Chapter 91#
Yan Heqing opened his eyes, his chest heaving, a mist shrouding his light brown pupils.
He adjusted his breathing and looked out the window.
Rainwater slid down from the eaves like a crystal curtain, isolating this old house like an island off the coast. The only thing clear was the banana tree in the heavy rain, its green becoming increasingly vivid.
Yan Heqing closed the window. The sound of the rain lessened significantly. He gathered his shirt and buttoned it up one by one.
When Lu Lin returned, the light in the main room was on. Yan Heqing was sitting by the stove, warming the green plum wine with hot water, resting his chin on his hand while reading a book.
The soft light and shadow outlined his serious and focused profile, possessing an inviolable nobility.
Lu Lin walked over and bent down to look at the book.
It was still “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” from last time. Yan Heqing was almost finished, with only a dozen thin pages left.
Lu Lin smelled of cedar from a fresh bath, and a faint scent of rain.
The slightly damp tips of his hair brushed past Yan Heqing’s earlobe from time to time. Lu Lin didn’t make a sound, and neither did Yan Heqing. Maintaining this posture, the two quietly finished reading the ending of the novel.
Only then did Lu Lin retreat and sit opposite, further away from Yan Heqing.
Lu Lin rarely had such moments of losing control.
The strong yet fragile young man was an existence he wanted to protect in every way. He had intended to wait for the right time before taking their relationship further.
However…
Lu Lin mocked himself helplessly. Facing Yan Heqing, his self-control was always useless.
For a considerable time just now, he wanted to turn back and just throw caution to the wind.
He knew Yan Heqing wouldn’t refuse.
But in the end, he couldn’t bear it.
He didn’t want the young man to have bad memories; his life was hard enough.
Yan Heqing closed the book and put it aside, pouring two cups of green plum wine, one for Lu Lin and one for himself.
The plum wine was already warm, with a mellow and sweet taste, very delicious. However, the white liquor used should be around 40 degrees, which was a bit high.
Yan Heqing took two sips, and his cheeks already revealed a rich pink color.
The two didn’t talk about what just happened. Lu Lin was a little surprised, “Can’t hold your liquor?”
The green plum wine was sweet and sour, very much to Yan Heqing’s taste. He took another sip before putting down the cup, a vivid smile rising on the corner of his mouth, “No, this is called a diversion. When I worked part-time at the bar before, the supervisor saw my face and wouldn’t let me taste wine anymore.”
With just a few words, Lu Lin could imagine Yan Heqing’s past working environment.
He silently picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
Yan Heqing drank a few cups, then pushed away the ice cake in front of him, whispered “I’ll sleep for a while”, and fell asleep lying on his stomach.
Completely defenseless.
Lu Lin looked at him quietly, got up after a moment, picked up Yan Heqing by the waist, and walked steadily into Yan Heqing’s room.
Pulling back the quilt, Lu Lin gently placed Yan Heqing on the bed. His head sank into the soft pillow, and his eyelashes suddenly lifted. Compared to usual, Yan Heqing’s pupil color seemed a few shades darker due to intoxication.
“Lu Lin.” He spoke, the ending sound dragging slightly, and suddenly raised his hand to touch Lu Lin’s face.
The palm that was always slightly cool was rarely warm.
“Are you still feeling bad?” Lu Lin’s face was reflected in the bottom of his pupils. Yan Heqing slowly closed his eyes again, “I’m sorry…”
His hand fell, and he fell asleep again.
Lu Lin caught Yan Heqing’s hand. He was stunned at first, then revealed an incredible smile, lowered his head and kissed Yan Heqing’s fingertips very lightly, then put it under the quilt.
“Sweet dreams.”
The heavy rain lasted until early morning. When they woke up the next day, the water in the scenic area had receded, and the sun was shining brightly.
Yan Heqing got up. Lu Lin had already made breakfast and a pot of hangover soup.
After eating, Old Li drove over.
Yan Heqing didn’t ask about the itinerary. He got into the passenger seat and fastened his seat belt. The scenic spots in Ershiqiao were relatively concentrated. After being stuck in traffic for ten minutes on the road, they soon arrived at the destination.
Getting out of the car and seeing the familiar lake, Yan Heqing knew it was the landmark of Ershiqiao, the Twenty Ancient Bridges.
When playing Bluff, Yan Heqing had seen these bridges on the cards first.
The twenty ancient bridges were not connected but scattered in different areas. It would take two days to finish walking them. There were ferries for lake tours, but there were too many people. After discussing, Lu Lin and Yan Heqing decided to rent bicycles.
There was sun, but it wasn’t scorching. Riding a bicycle around the lake was quite relaxing.
The holiday was full of tourists. They went to several rental points before renting the last bicycle, pink with a basket. Fortunately, the back seat could carry a person.
Lu Lin couldn’t sit in the back seat; his legs had nowhere to go, so he was the driver.
Yan Heqing sat on it. His legs were also long, but he could barely sit by tucking them in slightly.
Lu Lin hadn’t ridden a bicycle for too long. He wobbled a few times at the start and only became steady after a while.
Yan Heqing took out his phone to film the lake and mountains. After filming for a while, he thought of something, “Is your grandmother’s bicycle like this?”
Lu Lin recalled for a few seconds, “About the same. Just that the back seat was removed by me.”
Yan Heqing was surprised, “Removed the back seat?”
“Xie Yunjie and Chu Ziyu always tried to hitch a ride.” Lu Lin’s tone was unhurried, “Removed it directly to solve the problem once and for all.”
“You have a very good relationship with them.” Yan Heqing finished filming and turned off the phone, his face reflected on the screen.
In elementary school, Yan Heqing also had friends, but he had to wash dishes after school and on weekends, so he didn’t have time to play. Gradually, no one asked him to play anymore.
In junior high and high school, he was popular with girls, but most boys ostracized him. Only a few who loved learning would ask him questions.
And in college, in the original text, he lost the opportunity to make friends before he even started. Now that he had awakened, he didn’t have time and didn’t want to make friends. He wasn’t sure if he would still be there in two years.
“What are you thinking about?” Lu Lin interrupted his thoughts.
A breeze hit, carrying the fresh smell of earth after the rain. Yan Heqing suddenly leaned his head against Lu Lin’s back, closed his eyes to feel the breath of the wind, “I’m thinking the wind here is really nice.”
Lu Lin laughed, “If you like it so much, we’ll come back during the holidays.”
Yan Heqing didn’t answer. He just pressed his forehead closer to Lu Lin’s back. Even through the shirt, he could feel his warmth.
Even with a bicycle, it was afternoon by the time they circled Ershiqiao. Returning the bicycle, they randomly entered a pan-fried bun shop by the lake to settle dinner.
Returning to the old house, unlike the crowded scenic area, this world located deep in the scenic area was quiet and peaceful.
Hot water poured down from the shower, washing away the fatigue of the day’s journey.
Yan Heqing dried his hair, changed into pajamas, and came out of the bathroom.
Lu Lin was talking on the phone in the main room.
“I make decisions only for the interests of the Lu Group.”
“It’s useless no matter who Lu Muchi is.”
The other party’s voice was particularly clear in the quiet room. It was Lu Changcheng, “I really shouldn’t have given birth to you back then!”
Lu Lin was unmoved, “It was my mom who gave birth to me.”
Lu Changcheng hung up the phone in exasperation.
Lu Lin put down his phone and got up. He had already noticed Yan Heqing coming out. He walked over and naturally took the towel, helping Yan Heqing dry his hair, “Going to sleep?”
Yan Heqing was still thinking about the phone content he just heard.
Does the Lu Group have a project conflicting with Lu Muchi?
His forehead was suddenly flicked, “Fell asleep standing up?”
Yan Heqing gathered his thoughts and raised his eyes slightly, just in time to see Lu Lin’s superior nose bridge, “When are we going back?”
“Tomorrow evening’s flight.” Lu Lin proposed, “Do you want to try finding your relative? If found, we can visit tomorrow.”
Yan Heqing lowered his eyes, hiding the emotions in them, “No need, my relative contacted me and brought photos of my mother.”
He raised his eyes again, looking deeply at Lu Lin, “I am very grateful to him, very grateful. How do you think I should thank him?”
Lu Lin smiled, “If I were him, knowing you are so happy is the best gratitude.”
Yan Heqing was silent. After a few seconds, he stood on tiptoe slightly and kissed the corner of Lu Lin’s mouth, “I’m asking for a reward.”
That night, Lu Lin took a cold shower all night and still didn’t calm down.
The next day, they didn’t go to the scenic spots but went shopping in the city center of Ershiqiao. Yan Heqing bought a few souvenirs.
After dinner in the afternoon, they went to the airport.
The plane took off on time and landed at the Capital International Airport at nine o’clock. Walking out of the cabin, Yan Heqing was in a trance for a few seconds before truly feeling that time had restarted.
Yan Heqing went to the restroom, washed his hands clean, took out the SIM card, and put it into the new phone.
Just turned on, dozens of messages popped up.
Most were from Lu Muchi, and a few were from unsaved numbers.
May 2nd, [I am Lin Fengyi. Your phone was off when I called. Just telling you, his condition is not very good.]
He naturally referred to Lin Fengzhi.
May 3rd, [He got worse.]
May 4th, [It’s okay now. Although he still doesn’t talk, he is finally willing to eat.]
Yan Heqing didn’t reply first. He contacted Ge Tongyuan first.
Hearing that he was back and brought him a gift, Ge Tongyuan’s tone was quite cheerful, “Thanks! There is still one day of holiday tomorrow. Are you coming to my house to play? It’s not far from Peking University, 13 stops by subway directly!”
Yan Heqing smiled, “Can’t go. I’m going to see Fengzhi tomorrow. Together?”
Ge Tongyuan agreed readily. “Sure!”
Setting to meet at the subway station tomorrow, Yan Heqing hung up and replied to Lin Fengyi, “I’ll go see him tomorrow.”
Lin Fengyi thought Yan Heqing wouldn’t pay attention to him. Receiving the reply, he stared at it to confirm for a long time before jumping up from the bed and running to knock on Lin Fengxian’s door, “Brother, let me go to the hospital tomorrow!”
Afraid that Lin Fengzhi would be lonely, Lin’s mother stayed in the hospital herself and arranged for Lin Fengxian and Lin Fengyi to take turns going to the hospital.
Lin Fengxian opened the door, looking suspicious. “Change to which day? Didn’t you go today?”
Lin Fengyi found a reason, “The day after tomorrow! I have something to do the day after tomorrow, swap with you.”
On the other end, Yan Heqing put away his phone and walked out of the restroom. Lu Lin was waiting for him outside.
The luggage had been retrieved, and the driver was waiting in the parking lot. The two walked towards the parking lot.
At this time, Yan Heqing’s phone vibrated. A call came in. He took out his phone. The caller was 3.3, Lu Muchi.
Yan Heqing calmly swiped the answer button.
Lu Muchi had made hundreds of calls these days. Suddenly connected, he reacted for a few seconds before speaking, “Why did you turn off your phone?!”
Yan Heqing didn’t answer, only asked him, “What’s the matter.”
Lu Muchi had to answer him first, “There’s a problem with the company project, it’s quite complicated. I’m having dinner with the other party next week, you come too?”
He asked carefully. Yan Heqing agreed simply this time, “Okay, tell me when the time is set.”
Lu Muchi was instantly happy, but still couldn’t hold back asking: “Who did you travel with…”
Before he finished, Yan Heqing hung up the phone.
At this time, they also found the car. Lu Lin opened the door to let Yan Heqing get in, then went around to the other side and got in himself.
There was no traffic jam at night, and the road was smooth. It only took the driver one hour to drive from the airport to Yan Heqing’s residence.
Lu Lin didn’t go upstairs. He walked Yan Heqing to the staircase entrance and touched his head, “Go to sleep early.”
Yan Heqing nodded, “You too.”
Turning to go upstairs, obviously not hearing footsteps leaving, Yan Heqing stopped and looked back. Lu Lin was indeed still there.
The light in the hallway was dim. Lu Lin’s voice was low and husky, magnetic, “Can the term of the relationship be extended indefinitely?”
Quiet for a few seconds, the sensor light went out, and was lit up again by the young man’s clear voice.
“Okay.”