Chapter 120: When Chen Wengang met Huo Niansheng for the first time.
Lao Lin brought over a small formal suit, held it up against Chen Wengang’s body for a long time, helped him change into it, and brought him before Zheng Bingyi.
Chen Wengang still wore a black mourning band on his arm. Zheng Bingyi called him over and looked him up and down. Lao Lin was also watching, still feeling that the expensive formal wear did not match the status of someone in mourning: “He’s just a child. Otherwise, wouldn’t his school uniform be enough?”
Zheng Bingyi patted Chen Wengang’s head: “Just follow behind Yucheng when the time comes.”
Lao Lin took Chen Wengang out the door again: “Don’t be nervous. Be diligent with your speech when you meet people; call them ‘Uncle’ and ‘Aunt’ more often.” This was Chen Wengang’s third month at the Zheng household, and it happened to be mid-year—his first time encountering a family banquet. Many people came that day.
The Chen family was sparse in numbers. Even during holidays, his father only took him to his uncle’s house, and the two families would have a meal together—that was all.
Chen Wengang had never seen such a crowded scene of distinguished guests before. When Zheng Bingyi went downstairs, he kept Chen Wengang behind him, followed by his three children and his nephew. His shoulder was pressed, and he was led into the field of vision of the crowd.
Lao Lin took him to greet the male and female guests.
“So, is Zheng really adopting him?”
“Do you plan on making him change his surname?”
“Doesn’t he have any other relatives?”
Amidst the whispers, Zheng Yucheng pulled him to his side, but was soon called away by familiar aunts and uncles. Lao Lin didn’t have the time to keep guiding him either; there was food and drink in the hall, so he told him to just find something to do on his own.
Chen Wengang retreated step by step under the inquisitive gazes coming from all directions. He stood cautiously by the wall, looking like an unnecessary decoration. He kept his head down, while high heels and leather shoes passed by continuously. Someone nearby complained that he was blocking the way: “Move aside.”
Chen Wengang stepped back again, only for his back to suddenly hit something soft. He was startled and turned his head to see he had bumped into a young man. The other person was very tall, dressed in black and white like all the other gentlemen; the shadow he cast nearly covered Chen Wengang entirely. He looked down at Chen Wengang with peach-blossom eyes that carried a hint of a smile, though there was always a faint air of mockery within them. Chen Wengang was like a statue, at a loss, not knowing how to apologize.
Huo Niansheng tugged at his constricting bowtie. After surviving a disaster, Zheng Bingyi had been invited by his aunt, Huo Meijie. His father, Huo Fenglai, was a free-spirited man who had a decent relationship with this sister before he passed away, so Huo Niansheng, having nothing better to do, had truly come.
He had heard that his uncle’s car had recently been intentionally rammed, causing a rollover accident. The driver had risked his life to drag him out and escort him to safety, though the driver later died due to the severity of his injuries. Upon hearing that there was a child left behind in the driver’s family who had become an orphan, his uncle had brought the boy into the home.
Like everyone else at the scene, Huo Niansheng glanced at the black mourning band on Chen Wengang’s arm.
Just then, someone had stuffed a piece of strawberry mousse into his hand. Chen Wengang stared at Huo Niansheng, his gaze subconsciously shifting to the cake—he was, after all, just a child. At this moment, Huo Meijie walked over. Huo Niansheng didn’t show much emotion, simply handing the bone china plate to him.
Chen Wengang finally snapped out of it and cradled the plate.
Huo Niansheng had already walked to the side to talk to Huo Meijie. “Is Uncle’s health okay?”
“This time, it was a stroke of luck,” Huo Meijie said. “Heaven bless us, it really scared me to death.”
“What do you plan to do with that little thing? Just keep him at home and raise him?” Huo Niansheng looked back toward the boy.
“Just raise him, what else can I do?” she said. “Your uncle insists on educating him himself, and it’s not like we can’t afford it. Forget it.”
Chen Wengang picked up the small silver fork from the plate, suspiciously staring at Huo Niansheng’s back, and carefully took a bite. The smooth cream melted on the tip of his tongue; the top was filled with sweet and sour jam, the cake base sweet but not greasy—but suddenly, Zheng Yucheng emerged from some corner, pulled Chen Wengang aside, and gave his stepmother and her nephew a look of disgust.
“That’s Zheng Maoxun’s cousin; don’t pay any attention to him.”
Zheng Yucheng didn’t like his stepmother, nor did he like his half-brother; Chen Wengang could understand that. He had lost his mother early, and over the years, it wasn’t as if no one had tried to play matchmaker for his father, urging him to remarry and saying, “This way, the child will have someone to take care of him,” but his father had always refused.
His father felt that if it weren’t their own biological child, they wouldn’t be well taken care of, and stepmothers in people’s stories were always described like demons. But halfway through the banquet, Zheng Yucheng was called away by Zheng Bingyi again.
Chen Wengang was alone once more. He was getting sleepy and didn’t know when the banquet would end. He felt his pocket; there was a hard object inside—a fountain pen his father had bought for him before he died. Because the pocket was too shallow, the cap was sticking out.
He was in the fourth grade, just starting to practice calligraphy with a fountain pen at school, though he mostly used a mechanical pencil for homework. Because the pen was bought shortly before his father died in the line of duty, it held unusual significance, and Chen Wengang carried it with him wherever he went. He knew he didn’t need stationery for a banquet, but he didn’t want to leave it in his pencil case—being apart for the night was still being apart.
A chubby boy nearby saw it and suddenly asked, “What’s that in your pocket?” The boy reached out without allowing for an argument: “Let me see.”
Chen Wengang pursed his lips, actually quite reluctant. First, he didn’t know this stranger, and the boy’s tone wasn’t likable. But this was the Zheng household; before the banquet, Lao Lin had urged him not to exhibit any improper behavior on such an important occasion, lest he lose face for his new foster father.
He didn’t want to appear impolite for being stingy, so he hesitantly took out the pen and handed it over. The tall, chubby boy looked at it and thought it was crude and nothing special: “Just this?”
Chen Wengang watched his hand nervously: “Can you give it back to me?”
The fat boy gripped the pen: “What’s so good about this broken pen? I’m going to throw it away.”
Chen Wengang was anxious: “Why?”
Because most children were malicious; the more someone cared about something, the more the other person would insist on tormenting them. The fat boy had no intention of returning it, and Chen Wengang wouldn’t resort to violence—if his childhood friend Lu Chenlong were here, Lu Chenlong would have beaten the guy up regardless. Chen Wengang, however, could only follow him, stammering while trying to reason with him.
The fat boy, despite his fat, moved nimbly, dodging back and forth. He pushed open a glass door and ran into the backyard. There was a wisteria trellis in the backyard with someone already standing there, and the fat boy, not looking where he was going, bumped straight into him. Huo Niansheng was just about to light a cigarette; he raised his eyebrows and put his lighter away: “What are you doing?”
The fat boy shouted, “It’s none of your business,” and tried to run around him, but was grabbed by the collar and lifted up. Huo Niansheng then saw clearly what he was holding: “What’s that in your hand?”
The fat boy, like a meatball, struggled hard, but Huo Niansheng’s arm was incredibly powerful, holding him firmly. The boy was strangled until he couldn’t breathe, his tongue poking out. Suddenly, he waved his hand, intending to throw the pen far away.
Huo Niansheng’s movements were agile; he released the boy and let him fall, while his other hand reached out and caught the pen in one fluid motion.
The two actions were completed in an instant. The fat boy crashed into a flowerpot with a thud and was dumbfounded: “You dare 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 to the ground simultaneously. “An itch for a beating?” The filter was dirty. Huo Niansheng clicked his tongue and threw the whole cigarette into the ashtray. “Stand up.”
His gaze was cold. The boy was still rolling on the ground throwing a tantrum. Huo Niansheng looked at him indifferently: “Didn’t you hear me tell you to stand up?” He raised a foot, and the fat boy was startled, thinking he was going to be kicked. Knowing when to quit, he crawled away. That foot stepped onto the edge of the stone table. Huo Niansheng dusted the pollen off his shoe and looked up, only then discovering there was another person following behind. Chen Wengang was startled, caught between advancing and retreating, and had to walk up, staring imploringly at the person before him.
Huo Niansheng at this time was in a transitional period from a teenager to a young man. His voice was low when he spoke, and his physique had already begun to take on the shape of an adult—broad shoulders and a narrow waist. To a child of Chen Wengang’s age and height, he was a symbol of absolute power.
Huo Niansheng thought to look at the thing in his hand. It was just an affordable fountain pen.
Chen Wengang dared not be presumptuous. Huo Niansheng lowered his gaze and took a closer look at him this time—a small white shirt, navy blue overalls, the school logo embroidered on the chest and the edge of his pocket, knee-high socks. This was the uniform of the elementary school Zheng Yucheng and the others attended. If Zheng Bingyi hadn’t brought him back, as a driver’s son, he would never have had the chance to attend such an elite school. Huo Niansheng suddenly wondered what his life in this family would be like in the future.
He smiled enigmatically and tucked the pen into his chest pocket, then beckoned: “Come here.” Chen Wengang wanted to leave but didn’t dare. With Zheng Yucheng not by his side and no friend to back him up, he had to obediently step forward. Huo Niansheng, however, didn’t mention the confiscated trophy. “Are you getting used to the new school?”
Chen Wengang nodded cautiously, staring fixedly at his chest.
Huo Niansheng smiled like he wasn’t smiling: “And in this new home?”
Chen Wengang thought for a moment, wanting to say something but stopping.
Huo Niansheng said: “You can tell the truth secretly. I’m not a member of the Zheng family, and I won’t go and report you to anyone.” Chen Wengang felt somewhat embarrassed, but still looked at the pen without speaking.
Huo Niansheng squatted down in front of him and offered two options: “Was the old home better, or is living here better?” Chen Wengang said in a low voice: “My own home was better.”
Huo Niansheng shattered his hope: “You can’t go back. What are you going to do?” Chen Wengang’s eyes widened, looking at him in shock. With visible speed, a layer of mist welled up in his eyes.
Huo Niansheng paused slightly, looked at the black mourning band on his arm, and finally, his conscience getting the better of him, he placed a hand on top of his head and pressed down: “Don’t think about it. Everyone can only look forward. Your life from here on will be very different. If you’re unhappy, just grow up quickly.”
Chen Wengang didn’t fully understand; a nine-year-old child struggled to digest these words. Huo Niansheng said: “When you grow up, at least you can be a bit more free.”
There was a hanging swing under the wisteria trellis. He sat down lazily, and the swing sank. Chen Wengang stood by the side, terrified—fortunately, it didn’t collapse. He didn’t know how to start, and said in a very small voice: “That pen is mine.”
Huo Niansheng pretended not to hear, and patted the spot next to him: “You’re standing, aren’t you tired? Sit?” Chen Wengang had no choice but to sit. He felt the other person give a sharp kick, and the swing began to sway.
Chen Wengang’s feet were dangling in mid-air, unable to even reach the ground. He hadn’t realized Huo Niansheng was doing it on purpose, only concerned with gripping the edge of the seat tightly, feeling that he would be thrown out at any moment. After a long while, he finally gathered his courage to speak again: “Can you return it to me?”
The swing finally stopped.
Huo Niansheng took out the pen: “This? This is what I just took from someone else’s hand.”
Chen Wengang explained: “That’s because he snatched my things…”
Huo Niansheng was difficult: “How can you prove it’s yours? Is your name carved on it?” Chen Wengang was full of regret. He hadn’t expected that bringing a pen down would involve so many twists and turns.
His face screamed “low spirits.” Huo Niansheng was impatient with the idea of him crying again, so he stuffed the fountain pen back into the hands of the original owner: “Fine, take it. Let this be a lesson to you. Keep a good eye on things you like in the future; don’t just show them to people you don’t know.”
Chen Wengang nodded like he had found a treasure. Huo Niansheng laughed, stood up, and returned to the living room. Another hour passed, the banquet ended, and the guests left. When Chen Wengang returned to the main hall, he didn’t see Huo Niansheng again.
Zheng Bingyi called him to his side again to say goodbye to some people, and then Zheng Yucheng dragged Chen Wengang back to the bedroom on the second floor.
Chen Wengang felt a bit guilty. Zheng Yucheng had told him to ignore the relatives on the stepmother’s side, but he had relied on Huo Niansheng to get his things back, which was undoubtedly a betrayal. Therefore, he kept this secret firmly that night, saying nothing, even trying to pretend that nothing had happened.
The school organized calligraphy practice. Half a term later, Lao Lin bought a high-end fountain pen for Zheng Yucheng, and Chen Wengang received one as well.
Life in the Zheng family passed quickly yet slowly.
In Chen Wengang’s memory, the first time he met Huo Niansheng was in the fourth grade, and the next time he saw him, he was already in the sixth grade.
Before that, he had experienced an incident where he and Zheng Yucheng ran away from home, and the family thought both of them had been kidnapped, searching high and low with great fanfare. That time, Zheng Yucheng was grounded by Zheng Bingyi for an entire night, and Chen Wengang stood guard outside for the whole night.
So this time, he hid it from everyone, even Zheng Yucheng, trying to go home by himself. As long as he didn’t kidnap the young master of the Zheng family, no one would notice if he disappeared for an afternoon.
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 busy city center. People traveled by car; if he wanted to take public transportation, he had to walk to the foot of the mountain first to find the nearest bus stop.
While he was waiting desperately under the sign, Huo Niansheng had driven the car over, then slowly backed up: “Aren’t you the one from the Zheng family?” He took off his sunglasses and rested his arm on the car window. “What are you doing here?”
Chen Wengang was carrying his schoolbag, showing the same cautious expression as he had two years ago, the only difference being that he had grown a little taller. Huo Niansheng found this child very interesting: “Don’t remember me?” Chen Wengang carefully replied: “I remember, you are Zheng Baoqiu’s cousin.”
Huo Niansheng smiled nonchalantly and repeated the question: “What are you doing in this place by yourself?”
Chen Wengang looked back at the bus stop sign hesitatingly, then toward the end of the road. It was quiet, without a speck of dust in the air. Huo Niansheng already understood and chuckled: “You’re waiting for a bus in a place like this?”
Chen Wengang didn’t know how to answer this; he sensed the mockery in the other person’s tone and was at a loss. Huo Niansheng only said: “Fine, get in the car.”
Chen Wengang shook his head: “I have a bus card; I don’t need to trouble you.” Huo Niansheng raised an eyebrow: “If you wait here for another two hours, who knows if one will even come.”
The bus service in this section was infrequent. Although it wasn’t as exaggerated as he said, it normally took an hour for one to arrive. Chen Wengang had indeed been waiting for a long time; he had even begun to suspect that the bus had been canceled today, so he walked over slowly.
As soon as his hand touched the car door, Huo Niansheng directed him again: “Sit in the back seat.”
Chen Wengang obediently pulled open the rear car door. The cabin was filled with the scent of high-grade leather and aromatherapy. He took off his schoolbag, placed it to one side, kept his legs together, sat properly, and cautiously observed the driver’s seat, vaguely recalling the impression from their last meeting.
Huo Niansheng was an adult in the true sense of the word. When he traveled, he could drive however he wanted. And Chen Wengang hadn’t even earned the qualification to sit in the passenger seat—he was not yet twelve years old and wouldn’t be able to safely sit in the front for another year.
Huo Niansheng was clearly thinking of this too, asking maliciously: “Do you want me to buy you a child seat?” Chen Wengang was a bit dissatisfied and glared hard at the back of his head: “I don’t need a child seat at all.” Huo Niansheng finally laughed a bit more heartily: “Where on earth are you going?” Under Chen Wengang’s guidance, the gleaming car drove into the old city area.
Huo Niansheng found a parking spot. Chen Wengang pushed open the car door, thanked him, said goodbye, and then deftly headed into the alley. Unexpectedly, Huo Niansheng jingled his car keys and got out, following behind him.
Looking into the distance, one could see mottled brick walls and eaves—it was a very old house, with people living inside. There was the sound of splashing water and the noise of washing clothes. Suddenly the courtyard door opened, and a woman in pajamas hunched over and splashed a basin of soapy water onto the road.
The door closed again.
Chen Wengang was carrying his schoolbag, hiding behind a corner and peeking. Huo Niansheng lowered his head to look at the top of his hair: “Your home?”
Chen Wengang was startled and looked up to see him there: “Yes.”
He was in low spirits, but Huo Niansheng continued to press: “Did you rent it out or sell it?” Chen Wengang stayed silent.
Huo Niansheng guessed to himself: “Rented out, right? Who’s living inside?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then who put it up for rent?”
“My uncle told me.” Chen Wengang could not hide his disappointment. Huo Niansheng twitched the corners of his mouth without a smile, but didn’t say anything for a moment.
Instrumental music drifted past from behind; it was played from the large loudspeaker of an ice cream truck. These ice cream trucks had been popular for the past two years, roaming the streets. As soon as the children heard this sound, whether they were at home or just out of school, they knew they should rush over.
Ten minutes later, Chen Wengang was sitting on the steps by the street, and Huo Niansheng handed him a chocolate one. Chen Wengang licked it once, the rich sweetness melting in his mouth. Only then did Huo Niansheng ask: “Why did you come back here for no reason?” Chen Wengang said in a small voice: “I wanted to see who is living here.”
Huo Niansheng listened to this lame excuse with indifference. It was hot, and the ice cream melted quickly, but Huo Niansheng ate even faster, finishing it along with the cone in one go, stretching his legs comfortably.
Chen Wengang was still chasing the melting ice cream, licking it bit by bit, having turned his ice cream torch into a yurt. “If it’s rented out, then let it be. If no one lives there, such a house will soon become an empty or dilapidated one.” Although his uncle had said the same, hearing it from Huo Niansheng made Chen Wengang feel a little better.
Huo Niansheng asked again: “Don’t you have school today?”
Chen Wengang nodded: “We’re on a one-day break after the monthly exam.”
After eating the ice cream, he told Huo Niansheng more about school.
The last time he ran away from home with Zheng Yucheng was because of an annoying, snobbish English teacher, and this time it was because of him again—in English class, the teacher assigned homework for everyone to give a presentation. Chen Wengang honestly prepared a self-introduction. His foreign language proficiency was only so high, while other classmates spoke about their travels to five European countries, or the life of Shakespeare.
Chen Wengang was specifically called up by the teacher and asked if he knew who Shakespeare was.
After listening, Huo Niansheng showed a face full of mockery: “So what? Knowing who Shakespeare is, what’s so great about that?”
Chen Wengang kept his head down. He had been looking down like this at the time, and the whole class burst into laughter, making him wish he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. Huo Niansheng didn’t comfort him, but just asked: “Do you want another ice cream?”
Chen Wengang shook his head. He had originally thought he was just catching a one-way ride, but who would have expected Huo Niansheng to send him back to the foot of the mountain again. Before leaving, Huo Niansheng said: “Why are you still the same as when you were a child, only knowing how to get bullied.” Chen Wengang looked at him, not understanding.
Huo Niansheng smiled, enjoying the chaos, tossed a few words at him, and then drove off. The walk from the bus stop sign back to the Zheng residence remained on foot.
Chen Wengang was let in the gate by the security guard—Zheng Yucheng had gone to a golf hobby class, Zheng Bingyi was as usual obsessively working at the company, Huo Meijie might have gone for a beauty treatment, and Lao Lin was not at home, so no one knew he had secretly left for the afternoon.
On the weekend, he told Zheng Bingyi about the English class mockery.
Originally, in Chen Wengang’s heart, this was a shameful thing; even Zheng Yucheng hadn’t stood up to help him in class. Since Huo Niansheng suggested he try telling his foster father, Chen Wengang tentatively believed that doing so would be okay. About two weeks later, the English teacher in the class was changed to a blonde, blue-eyed foreign teacher. But at that time, Chen Wengang didn’t expect that just a few months later, he would hear about the scandal of this cousin of Zheng Baoqiu.
Children from modest families were fundamentally disconnected from paparazzi during their growth. The only time he was in the newspaper was when his father had the accident. In fact, he didn’t have a clear concept of what a scandal was, only knowing that Huo Niansheng had done something very bad.
The family didn’t subscribe to those newspapers that specialized in gossip, but the newsstand at the school gate was always filled with them. Moreover, classmates would bring newspapers and gossip into the classroom. Chen Wengang picked and chose from the messy sources of news to piece together the whole story.
They said Huo Niansheng had sexually harassed a female student.
Chen Wengang knelt on the chair in front of the desk, flipping through the dictionary to check the meaning of “sexually harass.”
The girl was said to be a classmate of one of Huo Niansheng’s cousins; the relationship sounded a bit convoluted, and the incident happened when she was a guest staying overnight at the Huo residence. Chen Wengang felt shocked. He recalled the tone and expression of Huo Niansheng when he talked to him. Although the other party occasionally revealed a bit of mockery and teasing, emotionally, he still didn’t want to believe that the other party would commit such a base act.
Huo Niansheng didn’t seem as bad as the abuse and attacks described.
But Chen Wengang’s personal opinion was irrelevant, and no one cared. This scandal went viral, and the whole city knew about it. Huo Meijie was on the phone at home: “Oh my, I don’t think it’s necessarily like that; maybe they were dating…”
She didn’t know who she was prattling to, and it happened to be heard by Zheng Bingyi who walked into the living room: “Loose lips sink ships. I told you not to go around telling others about these things. It’s right in the spotlight; if you let others know ‘Mrs. Zheng is saying this and that,’ you’ll be happy if you’re dragged into it, won’t you?”
Huo Meijie hung up the phone in a huff.
Chen Wengang’s life was still school, coming home, and finishing homework under the watchful eyes of tutors with the other children in the family. In addition to his studies, he had to take etiquette classes, recitation classes, piano lessons, violin lessons, and even form and posture training…
During a break in piano class, Chen Wengang sat on the piano bench, and Zheng Yucheng leaned next to him, his fingers resting on the black and white keys: “See, what did I tell you? What kind of good relatives could Huo Meijie have? That cousin of Zheng Maoxun isn’t a good bird; he’s finally revealed his true colors, hasn’t he?”
Chen Wengang wanted to say something but stopped. After hesitating for a moment, he only asked: “You know him… you aren’t that familiar with him either, are you?”
Zheng Yucheng was indifferent: “Knowing his character is rotten means we should stay away. Does that mean we have to be familiar with every bad person?” Chen Wengang nodded without speaking. He still remained skeptical about this, but didn’t want to argue with Zheng Yucheng about this issue. Only when he went back to the bus stop at the foot of the mountain did Chen Wengang always subconsciously look around, wondering if Huo Niansheng would appear again. The other party had the friendship of buying him ice cream once; he wanted to gather the courage to ask the person directly if those things were true. If Huo Niansheng said no, Chen Wengang wanted to prioritize believing what he said.
But for a long time afterward, he never saw Huo Niansheng again.
It was said that Huo Niansheng went abroad. In short, the result was that he vanished; he no longer showed his face in the city.
Chen Wengang didn’t know how the situation on the girl’s side was handled; after all, that was the Huo family’s private affair, and the Huo family could not let the news continue to ferment, deliberately and gradually suppressing the intensity.
No matter how big the noise in the city was, as long as enough time passed, everything would gradually be forgotten. Every day, every week, every month, new things happened, and the eyes constantly had to chase new stimulation.
This scandal was no longer fresh, but whenever the name Huo Niansheng was mentioned, one would still remember that there was a stain there.
However, it wasn’t as if Huo Niansheng never returned.
In name, he went abroad to study, and occasionally he would return home during the winter and summer holidays. Chen Wengang saw him a few times on individual occasions, but they were all fleeting glimpses. Hindered by Zheng Yucheng’s feelings, he had never greeted him properly, not to mention that the other party’s feeling grew more and more distant and strange.
Over the past few years, Huo Niansheng spent most of his time abroad, and it was said he was very famous in the circle of Chinese rich second generations. Not the positive kind of reputation.
Insiders, when talking about it, always had an ambiguous tone, mixed with envy or disdain, describing what kind of debauched life Young Master Huo lived—always opening Ace of Spades at nightclubs and bars, changing sports cars one after another, seeking pleasure, and never seemingly short of money.
Because of his high-profile behavior, photos would sometimes spread back to the country and be published in tabloids, accompanied by sensational headlines, saying that it seems this person not only refuses to repent but has become even worse, and it’s no wonder the Huo family is still supplying him without limit; no wonder generation after generation are all spendthrifts.
Chen Wengang heard these words until he was fifteen.
There were also debauched sons of this type among his classmates—running to nightclubs familiarly before they had even grown any hair, knowing how to order hostesses, showing off and comparing with each other, with an air of being superior, their lack of discipline in life being disgusting.
Therefore, when he saw Huo Niansheng at the birthday banquet of Zheng Maoxun and Zheng Baoqiu, he subconsciously avoided his eyes.
It was just during the summer vacation. Huo Meijie had also invited her nephew who had returned home to visit relatives to attend. All the other people present were children of family friends and relatives. Compared to a party for peers, it looked more like a small social venue where everyone wore formal attire and gathered in small circles.
Huo Niansheng was surrounded by three or five fox friends. His appearance had become more mature, more striking and brilliant than in his youth; his brow bones were prominent and his eye sockets deep, so that when those peach-blossom eyes looked at people, they revealed an extra touch of romantic charm.
If one didn’t know the inside story, this was a vessel that could attract countless moths to throw themselves into the fire.
And Chen Wengang had grown up. Four years was enough for a child to enter puberty. It’s a coincidence; the first time he saw Huo Niansheng, the other party was only a little older than he was now. At that time, Chen Wengang looked up to Huo Niansheng, feeling that the other person could blot out the sky and sun.
Now he himself had grown taller and grown up, and he would no longer be helpless when bullied by peers, following behind without daring to speak out in anger. Zheng Yucheng whispered in his ear: “Be careful, don’t get too close to him; who knows what kind of dirty diseases he’ll bring back.” Chen Wengang said “Mm,” and said okay.
Zheng Yucheng was still worried and urged: “Do you still remember the old rumors about that guy surnamed Huo being quite disgusting…” Chen Wengang pushed him: “There are so many people here; aren’t you afraid others will hear you? Don’t you remember to be cautious in your speech and actions?” They chatted and laughed, but coincidentally Huo Niansheng also looked over and raised his glass toward them. Zheng Yucheng snorted coldly and pulled Chen Wengang away.
The birthday banquet proceeded to the cake-cutting session, and peers with bad taste began a cream war. Chen Wengang never understood what was fun about this, so he carried his plate and quietly slipped into the flower room when no one was looking. Who would have expected that as soon as he pushed the door open, he would bump into Huo Niansheng as enemies on a narrow road.
The cake on the plate toppled down tremblingly, and the cream got on the other person’s formal wear. He was startled and apologized quickly. Huo Niansheng didn’t mind, taking out his own handkerchief to wipe it: “Long time no see, you’ve grown so big.” Chen Wengang nodded politely, avoiding reminiscing with him: “This jacket… why don’t I help you get it dry-cleaned.”
Huo Niansheng smiled enigmatically: “Don’t remember me again?”
Chen Wengang shook his head: “No.”
He added: “I remember that you helped me when I was a child; I hadn’t thanked you yet at that time.”
Of course he remembered, but it could hardly be called being familiar. Unknowingly, he had already lived in the Zheng household for seven years. These seven years had changed Chen Wengang a lot, and he had made many more friends. He had only interacted with the person in front of him two or three times in total.
On one hand, the other party had once helped him get back his pen and invited him to eat ice cream, which was indeed worth being thankful for. On the other hand, he had also learned a lot of things he didn’t understand before—for example, he had seen many people who were good at using small favors to win over hearts, but behind them were actually all schemes.
One must always be on guard. Chen Wengang harbored basic vigilance toward Huo Niansheng. Huo Niansheng said: “What were you two just talking about, laughing so happily?”
Chen Wengang looked at the ground: “Nothing. Our topic was too boring; you definitely wouldn’t be interested.” Huo Niansheng suddenly stepped forward, and Chen Wengang subconsciously took half a step back.
This was a purely instinctive defensive movement. Huo Niansheng sneered slightly, moved a little closer, and looked him up and down. His gaze was like an X-ray machine, containing a certain sharp, penetrating meaning, as if he could see through a person.
Under his gaze, Chen Wengang tilted his head uncomfortably.
Huo Niansheng smiled faintly: “Children grow up fast, you’ve really changed a lot.” The corners of his lips again revealed that kind of playful, mocking smile, always making one feel there was more to his words.
Moreover, he seemed to be like this to everyone; mockery meant looking down on anyone, and also refusing to let anyone walk into his heart. Chen Wengang felt like he had needles on his back; he could hardly imagine how he had the courage and nerve to hitch a ride with Huo Niansheng when he was a child.
He didn’t feel it when they were far apart, but only when they stood together did he discover that Huo Niansheng was still tall. He was more than a head taller than Chen Wengang, who was still in his growth spurt, and Chen Wengang still had to look up at him. At this moment, the feeling of blotting out the sky and sun vaguely returned.
Now the person in front of him was full of the power and oppression of a mature man, still like an insurmountable mountain. The invisible pressure made Chen Wengang take another micro-step back. Every move he made was captured by Huo Niansheng’s eyes.
What Huo Niansheng just said was the truth—Chen Wengang had indeed changed a lot. People definitely have to grow up; it’s unavoidable. He now knew how to advance and retreat, understood how to conduct himself in society, learned to hide his thoughts and ideas, and knew how to maintain peace on the surface without offending anyone.
It seems he has learned a lot of things in the Zheng family over these years and had his own way of survival. But in comparison, he was a little more fun when he was a child.
Huo Niansheng burst out laughing: “You’ve made a lot of progress; you can speak well now. But don’t try that on me.” Chen Wengang felt awkward; all his thoughts seemed to be clearly visible in front of him.
Huo Niansheng folded his handkerchief of his own accord: “Besides, I don’t like being fooled. You can say it directly: you don’t like rascals, degenerates, and scum like me, and you want me to stay far away from you. Honest words are easier for me to listen to.”
Chen Wengang subconsciously wanted to shake his head.
But Huo Niansheng didn’t give him the chance.
He forgot how this conversation ended; Chen Wengang only remembered his back as he turned and walked away after putting away his handkerchief.
He had no heart to eat the cake anymore, and only the mocking, non-smiling eyes of Huo Niansheng before he left remained nailed to him. Chen Wengang felt a hot and spicy sensation on his face and back; the other party hadn’t said anything excessive, but he felt as if he had been slapped in the face.
But he was still too young to analyze the root of the problem, and there was no chance to make amends. After the summer passed, Huo Niansheng went abroad and didn’t return for several years.
The meeting that year was just a small interlude. Apart from that, Chen Wengang’s life continued according to plan.
He shot up in height again, also experiencing the transitional phase from a teenager to a young man. Once puberty arrived, joys and troubles followed one after another. This was an age of rapidly extending branches, and Chen Wengang rarely had the time to think of Huo Niansheng again.
After all, time had passed, and looking back, the little warmth from childhood had become a distant and blurred memory.
The relationship between Chen Wengang and Zheng Yucheng became increasingly intimate. They graduated from high school together and entered college together.
On the night of his eighteenth birthday party, Zheng Yucheng confessed to the person he liked.
Ignorant feelings blossomed overnight, and they logically established a relationship.
Chen Wengang accepted him, but they both knew this relationship could never be permitted; they could only hide it.
The underground love affair lasted for two years. In fact, paper could not wrap up fire, and secrets could never be secrets forever.
Zheng Baoqiu was the first to notice the clues, and later, close friends inevitably perceived something. Fortunately, everyone knew their place; as long as they didn’t want to tear off their masks, no one would publicly stir up trouble, such as running to Zheng Bingyi to report them.
But Chen Wengang always knew that not everyone would bless him and Zheng Yucheng.
He remembered when he first transferred schools as a child, suddenly entering a new environment, almost unable to integrate into the group—the classmates here were mostly young masters and ladies born with a silver spoon in their mouths, people born fundamentally different from him. Some classmates mocked Chen Wengang’s tacky hairstyle, mocked his cheap pencils and erasers, mocked his pathetic English level, mocked him for never having been abroad and not knowing any musical instruments…
Zheng Bingyi was the master of the house and wouldn’t pay attention to so many details. Lao Lin had many things to worry about and only discovered the impropriety after a period of time. The nanny who took poor care of him was fined one month’s salary, all the clothes in Chen Wengang’s cloakroom were changed to high-quality materials, he used the exact same stationery as Zheng Yucheng at school, and he worked hard on his English reading, writing, and speaking under the supervision of a private tutor at home.
But the classmates who had originally mocked him would still find new and tricky reasons to ridicule him.
To defend him, Zheng Yucheng sometimes argued with others, but he would not act rudely like Lu Chenlong.
And these subtle contradictions were not as simple as taking back an eraser. Chen Wengang realized from that time, and accepted this fact: there were people who would never truly accept him; it had nothing to do with whether his clothes and manners were worthy of Zheng Yucheng.
Fortunately, not all students were arrogant. He also made some close friends who had good upbringing and knowledge.
But in the circle of peers, whether they held goodwill or malice, they were actually unanimously pessimistic about them.
Zheng Yucheng had a friend who loved to play, who rented a bar and invited a bunch of people to attend a party, so Chen Wengang went with Zheng Yucheng. Actually, this friend was the type who didn’t like him, and soon after they arrived, he pulled Zheng Yucheng away to go dance on that transparent stage.
Zheng Yucheng found it hard to refuse out of human feelings, so he just tugged at Chen Wengang: “Come together.”
Chen Wengang looked at the dance floor where men and women were dancing cheek-to-cheek in a chaotic flurry: “I’m not very good at it; I’ll wait for you at the booth.” He watched Zheng Yucheng go down to the dance floor with his friend.
The bar was filled with noise, and Chen Wengang changed to a corner that was barely quiet, sipping cocktails while replying to messages. Someone sat down nearby. Chen Wengang raised his head, and a face that was unspeakably familiar came into view—
The deep facial features changed their specific shapes under the light of the rotating ball, and the laser beams wove into a psychedelic background. He was stunned for a moment, and the name Huo Niansheng slid to his lips from his memory.
But he still didn’t call it out; Huo Niansheng had become very strange. It wasn’t until the other person spoke lazily that the playful voice pulled back some distance, appearing not so estranged: “Why didn’t you go dancing with Zheng Yucheng?”
Chen Wengang shook his head, still using the same excuse: “I don’t know how.”
Huo Niansheng raised an eyebrow, pointing his chin at the stage: “What’s hard about that? Look at how others dance; it’s nothing more than following the beat of the music, twisting the waist and hips. The light is so dim, and there are so many people, the key lies in letting go—you don’t even know how to do that?”
Chen Wengang didn’t know how to answer.
Huo Niansheng chuckled, as if he understood: “Oh~ you gentle students, you can’t let go.”
Chen Wengang finally called out “Young Master Huo” politely and exchanged greetings with him:
“When did you return to the country?”
Huo Niansheng held his glass and said indifferently: “Two years, maybe? Didn’t you know before?”
Two years, that meant he had returned to the country to settle down. Chen Wengang knew nothing about this, and couldn’t help feeling a bit embarrassed: “I hadn’t heard yet.”
“It doesn’t matter; I don’t live in this city.” Huo Niansheng narrowed his eyes, “I remember you were quite young when I went abroad; in the blink of an eye, you’re in college. After leaving for so many years, it all feels like people are not what they used to be. I heard you’re even dating Zheng Yucheng.”
“Is that so?” Chen Wengang didn’t want to admit it directly, so he asked back, “Is someone saying that about us?”
“If you don’t deny it, then it’s true, right?” Huo Niansheng sneered, “How far have you progressed?”
“What progress?”
“What is the process for students dating… holding hands, kissing, finding a moonlit night to book a hotel and sleep together?”
“That’s our privacy, right?” Chen Wengang felt offended, pulled his lips into a straight line, and glared at him.
“Don’t be unhappy, I’ll stop, you sit down.” Huo Niansheng waved his hand to stop him, “I know, verbal sexual harassment is also sexual harassment. I’m just a person who speaks without restraint; you’re an adult, don’t hold it against a petty person.”
“We haven’t thought about going public,” Chen Wengang said tactfully, “So we don’t want to make a big show of it.”
“That’s very good, I don’t have the leisure to leak your secret. I’m just making a suggestion, you should make some plans for yourself early.” Huo Niansheng instead said, “After all, given your status and gender, it’s unlikely you’ll marry into the Zheng family, so what you want most is what matters—do you want a good future, or do you just want love, even if you say honestly that you just want to get a windfall—the sooner you figure this out, the better it will be for you.”
Chen Wengang had originally not wanted to pay attention, but hearing the second half of the sentence, he retorted: “Are there any options for wanting love?” Huo Niansheng smiled: “As long as you can accept sharing a man with others in the future.” Chen Wengang frowned and closed his mouth; since it was like this, there was no need for the topic to continue. But he had a weird feeling, as if Huo Niansheng had been intentionally offending him all night.
It was just that Chen Wengang didn’t understand; he hadn’t met the other party a few times in ten years, and they were not on speaking terms regarding conflicts of interest. He hadn’t offended Huo Niansheng, and based on that vague impression, he even had a hidden liking for this person, but Huo Niansheng began to be aggressive the moment they met.
In the final analysis, past contacts were nothing more than a few words. He had never truly known this person, let alone understood him. Besides, even if he did understand him, people change.
Huo Niansheng would become more mature, sophisticated, and guarded, with every word carrying distance and alienation, and he, too, had changed.
Back then, when Chen Wengang stood under the sign waiting for the bus, he was still an elementary school student who could be coaxed with ice cream. Thinking about it now, Huo Niansheng, seeing him, probably also thought he was unrecognizable, just a striver who wanted to squeeze into the upper class.
When Zheng Yucheng returned from the dance floor, Huo Niansheng had already left, and Chen Wengang was still sitting in the same place without moving.
“What’s wrong? Bored?”
“Nothing. Why aren’t you going to play anymore?”
Chen Wengang didn’t mention the conversation just now to Zheng Yucheng—complaining endlessly would inevitably seem petty, not to mention that Zheng Yucheng was not all-powerful and had no obligation to help him solve all problems. Since Huo Niansheng didn’t like him, he would just avoid him when they met in the future.
It was just that things went contrary to his wishes. After this chance encounter, the probability of bumping into this person on various occasions instead soared.
When they met, Huo Niansheng always spoke cold and sarcastic words to his face, making Chen Wengang once suspect whether the other party really couldn’t stand his wishful thinking and found it stupid, or if he had actually done something unforgivable to the other party that he didn’t know about.
On Jiangchao Street, every household was ushering in the new year, the Spring Festival was approaching, and the nanny enthusiastically finished the thorough cleaning.
Huo Niansheng was tidying up things at home and dug out a box from the drawer. Chen Wengang had packed his things from the Zheng family and moved them over. Some bottles and jars hadn’t been sorted out yet. He opened the long, narrow lid and saw an old-fashioned fountain pen inside.
At this moment, Chen Wengang happened to enter the room: “Don’t throw it away for me. This is a keepsake left by my father.”
He rushed over and was caught in his arms by Huo Niansheng: “Don’t accuse me; when have I ever randomly thrown away your things?”
Chen Wengang hugged the arm around his waist, rubbed against him, and laughed along: “I was afraid you wouldn’t remember.”
Huo Niansheng paused, lowered his head, and kissed the top of his hair: “I only remember a certain child who wouldn’t even fight back when his things were snatched, just pitifully waiting for others to show kindness. At that time, I even thought, I’d never seen such a stupid child.”
Chen Wengang turned his head and laughed: “You’re big, and you help those in need, shouldn’t that be expected?”
Huo Niansheng said: “Isn’t that because you’ve never used it?”
Chen Wengang said: “After that time, I also learned to be careful, knowing that if I took it out often, who knows how it might get broken.” While saying this, he wrote a few words, drew a heart shape on the paper, and filled the middle with strokes. Huo Niansheng smiled and reached out to him: “Let me play with it.”
Chen Wengang handed the pen to him. Huo Niansheng dipped it in ink again and drew two stick figures on the white paper, one tall and one short. The tall one was wearing formal wear, and the short one was wearing a shirt and suspenders, standing on both sides of the heart shape with their legs stretched out.
Chen Wengang laughed and looked for his mobile phone to take a picture: “Quick, Young Master Huo’s masterpiece, I want to go and ask if anyone is willing to buy it.”
