CFHE Chapter 87

“Hah… hah…”

 

The two ran a long distance in one breath, hiding in the first-year teaching building, a hundred thousand miles away from the sports field, before stopping. On days when seniors did deep cleaning, first-years still had classes. The two squeezed into the empty corridor to catch their breath, and when they accidentally made eye contact, they burst into laughter.

 

“Aren’t we going back to the classroom?” Wen Yu asked him.

 

“Old Yao might come back to the classroom to catch us if he’s upset. Anyway, we finished the deep cleaning,” Fu Yuhan thought for a moment and said, “The parents should be arriving one after another, right? Has your Auntie Fang arrived? Do you need to go pick her up?”

 

Wen Yu’s expression immediately became somewhat subtle: “She hasn’t contacted me yet.”

 

He also… hadn’t actively contacted her.

 

“Calling her ‘Mom’ would kill you from awkwardness.” Fu Yuhan squinted and laughed twice, but didn’t mock him too much. He stuck his hands in his pockets and shook his head, “Then let’s go, come with me to buy a bottle of water.”

 

“Ah, right, we probably won’t have time to go out for dinner today.” Wen Yu said, following him. “Then I need to go buy a bowl of instant noodles.”

 

“Is the young master descending to the mortal realm? How come you’re even eating instant noodles now?”

 

“No, a couple days ago I saw the convenience store stocked two types of noodles I hadn’t seen before. They seem pretty good, I want to try them…”

 

Anything that Young Master Wen found fresh, Fu Yuhan naturally found fresh too. He immediately had some anticipation for the school’s shabby shop that was probably not even forty square meters. However, when the two rounded the corner to the convenience store, Wen Yu picked up a bowl of cheese Italian noodles.

 

Fu Yuhan: “…”

 

“Ge,” he felt a bit of a headache coming on, “do you know how many years these two types of noodles have been out?”

 

It was just that the school convenience store hadn’t stocked them before.

 

This type of noodles was a bit more expensive than ordinary instant noodles, the portions weren’t large—one bowl wasn’t enough for a half-grown boy’s meal—and they were troublesome to prepare. The convenience store only had one microwave, and during the rushed lunch period, who would want to fight for it?

 

“I haven’t eaten them before.” Wen Yu said, “If I haven’t eaten them, they’re new flavors. Is there a problem?”

 

Fu Yuhan: “…”

 

No, please go ahead.

 

Fu Yuhan made a “please” gesture, indicating he should go use the in-store microwave.

 

Those noodles came in two flavors. Wen Yu took one bowl of each, and after checking out and opening the first bowl to see the portion size, he went back and got two more bowls to pay for.

 

Fu Yuhan observed from the side: “Although these noodles have small portions, you don’t need to eat four bowls at once…”

 

“I got them for you.” Wen Yu said.

 

“…” Fu Yuhan paused, “Can I apply to eat something else?”

 

“No.” Wen Yu looked at him and said earnestly, “Keep me company.”

 

“…Fine.”

 

Fu Yuhan sighed, unscrewed the mineral water bottle, walked to the store entrance and tilted his head back to pour it into his mouth.

 

He didn’t know if it was because of the excessive restrictions during his upbringing, but occasionally Wen Yu would show a very childish side. For example, this Italian noodle with its unique preparation method had piqued his interest, and he wouldn’t even let Fu Yuhan help.

 

About this, Fu Yuhan was very helpless—feeling both heartache and amusement.

 

After laughing, he thought about it and realized he wasn’t much better. At his age, he was still eyeing the game console that Yang Fan and Chu Lei had pooled money to give him—

 

Men are forever children. If it weren’t for the impending college entrance exam preventing him from playing, he’d immediately wage a three-day battle with Mario.

 

That red-hatted plumber was very good at distracting people. When he came back to his senses, there was an extra person in front of Fu Yuhan.

 

Dressed elegantly with exquisite makeup.

 

He gave a short “ah”: “Auntie Fang.”

 

“I wanted to come buy a bottle of water, didn’t expect to run into you.” Fang Wanjing smiled, “Are you here alone?”

 

Fu Yuhan pointed inside the shop: “He’s making noodles.”

 

Fang Wanjing froze: “Why is he eating that?”

 

“Novelty.” Fu Yuhan thought for a moment and said, “Junk food isn’t healthy, but it’s interesting.”

 

Fang Wanjing blinked, then suddenly smiled: “That’s true.”

 

Their relationship was awkward, with no topics to chat about—it got a bit cold. Fang Wanjing stood at the store entrance without going in, staring at the glass door covered with advertising film for a while, then abruptly started a conversation: “You were right, life doesn’t always need to follow the rules… Ha, it’s ridiculous that at my age, I don’t see some things as clearly as you young people.”

 

Fu Yuhan: “…” How was he supposed to respond to that?

 

“Actually, I want to thank you two. While Xiao Yu is inside, let me thank you—after all, having me thank him would be quite awkward.” She tucked the hair by her temples and said with a light laugh, “Seeing you two together, I suddenly remembered that phrase—’good love makes people better.’ That’s what made me determined to divorce Ziming.”

 

Fu Yuhan squeezed the water bottle and thought for a moment: “Is it going smoothly?”

 

Fang Wanjing shook her head: “But it will get better. Even if it’s difficult, it’s still better than being trapped in place.”

 

Now Fu Yuhan really didn’t know what to say. He thought for a long while before saying in a low voice: “Then I wish you smooth sailing… and a happy life.”

 

“I wish you both well too.” Fang Wanjing smiled until her eyes curved. “Although… with relationships, you can never say what will happen in the future, but I selfishly hope you two can last a long, long time. Even if one day you have to separate, at least you won’t…”

 

Her voice grew hoarse as she spoke, her gaze stopping at the store entrance.

 

Fu Yuhan suddenly turned his head to see Wen Yu holding two bowls of noodles with a gloomy expression: “How is it that the moment I’m gone you’re cursing us to break up? Who’s breaking up!”

 

“I’m sorry, Xiao Yu,” Fang Wanjing was also a bit embarrassed. “That’s not what I mea—”

 

Before the word “meant” could leave her mouth, she saw the tall, cool and aloof youth in front of her raise his hand and press the cap of the mineral water bottle against Wen Yu’s forehead.

 

“Yu-ge,” his attitude casual and familiar, “speak properly.”

 

Wen Yu: “…”

 

Wen Yu pursed his lips in displeasure, his gaze moving from the sky to the distant shrubs and then to the ground.

 

Finally, he raised his eyes.

 

“I won’t break up with Xiao Han. No difficulty can stop me. If you insist on saying people’s hearts are unpredictable, that decades from now we might have a change of heart…” Wen Yu said, glancing at Fu Yuhan, then returning his gaze to Fang Wanjing’s face, speaking word by word, “I don’t know if you’ve been on the open sea, but ships don’t abandon their lighthouse… Mom.”

 

In the long, endless night, the only speck of light.

 

Who would abandon it? Who has the right to abandon it?

 

“…Being sentimental here won’t trick you into getting a kiss, Yu-ge.” Fu Yuhan was somewhat speechless.

 

He briefly lifted his eyelids, glancing at the surveillance camera at the store entrance, then quickly scanned the surroundings. Finally, he said “sorry” to Fang Wanjing.

 

Then he swiftly leaned in and pecked Wen Yu on the face.

 

Wen Yu had one bowl in each hand. Startled by him with no way to react, when he came to his senses, he laughed: “Didn’t I trick you into it?”

 

“This young master likes you, it’s a reward.” Fu Yuhan arrogantly raised his chin and tapped Wen Yu’s chest with his index finger. “Where’s my noodles?”

 

“On the cashier counter, I didn’t have hands to carry it.”

 

“Then I’ll go get it.” Fu Yuhan brushed past his shoulder into the store, leaving mother and son looking at each other.

 

“You two…” Fang Wanjing was stunned for a moment, then smiled gently. “Your relationship is really good.”

 

“It’s alright,” Wen Yu lowered his eyes and twitched the corner of his mouth, saying awkwardly, “Wen Ziming only went to the school to look for me, finding me doesn’t seem to be that urgent. I’ve been thinking… did he make things difficult for you about the divorce?”

 

Only having his energy divided could explain Wen Ziming’s behavior, which wasn’t as relentless as before.

 

“It’s okay. I’ve saved up some money over the years, enough to find a reliable lawyer.” Fang Wanjing smiled. “By the way, Auntie told me you haven’t been home recently?”

 

“Afraid he’d find me, it’s annoying.” Wen Yu said, “I’m staying at a friend’s place.”

 

“Is it reliable? Will it affect your studying?”

 

“No,” Wen Yu paused, tilting his head toward the inside of the store, “Besides, I’m living with him.”

 

Fang Wanjing laughed for a long time.

 

“That makes sense.” she said.

 

The pre-exam rally was held in the auditorium. Although Wen Yu was a bit awkward, he still took the initiative to say he’d bring Fang Wanjing over. The two waited for her to finish buying water, then the three of them walked to the auditorium together.

 

“Wait, you two stop right there!”

 

When they were almost at the auditorium, they ran into Director Yao nearby.

 

Both of them froze at the same time, simultaneously taking a step behind Fang Wanjing.

 

One said: “Mom, please play dumb for us.”

 

The other said: “Auntie, just act like you know nothing.”

 

Fang Wanjing: “?”

 

She looked in confusion at someone who was obviously a school leader walking toward them, his slightly balding head particularly conspicuous under the lit corridor lights.

 

“Hello?” She took the initiative to greet him.

 

“You two!” Director Yao pointed at the two tall boys behind her, then shifted his gaze to her face. “Hello, I’m the director of the Student Affairs Office. My surname is Yao.”

 

“Hello, Director Yao. Are you looking for my child… is there something wrong?”

 

“Your child?” Director Yao was stunned. “You are…?”

 

The school leaders knew Wen Ziming but had never met Fang Wanjing. Fang Wanjing wasn’t surprised and smiled: “I’m Wen Yu’s… mother.”

 

“Oh, hello, hello.” Director Yao shook hands with her. “Your Wen Yu—”

 

His voice paused mid-sentence.

 

Homosexuality wasn’t ordinary puppy love. Whether or not to tell the parents was a question.

 

The college entrance exam was just days away. If the student’s family didn’t know and it caused a huge commotion, it wouldn’t be good for anyone.

 

In a flash, countless thoughts raced through Director Yao’s mind, an awkward smile freezing at the corner of his mouth.

 

This made him look somewhat like a failed sculpture, even appearing slightly comical.

 

“What about Wen Yu?” Fang Wanjing’s attitude was like all the frank, cooperative, and understanding parents under heaven, a pair of unknowing yet hopeful eyes gazing intently at Director Yao.

 

Director Yao suddenly couldn’t speak.

 

“No, nothing, he’s very good, very good, very… excellent.” Director Yao said awkwardly. “He even helped the school win a competition award recently. The principal was very happy, haha, haha.”

 

Wen Yu glanced at Fu Yuhan, desperately holding back his laughter.

 

Director Yao exchanged pleasantries with Fang Wanjing for a while before leaving. Once he was out of sight, Fang Wanjing turned back to ask them: “What did Director Yao want with you two?”

 

“Oh,” Fu Yuhan, worried Wen Yu would be too embarrassed to say, jumped in first, “Just now we were kissing on the sports field and he saw us.”

 

Fang Wanjing: “…”

 

She sighed and laughed helplessly: “Be more restrained in public. Public opinion is more open than before, but…”

 

“Got it.” Fu Yuhan nodded. “Don’t worry, Auntie.”

 

“Mm.” Fang Wanjing nodded, then suddenly asked what seemed like an unrelated question, “How old are you this year?”

 

“18, why?”

 

“Then…” She glanced at Wen Yu and said softly, “In four more years, you can call me the same thing Xiao Yu does.”

 

Fu Yuhan froze.

 

Four years from now would be 22 years old.

 

The legal marriage age for men.

 

Although they couldn’t legally marry, but…

 

“If you ask me, he can call you that now.” Wen Yu raised his eyes, staring at Fang Wanjing. His hand reached toward the person beside him, pinching Fu Yuhan’s hand. “Call her.”

 

“…” Fu Yuhan pressed his lips together. “Mom.”

 

Fang Wanjing looked at Wen Yu helplessly: “Changing how you address me so quickly, I didn’t prepare a red packet!”

 

“Then owe it first, remember to give money.” Wen Yu nudged Fu Yuhan, indicating they should enter the auditorium. “It’s about to start, let’s go in.”

 

***

 

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