Shen Yuqing and Chu Ningbai went to the supermarket together. The supermarket was nearby, just about a ten-minute walk away. Since it wasn’t peak hours, there weren’t many people around, and each of them pushed a cart.
They had just arrived in Silino and had a lot to buy.
Chu Ningbai picked up a pair of flip-flops and said, “A-Yu, these are buy-one-get-one-free.”
Shen Yuqing replied, “Take them!”
Even though his bank account was quite substantial now, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of a good deal?
Chu Ningbai tossed a black and a gray pair into the cart.
They had come at the perfect time many daily necessities in the supermarket were either on sale or part of buy-one-get-one-free promotions. Spending money for one person’s worth of items could cover both of them it couldn’t get any more cost-effective than this!
Moreover, if they exceeded a certain amount, the supermarket offered free delivery, so the two didn’t hold back and planned to get everything they needed in one go.
In no time, just the daily necessities alone filled both carts.
Shen Yuqing said, “Let’s push these to the checkout first, then grab an empty cart to get some groceries and snacks. That should do it.”
Chu Ningbai nodded. “Okay.”
After speaking with a staff member, Shen Yuqing quickly returned with an empty cart. “Let’s go. Once we grab a few more things, we can head home.”
Chu Ningbai nodded again.
The two made their way to the snack aisle and picked up some cookies and chips. Shen Yuqing glanced around and said, “You go ahead to the produce section with the cart. I’ll grab some drinks.”
The drink shelves were up front, and they had passed them earlier without picking anything up.
Chu Ningbai nodded but added worriedly, “Okay, A-Yu, come back quickly.”
Shen Yuqing nodded and turned toward the beverage section.
Silino’s supermarket had a much wider variety of drinks compared to their small planet. Shen Yuqing particularly liked a certain sparkling water that wasn’t available back home.
Today, he could finally get his hands on it.
However, this soda was always in high demand. By the time Shen Yuqing reached the shelf, there were only two bottles left. He asked a staff member if there were any full cases available, but was told new stock wouldn’t arrive until the next day.
Feeling a bit disappointed, Shen Yuqing reached for the last two bottles, planning to come back tomorrow for a full case.
But just as he was about to take the last one, another hand slender and well-defined reached out faster, grabbing the bottle before he could.
He turned and said, “Excuse me, I was here first—”
Before he could finish, he swallowed the rest of his words.
The person who had taken the last bottle was Song Wangzhuo.
Nearly two months had passed since they last saw each other, and Song Wangzhuo seemed even thinner than before.
His expression remained indifferent as he glanced at Shen Yuqing. “What?”
Shen Yuqing snapped out of his daze and shook his head. “Nothing.”
Song Wangzhuo made to leave with the drink, but then, as if remembering something, his gaze flickered toward Shen Yuqing’s arm. Unfortunately, the other man’s arm was currently cradling the remaining bottle, so nothing was visible.
He paused slightly, then inwardly chided himself for being ridiculous just because he’d overheard something about scars on the man’s arm, he couldn’t help wanting to see for himself.
He had recognized Shen Yuqing as one of the two people he’d seen earlier in the neighborhood.
Song Wangzhuo wanted to look away, but for some reason, staring at him gave him an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Yet he was certain he had never met this person before.
Shen Yuqing grew uneasy under the prolonged gaze. “Is there something else?” he asked.
Song Wangzhuo’s gaze swept over the soda water in his arms. “Can I have that soda water first?” Just because of this.
Shen Yuqing glanced down. Though he really wanted to drink it too, it was just a bottle of water he wouldn’t argue with Song Wangzhuo over it.
He pulled out the soda water from his arms and handed it over. “Here.”
Shen Yuqing’s arm remained pressed close to his body the entire time.
Song Wangzhuo still couldn’t see his arm. He took the water from Shen Yuqing. “Thanks.”
With that, he turned and left.
Shen Yuqing watched Song Wangzhuo go, then grabbed another sparkling water from the shelf. What’s up with Song Wangzhuo? He’s acting kind of weird.
Truth be told, the system never said they couldn’t recognize each other. Shen Yuqing actually wanted to be friends with Song Wangzhuo but how was he supposed to bring it up? Just walk up and say, Hey, I’m Shen Yuqing, the one who was friends with you before?
Song Wangzhuo would think he’d lost his mind.
Still, if Song Wangzhuo was at this supermarket, that meant he still lived nearby.
But that doesn’t make sense. Based on the original owner’s personality, he should’ve kicked him out of the house. There’s no way he’d let him stay.
Then again, the clothes Song Wangzhuo was wearing now were hundreds of times better quality than before. Someone who didn’t know him might not notice, but Shen Yuqing had been his friend for so long there was no way Song Wangzhuo would splurge on clothes like this himself.
So, the rumors must be true. Song Wangzhuo really did return to the Song family early.
If that was the case, he wondered how Song Lejin was doing now.
Shen Yuqing sighed softly, reminding himself to be patient.
Carrying an armful of drinks, he headed toward the produce section. Chu Ningbai said, “We should’ve gone together from the start.”
Shen Yuqing placed the drinks into the cart. “It’s not that much. With how hot it is, keeping some chilled in the fridge will help. Later, we can just order online and have them delivered.”
Chu Ningbai hummed in agreement. “I got a fish. What flavor do you want?”
Shen Yuqing thought for a moment. “Braised. After all the traveling, I want something with strong flavors.”
“Sure, whatever you want.” Chu Ningbai smiled warmly.
Shen Yuqing couldn’t help but feel that Chu Ningbai was incredibly patient and accommodating toward him.
He’d agree to almost anything.
Shen Yuqing wasn’t so thick-skinned as to assume Chu Ningbai liked him but sometimes, when Chu Ningbai looked at him, it felt like he was seeing someone else.
Watching Chu Ningbai meticulously pick through the vegetables, he finally couldn’t hold back. “Ningbai, why are you so nice to me?”
Back when the system was still around, he’d checked Chu Ningbai was much colder toward everyone else.
But with him? He was too kind.
More importantly, he’d awakened. Even though the system said it didn’t know if Chu Ningbai remembered him, his attitude was just excessively good.
After asking, he couldn’t help but watch Chu Ningbai’s reaction. The man’s hand stilled mid-selection. He turned to Shen Yuqing, staring at him silently for a long moment before finally speaking.
“My younger brother was also named A-Yu.”
Shen Yuqing understood instantly though he feigned confusion. “Huh? You have a brother?”
Chu Ningbai lowered his gaze back to the vegetable stand, continuing to pick through the produce. “Yes, but they passed away from illness. My parents couldn’t bear the grief and followed soon after. After that, I lived with my uncle and aunt.”
These were actually details the system had already told him, but hearing Chu Ningbai say it aloud suddenly made him feel somewhat inhuman.
Why bring this up out of nowhere? He really was being inconsiderate!
Not hearing Shen Yuqing’s response, Chu Ningbai turned to look and saw him hanging his head. An inexplicable tension crept into his voice as he called, “A-Yu?”
Shen Yuqing lifted his head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
“There’s no need to apologize,” Chu Ningbai replied. “I’ve actually moved on already.”
Shen Yuqing blinked. “You’re really strong.”
Chu Ningbai continued, “If my younger brother were still alive, he’d probably be around your age. That’s why I always want to take care of you when I see you.”
So, it was transferred affection meant for a brother.
Though Shen Yuqing was currently a year younger than Chu Ningbai, in reality, he was the elder one.
Seeing Shen Yuqing remain silent, Chu Ningbai pressed his lips together, thinking he’d angered him after all, who would want to be someone else’s substitute? Even familial affection couldn’t excuse that.
Chu Ningbai looked at Shen Yuqing. As expected, no matter what he did, he’d mess it up. Yet he didn’t want to lie to him either.
He hesitated, about to apologize, when Shen Yuqing calmly said, “I see.”
Studying his face and finding no trace of anger, Chu Ningbai ventured, “Don’t you have anything else to say?”
Shen Yuqing actually did, but now wasn’t the time. “Let’s talk after we get back,” he said.
This single sentence left Chu Ningbai’s heart in turmoil.
Would he no longer be able to care for Shen Yuqing after this?
As always, he wasn’t the one needed.
Dejection settled over Chu Ningbai, dampening even his enthusiasm for selecting vegetables.
Meanwhile, Shen Yuqing remained absorbed in his own thoughts, momentarily oblivious to Chu Ningbai’s expression.
They finished shopping quickly this time, with Shen Yuqing handling the payment. Knowing Chu Ningbai’s finances were tight he’d soon be looking for part-time work Shen Yuqing rejected his suggestion to split the bill. “You took care of me when I was injured. Let me do something in return,” he said.
Chu Ningbai simply looked at him, murmured an acknowledgment, and didn’t insist further.
Shen Yuqing took the receipt and arranged for their groceries to be delivered to their address in half an hour. Then he turned to Chu Ningbai. “Head home first. I have some errands to run.”
Chu Ningbai nodded silently. “Alright, you—” He wanted to say more but ultimately didn’t, trudging despondently back alone.
Shen Yuqing had actually gone to buy a neural interface device. Though his phone worked fine, having grown accustomed to neural interfaces, he found them more convenient. He knew of a shop nearby the same one where he’d bought Song Wangzhuo’s birthday gift.
Entering the store, Shen Yuqing efficiently selected and paid for a device.
On his way back, he passed by a small cake shop. Pausing, he glanced up at the sign before stepping inside and purchasing a four-inch cake just the right size for him and Chu Ningbai to share.
When he got home, the supermarket staff had just delivered their groceries, and Chu Ningbai was putting them away.
“You’re back,” he said.
He had thought Shen Yuqing would be gone much longer.
Shen Yuqing placed his things on the dining table and then joined Chu Ningbai in organizing the groceries. Two pairs of hands worked faster than one.
In about twenty minutes, everything was sorted.
Neither of them spoke during the process until everything was done.
Chu Ningbai finally broke the silence. “Shen Yu, there’s something I want to say to you.”
Shen Yuqing blinked. “Actually, I have something to say too.”
Chu Ningbai nodded. “Alright, you go first.”
He assumed Shen Yuqing must be angry after all, he had unwittingly become a “stand-in” for someone who was no longer alive.
Shen Yuqing glanced around. “Let’s sit down.”
He walked over to the dining table, and Chu Ningbai took the seat across from him.
Chu Ningbai tensed. “Go ahead.”
He braced himself for judgment.
Seeing how serious Chu Ningbai looked, Shen Yuqing unconsciously mirrored his expression—but only for a few seconds before his face softened with slight embarrassment.
“You mentioned in the supermarket that I remind you of your brother, right?”
Chu Ningbai gave a quiet “Mm.” “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have said that.”
Shen Yuqing frowned. “Why are you apologizing?”
Then, hesitantly, he added, “After hearing you say that, I had… kind of an awkward idea.”
Chu Ningbai watched him.
Shen Yuqing continued, “Look, you don’t have family. I don’t have family either.”
Chu Ningbai pressed his lips together. The words stung, like salt rubbed into a wound but before he could sink into melancholy, Shen Yuqing spoke again.
“So, if that’s the case… why don’t we just become brothers?”
Chu Ningbai froze.
What did Shen Yuqing just say?
Shen Yuqing raised a finger. “But I have one condition.”
His expression turned deadly serious.
“I get to be the older brother.”
