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Chapter 120: When Chen Wengang met Huo Niansheng for the first time.
Uncle Lin brought over a small formal suit and spent some time fitting it on Chen Wengang before taking him to see Zheng Bingyi.
Chen Wengang still wore a black armband for mourning. Zheng Bingyi called him over and inspected him from head to toe. Uncle Lin also looked him over, still feeling that the expensive suit didn’t match his mourning attire: “For a child, maybe the school uniform would be better.”
Zheng Bingyi patted Chen Wengang’s head: “During the event, you should stay behind Yucheng.”
Uncle Lin then led Chen Wengang out the door: “Don’t be nervous. When you meet people, be polite and greet them as ‘uncle’ and ‘auntie.’”
This was three months after Chen Wengang had joined the Zheng family, coinciding with mid-year, and it was his first time attending a family banquet. Many people were present that day.
The Chen family was small, and even during festivals, his father would only take him to his uncle’s house for a meal, nothing more.
Such a grand gathering filled with guests was something Chen Wengang had never experienced before. When Zheng Bingyi came downstairs, he kept Chen Wengang close behind him, followed by his three children and nephew. Chen Wengang’s shoulder was held, bringing him into everyone’s view.
Uncle Lin led Chen Wengang around to greet the guests.
“Is Uncle Zheng really adopting him?” “Will he change his surname?” “Does he have no other relatives?”
Amidst these questions, Zheng Yucheng kept him close, but was soon called away by familiar relatives. Lin Bo was also busy, leaving Chen Wengang to explore the hall on his own, which was filled with food and drink.
Chen Wengang retreated under the scrutinizing gazes, standing nervously by the wall like an unnecessary decoration. He kept his head down, watching high heels and leather shoes pass by. Someone nearby complained, “Move aside.”
Chen Wengang stepped back again, suddenly bumping into someone.
Startled, he turned and saw he had bumped into a young man. The man was very tall, dressed in black and white like all the others, his shadow almost covering Chen Wengang. The man looked down at him with a slight mocking smile. Chen Wengang felt frozen, unable to move or apologize.
Huo Niansheng tugged at his tight collar. He had been invited by his aunt, Huo Meijie, after Zheng Bingyi narrowly escaped death. His father, Huo Fenglai, had a rebellious nature, but maintained a decent relationship with his sister while he was alive. With nothing better to do, Huo Niansheng decided to attend.
He heard that his uncle’s car had been deliberately rammed, causing a rollover accident. The driver heroically dragged him to safety but later died from his injuries. His uncle, learning that the driver had left behind an orphaned child, took the child in.
Like everyone else, Huo Niansheng glanced at the black armband on Chen Wengang’s arm.
Someone had handed Chen Wengang a piece of strawberry mousse. He stared at Huo Niansheng, his gaze shifting to the cake—after all, he was still a child.
At that moment, Huo Meijie approached, and Huo Niansheng, looking perfectly healthy, handed the bone china plate to him.
Only then did Chen Wengang react, holding the plate in his arms.
Huo Niansheng had already gone aside to talk with Huo Meijie. “Is Uncle’s health okay?”
“This time he was really lucky,” Huo Meijie said. “Thank heaven, it almost scared me to death.”
“What’s the plan for the little one? Keep raising him at home?” Huo Niansheng glanced behind him again.
“Just raise him, what else can we do?” she said. “Your uncle insists on educating him himself. It’s not like we can’t afford it, so whatever.”
Chen Wengang picked up the small silver fork, watching Huo Niansheng’s back with suspicion, and carefully took a bite.
The smooth cream melted on his tongue, the top layer filled with sweet and sour jam, and the cake was sweet but not greasy—until Zheng Yucheng suddenly appeared from some corner, pulled Chen Wengang aside, and cast a disdainful glance at his stepmother and her nephew.
“That’s Zheng Maoxun’s cousin. Don’t bother with him.”
Zheng Yucheng didn’t like his stepmother or his half-brother, which Chen Wengang could understand. His own mother had died when he was young, and over the years, many had suggested his father remarry, saying, “This way, someone can take care of the child,” but his father always refused.
His father believed that a stepmother could never care for a child as her own, and people often described stepmothers as if they were monsters. But halfway through the banquet, Zheng Yucheng was called away by Zheng Bingyi again.
Chen Wengang was left alone again, feeling tired and unsure when the banquet would end. He touched his pocket and felt a hard object: a fountain pen his father had given him before he died. The pocket was too shallow, leaving the pen cap sticking out.
He was in fourth grade, just starting to use a fountain pen for writing practice at school, but he mostly used mechanical pencils for homework.
This fountain pen held special meaning because his father had bought it shortly before his death, so Chen Wengang carried it with him everywhere. He knew he didn’t need to bring stationery to the banquet, but he didn’t want to leave it in his pencil case, even for one night.
A chubby boy nearby noticed and suddenly asked, “What’s that in your pocket?” Without waiting for an answer, he reached out, “Let me see it.”
Chen Wengang pursed his lips, reluctant.
He didn’t know this unfamiliar child, and the boy’s tone was unpleasant. But since this was the Zheng family, and Uncle Lin had reminded him to behave properly at important occasions, he didn’t want to seem rude.
Hesitantly, he took out the fountain pen and handed it over. The tall, chubby boy looked at it, unimpressed, “Just this?”
Chen Wengang watched his hand nervously, “Can you give it back to me?”
The chubby boy clenched the pen in his hand, “What’s so good about this crappy pen? I’ll throw it away.”
Chen Wengang panicked, “Why?”
Because children can be mean, the chubby boy was excited by Chen Wengang’s distress and had no intention of returning it.
Chen Wengang wasn’t one to resort to violence—if his friend Lu Chenlong were here, he would have punched the boy without hesitation. Instead, Chen Wengang followed, stammering, trying to reason.
The chubby boy, despite his size, dodged nimbly, then pushed open the glass door and ran towards the backyard. There was a wisteria trellis in the backyard, and someone was already standing there. The chubby boy, not looking where he was going, ran straight into him.
Huo Niansheng was about to light a cigarette, raised his eyebrows, and put his lighter away, “What are you doing?”
The chubby boy shouted, “None of your business,” and tried to run around him, but was grabbed by the collar and lifted.
Huo Niansheng finally saw what was in his hand, “What are you holding?”
The chubby boy, struggling like a ball of meat, found that Huo Niansheng’s grip was strong and unyielding.
Struggling for breath, his tongue sticking out, he suddenly swung his arm, ready to throw the pen away.
Huo Niansheng moved quickly, releasing him and grabbing the pen in one fluid motion.
In a split second, the chubby boy fell into a flower pot, dumbfounded, “How dare you drop me! You’re dead!”
Huo Niansheng didn’t know whose child this was, nor did he care. He bent down to pick up the cigarette that had fallen.
“Feeling rebellious?”
Seeing the filter was dirty, he clicked his tongue and tossed the whole cigarette into the ashtray.
“Stand up.”
His expression was indifferent, and the boy continued to throw a tantrum on the ground.
Huo Niansheng glanced at him coldly, “Didn’t you hear me tell you to stand up?”
He lifted one foot, and the chubby boy, thinking he was about to be kicked, got scared and scrambled away. Huo Niansheng’s foot landed on the edge of the stone table, and he brushed the pollen off his shoe before noticing another person standing behind him.
Chen Wengang was startled, unable to decide whether to advance or retreat, and finally walked forward, looking expectantly at Huo Niansheng.
At this moment, Huo Niansheng was transitioning from a teenager to a young adult. His voice was deep, and his frame had already taken on an adult’s build, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, symbolizing absolute strength to a child like Chen Wengang.
Huo Niansheng remembered to look at what the boy was holding.
It was just an ordinary fountain pen.
Chen Wengang didn’t dare to make a fuss.
Huo Niansheng lowered his gaze and scrutinized him more closely—small white shirt, navy blue suspenders, with the school emblem embroidered on the chest and pocket edges, and socks pulled up to his knees. This was the uniform of Zheng Yucheng’s elementary school.
If Zheng Bingyi hadn’t taken him in, a driver’s son would never have had the chance to attend such an elite school.
Huo Niansheng wondered what kind of life he would have in this family.
He smiled slightly, put the pen in his own chest pocket, and beckoned, “Come here.”
Chen Wengang hesitated but had no choice but to approach obediently since Zheng Yucheng wasn’t around to support him. Huo Niansheng, however, said nothing about the confiscated pen:
“Are you adjusting to the new school?”
Chen Wengang cautiously nodded, staring intently at his chest.
Huo Niansheng smirked, “And this new home?”
Chen Wengang hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
Huo Niansheng said, “You can tell the truth secretly. I’m not part of the Zheng family and won’t report anything.”
Chen Wengang looked a bit embarrassed but still said nothing, his eyes fixed on the pen.
Huo Niansheng squatted in front of him and gave him two options: “Which is better, your old home or here?”
Chen Wengang whispered, “My own home.”
Huo Niansheng burst his bubble: “You can’t go back. What now?”
Chen Wengang’s eyes widened in shock, and tears quickly welled up.
Huo Niansheng paused, glanced at the black armband on his arm, and finally, with a rare pang of conscience, placed his hand gently on his head:
“Don’t think about it anymore. Everyone can only move forward. Your life will be very different from now on. If you’re unhappy, just grow up quickly.”
Chen Wengang, a nine-year-old child, struggled to understand Huo Niansheng’s words.
Huo Niansheng said, “When you grow up, you’ll at least have a bit more freedom.”
Under the wisteria trellis was a hanging basket swing. Huo Niansheng lazily sat in it, causing it to drop slightly.
Chen Wengang stood nearby, frightened it might collapse—fortunately, it didn’t.
Unsure how to start, he said softly, “That fountain pen is mine.”
Huo Niansheng pretended not to hear and patted the spot next to him, “Aren’t you tired of standing? Want to sit?”
Chen Wengang had no choice but to sit, feeling the swing shake as Huo Niansheng pushed off with his feet.
Chen Wengang’s feet dangled in the air, unable to touch the ground.
He hadn’t realized Huo Niansheng was doing it on purpose and just clung tightly to the edge of the seat, feeling like he could be thrown off at any moment.
After a while, he finally gathered the courage to speak again, “Can you give it back to me?”
The swing finally stopped.
Huo Niansheng took out the pen, “This? I just got it from someone else.”
Chen Wengang explained, “He took it from me…”
Huo Niansheng challenged, “How can you prove it’s yours? Is your name engraved on it?”
Chen Wengang regretted bringing the pen, not expecting so much trouble.
His face showed his disappointment, and Huo Niansheng, not wanting to deal with his potential tears, reluctantly handed the pen back, “Fine, take it. Let this be a lesson. Take better care of the things you like and don’t show them to strangers.”
Chen Wengang nodded gratefully.
Huo Niansheng chuckled, stood up, and returned to the living room.
An hour later, the banquet ended, the guests departed, and when Chen Wengang returned to the hall, Huo Niansheng was gone.
Zheng Bingyi called him over to say goodbye to some people, and then Zheng Yucheng took him back to his room on the second floor.
Chen Wengang felt guilty. Zheng Yucheng had told him to avoid his stepmother’s relatives, yet he had relied on Huo Niansheng to get his pen back, which felt like a betrayal. He kept this to himself, pretending nothing had happened.
The school organized calligraphy practice, and after half a semester, Uncle Lin bought high-quality fountain pens for both Zheng Yucheng and Chen Wengang.
Time passed both quickly and slowly at the Zheng family.
In Chen Wengang’s memory, he first met Huo Niansheng in fourth grade, and the next time was in sixth grade.
In the interim, he once ran away with Zheng Yucheng. Their family, thinking they had been kidnapped, made a huge fuss searching for them. As a result, Zheng Yucheng was grounded by Zheng Bingyi for a whole night, while Chen Wengang was punished to stand outside all night.
So this time, he kept his plan secret from everyone, including Zheng Yucheng, and tried to go home alone.
As long as he didn’t take the Zheng family’s young master, disappearing for an afternoon shouldn’t attract attention.
Chen Wengang met Huo Niansheng on his way to Jiangchao Street alone.
The villa area where the Zheng residence was located was far from the city center, and transportation was mainly by car.
To take public transport, he first had to walk to the nearest bus stop at the foot of the hill.
While waiting under the bus sign, Huo Niansheng drove by, then slowly reversed back:
“Aren’t you that kid from the Zheng family?”
He took off his sunglasses and rested his arm on the car window, “What are you doing here?”
Chen Wengang, carrying a backpack, had the same cautious expression as two years ago, only now he was a bit taller.
Huo Niansheng found this interesting:
“You don’t remember me?” Chen Wengang cautiously replied, “I remember, you’re Zheng Baoqiu’s cousin.”
Huo Niansheng smiled indifferently and asked again, “What are you doing here by yourself?”
Chen Wengang hesitantly glanced at the bus stop sign, then looked down the quiet, empty road.
Huo Niansheng understood and chuckled, “You’re waiting for the bus here?”
Chen Wengang didn’t know how to respond to his mocking tone.
Huo Niansheng simply said, “Alright, get in the car.”
Chen Wengang shook his head, “I have a bus card, no need to trouble you.”
Huo Niansheng raised an eyebrow, “You could be waiting here for another two hours, and it might still not come.”
The buses on this route were infrequent. Although not as exaggerated as Huo Niansheng suggested, they did only come about once an hour.
Chen Wengang had indeed been waiting a long time and began to suspect the bus might not come at all. So, he slowly walked over.
Just as he touched the car door, Huo Niansheng instructed, “Sit in the back seat.”
Obediently, Chen Wengang opened the rear door.
Inside the car, there was a scent of high-quality leather and air freshener.
He took off his backpack, placed it beside him, and sat properly with his legs together, cautiously observing the driver’s seat, trying to recall the impression from their last meeting.
Huo Niansheng had now fully grown into an adult. He could drive however he wanted. Chen Wengang, on the other hand, wasn’t even old enough to sit in the front passenger seat yet—he wasn’t twelve years old, and it would be another year before he could safely sit in the front.
Huo Niansheng seemed to think of this too, and teasingly asked, “Want me to buy you a child safety seat?”
Chen Wengang, a bit annoyed, glared at the back of his head, “I don’t need a child safety seat.”
Huo Niansheng finally laughed a little, “Where exactly are you going?”
With Chen Wengang’s directions, the shiny car drove into the old city area.
Huo Niansheng found a place to park.
Chen Wengang opened the door, thanked him, and then skillfully walked into the alley. Unexpectedly, Huo Niansheng, holding his car keys, also got out and followed him all the way.
In the distance, they saw a mottled brick wall and eaves; it was a very old house, with people living inside, the sounds of splashing water and washing clothes could be heard.
Suddenly, the courtyard door opened, and a woman in pajamas bent over and poured a basin of soapy water onto the street.
The door closed again.
Chen Wengang, carrying his backpack, hid behind the corner and peeked out.
Huo Niansheng looked down at him: “Your home?”
Chen Wengang was startled and looked up: “Yes.”
He felt downcast, but Huo Niansheng continued to ask, “Rented? Or sold?”
Chen Wengang didn’t answer.
Huo Niansheng guessed to himself, “Rented out, right? Who’s living there?”
“I don’t know.”
“Who rented it out then?”
“My uncle told me about it.”
Chen Wengang couldn’t hide his disappointment.
Huo Niansheng tugged at his mouth without a smile but didn’t say anything for a moment.
Music floated from behind them, played from the loudspeaker of an ice cream truck.
These trucks had been popular in the past two years, roaming the streets, and kids would rush over as soon as they heard the music, whether they were at home or just out of school.
Ten minutes later, Chen Wengang was sitting on the steps by the street, and Huo Niansheng handed him a chocolate ice cream.
Chen Wengang licked it, the rich sweetness melting in his mouth. Huo Niansheng then asked, “Why did you come back here?”
Chen Wengang said softly, “I wanted to see who’s living here.”
Huo Niansheng didn’t really care about this weak excuse. It was hot, and the ice cream was melting quickly, but Huo Niansheng ate it faster, finishing it in a few bites along with the cone, and stretched his legs comfortably.
Chen Wengang was still carefully licking the melting ice cream, turning the cone into a little dome. “If it’s rented out, so be it. If no one lives here, this house will quickly become an empty, abandoned place.”
Even though his uncle had said the same thing, hearing it from Huo Niansheng made Chen Wengang feel a bit better.
Huo Niansheng asked, “Don’t you have school today?”
Chen Wengang nodded, “We have a day off after the monthly exams.”
After finishing his ice cream, he started telling Huo Niansheng more about school.
The last time he ran away with Zheng Yucheng was because of an annoying, snobbish English teacher, and this time it was the same reason—during English class, the teacher assigned them to prepare a speech. Chen Wengang diligently prepared a self-introduction. His foreign language skills were just average, while some classmates talked about their travels to five European countries or the life of Shakespeare.
The teacher specifically called on Chen Wengang and asked if he knew who Shakespeare was.
After listening, Huo Niansheng sneered, “So what? What’s so great about knowing who Shakespeare is?”
Chen Wengang lowered his head, just as he did then, while the whole class burst into laughter, making him wish he could disappear into a crack in the floor.
Huo Niansheng didn’t comfort him but asked, “Want another ice cream?”
Chen Wengang shook his head.
He had thought it would just be a one-way ride, but Huo Niansheng drove him back to the foot of the hill.
Before leaving, Huo Niansheng said, “Why are you still the same as when you were a kid, always getting bullied?”
Chen Wengang looked at him, confused.
Huo Niansheng laughed and tossed a few words at him before driving off.
Chen Wengang still had to walk back to the Zheng residence from the bus stop.
The security guard let Chen Wengang in—Zheng Yucheng was at his golf class, Zheng Bingyi was, as usual, absorbed in his work, Huo Meijie was probably getting a beauty treatment, and Uncle Lin was not at home. No one knew he had quietly left for the entire afternoon.
Over the weekend, he told Zheng Bingyi about the incident where he was ridiculed in English class.
To Chen Wengang, it was an embarrassing event, and even Zheng Yucheng hadn’t stood up for him in class.
Since Huo Niansheng suggested he tell his adoptive father, Chen Wengang decided to try it.
About two weeks later, the English teacher in his class was replaced by a blonde, blue-eyed foreign teacher.
At the time, Chen Wengang didn’t realize that just a few months later, he would hear about Zheng Baoqiu’s cousin’s scandal.
As a child from a humble background, Chen Wengang was almost entirely insulated from paparazzi. The only time he appeared in the newspaper was when his father had his accident. He didn’t have a clear concept of what a scandal was, but he knew Huo Niansheng had done something very bad.
The family didn’t subscribe to tabloids, but the newsstands at the school gates were always full of them. Moreover, classmates would bring newspapers and gossip to the classroom. From various bits and pieces of information, Chen Wengang pieced together the story.
They said Huo Niansheng had molested a female student.
Chen Wengang sat on his chair at his desk, looking up the word “molest” in the dictionary.
The girl was supposedly a schoolmate of one of Huo Niansheng’s cousins, and the incident happened while she was staying as a guest at the Huo family’s house.
Chen Wengang was shocked; he recalled Huo Niansheng’s tone and expressions when he spoke.
Although Huo sometimes mocked and teased him, Chen Wengang didn’t want to believe he would do something so vile.
Huo Niansheng didn’t seem as bad as the accusations made him out to be.
But Chen Wengang’s personal thoughts didn’t matter, and no one cared.
The scandal had spread throughout the city. Huo Meijie was on the phone at home: “Oh, I don’t think it’s necessarily like that; maybe they were dating…”
She didn’t know who she was talking to, but Zheng Bingyi, who happened to be walking into the living room, overheard:
“The more you talk, the more mistakes you make. I told you not to discuss this with anyone. It’s a hot topic right now. If people start saying ‘Mrs. Zheng also has such-and-such opinions,’ and you get implicated, will you be happy then?”
Huo Meijie hung up the phone, looking annoyed.
Chen Wengang’s life continued with school, coming home, and completing homework under the supervision of tutors alongside the other children.
Besides academics, he also had to attend etiquette classes, recitation classes, piano lessons, violin lessons, and even posture classes.
During a break in his piano lesson, Chen Wengang sat on the bench while Zheng Yucheng leaned beside him, his fingers resting on the black and white keys:
“See? What did I tell you? Huo Meijie’s relatives aren’t any good. Zheng Maoxun’s cousin is no exception, and now his true colors are showing.”
Chen Wengang hesitated before asking, “Do you really know him that well? Aren’t you also not very familiar with him?”
Zheng Yucheng shrugged, “You don’t need to be close to someone to know they’re bad. Do we have to get to know every bad person?”
Chen Wengang nodded, not wanting to argue. He still had doubts but kept them to himself. Yet, whenever he waited at the bus stop at the foot of the hill, he couldn’t help but look around, wondering if Huo Niansheng might appear again. They had shared ice cream once, and he wanted to ask him directly if the rumors were true. If Huo Niansheng denied them, Chen Wengang wanted to believe him.
But for a long time, he didn’t see Huo Niansheng again.
Rumor had it that Huo Niansheng had gone abroad, disappearing from the public eye.
Chen Wengang didn’t know what happened to the girl involved. It was a family matter for the Huo family, and they wouldn’t let the news spread uncontrollably, gradually suppressing it.
No matter how big the scandal, time would eventually make people forget. New things happened every day, every week, every month, and people’s attention shifted.
The scandal was no longer fresh news, but whenever Huo Niansheng’s name was mentioned, people still remembered the stain.
However, Huo Niansheng didn’t disappear forever.
Officially, he went abroad to study, occasionally returning during summer and winter holidays.
Chen Wengang saw him a few times at various events, but always in passing.
Because of Zheng Yucheng’s feelings, he never really greeted him properly, and besides, Huo Niansheng seemed increasingly distant and unfamiliar.
Over the years, Huo Niansheng spent most of his time abroad, and he was reportedly well-known in the circles of wealthy Chinese second-generation children. It wasn’t a positive reputation.
People who knew him spoke with ambiguous tones, mixing envy and disdain, describing Huo Niansheng’s indulgent lifestyle, always opening bottles of Ace of Spades at nightclubs and constantly switching sports cars, never short of money.
His high-profile behavior sometimes brought photos back to China, printed in tabloids with sensational headlines, suggesting that he not only didn’t repent but was getting worse, all because the Huo family continued to support him extravagantly, perpetuating a cycle of playboys.
Chen Wengang heard these things until he was fifteen.
Among his classmates were similar spoiled children—barely old enough but already familiar with nightclubs, knowing how to hire escorts, boasting and competing with each other, living recklessly and disgustingly.
So, at Zheng Maoxun and Zheng Baoqiu’s birthday party, when he saw Huo Niansheng, he instinctively avoided eye contact.
It was summer vacation, and Huo Meijie had invited her nephew, who was back visiting family, to the party. The other guests were all from family friends and relatives, making it more of a small social gathering than a simple birthday party, with everyone dressed in formal attire and clustering in small groups.
Huo Niansheng was surrounded by a group of friends. His appearance had matured, becoming even more striking than in his youth. With prominent brow bones and deep-set eyes, his charming eyes looked especially seductive.
If one didn’t know his history, he had the kind of looks that could attract countless admirers willing to sacrifice themselves.
Chen Wengang had grown up in the four years since they first met, enough time for a child to enter puberty. It was ironic that when he first saw Huo Niansheng, the latter was only a bit older than he was now. At that time, Chen Wengang had looked up to Huo Niansheng, feeling as if he could overshadow everything.
Now, he had grown taller and older. He was no longer helpless against his peers, no longer just following behind them, seething with silent anger.
Zheng Yucheng whispered in his ear, “Be careful, don’t get too close to him. You never know what kind of diseases he might bring back.”
Chen Wengang nodded and agreed.
Zheng Yucheng, still uneasy, added, “Do you remember the scandal about him? It was pretty disgusting…”
Chen Wengang pushed him, “There are so many people here. Aren’t you afraid someone will hear? Didn’t you remember to be cautious?”
They laughed and chatted, and coincidentally, Huo Niansheng looked over and raised his glass towards them.
Zheng Yucheng snorted and pulled Chen Wengang away.
When the birthday party reached the cake-cutting part, some mischievous peers started a cream fight.
Chen Wengang never found this fun. Holding his plate, he slipped away to the conservatory, only to bump into Huo Niansheng as he opened the door.
The cake on his plate wobbled and fell, smearing cream on Huo Niansheng’s suit. Shocked, he quickly apologized.
Huo Niansheng didn’t seem to mind and took out a handkerchief to wipe it off: “Long time no see. You’ve grown so much.”
Chen Wengang politely nodded, avoiding any further conversation, “About your suit…should I help get it cleaned?”
Huo Niansheng smirked, “You don’t remember me again?”
Chen Wengang shook his head, “No.”
He added, “I remember you helped me once when I was a kid. I never thanked you for that.”
Of course, he remembered. But familiarity was another matter.
Unknowingly, he had been living with the Zheng family for seven years, a period that changed him significantly and introduced him to many new friends. His interactions with Huo Niansheng amounted to only a few times.
On one hand, Huo Niansheng had indeed helped him retrieve his pen and treated him to ice cream, which was worth thanking him for. On the other hand, he had learned a lot since then, like how many people used small favors to win over others, often with ulterior motives.
Precaution is necessary. Chen Wengang harbored basic vigilance towards Huo Niansheng.
Huo Niansheng asked, “What were you just talking about? You were laughing so happily.”
Chen Wengang glanced down, “Nothing. Our topic was too boring, definitely not something you’d be interested in.”
Huo Niansheng suddenly stepped forward, causing Chen Wengang to instinctively step back.
It was a purely instinctive defensive action. Huo Niansheng lightly scoffed, moving a bit closer, scrutinizing Chen Wengang from head to toe. His gaze was like an X-ray machine, carrying a sharp sense of insight, as if it could see through anyone.
Under his gaze, Chen Wengang uncomfortably tilted his head.
Huo Niansheng faintly smiled, “Children grow up so fast. You’ve changed a lot.”
His lips curled into that mocking, cynical smile, always implying something more.
And he seemed to be this way with everyone, mocking without respect for anyone, rejecting anyone from getting close to him.
Chen Wengang felt a chill down his spine, almost unable to imagine how he had the courage and audacity to hitch a ride with Huo Niansheng when he was a child.
At a distance, it wasn’t noticeable, but standing together, Chen Wengang realized Huo Niansheng was still towering. He was more than a head taller than Chen Wengang, who was still in his growth period. Chen Wengang still had to look up at him, feeling that overwhelming sensation once again.
The person before him was filled with the aura of a mature man, still like an insurmountable mountain. The invisible pressure made Chen Wengang subconsciously step back again. Every move of his was under Huo Niansheng’s scrutiny.
Huo Niansheng’s earlier remark was sincere – Chen Wengang had indeed changed a lot. People are bound to grow, it’s inevitable. He had now become aware of when to advance and when to retreat, how to interact with others, how to hide his thoughts and opinions, and how to embellish peace without offending others too much.
It seemed he had learned a lot over the years at the Zheng family, and developed his own way of survival. But compared to before, it was a bit less fun.
Huo Niansheng chuckled, “You’ve made quite some progress, now you can talk. But let’s skip Tai Chi with me.”
Chen Wengang felt embarrassed, as if all his thoughts were laid bare before him.
Huo Niansheng absentmindedly folded his handkerchief, “Besides, I don’t like being fooled around. You can just say it directly, that you don’t like me, this thug, scum, and you want me to stay away from you. Honest words sound better to me.”
Chen Wengang instinctively wanted to shake his head.
But Huo Niansheng didn’t give him a chance.
Chen Wengang forgot how this conversation ended, he only remembered Huo Niansheng folding the handkerchief and walking away.
He had lost all appetite for the cake, only Huo Niansheng’s half-smiling, half-serious gaze lingered. Chen Wengang felt a burning sensation on his face and back, although the other party didn’t say anything particularly offensive, he felt like he had been slapped.
But he was still too young, unable to analyze the root of the problem, and had no chance to make amends.
Huo Niansheng went abroad after that summer, and didn’t return for several years.
This year’s meeting was just a small episode, and besides that, Chen Wengang’s life continued on as usual.
He grew up a bit more, going through the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. When puberty hit, whether joy or troubles, they came one after another. It’s a time of rapid growth, and Chen Wengang rarely had time to think about Huo Niansheng.
After all, it had been a long time, and looking back, the warmth of childhood had become distant and fuzzy memories.
Chen Wengang’s relationship with Zheng Yucheng became even closer. They graduated from high school together and entered college together.
After his eighteenth birthday party, Zheng Yucheng confessed to the person he liked.
The immature feelings bloomed overnight, and their relationship naturally progressed.
Chen Wengang accepted him, but they both knew this relationship couldn’t be approved of, so they had to keep it hidden.
Their underground romance lasted for two years. In reality, secrets can’t remain secrets forever.
Zheng Baoqiu was the first to notice, and later, even close friends couldn’t help but notice. Fortunately, everyone had some discretion. As long as they didn’t want to stir up trouble, no one would openly confront them, like reporting them to Zheng Bingyi.
But Chen Wengang always knew that not everyone would bless him and Zheng Yucheng.
He remembered when he first transferred to this school, he almost couldn’t fit in—most of the students here were born with silver spoons, completely different from him. Some classmates mocked Chen Wengang for his outdated hairstyle, his cheap pencils and erasers, his poor English skills, his lack of travel experience, his inability to play any musical instruments…
Zheng Bingyi was the head of the family and didn’t pay attention to such details. It took a while for Uncle Lin to notice. The negligent nanny was fined a month’s salary, and Chen Wengang’s wardrobe was upgraded to high-quality clothes. He used the same stationery as Zheng Yucheng at school and practiced English reading, writing, and speaking under the supervision of a private tutor at home.
But those classmates who used to mock him still found new reasons to ridicule him.
To defend him, Zheng Yucheng sometimes argued with others, but he wouldn’t resort to violence like Lu Chenlong.
And these subtle contradictions weren’t as simple as reclaiming a rubber eraser. Since then, Chen Wengang realized and accepted the fact: Some people will never truly accept him, regardless of whether his attire and manners match up to Zheng Yucheng.
Fortunately, not all students looked down on them, and they made some well-mannered, understanding friends.
But within their peer group, whether with good intentions or ill will, they all unanimously looked down on them.
Zheng Yucheng had a playful friend who booked a bar, inviting a bunch of people to a party, and Chen Wengang went with Zheng Yucheng. Actually, this friend belonged to the type who didn’t like him. Shortly after they arrived, he pulled Zheng Yucheng away to go on the transparent stage to dance.
Zheng Yucheng, hindered by social courtesy, just pulled Chen Wengang along, “Come with me.”
Chen Wengang looked at the chaotic dance floor where men and women were dancing close together, “I’m not very good at it. I’ll wait for you at the booth.”
He watched Zheng Yucheng and his friends make their way down to the dance floor.
The bar was filled with noise, so Chen Wengang found a relatively quiet corner and sipped on his cocktail while replying to messages. Someone sat down beside him. Chen Wengang looked up, and the face before him seemed oddly familiar—
The deep features morphed into specific shapes under the flashing lights of the disco ball, with laser beams creating a psychedelic background. He paused for a moment, the name Huo Niansheng slipping to the tip of his tongue from memory.
But he still didn’t say it; Huo Niansheng had become a stranger.
It wasn’t until the other person lazily spoke that the playful tone somewhat bridged the gap: “Why didn’t you go dance with Zheng Yucheng?”
Chen Wengang shook his head, still using the same excuse: “I don’t know how to dance.”
Huo Niansheng raised an eyebrow, pointing to the stage: “What’s so difficult about it? Just watch how others do it, it’s just about hitting the beats, swaying your hips. With the lights so dim and so many people around, the key is to let go. Can’t you even do that?”
Chen Wengang didn’t know how to respond.
Huo Niansheng chuckled, as if understanding: “Oh, you’re the type of polite student who can’t let loose.”
Chen Wengang finally greeted him politely as “Young Master Huo” and exchanged pleasantries:
“When did you return to the country?”
Huo Niansheng raised his cup, saying lightly, “It’s been about two years. Didn’t you know before?”
Two years, meaning he had already settled back in the country. Chen Wengang had no idea about this and felt somewhat embarrassed: “I hadn’t heard.”
“It’s okay, I don’t live in this city.” Huo Niansheng squinted, “I remember when I went abroad, you were still quite young. Now you’re in university. After being away for so many years, everything feels different. I heard you’re dating Zheng Yucheng?”
“Really?” Chen Wengang didn’t want to admit it directly, so he asked back, “Is that what people are saying about us?”
“If you don’t deny it, then it must be true,” Huo Niansheng smirked, “So, how far along are you guys?”
“What do you mean, how far along?”
“What’s the typical process for students dating… Holding hands, kissing, finding a romantic spot under the moonlight to book a hotel and get intimate?”
“This is our privacy.” Chen Wengang felt offended and straightened his mouth into a flat line, glaring at him.
“Don’t be upset, let’s not talk about it, you continue to sit,” Huo Niansheng waved his hand to stop him. “I know, verbal harassment is also harassment. I’m someone who speaks without a filter. You’re an adult, don’t hold grudges against me, don’t bother with me.”
“We never thought about going public,” Chen Wengang said tactfully. “So we don’t want to make a big fuss.”
“That’s good. I have no intention of leaking your secrets. I’m just suggesting, you should plan ahead for yourself,” Huo Niansheng said, “After all, with your identity and gender, it’s unlikely for you to marry into the Zheng family. So what do you want most? A good career, or just love, even if, to be honest, you just want to make a fortune—It’s better for you to think about it early.”
Chen Wengang was already not interested, but hearing the latter half of the sentence, he retorted: “Is there still an option for wanting love?”
Huo Niansheng smiled: “As long as you can accept sharing a man with someone else.”
Chen Wengang frowned, closed his mouth, since the topic didn’t need to continue. But he had a strange feeling, as if Huo Niansheng had been deliberately offending him all night.
But Chen Wengang didn’t understand. He and the other party had barely met a few times in ten years, let alone any vested interests. He had never offended Huo Niansheng, relying on that vague impression, he even had some goodwill towards this person, but Huo Niansheng was aggressive from the moment they met.
After all, their previous interactions were just a few words here and there. He had never really known this person, let alone understood him. Besides, even if he understood, people change.
Huo Niansheng might become more mature and worldly-wise, more guarded, every word carrying a sense of distance and alienation, why wouldn’t he be.
Back then, when Chen Wengang was waiting for the bus under the signboard, he was just a primary school student who could be appeased with ice cream. Now looking back, Huo Niansheng probably saw him and thought he had changed completely, just another social climber trying to break into the upper class.
When Zheng Yucheng came back from the dance floor, Huo Niansheng had already left, and Chen Wengang was still sitting there motionless.
“What’s wrong? Bored?”
“Nothing. Why aren’t you playing anymore?”
Chen Wengang didn’t mention the conversation just now to Zheng Yucheng—endless complaints would only seem petty, besides, Zheng Yucheng wasn’t almighty, not obligated to solve all his problems. Since Huo Niansheng didn’t like him, they would just avoid each other when they meet in the future.
But things didn’t go as planned. Since this chance encounter, the probability of encountering this person on various occasions has increased linearly.
When they met, Huo Niansheng always said some sarcastic remarks, making Chen Wengang wonder at one point if the other party despised his infatuation, found it foolish, or if he had done something unforgivable without knowing it.
On Jiangchao Street, every household bid farewell to the old and welcomed the new, as the Spring Festival approached. Auntie finished the big cleanup with overflowing enthusiasm.
Huo Niansheng was packing things at home when he dug out a box from a drawer. Chen Wengang had moved his belongings from the Zheng family’s house, some bottles and jars still unorganized. Opening the long box, he saw it contained some old-style fountain pens.
At that moment, Chen Wengang happened to enter the room: “Don’t throw it away for me. These are relics left by my father.”
He rushed over and was scooped into Huo Niansheng’s arms: “Don’t wrong people. When have I ever thrown away your things?”
Chen Wengang hugged the arm around his waist and rubbed against him, laughing along: “Just afraid you might forget.”
Huo Niansheng paused, lowered his head to kiss the top of his head: “I only remember a kid who wouldn’t fight back even if his things were stolen, just pitifully waiting for others to show mercy. At that time, I thought, I’ve never seen such a foolish child.”
Chen Wengang turned his head, smiling: “You, being older, shouldn’t you step in when you see injustice?”
Huo Niansheng said: “Isn’t that because you’ve never tried?”
Chen Wengang said: “After that incident, I also became more cautious, knowing that if I frequently take it out, it might get damaged.”
As he spoke, he wrote a few words, casually drawing a heart shape on the paper and filled the middle with ink. Huo Niansheng smiled and reached out to him: “Let me play for a bit.”
Chen Wengang handed him the fountain pen, and Huo Niansheng dipped it in ink again, drawing two stick figures on the white paper, one tall and one short. The tall one was dressed in a suit, while the short one wore a shirt and suspenders, standing on either side of the heart shape.
Chen Wengang laughed and looked around for his phone to take a picture: “Quick, it’s Mr. Huo’s masterpiece. I want to see if anyone is willing to buy it.”
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