Returning to Parents' Seventeen
Chapter 129: Do You Want to Come Up?

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Do You Want to Come Up?

"Ningning!" Hearing her apology, Shen Sinian became anxious, "I’m telling you, I didn’t want you to feel guilty and apologize to me."

He spoke softly, "You asked, and that’s why I answered. Right now, I don’t blame you at all."

He knew why the future Xu Chuning would work so hard, why she would devote so much effort to the restaurant’s affairs.

Because that was You Shuzhen’s wish.

She was fulfilling You Shuzhen’s unfulfilled wish on her behalf.

Hearing what Shen Sinian said, Xu Chuning remained silent; her focus was different from Shen Sinian’s.

He said he no longer blames them now, which meant... he had felt resentful in the past.

Of course, Xu Chuning understood his resentment. If she were treated as negligently by her parents, she wouldn’t just feel resentful; she might even hate them, and definitely wouldn’t be like Shen Sinian who still constantly cared about them.

Thinking of this, Xu Chuning’s guilt intensified.

"Why aren’t you speaking?" Shen Sinian was a bit anxious.

Xu Chuning returned to her senses and subdued her gaze, "Nothing, I was just distracted watching them catch fish."

She didn’t want Shen Sinian to know she was feeling down, fearing that he would worry.

Xu Chuning paused and forcibly changed the subject, "How many scenes do you have today? Is it a busy day?"

"Today is alright," Shen Sinian said. "If things go smoothly, we should finish by three or four in the afternoon."

The mother and son chatted for a while until someone called out for Shen Sinian; they reluctantly ended the call.

After hanging up, Shen Sinian looked at his assistant, "What’s up?"

"The director wants to discuss the next scene with you."

Shen Sinian quickly went over.

After discussing with the director, Shen Sinian pondered for a few seconds and, before the next scene was about to start filming, he reopened his phone and sent a message to Shen Yubai: [I said something wrong and upset Ningning. Can you comfort her for me?]

Shen Yubai only saw Shen Sinian’s message after finishing fishing and taking a shower back at home.

At that time, Xu Chuning was in the kitchen downstairs, helping You Shuzhen. Shen Yubai stood on the second-floor balcony, watching her movements. Her actions were skilled, calm, and unhurried, showing no trace of impatience.

If it were any other person her age having to do chores at home during the summer break, they would have been annoyed by now.

Shen Yubai watched Xu Chuning for a while, and when he noticed her becoming aware of his gaze and looking up towards him, he calmly diverted his eyes and replied to Shen Sinian: [How did you make her upset?]

Shen Sinian was filming and couldn’t respond right away.

Shen Yubai observed Xu Chuning for a long time, but couldn’t detect anything amiss in her mood.

However, she was always good at hiding her true feelings, so it was normal for him not to see it.

After some thought, Shen Yubai turned and went downstairs.

"Do you need any help?" he asked.

You Shuzhen: "No need, Xiao Shen. You all have had a tiring morning; go rest in the living room."

Shen Yubai: "It’s okay, Aunt You. I’m not tired."

He looked down at Xu Chuning, "How about I help out and you sit with grandma for a bit?"

"..." Xu Chuning raised her head and after a moment of silence asked, "Do you know how to julienne?"

Shen Yubai was stumped by her question.

After she asked, Xu Chuning said with indifference, "Never mind, you go rest. I’ll be done here quickly."

Shen Yubai stayed put.

Xu Chuning, perplexed, "Why are you still standing there?"

Shen Yubai lowered his gaze, deeply looking at her for a moment, and said quietly, "Nothing, just call me if you need help."

With You Shuzhen standing by, it wasn’t appropriate for him to directly ask about Shen Sinian’s matter.

Xu Chuning nodded.

Turning back to the living room, the others had come downstairs as well.

Shen Yubai and others kept grandma company, chatting and watching TV, creating a lively atmosphere.

After lunch, everyone took a little break to let the food settle, and then returned to their rooms to rest. The sun in Pingning wasn’t as scorching as in Jiang City, but it was still strong.

During the midday hours, hardly anyone was moving around outside.

Grandma had the habit of taking an afternoon nap, and You Shuzhen also took the rare opportunity to rest in her room. It was Xu Chuning who sat quietly in the living room, reading alone.

Her phone buzzed just as she was opening the first page of her book.

She picked up the phone and saw the message from the person upstairs: [Are you taking a nap?]

Xu Chuning: [No, I’m in the living room.]

Shen Yubai looked up and thoughtfully asked: [Do you want to come up?]

Xu Chuning was startled, understanding that "come up" referred to going to his guest room. She hesitated for a few seconds: [Do you have something to say to me?]

Shen Yubai: [Yeah.]

Xu Chuning: [Is it convenient?]

She was referring to her going to his room.

Shen Yubai: [This is your home.]

His location was at Xu Chuning’s home. She, the host, was now asking him if it was convenient.

Xu Chuning thought differently from Shen Yubai. Since the room had been arranged for Shen Yubai to stay, she, as the host, would still need to ask for his permission before visiting.

Receiving Shen Yubai’s reply, Xu Chuning simply picked up her book and went upstairs.

As soon as she reached the second floor, Shen Yubai peeked out from his room. They looked at each other from afar for a few seconds before Xu Chuning walked towards him with feigned composure.

"What did you want to talk about?"

Shen Yubai stepped aside to let her in but didn’t close the door.

Noticing this, Xu Chuning asked without thinking much, "Aren’t you going to close the door?"

Shen Yubai: "It’s not good to close it."

They were both high school students. Even if they were clear in their hearts that they had an innocent student relationship, once the door was closed, anyone discovering them would have a myriad of thoughts.

Even if the others in the nearby rooms were their close friends, Shen Yubai didn’t want them to misunderstand him and Xu Chuning at this moment.

At least, he couldn’t let them think Xu Chuning was that casual of a person.

Xu Chuning paused, then realized, "Oh..."

She bit her lip a bit unnaturally and said softly, "Did Sinian contact you?"

Xu Chuning was smart; she had already guessed what Shen Yubai wanted to talk about.

Hearing her question, Shen Yubai raised an eyebrow, "What did he tell you?"

"Didn’t you ask him?" Xu Chuning countered.

Shen Yubai: "I did, but he seems to be busy. He hasn’t replied to my message yet."

Seeing Shen Yubai’s frustrated expression, Xu Chuning almost wanted to laugh, "He didn’t say much."

She glanced at the room Shen Yubai moved into. It hadn’t changed much from before, except for a suitcase opened on the floor. Shen Yubai hardly touched anything else.

Xu Chuning unintentionally glanced at the nearby sofa.

There lay a neatly folded blanket and a white T-shirt on the sofa.

Her gaze lingered on the white T-shirt for a few seconds, then she looked away, "He just mentioned something about the future."

Shen Yubai: "What about the future?"

He pressed.

Xu Chuning looked down and thought for a moment, "In the future, it seems like we really don’t care much about Sinian."

Shen Yubai stopped and frowned slightly, "Did he say that himself?"

Xu Chuning simply relayed their conversation to Shen Yubai.

After listening, Shen Yubai also fell silent.

Were he and Xu Chuning really that irresponsible in the future? That didn’t seem likely.