Chapter 1197: Millennium Love Story 02

He's far dead.

Jin Chen maintained his expression, without hesitation threw the luggage at him, and muttered a complaint, "How could old uncle choose such a broken town to retire in?"

He's been raised halfway and is truly old now.

"It's a bit far from your place," Chen Zhu took the luggage, handed the pre-bought popsicle to Jin Chen, "It's hot in the car, have a popsicle."

Jin Chen reluctantly took it; the bag had two sticks, Jin Chen glanced at him, picked the mung bean-flavored one to put in his mouth, and passed the red bean one over.

"This is for you to eat, no need to share with me."

Chen Zhu easily lifted the big bag of luggage and smiled at Jin Chen.

Jin Chen fiercely said, "Later lend me a hand."

"Alright."

Chen Zhu took it, stuffed it in his mouth, brought Jin Chen away from the station; the usual cargo minivan was waiting outside.

"The inside has the cold wind on, hurry in and sit."

He greeted Jin Chen to get in the car.

Jin Chen impolitely sat in the passenger seat, while examining the interior decor, which looked like it had been used for some years, yet the inside was spotless, with no strange smell, unlike an ordinary cargo minivan.

It also hung a red plaque for safe travels.

I don't know if it's Jin Chen's illusion, but it feels like the two characters "safe" on that plaque have faded, as if they've been rubbed many times.

"Xiao Chen, want some snacks?"

Caught off guard by the sudden sound near his ear, Jin Chen startled and turned his head warily; Chen Zhu was already sitting in the driver's seat beside him, he hadn't heard the door open, this person's movements were too quiet.

"Not eating."

Jin Chen put on headphones.

Outside the car window, the station's big sign could no longer be seen; Jin Chen was blown by the cold wind into drowsiness, so he simply relaxed and leaned.

"When did my uncle die?"

Just as Chen Zhu thought he had fallen asleep, he heard that sentence.

Chen Zhu stared blankly, "It's been about five or six years."

"I didn't know my master had relatives; he never mentioned them."

"Hmph."

Jin Chen gave a cold snort, seemingly having an opinion about this, "Good thing the old man didn't know when he died."

Chen Zhu guessed that this old man was probably his master's father, so he didn't say much more, after all it's a family matter.

The station wasn't far from the cake shop; it arrived in ten or so minutes, the red billboard with the five large characters "Old Jin Cake House" was very conspicuous.

Upon getting out of the car, Jin Chen noticed several gazes.

He coldly glanced over; even switching his backpack to a front hug didn't affect his cool guy vibe in the slightest.

They were a few aunts sitting by the road chatting about family matters; after a few glances they withdrew their gaze, still remembering the uproar from half a year ago.

Chen Zhu opened the shop's glass door, and immediately a fan-waving aunt came over to chat.

"Oh little Zhu, I've finally waited for you to come back; give auntie a two-yuan red date cake."

"Eh, okay."

Chen Zhu washed his hands and quickly wrapped it up; just as he put it into the bag, he heard the aunt lift her chin and ask, "Who is this person, little Zhu? He's quite handsome."

"He's my master's..." "He's a tenant."

Jin Chen interjected, holding his backpack and standing to the side, his eyes indifferent as he glanced at the slightly embarrassed aunt.

"Anything else to ask?"

Aunt: "……"

She was genuinely frightened by this young man's aura; though young in age, he was intimidating.

"Hey, they're all neighbors; auntie just asks casually, come to auntie's shop later for some spicy hot pot!"

The aunt took out two yuan, paid, grabbed the bag and hurried away.

Chen Zhu dried his hands, somewhat puzzled why Jin Chen would say that, was about to ask, when he heard Jin Chen again say: "Don't say I'm related to my uncle; he doesn't acknowledge me."

"While alive he didn't acknowledge me; dead, don't even think about making me acknowledge him."

When Jin Chen said this, the stubbornness and hidden anger in his expression couldn't be concealed.

"Okay, don't be angry."

Chen Zhu's eyes welled with pity as he led Jin Chen to the back room, "From now on I won't say anything."

He smiled, extremely tolerant; Jin Chen sat awkwardly, pulled a large red ticket from his backpack, and slapped it onto the table.

Chen Zhu stared.

"What is this..."

"Rent."

Jin Chen spoke concisely.

Chen Zhu sat beside him, somewhat at a loss, ruffled Jin Chen's head gently, his voice soft.

"You don't need to pay me rent; from now on this shop, plus the house left by my master, will be your home."

Jin Chen avoided his hand, still fierce, "I have no home, don't talk nonsense."

Chen Zhu's hand stiffened in the air, he pursed his lips, turned on the small electric fan on the tea table; the noise of the spinning blades made his voice somewhat muffled when he spoke again.

"I also have no home, Xiao Chen; I can take care of you—when I first came to town, my master also took good care of me."

Jin Chen's face expressionless, "I'm twenty this year, I don't need your care."

"Ah… then I'm eight years older than you."

Chen Zhu suddenly changed the topic, the corners of his eyes slightly raised, the contained smile all warm.

Hungry or not, I'll go make food for you to eat—quickly take back your money.

This topic shifted...

Jin Chen glanced at the table, took back half of it.

Do you want the remaining love or not? I'm not used to using dirty things—I've replaced all the dirty, old stuff in the house!

His words were blunt and prickly.

Chen Zhu lowered his lashes and smiled, a smile with deep meaning, and carefully put away the remaining money.

The kitchen behind the shop was narrow and cramped, cooking made it hot; by the time the food was ready, Chen Zhu's handsome face was flushed from the heat, yet he didn't mind at all, splashed cold water on his face and came out.

He still smiled, but now with genuine pleasure, looking at Jin Chen eating, he seemed quite satisfied.

Such a fervent gaze made Jin Chen feel uneasy all over.

Good news: his wife is more proactive than he imagined.

Bad news: she seems a bit too proactive, always giving off a somewhat... eerie vibe.

"Is it good?" Chen Zhu asked softly, handing him a napkin.

"Not bad."

Typical of saying one thing but meaning another—this is simply delicious, ten thousand times better than the trash he himself used to make.

Jin Chen complained inwardly, but he didn't miss the pleased expression that showed in Chen Zhu's eyes when his cooking was praised.

"As long as you like it, I didn't prepare many ingredients today; after closing the shop I'll go to the market to buy more vegetables, and tonight I'll make you something delicious at home."

Seeing Jin Chen finish eating, Chen Zhu swiftly cleared the bowls and chopsticks, asking, "Xiao Chen, what do you like to eat?"

Jin Chen fell silent, his gaze involuntarily drawn to Chen Zhu's motion of bending over to wipe the table; through the open collar of his short-sleeve shirt, the outline of his pectoral muscles seemed visible.

He shifted his gaze, "Anything is fine."

Anyway, for now he can't eat what he wants.

Who would have thought that just as he finished saying that, Chen Zhu's wiping motion paused slightly, he put away the rag, and spoke with some difficulty, sounding rather disappointed.

"Xiao Chen…… you don't want to tell me, do you?"

Jin Chen:?