Perhaps Sweetheart was thinking of him too.
Perhaps she couldn't sleep either.
Perhaps she couldn't eat either.
Perhaps she really wanted to call him.
Perhaps she didn't really want to break up, and was currently sitting with Wushuang, complaining about him.
The more Chen Dongyang thought about her, the more he missed her, to the point of a headache. He really, really wanted to call her, even if he didn't say anything, just to hear her breathe.
But he couldn't.
As long as Zeng Hui wasn't dealt with, she would continue to harm Sweetheart.
What he needed to do now was to sleep quickly, not let his body collapse, then take Zeng Hui back to Nancheng, find a good job for her, and help her liven up as soon as possible.
Perhaps it was the intense longing for Sweetheart that motivated him, but Chen Dongyang actually fell asleep that night.
Although his sleep quality was very poor and he kept having dreams, he still managed to rest.
The next morning, Zeng's mother had prepared breakfast, and Zeng's father drove over his taxi, which he used for his business. He asked the whole family to eat breakfast and return to the county town to stay for a couple of days.
"After your brother went to college, I went out to work during the day, and your mother found it boring to stay home alone. She missed you terribly and insisted on moving back. Every time my brother and I came home, we had to travel back and forth, which was a hassle."
"Now that you're finally back, she's at ease. We won't have to go to the village anymore. Huihui, look how thin you are. Rest well at home this time, let your mother cook you more good food to nourish yourself. Don't rush about work; we'll talk about it after you've recovered."
Zeng Hui didn't respond, secretly glancing at Chen Dongyang.
He lowered his gaze, mechanically stuffing food into his mouth, his emotions unreadable.
After breakfast, the family drove back to the county town. Chen Dongyang sat woodenly in the clean room, listening to Zeng Hui chat with her parents. His desire to leave could no longer be suppressed.
The job at the design institute was bought for him with a large sum of money by Sweetheart.
He had previously accepted Sweetheart's kindness to pay for Dou Bao's medical treatment and surgery.
But now, Dou Bao was gone, and there was no longer such a great financial pressure, so he didn't want to stay at the design institute anymore.
He was inherently restless and not suited for academia or for sitting quietly in an office all day.
He had many wild ideas in his mind that he yearned to realize.
He was now extremely eager to succeed, to prove himself to Sweetheart, and to repay her.
This prolonged rest was simply torture for him.
Fortunately, Zeng Hui noticed his anxiety. During lunch, she discussed with her mother, and they would leave after eating.
Zeng's mother was taken aback: "Why so rushed? Didn't we say you should rest for a while at home until you feel better before leaving? What are you planning to do?"
Zeng Hui spoke up for Chen Dongyang.
"Dou Bao's matter happened suddenly, and he left without asking for leave from the company. He's afraid that if he's away for too long, his superiors will have opinions of him. Finding such a good job is not easy."
Zeng's mother didn't understand: "Oh my, doesn't every family have major events like birth, aging, sickness, and death? Are they really not going to give you a few days off for such a thing?"
"It's not that they won't give it. The problem is that the matter is already settled. What's the point of staying home doing nothing every day?"
Indeed.
It was meaningless for both of them to not work and stay at home idle all day.
Zeng's mother said: "Then you go back to work first, and you stay home to recover for a few days. Look how thin you are. I really can't rest assured if you leave like this."
How could Zeng Hui let Chen Dongyang leave alone?
She would rather sacrifice time with her mother to stay by his side.
"I haven't worked in a long time either. When Dou Bao was sick, he was the only one earning money. He didn't rest all year round. Now it's my turn to go out to work and help him relieve some of the pressure."
"Mom, I'm not a child anymore. I know how to take care of myself. I'll visit you often when I have time off. Please let us leave first. We're both people who can't sit still. It's truly torture to just sit at home and do nothing."
Her mother couldn't resist her persistent pleas and finally agreed to let them go.
But before they left, she took out the household registration book.
"You said back then that you wanted to keep the child and asked me for the household registration book when you came back. I didn't give it to you, and I've regretted it ever since. I won't say anything now. As long as you and Chen are doing well, Mom will support anything."
"You're almost 30 years old. It's not a solution for you two to wander around like this. Get the certificate before you leave. If I can see that you've finally found a good home, I and your dad can rest assured, no matter how long we don't see you."
Chen Dongyang never expected Zeng's mother to say such a thing.
Let alone the fact that he could never marry Zeng Hui, even if he could, Dou Bao had only been gone for two days, and she was already urging her daughter to get married?
Although she loved her daughter dearly, this was too much.
"Auntie, we came back to settle Dou Bao, not to get married. How can we combine joyous occasions with funerals?"
Seeing his righteous words, Zeng's mother also realized she was out of line and quickly gave an awkward smile.
"I didn't mean that. It's just that you've finally come back, and your father and I can't go to Nancheng usually. We'll be at ease if we can see her settled down."
"Alright, alright. I shouldn't have said that. Indeed, we can't combine them. Then take the books and see when it's convenient for you two to get the certificate. Call Mom to let us know. Then I won't worry about you anymore."
Finally leaving the Zeng family, on the way back, Zeng Hui observed Chen Dongyang's expression. Seeing that his face was like iron and he didn't want to talk much, she tried to ask.
What were his plans after returning? Chen Dongyang looked at the scenery outside the window, paused for a moment.
"I plan to resign."
"Resign?"
"Yes, go back to Nancheng. The job at the design institute isn't suitable for me. Also, it's hard to find employment in Tongcheng. Back in Nancheng, you can also find a good job."
Zeng Hui stared at his profile for a few more seconds and truthfully said.
"After getting my diploma, I've never truly entered the workplace. Now, at my age, I'm still a novice. I'm a little scared."
Chen Dongyang comforted her.
"Don't worry, look slowly. Go find it when you find something you're satisfied with. I won't pressure you."
With his words, Zeng Hui felt reassured.
Honestly, Zeng Hui had been quite worried these past two days.
She was afraid that without Dou Bao as a tie, Chen Dongyang would be eager to shake her off.
But as it seemed, he hadn't had any intimate contact with anyone privately, and he had barely touched his phone these two days.
He was also gentle and considerate towards her.
Sometimes, she really blamed herself for being too sensitive.
Thinking this, Zeng Hui rested her head on his shoulder again, hugging his arm.
"Although life has been very hard on me, I have you. As long as you're there to support me, I'll always be at peace. Thank you, Dongyang."