Chapter 15

In the morning, when Fang Shimian was switching shifts with Ma Liang and the others, he learned from their questions that Xu Long had been fined last night for leaving his post without permission, losing two hundred yuan. Two hundred was considered one of the highest fines; usually, getting caught would only cost a few dozen.

Xu Long didn’t have time to chat with Ma Liang, directly ignoring the gossiping looks from his colleagues, yawning as he led Fang Shimian out of the surveillance room.

Fang Shimian had seen the message in the group chat about Xu Long being fined and felt guilty. He was about to secretly transfer two hundred yuan to Xu Long through Zhizhi Bao when he got a hard smack on the head.

He covered his head and looked at Xu Long, who had his eyebrows raised high, putting a helmet on Fang Shimian’s head and giving it a few more unsatisfied pats, making a loud thumping sound like bouncing a basketball.

Fang Shimian’s head shrank lower and lower, feeling like Xu Long was going to hammer him into the ground.

“Do I look like I need your two hundred? Keep it for yourself and buy something to boost your brain.” Xu Long sat on the motorcycle, inserted the key, and continued to scold, “Next time, if you don’t turn on the sound in such a situation, I’ll throw your phone away.”

“Did you hear me?”

Fang Shimian nodded while covering his helmet, only climbing onto the back seat of Xu Long’s motorcycle after carefully observing that he wasn’t angry anymore.

When Xu Long was in a bad mood, he would drive very fast, only slowing down when he saw traffic police.

Motorcycles weren’t allowed in the city, so Xu Long was stopped but was soon let go.

Fang Shimian had encountered this situation before when riding with Xu Long. He had asked why Xu Long wasn’t fined or had points deducted, and Xu Long said his license plate was an old one, which allowed him to ride. New license plates would get caught if they rode here.

When they got downstairs, both of them carried their helmets upstairs. Xu Long was a bit surprised and asked, “Why aren’t you going out to play today?”

Because of the night shift, Fang Shimian slept in the early morning, from around two to nine. He couldn’t fall asleep immediately after getting off work, so he usually went out for a stroll before going home.

Fang Shimian took out two orange-yellow buns from his pocket and handed one to Xu Long, then took out another one for himself, slowly tearing it open and eating it. “Not going out today, the phone says it’s going to rain later.”

Xu Long glanced at him, chuckled, and said nothing.

When they reached their floor, they each opened their doors and went to rest.

In the blink of an eye, the last few days of October slipped by, and in November, the temperature in Haishi dropped a bit more. Fang Shimian and Xu Long were switching to day shifts and took a day off on the first.

Actually, surveillance operators weren’t allowed to take time off simultaneously. Normally, only one person would take a break, and the project would arrange for a security post to cover the shift. However, Xu Long was always willful; he didn’t want to have staggered times with Fang Shimian and didn’t like working with others.

So when they both took time off, it was usually a special duty officer and a security officer covering the surveillance post. That special duty officer was originally a surveillance team leader from Yunjin, had a good relationship with Xu Long, and was familiar with the surveillance work.

Since everything could operate normally, the company turned a blind eye and didn’t really manage them.

Fang Shimian took a shower, brought the clothes dried on the balcony into the room, though they still felt a bit damp. But in winter, it’s hard to dry clothes, especially during this rainy period.

While snuggling in bed playing games, Zhu Ze’s call came through. Fang Shimian answered it casually, putting it on speaker.

“Xiao Mian?”

Zhu Ze seemed a bit surprised that Fang Shimian answered the call. He laughed, “It’s rare for Xiao Mian to pick up the phone.”

“Zhu Ge, is there something you need?”

Fang Shimian stared at his phone, performed a cool move, and ended up getting killed.

The screen turned gray.

“I heard from your manager that you’re off today. How about having dinner with your brother tonight?” Zhu Ze’s side had the sound of navigation.

Fang Shimian pursed his lips, his hands didn’t stop, and this time he successfully cooperated with his teammates to take down an enemy, returning to the base with low health.

“This time, it’s just the two of us. Let’s have a good meal together. I was too hasty last time and didn’t consider your feelings. Let’s treat this meal as an apology from your brother, okay?”

“It’s fine, I had a good time last time… didn’t feel anything else, Zhu Ge, don’t say things like that.” Fang Shimian was a bit absent-minded; Zhu Ze’s words always made him feel pressured.

“Then accompany your brother for a meal, Xiao Mian. I’ve been busy lately and haven’t seen you in a while.”

It’s not like it’s been a long time; it’s only been half a month… Fang Shimian’s character died again, and the screen turned gray. He swiped the screen, and the words of refusal seemed to be a forbidden program in his brain, unable to be spoken no matter what. So he could only say, “Zhu Ge, send me the location tonight. I’ll come by myself, no need to trouble the driver.”

Zhu Ze quickly agreed.

After hanging up, Fang Shimian and his teammates pushed down the enemy’s crystal. Before the victory sign appeared, Fang Shimian exited the game and buried his head in the pillow.

The weather forecast was accurate. By noon, it started drizzling outside. From the rental room, the street looked hazy. Since the rain was light and just starting, most pedestrians hadn’t opened their umbrellas yet, using hats or casually covering their heads with something.

By one o’clock, the rain got heavier, wetting the bedroom window. The rain slanted against it like a standing lake, blurring the sky and tree shadows outside. Everything was no longer confined by frames, colors spilling out, crooked and twisted, like a door to another world.

Fang Shimian put on the cotton coat thrown on the bedside table, still wearing short sleeves and shorts underneath, shivering as he went to block the gap in the living room window.

Cardboard couldn’t block it; it would get wet and become a soggy mess in the old window gap, making it hard to clean. Last time, Fang Shimian got a cut on his hand because of this, but the wound wasn’t deep, and there wasn’t much bleeding.

This time, he got smart and used discounted towels bought online to block it. Standing on a stool, he piled up about ten towels, only leaving a small part at the top unblocked, with the rest tightly sealed.

Fang Shimian went to the bathroom to get a mop, dried the water that had blown into the living room, and used a towel to wipe the water stains off the tiles under the window sill.

After finishing these tasks, Fang Shimian went into the bedroom, closed the door, put the cotton coat back on the bedside table, and snuggled into the blanket.

The bedroom lights were off, and the outside was dim. Accompanied by the sound of rain hitting the canopy downstairs, Fang Shimian dozed off again.

In the afternoon, Xu Long came knocking. Fang Shimian wrapped himself in the cotton coat to open the door.

Xu Long also looked like he hadn’t fully woken up, with his hair at the back of his head sticking up like a rocket. He leaned against the door, asking Fang Shimian what he wanted for dinner.

Only then did Fang Shimian remember he forgot to tell Xu Long he had plans tonight. Seeing Xu Long’s sleepy eyes, he decisively picked up the helmet from the coffee table, put it on, and walked to Xu Long, his voice muffled by the helmet, “Long Ge, I’m going out to eat tonight.”

“Did you sleep your brain into a mess?” Xu Long said, “I know you’re going out to eat tonight. I meant what do you want to eat, I’ll see if there’s a place we haven’t tried.”

Fang Shimian raised his head, like a student answering a question, raising one hand, “I mean, I’m having dinner with someone else tonight.”

Xu Long crossed his arms, coldly looking at Fang Shimian’s helmet. He wanted to ask who he was going with but thought that even though Fang Shimian was younger, he was an adult. Besides, they were all men, and it would be weird to meddle too much.

So he reached out, took off Fang Shimian’s helmet, and gave him a flick on the forehead with a smile.

Later, Zhu Ze sent the address; it was a hot pot restaurant.

The name was familiar, and so was the location, right next to his high school.

High school wasn’t a great time for Fang Shimian. During that extremely oppressive period, he was obsessed with spicy and salty foods. Zhu Ze still kept in touch with him back then, occasionally visiting him at school, and Fang Shimian would request to eat hot pot or Sichuan cuisine.

Zhu Ze didn’t like those foods.

Fang Shimian asked Zhu Ze on WeChat if they should change the restaurant.

But Zhu Ze sent a picture to Fang Shimian; he was already there.

It was a bit far, so Fang Shimian took a cab, which cost quite a bit even with a discount coupon.

He thought, sometimes people shouldn’t be too stubborn.

This hot pot place wasn’t a big chain, mostly frequented by students from Haishi Experimental High School and nearby workers.

When Fang Shimian arrived, the hot oil in the spicy pot was bubbling, and Zhu Ze was blanching some vegetables in the clear soup pot. Seeing Fang Shimian, he said, “I ordered some of your old favorites. I don’t know if your taste has changed, so order whatever you want.”

Zhu Ze wasn’t wearing a suit today, nor did he style his hair. He was dressed casually, with a dark blue coat placed separately, wrapped in a bag by the restaurant.

There were a few tables of students around, probably having a gathering, wearing familiar school uniforms, whispering and discussing Zhu Ze and Fang Shimian’s table, their smiles bright and carefree.

For a moment, time seemed to rewind. Zhu Ze was the good neighborly brother, the kid with good grades and a bright future, as everyone said.

Fang Shimian sat down. The restaurant had air conditioning, so he took off his cotton coat, and a waiter came to help store it.

His soft cotton coat was also wrapped in a bag with the restaurant’s name, placed alongside Zhu Ze’s high-quality coat.

He was also carrying a bag of clothes, the ones the Shen family had exchanged for him last time. He originally wanted to give them to Zhu Ze when they met, but seeing Zhu Ze’s relaxed smile, Fang Shimian silently put the bag aside.

Zhu Ze didn’t like eating these, so it was mostly Fang Shimian eating with his head down. Zhu Ze only picked at a few bites, and the plate was filled by Fang Shimian.

Midway through the meal, Fang Shimian looked at the vegetables melting in the clear soup pot and Zhu Ze, who was browsing his phone with his head down, and sensibly ended the meal early.

He paid the bill under the pretense of going to the bathroom.

When the staff informed Zhu Ze of this, he gave Fang Shimian a helpless look, like he was indulging a disobedient child.

Fang Shimian smiled at Zhu Ze.

“It’s still early. Let’s find a place to chat.” Zhu Ze didn’t bring a driver today, and he opened the passenger door for Fang Shimian.

Fang Shimian thought Zhu Ze would choose a café, but he drove to a quiet bar instead.

“Are you going to drink?” Fang Shimian wanted to remind Zhu Ze that he didn’t have a driver.

A waiter came to guide them, and Zhu Ze led him inside, “You can have sparkling water or milk.”

They had just sat down, and the drinks hadn’t arrived yet when a few tables nearby started to stir. Zhu Ze casually turned the small green cylinder next to him to a noticeable red.

Amidst the soft music, Fang Shimian heard disappointed sighs.

Fang Shimian had a youthful face and was here for the first time, so the bartender checked his ID.

Zhu Ze’s phone kept buzzing with messages, and since Fang Shimian wasn’t much of a talker, they occasionally exchanged a few words, making it a rather pleasant time.

Fang Shimian scanned the code to order pasta for Zhu Ze.

When the waiter brought it over, Zhu Ze was surprised, but Fang Shimian didn’t look at him, only focusing on the ice cubes in his glass.

“Only ordered one?” Zhu Ze asked with a smile.

Fang Shimian still didn’t look at him, just touched his stomach, “Can’t eat anything else.”

Zhu Ze’s gaze softened, and he put his constantly buzzing phone aside, lowering his head to eat the pasta.

The light blue liquid with ice cubes looked nice, but Fang Shimian found the drink with a messy name didn’t taste as good as he imagined, feeling a bit like soap.

“Zhu Ze?”

Someone approached from behind Fang Shimian.

Fang Shimian looked up and saw it was Huo Jun.

Huo Jun also saw that it was Fang Shimian sitting across from Zhu Ze, and his face immediately darkened. He looked at Zhu Ze, “You brought him here?”