Chapter 60: A person in the storm

Lu Zhengfei never imagined that the scene of him and Qianqing eating cake together in the courtyard would be their last meeting in years.

During the three years they were apart, the clearest image in Lu Zhengfei’s mind was of Chen Qianqing sitting on a swing, silently gazing ahead. Cherry blossom petals floated down from the trees, some landing on Chen Qianqing’s hair. Lu reached out, pinched one petal, and gently blew it away.

Sometimes, things you think won’t happen still unfold quietly, following a predetermined path.

Liu Huamei and Chen Qingyang didn’t die on their way to meet Chen Qianqing, but on the way back from sending him off. Lu Zhengfei wasn’t locked up by his family for coming out but was still locked for three years when his relationship with Chen Qianqing was exposed.

Chen Qianqing sat by the window, watching Lu Zhengfei get into the car sent by Huang Yuping. Then, a voice came from behind him. “Mr. Chen, hello. I’m Han Huaiyan.”

Chen Qianqing turned to look at Han Huaiyun. “Alright,” he replied.

Chen Qianqing knew exactly what the real Chen Qianqing had done because, three years later, he investigated everything.

In truth, the original Chen Qianqing had only wanted an ordinary life—finding a decent job, a girlfriend, having children, and growing old peacefully.

Han Huaiyun asked, “Do you agree to my proposal?”

Chen Qianqing replied, “I agree.”

The conditions Han Huaiyun offered Chen Qianqing were similar to what they had discussed before: a sum of money, arrangements for psychological treatment, and even assistance with overseas education enrollment.

Chen Qianqing, dressed in a high-neck white sweater, stirred his coffee slowly with a spoon. “I want to return to China,” he said.

Han Huaiyun had no reason to refuse. What Lu Zhengfei had done was too conspicuous; his family would never tolerate it. There’s a vast difference between playing with men and falling in love with one.

Chen Qianqing knew Han Huaiyun would agree. He casually glanced out at the sunny courtyard again.

The next day, Chen Qianqing returned to China.

For the current Chen Qianqing, the most terrifying thing was having no purpose. He didn’t know what he wanted or even the significance of his rebirth—unless enduring pain could count as a purpose.

Representing the will of Lu Zhongqian, Han Huaiyun generously gave Chen Qianqing a large sum of money, even more than what they had initially agreed upon.

Han Huaiyun also apologized to Chen Qianqing on behalf of Lu Zhongqian. Chen listened without much reaction. It wasn’t until Han finished and prepared to leave that he asked, “Aren’t you concerned about how Lu Zhengfei is doing?”

Chen Qianqing lifted his gaze and remained silent.

Sometimes, silence is the answer. Han Zhongqian sighed, “His father broke his leg yesterday.”

Chen Qianqing replied, “You should leave.”

Han said no more and left, now fully convinced that Chen Qianqing no longer cared for Lu Zhengfei.

Chen Qianqing sat in the room for a long time, so long that his bones ached before he shifted positions.

If this body weren’t his own, he might have chosen death already.

No matter the pain or despair, the sun would still rise, and life would go on.

After returning to China, Chen Qianqing didn’t contact anyone. He took a random clerical job at a company. With the money Han gave him, he could live comfortably as long as he didn’t splurge. But he also knew his fragile mental state; if left alone for too long, he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t someday just kill himself at home.

Without a university degree, Chen Qianqing found a job akin to a receptionist. The pay wasn’t high, but the work was light.

He didn’t return to City A or City B but bought the next available train ticket to an unfamiliar city.

The psychological treatment Han arranged was scheduled weekly, but after attending once, Chen Qianqing didn’t return. He couldn’t share his true thoughts with the therapist, so he remained silent, unmoved by the doctor’s inquiries and kind conversations.

During his time in City D, Chen Qianqing encountered Wang Wulin several times.

The first time, Chen didn’t think much of it. But after a few more encounters, he realized that fate was truly inescapable.

Wang Wulin had come to City D by chance. His sister, Wang Wuxiao, had fallen for a man from City D—more of an unrequited obsession than love. To track the man down, Wulin frequently traveled to City D and unexpectedly ran into Chen Qianqing multiple times.

Wulin, having retired from the military and begun managing family affairs, initially suspected these encounters were deliberate. But seeing how Chen avoided or ignored him, he concluded it was likely not a scheme.

If not a conspiracy, then it must be fate. Knowing about Lu Zhengfei’s troubled history, Wulin couldn’t help but feel some sympathy for Chen Qianqing.

Eventually, Chen Qianqing came to terms with it. Since he couldn’t fight fate, he might as well enjoy it.

Wang Wulin would occasionally invite Chen Qianqing for tea while he was in City D.

Since Chen Qianqing had nothing else to do, he would accompany Wulin to enjoy the sunshine and typical snacks. Wulin didn’t talk much, and Chen Qianqing was also quiet, so the two of them often spent entire afternoons together without saying a word.

Wang Wulin admired Chen Qianqing. He thought that if it weren’t for Lu Zhengfei, Chen Qianqing might not have ended up in this situation. Intelligent and quiet people are always more liked than those who are loud and foolish.

One day, Wang Wulin suddenly called Chen Qianqing. He said, “Chen Qianqing, In the coming days, you should be careful.”

Chen Qianqing replied, “Hm?”

Wang Wulin said, “Lu Zhengfei has escaped from their house. He’s probably coming to find you.”

Chen Qianqing was silent for a moment. “He escaped? How did he do that?” Back when he had clashed with his family, his father had arranged for two bodyguards to follow him everywhere, even outside the bathroom. Escape? It seemed impossible.

Wang Wulin said, “I don’t know.”

After hanging up, Chen Qianqing thought for a while and realized that the only way Lu Zhengfei could have escaped was by yielding. In fact, Lu Zhengfei and his father, Lu Zhongqian, were both stubborn to a terrifying degree. Whenever they clashed, neither would ever compromise—until Lu Zhengfei became smarter.

How had he come to this realization so quickly? Chen Qianqing felt this butterfly effect was completely bewildering.

Not long after Wang Wulin’s call ended, another call came from Han Huaiyan, someone he hadn’t heard from in a long time. He said, “Mr. Chen, hello. This is Han Huaiyun.”

Still the same old greeting. Chen Qianqing replied, “What’s the matter?”

Han Huaiyun said, “Mr. Lu may come to find you soon. If you see him, could you give me a call?”

Chen Qianqing asked, “Aren’t you going to send someone to follow me?”

Han Huaiyun laughed and said, “Mr. Chen, we’re all law-abiding citizens.”

Chen Qianqing also laughed and hung up the phone. He then walked into the kitchen.

The fish he bought was still twitching, its mouth opening and closing. Chen Qianqing expertly gutted the fish, scaled it, and chopped it into pieces before marinating it with salt and chili.

The vegetables he bought were baby bok choy. He removed the wilted leaves and prepared to cook them in boiling water for soup.

Living alone was simple. Chen Qianqing felt he could live well this way, though he increasingly felt his soul drifting toward an unknown place.

It had been a year since he left Lu Zhengfei. Another summer had come, and Chen Qianqing had gotten used to living alone. He had also grown accustomed to seeing the face in the mirror that should have been familiar, yet was increasingly strange to him.

Some might ask, how could a person’s own face seem unfamiliar? Chen Qianqing didn’t know either. He just knew that he couldn’t remember the true expressions of the real Chen Qianqing. His face now only bore indifference and calm, with nothing that could captivate him.

So, did Lu Zhengfei still love him?

After dinner, a heavy rain began to pour down in City D. Chen Qianqing cleaned the dishes while listening to the thunder outside, finding it quite comfortable.

After washing the dishes, he watched some TV and then got into bed to sleep.

Insomnia still troubled Chen Qianqing, but compared to before, when he could only sleep for ten minutes a night, he now managed to sleep for two or three hours.

The bedside lamp was still on, filling the small bedroom with an orange glow.

Chen Qianqing stared at the ceiling, trying to recall what the strangers he had seen that day were wearing and what they had said.

Time passed slowly, and suddenly, his phone, which was resting on the bedside table, rang.

He picked it up and saw an unfamiliar number.

It seemed that, as soon as he saw the number, he already knew who it was.

He answered, and sure enough, it was the voice of the escapee, breathing heavily, sounding exhausted. “Qianqing, Qianqing…”

Chen Qianqing listened quietly.

The escapee’s voice trembled as he said, “Qianqing, I’ve escaped. I’m downstairs. Could you come down and see me?”

A loud clap of thunder suddenly shook the air.

Chen Qianqing replied, “I’m already asleep.”

The escapee said, “Could you come see me? I’m by the window… Qianqing…”

Chen Qianqing said, “It’s thundering, I’ll hang up now.”

Then, he hung up the phone and turned it off.

The torrential rain seemed as though it would crush the entire world. Chen Qianqing slowly sat up from the bed and walked over to the window, silently watching the view outside.

He lived on the third floor, and at that moment, he saw someone standing in the open space below, without an umbrella, looking like a drenched chicken.

Chen Qianqing picked up his phone again, turned it on, and sent a text message to Han Huaiyan: He’s downstairs at my place.

After sending the message, he turned back and lay down in bed again.