NASAY CH 48

Huo Xingzhou originally used his phone because he was afraid Luo Xing couldn’t hear him. But once he got into it, he started chatting with him on WeChat. Occasionally, he sent a suggestive message or two, making Luo Xing blush fiercely.

Luo Xing couldn’t handle it and simply turned off his phone.

“Hey, let me tell you something,”

Huo Xingzhou said as he put his phone away. He cleared his throat and continued,

“Remember when Ding Chao caused that trouble last time? My mom came to the school once. Do you recall that?”

Luo Xing nodded, not understanding why he suddenly brought it up.

“My mom said you’ve helped me a lot since you transferred here. She’s heading abroad in a few days for a project, and it’ll take a long time before she returns. So, she wants to treat you to a meal before she leaves to thank you.”

As soon as Luo Xing heard this, he became flustered. His fingers subconsciously tugged at his sleeves, nervously opening and closing his mouth.

“Auntie… wants to treat me to a meal?”

“Not willing?”

Huo Xingzhou paused, then said,

“Then I’ll just decline. After all, the holidays are coming up, and since you’re coming to my place for New Year’s, there’s no rush.”

“No, no, no!”

Luo Xing was just worried that he wouldn’t leave a good impression and that his mother might dislike him. After all, he couldn’t even get along with Zhao Jiulan. How could he possibly get along with someone else’s mother?

Even though he knew it was selfish to want to stay close to Huo Xingzhou, he still hoped that his mother would like him and think he was a good person… someone worthy of being friends with Huo Xingzhou.

“Don’t be nervous. My mom’s easygoing, much easier to get along with than my dad,”

Huo Xingzhou reassured him, knowing exactly what Luo Xing was worried about. He had deliberately arranged this meeting to help Luo Xing feel less anxious when he eventually visited their home for the New Year.

“I’m not… not nervous,”

Luo Xing said, swallowing nervously. He looked at Huo Xingzhou for a moment, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Huo Xingzhou chuckled.

“Do you want me to teach you how to handle it?”

Luo Xing immediately nodded, making Huo Xingzhou laugh even harder.

“My mom loves teasing people. When she sees a sweet kid like you, she’ll just want to hug you and spoil you. If you don’t know how to respond—”

He stopped mid-sentence, right at the crucial point.

“What?”

Luo Xing asked eagerly.

“Tell me!”

Resting his head on one hand, Huo Xingzhou smiled mischievously at him.

“Just… ask Brother Xingzhou for help.”

“…” Luo Xing realized he was being teased and pressed his lips together.

“Forget it.”

“Really don’t want to know?”

Seeing Luo Xing start packing up and getting ready to work on his assignment, Huo Xingzhou leaned over and grabbed his arm, grinning.

“Whenever you don’t know what to say, just blink and stay silent. She’ll think you’re shy and won’t push you further. Don’t worry, I’ll be there.”

Luo Xing lowered his eyes and nodded softly.

“Okay.”

“Then if you’re okay with it, I’ll confirm the time with my mom,”

Huo Xingzhou said, pulling out his phone to send a message to Wu Suyan. He made up the dinner invitation himself to prepare Luo Xing in advance, preventing any awkward situations later. It would make future excuses easier.

Watching Luo Xing absentmindedly work on his assignment, his face filled with tension, Huo Xingzhou couldn’t help but smile.

This little guy was just too easy to fool.

On the fifth day before the holidays, Huo Xingzhou went out for a basketball game with the school team.

Before he left, he repeatedly reminded Luo Xing not to eat alone, not to wander around aimlessly, and to avoid Xue Jian at all costs.

“Try to stick with Feng Jia and the others. Don’t hesitate to order them around if you need anything,”

he said.

Feng Jia yelled that he was going to beat him up, but Luo Xing quickly stopped him with a calming smile. Only then did Feng Jia reluctantly snort,

“For my sister-in-law’s sake, I won’t hold it against you.”

Li Lefan laughed so hard on the side that he almost fell over.

Huo Xingzhou, who had his back to Luo Xing, smirked and added,

“Stop spouting nonsense. Take good care of my sister-in-law. If I find even one hair missing, you’d better skewer yourself on a barbecue stick as an apology.”

Li Lefan glanced at the bewildered Luo Xing and laughed,

“Huo Xingzhou, why do you sound like you’re entrusting your final wishes to someone? Are you planning to never come back? What was that line again? Oh, right… ‘Late Emperor…’”

Huo Xingzhou caught a glimpse of Lu Qinghe passing by the back door and said,

“Ugh, don’t jinx it. Just wait, I’ll have Lu Qinghe stand under the flagpole and tell you all about my heroic deeds when I come back!”

Lu Qinghe shot him a glance.

“You’re crazy.”

Li Lefan laughed so hard he could barely breathe, holding his stomach while gasping for air.

“I can’t… I’m going to die laughing… hahaha…”

Feng Jia snorted,

“Finish singing ‘Conquer’ first before you start boasting! Do you think everyone’s like you, always making bold declarations under the flagpole? When are you jumping from the bell tower, huh? All talk and no action.”

Huo Xingzhou: “…”

After seeing Huo Xingzhou off, Luo Xing went to the office to ask for leave from Teacher Cheng Limin. He had already bought his ticket, and if he left on time, he could still return before Huo Xingzhou’s game was over.

“Taking leave? It’s only a few days until the winter holiday. Can’t it wait until after the break?”

Cheng Limin frowned, clearly unwilling to approve his request.

“I’m going to visit… a relative,”

Luo Xing hesitated, struggling to find the right word.

“That relative is critically ill, and I’d like to see them one last time… I’ll be back in the evening.”

Cheng Limin looked at him. He remembered that when Luo Xing first transferred, he also requested leave to visit someone in the hospital. He had never taken leave for frivolous reasons.

“Alright,”

 Cheng Limin said as he signed the leave slip. He paused and asked,

“Are you going alone, or with family?”

“I’m going by myself.”

Cheng Limin froze for a moment and raised his head.

“Alone? Should I arrange for another student to go with you? It’s a bit far to Beishi, and I’m a little worried.”

“There’s no need,”

Luo Xing replied quickly. He didn’t want anyone else to know who he was going to see. He didn’t mind people knowing about his hearing loss, but this was personal.

“How about this, I’ll have Ye Qiaoqiao go with you. She’s trustworthy and won’t gossip. Otherwise, I really can’t rest easy letting you go alone.”

Cheng Limin didn’t mention Luo Xing’s hearing directly, but ever since he learned about it, he couldn’t help but feel concerned.

Luo Xing thought for a moment and agreed. Ye Qiaoqiao wasn’t the type to spread rumors, and he didn’t want to waste more time arguing. His bus might leave without him.

Cheng Limin handed him the leave slip.

“Go early and come back early. If anything happens, call me immediately. And take care of Ye Qiaoqiao.”

Luo Xing nodded.

“Got it.”

The two of them boarded a bus heading to Beishi. Luo Xing was quiet, and Ye Qiaoqiao wasn’t the type to pry into others’ business, so they didn’t talk much. 

Luo Xing stared blankly out of the window, lost in thought, while Ye Qiaoqiao read a new Chinese animation comic.

Once they were on the highway, the scenery outside flashed past rapidly. Luo Xing’s heart grew heavier and heavier. He didn’t know what awaited him at the hospital.

Was the person tall or short, thin or fat? Would he be gentle and reserved like Huo Xingzhou’s father, or rough but warm like Teacher Cheng? Or would he be serious and silent?

What would that person say upon seeing him for the first time?

“I’m sorry for not finding you earlier,” or “I can’t believe how much you’ve grown.”

Luo Xing clenched his fingers, his eyes unfocused as he gazed at the passing scenery. He tried to imagine what his father—someone he had never met—might be like. Did his father feel even a sliver of guilt toward him?

He always told himself that he shouldn’t hate his father. But sometimes, he couldn’t help but think: If his father had taken him away back then, would his ears still be normal?

He didn’t feel pitiful or wronged; he just couldn’t understand. If his father didn’t want him before, why come looking for him now?

To make up for regrets before dying? How ridiculous. After all these years without regrets, why feel them only now?

Luo Xing looked at his fingertips and let out a self-deprecating laugh.

As if he was so important.

Beishi First People’s Hospital was easy to find—only a five-minute walk from the bus station. Since they had been to Beishi before, they took a cab there without any trouble.

When they arrived at the hospital, Ye Qiaoqiao glanced at the building and hesitated.

“How about I wait for you outside? You can go in alone.”

“It’s fine,”

Luo Xing shook his head. He didn’t want anyone to know why he was there, but he also couldn’t leave Ye Qiaoqiao alone.

With Huo Xingzhou and Lu Qinghe absent, it was his responsibility to protect her.

“Alright, I’ll wait outside the ward for you.”

They quickly found the ward, following the room number provided by the unfamiliar contact. Luo Xing stood at the door, his feet feeling like they were weighed down by lead. He wanted to enter, yet he also wanted to run away.

What kind of expression should he have when facing this “closest” stranger?

Should he hate or love him, cry or smile?

Ye Qiaoqiao noticed his hesitation and gently tugged on his sleeve.

“If you’re not ready, we can come back later.”

Later.

No matter how much time passed, it wouldn’t make a difference. Luo Xing took a deep breath and reached for the doorknob.

Inside the room, two men were talking. The window was open slightly for ventilation, and the breeze swayed the curtains as the door opened.

Warm sunlight poured onto the white bedsheets, creating a soft glow.

The man lying in bed was speaking to the other man beside him. Despite his emaciated frame, his gentle smile and refined features still hinted at the elegance he once had.

Luo Xing lowered his eyes and focused on their clasped hands.

So, this was his father?

The man turned at the sound of the door opening. His smile froze, and the cup of warm water he was holding slipped from his hand, spilling onto the floor.

He opened his mouth, his voice hoarse and trembling.

“Are you… Xingxing?”