Come on, What Kind of CEO Chases His Roommate Back to the Country? - Chapter 20

The airport terminal was bustling with people coming and going. Pei Song stood at the security checkpoint, taking one last look at the departure hall.

Just as he was about to turn away, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.

But when he looked more closely, that tall figure had already disappeared into the crowd.

“Maybe I just miss him too much…” Pei Song shook his head, dragging his suitcase toward security.

As he was boarding, Pei Song was rummaging through his backpack and accidentally bumped into someone.

“Sorry…” He looked up, and his words froze in his throat.

Standing in front of him was Shi Yancheng, dressed casually, yet still carrying that natural elegance he always had.

“You… why are you here?” Pei Song asked in surprise.

“Going on a trip to China,” Shi Yancheng replied flatly. “Happened to be on break.”

“But didn’t you say you had a group meeting today…?”

“It got canceled,” Shi Yancheng said calmly. “Just thought I’d take the opportunity to visit China.”

Pei Song glanced at his seat number. “You’re… 28F?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I’m 28E…” Pei Song was stunned. “That’s quite the coincidence.”

Shi Yancheng didn’t say anything, simply helping him stow his luggage in the overhead compartment.

Once they were seated, Pei Song still found it hard to believe. “You never mentioned wanting to go to China before.”

“It was a last-minute decision.” Shi Yancheng fastened his seatbelt. “I wanted to experience the local food you keep talking about.”

That reasoning made Pei Song chuckle. “Just for the food?”

“Why not?” Shi Yancheng actually cracked a joke.

After takeoff, the flight attendants came by with the meal cart. Shi Yancheng took one look at the airplane food and frowned. “I’ll pass.”

Pei Song laughed. “You’re picky about food now?”

“Got used to your cooking.” Shi Yancheng seemed to realize how blunt that sounded, so he added, “Airplane food is never great.”

Warmth spread in Pei Song’s chest. He reached into his bag and pulled out a thermos box. “I made some snacks. Want to try?”

Shi Yancheng opened it, and inside were his favorite Sichuan-style treats.

“When did you…”

“Made them last night.” Pei Song smiled. “I figured you might want some. I even left a box for you in the fridge.”

“What a shame, I didn’t notice it.” Shi Yancheng glanced at him before silently starting to eat.

But Pei Song noticed, there was the slightest upward curve at the corner of his lips.

They chatted off and on. Shi Yancheng asked about Pei Song’s hometown, and Pei Song eagerly described the local delicacies and specialties.

“I’ll take you for authentic Sichuan food when we get there,” Pei Song said. “You’ve always wanted to try, right?”

Shi Yancheng nodded. “Alright.”

Long flights made people drowsy. Before long, Pei Song drifted off to sleep, slumped against his seat. Half-asleep, he felt someone drape a blanket over him and adjust his seat. When he woke up, he found himself leaning on Shi Yancheng’s shoulder.

He quickly straightened up. “Sorry…”

“It’s fine,” Shi Yancheng’s voice was unexpectedly gentle. “Get some more rest. We still have four hours.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m used to it,” Shi Yancheng said. “I stay up late for research all the time.”

Pei Song thought about those nights when the study lights stayed on, the sound of a keyboard tapping well into the night.

“Take care of yourself,” he blurted out. “I won’t be there to nag you anymore.”

That sentence left both of them in silence.

Shi Yancheng finally spoke. “I’ll take care of myself.”

The plane landed at C City’s airport. As Pei Song was about to grab his luggage, Shi Yancheng effortlessly took it down for him.

“I can do it myself…”

Shi Yancheng insisted on taking him home.

“Which hotel are you staying at? I can have a driver…”

“I’ll stay with you,” Shi Yancheng said bluntly.

Pei Song froze. “Huh?”

“Is it inconvenient?” Shi Yancheng asked.

“No… it’s just that my house might…” Pei Song hesitated.

“I want to eat your cooking again,” Shi Yancheng looked at him. “Is that okay?”

Pei Song was stunned by his directness. After a pause, he nodded. “Uh… okay then.”

On the way home, Pei Song took Shi Yancheng to the most famous food street in town. Shi Yancheng was curious about everything, constantly asking about different street foods.

“This spicy hot pot base…”

“This dan dan noodles stall…”

Pei Song patiently answered, watching Shi Yancheng’s serious expression. He couldn’t help but smile.

“Are you interested in cooking now?”

Shi Yancheng stopped walking. “I’m more interested in you.”

Pei Song’s heart skipped a beat. Just as he was about to say something, an irritating voice interrupted.

“Well, if it isn’t the young master of the Pei family.”

Pei Song turned around, it was his cousin from his second aunt’s family.

“Heard you finally decided to come back?” His cousin sneered. “Couldn’t make it overseas?”

Pei Song was about to retort, but Shi Yancheng had already stepped in front of him.

“And you are?” His cousin sized him up.

“His roommate.” Shi Yancheng’s tone was ice-cold. “Got a problem?”

His cousin was clearly intimidated by his presence and awkwardly muttered, “No… just saying hi.”

Once he left, Pei Song let out a breath. “Thanks.”

“No need,” Shi Yancheng said. “I just don’t like people talking to you like that.”

When they arrived home, Pei Song’s parents were waiting in the courtyard. Seeing the tall figure beside their son, they were briefly stunned.

“And this is…?” His mother asked tentatively.

“This is my roommate from D Country, Shi Yancheng,” Pei Song introduced. “He’s visiting China and wants to experience the local culture.”

“Come in, come in!” His father welcomed him warmly. “We just made a big meal.”

Shi Yancheng nodded politely. “Thank you for having me.”

Pei Song’s mother pulled him aside and whispered, “Is this the roommate who always took care of you?”

Pei Song nodded, his face heating up.

“That’s great, we must treat him well!” His mother immediately went to prepare a guest room.

Dinner was lively. Shi Yancheng was composed and well-spoken, quickly earning the favor of Pei Song’s parents. When they learned he spoke fluent Chinese, they were even more delighted.

“My grandmother is Chinese,” Shi Yancheng explained politely. “I learned from a young age.”

“No wonder you understand our customs so well,” Pei Song’s mother praised. “You seem so mature and reliable.”

Pei Song watched as Shi Yancheng easily conversed with his parents. An indescribable feeling welled up inside him. This man, who was always so cold in D Country, now fit in so seamlessly here.

That night, Shi Yancheng stayed in the guest room next to Pei Song’s.

“Let me know if you need anything,” Pei Song said at the door. “I’ll take you around tomorrow.”

Shi Yancheng nodded. “Rest well.”

Late at night, Pei Song lay in bed, tossing and turning.

Through the wall, he could hear Shi Yancheng on a call, probably handling work.

He remembered those nights in D Country, whenever he stayed up writing papers, Shi Yancheng was always working late too.

Back then, he thought it was just a coincidence. But now… His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts.

Shi Yancheng, “Still awake?”

Pei Song replied, “Yeah.”

Shi Yancheng, “Take me for real dan dan noodles tomorrow.”

Pei Song smiled. “Alright.”

Shi Yancheng, “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Pei Song set his phone on his chest. In the darkness, his heartbeat was unusually loud. He knew after today, everything would be different.