|| They were helpless before, but now, they are free.
When it rains, it pours.
Song Yan’s call was just finished, but Xia Zhiye’s phone rang after that shortly.
Due to the fact that the exam in Nanwu was slightly harder than the one in Beijing, Xia Zhiye’s total score was only 712. Nevertheless, he still decisively secured the first place in the Nanwu city’s science classes.
Both were directly-administered municipalities, both were provincial-level administrative units, both were top scorers, both had six-figure scholarships, and both firmly grasped tickets to top-tier universities. They don’t even need to refer to past years’ admission scorelines; they only need to consider their favorite majors.
Added to this, both of these young men have just come of age, yet they already possess assets that ordinary people might struggle to acquire throughout their lifetime.
They also have good looks, long legs, and top-tier boyfriends. With all these factors combined, Shen Jiayan was so enraged that he grabbed Zhou Ziqiu’s hand and stormed off.
That evening, they spent a full three hours enduring various criticisms and attacks fueled by ugly jealousy in their group of friends.
Even Shang Huai, who was busy preparing for his debut album, joined in the fun.
[Top Superstar Shang Xiaohuai]: Too much, really too much, really too much, so much that I decided to make a rap called “Nuwa1“女娲”, the creator Goddess in Chinese mythos. According to legend, 女娲 molded figures out of clay to create humans. She is said to have created the first humans by shaping them with her hands, and she is often depicted as a goddess with a human face and a snake’s body. In addition to her role in creating humanity, 女娲 is also associated with repairing the sky after a catastrophic event, often depicted as the sister and wife of Fuxi, another important figure in Chinese mythology.“.
[The Sweetest Little Milk Strawberry in the World]: ?
[Top Superstar Shang Xiaohuai]: When she was creating people, her technique was extremely unstable, resulting in various unfair and ugly phenomena in the world. She also had a perfunctory attitude when creating me, burdening me with her half-hearted ideas.
[Wild]: I support you.
[Wild]: and sympathize.
[Wild]: But nothing can help with that.
[Top Superstar Shang Xiaohuai]: ???
[Top Superstar Shang Xiaohuai]: Are you human?
[Wild]: I’m not. I’m a God if you will.
[Top Superstar Shang Xiaohuai]:…
[Top Superstar Shang Xiaohuai]: Can the group admin kick this person out for me!
[“Wild” has been removed from the group chat.]
[Top Superstar Shang Xiaohuai]: Finally, I can start cursing with impunity. Repeat after me, Song Yan and Xia Zhiye are just two old dogs!
[The Sweetest Little Milk Strawberry in the World]: Song Yan and Xia Zhiye are two old dogs!
[Autumn]：…
[Society’s Kong-jie]:…
[Don’t Procrastinate]: …
[Study Committee Only Loves Studying]: …
[Top Superstar Shang Xiaohuai]: ?
[The Sweetest Little Milk Strawberry in the World]: ?
[Top Superstar Shang Xiaohuai]: What’s wrong?
[YAN]: I’m still in the group.
Because Song Yan had never spoken in the group chat, and he remained silent even after the criticism began, newcomers like Shang Huai and Shen Jiayan were unaware that this demon was lurking in the group.
So three seconds later…
[“YAN” has been removed from the group chat.]
Afterwards, how those people subjected them to such inhuman personal attacks, Song Yan and Xia Zhiye had no way of knowing.
Anyway, they didn’t intend to dwell on those obvious jokes and remarks. They stood side by side on the balcony under the glass canopy, leaning on the railing, watching the rain outside. No one spoke, just quietly watching the rain falling in the lamplight, listening to the raindrops hitting the glass canopy.
They felt the summer breeze blowing so comfortably, cool and pleasant, as if time could flow meaninglessly like this, which wasn’t bad at all.
But then, Song Yan suddenly lowered his head and chuckled.
Xia Zhiye rarely sees him laughing like this for no reason, so he turned his head and asked, “What? Did you think of something happy?”
“It’s nothing.” Song Yan put his arms on the railing and looked into the distance in the rain, “I just didn’t expect that we actually did it, and I still think it’s quite fantastic.”
They were just pretending to be cool with Shen Jiayan to tease him, but deep down, they weren’t really sure about anything. After all, there are so many people in this world who are smarter and work harder than them. They aren’t geniuses or miracles, so their success ultimately depends on luck to some extent.
Yet, somehow, they managed to succeed, both of them did. It felt like they were given an extra dose of luck by the heavens, almost surreal.
Xia Zhiye, however, shamelessly put his arm around Song Yan’s shoulder and lazily said, “It’s okay, we’ll get used to it. After all, the fortune teller said I bring good luck to my husband, so we can expect more of these miraculous surprises in the future… like another little surprise…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Song Yan’s phone rang again.
When they saw the name “Song Minghai” on the screen, both of them suppressed the smiles on their faces.
After a brief hesitation, Song Yan chose to swipe his fingertips and connected the call, but did not speak.
Upon hearing the tired and hoarse voice on the other end of the line say, “Song Yan, come home tomorrow.”
He responded coldly, “What’s the matter?”
“I’ve divorced your Aunt Tan, and I’ve also been let go from the company. You’ll move back home tomorrow.”
Whether it was due to the hoarseness of the voice or a series of recent setbacks that had worn down Song Minghai’s spirit, Song Yan could detect a hint of desolation in the usually commanding tone.
Song Yan remained silent.
Song Minghai paused for a while, and added, “Today’s physical examination report came out, I have liver cirrhosis due to alcohol overconsumption.”
Song Yan’s knuckles tightened around the phone as he spoke calmly, “Is it during the grace period or after?”
“During.”
“Mn.”
When Song Yan got this answer, he felt relieved.
He hated Song Minghai, desperately wanted to leave Song Minghai, and even never wanted to see Song Minghai again in his life.
But he didn’t want Song Minghai to be really sick and dying at this moment.
Because if this is the case, his feelings of guilt would be able to make him accompany Song Minghai.
Fortunately, Song Minghai only has early liver cirrhosis. Even if he loses his status and company rights, his spare money is enough for him to treat his illness and live comfortably afterwards.
So Song Yan did not get guilt-tripped. He responded calmly, “Alright, take care of yourself. I’m hanging up.”
“Song Yan!” There was a hint of urgency in the voice on the other end of the line. But then, he seemed to realize his outburst and forced himself to calm down. “I’m your father, that’s an unchangeable fact.”
“So when you lose your legal capacity someday, I’ll be your guardian and provide for you. And if nothing unexpected happens, I should be a better guardian than you. At least I won’t almost kill you twice.” Song Yan’s tone was flat, almost mocking.
Song Minghai’s tone sounded like he was slightly gritting his teeth. “Do you hate me that much? You’d rather go against me with a stranger than listen to me? From childhood to now, have I ever deprived you of food or clothing? Have you not had the best of everything you learned? Song Yan, I haven’t wronged you as much as you think.”
At that moment, Song Yan suddenly didn’t want to argue anymore.
He nodded expressionlessly. “You’re right. So, when I was still a child, I used to cling to you like other kids do to their dads. As for how things have come to this point today, I think you know the answer better than anyone else. As for your illness…”
Song Yan spoke objectively and calmly, “Even if your career fails, your wife leaves you, you’re still better off than many others, at least you can afford medical treatment. So, while there are many helpless and weak people in this world, if you can, be kind to them. Consider it accumulating some virtue for your own illness. What do you think, Dad?”
The calm and indifferent “Dad” from Song Yan caused a momentary pause in Song Minghai’s breath on the other end of the phone. Before Song Yan was born, he did indeed detest this existence, feeling it was like being bound in the shackles of this marriage. But as Song Yan mentioned, back then, Song Yan was very sensible and always obediently called him “Dad.”
So from then on, although he didn’t want to look at the mother and son pair, he didn’t let go of raising this child.
How did it end up like this?
Song Minghai didn’t know if the vague emotion he was currently feeling was regret, but he only knew that he probably knew the answer, so he asked: ” What if I agree with you and Xia Zhiye being together?”
If he had heard this sentence a year and a half ago, Song Yan thought he would have forgiven Song Minghai for all the indifference and hurt he endured in the past.
But now, hearing those words again, he only felt it was like an ironic jab delivered across time.
He thought that perhaps Song Minghai might have genuinely started to regret after losing family wealth and health, but he still approached it with arrogant thinking, so he never truly understood the real reasons behind his losses.
Then, let Song Minghai regret spending his remaining days in illness.
As for Song Minghai’s question, Song Yan responded with utmost decency, “Thank you for your understanding, but your support is no longer important to me now. So, I won’t come back, and I hope we don’t have any unnecessary interactions in the future. Wish you a speedy recovery. Goodbye.”
He then hang up, blocked Song Minghai’s number, and let out a long exhale.
He rested his hands on the railing, gazing into the distance, and asked, “Xia Zhiye, am I particularly useless? Shouldn’t I hate Song Minghai, and wish for his early demise, cursing him maliciously every day, and resorting to any means necessary?”
Instead of what he was doing now – still grateful to him for giving him a second chance at life and providing him with lavish comforts, so he chose the calmest and most indifferent approach.
There was no sense of satisfaction.
There was no exhilaration from seeking revenge.
But the truth was, he really didn’t feel anything anymore. He didn’t hate him, and he didn’t care anymore. He felt indifferent, as if Song Minghai were just a stranger. Whether this person cared, praised him, or provided emotional comfort didn’t matter to him anymore.
Song Yan felt that this made him seem very pathetic.
Xia Zhiye turned to look at him. “Song Yan, do you know why I’m so head over heels for you?”
“Because you’re attracted to my looks.”
“…”
Well, there’s some truth in that.
“However, it’s not entirely that.” Xia Zhiye said leisurely, “The first time I found you cute was during our first fight. Even though your face was clearly angry and ready to hit someone, you still chose to cover for me in front of my grandmother. Your unwilling and grumpy face at that time was so adorable that I immediately decided to become friends with you. Later, when I found out that you weren’t actually leading a happy life, I made up my mind to become your boyfriend. Do you know why?”
Song Yan also turned to look at him. “Why?”
“Because if a person has always experienced smooth sailing and happiness since childhood, then becoming such a kind-hearted person is natural. But if a person has faced hardships and misfortunes since childhood, yet still grows into someone like you, it shows that deep down, you are inherently kind-hearted and soft-hearted, and you cannot change that. So, Song Yan, you don’t need to harbor such great resentment towards Song Minghai. You deserve to live this life gently.”
Xia Zhiye’s words fell like the pitter-pattern rhythm of the night rain. He sounded so sure, so calm.
Song Yan met his gaze. He suddenly smiled, tilting his head and looked out the window again. “Alright, remember your words. Next time when I ‘abuse’ you, remember to praise me for being gentle.”
Xia Zhiye’s bottom line was also very low. He nodded. “I will, as long as you don’t kill and maim me.”
“Dumbass.” Song Yan couldn’t help laughing and scolding, “Do you have some aesthetic problems? Or are you actually a shaking M? Why are you so cheap?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Xia Zhiye’s cell phone rang.
They didn’t know when they were re-invited back to the group chat. This time, a group voice call has been initiated.
Xia Zhiye held the phone and shook it at Song Yan. “It seems that I am not the only one who has aesthetic problems and is actually a shaking M.”
He said that as he pressed the “answer” button with his fingertip.
Immediately, came the voice of Shang Huai, the top-tier superstar, “Lord Xia! Yan-ge! I got leave from the company! Tomorrow, let’s head back to the Wine Alley, gather up, and have some fun!”
Xia Zhiye raised his eyebrows and looked at Song Yan.
Song Yan didn’t bother to look at him. He just let out a noise of assent.
Xia Zhiye understood him. He replied with a languid tone, “Okay, see you tomorrow night, I may be a little late if I have something to do. If so, you can just find Grandma, she has the key.”
After he finished speaking, thousands of ducks in the background immediately started quacking, causing a commotion of unclear topic.
Xia Zhiye laughed and hung up the phone, then turned to Song Yan, saying, “Tomorrow, when we return to Nanwu, you go to the Wine Alley first, I have something to take care of, I’ll join you later.”
Song Yan remembered the “little surprise” that Xia Zhiye hadn’t finished mentioning earlier and asked cautiously, “What do you need to take care of?”
Xia Zhiye smiled mysteriously. “Se~cret.”
What is Xia Zhiye’s secret little surprise? Song Yan doesn’t know, and has no interest in knowing it. Anyway, it’s probably some kind of strange pink thing, as per his usual aesthetic sense. He’ll just let it unveil naturally.
So after arriving at the airport in Nanwu, the two parted ways.
Xia Zhiye went to do his business, Song Yan went to Wine Alley first.
Due to Song Yan’s visit to the admissions office at Peking University during the day, they set off later. Coupled with a flight delay, they arrived in Nanwu when the sky was already dark.
In the depths of the Wine Alley, warm yellow lights were already lit, accompanied by loud laughter and chatter.
The courtyard gate was half open, and upon pushing it, Song Yan saw a large round table set up in the yard. Zhou Ziqiu, Shen Jiayan, Fang Chang, Zhao Ruiwen, and Kong Xiaoxiao were all sitting around the table, laughing and chatting. As for the long-unseen Shang Huai, he had somehow acquired a mobile karaoke machine and was holding a microphone, standing on the steps and striking various exaggerated poses exclusive to top-tier stars.
Two years ago, he was a somewhat plain-looking youth due to his slight baby fat and rustic student attire. After about two years of training, he had grown taller, become more well-proportioned, with a cared-for skin. His hair was neatly groomed, shedding the immature look of a goofy high school student. His smile became confident and bold, exuding the charisma that a celebrity should have. Standing there, he actually possessed the attention-grabbing aura of a star.
It seemed that he successfully realized his dream.
As soon as he heard the movement at the door and looked up to see Song Yan, he threw his mic instantly and rushed over to bear-hug him. “Yan-ge! I miss you so much! Sob sob sob sob wahhhh—!””
Song Yan pulled him off his body expressionlessly. “Our relationship is not so good…”
“Yes, we are close! How could it isn’t!” Just as he was pulled down, Shang Huai quickly grabbed onto Song Yan again, hugging him tightly as if he had finally found a long-lost father, crying with excitement. “Xia Zhiye already told me everything. If you hadn’t lent me 5,000 yuan that day, I wouldn’t have had the money to go to Beijing, let alone succeed in the interview. So you are my dad! My adoptive parents! My eternal benefactor!!”
He probably used his dantian to amplify his voice. It was deafening, the kind that could echo for three days.
Song Yan, who was almost deaf from his roar, closed his eyes in despair.
He was wrong.
Undergoing strict training might change a person’s appearance, but it would never improve his IQ.
A childish sand sculpture male high school student will always be a childish sand sculpture male high school student. There’s no salvation in sight.
Feeling Song Yan’s intense murderous intent, and to prevent a tragic incident from happening on such a good day, Zhao Ruiwen and Little Fatty hurriedly stepped forward to drag Shang Huai away. “Superstar, don’t cry, your crown will fall off. Let’s sing!”
“Okay!” Shang Huai immediately wiped away his tears and walked to the side of the mobile karaoke machine, picking up the microphone. “Next, I will sing ‘You, at the Same Table’ by Old Wolf2a real song. I’ll link it on the footnote below~, dedicated to all the friends present here, and also to our lost and confused youth. Music! Start!”
Although Shang Huai is not very smart, he sang really well.
The young man’s clear and gentle voice rippled through the dark night. Although he was not mature enough to capture that particular bittersweet tang of sadness, he was still sincere enough for the taste to linger in their tongue.
Song Yan listened to the song, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
