Chapter 01 – Misunderstanding

The sun was shining brightly today. In the evening, rays of sunlight streamed through the window lattice, bathing the entire room in a golden hue.

Xiang Ning rubbed his eyes as he sat up. The previous night, he had dug out his old musical scores and made several revisions, but he still wasn’t satisfied. It wasn’t until dawn that he finally gave up and collapsed into bed, sleeping like a log. If it weren’t for his phone incessantly ringing, he might have slept until nightfall.

He glanced at his phone and noticed someone had called him four or five times, with each call spaced less than an hour apart. This clearly wasn’t a prank call. Xiang Ning hesitated for a moment before sending a text to the number:

“Sorry, I was busy and didn’t have time to check my phone. If there’s something important, could you text me? I’m not very convenient right now.”

Within ten minutes, he received a reply. It was then that Xiang Ning remembered a senior he had collaborated with recently mentioned introducing him to a company. He hadn’t expected it to be true.

If he could secure a stable job, that would be fantastic.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Xiang Ning agreed to meet at the company that Monday.

He couldn’t help but smile, a small dimple appearing on his cheek.

On the day of the meeting, Xiang Ning got up early. After much deliberation, he decided to play it safe and wore a shirt and trousers, opting not to wear a tie. He hesitated for a while before finally stepping out the door.

After struggling to explain his purpose, the receptionist smiled and wrote down the floor number and other details, politely indicating that the elevator was to the right. Xiang Ning pursed his lips and smiled in gratitude.

He could actually hear.

The elevator dinged as it stopped on the seventh floor. Xiang Ning glanced at the number a couple of times before stepping out. Facing the receptionist’s scribbled map, he furrowed his brows. After some thought, he simply found a sofa in the open reception area and sent a message to his contact.

Xiang Ning had arrived thirty minutes early. The other party hurriedly replied, “Mr. Xiang, please wait a moment. Someone will be out to meet you within ten minutes.”

Xiang Ning felt a bit embarrassed. He was the one who had arrived early, yet he was inconveniencing others. He replied with a “Okay” and put away his phone, discreetly observing his surroundings.

Despite being in a bustling area, the high floor made it relatively quiet. The outer wall was made of glass, and the sunlight filtering through wasn’t too harsh. It felt soft and comfortable on the skin.

The sofa in the reception area was very plush. Xiang Ning leaned back for a while and almost dozed off. He hadn’t slept well the previous night due to excitement, and now he was feeling sleepy. He yawned, his eyes glistening with moisture.

He Rong saw this as he approached.

Xiang Ning was startled and quickly wiped his eyes, standing up and smiling at the newcomer. He felt anxious: Would the other person think he was too casual and decide not to hire him?

Unaware of his thoughts, He Rong glanced at his watch and nodded at him, “Come on.”

Xiang Ning hurriedly followed.

As soon as He Rong entered the office, he took off his jacket and loosened his tie, sitting down behind his desk and flipping through some files as if he had forgotten he had brought someone in. Xiang Ning stood there awkwardly, growing increasingly uneasy. He secretly pinched his palm and pursed his lips, standing still.

After a while, He Rong seemed to remember and, without looking up, said, “Go make a cup of coffee.”

Xiang Ning was taken aback but nodded and left. As he was leaving, he heard a voice from behind, “The pantry is to the left after you exit.”

Xiang Ning stood in the pantry, feeling that something was off. He carried the coffee out and bumped into someone. The person hesitated and asked, “Are you… Mr. Xiang Ning?”

Xiang Ning nodded.

“Hello, I’m Xiao Li. Sister Lin sent me to fetch you. She’s not here right now, so you might have to wait about ten minutes. Just call me Xiao Li.” He smiled, “You’re early.”

Xiang Ning quickly waved his hand, unable to speak, and smiled again.

Fortunately, Xiao Li didn’t mind. He glanced at the coffee in Xiang Ning’s hand and asked, “Is this…?”

Xiang Ning took a couple of steps and pointed to the office in front of them.

Xiao Li looked: the CEO’s office.

Xiang Ning was stunned. He hadn’t noticed when he entered that the person was the CEO. But why would the CEO be interviewing someone like him?

Xiao Li was also surprised. He whispered, “Do you know the CEO?”

Xiang Ning quickly shook his head. He realized there must have been a misunderstanding and let out a small sigh. He knocked on the door, and a voice inside said, “Come in.”

President He didn’t look up, just pointed to the side, “Put it here.”

Xiang Ning complied and set it down. He Rong looked up and saw Xiao Li at the door, “What is it?”

Xiao Li stepped forward nervously, “President He.”

“Director Lin asked me to take Mr. Xiang to discuss the contract.”

He Rong closed his pen, and the office fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Before anyone could speak, there was another knock on the door.

“Come in.”

The HR manager saw the two people standing there and was momentarily stunned before looking at He Rong, “President He, the new assistant is here to report.”

He Rong nodded, “Come back in five minutes.”

The HR manager nodded and left.

Xiang Ning pieced together what had happened and realized He Rong had mistaken him for someone else. He quickly took out a notebook and pen and wrote, “Sorry, I went to the wrong place.”

“It’s fine,” He Rong said. Then, to Xiao Li, “Is it time?”

Xiao Li understood and quickly replied, “President He, I’ll take Mr. Xiang over now.”

He Rong didn’t say anything else, just nodded.

Xiang Ning pursed his lips and followed Xiao Li, slightly tilting his head. He hadn’t gotten his notebook back.

—

The contract signing went smoothly.

As they stood up to shake hands, Director Lin smiled and told him, “You can take some time to adjust. There’s no rush. We’ll call you if we need anything.” She paused, “Or send a text, it’s not certain.”

Xiang Ning knew she was trying to spare him any embarrassment and nodded with a smile.

As he left, his steps were light, and he felt like skipping. In his hand was a tote bag with his contract inside. He hadn’t brought a bag, so Director Lin had given him one with the company logo, smiling and telling him not to mind it.

Xiang Ning couldn’t help but keep looking at it. He was so happy today that he decided to reward himself with an ice cream.

A rum-flavored one.

—

In the evening, He Rong received a call from his father, asking him to come home after work. He continued working as he replied with a “Hmm.” His father seemed to want to say something but remained silent for a couple of seconds before hanging up. He Rong wasn’t in the mood and ended up working overtime for three more hours before leaving. By the time he arrived at his father’s residence in Jiahe, it was almost ten.

As soon as he entered, he saw his stepmother sitting on the sofa, laughing at the TV. She turned around and saw him, stiffening slightly before awkwardly saying, “You’re back.”

He Rong nodded and went straight to the study.

His father was practicing calligraphy in the study. He didn’t say anything when He Rong entered, only putting down the brush after finishing a sheet of paper. After a few perfunctory questions, the father and son fell silent.

He Rong stood with his head slightly bowed, his posture straight, his right arm holding his jacket, “Father, if you have something to say, just say it.”

His father stiffened for a moment before glaring at him, “How dare you speak to your father like that!”

He Rong didn’t move, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

“What? This house can’t keep you anymore, is that it!”

He Rong remained silent.

His father felt he was being defiant and, in a fit of anger, grabbed a brush and threw it at him. He Rong didn’t dodge, letting the ink-soaked brush leave an irregular dot on his shirt, dragging a black line down before hitting the wooden floor.

His father glared at him, frustrated by his unyielding attitude but unable to do anything. Finally, he stiffly said, “Go visit your grandmother when you have time.”

This time, He Rong responded, “Okay.”

Only after He Rong left did Xu Hui dare to relax and continue watching TV. Shortly after, his father came out of the study and called a servant to clean up. Xu Hui went up to him, helping him to the sofa, and subtly asked, “Mingde, how did it go?”

His father snorted, “That rebellious son doesn’t listen to a word I say. He’s grown wings and even guards against his own father. He’s out of control!” He coughed a couple of times, clearly furious, “Out of control!”

Xu Hui didn’t dare to provoke him further and could only offer gentle comfort. However, she was secretly anxious. If He Rong didn’t agree to this matter, she didn’t know how to explain it to her family.

—

He Rong took an afternoon off to visit the nursing home in the suburbs.

The director had received the news early and was waiting with a group of people before He Rong arrived. After greeting him, the director briefed He Rong on his grandmother’s recent condition.

“Ms. Ye’s condition hasn’t been ideal lately. Her memory is regressing, and her behavior is erratic. There have been times when she didn’t remember where she was and would often call out your name and your mother’s. Recently, she’s been forgetting her own name more frequently. The good news is that her emotions are relatively stable, and there haven’t been any obvious symptoms of auditory or visual hallucinations…”

He Rong suddenly stopped and looked towards the garden. The doctor instinctively followed his gaze and saw Grandma He walking in the garden with a young man, smiling and looking very happy.

The doctor smiled and said, “That’s Xiang Ning. His grandmother used to stay here for a while, and after she passed, he stayed on as a volunteer. Although he’s not doing it anymore, he still comes to visit often.” At that moment, Grandma He patted the young man’s hand, and he obediently lowered his head, making Grandma He laugh even more.

“Xiang Ning is diligent and hardworking. Most of the elderly here like him very much…” The doctor realized she was talking too much and gradually fell silent. She glanced at He Rong, but his expression was unreadable, making her feel uneasy.

Fortunately, He Rong didn’t say anything, just gave a faint “Hmm” and headed to Grandma He’s room, “I’ll go over first.”

After saying goodbye to Xiang Ning, Grandma He returned to her room and immediately saw He Rong inside. She happily exclaimed, “Oh, my dear grandson!”

He Rong was a bit helpless, “Grandma.”

“Have you finally remembered to visit your grandma?” Grandma He waved away his outstretched hand, “Don’t help me, I’m not old yet!”

He Rong had no choice but to keep his hand hovering behind Grandma He, ready to catch her if she fell.

Grandma He let out an “Oh” as she sat on the sofa, pulling He Rong’s hand and squinting at him, growing more dissatisfied the more she looked, “Look at you, always so serious. It’s not attractive at all!”

“You look like Ling Ling, but you don’t smile enough…” Grandma He muttered, then suddenly glared at him, “Where’s Ling Ling? She promised to go shopping with me, but she stood me up again!”

He Rong responded as usual, “Mom went to S City to handle some business. When she comes back, she’ll bring you some local specialties.”

“She should be punished!” Grandma He huffed.

“Yes.”

“Rong Rong, you’re twenty-two this year. Have you found someone? If you have a suitable partner, get married soon. Don’t keep them waiting, understand?”

“I understand, Grandma.” He Rong was actually twenty-nine.

“Twenty-two isn’t too young to get married. Your grandfather and I got married at eighteen…” Grandma He’s voice gradually trailed off as she fell asleep.

The caregiver quietly entered and gently helped Grandma He to bed. He Rong stayed for another half hour after helping to settle her before leaving.

The doctor was waiting at the door and softly said, “She was probably too excited to see you today. She went to bed an hour earlier than usual.”

“Thank you for your hard work. Please call me if anything comes up.” He Rong said.

“Ms. Ye’s condition has worsened recently, but it’s still manageable. What she needs most now is for her family to spend more time with her and try to fulfill her wishes…”

He Rong listened quietly, his expression serious.

—

After enjoying a seven-dollar rum-flavored ice cream, Xiang Ning reluctantly tore his gaze away from the nearby barbecue stall and resolutely left the area.

He counted on his fingers. The rent had gone up this month, and he couldn’t resist buying a few small cakes the other day. If he wanted to save any money, he’d have to survive on vegetables and steamed buns for the next seven or eight days…

Life was tough.

When his grandmother was seriously ill, Xiang Ning had to mortgage the house his parents left behind. After his grandmother passed away, he went to university, and his savings were nearly depleted. With a new elementary school built nearby, property prices had skyrocketed. At his current financial level, even if he didn’t eat or drink, it might take him over sixty years to buy back the house. And he couldn’t control his cravings, always wanting to eat.

At least he had a job now.

But even with a job, it would only shorten the time needed to buy back the house by ten years. Xiang Ning’s lips drooped.

Dejected, he returned to his rented room and ran into his landlady. She greeted him, “Xiao Ning, you’re back?”

Xiang Ning nodded.

“Xiao Ning, I need to discuss something with you.” The landlady wiped her hands on her apron and ushered him inside.

“This is the situation, Xiao Ning. I know you’re in a tough spot, but I’m in a bind too. My son hasn’t been working for long, and it’s not suitable for him to buy a house now,” the landlady sighed, “I’m in a difficult position.”

Xiang Ning could only wave his hand, indicating he understood.

“Alright, alright,” the landlady smiled, “How about this, I’ll give you another week. It’s not even halfway through the month yet, and I’ll refund your rent. I know you’re struggling, child.”

Xiang Ning couldn’t refuse and had to accept.

After the landlady left, Xiang Ning looked around the small room. The city night was as dark as ink, with countless lights replacing the stars in the sky. Yet, Xiang Ning felt incredibly stifled.

He packed away some unused items, making the room feel even emptier. As for finding a new place, he had no idea where to start. Thinking about having to go to work the next day, Xiang Ning forced himself to sleep.

Author’s Note: I’m getting carried away, daring to post two stories at the same time…