Chapter 14#
In the original novel, Yan Heqing passed away without ever visiting the Lin family.
His relationship with Lin Fengzhi was only revealed after his death.
When visiting someone’s home, one should bring gifts. The Lin family was wealthy and influential, but Yan Heqing didn’t choose anything expensive. He simply bought a fruit basket of strawberries and a bouquet of carnations.
The Lin family’s driver came to pick him up. Along the way, the driver quietly observed Yan Heqing in the rearview mirror.
This person… looked a bit like the Young Master.
Yan Heqing looked out the window, then suddenly turned his head to look at the rearview mirror. “Do you also think we look alike?”
The driver was caught in the act and felt very embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I…”
He was awkward and couldn’t explain.
Yan Heqing was polite and courteous. “It doesn’t matter.”
At this moment, the driver felt they didn’t look alike anymore.
The eyes and nose were similar to the Young Master’s, but how to describe it? It was easy to distinguish that they were two different people.
The driver withdrew his gaze and concentrated on driving.
Passing through half the city, the environment changed from the old city district to the bustling city center, and finally to a top-tier wealthy residential area with a very high greenery rate.
There were independent shopping supermarkets, golf courses, and a lake that was hard to find within the Second Ring Road.
In winter, the lotus leaves in the lake had all withered. Fine snow fell, and the streetlights on both sides of the road instantly lit up.
The driver drove in and stopped at a detached house. The guard opened the iron gate, and the driver slowly drove in, taking a few minutes to reach the entrance.
The door was open.
Mother Lin, Lin Fengyi, and Lin Fengzhi were waiting at the door.
Just as the driver stopped the car and was about to get out to open the door, Yan Heqing opened the door and got out himself.
He was neither humble nor arrogant. He first handed the carnations to Mother Lin. “Hello Auntie, I am Yan Heqing.”
Mother Lin’s eyes curved as she happily accepted them. “Thank you, I like carnations the most.”
Then she looked at the fruit basket with surprise. “You also brought strawberries! Zhizhi loves strawberries.”
Seeing Yan Heqing again, Lin Fengzhi felt a bit awkward. He bit his lip uncomfortably and held Lin Fengyi’s hand.
Lin Fengyi immediately held Lin Fengzhi’s hand back, looking at Yan Heqing with scrutiny and wariness.
He didn’t think Yan Heqing and Lin Fengzhi looked alike at all.
Just those hands…
Lin Fengyi’s eyes were full of contempt.
Fair and slender, but visibly rough and thin, completely different from Lin Fengzhi.
Lin Fengzhi’s fingers weren’t that long and were a bit fleshy, but they felt soft.
Feeling the softness in his palm, Lin Fengyi’s chest felt slightly warm. Entwining his fingers with Lin Fengzhi’s, he held on a bit tighter.
“Let’s go inside, it’s windy outside.” Lin Fengyi turned his head to look at Lin Fengzhi, his eyes instantly gentle. “You haven’t recovered from your illness yet, don’t let it get worse.”
He deliberately ignored Yan Heqing, while also giving Yan Heqing a warning—
Don’t think that just because you have some blood relation with Lin Fengzhi, you can dream of climbing the social ladder.
Lin Fengzhi’s mood was very complicated. That was his biological brother… yet he felt incredibly strange to him.
He opened his mouth, not knowing how to address Yan Heqing. After biting his lip a few times, he used ‘you’. “You should come inside quickly, dinner is about to be served.”
These few words made Lin Fengzhi feel extremely awkward. He turned around and pulled Lin Fengyi to walk away quickly.
Worried that Yan Heqing would feel constrained, Mother Lin patted his arm affectionately. “Let’s go, Xiao Yan, don’t be nervous.”
Yan Heqing’s eyes curved slightly. “Mn.”
Lin Fengxian wasn’t there. Hearing that Yan Heqing had arrived, Father Lin came out of the study.
Father Lin was equally enthusiastic, greeting Yan Heqing. “Xiao Yan, being here is just like being at home. Don’t be formal.”
Yan Heqing nodded politely. “I know, Uncle.”
Mother Lin held the flowers, smiling very happily. “Old Lin, look, these are the carnations Xiao Yan gave me. They are so beautiful.” She didn’t let the servant take over and went to arrange them in a vase herself.
Father Lin smiled kindly. “Your Auntie just likes flowers, but she planted a bunch and none of them survived.”
Mother Lin’s voice came from afar. “Who said none survived? That Royal Rouge from last month hasn’t died yet!”
Yan Heqing smiled gently. “Auntie, if you don’t mind, I can take a look for you later.”
Mother Lin immediately ran over holding the vase. “You know how to grow flowers?”
“A little bit,” Yan Heqing replied. “I worked part-time at a flower nursery for a while and learned a little, but I don’t know much.”
Mother Lin beamed with joy. “Good, good! None of these sons of mine like messing with flowers and grass, and no one keeps me company. In the future, Xiao Yan, you should come often. There is a huge garden at home, we can plant anything.”
Seeing Mother Lin like Yan Heqing so much, Lin Fengzhi’s pupils constricted slightly, and he quietly clenched his hands.
Lin Fengyi immediately vented for Lin Fengzhi. “Mom, you are the mistress of the Lin family. Don’t always think about doing those dirty and tiring jobs. That’s what servants do.”
He intentionally emphasized “servants”.
Mother Lin glared at him. “What do you know? It doesn’t matter who does the work, only who wants to do it. This is my only hobby.”
After speaking, Mother Lin looked at Yan Heqing lovingly again. “Are you hungry? There is still a soup stewing. We’ll eat as soon as the soup is ready. I’ll go to the kitchen to hurry them up.”
Yan Heqing smiled. “Take your time, I’m not hungry yet.”
Mother Lin went to the kitchen. Yan Heqing humbly said to Father Lin, “Uncle, I came in a hurry and didn’t have time to buy you a gift. Can I play a game of chess with you?”
Father Lin wanted to say there was no need to bring gifts, but hearing that Yan Heqing wanted to play chess with him, he became interested. “Then shall we play a game before dinner?”
Yan Heqing lightly rolled up his cuffs. “As many games as you like.”
Mentioning Go, the two chatted happily and walked to the chessboard to sit down.
Yan Heqing played white, and Father Lin played black. After playing for a while, Father Lin couldn’t stop praising. “Xiao Yan, this move of yours was brilliant!”
“Where did you learn Go?”
Yan Heqing nodded. “I haven’t learned it.”
Father Lin was shocked. “Haven’t learned it?”
Yan Heqing curved his lips. “When I was young, I had nowhere to go, so I watched neighbors play chess at the entrance of the residential compound every day. Over time, I understood a bit.”
Father Lin was even more shocked. Holding a chess piece, he felt quite regretful. “What a pity. With your comprehension, if you had received professional guidance earlier, participating in professional competitions wouldn’t be a problem.”
Father Lin lost. After dinner was served, he wanted to pull Yan Heqing for a second game. It was Mother Lin who forcibly put away the chessboard before he said unsatisfied, “We’ll play again after eating.”
At the dinner table, Father Lin invited Yan Heqing to sit next to him, chatting about Go with great interest.
Mother Lin had to interrupt him. “Are you going to let Xiao Yan eat?” She put a piece of spare rib in Yan Heqing’s bowl. “It’s your first time here, and I don’t know your taste. If it doesn’t suit your appetite, don’t force yourself. There are dumplings in the refrigerator, they cook very quickly and aren’t troublesome.”
Father Lin shook his head happily. “Blame me for being too happy. Xiao Yan, you eat first. Your Auntie made these dishes. If they suit your taste, help yourself, don’t be shy.”
Yan Heqing’s eyes curved. “I’m not picky, I can eat anything.” He picked up the spare rib and took a bite, praising sincerely, “With Auntie’s cooking skills, if you opened a restaurant, I would definitely be a patron.”
Mother Lin was overjoyed. “If you like it, eat more. There’s more in the kitchen.”
The three of them were harmonious and happy. Lin Fengzhi felt even more bitter, feeling that they looked more like a family.
He lowered his head, poking at the rice one bit at a time.
Lin Fengyi was watching Lin Fengzhi at all times. He immediately spoke up, “You and Zhizhi are twins, so you are also 18 this year, right? Are you in school or working?”
Yan Heqing put down his chopsticks and smiled slightly. “In school.”
“Which school, what major?” Lin Fengyi put a cola chicken wing in Lin Fengzhi’s bowl. “Zhizhi is at T University. You aren’t also at T University, are you?”
He deliberately wanted to dampen Yan Heqing’s spirit. Was knowing how to grow flowers and play Go that amazing?
Lin Fengzhi had been admitted to a famous university ranked 6th in the country.
“That’s not the case.” Yan Heqing’s voice was clear. “I’m at Peking University.”
There was a moment of silence.
Peking University, ranked 1st in the country and a world-class university ranked 22nd globally.
Lin Fengzhi almost dropped his chopsticks.
Lin Fengyi was equally shocked. Yan Heqing was actually a student at Peking University!
Mother Lin asked with a smile, “What major?”
“Currently Software Engineering.” Yan Heqing answered one by one. “Next semester I’m applying to transfer to Biology.”
Biology at Peking University was a flagship major. Father Lin was full of admiration. “Xiao Yan, you have a promising future!”
“I’m not eating anymore.” Lin Fengzhi suddenly put down his bowl and stood up. The chair legs scraped against the floor, making a harsh sound. “Enjoy your meal.”
Without another word, he ran upstairs.
Lin Fengyi threw down his chopsticks and chased after him. “Zhizhi!”
Mother Lin wanted to go check, but felt it was inappropriate. After deliberating for a long time, she apologized to Yan Heqing first. “Xiao Yan, don’t take it to heart. After Zhizhi was brought back, he had a serious illness and forgot you when he woke up. It’s hard for him to accept this for a while. It will be fine after some time.”
Yan Heqing put down his chopsticks. “I understand. It’s normal for Fengzhi to be unfamiliar with me after losing his memory. It was me who didn’t understand the situation and abruptly sought him out. I’m already very grateful that you don’t blame me.”
He stood up politely. “Let’s end today’s meal here. I’ll go back first. Please take care of Fengzhi.”
He bowed.
Mother Lin was surprised by Yan Heqing’s sensibility. An 18-year-old child, just became an adult. How many things must he have experienced to be so sensible?
She pulled out her chair and went over to pat Yan Heqing’s arm. “Zhizhi is a kind and good child. He will come around soon. Originally, the room was cleaned up, but given the situation, it’s not good to keep you.”
She invited enthusiastically, “Next time. Next time you come to plant flowers with me, stay for at least half a month!”
Father Lin added, “And play chess with me.”
Yan Heqing smiled faintly. “Okay.”
Mother Lin insisted that the driver take Yan Heqing home. Yan Heqing didn’t refuse and got into the car generously.
…
On the second floor, Lin Fengzhi hid behind the curtains. Without turning on the lights, he secretly watched the car lights drive away until they were out of sight. He slowly lowered the curtains and slid down to sit on the floor.
He knew he was very excessive just now, but he couldn’t control it.
Mom and Dad liked Yan Heqing so much. He couldn’t stop thinking that if the Lin family had adopted Yan Heqing back then, they would have loved Yan Heqing just as they loved him.
He wasn’t special. Now without the blood tie, he was even less irreplaceable.
Lin Fengzhi hugged his knees in grievance. Lin Fengyi knocked anxiously on the door outside, but he ignored him.
After a while, voices could be faintly heard outside the door. It should be Father Lin and Mother Lin talking to Lin Fengyi.
Soon, it became quiet outside the door.
Lin Fengzhi’s eyes were dim. He suddenly missed Lu Lin terribly. Unspeakable grievance surged up again, even more turbulent. His eyes and nose turned completely red.
He stood up shakily, walked to the bedside, found his phone, tapped the screen, and composed a text message.
[I miss you so much!]
Buzz.
A text message came to the phone.
Lu Lin was looking at reports. He freed a hand to pick up the phone and glanced at it. Seeing it was a stranger’s number, he deleted it without looking.
He put down the phone and continued working.