Chapter Twenty-Five

As summer vacation was drawing to a close, Long Jiu Mo tried to ask Cheng Xiang Bei out a few times.

The conversations were mostly about playing ball or swimming together. Cheng Xiangbei held a special place in the heart of the Long family patriarch, and cultivating a good relationship with him would greatly enhance Long Jiu Mo's standing within the family. Therefore, Long Jiu Mo was quite enthusiastic. However, things didn't go as smoothly as he'd hoped. When he called the Cheng family, Cheng Xiangbei was either unavailable or unavailable. Heaven knows how busy he was! This was the first time Long Jiu Mo had tried to curry favor with someone, only to be met with indifference, leaving him somewhat resentful.

However, since Cheng Xiangbei was unavailable, he didn't insist. Long Jiu Mo wouldn't admit he was a little disappointed, but to cheer himself up, he went out with his friends. With school starting soon, many students were out shopping. Long Jiu Mo followed his friends into KFC. Some clamored to go upstairs to find seats, while others rushed to the counter to line up and order. Long Jiu Mo followed along indifferently; he was always the last to pay.

The line was long, and he looked around boredly. Then, to his surprise, the person sitting in the corner was none other than Cheng Xiangbei! They weren't too far apart. He was about to go over and say hello when he looked closer and saw a potato sitting opposite Cheng Xiangbei—he recognized Lu Nan even from behind! Lu Nan was eating something with his head down, while Cheng Xiangbei smiled and watched him intently! At least, even after Long Jiu Mo had been observing him for so long, Lu Nan hadn't moved his head once!

Long Jiu Mo gritted his teeth inwardly! Very well, this is what they call brothers who share joys and sorrows! He glanced at the two of them again and strode heavily upstairs.

Not long after the start of the school year, a major incident occurred in the Lu family.

Lu Nan's grandfather suddenly passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage, and the Lu family panicked. Lu's parents asked the school for leave and hurriedly prepared to leave. Cheng Xiangbei found it strange and quickly chased after them to ask. Lu's mother only hurriedly said that Nan Nan's grandfather was not doing well, and then she and Lu's father left the school gate. The couple took a taxi, then went around to the provincial high school to pick up Lu Nan, and the whole family rushed back to their hometown.

When they rushed back to the village, before they even entered their home, the sound of weeping filled the air. Tears streamed down the family's faces as they rushed inside. The villagers had already helped them change into their burial clothes. Grandpa Lu lay on the bed, his skin still slightly warm. Lu Nan rushed over, clinging to his grandfather's clothes and sobbing uncontrollably. He had grown up with his grandfather since childhood; the bond between them over a decade was beyond words.

During the summer vacation, he stayed with his grandparents for a month. Occasionally, his grandfather would feel chest tightness, and Lu Nan suggested that he go to the hospital for a checkup, but the old man refused. Now, looking back, it was definitely a warning sign, but everyone ignored it. Lu Nan felt extremely guilty and kept banging his head against the bed railing.

Someone came up to persuade him and pulled him away. From the initial shock to the current weeping, the Lu family gradually accepted the fact that the old man had passed away. After crying until they were exhausted, everyone finally quieted down for a while, slowly changed into the prepared mourning clothes, and Lu Nan followed his father to kneel before Lu Grandpa's coffin.

According to village custom, the body must remain in state for three days. Grandpa Lu was the village's former headmaster, and nearly half the villagers were his students, so the number of people coming to pay their respects these past few days has been exceptionally high. Lu Nan's uncle, living in a faraway city, immediately set off upon receiving the devastating news. After a long and arduous journey, he finally arrived home the following afternoon. Upon entering, he knelt down with a thud, crawling on his knees and weeping… Having left home young to work far from home, he had spent pitifully little time with his elderly father. Lu Nan's uncle knelt before Grandpa Lu's coffin, weeping uncontrollably.

The funeral is proceeding in an orderly manner. All the families who could return have come back.

We've been neighbors for so many years, and our children grew up together. It's only right and proper that we offer them the greatest possible help.

Cheng Xiangbei also returned. He had practically grown up with Grandpa Lu, and after all these years, he couldn't help but feel grief. However, his biggest worry was Lu Nan. The Lu family was bustling with people coming and going, creating quite a commotion. Cheng Xiangbei stayed outside the main room, just out of Lu Nan's sight.

For Lu Nan, experiencing the pain of losing a loved one for the first time, it was extremely difficult both psychologically and physically. He knelt there blankly, sometimes feeling disoriented. Only when he saw Cheng Xiangbei did his heart find some peace. Cheng Xiangbei took good care of him, bringing him water and food, and sometimes secretly pulling him aside to doze off for a while. It was through this that Lu Nan managed to endure the three-day vigil.

On the day of Grandpa Lu's cremation, it was raining. The fine rain was like an overwhelming sorrow of parting, and tears welled up in Lu Nan's dry eyes again. Cheng Xiangbei followed in the procession, watching him with worry. Lu Nan stood absentmindedly by the grave, his body swaying slightly.

At the moment of burial, Lu Nan indeed erupted. He clung to the edge of the grave, refusing to be placed in the coffin. Cheng's father gave Cheng Xiangbei a look, and Cheng Xiangbei understood, stepping forward to hug Lu Nan. "Nan Nan, let Grandpa rest in peace!" "Get away! Don't pull me!" Lu Nan roared, his eyes bloodshot. Cheng Xiangbei felt a pang of pain in his heart, and tightened his grip even more. No matter how much Lu Nan struggled, kicked, or punched, he couldn't budge him an inch. Finally, Lu Nan, enraged, bit Cheng Xiangbei's neck...

"Hiss..." Cheng Xiangbei gasped, Lu Nan's bite was really hard. But even so, he didn't let go. Lu Nan released her mouth and buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing loudly. Cheng Xiangbei's eyes stung, and tears streamed down his face.

After the funeral, the two returned to school.

On her last night, Lu Nan slept at the Cheng family's house. They hadn't stayed in the bedroom on the second floor of the small building for a long time. Cheng Xiangbei was busy running a bath and making the bed, while Lu Nan sat to the side, watching blankly. Only after Cheng Xiangbei had everything settled did Lu Nan slowly follow his instructions.

The blanket was a little damp, but that didn't matter anymore. Just like when they were little, Lu Nan slept in Cheng Xiangbei's arms, chatting idly. They talked about their childhood, their mischievousness, their grandfather's kindness... so many shared memories.

Slowly, Lu Nan fell asleep; he was too exhausted. Cheng Xiangbei encircled him, arranging him in a comfortable sleeping position. He gently kissed Lu Nan's hair and forehead, his eyes filled with tenderness. Through birth, aging, sickness, and death, through joy and sorrow, through separation and reunion, no matter what life throws at you, I will walk with you.

In the morning, Lu Nan woke up to find a strong arm wrapped around his waist. He was stunned for a moment before realizing he was in Cheng Xiangbei's room. The room in the old house. Cheng Xiangbei was still fast asleep. Lu Nan tried to turn his head, finding Cheng Xiangbei's arm supporting his neck. Suddenly, he felt a sense of peace.

Morning light streamed through the gaps in the curtains, revealing another beautiful, crisp autumn day. Someone woke up, half their body numb from being pressed down, a sharp, stabbing pain accompanying any sudden movement. However, this brief pain paled in comparison to the smile on Lu Nan's lips.

Someone rubbed their arm and grinned foolishly.

Lu Nan returned to school, still somewhat dazed.

He was already a bit absent-minded, and lately he'd become even more distracted. Cheng Xiangbei repeatedly told Zhou Pu to take good care of him, and Zhou Pu solemnly agreed. Lu Nan wore a black armband, and anyone could tell that his family had suffered a misfortune. So when he occasionally acted absent-minded, no one took it seriously.

Yun Shao had been staying by Lu Nan's side these past few days, even though Lu Nan repeatedly assured him he was fine. But what are friends for? Of course, they're there for me when I'm sad, and I can just kick them out when I'm happy. Yun Shao loyally went everywhere with Lu Nan, even taking care of his daily needs. This indirectly provoked someone's displeasure; during math class, Lu Nan's glares were practically flying at him! But even the most intense emotions passed by like the wind to the absent-minded Lu Nan, leaving no trace. Thus, someone's anger escalated once more.

That day, a teacher, still annoyed, once again asked Lu Nan, who couldn't answer the question, to leave the classroom. Yun Shao glared at the teacher on the stage, but Lu Nan didn't react and obediently left. Teacher Shen raised her eyebrows triumphantly, while Yun Shao secretly clenched her fist, instantly deflated Teacher Shen. However, words spoken are words taken, and to maintain the dignity of a teacher, Teacher Shen didn't retract her order to make Lu Nan stand in the corridor as punishment... Well, it'll only be for a short while, right?

However, things don't always go as planned. Teacher Shen was so engrossed in his lecture that by the time he finished, class was almost over. He glanced guiltily at Yun Shao and hurriedly headed out. Just as he stepped outside, the bell rang, and some students, unable to bear the hunger, rushed down the stairs. Lu Nan, who had been standing by the back door, was absentmindedly thinking and had unconsciously moved to the stairwell. The students rushed down, and he, following the momentum, followed... but incredibly, he didn't walk down; he... tumbled down.

Mr. Shen, who was about to call him into the classroom, froze. He narrowed his eyes, carefully recalling the moment he had just witnessed. If he wasn't mistaken, before Lu Nan tumbled down the stairs, he felt a hand push him on the back. Lu Nan had already rolled to the corner of the stairs, where the students who had been laughing and joking stopped and surrounded him. Mr. Shen walked down the stairs with a thoughtful expression, scrutinizing each of the students surrounding Lu Nan.

Everyone wore a worried expression, but one student in particular couldn't hide the contempt and smugness on his face. Teacher Shen looked at this most enthusiastic student and a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips.

Long Jiu Mo, I see.