The Escort

nd stopped talking.
His brows wrinkled slightly, then he opened the window on Shao Mingwei’s side.

In fact, the car’s air-conditioner was turned on, so it was very cool and refreshing.
When the window opens, the warm air touches Shao Mingwei’s face.
The bustling noise on the road also came in, but the noise made him relax a little.
Even his stiff back turned soft.

Min Yu has been paying attention to him quietly from the corner of his eyes, so he was aware of his current mood.
When it seems like Shao Mingwei’s mood eases, he also felt his mood relaxing.
He didn’t try to speak anymore, and they reached the destination in silence.

Shao Mingwei was about to reach the car’s door to open it, but Min Yu seemed to have something to say to him.
He was looking at him with gentle eyes. 

Shao Mingwei had no choice but to ask, “Mr.
Min, is there anything else?”

Min Yu hesitated for a while, then said, “Why didn’t you wear… the shoes? They didn’t fit?”

He didn’t mention what pair of shoes it was, but Shao Mingwei instantly realized that it was the limited edition sneakers that Min Yu gave.

If Min Yu asked before when Shao Mingwei and he were in a tutor and elder relationship, at most, they would interact with each other in harmony, although they’re not really familiar with each other.
But right after Min Yu asked that sentence, the two immediately changed to a customer and escort relationship.
The air inside the car suddenly stagnated, and the atmosphere had become rather awkward. 

He didn’t want Shao Mingwei to feel uncomfortable, so he asked the sentence cautiously and timidly.

Shao Mingwei did not expect that he would mention the shoes, so he only whispered, “No, it fits.” He glanced at his shoes.
Although he scrubs it clean, it still looked old and was cheap, so he subconsciously retracted it.

“That’s good.” Min Yu didn’t see the movement of his feet so he could only sigh in relief, and then asked, “Then why are you…”

He couldn’t finish his words when the youth’s clear and bright eyes gave him a glance 

It’s rare for Shao Mingwei to show a diffident and embarrassed expression.
“I can’t wear such good shoes when going to school and part-time jobs.
And… I don’t look good on it, so I left it in the dormitory.”

He was referring to the clothes he wears.

There were dozens of clothes sold in every store, but he thought that selling tens of thousands of shoes is really inappropriate.

The tone of his voice when speaking gets smaller and smaller.
Shao Mingwei has never been ashamed of being poor, but at this moment, his pride as a youth had made him feel ashamed to admit his poor predicament.
He could face the disparity between him and Xi Zi calmly, but towards Min Yu, he did not know which course to follow. 

Min Yu didn’t expect him to say that.
While he was happy because the other party kept his gift properly, he felt a bit sour because of the boy’s self-deprecating words.
He looked at the other party’s clean but rough and frizzled edged T-shirt, and placated him like his dearly beloved child.
“I don’t know what boys like you are fond of.
My secretary was also a young man.
He said you might like sneakers.
After I bought them, I thought he was right because I can imagine right away… what you would look like when I saw those shoes.
It suits you… and it looks good on you.”

He showed a gentle smile to appease him.

Then he slightly lowered his eyes, feeling a little bashful and yet straightforwardly and sincerely praised, “You’re an attractive and handsome person.”

He said it not as an elderly person, but as a man. 

Shao Mingwei was stunned.
His handsome and youthful face suddenly turned a little red.

He felt that he shouldn’t stay any longer.

He couldn’t tell whether it was due to his survival instinct, but he told himself to leave as soon as possible.

Shao Mingwei opened his mouth and said, “I’ll wear it if I have a chance.
I still have something, so I’ll leave first.
Goodbye, Mr.
Min.” After that, he opened quickly the door and got out of the car. 

Min Yu somewhat regretted his hasty words just now.
And before he could stop the youth, the young man had already jumped out of the car.
He could only watch in a daze at his tall and straight back through the window.

Spoiler

Translator’s Corner: I’m done with my exams so I updated, haha it was a little scary.

And… for those who don’t know yet, I posted it on CG discord that I’ll be updating twice a week from now on (Mondays and Fridays).
You can follow my ko-fi page for chapter’s status and sneak peaks.