A Round Trip to Love 1: LONG WAY HOME

Chapter Twenty

I endeavored in my search, not giving up for a few days in a row. While I was yet on my knees again, I finally came to a conviction that it was long gone, and just then, that person appeared.

"Hey there," he had on a sweet smile, " We meet again so soon? Are you here for a drink?"

I could not recognize immediately who he was. Reasonably speaking, I should not have had no impression of such an interesting character should he have appeared in my life before.

" Are you looking for something? Is it this?" He reached into the pocket of his suit, fumbled about for a bit and presented it to me.

That unmistakably tiny, dull-colored ring sat innocently on his palm. Without a second thought, I grabbed it from his hand, with no regards to my manners.

I had thought that, the last minuscule connection I had with Lu Feng has been lost forever.

He was stunned by the sight of me hugging the ring to my heart breaking down into an agonized sob. He gave a long pause before asking hesitantly, " You, are you ok? I wanted to return it to you earlier, but in the end ........ as you well know, it slipped my mind after the fight ........."

When I pulled myself together, I realized that this stranger was still squatting in front of me quietly, " Thank you so much." I felt similarly embarrassed that I had to lose my composure that way, I sniffed: " This is very important to me."

" Really?" He looked a little astounded. He stole a glance at the ring, and looked at it once more before asking with a sheepish look: " Your girlfriend gave this to you?"

Worried that I would startle him if I said that it is a boyfriend, I simply nodded my head. Sorry Lu Feng, for changing your gender.

" Oh," he replied matter of fact, "Don't be too upset. Why give up the entire forest just to be obsessed over one flower? Look at you crying so miserably, can she see it? If things are impossible, why not just happily change for a new one ........."

His attempt at comforting me struck me as rather amusing, " Thank you."

" Hey, no need for that, just be happy ok." He appeared to sigh a deep breath of relief.

This guy ...... seems like a decent guy ...... just a little bit cuckoo.

" Qin Lang, is your friend feeling better?" The bar owner walked by holding a fruit platter. As he walked, he was giving him winks.

" It's all good. What problems would Yi Chen have." He smiled exuberantly, and slung an arm over my shoulder.

I almost jumped out of my skin.

Is this person very familiar with me?

" I am Shen Chao, the owner of this place. If you face any trouble while you are here in future, just come and look for me. Qin Lang's friend is my friend! He held out his hand enthusiastically.

Are they both such overly passionate characters?

" Thanks, thanks a lot." I shook his hand, and suddenly recalled: " That's right, when I was drunk here last time, you guys were the ones who helped me out right?"

Even if that was the case, they still seemed a little over friendly.

" The credit goes to Qin Lang, nothing to do with me, I was just an audience!" The bar owner exchanged several looks with him, shut his mouth suddenly, gave a dismissive clap and walked away.

" Qin, Qin Lang," I felt rather awkward calling him by his first name on an initial meeting, much in contrast to the way he was able to call me unreservedly, " You helped me twice, I really do not know how to express my gratitude. Especially today, you even found this ring for me ............" This style of civil speech to an 80% stranger should be more normal?

He put on an expression of being insulted: " So polite? Alright alright, if you really think that you owe me a great favor, then no need to say thank you, just remember it in your heart!" After giving it some thought, he added: " If you MUST express your thanks, you don't have to use your body to repay me, just treat me for a drink!"

Would, would any man give their body to him so easily?

As we sat down for a drink, this weird kid started gushing out of his gap about, of all things, culture and geography. Are these the sort of topics appropriate for a leisure chat? I could not help but to reevaluate him, very youthful with a sunny disposition. That night when I was drunk, I mistook him for Lu Feng. On closer examination, only the outline of their faces are somewhat similar ........ His eyebrows made him appear lively and cheerful, completely different from Lu Feng's cold arrogance. He talked so much that I could barely get two words in, whereas Lu Feng would never open his mouth in front of an unfamiliar person. After a long observation, I came to a conclusion. This sort of universally popular looks coupled with an approachable personality can only be described with one word: a playboy.

He was not the least bit aware that I had already affixed him with this title in my mind, while he carried on talking about the formation of volcanoes and earthquakes with utmost seriousness.

Poor thing, he must be worried there would be an awkward silence if he stopped talking. I decided he must belong to the kinder and more naive type of playboy. Afraid that if I were to continue sitting there, he would undoubtedly launch a speech about the origins of life, I stood up after downing my last mouthful of beer, " Qin Lang, you accompanied me for so long, and said so much, I feel much better now!" I grabbed my jacket ready to leave.

I must have drank a little too much, swaying unsteadily for a bit.

He supported me with his arms: " Can you manage after drinking so much? Should I drive you home?"

" It's ok, there's no need." Being in another man's arms felt disconcerting, I twisted out of his hold, " I'll call a taxi."

" Oh, then you be careful."

I have this curious feeling that the way Qin Lang looked at me is odd.

Could he also be gay?

Damn......... I was merely guessing, no need to strike me with lightning.

Freakish weather.