“She’s a master, absolutely a master,” Zhu Yangqi declared confidently. “If she’s not a female player, I’ll change my name to Fashionable Zhu.”
Zhu Yangqi’s name was chosen by his grandfather. He happened to be part of the ‘Yang’ generation. Later, when he started learning English in elementary school and realized that in English names, the surname comes last, his classmates gave him the nickname “Fashionable Pig”. He ran home crying, wanting to change his name. At that time, his grandfather was dominating at the mahjong table, having just drawn an excellent hand. He kept clapping and laughing, “Well drawn! Well drawn!”
The five or six-year-old Zhu Yangqi, not knowing his grandfather was talking about the mahjong game, thought he was praising the nickname his classmates had given him. He cried so hard he lost his voice, learning at a young age that – life’s disappointments are eight or nine out of ten, and only one or two can be shared with others, especially not nicknames. So Zhu Yangqi loathed the nickname, Fashionable Zhu. This could be considered his ‘all-in’.
Chen Luzhou was in the shower at this moment. The spray was set low, the water trickling over his lean, defined muscles. His torso was like a series of smooth, symmetrical pebbles, full and powerful.
The little turtle had somehow crawled out of its box and was now at his feet, drinking the water on the floor. Chen Luzhou picked it up with distaste and moved it away, but it persistently crawled back. Chen Luzhou sighed and gave up. He’d take it home tomorrow and give it to that fool Chen Xingqi. Oh, no, tomorrow was Sunday, Dad would probably be home. He’d have to make that kid come out and get it himself.
When Chen Luzhou came out with just a towel around his waist, Zhu Yangqi was sitting on the sofa with a cigarette in his mouth. Before going out to sketch, he had used up Chen Luzhou’s last two packs of instant noodles. Because there was no light, he had dug out two candles from somewhere. This time it was a candlelit dinner. The flickering flames were quite evocative.
“How is it? Better than the microwave, right?” Zhu Yangqi teased.
Chen Luzhou casually dried his hair with the towel, shuffled over in his slippers, bent down to blow out the candles, then lazily flopped onto the sofa. He continued to dry his hair in the dark, saying, “I could handle it with her, it would just be a bit awkward. But with you, forget it. I’m afraid you might get ideas about me.”
Zhu Yangqi took the cigarette out of his mouth, shocked speechless:?
“What are you on about? It’s fine if she has designs on you, Young Master Chen? She has a boyfriend, you know!”
Zhu Yangqi had just been joking about Tan Shuang earlier, but Chen Luzhou had always been ridiculously bold, making him suddenly feel uncertain.
In the darkness, their outlines were blurred, but they could still make out each other’s expressions in the clear, bright moonlight from outside. Chen Luzhou’s hand paused as he was drying his hair, looking quite troubled. “Then what do you want me to do? She didn’t say anything inappropriate.”
Zhu Yangqi could even see his upturned lips. “You bastard, you’re hoping she’ll say something more inappropriate! Don’t tell me you have feelings for her?”
“Let me tell you something,” without waiting for him to speak, Zhu Yangqi wore an expression of “I’ve been played by a player before, I know” and said with certainty, “You’re inexperienced in the world. That Xu Zhi is a female player, and her friend is no good either.”
Chen Luzhou was utterly speechless. He lay back on the sofa, laughing uncontrollably. He tossed the towel aside, sat up, opened the instant noodle lid without bothering to argue further, picked up the fork and stirred a couple of times, then said in mock surrender, “Alright, alright, bro. Have mercy on me. Next time I see her, I’ll take a detour.”
Only then did Zhu Yangqi put his cigarette aside, satisfied. He opened his cup of instant noodles and slurped some before asking, “But seriously, are you planning to go abroad like your mom wants?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Why don’t you rebel? There are so many good schools in Beijing and Shanghai. The scores aren’t out yet, and this year’s math paper was so difficult, but you nearly got full marks. Just that subject alone could pull up your total score a lot. I think you might even have a chance at A University. Why do you have to listen to your mom and go abroad? Are you that afraid of her?” Zhu Yangqi said disdainfully.
“I guess I am afraid. After all, I’m adopted,” Chen Luzhou’s hand holding the fork paused for a moment as he said, “Besides, this is my only home.”
That made sense, but Zhu Yangqi knew what Chen Luzhou was really like. He laughed in extreme anger, taking on the tone of a young fox pretending to be a tiger: “Cut the crap! You’re just lazy. You think it’s a waste of emotion. You don’t have anyone you’re reluctant to leave behind, right? You don’t care about me and the guys, you don’t care about the girl who’s liked you for so many years. You don’t care about anyone.”
He sighed, “You know what my parents are like. When have any of my rebellions ever been effective from childhood till now? Has the result ever been any different? As for brothers, we weren’t even in the same school for three years in middle school, and we barely kept in touch. Didn’t you also become thick as thieves with Zhang Xiaosan and Li Xiaosi? I don’t see you crying and calling for them now.”
“That was just making do,” Zhu Yangqi refused to admit.
Chen Luzhou sat on the sofa with his tall back slightly hunched, methodically picking out the beef slices one by one and laying them on the noodle lid, planning to feed them to the little turtle later. As he did this, he said predictively, “It’s the same. After I leave, you’ll immediately have a Zhao Xiaowu.”
After saying this, he lowered his head and slurped some noodles.
He knew too well, that he was never anyone’s one and only.
**
Under the ivy-covered wall, the rain-washed leaves from earlier in the day shimmered like golden scales in the yellow streetlight. The alley echoed with the loud chirping of cicadas, and the walls were mottled, exuding a long-standing damp smell.
“…Zhu Yangqi said he and Chai Jingjing had agreed to go to the same university, but he never told me anything about college applications. I’ve known him since sophomore year, and we chat almost every day,” Cai Yingying was crying her heart out, crouched at the base of the wall. “Five minutes ago he was still asking if I wanted to eat Mixue ice cream. How does he have so much time? Cai Yingying, Chai Jingjing… wuwuwuwu… Does he think he’s collecting stars or something…”
After Tan Shuang’s earlier episode, Xu Zhi didn’t dare to speak carelessly now, afraid of having the opposite effect. At this moment, she couldn’t help but think of Chen Luzhou. If only she had a mouth like his, at least the atmosphere wouldn’t be so silent, regardless of whether what came out was pleasant or not.
“How about… we find someone to beat him up,” This was all Xu Zhi could think of. She was quite direct. “Doesn’t Uncle Fu know some people in the underworld?”
Uncle Fu was a good friend of both their fathers, who had ‘retired’ from that life many years ago. After ‘retiring’, he had been quietly polishing stones in the mountains. Every summer vacation, Old Xu and Old Cai would take the two girls to the mountains to escape the heat.
Cai Yingying’s crying stopped abruptly. She looked at Xu Zhi, sniffling and considering: “…”
Uncle Fu’s strength would probably kill Zhai Xiao.
“No, no,” Cai Yingying shook her head, sobbing, “You can’t tell Uncle Fu and the others. Whether to break up or beat him up, I’ll decide myself. You can’t interfere.”
She could be quite fierce.
Xu Zhi sighed with mock humility, “Alright.”
Afraid that Xu Zhi might focus her attention on Zhai Xiao, Cai Yingying quickly wiped her tears, took Xu Zhi’s hand, and started walking home, changing the subject, “So how did you end up playing Whack-a-Mole with that handsome guy later?”
“It was roasted sweet potatoes, not Whack-a-Mole. Grandma wanted to eat some, but we couldn’t find anywhere to buy them. Chen Luzhou said he happened to have some at home,” Xu Zhi waved the two hot, freshly roasted sweet potatoes in her hand.
“What? That Zhu Yangqi, what pig’s ear is he? Useless, might as well steam and eat him. He said you two went to play Whack-a-Mole. I was thinking, how could two people suddenly go play Whack-a-Mole for no reason,” Cai Yingying said. “But, surprisingly, Chen Luzhou seems quite kind-hearted.”
Xu Zhi nodded in agreement, “Don’t you think he’s quite amiable?”
Cai Yingying burst out laughing, “He’s just a show-off.”
“Do you remember that woman I told you about? That’s his mother,” Xu Zhi said.
Cai Yingying was stunned, “You mean the woman whose voice habits and catchphrases are exactly like your mom’s?”
“Mm,” Xu Zhi nodded, pausing slowly as if in thought. After a moment, she said, “Have you seen a movie called ‘The Woman of the Nile’? It’s an Indian film about a brilliant woman, a genius architect. But because of her past as a temple prostitute, her history wasn’t clean, even tainted with many blemishes. So no matter how exquisite her later designs were, she couldn’t participate in awards. Most people’s opinions of her were insulting, though some recognized her talent. To live with more dignity, she abandoned her child and husband, joined forces with capitalists who coveted her talent, faked her death in a fire, and had plastic surgery to become someone else. Soon, her works won world awards. But years later, she became immersed in debauchery and could no longer design moving works. She was quickly abandoned by the capitalists, who exposed her identity using her voice patterns.”
Cai Yingying seemed to catch a thread of understanding: “No wonder you didn’t hesitate to knock on his door when you saw the necklace in the tree. Do you think your mother—”
“I just want to know why two people can be so similar. Whether it’s true or not, I know the chances are slim, but I need to confirm it to be at ease. I just want to understand.”
She couldn’t just go up to Chen Luzhou and say she wanted to check if his mother was her mother. Chen Luzhou would think she was crazy.
Lin Qiudie was said to have died in her hometown. During the burial, Xu Zhi was at summer camp and couldn’t return in time for the funeral. The old lady didn’t wait for her because the hot weather caused villagers to complain about the body being in the village. Plus, the old lady believed in feng shui, and there were only a few auspicious days for the funeral. Missing it meant waiting half a year and storing the ashes at the funeral home was expensive.
Xu Guangji insisted on waiting for Xu Zhi to return. Because of this, the usually mild-tempered Xu Guangji exploded at the old lady for the first time, but she had always been stubborn.
Xu Zhi thought it might be for the best. If she had personally witnessed Lin Qiudie’s body being cremated, today’s situation wouldn’t have happened.
Cai Yingying thought carefully, “But it doesn’t make sense. Auntie only… a few years ago… She can’t have a son that old. The age doesn’t match up. Don’t obsess over this. The more we talk about it, the stranger it sounds.”
“He’s probably adopted,” Xu Zhi said.
The alley was quiet. They walked this cobblestone path almost every day, but Cai Yingying had never felt it as cold as now. It got colder as they went deeper, finally stopping at their usual parking spot.
Cai Yingying was shocked and speechless, “Did he tell you that?”
Xu Zhi shook her head and repeated the conversation she had overheard at the door that afternoon to Cai Yingying.
—”Do you always have to be so sharp with your words?”
—”Didn’t you know I was a thorn from the first day you saw me?”
…
“Don’t you think this kind of conversation would be strange if he was her biological child?” Xu Zhi shared the results of her night-long contemplation. She was very tired, but for some reason, her mind just wouldn’t stop. “At first, I thought it was a stepmother. Later, when we were eating together, remember? Someone was scolding him on WeChat, and Zhu Yangqi asked how he could tolerate it. He said this to Zhu Yangqi.”
—”Seeing how sincerely he was cursing, I thought he knew where my ancestors’ graves were. I was just curious, but in the end, he didn’t even leave me an address.”
She leaned against the wall and said: “It shows it’s not a stepmother because his father isn’t his biological father either. He probably doesn’t even know who his biological parents are, so he must be adopted. There’s one more thing that might count as evidence.”
Cai Yingying was a bit shocked, “What?”
“I saw a signed basketball at his house. I thought it was signed by all-stars at first, but when I looked closely, I realized all the signatures were the same – his name. Even his drone and iPad had his name engraved. It might be partly narcissism, but it’s also likely a habit. He probably used to live in a large community and has OCD, so he labels all his belongings. Like in an orphanage, for example.”
Cai Yingying was completely convinced, her eyes wide with surprise.
Xu Zhi sighed, looking at the high wall where strings of bright red oleanders hung in the clear moonlight. She suddenly felt they looked just like the colorful candy jars she loved as a child. Which child doesn’t love candy? Lin Qiudie was afraid of ruining her teeth, so she always put the candy jar in the highest place in the house. No matter how much she cried or begged, it was useless. In the end, only Old Xu felt sorry for her and would occasionally sneak out two pieces for her to eat.
Xu Zhi: “If Chen Luzhou grew up in an orphanage, does that mean there were no adults to help him steal candy?”
Xu Zhi: “He must have been quite unhappy as a child.”
**
The next day.
When Chen Luzhou leisurely walked into the game arcade carrying the little turtle, it seemed their destinies were bound to clash. The originally harmonious atmosphere in the arcade suddenly erupted into chaos. It appeared Chen Xingqi was arguing with someone, probably because the other person had stepped on his foot and didn’t apologize. Chen Xingqi, the young lad, was insisting that the person apologize loudly. Usually, Chen Luzhou couldn’t be bothered to intervene in such situations. It’s only at this age that one dares to loudly confront injustice.
“Chen Xingqi! Your brother’s here!” a nearby friend warned.
Chen Xiangqi, red-faced from the argument, turned to look in the direction they were nervously pointing. Sure enough, he saw a familiar figure lazily leaning against a claw machine, not only ignoring the situation but even ruthlessly recording a video on his phone. Chen Xingqi instinctively tried to block the camera.
“Why are you hiding? I’ve already finished recording. Should I send it to that girl in your class? What’s her name… Qianqian?” Chen Luzhou tucked his phone back into his pocket. When Chen Xingqi came up to him, he ruffled his hair, still leaning against the claw machine. “Hey, you’ve grown taller in just a few days. Did your mom take you for growth hormone injections again?”
“She’s your mom too,” Chen Xingqi ignored him. “You’re not allowed to send it to Liu Tongqian, and her name is Liu Tongqian! You can’t call her Qianqian.”
Chen Luzhou looked at him coldly: “There are tens of thousands of people in China called Qianqian. Why do you care which Qianqian I’m calling?”
“Chen Luzhou! Fine, I’ll call your girlfriend by her nickname too! I’ll call her baby!” Chen Xingqi had always been an example of tit-for-tat since childhood.
“Sure, when your brother finds you one, call her whatever you want,” Chen Luzhou couldn’t be bothered to argue further. He handed over the turtle, “Take it home and raise it. Don’t let it die on me. However long it lives, that’s how long your brother plans to live.”
Chen Xingqi said: “I’ll fry it tomorrow!”
Chen Luzhou gave him a “just you try” look, casually tugging at the very familiar and flashy t-shirt collar, his tone particularly annoying: “Can you stop stealing my clothes to wear? This one’s discontinued globally, my dear Qi.”
“You can barely fit into it anymore.”
“Did you shrink it in the wash?”
Chen Xingqi defiantly snatched the collar back from his hand, thought for a while, but still couldn’t help asking: “Are you not planning to move back? Dad asked about you a few days ago. That day… he didn’t mean to hit you.”
Chen Luzhou’s expression didn’t change. He still looked harmless leaning against the claw machine. He straightened up and said, “Alright, stop playing the good guy. I just can’t be bothered to move back and forth.”
“But it’ll be hard for me to find you in the future.”
He crossed his arms and smiled, reaching out to smooth the messy hair on Chen Xingqi’s forehead that was stuck with sweat, “Why do you need to find me? I’ve been very busy lately. Go wander on your own.” He smoothed Chen Xingqi’s bangs into three neat strands stuck to his forehead.
Chen Xingqi was annoyed and pushed his hand away: “You’ve finished your exams, what else do you have to do? Can’t you just go back and apologize to Dad? He’s been waiting for you these past few days. The first thing he asks when he comes home is if you’ve been back today.”
Chen Luzhou squinted thoughtfully, detecting something amiss, “Did you get into trouble at school again?”
“No, how could that be possible.”
He was ready to leave, straightening up from the claw machine, “Alright, then don’t look for me unless you’re about to die.”
“So I can look for you when I’m about to die?”
Chen Luzhou pushed his smooth little forehead:
“Is something wrong with your brain? Why would you look for me when you’re about to die? To have me cover you with a white cloth?”
So it means—
Don’t look for me at all.
Chen Xingqi hesitated: “…Okay, bro, I’ll be straight with you. I’m planning to go to the mountains with my classmates to escape the heat, but Mom won’t let us go. She says… we must…”
Chen Luzhou looked at him knowingly: “You want me to accompany you, right? To serve you, young masters? Sure, 800 a day, including meals, drinks, and entertainment.”
“Deal,” Chen Xingqi sent him an address, “This is the location.”
—Fu Yu Mountain Villa.