How About You Don't Leave

"How did I end up here? You two were dead to the world, so I brought you home."

Chen Yuxi took a deep breath and struggled to push herself up from the ground. Su Yang grabbed her forearm and helped her to her feet. "Try standing first—see if you're steady."

Chen Yuxi's legs felt weak, and she leaned gently against Su Yang's shoulder. "Th...thank you, Brother Su Yang."

"What's there to thank? As long as you're somewhat conscious, that's good enough. Chuxia is completely out cold."

Chen Yuxi turned her head to look at Lin Chuxia, sprawled on the ground, and asked, "Where are we?"

"Hey, it's the entrance to you two sisters' apartment complex. Don't move yet—lean here. I'll go carry Chuxia up." Su Yang helped Chen Yuxi over to a flower bed and let her lean against it.

He then quickly walked to Lin Chuxia's side and hoisted her up. At this point, Lin Chuxia was like a lump of mud.

Anyone who's ever drunk knows how hard it is to support someone who's completely blacked out.

Even a girl can be heavy. Luckily, Su Yang was strong enough. He turned around and heaved her onto his back.

"Come on, Yuxi." Su Yang walked over to Chen Yuxi and used one free hand to support her.

Seven or eight minutes later, the three of them arrived at Room 2, Floor 11, Unit 3, Zone C3.

Su Yang looked at the keypad lock on the door. "Yuxi, do you know the code?"

"Yeah, I do." Chen Yuxi nodded, stepped forward, and entered the password.

With a click, the door swung open. Chen Yuxi pulled it wide and let Su Yang enter first.

No time to change shoes—Su Yang carried Lin Chuxia into the living room and turned around to ask, "Which room is Chuxia's?"

Chen Yuxi closed the door and pointed to a bedroom door on the right side of the living room. "The one on your right."

"Got it." Su Yang walked over, opened the door, and quickly carried Lin Chuxia inside, setting her down on the bed.

"Whew... finally delivered. Man."

He leaned down, straightened Lin Chuxia's position, took off her shoes, then pulled the blanket over her.

Once done, Su Yang walked out of the room.

The moment he came out, he saw Chen Yuxi leaning against the sofa with her eyes closed.

'These two girls really have no sense of caution.' Su Yang thought to himself, then walked over to Chen Yuxi and called out softly, "Yuxi, don't sleep here—go sleep in your room."

"Hmm?" Chen Yuxi slowly opened her eyes, sat up straight, and looked at Su Yang.

"Brother Su Yang, thank you for bringing us back."

"Don't mention it. I was the one who invited you two out, so it's my responsibility to make sure you get home safe."

"Then... let me get you a bottle of water." Chen Yuxi pushed herself up from the sofa and headed toward the fridge.

Su Yang waved his hand. "No need—I'm not thirsty."

"Uh... then I'll have one." She said, walking to the side, but because her head was still spinning, she wasn't paying attention and slammed her knee into the coffee table next to the sofa with a thud, letting out a yelp of pain.

Su Yang quickly grabbed her slender waist. "Just sit down—I'll get it for you."

"Okay."

Chen Yuxi sat back down, and Su Yang headed straight toward the kitchen.

The place wasn't big—only 105 square meters—and the kitchen was right by the entrance, easy to find.

He walked in quickly, opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of mineral water, and returned to the living room.

"Here." Su Yang casually twisted off the cap and handed it to Chen Yuxi.

"Thanks, Brother Su Yang. You're so thoughtful~" Chen Yuxi took the bottle and took a big gulp.

Su Yang sat down beside her with a smile. "Are you going to sleep with Chuxia or by yourself?"

"I'll sleep by myself."

"Okay, well, go get some sleep then. I'm heading out."

"Where are you going?"

"I'll just find a hotel to crash at. It's this late—what else am I supposed to do?"

"Maybe... maybe you don't have to leave."

"What?" Su Yang was taken aback. "I shouldn't leave?"

"Uh... I mean, you can sleep in my room, and I'll go sleep with Chuxia. That way you don't have to bother going out to find a hotel." Chen Yuxi hugged the water bottle and stared blankly at Su Yang.

"That's... not quite right. I mean, it's fine for us guys, but you're both girls—I don't think it's appropriate for me to stay over."

"It's fine. What time is it now?"

Su Yang checked his watch. "Almost 3 a.m."

"It's that late already? Then you really shouldn't leave. The room I'm sleeping in now—Chuxia doesn't usually sleep there, and it's kept very clean. You can sleep there tonight." Chen Yuxi reached out and grabbed Su Yang's forearm, giving it a little shake.

Seeing this, Su Yang gave a helpless smile and stopped declining. "Alright, fine then—I'll stay."

"Great. I'm really sorry for all the trouble tonight."

"It's really no problem. Are you feeling better now?"

Chen Yuxi nodded. "Much better. I was feeling really awful just a second ago, but somehow I feel better all of a sudden."

Su Yang smiled. "I massaged your head a bit. After drinking, pressing on your temples helps a little."

"Really?"

"Mm-hmm."

"You're so skilled."

"What's so impressive about that? Let's stop chatting—go wash up and get some rest."

"Okay." Chen Yuxi stood up and headed to the bathroom first.

Su Yang leaned back on the sofa and looked around the apartment. The layout was compact, the decor comfortable—for a small two-bedroom, it was pretty decent.

There was also a fairly spacious balcony to the right of the sofa. A place like this would've been his dream home back in the day.

His original plan had been to work hard for a few years, save up a down payment before turning thirty, and buy a two- or three-bedroom place around a hundred square meters.

Then find a girl he liked, get married, have kids, and live out an ordinary life.

But then the system had suddenly descended, and plans went out the window. Overnight, he'd become a small-time rich man.

With that thought, Su Yang pulled out a cigarette and chuckled.

Since this was someone else's place, he didn't smoke in the living room. He walked out to the balcony and lit it.

"Puff!" A cloud of smoke drifted away with the night breeze.

It was early October, and the early morning air was already a little chilly. The night wind felt great against his skin.

Su Yang rested both hands on the balcony railing, gazing out at the quiet neighborhood.

Ding—

His phone buzzed. He took it out and saw a message from Qin Su.

"Su Yang, did you get Yuxi and Chuxia home safe?"

"Yeah, they're home."

"Good. Where are you headed now?"

"I'll just find a hotel and get a room."

"Okay. I've got Sister Hong over at my place—why don't you come over too?"

"What? Why... why would I come over?" Su Yang typed back with a grin.

"I was just thinking—I have plenty of rooms here. You could sleep over."

"No need, it's fine. Oh, by the way." Su Yang suddenly remembered something.

"What is it?"

"I just realized my suitcase is still at your place."

"Oh right! Where did you put it? I didn't even notice it."

"It's by the balcony, I think. I haven't moved it."

"Uh oh!" Qin Su suddenly said.

"What's wrong?"

"If it's on the balcony... then that suitcase—Sister Hong might have already seen it..."

Su Yang scratched his head. "So what if she saw it? It's not like she knows it's mine. Just don't let her open it. I'll come pick it up tomorrow morning."

"Alright. Stay safe tonight, okay?"

"Don't worry, I'm a grown man, safer than anyone." Su Yang chuckled.

"Okay, then you should head to the hotel. We're about to go to sleep."

"Alright, good night."

"Good night~"

Ending the chat, Su Yang idly scrolled through TikTok.

A few minutes later, Chen Yuxi's voice came from the living room: "Brother Su Yang~ Where are you?"

"I'm on the balcony, what's up?" Su Yang turned to ask.

"I've finished washing up. You should go take a shower. I've put your toothbrush and towel on the bathroom counter—they're all new, just use them directly."

"Got it, thanks Yuxi."

"No problem." Chen Yuxi glanced at Su Yang, smiled, walked over to Lin Chuxia's door, and said, "I'm going to sleep now."

"Okay, go ahead. I'll sleep after I wash up."

"Alright, good night, Brother Su Yang."

"Good night."