When no one believes, believe in yourself.

Chap 11

After a few days the university told them they are having some reconstruction work in the dorms so they have to leave as soon as possible. Ywy didn't have any option other than to accept lxc's offer. So he called lxc in his desperation.

Lxc: Hello. How are you, wanyin?
Ywy: I'm fine. um ... i ,,, i wanted to ask is....is...
Lxc: wanyin, what is it? Don't be nervous and tell me what you wanna say.
Ywy: I wanted to ask if the offer to take the room in your apartment still stands?
Actually, uni asked to evacuate dorms because of some reconstruction or renovation, I don't really know. And I don't have a place to go. And don't have enough time to look for a place to rent.
Lxc: yes the offer still stands. And don't fret I told you that you can take the room. It's free. When should I come to pick you up? Pack all your things you'd need, we don't know how long the long down will go. OK?
Ywy: ok thank you so much. In the evening? OK I'll go and start packing.
Lxc: ok.

Lxc arrives at the dorms near 2 pm. Ywy was in the middle of packing his clothes and other things. Books were already packed. Lxc saw his room for the first time and was surprised to see such a small room but was impeccably clean and organized. The clothes and a few things remaining to pack on the shelves.

When he entered the room,there was a sudden flash of emotion in ywy's eyes which lxc couldn't understand. He thought it was fear but thought he was misreading as there was nothing to be feared about.
He was surprised to find out that Ywy doesn't have too much luggage. It was only a suitcase, a big bag and a backpack. Then he saw Wanyin removing the draft door stopper and noticed weather strips on the doors and windows too. He thought maybe the cracks between the doors and windows were too big so he dismissed his surprise and nagging feeling that it was deeper than that.

After two hours both of them are in the market, buying food and groceries so that it'll last a few days. Lxc on the way back told Ywy that he needs to do grocery shopping and asked if he wanted anything to add. While shopping Ywy was baffled to see strange things. It didn't make sense how anything can be cooked with these things. He got suspicious and asked.

Ywy: you don't know how to cook, right?
Lxc: *laughs nervous* How did you know?
Ywy: because your groceries are totally wrong.
Lxc: ah. I don't know how to cook. Wangji knows a few dishes but he doesn't always have enough time to cook always. We hired help for the kitchen but due to a sudden situation they won't come. I'm trying to buy the things we see in our food.
Ywy: *eye roll* step aside. I'll buy the things needed. And don't interrupt. He puts all the things needed in the cart.

At the apartment, they help each other unload the luggage and groceries. They leave bags in the room and Ywy makes his way towards the kitchen because he knows lxc won't know how to handle groceries.
Lxc watches him with fascination at how skilled he is with the groceries and stores them properly in the fridge and different cabinets.

Ywy prepares a simple dinner after asking lxc if he could, lxc permits him hesitantly as he was a guest. But he persists that he's gonna live in their apartment for who knows how long and he knows how to cook so it's not a big deal. lxc relents. And at the dinner table he was grateful that he relented as the food was delicious. He didn't know such simple dishes could be made so delicious. Much more flavorful than the food they eat at home but still not spicy enough to bother them.