Chapter Sixty-Two: Arriving at the Zhou Family for the First Time

Zhou Huimin’s new home was situated on Aberdeen Street, nestled between Queen’s Road Central and Caine Road—a boundary between Sheung Wan and Central. She had just moved in after the New Year. The entire street was a long slope, with a series of steps on the other side; it was a familiar sight in numerous Hong Kong films and TV shows.

The apartment was a second-hand unit, over a hundred square meters, costing more than seven hundred thousand. Still, the location was prime. Though not a luxury residence with a sea view, it belonged to the Western Mid-levels, making it convenient to go anywhere. Nearby were Antique Street and the venerable Lin Heung Tea House. Finding such a good location, such a good apartment, at such a price was rare; had the previous owner not been in a hurry to sell due to emigration, the price would have been much higher.

Zhou Huimin purchased the apartment with her recent earnings, supplemented by a personal loan of three hundred thousand from Yan Xu.

Yan Xu’s own Mid-levels residence wasn’t far from Zhou Huimin’s new place. Of course, although Yan Xu’s apartment was about the same size as hers, its market value could easily buy three of hers.

“I’ve arrived. When are you coming?” Yan Xu stopped his car and picked up his mobile phone to call Lu Guanting and the others.

“There’s a bit of traffic, we’re buying fruit, we’ll be there soon. Go on up first,” came Lu Guanting’s voice over the phone.

“All right, hurry up.” Yan Xu ended the call. As the street was one-way, he couldn’t drive any further. Carrying the prepared seafood gift box, he got out. He had heard Zhou Huimin mention that her family loved seafood delicacies.

Zhou Huimin’s housewarming was an excuse for the idle crowd at the office to celebrate. With no work today, everyone was marching triumphantly toward her new address.

“This should be the place.” Yan Xu stopped in front of a building, checked the number on the door, and took out the address written in his pocket.

He entered the building, signed in at the concierge desk, and, seeing the elevator was under maintenance, headed toward the stairs.

He had barely climbed a floor when, at the stairwell, he saw an elderly woman, about sixty, struggling upwards with several large bags, taking up almost the entire stairway.

“Ma’am, why are you carrying so much? Where’s your family?” Yan Xu paused, looking at her.

“These were on sale at the shop next door, so I bought a few things. Who knew the elevator would be broken?” she replied, smiling as she shifted her bags aside. “Young man, if you’re in a hurry, go on ahead.”

“I’m not in a hurry, ma’am. Let me help you carry them upstairs.” Yan Xu stepped around her, but after climbing two steps, he turned back, seeing her struggle, and returned.

“No need, young man. My home’s close—just three more floors,” she said, gently shaking her head.

“It’s no trouble, let me help.” Without waiting for her to refuse again, Yan Xu took all her bags.

“Thank you, young man.” She smiled at his kindness. “Let me carry your box,” she said, seeing his arms full and the gift box wedged under his elbow.

“Thank you, ma’am.” Yan Xu handed her the box. He had indeed bought a lot: not only daily necessities like toilet paper, towels, dish soap, shower gel, and shampoo, but also larger items like basins and mops.

“Seafood delicacies?” She took the gift box, peering through the transparent packaging. “These dried scallops are excellent for soup—nourishing and good for the kidneys and spleen. And this two-headed abalone, quite rare, must have cost a pretty penny.”

“You like seafood too, ma’am?” Yan Xu looked at her, surprised that this elderly lady was so knowledgeable.

Though he had eaten these things, he couldn’t have identified dried scallops or two-headed abalone himself; the names were what the shopkeeper had told him. Abalone was counted by the number of heads—the fewer, the more valuable. There was even a saying, ‘money can’t buy two-headed abalone.’ This box had cost him dearly.

“I enjoy making soups, but I’ve never used such fine ingredients. Even big hotels rarely have these. You’re very generous, young man, bringing these as a gift.” She kept clicking her tongue in admiration; just this one box could cover her family’s food expenses for years.

Yan Xu smiled sheepishly. He was hoping to win the daughter’s favor, so his first visit had to be impressive.

“Young man, here we are—this is the place.” After three floors, carrying so much, even a strong man like Yan Xu felt his hands aching. Thankfully, the elderly woman’s words brought relief.

“Ma’am, I’ll set these here.” He placed the bags before her.

“Young man, don’t rush off—come in for a drink.” She tugged at Yan Xu’s sleeve.

“No need, ma’am, I have things to do,” he demurred.

“Why did you buy so much again? Didn’t I tell you we’d go to the mall when I got back?” As they spoke, the door suddenly opened. The person inside first saw the pile of bags at the entrance and complained.

“Huh?” Hearing the voice, Yan Xu looked inside. Standing at the door was Zhou Huimin. That meant the elderly woman was her family. He hadn’t expected such coincidence, and her next words stunned him even more.

“Mom, I told you… Ah, Xu-ge, you’re here early.” Zhou Huimin, too, caught sight of Yan Xu behind her mother, surprised.

For Zhou Huimin’s question, Yan Xu didn’t immediately respond; his attention was riveted on her calling the elderly woman ‘Mom.’ Zhou Huimin was clearly speaking to the lady before him, her mother. Zhou Huimin was just eighteen; the woman was at least sixty—a forty-year age gap, more like a grandmother than a mother.

“Xiaomin, is this your friend?” Zhou’s mother glanced at her daughter’s greeting to the young man behind her, realizing he must be one of today’s guests.

“Mom, this is our boss.” Zhou Huimin introduced them, picking up the bags. “Xu-ge, come in and sit.”

“Boss? You’re the boss? Oh, please, come in, let me take these.” Hearing the young man who helped her was her daughter’s boss, Zhou’s mother grew flustered and hurried to carry the bags inside.

She’d heard from her daughter that all her achievements were thanks to her boss. Zhou’s mother had assumed he was a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, never expecting such a young fellow.

“Ah… Oh, Auntie, no need to be so formal. Just call me Xu.” Yan Xu, seeing the elderly woman transform from ‘ma’am’ to ‘auntie,’ finally recovered from his astonishment.