AAWOMAHI Chapter50

In mid-August, students began to receive their university acceptance letters.

 

At graduation, Chen Che, Zhou Cheng, and Zhu Jinyan, among others, had agreed to get together one more time before heading off to college.

 

Everyone had been busy with their own things over the summer, but they finally set a date for the get-together.

 

It had been a while since Chen Che and the others had seen Lu Xingmian.

 

Even though they chatted lively in their group chat, they hadn’t seen each other much in person, unlike when they were in school and saw each other every day.

 

After a whole summer apart, they quickly started joking around and playing with each other once they met up.

 

Chen Che sat in his chair and looked at everyone present. “Hey, why isn’t Lu Xingmian here yet? Is he the only one left?”

 

Zhou Cheng checked. “Looks like it’s just him. He’s not going to bail, is he?”

 

Zhu Jinyan said, “He’ll be here soon.”

 

Zhou Cheng: “How do you know? Did Lu Xingmian text you privately? That’s not cool. You two hang out without me.”

 

Zhu Jinyan glanced at him. “He sent a message in the group chat twenty minutes ago saying he’d be in SS City soon.”

 

Zhou Cheng had an ‘aha’ moment. “Oh, so that’s it. I thought you two were secretly texting each other behind our backs.”

 

“Zhou Cheng,” Zhu Jinyan looked at him, pursing his lips. “Are you an idiot?”

 

Zhou Cheng retorted, “You’re the idiot! Don’t forget we got into the same school. If I’m an idiot, then you’re an idiot too.”

 

Zhu Jinyan couldn’t be bothered to talk to the clueless Zhou Cheng anymore and moved his chair away, as if to say he didn’t know this idiot. Zhou Cheng then dragged his chair next to Zhu Jinyan, signifying that they were both idiots.

 

Chen Che shook his head. When those two were together, they were always bickering, but their friendship seemed to grow stronger. They didn’t seem to ever get truly mad at each other. Most of the time, it felt like Zhou Cheng was the one messing around, and Zhu Jinyan would just watch him or even join in.

 

“Sorry, I’m late.” Amidst all the playful banter, Lu Xingmian finally arrived.

 

Zhou Cheng happily went up and hugged him. “Lu Xingmian, I haven’t seen you in ages! I missed you so much! Did you miss me?”

 

He clung to Lu Xingmian like an octopus, patting, hugging, and shaking him. Lu Xingmian was dizzied by his enthusiasm.

 

Zhu Jinyan stepped forward and pulled Zhou Cheng away. “Zhou Cheng, are you trying to make Lu Xingmian dizzy?”

 

Zhou Cheng reluctantly let go of Lu Xingmian. “I just missed him!”

 

Even though Lu Xingmian had only transferred in his senior year of high school, the group had gotten along very well during that time. Zhou Cheng especially felt they were allies when it came to not eating cilantro.

 

Xia Zhicheng was still thinking about the question her good friend had asked her to ask. “Lu Xingmian, does your brother have a partner now?”

 

Lu Xingmian: “He’s not my biological brother. We’re not related by blood.”

 

“It’s all the same, you still call him brother.” Xia Zhicheng was more concerned with the other question. “So, does your brother have a partner or not?”

 

Zhou Cheng, standing nearby, was curious. “Why? Are you trying to be Lu Xingmian’s sister-in-law? No way! Lu Xingmian wants to be your classmate, but you want to be his sister-in-law?”

 

Xia Zhicheng turned her head to face Zhu Jinyan. “Zhu Jinyan, control your Zhou Cheng.”

 

Zhou Cheng protested, “What do you mean ‘your Zhou Cheng’? I don’t belong to him.”

 

Zhu Jinyan let out a light laugh. Zhou Cheng asked, “What are you laughing at?” And with that, the two started bickering again.

 

Xia Zhicheng went straight up to Lu Xingmian and continued to press him. “Does your brother have a partner or not?”

 

Lu Xingmian touched his earring. “He already has a boyfriend.”

 

“Oh,” Xia Zhicheng was a little surprised. “Your brother really has a boyfriend?”

 

Lu Shiran’s boyfriend, Lu Xingmian, said, “Yes, my brother really does have a boyfriend.”

 

Xia Zhicheng felt sorry for her friend. The handsome, charming men were all taken.

 

Xia Zhicheng sent a message to her friend: “Girl, you’re going to be disappointed. Lu Xingmian’s brother already has a boyfriend.”

 

Everyone at this get-together was a good friend from school. Someone suddenly brought up how their male homeroom teacher from the class next door had actually followed through on his promise and wore a qipao.

 

He wasn’t half bad either, the chubby male teacher looked silly yet somewhat adorable in the qipao.

 

The group had a great time eating, talking, and drinking. Even a few of the girls had some alcohol.

 

They all realized that once they went to college, their chances to meet would dwindle, so they cherished the time they had now.

 

In the end, someone suggested that since there was a karaoke place right next to the restaurant, they should go sing after dinner.

 

Everyone agreed.

 

Lu Xingmian took out his phone to message Lu Shiran, who was at the rented apartment.

 

Lu Xingmian: [Ge, I might be back a little late.]

 

Lu Shiran: [What’s wrong?]

 

Lu Xingmian: [We’re going to sing now, so I’ll be back very late. You should go to sleep first.]

 

Lu Shiran: [I’ll wait for you.]

 

Lu Shiran: [Text me when you’re about to leave, and I’ll come pick you up.]

 

The karaoke place was right next door, so after leaving the restaurant, the group headed straight to the themed KTV and got a large private room.

 

Inside the room, Lu Xingmian played a game and had two more beers.

 

Xia Zhicheng called out, “Lu Xingmian, your song ‘Jiangnan’ is up.”

 

Lu Xingmian took the microphone. “Thanks.” Lu Shiran had sung this song before, and Lu Xingmian suddenly felt like singing it too.

 

Lu Xingmian’s voice was pleasant, and he sang well. With the added effect of the alcohol, his voice had a bit of a magnetic quality. The moment he started to sing, everyone was stunned.

 

After the song was finished, everyone applauded enthusiastically.

 

Xia Zhicheng was especially surprised. “Lu Xingmian, you’re actually a really good singer.”

 

They had never heard Lu Xingmian sing at their previous get-togethers.

 

Lu Xingmian sat back down on the sofa, feeling a little dizzy. Chen Che asked him if he wanted to play dice with them, but Lu Xingmian waved his hand and said he was too drunk to play.

 

Then he messaged Lu Shiran.

 

[Ge, I’m drunk. Can you come pick me up?]

 

Within a few breaths, he received a reply from Lu Shiran.

 

[Okay, wait for me.]

 

Lu Xingmian leaned on the sofa, waiting for Lu Shiran. Lu Shiran arrived after the other students had sung four more songs.

 

All of Lu Xingmian’s friends knew Lu Shiran and also called him brother.

 

Zhou Cheng, who was returning from the restroom, happened to run into Lu Shiran at the door. “Ge, are you here to pick up Lu Xingmian?”

 

Lu Shiran: “Yes, to take him home.”

 

When he entered, he saw Lu Xingmian sitting in the corner playing the game “Snake.” It was a critical moment in the game. The music in the room was a bit loud, the voices of the guys next to him were loud, and the lighting in the room was dim. Lu Xingmian didn’t notice Lu Shiran had come in and was still focused on his game.

 

Lu Shiran sat down next to him and watched him play.

 

A few minutes later, the snake under Lu Xingmian’s control was finally killed by another player. Lu Xingmian sighed, a little slow to react. He put down his phone and then realized the person sitting next to him was Lu Shiran.

 

“Ge, when did you get here?”

 

Lu Shiran: “Just now.”

 

Zhou Cheng said, “Your brother came ten minutes ago. You just now noticed? Mmm…”

 

Zhu Jinyan stuffed a piece of watermelon into his mouth.

 

Lu Xingmian put his phone away. “Ge, let’s go.”

 

Some students spotted Lu Xingmian’s brother and called out, “Leaving so soon, Lu Xingmian? Why not let your brother join us for a bit?”

 

“Yeah, yeah, Ge, come play with us. The more, the merrier.”

 

Lu Xingmian stood up, linked his arm through Lu Shiran’s, and smiled. “Let me reintroduce him to everyone. This is my boyfriend.”

 

After Lu Xingmian and Lu Shiran left the room, they left behind a room full of shocked people. The amount of information was so great that no one could process it immediately.

 

Had Lu Xingmian just casually come out to them?

 

“Did I hear that right? Did Lu Xingmian just say he has a boyfriend?”

 

“That person is Lu Xingmian’s boyfriend? Not his brother?”

 

“Lu Xingmian said it several times already that they’re not related by blood.”

 

“Xia Zhicheng, your dream of becoming Lu Xingmian’s sister-in-law is shattered.”

 

“I told you it wasn’t for me; I was asking for my friend.”

 

“But I don’t know why, I don’t seem surprised at all.”

 

“I feel the same way. It feels like it was bound to happen.”

 

In the car, Lu Shiran leaned over to fasten Lu Xingmian’s seatbelt. “Zai Zai, do you remember what you just said?”

 

Lu Shiran was in an exceptionally good mood.

 

Lu Xingmian looked at him and smiled. “Of course, I do. I introduced my boyfriend to my classmates. Is that not allowed?”

 

Lu Shiran: “Of course it’s allowed.”

 

Lu Xingmian’s cheeks were pink, and he smiled at Lu Shiran foolishly. Lu Shiran pinched his ear. “Looks like you drank quite a bit.”

 

Lu Xingmian: “Mhm, I drank a lot.”

 

Lu Shiran: “Do you feel unwell?”

 

Lu Xingmian: “No, I just feel a little dizzy.”

 

“Let’s go back now.”

 

When they got downstairs, Lu Xingmian felt dizzier than ever. He looked at Lu Shiran. “Ge, the floor is too high. I can’t walk anymore.”

 

Lu Shiran came over and carried him up the stairs.

 

Lu Xingmian wrapped his arms around Lu Shiran’s neck and rested his head on his shoulder, closing his eyes. Lu Shiran’s scent was very comforting.

 

As Lu Shiran carried Lu Xingmian upstairs, he ran into the grandma from downstairs.

 

Grandma hadn’t seen Lu Xingmian in a long time.

 

“Xiao Lu’s brother, what’s wrong with Xiao Lu?”

 

Lu Shiran looked at the drunk person in his arms with a doting expression. “He was out with friends and had a few drinks. He’s fine.”

 

It was the same as her own grandson. When he went out with friends on vacation and drank too much, he would be like this too.

 

Grandma was worried that Lu Shiran wouldn’t know how to take care of his drunk brother, so she advised him, “Xiao Lu’s brother, when you get back, make him a cup of honey water. Don’t make the water too hot, just lukewarm is fine. That way, Xiao Lu will feel a little better.”

 

Lu Shiran: “En, okay.”

 

In a daze, Lu Xingmian heard Lu Shiran talking to the grandma downstairs. He heard the grandma call Lu Shiran “Xiao Lu’s brother,” but Lu Shiran wasn’t his brother.

 

Lu Xingmian sat up and introduced Lu Shiran to the grandma. “Grandma, he’s not my brother. He’s my boyfriend.”

 

Grandma’s hearing wasn’t sharp, so she didn’t catch Lu Xingmian’s softly spoken words. “Eh? What did Xiao Lu just say?”

 

Xie Jiaze, who was inside his apartment, heard the grandma talking to Lu Xingmian’s brother and quickly came out. If his brother was here, it meant Lu Xingmian must be here, too. Lu Xingmian had come back.

 

He had just stepped out when he heard what Lu Xingmian said. The grandma couldn’t hear it, but he heard it clearly.

 

Lu Shiran glanced at the stunned Xie Jiaze. “Zai Zai, let’s go home.”

 

Xie Jiaze watched Lu Xingmian affectionately nuzzle into Lu Shiran’s shoulder. This was not the affection of brothers.

 

He suddenly understood what Lu Xingmian had said to him that one time.