Chapter 7: “How do you know where I live?”

After finishing his last exam, it was essentially the beginning of his break. Lin Zhi didn’t waste time or energy lamenting how poorly he had done. After all, the exams were over, and the rice had already been cooked into porridge. There was no point in complaining about the things he couldn’t do. It was better to focus on refining his knowledge system with the three hundred days left until the college entrance exam.

【Lin Zhi: Xiao Jing, when are you going home?】

As soon as Lin Zhi finished the exams, he sent a message to Yao Wenjing.

Yao Wenjing didn’t reply immediately. Lin Zhi waited for three minutes and then started packing his luggage.

Next semester would be the start of his senior year. In order to give students more time for review, the second year high school students at the school would begin their classes two weeks earlier than the lower grades.

Lin Zhi changed into a T-shirt and shorts. His school uniform was washed and drying on the balcony. He asked his roommate, who was going home the next day, to help put the clothes back in the wardrobe before leaving. He wasn’t planning to take them home, so his suitcase only contained two or three sets of summer clothes and shoes, with the rest filled with books.

All the textbooks, study guides, and those that the teachers had required, along with the ones Lin Zhi had bought on a whim, were all stuffed into the suitcase, ready to be brought home to review at his own pace.

After locking the suitcase, Lin Zhi tried lifting it—it was heavy, really heavy.

The dorm didn’t have air conditioning, only a small fan that could break down at any moment. Lin Zhi used his two fingers to lift the fabric of his T-shirt and waved it in the air. Despite it being late in the evening, the heat was still intense, and after a few minutes of tidying up, he broke into a light sweat.

Yao Wenjing’s reply came a bit late.

【Yao Wenjing: I’m going home a bit late today, I’m worried I’ll run into my dad coming back drunk.】

【Yao Wenjing: I plan to wait until tomorrow when he goes out to play cards before going home.】

Lin Zhi sighed silently, feeling a bit heartbroken for Yao Wenjing.

【Lin Zhi: Then I’ll head back today.】

【Lin Zhi: Let me know when you’re almost home tomorrow, I’ll come pick you up.】

【Yao Wenjing: No need, no need, I can manage on my own.】

Lin Zhi remembered that in his previous life, Yao Wenjing had told him that when his father was drunk or lost money gambling, he would “go crazy” at home. When Yao Wenjing was younger, he would often be either lightly or severely beaten and scolded. As Yao Wenjing grew older, perhaps because his father feared he might fight back, the beatings became less frequent and were replaced by harsh words.

In truth, Yao Wenjing would never fight back. Since childhood, he had developed a psychological trauma. Even hearing his father’s footsteps approaching the door would make him afraid. His boldest wish was simply to grow up quickly, get into university, and move far away, escaping that “home” and his father.

In his previous life, when Lin Zhi knew about all of this, he was just a high school student. On the surface, he was confident, but in reality, he was still at an age when he would be called to speak to his parents if he encountered a problem.

He genuinely hoped that Yao Wenjing could achieve his wish of leaving that home, but he couldn’t help Yao Wenjing in any substantial way—he could only provide emotional support.

Now that he had returned from three years in the future, though his body still appeared youthful, his mental age had matured. After Lin Qingye’s death in his previous life, Lin Zhi had taken charge of the family for a time and had become much calmer and more composed in handling life.

【Lin Zhi: I’m actually going to buy a college entrance exam prep book. Can you help me see which one is good tomorrow?】

【Yao Wenjing: Sure, I’ll call you tomorrow.】

Lin Zhi put his phone away, said goodbye to his roommate in the dorm, and dragged his suitcase out of the dorm building.

Several cars were parked in front of the boys’ dormitory, likely there to pick up students going home. One of the trunks was wide open, and a tall, slender young man was lifting his suitcase to put it in the trunk, followed by a middle-aged couple.

The woman gave a glance, and the man silently stepped forward, intending to take the heavy suitcase from the young man.

“It’s fine,” the young man half-heartedly insisted, “it’s not that heavy. I can carry it myself.”

“Let your dad do it,” the woman extended her hand to the young man. “You two go on ahead and rest in the car.”

“Go ahead,” the man echoed. “You just finished your exams, go rest.”

Lu Liu insisted on handling his own luggage and then smiled, saying, “School isn’t tiring.”

“You’ll be tired next year,” the woman replied. “You still need to pay attention to your rest. Last year, one of the students I taught only slept three or four hours every day and ended up in the hospital due to mental exhaustion. It’s not worth it.”

“Okay,” Lu Liu obediently nodded. “I will.”

Lin Zhi gripped the handle of his heavy suitcase and slowly maneuvered it down the stairs, trying to keep a low profile.

As soon as he stepped out through the glass doors, he spotted a family by the sedan. From just half a profile, he immediately recognized Lu Liu.

It was amazing.

The steps at the entrance were not high, only four, so Lin Zhi gently placed his suitcase on the ground, intending to walk around the front of the car to avoid being seen by Lu Liu.

However, Lin Zhi clearly underestimated the loud noise the suitcase wheels would make on the ground. After walking less than two meters, Lu Liu instinctively glanced in the direction of the sound. When he saw it was Lin Zhi, his gaze, which was about to move away, stopped and followed Lin Zhi’s movements.

Feng Shuyun, following her son’s line of sight, spotted Lin Zhi about two meters away and quietly asked, “Is he your classmate?”

“Yeah,” Lu Liu withdrew his gaze. “He’s from the dorm opposite mine.”

“It looks like he doesn’t have anyone picking him up,” Feng Shuyun said, glancing at Lin Zhi as he moved, before turning to ask Lu Liu, “Do you want to give him a ride?”

Lu Liu thought for a moment about Lin Zhi’s attitude toward him. He figured Lin Zhi probably didn’t like him, maybe even disliked him, and was about to say, “No need.”

But what came out of his mouth was, “Is it okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Feng Shuyun smiled lightly. “Didn’t you also hitch a ride with your friends’ families before? Go ask him if he’d like us to give him a ride.”

“Okay.” Lu Liu nodded quickly and hurried toward Lin Zhi.

Lin Zhi had just walked past the front of the car, relieved that Lu Liu hadn’t seen him. But then, he heard his name being called from behind: “Lin Zhi.”

It was a clear and simple call, unmistakably Lu Liu’s voice.

Not wanting to greet him first was one thing, but now that Lu Liu had called out, pretending not to hear would be rude.

“Huh?” Lin Zhi turned around, feigning confusion. “Class monitor? Is something wrong?”

“Are you going home now?” Lu Liu asked, looking directly at Lin Zhi with a knowingly innocent tone.

“Yeah,” Lin Zhi gave a professional fake smile. “Do I need to report to the class monitor every time I go home after high school exams?”

Lu Liu was focused on figuring out how to get Lin Zhi into his car, not noticing the awkwardness in Lin Zhi’s words. He asked, “How are you getting home?”

“Taking the bus,” Lin Zhi glanced at his watch. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go now. The next bus is about to arrive.”

“There is something,” Lu Liu’s voice became slightly urgent. “My mom said if you’re willing, we can give you a ride since we’re going that way.”

“Your mom said?” Lin Zhi raised an eyebrow. He had never met Lu Liu’s mom before.

“Yeah.” Lu Liu said it casually, not a hint of hesitation, and raised his chin toward the car.

Lin Zhi looked over and saw the same middle-aged woman smiling at them. Her demeanor was warm and approachable, the kind of person who seemed easy to get along with.

Although Lin Zhi hadn’t heard exactly what her son had said to his classmate, seeing them both look in her direction, Feng Shuyun smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

Lin Zhi had never had a mother, so he never really knew how to interact with middle-aged women like this. Nor could he resist the warmth they extended. He hurriedly nodded as a greeting.

“Thank you to Auntie,” Lin Zhi said to Lu Liu. “But really, there’s no need. It might not be on the way.”

“It’s on the way,” Lu Liu downplayed the situation. “I always pass by your neighborhood when I go home.”

“How do you know where I live?” Lin Zhi asked, realizing immediately that since Lu Liu was the class monitor, he probably knew where everyone in the class lived. He quickly tried to decline again, saying, “Really, it’s fine. It’s too much trouble.”

“It’s not trouble.” Lu Liu reached over and grabbed the handle of Lin Zhi’s suitcase, gently tugging it toward himself.