Chapter 6

Jiang Chu Ting was so shocked, and knowing that he was the person Lin Zhi disliked, he really didn’t know how to face the bright, smiling face in front of him. He didn’t speak for quite a while.

Compared to Lin Zhi’s fiery enthusiasm, his reaction was indeed too cold.

Lin Zhi quickly noticed this, suppressing the huge disappointment in his heart. He had thought Chu Ran would happily hug him, pat his head, and say, “Que’er has grown so much.”

Slowly letting go of his arm, Lin Zhi continued to smile, casually asking, “Where have you been all these years? What have you been doing? I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

Jiang Chu Ting felt quite uncomfortable. It was really hard to connect the bright and obedient child in front of him with the boy who maliciously provoked and mocked him back then. After forcing himself to calm down, he finally spoke when he heard this, “You were looking for me?” Even though the Disguise Pill would change his voice, he was still worried about being recognized, so he deliberately lowered it a bit.

His gentle, wind-like voice overlapped with the one in Lin Zhi’s memory, making Lin Zhi’s eyes brighten even more. “Yes, I was looking for you. At that time, my family caught me and took me back, and I couldn’t get out. When I finally could, I couldn’t find you anymore.”

Lin Zhi had sneaked out from home back then, and by a twist of fate, he accidentally stumbled into a heavily guarded medicinal garden. He was chased with knives by the people inside, and in his hurried escape, he fell down a slope, getting his face scratched by poisonous plants. He barely managed to make it to the street before fainting from the pain. It was this person who picked him up, took care of him meticulously, and didn’t mind his face full of poisonous sores, bleeding, pus, and even foul-smelling water, personally cleaning him. When he cried from the pain after applying medicine and couldn’t sleep, this person held him, spoke softly, and comforted him, staying up all night with him.

At that time, Lin Zhi felt that he must be the gentlest person in the world, and his deep attachment to him far exceeded that of some family members.

Later, he was found and taken back home, put under house arrest. When he could finally go out, he couldn’t find this person no matter what, and he felt extremely upset, regretting not revealing his real name and identity earlier.

Even though so many years had passed, everything about Chu Ran was still vividly imprinted in his mind, and Lin Zhi had never forgotten. His bright, gentle black eyes like stars, his clear, relaxed smile, his pleasant voice, his fresh scent, his warm embrace… From childhood to adulthood, he would recall these when happy, and even more so when unhappy. Gradually, it became an obsession, always thinking that he must see him again in this lifetime.

Just now on the street, it was just a passing glance, but he quickly realized and hurriedly turned back to chase after him.

It really was him! He would never mistake him! In that instant, Lin Zhi felt as if a thousand fireworks exploded brilliantly in his mind, and that extreme joy made his blood boil. It turned out that obsession really worked, and even the heavens would remember for him.

Even though Chu Ran’s reaction wasn’t quite what he expected, just being able to meet this person again made him truly satisfied.

Jiang Chu Ting temporarily put aside those chaotic thoughts, trying to make his tone sound more natural, and replied, “I see.” Then he answered Lin Zhi’s earlier question, “These years, I’ve been wandering around without a plan, just going wherever I please. It’s normal that you couldn’t find me.”

Although his expression was gentle, there was always an indescribable sense of distance. Lin Zhi couldn’t help but think, back then, when he was so ugly, Chu Ran didn’t mind holding him to sleep, treating him gently. Now that he’s grown up and become good-looking, Chu Ran has become cold.

Could it be that Chu Ran only likes ugly kids?

Or is it that he’s just as kind and warm to everyone else, and Lin Zhi is just an ordinary person among those he helped, nothing special after all these years?

As soon as this thought emerged, Lin Zhi’s heart was filled with an uncontrollable sourness, as if something he cared about deeply was actually insignificant to others.

Lin Zhi pursed his lips, secretly observing his expression, and asked in a low voice, “When I disappeared, did you look for me?”

Jiang Chu Ting replied truthfully, “I searched for a long time and even asked others to help inquire, but I couldn’t find you.” After being forced to swallow a pill by Lin Xuan, he continued searching in the area for a while and even asked Jiang Xian to help inquire, but there was no news.

Hearing that he searched for a long time and even asked others to inquire, the original sourness suddenly mixed with a hint of sweetness, turning into a bittersweet feeling. Lin Zhi quickly said, “Actually, I didn’t leave without saying goodbye on purpose. I wanted to pick flowers for you, but they caught me and took me back before I could tell you. Later, I…”

“It doesn’t matter, as long as you’re safe.” His anxious explanation made Jiang Chu Ting finally unable to hold back a gentle laugh, “I never blamed you.”

He finally smiled, his eyes curving beautifully, his gaze warm and gentle, just like the image Lin Zhi always cherished in his heart. His chest felt warm and itchy, as if something powerful was stirring in his heart, ready to burst forth.

Lin Zhi scratched lightly at his burning earlobe, then remembered something and earnestly confessed, “By the way, my real name is actually Lin Zhi. Que’er was a name I borrowed from my father’s. I intended to tell you, but I didn’t get the chance. Please don’t blame me, okay?”

Jiang Chu Ting said, “I don’t blame you. It’s good to be cautious.”

Back then, he saved him and treated him so well partly because he was soft-hearted and partly because the name was so similar to Zi Que’s.

It turned out to be a borrowed name. Lin Zhi’s face was injured back then, making it impossible to see his features, and Jiang Chu Ting never suspected the child’s identity. How could he have known there would be such a coincidence in the world?

During the time they spent together when he was a child, Lin Zhi was particularly attached to him. They ate and slept together, and their bond was especially strong. If he really had a son, he would have treated him no differently.

If today he were reuniting with “Que’er,” he would certainly be very happy, would hug him, and suggest finding a place to have a good chat over tea.

But Que’er was no longer Que’er; he was Lin Zhi, who saw him as an enemy.

Not revealing his identity would be deceitful. Revealing it, given the child’s misunderstanding and prejudice against him, would make him think he was deliberately deceiving and approaching him back then, deepening his hatred. Jiang Chu Ting didn’t want that.

The best way was to let “Chu Ran” remain a beautiful memory in Lin Zhi’s heart, and he would avoid meeting the child with this face again.

Having made up his mind, Jiang Chu Ting didn’t say much more, finding an excuse to bid farewell, “Lin Zhi, I have some matters to attend to, so I must leave now.”

Lin Zhi was taken aback, “You’re leaving already?” After such a long-awaited reunion, they had only exchanged a few words, and he was already eager to leave? His heart was full of reluctance and loneliness, even a bit of anxiety. Unwilling to let him go just like that, he quickly volunteered, “What do you need to handle? I can help! I promise I won’t be a bother.”

Lin Zhi’s clear, bright eyes were filled with undisguised reluctance and attachment, even a hint of pleading. He tugged at a corner of his sleeve, “Chu Ran, please, I don’t want to part with you so soon.”

Jiang Chu Ting felt a bit stiff under his gaze. If Lin Zhi knew the true identity behind this face, he would surely regret it, even feel disgusted. After hesitating, he still said, “Lin Zhi, really, there’s no need. I can handle it alone.” He gently pulled his sleeve back from Lin Zhi’s hand.

Lin Zhi looked at his now empty hand, feeling extremely sad, yet still unwilling to give up. He asked, “Then where do you usually stay? Where should I go to find you in the future? You have to give me some way to contact you, I…”

“That’s hard to say.” The more genuine Lin Zhi’s feelings were, the more Jiang Chu Ting wanted to escape. He interrupted before Lin Zhi could finish, “I wander the world, without a fixed place. If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”

To Lin Zhi, this was like directly telling him he didn’t want to see him again. Lin Zhi’s eyes instantly turned red and moist, his cheeks puffed slightly, and he stared at him, tears of sadness and grievance seemingly ready to fall at any moment.

Jiang Chu Ting was speechless, meeting his gaze for a moment, sighing inwardly. He hardened his heart and started walking.

As he passed by Lin Zhi, Lin Zhi raised his hand as if to grab his clothes, but he couldn’t catch hold.

Even as Jiang Chu Ting walked away, he could still feel the gaze following him, making his back feel hot.

Jiang Chu Ting knew Lin Zhi was following him, and after walking for a quarter of an hour without him disappearing, he couldn’t let him continue. He had to stop and turn around.

In no time, Lin Zhi peeked out from a nearby alley, one hand on the wall, looking at him with a pitiful expression.

Jiang Chu Ting felt both helpless and troubled. This child… what should he do with him?

Lin Zhi’s fingers lightly traced the wall, speaking in a muffled voice, “Can we have a meal together after you’re done?”

Jiang Chu Ting had reflected on this while walking. Lin Zhi missed the “Chu Ran” in his memory so much that even if he wanted to avoid him, he shouldn’t be so unkind and leave in a hurry, leaving regrets. It would be better to keep his identity hidden, have a good meeting with Lin Zhi, fulfill his wish, and prevent him from being unable to let go, always wanting to find him.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chu Ting smiled and readily agreed, “Alright.”

As soon as the word “alright” left his lips, Lin Zhi rushed in front of him, eyes wide with disbelief, asking, “Really? Really? You’re not lying to me?”

“I’m not lying to you.” Jiang Chu Ting said to him, “In ten days, after I’ve handled my affairs, I should pass through here again. I’ll meet you then.”

Jiang Chu Ting deliberately postponed the date. Lin Zhi was so excited and overjoyed now because it was their first meeting after many years. After ten days, no matter how intense his emotions were, they would have faded somewhat with time. When they met and said goodbye then, he wouldn’t be as sad as he was today.

“Ten days…” It felt like a long time, but Lin Zhi didn’t object. It was good enough that he agreed. He said, “Ten days it is!”

After agreeing on the meeting place, Lin Zhi seemed a bit uneasy, repeatedly confirming with him, “Chu Ran, you’re not lying to me, right? You’ll definitely come, won’t you?”

Jiang Chu Ting said warmly, “Why would I lie to you? I’ll definitely come.”

Lin Zhi gazed at him deeply for a moment, then suddenly opened his arms and hugged him. Jiang Chu Ting’s expression froze, and before he could react, Lin Zhi had already let go.

Lin Zhi placed his hands on his shoulders, flashing a smile with his little tiger teeth, and said, “It’s a promise then. I’ll wait, and wait, until you come.”