Chen Tianxu jolted to attention, immediately noticing the time—it was already almost ten o’clock.
At this hour, his mother would be getting off work and almost home.
Chen Tianxu subconsciously answered the phone while simultaneously tucking it between his shoulder and ear, packing up his things, "Hello, Mom..."
"Son, Mom’s just finished work and is heading back. How’s your homework going? Are you hungry? Shall I bring you some late-night snacks?" came the voice of his mother, Hui Meifang, from the other end.
Chen Tianxu’s forehead broke out in a sweat, "Okay, okay, Mom... I’d like some wontons from the East Street..."
"Wontons from East Street, that’s a bit far..." Hui Meifang seemed to be in a good mood today. Normally she wouldn’t even ask for Chen Tianxu’s opinion, usually just buying some milk instead.
She always complained that Chen Tianxu didn’t eat healthily.
Today she didn’t ask.
When he heard her pause, Chen Tianxu initially thought he was done for.
The next second, Hui Meifang’s tone shifted, and she said with a smile, "Never mind, I’m driving home from work anyway. I’ll go buy it. You hurry up with your homework. Mom’s going to check on it when I get back."
Chen Tianxu hurriedly agreed, hanging up the phone with his heart pounding.
The moment he put down the phone, Chen Tianxu let out a heavy sigh of relief, as if he had just escaped a near-death experience.
Seeing his reaction, the others in the room couldn’t help but feel a mix of laughter and worry.
But Chen Tianxu didn’t have time to worry about that, quickly packing his things and saying hastily, "Abbot, could we... could we exchange contact information?"
"You can just add him," Jiangli gestured toward Xia Xin beside him.
Xia Xin obediently took out his phone, pulling up his QR code, "Just scan mine."
Chen Tianxu scanned it and added Xia Xin as a friend. Adjusting his glasses, he said with a sheepish smile, "My mom’s coming home, and I should go too, but I’m worried about my dad... If there’s anything, can I contact you anytime?"
He looked at Jiangli and Xia Xin with hopeful eyes.
Jiangli nodded, "Sure, contact us if you need to."
"Thank you, thank you so much!"
Chen Tianxu became excited and bowed repeatedly.
Jiangli laughed, "Alright, aren’t you in a hurry? Better head back."
Chen Tianxu, reminded of his limited time, grabbed his backpack and dashed out.
Watching him stumble out, Yao Xuanhang couldn’t help but express a bittersweet amusement, "He’s still a child."
Xia Xin also took a deep breath and turned to Jiangli, asking, "Old Ancestor, there shouldn’t be any problems, right?"
Jiangli cradled her teacup, "Didn’t you hear what I just said?"
Xia Xin choked on his words.
Remembering Jiangli’s recent remark, he touched his nose and dared not speak further.
Savoring the last drops in her cup, Jiangli stood up and said, "Alright, it’s getting late, let’s head back and rest."
With that, she stood up, hands behind her back like a wise old man, and stepped out of the side hall.
Yao Xuanhang had been meaning to ask Jiangli about his own issues and how to resolve them.
Seeing her leave, he called out, "Abbot, wait, I still have something to ask..."
"I know what you want to ask. We’ll go to S City together tomorrow, no rush,"
Jiangli interrupted him, and without turning back, she strode out of the side hall.
Only her robe fluttered past the corner.
Yao Xuanhang was left with his words stuck in his throat, speechless.
Xia Xin offered an apologetic smile, "You both heard what the Abbot said. Let’s wait for tomorrow. It’s indeed late today; you can go back to the meditation room to rest and gather energy."
Yao Xuanhang and Cui Wenzhe could only nod in agreement.
Xia Xin tidied up the side hall a bit before also taking his leave.
Everyone went back to their rooms.
But before going back to his room, Xia Xin paid a visit to Jiangli’s quarters.
At that moment, Fu’er was grumbling to Jiangli while clutching Lin Yurong.