Chapter 8: Uncle and Nephew

As he sat in front of the computer, Chen An could feel someone calling his name over and over again. It felt like a hallucination but real at the same time. He lifted his head to yell at the busy youth in the kitchen.

‘Chen Yang, were you just shouting for me?’

'Huh? Uncle, is something the matter?’

With a plate of steaming hot vegetables in hand and an apron tied around his waist, Chen Yang hurriedly dished up a plate of fish before wiping his hands on his apron. He cast an uncertain look at Chen An.

'Its nothing. Carry on.’

Chen An shifted his gaze back to the computer screen. Looks like he really is hearing things.

'Uncle, please get ready. We can start eating very soon.’

Chen Yang turned and hastily ran back into the kitchen again.

In a matter of moments, they were ready to begin their meal as Chen Yang laid out the bowls and chopsticks in neat order. The table was covered in piping hot dishes; there was fish, prawns, vegetables; a veritable visual feast. Now only the taste is still in question.

Having only hospital food for the past several days, Chen An made a quick move to pick some food with his chopsticks only to see Chen Yang peeling the shell off a shrimp to put in his bowl. For someone who is clearly in his youth, he is such a mother hen.

'Uncle, you were just released from the hospital and your body is still weak. You should eat more seafood for nourishment.’

Chen An picked up the de-shelled shrimp with his chopsticks and ate it without hesitation. Huh, the taste is actually pretty good.

'I didn’t expect you to be so good in the kitchen.’ Chen An nodded his head in satisfaction. When he finished his shrimp, Chen Yang started deshelling him a second.

Receiving praise from his uncle, Chen Yang’s smile was as radiant as a sun in spring. Recalling Chen An’s amnesia, he elaborated, 'When I was young, dad was busy with work all the time so he didn’t have much time to spent with me. I learnt to cook myself.’

'Here uncle, have some more.’ Chen Yang proceeded to add several pieces of fish into Chen An’s bowl.

Though this kid seem a little foolish and silly, he is a good lad. He knows how to cook and clean and is even a top student in school. Appearance-wise, he had a clean-cut handsome look that reminded Chen An of his younger brother.

After dinner, Chen An took the laptop to the sofa and started typing at the keys. While he read his emails, he will periodically glance at Chen Yang who was busy cleaning up in the kitchen.

Just a moment ago, he investigated 'Chen An’ and Chen Yang’s identities.

Chen Yang’s father had a total of five siblings and among them, Chen An is the youngest. This family was nothing special - just ordinary civilians living in a small city.

Chen An was a poor student in his youth. Later, he chose to go to Shanghai to carve out a career and would only return home during the holidays. He thus barely had any interactions with his nephew Chen Yang. It was only when Chen Yang decided to study in Shanghai did they then had opportunities to meet and Chen An could buy a few things for his nephew.

As for Chen Yang, he is the only child in the family who was able to enter university. A handsome youth who had always been sensible for his age, it was a pity that his mother abandoned him when he was just a small child to run away with another man.

Now, Chen Yang even have a girlfriend. They recently got together this semester and have reached the stage of holding hands.

Ah, how innocent.

Chen An spent a little time looking through Chen Yang’s information. He then turned back at the youth who was hard at work wiping the table before lifting a glass beside him to take a drink and said, 'Chen Yang, I won’t be home for lunch tomorrow.’

Chen Yang paused. 'Where are you going, uncle?’

'To look for a job.’ Chen An pressed a key and watched as the figure in his bank account rose rapidly in a continuous manner.

'Uncle, you were just released from the hospital. You should rest for a few days; you can always look for a job when your health is better.’ Chen Yang instantly hurried over, his demeanour one of concern and worry.

'Staying at home is too boring. What if I get sick from being too bored? I just found a job online. Its an easy job so I plan to take a look tomorrow.’ Chen An smiled as he gently lifted Chen Yang’s jaw with a hand. His phoenix eyes held a smile as he said, 'So its settled then.’

When Chan An shut down the laptop and entered the bedroom, Chen Yang was still frozen at his spot. As he gently touched where Chen An held him at his jaw, he had a sudden realization that his uncle’s eyes were actually really nice to look at.

'Uncle?’ Chen Yang approached the bedroom door to open it only to realized that it was locked from the inside.

'I’m sleeping inside. You can take the living room. Young people should be more considerate towards sick patients.’ Chen An opened the door and stuffed a pillow and blanket into Chen Yang’s arms. Having spoke his piece, he once again shut the door.

If you sleep on your side on the couch, you can still get a good rest. Chen An stretched himself once he locked the bedroom door again. However, he didn’t return immediately back to bed but instead, opened the simple-looking wardrobe in the room to take a look.

Chen Yang is really austere. He only have a few articles of clothing and they were all made of low quality material. One can tell from a single look that they cannot be worth more than a couple of tens.

'Uncle, you should turn in early. I’ll prepare breakfast for you tomorrow. Just heat it up when you wake up.’ The youth’s concerned voice drifted through the door.

Chen An couldn’t help curving his lips. It has been a long time since he heard such simple and unpretentious concern.

Ever since Zhang Le left him, there had been no one else who cared sincerely about him.