Chapter Fifty-Three: A Return Journey

Last night was another sleepless one, the four of them drinking themselves into oblivion once again. It wasn’t until morning that they finally staggered off in all directions, returning to the hotel to collapse into bed.

If he’d known every night out would end with them drinking themselves senseless, he wouldn’t have started in the first place—it would save him the embarrassment of losing control. The bill for last night must have been steep, and though the bar belonged to Mo Han’s own family and they never had to pay, even that couldn’t withstand the way they drank—one night’s takings at the bar didn’t even cover a single session with them.

“Ugh—” Gu Zhiheng felt his head was about to explode. That rascal Mo Han had poured him drink after drink last night. He’d been holding his liquor well, not the least bit drunk, but Mo Han insisted they go shot for shot, and one cup led to another. Even Chen Yuan, who usually never got drunk, had passed out cold. Mo Han, once he started drinking, was like a madman; he’d be delirious for days afterward. That was what happened last time, and it looked like this time would be no different—he’d be out of sorts for days.

“Hey, Mom, how have you been lately?” Gu Zhiheng hadn’t been home in over a month, and this was the first time he’d called. He was used to being alone, never paying much attention to keeping in touch. Even Chu Xingran, who had watched him grow up, barely heard from him after she left his side—almost no contact at all.

He’d grown accustomed to solitude; in fact, he found the quiet of being alone quite agreeable.

“Heng, your little sister’s finished her college entrance exams, and the results are out,” Mrs. Gu ventured, her tone probing; she didn’t know if her son would come home. Gu Zhiheng had never attended a single day of school, but he was still her child. She hoped, during family gatherings, that her son would be there as well.

“How did she do? Which university is she applying to?” Time passed so quickly—his little sister was already an adult in the blink of an eye.

“She got into the city’s top university; the acceptance letter has already arrived. She hopes you’ll come home and have a meal with her.” She knew her son was busy, but she missed him dearly. After years apart, she’d finally seen him again, only for him to leave after a few short days. The longing in her heart never faded—in fact, it only grew deeper.

“I’ll ask Sister if there’s time—if it doesn’t clash with anything, I’ll come home,” Gu Zhiheng replied, not giving a direct promise. He was wary of plans going awry at the last minute. Though he wanted to go home, there were more pressing matters, and family had to come last.

By eleven o’clock, Chu Xingran and the others had gotten up and started their morning routines. After finishing his call, Gu Zhiheng got out of bed, washed up, changed clothes, and went to the hotel restaurant for lunch.

“Heng, why didn’t you call us to eat together? You’re up so early today!” Chu Xingran’s voice reached him before she did. Gu Zhiheng turned to see the three of them walking towards him, all looking well-rested.

“I woke up early and thought you’d still be asleep, so I didn’t call you,” he replied. Besides, hadn’t they always complained he ate too much and didn’t want to eat with him?

Chu Xingran plopped herself down across from him and immediately started scolding, “Skipping meals isn’t good for you—you should’ve called your big sister to wake me up!”

Gu Zhiheng felt a bit wronged. If he’d woken Chu Xingran, she’d probably have beaten him up before even thinking about eating.

“Han, keep your wife in check. She’s being fierce again,” Gu Zhiheng muttered quietly to Mo Han, a look of grievance on his face. Clearly, it was Chu Xingran’s bad mood in the morning, yet now she was blaming him for not calling her to eat.

“All right, let’s eat. Weren’t we going shopping today?” Mo Han kicked Gu Zhiheng under the table—was this guy trying to get him in trouble too?

Gu Zhiheng quickly finished the food on his plate, drank some soup, and sat obediently without moving. After pondering for a while, he asked, “Sister, my mom wants me to go home for a bit—will the timing work out?”

Hearing this, Chu Xingran almost couldn’t resist smacking him. He made it sound as if she was the one stopping him from going home.

“It’s fine—we still have another week to rest; we'll leave for the next place after that.” Originally, they’d planned to leave in three days, but since he wanted to go home, they could delay a few days. Or perhaps, after Gu Zhiheng went home, the others could rest and head directly to the mission site, just like they used to, to complete the task.

Hearing her consent, Gu Zhiheng was a little excited. “I'll leave this afternoon, go home for a bit, and be back soon—it won’t take long.” He wasn’t clueless; a whole week’s delay was clearly Chu Xingran’s way of giving him more time. Normally, they’d only rest two or three days before heading to the next place. Chen Yuan had let that slip after drinking too much last night.

Those two or three days weren’t just for rest—they spent the time preserving items obtained from missions or fusing things that could be combined, so that when Gu Zhiheng needed them, the process would be done and he could draw talismans directly, saving time and ensuring everything was ready.

“Han, when I get back, I’ll meet you all at the next place. Take care of my two sisters while I’m gone!” In his heart, these two women were closer than real sisters.

“Got it—stop nagging, you’re worse than a woman. You’re an embarrassment to men,” Mo Han chided, though Chu Xingran clearly cared more for Gu Zhiheng. If only, one day, she’d care for him in the same way—he would be completely content. But that day seemed impossibly far away, and he wondered if it would ever come in this lifetime.

“I’m leaving now—catching the afternoon flight, so I’ll be home by evening,” Gu Zhiheng laughed to himself, determined that the three of them wouldn’t sneak off without him to carry out the mission. This was his business too; he wouldn’t let them do it all themselves. Otherwise, what would be left for him? He might as well let them take on the so-called destiny and become a mere bystander.

“Travel safely, and call us if anything comes up. Spend more time with your family!” Chu Xingran called after him, then sighed—children do grow up, and develop minds of their own. What now? She just couldn’t talk him into anything anymore.

“That kid’s probably planning to come back the day after tomorrow, afraid we’ll leave without him,” Chu Xingran said, raising her eyebrows at Mo Han, her tone certain. She knew all his little tricks—she’d raised him herself.

Seeing how well Chu Xingran understood Gu Zhiheng, Mo Han felt a pang of jealousy, but he still replied, “You’re right—he’s gotten much smarter lately.”

“I raised him—I know him best. Let him go,” Chu Xingran said, and couldn’t help but smile at the look on Mo Han’s face. Yet she also felt sorry for him, because she truly didn’t deserve his devotion.