Chapter 2: Just Remember
Although he knew that Mu Xu was joking, Lin Jin suddenly felt relieved, and even a little happy.
Even her beautiful eyes had a long-lost curve.
“I haven’t had that happen much lately,” he said.
"That's great." Mu Xu said softly, "Then I have to give you a reward, right?"
Before Lin Jin could say anything, he said, "Reward our classmate Xiao Lin with a hug."
As he spoke, he unbuckled the dazed person's seat belt and gently held him in his arms. The contact of their skin instantly drove away the cold weather, leaving only warmth and comfort.
Lin Jin shouldn't have been moved by just a simple hug.
But perhaps it was because he hadn't been around people, let alone interacted with them, for too long, so he couldn't help but think of that strange hug many years ago that almost saved him from the quagmire.
It felt like they hadn't seen each other for a long time, and Lin Jin couldn't deny that he felt a little nostalgic.
He raised his hand silently, grabbed the hem of Mu Xu's clothes, and leaned quietly on his shoulder.
Obediently accepted the reward.
Lin Jin finally agreed to live together. Although Mu Xu said that everything was already there and that only some clothes would be enough, he still followed Lin Jin upstairs to pack.
While cleaning, he went to the balcony to make a phone call. He seemed quite busy.
The room was poorly soundproofed, and from time to time, a few words could be heard. Lin Jin was forced to listen to these fragmented words as he cleaned up. The most common ones were "now," "expedited," and "OK, just send me the bill when you're done."
It sounds like there's something urgent at work that needs to be resolved quickly.
But on the way back just now, he accidentally heard Mu Xu mention that he was teaching at a university, and it seemed that there was no need to use these conversations in teaching.
Thinking of this, Lin Jin's thoughts became scattered, and the span of his thoughts gradually widened.
As soon as Mu Xu entered the room, he asked, "Which school do you attend?"
Mu Xu helped him fold his coat and said, "A."
Lin Jin was stunned.
He responded: "I went to university A."
"I know." Mu Xu said, "I went to University A for both my undergraduate and graduate studies. I saw you during those years."
Lin Jin looked at him in disbelief, not knowing what to say for a long moment. Saying, "Really? I've never seen you before" would seem too cold and heartless, but saying he had seen you before would also seem fake.
So he could only change the subject and ask, "So, did you start working directly at the school after graduation?"
Mu Xu hummed and said, "When I spoke to you on the bridge yesterday, I thought you didn't remember me."
Lin Jin replied: "No, I remembered it when I saw you."
He paused, then decided to tell the truth: "But I just remember meeting you in high school. I'm sorry, Mr. Mu."
Mu Xu smiled and couldn't help but touch his head, then immediately let go and said, "It's enough that you remember me."
He said, "Lin Jin, thank you for remembering me."
His tone was very flat, as if he was just talking about it out of boredom, but when he chewed it carefully, he felt satisfied as if he had found some treasure.
After packing up and preparing to leave, Mu Xu stopped.
He looked at Lin Jin and asked teasingly, "Teacher Lin, is there anything to eat in the refrigerator?"
Lin Jin then realized that they hadn't eaten anything today, but after thinking for a moment, he said, "...We only have instant noodles. How about we order takeout?"
He asked seriously.
He didn't notice that the phone in Mu Xu's hand was always on, nor did he realize that he was not hungry.
It's just delaying time.
The two of them waited for the takeout, ate, and cleaned up. Before they knew it, it was sunset. By the time they arrived at Mu Xu's house, it was completely dark.
Lin Jin followed Mu Xu into the house, and a gust of night wind blew in from all directions.
The wind was so strong that he could hardly open his eyes. After a moment of adjustment, he realized that the balcony and every window in the house were open. The wind was blowing wildly, making the curtains and various fabrics rustle.
Come into view again.
It is the exaggerated and cold-glowing anti-theft nets on the balcony and windows.
Lin Jin looked at the cold wire.
Swallowed silently.
This house seemed to be nothing except the door behind him.
There is no place to escape anymore.
The night breeze was mixed with the smell of new installations.
Lin Jin blinked his eyes and when he opened them again, the smell was gone, as if it was just an illusion.
He took the slippers from Mu Xu's hand and didn't move. Instead, he looked at the layout of the house, and then at the windows and balcony that didn't fit in.
The furniture in the house is visibly low-key and luxurious, and the aesthetics are particularly good, but there are anti-theft nets on the windows and balconies.
It looks awkward and cheap no matter how you look at it.
After he came to his senses, he asked, "Are there a lot of thieves here?"
Mu Xu followed his gaze and explained, "No, it's used to keep out birds. There are a lot of birds here and they often fly in. We've already changed the sofa several times."
As soon as he finished speaking, a few birds outside the house flapped their wings and hit the security net, making squeaking sounds as if they were not afraid of the pain.
Lin Jin took a look and felt that he really needed to install one.
Otherwise, every time you turn on the light, the house will probably be filled with angry birds.
After changing into slippers, I followed Mu Xu into a vacant guest room. Just as he'd said, the room had everything I needed, so I didn't need to bring anything. The sheets were all brand new, and all the toiletries were provided.
Lin Jin was a little surprised: "You prepared in advance?"
Mu Xu hummed: "I cleaned it up last night."
He put Lin Jin's suitcase aside and said, "Take your time packing. If you need anything else, let me know. I'll go close the other windows first. I mopped the floor this morning, but it wouldn't dry. I opened the window for ventilation and forgot to close it."
As he said this, he closed the guest bedroom window a little, then went out, and was never seen again.
This actually made Lin Jin feel relieved.
After all, it was his first time and first day living in someone else's house.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't uncomfortable; he felt a bit awkward and reserved. He didn't know much about Mu Xu to begin with, and his only impression of her came from the gossip his classmates often shared in high school and their interactions when they met by chance.
Over the years, they probably haven't even spoken more than ten sentences to each other.
Now they have become a fake couple overnight and have to live in the same house, which is no different from living under someone else's roof.
Fortunately, Mu Xu didn't disturb him much, giving him some time to relax, otherwise he might have suffered from insomnia tonight because he couldn't adapt to the new environment.
Lin Jin couldn't help but feel relieved.
His slender frame couldn't support the clothes he was wearing, making them look baggy. Two or three years ago, this suit was just right for him, but in recent years, he had not eaten for long periods of time and only slept, his sleep schedule was a mess, and he gradually became extremely thin.
After washing and drying his hair, Mu Xu knocked on his door until he was ready to go to bed.
Lin Jin opened the door, and Mu Xu handed him an eye mask like he was offering a treasure, saying, "Teacher Lin, let me share something good with you."
It seemed that Lin Jin didn't expect Mu Xu to use such a cute thing. He was stunned for a moment, then smiled slightly, took it and thanked him.
Mu Xu said: "Brand new, washed."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Jin actually smelled the faint scent of sunlight and laundry detergent coming from the eye mask.
Lin Jin suddenly remembered what his high school classmates had said when they were gossiping about Mu Xu. They said that although he was a quiet man, he was actually very thoughtful and caring.
At the time, he didn't feel anything, but he just thought they seemed to like using those beautiful words to describe Mu Xu. Even though they had only seen his face and hadn't spoken a word, they could already imagine his thoughtfulness and infatuation.
Now, Lin Jin suddenly agreed with their views.
Although Mu Xu wasn't necessarily quiet, she felt comfortable and at ease every moment with him. Even though he was just an insignificant, fake marriage partner, he still received such respect and care.
Lin Jin thought, if Mu Xu really met someone he liked, he would probably be very happy.
How happy would Mu Xu be then?
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