BTFB chapter 3

The “friendship” between Zhao Yuan and Liming began during their high school years. At that time, Zhao Yuan was 17 years old, and Liming was 16.

Before that, Zhao Yuan had no idea about the existence of Liming in Dongshan Street. Like most people, when hearing about the young master of the Bian family, he only knew about Bian Liqin.

Bian Liqin was indeed legendary, differentiating at a remarkably young age and displaying extraordinary academic abilities since primary school. Moreover, he was humble, never showing off, which made “other people’s children” in Dongshan Street suddenly have a specific name.

Zhao Yuan vaguely remembered seeing a child around his age in the Bian family’s yard when Bian Liqin left home to attend a military academy. However, the encounters were too infrequent for Zhao Yuan to pay much attention.

It wasn’t until the summer vacation of his second year in high school, as a member of the student council responsible for guiding and assisting new students, that Zhao Yuan received a set of profiles for the freshmen he was in charge of.

It was in this set of profiles that Zhao Yuan first read the name Liming.

Liming looked serious in the ID photo, with deep and sharp features that exuded an age-defying calmness and melancholy. His high, straight nose was almost identical to Bian Liqin’s, as if carved from the same plaster bust.

It was only then that Zhao Yuan connected Liming’s name and face with the little boy he had seen in the Bian family’s yard years ago.

Looking at the person in the photo, Zhao Yuan couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental in a somewhat clichéd way: it turns out that in the unseen places, that child, like himself, had grown up year by year.

Zhao Yuan’s grandmother’s birthday was in late August, right as the summer vacation was ending.

Every year at this time, Zhao Yuan would buy flowers for his grandmother from a flower shop at the end of the street. His grandmother especially liked Champagne-colored asters, which the flower shop usually didn’t stock. So every year, Zhao Yuan would go there to place an order.

On the day of picking up the flowers, it had rained in the morning, and the afternoon brought a bit of sunshine. There wasn’t much summer heat in the air, but the sky was bright and beautiful.

Zhao Yuan ordered 29 Champagne-colored asters, all with multiple heads. The shop also included some eucalyptus leaves for decoration, and the bouquet was beautifully wrapped into a large bundle.

Holding such a large bouquet, Zhao Yuan’s view was obstructed by ninety percent. Fortunately, he was very familiar with the streets of Dongshan, and there weren’t many people on the road. He walked along the sidewalk and soon arrived home.

However, as it was a historical district, most of the roads followed the terrain and weren’t completely straight. When turning a corner, Zhao Yuan, holding the flowers, accidentally bumped into someone from the opposite side.

Zhao Yuan took two awkward steps to the side, managing to move the flowers away from his face and leaning over the bouquet.

The person he collided with was slightly lowering his head, eyebrows lightly furrowed. Perhaps his mood was not great, or maybe the afternoon sun was a bit dazzling for him. In any case, his complexion didn’t look good.

Despite this, the person was polite, bowing slightly to apologize, “I’m sorry…”

“Liming?” Zhao Yuan interrupted in surprise, “Are you Liming”

The person on the other side, now slightly puzzled, raised his head, and a pair of dark eyes met Zhao Yuan’s gaze. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke cautiously, “I am Liming. And you are…”

Amused by Liming’s cautious demeanor, Zhao Yuan bent his eyes and explained with a touch of coquetry, “You’re going to Lin Cang High School for your first year this semester, right? I’m in the student council, and saw your information. I’m Zhao Yuan, living at number 23 on this street. If you encounter any uncertainties in school, feel free to find me!”

Liming suddenly realized and hurriedly changed his tone, “Hello, senior.”

Zhao Yuan managed to free one hand, patting Liming’s shoulder amiably, “No need to be so formal!”

There was a moment of silence between the two. They nodded at each other, then continued on their separate ways.

But Liming hadn’t taken a few steps when he heard Zhao Yuan calling his name from behind.

“Liming!”

Zhao Yuan turned in the opposite direction, holding the bouquet with one hand, and walked over to Liming with his neck tilted.

Standing in front of Liming, Zhao Yuan, with some difficulty, used his other hand to pinch a stem from the bouquet and slowly pulled out one aster, saying, “Here’s a flower for you!”

Liming widened his eyes in surprise, looking at the flower Zhao Yuan held out. He was hesitant to take it, saying, “Is this meant to be given away? It doesn’t seem appropriate to give it to me…”

Unable to hold the bouquet securely with one hand, Zhao Yuan simply patted the single flower into Liming’s arms, saying, “This is a birthday gift for my grandmother. It’s for family. Besides, there are so many in this bunch; one missing won’t make a difference.”

Purely out of reflex, Liming instinctively caught the nearly dropped flower. In the midst of his confusion, Zhao Yuan continued, “Cheer up, Liming, It’s great that you got into Lin Cang High School! Congratulations!”

Liming forced a slight smile, lips pressed together, nodding awkwardly at Zhao Yuan, “Uh, thanks, senior.”

Zhao Yuan tilted his head back, lifting his chin towards Bian Liming. The smile on his face was as bright as the sunshine at that moment.

Later, Zhao Yuan successfully returned home with the remaining flowers. As usual, he divided the asters into several vases, placing them on the dining table, coffee table in the living room, and the cabinet in the entrance hall.

The eucalyptus leaves were treated the same way, trimmed and distributed into various vases as decorations. Throughout the entire process, the scent of the leaves lingered on his fingertips, a fragrance reminiscent of fresh grass with a touch of green.

Zhao Yuan’s grandmother’s birthday was usually not celebrated in a grand manner. Over the years, the family typically gathered, cooked a small bowl of longevity noodles, and set a slightly more abundant dinner table than usual. Because, except for Zhao Yuan, no one in the family liked cake, so rarely did they buy one even on birthdays.

Because Zhao Yuan’s grandmother’s birthday was always low-key, neighbors didn’t make a special effort to come over and congratulate. Occasionally, those with close relationships remembered the day and sent a congratulatory message, which was considered quite remarkable.

But on this particular birthday, surprisingly, a guest arrived at the Zhao family’s doorstep before dinner to offer birthday wishes.

Even during the day when someone was at home, the gate to Zhao Yuan’s yard was never locked. However, the visitor obediently stood in front of the gate, ringing the doorbell.

Zhao Yuan opened the door and looked outside. The person at the door was dressed in a simple casual shirt and long pants, with broad shoulders and long legs, resembling a tall and straight pine tree.

Carrying a not-so-small gift bag, the person smiled friendly at Zhao Yuan and said, “Hello, I’m Bian Liqin. I heard from my younger brother that today is your grandmother’s birthday, so I brought a small gift.”

In the short time Zhao Yuan took to process this, the remaining four members of the Zhao family had rushed to the door. Zhao Yuan’s parents even neglected to change their shoes, slipping into slippers as they walked into the yard to welcome Bian Liqin.

Zhao’s mother exclaimed with delight, “When did Liqin come back? Ever since you went to the military academy, it seems like we rarely see you around here.”

Bian Liqin slightly lowered his head, making his height less imposing, and answered Zhao’s mother gently, “Just yesterday. My younger brother is starting high school in a few days, so I came back to check on him. He’s in the third class, and his name is Bian Liming.”

“How coincidental?” Just as the three of them reached the door, Zhao’s mother put her arm around Zhao Yuan’s shoulder and said, “Did you hear, Ah Yuan? After school starts, you should get to know each other. You’re neighbors and classmates, so take care of each other.”

Zhao Yuan nodded in agreement and didn’t say much.

The next thing was a chaotic exchange of greetings. Bian Liqin handed the gift bag to Zhao Yuan’s grandmother with both hands, bending his waist low and slightly bending his knees to maintain eye level with Zhao Yuan’s grandmother.

“Happy birthday, Grandma! I heard you like flowers, and I happened to buy an enamel vase at a friend’s exhibition. It hasn’t been used, so I’m giving it to you! I wish you health and peace every year.”

Grandma Zhao smiled with her eyes almost closed, supporting Bian Liqin’s arm and saying, “You’re really thoughtful.”

The people in the room exchanged a few more pleasantries. Bian Liqin sat down on the sofa, and the hosts busily prepared tea and cut fruits for their guest. Zhao Yuan felt unexpectedly uneasy, sensing that his home had never been so lively since he could remember.

Zhao Yuan’s parents and grandparents chatted warmly, expressing their eagerness for Bian Liqin to join them for dinner. However, Bian Liqin politely declined, explaining that it wasn’t suitable, and he had other plans for the evening as he got up to leave.

Zhao Yuan’s parents didn’t insist further, and Zhao Yuan followed the family as they escorted Bian Liqin to the door. As they were about to close the door, Zhao’s mother gave Zhao Yuan a subtle signal, indicating him to go outside and see Bian Liqin off.

Thinking it was a matter of courtesy, Zhao Yuan changed into his shoes, pushed the door open, and found Bian Liqin deliberately slowing down, seemingly waiting for him.

Feeling a bit puzzled, Zhao Yuan hastened his steps to catch up with Bian Liqin.

“…I’ll walk you.”

Zhao Yuan didn’t know how to address Bian Liqin. Although they were peers, and there was the relationship with Bian Liming

this layer of connection, they seemed unfamiliar with each other.

Calling him by name seemed somewhat disrespectful, calling him “brother” felt too intimate, and addressing him as “young master Bian” was just strange.

Bian Liqin, on the other hand, was much more naturally graceful than Zhao Yuan. He slightly lowered his head, smiling at Zhao Yuan. It was strange that, despite the similar facial features between Bian Liqin and Bian Liming, Bian Liqin appeared noticeably gentler and more humble, making him more approachable.

Bian Liqin stopped at the entrance of Zhao Yuan’s home. “Ah Yuan, do you remember? When we were little, I used to come to your house and hold you. At that time, my mom was pregnant with my younger brother, and I wanted to know how to interact with infants, so I often came to your house to see you.”

Zhao Yuan opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words. He closed it again.

Bian Liqin didn’t seem too awkward either; he chuckled self-deprecatingly. “You were so small; it’s normal not to remember. Actually, it’s a bit abrupt for me to come to your house today. I know it’s a bit troublesome, but please convey my apologies to your uncle, aunt, and grandparents.”

This time, Zhao Yuan knew how to respond and quickly waved his hands, saying it wasn’t troublesome at all.

Bian Liqin didn’t argue further on this point. He just shook his head slowly and said, “Today, I saw my brother bringing back some flowers, so I asked a few more questions. I used to be in the student council at Lin Cang High School. You should be the senior responsible for Bian Liming, right?”

Zhao Yuan nodded.

As if relieved of some burden, Bian Liqin smiled with a hint of weariness and contentment, “I actually wanted to ask you a favor, if possible. If you could help him a bit more in school. Bian Liming is good in many ways, very persistent and reliable, but he’s a bit stubborn. He doesn’t listen to me much, probably because we’re not that close. Besides, I don’t often come home, so I may not be able to pay timely attention to and remind him of many things. So, I might have to trouble you.”

Only then did Zhao Yuan relax, lifting a sincere and bright smile, “Don’t worry, brother! You must have been a responsible senior too. We’ll do our best to help freshmen through the adjustment period. I met Bian Liming today, and he doesn’t seem to reject me much. Since we live so close, there shouldn’t be any problem.”

Bian Liqin heaved a sigh of relief, his eyebrows lifting. He clasped his hands in front of his chest, bowing slightly, and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

Zhao Yuan quickly reassured him, saying there was no need to be polite, and accompanied Bian Liqin to the door. As they were about to say goodbye, Bian Liqin added with a wry smile, “By the way, it’s probably better not to tell my brother that I came to see you. Otherwise, he might not even listen to you anymore.”