Striving for Science C49 pt2

"Director Du?" The energetic voice that had been ready to speak turned into a sleepy one in an instant.

"Yeah, just finished dealing with things over there. I ate a bowl of instant noodles and then lay down for a bit." When it came to playing the victim, Shen Chang'an never held back.

"Chang'an, you young people need to take good care of yourselves and get enough rest. Don't overwork yourselves." Du Zhonghai gave him a few gentle words of advice, but didn't mention overtime. Shen Chang'an gradually relaxed.

"You've been in Wuming City for three or four months now. How do you like it here?"

"It's pretty good." Shen Chang'an looked down at Dao Nian, who was idly staring into space, leaning against his wheelchair. "I've been very happy here these past few months."

"Just be happy, just be happy." Du Zhonghai laughed several times, then changed the subject, "I just received news from the capital, the capital's security department wants to transfer you to the capital. But they will also respect your choice, so let me ask you what you think."

He didn't expect Director Du to contact him at this time, and it was about a job transfer.

"With your abilities, staying in our Wuming is a waste of talent. The criminal gang your father helped to wipe out has been completely eradicated, your records have been cleared for years, going back to work in the capital will be very beneficial to your future development." 

Although Du Zhonghai was reluctant to see Shen Chang'an leave, he was even more reluctant to see Shen Chang'an's talent buried, "Emotionally, I don't want you to leave, but with your abilities, you should go to a better department, work for the benefit of more people, so I hope you think carefully, don't let yourself and the country down."

"Director Du," Shen Chang'an cleared his throat, he looked down at Dao Nian, Dao Nian just happened to look up at him, and he met Dao Nian's deep eyes, "I think Wuming is great, I don't have any plans to change jobs."

"Chang'an, you're still young, don't let your emotions get the better of you." Du Zhonghai said, "If you give up this opportunity now, I'm afraid you'll regret it later."

"I'll let my future self decide about the future." Shen Chang'an bent down and pulled the blanket on Dao Nian's knees, "For me now, there are more important people in Wuming."

At least in this place, someone would welcome him home.

"Think about it carefully, don't rush to reject the transfer offer from above." Du Zhonghai sighed, "Life is short, there are no regrets in this world. Give me your answer on Monday."

After hanging up the phone, Shen Chang'an continued browsing the shopping website.

"Do you want to go back to the capital?" Dao Nian asked suddenly.

Shen Chang'an stopped pushing: "Did you hear that?"

Dao Nian raised an eyebrow.

"For me, it doesn't matter where I am." Shen Chang'an smiled, "Making a name for myself in the capital might be many people's dream, but for me…"

"I don't have any grand ambitions, this is good enough for me." Shen Chang'an pushed Dao Nian forward, "What about you? Why did you choose to live in this small city of Wuming?"

With Dao Nian's level of wealth, living in a first-tier city would be more in line with the lifestyle of the rich, ideally with a detached villa in a first-tier city, or even a mountain estate.

"The air here is good." Dao Nian lazily half-closed his eyes, "If you don't want to go, then don't go. If you want to go, I'll go with you."

Shen Chang'an laughed: "Don't tease me, it's not like moving."

"If you change your place of residence, it's just moving." It was just a matter of blinking and waving, not troublesome.

"Are you saying that if I go to the Imperial Capital, you'll still follow me and mooch off me?" Shen Chang'an looked at Dao Nian's thick hair, couldn't help but reach out and poke it with his index finger, "Do you want to support me for a lifetime?"

"Mm, support you for a lifetime." Dao Nian thought, there was nothing wrong with that.

"If I get married and have children, are you going to support our whole family?" Shen Chang'an thought, he couldn't do something so shameless.

Dao Nian frowned.

Because in all his expectations of Shen Chang'an, there was no item about getting married and having children. He pondered seriously, not even noticing Shen Chang'an secretly poking his back of the head with his finger.

When the gatekeeper walked over, he saw Shen Chang'an poking the master's head, and the master , although frowning, obediently let Shen Chang'an poke him. This reminded him of some human husbands who seemed to be just as submissive when their wives scolded them.

His feet swayed, and he felt that he shouldn't be here, nor should he know so many little secrets.

Shen Chang'an didn't bring up the transfer to the Imperial Capital again, and Dao Nian didn't ask again either. That night, Shen Chang'an wanted to wait until twelve to participate in the Double Eleven shopping event, but he was afraid he might accidentally fall asleep, so he dragged Dao Nian to play games with him.

He didn't know if they were just incredibly lucky, but every time he went into a dungeon with Dao Nian, they were the ones who found rare equipment or items, while the other teammates only found junk.

As soon as it hit twelve, Shen Chang'an tossed his tablet aside, opened his phone's shopping website, and started scanning.

Spend 400 yuan, get 50 yuan off, still need 20 yuan more, buy one more thing.

This one is half price for the second item, and it comes with a free gift, buy it!

Buy one get one free on scarves, buy it!

Buy, buy, buy!

After scanning the items he wanted to buy, Shen Chang'an lay down contentedly on the carpet in Dao Nian's room: "In terms of grabbing goods, I'm still a king."

"Well, young king, you should go to sleep." Dao Nian pointed to the door. "If you don't sleep now, your favorite dish will be reduced by one tomorrow at noon."

"That harsh?" Shen Chang'an got up from the floor, "Then I'm going to sleep."

After leaving Dao Nian's room, he stealthily went downstairs. Seeing Uncle Zhao still in the kitchen, he whispered to him, "Uncle Zhao, find me something to eat."

"Chang'an?" Uncle Zhao put down the bowl in his hand. "The master doesn't want you to eat too much at night, it's not good for your health."

"But sleeping on an empty stomach is bad for my spirit." Shen Chang'an clasped his hands together. "If you don't say it, and I don't say it, Dao Nian won't know."

No, in this house, if the master wants to know, he'll definitely know. But seeing Shen Chang'an's pitiful face, Uncle Zhao relented.

"I'll make you a bowl of clear soup noodles." Uncle Zhao sighed, turning to find the noodles.

"I'll wash the dishes." Shen Chang'an took the initiative to find something to do.

"Uncle Zhao, how long have you been working for Dao Nian?" Shen Chang'an casually asked.

"For a long time."

"Then do you know, his legs..." Shen Chang'an's voice dropped, "His legs, were they like that from birth, or did he get injured later?"

If not for those legs, Dao Nian wouldn't stay in this house all the time, unwilling to go out and interact with people.

Uncle Zhao paused his kneading, turning to look at Shen Chang'an. "You don't need to worry about this too much."

"Hmm." Shen Chang'an thought this matter might involve Dao Nian's sad past, which was why Uncle Zhao didn't want to talk about it. He remained silent for a moment before giving up on the question.

"This is wild mushroom my friend picked from Changbai Mountain. I'll add some to your noodles." Uncle Zhao threw a few shiitake mushrooms into the soup. "Guaranteed to be delicious."

The soup slowly came to a boil, its aroma filling the room. Uncle Zhao couldn't resist making himself a bowl as well.

The two of them held their bowls and tiptoed to the dining table. Seeing that the parrot hadn't gone to sleep yet, Shen Chang'an whispered to it, "Shh, don't make a sound."

Fei Ying watched Shen Chang'an's sneaky behavior and turned to look at the good-natured Stove God. In this house, everything they did was known to the Lord. Why did they have to act like thieves to sneak a bite of food? What kind of shameless behavior was this?

Having fun teasing the kid?

Uncle Zhao threw a few pieces of fruit into the food trough and patted Fei Ying's head with a smile. "Be a good girl and eat. Don't talk."

Fei Ying: "..."

Hmm, the human kid's cautious look is quite cute.

The fruit is so delicious.

She chose to remain silent.

After taking a sip of the noodle soup, Shen Chang'an's eyes lit up. "The soup is so good."

"I didn't lie to you, did I?" Uncle Zhao said proudly. "This stuff is really rare. I haven't even dared to use it for cooking. Let's sneak a bite first, just the two of us."

This feeling of getting special treatment is pretty good.

Shen Chang'an took a few bites of noodles: "But, Uncle Zhao, your friend might be lying to you."

"Hmm?" Uncle Zhao looked at Shen Chang'an with some confusion. When it came to food, who dared to deceive him?

"There's nothing but snow in Changbai Mountain recently, how could there be any mushrooms?" Shen Chang'an sipped the delicious soup. "But for the sake of such delicious food, we can forgive his lie."

Uncle Zhao remained silent for a long time: "You make a good point."

For humans, it's true that no mushrooms grow in Changbai Mountain during this season.

After finishing the noodles, Shen Chang'an patted his slightly full stomach with satisfaction: "Uncle Zhao, after eating your cooking, what am I going to do in the future?"

"That's easy." Uncle Zhao got up and put away the bowls. "You stay by the Master's side for a lifetime, and I'll cook for you for a lifetime."

Perhaps it was because he'd stayed up too late and eaten too much, but Shen Chang'an's head felt a little fuzzy. Hearing this, he couldn't help but laugh: "You're older than me. When you're old, how could I possibly feel comfortable letting you cook for me?"

"It's fine, I'm in good health." Uncle Zhao patted his chest. "As long as you stay by the master's side, I promise to cook for you for a lifetime."

"It seems I need to find a way to stay by Dao Nian's side for a lifetime…"

"What are you two doing?" Dao Nian appeared at the railing on the second floor, looking at the two large bowls in Uncle Zhao's hands. "Old Zhao, how much have you fed Chang'an?"

Old Zhao secretly hid the bowl behind his back.

"No need to hide it, I saw it." Dao Nian came out of the elevator. "Chang'an, you can't eat like this late at night anymore."

"Okay!" Shen Chang'an quickly nodded. Suddenly, he pointed at Dao Nian's feet. "Dao Nian, can you walk?!"

Dao Nian's face changed, then he looked down at the wheelchair beneath him, his expression returning to normal. "What are you talking about?"

"You even grew wings, and there are little people dancing on them!" Shen Chang'an widened his eyes, ran to Dao Nian, and reached out to grab the little people who were twisting and turning. "Dao Nian, are you a transformed yao?!"

The room was silent. The parrot hid under the bird stand, trembling.