After Transmigrating into a Book, I Saved the Cheap Shou - Chapter 23

“Buzz— Buzz—”

The vibration woke the sleeping person. Gu Jingning forced his eyes open, picked up his phone, and saw it was 7 a.m. The caller ID read “Scumbag Dad.”

Is Gu Linghai sick?! Calling him this early — doesn’t he know that students on break can’t get out of bed before noon?

Annoyed, he hung up and buried his face back into the blanket, ready to go back to sleep. Then he suddenly remembered that he wasn’t the only person in the house right now.

Sounds were coming from the kitchen. Resigned, he got up and stretched. The guest room wasn’t used often, so last night he couldn’t find extra bedsheets and had only roughly laid out a large towel. The quilt he used was the blanket from the living room. Luckily the apartment had underfloor heating, otherwise he would have had to squeeze into one bed with the Su Chen brothers even if it killed him.

With bedhead that looked like a bird’s nest, he opened the bedroom door and saw a man wearing an apron with his back to him, arranging breakfast on the dining table.

In a daze, he seemed to see a man wearing the same apron, his face unclear, turning around and calling out to him—

“Senior.” The moment Su Chen turned his head, he saw Gu Jingning standing there blankly, staring at him in a daze.

Gu Jingning jolted awake. Lately he kept seeing these strange, inexplicable scenes.

Su Chen walked over with concern. “Are you feeling unwell? Did you catch a cold yesterday?”

He cupped Gu Jingning’s face with both hands and pressed their foreheads together. Their body temperatures transferred through the point of contact. After confirming there was no fever, Su Chen breathed a sigh of relief. Then he realized that the habit he had from taking care of Su Ran felt extremely ambiguous when done between two people of similar age.

He quickly let go, glancing at Gu Jingning out of the corner of his eye. However, there was no trace of shyness or blushing on Gu Jingning’s face.

Instead, Gu Jingning yawned as if it were the most natural thing in the world, with tears still clinging to the corners of his eyes, and said to Su Chen, “Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?” On such a cold day, not staying in bed was simply unfair to the soft comforter.

Seeing that Gu Jingning really didn’t mind at all, Su Chen felt a little disappointed. He tried hard to keep his voice calm as he replied, “I usually wake up at six. I’m used to it. Senior, come eat breakfast quickly.”

After washing up, Gu Jingning was still a bit dazed. It had been a long time since he had woken up at such a normal hour. His body clock hadn’t adjusted yet, so he mechanically bit into the toast.

The moment he took a bite, the crispy toast spread with mayonnaise, the tender and smooth omelette paired with salty, fragrant bacon, exploded into a wonderful symphony in his mouth. Sparkling fireworks burst in his eyes, and he instantly woke up.

This… this is too delicious! This isn’t an ordinary sandwich at all!

“This is way too good!!! It’s simply the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten! Where did you buy it? I want to go there next time!”

Su Chen scratched his head shyly and said, “I saw there was still some toast in Senior’s cupboard. The rest I made with the leftover ingredients from yesterday.”

Only then did Gu Jingning notice that there was one plate for himself, another wrapped in plastic wrap (which he guessed was for Su Ran), and on Su Chen’s side there was only a cup of water.

Gu Jingning asked in confusion, “Why didn’t you make a portion for yourself?”

Su Chen hesitated. “I… I felt too embarrassed.”

“Why?”

“Because…” Su Chen fiddled with the cup, not daring to look at the person across from him. “Electricity bill, gas bill, water bill…”

He didn’t want to leave the impression of being petty and calculating in Gu Jingning’s eyes, but he really couldn’t get past his own principles.

Gu Jingning’s chewing paused. His eyes met Su Chen’s.

“…Senior?”

Sure enough, he thinks I’m too stingy? Right now he just wanted to bury himself in the ground.

He had only been thinking for a moment about how to say it without hurting Su Chen’s self-esteem, and now the person was turning into a groundhog again.

An inexplicable anger rose in Gu Jingning’s heart. He couldn’t blame the timid Su Chen, who was looking at him as if ready to accept any punishment. He could only shift his anger once again onto the family members who had shaped Su Chen’s personality this way.

“Su Chen, little Chenchen, little junior, look at me.”

Su Chen raised his head. The tip of his nose was a little red, and there was a faint mist in his eyes.

Gu Jingning pretended to look hurt and said, “I thought we were already very close. I didn’t expect you to be so distant with me.”

Su Chen hadn’t meant to make Gu Jingning sad. He quickly explained, “No, it’s not that. Senior and I… are indeed… very close. But I already felt bad for using the kitchen without the owner’s permission. On top of that, Senior let us stay over last night. I really can’t cause any more trouble.”

He sat uneasily in his seat, flustered and rambling incoherently.

“Hmph~ Then… can I take that to mean you think I’m a very stingy person?”

Su Chen’s heart clenched. He lowered his eyes again, twisting his hands tightly, and murmured, “No…”

Gu Jingning sighed, set the breakfast aside, took Su Chen’s hand, and opened his palm. Deep crescent-shaped nail marks were imprinted there.

“I don’t want you to be so cautious around me. Although your nervous appearance is very cute, I think you look best when you’re confident.”

Su Chen’s eyes widened.

“You can ask me for anything I’m capable of doing. That way, if you feel you want to repay me, just cook for me!”

“Breakfast is fine too. Oh, those cookies you made last time were really delicious!”

“Look how empty my house is. I don’t know how to cook. I usually eat takeout or just go hungry. It’s been a long time since I’ve had home-cooked meals. If you’re willing…”

“Of course! I’d love to! Whatever Senior wants to eat, I’ll make it for you!”

Gu Jingning smiled. “That’s great!”

“I don’t need any grand repayment from you. In my eyes, nothing is better than the breakfast you make with your own hands.” He picked up the sandwich and took a bite. He had already been tempted by the aroma for a while.

Su Chen felt flattered, and his earlobes turned visibly red.

Is this really enough…?

“If Senior likes it, I can make it for you every day.”

After Gu Jingning had eaten and drunk his fill, his phone rang again. He glanced at the well-behaved Omega sitting on the sofa, then got up and walked to the balcony.

He answered Gu Linghai’s call.

“Gu Jingning! You little brat! Why didn’t you answer the phone?!”

Gu Linghai’s roar came through the speaker. Fortunately, he had the foresight to hold the phone a little farther away.

He rubbed his ear, his face expressionless but his tone full of false affection. “Dad, I was sleeping. You know I never get up early.”

Gu Linghai took a deep breath, trying to sound calmer. “In a few days, come home. We’re attending a banquet together.”

Gu Jingning found it strange. In the past, Gu Linghai would never bring him to such social occasions. Although they maintained a harmonious appearance on the surface and he was happy to play the role of the good son, Gu Linghai and Yu Wan usually wished they could erase every trace of his existence.

“Ah… a banquet. Dad, you know I don’t like these kinds of events.”

“It’s a banquet hosted by Mayor Xu. The Pei family will also be attending. You and Pei Yuanqing grew up together, so you can keep each other company.”

Gu Jingning rolled his eyes and tried to find an excuse to refuse. “But I don’t have any clothes suitable for that kind of banquet.”

“Aunt Yu will prepare them for you. Alright, that’s all. I’m hanging up!” With that, Gu Linghai immediately ended the call. If someone didn’t know better, they’d think Gu Jingning was a debt collector — he hung up so quickly!

What kind of nice outfit would Yu Wan prepare for him? Based on years of experience, it would either be second-hand or something Gu Jingyu had worn and discarded.

But why was Mayor Xu suddenly hosting a banquet? Could it be because of Xu Tao?

Fine snowflakes swirled in the wind. He leaned against the railing, wearing only thin pajamas. The wind carried snow straight at him, making him sneeze from the cold.

He decided to stop posing dramatically outdoors. He quickly opened the floor-to-ceiling window and walked into the warm living room, grabbing a small blanket to wrap himself tightly.

Su Chen was no longer on the sofa. In the open kitchen, it was easy to see someone holding a cup of water and drinking.

He watched as Su Chen walked over and handed him another cup of steaming warm water. Gu Jingning instantly wanted to hug this considerate little warm-hearted boy, but he held back.

There was a medicine bottle without a label on the table. Su Chen picked it up, put one pill in his mouth, and swallowed it with water.

Gu Jingning asked, “Are you sick? What kind of medicine is this?”

He picked up the bottle. “Why doesn’t it have a label?”

Su Chen shook his head. “It’s not exactly being sick. Even though I’m an Omega, I’ve never had any scent since I was little. This is a folk remedy my mom got from someone. I heard it’s very effective.”

Gu Jingning frowned. Su Chen being a scentless Omega was a setting from the book, created to give Pei Yuanqing a “reasonable” reason to cheat. It was one of the major abuse points in the story.

“How long have you been taking it?”

“Probably since I was five.”

Gu Jingning said in surprise, “That’s more than ten years! Has the medicine worked?”

Su Chen: “…No.”

“Then why are you still taking it? Stop. Folk remedies aren’t reliable! You should trust doctors! Have you seen a doctor specializing in pheromones?”

Su Chen: “We didn’t have money for hospital visits. This way we could spend less.”

Gu Jingning asked many more questions afterward, and Su Chen answered them all obediently, without a trace of impatience. In fact, he even seemed happy because of Gu Jingning’s attention.

From what Gu Jingning gathered, Su Chen had started taking the medicine when his secondary sexual characteristics began to appear. His mother had a friend they called Mr. Li, a pharmaceutical businessman. When they discovered Su Chen couldn’t release any scent, his mother anxiously took him to several hospitals. At that time, medical policies for AOs weren’t as developed as they are now. Facing the exorbitant medical fees, the Su family simply couldn’t afford it and had to give up treatment.

After all, this “illness” wouldn’t kill anyone.

That was when Mr. Li offered help. He told Su Chen’s mother that he was developing a drug specifically for people like Su Chen who had no scent. Considering their family’s difficult situation, he could give them a good price.

They had been taking it for ten years.

Su Chen had already gone to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Gu Jingning stared at the medicine bottle on the table. A voice in his head urged him to throw the bottle far away as quickly as possible.

He glanced toward the kitchen. Su Chen was looking down and probably wouldn’t notice his movements. He casually picked up the bottle, poured out one pill, then walked to the kitchen as if nothing was wrong, took out a ziplock bag from the cabinet, and wandered into his own room to put the pill away in his bag.

Su Chen saw all of this, but he didn’t say anything.

He continued washing the dishes. Water kept flowing over his hands. The innocent and obedient expression on his face had completely disappeared.

A while later, the two of them were killing time in the living room. During that time, Su Chen went out once to the nearby market to buy some groceries. At noon he made a whole table of dishes, almost all of which ended up in Gu Jingning’s stomach. Su Ran patted his round belly and played happily.

Afterward, because Su Chen had to go to the boxing gym, he and Su Ran said goodbye to Gu Jingning. Gu Jingning thought for a moment and suggested he would go along too.

The three of them arrived at the gym. Gu Jingning had already told Lin Zhenchuan in advance that he was bringing a child. As soon as they entered, a group of burly men who were training gathered around to pinch Su Ran’s soft, tender cheeks, each one saying they wanted to recognize him as a godson.

Su Chen went to work. Gu Jingning and Lin Zhenchuan walked to the alley behind the building. Lin Zhenchuan took out a lighter, lit a cigarette, and exhaled a comfortable puff of white smoke.

“Your master’s wife doesn’t let me smoke, so I can only sneak one occasionally. Don’t tell her. Here, want one?”

Gu Jingning smiled and pushed the cigarette away.

“Heh, still pretending in front of your master.”

He took a deep drag of nicotine and asked, “Alright, what’s the matter?”

“I have to go home in a few days.”

Lin Zhenchuan was silent for a moment, then said emotionally, “Your dad is pulling some new stunt again? Damn it, back then I should have beaten him until he was crawling on the ground at their wedding!”

“No! You can’t go back. Who knows how they’ll bully you if you do!”

“Uncle, calm down. There will be a time when I need you to beat him, but not now. When that day comes, you can hit him as much as you want. I’ll hold his legs for you.”

Lin Zhenchuan glared at him. “All you do is say nice things. How much longer are you going to keep pretending with them?”

The corner of Gu Jingning’s mouth curved up, but he didn’t answer.

Lin Zhenchuan ground the cigarette against the wall, looked straight into Gu Jingning’s eyes, and said seriously, “I told you before — the day you can’t take it anymore, just tear off the mask with them. Don’t worry, Uncle will support you. That promise always stands.”

Gu Jingning glanced behind Lin Zhenchuan. There was a faint, barely noticeable smile in his eyes.

“Thank you, Uncle. By the way, while I’m not here, can you help me keep an eye on the Su Chen brothers?”

Lin Zhenchuan teased, “You still say you’re not interested in him. I think you’re the one who’s most interested. You’re already so grown up, yet you still need to watch over him like a child? Listen to Uncle — for the person you like, you should give them some personal space. Don’t make me, at my age, act as security for your love life just because you’re temporarily apart.”

If speechlessness could be visualized, Gu Jingning would already have more than three black lines on his head. The earlier touch of emotion had completely vanished.

“Their family situation is a bit special.”

Lin Zhenchuan lit another cigarette. “How special?”

“I’ll send you the information when I get home. Oh right, Uncle, I wanted you to look behind you just now.”

“Look behind for what? Really… Fuck! Wife!!!”

He looked at the lit cigarette in his hand, then turned back to Gu Jingning’s innocent expression — the same one as last time.

“You little brat, you actually sold me out! Aaaah! Honey, I was wrong! Don’t hit me, don’t hit me!”

“Master, you should smoke less! Your lungs are probably blacker than the food Lin Mo cooks.”

Gu Jingning walked back to the gym with light steps. At the entrance, he ran into Jiang Yunhe, who was grinning like an idiot.

“What are you doing here?” Gu Jingning asked.

“Oh! Ning, you’re here too! I came to deliver the lunchbox I made~ with~ my~ own~ hands~ to Lin Mo! And to get familiar with my future in-laws. What about you?”

“I came to exercise.”

“Really?” Jiang Yunhe’s tone was extremely annoying. He deliberately bumped Gu Jingning’s shoulder and said, “How come I heard from Lin Mo that someone is working here?”

Gu Jingning rolled his eyes at him. “What else would you come to a boxing gym for if not to exercise? I’ve been coming here since I was little. Can’t I come?”

Jiang Yunhe smiled slyly. “You can, of course you can~”

Gu Jingning couldn’t take it anymore and gave Jiang Yunhe a chokehold until he begged for mercy and slapped his arm.

Supporting himself on all fours on the ground, Jiang Yunhe rubbed his neck. “You’re too ruthless.”

“I already went easy on you.” He reached out and pulled Jiang Yunhe up, then took a pill from his bag and handed it to him.

Jiang Yunhe’s attention was successfully diverted by the pill. He asked, “What is this?”

“I don’t know what kind of medicine it is. Help me take it to your little uncle to test.”

Jiang Yunhe asked, “Where did you get it from?”

Gu Jingning said, “I picked it up.”

“Your curiosity is really something. You even want to know what a random picked-up thing is?” Puzzled, he put the pill in his pocket and muttered to himself, “Is this what a top student’s life is like?”