Lu Junxing was silent for a few minutes. It was strange indeed. Due to his handsome looks and cold temperament, growing up, he was often the target of affection for many girls as well as boys. He also had several girlfriends and boyfriends, but unfortunately, none of those relationships lasted for more than half a month. Mostly because he had absolutely no interest in them. Therefore, he had seen plenty of sad and crying girls and boys. However, he could always watch them cry and mercilessly finish cutting ties with them afterward. It was really his first time feeling distressed when watching a man cry. However, he was oddly certain that he didn't like him. So, he replied, "Are romantic emotions that superficial? Falling for someone I've met less than a handful of times isn't my style.
The group immediately heckled him, "Then, Mister Lu, how do you explain all the girls you've dated?"
Lu Junxing was stunned. Ah, he had just slapped himself in the face. After getting his face slapped, Lu Junxing went home only to find out that there were guests. His grandma refused to move back, saying that she liked the people in the area and was tired of dealing with her son's phony friends. Lu Junxing and his parents had tried to persuade her multiple times, but the elderly was stubborn. They could only give up.
From time to time, they would come to visit her, eventually, they sent over a reliable nanny to take care of the old woman. It just so happened that his new construction project was being done nearby. Since it was an important project, Lu Junxing often visited the site in person to survey the progress. During the month he lived at his grandma's house, he never once saw her bring a guest over. When he saw the pair of light-colored sknikers shoes in the doorway, he suddenly had a bad premonition.
A few days ago, his grandma had attacked him by innuendo and asked if he was interested in any boys beacuse she knew that her grandson liked boys somewhere deep inside his heart that is why he dated many girls and boys so see weather he prefered girls or boys but she was sad that her grandson's date never ended fully everytime it would end in half month as if it was a curse...
Lu Junxing who stood at the entrance and wondered if he should turn around and leave. Alas, before he could do anything, his grandma came out and saw him. "Junxing, you are finally back! Hurry, grandma has a friend to introduce to you!"
Lu Junxing was just about to give an excuse and run when the old lady grabbed his arm and dragged him into the living room. Immediately, he caught sight of a straight, slender back seated in a chair. It looked very familiar.
When the man turned his head, Lu Junxing immediately recognized him.
"What a coincidence. Mr., you even managed to find your way to my house!"
Zhan Yu looked at Lu Junxing without speaking or moving.
What exactly was going on between Zhan Yu and that old lady?
When Zhan Yu was taking the bus earlier, he saw the old lady get on and naturally he got up to give his seat to her.
Who would've thought that the old lady would recognize Zhan Yu and grab his hand. "You're the boy who asked me about that strange woman the other day, am I right?"
The stunned Zhan Yu had responded with a little nod.
"What a coincidence! The city is so big, yet we still managed to meet again on the same bus!"
"Yes, what a coincidence." Zhan Yu couldn't even explain it anymore.
Zhan Yu could only shift the topic. He asked the old lady why he was riding the bus alone.
"I wanted to go to a flower shop to see if they had any of the varieties I want, but I ended up missing my stop. Now, I'm going back."
"I see." Zhan Yu said.
The old lady noticed that he didn't speak much, but continued anyway, "Are you interested in those things? If so, you can accompany me to look at them."
All of a sudden, Zhan Yu was reminded of Grandpa Lu and Bai Ning and ended up agreeing.
After accompanying the grandma to pick out a number of plants, the old lady wanted to thank Zhan Yu by inviting him to eat a meal.
Zhan Yu naturally declined.
"When you asked me that question a few days ago, I went home and thought about whether or not I forgot anything. Two days ago, I remembered that a strange young man, surnamed Zhan, had also given me a gift. I think it was a book!"
Zhan Yu immediately widened his eyes and excitedly grabbed his hands. "Granny, are you telling the truth?"
The old woman smiled until her eyes turned into slits. "Of course. But I didn't look at it clearly before I put it away."
"Granny, can you lend me the book?"
"Of course!"
Zhan Yu followed the grandma in a daze, and that was how he inadvertently saw the man who looked like Lu Bai again. He had spent the rest of the bus ride in an anxious state, wondering what would happen once he saw the book. Never once did he think that he would end up seeing him again.
"What a coincidence. Mr., you even managed to find your way to my house!"
The man's displeasure was clear from the sarcastic tone of his voice.
Zhan Yu thought for a moment before standing up. "Mr Lu, I think you're misunderstanding something. I didn't come here for you."
Zhan Yu tried to explain.
"Oh, really? Then tell me, what did you come to my house?"
Grandma Lu saw the two confronting each other with daggers in their eyes and hurriedly explained, "Junxing, what are you saying? Mr. Zhan kindly gave me his seat on the bus and even accompanied me to the flower shop today. I invited him over to have a meal as thanks. Don't scare him away!"
Lu Junxing listened to his grandma's explanation but shot Zhan Yu a meaningful look.
Naturally, Zhan Yu understood his look. Zhan Yu reckoned that in his eyes, he was just another man desperate to get close to him.
Since Zhan Yu couldn't get anywhere with him directly, Zhan Yu decided to go through his grandma instead. However, that really wasn't Zhan Yu's intention.
Zhan Yu thought that this meal wasn't important anyway.
Zhan Yu's only intention was to get the book.
Zhan Yu walked over to Grandma Lu and said politely, "I appreciate your good intentions, Grandma Lu. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll invite you to a meal. For now, could you let me see the book?"
Grandma Lu wasn't an ignorant person. She could tell that there was discord between the two and didn't dare make Zhan Yu stay. "Then, you wait here, Zhan Yu. I'll go look for it."
"Thank you, Grandma Lu. Do you want any help?"
Grandma Lu hurriedly said, "No, no! You should sit down and have some tea. Junxing, please help me keep Zhan Yu company."
As Grandma Lu made her upstairs, she shot Lu Junxing a look. Despite feeling annoyed, he nodded. After every two steps, she would look back to make sure the two didn't start quarreling. She thought how strange it was!
Why weren't they getting along? It was unscientific!
Lu Junxing also felt unscientific. Why was it that whenever he saw this man, he would feel the urge to mock him? He somehow felt a sense of victory from seeing his aggrieved expression.
However, when he thought about it carefully, he [Zhan Yu] hadn't done anything wrong. The most he [Zhan Yu] had done was mistake him for someone else, which made him [Lu Junxing] feel very disturbed.
Zhan Yu sat at the very corner of the sofa and didn't try to break the awkward silence.
It was Lu Junxing, who was standing behind Zhan Yu, who finally opened his mouth after a few minutes. "Your name is Zhan Yu?"
Lu Junxing heard it from his grandma earlier.
"Mhm," Zhan Yu said absent-mindedly, seemingly lost in thought.
Seeing this, Lu Junxing frowned and said, "My name is Lu Junxing."
When Lu Junxing's words fell, he saw Zhan Yu's look at him with a deep stare. Though he didn't know what that look meant, he still explained, "I'm not the man you're looking for."
Zhan Yu smiled bitterly. "Mr Lu, I know you're not him. Could you not purposely remind me every time? I might be desperate to find him, but I'm not so desperate that I can't differentiate between the two of you."
Lu Junxing stiffened and opened his mouth to retort, but Zhan Yu cut him off first. "I don't have any intentions, nor do I have any interest in you. You don't need to be so cautious. I'm only here to look for a book."
That book again?
Lu Junxing suddenly remembered what he heard at the bookstore.
Zhan Yu seemed to be looking for a romance novel...Was that kind of book really worth all of this effort?
"My grandma's eyes are bad, so she stopped reading books several years ago. You're here to borrow a book from her? Don't you think that sounds suspicious?" Lu Junxing couldn't help but say.
Zhan Yu glanced at Lu Junxing and pursed his lips.
Zhan Yu's contempt could easily be seen in that one look, which made Lu Junxing want to yell at Zhan Yu.
Fortunately, Grandma Lu came down the stairs just then. She said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Zhan Yu, but I searched everywhere and just couldn't find the book!"
Zhan Yu stood up and asked with a tone of urgency, "You can't find it?"
Grandma Lu shook her head. "I can't find it! But if you want, I can go look again."
Of course, Zhan Yu didn't dare trouble the old lady any longer. "Thank you, but there's no need. It's fine if you can't find the book. I guess it's just fate."
Otherwise, why would it be so difficult to find a single book?
Zhan Yu couldn't help but laugh at himself.
Right!
Why was he so hung up on that book?
What did he think would happen once he found it?
Could he still go back?
Would it take him to Lu Bai?
Zhan Yu whispered to himself-how stupid!
Raising his head, Zhan Yu looked deeply at Lu Juxing. If he couldn't see Lu Bai again in this life, at least his appearance was still etched in the depths of Zhan Yu's memories.
Lu Bai would live on forever in Zhan Yu's memories.
With Zhan Yu.
Since the book couldn't be found, Zhan Yu naturally resigned.
Once Zhan Yu was gone, Grandma Lu couldn't help but whip around and scold her grandson. "Junxing, I know your father and grandfather taught you how to behave like a gentleman! Where did those manners go? Don't forget your name. Your grandfather named you 'Junxing' in hopes that you would grow up to be a magnanimous gentleman! How could you treat Zhan Yu like that?"
Lu Junxing wanted to refute; being a gentleman?
That depends on the person!
Unfortunately, his grandma couldn't be bothered with him and left.
Lu Junxing stood there and thought for a moment.
Although Zhan Yu had smiled when he told his grandma goodbye, the crushing despair in his eyes was real.
Was that book really so important to him?
Lu Junxing suddenly ran outside.
Zhan Yu was lost in his thoughts and hadn't gone far.
Lu Junxing caught up with Zhan Yu and quickly grabbed his wrist.
Zhan Yu stared at the gates of the residential area, then he turned around and saw a crescent moon hanging in the sky.
The man's breathing sounded loud in the still night.
Zhan Yu looked at him and all of a sudden, his eyes began to sting.
"What are you doing?" Zhan Yu asked, forcing his tears back.
Lu Junxing didn't know what he did to make Zhan Yu want to cry again and assumed his grip on Zhan Yu wrist had hurt Zhan Yu. Embarrassed, he hurriedly let go.
Zhan Yu stared at Lu Junxing silently, seemingly waiting for him to say something.
Lu Junxing carelessly ran a hand through his hair and avoided Zhan Yu's burning gaze. "What book are you looking for? I'll help you!" he proposed weakly.
As soon as Zhan Yu heard his words, his eyes darkened and his gaze focused on something in the near distance.
Zhan Yu spoke clearly and coldly, however, a sense of powerlessness could still be heard in his voice. "Thank you, but no thanks. I don't think it can be found again."
Time after time, Zhan Yu was given hope only for it to be crushed.
Zhan Yu had already given up.
"Lu Junxing, I appreciate your kindness. I don't think we should see each other again."
Stunned, Lu Junxing blurted out a "Why?"
The moment Lu Junxing said that, he wanted to slap his own mouth. Why the hell did he ask that?
Fortunately, Zhan Yu didn't notice.
Only a bitter smile could be seen on Zhan Yu's face. "Because you look too much like him... and you're not him. Every time I see you, I'm reminded of him again. It makes all of my walls break down. I can't pretend to be strong in front of you. But I know you're not him. You're not him. Lu Junxing, thank you for existing. Thank you for letting me see him again."
If it weren't for the person who came up with the idea to write the story, Zhan Yu probably never would've met Lu Bai. It didn't matter if everything was just a dream because in Zhan Yu's heart, they were Zhan Yu's most beautiful memories. If Zhan Yu never met Lu Bai again in this life... Zhan Yu would find him again in their next life.
Lu Junxing stood in one place and watched until Zhan Yu's fragile back disappeared into the darkness, then he turned around and walked back.
Why did Zhan Yu thank him? For letting Zhan Yu see the man Zhan Yu loved for the last time?
Lu Junxing frowned. He was an only child. His father was a good man and didn't have any illegitimate children.
So, what exactly was the relationship between him and the man Zhan Yu spoke of?
There were so many mysteries surrounding Zhan Yu. He wanted to figure them out, but there was nowhere to start. What made Lu Junxing even more confused was that after Zhan Yu said he wouldn't see him again, Zhan Yu really did completely disappear.
Half a month later, Lu Junxing pulled his luggage through the airport, ready to return to his own place. Looking around, Zhan Yu was still nowhere in sight. They were just two strangers pulled together by a mysterious third person. In the end, he didn't see Zhan Yu again.
Heh. Fate was strange.
Lu Junxing thought that after returning to J City, the possibility of him seeing Zhan Yu again would be close to zero, but they somehow met again on Army Day. The event planner was one of his old high school classmates. He was getting married and asked Lu Junxing to help him design a house.
Lu Junxing rarely took up small projects. At the time, he had laughed and asked, "Your bride sure has guts. He told you to ask me?"
His former classmate laughed too. "Isn't it because you're famous? My fiancée practically worships you! He said that if he could live in a house designed by you, he would be able to die without regrets."
"You're not annoyed by it?" Lu Junxing teased.
"No choice. Who told me to love him so much?"
Lu Junxing looked at him contemptuously and said, "If it was me, I wouldn't be able to tolerate my man thinking about another man."
"You can say this now because you haven't found the right man yet. When you do, you'll realize that in front of him, all of your own principles are reduced to dust."
"I think only you would be so crazy." Lu Junxing said and instead of arguing with him, his former classmate shifted the topic. "So, are you free enough to help me design a house? I'm begging you!"
Lu Junxing thought for a moment before agreeing, "Alright! I'll do it for you as a wedding gift. You'd better cherish it."
"Okay! Great Mr Lu, I am forever grateful!"
Lu Junxing laughed and didn't respond. However, when he turned around, the image of that fragile man surfaced in his mind.
Was he still looking for his lover?
After completing the design draft, Lu Junxing contacted his former classmate. The wedding rehearsal was just starting, he didn't have time to meet with Lu Junxing to discuss it.
Lu Junxing thought about it and said, "Forget it. I might as well play the good guy till the end. I'm going somewhere anyway, I'll drop it off along the way."
His former classmate hurriedly thanked him.
The government building was a place Lu Junxing couldn't be more familiar with. He'd frequented it with classmates in high school. Every time there was a large-scale event in the city, the venue would be on the eighth floor of the building. There, countless equipment could be found. The stage lighting and sound effects were amazing. It took him no effort to find the rehearsal area. He entered from the main entrance just in time to hear the music inside pick up its tempo.
From afar, a slender figure in a white ancient-style dress could be seen. His long sleeves swept out as he leapt and twirled around. Each of his movements was filled with the distinct grace of a flowing river.
For a second, Lu Junxing doubted his own eyesight-why did that man on the stage look exactly like Zhan Yu?
Lu Junxing slowly walked closer and sat down in the first row. Only then did his mouth curve into a smile.
It really was him!
Why did he come to J City?
Accident?
Coincidence?
Lu Junxing felt that it couldn't be explained.
Although there were only a few people in the audience, there was a lot of applause.
Lu Junxing watched Zhan Yu leave the stage and also stood up. His former classmate saw him then and said, "You're here? Let me... Hey, where are you going?"
"Hold on! I need to find someone!" Lu Junxing shouted while running out.
Zhan Yu was preparing to change his clothes in the waiting room, when he was halfway there, a panting black figure suddenly appeared and gave him a fright. He looked up and saw Lu Junxing's handsome face.
The words "Lu Bai" immediately sprung to the tip of Zhan Yu's tongue, but he swallowed it back.
He wasn't Lu Bai!
Realizing this cruel reality, Zhan Yu asked him unhappily, "Why are you here?"
Lu Junxing retorted, "Shouldn't I be asking you that? Why are you here?"
Zhan Yu walked past Lu Junxing and said over his shoulder, "Don't overthink it. I didn't even know you were in this city."
"Oh, really?"
Zhan Yu snorted. "Whether you believe it or not is up to you. I just came here to perform."
Lu Junxing followed Zhan Yu and stopped in the doorway of the waiting room. Zhan Yu turned around to look at him. That one look bewildered him. "I'm just surprised that you can dance."
Zhan Yu smiled. "Are we familiar? Why are you surprised that I can dance?"
Lu Junxing also smiled. "Can we not talk like this?"
Zhan Yu fell silent, then responded, "Okay."
Lu Junxing continued to stand there without any intention to move.
"There are a lot of people inside the waiting room right now. Are you sure you want to stand right here?"
"Oh, right. I guess you're busy. I'll look for you when the rehearsal is over," Lu Junxing said awkwardly.
"Thank you, but no thanks. We just happened to bump into each other. When the performance is over, I have other things to do."
Lu Junxing didn't expect Zhan Yu to refuse so bluntly, but he didn't insist. "Okay, then when you're free next time."
Although Zhan Yu didn't know what Lu Junxing was planning, it made Zhan Yu feel a little unsettled.
Zhan Yu simply turned around and walked into the waiting room.
As Zhan Yu did, he heard someone from outside greet him. "Fancy meeting you here, Mr Lu. Would you like to come have some tea in my office?"
Zhan Yu couldn't help but think; The people here are all rich and influential. Is Lu Junxing familiar with them?
But it was just a fleeting moment of curiosity.
When Lu Junxing handed the design draft to his former classmate, his former classmate revealed a look of amazement.
Lu Junxing was long used to such reactions and directly asked, "How was the dancer for the solo performance chosen?"
"Through the audience and judges, of course! Everyone who tried out was required to pass through three screenings, so their qualifications had to be high."
Lu Junxing was silent for a few seconds. His former classmate felt something was off and asked, "What, do you know that handsome?"
"No."
"No? Then why did you go running after him?"
Lu Junxing laughed and didn't refute.
He really wasn't familiar with him.
Or at least, Lu Junxing could tell he didn't want to be familiar with Zhan Yu.
Before going back, Lu Junxing asked his former classmate to send him a recording of all three screening rounds for the solo performance. His former classmate smiled meaningfully without saying anything.
Once he received it, Lu Junxing replayed the video several times from start to finish before closing the tab.
Oh. Zhan Yu's movements and emotional portrayal were surprisingly good.
The official performance was held at 2:30pm the next day.
Lu Junxing's former classmate was surprised to see him arrive. "Since when were you interested in these things?"
The man rolled his eyes. "I worked day and night on your design draft and this is how you repay me?"
"Of course not. I'm just curious if you're here to see the handsome..."
"Screw off!"
"What? You took a fancy to him?" his former classmate continued to gloat.
"No one will call you mute if you don't talk, though you're as good as mute even when you do talk!"
"Haha! Now, you're acting even more suspicious. Oh, right. Does your dad know you're here?"
"Is my dad here too?"
"No."
"Good." Otherwise, his father would start pestering him.
Zhan Yu's performance was tenth on the list.
Lu Junxing sat in the first row at the left side of the stage and listened in boredom. Oh, the pot-bellied man behind the microphone invited him over for dinner once. The man got drunk and plopped his dirty slippers down on the dining table.
Lu Junxing had been rendered speechless by his behavior.
The rest of the show passed by with him in a daze, even though on the outside, he showed a patient expression.
Finally, it came Zhan Yu's turn to perform. When the lights dimmed, Lu Junxing immediately sat up and fixed his eyes on the white figure on the stage.
The spotlight hit Zhan Yu and he began to dance. It was a brilliant, vivid performance of difficult moves and executions.
It wasn't until he heard the thundering applause of the audience that Lu Junxing broke out of his trance.
When did he become so interested in dance?
There was one last act with the speakers and performers at the end, so the performers weren't allowed to wash off their makeup or leave early. Zhan Yu hadn't even reached the waiting room before his path was blocked by someone he didn't want to see.
Zhan Yu looked at Lu Junxing's white shirt and suddenly fell into a daze.
In Zhan Yu's memories, Lu Junxing always wore black clothes.
However, white was Lu Bai's favorite color for clothing.
When Lu Junxing dressed like this...
Really, he looked just like Lu Bai...
When Lu Junxing saw Zhan Yu's in a daze, his intuition told him Zhan Yu was thinking about that man again.
"Zhan Yu!"
"Huh?"
"Could you not look at me like that?" It was really annoying!
"I'm sorry!" Zhan Yu forced his gaze down... he really couldn't help it.
Even though Zhan Yu told himself to stop thinking about Lu Bai, he couldn't. His mind was constantly filled with thoughts about Lu Bai. After Zhan Yu was done apologizing, Lu Junxing could still see a look of inexplicable sadness on Zhan Yu's face.
Instantly, Lu Junxing began to reflect. Did he word it too strongly?
"I...Actually, I..." Before Lu Junxing could finish, he saw Zhan Yu raise his head and smiled at him. "I know. You're not him. I'll try not to be distracted again when I see you in the future. I'm sorry."
Lu Junxing's brows raised. He wanted to apologize, but he kept himself from doing so. He really was at a loss seeing Zhan Yu this way. Suddenly, a thought popped up in Lu Junxing's mind. After coming to Zhan Yu's side, he urged, "Quick, change out of your clothes. I'm going to take you somewhere."
"My work isn't done yet!"
"Didn't you finish your performance earlier?" Lu Junxing asked with impatience.
Zhan Yu explained, "I still have a group photo session at the end."
"It's just one group photo! I'll take one with you later!"
"Hey! Lu Junxing..."
"Alright, stop talking nonsense. Hurry up and go change! I'll be waiting for you here so chop-chop."
Zhan Yu didn't have the time to argue or even any time to refute Lu Junxing before Zhan Yu was pushed into the break room. After changing his clothes and coming back out, Lu Junxing looked at Zhan Yu and smiled. "And here I was worried you'd coop up in there and wouldn't leave with me!"
Zhan Yu looked at Lu Junxing and did not respond, but he asked, "So where are you bringing me?"
"You'll know once we're there."
Even though Zhan Yu felt a little suspicious, he still followed Lu Junxing into the car.
Zhan Yu couldn't deny it, but it felt like he would only be able to find peace when he was by Lu Bai's side. Almost as if he never left Lu Bai at all.
On the road, Zhan Yu was looking out the window on the passenger side, letting his mind wander. Lu Junxing peeked at Zhan Yu a few times, but he still never got the courage to ask Zhan Yu anything else.
As the car pulled up in front of the crowded amusement park, Zhan Yu opened the door and came out. He looked up, but his eyes were not on the setting sun. Instead, his eyes were instantly fixed on the domed design of the building at first glance.
"This..." Zhan Yu's eyes flickered faintly as he turned to look at Lu Junxing who stood beside him. That man was looking around with amusement in his eyes, asking Zhan Yu, "How is it? Pretty good, right! This is the most bustling entertainment zone in all of J City! The number of people who come here each day is always in the tens of thousands."
Zhan Yu looked at the building he remembered in his memories but he suddenly slumped down. Crouching on the ground, he began to cry uncontrollably.
Seeing this, Lu Junxing was dumbfounded. "Hey! What's wrong with you? I thought you could loosen up if I brought you here and cheer up a little. Why are you crying even worse now?!"
Zhan Yu raised her head, looking through his vision blurred with his tears, this man who was leaning down and showing worry for him.
Zhan Yu shook his head. "Sorry, I'm sorry!"
"What are you apologizing for?"
"Who designed this place? Where is the designer? Please tell me! Lu Junxing, who is the designer?"
When Lu Junxing saw Zhan Yu like this, He suddenly thought of something. The tension of his face had completely disappeared. He looked at Zhan Yu, and said without any expression, "I designed it."
Lu Junxing could always answer that question with a radiant smile whenever anyone asked him the same question in the past. But now, he really wished this design that received praises from the entire city was not born from his own hands.
This bad feeling was too intense.
Sure enough, he heard Zhan Yu sob the very next moment. "He designed the very same structure in the past as well. It was right after we married, and only agreed to do it after hearing my words...Lu Bai... AH BAI...Why do you and he have so many..."
But Zhan Yu'S unfinished words were drowned out by his soft cries...
Lu Junxing felt helpless as he watched Zhan Yu cry. He was silent for a moment, but in the end, he straightened himself and looked up at his proud work, shaking his head sadly.
Why did this happen?
Wasn't he just trying to make Zhan Yu feel better? But he didn't expect things to be so counterproductive.
The "happy fun session" he pictured in his mind was a complete failure.
After Zhan Yu was done crying.
Lu Junxing sent Zhan Yu to a hotel. After stopping his car, he looked at Zhan Yu's red eyes and said, "I finally understood tonight. What you said at the start was right. It's better for us not to meet. It's the better choice for both you and me."
To be continued...