CFHE Chapter 34

Wen Yu was stunned: “Who?”

 

Fu Yuhan: “…”

 

“You don’t remember something that just happened?” Fu Yuhan was somewhat speechless.

 

Wen Yu paused, then smiled: “Oh, that idiot from Class 2? I remember now… I really don’t remember people well.”

 

“Then I should really thank you for remembering me from our first meeting.”

 

Because when they first met, Fu Yuhan was wearing a white zip-up cardigan, and his two long legs made his sweatpants look very stylish… Wen Yu liked beautiful things, so he would put extra effort into remembering the names of good-looking people.

 

Besides, Yang Fan couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning Fu Yuhan back then, so it would have been difficult for him not to remember.

 

That was the first National Day holiday of their freshman year, when one had just turned 16 and the other was still a few months away.

 

Looking back, it had been quite a while.

 

Wen Yu didn’t plan to praise him, lowering his head with a smile: “So? What happened to that Qian Kaile?”

 

“Apparently he’s getting disciplinary action.” Fu Yuhan said. “Probably will be announced on Monday.”

 

Wen Yu raised an eyebrow: “Giving disciplinary action to a senior? Third High is something else.”

 

“Yeah, I didn’t expect it either.” Fu Yuhan thought for a moment. “But Xu Qianyi has always been very firm about this matter.”

 

Actually, the three of them had escaped cleanly that day and could be considered to have extricated themselves. Even if teachers questioned them later about why they returned so late, they could find other excuses.

 

In any case, as long as they refused to admit anything and no other physical evidence appeared, this matter had nothing to do with them.

 

It was that fierce shop owner who insisted on lecturing Qian Kaile and his two friends for hanging out with a bunch of street thugs, dragging the police into educating them. The officer couldn’t resist the shop owner and had to responsibly escort the three back to the stadium and hand them over to school teachers.

 

Those “street bosses” that day were all carrying sticks as thick as three fingers—you couldn’t claim they just looked fierce.

 

If you’re not looking for trouble, no one carries weapons on the street.

 

Fu Yuhan didn’t look into the subsequent situation and didn’t know what Xu Qianyi told the teachers, but she actually voluntarily implicated herself. She had been troubled by Qian Kaile for almost two years from freshman year until now—she was probably fed up.

 

“If this were First High, they’d probably suppress the matter.” Wen Yu glanced out the window. “A major disciplinary action takes a year to clear and affects graduation.”

 

His expression was very calm, often like this when alone with Fu Yuhan.

 

Fu Yuhan looked down at his phone: “If they’re not that strict, they could clear it before graduation… depends on how the school handles it. I just hope he learns to behave after getting disciplined.”

 

“Speaking of which…” Wen Yu’s gaze swept over with the rapidly passing streetlights outside the window, his eyes landing seemingly casually on the driver’s seat back in front of Fu Yuhan, asking softly, “I see you don’t have many close friends in class. How did you become familiar with Xu Qianyi?”

 

Fu Yuhan’s eyes moved.

 

“Still unwilling to say?” Wen Yu chuckled. “I helped you out, but your thanks only stay verbal?”

 

“No, this can be said.” Fu Yuhan squinted. “I’m just trying to remember.”

 

“You remember when we first met, so is your story with Xu Qianyi that ancient?”

 

“That’s because Yang Fan was there when we met.” Fu Yuhan glanced at him, somewhat puzzled. “You also pick and choose what to remember, so why nitpick at me? We’re the same.”

 

Wen Yu thought to himself that his way of picking people wasn’t like this at all.

 

He pursed his lips and said nothing.

 

Fu Yuhan thought for a long while before remembering: “I think it was during the second semester of freshman year, before May Day holiday? That day after school I stayed at school particularly late because of something…”

 

Fu Yuhan generally had no concept of what time he went home—to him it was all about the same.

 

The reason he remembered this detail was because there were few people on the road after school that day, and he happened to be chatting with Yang Fan about a new spicy hot pot shop. So after leaving school, he turned into a small road he only occasionally took, and then saw Xu Qianyi and Ge Ran.

 

He was naturally aloof. Although he’d been enrolled for over half a year, he couldn’t even name most of his classmates. At least he knew these two.

 

One was the class beauty, one was the class monitor.

 

The two girls had encountered some trouble.

 

No matter how bold girls were, they had concerns when alone outside, but Fu Yuhan had no such concerns. He dealt with the troublemakers and escorted the two girls away.

 

“To thank me, Xu Qianyi helped me copy homework for a week, which happened to be when I had to stay at the hospital at night and didn’t have much time to write—that’s roughly how we became familiar.” Fu Yuhan lowered his head. “I only learned later that those guys were also found by Qian Kaile, originally planning to stage a ‘hero saves beauty’ scene, but I intercepted it.”

 

Wen Yu looked at him.

 

“Mm?” Fu Yuhan looked up.

 

“Just now…” Wen Yu asked softly, “did you smile?”

 

Fu Yuhan paused, the corners of his straight mouth slightly upturned: “Don’t you think it’s funny? The protagonist of ‘hero saves beauty’ was temporarily replaced by a…”

 

He raised half an eyebrow, his dark pupils catching light spots from the streetlights outside.

 

Just for that second.

 

Wen Yu could tell that what Fu Yuhan didn’t say was “gay guy,” but he didn’t get the joke, his attention completely drawn to that momentary expression.

 

“…Really not funny?” Fu Yuhan’s smile gradually faded.

 

“It’s alright.” Wen Yu came back to his senses. “I’m more surprised that you actually have more expressions than I imagined.”

 

“I just have a high threshold for humor,” Fu Yuhan was slightly stunned, then rubbed his face, “I’m not paralyzed.”

 

Wen Yu didn’t respond.

 

He wasn’t sure if Fu Yuhan knew that Yang Fan and Chu Lei had complained behind his back that “Fu Yuhan might really be facially paralyzed,” but he didn’t plan to tell him.

 

The car got on the elevated highway, and the speed of passing lights suddenly became very fast. The car fell quiet, and within five minutes, when Wen Yu looked over again, Fu Yuhan’s head was nodding—he was about to fall asleep.

 

Fu Yuhan had worked quite hard that afternoon, barely resting at all. His upper and lower eyelids, almost stuck together, were covered by long eyelashes, casting deep shadows on his very pale cheeks.

 

Very beautiful.

 

Wen Yu stared quietly.

 

Halfway through the ride, Fu Yuhan suddenly woke up, “I…”

 

Wen Yu quickly looked away.

 

“Did I fall asleep?”

 

Wen Yu turned his gaze back: “You’re asking me whether you fell asleep?”

 

“True.” Fu Yuhan rubbed his eyes, feeling confused from sleep. “Where are we?”

 

“Past East Ring Road.” Wen Yu said. “Don’t sleep anymore, we’re almost there.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Taking you to dinner.”

 

“…Can’t we just go back and eat?” Fu Yuhan was a bit bewildered. Past East Ring Road meant entering the downtown area, where a meal would cost dozens of yuan. According to Wen Yu’s theory of “whoever takes someone to eat pays,” he’d have to spend money again tonight.

 

The job was introduced by Wen Yu, who had also thoughtfully accompanied him all day. Fu Yuhan had a bad temper and loved to clash with Wen Yu, but he wasn’t ungrateful.

 

It’s just that he hadn’t received his wages yet, so he couldn’t bring himself to invite Wen Yu to dinner, which made him particularly want to go back.

 

Perhaps his expression was too bewildered, because Wen Yu glanced at him and said with barely contained laughter: “I want to eat roast duck, but I can’t finish it alone. Keep me company?”

 

“…”

 

“If you don’t want to,” Wen Yu said, “then I’ll call Yang Fan now and have him come keep me company.”

 

“No.” Fu Yuhan instinctively objected—Yang Fan was the most loyal person, and if Wen Yu performed “I’m in a bad mood today” on the spot, Yang Fan would definitely rush over no matter what.

 

“But you won’t keep me company either.” Wen Yu spread his hands.

 

“…Fine, I’ll keep you company.” Fu Yuhan reluctantly agreed.

 

The car got off the elevated highway and stopped in front of a small building with Chinese architectural style. Wen Yu took Fu Yuhan inside for a “duck two ways” meal before going home.

 

There was still half the underwear left to photograph today. Fu Yuhan had memorized the route and told Fourth Brother he’d go by himself the next day.

 

Wen Yu didn’t say he would come along.

 

–

 

The next day Fu Yuhan was smarter and didn’t message Fourth Brother until after ten o’clock.

 

Fourth Brother was nocturnal, usually never getting up before noon, only waking around ten when work was particularly heavy. But it would take Fu Yuhan an hour to get to the abandoned factory, so leaving at ten was just right.

 

It was already late September, and the weather could turn cold at any time. When that happened, they wouldn’t be able to shoot underwear products outdoors, so every day counted.

 

Fortunately, the weather had been cooperating these past two days, staying sunny.

 

Fourth Brother: Then come directly. By the way, the owner of today’s underwear shop said they want to come see the shooting progress. Is Little Seven coming too?

 

Fu Yuhan: Wen Yu? He’s not coming today.

 

Fourth Brother: Tsk, I was going to ask him to join us for late-night snacks. He knows this shop owner too.

 

Fu Yuhan: …Should I go call him?

 

Fourth Brother: Forget it, that young master has quite a temper. Just come quickly. Let’s start early—I saw you were pretty cold when we shot until evening yesterday.

 

Fu Yuhan: I’m fine, I can handle it.

 

That’s what he said, but shooting until evening was indeed a bit cold. Although Fu Yuhan could endure it, he didn’t want to torture himself unnecessarily. It would be best to finish early.

 

Early Sunday morning, He Yan was still sleeping. Fu Yuhan ran into Uncle Qin when leaving the house.

 

Uncle Qin was a man of few words, and Fu Yuhan was aloof, so over the years they could count their conversations on two hands. But that day, Fu Yuhan somehow remembered He Yan’s words about “your Uncle Qin working two jobs” and inexplicably struck up a conversation: “Uncle, heading out?”

 

“Ah,” Uncle Qin looked at him with some surprise, “someone I know asked me to help paint their house.” He smiled, the wrinkles at his eyes showing honest warmth. “I figured since I’m free on weekends anyway, might as well earn a few bucks. At least tonight’s dinner is settled. Has Xiao Han been very busy with studies lately? I notice you rarely come home for meals.”

 

“…Ah, I eat with classmates.” It seemed He Yan hadn’t told Uncle Qin about his situation. Fu Yuhan didn’t know whether to thank her for avoiding awkwardness between them. He twitched his mouth. “Uncle Qin works hard… I have plans with a classmate, so I’ll head out.”

 

“Alright, be careful on the road.”

 

Fu Yuhan hurriedly left.

 

If his stepfather were more malicious, perhaps he could be more comfortable.

 

In this awkward relationship, kindness was more suffocating.

 

Fu Yuhan got in the car, pondering Uncle Qin as a person while watching the rapidly retreating street scenes.

 

Traffic was unexpectedly smooth this morning. When he arrived at yesterday’s location, only Bei Lin was there setting up lighting. Fu Yuhan greeted him upon entering and asked: “Where are Fourth Brother and San Mao?”

 

“They just woke up and haven’t arrived yet.” Bei Lin smiled warmly. “Find somewhere to sit.”

 

“It’s fine, I want to see how you set this up.” Fu Yuhan said curiously. “Fourth Brother said he was awake when I left home, but he just woke up?”

 

“Staying in bed. He was up until 5 AM again yesterday.” Bei Lin said. “Interested in lighting?”

 

“Just looking.” Fu Yuhan pressed his lips together, his gaze flickering. “I want to learn painting, but haven’t decided what major to study in college.”

 

“Photography ruins three generations, SLRs destroy a lifetime. Unless you’re rich, never study photography.” Bei Lin shook his head.

 

“I originally wanted to study painting, just pure painting majors… but I heard that’s expensive too.”

 

“Yeah, fine arts graduates have trouble finding work.” Bei Lin tightened the fixing bolts and looked back at him. “You don’t have any specific hobbies besides painting, right?”

 

“Mm.”

 

“Then study something with good job prospects, really, that’s experience from someone who’s been there.” Bei Lin earnestly advised. “Like I studied printmaking originally. After graduation, I’m the only one from my class still working in art-related fields, and as you can see, I’m not painting either—you could study graphic design, digital media, animation, architecture, anything like that. At least there’s a general employment direction. And if you’re going to take the exam, aim for one of the nine major art academies.”

 

“Nine major art academies?” Fu Yuhan was stunned. “Isn’t it eight?”

 

“Because the ninth one isn’t a standalone art academy, but it’s very good.” Bei Lin had an expression of “bet you didn’t know this.” “Ever heard of T University’s Academy of Fine Arts?”

 

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