Chapter 116: Bringing My Boyfriend Home

Huang Yu and Peng Min spent the entire morning wandering around, and only after dining at a restaurant near the mall did they set off toward Peng Min’s home.

Huang Yu drove his Hummer SUV, which he had brought all the way from PE City, heading toward the outskirts of KM City. Not long after, they merged onto the city’s expressway.

Although Peng Min claimed to be from KM City, she was not from the urban area but from YL County, a jurisdiction under KM City.

YL County belongs to KM City in YN Province, located in the province’s central region. Established during the Western Han Dynasty, it is a prominent agricultural county on KM City’s outskirts, known as the granary of central Dian, the land of flowers and water, and the hometown of roast duck.

After traveling on the expressway for several tens of minutes, Huang Yu exited and soon found himself driving through the streets of YL County.

While the economic development of this county could not compare to KM City, it was much more advanced than typical counties across China. Skyscrapers rose one after another, and in many places, a glance around revealed a scene quite similar to KM City itself.

Since getting off the highway and entering YL County, Peng Min had become visibly excited as she looked at the city she knew so well, eagerly introducing Huang Yu to her hometown and its many past achievements. Her enthusiasm suggested she had played a part in those accomplishments.

Huang Yu did not interrupt; aside from asking for specific directions at one intersection, he quietly listened.

But while listening, his mind was occupied with other thoughts.

He contemplated his own drug addiction and Peng Min’s as well.

Though he could easily obtain the narcotic substances he needed, the prolonged consumption was immensely damaging, not only physically but mentally.

During this period, he had meticulously researched information regarding drug addiction and the substances involved, clarifying the type of drugs he and Peng Min were addicted to and the nature of the dependency.

Having gained a thorough understanding, he had begun to devise a plan to help both himself and Peng Min gradually and effectively overcome their addiction.

His own addiction, though initially severe and agonizing, had not yet reached full dependency, making the possibility of gradual withdrawal quite promising.

What worried him most was Peng Min’s addiction. According to what he knew, she had been involved with drugs for nearly half a year. Her physical dependence was strong, and she had also developed a psychological reliance.

Physical dependency could be addressed by reducing the concentration of drugs consumed and taking certain medications to help her dopamine system gradually return to normal, though recovery could take a year or even several years.

A year or several years was manageable—a solution existed. But the psychological addiction was far more troublesome and hardest to cure.

Often, those who successfully detoxify in rehabilitation centers relapse because their psychological addiction has never been fully eradicated.

“Yu, when we reach that intersection, turn there, and you’ll be at my residential complex,” Peng Min’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

Turning a corner, a residential complex came into view.

It consisted of about seven buildings, each roughly thirty stories high.

At the main entrance stood a large square decorative stone, engraved with four bold red characters: Lin Qing Ya Garden—the name of the complex.

Residential complexes like this were common in YL County; Huang Yu had already seen several similar ones.

“Yu, when you drive in, park the car directly in the underground garage,” Peng Min instructed, her eyes fixed on the entrance.

Following her directions and road signs, Huang Yu smoothly entered the underground parking and then parked near the elevator in front of her building.

As soon as the car entered the garage, Peng Min had undone her seatbelt; the moment it stopped, she eagerly opened the door and stepped out.

“This place is still so familiar, not a bit has changed,” Peng Min said as she circled the car, filled with nostalgia.

Huang Yu stepped out as well, hearing her words but inwardly amused. This complex hadn’t seen much change in a decade, and even over several decades, significant transformation was unlikely.

Peng Min’s home was in building four, 18th floor, unit 1802—a three-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen, and two bathrooms, covering about 120 square meters.

Huang Yu and Peng Min took the gifts they had bought from the car trunk.

First, two packs of cigarettes—not particularly expensive, about twenty yuan per pack. The choice wasn’t due to stinginess; Peng Min had said her father preferred that brand.

Next was a six-bottle box of white liquor, the same type her father enjoyed.

Then there were gifts for Peng Min’s mother and younger sister. Both had their hands full carrying everything inside.

At the door of unit 1802 in building four, Peng Min freed one hand to press the doorbell.

Before returning, she hadn’t contacted her family; since arriving at the nightclub, her phone had been unreachable.

She never memorized her parents’ numbers anyway.

Soon, footsteps approached, and the door opened.

A high school girl greeted them—a delicate, pretty young woman who resembled Peng Min about seventy percent in both looks and figure. She wore casual home clothes and was Peng Min’s younger sister, Peng Yuying, nearly three years her junior.

Peng Yuying was not yet seventeen and currently in the second year of high school at YL No. 2 Middle School.

“Sis, you’re back!” Peng Yuying exclaimed with surprise upon seeing Peng Min.

“Mm, Yuying, it’s been almost two years. You’ve grown up a lot,” Peng Min said happily, stepping forward to hug her sister. The embrace was a bit awkward, as both hands were still laden with bags.

“Sis, why don’t you put down those things first?” Peng Yuying retorted with a teasing tone.

“Sis, who’s this?” She then noticed Huang Yu standing behind Peng Min. Though she had guessed, she still asked.

“He’s your brother-in-law. You have to call him brother-in-law, understand?” Peng Min said as she set down the gifts and pointed at Huang Yu.

“Brother-in-law,” Peng Yuying murmured softly, avoiding his direct gaze, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

After all, just as men tend to avoid looking women of great beauty in the eye and blush, young women like Peng Yuying also react similarly when faced with a handsome man.

“Hello, Yuying,” Huang Yu greeted warmly, matching Peng Min’s tone.

Once inside, the three entered the living room. Peng Min looked around; some changes had taken place since she left, but overall, it still resembled the past.

“Where are Dad and Mom? It’s the weekend; they should be home,” Peng Min asked Peng Yuying, noticing their absence.

Peng Yuying continued to steal glances at Huang Yu as he put down the items. She was filled with curiosity about him and puzzled by how her sister had managed to find such a handsome and refined partner, always wearing a warm smile that easily won people over.

This was also why she looked away shyly and blushed when their eyes met.

“Could it be that this man is only a handsome face, and everything else is just a facade?” Peng Yuying wondered silently.

“Hey, I’m talking to you! What are you spacing out for?” Peng Min snapped, noticing her sister’s distracted gaze fixed on Huang Yu’s back.

“Uh, what did you just ask?” Peng Yuying replied, still lost in thought and not catching Peng Min’s question.

“Yuying, you’re not a child anymore. Were you just dazzled by your brother-in-law? Be honest; he’s a pretty good catch, right?” Peng Min whispered, pulling Peng Yuying close.

“Sis, what are you saying? After all these years, you’re still such a wild one,” Peng Yuying blushed deeply and broke free, changing the subject.

“Right, what did you just ask me?” she inquired.

“I asked where Mom and Dad are,” Peng Min replied.

Her words were meant as a joke to reconnect with her sister after years apart, rekindling a bit of their old closeness.

“They’re out buying groceries. Auntie and her family are coming over for dinner tonight,” Peng Yuying explained as she led Huang Yu and Peng Min to the sofa and fetched blankets and tea for them.

“Your aunt and her family? So, Lyu Min will be here too?” Peng Min’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.

Lyu Min was her cousin, three years older than her.

Not only was Lyu Min beautiful, but she was also academically talented, having gained admission to YN University.

Since childhood, Peng Min’s mother had often used Lyu Min as a model to educate her, which only deepened Peng Min’s dislike for her cousin.

“It’s not just Lyu Min coming; I heard she’s bringing her boyfriend, and they’re about to get married. Apparently, they registered their marriage a few days ago. The dinner is mainly for Mom and Dad to welcome their cousin’s husband,” Peng Yuying elaborated.

She knew about her sister’s disdain for Lyu Min, so she carefully explained the reason for the gathering.

After all, even among relatives, it was rare to gather for meals except during holidays or special occasions.