Xu Zhi was truly not good at comforting people. As she gently wiped his face with a tissue, she awkwardly tried to console him like a child: “It’s all fake, don’t cry. It’s just a movie.”
Chen Luzhou leaned back on the sofa, looking at the ceiling helplessly and embarrassedly, letting her wipe his tears. After a long silence, he broke into a smile, his voice thick with nasal congestion, deep and hoarse: “You don’t know how to comfort people. I know it’s fake, but it still hurts.”
Xu Zhi fell silent for a moment.
He sighed, leaning back on the sofa and pulling her close. With his head still tilted back, he turned slightly to look at her, his eyes wet and bright, filled with a hint of grievance. After pondering for a while, he said, “The charm of movies probably lies in the fact that everyone knows it’s fake, but everyone is willing to believe that Hachi’s loyal and steadfast love for his master is real. Zhu Yangqi has recommended this movie to me several times before, but I never dared to watch it. He said he and Feng Jin cry every time they watch it, hugging each other and sobbing. Zhu Yangqi even got a dog because of it, named Qigong. His dad beat him up for it because his great-grandfather was called Qigong.”
Xu Zhi chuckled, tossing the tissue aside. She then nestled in his arms, comfortably leaning against him. They were both wearing down jackets, which puffed up between them, preventing their bodies from touching. So she pressed herself harder against him, trying to squeeze out the air between them to feel his firm, sturdy chest, seeking that familiar sense of security.
Then she tilted her head up and gently sucked on his chin. Chen Luzhou, lost in thought, noticed her movement and lowered his head slightly, naturally leaning in to touch her lips.
Xu Zhi leaned in for another kiss.
Chen Luzhou wrapped one arm around her shoulder, his fingertips lightly pinching her thin earlobe. He looked down at her, his throat dry, the redness in his eyes fading, replaced by a different emotion. Gradually, without realizing it, he deepened the kiss, leaning down to return it. After the kiss, he looked at her with lingering desire, his eyes slightly raised, adding fuel to the already smoldering atmosphere.
The mood in the air had long since transformed. Their once innocent eyes now held only blurry reflections of each other, their gazes unfocused yet fixed on one another.
The atmosphere completely quieted. The private room was dim, with the movie’s end credits still rolling. The screen cast a soft glow on their faces, creating a secretive ambiance, like a pair of lovers stealing a moment together.
In the quiet room, they exchanged kisses playfully, one after another, without any particular technique.
As they continued kissing, the frequency and intensity of their kisses increased, until they couldn’t separate.
The movie had automatically switched to the next film, and the familiar dragon logo theme started playing when it was abruptly cut off.
No other sounds remained in the room except for some scandalous, blush-inducing kissing noises and the soft rustle of their down jackets rubbing against each other.
The two kissed deeply with closed eyes, unreservedly consuming each other’s breath. Their lips moved rhythmically, biting each other’s tongue tips.
Chen Luzhou tossed aside the remote control and pulled her onto his lap. His hands, with distinct knuckles, caressed her back, moving upwards. Xu Zhi straddled him, her breathing rapid and her scalp tingling.
“What are you touching?” she asked.
“What do you think I’m touching? Do you remember what you said to me that last night of summer vacation when you were on my bed?” Their voices were so low they were almost just breathing.
“What did I say?” Xu Zhi couldn’t remember.
“You said, ‘Brother Chen Luzhou, touch me,'” he laughed, almost embarrassed himself, and couldn’t help but pinch her cheek. “How did you manage to say such things?”
At that time, Chen Luzhou had been too restrained, even his kisses were cold and indifferent. Xu Zhi wasn’t satisfied. Back then, she had no reservations and could blurt out anything, knowing this relationship wouldn’t last long. She had looked up various techniques online and said some outrageous things. She had even said more risqué things, but the Chen Luzhou of that time remained unmoved.
Now that they were dating, she found she needed to be more reserved.
“Denying what you’ve said?” Chen Luzhou pinched her waist.
“I’m not denying it, I just forgot,” she replied.
“You were just playing with me back then.”
“Weren’t you playing with me too?”
“I never played with you from start to finish, okay? Ask Zhu Yangqi. During that summer vacation, when I went out to eat with him, someone asked for my WeChat, and I said I wasn’t single.”
“Was she pretty?” Xu Zhi zeroed in on the key point again.
Chen Luzhou looked at her with an almost smile, “A bit prettier than you, I guess.”
Xu Zhi made an “oh” sound, “Then why didn’t you give it to her?”
“How do you know I didn’t?” he smiled.
“Chen Luzhou.”
“I’m not teasing you anymore,” he said, casually bringing back the arm that was hanging over the sofa. “It was a big brother at the gym, asking if I wanted to sign up for a membership. Said singles get a 20% discount.”
…
When they had finally had enough of their intimate moment, Xu Zhi started to straighten her clothes, buttoning up. She turned her head to look at him. Chen Luzhou was leaning back, looking a bit dazed, lost in thought. Xu Zhi touched his face. She found his cheeks were dry; he had long stopped crying. But after kissing for so long, his cheeks were still ice-cold, with no warmth to the touch. Xu Zhi cupped his face with her hands, flipping them back and forth like frying eggs, trying to warm him up. “Why don’t we stay a bit longer? I’m afraid you’ll catch a cold if we go out now.”
Chen Luzhou lifted her chin, lowering his head to capture her gaze, staring at her deeply and intently: “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”
“What is it?” Xu Zhi asked, still cupping his face.
Chen Luzhou took one of her hands from his face and placed it on his chest, holding it firmly. His voice was hoarse as he cleared his throat seriously and said, “Have you told your dad about us?”
Xu Zhi: “Not yet.”
He made a sound of acknowledgment, leaning back and playing with her hand as he spoke: “Actually before I came here, I had met your dad. At the entrance of your apartment complex. I drank with him a few times. He hasn’t told you about this, has he?”
Xu Zhi looked at him with slight surprise. Old Xu had never mentioned this to her all the time since school started. “He didn’t say anything.”
“I thought he wouldn’t.”
Xu Zhi was taken aback, “But how did you end up at my apartment complex? Were you waiting for me? Chen Luzhou, you’re such a romantic! Not someone to be trifled with.”
“You’ve already trifled with me,” he said with a smile. “But don’t think too much of it. I just happened to rent a place near your complex. It was just a coincidence. I didn’t do it on purpose. I’d rather not live too close to you. It would be awkward to keep running into your dad.” He wasn’t some kind of stalker.
“Then why did you rent there?”
“I was fooled by the landlord, and besides, I didn’t have enough money at the time. It was all I could afford to rent a place near your area. You know how expensive Qingyi’s housing prices are.” His voice became a bit sharp as if he was truly agitated.
“So, what did you and my dad talk about?”
“He’s quite afraid of me,” Chen Luzhou placed one hand on the back of the sofa and began to explain. “I can’t quite describe the feeling, but it’s as if he’s worried I’ll steal his daughter away. He kept telling me that he doesn’t want you to date too early because he knows there’s not a good man out there. I couldn’t exactly cut my heart open to prove to him that I was a good guy. To be honest, I didn’t understand him at the time. Why would a grown man be so dependent on his daughter? But after you told me about your mom, I think I can understand him now. You might be all he has left in his life.”
Xu Zhi sighed, “That’s why I still haven’t told him. I was planning to tell him when I go back for winter break.”
Chen Luzhou thought for a moment, his other hand alternating between light and firm squeezes on her earlobe as he spoke, “Don’t tell him yet. After you left, his mood seemed to be not so good. Did you know your dad has been taking medication these past few days?”
“What medication? Antidepressants? He stopped those a long time ago.”
“I ran into him one day at the entrance of your complex. He was holding a bag of medicine. I couldn’t see the name clearly, but I saw that the bag was from the Second Hospital. I thought you might know about it.”
The Second Hospital was a famous psychiatric hospital in Qingyi City, where all mental illnesses were treated.
At eleven o’clock, Xu Zhi returned to her dorm and called Old Xu. He didn’t answer the first two calls, but persistently, she dialed a third time. This time, a woman answered. The voice was unfamiliar, with a moment of hesitation and probing, she asked, “Is this Doctor Xu’s daughter?”
It was late at night, and Old Xu was known to be a rigid, honest man. Xu Zhi felt a complex mix of emotions, her heart sinking slightly. She politely inquired, “And you are?”
The other end was silent for a moment before saying, “It’s like this, I’m Doctor Xu’s caretaker. He’s been unwell recently and has been hospitalized. He just went downstairs for a walk. I saw that you seemed to have something urgent, so I answered for him.”
Xu Zhi’s relief was short-lived as tension crept back in, her temples throbbing: “He’s been hospitalized? What’s wrong with him? Why didn’t he tell me?”
“Ah, don’t worry, it’s nothing serious,” the other person said. “A few days ago, a patient at the hospital caused some trouble, and there was a small accident. Your dad has a mild concussion, but it’s nothing major. Director Cai asked him to stay in the hospital for observation.”
Xu Zhi became more anxious: “He was beaten?”
“No, your dad was trying to mediate. But just as he stepped out of the department, the cleaning lady had just mopped the floor. He was in a hurry and slipped. Your dad is a bit heavy, so he lay motionless on the ground. The troublemaker happened to be nearby and thought he had accidentally hurt someone in his emotional state, so he ran away immediately. Director Cai even gave him a ‘Good Samaritan’ award. He’s gone downstairs to receive the certificate now.”
Xu Zhi: “…”
That’s what was said.
When Xu Guangji received the certificate, he saw the big characters that Cai Binhong had asked someone to write.
— “Attempted Good Samaritan” Award.
Xu Guangji was immediately displeased. With his head still wrapped in bandages and his arm in a cast, he clumsily slammed the certificate on the table, “I just have one question, is the prize money the same?”
Cai Binhong sipped his tea cheerfully, stingily spitting the tea leaves back into the cup, his face beaming with the spirit of socialism’s beauty, “What are you talking about? There’s no prize money for an attempt. We’re giving you a certificate as encouragement.”
Xu Guangji was furious but still silently took back the certificate after finishing his tea. This was the first certificate he had received in his mediocre life. He would show it to Xu Zhi when she came back.
“Cheapskate,” Xu Guangji said, “I’ve never seen anyone as stingy as you. I’ve fractured my hand, at least reimburse my medical expenses.”
“Sure, sure, sure,” Cai Binhong said, crossing his legs and grinning from ear to ear. Suddenly remembering something, he asked, “Have you told Xu Zhi yet?”
“Told her what?”
“About you and Director Wei. Xu Zhi is studying out of town now, but she’ll find out when she comes back for winter break. You should give her a heads up, otherwise, she might not be able to accept it right away when she returns.”
“I’m not considering it for now, and Director Wei feels the same way. At least we’ll wait until after Xu Zhi is married and has her own family before I consider this matter. Otherwise, I’m afraid she’ll be upset.”
Xu Guangji mainly felt that Xu Zhi was still young and might think of relationships between men and women more purely. If he were to consider things with Director Wei now, Xu Zhi would feel abandoned.
When Xu Guangji returned to the hospital room, he learned that Xu Zhi had called him.
Director Wei was sitting on the hospital bed and handed him the phone, “She was quite anxious and called two or three times. So I answered for you. Your daughter was very worried about you, so I didn’t tell her about your fracture.” She added, “I said I was your caretaker.”
Xu Guangji looked at her apologetically, feeling a dull ache in his heart. He didn’t know how to explain to her, so he just bowed and said, “I’m sorry, Director Wei. I might have to disappoint you.”
Director Wei was amused by him and laughed openly, “Doctor Xu, I find you quite interesting. You’re afraid your daughter won’t accept it, I understand. After all, I’m aware of your family situation. Xu Zhi is a smart child, I quite like her. My son is only in high school, and I’m not planning to remarry so soon either. Let’s just continue like this for now, even if it’s just as companions. When both our children have stable jobs and families, we can discuss our matter then.”
After showering, Xu Zhi had just laid down in bed when she called Chen Luzhou. Li Ke answered.
It was almost lights out, and the girls’ dormitory was already quiet, with only scattered sounds of face basins and toothbrushes. On the other end, the boys’ dorm was still noisy, the receiver filled with playful banter, lively and bustling, showing no awareness like the girls, full of rebellion and wildness.
Xu Zhi: “Are you two pulling an all-nighter again? Where’s Chen Luzhou?”
Li Ke was laughing at something, “We’re going to work on the modeling report later but don’t be jealous, I’ll tell you this – I don’t usually answer his phone. Chen Luzhou asked who it was, I said it was you calling, and he told me to answer. He’s in the bathroom.”
Xu Zhi asked bluntly: “Is he on the toilet?”
Li Ke: “… No, he’s taking a shower. He’s probably having a breakdown, been in there for almost an hour.”
Xu Zhi: “Did you bully him again?”
Li Ke protested innocently: “Damn, it wasn’t me, it was Zhu Yangqi. Zhu Yangqi just called him and told him that the story of Hachiko is based on a true event, the original being a Japanese Akita dog. He’s having a breakdown.”
Ah, Chen Jiaojiao.
“Zhu Yangqi is sick in the head. It took me so long to comfort him.”
Xu Zhi hung up the phone. While waiting for him to finish his shower, she idly browsed through Chen Luzhou’s WeChat Moments, which still had the cold Neuschwanstein Castle in the background. Since coming to A University, Chen Luzhou seemed to have not posted any Moments, not a single one. Just as she was about to exit, losing interest, she noticed his WeChat profile picture.
“an endless road” – an endless road.
“racatsanddogs, shesaidshewouldalwayslove”
Her phone vibrated slightly.
A WeChat message came in, and Xu Zhi exited the app.
Cr: [Did you call your dad?]
Xu Zhi: [Yes, but his caretaker answered. My dad is hospitalized. But it’s nothing serious, just a mild concussion.]
cr: “Then you should go back early during the winter break to keep him company.”
Xu Zhi: “That means I won’t see you for at least a month. What should I do? I’m already missing you before I’ve even left.”
cr: “Don’t start. If you miss me that much, you might as well get a perfect score in calculus. I don’t believe a word you’re saying.”
Xu Zhi chuckled and sent him a screenshot of his WeChat profile.
Xu Zhi: “What does this mean?”
After a moment, Chen Luzhou replied with a screenshot as well—an image of their chat history. Xu Zhi searched for a long time but couldn’t find any tricks until she finally noticed her nickname at the top.
— “racatsanddogs”
cr: “Remember the nonsense you used to say when you were trying to get my attention?”