Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.
038
âWang Dafa: My other father has returned home!â
â
Wang Guangning and Zhang Lingyi walked out of Fumaokaisiâs office together. Zhang Lingyi inserted a hand into the pocket of his pants, then pretended to carelessly ask, âI heard from David that you rejected our companyâs offer?â
Wang Guangning responded, âEn.â
Zhang Lingyi glanced at him furtively out of the corner of his eye, âWhy?â
Wang Guangning shrugged. âI just arrived in G city and Fumaokaisi has only recently started its expansion into the mainland market. Itâs not appropriate for me to leave at this timeâ
Then why the hell did you go to the interview?! Are you making fun of our company?
Grass mud horses whistled past Zhang Lingyi internally. He really wanted to hold down Wang Guangning and ask him about the matter of him liking one of their companyâs staff. Did he really hold interest towards Xia Yingchu?
However, it didnât seem as if Wang Guangning wanted to mention it. Thus, Zhang Lingyi could only resentfully drop that subject.
The two climbed in the car then drove towards Tang Hua, the hotel where Wang Guangning was staying at.
Even though he was âmoving housesâ, Wang Guangning actually only had two suitcases. They contained his clothes and other daily necessities. He had already sent the rest of his luggage back to his home in S city ages ago.
The pair walked out, each pulling a suitcase. Wang Guangning went to the front desk to check out while Zhang Lingyi waited for him by the door.
When Wang Guangning finished checking out, he saw Zhang Lingyi standing at the entrance of the hotel. He was holding the suitcase in one hand, and a cigarette in the other.
Wang Guangning frowned slightly, âWhen did you learn to smoke?â
Although the time he had spent interacting with Zhang Lingyi was not long, they had both paid attention to the activities of the other. Wang Guangning knew that Zhang Lingyiâs living habits were quite good and he definitely didnât smoke.
âYou donât like it?â Zhang Lingyi smiled then pressed the cigarette into a bin near the door, extinguishing it. âThen Iâll quit.â
A strange emotion rose in his heart, and Wang Guangning said, âYou donât need to go that far. I wonât interfere with other peopleâs preferences.â Although, he did indeed feel that smoking was bad.
Zhang Lingyi shrugged. âItâs alright. I originally didnât smoke often anyway.â
The first time he smoked was when Luo Zihui broke up with him.
They had dated for a month, but the number of occasions they had met up was less than three because he had spent all of his time searching for Wang Guangning.
Luo Zihui had mentioned breaking up with him via a phone call, causing Zhang Lingyi to spend half a day in his dormitory lost in thought. When his roommate asked him about what happened, he said that Luo Zihui wanted to break up.
However, the reason why he felt so despondent was not because Luo Zihui wanted to break up with him. Rather, it was because Zhang Lingyi had unexpectedly felt relieved after Luo Zihui brought it up.
It was only then that he realised who he truly held feelings towards.
Naturally, his roommate had not known the truth and merely thought that he had fallen in love. He gave Zhang Lingyi a cigarette.
Zhang Lingyi was someone who had a very healthy lifestyle. During the four years, he had not smoked often. Most of the time, he had smoked when he was unable to control his own thoughts and longing.
Now, it was time to quit smoking.
Collecting his emotions, Zhang Lingyi placed the suitcases into the trunk of the car. He performed a Superman gesture then said, âLetâs go home.â
Wang Guangning: = =|||
Why was it that after so many of years of having not seen each other, this person hadnât changed and was still so idiotic?
Even though Wang Guangning was slightly stunned, he felt an indescribable warmth in his heart.
When they arrived at Zhang Lingyiâs house, Wang Guangning stared at the familiar yet strange setting and was momentarily struck by a sense of regret.
The overall layout was basically the same as four years ago. However, since Zhang Lingyi now lived in this apartment, it was filled with his daily necessities and did not feel as cold as before.
Zhang Lingyi led Wang Guangning to a room and pushed his suitcases in. âYou can take some time to unpack your things. Iâll go and cook.â After saying this, he left without another word.
Wang Guangning sat on the edge of the bed and examined the room.
The size of it was not very big, but it contained a large bed, a desk, and a closet.
Stationery was scattered across the table, and the quilt on the bed was evidently new. On the whole, the room appeared simple and clean.
On a wall near the desk, there was a bay window. Zhang Lingyi had covered the ledge with a layer of cushioning, so it was very comfortable to sit on when admiring the scenery outside.
Wang Guangning immediately fell in love with the room.
Standing up, Wang Guangning let his muscles relax then opened his suitcase. He began taking out his belongings and setting them in place.
By the time the room was entirely pervaded by his traces, Zhang Lingyi had also finished making dinner.
âCome and eat.â Zhang Lingyi stood outside the door and knocked on it to gain Wang Guangning attention. As he swept a glance over the almost full room, Zhang Lingyi felt a place in his heart also fill up.
The person he liked was by his side; Zhang Lingyi would be able to see the other whenever he wanted, and they could eat together.
Even though he didnât know what the future held, this was already quite good.
â
After several years of having not seen each other, Zhang Lingyiâs cooking skills seemed to have progressed immensely. Although it was only the two of them, Zhang Lingyi had specially made an extra two dishes and opened a bottle of plum wine to celebrate Wang Guangningâs move.
Wang Guangning had not eaten homemade food for a couple of years, so he unconsciously ate an additional bowl of rice.
Zhang Lingyiâs brows were raised in delight and his eyes shone with laughter as he watched, secretly feeling very pleased with himself.
The proverb was right: in order to grasp the heart of a xiao shou, one had to first win over his stomach.
Zhang Youzhiš took a sip of the plum wine and pretended to inadvertently say, âMy cooking skills are pretty good, right?â
<b>[1] </b>ĺšźç¨: childish xD
Wang Guangning glanced at him and said, âEn, not bad. In the future, the sovereignty of the kitchen will be handed to you!â Then he resumed digging into his food.
Giving a short cough, Zhang Youzhi continued to ask nonchalantly, âYouâve been in Taiwan for several years; you probably havenât met anyone who cooks better than me, right?â
This question was a bit odd, and Wang Guangningâs heart stirred. He replied, âActually, I haveâŚâŚâ
Zhang Youzhi: â!!!!â
âFemale classmates? Or female colleagues?â Zhang Lingyi questioned.
Wang Guangning pursed his lips, âThatâs none of your business!â
Zhang Lingyi was struck down by that heavy blow.
Ah, rightâŚ
How Wang Guangning fared in Taiwan, whether anyone suitable appearedâŚ
What qualifications did he have to ask?
It suddenly became silent at the table.
Wang Guangning was slightly confused about Zhang Lingyiâs way of thinking.
When he had left, Wang Guangning believed that after all was said and done, Zhang Lingyi liked girls. Hence, there was no possibility of any development between the two of them.
But after returning, he found out that Zhang Lingyi and Luo Zihui had broken up. Zhang Lingyiâs attitude had also been very odd ever since they met again.
It was odd to the point that at times, Wang Guangning suspected whether Zhang Lingyi actually did feel something towards him.
If it wasnât because of the fact that the wound he had received four years ago was too deep and those painful memories were too profound, Wang Guangning would probably have run over impulsively and asked Zhang Lingyi.
After they finished eating dinner, Zhang Lingyi took the initiative to assume the responsibility of washing the dishes.
Wang Guangning strolled towards the balcony to watch the nightscape.
When looking down from above, one wouldnât really think that this city was any different compared to four years ago.
The distinct heights between all of the buildings were similar to undulating mountain ranges in the dim light while flickers of neon twinkled resplendently like luxuriant flowers.
However, upon actually walking amongst them, one would then realise that many things had already changed.
Wang Guangning inhaled deeply, breathing in the night air before turning back to the living room to watch TV.
The result was that be became distracted as soon as he sat down. Next to the TV, there was a small potted plant. It contained a bulky and rather sturdy money tree.
Naturally, Wang Guangning still remembered Wang Dafa, the plant that they had raised together.
When Wang Guangning originally left, he had severed every link they had shared together. This included Wang Dafa, whom he had directly thrown away in his dormitory.
Wang Guangning wasnât sure if this potted plant was Wang Dafa.
The plant was much plumper, and the pot was also different.
However, it was normal for Wang Dafa to have grown during the past four years.
The original pot would have definitely not been large enough if the plant had grown so big. It wasnât surprising that the pot had been changed.
However, if it really was Wang Dafa, why would Zhang Lingyi still raise it?
Wang Guangning was unable to understand. At that moment, Zhang Lingyi walked out after having finished washing the dishes. Wang Guangning pointed at the plant and asked, âZhang Lingyi, is this Wang Dafa?â
âNo.â Zhang Lingyi glanced at the money tree, then replied in an extremely calm manner, âItâs Zhang Dafa!â
âGet lost!â Wang Guangning rushed over to pick up the potted plant and said, âAh, itâs really my son!â
There was an indescribable feeling in his heart; he felt a bit happy, but also slightly emotional.
He had previously thought that this potted plant was either neglected or taken by Sun Siyang and used to block radiation until it absorbed too much and died.
He hadnât imagined that it would unexpectedly grow so white and plump under Zhang Lingyiâs care.
<b>[Ah Zhi (author): </b><b>Ah, hey, it should be green and plump, right?</b><b>]</b>
Zhang Lingyi answered coldly, âHeâs already no longer your son. You abandoned him².â
<b>[2] </b>äť/ĺŽ: the author switches between âhimâ and âitâ respectively when referring to Wang Dafa throughout this chapter ^^
Wang Guangning flung back his head in a loveably arrogant manner. âBlood is thicker than waterÂł. No matter how long we are separated, he will always be my son!â
Zhang Lingyi responded contemptuously, âThen why donât you ask him whether he recognises a mother like you!â
Wang Guangning was immediately incited. His eyes were like daggers, gouging out holes from all over Zhang Lingyiâs body. âYouâre the mother, Iâm the father!â
Tilting his head up towards the ceiling, Zhang Lingyi said, âAh, that yearâŚâŚyou threw the coinâŚâŚand it landed on the chrysanthemumâŚâŚâ
Wang Guangning: ââŚâŚâ
Wang Guangning hmphed. âHeâs called Wang Dafa!â
Zhang Lingyi retorted unhappily, âYou abandoned him. I was the one who painstakingly raised him for all these years. Itâs due to my efforts that he has now grown up and become an adult. He must follow my surname!â
Wang Guangningâs lips twitched, and his enthusiasm to refuse acknowledgement of his loss once again emerged, just like back then. âDoesnât matter. Laozi has returned now so he must follow laoziâs surname!â
He looked at the money tree while he was speaking. As if talking to himself, Wang Guangning asked, âAh, Dafa, do you want to be surnamed Zhang or surnamed Wang?â
Then he pinched his voice and said, âZhang Dafa sounds too unpleasant, I want to be surnamed Wang!â
Zhang Lingyi: ââŚâŚâ
Zhang Lingyi wiped his face. âYou can go and take a shower, I need to calm down for a bit!â
Wang Guangning placed Wang Dafa back down and cheerfully went to have his shower. Zhang Lingyi sat on the sofa wordlessly, feeling paralysed.
Wang Guangning must have watched too many Taiwanese idol dramas, right?
Why did he feel that his IQâŚâŚ
Zhang Lingyi thought about this silently.
His phone which was on the table vibrated. Zhang Lingyi picked it up and saw that it was David.
âHi, David. Itâs so late and youâre calling me, is something the matter?â
â
When Wang Guangning walked out after having finished his shower, Zhang Lingyi had just hung up. âGuangning, Iâm going on a business trip to S city tomorrow. Iâll return the day after that.â
Wang Guangning was currently wiping his dripping wet hair with a towel. Upon hearing what Zhang Lingyi said, he replied, âEn, okay.â
As he spoke, Wang Guangning moved over to sit on the sofa. He was casually wearing a loose T-shirt. There was a hint of fragrance from the shower gel on his body; the scent was fresh, clean and very pleasant.
Zhang Lingyi felt slightly restless and agitated.
âDo you need me to blow-dry your hair?â When he asked this question, Zhang Lingyi felt a bit guilty (as if he was harbouring evil intentions or whatever). However, he still couldnât control his eyes from staring at Wang Guangningâs pale neck. Droplets of water were dripping onto there as they fell from the tips of his hair before slowly trickling down further.
This was definitely a trial to test the willpower of a real man!
Wang Guangning recalled the time he had the fortune of receiving Zhang xiao caoâs blow-drying service and silently moved an inch away. âMy hair dries easily, thereâs no need to blow-dry it.â
This strong sense of disdain!
Zhang Lingyi felt wounded!
______________________________
Zhang Lingyi, you need to work hard (ŕšËá´Ë)ďť
For those interested, Iâll be (finally (ăAă˝)) uploading the first chapter of RIAIM tomorrow.
Also, in case anyone doesnât know, Chinese coins (1 yuan) feature a chrysanthemum flower on one side ~\nZLY: Shou shou is the best! (áŚËâŁËáŚ)