"So what? She's still a child," Yun Bu Ji said dismissively, thinking it was no big deal.
"But you're clearly interested in her now. You're willing to spend so much money on her, even risking your life to buy her a gift. What does that make you?" Zhou Hao looked at him in shock, thinking Yun Bu Ji had truly lost his mind.
"Can you stop being so dramatic and talking about dying all the time? No one's going to die. Do you think I'm an idiot!" Yun Bu Ji glared at him speechlessly. If they hadn't grown up together, he would have torn this guy apart.
Zhou Hao was speechless.
He could tell Yun Bu Ji was serious this time. He had always been like this since childhood; once he set his mind on something, ten oxen couldn't drag him away!
"If you need money, just tell me. I still have some savings," Zhou Hao said dejectedly.
Yun Bu Ji glanced at him and said, "Grandpa Zhou needs money long-term. Keep your savings; you'll need them. If it's not enough, tell me. I'm not stupid; I know what I'm doing."
Zhou Hao wanted to say that Yun Bu Ji was being quite reckless this time, but he thought better of it. It wouldn't change anything even if he said it.
"Alright, then I'll tell you about this competition," Zhou Hao took out his phone. Yun Bu Ji listened while playing his game, getting a grasp of the basic situation. He felt more at ease.
"Did you sign up?" Yun Bu Ji asked.
"Yes, it was supposed to be closed, but I found a friend to get you in," Zhou Hao replied.
"Then that's fine. You can go; I still need to play a few more rounds," Yun Bu Ji said.
"I'll go buy you some food. You can't keep starving yourself," Zhou Hao said, getting up to buy Yun Bu Ji lunch. It was already afternoon, and Yun Bu Ji hadn't eaten anything.
Yun Bu Ji took out his phone and casually sent Zhou Hao a thousand yuan for food. He and Zhou Hao had grown up together, but Zhou Hao carried more responsibilities. Yun Bu Ji was alone, with no one to worry about but himself. However, Zhou Hao had a grandfather to care for and support.
Zhou Hao was only about half a year older than him and had always acted like an older brother, taking care of him.
Zhou Hao accepted the money. He understood Yun Bu Ji; if he refused the money, Yun Bu Ji wouldn't eat anything he bought.
After buying Yun Bu Ji food, Zhou Hao left. He had his own things to do. Yun Bu Ji was still in school, while he had dropped out long ago, finding school useless. He didn't know what Yun Bu Ji was thinking, but he insisted on attending. He wondered if he was actually learning anything.
...
In the afternoon, Jiang Mi called her daughter, saying she would pick her up after school. Mian Mian told her mother, "Mom, I want to go home to spend time with Dad tonight. You go have a good reunion with Uncle Ling."
Mian Mian was thinking she could go out for snacks with Yun Bu Ji that evening, so she had to tell her mother a little white lie. Her father probably wouldn't be home today either; he seemed very busy lately.
Jiang Mi was taken aback. She had thought her daughter would definitely want to be with her, but instead, she refused and wanted to go home to Jiang Jingxiu.
She felt a little disappointed, but she smiled and said, "Okay, then Mom will find you tomorrow. It's the weekend tomorrow. Do you want to come with me to see Aunt Ye and her daughter? I think you'll like her."
"Okay, then it's settled. You can pick me up tomorrow morning," Mian Mian said with a bright smile.
Jiang Mi was confused. Why did her daughter seem so happy?