Chapter 63 - 1#
Winning the Championship#
Wang Zhifeng was right.
Not long after he finished speaking, Mo Xuzhi’s phone rang.
Mo Xuzhi answered the phone expressionlessly.
In the phone was the polite and enthusiastic voice of a reporter.
“Hmm… mm, tomorrow morning is fine. The location?”
Mo Xuzhi looked up at Wang Zhifeng.
Wang Zhifeng said: “Xingdu Park.”
“Xingdu Park. I’m with Wang Zhifeng.”
“…Mm, goodbye.”
Mo Xuzhi hung up the phone.
Encountering a red light, Wang Zhifeng stopped the car, glanced at him through the rearview mirror, and then smiled.
Mo Xuzhi had reason to suspect he was mocking him.
The car drove smoothly into the community.
The two returned home. Mo Xuzhi first put Mo Xiaobao down to let it frolic on the floor by itself, then took the things from Wang Zhifeng’s hand and put them on the table, telling him to take a shower first.
The rain was heavy today, and even with an umbrella, it was inevitable to get wet. He and Mo Xiaobao were fine; he didn’t get much rain on him, and Mo Xiaobao, the puppy, was still warm and hadn’t experienced any wind or rain. It was Wang Zhifeng whose hair and shoulders were wet, so he had to shower quickly.
Wang Zhifeng looked at the soup simmering on a low fire in the kitchen, then went back to his room to pack clothes and take a shower.
Mo Xuzhi went into the kitchen.
After Wang Zhifeng came out from his shower, he didn’t see Mo Xuzhi in the living room or the study. After hearing the noise from the kitchen, he finally saw that familiar silhouette.
“Finished showering so quickly?”
Hearing the sound of slippers stepping on the floor, Mo Xuzhi turned his head, his expression a bit surprised, saying, “The ginger soup is just ready. Have some first.”
He handed a bowl of ginger soup to Wang Zhifeng.
Wang Zhifeng was a bit stunned at first, then took the ginger soup and drank it all in one go.
He was still smiling after finishing the ginger soup, as if he had encountered some big surprise.
Mo Xuzhi thought, it seemed he was in a good mood after showering.
“The cup of milk tea on the table was bought for you. It’s quite good; you can try it.”
“Okay.” Wang Zhifeng put down the bowl in his hand and said, “I didn’t expect you would also cook ginger soup.”
“That’s because,” Mo Xuzhi said, “a certain idiot wanted to drink ginger soup for every little thing. I learned how after cooking it so many times.”
Soup was one of the few edible things he could make. The main reason was that Xue Feng often drank alcohol, and after drinking, those friends of his liked to throw him his way. After cooking it many times, he slowly learned.
Wang Zhifeng’s expression remained unchanged, and he said, “Then he must have a very good relationship with you.”
“No,” Mo Xuzhi said, “now it’s probably at the point where we don’t communicate with each other until death.”
Mo Xuzhi’s expression didn’t fluctuate, and his emotions didn’t ripple when he spoke. Wang Zhifeng smiled with curved eyes and said, “Go to the dining room and wait first. Dinner will be ready soon.”
Mo Xuzhi then shuffled in his slippers to find Mo Xiaobao.
It was a very rich dinner, not many dishes but good in taste, just enough for the two of them.
After dinner, Mo Xiaobao was very lively, looking as if it intended to keep jumping until late at night.
So Wang Zhifeng caught Mo Xiaobao and began to read storybooks to it on the carpet in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, wanting it to go to sleep quickly.
Mo Xuzhi didn’t know how Wang Zhifeng came up with this brilliant idea, but he didn’t oppose it either, obediently acting as a tool person holding Mo Xiaobao, reading while listening to Wang Zhifeng read storybooks.
Maybe Mo Xiaobao would become a knowledgeable dog from then on.
The gentle light remained the same.
In the room, only the sound of pages turning and Wang Zhifeng’s slow storytelling remained.
Before they knew it, the sound of turning pages stopped, and afterward, the sound of reading also stopped.
Wang Zhifeng put down the storybook and looked up, seeing that the big one and the small one sitting opposite him both had their eyes closed.
Mo Xuzhi leaned against the glass window, his broken hair covering his eyebrows and eyes, and Mo Xiaobao was still snoring slightly in his arms.
After these two days of holiday, he looked much more spirited.
Wang Zhifeng put Mo Xiaobao into the dog bed and covered it with a small blanket, then carried Mo Xuzhi back to his room.
Wait a bit longer, just wait a while longer.
Early the next morning, Mo Xiaobao, having had enough sleep, skillfully slipped in through the door crack and successfully dug Mo Xuzhi out of bed by jumping up and down.
Mo Xiaobao’s digging was very punctual. By the time Mo Xuzhi finished washing up, Wang Zhifeng came to call for dinner.
They had agreed to meet the reporter at 9:30 AM at Xingdu Park near the community. It was still early after dinner. Mo Xuzhi chatted with Shen Fang for a while, and then nestled in the study with Wang Zhifeng to read books.
The places they usually stayed together most were in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room and in the study. Wang Zhifeng had tidied up the books in the study on the first day Mo Xuzhi came, clearing a desk and adding a chair, just enough for two people.
Mo Xuzhi was originally reading a book, but then stopped unknowingly and began to write and draw on the A4 paper used for drafting.
Wang Zhifeng took a look and found that he had written two or three rows diagonally, which should be a musical score. He didn’t understand it and didn’t disturb him. After seeing that the time was almost up, he went to pack the things Mo Xiaobao needed to take out.
Mo Xiaobao had rarely gone out after coming here; the last time was taking him to pick up Mo Xuzhi. Since they were going out, he discussed it with Mo Xuzhi and planned to walk the dog while going for the interview.
A puppy going out was even more troublesome than a person, with a whole lot of things to pack. The dog in question was still making trouble while Wang Zhifeng was packing, making a mess of things.
Later, when Mo Xuzhi came out of the study, he saw the puppy restlessly facing the wall in reflection and Wang Zhifeng organizing the pockets.
Zipping up the zipper, Wang Zhifeng looked up and smiled at him, asking: “Are you ready?”
“Are Xiaobao’s things ready?”
Wang Zhifeng nodded: “Everything is packed.”
“Then let’s go.”
This time Mo Xiaobao was not carried in hand but was put on a leash and jumped around in front by himself.
Xingdu Park was right next to the community, very close, and pets were allowed. Morning was the peak time for dog walking, but because it had just rained yesterday, there were much fewer people walking dogs today. Most were elderly people playing cards and singing around the pavilion, and some playing the erhu, looking very leisurely.
Mo Xiaobao had never been here before and was a bit afraid at first, often looking back every few steps. After seeing that the two people were still behind, he continued to jump forward.
Mo Xuzhi and Wang Zhifeng had agreed to meet the reporter at the North Gate. After they entered from the East Gate, they had to go around half a circle to meet the reporter at the North Gate.
From a distance, the reporter and photographer standing at the gate could be seen.
The photographer was plain and dressed in all black, and the reporter wore a pink suit jacket, looking capable and lively.
In the end, the photographer was sharp and was the first to sense the movement, seeing Mo Xuzhi and Wang Zhifeng walking this way.
The two sides greeted each other, the photographer turned on the camera, and the reporter handed two small microphones to the two people.
After Wang Zhifeng helped Mo Xuzhi pin the microphone to his collar, he pinned one to himself. The whole process was natural and smooth.
Mo Xiaobao kept spinning around on the side, also wanting to touch this thing he had never seen before.
The reporter and photographer looked at Mo Xiaobao in surprise.
They actually hadn’t seen a puppy here just now.
Mo Xuzhi crouched down and stroked Mo Xiaobao’s head, taking off the leaves on its body in passing. After seeing the expressions of the reporter and photographer, he explained: “He just crawled into the bushes.”
He asked again, “Has the recording already started?”
Meaning the reporter could start the interview.
The reporter moved her gaze away from Mo Xiaobao, showed a standard smile to the camera, and began to ask questions.
Most of the questions were answered by Wang Zhifeng, while Mo Xuzhi concentrated on slacking off and walking the dog.
Coming with Wang Zhifeng would be much easier.
When encountering this kind of thing that requires constant talking, following Wang Zhifeng can solve most of the pressure.
The reporter was not always asking questions but used a chatting method, asking a few things about the CI project while chatting, which wouldn’t make people feel bored and was also relatively relaxed to chat about.
They walked along the stone path for a while and later entered a pavilion to sit and rest for a while.
The reporter finally asked Mo Xuzhi how he felt about the life in the base.
“In the base, sometimes it feels very dull. A large component needs many small parts to be put together. The small parts are also very delicate and need to be repeated one by one. To avoid material waste, we have to try our best to ensure no mistakes. If something goes wrong with the large component at the end, we have to start all over again.”
“But overall it’s good, every day is very fulfilling, with goals and plans, and the food is also good.”
“Then how do you feel after coming out of the base?”
“Quite good.”
Mo Xuzhi lowered his eyes and smiled, “There are many novel things outside. It’s just that sometimes the news is too backward, and sometimes I don’t understand what others are saying when chatting. Everything else is very good.”
As long as they know this country has been developing, they are relieved.
His smile was very shallow but very infectious, and the reporter involuntarily smiled as well, saying:
“Glad this country still has you. So what are your plans for later?”
Mo Xuzhi said: “Working.”
Preferably the kind that stays in the laboratory all the time and doesn’t contact any media.
Wang Zhifeng also nodded: “Continue working.”
Their answers were simple and plain. The reporter didn’t think of how to reply for a moment and glanced at the photographer. The photographer prompted that the time was almost up.
Mo Xuzhi was the first to take off the microphone, looked at the leash he was still holding, and helped him take it off too.
Afterward was real small talk.
The reporter poked her head to look at the other end of the leash and asked: “Whose dog is this, and what’s its name?”
“It’s called…”
Mo Xiaobao rolled in the mud again, the white ball becoming a mud ball, and its eyes looked over.
The reporter looked at Mo Xuzhi.
Mo Xuzhi was expressionless: “Its name is Wang Choubao.”
“Cough.”
Wang Zhifeng couldn’t help but cough.
The reporter always felt Mo Xuzhi was lying to her.
Mo Xuzhi closed his eyes in despair and asked sideways: “Is there a pet shop nearby?”
Wang Zhifeng shook his head: “The pet shop is very far from here.”
Mo Xuzhi began to roll up his sleeves.
“I’m going to discipline him.”
With the fire rising, the young man who had always looked very cold instantly became vivid, with a warm feeling revealed in his eyebrows and eyes, burning eyes at one glance.
A hint of amazement flashed through the reporter’s eyes.
Wang Zhifeng, who had originally prepared to get up, sat back again. He turned to look at Mo Xuzhi who picked up Mo Xiaobao and tried to teach the puppy a lesson, and said to the reporter:
“The puppy is called Mo Xiaobao.”
He smiled, his eyebrows and eyes gentle to an incredible degree, and added: “It depends on the situation. At times like this, its name is Wang Choubao.”
Wang Choubao it is, no matter what, he accepts it.
As long as he is happy.
Mo Xuzhi came back holding the culprit.
Mo Xiaobao was completely unaware of anything wrong, wanting Mo Xuzhi to hold him, but he wouldn’t hold him, and even felt a bit aggrieved, its round eyes were dark, looking quite heartbreaking.
Wang Zhifeng didn’t dare to feel sorry for it.
He tried his best to restrain his expression and make himself look more serious, saying: “Let’s wash it after we go back.”
Mo Xuzhi nodded.
To avoid Mo Xiaobao getting too dirty on this trip as much as possible, they walked looking for places with fewer mud puddles. Originally they thought it should be fine, but it dug a mud puddle by itself and lay in it.
To some extent, it could be considered extremely talented.
“Then we’ll go back first.”
Wang Zhifeng picked up the things on the seat and said to the reporter, “Goodbye.”
Mo Xuzhi also greeted them and walked side by side toward another road.
“Wait,” the reporter was a bit dazed, “they didn’t just bump into each other on the road; they came together?”
The photographer nodded: “It seems so.”
If his comprehension was normal, Mo Xuzhi and Wang Zhifeng should be together, no mistake.
The reporter felt she was shocked.
After Mo Xuzhi and Wang Zhifeng returned home, they gave Mo Xiaobao a bath.
Mo Xuzhi didn’t know how to wash it, so he just watched on the side, sometimes handing something or other. The main force was still Wang Zhifeng. He rubbed and scrubbed Mo Xiaobao by himself and finally washed it white.
Afterward was quick drying to avoid catching a cold.
Mo Xuzhi slumped on the sofa and let out a breath.
Wang Zhifeng brought over a fruit plate and said: “Sit up straight; this is bad for your waist.”
Mo Xuzhi didn’t move, then looked at him again, and finally sat up slowly.
The reporter he faced today was not like entertainment reporters with traps everywhere, but he had become accustomed to treating various media cautiously, and his nerves were involuntarily tight. Walking all the way today was more tiring than a day of work.
“Eat some fruit to pad your stomach first. What are we eating for lunch today?”
“Anything,” Mo Xuzhi took the apple piece handed by Wang Zhifeng, his eyes curved, saying, “the meals Professor Wang makes are all delicious.”
Then Wang Zhifeng went into the kitchen to get busy.
Mo Xuzhi was in the living room watching the news.
The sound of the news broadcast and the smell of cooking fumes from the kitchen mixed together, just like the ordinary daily routine of an ordinary family.
Afterward, the food was served on the table. The phone on the sofa rang several times. Mo Xuzhi finally clicked the phone a few times, and the world finally returned to peace.
Wang Zhifeng asked: “What’s wrong?”
Mo Xuzhi shook his head: “Nothing, harassment messages.”
Mo Xuzhi went out again after finishing the meal. This time when he went out, Mo Xiaobao was asleep and didn’t cry and scream again to stop him from leaving.
There were many people going to the Pinkan Arena today. Many people didn’t have entry tickets but still guarded the gate, standing there to cheer for their favorite teams.
Although the shouted words were a bit chuunibyou, at least the momentum was sufficient and looked okay on the surface.
This afternoon was the eight-out-of-five, and the evening was the five-start, one game to determine the ranking.