Chapter 34#

Peking University was located in the old city district. Even though it was a prestigious old school, the food street opposite was mostly small, cheap eateries, focusing on affordability.

When Lu Lin was in university, he only knew such a place existed but had never been there.

It was the last day before the holiday, and the final exams had just ended. The food street was crowded with people rubbing shoulders. Yan Heqing pulled Lu Lin’s arm, turning left and right in the food street. After walking for about ten minutes, they finally stopped at a small boiled meatball shop.

The shop was very small, only four or five square meters. In this place where land was expensive, the rent for such a tiny place was already very high.

A sunshade and rain shelter was set up in front of the door curtain, not taking up space, just enough to cover the customers.

Although the shop was small, it was clean. The owner was a gray-haired old lady. The grid pot was so clean it reflected light. In the boiling soup, various ingredients were skewered on bamboo sticks and arranged neatly by category.

Fish balls, shrimp balls, crab meat, crab sticks, sausages, beef balls, fish roe lucky bags, soft tofu, white radish, kelp knots…

It was just slightly different from other shops; there was only one piece per skewer.

The old lady didn’t ask them either. She took out two paper cups the size of medium milk tea cups, skillfully scooped up the meatballs, one skewer of each kind, filling the paper cups to the brim. Thunder rumbled outside, and it started to rain. She ladled a spoonful of hot soup before handing them out.

Yan Heqing paid 20 yuan, took them, turned sideways, and handed a cup to Lu Lin, “This shop charges ten yuan per portion, no selection.”

Pitter-patter.

Heavy rain smashed on the roof of the shed, making a crisp sound.

Soon, the rain poured down. The food street, which was lively just now, instantly emptied. The crowd hurriedly found the nearest shops to take shelter from the rain.

Yan Heqing and Lu Lin were under the rain shelter, which was just enough for the two of them to stand. One step further forward was the heavy rain, with raindrops falling continuously like broken threads.

The sky was dim. The small shops opposite turned on their lights one after another. The old lady also turned on the light. The light strip wrapped around the roof of the shed lit up, and the pale orange light fell on the boy’s curved eyebrows and eyes. The corners of his mouth also had a shallow arc.

“If you’re not used to eating it, give it to me.”

Lu Lin took it. He pulled out a piece of white radish. Just as he was about to bite, Yan Heqing opened his schoolbag and took out his phone with a pair of earphones plugged in. He zipped up the schoolbag again and hung it on his right shoulder.

Yan Heqing turned his face and handed over the right earphone, “Listen together? Listening to songs and eating at this time will make it taste better.”

They were wired earphones, black.

Lu Lin switched the paper cup to another hand, took the earphone, and put it in his ear.

At the same time, Yan Heqing clicked on the music app, then put the phone in his pocket, turned his face, looked at the curtain of rain in front, and ate quietly.

In the earphones, a brisk and bright prelude sounded, isolating the sound of thunderstorms. Soon a male singer began to sing, a foreign song.

[There once was a ship that put to sea

the name of that ship was the Billy of Tea]

…

Lu Lin didn’t turn around. His dark eyes fell on Yan Heqing’s left ear.

The light enveloped the boy’s auricle. The shape was very beautiful, but there were a few thin, small long cuts. It was the new flesh that grew after the injury. The color was whiter than the original skin color, an abrupt and rich white.

The song was still playing in the earphones.

[The winds blew up her bow dipped down

Oh Blow my bully boys blow Huh

Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

…

When down on her a right whale bore

The captain called all hands and swore]

It was a story about a group of sailors sailing out to sea.

The temperature was low, and the paper cup in his hand gradually cooled. The splashing rain wet his trouser legs. Lu Lin still looked at Yan Heqing. After a moment, he spoke, “What’s the song title?”

“Wellerman. It is said that the background of this song was in the 18th century. When a fishing boat was chasing a whale, it harpooned its tail fiercely, but still failed to catch it. They kept fighting at sea, wanting to catch this whale.” Yan Heqing chewed on something, his left cheek bulging slightly, which made him look a bit more boyish.

“There was a company that sent ships to deliver supplies to those whalers, and those sailors called those ships Wellerman.”

Yan Heqing suddenly tilted his head. The vigorous rain was reflected in his clear and shallow eyes. He asked very seriously: “Mr. Lu, what do you think the ending is? Did the whalers catch the whale, or did the whale kill them?”

Lu Lin’s gaze was heavy, and he asked back, “What about your ending?”

Yan Heqing smiled. He withdrew his gaze and looked at the rain. His fine and dense eyelashes fluttered occasionally. He also had very beautiful lower eyelashes, distinct as if drawn one by one with a fine brush.

“I don’t know, but I hope the whale wins.”

Lu Lin also turned his face to look at the rain, picked up the white radish that was already a bit cold, and took a bite. He didn’t know if the radish was stewed thoroughly or if it really tasted better listening to the song. The mouthful of fresh and sweet soup was more delicious than the radish costing hundreds of yuan in a hotel.

After swallowing the radish slowly, Lu Lin spoke again, “Do you like whales?”

There is a whale in the ocean whose frequency is 52 Hertz, while its kind has a frequency between 15 and 25. They can never receive the signal it sends.

Yan Heqing’s WeChat name was 52 Hertz.

Yan Heqing finished eating a skewer of beef balls. He lowered his head slightly and pulled out another skewer of white tofu, “Mm.” Then he took a bite.

“Do you want to go see them?”

Yan Heqing suddenly stopped. This time he looked at Lu Lin, “The aquarium? I don’t want to.” Pausing for a second, a faint light flowed in his eyes, “It’s not because of the ticket, I just don’t want to see them locked up.”

“Whales in the sea.” Lu Lin also pulled out a skewer of beef balls, “When the weather is good, we will go out to sea. We can often encounter groups of whales and dolphins.”

A small beef ball was gone in one bite. He tilted his head and met Yan Heqing’s gaze, “Next summer, shall we go sea fishing together?”

Lu Lin returned to his residence in the city center.

This was one of his properties, a large flat of more than 300 square meters, with a terrace swimming pool outside. It was close to the Lu Group headquarters. When he worked overtime too late, he usually returned here.

First, he took a shower and changed his clothes. Then he returned to the living room. He mixed a glass of Negroni, the same as the one Yan Heqing mixed in the bar, adding a few drops of olive juice.

Located in the most bustling and noisy city center, the high-altitude flat was quiet to the point of silence. Lu Lin took a sip, put down the wine glass, took the phone from the coffee table, and dialed a string of numbers. The moment it connected, his dark eyes flashed slightly, and he hung up again.

Almost the next second, the phone rang.

The person on the other end asked respectfully: “Boss, do you have any instructions?”

“No,” Lu Lin said.

“Okay, I won’t disturb your rest. Good night.”

Silence returned again. Lu Lin logged into WeChat. The first one was his chat box with Yan Heqing.

Clicking on the mini-program—

The shining beluga whale in the sea transformed into golden fish bit by bit, and the sea surface splashed with specks of light.

It ended quickly. Lu Lin picked up the wine glass, tilted his neck slightly, drank it all, then put down the glass, got up and walked to the entrance, grabbed his coat, put it on while walking into the elevator.

Three hours later, it was nearly eight o’clock. The temperature in the mid-level villa was lower than in the urban area. The snow that fell last night had not melted yet. Lu Lin entered the house. Just as he took off his coat and changed his shoes, the nanny pushed Mother Lu out.

Lu Zhichan was over sixty. Due to years of chemotherapy, her hair had fallen out, and she wore a soft hat to keep warm. She was also very thin, a whole size smaller than people of her age. Tortured by illness, her face had a sickly look that couldn’t be covered. But the moment she saw Lu Lin, those eyes that were as dry as dead water instantly revitalized. She smiled and asked: “Ah Lin, why are you here?”

Her illness required absolute rest. Lu Lin would come to accompany her for a day every week.

Not today.

Lu Lin quickened his pace, then squatted in front of Lu Zhichan, carefully tucking in the blanket. In recent years, Mother Lu’s legs had also failed. In summer, she would feel cold from her bones and had to be covered with a blanket all year round.

Lu Zhichan’s eyes were full of love. She struggled to raise her hand, which was withered, like a bone wrapped in a layer of soaked white skin. She stroked the top of Lu Lin’s head carefully, “Did your dad cause trouble again?” She coughed a few times in a low voice, “Don’t pay attention to him. Just do what you want to do.”

Lu Lin looked up and raised his lips, “No, I just dropped by to see you. I’m leaving soon.”

Lu Zhichan didn’t point it out.

Lu Lin stood up and nodded to the nanny. The nanny handed the wheelchair to Lu Lin and went back to her room. Lu Lin slowly pushed Lu Zhichan to the living room, “Did you eat the ginseng from last time? I’ll have someone send more.”

“There’s still some left. I can’t eat it. Keep it for yourself.” With her child here, Lu Zhichan talked a bit more, “You did a good job with the Rainbow Welfare Institute. That child, she has no relatives and no reason to be there. It’s not easy for a woman to be outside alone. Help her if you can. Your dad and your brother have wronged her too much.”

The child she referred to was Xu Qiaoyin.

Lu Lin nodded, “I will.”

“What about you?” Lu Zhichan suddenly turned back, her smile warm, “Have you met a suitable child? If you meet one, you must bring them here for me to see. I’m not afraid of noise.”

Arriving in the living room, Lu Lin stopped the wheelchair and massaged Lu Zhichan’s shoulders. His dark eyes were deep, and he said: “Mm, I’ll bring them when I have one.”

The mother and son chatted for a few more sentences. Seeing that Lu Zhichan was not in good spirits, Lu Lin pushed her back to the room to rest, carried her to the bed, and covered her with the quilt. He squatted down, “I’ll tell you a story.”

Lu Zhichan closed her eyes contentedly, “Okay.”

“There was a group of sailors hunting a whale at sea. They injured the whale, but still failed to catch it.”

Lu Zhichan waited for a while, but didn’t hear the follow-up. She opened her eyes, “And then?”

Lu Lin’s gaze was heavy, “There is no ending. what kind of ending do you hope for?”

Lu Zhichan didn’t hesitate, “Of course I hope the whale can escape back to the sea.”

Lu Lin smiled and didn’t speak again. He checked Lu Zhichan’s quilt for the last time, said “Sweet dreams”, got up and left, turned off the light and closed the door.

After calling the nanny and the family doctor to give instructions for a while, Lu Lin drove away.

——

In the dim room, only the bedside lamp was on. The cold wind beat against the window, seeming to herald heavy rain again.

The rainbow light band was reflected on the ceiling. Yan Heqing slowly rotated the Cube of Light. After a moment, he put it back on the bedside table, turned off the light and rested.

The next day was foggy outside. Yan Heqing walked out of the apartment building only to find the ground covered with thick snow.

It not only rained last night but also snowed.

Yan Heqing pulled up his warm black wool scarf, stepped on the clean snow, and went to the subway station.

Aunt Zhang was very surprised to see Yan Heqing coming again, “Didn’t you come once a week?”

Yan Heqing squatted down and skillfully cleaned up the changed diapers, “Exams are over. I’ll come every day before the New Year.”

Although it wasn’t very good to say so, Aunt Zhang was actually very glad in her heart. Yan Heqing was quiet and capable, helping her a lot and lightening her burden. It was great that he came often! She smiled and said: “With a child like you, your parents must be so happy.”

At this time, Xu Qiaoyin arrived at the door. Hearing Aunt Zhang’s words, she was stunned, then looked at Yan Heqing. After hesitating again and again, she turned to leave. Aunt Zhang had sharp eyes and quickly called out to her, “Teacher Xu, has that hooligan who harassed you been caught?”

Xu Qiaoyin glanced at Yan Heqing and shook her head slightly.

Yan Heqing rolled up the diaper and put it in the garbage bag, looked up and asked: “What hooligan?”

Before Xu Qiaoyin could speak, Aunt Zhang scolded indignantly, “I don’t know which stinking hooligan posts disgusting words on Teacher Xu’s door every day. Recently, when Teacher Xu comes home from work, someone always follows her.”

Yan Heqing looked at Xu Qiaoyin. Xu Qiaoyin was originally looking at Yan Heqing. As soon as he looked over, Xu Qiaoyin immediately looked away nervously.

Yan Heqing stood up carrying the garbage bag. He said: “If you don’t mind, I’ll walk you home during this time.”

He was speaking to Xu Qiaoyin. Xu Qiaoyin’s body shook slightly. Just as she hesitated to refuse, Aunt Zhang spoke up, “That’s right. With a man following, that bastard will be wary. Some stinking trash specifically harass single women. Although our Xiao Yan is young, he looks just like your son.”

Aunt Zhang didn’t know Xu Qiaoyin’s past and thought she was unmarried and childless. Hearing “son”, Xu Qiaoyin was full of bitterness. She was in a trance just now because she saw Yan Heqing and thought of Lu Muchi. Lu Muchi was only a few years older than Yan Heqing.

Xu Qiaoyin said softly: “No need.”

Aunt Zhang wiped her hands and said disapprovingly: “I know you are introverted and don’t like to contact others, but our Xiao Yan is different. He is a particularly good child.”

Xu Qiaoyin nodded, “I know.” She just didn’t want to trouble Yan Heqing anymore. Yan Heqing had helped her twice, once with the umbrella and once when Lu Lin came to the welfare institute.

Actually, Xu Qiaoyin hadn’t seen Lu Lin many times. When she married Lu Han, Lu Lin was only 5 years old. Later, when she divorced Lu Han and left the Lu family, Lu Lin was only 10 years old. Only during festivals would the old master of the Lu family pick Lu Lin up to celebrate the festival.

The reason she could recognize the current Lu Lin was that she often watched news about the Lu Group.

“Are you worried about troubling me?” Unknown when, Yan Heqing walked up to her.

Xu Qiaoyin pinched her fingers uneasily and finally nodded gently.

“It won’t.” Yan Heqing smiled, “Just sending you for a few days to scare off that bastard, it’s not trouble.”

Xu Qiaoyin was actually very scared. Several times at home, she felt footsteps outside, so scared that she dared not make a sound. Fortunately, no accident happened in the end, but if it continued, she would have a nervous breakdown. She finally looked at Yan Heqing to confirm, “Will it really not be trouble?”

Yan Heqing smiled, “No.”

Xu Qiaoyin then nodded.

Dinner was settled in the welfare institute in the afternoon. After Lu Lin came, the food in the cafeteria had a qualitative leap, and the Lu Group added sponsorship.

It was snowing slightly and a bit humid. Yan Heqing opened the umbrella and walked on Xu Qiaoyin’s right. Xu Qiaoyin was a head shorter than Yan Heqing. For more than ten years, she had been alone. Now this scene made it seem as if Yan Heqing was really her child.

Xu Qiaoyin finally smiled. She took the initiative to ask gently: “How old are you this year?”

“18.”

Five years younger than her Xiao Chi. Her eyes were exceptionally gentle, “It must be hard work to be a volunteer in the welfare institute.”

Yan Heqing also smiled, “I only come occasionally. You guys work harder.”

Xu Qiaoyin shook her head. She looked ahead. Fine snow occasionally slid off the umbrella surface. It wasn’t that she was helping the children in the welfare institute, but those children healed her. Leaving the Lu family and separating from her own flesh and blood, she was almost living a life worse than death. It was seeing the recruitment of the welfare institute that she was able to continue her motherly love in another way.

Both were very quiet. Entering the subway, Xu Qiaoyin took Yan Heqing on Line 1. The place she lived was very far from the welfare institute, spanning east and west, with more than 20 stops. Leaving the welfare institute at 6:30, it was almost 9 o’clock when they arrived at Xu Qiaoyin’s place.

Unexpectedly prosperous.

The most developed area in the new district.

Yan Heqing knew this place. Lu Muchi’s company was nearby.

Xu Qiaoyin pointed the way. Passing by a shop, Yan Heqing handed the umbrella to Xu Qiaoyin and asked her to wait a moment. He ran out of the umbrella and entered a shop.

When he came out again, Yan Heqing was carrying something in his hand. The snowflakes were falling heavily. Xu Qiaoyin walked quickly to shield him. Yan Heqing also trotted over.

Under the umbrella, Yan Heqing’s hair tips and scarf were still stained with a lot of snowflakes. Xu Qiaoyin was still hesitating whether to pat them off for him when Yan Heqing raised the thing he was carrying and shook it, his beautiful eyebrows curving slightly, “I bought a surveillance camera. I’ll install it for you later. If you find a stranger, call the police immediately.”

Xu Qiaoyin’s nose was a bit sour. She nodded.

Her residence was an apartment opposite the commercial building. It was very small, with one bedroom and one living room, very cramped. Yan Heqing installed the surveillance camera at the door. No guests had ever come before. Xu Qiaoyin hurriedly tore open the milk, heated it in the microwave, ran to hand it to Yan Heqing, “Drink some hot milk first.”

Yan Heqing was not polite. He took the milk, took a sip, and smiled, “Thank you.”

Xu Qiaoyin was extremely embarrassed, “I should thank you. I’ll transfer the money for the surveillance camera to you. You must accept it.” She took out her phone.

Yan Heqing didn’t refuse either. He took out his phone, “120 yuan. Let’s add WeChat. If you find someone following you or troubling you next time, contact me.”

Xu Qiaoyin smiled. She added Yan Heqing on WeChat, transferred the money, and said with some emotion: “I have a son. He is as tall and handsome as you.”

Yan Heqing drank the remaining milk. He curved his eyes, “My mother is also like you, gentle and beautiful.”

Xu Qiaoyin hadn’t been truly happy for a long time. After installing the surveillance camera, she cut a very sweet cantaloupe and insisted that Yan Heqing eat a piece before letting him leave.

…

Coming out of the apartment, Yan Heqing looked up slightly and looked at the brightly lit commercial building opposite. Lu Muchi’s company was on the top floor.

Withdrawing his gaze, Yan Heqing lowered the umbrella and turned to go home.

Lu Muchi didn’t go to the company. He was drinking with a few friends in a bar.

He called a few young masters and princesses. Knowing that he liked men, the most beautiful young master stuck to him. Lu Muchi refused no one. He put his arm around the young master’s soft waist, rested his feet on the table, and held a flickering cigarette between his fingers. He looked like he was in a bad mood.

His friend flirted with the princess while glancing at him, “Is Young Master Lu thinking about the little young master of the Lin family?”

Mentioning Lin Fengzhi, Lu Muchi’s eyes turned cold. After the wedding banquet that night, they hadn’t contacted each other, and Lu Muchi didn’t want to contact him either.

At this time, the young master entangled him, and one hand was already exploring Lu Muchi’s lower body. Lu Muchi suddenly withdrew his hand, pushed the young master away, got up and strode out.

The people in the private room were all confused, and the young master who hit the back of the sofa was even more aggrieved.

Lu Muchi was fine. He just suddenly felt that this kind of life was boring, either drinking or going to bed. The strong perfume smell on the young master also made him sick.

Out of the bar, before reaching the parking lot, flying snowflakes fell on his face. A little melted on the tip of his nose, with a faint scent, very pure, and actually carrying a little scent of plum blossoms.

Lu Muchi looked back. There was an extremely lush plum blossom tree next to him. The street lamp enveloped the flowering tree, and the petals were coated with a faint halo, emitting a faint plum fragrance.

For some reason, he thought of Yan Heqing.

Suddenly he had a destination.