Chapter 50: Brothers Are for Setting Up

It is said that no one knows a son better than his father. Zhao Aiguo undoubtedly knew his own son well.

In his view, Zhao Fusheng had changed tremendously recently—not only had he become more sensible, but his temperament had also grown much steadier. He no longer simply asked his parents for money without caring about family matters. More importantly, Zhao Aiguo could see that whenever his son looked at him and his wife, his eyes revealed a deep attachment.

He did not know that Zhao Fusheng had spent half a lifetime understanding what was most precious in this world.

Nor did he understand what price his son had paid to reach him.

That evening, eating fruit washed by his mother, Zhao Fusheng felt immensely happy. He stayed up until midnight, only going to bed at his mother's urging.

When he got up the next morning, breakfast was already laid out on the table.

With scallion mixed tofu, Zhao Fusheng ate a large bowl of rice.

Then he received a call from Tan Kaixuan.

"Old Zhao, what are you doing at home?"

Tan Kaixuan's voice was as energetic as ever. The guy was an optimist, always cheerful, as if nothing bothered him. It was hard to believe that more than twenty years later, the man who leaped from the Oriental Pearl Tower would be him.

"Reading." Zhao Fusheng was a bit puzzled. "Where are you?"

"Well, I need your help with something." Tan Kaixuan didn't stand on ceremony and said directly.

Zhao Fusheng knew his temper well. He grunted and asked, "What is it?"

"Come to the department store. I'll wait for you here." Tan Kaixuan hung up after speaking.

Completely baffled, Zhao Fusheng shook his head helplessly, turned to his father, and said, "Dad, I'm going out. Tan Kaixuan is looking for me."

Father Zhao naturally knew Tan Kaixuan—his son's roommate from Shanghai, who brought local specialties every year at the start of the semester. He nodded and said, "Alright, go ahead."

He paused and then asked, "Do you have money on you?"

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "Yes, I still have the living expenses Mom gave me this week."

Since he boarded at school, his parents gave him 150 yuan each week for living expenses. In the past, he spent it all, but now he had become much more frugal.

Taking the bus to the department store, when Zhao Fusheng saw Tan Kaixuan, he first froze, then turned and walked away.

What a joke! Tan Kaixuan was wearing a thick plush costume and holding a penguin head in his arms. If he still didn't understand why he was called here, Zhao Fusheng would be an idiot.

But unfortunately, just as he turned, two figures appeared before him.

"Zhao Fusheng, where are you going?" Hu Xia, in a dress, looked at him with a half-smile.

What made his head ache even more was that Mu Qingqing was also there.

"Well, I was just passing by. You're having an event?" Zhao Fusheng gave a dry laugh and quietly sidestepped a few steps.

"Passing by?"

Mu Qingqing blinked, then suddenly waved at Tan Kaixuan, who had no idea what was happening: "Tan Kaixuan, Zhao Fusheng is here!"

So, two hours later, wearing thick plush costumes with the hats under their butts, Zhao Fusheng and Tan Kaixuan sat there drenched in sweat.

Compared to Tan Kaixuan, who was barely breathing, Zhao Fusheng was in better shape—at least he still had the energy to let his mind wander.

"Do you have a grudge against me?"

Pulling open his collar, Zhao Fusheng said to Tan Kaixuan.

"Huh?" Tan Kaixuan replied weakly. "What do you mean?"

"If you don't have a grudge against me, I can't think why you had to call me over." Zhao Fusheng shot Tan Kaixuan an annoyed glare.

"Mu Qingqing suggested it." Tan Kaixuan quickly distanced himself, then grinned. "Besides, good brothers share loyalty. How could I abandon you?"

Zhao Fusheng couldn't be bothered with him. He glanced at Mu Qingqing not far away and added another label to his assessment of her: petty.

Clearly, she was getting back at him for what he said a few days ago.

This was a traffic safety awareness campaign jointly organized by Ninghai Normal University and the city traffic police. Besides a group of girls from the poetry club, there were a few boys, all wearing banners that read "Pay Attention to Traffic Safety" and giving lectures on traffic safety regulations at the intersection.

Of course, the hardest work fell on Zhao Fusheng and Tan Kaixuan, who had to wear thick plush costumes in the scorching July heat.

"Are you angry?"

Hearing Mu Qingqing's voice behind him, Zhao Fusheng didn't turn around. The bulky headpiece that had made him sweat profusely now served as sunglasses, at least preventing anyone from seeing his expression.

"No." Zhao Fusheng's reply was very calm, extremely calm, because in his view, it was completely unnecessary.

"Oh, that's good." Mu Qingqing's voice carried a hint of slyness. "I thought you'd be mad that I called you over."

Listening to their exchange, Tan Kaixuan beside him felt like he could barely hold back his laughter. Both were young people in their early twenties, so why did their conversation sound like kindergarten kids?

"I'm not angry, but why did you call me here?" Zhao Fusheng took a deep breath and asked Mu Qingqing.

Mu Qingqing smiled, blinked, and gave an answer that nearly made Zhao Fusheng choke: "I won't tell you."

Watching her turn and continue handing out flyers, he felt that his previous impression of Mu Qingqing in his past life might have been superficial.

Finally enduring until the afternoon, after a day of hard work, Zhao Fusheng and Tan Kaixuan gulped down ice water, with Hu Xia standing beside them looking apologetic.

Clearly, she had never expected the weather to be so hot.

"I'm sorry, Zhao Fusheng, for making you suffer too." Hu Xia said to Zhao Fusheng with full apology.

No matter what, if it weren't for his relationship with Tan Kaixuan, even if Mu Qingqing suggested it, Zhao Fusheng wouldn't have given her face. Hu Xia knew this better than anyone—after all, Zhao Fusheng had rejected Mu Qingqing more than once.

"It's nothing." Zhao Fusheng shook his head with a smile. Unlike his coldness toward Mu Qingqing, he treated Hu Xia with a hint of goodwill. As the saying goes, love me, love my dog—after all, she was Tan Kaixuan's girlfriend.

"Good brother, loyal friend. Don't go back tonight; I'll treat you to a feast." Tan Kaixuan said boldly.

Giving him a dirty look, Zhao Fusheng said irritably, "Shut up! I have to go home tonight. What hotpot? We need to get back to school soon, or there won't be any buses."

They were both students spending their parents' money. In Zhao Fusheng's view, unnecessary dinners and social engagements could all be skipped.

Tan Kaixuan was taken aback, then nodded. He could tell that Zhao Fusheng had spoken those words very seriously, purely to help him save money.

Having known each other for two years, whenever Zhao Fusheng spoke like that, it meant he wasn't joking.