After Transmigrating into a Book, I Saved the Cheap Shou - Chapter 11

Although the building looked old and worn on the outside, Su Chen’s home was kept clean and tidy inside.

The indoor space was small. A dining table and a few chairs already took up most of the living room. The only messy spot was the single sofa facing the TV, surrounded by empty alcohol bottles. When Su Chen’s mother entered, she awkwardly tried to block the view with her body. Gu Jingning pretended not to notice and ignored that corner.

Once she learned that Gu Jingning was also a student at Qingyang, Su Chen’s mother happily bustled about, serving tea and snacks while muttering about how long it had been since Su Chen last brought a friend home.

Gu Jingning felt embarrassed having an elder work so hard for him and wanted to help, but Su Chen pressed down on his shoulder, making him sit at the dining table. Su Chen himself went into the kitchen to assist his mother. Su Chen’s younger brother sat beside him. The small boy’s body barely reached Gu Jingning’s shoulders as he sat on the chair, his eyes bright and sparkling with curiosity as he stared.

“There isn’t much to entertain you with at home. Sorry about that, young classmate.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Auntie, please don’t trouble yourself. Come sit and rest.” Gu Jingning watched the elder busying herself for him and shot Su Chen a pleading look.

Receiving the signal, Su Chen took the things from his mother’s hands and said, “Mom, if there’s anything else to bring, I’ll get it.”

“Go to the kitchen and fetch some snacks I made yesterday for our young classmate.” Su Chen’s mother patted her son’s back, then sat down opposite Gu Jingning. She shyly touched her hair.

She was a typical female Omega — petite and delicate. Time seemed to have left no traces on her face, yet her brows carried the exhaustion accumulated from years of hardship.

Gu Jingning felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. Even though he had a clear conscience, he was mentally prepared to be questioned by the Omega’s parent. After all, letting an Omega’s parent catch him hugging their child at the doorstep would make anyone furious. If he were in their shoes, he would beat that punk trying to abduct his Omega to death. Yet now, he had become that punk.

Apart from the sounds coming from the kitchen, the living room fell silent. Gu Jingning tactically picked up his water cup and took a sip.

“Big brother, are you my big brother’s boyfriend?”

“Pfft—cough, cough cough…”

Gu Jingning sprayed out a mouthful of water. He hurriedly grabbed some tissue to wipe the table.

“I’m not…”

What a huge misunderstanding! Although their actions in the stairwell earlier could easily be misunderstood, but but but… he had hugged an Omega……

Heaven and earth as witnesses, he really only wanted to comfort Su Chen. But he had forgotten this was a world with six genders. Casually hugging someone of the opposite sex like this was indeed inappropriate, and he had been caught red-handed by the parent. Should he quickly apologize?!

Su Chen walked over quickly, grabbed the back of Su Ran’s collar, and placed him in the seat next to their mother. He then sat beside Gu Jingning and glared at his little brother. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

If one ignored his reddened earlobes, the statement might have been somewhat believable, Su Chen’s mother thought.

She asked, “I still don’t know your name, young classmate.”

Gu Jingning: “My name is Gu Jingning — ‘Jing’ as in scenery, ‘Ning’ as in tranquil. I’m Su Chen’s senior. Sorry for disturbing you so late at night.”

“Not at all. Ah Chen hasn’t brought a friend home in a long time. This child is like a sealed gourd — no matter how I ask how school is going, he won’t tell me.” She frowned lightly, then smiled at Gu Jingning again. “I’m very happy he has such a good relationship with his senior. Can I call you Ah Ning?”

“Of course!” He smiled.

Song Rou was a good mother. Despite suffering long-term domestic violence from her husband, she had taken excellent care of her young sons, Su Chen and Su Ran. The fact that both boys had grown up relatively unscathed beside their scumbag father was entirely thanks to their mother’s protection.

One year later, Su Chen’s mother would collapse from overwork while on the job. When sent to the hospital, doctors would discover heart problems. The already struggling family would sink even deeper into debt for medical expenses. Su Chen would have to pay off debts while also raising money for treatment. He would barely manage to gather the funds thanks to the scumbag gong, but by then it would be too late. She would pass away within a few years.

Gu Jingning already had a plan in mind. He said, “Auntie, I noticed your lips look a bit bluish. When you were holding the teacup earlier, I also saw the edges of your nails turning slightly purple. If you have time, you should go to the hospital for a check-up.” It might seem abrupt since this was their first meeting, but a life was at stake. Su Chen’s mother was his spiritual pillar — if she died, Su Chen’s life would become like a walking corpse.

“It’s fine. I’ve probably just been tired lately. I’ll feel better after a good sleep.” Her smile faltered slightly. “The hospital is too expensive. There’s no need to spend that money.”

“I heard the Second Hospital recently launched a free medical program for Omegas. You can bring your ID and get a full body check-up for free. It would be a waste not to go, Auntie.”

Seeing Su Chen’s mother still hesitating, Gu Jingning added, “But I heard the number of spots is limited. It starts next Saturday. Maybe you and Su Chen can go together for a check-up.” Gu Jingning knew that for housewives, “limited quantity” was almost as irresistible as a discount.

“Su Chen, he’s not…” Su Chen’s mother started to speak but stopped halfway, smiling awkwardly. She said she would think about it.

It was already very late. It would be rude to stay any longer. Gu Jingning was about to stand up and say goodbye.

Su Chen’s mother looked out at the dark scenery outside the window. “It’s so late. Won’t it be unsafe to go back alone? Ah Ning, why don’t you stay the night?”

Gu Jingning was stunned. He hadn’t expected to be invited to stay. Su Chen also chimed in. It was nearly midnight, and he didn’t feel comfortable letting his senior walk back alone.

Unable to refuse their hospitality, he had no choice but to stay.

Gu Jingning followed Su Ran to the bathroom. In the living room, only the mother and son remained. Su Chen asked, “He’s not coming home tonight?” Normally, his mother would never let an outsider stay overnight.

Su Chen’s mother looked relaxed. “Yeah, who knows where he’s hiding to play mahjong again.” Then, as if casually, she asked, “Ah Chen, is he the person you like?” After chatting for so long, she hadn’t forgotten what her son had done at the doorstep earlier.

Su Chen paused, not expecting his mother to discuss this with him. He felt embarrassed for a moment but still thought about the question seriously.

Senior was very good to him, and he wanted to keep Senior by his side. But was this “liking”?

Even if he liked Senior, would Senior like him back? At that thought, he clenched his fists tightly, shook his head, and said softly, “I don’t know.”

Su Chen’s mother sighed and gently stroked her son’s head. From Gu Jingning’s clothes and manners, it was clear the boy came from a good family. She didn’t want her son to hold back from pursuing someone he liked just because of their family background. At the very least, she didn’t want him to become someone like her.

But then she remembered Su Chen’s constitution…

She comforted him, “Mom isn’t a narrow-minded person. If you like him, then go after him. Don’t leave yourself with regrets.”

—

When Su Chen returned to the room, Gu Jingning was already wearing his pajamas and sprawled out asleep on the bed with Su Ran.

Clearly, Su Chen’s pajamas were a bit small on Gu Jingning. The hem had ridden up slightly, revealing his firm abdomen. Su Chen stared at that spot for a long time before blushing and carefully pulling the blanket over him.

After that, he quietly lay down on the other side of Su Ran and stared at Gu Jingning’s sleeping face for a long while.

In the air floated a faint Beta scent. For the first time, he was glad his room was small. If it were any bigger, he might not have been able to catch that light, pleasant fragrance. He forced himself to close his eyes and stop paying attention to the scent lingering around his nose.

He slept dreamlessly through the night.