Chapter 42: The Camper Van
That day, Jiang Hong sought Lu Xiu's opinion and chose a camper van that Lu Xiu found satisfactory. It had a bathroom with a shower, a washer and dryer, a simple kitchen with a microwave and induction cooker, plus a coffee machine, and a slightly wider bed.
There was only one bed, so the two had to share.
"Let's go with this one," Lu Xiu said, "I'm a Libra; I don't want to choose anymore."
"Most of our camper vans are rented by couples," the receptionist said, glancing at Lu Xiu with an admiring look, "That's why the better ones have only a double bed... We do have ones with bunk beds, but those are larger, with less luxurious interiors and amenities. I recommend not driving something too big for your first self-drive, especially on Highway 318."
Lu Xiu: "How much?"
Jiang Hong said, "I'll pay."
Lu Xiu: "I have a salary, you're still using your parents' money, let me pay."
After a brief tussle over the bill, the receptionist, sensing Lu Xiu's more assertive presence compared to Jiang Hong's innocent demeanor, handed the invoice to Lu Xiu. Feeling somewhat discriminated against, Jiang Hong let Lu Xiu pay the deposit and rental. The van would undergo a comprehensive check and maintenance today and could be picked up the next day.
"Let's have lunch first," Jiang Hong suggested, "and then go buy supplies."
With Lu Xiu, the trip suddenly became much more exciting, and Jiang Hong couldn’t stop smiling at him during lunch.
"What are you laughing at?" Lu Xiu asked.
"Because I missed you?" Jiang Hong finally snapped back to reality.
Lu Xiu: "！！！"
Lu Xiu coldly said, "I’m leaving tomorrow."
"No, don't!" Jiang Hong then started to plead desperately, "I won’t say it again, my bad."
After lunch, they went to a wholesale supermarket. Lu Xiu pushed the cart behind as Jiang Hong excitedly shopped in front, noticing that most shoppers were couples buying New Year goods.
"Everyone's buying so much," Jiang Hong noted.
Lu Xiu: "You’re buying quite a lot yourself."
Chongqing was already steeped in the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. As soon as the twelfth lunar month began, Chongqing residents started to smoke meats and buy New Year's goods, but Jiang Hong's shopping cart was filled with peculiar items, all daily necessities.
"Jiang Hong!" In the supermarket, he bumped into a high school classmate, from the same grade but not very close. Jiang Hong remembered his face but couldn't recall his name. The classmate, sporting a boss-like demeanor, was shopping with his girlfriend.
"Wow, long time no see," Jiang Hong greeted.
Recognizing Jiang Hong, the girlfriend nodded and greeted Lu Xiu, then remarked, "You're buying a lot."
Jiang Hong: "You guys are buying a lot too. Are you going on a trip?"
High school classmate: "We're getting married, moving to a new house. You guys are also getting marri... oh, never mind, I won't ask."
Jiang Hong: "……"
Lu Xiu: "……"
Having gathered everything on the list, Lu Xiu insisted on paying at checkout, but Jiang Hong hurriedly said, "Let me do it this time, it makes me feel like…"
Lu Xiu removed his sunglasses and paid with facial recognition, quickly concluding the transaction.
Lu Xiu: "Like what?"
Jiang Hong, facepalming: "Like being kept."
Lu Xiu: "You're driving, I'm paying. It's fair."
Jiang Hong accepted the suggestion and, with Lu Xiu, pushed the shopping cart, waiting by the roadside for his father to pick them up. In the dimming winter evening, they returned to the warmth of home where Jiang's mother, upon hearing a classmate of her son was visiting, prepared a hot pot. As they enjoyed the steaming meal, Jiang's father opened a bottle of wine and invited Lu Xiu to drink.
Jiang Hong suddenly regretted his plan to go to Tibet. If he had known Lu Xiu would come, why bother with all this? Wouldn't staying home for the New Year be better?
"Jiang Hong has been a lot of trouble for you at school," Jiang's father said.
In front of Jiang Hong's parents, Lu Xiu was very polite, slightly lowering his glass as they clinked, replying, "No trouble at all, he's a good guy."
Jiang's mother said, "Ah, Jiang Hong was always self-centered as a child, never considering others' feelings..."
Jiang Hong: "Cough! Cough!"
Lu Xiu: "Not really, he takes good care of others too."
Jiang's mother: "...but he doesn't have any bad intentions, just tends to be a bit annoying. Don't look down on him; he's very obedient. If there's any issue, just teach him a lesson to his face..."
Jiang Hong: "Cough!"
Lu Xiu: "Is your throat uncomfortable?"
Jiang Hong: "No."
Upon learning that Lu Xiu would be driving with Jiang Hong, Jiang's parents felt much more at ease. According to Jiang's father, Lu Xiu seemed mature, reliable, and trustworthy. He was also a postgraduate student and worked part-time as a teacher at the school. Jiang's father, while being indirect, inquired if Lu Xiu planned to pursue a PhD, and learning that he might, admired Lu Xiu even more.
"You're from a prestigious university, right?" Jiang's father asked. "What's your major, Lu?"
Lu Xiu replied with International Resources and Information. That's how the school advertised their Demonology program. Jiang's father immediately held it in high regard, and Jiang's mother quickly added, "You'll work for a major consulting firm in the future."
Jiang's father's company was in need of a capable company secretary. His son didn't seem promising, and he was always impressed with talented young individuals, eagerly digging into their background, almost wishing Lu Xiu could finish his remaining credits in three months and join his company as a vice president.
Jiang's mother then asked, "What exactly do you study in International Resources Information?"
Jiang Hong thought to himself: Drawing talismans, exorcising spirits, identifying magical treasures...
Lu Xiu answered, "Mainly international economic trends, securities, and financial technology."
Jiang Hong thought: Yeah, right.
Jiang's father remarked, "The economic situation isn't the same as it was a few years ago."
Lu Xiu: "Yes, it's in a downturn phase."
Jiang's father: "Do you study Kondratiev waves?"
Lu Xiu: "We've covered K-waves, but it's not mainstream for our field. We mainly focus on political economy..."
Jiang Hong thought: You're a demon hunter, and you even know about K-waves? But as it turned out, he had misunderstood Lu Xiu. When it came to economics, Lu Xiu was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging in a vigorous debate with Jiang's father, a self-taught financial expert. They discussed everything from the industrial revolution to economic reform, from bulk commodities to the new energy industry, proving evenly matched. In the end, Lu Xiu thoroughly impressed Jiang's father.
Jiang Hong then remembered that Lu Xiu was like a dragon, having witnessed the world's transformations for over a hundred years, including the Second Industrial Revolution, World Wars I and II, and every economic cycle. His experience was comparable to that of Warren Buffett. Surprisingly, his father ended up being outmatched in terms of experience.
"Impressive, truly impressive!" Jiang's father hadn't expected a graduate student to be so knowledgeable. Thinking back to the graduate students his company hired, he felt that Lu Xiu was in a league of his own, particularly coming from the prestigious Cangqiong University. If Lu Xiu was willing to join his company after graduation, he would have to offer at least a monthly salary of eighty thousand.
Thus, Jiang's father changed the topic, preparing his final trump card.
"So, Lu, do you invest in A-shares?"
"We rarely do, but since uncle asked, I can recommend a few."
"Oh! Great! I should definitely learn from you!"
Lu Xiu, facing Jiang Hong's parents, replied earnestly, "Just a moment."
Jiang Hong watched as Lu Xiu opened the WeChat app on his phone, accessed Zhu Jinling's chat, where the last message was a forwarded "Second Semester Course Schedule" from a week ago.
Lu Xiu typed: [Teacher Zhu, could you help me figure out which A-shares to buy recently?]
"I'm asking a friend," Lu Xiu explained. "She's more accurate in analysis, and she already has some results."
"Good, good."
The response came quickly, providing Lu Xiu with four stock codes, and the message read: [I used divination to select these. If Teacher Lu doesn't mind, he can try them out.]
Jiang Hong: "………………"
After dinner, Jiang's father put on his glasses and began to seriously study the stocks recommended by Lu Xiu.
"Using divination for stock selection, haha, that's hilarious—" Jiang Hong, lying on his bed and clutching a pillow, laughed uproariously.
Lu Xiu: "You'll have to learn this in your third year too."
Jiang Hong's laughter abruptly ceased, imagining the scene of his classmates each with a divination board and a planchette, finding it eerily bizarre.
"Shall I shower first or you?" Lu Xiu asked again.
Jiang Hong said, "I'll get your clothes, you go shower first."
There was a guest room in Jiang Hong's house, but he wanted to sleep with Lu Xiu, who didn't refuse. Jiang Hong gave Lu Xiu his own pajamas, a bit small but manageable. Seeing Lu Xiu sitting on the bed, he let out a very soft sigh.
The sigh was almost imperceptible, but Jiang Hong still felt it.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Nothing," Lu Xiu came back to himself and took the clothes.
Jiang Hong curiously watched Lu Xiu, who explained, "Your family loves you a lot. Growing up in such a family must be very happy."
Jiang Hong remembered Jin saying something similar. Lu Xiu had no family, rarely even seeing his own kind. Perhaps since surviving the heavenly tribulation, he longed for the warmth of a family?
"My dad really likes you," Jiang Hong said, "After we return from Tibet, why don't you spend the New Year with us at my place? My home is your home."
"We'll see," Lu Xiu seemed a bit melancholic again.
Jiang Hong lay next to Lu Xiu, turned over, and clamped Lu Xiu's waist with his legs, moving like a crab. "My dad almost loves you more than me. Didn't you see the twinkle in his eyes? He would probably hire you at his company tomorrow if he could."
Lu Xiu: "Stop it... let go."
Jiang Hong: "From now on, spend your summer and winter vacations at my place."
Lu Xiu struggled free from Jiang Hong's grip and didn't respond, getting up to take a shower.
Jiang Hong suddenly remembered Yuan Shiyu at the cold Sūnqióng University, who genuinely needed Lu Xiu's care the most... Ah, such is the unpredictability and changeability of fate.
"Let's hit the road tomorrow," Jiang Hong said at 10 PM.
Lu Xiu: "That doesn’t sound very auspicious."
Jiang Hong: "Let's start our journey tomorrow then." He turned off the light, thought for a moment, then kicked the Hatsune Miku body pillow under the bed and turned to use Lu Xiu as a pillow instead.
Ever since Lu Xiu got to know Jiang Hong, he had been hugged like this in his sleep. Initially, he would struggle a bit, but gradually he gave up resisting and even cooperated sometimes, spreading his arms to let him rest on him.
The pajamas and pants Jiang Hong lent Lu Xiu were his favorite set, soft and comfortable, perfect for using him as a pillow.
Lu Xiu: "……"
Jiang Hong: "?"
Lu Xiu: "Keep your hands proper, don’t touch randomly."
Jiang Hong: "Oh, okay..."
In the dark night, with the sound of drizzling winter rain outside, Lu Xiu asked again, "What are you going to Tibet for?"
"Nothing in particular," Jiang Hong answered, "Just suddenly felt like seeing it."
Lu Xiu's body was warm. In the quiet night, only a small oil heater lamp at the foot of the bed was lit, glowing like a warm, distant, orange-yellow star.
Jiang Hong said, "Do you believe in past lives? Oh, that's a silly question, of course you do."
Lu Xiu fell silent for a few seconds, his thoughts drifting to Yuan Shiyu and possibly things from lifetimes ago.
Lu Xiu: "I don't want to talk about this."
Jiang Hong, however, replied, "I do want to discuss it."
Lu Xiu: "……"
This was rare. For the first time, Jiang Hong resisted Lu Xiu's authority, leaving Lu Xiu somewhat in disbelief. Had the kid grown bolder?
Jiang Hong spoke seriously, "Every time you say you don't want to discuss it, I drop the subject. Can't you just let me have this once?"
Lu Xiu, growing impatient, said, "Fine, fine. What do you want to talk about? Go ahead."
"If people have past lives, then what was mine?" Jiang Hong mused, turning around, releasing Lu Xiu, and lying back down.
Lu Xiu didn't answer, and Jiang Hong nudged him.
"How would I know?" said Lu Xiu.
Jiang Hong asked, "In my past life, was I a human? Or an animal?"
Lu Xiu replied, "Does it matter? It's all in the past."
Jiang Hong thought to himself: You didn't use to say that. You even went everywhere looking for me... for the reincarnation of Yuan Shiyu.
"Legend says there are two white pagodas at the entrance of the Potala Palace," Jiang Hong continued, "and passing through them cleanses a lifetime of sins. I'd like to go there, let it be the purpose of my trip to Tibet."
"What sins do you have?" Lu Xiu was almost speechless with Jiang Hong, saying, "If you have sins, then everyone in the world does."
Jiang Hong said, "In one's life, one always commits mistakes, big or small, right? My stubborn insistence on traveling far and worrying my parents could also be considered a mistake, couldn’t it?"
Lu Xiu asked, "Have you been brainwashed by your Buddhist, golden-maned lion of a roommate?"
Jiang Hong added, "Principal Cao once said that everyone has inner demons, born from obsessions and desires. When a person is born... what was it again? I forget."
Lu Xiu picked up where Jiang Hong left off, "When a person is born, they are without desires or needs, possessing a pure heart. As they grow, more obsessions accumulate, and the demon grows within their heart."
Jiang Hong: "Yeah..." He then turned over, laying on his stomach with his eyes closed, and said, "Of course, I have my own inner demons. Maybe a trip there will help me get rid of them?"
This time, Lu Xiu didn't answer, gazing absentmindedly at the cosmic star chart on the ceiling, emitting a faint glow.
Jiang Hong added, "When I found out about that, I was a bit resentful towards Yuan Shiyu. Not about the life exchange, me taking his place or him taking mine, but... I felt a bit sad, as if you had become someone else's person... But then I thought about it, and it doesn't really matter, does it?... You still came to find me..."
Lu Xiu turned his head to glance at Jiang Hong, but Jiang Hong had already fallen asleep.
"Hey," Lu Xiu said, "The blanket."
Jiang Hong was fast asleep. Lu Xiu nudged the blanket over him to make sure he was covered.
Chapter 42: The Camper Van
That day, Jiang Hong sought Lu Xiu's opinion and chose a camper van that Lu Xiu found satisfactory. It had a bathroom with a shower, a washer and dryer, a simple kitchen with a microwave and induction cooker, plus a coffee machine, and a slightly wider bed.
There was only one bed, so the two had to share.
"Let's go with this one," Lu Xiu said, "I'm a Libra; I don't want to choose anymore."
"Most of our camper vans are rented by couples," the receptionist said, glancing at Lu Xiu with an admiring look, "That's why the better ones have only a double bed... We do have ones with bunk beds, but those are larger, with less luxurious interiors and amenities. I recommend not driving something too big for your first self-drive, especially on Highway 318."
Lu Xiu: "How much?"
Jiang Hong said, "I'll pay."
Lu Xiu: "I have a salary, you're still using your parents' money, let me pay."
After a brief tussle over the bill, the receptionist, sensing Lu Xiu's more assertive presence compared to Jiang Hong's innocent demeanor, handed the invoice to Lu Xiu. Feeling somewhat discriminated against, Jiang Hong let Lu Xiu pay the deposit and rental. The van would undergo a comprehensive check and maintenance today and could be picked up the next day.
"Let's have lunch first," Jiang Hong suggested, "and then go buy supplies."
With Lu Xiu, the trip suddenly became much more exciting, and Jiang Hong couldn’t stop smiling at him during lunch.
"What are you laughing at?" Lu Xiu asked.
"Because I missed you?" Jiang Hong finally snapped back to reality.
Lu Xiu: "！！！"
Lu Xiu coldly said, "I’m leaving tomorrow."
"No, don't!" Jiang Hong then started to plead desperately, "I won’t say it again, my bad."
After lunch, they went to a wholesale supermarket. Lu Xiu pushed the cart behind as Jiang Hong excitedly shopped in front, noticing that most shoppers were couples buying New Year goods.
"Everyone's buying so much," Jiang Hong noted.
Lu Xiu: "You’re buying quite a lot yourself."
Chongqing was already steeped in the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. As soon as the twelfth lunar month began, Chongqing residents started to smoke meats and buy New Year's goods, but Jiang Hong's shopping cart was filled with peculiar items, all daily necessities.
"Jiang Hong!" In the supermarket, he bumped into a high school classmate, from the same grade but not very close. Jiang Hong remembered his face but couldn't recall his name. The classmate, sporting a boss-like demeanor, was shopping with his girlfriend.
"Wow, long time no see," Jiang Hong greeted.
Recognizing Jiang Hong, the girlfriend nodded and greeted Lu Xiu, then remarked, "You're buying a lot."
Jiang Hong: "You guys are buying a lot too. Are you going on a trip?"
High school classmate: "We're getting married, moving to a new house. You guys are also getting marri... oh, never mind, I won't ask."
Jiang Hong: "……"
Lu Xiu: "……"
Having gathered everything on the list, Lu Xiu insisted on paying at checkout, but Jiang Hong hurriedly said, "Let me do it this time, it makes me feel like…"
Lu Xiu removed his sunglasses and paid with facial recognition, quickly concluding the transaction.
Lu Xiu: "Like what?"
Jiang Hong, facepalming: "Like being kept."
Lu Xiu: "You're driving, I'm paying. It's fair."
Jiang Hong accepted the suggestion and, with Lu Xiu, pushed the shopping cart, waiting by the roadside for his father to pick them up. In the dimming winter evening, they returned to the warmth of home where Jiang's mother, upon hearing a classmate of her son was visiting, prepared a hot pot. As they enjoyed the steaming meal, Jiang's father opened a bottle of wine and invited Lu Xiu to drink.
Jiang Hong suddenly regretted his plan to go to Tibet. If he had known Lu Xiu would come, why bother with all this? Wouldn't staying home for the New Year be better?
"Jiang Hong has been a lot of trouble for you at school," Jiang's father said.
In front of Jiang Hong's parents, Lu Xiu was very polite, slightly lowering his glass as they clinked, replying, "No trouble at all, he's a good guy."
Jiang's mother said, "Ah, Jiang Hong was always self-centered as a child, never considering others' feelings..."
Jiang Hong: "Cough! Cough!"
Lu Xiu: "Not really, he takes good care of others too."
Jiang's mother: "...but he doesn't have any bad intentions, just tends to be a bit annoying. Don't look down on him; he's very obedient. If there's any issue, just teach him a lesson to his face..."
Jiang Hong: "Cough!"
Lu Xiu: "Is your throat uncomfortable?"
Jiang Hong: "No."
Upon learning that Lu Xiu would be driving with Jiang Hong, Jiang's parents felt much more at ease. According to Jiang's father, Lu Xiu seemed mature, reliable, and trustworthy. He was also a postgraduate student and worked part-time as a teacher at the school. Jiang's father, while being indirect, inquired if Lu Xiu planned to pursue a PhD, and learning that he might, admired Lu Xiu even more.
"You're from a prestigious university, right?" Jiang's father asked. "What's your major, Lu?"
Lu Xiu replied with International Resources and Information. That's how the school advertised their Demonology program. Jiang's father immediately held it in high regard, and Jiang's mother quickly added, "You'll work for a major consulting firm in the future."
Jiang's father's company was in need of a capable company secretary. His son didn't seem promising, and he was always impressed with talented young individuals, eagerly digging into their background, almost wishing Lu Xiu could finish his remaining credits in three months and join his company as a vice president.
Jiang's mother then asked, "What exactly do you study in International Resources Information?"
Jiang Hong thought to himself: Drawing talismans, exorcising spirits, identifying magical treasures...
Lu Xiu answered, "Mainly international economic trends, securities, and financial technology."
Jiang Hong thought: Yeah, right.
Jiang's father remarked, "The economic situation isn't the same as it was a few years ago."
Lu Xiu: "Yes, it's in a downturn phase."
Jiang's father: "Do you study Kondratiev waves?"
Lu Xiu: "We've covered K-waves, but it's not mainstream for our field. We mainly focus on political economy..."
Jiang Hong thought: You're a demon hunter, and you even know about K-waves? But as it turned out, he had misunderstood Lu Xiu. When it came to economics, Lu Xiu was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging in a vigorous debate with Jiang's father, a self-taught financial expert. They discussed everything from the industrial revolution to economic reform, from bulk commodities to the new energy industry, proving evenly matched. In the end, Lu Xiu thoroughly impressed Jiang's father.
Jiang Hong then remembered that Lu Xiu was like a dragon, having witnessed the world's transformations for over a hundred years, including the Second Industrial Revolution, World Wars I and II, and every economic cycle. His experience was comparable to that of Warren Buffett. Surprisingly, his father ended up being outmatched in terms of experience.
"Impressive, truly impressive!" Jiang's father hadn't expected a graduate student to be so knowledgeable. Thinking back to the graduate students his company hired, he felt that Lu Xiu was in a league of his own, particularly coming from the prestigious Cangqiong University. If Lu Xiu was willing to join his company after graduation, he would have to offer at least a monthly salary of eighty thousand.
Thus, Jiang's father changed the topic, preparing his final trump card.
"So, Lu, do you invest in A-shares?"
"We rarely do, but since uncle asked, I can recommend a few."
"Oh! Great! I should definitely learn from you!"
Lu Xiu, facing Jiang Hong's parents, replied earnestly, "Just a moment."
Jiang Hong watched as Lu Xiu opened the WeChat app on his phone, accessed Zhu Jinling's chat, where the last message was a forwarded "Second Semester Course Schedule" from a week ago.
Lu Xiu typed: [Teacher Zhu, could you help me figure out which A-shares to buy recently?]
"I'm asking a friend," Lu Xiu explained. "She's more accurate in analysis, and she already has some results."
"Good, good."
The response came quickly, providing Lu Xiu with four stock codes, and the message read: [I used divination to select these. If Teacher Lu doesn't mind, he can try them out.]
Jiang Hong: "………………"
After dinner, Jiang's father put on his glasses and began to seriously study the stocks recommended by Lu Xiu.
"Using divination for stock selection, haha, that's hilarious—" Jiang Hong, lying on his bed and clutching a pillow, laughed uproariously.
Lu Xiu: "You'll have to learn this in your third year too."
Jiang Hong's laughter abruptly ceased, imagining the scene of his classmates each with a divination board and a planchette, finding it eerily bizarre.
"Shall I shower first or you?" Lu Xiu asked again.
Jiang Hong said, "I'll get your clothes, you go shower first."
There was a guest room in Jiang Hong's house, but he wanted to sleep with Lu Xiu, who didn't refuse. Jiang Hong gave Lu Xiu his own pajamas, a bit small but manageable. Seeing Lu Xiu sitting on the bed, he let out a very soft sigh.
The sigh was almost imperceptible, but Jiang Hong still felt it.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Nothing," Lu Xiu came back to himself and took the clothes.
Jiang Hong curiously watched Lu Xiu, who explained, "Your family loves you a lot. Growing up in such a family must be very happy."
Jiang Hong remembered Jin saying something similar. Lu Xiu had no family, rarely even seeing his own kind. Perhaps since surviving the heavenly tribulation, he longed for the warmth of a family?
"My dad really likes you," Jiang Hong said, "After we return from Tibet, why don't you spend the New Year with us at my place? My home is your home."
"We'll see," Lu Xiu seemed a bit melancholic again.
Jiang Hong lay next to Lu Xiu, turned over, and clamped Lu Xiu's waist with his legs, moving like a crab. "My dad almost loves you more than me. Didn't you see the twinkle in his eyes? He would probably hire you at his company tomorrow if he could."
Lu Xiu: "Stop it... let go."
Jiang Hong: "From now on, spend your summer and winter vacations at my place."
Lu Xiu struggled free from Jiang Hong's grip and didn't respond, getting up to take a shower.
Jiang Hong suddenly remembered Yuan Shiyu at the cold Sūnqióng University, who genuinely needed Lu Xiu's care the most... Ah, such is the unpredictability and changeability of fate.
"Let's hit the road tomorrow," Jiang Hong said at 10 PM.
Lu Xiu: "That doesn’t sound very auspicious."
Jiang Hong: "Let's start our journey tomorrow then." He turned off the light, thought for a moment, then kicked the Hatsune Miku body pillow under the bed and turned to use Lu Xiu as a pillow instead.
Ever since Lu Xiu got to know Jiang Hong, he had been hugged like this in his sleep. Initially, he would struggle a bit, but gradually he gave up resisting and even cooperated sometimes, spreading his arms to let him rest on him.
The pajamas and pants Jiang Hong lent Lu Xiu were his favorite set, soft and comfortable, perfect for using him as a pillow.
Lu Xiu: "……"
Jiang Hong: "?"
Lu Xiu: "Keep your hands proper, don’t touch randomly."
Jiang Hong: "Oh, okay..."
In the dark night, with the sound of drizzling winter rain outside, Lu Xiu asked again, "What are you going to Tibet for?"
"Nothing in particular," Jiang Hong answered, "Just suddenly felt like seeing it."
Lu Xiu's body was warm. In the quiet night, only a small oil heater lamp at the foot of the bed was lit, glowing like a warm, distant, orange-yellow star.
Jiang Hong said, "Do you believe in past lives? Oh, that's a silly question, of course you do."
Lu Xiu fell silent for a few seconds, his thoughts drifting to Yuan Shiyu and possibly things from lifetimes ago.
Lu Xiu: "I don't want to talk about this."
Jiang Hong, however, replied, "I do want to discuss it."
Lu Xiu: "……"
This was rare. For the first time, Jiang Hong resisted Lu Xiu's authority, leaving Lu Xiu somewhat in disbelief. Had the kid grown bolder?
Jiang Hong spoke seriously, "Every time you say you don't want to discuss it, I drop the subject. Can't you just let me have this once?"
Lu Xiu, growing impatient, said, "Fine, fine. What do you want to talk about? Go ahead."
"If people have past lives, then what was mine?" Jiang Hong mused, turning around, releasing Lu Xiu, and lying back down.
Lu Xiu didn't answer, and Jiang Hong nudged him.
"How would I know?" said Lu Xiu.
Jiang Hong asked, "In my past life, was I a human? Or an animal?"
Lu Xiu replied, "Does it matter? It's all in the past."
Jiang Hong thought to himself: You didn't use to say that. You even went everywhere looking for me... for the reincarnation of Yuan Shiyu.
"Legend says there are two white pagodas at the entrance of the Potala Palace," Jiang Hong continued, "and passing through them cleanses a lifetime of sins. I'd like to go there, let it be the purpose of my trip to Tibet."
"What sins do you have?" Lu Xiu was almost speechless with Jiang Hong, saying, "If you have sins, then everyone in the world does."
Jiang Hong said, "In one's life, one always commits mistakes, big or small, right? My stubborn insistence on traveling far and worrying my parents could also be considered a mistake, couldn’t it?"
Lu Xiu asked, "Have you been brainwashed by your Buddhist, golden-maned lion of a roommate?"
Jiang Hong added, "Principal Cao once said that everyone has inner demons, born from obsessions and desires. When a person is born... what was it again? I forget."
Lu Xiu picked up where Jiang Hong left off, "When a person is born, they are without desires or needs, possessing a pure heart. As they grow, more obsessions accumulate, and the demon grows within their heart."
Jiang Hong: "Yeah..." He then turned over, laying on his stomach with his eyes closed, and said, "Of course, I have my own inner demons. Maybe a trip there will help me get rid of them?"
This time, Lu Xiu didn't answer, gazing absentmindedly at the cosmic star chart on the ceiling, emitting a faint glow.
Jiang Hong added, "When I found out about that, I was a bit resentful towards Yuan Shiyu. Not about the life exchange, me taking his place or him taking mine, but... I felt a bit sad, as if you had become someone else's person... But then I thought about it, and it doesn't really matter, does it?... You still came to find me..."
Lu Xiu turned his head to glance at Jiang Hong, but Jiang Hong had already fallen asleep.
"Hey," Lu Xiu said, "The blanket."
Jiang Hong was fast asleep. Lu Xiu nudged the blanket over him to make sure he was covered.
