HUFT Chapter 22

“I knew you didn’t have breakfast, so I bought you some.”

Chi Nan took the bag Fu Chaoyun handed him. As soon as he opened it, a fragrant aroma wafted out, and the smell was very familiar. When Chi Nan opened it, he realized it was from a popular steamed bun shop on the street next to their school, which required a half-hour wait to buy. The key was that it was still warm when Chi Nan received it, making his heart feel warm as well.

“Uncle Fu, have you had breakfast?”

“I’ve eaten already. There’s water in the back.”

Chi Nan ate a steamed bun, taking a bite that filled his mouth with the delicious filling. He was savoring the aroma when he saw Fu Chaoyun turn towards him, coming closer. Chi Nan was so scared that he didn’t even dare to breathe, because he didn’t know what Fu Chaoyun was going to do.

“What are you thinking about? The seatbelt.”

Fu Chaoyun glanced at the stunned Chi Nan, wondering how this kid got into A University. How could he be so silly?

“I thought, it was nothing.”

Chi Nan was a little embarrassed. He really didn’t know that Fu Chaoyun was turning around to help him fasten his seatbelt. He thought he was going to kiss him, which made him feel awkward. Chi Nan coughed a couple of times to ease the embarrassment. With a click, Fu Chaoyun fastened Chi Nan’s seatbelt.

Fu Chaoyun took Chi Nan to an amusement park. Because it wasn’t a weekend, there weren’t many people, but there were still some. After parking the car, Fu Chaoyun put on a mask and went to stand in line with Chi Nan.

“What do you want to play?”

When Fu Chaoyun said this, it felt like he was saying, “Play whatever you want. Mr. Fu will pay for everything today.”

Chi Nan looked around, wanting to play on the carousel, but that was mostly for little kids. Would it be too strange for him to play?

Following Chi Nan’s gaze, Fu Chaoyun noticed the carousel, smiled, and led Chi Nan to stand in line. So this little kid likes carousel.

“Uncle Fu, won’t this be too out of place?”

Chi Nan tugged at Fu Chaoyun, stopping him. Everyone in line here seemed to be children. It felt out of place and very eye-catching for two grown men to be standing in line here.

“Today, you’re a kid. You have privileges.”

In the end, surrounded by many eyes and whispers, Chi Nan only went around once before getting off. It was too embarrassing; he couldn’t take it anymore. It was better to play on the rides for older kids.

“Let’s go quickly.”

After getting off the carousel, Chi Nan pulled Fu Chaoyun, wanting to leave quickly. He didn’t want to experience another socially awkward situation like this.

“Wait a moment.”

Fu Chaoyun told Chi Nan to wait and ran to the other side. Fu Chaoyun saw cotton candy being sold in the park. If other kids had it, his Chi Nan had to have it too. So Fu Chaoyun ran over and bought a cotton candy, placing it in Chi Nan’s hand.

“I’m so old, why are you still giving me this?”

Chi Nan saw the cotton candy Fu Chaoyun gave him. Although he said he didn’t want to eat it, he still took a bite. It tasted like ordinary cotton candy, but because it was bought by Uncle Fu, it was extra sweet, no, not extra, but especially sweet.

“Don’t always think of yourself as a 19-year-old big friend. Just think of yourself as a 9-year-old little friend.”

Chi Nan wanted to let Fu Chaoyun have a bite, but before he could say the words, he heard a child next to him pointing at Chi Nan and saying,

“Mommy, I want to eat that big brother’s cotton candy too.”

Children’s words are always innocent, without any consideration for what they should or shouldn’t say. Chi Nan’s hand, holding the cotton candy, froze in place, attracting another wave of attention. He suddenly choked on the cotton candy and started coughing.

“Are you okay?”

Fu Chaoyun quickly patted Chi Nan’s back. Chi Nan waved his hand to indicate he was fine, and then he heard the mother and child’s conversation.

“Mommy, that big brother is choking, and the big brother next to him is patting his back.”

After the child finished speaking, his mother gently patted the back of his head, then nodded apologetically to Chi Nan and Fu Chaoyun.

Chi Nan nodded back when he saw this, wanting to escape from this socially awkward scene. He really wanted to tell the child that what you see in reality doesn’t necessarily need to be said out loud. He really couldn’t bear another embarrassing moment like this.

“Mommy, why did you hit me?”

Chi Nan watched the mother and child walk further and further away. Originally, Chi Nan wanted to give Fu Chaoyun some cotton candy, but now, with the cotton candy in his left hand and Fu Chaoyun’s hand in his right, he ran away, wanting to escape.

“Aren’t you tired from running so fast?”

Chi Nan pulled Fu Chaoyun to a cooler spot, shook his head when he heard Fu Chaoyun’s question, and the two of them rested in the shade.

“Let’s play something else.”

Chi Nan looked at the many amusement facilities in the park and felt that giving up on the carousel was the best choice. The rides they played later were more fun. Once he started having fun, he didn’t have as many reservations. Chi Nan truly acted like a child, playing freely in the amusement park for an entire afternoon. He was so tired that he couldn’t stand it anymore, so they ate something in the park while waiting for the Ferris wheel at night.

While Chi Nan was eating in the restaurant, he thought of the steamed bun from that morning. He didn’t know how Fu Chaoyun knew he liked that steamed bun shop. It was a bit far from their school and required waiting in line. Chi Nan probably only ate it once a month.

“What are you thinking about? Hurry up and eat. Why have you been so spaced out lately?”

Fu Chaoyun reached out and waved his hand in front of Chi Nan, then put the cut steak in front of Chi Nan and took Chi Nan’s steak.

“I was thinking, how did Uncle Fu know that I didn’t have breakfast, and how did he know I liked that steamed bun shop? What if I had eaten breakfast?”

Fu Chaoyun heard Chi Nan’s childish question and answered him.

“I took a look at your Moments and saw you had mentioned it, so I bought it on the way.”

“Then, if I had eaten breakfast, wouldn’t Uncle Fu have bought it for nothing?”

Chi Nan picked up a piece of meat with his fork and put it in his mouth.

“Well, if you had eaten breakfast, and I handed you the steamed bun, would you eat it?”

Chi Nan thought for a moment, then nodded. He thought that if Fu Chaoyun asked him if he had eaten breakfast today and prepared breakfast for him, even if he had eaten breakfast, he would stubbornly say he hadn’t.

“Then that’s all that matters.”

Fu Chaoyun smiled. They finished the dinner amidst laughter and cheerful voices. Why laughter and cheerful voices? Because Chi Nan was really having fun today. He told Fu Chaoyun any whimsical thought that came to his mind, and Fu Chaoyun listened by the side, acting as a listener. It was at that moment that Fu Chaoyun realized that kids had so much to say and could be so noisy, making him feel lively.