Chapter 199 Young People Shouldn’t Stay Up Late All the Time

“Actually, there’s something I’ve never told you.”

Lu Er’s heart skipped a beat. “What is it? Don’t scare me—I’ve got a fragile heart.”

Song Jingmo chuckled. “It’s nothing bad. It’s about your mother.”

Lu Er frowned. “Did she give you trouble?”

“No.”

Song Jingmo shook his head. “She did come to see me a few days ago and said some unpleasant things. But one sentence of hers made me think things through.”

Lu Er straightened up. “What did she say?”

Song Jingmo looked at him, his expression complicated. “She asked what right I had to be with you. Said I couldn’t give you a comfortable life and would only drag you down.”

Lu Er exploded instantly. “What gives her the right to say that? I’m going to—”

“Let me finish.”

Song Jingmo held down Lu Er’s hand as he reached for his phone, signaling him to calm down. “I said feelings aren’t measured by money. But her words stayed with me.”

Lu Er froze.

“I did the math. Even if Kangren goes public, my income still wouldn’t compare to yours.”

“I’ve never thought that way!” Lu Er quickly defended.

“I know.”

Song Jingmo smiled. “But I think about it myself. You can casually give me a tea set worth 800 million, while I can’t even afford the ‘Sea of Stars’ worth 300 million.”

“But your mother also made me realize something—”

He smiled again. “Even if I’m not good enough, you would still choose me without hesitation.”

“And besides,” he added lightly, “this debt proves I’m actually worth quite a lot. So I don’t need to feel inferior anymore, and I don’t have to worry about not being worthy of you.”

The living room fell silent for a few seconds.

Then Lu Er burst out laughing, collapsing into Song Jingmo’s arms, laughing so hard tears came out.

“Song Jingmo, how are you this adorable?!”

He wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. “Who compares things like that? You even went and calculated it.”

Song Jingmo’s ears turned red, but his expression remained serious. “I don’t want you to feel like you’re settling.”

After laughing enough, Lu Er sat up and cupped Song Jingmo’s face.

Looking straight into his eyes, he said seriously, “Listen carefully. I like you not because of what you can give me, but because you’re you.”

He leaned closer, their noses touching. “You—the one who stayed up late in the library studying with me. The one who climbed out in the middle of the night to buy me medicine. The one who still cares about me even when you’re angry.”

Song Jingmo’s throat bobbed, but he didn’t speak.

“And,” Lu Er’s voice softened, “your job is about saving lives. It’s one of the most meaningful jobs in the world.”

“It’s far more meaningful than me posing in front of a camera and reciting lines. Don’t listen to Cong Jinyue stirring trouble—he’s just jealous of you.”

Song Jingmo smiled, the light in his eyes turning gentle.

“I don’t need you to buy me something like ‘Sea of Stars.’”

Lu Er leaned into his arms. “I just want you to come home safe every day—and maybe get a little jealous once in a while. Those things are more precious than any jewelry.”

Song Jingmo tightened his arms around him, holding him firmly.

Lu Er felt both warm and a little bittersweet.

He had always thought he was the only one who lacked a sense of security—but he had never realized that Song Jingmo hid such deep insecurities as well.

The next morning, Lu Er was woken up by sunlight.

Still groggy, he opened his eyes and saw that Song Jingmo was already up, picking out clothes in front of the wardrobe.

“Going somewhere today?” Lu Er asked, rubbing his eyes.

“To my parents’ place,” Song Jingmo replied without turning around. “They live in a courtyard house in the eastern district. Didn’t I mention it yesterday?”

Lu Er instantly woke up. “We’re going today?”

“Mm. They’ll be going abroad again in a couple of days, so we’re taking the chance today.”

Song Jingmo picked out a light gray sweater and handed it over. “Wear this. Keep it simple.”

Lu Er scrambled out of bed and rushed into the bathroom.

By the time he came out, Song Jingmo had already prepared two gift boxes.

Feeling a warmth in his heart, Lu Er hugged him. “Why are you so good to me?”

Song Jingmo patted his back. “Go get changed. We’re going to be late.”

The car stopped in front of a vermilion gate.

Lu Er got out and looked up at the carved patterns on the lintel, and the stone drums on either side of the gate worn smooth by time. For some reason, he felt nervous.

Song Jingmo rang the doorbell.

The door quickly opened. Qu Suiwan stood there in an apron, with Song Nanzhi beside her.

“Mom, Nanzhi,” Song Jingmo greeted.

“Hello, Auntie. Hi, Nanzhi,” Lu Er greeted politely.

Song Nanzhi’s eyes lit up. “Sister-in-law, we meet again!”

Lu Er’s face turned red. “……”

Qu Suiwan laughed and lightly patted her daughter’s back, quickly smoothing things over. “Don’t block the doorway—let them come in.”

They entered with the gifts. Qu Suiwan smiled. “Why did you bring things again? I told you, just coming is enough.”

“It’s only right, Auntie,” Lu Er said obediently. “Just a small token.”

Song Nanzhi helped carry the things and leaned closer to Lu Er, whispering, “Sister-in-law, remember to give me an autograph later.”

Lu Er smiled. “Sure.”

The courtyard was paved with gray bricks, with a few wintersweet trees blooming red flowers by the wall.

Red lanterns hung under the eaves, looking especially warm in the winter sunlight.

Song’s father walked out from the main hall, wearing a light-colored traditional Chinese shirt.

“Hello, Uncle,” Lu Er quickly greeted.

Song Siyian nodded. “Come inside. It’s cold out.”

The living room was simply furnished, with a few huanghuali wooden chairs and a tea table in the center.

Song Siyian sat in the main seat and began brewing tea.

Lu Er sat next to Song Jingmo, his back straight.

Under the table, Song Jingmo lightly patted the back of his hand. “Don’t be nervous.”

“How have you been recently, Xiao Lu?” Song Siyian asked while rinsing the teacups. “You look a bit pale. Has Jingmo not been taking good care of you?”

Lu Er quickly explained, “No, no—just went to bed a bit late last night.”

The moment he said it, he wished he could bite his tongue off.

How could he say something so suggestive in front of Song Jingmo’s father?

This was beyond embarrassing.

Song Jingmo smiled and handed over the tea. “Er’er recently took on a new drama. He was studying the script until 2 a.m. last night, and got up early this morning, so he’s a bit tired.”

Song Nanzhi chimed in while eating fruit, “Sister-in-law is so hardworking. Unlike me—I just scroll on my phone until 2 a.m.”

Lu Er glanced at Song Jingmo, screaming internally: Has it ever occurred to you that your brother is the one working too hard? Maybe you should tell him he doesn’t have to try that hard.

He really wanted to sleep early.

But Song Jingmo simply wouldn’t let him.

Coaxing him into changing positions again and again, tossing him around until 2 a.m.

Those high-difficulty “moves” were more exhausting than filming fight scenes for over ten hours.

No wonder his face looked pale.

Song’s father took a sip of tea. “Young people nowadays like staying up late. It’s not a good habit—you should fix it early.”

Lu Er glanced at Song Jingmo. “Uncle is right. I’ll make sure Jingmo goes to bed early from now on.”

Song Nanzhi looked at her brother in surprise. “My brother has always kept an old-cadre schedule. Since when does he stay up late?”

Lu Er’s fair cheeks flushed pink. “……”

Song Nanzhi smiled knowingly, like an aunt enjoying gossip. “I get it now.”

Song’s father: “……”

Song Jingmo cut in, shooing her away. “Nanzhi, go help Mom in the kitchen.”