is nearby, we offer free shuttle service! Clean and hygienic, with private bathroom, 24-hour hot water, and free WiFi! Affordable prices, want to check it out?"

Ye Shu's carefully cultivated emotions were instantly disrupted, which was truly disappointing... He didn't even bother to say anything and turned to leave the airport.

When I got home, a quietness unlike any other greeted me.

There was no sound of television, no footsteps, not even breathing.

Without them, the house doesn't feel as warm as it usually does.

Ye Shu stood in the entryway, momentarily lost in thought. It was as if everything that had happened before was just a vivid, overly dramatic dream.

Now he's awake, and all that's left is him alone, surrounded by the silence of the room.

He shook his head, changed his shoes, and sat on the sofa.

I'm so tired, it feels like all my strength has been drained away, and my bones ache.

It's probably from all the running around these past two days...

Ye Shu didn't think much of it, turned around and lay down on the sofa, picking up his phone and starting to watch videos. His eyes were fixed on the screen, but he wasn't paying attention to anything; in fact, his gaze seemed to drift further and further away.

His head began to feel dizzy, and he struggled to go to bed, but his body wouldn't move.

Never mind, let's just stay here.

He rolled over, facing the back of the sofa, and curled up into a relatively comfortable position.

The screen was still lit, playing a funny clip, but no one was watching it anymore.