Chapter 8
After delivering the meal back to the Yan residence, in the evening, Yan Sui invited Yu Li to play games online together.
About halfway through the first dungeon, Yan Sui pondered for a while, then tentatively said, "Xiao Li, how about you come stay at my place?"
Yu Li was taken aback, and the character he was controlling also paused for a moment, "Ah, why did you suddenly bring this up again?"
When summer vacation was approaching, knowing that he would be staying in Y City for a part-time job, Yan Sui had invited him to stay at the Yan residence before.
But Yu Li felt it wasn't quite appropriate, and also feared interacting with Yan Shiting, so he had firmly refused.
Yan Sui sighed, "The neighborhood you're living in is too old, the security isn't good."
"You may not know this since you don't watch live videos much, but last night, after that game anchor live-streamed the domestic violence next door, their live stream got a lot of viewers in the morning. By then, the news of that man breaking into the ex-wife's home and assaulting her was already on the trending search terms."
"Your backside was captured in the live stream, so those self-media bloggers who want to ride on the hype may go lurk around your neighborhood."
Hearing this, Yu Li lightly furrowed his brows.
Yan Sui's analysis was quite accurate. Nowadays, what's not lacking on the internet are those who want to join the bandwagon and ride on the hype.
If that happened, his life would definitely become more troublesome.
Oh right, he should also remind Sister You about this.
Yan Sui continued to persuade, "Now there's still over 20 days before school starts, it's inconvenient for you to rent a new place. Just stay at my place."
Yu Li hesitated a bit, "But..."
Yan Sui quickly interrupted, "My brother has already agreed."
"If you feel guilty about it, you can just pay the rent of that old neighborhood to me."
Yu Li couldn't help but chuckle, "Then I'd be the one taking advantage."
"We're good friends!" Yan Sui exclaimed, "How can you say that to me!"
"Haha haha."
Yu Li laughed out loud, the heavy mood from earlier lightening up a lot.
He thought about it and didn't reject Yan Sui's kindness again, "Then I'll go back and pack up my things tomorrow."
"Thank you, Yan Sui."
Yan Sui finally hummed in satisfaction.
The next morning, when Butler He knew that Yu Li was going to pack up, he sent a driver to take him.
The old neighborhood had lax management, so the driver directly drove Yu Li to the building entrance.
Before going upstairs, Yu Li saw someone live-streaming near their building, angrily cursing Sister You's ex-husband.
Yu Li guessed this must be the kind of person Yan Sui mentioned, so he hurriedly averted his gaze and quickly went upstairs.
He had already warned Sister You last night, and today Sister You had gone to a friend's place to avoid the spotlight, and the game anchor also didn't seem to be there, so the apartment was quiet.
While packing his few belongings, Yu Li also called the bar owner to resign.
Since he's going to stay at the Yan residence now, he won't be able to work the night shift anymore.
The fruit cutting job, the boss had only paid him 16 yuan per hour since he was a student working part-time.
It's not a big loss to resign.
When he had packed up his luggage, Yu Li heard some commotion coming from the living room.
Walking out, he found it was the landlady auntie grumbling.
"That damned person, turning my door into this state."
"Aiya, the whole door needs to be replaced."
She was talking about the door to Yu Li's room.
The landlady auntie's family didn't live in this neighborhood, so she didn't know about the incident that had happened the other night.
Until last night, when she was chatting with an old friend, her friend suddenly mentioned Sister You's case.
That's when the landlady auntie decided to come take a look, but as soon as she entered, she was almost startled unconscious by the sight of the damaged door.
"Auntie Jin." Yu Li greeted.
He glanced at the door and thought for a moment, "This door... how much would it cost to replace the whole thing? I'll pay for it."
The landlady auntie hurriedly waved her hand, "It's not you who damaged it, you don't need to pay."
Yu Li smiled, "Auntie Jin, I've agreed to stay with a friend, so I won't be renting this place anymore. Thank you for being willing to rent it to me before."
When summer vacation was approaching, he decided to work part-time in Y City, and had looked for a lot of short-term rental options.
But most places had a minimum 3-month lease, and the ones that allowed monthly payment had very high rents.
Finally, he found Auntie Jin's place, and Auntie Jin, seeing him, a student, running around looking at so many rental ads in the scorching heat, and also worried he might be cheated by unscrupulous agents, agreed to his short-term rental, with one month's rent paid at a time.
"No need to thank, helping a little is nothing."
Auntie Jin continued, "I've heard about it, that man even had a knife that night. Aiya, what a sinful thing, good thing you were there, otherwise if something had happened..."
She was very grateful that Yu Li had stepped up to help Sister You the other night, selfishly speaking, she also didn't want any tragedy to happen on her own property.
Yu Li said, "It was nothing."
Standing up to help is always better than just standing by.
He was tall, with quick reactions, and he believed he had the ability to help Sister You.
When he led Sister You into the room, he was just thinking that he couldn't let the same tragedy that happened to his aunt happen in front of his eyes.
Auntie Jin raised her thumb up, chuckling, "You're the best young man I've ever seen."
Such a direct and exaggerated praise.
Yu Li blushed, awkwardly touching his earlobe.
Auntie Jin tilted her head, seeing the suitcase and large travel bag packed in Yu Li's room.
The room was very tidy, the few simple pieces of furniture neatly arranged.
It seemed Yu Li had cleaned up while packing.
Auntie Jin nodded approvingly, "You've already packed up, then you can go. I'll call my elder brother to replace the door."
"For this month's rent, don't worry about it. I'll deduct the water and electricity fees directly from the security deposit, and refund the deposit to you via WeChat."
Yu Li hummed in acknowledgment, picked up his luggage, and said, "Thank you, Auntie Jin, goodbye."
He waved and went downstairs.
The driver from the Yan residence had been waiting for him downstairs.
Yu Li put the luggage in the trunk, then asked the driver to take him to a nearby bank.
After leaving the bank, Yu Li went to a supermarket and bought a box of milk and a bag of snacks.
Carrying the items, he returned to the rental apartment, and Auntie Jin's elder brother was just in the process of dismantling the damaged door.
Yu Li handed the milk and snacks to Auntie Jin, ignoring her protests and firmly placing them in her hands before quickly leaving.
"This child..." Auntie Jin sighed, watching his retreating back.
She lowered her head and found a pink paper bag in the snack bag.
Auntie Jin was puzzled, opening it up, inside were pink banknotes, counting them, it was a full 3,000 yuan.
"Aiya, I told you not to pay me!" Auntie Jin hurriedly ran out the door, but Yu Li's figure had already disappeared.
*
Quickly getting into the car, Yu Li felt relieved.
Sister You's ex-husband was a scoundrel; he didn't know if he would compensate for Auntie Jin's loss. As for Sister You, her own financial situation was also quite difficult.
However much the door was damaged partly because of him, so he should pay something.
However, in the evening, Auntie Jin transferred a total of 2,600 yuan to Yu Li's Alipay, including the refunded security deposit.
Yu Li was startled, seeing Auntie Jin's WeChat message: [The door replacement cost, how could I let you bear it alone. I've discussed it with Little Yu, the three of us will split it. If that man compensates, I'll make up the remainder for you.]
[You're still a student, even if I have no conscience, I can't possibly take all your money. Keep it for your own future use.]
When he received the message, Yu Li was in the Yan family's study looking for some materials.
Butler He helped him get the needed books, seeing the conflicted expression on his face, asked, "Is something wrong?"
Yu Li hesitated, then told him the whole story.
Butler He pushed up his glasses, "Take it, this is the right thing to do. They are being considerate, interpersonal relationships are about give and take."
He said gently, "Now that I think of it, I remember that when the young master just came back for the summer, he was always in a gloomy mood. I asked him about it, and he said he wanted to invite you to stay at the Yan residence, but you refused. He was a bit heartbroken, thinking that his good intentions might have put pressure on you."
"We all know that you don't want to trouble others. But being overly polite with close people, they might even think privately that they haven't done enough."
Yu Li was stunned.
Before the age of 12, his father had always taught him that when dealing with people, it doesn't matter if he is at a loss, it's better than owing others.
After his father passed away, his mother was already so busy and tired, he didn't want to give her more trouble, so he tried his best not to offend anyone, always thinking about what his father had said: it doesn't matter if he takes a loss.
But now Butler He said, accepting others' kindness is nothing.
"So when you agreed to stay here last night, the young master was especially happy."
Butler He smiled and continued, "Originally, when I saw the young master unhappy, I wanted to find an opportunity to talk to you, but the young master was too embarrassed, and didn't allow me to say anything."
"Today I accidentally let it slip out, could you please keep it a secret for me?"
Yu Li came to his senses, looking at Butler He's smiling face, nodded.
"Okay, thank you, Uncle He."
"No need to thank, no need at all." Butler He paused, then said, "Oh yes, Mr. Yu, I also have a favor to ask you."
Yu Li said, "Please go ahead."
Butler He smiled, "It's not a difficult thing, I just hope you can be less polite in the future and accept the young master's kindness. That way, the young master will be happier."
Yu Li was stunned.
After a moment, he smiled, and the heavy feeling in his heart suddenly felt much lighter.
He said, "Okay, Uncle He."
...
At 10 p.m., Yan Shiting returned to the manor.
In Yan Shiting's private study, Butler He told him about Yu Li's events of the day.
Yan Shiting pondered for a moment, then said, "Have Yang the lawyer handle it."
Butler He was taken aback.
Having Yang the lawyer handle it, Sister You's ex-husband would get at least a three-year prison sentence, right?
"Yes, I'll contact Lawyer Yang tomorrow."
As Butler He was about to leave, he heard Yan Shiting say, "He's introverted and sensitive, during the time he stays here, you should take care of him a bit more."
This "he" was undoubtedly referring to Yu Li.
Butler He smiled warmly, nodding, "Young master, I know all about it."
He had been working for the Yan family for over 20 years, how could he not know?
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