Chapter 12

That evening, after finishing her second part-time job and returning to her dormitory, Lin Ting washed up, took sleeping pills, and went to bed to rest.

Lin Ting's insomnia has relapsed, and during the medication treatment phase, she forces herself to fall asleep early.

The drug took effect quickly, and while she was in a daze, a call came in from an unknown number. Lin Ting instinctively picked up her phone.

Hello, may I ask who you are?

After a dozen seconds passed with no response, Lin Ting took her phone away and glanced at it, assuming that her phone was broken.

"Hello!" Still no response, so I figured it was a spam call and hung up.

But after answering the call twice, there was still no response. When the phone rang for the fourth time, Lin Ting sat up and said in a tough tone, "Who are you? You've been calling me repeatedly in the middle of the night without saying a word. This is harassment. If you call again, I'll block you."

After a few seconds of silence, a deep voice rang out, "It's me."

With just two words and without revealing his name, Lin Ting already guessed who it was, but she was puzzled, "How do you have my phone number?"

"I...I asked Uncle Chen for it," he stammered.

"Oh, why are you calling me now? Is something wrong? Did you not get enough of roasting me this afternoon and want to continue?"

Even without meeting him, just hearing Chen Zhiyi's voice gave Lin Ting a bad look.

"Yes, I'm sorry!"

Lin Ting was somewhat surprised, never expecting him to apologize, and for a moment she didn't know how to begin.

Chen Zhiyi, seeing that Lin Ting didn't react, assumed she hadn't heard him clearly and repeated, "I'm sorry, I accidentally hurt you this afternoon."

"It's okay, it's just a superficial wound, it doesn't hurt anymore."

Another moment of silence followed.

Lin Ting didn't want to get involved anymore. She had already said everything that needed to be said and shouldn't have been said that afternoon.

"If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."

"Don't hang up! I have other things to do, don't hang up." The previously low and hoarse tone suddenly rose, and the tone became urgent.

"Okay, I'm listening. Go ahead."

"I'm calling to apologize to you. Besides accidentally hurting you, I'm also sorry for my attitude towards you these past few days!"

Lin Ting was somewhat puzzled by Chen Zhiyi's humble tone and sincere attitude. How long had it been? Had he really changed his mind? But regardless, he had already made up his mind about Chen Zhiyi and immediately refused, "An apology? That's not necessary."

“Yes, I know you find it strange and don’t accept my apology, but I really am apologizing to you. I have a lot to say to you. Can we meet and talk?”

"Forget it, I've already resigned, and we have nothing to do with each other anymore. What's the point of seeing each other again?"

"I don't want you to resign; I'd like you to continue being my tutor."

Lin Ting thought she was hallucinating. "What did you say?"

"In short, can we meet? If you still decide to leave after we meet, then I'll accept it."

"that..."

Chen Zhiyi didn't give Lin Ting a chance to reply, "Don't worry, it won't take up much of your time. Let's meet at the West City Forest Park at 9 a.m. tomorrow!"

"I don't think there's any point in meeting like this?"

"It's meaningful. I want you to see the real me, and I believe you can truly understand me. Is that okay? Please, please!"

Lin Ting noticed the pleading tone in his voice, which seemed unusual. After hesitating for a moment, she agreed. She wanted to hear for herself what he really meant by "himself." A person's value lies in having self-awareness and knowing how to position himself correctly. She wanted to see how he would do it.

Chen Zizhi breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. Then we'll meet there. You must come. I'll be waiting for you." She emphasized it again at the end.

"good!"

The next morning, Lin Ting deliberately arrived at the West City Forest Park more than an hour late, as a test for him.

Chengxi Forest Park, a national geological park in Jinshi, is a "lung-nourishing paradise" for citizens. Even in the height of summer, the park is lush and verdant, with dense shade that keeps the heat at bay, making it cool and refreshing to stroll through.

The park gate faces the bus stop. As soon as Lin Ting got off the bus, she saw Chen Zhiyi standing at the gate, and Chen Zhiyi immediately waved to her.

This was the first time Lin Ting had seen him outdoors. His hair had obviously been trimmed the night before, and it was now quite short. He was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt over a matching T-shirt, and black cropped casual pants. He looked fresh and sunny, and women passing by couldn't help but glance at him a few times.

It has to be admitted that a face like his would make him the center of attention wherever he is.

Lin Ting was dressed in a white jumpsuit, which was simple but looked very high-quality. She had her hair tied in a low ponytail and walked slowly and steadily with her chest out, like a beautiful white magnolia hairpin, fresh and charming.

As Chen Zhiyi watched her walk over, he recalled her appearance nine years ago. He never expected that the cool and brave heroine in his heart had now transformed into a cold and aloof fairy, with a touch of otherworldly elegance. However, there was one thing he couldn't understand.

Why does someone so good-looking have to wear big black-rimmed glasses that cover half their face? Can't they wear something that suits them?

When Chen Zhiyi saw Lin Ting walk up to him, his eyes were full of bright smiles. "I thought you weren't coming."

"I thought you left a long time ago."

"I won't leave. Even if you show up two hours later, I won't leave. I said I would wait for you." Lin noticed the determination in his eyes as he said this, and feeling a little uncomfortable, she immediately changed the subject, "Let's go inside. It's too hot outside!"

"OK."

Since it's free, you can enter by scanning a QR code at the entrance and registering with your real name.

This was Lin Ting's first time visiting this park. She had initially wanted to complain, "Aren't you afraid of getting heatstroke if you meet someone in an outdoor park in the middle of summer?" But standing here, she realized it was a great place to escape the heat, where she could breathe in fresh air and relax her eyes.

The two walked along the asphalt road through the woods, passing by all sorts of people: some taking a stroll, some exercising, some on dates, and others pushing strollers with their babies out for some fresh air. The bustling crowds created a lively atmosphere.

Lin Ting said, "I didn't expect it to be so cool in here, and there are quite a few people coming to play."

Chen Zhiyi: "This park has been around for over ten years, since I was born. Is this your first time here?"

Lin Ting: "The first time."

Chen Zhiyi: "I've been wandering around here since I was a child, so you could say I grew up here."

Lin Ting: "It seems there are quite a few childhood memories here."

Chen Zhiyi thought for a moment, "Yes, in my memory, when I was very young, Aunt Chen and Uncle Chen would bring me here to play. When I got a little older, Uncle Chen would bring me to play football or ride bicycles. Now, I often come here alone for a morning run. From three people to two people and now I'm all alone."

At this point, Lin Ting understood; this was about to get to the point. "So, are you going to tell me what's on your mind?"

Chen Zhiyi pointed ahead, "There's a pavilion over there, let's go sit in it for a while." Lin Ting nodded.

The two walked to the pavilion. After Lin Ting sat down, Chen Zhiyi ran off. A few minutes later, he returned with two bottles of mineral water. He unscrewed the caps and held the bottles out to Lin Ting. Without hesitation, she took one and took a big gulp.

Chen Zhiyi sat down next to her, took a big gulp of water, lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"I'm sorry for my previous attitude towards you, but what I want to say is that my attitude wasn't meant for you, but rather because I didn't like my mother's arrangements."

Lin Ting: "You still think that I'm tutoring you because I'm being paid by your mother to supervise you?"

Chen Zhiyi shook his head, "No, I was just being petty."

Lin Ting looked at Chen Zhiyi and asked, "I'm curious, what's the source of your resentment towards your parents? Is it that you feel they prioritize their careers and don't spend enough time with you?"

"Shouldn't they? They only gave birth to me, but they didn't take on the responsibility of raising me. From childhood to adulthood, everything I did was arranged by Uncle Chen or Aunt Chen. They even attended parent-teacher conferences. Those who know the inside story are fine, but those who don't think they are my parents." Chen Zhiyi said with a bitter smile.

"The house is empty, like a cold cage, devoid of any human warmth. When we finally eat together, it's either a lecture or I'm called halfway through the meal, without a single word of concern. Sometimes I blame myself for being too healthy; I only catch a cold or fever occasionally, and they call to check on me, then disappear. The last time I broke my leg and needed surgery, my mother only showed up briefly, leaving before the surgery was even over. That villa in Xiangyi Zijun feels more like a prison than a home, trapping me inside, waiting for my parents' occasional visits."

Chen Zhiyi thought that Lin Ting would empathize with him after hearing his heartfelt grievances, just like when they were children, but this time she didn't; her face remained calm and expressionless.

He simply turned to look at me, and asked calmly, "Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Go ahead," Chen Zhiyi said, somewhat nervously.

Do you know what the five grains are? How much do leafy greens cost per pound? When eating lettuce, do you eat the leaves or the stem? Which is the most expensive: pork, beef, or lamb?

Chen Zhiyi looked completely bewildered when asked the question.

Lin Ting chuckled. "These are all areas where you lack knowledge, aren't they? Let me ask you another way: you've never been to a farmers' market, have you? Or even a supermarket?"

Chen Zhiyi's Adam's apple bobbed, and he nodded. "Mm."

"You usually travel during winter and summer vacations, right?"

"Um."

"You should be able to have whatever you want?"

"Um."

"Then do you know who gave you all of this?"

Chen Zhiyi did not answer.

Lin Ting smiled faintly, "Then let me tell you about my hometown."

Chen Zhiyi was somewhat surprised. When he looked at Lin Ting, his eyelids trembled slightly, and his eyes were full of questions.

Lin Ting looked ahead, seemingly reminiscing.