Chapter 73#
Driving back to his residence, Yan Heqing didn’t turn on the lights and went to the bathroom to wash his hands in the dark.
Turning off the faucet, he lowered his head and looked at his palms.
Adapting to the darkness, he could vaguely see his wet palms.
After another ten seconds or so, he carefully dried his hands and went out.
He was familiar with every furnishing in the room. Walking to the coffee table, he accurately opened the drawer and took out the velvet box from the deepest part.
Opening the lid, only a little light came in through the window, but the crystal Cube of Light still refracted a faint ray of light on the ceiling.
Shallow, dancing white light, like ripples on the sea surface blown by the wind.
Yan Heqing clenched the box tightly, then loosened his grip and walked to the bedside.
He squatted down and turned on the desk lamp. The orange light suddenly lit up, and the Cube of Light immediately followed with colorful brilliance. Yan Heqing took it out again, and the rainbow light fell quietly into his palm just like every time before.
Yan Heqing gazed quietly for a long while, finally taking out his phone.
Opening the contacts, he dialed Lin Manfeng’s number.
The prompt said the line was busy.
Waiting for an hour, Yan Heqing dialed a second time.
The prompt was still busy.
No need to confirm a third time; he had been blacklisted by Lin Manfeng.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t been suspicious. Lin Manfeng appeared at such a time, so coincidentally, bringing his mother’s photos.
Overjoyed, he was too pleasantly surprised and ignored it.
Now, everything had an explanation.
Lu Lin.
Yan Heqing put down the Cube of Light, letting it shine brilliantly in this small room. He took Yan Qiushuang’s photo frame into his arms, leaned his back against the bed, and sat on the floor with his head buried in his knees.
His cheek pressed tightly against the photo frame, a little cool, yet so warm.
Couldn’t repay, and couldn’t clear the debt anymore.
The room was extremely quiet. After an unknown amount of time, someone suddenly shouted loudly downstairs, “Whose car is this! Jing 012—”
Vaguely, he thought it was his license plate.
The old residential area didn’t have planned parking spaces before. In recent years, a small open space was cleared for parking, and some temporary parking spaces were marked on the roadside. Over time, some people often parked in one place and treated it as their own parking space.
The landlord also asked Yan Heqing to park in his so-called parking space, taking the opportunity to charge an extra 100 yuan for parking fees, but Yan Heqing refused.
These two days, there was an empty space opposite his apartment building, and he parked in the same spot several times.
Today that spot was still empty, but he parked in the spot before it.
Not exactly parking wrong, just that he was indeed distracted.
Yan Heqing ignored the unreasonable shouting downstairs. He looked up, gently stroked the photo frame, put it back on the bedside table, took his phone and logged into WeChat.
The class group was still lively, with 99+ messages.
Yan Heqing didn’t look. He clicked on the chat box with Lu Lin. The chat history was still from before going out to sea.
He typed a line.
“Off work yet?”
Lu Lin had just arrived home when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He took off his coat, took out his phone, saw it was 52 Hertz, and immediately swiped to unlock.
Just as he was about to reply, Yan Heqing sent another message.
[I’ve already got my driver’s license. What favor do you want me to help with?]
Last time Lu Lin was the accompanying instructor for Yan Heqing’s Subject 2 and 3, he mentioned asking him for a favor.
Lu Lin changed into slippers and replied, “Talk about it next time we meet.”
Carrying things to the kitchen, it was inconvenient to type, so he sent a voice message, “Did you open the things?”
Yan Heqing clicked it open, didn’t understand, “What things?”
Walking to the countertop, Lu Lin put down the plastic bag and took out the instant noodles and eggs with one hand.
The instant noodles were the same brand Yan Heqing bought, and the same flavor, braised beef noodles.
Lu Lin opened the bag and made a voice call, laughing very low, “Seems your electricity meter was just fixed, didn’t notice the bag behind the door.”
Holding the phone to his ear, Yan Heqing walked to the entrance. Sure enough, there were two bags beside the shoe rack.
Focused on Xu Qiaoyin’s matter these two days, he didn’t notice when going in and out.
Yan Heqing squatted down, pushing open the bag with his index finger. One bag was… laundry pods? The other bag was shower gel and shampoo.
The shampoo bottle was completely white, without a logo.
At the same time, Lu Lin said on the phone: “These three items are from the same production line, not available on the market. Didn’t you have a friend who likes this scent? You can give it to him.”
Yan Heqing was quiet for a moment, “Don’t want to give.”
Faint sound of water splashing was mixed in Lu Lin’s deep, low voice, “Then keep it for yourself.”
He followed up asking: “How many minutes for the soft-boiled egg you cooked last time?”
Yan Heqing was a bit surprised, “You are cooking instant noodles?”
“Didn’t get to eat last time, craving it.”
Yan Heqing paused for a few seconds, “6 minutes.”
“Then let’s chat for another 6 minutes.” Lu Lin turned on the speakerphone, put down the phone, and put seasoning into another pot, “See if I can cook the same soft-boiled egg.”
Just as he was about to start a topic, Yan Heqing spoke proactively, “I did something today.”
“Good thing or bad thing.”
Yan Heqing said slowly: “Good thing for me, bad thing for others.”
The seasoning packet melted, emitting the unique aroma of instant noodles. Lu Lin added three blocks of instant noodles, “Pretty good, you have a talent for business.”
This time, Yan Heqing spoke after a while, “Is the ice water ready? The eggs need to be soaked in ice water immediately after being fished out.”
“No need, the eggs exploded.” Lu Lin said, “I’m not good at cooking soft-boiled eggs, better wait for you.”
The instant noodles were cooked at the same time. He hung up the voice call, “Rest early, good night.”
It was eleven o’clock.
Yan Heqing looked at the time, his neck a bit sore, remembering he hadn’t done today’s 15-minute wall standing yet. He picked up the two bags and went to the bathroom first. Just as he stood up, a new message popped up on WeChat.
sep12.
[You told Gu Xingye about our relationship??]
Yan Heqing didn’t reply and turned off his phone.
——
Lin Fengzhi didn’t wait for Yan Heqing’s reply, but Gu Xingye’s call came in immediately.
Lin Fengzhi didn’t want to answer. He didn’t know how to explain.
He didn’t want to hide his background from Gu Xingye. If there was one person in the world who could share all his secrets, it must be Gu Xingye. It was just that he missed several opportunities, and now it was hard to speak.
And what if Yan Heqing and Gu Xingye became familiar because of him?
Lin Fengzhi admitted he was petty.
Who let Yan Heqing be so outstanding, having the magic to make everyone like him.
Big brother, parents, and the future sister-in-law who had never even met Yan Heqing, would mention wanting to meet Yan Heqing when coming for a meal.
The strawberry in his mouth instantly lost its sweetness. Lin Fengzhi was still holding a big box in his arms.
He got hungry while writing his diary and went downstairs to find food. Just as he took out a box of strawberries to eat, Gu Xingye suddenly sent a WeChat message asking if he knew Yan Heqing, and he got angry.
It must be Yan Heqing who told Gu Xingye!
Although it was a fact, how could Yan Heqing tell his friend such a thing without his consent! Completely disrespectful to him!
He could imagine it. Yan Heqing discovered his classmate was the prominent figure in the biology department, Gu Xingye, and wanted to use him as an excuse to climb the social ladder.
Lin Fengzhi’s young master temper flared up. He threw a box of big red strawberries directly into the trash can, answered the phone in a fit of pique, and vented repeatedly, “Yes, yes, yes, Yan Heqing is my biological brother! Twin biological brother! Are you satisfied?!”
Gu Xingye only thought Yan Heqing was Lin Fengzhi’s relative, not expecting twins. He sighed, “Then you guys really don’t look alike at all. Fraternal twins, right?”
He didn’t mention adoption. Lin Fengzhi’s anger subsided by half, but he was still resentful, “What do you mean? He is much better than me, right!”
Gu Xingye chuckled, “See, bristling again. This is the difference. Your brother is steadier than you.”
Every sentence was about Yan Heqing. Lin Fengzhi didn’t want to talk anymore, “Don’t want to talk to you, hanging up.”
“Hey, one more thing.” Gu Xingye stopped him.
“Speak!”
“Tomorrow afternoon our class is going for a field internship in the mountains for a week. The signal in the mountains is poor, might lose contact.”
Lin Fengzhi was unhappy again. Yan Heqing didn’t tell him about going for a field internship. This was a whole week. Wasn’t Yan Heqing afraid he would be anxious if he couldn’t contact him?
He was depressed, “Got it.”
Paused, “You know Yan Heqing is my biological brother now. Usually… take care of him a little.”
Hanging up the phone, Lin Fengzhi stared at the chat box with Yan Heqing. Yan Heqing still hadn’t replied to him.
Guilty and dared not reply, right.
Lin Fengzhi felt extremely aggrieved. He rubbed his sore eyes hard, turned to go upstairs, and saw Lin Fengyi standing at the kitchen door when he looked back.
Lin Fengzhi’s grievance doubled, calling out pitifully, “Brother…”
Lin Fengyi was distracted. Hearing his voice, he suddenly came back to his senses, “Huh? What did you say?”
“…You are all equally annoying!” Lin Fengzhi’s temper grew bigger, stepping forward to bump Lin Fengyi away.
“Zhizhi.” Lin Fengyi called him.
Lin Fengzhi stopped stiffly, “What?”
“I heard you talking on the phone. Yan Heqing and Gu Xingye are in the same class?”
Yan Heqing again!
Why did everyone ask him about Yan Heqing!
Lin Fengzhi turned back and pushed Lin Fengyi, “If you care about him so much, go ask him yourself! So annoying!”
Running upstairs angrily.
Lin Fengyi hit the door frame. The silk pajamas had no cushioning effect, and both shoulder blades hurt.
He grimaced, rubbing his shoulders with crossed hands, completely unconcerned, thinking about another thing in his mind.
Field internship, one week?
Randomly kneading his shoulders a few times, Lin Fengyi strode back to his room and made a call.
For the field internship, Bio-Science Class 2 chartered a bus.
Gathering at the side gate after school in the afternoon, Zhou Wuyou stood on tiptoe with her suitcase, looking around. Yan Heqing hadn’t come yet.
Zhan Pingting knew her thoughts and teased her in a low voice, “Want to see him that much?”
Zhou Wuyou was open and generous, “Yes.” Still staring at the side gate, thinking of that clean and gentle boy, her heartbeat accelerated involuntarily, “I like him very much. If you like him too, let’s compete fairly.”
Zhan Pingting spread her hands, “I never challenge high difficulty. Such a flower on a high ridge, us mortals are not worthy.” She bumped her back lightly and smiled, “I’m in a group with Yan Heqing this time. How about I create opportunities for you? One barbecue meal.”
Zhou Wuyou looked back at her, big eyes blinking. Zhan Pingting felt creeped out by the stare and rubbed her arms, “What are you doing? If you don’t want to, forget it…”
Zhou Wuyou suddenly hugged her. Zhan Pingting was less than 160cm, petite, and was easily lifted off the ground by Zhou Wuyou, “How is one meal enough! One month! I’ll treat you for one month!”
Zhan Pingting laughed, “Put me down quickly!” After a while, she looked ahead in surprise and quickly lowered her voice, “Quick, quick! Your flower on a high ridge is here!”
Zhou Wuyou let go quickly, pulling her clothes and looking back.
Yan Heqing was carrying a solid-colored travel bag. He could feel Zhou Wuyou’s intense gaze, but he couldn’t give any response. Pretending not to notice, he carried the bag onto the bus.
Zhou Wuyou was still standing there dumbfounded. Zhan Pingting was more anxious than her, pushing her onto the bus, “What are you standing there for? Follow quickly and find a chance to sit together! I’ll help you put the suitcase!”
Zhou Wuyou finally moved, rushing onto the bus.
Only she was a step too late.
Yan Heqing walked to the double seat in the second to last row. There were many seats, so he could sit in this row alone.
Just after putting away the travel bag, someone pushed him from behind, and he leaned forward a few steps due to inertia.
He looked back. Gu Xingye just sat down, his two long legs pressing against the back of the front seat, blocking the aisle out, looking up and smiling with a mouthful of white teeth, “Good afternoon.”