AAWOMAHI Chapter29

The next day, when Lu Xingmian went to school, he found that the school had actually put up three large banners with his name, Chen Che’s, and Gao Yan’s on them. He heard that within an hour of finding out about their awards, the school had the banners made and hung them up immediately, showing how happy and proud they were.

 

Lu Xingmian felt a bit awkward and embarrassed when he saw his name.

 

Gao Yan and Chen Che had both heard and seen what happened at Mingcheng Middle School.

 

Lu Xingmian knew that they probably had some idea about his situation and had likely guessed the reason for his transfer.

 

He had originally thought Chen Che and Gao Yan would distance themselves from him.

 

Because at Mingcheng Middle School, many classmates, influenced by Lu Sihang, had kept their distance from him, not daring to approach or even talk to him.

 

So, if Chen Che and Gao Yan distanced themselves, Lu Xingmian wouldn’t have felt anything either; it would have been normal.

 

However, this time he found out he was mistaken. After returning to school, Chen Che and Gao Yan treated him just as they always had, without asking a single unnecessary question about his circumstances.

 

Chen Che was still as carefree as before, and Gao Yan still occasionally came over with a poker face to ask Lu Xingmian how to solve problems. Zhu Jinyan and Zhou Cheng still “couldn’t stand each other” every day, and Zhou Cheng had lost another month’s worth of breakfast to Zhu Jinyan.

 

Nothing had changed.

 

In their free time, they even went to the hot pot restaurant at the school gate to eat. Lu Xingmian treated them, and they didn’t fight over the bill. That day, Lu Xingmian felt how good it was to be trusted by the people around him.

 

Time passed quickly, and the first semester of senior year ended just like that. This meant Lu Xingmian had been in SS City, at No. 1 High School, for nearly half a year.

 

After their exams, the senior class unexpectedly got a ten-day holiday, starting on the twenty-fifth of the twelfth lunar month.

 

The ten-day holiday, neither too long nor too short, offered a chance for senior high students to relax a bit, as school would get truly intense once they returned.

 

There was still half a self-study period left before the holiday. Although a teacher was in the classroom, the students were so excited they basically had no mind for studying, and the classroom was quite lively.

 

The teacher on the podium felt the same way as the students; the holiday was almost here, just a little over ten minutes away. The teacher simply turned a blind eye, as long as they didn’t make too much noise.

 

Then, the students started discussing how to spend the winter break and where to go.

 

Some said they wanted to go north to see the Ice and Snow World and experience the “Southern small potato[mfn]People from the south were referring to as short[/mfn]” treatment and happiness.

 

Some said they definitely wanted to go to a warm place, to the home of sugar oranges, to see the mountains and rivers.

 

Others said they would just stay home and work on the numerous practice tests that had been assigned for the winter break.

 

And some suggested they meet up at an internet cafe to play games for the first two days of the holiday.

 

While Chen Che was chatting with the students behind him, he noticed his deskmate, Lu Xingmian. Everyone else was chatting and slacking off, but only he was quietly writing something.

 

Chen Che suddenly paused when he looked back. Was his deskmate a bit too handsome? Long eyelashes, a slightly slender chin, and just a side profile gave off a vibe of a cold beauty.

 

At times, there seemed to be a barrier separating Lu Xingmian from the lively atmosphere.

 

Chen Che remembered that Lu Xingmian seemed to live alone, so he’d probably be alone during the holiday too.

 

Just as he was about to speak to Lu Xingmian, a familiar, stern figure appeared in the classroom, and the room instantly fell silent.

 

The dean of students scanned the classroom. He was going from classroom to classroom. With the holiday approaching, the situation in every classroom was similar—noisy, with students no longer focused on studying. But unusually, the dean didn’t get angry or lecture the students this time; he just took a look and left.

 

However, the dean was very pleased. While everyone else was slacking off and chatting, only Lu Xingmian was bent over, writing something. He glanced over as he passed and saw Lu Xingmian doing practice problems, unaffected by his surroundings.

 

After the dean of students left, the class became lively again.

 

Chen Che gently nudged Lu Xingmian and continued what he had wanted to say: “Lu Xingmian, if you get bored during the winter break, come over to my place. I’ll be home all the time, not going anywhere, or I can come over to your place to play as well.”

 

Lu Xingmian smiled. How could he not know Chen Che’s good intentions? “Okay, if I have time, I’ll definitely come find you.”

 

When the class bell rang, the classroom instantly erupted. Students who had already packed their bags grabbed them and left.

 

Lu Xingmian packed his bag as usual, and by the time he finished, he was the only one left in the classroom.

 

With the winter holiday here, Lu Xingmian felt this festival was no different from any other holiday, because no matter the occasion, he was always alone. This year, he had nowhere to go.

 

The school holidays were roughly the same. On the second day of Lu Sihang’s holiday, Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang took Lu Sihang abroad. As the plane was taking off, Xia Yuefang suddenly remembered that they seemed to have forgotten Lu Xingmian.

 

However, thinking of Lu Xingmian’s distant demeanor, Xia Yuefang thought it might be better not to call him anyway. Even though they had recognized Lu Xingmian for so long, there was no family affection between them at all. She really couldn’t bring herself to like Lu Xingmian.

 

If Lu Xingmian and Lu Sihang both fell into the water and only one could be rescued, they would, without a doubt, choose Lu Sihang.

 

During these few days of holiday, Lu Xingmian’s daily three meals were very regular.

 

There were still plenty of instant noodles left in the two boxes at home, as he had promised Lu Shiran he would eat them as little as possible. Even if he did eat them, he wouldn’t just use hot water like before. Instead, he would boil them, then add a poached egg and two slices of green vegetables.

 

Every day at mealtime, Lu Shiran would send him messages, reminding him to eat. When he had time, Lu Shiran would also continue to teach Lu Xingmian how to cook.

 

However, during one of these lessons, it seemed that someone had come looking for Lu Shiran. Lu Xingmian couldn’t hear clearly and could only vaguely make out the voices.

 

Today, their live cooking lesson was interrupted three times. It seemed Lu Shiran was really busy.

 

He still remembered that Lu Shiran had promised him that he would definitely come to see him when he had time.

 

But so much time had passed, long enough for Lu Xingmian and his classmates to be on holiday, and Lu Shiran still hadn’t come. Lu Xingmian felt a little disappointed, though he knew Lu Shiran was very busy, especially at the end of the year.

 

He just kept hoping in his heart that he would see Lu Shiran again soon.

 

So, hearing Lu Shiran’s voice every day was Lu Xingmian’s happiest time.

 

At the end of the year, there were many company matters. In the past, with Lu Yu around, Lu Shiran hadn’t felt there were so many things to do. But two days ago, Lu Yu simply dropped everything and went on vacation with his wife and child.

 

So, many company matters fell into his hands, and he also had to help Lu Yu with his affairs, all because of the promise he made to Lu Yu last time.

 

At lunchtime, while he was teaching Lu Xingmian to cook, his assistant came in three times. Fortunately, Lu Xingmian didn’t suspect anything.

 

On the phone, Lu Xingmian thoughtfully said, “Ge, if you’re busy, you can hang up first. I think I pretty much understand the remaining steps.”

 

Lu Shiran replied, “It’s fine, I’m done with my work.”

 

This time, finally, no one else came to disturb Lu Shiran anymore, and their lunch lesson was successfully completed.

 

After finishing, Lu Xingmian even sent Lu Shiran a photo so he could inspect his teaching results. It looked pretty good, though the taste was far inferior to what Lu Shiran made himself.

 

Lu Shiran was very busy during the day, but thankfully, he didn’t have to go out for social engagements in the evenings these days.

 

Every night, Lu Xingmian would have long voice chats with Lu Shiran, which somewhat eased his disappointment that Lu Shiran hadn’t come to see him.

 

Many times, when Lu Xingmian woke up in the morning, he found that their call duration was always longer than he remembered, meaning Lu Shiran didn’t hang up immediately after he fell asleep.

 

Lu Xingmian wondered if he snored in his sleep.

 

Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve.

 

Lu Shiran asked Lu Xingmian if he would still be in Yan City tomorrow.

 

Lu Xingmian said yes.

 

On the other end of the phone, Lu Shiran fell silent, feeling a surge of anger. The Lu family had truly abandoned Lu Xingmian in SS City, completely neglecting him.

 

Lu Xingmian also felt a bit guilty. He had never told Lu Shiran about his situation, and Lu Shiran had never asked him either.

 

He hadn’t asked why he lived alone, why he had to call an adult but could only ask Lu Shiran to impersonate his brother—so many things Lu Shiran never asked.

 

Yet, he trusted him completely.

 

New Year’s Eve quickly arrived.

 

When Lu Xingmian went out shopping, he saw residents in his building putting up spring couplets and “Good Fortune” characters, with a festive atmosphere everywhere.

 

As Lu Xingmian returned from the supermarket, he met the grandmother from downstairs. She invited him to have dinner at her house that evening.

 

While the grandmother was talking to Lu Xingmian, Xie Jiaze also came out and, together with his grandmother, invited him to join them for the New Year’s Eve dinner, suggesting they could play games together later.

 

Lu Xingmian declined.

 

The grandmother insisted it was just a matter of adding an extra pair of chopsticks.

 

Lu Xingmian thought for a moment: “Grandma, I’m not alone. My brother will be coming tonight.”

 

Oh, so that was it. Since “Xiao Lu’s” brother was coming, they wouldn’t press him anymore.

 

When Lu Xingmian returned home, he took a deep breath. He had just lied to the grandmother downstairs; Lu Shiran wasn’t coming at all.

 

He knew the grandmother’s family downstairs were all kind and warm-hearted people, but New Year’s Eve dinner was a time for families to reunite. He was just an outsider, and of course, he shouldn’t disturb another family.

 

Lu Xingmian had messaged Father and Mother Song in the morning but only received a cold “Oh, thank you” in reply.

 

In the afternoon, Lu Xingmian messaged Lu Shiran. After a while, Lu Shiran replied. It seemed he must be very busy. Lu Xingmian felt that Lu Shiran probably wouldn’t have time to lull him to sleep tonight.

 

On New Year’s Eve, such a lively time, Lu Xingmian suddenly felt lonely.

 

After finishing three sets of practice tests, it was already past five in the afternoon. Lu Xingmian heard firecrackers in the courtyard.

 

It must be time to cook. Tonight, he would make the dishes Lu Shiran had taught him before.

 

He was about to enter the kitchen when he heard a knock at the door.

 

At this time, who would come looking for him? The only possibility he could think of was the grandmother downstairs sending him food.

 

Lu Xingmian opened the door, and when he saw the person standing there, his eyes sparkled, and he suddenly smiled.