AAWOMAHI Chapter24

Wandering into the bathroom to wash his hands amidst the aroma of the food, Lu Xingmian still felt a bit incredulous, as if it wasn’t quite real.

 

When he looked up and saw something hanging in the bathroom mirror, Lu Xingmian’s ears instantly turned beet red, even the piercing in his right ear flushed.

 

Last night, after washing his underwear, he had, for convenience, hung it directly in the bathroom.

 

The black underwear was conspicuously displayed, visible the moment one entered.

 

Lu Xingmian hastily yanked down his underwear and darted back to his room, shoving it out of sight. He silently hoped Lu Shiran hadn’t noticed; surely, he couldn’t have, right?

 

But Lu Xingmian realized he was deceiving himself. How could Lu Shiran not have used the bathroom all afternoon? If he had, he definitely would have seen it.

 

The thought made Lu Xingmian so embarrassed he wished he could just disappear into a crack in the floor. How could he have forgotten something like this? He really didn’t do it on purpose.

 

He had made a fool of himself in front of Lu Shiran.

 

After Lu Shiran had served the rice and arranged the chopsticks, Lu Xingmian still hadn’t come to eat.

 

He saw him standing absentmindedly in the bedroom.

 

Lu Shiran walked over and knocked on the door: “Lu Xingmian, time to eat.”

 

Lu Xingmian quickly shoved his underwear further into the quilt: “Oh, coming!”

 

Sitting down, Lu Xingmian still felt a sense of unreality. It felt like a very long time since he’d eaten a hot, ready-made meal.

 

Lu Shiran had even prepared so many delicious dishes.

 

Lu Shiran said, “I just threw it together. I’m not sure if it’s too salty or too bland, give it a try.”

 

Lu Xingmian picked up a piece of fish from in front of him and took a bite.

 

Lu Shiran was a little nervous: “How is it?” Although he had tasted it himself, he wasn’t sure if it suited Lu Xingmian’s taste or if he would like it.

 

Lu Xingmian’s eyes lit up: “Ge, it’s especially delicious, really, really delicious!”

 

Lu Shiran relaxed: “Try the spare ribs and the braised prawns too.”

 

Lu Xingmian ate a piece of spare rib, then a braised prawn.

 

After trying each dish, Lu Xingmian finally understood. Even if he followed Lu Shiran’s cooking instructions step-by-step, the taste of his own cooking was miles, literally “a hundred and eight thousand miles” away from Lu Shiran’s.

 

He almost suspected Lu Shiran was a five-star chef.

 

The Lu family was particular about food, hiring a hotel’s five-star chef. But Lu Xingmian felt that Lu Shiran’s cooking was more than ten times better than that chef’s.

 

Lu Xingmian was a bit slow to warm up. When he first saw Lu Shiran at noon, he was shy, nervous, and reserved. But half a day later, seeing Lu Shiran again, he wasn’t as tense anymore.

 

As Lu Xingmian ate, he told Lu Shiran that his brief appearance at school at lunchtime had already been noticed by many classmates. Some even came up to him, asking to be his “sister-in-law.”

 

When he mentioned the “sister-in-law” comment, Lu Xingmian secretly glanced at the man eating across from him.

 

Having taken off his overcoat, Lu Shiran wore a black shirt underneath. The shirt’s buttons were meticulously fastened all the way to the top, perfectly resting below his adam apple, giving him an indescribably ascetic aura.

 

Because he had been cooking, Lu Shiran’s sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing the graceful and smooth lines of his forearms.

 

He ate elegantly, a pleasant sight to behold.

 

As Lu Xingmian talked about the “sister-in-law” situation, he kept observing Lu Shiran’s reaction. Lu Shiran showed no reaction other than a smile, saying, “Your classmates are quite amusing.”

 

Then Lu Xingmian told him that the classmates he met here were all fun and adorable, and he got along well with them.

 

Lu Shiran had noticed this. Lu Xingmian was getting along well with his teachers and classmates at the new school. His homeroom teacher was dedicated and responsible, and his classmates were even asking about the “sister-in-law” matter.

 

As they chatted, Lu Xingmian suddenly realized that he had wanted to know if Lu Shiran had a girlfriend. Lu Shiran hadn’t answered, and somehow the conversation had shifted to himself. How had Lu Shiran managed to sidetrack the topic?

 

Lu Shiran then told Lu Xingmian that he had run into the downstairs grandma and informed him about the power outage.

 

Lu Xingmian had started to get used to it: “Another power outage? Good thing tomorrow’s the weekend.”

 

So, no need to rush with homework tonight.

 

Lu Shiran’s cooking was truly delicious. They almost finished everything, with Lu Xingmian eating most of it. Because it was so good, Lu Xingmian ate two full bowls of rice.

 

After dinner, Lu Xingmian insisted on washing the dishes. Lu Shiran didn’t argue, knowing that if he didn’t let him, Lu Xingmian would feel uneasy.

 

By the time Lu Xingmian finished washing the dishes and wiping the table, it was past eight o’clock, and it was completely dark outside.

 

Lu Xingmian looked at Lu Shiran, and a hint of sadness welled up in his heart at the thought of him leaving soon. He was very reluctant to part with Lu Shiran.

 

Perhaps he just couldn’t bear to return to the quiet loneliness after the lively evening.

 

Gathering his courage, Lu Xingmian said, “Ge, it’s really late tonight. If you’re not working tomorrow since it’s the weekend, then… then just stay here. I can show you around SS City tomorrow, and then you can leave.”

 

Lu Shiran paused and looked at Lu Xingmian, who met his gaze with sincere, overly clear, and innocent eyes, the kind that could easily be deceived.

 

Lu Shiran sighed inwardly again. Lu Xingmian probably didn’t even realize how dangerous it was to invite a stranger to stay in his home so late at night.

 

“Lu Xingmian,” Lu Shiran called his name, wanting to say something, but ultimately said nothing. “I have plans with a friend tomorrow, so I have to go back tonight.”

 

Lu Xingmian felt a slight pang of disappointment. So that’s how it was. Lu Shiran had his own social circle, his own friends; he wasn’t just Lu Xingmian’s.

 

Lu Xingmian insisted on walking Lu Shiran to the entrance to catch a taxi.

 

It was too late for buses to the city, so a taxi was the only option.

 

Lu Xingmian quietly waited for the car with Lu Shiran.

 

He wore a black padded jacket, with half his face almost buried in the collar, making him look small. He stared at the ground, the streetlights casting a somewhat forlorn glow on his face.

 

He seemed like a little puppy abandoned in winter, yearning for a bit of warmth.

 

Lu Shiran’s heart softened in the end: “Lu Xingmian, I promise you, I’ll definitely come see you again when I have time.”

 

“Really?” Lu Xingmian looked at him. “When?”

 

Lu Shiran: “On a weekend, when you don’t have classes. Then you can show me around SS City.”

 

Lu Xingmian’s eyes visibly brightened: “En, okay, it’s a deal then.”

 

Lu Shiran: “There’s one condition.”

 

Lu Xingmian: “It’s no problem.”

 

Lu Shiran stated, “Eat on time, and eat fewer instant noodles. You can only have instant noodles twice a week at most.”

 

Lu Xingmian: “Ah, Ge…” Only two instant noodle meals a week? Wasn’t that too little? Sometimes he really didn’t want to cook; it was too much trouble.

 

He looked at Lu Shiran, who was serious.

 

Lu Xingmian agreed: “Okay.”

 

Lu Shiran nodded and reminded him, “The power goes out at midnight, so go to bed early and get some rest.”

 

“Got it,” Lu Xingmian replied, then asked, “Ge, will you still have time to tell me a story tonight?”

 

A cold wind blew, disheveling Lu Xingmian’s hair. Lu Shiran wanted to reach out and fix it for him but ultimately just patted his shoulder like an older brother.

 

Lu Shiran said, “Of course, since you called me ‘Ge,’ I’ll always have time.”

 

The thought of hearing Lu Shiran’s voice again tonight made Lu Xingmian feel less dejected. And when he considered it, he’d hear Lu Shiran’s voice again in less than four hours, as if he hadn’t left at all.

 

A teenager’s emotions are always fervent and undisguised.

 

Soon, Lu Shiran’s ride arrived.

 

After the car had driven a short distance, Lu Shiran looked back and saw Lu Xingmian still standing at the apartment complex entrance, a small figure lingering in the distance.

 

The night air was cold.

 

Lu Shiran called Lu Xingmian.

 

The call was quickly answered: “Ge.”

 

Lu Xingmian’s voice sounded cheerful over the phone.

 

Lu Shiran said, “It’s too cold outside, hurry upstairs.”

 

Lu Xingmian hummed in agreement, happy in his heart. Lu Shiran must have looked back at him, which was how he knew he was still there.

 

As Lu Xingmian walked back, he said, “Ge, don’t forget to send me a message when you get home.”

 

Lu Shiran agreed and only hung up after he heard Lu Xingmian go upstairs and open his door.

 

The driver had been waiting outside all day and finally received a call from President Lu. At one point, he thought President Lu might have forgotten him, but President Lu had said, “Don’t appear unless I call you.”

 

Thankfully, President Lu hadn’t forgotten.

 

Lu Shiran sat in the back, pinching the bridge of his nose. He shouldn’t have been soft-hearted just now. When had he become so soft? He felt like he had been swayed by the young boy.

 

In the car, Lu Shiran’s assistant called him, saying that President Lu Yan wanted to visit Lu Shiran tomorrow. Before the assistant could finish, Lu Shiran directly said, “No time.”

 

The assistant immediately understood President Lu’s meaning: President Lu didn’t want to see him.

 

If before, Lu Shiran felt nothing towards the Lu family, now, Lu Shiran genuinely disliked them.

 

The Lu clan had a major project on their hands, and many people wanted a piece of the pie. Even just a crumb from the Lu clan’s fingers would be immense wealth, and Lu Yan naturally wanted to gain some benefit, so he had prepared gifts to visit Lu Shiran.

 

However, Lu Shiran’s assistant informed him that “President Lu is very busy and has no time.” Lu Yan didn’t understand; had he offended Lu Shiran somehow?

 

–

 

Back home, Lu Xingmian looked at the quiet room and suddenly felt a sense of unreality. It was too quiet. Had Lu Shiran really been there?

 

He had never felt quiet or lonely before, but now he realized that being alone was indeed quite peaceful.

 

Lu Xingmian suddenly recalled that the car that picked up Lu Shiran just now seemed uncommon; it looked quite expensive.

 

However, there were many people who drove luxury cars for ride-sharing services, and Lu Xingmian had even encountered a Didi driver[mfn]A popular ride‑hailing service in China, similar to Uber or Lyft.[/mfn] with a BMW.

 

He stood idly in the living room for a while, thinking about Lu Shiran being there. The more he thought, the more he felt a sense of loss, so he decided to stop thinking about it. Lu Xingmian opened the refrigerator, wanting to grab a can of cola.

 

When he opened the refrigerator, he froze.

 

He remembered there were only a few eggs in the fridge, but now it was full.

 

Fresh milk, yogurt, lots of fruit, and many vegetables filled the refrigerator to the brim.

 

These things couldn’t have appeared out of nowhere; they must have been bought by Lu Shiran. They were all things he liked to eat, things he had casually mentioned during their earlier conversation. He hadn’t expected Lu Shiran to remember.

 

The yogurt was neatly stacked in the refrigerator, and three large cartons of milk were arranged side-by-side on the refrigerator door.

 

The fruits were meticulously arranged in fresh-keeping containers, stacked box upon box.

 

Blueberries, cherries, strawberries—the leaves on the strawberries had even been removed by Lu Shiran.

 

On top of the fresh-keeping containers, Lu Xingmian saw a note left by Lu Shiran.

 

He told Lu Xingmian that the fruit had already been washed and could be eaten directly and that the pure milk had a short shelf life, so he shouldn’t forget to drink it.

 

As the saying goes, “The writing reflects the person,” and Lu Shiran’s handwriting was indeed handsome and strong.

 

So, this afternoon, Lu Shiran didn’t just cook for himself; he also bought so many groceries and arranged them neatly as well.

 

Leaning on the refrigerator door, looking at its contents, Lu Xingmian felt a sting in his nose, and his vision slowly blurred. After being ignored and met with indifference for so long, he suddenly discovered there was someone who cared about him.

 

Was Lu Shiran too good? How could he be so kind, so gentle, and so thoughtful? He knew that all the groceries in the fridge, combined with the ingredients for dinner, must have cost a lot of money.

 

But he also knew that if he tried to transfer money to Lu Shiran, Lu Shiran would definitely be very angry, the kind of angry where he’d call his name with intense displeasure. For some reason, he thought Lu Shiran’s voice sounded particularly good when he called his name. It was the first time he felt his own name sounded nice.

 

Lu Xingmian closed the refrigerator and carefully tucked the note into his textbook so he could see it anytime.

 

The power was going to cut out again at midnight. After one power outage, Lu Xingmian was somewhat prepared. Before the power went out, he decided to take a comfortable hot shower.

 

As he changed into his slippers, Lu Xingmian suddenly chuckled. Lu Shiran’s feet must have looked comically large in his slippers, with his heels sticking out. It must have been awkward for him. Lu Xingmian made a mental note to buy a larger pair of slippers soon.

 

After showering and washing his changed clothes, Lu Xingmian started on his homework. He hoped to finish one test paper before the power went out. During this time, he charged his phone, power bank, and Bluetooth earphones.

 

Around eleven o’clock, Lu Xingmian also charged his electric hot water bottle. That way, even if the heating stopped, he’d have a warm hot water bottle to cuddle.

 

The downstairs grandma had told him to get one for emergencies, and he’d only bought it a few days ago, but now it was already proving useful.

 

Lu Shiran had gotten into the car after nine o’clock. Even though there wasn’t much traffic at night, visibility wasn’t great, so he surely wouldn’t drive fast. Lu Shiran probably wouldn’t get home until around eleven as well.

 

 

At 11:10 PM, Lu Xingmian received a message from Lu Shiran, informing him he had arrived home.

 

Lu Xingmian: [Ge, you’ve worked hard.]

 

Lu Xingmian knew how tiring all that commuting could be.

 

At midnight, Lu Xingmian was in bed on time, wearing headphones, warm under the covers, and hugging a warm electric hot water bottle that would stay hot for at least an hour. Less than two minutes after he got into bed, the neighborhood suddenly went dark, the power had gone out.

 

Lu Xingmian’s phone was fully charged, and his power bank was also at 100%. He lay on the bed, playing a bit of the Snake game while waiting for Lu Shiran’s call, as they had agreed.

 

After returning home, Lu Shiran showered, then sat on the sofa and started smoking, lighting two cigarettes in a row. Because Lu Xingmian didn’t smoke, he hadn’t touched a cigarette all day, not even carrying them on him. He checked the time; it was past midnight. The power should have gone out at Lu Xingmian’s place by now.

 

Lu Shiran exhaled his last puff of smoke, extinguished the butt, and dialed Lu Xingmian’s number.

 

Lu Xingmian seemed to have been waiting for his call; he answered almost immediately, his voice filled with the cheerfulness only a teenager possesses.

 

“Ge, have you finished washing up?”

 

“Ge, I saw the things in the fridge.”

 

“Ge, I drank a glass of milk before bed.”

 

“Ge, thank you.”

 

Lu Shiran had thought he wouldn’t discover the groceries until tomorrow, but he found them so quickly.

 

That night, Lu Xingmian gained a more concrete understanding of the voice on the phone. Hugging his hot water bottle and wearing his headphones, Lu Xingmian told himself he had to try and stay awake longer tonight before drifting off to sleep. However, sleepiness directly betrayed his will. Lu Xingmian struggled internally; usually, when he wanted to sleep, he couldn’t, but now that he didn’t want to, his eyes were practically glued shut from exhaustion.

 

From the other end of the phone, Lu Shiran seemed to notice and said, “Lu Xingmian, go to sleep.”

 

Lu Xingmian mumbled, “Ge, your voice is so nice, I want to listen a little longer.”

 

Lu Shiran said softly, “Go to sleep. Whenever you want, you can hear my voice.”

 

Upon hearing that, Lu Xingmian completely fell asleep.

 

This time, Lu Shiran didn’t hang up immediately. Instead, he lit another cigarette and quietly listened to the sound of breathing on the phone. After finishing the cigarette, Lu Shiran finally ended the call.

 

–

 

When Lu Xingmian first arrived at school, his striking good looks caused a small stir. Then, Lu Shiran’s appearance at the school created another sensation. Everyone was amazed at how handsome Lu Xingmian’s brother was! Consequently, word spread that Lu Xingmian had a very handsome older brother.

 

However, whenever Lu Xingmian heard other classmates say Lu Shiran was his biological brother, he really wanted to correct them and say they weren’t related. Yet, he couldn’t say anything either, which made him feel like he was shooting himself in the foot.

 

Every winter, Yancheng held a mathematics competition for high school seniors, and students from schools in SS City, being a suburb of Yancheng, also participated. The competition lasted a month, eventually narrowing down to one hundred students for a final exam.

 

After three rounds of selections, Lu Xingmian, Gao Yan, and Chen Che were chosen to represent SS City First High School and travel to Yancheng for the final round.

 

To reach the top one hundred was an incredible feat, considering that the combined total of all high school seniors in Yancheng and students from all suburban schools amounted to at least tens of thousands. These three truly were one in ten thousand.

 

The final competition was held at Mingcheng Middle School, a prestigious aristocratic school in Yancheng. It was rumored that all the students there came from wealthy Yancheng families, with annual expenses reaching a million yuan, and even a basic school uniform supposedly cost over ten thousand yuan. With top-tier faculty, state-of-the-art teaching facilities, and an excellent learning environment, 50% of the students from this school went on to famous universities in Yancheng, a very high probability, with the rest typically pursuing studies abroad.

 

When Chen Che learned they were going to this school, he was quite excited. He exclaimed that they could finally see what the legendary aristocratic school looked like, having heard it resembled a super large garden more than a school, especially beautiful when flowers bloomed in spring and summer.

 

Mingcheng Middle School’s security was very strict; only faculty, students, and parents were allowed inside. So, Chen Che was naturally thrilled to finally have the chance to visit.

 

Chen Che noticed Lu Xingmian’s calm expression and couldn’t help but admire him: “Why aren’t you excited at all? That’s a famous aristocratic school!”

 

Lu Xingmian just smiled. There was nothing to be excited about. Lu Xingmian had actually stayed at this very school for a period when he first returned to the Lu family.

 

It was said that this competition was sponsored by the Lu clan of Yancheng, and the results would be announced on the day of the finals. Furthermore, President Lu would personally present awards to the winning students.

 

On the day of the finals, led by their teacher, Lu Xingmian, Chen Che, and Gao Yan set off directly for Yancheng.