AAWOMAHI Chapter32

Lu Xingmian had thought the ten-day holiday would pass slowly by himself, but in reality, it went by very quickly. He spent his days doing homework and practice tests, and in the evenings, Lu Shiran would lull him to sleep. The days passed quickly.

 

When it was time to eat, Lu Shiran would remind him and praise Lu Xingmian for doing well, genuinely listening, and eating on time. That day, he looked at the cupboard and saw there were still a lot of instant noodles left.

 

Sometimes, Xie Jiaze from downstairs would come up to ask him questions, and then the two of them would do homework together. Xie Jiaze noticed that Lu Xingmian liked quiet when studying, so they would sit quietly for an entire afternoon. When dinner time came, Xie Jiaze wanted to invite Lu Xingmian to go home and eat with him, but Lu Xingmian refused.

 

During the holiday, Chen Che invited him out to see a movie. At the cinema, surrounded by couples, the sight of the two tall men each carrying a tub of popcorn stood out noticeably. Lu Xingmian found it a little awkward, but Chen Che, ever nonchalant, remarked, “What’s so strange about it? Who said only couples have to come to the movies during the New Year? Classmates and friends can too!”

 

Lu Xingmian thought that made a lot of sense, and then the two of them happily watched the movie surrounded by couples. Chen Che, being thoughtless, even whispered loudly when he saw a couple kissing in front of them: “Lu Xingmian, someone’s kissing up front!”

 

Lu Xingmian quickly grabbed a handful of popcorn and stuffed it into Chen Che’s mouth. The couple in front turned around and gave Chen Che a resentful look. From then until the end of the movie, the couples around them didn’t engage in any intimate behavior anymore.

 

After the movie, they discovered that Zhu Jinyan and Zhou Cheng had also come to see the movie. They were just sitting behind Lu Xingmian and Chen Che, so they hadn’t seen them. So, the few of them went to eat grilled fish together.

 

After returning home, Lu Xingmian thought that next time, he could also go see a movie with Lu Shiran.

 

–

 

Lu Yan, Xia Yuefang, and Lu Sihang had returned from their overseas vacation. While Yancheng was freezing, their holiday destination was in the middle of summer. They had spent over a week at the beach and wouldn’t have returned if Lu Sihang hadn’t had to go back to school.

 

Upon their return, Lu Yan unexpectedly discovered that they were on the same flight as Lu Yu, both in first class, with their seats next to each other. This was a rare opportunity. Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang certainly couldn’t miss the chance to get closer to the Lu clan, so they enthusiastically approached Lu Yu’s family to strike up a conversation.

 

“President Lu, what a coincidence.”

 

Lu Yu’s family, being very well-mannered and polite, responded to their greeting.

 

However, Lu Yan kept talking to Lu Yu, wanting to invite him for a meal. Lu Yu said he didn’t have time now and would discuss it when he did. Lu Yan then pressed him, asking when he would be available, genuinely wanting to treat Lu Yu to dinner.

 

Lu Yu smiled politely. “It’s really hard to say.”

 

Lu Yan, of course, knew that Lu Yu was indirectly refusing his invitation. It wasn’t that easy to climb into the Lu clan’s social circle.

 

Just as Lu Yan was pondering how to connect with the Lu clan, he suddenly heard Lu Yu mention Lu Xingmian.

 

“President Lu, your Lu Xingmian is very outstanding. He won first place in this math competition.”

 

Lu Yan’s smile suddenly froze on his face. “President Lu, what are you talking about? What math competition? What does that have to do with Lu Xingmian?”

 

In Lu Yu’s mind, his impression of Lu Yan plummeted further. They didn’t even know about this matter, showing how little they cared about Lu Xingmian.

 

Sitting beside him, Xia Yuefang suddenly remembered. Could it be the math competition that the Lu clan fully sponsored before the New Year? Was Lu Xingmian really the first-place winner? Wasn’t it a student from Lu Sihang’s school? But how would Lu Yu know Lu Xingmian?

 

Xia Yuefang suddenly recalled seeing Lu Xingmian with the Lu clan’s old butler that time at the Lu manor. She had always believed Butler Hou wouldn’t approach Lu Xingmian without a purpose. His kindness toward him surely stemmed from the influence of the Lu clan. Could Lu Xingmian know Lu Yu? Why had Lu Xingmian never mentioned it? But Lu Xingmian had just arrived in Yancheng; he didn’t know anyone here, so how could he possibly know Lu Yu? It didn’t make sense.

 

Xia Yuefang asked, “President Lu, you know our Lu Xingmian?”

 

Lu Yu replied, “I personally presented the award to Lu Xingmian. The child is very impressive.”

 

Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang exchanged glances. So, Lu Xingmian had actually won first place in this competition? They had no idea about it, and Lu Xingmian hadn’t told them either. Now, their minds were filled with the thought of Lu Xingmian winning first place. Lu Yu seemed to have a good impression of Lu Xingmian, speaking of him with full praise. Perhaps they could use Lu Xingmian to forge a connection with the Lu clan.

 

Lu Yan was about to say something more when Lu Yu said, “President Lu, I’m sorry, I’m a bit tired.”

 

Lu Yan, of course, understood what that meant, so he quietly shut his mouth to avoid being annoying.

 

Once the plane was in the air, Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang quietly talked about calling Lu Xingmian back for dinner the next day. Only now did they finally remember him. Aware that they had mistreated him, they felt they ought to prepare something for him. But after a moment’s thought, they realized they hadn’t gotten anything for Lu Xingmian. So, they decided that once they landed, they would have the butler purchase some things for him.

 

Meanwhile, Lu Sihang overheard his parents talking about calling Lu Xingmian back and buying him gifts, and his expression changed. It was all Lu Yu’s fault. Why did Lu Yu have to mention Lu Xingmian in front of his parents? Why was everyone so good to Lu Xingmian?

 

The day after that competition, the principal personally found the three of them, referring to Lu Sihang and his two classmates, and made them all write self-criticisms. It seemed even their homeroom teacher was criticized, and all of this was because of Lu Xingmian. Yet now, someone was mentioning Lu Xingmian in front of his parents again.

 

After getting off the plane, Lu Sihang strode ahead in anger. Xia Yuefang hurried after him, trying to soothe him, explaining that they hadn’t taken Lu Xingmian along for the New Year trip and had left him alone. If word got out, it would reflect poorly on the Lu family.

 

Lu Sihang looked at her: “Mom, after Lu Xingmian comes back, will you stop liking me? Will you not want me anymore? If that’s the case, then just let me leave.”

 

Xia Yuefang replied, “What silly things are you saying? Your mom and dad have always doted on you the most since you were little. How could we let you leave? Don’t say such silly things.”

 

The Lu couple finally managed to appease Lu Sihang, promising to hold a grand birthday party for him and give him a sports car when he turned eighteen.

 

In SS City, Lu Xingmian received a call from Xia Yuefang, telling him to come to the Lu residence tomorrow. The entire call lasted less than a minute; it was merely an announcement. After hanging up, Lu Xingmian felt that some things needed to be made clear to Mr. Lu Yan and Ms. Xia Yuefang. He was a person, not an item to be displayed at their whim for their own purposes. They didn’t like him, and he didn’t like them either; in reality, they were just strangers.

 

That evening, during their call, Lu Shiran clearly sensed that Lu Xingmian was in a bad mood. When he asked, Lu Xingmian said he was fine. But Lu Shiran could tell that Lu Xingmian was definitely very upset. His tone was like that time when Lu Xingmian wanted a hug and he didn’t respond, or even sadder than that.

 

Lu Shiran didn’t want to see Lu Xingmian unhappy at all, “Lu Xingmian, I’ll fulfill any request you have today.”

 

Lu Xingmian’s eyes lit up, “Really?”

 

Lu Shiran heard the sound of Lu Xingmian turning over and sitting up on the phone. He nodded: “Really.”

 

Lu Xingmian felt happiness had come too quickly, and he was a bit excited, “Any request at all?”

 

Lu Shiran always kept his word: “Anything.” As long as Lu Xingmian wished for it.

 

Lu Xingmian said, “Ge, can you sing?”

 

Lu Shiran was stunned: “Hmm?”

 

Lu Xingmian had heard audio of famous voice actors singing, and it was very pleasant. Lu Shiran’s voice was deep and rich, many times more pleasant than theirs. If he sang, it should sound incredibly good; his ears would be so comfortable.

 

Just hearing his gentle, magnetic voice made people instinctively want to get closer to him. Lu Xingmian was thrilled just thinking about it: “Ge, can you? Can you sing?” Lu Shiran himself had said he’d grant any request, so this small request to sing should be fine, right?

 

Since he had already spoken, Lu Shiran had to honor his words. He thought for a moment: “Okay, but I’m tone-deaf and not good at singing. Don’t laugh later.”

 

Lu Xingmian said, “I won’t laugh.” How could Lu Shiran be bad at singing? His voice was so pleasant, even humming would sound good. He must just be humble. He turned up the volume on his headphones, held his breath, and waited for Lu Shiran to sing.

 

After nearly two minutes of silence.

 

“When the wind reaches here, it turns sticky, clinging to the travelers’ lingering thoughts…”

 

Lu Shiran’s deep voice slowly drifted through the headphones.

 

Lu Xingmian: ???? They’re listening to the same song, “Jiangnan,” right?

 

It was indeed Lu Shiran’s voice, still pleasant, but why was it that even though it was his voice, it was completely different when he sang compared to when he spoke? Lu Shiran’s speaking voice was captivating, and his singing voice was also captivating, but in a different way.

 

Lu Shiran’s voice when telling stories to lull him to sleep was like wind chimes in a mountain gorge, while his singing voice was like a stubborn, creaking old broken bellows.

 

Lu Xingmian finally understood. Lu Shiran really wasn’t being humble earlier; he was telling the truth. He was completely off-key, but even so, Lu Xingmian still found it pleasant, in a different kind of way.

 

Lu Shiran, of course, knew his tone-deaf singing was a disaster, which was why he never sang in front of others. But since Lu Xingmian asked, he sang. After finishing, Lu Shiran was uncharacteristically embarrassed: “Lu Xingmian, was it really that bad?”

 

Lu Xingmian genuinely said, “No, Ge, I think it was very pleasant.”

 

Lu Shiran: “Really?”

 

Lu Xingmian: “Really, Ge, your voice is truly wonderful. No matter how you sing, it sounds good. I especially love your voice.”

 

Lu Shiran: “Then are you feeling better?”

 

At this point, Lu Xingmian’s eyes were full of smiles: “Yes, much better, Ge, thank you.”

 

Fortunately, Lu Shiran was there to keep him company. Just hearing his voice made him feel less sad, and he even got to hear Lu Shiran sing today, which was lovely.

 

Lu Shiran said, “Lu Xingmian, if you ever discover that I’ve lied to you, could you not be angry right away? I promise I’ll confess to you in advance.”

 

Lu Xingmian smiled: “Ge, how could you possibly lie to me?” Lu Shiran treated him so well, and besides, he had nothing of value to deceive him over, he had nothing at all.

 

Lu Shiran sighed inwardly. He wondered if Lu Xingmian would block him directly and ignore him after finding out in the future.

 

Lu Shiran: “Just promise me, don’t get angry.”

 

Lu Xingmian promised, “Okay, I won’t get angry.” Honestly, facing a face like Lu Shiran’s, and especially listening to his voice, it would be impossible to get angry.

 

Lu Xingmian: “Ge, do you have a girlfriend?”

 

Lu Shiran: “No.”

 

Lu Xingmian was silent for a moment: “Then do you have a boyfriend?”

 

Lu Shiran: “No.”

 

Lu Xingmian continued to ask, “Ge, then do you like boys or girls?”

 

Lu Shiran: “Boys.”

 

Lu Xingmian said, “oh.”

 

Lu Shiran: “Lu Xingmian, you’re taking this so calmly?”

 

Lu Xingmian: “Isn’t that a normal thing?”

 

On the phone, Lu Shiran let out a low chuckle, the sound slipping through the headphones and sending a tingling sensation to Lu Xingmian’s ears.

 

Lu Xingmian: “Ge, sing me another song.”

 

Lu Shiran: “Okay, what do you want to hear?”

 

Lu Xingmian: “Mermaid.”

 

Having heard Lu Shiran’s singing tonight, Lu Xingmian was very happy. Even facing the Lu family tomorrow, he didn’t feel as upset anymore.

 

The following day, the Lu family’s driver was already waiting downstairs for Lu Xingmian. He got into the car and set off toward the Lu residence.