Chapter 324. Second Homecoming

Outside the station, as Zhuo and Ling stood in the waiting area, a strong light illuminated them both.

The low-key motor hums, followed by the sharp sound of tires rubbing against the ground.

A red convertible sports car braked suddenly on the side of the road.

Then, Mai Jiude took off the familiar black sunglasses from her nose while sitting in the driver's seat. Then the question came, not only the sports car, but also the sunglasses were used by Su Enxi. So... can they all be used?

Along the way, there were English songs that Utsunomiya Zhuo had never heard of before... To be honest, even after being reborn once, his English was still so bad that it was unbearable to watch. So Zhuo once doubted the authenticity of the protagonists in those novels who changed the world after being reborn... After driving for half an hour, Zhuo felt that this journey without anyone talking was particularly long, and the group arrived at Utsunomiya's house.

Behind him was a larger house with a courtyard. The building had four floors. The large area was because it had a study, a spacious kitchen, and an empty room. There was also a small parking shed in the courtyard. This was not the first time Zero had come here, so he was not surprised.

However, Jiude Mai looked at him frequently.

The red sports car of Mai Shude, or Su Enxi, was parked on the side of the tarmac road. Ling and Zhuo Utsunomiya stood outside the courtyard together, looking at Mai Shude who was in the car and looking at the Utsunomiya family.

Because it was Mai Jude who helped to send them back, Ling and Utsunomiya Shuo did not unkindly order them to leave after they got home. They just stood in front of the door together and stared at her.

It was around 11am, and it looked like the sports car was indeed faster than Utsunomiya's father's private car. Of course, it was also possible that Mai Jude's driving style was more aggressive, similar to Zero's.

Twenty seconds later...

The situation is still at a stalemate.

"If you want to confess, can you please do it faster?" Zero looked at her expressionlessly, "We should go back."

"Is it so direct?"

"..."

"Okay, okay, that's all for today. See you later."

"See you later?"

Ling said that if Jude Mai wanted to confess her feelings, Zhuo would definitely not take it seriously. As expected, Jude Mai lightly turned the page and made an appointment to meet next time. Zhuo was confused by this.

"Chips said so. You owe her dinner."

"……,……oh."

"That's it, see you later."

Facing the "debt" mentioned by Jiude Mai, Zhuo had no memory after recalling it, and could only nod to show that he understood. Jiude Mai did not pursue it, or she did not care whether Zhuo and the others remembered it or not, and waved her hand casually and drove away in a burst of speed.

There were footsteps behind him. It should be Zhuo's parents - Shuichi and Sachinko who noticed that there was a "guest" outside.

"You are back."

"Hey hey hey, welcome home~~"

When I walked into the house, as expected, Sa Chiko and the others were waiting there.

"I am back."

"Who talked to you... Long time no see, Ling-chan~"

"Long time no see, I hope you are doing well lately."

Zhuo thought that he had experienced this scene once before, so he had a strong resistance the second time. Knowing that his mother Sa Chiko was joking, Zhuo didn't care. After Zero returned the greeting respectfully, Zhuo turned his eyes and greeted his father Shuichi.

"Long time no see, Dad."

"Welcome back, Zhuo. Are you not tired from the journey?"

"Yeah. I've been sitting the whole time because I have a friend to help me. I'm still very energetic now."

"Really... I haven't seen you for a while. You've grown up a lot."

"It's only been half a year, can you see any changes?"

"Yeah. You can see that you've made up your mind and decided to stand up."

Because after being with Ling, Zhuo also made up his mind to take on the responsibility of a man. Even if he couldn't hold up the whole sky, he would do his best to help Ling lighten the burden on his shoulders. In the past, he probably just muddled through every day. In fact, Zhuo was really listless in the past, so it can be seen that he is determined now.

This was seen through, making Zhuo feel a little embarrassed. After he closed his mouth, Xiuyi smiled.

"Don't think we can just get away with it. Zhuo didn't tell us. We're a little sad~"

"..."

From what Sachiko said, it seems that Shuichi already knows that Shuu and Rei are dating. It's not known whether he heard it indirectly from Sachiko or his father saw it directly.

"…This kind of thing is very common in Tokyo. Some students change girlfriends several times a year. Isn't it troublesome to report them one by one?"

"Even if that's the case, it's better to tell me, even though I already knew it... After all, it's the first time that Zhuo has brought a girl home, and Zhuo is really easy to understand~"

"Ah ...

"Alright, alright, that's really not honest. What's the point of still showing off your outdated tsundere attributes at this point? Can you please be honest and apologize to us?"

"……sorry."

"Hmph - Ling-chan, do you think this kind of child is okay?"

"Well, Zhuo can't let go of himself outside... I like this too."

"Oh My God--"

"Hahaha, I feel relieved to see that you two have such a good relationship."

Both parents looked at Ling with satisfaction, and cast the same look at Zhuo, which made Zhuo feel more and more ashamed. He no longer wanted to respond.

Because of his parents' personalities, Zhuo chose to keep it because he expected such a scene to happen. But even so, as a son, he would feel embarrassed and uncomfortable when his parents teased him about his relationship.

"Okay, Sa Qianzi, let Zhuo and the others in first. The place is not big, I hope you will feel comfortable."

"No, sorry to bother you again."

He bowed his head and took off his shoes. Zhuo also changed into slippers.

"Here, here~!"

"excuse me."

To put it simply, the layout of Zhuo's home is the living room and kitchen on the first floor, parents' bedroom and study on the second floor, Zhuo's bedroom and storage room or toy room on the third floor, and guest rooms and another study on the fourth floor.

"Then Ling-chan, your room is still this one~"

As expected, Sa Chiko once again chose to lend Zhuo's room to Ling. Zhuo didn't understand what this meant. Ling came to her house twice, and Sa Chiko chose to do this. Oh, if you count the time when he was not there, it's already three times... Zhuo sighed softly.

"Then I'll go prepare lunch, you two check the luggage."

"Please let me help you, thank you."

"Ah, is that so... Then let's give it to Rei-chan. See you later."

"Okay, thank you again." Sa Chiko smiled and watched Zero walk down the stairs. After making sure that she could no longer see her, she turned to look at her son.

Zhuo had already entered the house. Since it was his room, he was very familiar with it. Zhuo carried their suitcases into the house and began to pack their things.

Because of her previous attitude towards life, Sha Qianzi opened her eyes wide when she saw Zhuo Shuxian's actions.

"Zhuo has really changed a lot... He obviously doesn't feel sorry for his mother at all."

"Thank you... uh."

Zhuo knew that his mother was surprised by his current change, but after hearing the second half of her words, Zhuo could no longer express his original gratitude.

"It seems that you don't rely on Ling-chan for everything, so I feel relieved."

"Mom, what kind of scumbag do you think I am..."

No matter what, Zhuo was not shameless enough to leave everything to Ling. If he did that, his body might be relaxed, but Zhuo would feel guilty first.

In fact, Zhuo now feels a little guilty about this. Zhuo has asked Ling to cook for him when she comes back from work in her spare time (Zero took the initiative). Zhuo should also do something for her within his ability and show his concern for her.

"You don't need to tell me about this..." Zhuo narrowed his eyes and looked at Sa Qianzi. Sa Qianzi kept an admiring look and shouted, "... I'm talking to Zhuo."

"what happened?"

"How far have you and Ling-chan come?"

"Well--"

Zhuo didn't expect such a question to pop up now, and he was speechless for a moment. Sa Qianzi squatted down as if nothing had happened to help him organize.

Although Zhuo quickly concealed the fluctuations on his face and continued with the work he had done, he still couldn't hide his hesitation and frowned.

"Zhuo is so easy to understand. His expression has clearly told everyone the answer. Should we say he is worthy of being Shuichi's son?"

Having said that, Zhuo couldn't refute it.

"…We just got together, and I want to take it slow. Am I doing something wrong?"

"Of course not. Although I really want her to come and be my daughter, your own pace is the most important."

"……Yeah."

"But seeing your loving eyes and the atmosphere, I thought you had done everything."

“Pfft—how is that possible!”

Zhuo raised his brows due to this incredible blind guess, but Sha Qianzi showed no intention of repenting.

"...Mom, don't tell Zero these things."

"That's not what I'm going to say. But I want to have a baby soon, so I'm looking forward to seeing you~"

Zhuo just couldn't understand the desire of parents to hold their children. Maybe he would only understand these things after he experienced them. These words were all old sayings. Zhuo understood his desire to hold a child, so he couldn't blame her too much, but just puffed up his lips.

"…Don't put pressure on Zero."

"Eh? Shouldn't it be the pressure from Zhuo's side?"

"Stop talking so much... Mom, do you think I will let go?"

In the past, Zhuo did think that as long as Ling felt okay, it didn't matter if the other person was not him, and he was willing to leave her. But now Zhuo no longer says such things.

It's true that he was stingy, but it also means that Zhuo didn't want to let go of Ling's hand. He wanted to walk with Ling forever, from now on, so these things along the way would naturally happen. Therefore, Zhuo didn't need to hide his thoughts.

Hearing Zhuo's firm words, Sha Qianzi was dazed for a moment, then happily stroked the hair on the back of Zhuo's head.

"herherher_You've grown up, you're worthy of being Shuichi's child——"

"Do you have to show affection to your son at a time like this? And I don't think I'm more attractive than my dad."

"Really? How about I go ask Rei-chan."

"No! Don't."

Zhuo felt that he had no appeal, but if he asked Ling, she would probably reveal something that Zhuo could not understand (why those people liked him), but it seemed to have no effect. This resistance aroused Sa Chiko's interest. Sa Chiko said happily in a very leisurely tone, "I really look forward to knowing what happened that I don't know", which made Zhuo glare at his mother fiercely.

Zhuo and Sa Chizi were busy in the bedroom for a while. Because he was always teased for being with her, Zhuo drove her out of the room and distributed the gifts in the room himself. Then he carried his bag of things upstairs.

……

"Zero-chan, the bath water is ready, go take a bath first."

After the reunion after dinner, it was almost time to take a bath before going to bed. Ling sat next to Zhuo and watched TV, and Sa Chizi came down from upstairs and said to her.

There are many bathrooms in my hometown, almost every floor has a bathroom, but only the bathroom on the second floor has a larger bathtub. In Neon, frugality has always been advocated (please don't over-interpret), so when the family takes a bath, they use the same tub of water and take a bath while the water temperature is still acceptable.

"I'm on the third floor..."

"You are a guest, please don't be polite. If you don't want to wash the keys by yourself, I can lend them to you now."

"What stupid things are you talking about!"

Sa Chiko said something outrageous while smiling, and Zhuo naturally refuted it loudly.

Lending Zhuo out meant letting him take a bath with her. Not to mention that Ling would never agree, even when they were at home, they took separate baths—even though they used the same tub of hot water.

However, considering Ling's personality, she probably wouldn't agree even if her parents invited her. This special treatment that only Zhuo was different from excluded Zhuo's parents. Zhuo was secretly happy but also had mixed feelings. It's not that Ling would be estranged from Zhuo's parents, but for Ling, her vigilance and psychological defense line were fixed - Ling, who looked straight at others and didn't talk to others, was very polite when facing her own parents~
Unexpectedly, Zero hesitated.

She glanced at Zhuo, and then politely refused. In that moment, Ling's inner world must have been very rich, Zhuo thought.

The same goes for Zhuo. When he thinks about those things, he feels ashamed and starts to fantasize.

"I'm sorry, can I go on the third floor?"

"That's no problem, but the previous loan is still valid--"

"..."

Hearing Sa Chiko repeating her previous proposal with a smile, Ling fell silent for the second time. He glanced at Zhuo again, then turned away and shook his head to refuse.

"Forget it this time."

"Oh, what a pity. I'll have to wait until next time~"

"What the hell are you talking about!!! Am I some kind of gift that can't be given away?"

Sa Chiko's proposal was not just for teasing.

Judging from the fact that Zero was not angry at all, or to be more precise, he wavered in his thoughts twice, it can be seen that Sa Chiko's proposal shows that she understands Zero quite well.

As for Zhuo... Sha Qianzi was certain that her son would definitely not agree verbally.

Well, on the mouth.

(End of this chapter)