…It’s little uncle!

Little uncle has finally appeared!

Cheng Huanzhen stood up from the long bench outside the funeral home, a smile on his face as he called out, “Little uncle.”

Little uncle was wearing all black today. His ponytail was lower, his perfume lighter. He looked like a “toned-down version” of little uncle. But after a few more glances, Cheng Huanzhen didn’t feel any discomfort. Little uncle’s eyes were still bright, his spirit still strong.

Little uncle tilted his head slightly, seeming a bit puzzled by his waiting here. He didn’t seem to be angry with him.

Is little uncle not angry with him?

Cheng Huanzhen thought uncertainly.

He clutched the gift in his pocket tightly, wondering if he should take it out for little uncle now—there seemed to be a few too many people coming and going here.

Little uncle didn’t know what he was thinking and said casually, “Let’s go. The second memorial service is about to start. What are we doing here?”

Cheng Huanzhen thought that if they went out, there would probably be even more people.

He made a decision and called out to little uncle, “Please wait a moment, little uncle.”

Little uncle turned his head in confusion.

Cheng Huanzhen took something red out of his pocket and stuffed it into little uncle’s hand.

Little uncle looked down in confusion and smiled. “Oh, a sachet, red, and tuberose-scented! Interesting. Big nephew, is this for me? Why the sudden gift?”

Cheng Huanzhen was a little nervous and said, “Little uncle, did someone at the old mansion tell you that I was the one who kicked you out because I didn’t like my plans being disturbed?… I didn’t do such a thing. I don’t dislike you, nor did I mean to kick you back to the old mansion.”

Little uncle blinked slowly, his lips slowly flattening. “If you didn’t say it, why are you apologizing to me? Could it be that you did something you don’t dare to admit and are now trying to coax me?”

Cheng Huanzhen was stunned for a moment and immediately clarified, “No, little uncle, I’m not…”

“Pfft.”

Little uncle saw his panic and burst out laughing.

“I thought it was something serious, so it was because of this. Don’t worry, big nephew, I know you wouldn’t do this to me—big nephew likes me very much, right?”

Little uncle carefully put away the red tuberose sachet and winked at him smugly.

—Little uncle did it on purpose!

Cheng Huanzhen’s eyes widened, a “Little uncle, how could you” ready in his throat.

But by now, they were already walking side by side on the way out of the funeral home.

Little uncle was smiling beside him, bending slightly and looking up at him from the side. His shiny black hair hung in the air, swaying with his movements. He was so lively that it was hard to blame him at all.

…Think on the bright side.

Little uncle is in the mood to play with him like this, so it seems he really isn’t angry with him.

The heart that had been hanging high for several days gently landed at this moment.

The words stuck in his throat changed several times, finally becoming, “Yes, little uncle.”

Just then, three university students, their faces streaked with tears, came towards them.

Little uncle was busy laughing, saying something about him being “too easy to tease” and “actually answering the question so seriously.”

Cheng Huanzhen didn’t know why little uncle said that, nor did he think about it. He only noticed that little uncle wasn’t watching where he was going and was about to bump into the oncoming people. Frowning, he immediately pulled little uncle, tugging him to his side and dodging the three students who were crying and not looking where they were going.

Cheng Huanzhen interrupted little uncle’s laughter. “Little uncle, watch where you’re going.”

Little uncle blinked twice and somehow laughed even more cheerfully.

Cheng Huanzhen was a little baffled.

But little uncle’s attitude gave him some confidence. He asked, “Little uncle, are you still going back to the old mansion later? Do you want to come back with me?”

He was worried little uncle would refuse and racked his brains to say, “Don’t worry about the old mansion. I’ve already spoken with grandfather. Your room hasn’t been touched these past two days; it’s very tidy. I’ll have the butler help bring your things over, so you don’t need to worry.”

“Go to your house, huh—”

Little uncle’s voice hesitated for a moment, his original smile fading a little for some reason. But before Cheng Huanzhen could puzzle out the reason, little uncle broke into a smile again and said to him, “Okay, big nephew, as long as you don’t find me annoying.”

Cheng Huanzhen promised seriously, “I won’t.”

Little uncle agreed to go home with him.

Cheng Huanzhen felt that the uncomfortable and unhappy feeling that had been bottling up in his heart for the past two days had completely dissipated in an instant.

He was worried that little uncle wouldn’t dare to communicate with the old mansion, so he took the initiative to help him explain the matter to the old mansion’s driver.

Fortunately, this matter had already been approved by his grandfather, so the communication and execution were very smooth.

Soon, he successfully brought his little uncle back home.

Cheng Zhaorui was also at home today.

When he saw Cheng Yiming, he happily greeted his younger brother, “Yiming is back!”

Cheng Yiming responded with a smile, “Hello, big brother. I’ve come to trouble you all again.”

Cheng Zhaorui laughed. “What trouble? Lunch is ready. Go change your clothes in your room and come eat.”

Cheng Huanzhen also went back to his room to change his clothes.

He changed into a dark green shirt he had bought with his little uncle, his mood much lighter than the past few days.

The plant with fiery red leaves on the windowsill was full of life, gently swaying its leaves in the windless room, seemingly following his mood and becoming lighthearted as well.

Little uncle is back.

Little uncle is not angry with him.

This is a comfortable feeling.

Is he happy?

Let’s just say he is happy.

Cheng Huanzhen thought and judged so, and went out to have lunch with his little uncle.

With one matter settled, Cheng Huanzhen could finally pick up his plans and continue to execute them.

After lunch, he proceeded with his afternoon work according to his plan. The work ended smoothly. Then he proceeded with his evening work. The work ended, sleep. Wake up, proceed with the next day’s work. The work ended, sleep. Wake up and execute the third day’s…

Cheng Huanzhen stopped what he was doing.

He sat in his bedroom, looking down at today’s plan on his tablet, and suddenly felt a trace of doubt.

Strange, little uncle is clearly back home, so how come he hasn’t disturbed his plans for a day and a half?

Strange, so strange.

Cheng Huanzhen recalled with some confusion.

What has little uncle been doing for the past day and a half?

Chatting with him during meals, and the rest of the time… he didn’t know. He had made a solemn promise to his grandfather, and his work had been relatively busy these past few days. He often needed to go out for appointments and meetings. Even when working from home, his schedule was very tight.

But during meals, little uncle seemed very normal.

Everything was no different from before.

Then how could little uncle not come to disturb his plans?

This is not normal.

Cheng Huanzhen sat in a daze in his bedroom for half a minute, tried to restart his plan, restart failed.

He might as well get up and go see what little uncle was doing.

No little uncle in the hallway.

No little uncle in the room next door, which was little uncle’s.

Downstairs, no little uncle in the living room.

Going out… oh, he saw little uncle.

Little uncle was sitting in the yard.

Seemingly basking in the sun, and also seemingly in a daze.

“Little uncle!” Cheng Huanzhen called out to his little uncle.

Little uncle looked up blankly, his gaze focusing after a while. Seeing it was him, a smile appeared on his face.

Little uncle said, “Big nephew, why are you out? Is today’s work already done?”

It’s only this early, work hasn’t even started yet.

Cheng Huanzhen thought to himself.

He shook his head and asked his little uncle, “Little uncle, what are you doing here?”

He sat down next to his little uncle and smelled the light and natural scent of tuberose on him.

Not perfume. It’s the sachet.

He judged. The uneasy feeling he had because his little uncle had unexpectedly not come to find him for the past two days settled down a bit.

Little uncle’s voice paused for a moment. “Ah…”

Little uncle thought for half a second and replied, “I’m basking in the sun.”

Cheng Huanzhen was puzzled. “Basking in the sun? Where is the sun?”

Little uncle looked up at the sky and attributed it without changing his expression, “You brought the clouds!”

Cheng Huanzhen thought to himself, Nonsense, he doesn’t have that kind of ability.

But little uncle seemed to be in a normal state, not angry, so he was relieved. He thought that maybe his little uncle just didn’t want to go out to play for these two days, and there was nothing strange about it.

Cheng Huanzhen chatted with his little uncle for a few more sentences and returned to the study to work with peace of mind. In the afternoon, he even took some time to go to the company.

And so the third day passed, the fourth day passed, the fifth day passed, the sixth day…

Hmm?

Cheng Huanzhen sat at his desk, staring at the schedule, and once again realized that something was wrong.

It was possible for little uncle not to come looking for him to play for a day or two, not to pester him to go out together, but how could he be so quiet for six days in a row?

Strange.

Very strange!

Cheng Huanzhen stopped his planning. The question of “should I investigate” and “is it necessary to investigate” spun in his mind for five seconds.

…Alright, after all, he is the little uncle he had a hard time coaxing back.

Thinking so, Cheng Huanzhen finally stood up again and went out to find his little uncle.

This time, little uncle was sitting by the living room window, his hand propping up his head, quietly looking at the scenery outside.

Little uncle was still wearing red clothes and a high ponytail today, but for some reason, he exuded a completely different feeling from before.

The vibrant and noisy red had somehow turned into a rusty and quiet red.

What’s going on?

Cheng Huanzhen was at a loss.

Cheng Huanzhen walked over and sat down next to his little uncle.

Little uncle turned his head to look at him, a surprised smile on his face. “Oh, big nephew! Why are you out? Are you not busy with work today?”

The same smile as the past few days, a similar question.

But this time, Cheng Huanzhen finally didn’t feel that his little uncle was really “fine.”

He didn’t answer his little uncle’s question, but asked back, “Little uncle, what are you doing here?”

Little uncle thought for a second and said, “I’m looking at the sunlight here. Look, the sun is so nice today. It looks just like the spring sun.”

Spring sun?

Cheng Huanzhen followed his little uncle’s gaze outside. Today’s sunlight was indeed bright and gentle. Even looking through the window, you could tell that this sun must be able to dispel some of the winter cold.

Alright, last time little uncle was basking in the sun, this time little uncle is looking at the sun. It seems to be an explanation.

But could it be that little uncle had been looking at the sun and basking in the sun for six days and did nothing else?

So he asked, “Little uncle, what have you been doing these past few days?”

Little uncle seemed a little surprised that he would ask this question.

Little uncle thought with distress for three seconds (yes, even he could see the distress!), and then said, “I’ve been catching up on a TV series these past few days. It’s that one from last year, ‘Professional Taoist, Annual Salary 90 Million.’ Have you heard of it?”

Cheng Huanzhen said calmly, “I have. My father played the second male lead in it.”

Little uncle was shocked. “?!”

Cheng Huanzhen asked, “Which character in the drama do you like, little uncle? Do you need my father to help you get them out for a meeting, or get you an autograph?”

Little uncle stammered, “This… that’s not necessary, right? I don’t have any particularly favorite actors…”

Cheng Huanzhen continued to ask, “Then which plot in it do you like, little uncle? I remember my father said that the two most famous scenes in this drama are, one, the Taoist opening the heavens, and two, the fight scene between the Taoist and the villain in the ninety million competition. I remember my father had commemorative photos of both scenes printed. Which one do you like, little uncle? I’ll go ask my father for the photos for you to see.”

Little uncle looked at him with pleading eyes and replied drily, “The first one, I guess. The Taoist opening the heavens, I like that one.”

Cheng Huanzhen said with a deadpan expression, “How can a Taoist open the heavens? Not even in a TV series. You haven’t watched this TV series, little uncle.”

Little uncle’s face immediately fell. He turned into a puddle of red water and slumped onto the windowsill.

Little uncle’s voice was a little annoyed. “Big nephew! What are you doing! How can you trick me like this?”

Cheng Huanzhen thought to himself, If it weren’t necessary, I wouldn’t want to use my work tactics here either.

He didn’t say his inner thoughts out loud.

He asked bluntly, “Little uncle, have you been unhappy these past few days?”

Little uncle glared at him resentfully, his fingers twisting and pulling at the sleeve of his clothes.

Cheng Huanzhen was a very patient person.

If little uncle didn’t speak, he would just sit beside him.

Every three minutes, he would ask again, “Little uncle, have you been unhappy these past few days?”

He didn’t know how many times he had repeated the question before his little uncle finally couldn’t take it anymore. “Big nephew, are you a repeater? Do you only know this one sentence?”

Cheng Huanzhen: “…”

Cheng Huanzhen explained seriously, “No, but little uncle, you haven’t answered my question.”

Little uncle was not satisfied. “You can’t answer me so seriously. You have to have a sense of humor, okay!”

Cheng Huanzhen was puzzled. “A sense of humor?”

Little uncle gave an example, “For example, for that question just now, if it were me, I would answer ‘Yes, I am a Cheng Huanzhen brand repeater. Little uncle, are you dissatisfied with anything?'”

Cheng Huanzhen was thoughtful. “But I’m not a repeater, little uncle.”

This sentence actually made his little uncle laugh. His little uncle held his stomach and laughed at him for a long time, the brilliant red晃ing in his eyes. “See, that sentence of yours is very humorous.”

Cheng Huanzhen: “…”

Little uncle said, “It’s even more interesting with your expression!”

Cheng Huanzhen didn’t know how to respond to his little uncle’s teasing.

He could only try to turn the topic back to the question that he cared about and didn’t understand. “Little uncle, why haven’t you been wanting to go out to play these past few days?”

When this question was asked, little uncle’s mouth immediately drooped.

He lay on the windowsill and muttered in a low voice, “No one is going out to play with me. What’s the point of me going out alone?”

Cheng Huanzhen was puzzled. “Little uncle, what about your friends?”

Little uncle asked back, “Do you have friends you can go out to play with?”

Cheng Huanzhen said, “I usually don’t go out to play, so I don’t need to have friends I can go out with.”

Little uncle: “…”

Little uncle lowered his eyes and lay back on his hands, finally saying in a low voice, “I just got back to the country. What friends could I have in the country?”

Perhaps his little uncle’s expression was too dejected. Cheng Huanzhen subconsciously replied, “Then why don’t you come find me?”