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Chapter 60: He’s still having someone watch you?
As for Zheng Yucheng’s not-so-glamorous tactic—some of it was effective.
The trouble he had solved for Chen Zeng was nothing less than a difficult problem for Chen Wengang. This kind of favoritism, akin to coercion, indeed made it hard for Chen Wengang to consider handing in his resignation to Zheng Bingyi in the near future. Taking advantage and leaving would inevitably have seemed ungrateful.
At the end of summer vacation, on the first day of the autumn semester, Chen Wengang went to register with his student ID and got the stamp for the fourth year from the administration office.
He was then a senior.
When he came out, Huo Niansheng was waiting outside with hands in his pockets and a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, looking dashing.
He extended a hand, and Chen Wengang placed his hand in his as they descended the steps.
In crowded places, they naturally let go.
The campus was bustling.
Freshman orientation had begun two days earlier, and everywhere one looked, there were fresh, young faces full of anticipation for tomorrow.
Accompanied by groups of parents and friends, they held campus maps, comparing them while asking for directions.
Huo Niansheng waited for Chen Wengang to finish directing another freshman. “By the way, about your house…”
“Any problem?” Chen Wengang turned to look at him.
“No. I was thinking about planting something in that flowerbed.”
“We used to have night-blooming jasmine… but it was said to emit fumes at night, so it was removed.”
“What about roses? Would they be too cliché?”
“Cliché is fine. They say good flowers don’t bloom often. I didn’t like that. I preferred seeing flowers all year round.”
“Then let’s go with roses,” Huo Niansheng said as if he was about to move in, “We can also grow some pots of mint to repel mosquitoes and bugs.”
He walked with large strides, realizing that the person beside him was falling behind. Huo Niansheng turned back, “What’s wrong?”
Chen Wengang snapped out of his reverie, smiled, and caught up, “I was thinking about what color roses to plant.”
Sometimes, he still doubted whether the current time was real—Huo Niansheng was living right beside him, keeping him company.
Under the sunlight, the two walked side by side, even discussing what flowers and plants to grow in the future.
There had never been a better time in his life than now.
But whatever they planted would require care and attention, and cohabitation was actually a topic they hadn’t discussed yet.
Suddenly, Chen Wengang heard Huo Niansheng say, “There’s a shop you might like, recommended by Yu Shanding.”
He became intrigued, “So mysterious, what does it sell?”
Huo Niansheng teased, “I’ll take you there later, and you can find out for yourself.”
“Can’t you give me a hint to satisfy my curiosity?”
Someone called out from behind, “Chen Wengang!”
Freshman registration work was not yet complete; on the square, water horses delineated pathways for students from different colleges. Staff, including teachers and students, wore red vests. Yu Ying, wearing a vest, caught hold of someone on the edge of the square and said, “Don’t go, I was just looking for you.”
Huo Niansheng voluntarily stepped aside. Chen Wengang asked, “Is there something you need help with?”
Yu Ying said, “Now that the freshmen have just arrived, the school is organizing a welcoming event, arranging conversations between new and old students. Seniors need to speak to the newcomers, giving advice and sharing experiences about university life. Can you do it? By the way, it will be in the form of a live broadcast.”
“Public broadcast?”
“Yes, every freshman can watch it; it’s more convenient than offline, and it’s also a good opportunity to promote the school to society.”
Chen Wengang thought for a moment and agreed, “I should be able to. But how did you think of finding me?”
Yu Ying suddenly revealed a sinister smile, “Truth be told, even if you couldn’t, you would have to. This activity was just proposed, and I had to figure out where to find suitable people. It was the idea of the guidance teacher. All of you who were candidates for the campus star last semester need to participate. You’ve had your time in the spotlight, now it’s time to contribute to the alma mater, right?”
Upon hearing this, Chen Wengang also smiled, “And what about you?”
Yu Ying said, “Don’t worry, I’ll accompany you guys. I’ll organize activities and be the emcee as well; that should be enough of a contribution, right?—Enough said. Remember to send me your personal account later. We need to promote you guys.”
Chen Wengang agreed.
Before leaving, she suddenly remembered something, “Oh, by the way, I saw Qi Tongzhou come to register the day before yesterday. Is he alright?”
Chen Wengang hadn’t seen Qi Tongzhou for a while, “What could happen to him?”
You Ying shook her head and said, “Nothing, just showing some concern for our junior brother. When we met, he didn’t seem very enthusiastic.”
Chen Wengang glanced at Huo Niansheng without changing his expression, “I’ll find someone to ask when I get the chance.”
***
The place Huo Niansheng mentioned was more like a joint exhibition hall than a shop.
At the entrance, a black and white sign read “Nostalgic Bazaar.” Chen Wengang paused curiously, taking a quick look around, but Huo Niansheng had already pulled him inside. Colorful glass cups, vintage sewing machines, twin-lens reflex cameras, aluminum kettles, embroidered pillowcases…
Chen Wengang burst into laughter, “How did Boss Yu come up with this? It’s amazing he found these things.”
Huo Niansheng put his arm around him and said, “Let’s go, see what treasures they have.”
Chen Wengang was led past rows of stalls, “These are all new; I thought it was a flea market.”
Huo Niansheng said, “All just gimmicks to make money. If you’re happy, we’ll browse around; if not, we can go back.”
Chen Wengang had nothing to be unhappy about. At least there were businesses considering your sentiments, offering items to cheer you up. They strolled into the toy section, which was more entertaining than other areas, with video games, toy eggs, and colorful character cards.
He spotted a green lacquered frog, picked it up, twisted the winding mechanism a couple of times, and then bent down to watch it hop around on the floor.
He didn’t notice Huo Niansheng standing behind him, gazing at him tenderly.
There was a familiar figure nearby, squatting down, examining a set of miniature books. Chen Wengang turned his head, and the person also turned around—it was Qi Tongzhou, the one Yu Ying was concerned about. He wiped his hands on his clothes, and hastily stood up, “Wengang, what a coincidence.”
Chen Wengang also straightened up, leaning on his knees, “Indeed, quite a coincidence. Did you come here alone?”
He scratched his head, “I was strolling around nearby with a friend, and we happened to come across this bazaar.”
After not seeing him for a long time, Qi Tongzhou looked at him greedily.
Chen Wengang politely stepped back a bit and asked, “Where’s your friend?”
“He went to the restroom.”
“Wengang, come here,” Huo Niansheng persistently called out, “Check if this is the chess set you mentioned.”
“You want to buy this to play at home?” Chen Wengang took the chess set from him, “Don’t you think it’s a bit childish?”
Huo Niansheng leaned over to tease him, “What do you think?”
With just a few words, this playboy managed to make Chen Wengang smile, which Qi Tongzhou couldn’t stand. He knew it was all for his benefit, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit annoyed. He took a deep breath and, for some reason, decided to hold back.
At that moment, his friend returned.
Mu Qing came over and obediently called out, “Huo-ge,” standing beside Qi Tongzhou, then glanced at Chen Wengang.
Suddenly, he smiled warmly and said, “What have you been busy with lately? Even though we live together, I feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”
Chen Wengang also smiled but didn’t respond.
Mu Qing continued to stare at him, “By the way, have you heard about the live broadcast at school? We’re going to do it together. Did you know?”
Chen Wengang politely replied, “I just received the notification from the school this morning.”
Mu Qing was very pleased, “That’s great. You know, I was worried that being in front of the camera would be awkward.” He slightly raised his head, “Having familiar faces around makes me feel much better. With you, the campus star leading the way, we’ll have some presence too.”
As he spoke, he noticed Huo Niansheng staring at him with a smirk, his mouth adorned with a meaningful smile.
Suddenly, Mu Qing’s heart raced, feeling as if he had been exposed to something unpleasant.
He involuntarily fell silent.
Huo Niansheng quickly lost interest and looked away.
It was Qi Tongzhou who, unaware of the situation, tried to reassure, “Don’t be nervous, it’s just a live broadcast. I’ll record it for you guys. I’ll say, most freshmen won’t have my glory. Everyone I meet at school is a prominent figure.”
But even after speaking, he still lacked enthusiasm.
The four of them parted ways, each with their own thoughts.
After walking a distance, Chen Wengang whispered to Huo Niansheng, “He hasn’t provoked you, so why do you seem to hate him more than I do?”
“Who?”
“Who do you think?”
Huo Niansheng whispered in his ear, “You can tell that too?”
Chen Wengang glanced at him and said, “If it’s about you, then yes, I can tell.”
Huo Niansheng held his hand, kissed his knuckles, and whispered, “Then I really have to be careful not to be seen through by you.”
Chen Wengang teased, “Is Mr. Huo afraid of being seen through too?”
Huo Niansheng raised his index finger to shush him, “Shh, I need to make a note of that.”
Chen Wengang glanced back at Qi Tongzhou from a distance, and Huo Niansheng followed his gaze.
After a moment’s hesitation, he smiled lightly, “Actually, I know why he’s upset. Didn’t Qi Tongzhou go to volunteer at Director Liu’s place? There’s a child with brittle bone disease whose condition isn’t very good. I don’t think he’s experienced something like this before.”
Huo Niansheng looked at him and asked, “What’s the meaning behind telling me this? Worried that I’ll be jealous?”
Chen Wengang gave him a sideways glance, “Are you jealous or not?”
Huo Niansheng, being reasonable, responded, “I know you’re not feeling great either, so why bother being jealous about this kind of thing?”
Chen Wengang hesitated, holding the chess set box, and lowered his head to look at the colorful cover.
Huo Niansheng smiled at him and said, “Brittle bone disease, I know, it’s incurable.”
Chen Wengang nodded, “You know, many of them were abandoned because of illness, all kinds of illnesses, some congenital, some incurable. Sometimes, in this line of work, all we can do is do our best and leave the rest to fate. There will always be such separations.”
Huo Niansheng rested his chin on his shoulder, “And you? Are you sad?”
Chen Wengang said, “I’ve just seen more than he has.”
Huo Niansheng embraced his shoulder, not pursuing the topic. The exhibition hall was bustling with people coming and going, browsing, and buying. A group of children chattered and ran around the gaming area. The air conditioning hummed overhead, but it wasn’t cool enough. There was a chubby man whose nose was covered in tiny beads of sweat. As they brushed past each other, he stared, then glanced back, meeting Huo Niansheng’s gaze.
He shrunk his neck, waiting for his wife and children to catch up, murmuring something as if he had discovered a new continent.
His wife also sneaked a glance back, shook her head, then took the child’s hand, and the family headed towards the toy section.
***
A week after the start of the school year, the child with brittle bone disease passed away at the children’s hospital, and the welfare home organized a small funeral.
Both Chen Wengang and Huo Niansheng attended, along with Qi Tongzhou, and several familiar volunteers.
Although the initial motives weren’t entirely pure, they gradually became involved here. Even his brother came along, dressed formally, shook hands with Director Liu and Chen Wengang, and expressed gratitude for guiding his brother to do meaningful work.
After the farewell ceremony, Qi Tongzhou’s brother went to talk to Huo Niansheng on the side.
After hesitating for a while, Qi Tongzhou finally approached Chen Wengang and said, “Can I shake your hand?”
Chen Wengang smiled at him, “I usually don’t say such sentimental things, but Director Liu praised you for making significant progress.”
He extended his hand, and Qi Tongzhou shook it.
After that, the new semester began.
Various welcoming activities proceeded as scheduled, and during the live broadcast, Qi Tongzhou went to the venue.
The school was generally conservative, conducting a conventional discussion in the lecture hall. After it ended, Chen Wengang and Yu Ying laughed as they descended from the stage. Qi Tongzhou approached with a congratulatory bouquet, hesitated for a moment, then gave it to the hardworking Yu Ying.
Mu Qing also came down from the stage, still looking indifferent, not bothering to engage with anyone, exchanged a few words, and was about to leave.
However, enthusiastic classmates stopped them, “Don’t leave yet, we’ve applied for a dinner budget from the school to treat everyone.”
So, everyone marched toward the school gate.
Qi Tongzhou was also called along. As they walked, he glanced back several times, slowed his pace, lagging behind, and then patted Chen Wengang on the shoulder.
He lowered his voice, “Do you think someone is following us?”
Chen Wengang stopped in his tracks and also glanced around, “It’s okay. Huo Niansheng sent him.”
Qi Tongzhou was startled, “He’s still having someone watch you?”
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