Chapter 14: A Risky Ascent and a Familiar Face

The next morning, Xiang Chen roused himself at the sound of activity.

He used to adore sleeping in, especially when living alone, always ensuring he had his fill of rest before rising.

Now, however, that luxury was gone. Despite his lingering exhaustion, he knew that if he didn’t rise in the morning, Cai Zhen certainly wouldn’t save him any food, leaving him to starve until noon.

Though the morning meal consisted only of thin porridge, it was still better than nothing. Moreover, he had something crucial to accomplish today.

Perhaps fortune favored Xiang Chen that day. Chen Fen had overslept, and Cai Zhen, rushing to work, dared not entrust the house keys to Chen Fen for fear of them being lost.

Given Xiang Chen’s unusually compliant behavior over the past few days, Cai Zhen simply instructed Chen Xiaohua to watch over her younger siblings before hastily departing.

Chen Fen gulped down her sorghum and wild vegetable porridge, not even pausing to wipe her mouth before grabbing her school bag and running off. She had no thought of snatching Xiang Chen’s portion.

Left alone with the two younger children, Xiang Chen unhurriedly finished about half a bowl of the watery porridge. He then rinsed his mouth with clear water, dispelling the bitter taste of the wild vegetables.

Since the Chen family had only just left, Xiang Chen dared not act rashly, fearing he might be caught if they returned. He decided to wait until around ten o’clock to venture out; half an hour would be ample time.

With his plan set, Xiang Chen informed Chen Xiaohua that he wished to nap. The little girl, ever considerate, carried her younger sister into the main hall and drew the curtain, allowing him to sleep.

Xiang Chen climbed onto the bed and rummaged through the small pouch he kept. Of the three sugar balls, he had secretly eaten two when hunger kept him awake, the wrappers still nestled within the pouch.

The chewing gum remained untouched, for he had nowhere to dispose of it.

Xiang Chen calculated his options. The remaining sugar could be saved and eaten when an opportunity arose. The other items, however, needed to be hidden.

He decided to retrieve them once he had gained some capability, or perhaps, after becoming more familiar with the area, find a more discreet hiding spot.

Having made up his mind, Xiang Chen tucked the large gold ring and tool pliers he intended to hide back into his small pouch. The two banknotes, unsure how to handle them, he simply stuffed inside as well.

He took out the remaining sugar. With the weather growing warmer, it would be better to find a chance to eat it soon.

After tidying his belongings, Xiang Chen pushed aside the curtain and beckoned Chen Xiaohua to enter. The little girl struggled to carry her sister over, placing her on the bed before looking at Xiang Chen.

Xiang Chen lifted his small chin. “Close your eyes. You’re not allowed to open them until I say so, alright?”

Chen Xiaohua, believing her brother wanted to play a game, obediently shut her eyes.

Xiang Chen quickly tore open the wrapper of the last sugar ball and popped it into Chen Xiaohua’s mouth.

Startled by the sudden object in her mouth, Chen Xiaohua instinctively pushed it with her tongue. Immediately, a sweet sensation spread through her oral cavity.

“Candy!” The little girl’s eyes lit up with excitement. With the sugar ball melting in her mouth, her face radiated pure joy.

Seeing her so delighted, Xiang Chen smiled faintly. To him, these low-quality sugar balls weren’t truly delicious, being overly sweet with an impure milky flavor.

Yet, in an era where everyone lacked sugar, such a candy must have been a rare delicacy. Even Xiang Chen himself, after days of sorghum and wild vegetable porridge, found the candy surprisingly tasty when he secretly ate it at night.

With only one sugar ball left, Xiang Chen thought of all the delicious treats he had enjoyed since childhood. Then, looking at Chen Xiaohua, he realized that for him, it would merely be a sweet treat, but for the little girl, it would likely be a rare and wonderful surprise.

Indeed, Chen Xiaohua held the candy in her mouth, barely daring to swallow, afraid it would melt too quickly.

Xiang Chen did not forget to caution her. “You can’t tell anyone you ate candy. Not Mama, Papa, or big sister. Remember?”

Chen Xiaohua nodded repeatedly, then frowned in thought, mumbling, “Did you eat candy, Little Brother?”

Seeing her reluctant expression, Xiang Chen suspected that if he said no, the little girl might try to pry the candy out to give to him.

So, Xiang Chen quickly replied, “I already ate mine. This one was saved for you.”

Only then did Chen Xiaohua contentedly savor the sugar ball, a look of pure enjoyment gracing her face.

Xiang Chen glanced at the sun outside, estimating the time was right. He told Chen Xiaohua he was going out to play for a bit.

Chen Xiaohua nodded. She still had to look after her younger sister and couldn’t run off freely. She simply echoed Cai Zhen’s usual warning, telling him not to stray too far.

“I’ll just play by the door,” Xiang Chen said, then stepped outside.

After squatting by the door for a while, Chen Xiaohua poked her head out several times. Once assured he hadn’t wandered off, she paid him no further mind. Inside, her younger sister began to cry again, and Chen Xiaohua rushed back in to comfort her.

Xiang Chen saw his chance. Everyone on this floor was either at work or school; only a few elderly residents remained on the two floors below. The corridor, however, shielded him from their view.

Xiang Chen rubbed his hands together, his face alight with excitement, as he clambered up the wooden clutter. As a child, he had been quite mischievous, often climbing trees and swimming in rivers with the older kids. Growing up, he had become less inclined to physical activity.

The jumbled items below formed a slope, making Xiang Chen’s ascent smooth. But when it came to scaling the window, he realized he had miscalculated his height and build.

It was the difference between imagining himself as a lithe, agile tabby and actually being a chunky orange cat.

To make matters worse, his arms and legs were short.

Xiang Chen stared blankly at the distance to the window. He could probably climb it, but it would be quite difficult. His original half-hour deadline might not be met, but thankfully, he had come out earlier, so it shouldn’t be an issue.

Xiang Chen felt a surge of determination, huffing and puffing as he propelled his short legs upwards.

***

At this very moment, several factory managers at the machinery plant were hosting guests.

Song Wenbin led Xu Hengzhou, exchanging pleasantries with the managers, all of whom expressed extreme welcome for their arrival.

After introductions were made, one manager smiled at Song Wenbin. “Is this your son? Why didn’t your wife come?”

Song Wenbin patted Xu Hengzhou and introduced him. “This is my nephew, Xu Hengzhou. He lives with me. I’m not married.”

Upon hearing this, the managers exchanged subtle glances. Naturally, no one was tactless enough to inquire why Song Wenbin wasn’t married, or why his nephew bore a different surname.

Another manager quickly changed the subject, suggesting they show Song Wenbin around the factory. Hearing this, Song Wenbin hesitated, looking towards Xu Hengzhou.

They had risen very early to catch the train, and he felt Xu Hengzhou must be quite sleepy and might not wish to follow, yet it would be impolite to decline the invitation.

These managers were astute individuals; Song Wenbin’s expression shifted, and they immediately understood his concern. One of them suggested that Xu Hengzhou could wait for them there, or someone could first take him to see the apartment allocated to them.

Song Wenbin found the latter suggestion perfectly agreeable, and Xu Hengzhou also preferred not to sit idle. So, Song Wenbin asked, “Would that be too much trouble?”

“No trouble at all, no trouble.” The man called over a young fellow and said to him, “Xiao Wu, take Factory Manager Song’s child to see the apartment. You know where it is, right?” He then handed Xiao Wu the keys.

“I know,” Xiao Wu quickly nodded, offering Song Wenbin a polite smile before inviting Xu Hengzhou to follow him.

Xu Hengzhou, carrying a simple bundle, followed along. Song Wenbin watched them depart, then chatted and laughed with the other factory managers as they went out.

Xiao Wu was a very lively young man. Along the way, guided by Xu Hengzhou’s few words, he had already outlined the general situation of the machinery plant.

Xu Hengzhou silently noted the information he found useful, concluding that he could likely live a peaceful life for the next few years.

Upon reaching the family dormitory building, Xiao Wu led Xu Hengzhou upstairs, explaining as they ascended, “You’ll be on the third floor, a two-bedroom, one-living room apartment with a kitchen and bathroom. It’s a good environment.”

Xiao Wu couldn’t help but feel envious. His own family consisted of seven people, and he still shared a bed with his two younger brothers. The factory manager’s child, on the other hand, would have a room all to himself; how could he not be envious?

Xu Hengzhou offered a polite smile but didn’t respond.

The two chatted and laughed as they reached the end of the corridor, taking out the key to open the door.

Neither of them knew that a small child was clinging to the beam overhead, frozen and daring not to move.

One could say Xiang Chen was quite unlucky.

After finally climbing up and shimmying along the beam towards the swallow’s nest, he had just unzipped his small pouch, ready to deposit his items into the nest, when he abruptly caught the sound of people ascending the stairs. Terrified, he clutched the beam, not daring to stir.

Fortunately, Xiao Wu, after ushering Xu Hengzhou inside and handing him the keys, discreetly took his leave. Xiang Chen, listening from above, heard the adult announce his departure and breathed a sigh of relief. He decided to climb down once the child below had entered the apartment.

Xu Hengzhou politely offered to escort Xiao Wu downstairs. Xiao Wu declined a couple of times, then allowed Xu Hengzhou to walk him to the stairwell. Xu Hengzhou watched him descend before turning back.

Xiang Chen clung to the beam, his arms aching. Though the beam appeared thick, it wasn’t wide enough for comfort, and with his short, weak arms, remaining still quickly caused them to ache to the point of nearly giving out.

Watching the child below take the key and reopen the door, Xiang Chen secretly sighed in relief. Only then did he dare to peer down.

And what he saw made him gasp! The young man looked just like his Male God!

Xiang Chen was filled with both surprise and delight. Transmigrated to this unfamiliar era with nothing, he felt as though he was constantly struggling for survival. Now, to see a young man who so strongly resembled his Male God, even knowing they were not the same person, brought Xiang Chen a sense of comfort.

‘My Male God is truly handsome, even the younger version is handsome,’ Xiang Chen thought blissfully, leaning his head out.

Lost in the intoxicating beauty, Xiang Chen failed to notice that the small pouch he held was now only gripped by one corner in his hand, and the tool pliers inside were pulling it downwards.

Below, Xu Hengzhou had finally picked the lock. Having never used this type of lock before, it had taken him a moment longer than expected.

Pulling out the key, Xu Hengzhou was about to push the door open when something suddenly dropped from above, clattering onto the ground beside him.

Xu Hengzhou instinctively looked up, met by the sight of a pale, chubby little face rigidly smiling down at him from directly overhead.