At the Peony Blossom Apartments' security booth, Chu Fang and the security guard were squatting by the entrance, eating popsicles.
"Grandpa, I've been thinking, we don't really have any conflicts," Chu Fang said softly. "Why are we fighting?"
"You were teasing me; doesn't that count as a conflict?" the security guard asked, glancing sideways.
"You teased me too," Chu Fang retorted, then waved his hand. "Let's call our grudges even from today, how about it?"
The security guard nodded: "Alright."
Then they gave each other a high-five to seal the deal.
They looked at each other: "Good brothers."
"Chu boy, where is your hometown?" The security guard, now seeing Chu Fang in a much better light, asked softly.
"Chengdu."
"We're fellow townsmen."
"You're from Chengdu too?"
"Half a fellow townsman; I grew up in Chongqing as a kid."
Hearing this, the two instantly felt much closer, especially when the security guard heard that Chu Fang wasn't from Rong City; his attitude became even more amiable.
"The flood washed over the Dragon King Temple," the security guard said, slapping his knee. "If I had known you were from Chengdu, we wouldn't have had to make such a fuss. If you have time, come to Chongqing for a trip; I'll introduce you to the best and most delicious hot pot."
"Hot pot?" Chu Fang frowned. "No need; Chengdu hot pot is also very delicious."
"Bullshit! Your Chengdu stuff is just clear soup and water, not as good as my Chongqing hot pot."
"Who are you insulting, old man?" Chu Fang said angrily.
"Hey, kid, you're getting cocky, aren't you?" The security guard glared back.
The brotherhood between the two was like the Yellow River bursting its banks, all in an instant.
Then they started cursing at each other again in the security booth.
Chu Fang's tenants, Zhou Zhou and Chen Wan'er, watched from the side, exchanged glances, and smiled.
They had never seen Chu Fang and the security guard be peaceful.
They cursed at each other for half an hour, their words never stopping, their throats feeling like they were on fire. Finally, they agreed to fight again another day.
"Was it good to watch?" Chu Fang turned his head to look at the two tenants, his expression serious.
They nodded together: "Good."
Chu Fang threatened: "...I'll raise your rent."
Hearing this, the two put on a wronged look, which was rather pitiful.
"Oh right, Mr. Landlord, I have something I want to discuss with you," Zhou Zhou said, patting her forehead.
"No money, no life," Chu Fang blurted out.
"We have a sister who is down on her luck and has no place to live. She wants to stay with us for a while," Zhou Zhou said, making a pleading gesture. "Please, handsome and dashing, suave and generous Mr. Landlord."
"Is she pretty?"
"Pretty!"
"Send her to my place; I have to check if she's a bad person. This is very important to me."
Zhou Zhou and Chen Wan'er smiled: "Mr. Landlord, you agreed? Yay."
The elevator reached the 26th floor, Chu Fang opened the door and entered, while Zhou Zhou shouted loudly: "Mr. Landlord, I like you."
"Then can you lend me five hundred?"
"You're already so rich."
"Does it matter if you lend me five hundred?"
"It does matter." Zhou Zhou nodded. "Mr. Landlord, I give you infinite love, but not money."
Chu Fang curled his lips, then slammed the door shut.
After entering the house, he sighed and said: "The girls nowadays are too worldly."
He entered the house and saw a gentle figure, wearing a simple but elegant apron. The apron's fabric softly clung to her figure, tied with a bow, adding a touch of softness and playfulness.
Zhong Tingyue's long hair was casually tied up, with a few stray strands falling carelessly on her forehead, and a faint smile on her delicate face.
"Mr. Chu, have you broken another girl's heart again?"
"Those tricks of mine only work on you."
Zhong Tingyue rolled her eyes, then said: "Wash your hands and come eat dinner quickly."
Chu Fang washed his hands and came to the dining table. There were many dishes on the table, all of which Chu Fang loved to eat.
The two sat facing each other and began to eat dinner.
Chu Fang said casually: "Ms. Zhong, why did you come back so early today? And you made such a big table of food. You've changed; you're not the Zhong Tingyue I remember."
"I guessed the reason you refused to have children," Zhong Tingyue put a sausage in Chu Fang's bowl.
The sausage was made by Chu's mother, authentic Chengdu sausage, which was extremely delicious whether fried or stir-fried.
"I don't even know, and you already know?" Chu Fang's expression didn't change. "Then tell me."
Zhong Tingyue slowly chewed her food and said softly: "You're afraid. You feel like you're not ready to raise a child."
Chu Fang raised his eyebrows: "Then are you ready?"
"I don't know." Zhong Tingyue bit her chopsticks with her silver teeth. "I seem to be ready, but it also feels too casual."
The two looked at each other and then tactfully changed the subject, not talking about children.
......
The next morning, Chu Fang came to the Shanghai Mausoleum and stood in front of Chang Shen's tomb, looking at that familiar face.
He was silent.
After looking for a long time, he sighed deeply: "Alas!"
"You've really made my life difficult!"
Chu Fang didn't have too many concerns about having children before.
On the one hand, he didn't have an in-depth understanding of children and didn't know the hardships involved. On the other hand, he was rich and could provide children with excellent material conditions.
But Chang Shen's departure made him cautious about having children, so cautious that it was almost a kind of fear.
Chang Shen was born into a wealthy family and lacked nothing, but he lacked the love of his parents, which ultimately led to this result.
From that time on, Chu Fang asked himself the soul-searching question: "Can I really raise a child well?"
Raising children is not only based on money, but also requires providing spiritual help and needs.
A child is like a blank sheet of paper, and Chu Fang is the writer. Whether the child's future is a beautiful painting or a rough draft depends on Chu Fang's thoughts.
He didn't know if he could be a good father.
"Headache." Chu Fang rubbed his temples. "Am I thinking too much? Hmm... probably!"
"I brought the child into this world, so I am their benefactor. They have to be grateful and can't blame me. I raise them to adulthood, and then I ask them for money every month, so I can retire and live a leisurely life..."
Chu Fang's mind was in a mess, and many inhuman thoughts popped up.
"You stay here by yourself; I'm leaving." Chu Fang shook his head, shaking off those inexplicable thoughts, and then left the cemetery.
Chu Fang felt a headache, so he didn't go to the studio but returned to Peony Blossom Apartments.
He ignored the security guard's angry gaze and slowly walked towards the inside of the community.
He had a headache today and didn't want to mess with this old man.
In a few days, if the headache is not treated well, I will come to vent my anger on this old man.
"Handsome guy."
Passing by, he encountered a single-ponytail girl dragging a suitcase, her voice soft.
As soon as Chu Fang heard the words 'handsome guy,' he knew someone was calling him and asked: "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Where is Unit 1, Building 2 of Peony Blossom Apartments?" the single-ponytail girl asked.
Chu Fang pointed with his index finger. The single-ponytail girl looked in the direction, and the building behind clearly marked 'Unit 1, Building 2'.
The single-ponytail girl's face turned red, seemingly embarrassed by her confusion, and she quickly bowed: "Thank you."
Then the single-ponytail girl dragged her suitcase towards the elevator entrance, while Chu Fang put his hands in his pockets and followed behind her.
"Eh? He also lives in this unit?"
"Eh? He also lives on the 26th floor?"
Entering the elevator, the single-ponytail girl was surprised. Suddenly, a scene from a movie flashed in her mind: a stalker following a girl, waiting for an opportunity to do evil.
