DLRAS Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Master Huo, how old are you?

But it seemed like a lot of plans were clashing this Saturday.

On Wednesday, Qi Tongzhou had reached out to ask for Chen Wengang’s time, wondering if he wanted to go see an art exhibition. It wasn’t Mu Qing’s solo exhibition, of course—that was still a long way off—but rather a newcomers’ exhibition organized by that up-and-coming curator at the art gallery. The opening ceremony was on Saturday.

Through Qi Tongzhou’s introduction, Mu Qing had essentially met his talent scout; three of his works were included in the exhibition this time.

He had transformed overnight into an emerging artist.

If a wealthy patron took a fancy to his work and raised the price, his value would immediately shoot up. Strictly speaking, all of this could be manipulated.

Anyway, Mu Qing invited Qi Tongzhou first. Qi Tongzhou agreed and wanted to invite Chen Wengang along, only to find their schedules didn’t align.

“So you’re all going out together? Where to?”

“We haven’t decided yet, probably hanging out with my teacher too… I’m sorry, let’s do the art exhibition next time we have a chance.”

For Qi Tongzhou, the situation was a bit awkward.

He blamed himself for speaking too fast; he had already made a solemn promise to Mu Qing.

If Chen Wengang was working overtime, he wouldn’t have anything to say. Now, Qi Tongzhou wanted to back out a bit, but Mu Qing was really looking forward to this opening ceremony and had made him promise several times to attend. To just stand him up would be disloyal; Mu Qing was, after all, an important friend of his.

Finally, Qi Tongzhou had to swallow his disappointment: “Alright, then next time there’s a chance, I’ll definitely join you guys.”

—He still didn’t know that Huo Niansheng had also gotten involved.

On Saturday, Huo Niansheng switched to a seven-seater commercial van. Chen Wengang had messaged him early in the morning saying there might be quite a few people today.

He didn’t make the same foolish mistake as Qi Tongzhou and Zheng Yucheng. He wore light, casual clothing, hiding his usual sharp edge to look exceptionally approachable. Resting his arm on the car window outside the Zheng residence, he smiled lazily at Chen Wengang.

Huo Niansheng got out of the car and grabbed a box of donuts from the back seat: “Eat one first.”

The donuts were brightly colored, sprinkled with cute rainbow sprinkles. Chen Wengang hesitated for a moment, and Huo Niansheng picked up a matcha-flavored one, attentively bringing it to his lips: “Still dieting? You’re too skinny, no need. Any thinner and you’ll be all bones.”

Chen Wengang lowered his head and took a bite. The slightly bitter sweetness melted in his mouth.

The car was already on the road when Chen Wengang quietly grabbed another blueberry one.

Huo Niansheng held the steering wheel, looking straight ahead: “Is it good?”

Chen Wengang looked at it, turned it around, and offered the unbitten side to his lips.

Huo Niansheng unceremoniously took a huge bite, almost catching his fingers. His mouth was filled with sugary sweetness.

Chen Wengang and another female volunteer, Sister Huang, led two little girls out of the orphanage. One was named Tongtong, the other Diandian. They let out a “Wow” of amazement, staring eagerly at the donut box, but neither made a move to grab one.

Both looked about five or six years old, or perhaps they were just small for their age. Both had congenital heart disease, so eating high-sugar and high-salt foods would place a heavy burden on their hearts.

At this moment, Chen Wengang magically pulled a transparent plastic jar out of his bag. He unscrewed it, revealing a jar full of freeze-dried strawberries. “Those are snacks the uncle prepared for the others. Everyone has their own. Yours are right here.”

Tongtong cheered and rushed forward to grab a handful.

She was a little older and more energetic, not shy at all. As she stuffed them into her mouth, chewing with a loud crunch, she curiously looked up at Huo Niansheng. She knew the auntie and the older brother, but this was a completely new, strange creature.

Diandian was shy; she hugged Chen Wengang’s leg and buried her face behind it.

She had a pointed little chin, timid and frail, with a bit of a delicate, sickly beauty vibe. Her greeting was as quiet as a mosquito’s hum.

Chen Wengang grabbed a small handful of freeze-dried fruit and placed it in her hand, letting her eat it herself.

Sister Huang asked him, “Such a big jar, where did you buy it? I’ll buy some for my daughter when I get home tonight.”

Chen Wengang told her, “Buy these freeze-dried fruits. They’re a little more expensive, but there are no additives inside. Don’t buy those dried fruit and veggie chips; they’re all deep-fried and extremely unhealthy.”

Sister Huang brushed her hair back and shook hands with Huo Niansheng: “I’m sorry, we’ll all be freeloading in your car today.”

She added as an explanation, “It’s the rules too. One person can’t take the kids out alone; there must be at least two people.”

The management systems of every orphanage vary, but no facility allows children to go out casually. The kids definitely feel a lack of freedom and find the restrictions boring, and some even feel resentful, but when it comes to safety, this principle must be maintained.

However, regularly paired volunteers are allowed to take them out for walks on holidays and weekends.

At the next stop, Lu Chenlong and his younger brother Xiao Bao also got in the car. Xiao Bao was not polite at all; he grabbed a donut and got chocolate sauce all over his face. Before they even reached their destination, his front collar was already a disaster zone. Lu Chenlong looked at him with utter disgust, looking as if he had lost the will to live. Chen Wengang handed a wet wipe to the back.

The last one was the little boy adopted by Qiao Sijin. Qiao Sijin also had to take his kid out on the weekend, which was why they had all met up together.

He drove his own car, and the large group grandly converged in the mall’s central atrium.

Huo Niansheng shook hands with him too, listening to Chen Wengang introduce him as his former teacher.

Chen Wengang held a little munchkin in each hand, while Huo Niansheng quietly slid his hand to the small of his back.

Whenever he wanted to, he could perfectly blend in and not look like an outsider at all. He even chatted about everyday life with Sister Huang, surprisingly looking quite like a good family man. But children’s intuition is always accurate; as soon as Huo Niansheng turned around, they all simultaneously hid behind the adults.

For their large group, the options of places to go were actually quite limited. Things like amusement parks, camping, or picnics were all unsuitable. However, a very popular animated movie had recently premiered. After discussing it, the group bought tickets and went into the cinema.

The cinema was crowded, and the air conditioning was blasting. Sister Huang took out a scarf and wrapped Diandian in it.

By the flickering light of the big screen, Huo Niansheng saw Chen Wengang pull a silk scarf from his bag and tie it around Tongtong like a cape, making her look like the Snow Queen.

It made him start wondering what else was hidden inside that treasure chest of a backpack.

Rambunctious kids could never stay quiet while watching a movie. They were overly emotional, so roaring laughter and shouting throughout the theater were inevitable. Intermittently, there were also toddlers crying because they were too young to understand the plot, having been dragged there by their parents and forced to sit in their seats. Halfway through the movie, Huo Niansheng stepped out.

He originally wanted to go to the smoking area, but after a second thought, he put the cigarette pack back.

Actually, he wasn’t heavily addicted to smoking. He couldn’t remember from which meeting onwards he had gradually stopped lighting up in front of Chen Wengang.

Otherwise, Chen Wengang would ask him for one.

A puff or two didn’t matter much, but Huo Niansheng felt it would be better for him to abstain from tobacco and alcohol.

Not long after, Chen Wengang followed him out. “I’m sorry, you must find this pretty boring, right?”

Huo Niansheng was indeed bored. He bought a lollipop at the counter and held it in his mouth: “Not at all. Why aren’t you watching the rest?”

The two walked a few steps, and Chen Wengang sat with him on a bench outside.

The bench was originally meant for three people, but bearing the weight of two tall men, it immediately felt full. Huo Niansheng took up an especially large amount of space, his long legs stretched out, an ankle resting on the opposite knee.

Chen Wengang bumped the back of his hand against his thigh; the muscles beneath the fabric were taut and powerful. Huo Niansheng idly grasped his hand.

“Actually, there aren’t many places they can go. If we go outdoors, we have to worry about heatstroke or catching a cold. Even a minor cold can easily lead to complications,” Chen Wengang said. “Otherwise, I would have suggested going beachcombing. Being born in a place like Jin City, it would be a pity not to interact with the sea.”

“You like beachcombing?”

“No way, haven’t you ever been beachcombing?”

“You’ve even stripped me of my right to go out to sea. Forgot?”

“Beachcombing and going out to sea are two different things.” Chen Wengang ignored his twisting of words and said with a smile, “I used to do it when I was little. I’d carry a bucket and find oysters, clams, sea worms, crabs, big seashells… After we were done, we’d build a stove right on the beach and cook…”

“Take me with you when there’s a chance.” Huo Niansheng seemed to listen with yearning, but he truly lacked any beautiful memories in this regard. Instead, he brought up another matter to settle scores. “By the way, the two little ones call you ‘gege’. Why did you have them call me ‘uncle’?”

Chen Wengang turned his face away, almost bursting into laughter.

It was all because he had started it that morning, telling Diandian and Tongtong to call him uncle. Later, Lu Chenlong’s brother and Qiao Sijin’s son heard it and followed suit. None of the adults felt there was anything wrong with it.

“I was still in high school back then, so I was the ‘Loving gege’.” Chen Wengang pushed his face away. “Young Master Huo, look at how old you are. You’re approaching your thirties. Are you really shameless enough to let a bunch of preschool kids call you ‘gege’?”

Huo Niansheng felt no shame at all; he had an ulterior motive: “Then what do you call me?”

Chen Wengang glanced at him with a smile: “President Huo.”

Huo Niansheng drew affectionate circles on the back of his hand: “If we’re talking about seniority, shouldn’t you also call me ‘uncle’?”

Chen Wengang’s face grew hot as he listened to him continue: “It could be quite stimulating… Remember to try it next time?”

Just then, Sister Huang slipped out of the back door leading a teary-eyed little one, sighing in relief when she saw them.

“Why are you guys out here?” Her sturdy, large hand held onto a delicate, bone-thin little hand. “Wengang, Diandian insisted on finding you.”

“Be good. What’s wrong?” Chen Wengang took the child and patted her head.

Diandian hugged his neck and sobbed, her tears falling like rain, as if she had suffered a tremendous grievance.

“She didn’t want to watch the movie. She wants to play with you,” Sister Huang said. “Xiao Lu and Teacher Qiao are watching the others inside, so I brought her out to see… I’m heading back in now. Don’t go running off.”

“We’ll wait right here,” Chen Wengang agreed. “You guys can find us when you come out later.”

Diandian leaned against his shoulder and cried for a while. Then she stopped, her damp eyes staring at Huo Niansheng next to him.

Huo Niansheng met her gaze, and she suddenly clamped shut like a clamshell, burying her face into Chen Wengang’s shoulder.

Chen Wengang shifted into a more comfortable position, took out his phone, turned it horizontally in front of her, and opened a video app: “You don’t want to watch the movie, huh? Let’s watch something else. What do you like to watch, SpongeBob?”

She nodded.

Huo Niansheng smiled and watched with them.

They waited like this until the movie ended. The group gathered together again, and at Qiao Sijin’s suggestion, they headed to the Lego park on the top floor.

The four children surrounded a small round table, each piecing together bizarre and oddly shaped creations.

Diandian played for a while but then stopped, sticking to Chen Wengang and clinging to his calf.

Compared to cartoons and toys, it was obvious that this child relied much more on emotional connections with people. Chen Wengang pulled up a small stool and sat next to the round table, propping up his leg for her to lean against. Only then did she start playing again. Every time she pressed a few blocks down, she had to touch him to make sure he was still there.

She absolutely had to be right against Chen Wengang, and when Tongtong saw this, she copied her. Thus, he gained another little pendant, which immediately triggered a bandwagon effect. The remaining two boys also squeezed over to fight for him, as if he were a hot commodity that you’d miss out on if you weren’t fast enough.

Xiao Bao couldn’t squeeze his way in, so he suddenly grabbed a handful of loose Lego pieces and threw them right at Diandian’s face.

She sat there stunned. Lu Chenlong immediately grabbed his brother’s hand and smacked his palm: “What are you doing? Who told you to be so unruly?”

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Xiao Bao puckered his lips and was the first to bawl out loud.

Only then did Diandian seem to be infected by the emotion, her eyes slowly turning red.

Sister Huang hurriedly tried to placate both sides. Chen Wengang picked Diandian up. It wasn’t that he was playing favorites, but she was the most fragile child present—both had congenital heart disease, but Tongtong had already undergone surgery, whereas Diandian hadn’t yet met the physical conditions for it. The adults didn’t dare let the slightest mishap happen to her.

For a moment, it was total chaos.

Qiao Sijin, acting as a master peacemaker, mediated the situation, which ended with Lu Chenlong forcing Xiao Bao to apologize.

Diandian, hugging Chen Wengang’s neck, shyly forgave him: “It’s okay.”

Chen Wengang supported her back. She swung her little hand and rested it on his face, but he didn’t mind. His eyes curved into crescents, brimming with unspeakable gentleness. He looked up, and his eyes met Huo Niansheng’s.

Huo Niansheng had already given up on trying to figure out how he had developed such a personality.

He rested his hand on Chen Wengang’s shoulder. Suddenly, a weight pressed against his thigh. Tongtong eagerly reached out her hands: “I want a hug too…”

Huo Niansheng bent down and hoisted her up too. The bird’s-eye view satisfied her, and she stretched out her arm to hook fingers with her little friend.

The storm arose quickly and subsided just as fast.

Xiao Bao received his brother’s close “supervision”, with Lu Chenlong pinning him tightly between his thighs, trapping him completely. The little boy Qiao Sijin adopted, whose long reflex arc had finally returned from the moon, looked at this scene and suddenly began to giggle.

However, these Lego blocks could only be played with outside; they couldn’t be taken home.

—Tongtong and Diandian couldn’t bring toys with small parts back to the orphanage; it was a safety regulation. The two boys both had intellectual disabilities, so they likewise couldn’t take them home to play with, lest they accidentally swallow the pieces when the adults weren’t watching.

Turning around, Chen Wengang bought two little white bears wearing tutus for the girls as compensation: “Pick the one you like.”

He didn’t worry about the boys; anyway, their own brother and dad were right there. After hesitating for a long time, Tongtong chose the pastel pink one, and Diandian chose the aqua blue one. Sister Huang crouched down and said, “Say thank you to the older brother, and give it a name, alright?”

Tongtong bluntly said, “Call it ‘Little Bear’.”

Diandian said in a soft, tiny voice, “Call it ‘Wenwen’.”

Huo Niansheng smiled, finding the child quite adorable, and crouched down beside her: “Do you like Wenwen?”

After spending the day together, Diandian had come to trust this strange creature. She threw her arms around his neck as she was picked up: “Yeah!”

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