Chapter 50: A Snowy Day

Ruan Wenhong’s phone call confirmed Chen Qianqing’s suspicions.

Since Lu Zhengfei had been confined by his parents, their planned trip naturally fell through. However, while he couldn’t go with Lu Zhengfei, Chen Qianqing still decided to go on his own.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Chen Qingyang’s eldest sister, Chen Qingyu, welcomed her only son, Chen Liao, back home from his workplace.

It’s widely acknowledged that train tickets during the New Year are hard to come by. For someone like Chen Liao, who had only been working for a few years, coming home could sometimes feel like a luxury.

Chen Qianqing had some vague memories of this cousin. In his previous life, after his parents’ accident, it was this young man who handled their funeral arrangements. At the time, Chen Liao didn’t know about the relationship between Lu Zhengfei and Chen Qianqing. Even so, Lu Zhengfei sent someone to help out. Chen Liao directly demanded two million yuan from Lu Zhengfei in exchange for not pursuing legal action against the driver who had caused the accident.

Lu Zhengfei, already overwhelmed by the chaos surrounding Chen Qianqing, had no patience to negotiate. While he wasn’t directly responsible for the accident, if it weren’t for Chen Qianqing’s parents rushing to City A for his sake, they wouldn’t have died on the expressway leading from the airport.

How Chen Qianqing’s family split the two million wasn’t something Lu Zhengfei cared to know. All he knew was that after receiving the money, Chen Liao never tried to contact Chen Qianqing again.

With these memories in mind, Chen Qianqing’s attitude toward this cousin was lukewarm at best.

Chen Qingyang and Liu Huamei, unaware of these past events, were quite fond of this nephew.

Chen Liao brought some local specialties from his workplace as gifts, distributing a package to each family member.

Chen Qianqing, feeling mentally drained and disliking noise, mostly stayed in his room resting when the family gathered to chat. Liu Huamei initially worried about his health and suggested taking him to the hospital for a check-up. It was only after Chen Qianqing explained that he was just tired and needed some rest that she let the matter go.

He tried to avoid conversations with his family as much as possible. After all, he wasn’t the real Chen Qianqing, and if they asked something he couldn’t answer, it could lead to trouble.

However, during dinner, Chen Liao suddenly asked, “Qianqing, you’re in your second year of university now, right? Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?”

Chen Qianqing, half-heartedly eating his rice, replied without looking up, “I won’t starve, at least.”

Chen Liao frowned. “Why so pessimistic at your age? When I was a sophomore, I was already planning for my career!”

Chen Qianqing glanced at him briefly. “Oh.”

The atmosphere grew a little awkward. These kinds of family conversations were inevitable during the New Year, but Chen Qianqing clearly wasn’t interested in talking, and his replies to Chen Liao were perfunctory.

Liu Huamei sighed, “Qianqing, your cousin is talking to you. Pay attention!”

Chen Liao, sensing the tension, forced a smile and said, “Auntie, don’t scold Qianqing. He’s still just a kid. I wasn’t much different at his age.”

Chen Xiaohui, who was far more sociable than Chen Qianqing, chimed in sweetly, “Big Brother, are you planning to buy a car? That’s amazing!”

Chen Liao chuckled. “It’s just that traveling during the holiday season is so inconvenient. I thought it’d be nice to drive home next time. Qianqing, which train did you take to get home this time?”

Chen Qianqing stifled a sigh. He knew exactly what Chen Liao was trying to do—boast about his small achievements and show off in front of the family. Chen Qianqing had no interest in bursting his bubble but wished they could leave him out of it.

“I walked home,” Chen Qianqing replied flatly.

Chen Liao’s expression darkened. He had intended to lecture Chen Qianqing from a position of superiority while subtly flaunting his own success. But Chen Qianqing’s response was a complete rejection of his attempt to save face.

Chen Qianqing didn’t give Chen Liao a chance to continue talking. He stood up abruptly and said, “Mom, I’m full.” Then, without waiting for a response, he left.

Chen Liao froze for a moment before forcing a smile. “Qianqing’s temper is getting tougher, huh?”

Liu Huamei could only try to smooth things over. “He’s always been stubborn since he was a kid, just like his dad…” She quickly changed the topic.

After the Lunar New Year, Chen Qianqing began preparing for his trip. City D was a definite destination, but since he had plenty of time, he thought he might as well explore some of the nearby attractions as well.

Liu Huamei assumed Chen Qianqing would be traveling with his classmates and asked who he was going with. When Chen Qianqing mentioned Lu Zhengfei’s name, Liu Huamei relaxed. She had a good impression of Lu Zhengfei. Besides, since they were both boys, she didn’t see much risk, though she still gave Chen Qianqing a lengthy list of reminders.

Chen Qianqing listened patiently as Liu Huamei spoke.

Meanwhile, Chen Qingyang also planned to go on a trip. Since Liu Huamei didn’t want to go due to her motion sickness, and Chen Qianqing had made plans with his “classmate,” Chen Qingyang invited her sister, Chen Qingyu, to join instead. Chen Xiaohui had wanted to go too, but thanks to some meddling from Chen Qianqing, she didn’t end up going.

Lu Zhengfei was still stuck at home, unable to make a single phone call. Chen Qianqing packed his luggage and planned to set off after the peak holiday travel rush.

This year was especially cold, and after two days of clear skies, the snow resumed. When Chen Qianqing felt well, he would go out jogging to stay in shape. When he didn’t, he stayed home, curled up by the heater like a lazy bug.

After Chen Qianqing had booked his flight and other arrangements, he received a call from Ruan Wenhong, informing him that Lu Zhengfei was still grounded.

Chen Qianqing found this quite amusing. While Lu Zhengfei hadn’t been locked up for three years as he had in his previous life, he wasn’t getting out of this for at least a month. If Chen Qianqing’s guess was right, Huang Yuping and Lu Chongqian would likely send someone to contact him during this time to figure out what was really going on.

Lu Chongqian would never allow Lu Zhengfei to stray from the path he deemed acceptable, and Chen Qianqing saw this as an excellent opportunity.

Chen Qianqing’s flight was scheduled for mid-month, but his luck wasn’t great. A heavy snowstorm grounded flights at the airport, forcing him to cancel his ticket and wait for the weather to clear.

After the Lunar New Year, the house fell quiet again.

During the wait, Chen Qianqing’s childhood friend, Yuan Zhitao, called to check in on him.

What she really wanted to ask was whether Chen Qianqing still liked men. Chen Qianqing understood what she was hinting at and bluntly said, “I’m sorry.”

There was a long silence on the other end of the line before Yuan Zhitao sighed. “I understand.”

Chen Qianqing sniffled a little; he had caught a slight cold recently.

Yuan Zhitao said, “I saw him in a magazine…the guy you brought home last time.” She remembered Lu Zhengfei’s name but deliberately avoided saying it.

Chen Qianqing replied, “Mm.”

“You two are a good match,” Yuan Zhitao said with a sigh. “If neither of you liked men, do you know how many women would fall for you?”

Chen Qianqing chuckled. “Don’t worry, plenty already do.”

Yuan Zhitao laughed. “I never realized you were so shameless.”

Chen Qianqing rarely joked around with people, let alone made such cheeky remarks. If someone had told Yuan Zhitao in the past that Chen Qianqing liked men, she might have slapped them twice for spreading nonsense.

But facts are facts, and no one could change them.

Yuan Zhitao said, “You’ve changed so much. It’s like you’re a completely different person from before.”

Chen Qianqing’s grip on the phone tightened slightly.

Yuan Zhitao continued, “If I had joked with you like this in the past, you’d definitely have scolded me.”

Chen Qianqing asked, “So, do you prefer the old me or the current me?”

Yuan Zhitao’s laughter came through the phone. “I like both… but the way you are now feels… how do I put it? Like you have everything under control. You’re like a real man now.”

Chen Qianqing thought to himself: that’s because the former Chen Qianqing never had the chance to grow up—he had already been killed by him.

The two chatted about random topics for a while longer. Yuan Zhitao said she would visit him next semester, and Chen Qianqing agreed. After hanging up, he grabbed a tissue to wipe his running nose. No matter how “manly” someone is, a cold still leaves you sniffling and red-nosed, struggling to breathe.

It was as if the heavens were deliberately against him. The snow continued to fall for an entire week, covering everything in a blanket of white. When going outside, the snow reached up to his calves—a rare sight in City C.

The children in City C, who rarely saw snow, were ecstatic. Every day, Chen Qianqing could see groups of kids bundled up in coats and gloves, rolling around in the snow, throwing snowballs, or building snowmen, seemingly impervious to the cold.

Sometimes, Chen Qianqing would bundle up and sit by the window, watching them.

Liu Huamei, seeing his demeanor, sighed. “You’re acting like an old man.”

Chen Qianqing smiled but didn’t respond. He was simply lost in thoughts that weren’t particularly pleasant.

Originally, Chen Qianqing had planned to leave for his trip before Lu Zhengfei’s parents could send someone to talk to him. But it seemed like fate had other plans. On the day before the snow stopped, he received a phone call.

It was from an unknown number, registered in City A. Chen Qianqing answered, and on the other end was a stranger’s voice. It was polite but carried a slight chill.

“Hello, is this Mr. Chen Qianqing?”

“Yes, this is him,” Chen Qianqing replied.

The man said, “My name is Han Huaiyun. Mr. Lu Zhengfei’s parents have asked me to meet with you.”

Chen Qianqing was momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t expected Lu Zhengfei’s parents to take him so seriously, going so far as to send Lu Chongqian’s most trusted assistant to handle this matter.

“Where and when?” Chen Qianqing asked.

Han Huaiyun was slightly surprised by his straightforwardness. “Would tomorrow work for you? We can meet in City C.”

“That works,” Chen Qianqing said.

Han Huaiyun continued, “I’ll likely arrive in City C tomorrow morning. May I call you then to confirm? Please ensure your phone remains on.”

This person was as dull as ever. Chen Qianqing hummed in acknowledgment and hung up the call without further ado.

Not only was he unafraid of Huang Yuping and Lu Chongqian sending someone to negotiate, but he actually hoped they would come sooner.

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Hello again this is Lhaozi, if you spot some error, grammatical error or anything in my translation while reading, please do not hesitate to comment here or messaged me in discord. Thankyou! I will fixed it right away if you will inform me.