Chapter 44 "Let Him Go Back to Germany"

The door to the private room was wide open, and the carved window was also left open, letting in a gust of cold wind.

Song Zhenshu turned to look out the window and suddenly asked, "Gu Lin has already left?"

Friend: "Gu Lin? Who? The guy from just now?"

Song Zhenshu: "Hmm."

“He should be almost at the door,” his friend said. “He was already in the east hall corridor when I came in.”

"Have your men stop him." Song Zhenshu turned to get his coat.

It's so cold. If Gu Lin goes home alone, his family will make a scene when they find out.

The friend was completely confused, but still sent a message to the people below.

After sending the message, her friend thought about the boy's appearance, then looked into Song Zhenshu's eyes and frowned: "Is that boy yours...? Did he bully you?"

He rolled up his sleeves, as if he wouldn't let Gu Lin leave the club today if Song Zhenshu nodded in agreement.

Song Zhenshu knew what he meant and almost rolled his eyes: "Big brother, he's a freshman at Anhui University now. When he was in elementary school, I had already graduated from university."

Am I a pervert?

"So what if you're younger? Everyone will think you're a college student if you go out with that face!" His friend couldn't stand him talking about her like that, but then she thought, "Anhui University? Freshman? The same age as Tongtong?"

Song Zhenshu: "Tongtong, my classmate."

"What are you doing meeting Tongtong? And you even asked me to come here..." His friend's voice suddenly stopped. He connected all the unusual events and came to an absurd conclusion. Because he couldn't believe it, his eyes widened. "He and Tongtong... Damn, no way, you... this..."

He suddenly remembered that just a few months ago, Song Zhenshu had returned to China without any apparent reason and had mentioned to them that Ji Tong had a friend he was very "good" with.

Song Zhenshu's tone when he said "we had a good time" was very different. They were shocked and worried that Song Zhenshu would waste his time on this matter. They told him that he was overthinking it and that it was normal for boys to get along well in today's more open society.

Friend: "Is it him?"

Song Zhenshu remained silent.

Silence is the answer.

The club owner, who was usually invincible in social situations, was speechless for a long time before patting Song Zhenshu on the shoulder.

Song Zhenshu's eyes were still somewhat red.

Friend: "What did I say that made you so angry? Should I have someone hold him down and beat him up?"

“Fine, go ahead and beat him up,” Song Zhenshu said, putting on his coat. “As long as you’re not afraid of my ancestors coming to make trouble for you.”

Friend: "..."

The two walked towards the clubhouse lobby.

Her friend remained silent until she could see Gu Lin's figure in the distance through the corridor, then slowly spoke up: "Are you thinking about the past?"

"No," Song Zhenshu answered crisply.

He didn't lie to Gu Lin. He meant what he said: "I'm calm and collected." Having traveled the world and seen so many sights, there's nothing he can't let go of.

Her eyes were red only because of Gu Lin.

Before today's meeting, Song Zhenshu had always thought that what he feared was that Ji Tong would deviate from his life trajectory, take a more difficult path than others, and suffer hardships that he shouldn't have to endure. Therefore, he spoke harshly and was eager to intimidate, eager to prove his ability to protect Ji Tong, and eager to scare away dangerous factors by adopting the attitude of an elder and someone with experience.

Until Gu Lin said, "It wasn't you who 'corrupted' him."

At that moment, Song Zhenshu felt as if he were frozen in ice, all his thoughts frozen, unable to move, only the last thought in his heart remained—

So that's what I was afraid of.

Yeah, of course we're not afraid.

Ji Tong has been attached to him since he was a child. Besides Song Jiahe, he is the one who is most attached to him, calling him "Little Uncle" as he grew up.

Fearing it would affect his understanding of "love," she hasn't even dared to tell him about her sexual orientation and the reasons she went abroad back then.

So cautiously.

How could I not be afraid?

Gu Lin told him that it was not his responsibility.

How ridiculous, in the end, it was Gu Lin who ended up taking on everything and covering all the losses.

Song Zhenshu stared at the black figure not far away for a long time before whispering, "It's fortunate that it's Gu Lin."

The valet received the message and drove the car to the entrance of the club. When he saw Song Zhenshu and the boss coming out together, he went up and handed over the car keys.

"I'm leaving now, let's meet in a couple of days." Song Zhenshu waved to her friend and walked towards Gu Lin.

"Let's go, I'll take you back to the peninsula," Song Zhenshu said without giving him a chance to argue, patting Gu Lin's shoulder. "It's cold, you'll catch a cold. Tongtong is still making a fuss with me, it's so noisy."

Gu Lin finally got into the car, but didn't let Song Zhenshu take him to Peninsula, saying he was going to Anhui University instead.

Song Zhenshu: "?"

Gu Lin fastened his seatbelt: "I told him I left the USB drive in the classroom and to go back and get it."

Song Zhenshu asked, puzzled, "Then I'll take you back to the peninsula, and you can just say you've already taken it back, right?"

"He can make videos."

Song Zhenshu: "Probably not..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gu Lin's phone suddenly rang.

It's the ringtone for video calls.

Song Zhenshu shuddered: "...Tongtong called?"

Gu Lin hummed in response but didn't answer immediately, waiting for the video call to automatically disconnect.

Song Zhenshu drove onto a shortcut: "Is he afraid you'll buy a plane ticket and run away abroad by yourself?"

How long has it been since they came out?

“He can’t escape,” Gu Lin said, looking at the video call on his phone that had ended due to timeout. “His ID card and passport are with him.”

Song Zhenshu slammed on the brakes, but luckily he was driving slowly and there was no one on the road.

"ID card and passport...you two are really something."

"I give up."

Song Zhenshu stepped on the gas again.

Twenty-three minutes later, the car stopped at the side gate of Anhui University.

Gu Lin unbuckled his seatbelt: "Thank you, senior."

Song Zhenshu nodded.

As Gu Lin got out of the car, closed the door, and walked around the front of the Cullinan toward the side door, Song Zhenshu slowly lowered the car window and called out to him.

"Gu Lin."

Gu Lin turned around.

"Let's shout it together with Tongtong next time," Song Zhenshu said. "If we shout 'Senior,' Tongtong will ask us questions again."

Gu Lin paused slightly, for only a second.

"good."

"Uncle, drive carefully on your way back."

Song Zhenshu: "..."

There's no need to change it so quickly.

Song Zhenshu's forehead felt a little swollen again.

"Alright, send a video to Tongtong and head back to the apartment early."

"They're gone."

-

"What USB drive is in such a hurry? We have to go back to the classroom to find it."

"You're in the school library all morning?"

"Isn't it cold in the library? You're only wearing a windbreaker."

"Alright, then you should go back soon."

After watching Gu Lin's video and doing a few practice problems, Ji Tong felt a bit thirsty, so she went downstairs and poured herself a glass of apple juice.

I had just taken a sip when I heard the roar of cars outside.

"Is your uncle back?" Ji Tong asked.

Uncle Kang: "Hmm."

Just then, Ji Tong was chatting with Li Yuan and the others that morning, mentioning the deer antler knife. Li Yuan, being impatient, couldn't resist his curiosity and insisted that Ji Tong take a picture of it for him to see first.

"You only took a sip, where are you going?" Aunt Yang asked, watching Ji Tong's retreating figure.

"We'll drink when we get back," Ji Tong said, walking towards the elevator. "I'm going to wait for my uncle in the garage."

The Rolls-Royce drove in from the garage entrance and stopped, but Song Zhenshu did not get out of the car.

He unbuckled his seatbelt, reclined the seat, and just as he closed his eyes—

"Thump," the passenger-side window was knocked on.

Ji Tong opened the passenger door: "Uncle?"

The two exchanged a glance.

Song Zhenshu looked somewhat tired. Ji Tong paused for a moment, then bent down and climbed into the passenger seat, kneeling on the seat. He reached out and touched Song Zhenshu's forehead.

"Are you feeling unwell? Why are you sleeping here?"

Ji Tong was worried that Song Zhenshu had a fever.

Thankfully, the body temperature is normal.

Song Zhenshu took his nephew's hand away: "He doesn't have a fever, he's just tired from driving, he's lying down for a while."

"They installed surveillance cameras in my car too? They came as soon as I lay down."

"What surveillance?" Ji Tong touched Song Zhenshu's palm again to make sure he didn't have a fever before sitting down with peace of mind. "I came here because Uncle Kang said you were back."

Song Zhenshu: "What brings you here?"

Ji Tong: "I've come to pick you up."

Song Zhenshu: "Prepare again."

Ji Tong smiled and raised her face: "A Yuan and the others want to see the deer antler knife."

Song Zhenshu pointed to the back seat: "In that box on the left."

Ji Tong was too lazy to get out of the car, so he simply leaned on the center armrest, reached over the front row, and hooked the box over.

The actual deer antler knife was more stylish than Ji Tong had imagined.

He took a picture and sent it to the group chat.

[The music continues (5)]

[JT: photo.jpg]

[A-Yuan: Oh my god, he's so handsome!]

[A-Yuan: I declare that I, who possess this deer antler knife, am the happiest little boy in the world.]

[A-Yuan: Uncle, you are my god.]

[Ah Tian: @JT, where are you? You look like you're in a car in the photo?]

[JT: In my uncle's car.]

[A-Yuan: Wait!]

[Ah Yuan: Is that car logo and accessories for a Cullinan?]

JT: Hmm.

Ji Tong's WeChat message flashed again.

Li Yuan suddenly sent him a private message.

[A-Yuan: Tongtong, what color is your uncle's Cullinan?]

Ji Tong: "?"

What's the point of sending this privately?

[JT: He changed the color himself, it's a very light brown, what happened?]

[A Yuan: Photo.jpg]

[A-Yuan: Is this the one?]

Ji Tong opened the photo and saw that it was Song Zhenshu's car.

The background of the photo is the side gate of Anhui University.

Ji Tong thought it was taken when Song Zhenshu picked him up yesterday, and was about to say "yes" when the WeChat message box flashed twice more.

Li Yuan then sent two photos.

The moment Ji Tong saw the photo, his gaze froze.

It was still my uncle's car.

The location is still the side gate of Anhui University.

But now there's one more person in the photo—

Gu Lin got out of the passenger seat, wearing the same windbreaker he had worn during the video call.

[A Yuan: This was taken by someone from the neighboring college, around 11 o'clock.]

[Ah Yuan: That guy initially just wanted to take a picture of the Rolls-Royce because it looked cool, but then he happened to take a picture of Lin getting out of the car and sent it to me.]

[A-Yuan: I didn't know it was my uncle's car, so I didn't post the photos.]

Li Yuan didn't think much of it at the time. After all, given Gu Lin's family background, it wouldn't be surprising if he got out of any car. It wasn't until Ji Tong posted a photo of the deer antler knife in the group chat, with the classic Rolls-Royce double "R" logo in the background.

Two vehicles in one morning—that's an absurdly high probability.

[A-Yuan: Tongtong, didn't you say your uncle had plans with friends this morning? How come he had time to bring Lin-ge to school? Did you ask your uncle to do it?]

Li Yuan bombarded Ji Tong with questions, but Ji Tong couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.

Around 11 o'clock... Gu Lin called him back around that time.

Gu Lin didn't answer his first video call.

Gu Lin left early in the morning, and his uncle also had an appointment that morning. The wine that had been brought over unexpectedly last night suddenly brought up the topic of Gu Lin...

"uncle."

"Um?"

With a "click," Ji Tong closed the small wooden box in his hand.

As he fastened the wooden crate lock, he spoke in a low voice: "Mom said you drove out early this morning. You had an appointment. Who did you meet?"

With two "thuds," the wooden box was completely sealed shut.

At this moment, only Ji Tong and Song Zhenshu were in the huge garage.

The carriage was filled with the aroma of wood-scented incense, which felt somewhat cloying from the warm air from the circulating air conditioning.

"Gu Lin, whom I arranged to meet."

Ji Tong leaned forward unconsciously.

After a while.

"What should we talk about?"

Song Zhenshu lowered the driver's side window, waited for the cloying, warm fragrance inside the car to dissipate, then calmly slammed the door shut with a soft thud.

"Let him go back to Germany."