Lu Yan directly exited the chat interface.
Another individual shows up though.
[Daishu]: Are you there?
Lu Yan replied.
[Lu Yan]: available.
[Lu Yan]: Our V band still has the bassist position remaining, our band’s gate will always be opened to you.
[Daishu]: …………
[Lu Yan]: Is it that you’ve already finished contemplating.
[Lu Yan]: you pass this on to your captain for me, everyone is a matured individual, and has their own right to choose, water surges downwards while humans strive towards the top.1
[1]: An idiom referring if people don’t strive hard, they will inevitably become alike water, which surge downwards effortlessly.
Perhaps Daishu has been chat into self-seclusion by him, only replying a while later: Are you mental ah! that’s not it of course!
Daishi: There’s a job provided here over on my side, he is requesting an individual for a song writer, the salary is passable, quite a lot of requirements though, I convinced him for your sake ah.
Worthy of being our fellow associate band. Always thinking of other when it comes to matter of money making, Lu Yan gratefully thought.
What counts as a good buddy, this is!
It’s just happens that Lu Yan didn’t receive a check in the past several days, he only has a “vast amount” of fifth five bucks in cash left on him.
He added the contactor whom Daishi had convinced over and named the other as “First Party”2, then the first party spoke up: Hello, it’s gonna be my girlfriend’s birthday in several days, I wish to create an album for her which has vivaciousness mixed with tranquility, with recklessness that doesn’t affect it’s original elegances.
[2]: Generally refers to the party that puts forward the goal. In the process of drawing up the contract, it mainly proposes the goal to be achieved and is the leading party of the contract.
…..say what?
Lu Yan’s gratefulness towards his fellow comrade band disperse in this instant.
When Xiao Heng arrived tomorrow afternoon with the infant, Lu Yan had stayed up all night without any sleep, his client’s album is still stuck in the process of lyrics composition.
First Party: I figure that it’s lacking some kind of ambience.
Lu Yan: My dear, what is it that you think it’s missing?
First Party: it’s merely some type of ambience.
Lu Yan didn’t turn around, siting in front of the computer screen, saying with his back facing Xiao Heng: “You search for a spot to sit yourself.”
This invitation truly lack sincerity, Lu Yan’s equipment which he uses for recording is pile up all over the floor, his apartment has restricted space for mobility in the first place, now, there’s such a pile which is full to the brim, and crumpled pieces of paper balls scattering messy all over the floor.
“Is this a dog’s den?”
Xiao Heng prop against the doorframe, his sight travel from the crumpled paper balls onto Lu Yan, and spoke up again: “is there a place for me to stand?”
“…”
Lu Yan exclaimed: “Then don’t you enter alright!”
Lu Yan settles his hands on the guitar string, and spin around with his guitar, staring at the person in the entrance and saying: “Have some manners won’t you, don’t you understand whose territory you are standing on currently?”
Xiao Heng’s attention settle on his guitar: “Practicing guitar?”
Lu Yan: “No, I’m song writing.”
Lu Yan never could’ve known that those two characters “song writing” could form such a great impact on the other.
Xiao Heng originally intent to avoid it by sneaking downstairs, but Lu Yan told him that he is song writing. It’s quite astonishing how one who could play the guitar as such is currently song writing, it’s comparable to someone who doesn’t even have the ability to walk, said to him otherwise: Laozi has the ability to fly.
Lu Yan put a pause on the recorded demo on his computer, also taking off his headphone, saying to him: “Just finished adjusting an edition, wanna listen to it?”
Young master Xiao unwillingly force himself to past through this hump of rubbish.
Especially reluctant when receiving the headphone.
“Your guitar playing is as such, even song writing….” Xiao Heng’s remark halted here.
Lu Yan this person.
Truly has the ability to fly.
The melody transmitted from the monitor headphone completely went beyond what he has anticipated, this lyrics composition is purely made using an acoustic guitar, the main theme of the melody is lightheaded and vivacious, despite it is still in the preliminary process, the melody’s level of completion is already quite high. Since is only Lu Yan humming along casually and the lyrics is still left unfilled.
Xiao Heng already realised since last time that Lu Yan’s tone has special trait, he captures others’ attention as soon as he opened his mouth.
Despite the first party’s requirements are overly much, but whenever Lu Yan made contact with music, it’s as if the spirit inside his body revived. Although he couldn’t hear what is transmitted through the headphone, he tapped his figures on the table alongside the progress bar.
After the last tap is over, he hook his figure towards Xiao Heng: “I’ll spare you a chance to take back what you’ve said.”
“I’ll take it back,” Xiao Heng lifts off the headphone, and saying, “and also improvising.”
Xiao Heng intent to get up, he catches sight of Lu Yan’s mobile phone resting by his side. On the screen, the first party is still saying it’s not the right feeling this, it’s not a right feel that.
Xiao Heng clicks his tongue, and casually set the headphone back on top of Lu Yan’s head: “Why don’t he request a multicolored of black3.”
[3]: A requirement in which doesn’t exist, hard to achieve or simply ineffective.
When he isn’t the victim of Xiao Heng’s harsh attitude as well as his cussing.
….. it’s actually feels quite nice.
It’s the first time that Lu Yan has been this frank listening to the young master cursing others out.
Xiao Heng spoke up again: “Aren’t you carrying out your band ma, why still do this?” Plus being a stand-in for class before, this guy’s business marketing layout is sure quite wide ranged.
Lu Yan drags back the progress bar, plan relisten it again from the start, see if there anything that should be adjusted, and randomly said: “…. For a living.”
In the middle of the conversation, a few consecutive knocks came from the doorway entrance.
Kang Ru stood in front of the entrance, staring at them while saying: “I’ve prepared the dinner table, it’s nothing special, just some home-made dishes. I would like to treat you guys a meal If you guys don’t mind.”
Kang Ru didn’t have on any makeup today, putting up a natural look.
She actually appears quite neat, with slender eyebrows, her five features non of which are especially out standing, when combine all together, she gave off a tender vibe.
The infant is cradle in her arms with hands gripping on the milk bottle, it doesn’t wail nor make a ruckus, even reaching for her by stretching out a few fatty fingers.
Nevertheless, It’s much preferable when mothers take in custody, at least it’s actually better compare to Xiao Heng’s approach of always using an aloof expression and saying “Quit wailing.”
Lu Yan assume that Xiao Heng might be unaccustomed of being out for dining, plus he is especially picky, Kang Ru already even arranged a pair of serving chopsticks. However, once they sat together at the dinner table to eat, Lu Yan realizes the wealthy young master actually wasn’t that picky when dining —— this realization came from the fact that both he and Xiao Heng intent to snatch the final chicken wing.
“You scram, that’s mine!” Lu Yan push aside Xiao Heng’s chopsticks.
“Yours what, why don’t you call out to it and see it owns up to you or not.” Xiao Heng coldly sneers, and ruthlessly force down his chopsticks.
Kang Ru who looks on helplessly as those two starts bickering, making a ruckus like kids that are in kindergarten: “……”
The infant sat on her lap, its large round eyes shift around twice: “?”
Those two finally come to an agreement, no one can touch this chicken wing once it’s placed back.
“That’s right, what are your plans after this?” Lu Yan lifts his gaze toward Kang Ru.
Kang Ru helps the infant by wiping its mouth and saying: “I’ve already bought the train ticket, and I’ll departing during evening today. The things are almost pack up, I….. I am planning to leave Xiajing Locality.” Leaving here and starting afresh.
This place is over-loaded with dreadful memories.
Lu Yan scrutinizes the surroundings, the entire room is indeed sorted out quite neatly, Kang Ru originally didn’t buy any extra stuff, now with a simple clear up, it’s so bare that it appears as if no one has inhabited here before.
“This is the cash check from previously,” Kang Ru said as she settles the check on the table, this cash check is the one which Xiao Qishan gave her, she said, “I won’t take the cash, I’ll figure out a method to return the sum of money bit by bit in addition, although the current situation is still really burdensome……”
Xiao Heng said: “No need, you keep the cash and use it as an alimony for the infant.”
There’s nothing wrong with using it as alimony, this old scum man Xiao Qishan got others pregnant, it’s a must to hand over the alimony.
But Kang Ru still persist: “That won’t do.”
Xiao Heng swept a glance around this room, frowning, he seriously tries to search for a reason, saying: “Just treat it as if I’ve purchased this apartment.”
Kang Ru whines: “But…… this apartment is rented by me.” Even if it’s not rented, it couldn’t even be sold in such a high price like this.
Xiao Heng: “Treat it as if I’ve rent it.”
“……”
Once Lu Yan listens up to here, he settles down his chopsticks and pats him seriously: “Hey.”
Xiao Heng glance at him once.
Lu Yan pointed towards the outside of the entrance, facing against the entrance outside just happen to be his apartment, 602 written on the door: “Mine, the temperature is fairly mild in winter and rather cool in summer, the fengshui4 is also passable, no need to be pay this high amount, I’ll spare 40% off for you.”
Xiao Heng: “……”
[4]: Often refers as luck or fortune in Chinese.
Lu Yan: “The price is up for discussion.”
Xiao Heng ignored him.
Lu Yan: “Charging half is also okay, what’s the preferable price in your mind right now?”
Xiao Heng didn’t even spare a glance at him anymore.
After dining is finished, Xiao Heng bid farewell to the infant.
After keeping it in custody for several days, despite the infant still doesn’t understand how to communicate, but it’s alright familiarized itself with his scent, the infant cradle within Kang Ru’s arms, and habitually stretch out its arms towards him.
“No one is gonna give you curdle.”
Xiao Heng didn’t give him a curdle, he patted the infant’s head instead and spoke with a trace of contempt: “I’ll be going now, go and bother your mother from now on.”
Lu Yan recalls that this guy is still a C university student, he has seen his class schedule before, it should be right in which he ought to take Professor Hu’s class during morning today, he watches Xiao Heng’s shadow as he walks further away, pondering: Do all offspring of wealthy household don’t need to attend classes themselves?
-
It’s not that there’s no need for Xiao Heng to attend class, the courses he has to retake add up to a total of six.
It’s just that he doesn’t attend classes at school by his own will.
After having a stalemate with Xiao Qishan during dinner banquet, he shows up at Di Zhuangzhi’s place to dawdle in broad daylight.
Xiao Heng pushes open the door to private room of the pub, it’s just so happens that Di Zhuangzhi, Qiu Shaofeng and a bunch of wealthy household’s young masters are playing roll the dice5, there’s a strong scent of cigarette smoke emitting from within the dimly lit private room, the scent of smoke fuse in with disorganized fluorescent lights from above and surging across.
[5]: Roll the dice is a gambling game where there’s a dealer and a guesser, and the guesser is trying to guess the number in the container. (it’s a guess, I’m not sure ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
Di Zhuangzhi’s household establish a pub themselves, this private room never has been publicly booked, it’s their personal exclusive private room.
“Third threes in a row! Third threes in a row! I’ll bet,” Di Zhuangzhi downed a cup of liquor after getting bored from playing, and just happens to see the person standing at the entrance, “You’ve showed up big bro? Solve the situation regarding the infant?”
Xiao Heng didn’t give a response, after he settles down, the individuals nearby instantly deliver over a cigarette for him.
He receives it: “Still playing roll the dice?”
Di Zhuangzhi: “Then what do wish to play.”
Xiao Heng leans backwards, saying: “let’s play it big ba.”
Just as his voice subsided, an uproar erupted from all sides.
Upon Xiao Heng’s entry, Di Zhuangzhi offered up the utter most central seat —— within their small gang which refer to as the “an entire associations of Good-for-nothings”, Xiao Heng owns the most unwavering position. It’s has nothing to do with his family relations, if the truth has to be said, it’s perhaps because even if every one of them is refer to as good-for-nothings, Xiao Heng will be the one who has the strongest fighting ability amongst the bunch.
Their gang of guys has roam around outside in the past also, still has to bow down their heads obediently when facing Laozi.
But Xiao Heng is an exception.
Di Zhuangzhi’s gaze settle on the continuously flickering phone screen on the side of the table: “Your phone is ringing big bro.”
Xiao Heng haven’t even played for several rounds until Xiao Qishan’s phone call came. Thus, Xiao Heng squinted his eyes within a layer of hovering smoke, reaching out his hand and throw his mobile phone towards the liquor glass.
The mobile phone submerges into the water. Soon, there’s no more movement.
“The f*ck……”
Di Zhuangzhi acclaimed.
Pausing for a moment, Di Zhuangzhi spoke up again: “You truly aren’t gonna receive it ah? You’ve disgraced Xiao Heng’s public image that day during the banquet, this matter has spread beyond our fraternity, his whole expression is ugly for the entire time after you’ve left. ——”
Xiao Heng throws out the rest of the cards left in his hands, reminding him: “You’ve lost.”
Xiao Heng haven’t even hung out for awhile, despite already hanging up Xiao Qishan’s phone call, he still decides to take a trip back. In fact, except when he returns there to grab some stuff and got pester by the infant as a result, he actually has not inhabited in this so-called “home” for a long period of time, there’s not much a reason for him to return, he just suddenly wishes to see the look of Xiao Qishan’s ugly expression.
Xiao Qishan’s expression is indeed quite ugly.
Upon Xiao Heng’s arrival, Xiao Qishan is already seated in the living room with his mother which rarely returns back for once.
Xiao Qishan said with rage: “Still knows to come back?”
Xiao Qishan regains his composure rather quickly, once again changing the topic, questioning: “Where have you brought the infant to yesterday?”
During the period of time that Xiao Qishan is speaking, his mother is sipping tea on the side.
Xiao Heng said with indifference: “brought it back to his mother.”
Xiao Qishan expression contorted for two seconds, then morphed into a one of extreme contempt: “That prostitute? She is willing to keep that infant?”
“Anything the matter with the prostitute,” Xiao Heng swept a glace at the lady on the side, saying, “At least a prostitute is more resolute than a certain individual.”
The women’s hand paused for a moment while sipping tea, finally showing a bit of reaction at last.
“How dare you speak to your own mother like this! You turn around and left during the banquet, never considering me and your mother’s public image, you don’t even understand how big the affect it will have on the company, you just wish to allow everyone to realize that the Xiao household and the Qin household are only united through a marriage of financial partnership6——"
[6]: Financial partnership can also be referred to as a Marriage of Convenience. Basically, it’s an alliance between two influential households, the marriage is for reasons other than affection and generally for partnership or business marketing.
Xiao Qishan’s voice volume continuously increases, his spoken speech is also gradually getting more ear-piecing, as if wanting to tear apart that indifferent expression in front of him which post no whatsoever reaction no matter what he said: “How many times have I’ve emphasized to you that you’re no more than just an accessory used as proof for the marriage between the two households, an accessory should ought to do it’s job properly.”
Xiao Heng pinches his own index knuckle, felt this situation is rather absurd.
His own biological father and mother, siting in front of him.
Said to him: You’re just an accessory.
Accessory.
He suddenly thought of the infant.
He himself doesn’t like to entangle into others’ business, is just that when first saw the infant, it may’ve perhaps reminded him of his past self.
Xiao Heng recovers his senses, Xiao Qishan is currently pointing at him, scolding: “When did we ever give you any harsh treatment, what else do still you want. The things you are feeding on, wearing, and using currently, which of those aren’t——” His speech abruptly halted up to here.
All of Xiao Heng’s animosity, or perhaps it could be said the animosity which he has been suppressing for all those years finally reach its climax.
He felt totally fed up.
Xiao Qishan watched as Xiao Heng fling the car keys gripping in his palm onto the ground, it collided against the floor tile, creating a crispy resonation.
Not just the car keys.
Xiao Heng pulls off the watch wrapping around his wrist, the costly outer layer suit he had clothed in, and the wallet which has stuffed full of credit cards…… One by one, in front of Xiao Qishan and his so-called biological mother, he gets rid of everything he is able to throw away on him.
The sky was leaden with overcast for entirety of the day.
The first rumble of thunder finally sounded near nightfall.
Until a gap of few hours later, the sky gradually gets overshadowed, then did the heavy downpour descended.
-
“Yan! Fetch the laundries, fetch the laundries, fetch the laundries!!”
Wei-ge is drenched silly by the heavy downpour, he informs the neighbours whilst fetching the laundries: “it’s raining!”
“Who the hell still hangs laundries on the roof top, whose northeastern style flower pattered quilt is it ah ——”
There’s not much redundant space within low-cost rental apartments, everyone usually set up an easily constructed clothes hanger for hanging up laundries on the roof top.
Donning on slippers, Zhang Xiaohui dashed up to the roof top, shrieking: “Mine, it’s mine! It’s my quilt!”
With umbrella in hand, Lu Yan went up to the roof top. After seeing those two exposed to heavy downpour without any cover, he felt as if something has gone wrong with those two’s brain circuit: “Why didn’t you two use an umbrella?”
Only then did Wei-ge and Zhang Xiaohui become aware that because they’ve rushed over here too quickly, they’ve forgot to bring an umbrella.
Just as Lu Yan’s voice subsided, his umbrella starts to get out of his control and fling towards elsewhere.
Both Wei-ge and Zhang Xiaohui grab onto Lu Yan’s umbrella and forcefully pull it back to his side. Therefore, a large portion of Lu Yan’s shoulder is instantly drenched, however those two are still exclaiming: “My fault, forgot it, lend me a cover.”
Lu Yan: “…… Do you two still have any shame?”
There aren’t many idiots who hang stuff up during a cloudy day, but those three within the entire building is an exception.
Lu Yan fetches his eighty percent drenched laundries down from the cloth hanger, just as he was about to go down stairs, he faintly spotted a silhouette sitting on the half demolished terraced garden staircase downstairs under the hazy dusk.
He attentively looked once again and become aware that it’s not his imagination.
There’s indeed someone downstairs.
It’s also a male.
Even though the guy is sitting on the staircase, he can still detect a familiar trace of presence coming from the blurry silhouette —— Young master?
Wei-ge shoved him a little: “What are you doing there staring blankly, we’ve fetched them all, still not leaving?”
Lu Yan said: “Ge, you carry the laundries for me.”
Lu Yan went downstairs, he pushes open the doorway entrance which has only been repaired several days ago.
Not far off, that guy sat on top of the staircase, drenched entirely by the heavy downpour from head to toe, he is still carrying wounds on his body from yesterday’s brawl with the debt collectors. The blister by the corner of his mouth has just formed a scab, with scatter strands of hair uncomfortably sticking on his cheeks.
Lu Yan walk right in front of him with umbrella in hand, and can’t quite figure out why the young master is here at this time.
He hesitantly calls out: “Xiao Heng?”
Lifting up his droopy head, both Lu Yan and Xiao Heng met each other’s gazes within this turbulent rainy night.
Translated by: Piggybank 🐽
Status: Unedited