Chapter 33
Fu Sinian remained unmoved by Xie Junhao's order to leave. He merely glanced at the empty space beside him and said calmly, "This is a public parking space." After saying that, he ignored Xie Junhao's livid face, opened the car door, sat back in the driver's seat, rolled up the window, and acted as if to say, "I'm staying here."
Xie Junhao was furious, but there was nothing he could do. He couldn't very well go and tow the person and car away or start another fight. So he could only suppress his anger, slam the roller shutter door of his shop hard, deliberately making a loud banging noise, and then go inside, out of sight, out of mind.
However, all day long, the black Maybach stood like a silent reef, firmly anchored in front of his shop. Xie Junhao felt that invisible gaze while repairing the car, greeting customers, and even eating lunch. Amidst his frustration, a strange feeling slowly began to grow. This guy, looking all high and mighty and driving a luxury car, was actually willing to go to such lengths to find Xiaotang, guarding this remote, impoverished place like a stubborn rock… In a way, this tenacious spirit even stirred a strange… “respect” within him?
As evening fell, the setting sun draped the ancient town in a warm golden veil. Xie Junhao finished his last order, washed his hands, and looked at the car that remained motionless. The awkward feeling of "mutual understanding" he had felt finally overcame his hostility. He scratched his head, as if he had made up his mind, strode over, and knocked on the car window.
The car window rolled down, revealing Bai Sinian's expressionless profile.
“Hey,” Xie Junhao’s tone was still a bit sharp, but his hostility had lessened considerably, “You’ve been standing here all day, aren’t you hungry? Let’s go grab a drink.”
Bai Sinian turned his head, glanced at him with some surprise, remained silent for a few seconds, and then nodded: "Okay."
It was the same riverside food stall as last night, but the atmosphere was completely different. Two men sat facing each other, and the table was quickly filled with beer and several snacks. At first, they just silently clinked glasses and drank, the atmosphere awkward and dull. After a few bottles of ice-cold beer, the alcohol gradually blurred the lines and pried open their tightly sealed lips.
Xie Junhao hiccuped, his eyes glazed as he looked at Fu Sinian, who was also drunk, across from him. He suddenly chuckled, a hint of self-mockery and bitterness in his voice: "Buddy, I think I've figured it out... We're both in the same boat, we're both fucking done for."
Persian paused, his hand holding the wine glass still. He looked up at him, his eyes filled with unbearable pain and self-loathing. "It's different," he said hoarsely. "I'm not as good as you... She hates me."
"Hate?" Xie Junhao slammed his hand on the table as if he'd heard a joke, drawing stares from the next table. "Hate is a feeling too! I've been following her around for over twenty years! From childhood to adulthood! And what does she feel about me? Absolutely nothing! Just like... just like the stone lion in front of her house! Familiar, I can touch it, but I just don't feel anything! Understand?! At least you can make her hate you!"
Persian gave a bitter smile, tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful of wine, but the icy liquid couldn't extinguish the burning sensation in his throat: "She will still protect you and pull you along."
"That's because she considers me a buddy!" Xie Junhao retorted excitedly, his eyes a little red. "But she cried for you! She cried yesterday! I've known her for so many years, and I've never seen her cry like that before! You little brat... what the hell did you do to her?!"
These words were like a needle, piercing deep into the most painful spot in Bai Sinian's heart. He gripped his wine glass tightly, his knuckles turning white, unable to speak, only silently downing glass after glass of wine.
Two men, both troubled by love, exchanged words, poking at each other's sore spots, yet strangely finding a peculiar resonance and understanding in this mutual revelation of pain. The empty bottles on the table piled up, their speech grew increasingly slurred, until finally they were practically slumped over the table, completely drunk.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiaotang had just finished dinner at home when she received a hurried call from an old classmate: "Xiaotang! Come quickly to the riverside food stall! Junhao and that guy from yesterday... they're both completely drunk, they're practically crawling under the table! We can't drag them away!"
Lin Xiaotang's heart sank. The chaotic conflict from last night was still fresh in her mind. How could the two of them have gotten together drinking just a day ago? And to this extent?
A bad feeling gripped her. Without thinking, she told her parents and rushed out the door.
When she arrived at the bustling riverside food stall, she immediately spotted the familiar table. Xie Junhao and Bai Sinian were indeed slumped there, surrounded by several classmates who looked helpless. Empty bottles littered the table and floor; both were clearly completely drunk. Xie Junhao was still mumbling something incoherently, while Fu Sinian lay quietly, his brow furrowed, seemingly restless even in his sleep.
Seeing this scene, looking at the lingering bruises on Bai Sinian's face and his vulnerable, unguarded state after getting drunk, Lin Xiaotang felt as if her heart was being violently gripped. A complex and indescribable emotion surged up instantly, making her chest feel tight and suffocated.
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