Chapter 41: Reunion
After leaving school, Jiang Hong spent a sleepless night at Xi'an airport, caught the earliest flight home the next day, and then slept soundly for a whole day and night.
On the third morning, dragging himself out of bed like a zombie, Jiang Hong saw an extra breakfast on the table. His father, engrossed in the newspaper, asked without looking up, "You're back?"
"Yeah…" Jiang Hong, feeling down, silently finished the breakfast his mother had prepared.
Chongqing's winter was always rainy, with drizzling rain and foggy days, the sky covered in thick clouds, the sun rarely showing its face. That day, however, was sunny, and locals loved to take their families to the park for sunbathing on such days.
Mr. Jiang suggested a picnic in the park with packed lunches. Jiang Hong brightened up a bit. Not wanting to worry his parents about the setbacks at school, he tried his best to appear nonchalant.
"Take me with you," the Tmall Genie in the bedroom said.
"Shh!" Jiang Hong was startled, quickly signaling the Tmall Genie to be quiet. He had forgotten that a djinn was living in his speaker all the way home.
"Baby, who are you talking to?" Mrs. Jiang asked curiously.
"I'm listening to a novel," Jiang Hong quickly replied, stuffing the Tmall Genie into his bag and joining his parents for the picnic.
Mr. and Mrs. Jiang clearly sensed something was off with their son but, adhering to the family's tradition, didn't probe as long as Jiang Hong didn't mention it. Mrs. Jiang cheerfully prepared fried fish and marinated dishes, packing them in containers. Arriving at Central Park, they spread out a mat and basked in the sun, surrounded by kite-flying and playful children.
Mr. Jiang, donning his glasses, read a book on fortune-telling with great interest, while Mrs. Jiang got busy with her camera, constantly arranging her son for photos. She smiled among the flowers, and Jiang Hong crouched to take her pictures, even having to get her approval afterward.
"Sweetie," Mrs. Jiang, busily crafting a nine-grid post for her social circle, casually asked, "Are you dating someone?"
"No," Jiang Hong responded blankly, "Why do you ask?"
Mrs. Jiang, smiling, asked: "Did you have a heartbreak?"
Jiang Hong: "Really, I didn't, Mom."
Jiang Hong soon realized that his parents must have sensed his mood and were showing their care in their own way. With this thought, his mood gradually improved.
"It was just a small misunderstanding with a friend," Jiang Hong said, "I'm not in a relationship. I would tell you if I were."
Jiang's mother believed him, saying, "You never argued with friends since you were young. If there's a conflict, it must be their fault."
"Not really," Jiang Hong replied, "Just a misunderstanding. It'll be fine once school starts. Dad, why are you looking at that? Do you still believe in this stuff?"
Holding a book on astrology, Jiang's father answered, "It's always good to know a little more."
"Your dad believes in this stuff more as he gets older," Jiang's mother chuckled, "Come on, stop reading. Come take pictures with me."
Jiang's mother dragged her husband away, and Jiang Hong casually flipped through the book his father had left behind.
The winter sun warmed him as it shone on him.
"Are you in a relationship?" the Tianmao Genie suddenly asked. Since belonging to Jiang Hong, it had always been in his bedroom, more familiar with Zhang Xiting and unaware of its master's experiences.
Jiang Hong: "Don't make me stick a talisman on you. It would be really strange for everyone to see a Tianmao Genie with a talisman on it."
"If you have anything on your mind," the Tianmao Genie continued, "you can tell me. I won't tell anyone."
Jiang Hong: "……"
Picking up the Tianmao Genie, Jiang Hong said, "Aren't you supposed to be cultivating? Why are you interested in my gossip? Go absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, do it, quickly."
Jiang Hong placed the Tianmao Genie in direct sunlight, ensuring it could cultivate efficiently. At night, it needed to be under moonlight, but Chongqing nights were often rainy, yet the genie didn't complain.
"You don't have a name, do you? Should I give you one?" Jiang Hong now felt that having a talking magical artifact for company wasn't so bad. Only humans name other species, though he didn't find naming a big deal. However, non-human intelligent beings seemed to take it very seriously, referring to it as a "bestowed name."
The Tianmao Genie said, "I've absorbed a lot of spiritual energy at the school and slowly remembered, I have a name."
"Oh?" Jiang Hong asked, "What were you called before?"
"I was called 'Lao Sun'," the Tianmao Genie replied, "That should be my name."
Jiang Hong: "……"
The name sounded like that of an old ghost from an ancient tomb. Jiang Hong wondered if he could call it something else, but out of respect, he accepted: "Alright, Lao Sun, you go on with your cultivation. I'm just a bit sleepy, don't mind me."
Jiang Hong covered his face with a book, but having slept too much, he tossed and turned restlessly, lying there listlessly as if all his energy had vanished. After a while, he idly flipped through the book pages.
A chapter in "Astrology" discussed "Past and Present Lives," leading Jiang Hong to think about what he once believed to be his past life. If the child by the Yamdrok Lake was Yuan Shiyu, then what had happened in his own past life? Was he an ordinary person in this vast world, like a drop in the ocean, or someone who had achieved something? Was he male or female? Or even an animal?
Jiang Hong looked at the pale blue sky, suddenly struck by a strong impulse.
"Dad! Mom!" Jiang Hong called out towards where his parents were, asking them to come back.
His suggestion, once spoken, met with strong opposition from his mother.
"What did you say? A road trip to Tibet?!" Jiang's mother said in disbelief, "It's winter! Have you gone mad?! Jiang Hong! Why aren't you stopping him? He wants to drive to Tibet by himself!"
Jiang's father: "Um…"
Jiang's mother exclaimed, "Do you know that National Highway 318 gets icy! How will you travel?! It's too dangerous!"
Jiang Hong: "It won't be, Mom. I'll be very careful, prepare anti-skid chains, and rent a camper van. If it's really too cold, I'll just stay in the camper van at the roadside campsites."
Jiang's mother: "No! It's too risky! My baby! If you want to go, we'll go with you next summer. You and your father can take turns driving. Old man! Stop him!"
Jiang Hong: "Dad, I think I can do it. If it gets too difficult, I'll just come back."
Jiang's father: "Do you know enough about the national highway?"
Seeing Jiang's father's response, Jiang's mother realized she had no sway, and resigned herself to the situation.
Jiang Hong had once traveled part of National Highway 318 with his father but had not entered Tibet. His mother kept questioning him about why he wanted to go to Tibet and what he would do there. Jiang Hong replied he just wanted to see it and would return home before the New Year.
"Dad…"
Jiang's father said, "You need to give me a detailed plan. Your mother and I will review it before deciding whether to let you go. Why don't you just fly? Take a flight to Lhasa, and you can backpack around."
Jiang Hong stubbornly insisted, "I just want to drive there myself."
Jiang's father said, "Then you need to convince me with a plan. I want to see a feasibility report before letting you go."
Jiang Hong cheered, "Okay——!"
Jiang's mother: "……"
That night, Jiang's mother scolded Jiang's father, while Jiang Hong began to earnestly prepare his plan. It included where to rent the camper van, how many camper sites were on the way, where to find rescue services, necessary first aid preparations, anti-skid chains and other supplies, simple car repairs he could manage, and emergency contact numbers…
"These short video platforms are literally killing people, killing people——!" Jiang's mother was infuriated, blaming them for her son's idea, as she constantly watched travel vloggers on short video apps, enjoying their RV trips across the world, convinced her son was deeply influenced.
In the next room, Jiang's father tried to reason with Jiang's mother in a low, serious voice. Eventually, the couple fell silent.
That night.
"Kid, what are you doing in Tubo?" the Tianmao Genie asked.
"Nothing much," Jiang Hong replied, "Just want to see it. Tubo, that's an ancient name. Seems like you have indeed lived over a thousand years."
During the Tang and Song dynasties, Tibet was called Tubo. Based on this term, Jiang Hong deduced that Lao Sun was at least fourteen hundred years old.
The Tianmao Genie asked, "Will you take me with you?"
Jiang Hong: "Of course, otherwise I’d leave you at home to scare people?"
Leaving a speaker that doesn't shut off and suddenly starts talking at home could give his mother a heart attack, Jiang Hong thought. It would be better to bring it along for company on the road, to chat with, or maybe even help with navigation.
Jiang Hong prepared a detailed plan. He had once made a feasibility report when traveling on National Highway 318 with his father while still in high school. Now he meticulously planned it again and presented it at a family meeting, and sure enough, it was approved.
"That's great!" Jiang Hong exclaimed.
"You must video call us every morning and before you go to bed!" Jiang's mother reminded, "We won't sleep until we receive your video."
"Of course, of course," Jiang Hong agreed, unaware that his parents would be worried for at least half a month for his wish, "Definitely."
"Really!" Jiang's mother, now helpless with her husband and son, complained, "Do you know how much you're making me worry? Old man, why don't you go with him?"
Jiang's father said calmly, "Jiang Hong has grown up; he needs to try things on his own. He's always been independent. What’s wrong with that?"
Jiang's mother, still not giving up, said, "Let your dad accompany you then. He won’t talk much on the way; just pretend he's mute. He won't interfere with you."
"Dad has to work," Jiang Hong politely declined his mother's suggestion.
Jiang's mother: "Then let me accompany you?"
Jiang Hong: "It’s too cruel for you to be away from mahjong for half a month, Mom. I'll be fine on my own."
Jiang's mother thought about it, torn between mahjong and her son for a moment, but eventually chose her mahjong friends. She reiterated her warnings, but by then Jiang Hong was no longer listening, deciding to go on a big shopping spree the next day.
Traveling indeed temporarily takes away many worries. Once Jiang Hong's schedule was full, he couldn’t afford to dwell on other things, at least not on school matters. Seeing their son happy again, his parents felt that supporting Jiang Hong's plan did more good than harm.
However, the sudden idea of a self-drive trip to Tibet became daunting as the time to execute it approached. Jiang Hong suddenly felt a little regretful and anxious. What if nothing went smoothly on the road? Returning home in disappointment seemed worse than staying in for the winter... But it was always good to give it a try.
Comforting himself, Jiang Hong shouldered his bag and left the house with his father. His father was off to work and would drop him off to rent the camper van. This time, his parents had agreed not to interfere, letting Jiang Hong handle everything by himself.
"Son," Jiang's father's car stopped at the entrance of the residential area, and Jiang Hong went to pick up a package, a GPS he ordered online. Jiang's father glanced at the noodle shop across the street and asked, "Do you know that young man over there?"
Jiang Hong: "?"
Jiang Hong rolled down the car window and looked outside.
Jiang's father: "He's been sitting at our complex entrance for several days now. I see him every day when I go out. Why do I feel like I've seen him somewhere?"
Jiang Hong took a glance and was stunned. Who else could the man his father mentioned be but "him"?
Lu Xiu was sitting outside the noodle shop, expressionlessly watching Jiang's father's car, drinking a bottle of cola, seemingly having just had breakfast.
"That's my senior," Jiang Hong, feeling as if he was dreaming, said, "What's he doing here?"
Jiang's father was also puzzled, and Jiang Hong called out, "Senior! Lu Xiu! Is that you?"
Lu Xiu was wearing sunglasses and a black turtleneck sweater, holding a suit jacket, but Jiang Hong recognized him. It was unmistakably him!
Jiang Hong immediately opened the car door, got out, and called, "Lu Xiu?"
Lu Xiu slightly raised his head, looking at Jiang Hong under the dim sky.
"You…" Jiang Hong said, "What are you doing here? When did you arrive? Aren't you at school?"
Lu Xiu casually replied, "Bored, just out for a walk."
Jiang Hong: "………………"
Jiang Hong never expected to encounter Lu Xiu again at his own doorstep, and even more so, he never expected such a response from Lu Xiu.
Jiang Hong reached out to remove Lu Xiu's sunglasses. Lu Xiu still wore an impatient expression, trying to retrieve his sunglasses, but Jiang Hong immediately started to shout.
Jiang Hong wanted to jump onto Lu Xiu's back, but since Lu Xiu was sitting, he leaped into the air and landed on him, straddling his waist.
Lu Xiu: "Get down, stop messing around."
Jiang Hong: "Why didn't you tell me you were here?"
Jiang Hong, pulling Lu Xiu towards the car, was met with no resistance. The two resembled a couple who had a tiff before a holiday, with one coming to apologize. The atmosphere was odd but Jiang Hong, overwhelmed with happiness, didn’t notice these details.
Lu Xiu greeted Jiang's father, saying, "Hello, Uncle."
Jiang's father hummed in response, asking, "Where are you headed?"
Lu Xiu: "No specific destination, just wandering around."
Jiang Hong said, "He's coming with me."
Jiang's father then drove towards the camper rental company. An excited Jiang Hong asked, "When did you arrive? How long have you been here? Are you here on a business trip?"
Lu Xiu responded succinctly: "No."
Jiang Hong: "I thought you were still at school."
Lu Xiu: "I left a few days ago, just traveling around."
Jiang's father glanced at Lu Xiu in the rearview mirror, then finally remembered, saying, "You are the senior who traveled with Jiang Hong in Xi'an! We even video-called that time when you were helping Jiang Hong with his laundry!"
That day, Lu Xiu was dressed in a T-shirt, looking like a student. Today's attire was more mature, with a suit jacket over a pure black sweater, giving him a princely appearance, which is why Jiang's father didn't recognize him immediately.
Lu Xiu said, "Yes, that's me."
"Yes, yes, that's him." Jiang Hong tried again to snatch Lu Xiu's sunglasses. Lu Xiu, unable to resist, handed them over, and Jiang Hong put them in his bag, then asked, "Don’t you need to... um, stay to look after Yuan Shiyu?"
Lu Xiu gave Jiang Hong an impatient look.
Jiang Hong: "?"
Lu Xiu: "If he needs anything, he'll contact me."
Jiang Hong: "Oh, did you give him... um, that thing for protection?"
Lu Xiu: "No, he added me on WeChat. I told him to contact me if he’s in trouble."
Jiang Hong: "……"
After a while, Jiang Hong cautiously asked again, "So, he hasn’t reached out to you at all?"
Lu Xiu: "Want to see? Take my phone."
Jiang Hong quickly gestured no.
Jiang's father watched his son and the senior interact for a while and found it amusing, but he didn’t interrupt.
Lu Xiu: "Where were you planning to go today?"
Jiang Hong: "To the camper van company. Let's go together."
Lu Xiu: "Hmm."
After that, Lu Xiu fell silent.
When they arrived at their destination, Jiang's father asked, "Are you coming home for lunch?"
Jiang Hong quickly replied, "No, no, I’ll take him out. We'll be back for dinner. Senior, why don’t you stay at our place tonight?"
Lu Xiu accepted Jiang Hong's cordial invitation with a "Hmm," making Jiang Hong even happier. This day became the happiest one for him this winter vacation, turning even the gloomy Chongqing winter days beautiful.
"What do you need a camper van for?" While helping Jiang Hong compare camper van specifications and inspect their interiors, Lu Xiu asked.
Jiang Hong shared his plan with Lu Xiu, who seemed surprised: "A self-drive trip to Tibet?"
Eagerly, Jiang Hong wanted to ask if Lu Xiu would join him but feared rejection. So, he cautiously and indirectly asked, "When are you returning? Is it really okay to leave Yuan Shiyu alone?"
Lu Xiu suddenly became irritated and said, "Why do you care so much?"
As Jiang Hong hesitated to explain, Lu Xiu realized he had been a bit harsh and softened his tone, saying, "I gave Principal He Zhi three thousand yuan to look after him for the winter vacation."
"Oh…" Jiang Hong said, "Is the principal willing?"
Lu Xiu: "What do you think?"
Had Jiang Hong known about the notorious reputation of He Zhi, he would have understood that the principal was more than willing. However, not being very familiar with the principal, he didn’t pursue the topic further.
"Then you…" Jiang Hong hesitated.
Lu Xiu: "?"
Jiang Hong: "Want to come along?"
Lu Xiu: "Can you manage on your own?"
Jiang Hong: "It's doubtful."
Lu Xiu: "Then why are you going to Tibet?"
Jiang Hong: "Will you come with me?"
Lu Xiu: "Hmm."
Jiang Hong cheered again. Now that Lu Xiu was standing, he could legitimately jump on him. Lu Xiu, getting irritated again, said, "Get down from there!"
Chapter 41: Reunion
After leaving school, Jiang Hong spent a sleepless night at Xi'an airport, caught the earliest flight home the next day, and then slept soundly for a whole day and night.
On the third morning, dragging himself out of bed like a zombie, Jiang Hong saw an extra breakfast on the table. His father, engrossed in the newspaper, asked without looking up, "You're back?"
"Yeah…" Jiang Hong, feeling down, silently finished the breakfast his mother had prepared.
Chongqing's winter was always rainy, with drizzling rain and foggy days, the sky covered in thick clouds, the sun rarely showing its face. That day, however, was sunny, and locals loved to take their families to the park for sunbathing on such days.
Mr. Jiang suggested a picnic in the park with packed lunches. Jiang Hong brightened up a bit. Not wanting to worry his parents about the setbacks at school, he tried his best to appear nonchalant.
"Take me with you," the Tmall Genie in the bedroom said.
"Shh!" Jiang Hong was startled, quickly signaling the Tmall Genie to be quiet. He had forgotten that a djinn was living in his speaker all the way home.
"Baby, who are you talking to?" Mrs. Jiang asked curiously.
"I'm listening to a novel," Jiang Hong quickly replied, stuffing the Tmall Genie into his bag and joining his parents for the picnic.
Mr. and Mrs. Jiang clearly sensed something was off with their son but, adhering to the family's tradition, didn't probe as long as Jiang Hong didn't mention it. Mrs. Jiang cheerfully prepared fried fish and marinated dishes, packing them in containers. Arriving at Central Park, they spread out a mat and basked in the sun, surrounded by kite-flying and playful children.
Mr. Jiang, donning his glasses, read a book on fortune-telling with great interest, while Mrs. Jiang got busy with her camera, constantly arranging her son for photos. She smiled among the flowers, and Jiang Hong crouched to take her pictures, even having to get her approval afterward.
"Sweetie," Mrs. Jiang, busily crafting a nine-grid post for her social circle, casually asked, "Are you dating someone?"
"No," Jiang Hong responded blankly, "Why do you ask?"
Mrs. Jiang, smiling, asked: "Did you have a heartbreak?"
Jiang Hong: "Really, I didn't, Mom."
Jiang Hong soon realized that his parents must have sensed his mood and were showing their care in their own way. With this thought, his mood gradually improved.
"It was just a small misunderstanding with a friend," Jiang Hong said, "I'm not in a relationship. I would tell you if I were."
Jiang's mother believed him, saying, "You never argued with friends since you were young. If there's a conflict, it must be their fault."
"Not really," Jiang Hong replied, "Just a misunderstanding. It'll be fine once school starts. Dad, why are you looking at that? Do you still believe in this stuff?"
Holding a book on astrology, Jiang's father answered, "It's always good to know a little more."
"Your dad believes in this stuff more as he gets older," Jiang's mother chuckled, "Come on, stop reading. Come take pictures with me."
Jiang's mother dragged her husband away, and Jiang Hong casually flipped through the book his father had left behind.
The winter sun warmed him as it shone on him.
"Are you in a relationship?" the Tianmao Genie suddenly asked. Since belonging to Jiang Hong, it had always been in his bedroom, more familiar with Zhang Xiting and unaware of its master's experiences.
Jiang Hong: "Don't make me stick a talisman on you. It would be really strange for everyone to see a Tianmao Genie with a talisman on it."
"If you have anything on your mind," the Tianmao Genie continued, "you can tell me. I won't tell anyone."
Jiang Hong: "……"
Picking up the Tianmao Genie, Jiang Hong said, "Aren't you supposed to be cultivating? Why are you interested in my gossip? Go absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, do it, quickly."
Jiang Hong placed the Tianmao Genie in direct sunlight, ensuring it could cultivate efficiently. At night, it needed to be under moonlight, but Chongqing nights were often rainy, yet the genie didn't complain.
"You don't have a name, do you? Should I give you one?" Jiang Hong now felt that having a talking magical artifact for company wasn't so bad. Only humans name other species, though he didn't find naming a big deal. However, non-human intelligent beings seemed to take it very seriously, referring to it as a "bestowed name."
The Tianmao Genie said, "I've absorbed a lot of spiritual energy at the school and slowly remembered, I have a name."
"Oh?" Jiang Hong asked, "What were you called before?"
"I was called 'Lao Sun'," the Tianmao Genie replied, "That should be my name."
Jiang Hong: "……"
The name sounded like that of an old ghost from an ancient tomb. Jiang Hong wondered if he could call it something else, but out of respect, he accepted: "Alright, Lao Sun, you go on with your cultivation. I'm just a bit sleepy, don't mind me."
Jiang Hong covered his face with a book, but having slept too much, he tossed and turned restlessly, lying there listlessly as if all his energy had vanished. After a while, he idly flipped through the book pages.
A chapter in "Astrology" discussed "Past and Present Lives," leading Jiang Hong to think about what he once believed to be his past life. If the child by the Yamdrok Lake was Yuan Shiyu, then what had happened in his own past life? Was he an ordinary person in this vast world, like a drop in the ocean, or someone who had achieved something? Was he male or female? Or even an animal?
Jiang Hong looked at the pale blue sky, suddenly struck by a strong impulse.
"Dad! Mom!" Jiang Hong called out towards where his parents were, asking them to come back.
His suggestion, once spoken, met with strong opposition from his mother.
"What did you say? A road trip to Tibet?!" Jiang's mother said in disbelief, "It's winter! Have you gone mad?! Jiang Hong! Why aren't you stopping him? He wants to drive to Tibet by himself!"
Jiang's father: "Um…"
Jiang's mother exclaimed, "Do you know that National Highway 318 gets icy! How will you travel?! It's too dangerous!"
Jiang Hong: "It won't be, Mom. I'll be very careful, prepare anti-skid chains, and rent a camper van. If it's really too cold, I'll just stay in the camper van at the roadside campsites."
Jiang's mother: "No! It's too risky! My baby! If you want to go, we'll go with you next summer. You and your father can take turns driving. Old man! Stop him!"
Jiang Hong: "Dad, I think I can do it. If it gets too difficult, I'll just come back."
Jiang's father: "Do you know enough about the national highway?"
Seeing Jiang's father's response, Jiang's mother realized she had no sway, and resigned herself to the situation.
Jiang Hong had once traveled part of National Highway 318 with his father but had not entered Tibet. His mother kept questioning him about why he wanted to go to Tibet and what he would do there. Jiang Hong replied he just wanted to see it and would return home before the New Year.
"Dad…"
Jiang's father said, "You need to give me a detailed plan. Your mother and I will review it before deciding whether to let you go. Why don't you just fly? Take a flight to Lhasa, and you can backpack around."
Jiang Hong stubbornly insisted, "I just want to drive there myself."
Jiang's father said, "Then you need to convince me with a plan. I want to see a feasibility report before letting you go."
Jiang Hong cheered, "Okay——!"
Jiang's mother: "……"
That night, Jiang's mother scolded Jiang's father, while Jiang Hong began to earnestly prepare his plan. It included where to rent the camper van, how many camper sites were on the way, where to find rescue services, necessary first aid preparations, anti-skid chains and other supplies, simple car repairs he could manage, and emergency contact numbers…
"These short video platforms are literally killing people, killing people——!" Jiang's mother was infuriated, blaming them for her son's idea, as she constantly watched travel vloggers on short video apps, enjoying their RV trips across the world, convinced her son was deeply influenced.
In the next room, Jiang's father tried to reason with Jiang's mother in a low, serious voice. Eventually, the couple fell silent.
That night.
"Kid, what are you doing in Tubo?" the Tianmao Genie asked.
"Nothing much," Jiang Hong replied, "Just want to see it. Tubo, that's an ancient name. Seems like you have indeed lived over a thousand years."
During the Tang and Song dynasties, Tibet was called Tubo. Based on this term, Jiang Hong deduced that Lao Sun was at least fourteen hundred years old.
The Tianmao Genie asked, "Will you take me with you?"
Jiang Hong: "Of course, otherwise I’d leave you at home to scare people?"
Leaving a speaker that doesn't shut off and suddenly starts talking at home could give his mother a heart attack, Jiang Hong thought. It would be better to bring it along for company on the road, to chat with, or maybe even help with navigation.
Jiang Hong prepared a detailed plan. He had once made a feasibility report when traveling on National Highway 318 with his father while still in high school. Now he meticulously planned it again and presented it at a family meeting, and sure enough, it was approved.
"That's great!" Jiang Hong exclaimed.
"You must video call us every morning and before you go to bed!" Jiang's mother reminded, "We won't sleep until we receive your video."
"Of course, of course," Jiang Hong agreed, unaware that his parents would be worried for at least half a month for his wish, "Definitely."
"Really!" Jiang's mother, now helpless with her husband and son, complained, "Do you know how much you're making me worry? Old man, why don't you go with him?"
Jiang's father said calmly, "Jiang Hong has grown up; he needs to try things on his own. He's always been independent. What’s wrong with that?"
Jiang's mother, still not giving up, said, "Let your dad accompany you then. He won’t talk much on the way; just pretend he's mute. He won't interfere with you."
"Dad has to work," Jiang Hong politely declined his mother's suggestion.
Jiang's mother: "Then let me accompany you?"
Jiang Hong: "It’s too cruel for you to be away from mahjong for half a month, Mom. I'll be fine on my own."
Jiang's mother thought about it, torn between mahjong and her son for a moment, but eventually chose her mahjong friends. She reiterated her warnings, but by then Jiang Hong was no longer listening, deciding to go on a big shopping spree the next day.
Traveling indeed temporarily takes away many worries. Once Jiang Hong's schedule was full, he couldn’t afford to dwell on other things, at least not on school matters. Seeing their son happy again, his parents felt that supporting Jiang Hong's plan did more good than harm.
However, the sudden idea of a self-drive trip to Tibet became daunting as the time to execute it approached. Jiang Hong suddenly felt a little regretful and anxious. What if nothing went smoothly on the road? Returning home in disappointment seemed worse than staying in for the winter... But it was always good to give it a try.
Comforting himself, Jiang Hong shouldered his bag and left the house with his father. His father was off to work and would drop him off to rent the camper van. This time, his parents had agreed not to interfere, letting Jiang Hong handle everything by himself.
"Son," Jiang's father's car stopped at the entrance of the residential area, and Jiang Hong went to pick up a package, a GPS he ordered online. Jiang's father glanced at the noodle shop across the street and asked, "Do you know that young man over there?"
Jiang Hong: "?"
Jiang Hong rolled down the car window and looked outside.
Jiang's father: "He's been sitting at our complex entrance for several days now. I see him every day when I go out. Why do I feel like I've seen him somewhere?"
Jiang Hong took a glance and was stunned. Who else could the man his father mentioned be but "him"?
Lu Xiu was sitting outside the noodle shop, expressionlessly watching Jiang's father's car, drinking a bottle of cola, seemingly having just had breakfast.
"That's my senior," Jiang Hong, feeling as if he was dreaming, said, "What's he doing here?"
Jiang's father was also puzzled, and Jiang Hong called out, "Senior! Lu Xiu! Is that you?"
Lu Xiu was wearing sunglasses and a black turtleneck sweater, holding a suit jacket, but Jiang Hong recognized him. It was unmistakably him!
Jiang Hong immediately opened the car door, got out, and called, "Lu Xiu?"
Lu Xiu slightly raised his head, looking at Jiang Hong under the dim sky.
"You…" Jiang Hong said, "What are you doing here? When did you arrive? Aren't you at school?"
Lu Xiu casually replied, "Bored, just out for a walk."
Jiang Hong: "………………"
Jiang Hong never expected to encounter Lu Xiu again at his own doorstep, and even more so, he never expected such a response from Lu Xiu.
Jiang Hong reached out to remove Lu Xiu's sunglasses. Lu Xiu still wore an impatient expression, trying to retrieve his sunglasses, but Jiang Hong immediately started to shout.
Jiang Hong wanted to jump onto Lu Xiu's back, but since Lu Xiu was sitting, he leaped into the air and landed on him, straddling his waist.
Lu Xiu: "Get down, stop messing around."
Jiang Hong: "Why didn't you tell me you were here?"
Jiang Hong, pulling Lu Xiu towards the car, was met with no resistance. The two resembled a couple who had a tiff before a holiday, with one coming to apologize. The atmosphere was odd but Jiang Hong, overwhelmed with happiness, didn’t notice these details.
Lu Xiu greeted Jiang's father, saying, "Hello, Uncle."
Jiang's father hummed in response, asking, "Where are you headed?"
Lu Xiu: "No specific destination, just wandering around."
Jiang Hong said, "He's coming with me."
Jiang's father then drove towards the camper rental company. An excited Jiang Hong asked, "When did you arrive? How long have you been here? Are you here on a business trip?"
Lu Xiu responded succinctly: "No."
Jiang Hong: "I thought you were still at school."
Lu Xiu: "I left a few days ago, just traveling around."
Jiang's father glanced at Lu Xiu in the rearview mirror, then finally remembered, saying, "You are the senior who traveled with Jiang Hong in Xi'an! We even video-called that time when you were helping Jiang Hong with his laundry!"
That day, Lu Xiu was dressed in a T-shirt, looking like a student. Today's attire was more mature, with a suit jacket over a pure black sweater, giving him a princely appearance, which is why Jiang's father didn't recognize him immediately.
Lu Xiu said, "Yes, that's me."
"Yes, yes, that's him." Jiang Hong tried again to snatch Lu Xiu's sunglasses. Lu Xiu, unable to resist, handed them over, and Jiang Hong put them in his bag, then asked, "Don’t you need to... um, stay to look after Yuan Shiyu?"
Lu Xiu gave Jiang Hong an impatient look.
Jiang Hong: "?"
Lu Xiu: "If he needs anything, he'll contact me."
Jiang Hong: "Oh, did you give him... um, that thing for protection?"
Lu Xiu: "No, he added me on WeChat. I told him to contact me if he’s in trouble."
Jiang Hong: "……"
After a while, Jiang Hong cautiously asked again, "So, he hasn’t reached out to you at all?"
Lu Xiu: "Want to see? Take my phone."
Jiang Hong quickly gestured no.
Jiang's father watched his son and the senior interact for a while and found it amusing, but he didn’t interrupt.
Lu Xiu: "Where were you planning to go today?"
Jiang Hong: "To the camper van company. Let's go together."
Lu Xiu: "Hmm."
After that, Lu Xiu fell silent.
When they arrived at their destination, Jiang's father asked, "Are you coming home for lunch?"
Jiang Hong quickly replied, "No, no, I’ll take him out. We'll be back for dinner. Senior, why don’t you stay at our place tonight?"
Lu Xiu accepted Jiang Hong's cordial invitation with a "Hmm," making Jiang Hong even happier. This day became the happiest one for him this winter vacation, turning even the gloomy Chongqing winter days beautiful.
"What do you need a camper van for?" While helping Jiang Hong compare camper van specifications and inspect their interiors, Lu Xiu asked.
Jiang Hong shared his plan with Lu Xiu, who seemed surprised: "A self-drive trip to Tibet?"
Eagerly, Jiang Hong wanted to ask if Lu Xiu would join him but feared rejection. So, he cautiously and indirectly asked, "When are you returning? Is it really okay to leave Yuan Shiyu alone?"
Lu Xiu suddenly became irritated and said, "Why do you care so much?"
As Jiang Hong hesitated to explain, Lu Xiu realized he had been a bit harsh and softened his tone, saying, "I gave Principal He Zhi three thousand yuan to look after him for the winter vacation."
"Oh…" Jiang Hong said, "Is the principal willing?"
Lu Xiu: "What do you think?"
Had Jiang Hong known about the notorious reputation of He Zhi, he would have understood that the principal was more than willing. However, not being very familiar with the principal, he didn’t pursue the topic further.
"Then you…" Jiang Hong hesitated.
Lu Xiu: "?"
Jiang Hong: "Want to come along?"
Lu Xiu: "Can you manage on your own?"
Jiang Hong: "It's doubtful."
Lu Xiu: "Then why are you going to Tibet?"
Jiang Hong: "Will you come with me?"
Lu Xiu: "Hmm."
Jiang Hong cheered again. Now that Lu Xiu was standing, he could legitimately jump on him. Lu Xiu, getting irritated again, said, "Get down from there!"
