Races: Online

Han Jing wasn't exactly interested in Wang Liquin's older sister—if he had one, because Chan Lee really had no clue at all. However, if this woman was anything like the person he encountered as Timothy's elder sister… Well, he'd rather not.

"Sorry about that, I don't really have any clue about him at all." Chan Lee sheepishly smiled at him and yet there was a certain look in her eyes that told Han Jing that she was more upset about this than she let on.

Han Jing really didn't want to be the guy that acted like some sort of glue for a person that wasn't really his friend. That was almost horrible to admit aloud, but he really didn't want to look at the bright side of things.

There was no desire for him to say that maybe this Wang Liquin was a good guy.

Whether he said anything or nothing at all—Chan Lee seemed like she already had a conditioned mindset about the guy and what he meant to her. That was totally all fine and good.

… Han Jing just liked having someone to hang around with.

Before he could say anything else though, his phone suddenly made a loud ding. Chan Lee averted her gaze for a bit and took out her own phone—did she think that the text was for her?

Probably not.

Still, Han Jing took it as the opportunity to check his phone.

There was a certain text that surprised him more than it did of Dai Song Lan. It was Mou Gu himself. What did this guy need? More flowers—no, Han Jing blinked.

Mou Gu: So I'm at your place with osthmanthus wine. I don't want to ruin your chances with the girl though, so I'll stick around till you're done. That's like fifteen minutes to wrap up a conversation, right?

If that wasn't enough, there came a second text.

Mou Gu: I'm with your family inside your apartment. Come over here and haul your ass—they don't know that you're back?

A part of Han Jing was more than happy to let his family think that he was still out of the city… but the fact that Mou Gu was around for some reason was enough to get him up to his feet.

He sighed inwardly but then cleared his throat. "Uh, so a friend of mine came over to the house and is staying with my family…" 

Did he want to invite her over even at this hour? Chan Lee didn't have anybody else to hang out with… but there was also the likelihood that she was itching to get some alone time. He didn't know if he was being considerate or just worried that if they hung out too much—she'd realize that he was kind of boring overall.

"Oh, so you need to get going?" Chan Lee was quick to pick up the juice box and the empty carton of mooncakes. "That's fine."

"Would you like to join us… or nah?" 

"I think I'll go with nah—it's kinda late. I don't want to intrude on your family or on your friend's visit." She pulled up to her feet and looked up at him. "Shall we get going now, though?"

"I'll take the trash for you," Han Jing offered and immediately received it from her. 

Chan Lee gave him a sheepish bow, and grabbed the picnic blanket on the concrete floor. "Thanks, I still needed to fold this blanket so it's a big help."

The two of them hung out for a couple more minutes to clean up before the two of them parted ways on the fourth floor. Han Jing made sure that she got to her apartment door safely—which shouldn't have been that big of a deal, but it was a first.

"Goodnight and thanks for hanging out with me," Chan Lee stood at her doorway before she reached out to him. "I'll take these for you."

Han Jing didn't know what she had meant until the glass, mooncake carton and juice box were taken from his hands. "Oh, thanks. And no problem, glad to have hung out with you too. I'll see you around."

"Yeah—you too, Han Jing." 

The two of them parted ways at that moment. Chan Lee shut the door and Han Jing made his way downstairs again—if only to return back to his own place. Well, the shared space he had with his family.

If it weren't for Mou Gu arriving, he would have really just preferred to stay out on the rooftop or he could have visited the PC Cafe instead. What happened instead was him arriving at the door of his own house and knocking.

The door swung open and he saw his mother's face at the door. Her expression lit up immediately. "Han Jing, you're back! What a great coincidence, your friend Mou Gu is here with us."

"Yo, Jing!" Mou Gu looked up from his tea and looked mildly relieved. He was sitting right on the opposite of… well, the one and only man in the house. Han Jing's mother was still a bit traditional enough to have let the 'men' enjoy tea together.

Even if one of the guys had bright pink hair.

"He's been here before us," His father was quick to point out, the older man's sharp gaze on both the mooncake box that he left and the backpack he lugged around for the short trip with Faeran and the others.

"Yeah, I got back earlier than you guys." Han Jing cleared his throat and straightened up slightly. He glanced over his shoulder towards the hallway's open terrace before closing the door. "I just went moon gazing at the rooftop—the fireworks were great."

His mother smiled a bit and nodded. "I see, then you must have seen Chan Lee up there—we tried to invite her out for dinner earlier…" Until she finally remembered the word dinner and looked at him seriously. "If we knew that you were going to return tonight, we would have gotten you some takeout. You and Mou Gu actually." 

"Oh, I'm good, Mrs. Han!" Mou Gu was quick to reassure her. "I just visited after seeing my own relatives—so I'm still pretty full. Coming here was a bit of a whim, because I knew for a fact that Han Jing wouldn't dare miss such an important festival to be with you guys."

"That's so thoughtful of you. I'm thrilled that you and Han Jing are really close and have stuck with each other even after college." His mother smiled. Perhaps she was relieved that there was a friend for him… because he hadn't mentioned anyone at all.

"Not to worry, Mrs. Han. Even if Han Jing gets tired of seeing my face—I'll still be sure to always hang out with your son." Mou Gu spoke it without even missing a beat.

Han Jing didn't know what Mou Gu exactly had in mind to visit—but he always ended up talking up and acting like the two of them were the best of chums. Of course, there were always people like that… that very specific type of friend who made you feel like they were your best friend—but actually treated everyone like this.

It didn't actually make him feel bad or anything.

… The only bad thing about it was believing that the bond that you felt was strong wasn't exactly as tight-knit as you thought. Not that Han Jing or Han had ever experienced losing a friend like that.

Most of them just sort of drifted away.

Which wasn't as bad as the relationship with his family at times. Han Jing made sure to take off his shoes properly and place them where they belong… as he made his way and finally sat down besides Mou Gu.

It was a lesser evil thing.

"So where's this osthamus wine of yours, Mou Gu?" Han Jing finally asked—despite seeing the bottle right on the table. "Should we do some drinking since you brought the wine all the way here?"

"If your friend still needs to go home, I do not think that sharing more than one cup is appropriate." 

Mou Gu was quick to wave a hand and grin. "You don't have to worry about that, Mr. Han—my alcohol tolerance is quite good. I've outdrunk Han Jing here before and still remained with my wits."

Han Jing's father lifted a brow, but then eventually smiled a little. His lips twitched into a small smirk. "Then I suppose it's appropriate to share a cup or two then, if you don't mind me joining you two young men. Thank you for bringing us this drink." 

Maybe it was just his father also wanting to drink immediately—it was the only thing that his mother frowned upon, but with Mou Gu around… she brought three cups. Thankfully, Jinjing was already fast asleep in her own bed.

Not even guests arriving could prevent the girl from sleeping at her pre scheduled bedtime. 

Mou Gu didn't seem to pay much mind and was quick to reply to the older man. "Not a problem, sir. Next time, I'll make sure to bring something else," Mou Gu said. "I happen to make a really terrific fried rice dish that wows my customers."

"Customers? You work in a restaurant?" Han Jing's father asked.

"Yes, it's a family business." Mou Gu answered as he opened the wine bottle without any problems. He poured all three of them a cup. "Well, it used to be a family business when I was younger, although it really was just a small one… I decided to continue it when I graduated from culinary school."

"I haven't sipped anything yet, but I know for a fact that my son didn't enter the same course as you. Does that mean you shifted courses?"

Mou Gu nodded politely. 

"That's what happened, sir. I'm pretty sure that my parents would have liked me to pursue a technology related course like your son did—er, Han Jing. I did fairly well enough and had good grades, but when I remember the joy of the people who dined at our restaurants when I was younger? I knew that I wanted to be the one who made it happen again."

"It must be better than staring at your reflection in the computer monitor all day," Han Jing's father joked lightly.

"Well, I wouldn't mind staring at my face all day, either sir." Mou Gu said right back with a grin. He took a sip. "My reflection isn't all that bad."

A snort erupted from Han Jing's father. "That's what I told myself before." It was something that Han Jing himself wasn't used to seeing as he took a quick gulp of the wine that Mou Gu poured for them. He didn't think it was possible, but Mou Gu had done it again.

It was mildly impressive.

Maybe it was just his father being hospitable to Mou Gu since he was a guest? Han Jing thought that was the case because the man didn't seem to laugh when Han Jing told jokes. It wasn't easy to lighten up the older man at all.

"Your parents must be extremely proud to have a son like you are—you already know what you want in life." 

"I guess so, I hope they are." Mou Gu smiled again.

It was one of those polite smiles that made Han Jing realize that his father didn't seem to pick up.