AAWOMAHI Chapter21

During the break, Lu Xingmian and the other three went to the office to hand in their self-criticism reports. Li Mei read them one by one. Seeing their good attitude in admitting their mistakes, she didn’t reprimand them further, only telling them not to skip class next time.

 

As the group returned from the office after submitting their reports, they ran into Qian An, a boy from the adjacent class.

 

All the students who skipped class yesterday were publicly criticized and had to write self-criticism reports; Lu Xingmian and his friends were no exception.

 

Qian An was puzzled why Zhou Cheng and the other three didn’t receive more severe punishments. Did the dean of students and Li Mei fail to catch them at the KTV? He had already given the address to the dean and Li Mei. Did they really not catch anyone in the act, or was Zhou Cheng deliberately letting him overhear yesterday?

 

When Zhou Cheng saw Qian An, he bumped into him, pushing him against the wall. Zhou Cheng had been thinking about it, and the only person who knew they were going to the KTV and reported it to the homeroom teacher and dean of students was Qian An. This wasn’t the first time Qian An had done something like this.

 

Zhou Cheng already disliked Qian An intensely.

 

Qian An glared. “Damn it, Zhou Cheng, are you crazy?”

 

Zhou Cheng waved his hands, looking completely innocent. “My bad, it wasn’t on purpose. The hallway’s too narrow. Why did you have to walk between us? I just accidentally bumped into you.”

 

Qian An shot back, “You totally did that on purpose!”

 

Zhou Cheng retorted, “Which eye saw that I did it on purpose? This isn’t your school hallway; can’t we even walk here?”

 

Qian An knew it was intentional, but he was at a disadvantage, being one person against four. Still, he wouldn’t back down verbally. He didn’t believe Zhou Cheng and his friends would dare to fight him in school.

 

The group argued in the hallway.

 

The office door opened, and Li Mei emerged, looking at them. “What’s all this fuss about? Class is about to start, get back to your classrooms! Do you want to stand outside the office for a whole class or write another 800-word report?”

 

Zhu Jinyan pulled the fuming Zhou Cheng away. “Why bother talking to him? Let’s go back to class.”

 

Zhou Cheng was shorter than Zhu Jinyan and was dragged away by the collar of his shirt. Zhou Cheng protested, “Zhu Jinyan, let go! You’re making me lose face!”

 

Zhu Jinyan didn’t listen and continued to pull him. Lu Xingmian and Chen Che followed behind them.

 

Li Mei looked at Qian An, who was still standing there. “Aren’t you going back to class?”

 

Only then did Qian An remember to leave.

 

Li Mei watched Qian An’s retreating back and shook her head helplessly. She had already found out that the number that sent messages to her and the dean of students was Qian An’s phone number. These kids nowadays—she didn’t know what to say. Li Mei only hoped her students would graduate smoothly, pass their college entrance exams successfully, and get into their desired universities.

 

The “call your parents” situation gave Lu Xingmian a headache.

 

He wondered if Lu Ge would be willing to come.

 

If Lu Ge wasn’t willing, he would truly have no choice but to hire someone online; there were plenty of such services available.

 

Lu Xingmian suddenly realized that he didn’t even have a parent figure anymore.

 

That evening, Lu Shiran went out for drinks with a few friends. Tomorrow was a friend’s birthday, and they had planned to go out and celebrate it together.

 

Lu Shiran sat sprawled on the sofa with a cigarette between his right fingers. After a moment, he exhaled a deep puff of smoke, and his immediate surroundings were filled with blue haze. The smoke, however, couldn’t completely obscure his handsome face.

 

Among those present, only Lu Shiran was still single.

 

People outside said Lu Shiran’s romantic life was a mystery, and that was true, because Lu Shiran had no romantic life.

 

Approaching twenty-eight, Lu Shiran was still an old bachelor who had never even been in a relationship.

 

Knowing his sexual orientation, his friends had even specially invited a few young, handsome men to keep Lu Shiran company, just in case he took a liking to one of them, it would help him break his virginity.

 

His friends had even thoughtfully found several different types of men: sunny and handsome, delicate and pitiful, and even cute ones, each more attractive than the last.

 

However, after the attractive young men entered, Lu Shiran didn’t even glance at them, naturally ignoring the ones who came forward to strike up a conversation. The aloof aura he exuded also prevented the men from approaching him easily; no one here lacked good judgment.

 

One of his friends sat beside Lu Shiran and said, “Lu Shiran, seriously, isn’t there any type you like?”

 

“If you like one, you can take him straight to a hotel. Don’t worry, these guys are all virgins.”

 

Lu Shiran expressionlessly extinguished his cigarette, his voice icy. “Not interested.”

 

Alright, after so many years of friendship with Lu Shiran, if he said he wasn’t interested, he genuinely wasn’t. So what type did he actually like?

 

While Lu Shiran wasn’t interested, his friends certainly were. These young men were quite handsome and charming.

 

The men and the young men were having a good time, feeding each other fruit and drinks.

 

When you go out to have fun, you’re supposed to enjoy yourself, and his friends thought it was boring for Lu Shiran to just sit there smoking and drinking by himself.

 

A few friends even heartlessly started a bet: Would Lu Shiran escape bachelorhood before he turned thirty? Without exception, they all bet he wouldn’t. To make the bet viable, one friend changed his wager to “Lu Shiran will.”

 

Hearing his friends gamble on him, Lu Shiran shot them a glance. The others quickly began drinking and playing games, changing the subject.

 

It was at this moment that Lu Shiran’s phone vibrated. As soon as he saw the name on the screen, he put down his drink, stood up, and left the private room. It was too noisy in there and certainly not suitable for children.

 

Seeing him leave with his phone, his friends exchanged glances.

 

“No way, he actually went out specifically to answer that call.”

 

“And his expression changed when he saw the call, how do I put it? It seemed to soften.”

 

“Are you sure you didn’t see wrong? Are you absolutely sure?”

 

His friends all speculated about who was calling Lu Shiran.

 

The person calling Lu Shiran was Lu Xingmian.

 

After a morning and an afternoon of agonizing, Lu Xingmian, after countless internal struggles, finally decided to call Lu Ge.

 

Lu Xingmian’s journey of indecision was quite bumpy. When school ended, he made a wager with himself: if the number of people he encountered on his walk home from the bus stop was an even number, he would call Lu Ge. If it was an odd number, he wouldn’t call him.

 

Then, when Lu Xingmian reached his residential complex, the number of people he encountered was odd, meaning he shouldn’t call Lu Ge.

 

Lu Xingmian reconsidered. If the number of people he met from the complex entrance to his building downstairs was odd, he would call Lu Ge. If it was even, he wouldn’t.

 

The distance from the complex entrance to his building was short. Lu Xingmian quietly counted. As he reached downstairs, he saw a girl, making it exactly seven people! Lu Xingmian’s eyes lit up with joy, feeling that fate was telling him to call Lu Ge. However, the girl turned around, holding a small baby in her arms.

 

Ah, eight people; an even number. The smile in Lu Xingmian’s eyes gradually disappeared, and he regretted not making it so an even number meant he had to call.

 

Lu Xingmian silently told himself, The first two don’t count, this is the last time.

 

From here, walking up to the fifth floor, if the number of stairs was odd, he would call Lu Ge. If it was even, he would give up.

 

As he ascended, counting the stairs, the top student, Lu Xingmian, suddenly felt nervous when faced with elementary school math, fearing he would miscount.

 

He walked slowly and counted slowly.

 

When he stepped onto the last stair, Lu Xingmian suddenly smiled. It was an odd number! Lu Xingmian felt the dim stairwell instantly become incredibly bright, and his mood felt incredibly light.

 

Lu Xingmian returned home, did some homework, and checked the time. Eight o’clock. At this time, Lu Ge should have finished dinner and be free, so he called him.

 

It wasn’t his first time calling Lu Ge, but this time he was extremely nervous. Lu Xingmian could feel his hands trembling slightly, and his heart was beating fast.

 

After four or five rings, the call was finally answered.

 

Lu Xingmian called out, “Lu Ge.”

 

Lu Shiran found a quiet spot. “En.”

 

Before making the call, Lu Xingmian was very nervous, but after hearing Lu Ge’s voice, he wasn’t as anxious anymore.

 

Lu Xingmian took a deep breath. “Lu Ge, are you free tomorrow?”

 

Lu Shiran responded, “What’s wrong?” He was a bit worried, wondering if Lu Xingmian was in some kind of trouble.

 

Lu Xingmian took another deep breath: “Lu Ge, could you come to school tomorrow as my older brother to meet our homeroom teacher?”

 

“Huh?” Lu Shiran didn’t immediately grasp what he meant.

 

Lu Xingmian quickly explained, “The teacher called for a parents meeting tomorrow, so Lu Ge, could you come to school as my older brother to meet the teacher? It’s just to listen to what the teacher says, there’s nothing else. It shouldn’t take up too much of your time.” He spoke very quickly, afraid he’d be too embarrassed to say it if he slowed down.

 

So that was it. It was good that Lu Xingmian wasn’t in trouble. Lu Shiran smiled. “Can I know the reason for the parent meeting? It’s fine if you don’t want to say.”

 

Actually, this was precisely why Lu Xingmian was conflicted. If he called Lu Ge, then Lu Ge would know about him skipping class. Lu Xingmian didn’t want to lie to Lu Ge, though he didn’t tell him everything either, he didn’t mention going to KTV to sing and drink. He only generally said that he and his classmates had skipped self-study to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

 

Because last time, Lu Ge had told him that minors shouldn’t drink. Fortunately, Lu Ge didn’t press for more details.

 

Lu Ge didn’t immediately refuse, which meant it was negotiable. Lu Xingmian said, “I won’t let you come for free. Can I pay you? Double the price.”

 

Lu Shiran couldn’t help but frown; something felt off.

 

Hearing Lu Ge’s silence, Lu Xingmian felt his request might have been a bit much.

 

It seemed Lu Ge didn’t want to come.

 

Lu Xingmian quickly said, “Lu Ge, don’t be mad. I was just asking. If you don’t have time or it’s inconvenient, I’ll find someone else.”

 

Lu Shiran asked, “Who do you plan to find?”

 

Lu Xingmian replied, “Just hire someone online, locally…”

 

“Lu Xingmian.” Lu Shiran’s tone became slightly sharper. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t go.” How could Lu Xingmian be so careless? He actually thought of finding a random stranger to go to his school. What if that person had ill intentions? What if that person latched onto him?

 

Hearing Lu Ge say he’d come, Lu Xingmian was pleasantly surprised. “Lu Ge, so you mean you’re coming to our school tomorrow?”

 

Lu Shiran confirmed, “Yes, I’ll go. Tell me your school’s address.”

 

Lu Xingmian happily told him his school’s address. “Lu Ge, I’ll transfer the money to you in a bit.”

 

Lu Shiran sternly called his name again: “Lu Xingmian, if you transfer the money, I’m not going.”

 

“No, no, no!” Lu Xingmian quickly said, “I won’t transfer it, I won’t transfer it!”

 

“See you tomorrow, Lu Ge.”