Chapter 12

The days when Lu Jiyu disappeared were actually the time when Lu Lin was gone.

Lu Lin had a minor surgery in the hospital and would be discharged in two days. She hadn't planned to tell Lu Jiyu. It was the nanny who let it slip when she called Lu Jiyu.

When Lu Jiyu arrived at the hospital that evening, Lu Lin was sitting with an IV drip on the back of his hand, intently studying data on his computer. Lu Jiyu placed the fruit basket he'd bought on the way in on the low cabinet nearby. On the sofa across from the bed stood a row of lavishly packaged fruit baskets and flower bouquets of various kinds.

Lu Lin looked up from the computer and saw that it was him. He nodded lightly and said, "I'm here."

Lu Jiyu leaned his back against the wall and asked, "Where's Aunt Chen?"

Lu Lin then closed the computer, closed her eyes and sighed softly: "Go downstairs to complete the discharge procedures." She pointed to the plastic chair next to the sofa: "Move over and sit down and talk to me for a while. I feel uncomfortable holding my head up."

Lu Jiyu didn't say anything, just did as he was told.

After he sat down, neither of them spoke for a moment. The entire ward was completely silent. The golden slanting sunlight at five o'clock in the evening filtered through the window, casting a faint ray of light onto the ground. The humidifier in the corner of the ward operated steadily and rhythmically. A long, yet not awkward, atmosphere filled the air.

Lu Lin replied to a few work messages on his phone before looking up at Lu Jiyu across from him: "Can't you really consider Jin Jing?"

Lu Jiyu wore an oversized, dull-colored polo-neck short-sleeved T-shirt. Though his Devon school uniform was ungainly, it somehow gave him a dash of unfashionable handsomeness. He pursed his lips, his eyes calm. He said nothing, only a faint, agreeing hum. He lowered his head to look at his phone, the cervical vertebrae at the back of his neck, perfectly formed and intact, protruding slightly from the cold, pale skin, like a rebellious, ancient weapon lurking within the boy's body. It exuded a hidden sharpness and a chilling sensuality.

Lu Jiyu's phone froze to the friend search page. An unfamiliar number appeared in the search box. Clicking it, an unfamiliar profile picture popped up. On the day of the locksmith's opening, she had given the technician her phone number for after-sales service calls. The technician wasn't very good with his phone, and he kept getting the number wrong after trying several times. She patiently explained it over and over again. By the time she'd finished, Lu Jiyu had memorized the eleven digits by heart.

It was really forced.

Clicking on the search results, the profile picture was a cartoon bunny head with two thick blushes. It wasn't cute, nor was it ugly, but rather had a certain innocent curiosity. Inexplicably, Lu Jiyu thought it suited her. She had enabled privacy protection, so nothing else could be seen except the profile picture and nickname.

"You didn't listen to me when it came to finding a girlfriend, and now you treat my words about choosing a major as bullshit."

Lu Lin sighed, with a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes: "Lu Jiyu, you have really grown up now."

After hearing Lu Lin's words, Lu Jiyu finally realized what was going on and turned off his phone. He raised his head, and a smile suddenly appeared on his usually cold and handsome face: "I don't understand why you are so anxious."

Lu Lin became excited. "How could I not be anxious? I'm just worried you'll take the wrong path! You look so smart, but from childhood on, how many people with bad intentions have approached you and set traps for you? When have you ever avoided them?"

Lu Jiyu remained calm, sighing inwardly. He was bringing up the same old trick again. But the trick wasn't about whether it was new or old; it just had to work.

"No matter what, everything I did was not to harm you. I really did it for your own good." Perhaps being sick really makes people vulnerable. Lu Lin's eyes, which were always strong, showed a rare hint of frustration at this moment.

The night breeze grew chilly, and the temperature inside suddenly dropped several degrees. Lu Jiyu stood up, walked to the window, and closed it. This was the VIP ward in the inpatient department, on the highest floor. He looked down at the crowd below, silent and speechless.

"You should know that your Uncle Jin has always been optimistic about you."

"Yaojin International is in a period of rapid development. The new energy projects they focus on are among the best not only in this city, but also in the whole country. Jin Jing is Jin Yaohua's only daughter. I don't need to explain how much it means to you to be with her. It will be the icing on the cake for my company."

Lu Jiyu turned his back to her and said jokingly, "So I'm just the icing on the cake in your heart?"

"Lu Jiyu!"

Lu Lin reached out and smoothed a strand of hair against her face. Now over forty, her once charming face was now stained with the inevitable ravages of time. Her illness had left her with a pale complexion, and even her lips were now transparently pale. Feeling thirsty, she reached for the water glass on the bedside table, took two slow sips, and then spoke slowly, as if to finalize the matter: "Your Uncle Jin said that you're still young, and you're still pursuing free love. When you hit a wall, you'll understand the benefits of being well-matched."

Lu Jiyu understood what she meant.

In Lu Lin's eyes, nothing else matters, including his feelings and thoughts. The most important thing is always the result.

He walked over to the chair next to the sofa and sat down, legs spread wide in front of him, back leaning straight against the wall. His hands were in his pockets, and he tilted his head to look at the woman in the bed, half of her face bathed in the setting sun, the other half shrouded in the shadows of the room. The rebelliousness in his eyes, a hint of natural rebellion, was both strange and familiar to Lu Lin. It was as if he had seen his younger self, caught in a tangle of time and space, a vision from another world.

"Don't you think you're a little too eager for quick success?"

"Maybe." He cleared his throat and gave a rare self-deprecating laugh: "Maybe I can find someone better."

Lu Lin didn't like his attitude. "What do you mean by 'hanging out'? You and Jin Jing are a perfect match. I chose the Jin family because our two families have known each other for many years and know each other well. Your parents knew your Uncle Jin when they were still alive. You're talking as if I'm just selling you out for my own selfish desires."

"Lu Jiyu, ask yourself, how has your aunt treated you over the years?"

How did Lu Lin treat him? Of course, it was impeccable.

Lu Lin gave Lu Jiyu the best in terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation.

She gave all she could.

In other words, now is the time to get some compensation.

Lu Jiyu stood up, and the tall and handsome figure of the young man dragged a long line on the ground: "Everything else is fine, but--." Only this one is not allowed.

Lu Lin's cell phone rang, ending Lu Jiyu's unspoken words. She glanced at Lu Jiyu, then picked up the vibrating phone on the quilt and answered it.

Lu Lin's face was serious, and his words were concise and precise, spare and economical. They didn't speak more than five sentences the entire call. Lu Lin hung up and glanced sideways toward the window. She knew what Lu Jiyu was trying to say. Although he was her brother's child, he was the only one in the Lu family who resembled her the most. Just as naive and determined, just as stubborn and unrepentant. In the end, would they be equally wounded?

"You know, you're good in everything except your heart."

"It's the same with Liu Nian, and even more so with Xu Junfeng."

"There is nothing going on between Liu Nian and me." Lu Jiyu explained again weakly and helplessly.

Lu Lin was somewhat furious at her lack of resistance, the veins on his temples bulging slightly. "What do you think 'something' means? 'It'll only be something if she climbs into your bed and kills someone."

"Lu Jiyu, your mistake was giving her the opportunity to take advantage of you."

"Yes, it's my fault." Lu Jiyu noticed that Lu Lin's face was pale and his fingers were trembling slightly. He realized that the patient in the bed opposite him had just had surgery yesterday. Even if he was a jerk, he couldn't force her to change her mind at this time.

"It's all my fault."

Lu Lin shook his head, trying to suppress his physical discomfort. "You're good at everything. You've always been the center of attention since you were little. But Lu Jiyu, you must remember that there will always be someone better than you in this world. The higher someone praises you, the harder you'll fall one day."

Lu Jiyu knew that if he didn't give in today, this page between him and Lu Lin would never be turned over.

"I will consider what you said."

Lu Lin's face remained expressionless, but her eyes slowly closed. Her words had already drained most of her energy. Seeing that she was finally showing signs of calming down, Lu Jiyu stood up, closed the curtains for her, and lowered the bed.

"Lu Jiyu." She closed her eyes and spoke in a calm voice, her previous sharpness and strength gone. "You know better than anyone how difficult it has been for Aunt to get to where she is today."

Lu Lin and Lu Jiyu knew each other too well; neither could convince the other. Lu Jiyu's temporary surrender was merely a delaying tactic. Lu Lin preferred aggressive attacks, while Lu Jiyu preferred retreating to advance.

"Of course, no one knows better than me."

"You little bastard." Lu Lin cursed with a smile. He couldn't open his eyes and was already showing signs of drowsiness. "You'd better."

"I'm telling you, you're not listening to me."

"You're going to regret this—"

The speaker's voice became softer and softer, and gradually the whole ward fell into a stagnant silence.

Lu Jiyu glanced up at the IV bottle, figuring the drug might be taking effect. He retreated to the sofa, crossed his arms, and looked at Lu Lin lying on the bed. The boy's usual frivolous expression shifted to a serious one.

＊

When Lu Jiyu and the others came out of the convenience store, the two girls standing at the intersection had disappeared.

The evening after the rain is refreshing and the air is filled with a rich moisture. With every breath, one's heart feels like a plant soaked in water, soft and stretched.

Zhou Zifang was holding a bag of freshly bought ice cream. He looked around but couldn't see anyone. He felt a little disappointed: "No way, wasn't he here just now? Could he have left?"

"I even spent a lot of money to buy two expensive ice creams. No, the person is gone, I have to go back and return it." Zhou Zifang is a very principled man. He will not waste a penny of the money he spent on the girl on his own brothers.

Lu Jiyu didn't stop him. He held the phone between his fingers, slowly swirling it around as he considered whether to call someone. Suddenly, the phone vibrated. He glanced down at the caller ID. It wasn't a name, but the number looked surprisingly familiar. He pressed the answer button, and before the person on the other end even spoke, he already had a vague sense of certainty.

It must be her.

"Have you come out of the convenience store?"

"We're at the lottery shop across the street."

He just said two random sentences.

"Oh, by the way, I'm Jiang Wan."

I know.

Her voice sounded strangely excited.

"So happy? Did you win the jackpot?" Lu Jiyu glanced across at the other side, his gaze following her words as he quickly fixed on the neon-lit lottery shop on the corner. He glanced back at Zhou Zifang, who had actually gone back to return the ice cream and was currently arguing with the cashier at the front desk. Lu Jiyu ignored him, half leaning against a handrail at the intersection, his gaze indifferent and lazy as he waited for the red light to turn green. Passersby were all more or less drawn to the handsome young man.

"I haven't won the prize yet, but I think I will soon." She boasted confidently.

There was some noise on the other end of the line, probably the host's voice on TV. Her voice rose above the din, surprisingly lively and endearing, a rare touch for her.

Lu Jiyu didn't intend to hang up the phone, and kept talking to her in a disjointed manner: "What are you going to do if you really win the jackpot?"

He thought she would at least give it some token thought after he posed the question, but he didn't know the person on the other end was already prepared and blurted out, "Are you going to hire a male college student for fun?"

Hold--.

Lu Jiyu silently admired in his heart, you are worthy of it, Jiang Wan.

After hearing him silent for a few seconds, Jiang Wan added with a look of conscience: "How about I make one for you too?"

She is truly a lady, even when it comes to writing blank checks.

"Thank you."

"I don't like this." Mr. Lu declined.

"Hey, what's your favorite?" Jiang Wan followed up on his question, but her voice suddenly became much quieter, as if she had dropped her phone on the table. Lu Jiyu heard a slight rustling sound and guessed what she was doing. He didn't answer, just quietly waiting for the prize to be announced on the other side.

After about a few seconds.

"Are you still there?" The phone was picked up again.

Lu Jiyu curled his lips and asked, "Did you win the prize?"

"It seems that the matter of the male college student will have to wait and see." There was no loneliness in her voice, but there was a hint of smile.

Lu Jiyu had never seen anyone so happy even though they didn't win the prize.

"Why."

"Just tell me a number." Jiang Wanren on the other end of the phone suddenly had an idea.

"Chen Meiyun and I bought several tickets together but didn't win anything. I'll try buying one for the number you asked."

"What do I do if I win the jackpot based on the number I chose?"

Jiang Wan thought symbolically on the other end of the phone: "The grand prize goes to me, and the small prize goes to you."

Lu Jiyu thought to himself, this is amazing: "Did your mother tell you when you were born?"

"What?"

Lu Jiyu looked at the digital countdown on the traffic light and said in a rather joking manner, "When you were born, you must have been holding an abacus in your hand."

"Then let me guess what you were holding when you were born?"

"You are so good at arguing, that should be a dumbbell." Jiang Wan has been sharp-tongued since he was a child and is very good at hurting people. He would restrain himself when he is not familiar with them, but now it seems that he is going all out.

The night breeze was cool, and the raindrops dripped from the branches. Lu Jiyu didn't hide, but lowered his head, the phone still hanging to his ear, his face dark and unclear.

Is this what it feels like?

There's something inexplicable about talking to someone of equal strength. Even though they haven't said or done anything, every part of me feels refreshed and relaxed, as if a connection has been established.

He sighed softly and waited for the last few seconds before the red light turned green.

"151928." He straightened up and reported a set of numbers very quickly.

Jiang Wan asked on the other end: "Is there anything particular?"

"You want to know?"

7:28 pm on the 15th.

This was the moment when Lu Jiyu decided to move to Luoying Lane.