Chapter 5#

Having failed to steal the chicken and losing the rice instead, Zhao Huilin went home dejectedly.

Back home, the more she thought about it, the angrier she got, and the more her heart ached. After sulking in the living room for a long time, she went back to the bedroom and patted Yan Shengbing, who was sleeping.

“What major is Yan Heqing studying again?”

She only knew that Yan Heqing had been admitted to Jing University, the best university in the capital. When she received the admission letter, she only took a picture of the cover to show off on her WeChat Moments. In fact, she was jealous and sour inside, and didn’t even look at Yan Heqing’s major.

“You’ll have to earn your own tuition fees by working.” Zhao Huilin threw the admission letter at Yan Heqing. “I don’t have a penny.”

Thinking back, Zhao Huilin regretted it to death. If she had known, she should have opened it and taken a look!

“I don’t know.” Yan Shengbing was sleeping soundly, replied, and continued to sleep.

“You can still sleep!” Zhao Huilin was furious. “That ungrateful wretch Yan Heqing ran away!”

“Let him get lost sooner—” Yan Shengbing woke up immediately and sat up abruptly. “Where did he run to? He hasn’t given the money yet.”

Zhao Huilin rolled her eyes to the sky. “How would I know? I was bullied miserably by him just now, and you only know how to sleep.”

Yan Shengbing didn’t think much of it. “Where can he run to? He’ll be back in a couple of days.”

“You don’t know shit!” Zhao Huilin poked his forehead. “He went to find Young Master Lu to live in a big house and enjoy a luxurious life. Come back? I think he’s too happy to think of home!”

Yan Shengbing sobered up instantly, turned over, got out of bed, and looked for shoes. That was 4.9 million! “Which way did he go? I’ll chase him!”

“Chase my ass! He left long ago while you were lying in bed like a corpse all day!” Zhao Huilin snorted coldly a few times. “But the monk can run, but the temple cannot. I don’t believe he has the ability to transfer schools.”

Yan Heqing was a student at a prestigious university. She would go to the school to make a scene tomorrow. She didn’t believe Yan Heqing didn’t care about his reputation!

——

Yan Heqing returned to his residence with a few bags of vegetables, rice, and noodles in his hands. He hadn’t had dinner yet.

Entering the house and changing his shoes, he went straight into the kitchen.

When he was a child, he was too small to do heavy work, so he washed dishes for the owner of a small restaurant at the entrance of the community. The owner would give him a little money.

If someone came to check, they would say he was the owner’s son.

Yan Heqing’s cooking skills were learned by watching in that small restaurant.

Not long after, he came out with a bowl of rice and a plate of hot and sour shredded potatoes.

There was only one room. Half of it was occupied by a bed, and the remaining half had a small sofa and a small table, both belonging to the landlord. Although a bit old, the quality was quite good.

Yan Heqing bought a piece of beige sofa cloth and a light yellow tablecloth to cover them.

There were also a few pink gladioli on the table, the vase being a mineral water bottle cut in half.

The orange light enveloped the small table, making the simple meal even more delicious.

Yan Heqing buried his head in his meal. He ate quietly and quickly, a habit he had developed from years of working part-time.

After eating the rice and shredded potatoes cleanly, Yan Heqing tidied up the dishes and went to the kitchen to wash them.

After washing the dishes and coming out, Yan Heqing opened his bag, organized his books, and took out a laptop and a mobile phone from his backpack.

Both the laptop and the phone were bought from the second-hand market for a total of 2000 yuan. They had the basic functions. Although the phone was still a low-end model, it was at least a smartphone.

Yan Heqing turned on the computer to do his homework.

Usually, he went to the library to use the computer to finish his homework. Using his own computer for the first time, he didn’t have to race against time. He studied until almost 12 o’clock.

A phone call interrupted him.

Caller ID — oxygen.

Oxygen, the bar Lu Lin occasionally visited.

Yan Heqing’s eyes flickered slightly, and he answered the phone, “Hello.”

“Is this Yan Heqing?” The other party was a man.

“Yes.”

“The boss agreed to all the conditions you mentioned. Working from 8 PM to 2 AM every Friday and Saturday, any problem?”

“No.”

“Okay, start coming to work tomorrow.”

Hanging up the phone, Yan Heqing saved his homework, turned off the computer, and went to take a shower.

…

Lu Lin was looking at reports when Xie Yunjie called. Lu Lin put it on speaker.

“President Lu, come to Oxygen for a drink.” Xie Yunjie’s voice echoed in the empty office. “Old Chu and the others are back.”

“No time.” Lu Lin was scrolling with his mouse.

“You’re not still working, are you? It’s already 12 o’clock.” Xie Yunjie was used to it. “Give us brothers a way to live. Lu Group’s revenue was number one last year. If you keep working so hard, we’ll have to drink the northwest wind.”

Lu Lin spoke unhurriedly, “Drinking the northwest wind isn’t bad either.”

Xie Yunjie was amused. “Old Chu and the others brought a few friends. One of them seems to be your kid. Guess who?”

“Hanging up.” Lu Lin ignored Xie Yunjie’s teasing.

“Hey hey, I’ll say it myself.” Xie Yunjie quickly said, “Lin Fengzhi, right? The kid Muchi brought last time, the look in his eyes wished he could swallow you whole.”

Lu Lin frowned. “Don’t joke.”

He had some impression of the name Lin Fengzhi. He was the youngest son of the Lin family and seemed to be a minor.

“Fine, our President Lu is serious, this humble one will retreat first!” Xie Yunjie muttered again, “Will I ever see you fall in love in my lifetime?”

Afraid of being scolded, Xie Yunjie hung up first.

As soon as he hung up, the door to the private room opened. Chu Ziyu and Shen Xiong came in, followed by two people.

Xie Yunjie recognized one as Lin Fengzhi and the other as Lin Fengzhi’s second brother, Lin Fengyi.

Chu Ziyu asked as soon as he came in, “Is Brother Lu coming?”

Lin Fengzhi immediately looked over expectantly.

Xie Yunjie whistled. “Old Lu isn’t coming.”

Lin Fengzhi instantly deflated like a leaking ball. He overheard Lin Fengyi on the phone saying he was going out for drinks with Lu Lin’s friends, so he acted coquettishly to make Lin Fengyi bring him along.

Lin Fengyi sat down and ordered juice for Lin Fengzhi first. “My brother is still young, you guys restrain yourselves tonight.”

Chu Ziyu had called a few celebrity models to accompany them for drinks; they would arrive shortly.

Lin Fengzhi immediately retorted, “I became an adult last month!”

He hated it when they treated him like a child.

Lin Fengyi patted his head dotingly. “I know, big kid.”

Chu Ziyu grabbed a handful of pine nuts. “Don’t ruin my reputation in front of the kid. Brother is a decent person.”

Lin Fengzhi looked at Chu Ziyu curiously. Lu Muchi had said that Chu Ziyu and Xie Yunjie were Lu Lin’s good friends, and the three grew up together.

They talked so interestingly.

Xie Yunjie kicked Chu Ziyu. “Already a 30-year-old man, you really have the nerve to call yourself a brother.”

Chu Ziyu dodged with a grin. “Men are like flowers at thirty, the older the more charming.”

Xie Yunjie made a vomiting gesture. At this moment, the bartender arrived.

“President Xie.” The bartender was an old acquaintance of theirs and started preparing directly. “What would you like to drink today?”

Xie Yunjie looked at Lin Fengzhi. “Does Little Fengzhi want to try? Your Uncle Lu loves the drinks mixed by Little Zhao the most. Oxygen’s top star.”

Little Zhao was the bartender. He said modestly, “I’m not qualified enough. The new bartender is the amazing one. The Negroni he mixed during the interview received endless praise from several supervisors.”

Lin Fengzhi blinked. “Uncle Lu Lin?”

Xie Yunjie knew he guessed right. This kid really liked Lu Lin.

He smiled. “Yes.”

Lin Fengzhi nodded immediately. “I want to drink it!”

Xie Yunjie raised his chin at Little Zhao. “Mix him a Negroni.”

By the way, he asked him, “New bartender?”

Little Zhao nodded. “Tomorrow is his first day at work.”

Xie Yunjie became interested. “Then we have to come and support him.”

After chatting with Shen Xiong, Lin Fengyi turned around and saw Lin Fengzhi holding a glass of something. The lighting in the private room wasn’t very bright, so he thought it was juice and didn’t pay attention.

It was Lin Fengzhi’s first time drinking alcohol. He curiously tasted a few sips first. It was slightly sour at first, then gradually became a bit sweet, with an orange flavor. It wasn’t exactly delicious, but inexplicably addictive. Lin Fengzhi downed the rest in one gulp.

By the time Lu Muchi received the news and rushed over, Lin Fengzhi was already drunk. He lay on the sofa, quiet and out of place in the luxurious private room.

Lu Muchi gritted his teeth. Ignoring Xie Yunjie and the others, he picked up Lin Fengzhi and left.

Outside the private room, Lin Fengzhi raised his head. His flushed face looked like a ripe peach, and his light brown eyes were watery. He blinked in confusion, looked at Lu Muchi for a long while, then suddenly got excited and struggled to hug his neck.

Just as Lu Muchi opened the car door, Lin Fengzhi bumped into his forehead.

With a heavy thud, he gasped in pain.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Did you practice Iron Head Kung Fu? So hard.”

Lin Fengzhi didn’t speak, just kept pressing against Lu Muchi’s face. His hot breath, mixed with the sweetness of the cocktail, sprayed closely onto Lu Muchi’s face.

“Lu… Lu…” Lin…

The boy’s lips were red and moist, brushing against Lu Muchi’s cheek from time to time, making Lu Muchi’s throat extremely dry.

But he tried his best to restrain himself. His baby was innocent, pure, fragile, and precious. He couldn’t hurt him.

Lu Muchi played rough in bed. His bed partners would need to rest for at least half a month after getting off his bed.

“Mm, I’m here.” His voice was gentle as he laid Lin Fengzhi down in the back seat. “Don’t be afraid, I’ll take you home to rest. You won’t feel bad soon.”

Lin Fengzhi didn’t know if he understood. After making a fuss for a while, he fell into a deep sleep.

The fire that had been ignited couldn’t be extinguished at all.

Lu Muchi closed the car door, leaned against the car, smoked a cigarette, and thought of Yan Heqing again.

Accompanying Lin Fengzhi to get familiar with the school this half month, he almost forgot there was a perfect substitute.

Lu Muchi took out the cigarette butt, tossed it into the trash can, and then dialed a number.

“Find a boy around 18, who can act and is clever. Send him to my place tomorrow morning.”

Since Yan Heqing wanted to find his brother, he would send a brother to him.

Sleeping on a 1.5-meter bed for the first time, Yan Heqing didn’t have to curl up anymore. He slept very comfortably, dreamless all night, and woke up in the sunlight.

This old house had another advantage: it faced south, so it got sun in the morning.

Yan Heqing got up and cooked a bowl of egg noodles. A perfectly fried soft-boiled egg, light alkaline noodles, and two fresh green vegetables.

He had been eating on time for the past half month, with eggs and meat at every meal. He had gained a little weight on his face, his complexion had improved, and his skin had a faint luster.

He also bought two new jackets.

Although they were still off-brand, they were quite good compared to his previous clothes, very warm and windproof.

It was early December, and the daytime temperature had been around 5 degrees recently. Yan Heqing was going out. He wore a pure black hoodie inside and a navy blue cotton-padded jacket outside.

A bulging large backpack was placed next to the shoe cabinet. Yan Heqing put it on and went out.

Subway Line 3 led to Jing University, and Line 5 went out of the city. Yan Heqing got on Line 5.

His health was very poor, so it was very easy to get a certificate from the hospital. He had already asked the teacher for two months of sick leave and would go back to take the exams at the end of the term.

He knew the Zhao Huilin couple would go to the school to block him.

And his destination for today was — Tianshan Reservoir.