Chapter 80#
The discussion of the male classmates earlier surfaced in Yan Heqing’s mind.
He didn’t recognize the car logo, but the black car beside Lu Lin was probably the famous car that made all the boys marvel.
Yan Heqing had heard too many vicious and unpleasant words. He almost immediately guessed the reason why Lu Lin went to Huaishan to pick him up but only followed the bus in a low-key manner.
Gossip.
If he got into Lu Lin’s luxury car in full view of everyone, where there were people, even in the highest institution of learning, he would always become the subject of gossip in some corner.
Yan Heqing looked at Lu Lin without moving.
The distance wasn’t far, but they were separated by a road. It started to get dark later in spring, but the streetlights were also lighting up one after another. Cars passed by from time to time, making Lu Lin appear and disappear, like a stuttering picture.
But he was always there.
On the phone, Lu Lin’s voice sounded at the same time, “What are you looking at?”
Yan Heqing spoke, “You.”
Lu Lin was very surprised by Yan Heqing’s answer. After a second or two of silence, a low voice with a slightly raised ending mixed with the sound of horns, “Come closer and look.”
Yan Heqing finally lifted his foot, carrying his luggage and walking towards Lu Lin. Reaching the roadside, the red light ended, and cars came continuously. The not-so-wide street instantly became busy with traffic.
Yan Heqing was temporarily blocked. He put away his phone. When this wave of traffic ended and the road returned to calm, it was a minute later.
He crossed the zebra crossing and stopped in front of Lu Lin. As Lu Lin said, he came closer to look at him.
Not seeing him for a few days, it seemed nothing was different, yet it seemed everything was different.
Pedestrians passed by on the sidewalk from time to time. Lu Lin opened the passenger door, “Finished looking? Let’s go home.”
Having not heard “go home” for too long, Yan Heqing was distracted for a few seconds, then nodded and got into the car.
Closing the car door, Lu Lin went around to the driver’s seat, fastened his seatbelt, and then took Yan Heqing’s left hand and held it. Yan Heqing was a bit surprised, looking at him sideways with a questioning look in his eyes.
“Thinner again.” Lu Lin let go nonchalantly, holding the steering wheel and driving out of the temporary parking space, “Eat more at home to make up for it.”
It was normal not to eat well in the mountains. Yan Heqing could also clearly feel that he had lost some weight again. He withdrew his gaze. This was the second time Lu Lin mentioned going home. He didn’t ask Lu Lin which home it was; he wasn’t worried it would be the Lu family’s ancestral home.
Lu Lin returned to that large flat.
Yan Heqing put down his schoolbag and luggage bag by the entrance. Lu Lin saw it from the corner of his eye but didn’t say anything. He took out a pair of beige home shoes, then changed into slippers himself, took off his coat, rolled up his shirt cuffs and walked towards the kitchen, “There are snacks on the coffee table. If you are hungry, eat some to fill your stomach first. I’ll go cook.”
Yan Heqing changed into the new slippers. The soles were soft as if stepping on cotton, and the size was suitable. He walked into the living room.
Lu Lin didn’t often return to this house. The furnishings were no different from when Yan Heqing left last time. The only difference was the extra snacks on the coffee table.
Two large transparent glass plates, one with small packages of dried pineapple, and one with small packages of beef jerky.
Yan Heqing sat down and opened a pack of beef jerky.
He wasn’t a picky eater, but he did prefer beef.
The sound of cooking came from the kitchen. Yan Heqing chewed on the beef jerky, kneading his somewhat sore neck. At this time, a call came. It was one of the bosses for whom he did side jobs, wanting to rush a report.
[The tutor suddenly urged! Extremely urgent, can only rely on you. Submit before 12 o’clock tonight, I’ll pay 500 extra for rushing!]
500 yuan wasn’t a small amount, and for Yan Heqing, it was just an hour or two of work. But there was a problem; he didn’t have a computer now. He didn’t agree immediately, hung up the phone and went to the kitchen.
The kitchen was filled with a rich meat aroma, probably the meat Lu Lin stewed in advance before they came back.
There was also a plate of fried fish on the countertop.
Lu Lin was cutting potatoes. Yan Heqing waited for him to finish cutting before asking, “Is there a laptop?”
Yan Heqing knew there was a desktop computer in the study, but Lu Lin’s computer must contain many work files, so it would be more appropriate for him to use another computer.
Lu Lin was mixing the sauce, “In the study, password is six 1s.”
Not hearing footsteps, he stirred with chopsticks, “Files are all encrypted.”
Yan Heqing didn’t mean to show off, just stating a fact, “I can crack it.”
Lu Lin put down the seasoning bowl, arranged the processed potatoes into the baking tray one by one, still not looking back, “Good. In the future, if I need to crack a competitor’s computer, I won’t need to hire outside help.”
Only then did Yan Heqing go to the study.
Lu Lin’s top-spec computer was much smoother than Yan Heqing’s second-hand laptop. Plus the internet cafe-level internet speed, Yan Heqing finished it in an hour.
Sent to the boss’s email, Yan Heqing’s phone received a text message notification of 1200 yuan credited.
He turned off the computer and stood up. Just turning around, he bumped into Lu Lin’s black eyes.
Lu Lin had come at some point, leaning against the door frame watching him.
Yan Heqing was particularly vigilant and sensitive, yet every time Lu Lin appeared, he didn’t notice. Yan Heqing’s eyes moved slightly, “Is the meal ready?”
“Ready.” Lu Lin withdrew his gaze, turned and went out first.
Lu Lin made Squirrel Mandarin Fish, Cherry Meat, Shepherd’s Purse and Spring Bamboo Shoots Stewed with Mushrooms, Three-Shrimp Noodles, Mediterranean Potato Salad, and two cups of Mint Mung Bean Soup.
Yan Heqing thought of the reward Lu Lin mentioned. “Is this the reward?”
When he searched for Ershiqiao, he saw that the local specialties included Mandarin Fish, Cherry Meat, and Three-Shrimp Noodles.
And in his last phone call with Lu Lin, he mentioned that the improved potatoes at the base were not tasty.
“Mn.” Lu Lin picked up a piece of Cherry Meat and put it on Yan Heqing’s plate. “First time making it, the taste is okay.”
Yan Heqing had eaten Cherry Meat once, at the small restaurant where he worked part-time. The boss was particularly generous with ingredients, making it cloyingly sweet.
The Cherry Meat made by Lu Lin was light, sweet just right. The meat was stewed soft and glutinous, melting in the mouth. Yan Heqing hadn’t eaten well for a few days. He had a good appetite for this meal and ate two bowls of rice.
Lu Lin also finished the remaining dishes cleanly.
After clearing the dining table, Lu Lin spoke first, “Watch a movie?”
This flat had a home theater room. Yan Heqing wasn’t sure if Lu Lin meant going to the cinema or watching at home, but he had no objection either way, “Okay.”
It was at home.
The not-so-large home theater was twice the size of the house Yan Heqing rented. The furnishings were very simple. Besides the audio-visual equipment, there was only a double sofa and a coffee table. Lu Lin prepared a fruit platter with pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, some snacks, and two cups of coffee.
Lu Lin rarely used the home theater. The last viewing record was a year ago, a mystery thriller.
He found the remote control and gave it to Yan Heqing, “Don’t mind me, pick what you are interested in.” Paused and added, “Comedy, youth romance, anime movies, I occasionally watch too.”
Yan Heqing didn’t take it, curving the corners of his mouth, “Then you choose. I don’t watch many movies, not very knowledgeable.”
Lu Lin’s eyes darkened a few shades. He casually clicked on a mystery movie.
The room instantly dimmed. The movie started with a lush green meadow, the protagonist narrating. The faint light and shadow fell on Yan Heqing’s face. He was watching the screen very seriously, and Lu Lin was watching him.
The movie ended, and the ending song was playing. Yan Heqing turned his face, meeting Lu Lin’s gaze. He smiled and said, “Not bad, a different feeling from reading novels.”
Lu Lin’s voice was low, “Still want to watch?”
Yan Heqing took out his phone to check the time. It was 11:30. At this time, it was inconvenient to leave. He shook his head, “No.”
Getting up to go to the bathroom, just as he stood up, Lu Lin suddenly reached out and pulled him. He sat back on the sofa gently.
“Let’s look at the wound.” Lu Lin turned on the light with the remote control. The room brightened instantly. Then he let go of Yan Heqing’s hand, squatted down and rolled up Yan Heqing’s left trouser leg.
The gauze had been removed. With the light this time, it was clearer. Yan Heqing had cold white skin, but wearing long pants all year round, the skin color on his legs was a shade whiter than his face, white to the point of being sickly. Besides the bite wound from last time, there was a long old scar on his left calf.
The shape was winding and ugly, like a crack in a piece of transparent white jade, particularly dazzling.
Lu Lin’s gaze froze.
Yan Heqing didn’t remember the old injury on his left leg at first. Lu Lin didn’t make a sound for a long time before he remembered. He wanted to retract his foot, but Lu Lin put down his trouser leg first, stood up and said: “New flesh is growing. Apply some ointment before going to bed so it won’t itch.”
Lu Lin looked natural. Yan Heqing wasn’t sure if Lu Lin saw it. After a few seconds of silence, he proactively said: “It’s too late. Can I stay here tonight?”
“The guest room from last time.” Lu Lin tidied up the coffee table, “Sort out the clothes that need washing. The apartment butler will come to pick them up later.”
Yan Heqing didn’t refuse. He went to the entrance to sort out the clothes he had worn, and took a set of change of clothes to take a shower.
When he came out after washing, Lu Lin was talking on the phone in the living room.
Just happened to hear a sentence.
“Arrange for him to stay.”
Lu Lin kept looking in the direction of the bathroom. When Yan Heqing came out, he hung up the phone, walked over and naturally took the towel, wiping Yan Heqing’s rolled-up wet hair, seemingly explaining the phone call just now, “Someone tried to scam me a few days ago.”
Lu Lin changed into a bathrobe, the front open, revealing a small patch of chest. Yan Heqing’s head was covered by the towel, and his line of sight just happened to see Lu Lin’s chest. He moved his gaze slightly, “How scam?”
“Stopped my car in the underground garage.”
Yan Heqing immediately guessed it was Lin Fengzhi.
“The doctor gave him a full check-up and found no problems. He insisted his eyes were uncomfortable and wanted to be hospitalized.” Lu Lin’s voice was unhurried, “Wants to see me in person.”
Yan Heqing smiled, “Are you going?”
Lu Lin lifted a strand of hair, half dry. He took away the towel and said: “My lawyer will go.”
As soon as the towel was removed, two pairs of eyes met.
Yan Heqing felt a bit unnatural then. His loungewear was loose and not revealing. Lu Lin was also wearing a normal bathrobe. But having just showered, they smelled of the same cedar scent. This scene was hard not to be ambiguous.
“Don’t read anymore, rest early.” Lu Lin suddenly covered his head with the towel again, rubbed it vigorously, “Good night.”
In the narrow field of vision, the home shoes gradually walked away.
Yan Heqing didn’t know what he was thinking. He only pulled down the towel when he returned to the guest room.
The guest room was different from when he came last time. The bedding had just been changed, and there was a vase of white plum blossoms on the table.
In this season, don’t know where Lu Lin found the plum blossoms.
Yan Heqing bent down, leaning close to the plum blossoms to sniff lightly. It was a very faint and elegant fragrance.
Lu Lin came out of the bathroom. There was a WeChat message from an hour ago on his phone.
52 Hertz, [Good night.]
And a cute smiley face emoji.
Lu Lin watched silently for a few seconds, then turned back to the bathroom.
The next afternoon, Lu Changcheng still couldn’t wait and asked Lu Han to pick up Yan Heqing at Peking University personally.
Lu Han didn’t have much impression of Yan Heqing, but since Lu Changcheng seemed to treat Yan Heqing differently, Lu Han became much closer to him, asking about his well-being all the way.
Yan Heqing picked some irrelevant answers.
Lu Han probably also saw later that Yan Heqing had no desire to chat with him, so he didn’t speak again.
The hospital wasn’t far or near, arriving in an hour.
Lu Han was particular and wanted to wait for the driver to open the door. Yan Heqing opened the door and got out first. Lu Changcheng ordered that he must bring Yan Heqing personally. Lu Han’s face changed, and he opened the door unhappily and got out, following Yan Heqing into the hospital.
Entering the elevator, Lu Han pressed the 7th floor and said with a smile: “You must be starving at this hour. I’ll ask them to send the meal up directly. You eat with Xiao Chi.”
Yan Heqing inquired about the situation calmly, “He still doesn’t eat?”
Lu Han sighed, “He ate a few times after his uncle came once, but now he can’t eat again, and won’t let us use nutritional injections.”
Yan Heqing had an idea in his mind.
At this time, the elevator reached the 7th floor. The elevator door opened, and a man stood outside. Yan Heqing first noticed a mole at the corner of his right eye.
A passage flashed in his mind instantly.
[The man outside the door was over 180cm, born with the look of a dissolute playboy, with a mole at the corner of his right eye. The look in his eyes when looking at him carried an indescribable meaning.]
At this time, Lu Han smiled and spoke: “Cheng Jian, Muchi’s partner, I remember correctly, right?”
Cheng Jian was polite and refined, “Uncle has a good memory.”
The two chatted briefly. The people in the elevator went out, and the people outside the elevator went in.
Just as the elevator door opened and closed, Cheng Jian’s gaze flashed past Yan Heqing.
Yan Heqing was unperturbed.
Finally waited until.