"Zhang Ren… I know we recently became friends, but know that I'm here for you, alright? Always…

"

Even after the call, he could still remember what Shi Lian had said to him. With his heart unexplainably beating in his chest, he couldn't help but furrow his brows as his hand slowly go up to touch his chest.

'Why? Why is my heart racing?'

What Zhang Ren is thinking, however, is why Shi Lian had suddenly said that.

With the thought of his grandfather suddenly coming to mind and with his connections that he could get at any time of the day, he got his phone and started to dial his number despite it being so late in the evening, 30 minutes before midnight.

However, Mr. Chen picked up the phone immediately, greeting Zhang Ren with a cheery voice.

"Zhang Ren, my boy!

"

His voice was full of love, so much doting every time they talk.

"You're not sleeping yet? Haiya… you little boy. You better go to sleep!

"

Even though Zhang Ren is worrying with whatever he has ever talked about with Shi Lian, he let out a chuckle, taking to his grandfather—his only ally in the family.

"I could say the same, yeye… why are you still awake?

"

Zhang Ren sighed. With him hearing the question of his grandson, he knew he couldn't lie, telling him the answer that he needed.

"I have to be honest with you, boy,

" Mr. Chen started,

"I have talked with Shi Lian, the girl you said was your friend and told her why you're there.

"

With this said, Zhang Ren's eyes widened, already understanding why Shi Lian told him that she is always here for him.

With Zhang Ren sighing and rolling his eyes as he did not want her to know the past that is shameful to him, he vented to his grandfather.

"But, yeye… why did you have to tell her? We just met and I didn't want her to pity me.

"

"Zhang Ren, boy…

"

Mr. Chen's voice sounded soft, not understanding why Zhang Ren is adamant of not telling Shi Lian.

"I thought you two met already for months?

"

"I was lying, yeye,

" Zhang Ren admitted,

"Shi Lian is indeed a friend, yes, we just met for a few weeks. She needed my help and trusts me, that's why I helped her, too.

"

"Help her with what, boy?

"

Zhang Ren was hesitant for a while. However, he always felt bad when he lied to his grandfather so he told him the truth, a jovial chuckle coming the moment the old man heard what his grandson had told him.

"She didn't want to be set up in a blind date so she asked me to pretend to be in a relationship with her so her mother will stop.

"

"Aiya, you naughty boy!

"

When Mr. Chen chuckled, Zhang Ren couldn't help but laugh along with him, happy that his grandfather is happy even without him there.

"And? I think it will be more than a ruse, no?

"

"Oh, yeye…

"

Zhang Ren rolled his eyes, already sitting on his bed.

"As if we're going to continue this. Maybe she will, as long as it will keep her mother out of her goals. She likes to travel the world.

"

"Travelling is a very good investment, indeed! If you want, you can travel with Shi Lian girl. She seems so sweet—listening to me during the call a while ago.

"

"Yeye…

"

Zhang Ren felt embarrassed, running his hand through his hair.

"What exactly did you tell her?

"

"What she needed to know about you. Zhang Ren, I'm happy that you're having friends and since I worry without you here in Country S, I would rather give them a background check about you if you trust them this much of even going to her house!

"

Zhang Ren couldn't say no to his grandfather. With him sighing as he nodded, a sudden thought passed his mind, making Mr. Chen quiet for a while.

"Yeye… have you… searched anything about the deaths of nainai and mama?

"

There was silence for five seconds. With a heavy sigh suddenly heard in the other end of the call, Mr. Chen answered his question with an answer that he was not expecting.

"Zhang Ren, child…

"

Every time that Mr. Chen called him child after his name, it would always be a serious talk that comes after.

"You do not need to worry on such things. The important thing now is your recuperation and you having fun in City S there in Country C. Please… let yeye and your father handle this. You have nothing to worry about.

"

Their family always believed that there is something behind the deaths of his grandmother and his mother during a car crash—like they were not just there because of coincidence.

With a sigh coming from Zhang Ren, he furrowed his brows in worry, further stating his concern.

"Yeye… please rest, too. If father is investigating on this, then I think you should not stress yourself about this,

" he said, letting out another sigh and smiled even though Mr. Chen won't see.

"You have me, your grandson, to think of, yeah?

"

Mr. Chen chuckled. With him agreeing to what he said, he nodded, even though his grandson won't see.

"Of course, Zhang Ren. I hope you will come visit yeye soon? I miss you, boy.

"

"Yes, yeye. I'll come visit—especially over semester break. I'm sorry for not coming home this time.

"

"It's alright,

" Mr. Chen replied,

"At least you made friends… and possibly a new girlfriend soon, yes? I'm telling you honestly… upon speaking to that Shi Lian girl, she seems to be a good-mannered girl!

"

Zhang Ren grinned, seeing how lively his grandfather is. With him now lying down on the bed, he ignored what he said and bid him good night instead so both of them, especially his yeye, could rest.

"Good night, yeye. You need to rest.

"

"En. Good night, Zhang Ren. Call me when you want to—anytime, okay? Yeye is always here for you, too.

"

"En. Good night.

"

With the call now ending, Zhang Ren put his phone down to the side, sighing as he remembered what his grandfather had said about Shi Lian.

With him being told that she is good and seeming to be rooting for her, Zhang Ren thought that if ever there will come a time that he's thinking of love…

Then he would definitely pursue Shi Lian.