Chapter 4#
Lu Lin, the current head of the Lu family.
In the original text, Lu Lin mostly appeared through the words of others, especially from Lin Fengzhi’s perspective.
Lin Fengzhi had five diaries, each filled with his deep love for Lu Lin.
The time Lu Muchi almost strangled Yan Heqing to death was because he saw these five diaries.
Lu Lin didn’t have many hobbies; he didn’t smoke or gamble, only occasionally going for a drink with friends.
His only regular leisure activity was fishing; he would go fishing for a day every Tuesday.
He wasn’t lustful either.
Once at a wedding banquet, Lin Fengzhi abandoned his shame, found an opportunity to sneak into his room, stripped naked, and crawled into his bed.
When Lu Lin returned to the room and lifted the quilt to see Lin Fengzhi, he didn’t even raise an eyebrow. He put down the quilt, turned around, and left the room.
That night, Lin Fengzhi cried all night.
Lu Lin.
Yan Heqing repeated the name twice in his heart.
—
The wind blew colder and colder. Yan Heqing didn’t return to the Yan house. He walked slowly along the road without looking back.
The east was turning white, and breakfast shops along the street were opening one after another. Yan Heqing was a bit hungry, so he found an ATM and withdrew two hundred yuan.
He had brought his bank card in advance.
After withdrawing the money, he walked into a random beef noodle shop.
His gaze swept over the price list. Yan Heqing was silent for a while, then ordered a separate small bowl of beef noodles, without added egg or meat.
He didn’t have much money and needed to save for the time being.
Soon, the steaming beef noodles were served. Fresh green chopped onions and a few thin slices of beef floated on the soup, and the golden noodles were distinct.
Yan Heqing took out a pair of chopsticks. Just as he stirred the noodles, a small plate suddenly appeared in front of him.
In the plate were a golden fried egg, sliced marinated tofu, and two halves of a marinated egg.
Yan Heqing looked up in surprise. It was the owner’s daughter, her face blushing. “It’s free!”
The girl didn’t dare to look Yan Heqing in the eye and ran away shyly.
It was her first time seeing such a beautiful boy, and also the first time seeing such a thin boy; it seemed a strong wind could blow him away.
Yan Heqing was stunned for a moment. After a while, he gripped his chopsticks tightly and silently finished the bowl of noodle soup and the side dish that was somewhat luxurious for him, leaving nothing behind.
His icy fingers gradually warmed up.
When paying the bill, the corners of his lips curled into a faint smile, and he said to the girl, “Thank you.”
When he didn’t smile, his gorgeous features had a strong aggressiveness, but when he smiled, it was like a gradually melting snowflake, gentle and warm.
Two extreme temperaments merged perfectly in him.
The girl pursed her lips and smiled shyly, “You’re welcome to come often!”
“Okay,” Yan Heqing said.
Yan Heqing walked out of the shop. It was seven o’clock, and there were more people on the street. Winter was approaching, and everyone was dressed thickly, hurrying to work or school.
With a bowl of hot noodle soup in his stomach, Yan Heqing felt much warmer now, but the wind still hurt his face.
Late autumn was almost over, and winter was coming.
There was a subway station not far ahead, and Yan Heqing entered it.
This was his first time taking the subway. He stopped at the entrance, observed how others operated, walked to the ticket vending machine, and bought a one-way ticket back to school.
The temperature in the subway was slightly higher than outside. Yan Heqing held the hand strap and stood nearest to the door.
Different advertisements flashed rapidly outside the window, and he was thinking about what to do next.
He needed to move his household registration out first and attach it to the school’s collective account. Then submit an application to change majors.
Previously, to make money sooner, he had chosen software engineering as his major. Now he wanted to switch back to his true dream major—biology.
While planning in his mind, suddenly there was a voice beside him, “Excuse me…”
Yan Heqing turned his head. A very tall and thin boy was standing next to him.
Yan Heqing didn’t speak, expressing his confusion with his eyes.
The boy looked at Yan Heqing, feeling that his front face was even more exquisite and beautiful than his profile. He mustered up his courage, “Can I add you on WeChat?”
The boy’s eyes were full of expectation.
Yan Heqing refused, “I don’t have WeChat.”
He was telling the truth. His phone was the cheapest old-person phone and couldn’t download WeChat.
“This counts as a phone?” Lu Muchi was having breakfast at a five-star hotel, drinking coffee while flipping through Yan Heqing’s phone.
There were only four contacts.
Zhao Huilin, Yan Shengbing, Dean Yang, Teacher Li.
There were no text messages either.
Lu Muchi tried to find some traces from the web browser, but couldn’t connect to the internet.
In the 5G era, Yan Heqing’s SIM card was still 3G, and couldn’t even open web pages.
Lu Muchi tossed the phone aside in boredom, having no appetite. He poked at the soft-boiled egg with his fork, and the golden yolk flowed all over the plate.
He thought of another difference.
Lin Fengzhi’s clothes were all Italian custom-made, hand-sewn by masters.
Yan Heqing…
Street stall goods.
The fork poked at the sausage again, and soon the plate was poked into a mess by him, too horrible to look at.
“Don’t waste food.”
Followed by the sound of a chair being pulled out. Lu Muchi immediately put down his fork and stood up obediently, “I know, Uncle.”
Lu Lin sat down, and the waiter arrived with food.
A steak and vegetable salad, two boiled eggs, a cup of black coffee, and a plate of fresh-cut fruit.
Lu Muchi stole glances at Lu Lin. Since Lu Lin didn’t speak, he remained standing. “Uncle, do you have business at the hotel this early?”
Lu Muchi beat around the bush. It was too late last night, so he went directly to a hotel owned by the Lu Group to rest. He didn’t expect Lu Lin to be there too!
Lu Muchi was most afraid of Lu Lin. They were seven years apart and didn’t meet often, but every time he saw Lu Lin, it was like a mouse seeing a tiger.
The person he admired most was also Lu Lin.
While he was still in middle school, Lu Lin took charge of the Lu Group. In just a few years, the Lu Group expanded to a leading position.
Lu Lin’s gaze swept lightly over the old-person phone on the table. He ate slowly, speaking unhurriedly as always, “Eat.”
Only then did Lu Muchi sit down. He picked up his knife and fork and quickly finished the mess on his plate.
They were the only ones in the huge restaurant, without a single sound.
Fifteen minutes later, Lu Lin finished his meal and left.
Lu Muchi’s plate was also clean. As soon as Lu Lin left the restaurant, he ran off right after.
Lu Muchi was caught off guard by Yan Heqing’s conditions. He made no moves for the time being, waiting for Yan Heqing to come ask for the phone.
This wait lasted half a month, and there was no movement from the phone.
—
During this half month, Yan Heqing handled the household registration transfer and applied to change majors.
Changing majors wasn’t difficult for him. Being in the top five in the final exams allowed him to transfer directly to the new department at the start of the next semester.
Yan Heqing also rented a small, dilapidated room of about ten square meters. However, it was close to the school and had a separate kitchen and bathroom. In the expensive Third Ring Road area, it cost 1500 a month.
This sum was a huge amount for Yan Heqing, but also a necessary expense.
After signing a one-year contract with the landlord, he spent three days cleaning, repairing the broken water heater and power strip, unclogging the drain, and simply arranging the place. He was going to move in that night.
He returned to the Yan house to pack his things. Not much: a few clothes, his books, and that black umbrella.
Zhao Huilin used to wish Yan Heqing would move out.
Yan Heqing living at home meant an expense for water and electricity every month!
Although Yan Heqing handed over 300 yuan for living expenses to the family every month, how could that be enough!
But compared to giving it to the school, it was better to give it to her. So she applied for Yan Heqing to be a day student on the grounds of family financial difficulties and inability to afford accommodation.
Now it was different. That 4.9 million hadn’t been received yet!
Last time Lu Muchi came, Zhao Huilin was scared and thought about not having contact with that kind of person anymore. After some time passed, plus Yan Shengbing’s constant nagging, Zhao Huilin’s thoughts became active again.
4.9 million…
Once the money was given, she would immediately send Yan Heqing off with drums and gongs!
She stopped Yan Heqing from packing. “Qingqing, your dad and I have raised you for 13 years. Not to mention the effort we spent on you, just the money spent is countless. Now that your wings are hard, you want to run off with a man. If word gets out, people will poke at your spine!”
She thought Yan Heqing was moving to Lu Muchi’s house.
“11,000,” Yan Heqing said.
Zhao Huilin didn’t understand. “What?”
A thin notebook, along with a white envelope, was handed to Zhao Huilin.
“Every sum of money used on me is recorded here, 10,954.3. Inside the envelope is 11,000. The extra 45.7, keep the change.”
Putting the umbrella into his bag, Yan Heqing picked up the bag and left.
Zhao Huilin was dumbfounded. It took her a while to react. She pocketed the envelope and chased after him.
She caught up with Yan Heqing at the entrance of the unit building. She grabbed Yan Heqing and started making a scene, “You want to buy us off with this little money? Don’t even think about it! I raised you until you’re this big. You have to take care of your brother and support me and your dad in old age!”
Her voice was extremely loud, and people had already opened their doors to watch the commotion. Zhao Huilin deliberately raised her voice, “Everyone come and look! A living ungrateful wretch!”
Yan Heqing didn’t say a word. As more people gathered to watch, he put down his bag, grabbed Zhao Huilin’s wrist, and calmly pried her hand away.
Then, he took off his jacket.
Wearing only a tank top, there was a conspicuous red scar the size of a bowl mouth on his left shoulder.
Before Zhao Huilin could react, Yan Heqing spoke calmly, “This patch was left when I was 7. Dad lost his job, got drunk and went crazy, and smashed a hot pot onto my back.”
He then pulled up his pant leg. On his left calf, there was a long scar. The color was light, close to flesh color, but the shape was winding and ugly.
“This is from when Yan Feng fell off the bed at age 5. You blamed me for not watching him well and whipped me with a spatula.”
Finally, Yan Heqing turned his left face. On the auricle of his ear, there were a few thin, small cuts. They had healed, but the color was dark, distinct from his normal skin tone.
“These are,” Yan Heqing stated calmly, “cut by Yan Feng with a small knife.”
The onlookers were shocked.
They were all neighbors, and the soundproofing of the houses was poor. Everyone knew somewhat about Yan Shengbing getting drunk and beating Yan Heqing.
Everyone also knew that Zhao Huilin mistreated her adopted son and often didn’t give Yan Heqing food.
Some neighbors couldn’t stand it and would occasionally buy food for Yan Heqing privately.
Not to mention clothes; Yan Heqing often wore only a thin long-sleeved shirt in the middle of winter.
But they still didn’t expect Yan Heqing to be abused so miserably. Cutting his ears! Who would dare let their own children play with Yan Feng in the future!
Zhao Huilin never imagined that Yan Heqing would expose these things in public.
In the past, Yan Heqing allowed himself to be beaten and scolded, not even daring to cry.
She became completely desperate, pointing at Yan Heqing and cursing loudly, “Don’t believe his words! This ungrateful wolf is missing men and can’t wait to dump the burden of my family! You guys don’t know yet, he’s been kept by a man for money!”
Yan Heqing said in a light voice, “Yes, my mom took 100,000 yuan to sell me.”
“I wasn’t willing and decided to sever ties with them.”
“Now, I ask everyone to be a witness. I have returned the 10,954.3 that the Yan family spent on me in full. In the future, if they want to sell someone, whoever they sell to has nothing to do with me.”
Gasps were heard from the scene. Only 10,000 yuan spent in 13 years! Raising a dog wasn’t this cheap!
And to sell her son to a man for 100,000 yuan, Zhao Huilin’s family was truly worse than beasts!
A few older aunties pointed directly at Zhao Huilin and scolded her. Zhao Huilin was both angry and ashamed, almost rolling her eyes and fainting.
Meanwhile, Yan Heqing calmly put on his jacket, politely bid farewell to the neighbors, picked up his bag, and steadily disappeared into the night.