Professor Xie, isn't this a case of forcing customers to buy products that don't match the

Downstairs, a slightly worn silver van was parked, and a chubby guy with a buzz cut jumped out of the driver's seat.

As soon as he saw Xu Zhao carrying someone down, he immediately went forward to help open the car door.

"Wow, Zhao Zi, this is quite a show of force!" The young man named Da Bin helped support Shen Yan while glancing at him with curiosity in his eyes, but he didn't ask any questions.

"Stop talking nonsense, lend a hand, and be careful!" Xu Zhao settled Shen's mother in the back seat, propped up the pillows, carefully tucked her in, and adjusted the radiator before finally letting out a sigh of relief.

He then turned around and took most of the luggage from Shen Yan, stuffing it into the car.

Da Bin naturally took the last bag from Shen Yan's hand, grinned, and said, "Brother, get in the car. This weather is freezing cold."

Xu Zhao let Shen Yan sit in the passenger seat, while he squeezed into the seat next to Shen's mother so that he could take care of her more easily.

Da Bin drove steadily and kept talking, chatting with Xu Zhao about what they were preparing for the New Year and whether there were any new items on the family's New Year's Eve dinner menu.

With the car heater on, the young people chatted without any beating around the bush, making the atmosphere much more relaxed.

Amidst the warmth and casual conversation, Shen Yan's tense back slowly relaxed.

The new place isn't too far, about a 20-minute drive. It's a fairly new neighborhood, and the management seems good.

The house is on the third floor of a multi-story building.

Da Bin didn't go upstairs with her. He helped Shen's mother onto Xu Zhao's back, then helped hand things to Shen Yan to carry. He waved, jumped into the car, and sped away.

As Shen Yan watched the taillights disappear, he turned around and saw Xu Zhao carrying Shen's mother into the clean and bright apartment building.

Xu Zhao carried Shen's mother up to the third floor in one breath, her breathing only slightly heavy.

He stopped in front of a door and gestured to Shen Yan: "The key is in my right pocket, go check it out."

Shen Yan quickly put down what he was holding and reached into the pocket of his windproof jacket.

His fingertips touched the warm fabric and Xu Zhao's strong waist. He paused for a moment before touching a bunch of keys that were still warm from being held in his hand.

He looked down and found the newest-looking key, inserted it into the lock, and turned it gently.

The door opened.

Xu Zhao carried Shen's mother inside first, followed by Shen Yan carrying luggage, and then closed the door behind him.

The house isn't very big; it has two bedrooms and a living room, a square layout, and simple, cozy decor.

The furniture looked new, with no signs of habitation, but it was spotless.

Xu Zhao carefully settled Shen's mother into the bed in the second bedroom, adjusted the cushions, and tucked her in. "Auntie, please rest for a while. The heating is on, it will be warm soon."

Shen Yan put his luggage in the living room and looked around.

The house was excessively clean, and the temperature rose very quickly after the radiators were turned on.

He walked to the door of the second bedroom and saw his mother lying on the clean and tidy bed. His slightly relaxed brow made him feel relieved, but then he became even more uneasy.

This place is so wonderful that he doesn't know how to repay it.

Xu Zhao came out of the second bedroom and closed the door behind him.

He turned around and met Shen Yan's complicated gaze. He grinned and pointed to the master bedroom: "You can sleep in that room. The sheets and blankets are all new, and there's a private bathroom inside, which is convenient."

He spoke so casually, as if it were only natural for Shen Yan to sleep in the master bedroom of his future marital home.

Shen Yan was taken aback, then immediately shook his head: "No, I'll sleep on the sofa in the living room, or on a makeshift bed on the floor. You can sleep in the master bedroom..."

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean'?" Xu Zhao frowned, interrupting him. "I'm not coming to live here, so the master bedroom is just sitting empty. Besides, you have to take care of the housekeeper during the day; how can you not get enough rest?"

As he spoke, he walked to the master bedroom door, pushed it open, and showed off the spacious interior and the incredibly comfortable-looking bed. "Look how big it is, it's such a waste to leave it empty."

"Don't be shy, just put the food in quickly. I'll go heat up the food; you and Auntie must be hungry."

He didn't give Shen Yan another chance to refuse him. He turned around, grabbed the bag of food, and rushed into the kitchen, moving as quickly as if he had been nagged by his wife.

Soon, the kitchen echoed with the soft clinking of spatulas and the aroma of food being reheated.

Shen Yan looked at the closed door of the second bedroom, and then at Xu Zhao's busy figure in the kitchen, feeling increasingly helpless.

It seems he owes more and more.

Soon, Xu Zhao came out carrying a large bowl and a small bowl. The large bowl contained steaming hot, nutritious porridge, and the small bowl contained delicate meat broth.

"Shen Yan, the porridge and meat soup are ready, the temperature is just right. Go feed Auntie first." Xu Zhao handed him the bowl. "I'll go reheat our dishes so they'll be ready for you when you come out."

Shen Yan took the bowl; the bowl was warm.

He nodded, turned around, and gently pushed open the door to the second bedroom.

The room was well-heated.

My mother sat up against the headboard, and her complexion was much better than before.

Shen Yan sat down by the bed and began to carefully feed his mother with a small spoon.

One spoonful at a time, blowing on it again and again.

The faint sizzling sound of oil popping could be heard from outside the door, along with Xu Zhao's off-key humming.

Xu Zhao seemed to be in a good mood.

After feeding his mother, Shen Yan wiped her mouth, gave her her medicine, and set up a tablet for her to watch TV dramas, he quietly closed the bedroom door and came out.

He was stunned as soon as he came out.

In the living room, his shabby old luggage bag was gone, while in the master bedroom, under the warm light, Xu Zhao was putting his luggage away.

Xu Zhao didn't open his luggage bag, but simply placed the toiletries that he had casually stuffed into a transparent plastic bag in the most conspicuous position on the bathroom sink.

Hearing the noise, Xu Zhao turned around and saw Shen Yan standing at the door. "Auntie, are you done eating? Perfect timing, the dishes are all heated up and the rice is served, we've been waiting for you!"

After washing his hands, he walked over by himself in a few steps, then pulled Shen Yan's wrist and led him to the dining table. "Come on, come on, I'm really hungry now."

Shen Yan was being pulled along, unable to utter a single word.

He silently sat down in the dining chair as Xu Zhao pressed him down. The rice in his bowl was piled high, and all the dishes were placed beside him.

"What are you daydreaming about? Eat!" Xu Zhao had already picked up her chopsticks and was eating voraciously, her cheeks bulging, urging him indistinctly, "You need to eat more meat, you don't look well."

Xu Zhao's mouth never stopped moving throughout the entire meal.

They're either eating or talking.

They said his dad put too much salt in the food today and wouldn't admit it, that Da Bin's girlfriend dumped him and he's been crying for months, and that the property management in this neighborhood is pretty strict...

They were rambling on and on.

It was all just meaningless, trivial gossip.

Shen Yan rarely responded, but the rice and dishes in his bowl were gradually emptied amidst Xu Zhao's incessant chatter.

It was delicious; my stomach was full, and I felt warm all over.

When people are full and warm, they seem to regain the feeling of being alive.

After finishing their meal, Shen Yan was about to get up and clear the table when Xu Zhao had already stacked all the dishes and carried them into the kitchen with deft movements. "Don't move, take a rest."

His voice came from the kitchen, "You just got off work yesterday, right? You must be exhausted from working these past few days."

Shen Yan walked over and saw Xu Zhao putting the dishes and chopsticks into a brand new dishwasher.

"This will do, I've set it up." Xu Zhao placed the last plate, closed the dishwasher door, and pressed the start button. "When it's done, remember to open the door to let it air out later, otherwise it'll smell stuffy."

He spoke so naturally, as if Shen Yan had lived there for a long time.

Shen Yan could only nod.

"Alright, I'll be going now." He walked to the door, picked up his key from the entryway, took off the newest one, and handed it to Shen Yan: "Lock the door tonight, and call me anytime if you need anything."

Shen Yan accepted the gift and thanked him.

He put the remaining keys back in his pocket, bent down to tie his shoelaces, and continued without looking up, "I'll bring food again tomorrow, so you don't need to bother. I'll also take care of the New Year's Eve dinner, so you don't need to do anything. Just spend the New Year with your aunt."

He put on his shoes, straightened up, looked at Shen Yan, and flashed that smile that resembled a Samoyed puppy, waving his hand:

"Let's go! Happy New Year, Shen Yan!"

After saying that, he opened the door and disappeared in a flash.

Shen Yan stood by the door, watching his figure disappear around the corner of the stairs in a few steps. His off-key humming echoed in the stairwell, quickly fading away and disappearing.

Shen Yan gripped the key in his hand, the metallic texture digging into his palm.

He closed the door, stood behind it for a few seconds, and then, as if possessed, walked to the small balcony connected to the living room and gently pulled open the heavy blackout curtains.

The streetlights downstairs were dim, and Xu Zhao was walking with his hands in his pockets, striding along, seemingly humming something, his steps light and almost skipping.

It's exactly like a big, frolicking dog.

Just when Shen Yan thought he would walk straight out of the community, Xu Zhao suddenly stopped.

The figure downstairs seemed to suddenly remember something, slapped their forehead, and exclaimed in surprise:

"Holy crap! Where's my little motorcycle?!"