The dinner was so successful, that all there is left to do is set up a date for them to receive their certificates.
However, time moved fast and just two weeks later, Lin Zimao started the new semester.
After two days, Lin Zimao received the admissions notice from Feige University. In an effort to recruit better students, Feige University crafts the admission notice to look exquisite and creative.
These two weeks passed in a flash.
During this time, Lin Zimao has lived peacefully. Despite this, he was not so free. In order to make the marriage go off without a hitch, Lin Bei did not allow him to wander outside, nor did he introduce his second son to any relatives or friends, Lin Zimao was followed by a driver wherever he went. Therefore Lin Zimao simply stayed at the Lin family’s residence, and didn’t go anywhere. He just waited for the start of school.
During the time he stayed at the Lin family’s residence, Lin Zihua was the one he dealt with the most. After all, only Lin Zihua is on summer vacation, which means they are the only two who can spend their time freely.
Lin Zihua likes to provoke Lin Zimao. Seeing how spoiled he is, Lin Zimao doesn’t bother to argue with him; he doesn’t need Lin Zihua’s approval. Lin Zihua was even more annoyed by his indifferent attitude, so he challenged him. Lin Zimao was also bored, so they played a few games together. Lin Zihua was abused into a dog, and after that, he never dared to provoke his second brother Lin again. He lost all of his pocket money to him.
Lin Bei has to go to work in the company every day. Bai Meiying also had to go to the clothing brand store under her name a few times and was busy with all kinds of ladies, thus she didn’t have time to pay attention to Lin Zimao. Lin Zifeng works with his tutor at school. Except for seeing him when Lin Zimao came back that first day, Lin Zifeng has not returned home since. As for Lin Ziyi, she is now a senior in high school. Not only does she have to attend more than eight hours of training classes every day, but she also has endless test questions when she comes back at night. Even though she has her own agenda, she has no energy to deal with Lin Zimao.
Therefore, it is okay even if Lin Zimao has no freedom. It’s not bad to have no troubles for half a month. Every day, he goes online to learn about the new school; he plays games; he reads books; and he sleeps. Even Jiaoyan fattened up by a pound while living a very comfortable life.
The opening day of the school year is approaching.
Lin Bei took time out of his busy schedule to keep an eye on Lin Zimao. He arranged for him to report to school early, and discussed it with the Jiang family. On the day of registration, he would pack up his luggage and stay at Jiang Xuan’s place. On the first day of school, they would go to get the certificate. Afterwards, they would give Jiang Xuan’s address to Lin Zimao.
If it weren’t for the lack of this certificate, Lin Bei might have wanted to pack him up and send him there a long time ago.
In this way, Lin Zimao moved home twice within a month.
He still brought the two worn suitcases with him. Lin Bei became displeased when he saw it: “How do you use such an old suitcase? Luo Ming, why didn’t you buy him two new ones?”
The housekeeper said helplessly: “Sir, the second young master said it’s nostalgic.”
Lin Zimao just stuffed Jiaoyan into the new cat bag and walked downstairs. Lin Bei didn’t mention the suitcase anymore.
Because the two children are still in school, the marriage between the two families has not been publicized with great fanfare1大張旗鼓 (dà zhāng qí gǔ): on a grand scale; in a big way; with great fanfare.. However, people in the industry already know what they should know. As for who is getting married, does it need to be said? It must be the younger generation of the two families.
The marriage between the Jiang and Lin family more or less shows that the interests of the two families are temporarily bound together.
Lin Bei has been over the moon2春風滿面 (chūn fēng mǎn miàn): pleasantly smiling; radiant with happiness. recently because the marriage was finalized. He kept his most promising eldest son. He can’t let go of the eldest because Lin Zifeng’s grandparents are not vegetarians, he can’t offend them. Fortunately, the Jiang family accepted the second child. Although he can’t sit back and relax3高枕無憂 (gāo zhěn wú yōu): to sleep peacefully (idiom); (fig.) to rest easy; to relax and not worry; shake up the pillow and have a good sleep without fear of any disturbance—sit back and relax; have nothing to worry about. now, he can still play golf with peace of mind.
Lin Bei asked Lin Zimao: “Do you have Jiang Xuan’s communication number?”
Lin Zimao only remembered that beautiful but indifferent face. As for the communication number, there was none.
Lin Zimao shook his head: “We don’t know each other well. How could I have it?”
Lin Bei: “How disappointing. The two of you are going to get the certificate tomorrow. Why aren’t you more social?”
Lin Zimao suddenly said: “My brothers are more ambitious than I am.”
Lin Bei choked. He knew that Lin Zimao was blocking his words. Did he know something? …Probably not. Lin Zimao doesn’t know anyone in Ning City.
In the end, he is a middle-aged man who has been struggling in the mall4T/N: For those who were confused, ‘the mall’ could also mean ‘business world’. for many years. Lin Bei changed his attitude: “I’ve already told them when you’ll move in. Jiang Xuan should be waiting for you at the school. I’ll help you get his communication number later, so you remember to contact him. Communicate with him more. The two of you will be husband and wife in the future.
Lin Zimao nodded. He took the cat bag and got into the car.
It wasn’t the driver of the Lin family who sent him to report to school, but Fang Jiawen, whom he hadn’t seen for many days.
Lin Bei walked him to the door and emphasized again: “Don’t forget about tomorrow. I’ll have Assistant Fang waiting for you at the Civil Affairs Bureau in the morning.”
Lin Zimao knew that Lin Bei was afraid he would back out of the marriage: “I know.” This is Lin Bei sending Fang Jiawen to watch him.
Lin Bei asked again: “Did you bring the notice?”
Lin Zimao: “It’s in the bag.”
Although Lin Bei and Lin Zimao don’t have the conditions to become close father and son, but so far Lin Bei’s superficial concern for him is not bad, maintaining a sufficient sense of distance.
Seeing Fang Jiawen again, Lin Zimao actually developed a sense of familiarity.
“Every time, you come to pick me up and drop me off. Are you the assistant in charge of taking the children to and from the boss’ house?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Last week, an assistant surnamed Cheng came to help Lin Ziyi with her homework. I just wonder if one is responsible for taking the children to and from school; One is responsible for tutoring homework; One is responsible for handling Lin Bei’s daily life; And the other is responsible for security.”
“It’s kind of like what you say.” Fang Jiawen smiled. Mr. Lin likes to show off. There are indeed several assistants. Besides him there are three others. Taking a closer look, he found that Lin Zimao directly called his boss Lin Bei. He was a little surprised that Lin Zimao had revealed his dissatisfaction with the boss, but it had nothing to do with him.
It takes about an hour to go from the Lin family’s residence to the school by flying car.
Looking at it from the air, one can feel the uniqueness of this top university of the first-class capital planet. Feige University covers a wide area, with different types of buildings. The tall and short buildings are different from each other. It looks just like a town full of local customs.
Fang Jiawen parked the flying car in the parking lot of the school.
Feige University accepts applications from students who live on all planets in the Alliance. Only students with the best grades or students who possess special skills can apply. The entrance examination is also extremely stringent. For most students, this is how they get admitted.
For students living in the capital planet, there are different ways of admission. The difficulty of entry is reduced and there are special cases. The special cases include families or academicians who have made contributions to the planetary Alliance. They are given one or two student slots in their names and it’s up to them to decide who to hand the slots to.
The Jiang family has been investing in Feige University each year, so it’s not difficult for them to get one.
The registration time for new students is scheduled for three days. Today is the second day.
Fang Jiawen took Lin Zimao through the admission procedures, when asked about whether to reserve a bed, Lin Zimao had a different opinion.
“I want to reserve one,” he said to the senior sister in charge of receiving new students.
Fang Jiawen asked him: “Don’t you live outside?”
Lin Zimao said: “There’s no rule that I can’t reserve a bed.”
Besides, he and whoever that person is haven’t gone through the formalities yet.
Fang Jiawen whispered: “Second Young Master, you have to go there on time tomorrow.”
Lin Zimao said with a smile yet not a smile5似笑非笑 (sì xiào fēi xiào): like a smile yet not a smile (idiom); wear a faint/slight smile; smile faintly; with a wry/forced/bitter smile; to give a faint or forced smile.: “I can’t run away from here. I’m just afraid that I’ll be busy during exams, so I want to reserve a bed to live in.” He thought for a moment and gave a more convincing reason. “You know I have bad grades.”
Fang Jiawen immediately understood that even though Lin Zimao didn’t know that this was a business marriage, he is not familiar with Jiang Xuan. The two of them don’t know how to develop in the future and that house is not his own. If there is a quarrel or conflict in the future, Lin Zimao will have nowhere to go.
He felt inexplicably sorry for this boy who just came back from a garbage planet and just turned eighteen.
“Okay, then. Reserve the dormitory.” Isn’t it just paying more? The Lin family doesn’t care about this extra expense.
Fang Jiawen’s time is relatively limited. He has to go back to work after delivering Lin Zimao’s luggage to his new residence. He has no time to take Lin Zimao around the campus.
As the two returned to the car, it just so happened that Lin Zimao received a number from Lin Bei. It’s Jiang Xuan’s private communication number.
Lin Zimao didn’t call him directly, but sent a message to the other party instead.
[Jiang Xuan, I’m Lin Zimao. I’m moving things to your place now. Are you home?]
***
— Feige University Mecha Design Academy Registration Office —
A boy with rosy lips and white teeth6脣紅齒白 (chún hóng chǐ bái): rosy lips and pretty white teeth—be good-looking; describes a person’s handsome appearance. is standing in front of Jiang Xuan at the moment. He smiles very cutely at Jiang Xuan and his voice is soft.
“Brother Jiang Xuan, thank you for taking the time to accompany me to report. I didn’t expect our design institute to be so big and there are also a lot of people reporting today. My flying car seems to be broken and I have to wait in line for a taxi to go back. My cousin can only pick me up in an hour, so can you show me around the school first? You have studied here for a year; you must know the environment very well.”
He is Cheng Chen, the younger brother of Jiang Xuan’s neighbor. The two are considered as green plums and a bamboo horse7青梅竹馬 (qīng méi zhú mǎ): 青梅竹馬 (qīng méi zhú mǎ): lit. green plums and a bamboo horse (idiom); fig. a girl and a boy playing innocently together; childhood sweethearts; a couple who grew up as childhood friends; a man and a woman who had an innocent affection for each other in childhood; from a poem by Tang dynasty poet Li Bai: 妾髮初覆額，折花門前劇。郎騎竹馬來，繞床弄青梅。同居長干里，兩小無嫌猜。十四為君婦，羞顏未嘗開。, my hair had hardly covered my forehead, I was picking flowers, playing by my door. When you, my lover, on a bamboo horse, came trotting in circles and throwing green plums. We lived near together on a lane in Ch’ang-kan, both of us young and happy-hearted. At fourteen I became your wife, so bashful that I dared not smile. […]. The same poem was also the source of the idiom 兩小無猜 (liǎngxiǎowúcāi), which has a very similar meaning.. For this bamboo horse, Jiang Xuan temporarily cannot say no; mainly because he is a member of the student council and is responsible for the registration of new students. Therefore, he is just doing a little favor.
A text message came in and Jiang Xuan looked down.
He has always rejected the marriage with Lin Zimao from the beginning to the end. Now this person has to live in his private space, so he feels a little uncomfortable.
He replied: [I still have something to do. I’ll be back in an hour]
Lin Zimo: [Then I’ll wait for you.]
Jiang Xuan nodded: “Um.”
Cheng Chen happily tugged his arm and walked out: “I heard that our school’s library has the largest collection of books in the Alliance.”
Jiang Xuan wanted to pull out his arm, but he thought about it, and didn’t move: “Um.”
Cheng Chen asked him: “Do you usually read books here?”
Jiang Xuan said: “Occasionally.”
Cheng Chen asked again: “After seeing the library later, can I go to the Mecha Exhibition Hall? I heard that there’s nearly a hundred years of mecha exhibits there. The first generation models can also be seen.”
Jiang Xuan nodded: “Okay.”
Cheng Chen thought that brother Jiang Xuan was indifferent to everyone, but at least he would respond to himself and his heart was indescribably happy.
After they visited the library, they went to the exhibition hall. Time went by and before they knew it8不知不覺 (bù zhī bù jué): unconsciously; unwittingly; imperceptibly., forty minutes had passed.
Cheng Chen still wants to spend a little more time alone with Jiang Xuan, but his cousin, who had no eyesight, came to pick him up.
Jiang Xuan sent Cheng Chen to the car. Although he didn’t talk much, and was not enthusiastic, his face can fascinate all sentient beings. Just now in the library and mecha exhibition hall, it attracted the attention of many new students.
The popular post on the school forum is ‘New student meets a super, super, super handsome guy. Please tell me if he is a senior or a new student! Want to chase!’
1st Floor: Holy crap! The perennial iceberg beauty came to school today?
2nd Floor: The new student is lucky. Seeing this person means that you are very lucky today. This is the town flower of our Feige University!
3rd Floor: Where? Where? Let me also meet by chance [drool], My heart is very satisfied with the school grass9校草 (xiào cǎo): lit. school grass; the most handsome guy in the school or on the campus; school heartthrob; prince charming; campus beau.!
4th Floor: No matter how you look at it, the school grass is the most beautiful. No others. I do not accept rebuttals.
5th Floor: Mom asked why my eyes were stuck on the screen!
However, none of this has anything to do with Jiang Xuan, who is heading home. The thought of someone sharing a space with him soon made him feel uncomfortable. Nonetheless he still restrained his dissatisfaction and left the school.
Jiang Xuan has his own flying car, but the new students reported today. The traffic was extremely congested, so he chose to take the school’s ground bus to go back.
It started to rain as soon as he got on the bus. The rain got heavier and heavier. It turned into a torrential downpour10傾盆大雨 (qīng pén dà yǔ): rain cats and dogs; downpour; rain bucketing down; fig. to be overwhelmed (with work or things to study); torrential rain/rainfall. in an instant, pattering on the bus windows.
There were also new students who registered by themselves on the bus, so it was more crowded than usual. Because they are satisfied with the environment of the new school, the new students are very excited and talk loudly. Jiang Xuan feels a little irritable.
After getting off the bus, Jiang Xuan squeezed through the crowd. The stop was still a little far from where he lived, so he had to walk there. He opened the folding umbrella that was always in his bag and walked back.
He never thought that he would see Lin Zimao leaning against the wall with a cat bag on a rainy day and would remember the scene of their second meeting many years later.
At this time, there were two large suitcases at Lin Zimao’s feet. The sound of cat meowing and raindrops were intertwined. He hugged the cat bag tightly and softly comforted the meowing round-faced cat inside. The rain wet his black hair and soaked his shirt. As the rain grew heavier, he shrunk his thin body towards the wall, as if trying to shield the cat from the pervasive rain.
One person and one cat look a little pitiful.
Jiang Xuan pursed his lips and quickened his pace while holding an umbrella.
The author has something to say:
Jiang Xuan: My wife is so beautiful in the rain.
Lin Zimao: …
T/N: I’ve said before that editing will be slow going and that is totally my fault. *sweat* I have a hard time juggling time between checking the editing and discussing it with Emeralz, and translating my ongoing project…
![The Strongest Auxiliary[Holographic]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Strongest-Auxiliary.jpg "The Strongest Auxiliary[Holographic]")
