After a summer of diligent practice, Liu Wenrui’s driving no longer looked like that of an out-of-town tourist; he now drove like a local who had stolen someone else’s car to drive without a license.

Hearing they were going to Nanzhouping today, Liu Wenrui specifically had his dad drive the car to school early in the morning.

“This is a bit of a massive mobilization,” Zou Yang said, sitting in the passenger seat.

“Not really, the other two didn’t bring theirs,” Liu Wenrui said. “We only mobilized me, this one soldier, and involved my dad, that one civilian.”

Zou Yang smiled and didn’t speak.

“You’re the birthday boy today, you’re the boss,” Liu Wenrui said.

“I haven’t known you all these years for nothing,” Zou Yang looked at him.

“Normally I’m not this considerate,” Liu Wenrui said. “But you’re just too miserable right now, and I can’t really help share the burden.”

“Is this even something that can be shared? Hurry up and get yourself into a relationship, then break up so you can keep me company,” Zou Yang looked out the window.

In this moment, he truly did have a certain feeling.

When he saw those paired-up men and women at school, he would feel jealous, even a bit angry.

Why do they get to.
Burn them all.
Mandarin ducks boiled alive, spare me a bowl of soup!

“Didn’t Li Zhiyue have a classmate come over a few days ago? Said they were going out to have some fun, and he dragged the guy to draw a fortune-telling slip for you to see if this fate of yours can still be continued,” Liu Wenrui said.

“Can it be continued?” Zou Yang’s heart stirred.

“He didn’t say, and I didn’t dare to ask,” Liu Wenrui said. “He even got lectured by his classmate for an hour.”

“Which of his classmates could lecture him?” Zou Yang casually asked, suppressing his disappointment.

“The one majoring in Ideological and Political Education, the guy who visited our dorm during freshman year,” Liu Wenrui clicked his tongue twice.

“Fuck,” Zou Yang also clicked his tongue.

It had been a long time since he last came to Nanzhouping.

The gradually disappearing greenery made the autumn-bound Nanzhouping seem to have lost the chaotic yet thriving vitality of summer, looking a bit more desolate and worn out.

Zou Yang kept staring at the streets outside the car window.

Staring at every pedestrian he could see clearly.

But actually, he also knew that if he could really run into Fan Jun, he wouldn’t need to stare like this at all; he would be able to recognize him with a single glance.

The car stopped at the entrance of the old martial arts hall. Liu Wenrui waited for him in the car.

Getting out of the car, Zou Yang was stunned. The old hall already looked exceptionally dilapidated because the signage had been dismantled and moved to the new hall, but right now, it looked practically abandoned.

It was so quiet there wasn’t a single sound.

Looking around, there wasn’t a single person in sight, and the doghouse was empty too.

The lights in the training hall weren’t turned on, and the kitchen was also completely dark.

Zou Yang stood in the middle of the courtyard, somewhat bewildered and panicked.

“Xiao Yang?” Uncle Lu’s slightly surprised voice came from the kitchen.

“Uncle Lu,” Zou Yang turned his head. “Are you… the only one here?”

“Ah,” Uncle Lu smiled, “The students all went to the new hall. I’m just here on weekends to guide the younger students, usually there’s no one here.”

“…Oh,” Zou Yang responded, turning his head to look at the empty training hall.

Even though he had anticipated that the old hall would turn out like this ever since he knew the new hall was moving, seeing it with his own eyes still brought an indescribable sense of unfamiliarity.

“Why did you… run over here?” Uncle Lu asked.

“I…” Zou Yang suddenly didn’t know how to start.

He had come for his mom’s sake, but discussing the romantic relationship between his mother and this man… was indeed quite awkward for him.

Especially with the expression Uncle Lu had right now—he clearly had a preconceived notion that Zou Yang was here to look for Fan Jun.

“Come, come,” Uncle Lu waved his hand, walking into the kitchen and turning on the light. “Sit for a bit.”

Zou Yang followed him into the kitchen.

The normally bustling kitchen, filled with the smoke and fire of daily life, now had cold pots and cold stoves. Clearly, nothing had physically changed, but it just gave off a feeling of being empty.

Lu Ze probably didn’t eat here anymore, having moved over to the new-new hall.

Fan Jun… didn’t look like he ate here either…

So did he cook for himself? Or order takeout? But if so, why didn’t he eat together with Uncle Lu?

Where was the dog?
How were his injuries?
And the cat?
Had they found it?

Zou Yang suddenly realized that his brain was just like this kitchen in front of him—it seemed it hadn’t operated for a long time. He had deliberately avoided a lot of information related to that day…

“Want a drink?” Uncle Lu opened the refrigerator.

“There are still drinks?” Zou Yang smiled, looking at the contents of the fridge. “I’ll have a can of Coke.”

“They’re all…” Uncle Lu paused, taking out a Coke and handing it to him, “Fan Jun bought them before. He was always craving snacks. If he… doesn’t drink them, no one else will.”

“Oh.” Zou Yang’s voice trembled slightly. He quickly popped the tab and took a gulp, swallowing down the tremor in his voice.

Uncle Lu looked at him: “Xiao Yang, Fan Jun, he…”

“Uncle,” Zou Yang gritted his teeth and interrupted Uncle Lu’s words, “I came here to ask if you… have contacted my mom recently?”

“Your mom?” Uncle Lu was stunned, quickly becoming a bit anxious. “What happened to her? I called her, but she basically doesn’t answer, only saying she wants to be quiet by herself for a while… What happened to her?”

“She… seems to be having some emotional issues,” Zou Yang said in a low voice. “I found out she’s taking medication for depression.”

“What?” Uncle Lu stood up abruptly, pacing back and forth on the spot twice. “How could that be? She’s such a carefree person, how could she…”

Zou Yang let out a soft sigh: “She’s always been someone who thinks too much.”

“She just…” Uncle Lu sat back down at the table, forcefully running his hands through his hair twice. “She gets stuck in dead ends.”

“Do you know my home address?” Zou Yang asked.

“…I know it, why?” Right after saying it, Uncle Lu quickly added, “I know the residential complex’s location. I’ve gone to pick her up outside the complex before.”

Zou Yang took a pen and paper out of his bag and wrote down his home’s detailed address: “Uncle, I don’t know what you’re thinking right now, and I don’t know if this is appropriate…”

“I’ll try, I’ll go over and give it a try,” Uncle Lu nodded.

“Okay, thank you, Uncle.” Zou Yang said.

“Sigh, don’t say that.” Uncle Lu sighed.

Zou Yang squeezed the can in his hand, tilted his head back, and drank the rest of the Coke. Then he stood up and walked out: “I’ll get going then, I have class later.”

“Alright, alright,” Uncle Lu also stood up. “Xiao Yang.”

“Mm,” Zou Yang responded.

“For now, recently…” Uncle Lu spoke with great difficulty, “Don’t contact Fan Jun. Let him take a breather, and let your mom take a breather too. Although she didn’t tell you, she…”

“I know,” Zou Yang said. “I won’t contact Fan Jun.”

Back in the car, Zou Yang pushed the seatback down, half-lying there and letting out a long sigh: “Let’s go.”

“Is he going?” Liu Wenrui started the car.

“He’s going,” Zou Yang said. “Hope it works. They’ve been together for years.”

“What about us…” Liu Wenrui asked.

“Fan Jun probably isn’t in Nanzhouping anymore.” Zou Yang suddenly said.

“Where are we eating,” Liu Wenrui said. “How do you know?”

“Let’s go back to school to eat,” Zou Yang closed his eyes. “Xiao Bai doesn’t live at the old hall anymore. The mat in the doghouse is still the cooling mat from the summer. They used to keep a set of its leash at the old hall, but that’s gone too…”

“Didn’t you ask Uncle Lu?” Liu Wenrui asked.

“No, Uncle Lu also told me not to contact Fan Jun for now, to give my mom some time,” Zou Yang furrowed his brows, took off his glasses, and pressed his arm over his eyes. “Motherfucker, what exactly did I say? Was it so clear that I can’t even spin it back?”

Liu Wenrui sighed: “You never leave yourself an out when you speak normally, and now you want to spin what you said when your brain wasn’t clear?”

Zou Yang didn’t make a sound.

After a while, Liu Wenrui stopped the car.

Zou Yang thought they were waiting at a red light, but Liu Wenrui turned off the engine directly.

“Mm?” Zou Yang opened his eyes.

“Let’s go take a look, quietly,” Liu Wenrui said.

“What…” Zou Yang was stunned. He sat up abruptly, put on his glasses, and realized Liu Wenrui had driven the car to the building where Fan Jun lived.

“Dare to go up?” Liu Wenrui asked. “If not, I’ll go with you, or we can just forget it.”

Zou Yang didn’t speak, resting his head against the car window and looking up at the building.

“Is this a bad idea?” Liu Wenrui suddenly smacked the steering wheel. “Fuck, should you not go to that apartment again? Did your therapist say anything about this…”

Zou Yang opened the door and got out: “This is also the place where Fan Jun lived for years.”

Ignoring everything else, Liu Wenrui hurriedly got out as well, accompanying him into the stairwell.

The door lock had been changed. Next to the door was an animal trap cage, with a can of cat food placed inside.

“What does this mean?” Liu Wenrui asked quietly.

“Da Hei is lost,” Zou Yang answered softly. “They still haven’t found him.”

The door behind them opened, and the old man peeked out through the crack at the two of them: “What are you doing?”

“Uncle, it’s me.” Zou Yang turned around.

“You?” The old man poked his head out in surprise, staring at him for a long time. “You’re all better now?”

“Mm,” Zou Yang responded.

“The cat hasn’t come back yet, haven’t seen him these past couple of days either,” the old man said.

“Mm,” Zou Yang turned to look at the closed door, afraid it might suddenly open and Fan Jun would be standing inside, but also afraid that the door would just quietly remain closed like this.

“What are you here for?” the old man asked. “Doesn’t Fan Jun not live here anymore?”

This sentence was like a heavy sledgehammer, smashing all uncertainties into solid fact.

“He moved away?” Liu Wenrui asked. “Did he cancel the lease too?”

“No, he rented it until the end of the year.”

“Oh,” Zou Yang cleared his throat, “I just came to… see if the cat had been caught.”

“If it gets caught, I’ll call him,” the old man said. “He left a whole box of canned food with me.”

“I see…” Zou Yang pressed the elevator button. “Sorry to trouble you.”

“It’s fine, he paid me anyway,” the old man said.

Fan Jun stood by the window, watching the various lights gradually light up outside.

This street wasn’t considered lively in the whole trade city, but as night fell and the lights of the shops flickered on, the entire street became shrouded in halos of various colors. It still gave a feeling of being a world away from Nanzhouping.

In Fan Jun’s second-floor room, he could see everything clearly without even turning on the lights.

He lowered his head and looked at the resistance band under his foot. His left fingers barely managed a half-hook, half-grip on the other end of the band, wrapping it around his hand twice, and slowly lifting outward.

The resistance band pulled taut. He continued to slowly raise his arm, but he hadn’t lifted it very high before he completely lost the ability to exert any more force.

He lowered his arm, took a breather, exhaled, and slowly lifted his arm again.

This time he lifted it even lower than before, and his arm was shaking violently.

Feeling somewhat helpless, he closed his eyes, rolled his shoulder, adjusted the angle of his arm, and for the umpteenth time, pulled the resistance band to slowly lift it.

After failing yet again, he let go, and the resistance band dropped to the floor.

A 0.5-kilogram dumbbell, the lowest-poundage resistance band, the simplest elbow curls, shoulder rotations, arm extensions…

To him, it was more torturous than the time he spent lying in the hospital bed.

These movements, which he needed to exert so much effort to do, were things ordinary people didn’t even have to think about.

He stood in front of the table by the window for a long time. A fire burned inside his body—anger, helplessness, anxiety, despair—burning so hot it hurt.

Finally, he placed his left arm on the table, made a fist with his right hand, and viciously smashed it down.

One punch, two punches, and another…

He let out a fierce roar.

“Ah—”

“Fan Jun! Fan Jun!” He Chuan grabbed his right hand and patted him on the back several times.

Fan Jun slowly came back to his senses, turned his head to look at him, and also heard the anxious nasal whining of Xiao Bai.

“I’m fine.” Fan Jun pulled his hand away and patted Xiao Bai’s head.

“I was just about to go out when the dog’s barking called me back,” He Chuan stared at him. “Does this look ‘fine’ to you?”

“I’m fine,” Fan Jun turned on the room light. “You can go.”

“Alright,” He Chuan rubbed Xiao Bai’s head, turning to walk downstairs. “You better actually be fine, don’t start smashing my goods downstairs in a fit of rage later.”

“Sorry,” Fan Jun leaned against the table and said quietly.

“Don’t mention it. It’s just, you can’t rush some things,” He Chuan kept talking to him as he went down the stairs, turning his head back. “Tomorrow you should still go… Hey—”

Before he finished speaking, his foot missed a step.

The moment He Chuan began turning his head to speak, Fan Jun had already covered the distance to the stairs in two strides.

Just as He Chuan was about to tumble down to the first floor, Fan Jun grabbed the back of his clothes with one hand.

“Fuck,” He Chuan was abruptly jerked to a halt, dangling diagonally over the stairs. The collar choked off his words. It took a good while before he supported himself against the wall and stood firm. “These crappy stairs, I said when we renovated not to make them so steep…”

Fan Jun let go. Normally, when pulling someone back like this, he would definitely need to grab the handrail with his left hand, but right now he could only forcefully use his legs to brace against all the downward momentum… If he hadn’t still maintained his foundational strength, he would have pulled a thigh muscle just now.

“Look at you,” He Chuan adjusted his clothes. “Saving someone single-handedly with such ease. You don’t need to rush at all, you don’t even need your left hand.”

“I still need it,” Fan Jun said. “Otherwise, I’d have to re-apply for my disability certificate for multiple disabilities.”

He Chuan glared at him, taking a long time before finally saying: “What kind of hellish joke is that.”

Fan Jun smiled.

“Where was I… Oh right, tomorrow go see that traditional Chinese medicine practitioner I told you about, see if you can incorporate some acupuncture.”

“Mm.” Fan Jun responded.

He Chuan left the shop. It wasn’t even 9 o’clock yet, but this trade city wasn’t like a shopping mall; past 9 o’clock, there weren’t many people on their street.

Fan Jun didn’t go upstairs. He sat down on the recliner on the first floor, waiting until 10 o’clock to close the shop.

Xiao Bai lay behind the recliner.

Ever since it startled a customer entering the shop by lying near the door last time, Xiao Bai would sleep in the backyard when there were a lot of people, only coming into the shop at night to lie behind the recliner.

Fan Jun leaned back in the recliner, resting his head on his arms, watching the street outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

The number of people gradually thinned out. The silverware shop and the handmade pottery shop across the street both closed for the night. Once their lights went off, the surroundings quieted down with them, even though he inherently couldn’t hear any sounds anyway.

It just felt very quiet visually.

He took out his phone, checked the time, and figured it was about time to close the doors.

Lu Ze had sent him a message in the afternoon, but Xiao Bai wasn’t holding the phone, so he often didn’t hear it.

Lu Ze said the colleagues at the hall were having a dinner gathering next week and asked if he was going.

[Fan]: Not going.

He paused and added another sentence.

[Fan]: Leaving town the day after tomorrow, don’t know when I’ll be back.

After replying to the message, he saw the pinned name “Zou yang” again.

His fingertip slid up slightly, pushing “Zou yang” up and out of sight.

Then he tapped open his Moments (Friend Circle). Leaving Nanzhouping felt a bit like leaving his own world and entering a blurry, new alternative world.

Only when he saw those familiar Moments posts did he feel a little bit of reality.

After looking at two posts and scrolling down, he saw an avatar so familiar that just seeing it made his heart tremble.

Zou Yang had posted two photos: one of a drink, a Spumoni, and the other of a cake with the number “20” candles lit.

Fan Jun’s hand jerked violently, his breathing suddenly tightening.

It was Zou Yang’s birthday today.

He quickly checked today’s date.

The 25th.

Fan Jun stared at the phone screen, staring even until the screen went black.

After hesitating for a very long time, he unlocked his phone again and sent a comment under Zou Yang’s post.

[Fan]: Happy birthday [Cake]

Zou Yang looked at this simple line of words.

Among all the chaotic, crazy comments from the crowd under this post, Fan Jun’s birthday wish exuded a sense of caution amidst its formality.

He stared at it for a long time before exiting WeChat. His gaze bypassed the cake and drinks in front of him, looking into the private karaoke room.

These guys were singing and having a great time.

Unlike last year’s birthday, this year, for the sake of the birthday boy’s physical and mental health, they hadn’t arranged too many activities. It was just eating and singing. They were originally supposed to go for late-night snacks afterward, but that was canceled too.

Liu Wenrui drove Zou Yang home. Zou Yang leaned against the seat back, watching the lights flash by outside the window: “You didn’t have fun to the fullest, did you? You didn’t even drink today.”

“I was driving, I wasn’t planning on drinking anyway,” Liu Wenrui said. “What’s this ‘to the fullest’ nonsense? It’s your birthday. As long as you’re comfortable, we’ve had fun to the fullest.”

“Did Brother Zhiyue’s soul possess you?” Zou Yang turned to look at him.

“Get lost,” Liu Wenrui said. “I’m sleeping at your place tonight, I don’t want to make another trip.”

“Mm,” Zou Yang responded.

“Did you come back to get something?” his mom asked in surprise.

Probably because she didn’t expect a birthday party that usually went all night to be home before midnight.

“We wrapped it up,” Zou Yang smiled, noticing his mom’s eyes were a bit red.

Startled, he quickly glanced at the shoe rack, afraid Uncle Lu had come over. If he was still at their house right now, that would be truly awkward.

Thankfully, it seemed he had left, or his mom had gone out to talk with him.

“Auntie, I’m not going back tonight,” Liu Wenrui kicked off his shoes and walked straight to Zou Yang’s bedroom. “I happen to have clothes here.”

“Just stay here. I thought you guys were going to party all night,” his mom said. “Are you getting old now?”

“We’re preparing for exams, need to sleep early and wake up early,” Liu Wenrui called out from the room. “Preparing for the teacher certification exam next March.”

“Don’t you guys usually only start reviewing a month in advance for things like the CET-4? You’re preparing this early?” his mom asked.

“I heard the passing rate is super low now, only twenty percent,” Liu Wenrui came out with his change of clothes.

“Meaning out of the four of us in our dorm, maybe a little more than half of me will pass,” Zou Yang said.

“Why isn’t it more than half of me?” Liu Wenrui walked into the bathroom.

“Your brain just happens to be the part that won’t make the cut,” Zou Yang said.

“Auntie! Keep him in check!” Liu Wenrui yelled from the bathroom.

His mom smiled, sat back down on the sofa, wiped her eyes, and looked at Zou Yang: “Xiao Yang.”

“Mm?” Zou Yang sat down next to her.

“Did you…” his mom asked softly, “go look for Old Lu?”

Zou Yang hadn’t expected his mom to ask so directly. He paused for a moment before nodding: “Mm.”

“You snooped at my medicine, didn’t you?” his mom asked directly again.

Zou Yang glanced at her: “Mm.”

“Mom is fine,” his mom patted his back. “You don’t need to worry about me. I know what I’m doing with Old Lu. Just make sure… you yourself are doing well.”

“Mm,” Zou Yang nodded.

Just make sure you yourself are doing well.

He could look like he was doing well.

But actually being well was very difficult.

He could only find things to do to keep himself busy.

For example, being a good student buried in books.

In order to wait for him to join them, his dorm mates gave up on the September teacher certification exam and decided to take it together in March next year.

Saying “next year” made it sound far, but it was actually only four months away. Zou Yang couldn’t speak for the other three, but with his own distracted state, he truly couldn’t guarantee anything.

The more he tried to calm his mind and read, the easier it was for him to think of many things.

His mom’s condition seemed better than before.

Had she reconciled with Uncle Lu?

But she was still home on weekends. Didn’t they need to go on dates? There were still younger students at the old hall on weekends, wasn’t she going over to help cook anymore?

Zou Yang didn’t know if his anxiety was for his mom or for himself.

Every passing day felt like time was dragging a steel comb through his heart.

No matter the circumstances, time moved very slowly, and waiting was the only thing that felt unbearably long.

It was strange how paying attention to someone, wanting to get close to them, liking them, could happen so fast, so unconsciously.

Why was it that growing distant from someone was so painfully clear? You could feel every minute, every second, every inch.

But time was somewhat sharp.

Sometimes he would carefully analyze his feelings—had his suffering decreased a bit? Had time caused anything to fade?

In those sleepless nights, how much of what was left was just wanting what he couldn’t have, and how much was merely obsession?

From the roof, they could see the blooming fireworks. Zou Yang wrapped his arm around his mom’s shoulders, watching the fireworks continuously exploding in the distant night sky with her.

The neighbors behind them were counting down: three, two, one.

“Happy New Year.” Zou Yang said.

“Happy New Year,” his mom smiled. “I hope my son has a smooth and successful year this year.”

“I will,” Zou Yang smiled.

Back inside the house, colorful lights still flashed continuously outside the window.

His mom went back to her bedroom to make a phone call. When she came out, her expression looked a bit hesitant: “Xiao Yang.”

“Mm?” Zou Yang looked at her.

“This Lunar New Year…” his mom walked over.

“Are you going to spend it with Uncle Lu?” Zou Yang asked.

His mom still hesitated, not speaking.

“Go ahead, what’s wrong?” Zou Yang said. After all, to Zou Yang now, Uncle Lu was no longer an intruder to be guarded against, but rather a dose of good medicine after his mom’s failed marriage of over a decade.

“Uncle Lu wanted to ask if you want to join us,” his mom said softly. “It’ll be livelier with more people. Lu Ze is also bringing his girlfriend back for the New Year’s Eve dinner this year…”

Zou Yang suddenly felt a bit dazed, his body swaying slightly.

“Fan Jun is going on a business trip for the New Year, he can’t make it back…” his mom said.

Oh.

“Okay.” He said.

He didn’t clearly hear what his mom said after that. He had thought that over this period of time, that name had already sunk into a quiet corner of his heart. But hearing it so suddenly still felt like a sharp wind sweeping across his heart.

Everything was awakened.

“I definitely won’t shortchange you on the money,” He Chuan pried the tea cake. “After all, it’s the Lunar New Year, overtime pay has to be triple. Not to mention traveling for business like this. Plus, I’ve seen the photos of the stuff this time—truly old houses with years of history, preserved exceptionally well. We can definitely acquire a batch of good goods.”

Fan Jun didn’t say anything. He had actually already decided to go with He Chuan; it was just that this was the first Lunar New Year he wouldn’t be spending with Uncle Lu and the rest.

Especially since Lu Ze was bringing his girlfriend back for dinner this year—the older sister from the milk station.

He inevitably felt a bit of disappointment.

“Are you completely sure?” Fan Jun said. “Don’t be like last time, backing out and wanting to raise the price after we got there.”

“I’m sure, but who knows,” He Chuan stroked Xiao Bai’s ear, pressing it down and letting it spring back up. “When money’s involved, it’s hard to say until the very end. But I feel like there’ll definitely be some haggling. Why did they insist we come during the Lunar New Year? It’s nothing more than the young people in the family coming back for the holidays and wanting to keep an eye on things.”

“Mm,” Fan Jun responded. “Afraid of getting scammed by you.”

He Chuan chuckled: “I’ve never actually scammed anyone out of their money. The main point is I need to make money.”

“When do we leave?” Fan Jun asked.

“Next week,” He Chuan checked his phone. “It’s a two-day drive. If you can take shifts… your arm can drive now, right?”

“Yes.” Fan Jun said.

His hand still lacked strength, but he could lift his arm now, so gripping a steering wheel wasn’t an issue.

“Then we can get there in two days,” He Chuan said. “We’ll arrive on the 28th of the 12th lunar month and go look at the house first. They’ll definitely be busy and chaotic right before the New Year and won’t have time to hover. We’ll have less interference when inspecting the house.”

“Mm.” Fan Jun nodded.

Before departure, He Chuan made eight hundred phone calls, arranging things at home, at the shop, and gathering with friends.

Fan Jun had it very easy. He just told Uncle Lu, and arranged for He Chuan’s sister to help look after Xiao Bai. After that, there was nothing else for him to “arrange.”

Relaxed, yet lonely.

Even his luggage was less than He Chuan’s.

When they set off, the entire city was already brimming with the New Year atmosphere. Everywhere you looked, it was red.

There were quite a lot of cars on the road; people rushing home for the New Year were all departing around these few days.

Fan Jun watched the bursts of smoke drifting by outside the car window from time to time. Even with the windows rolled up, he could smell the thick scent of gunpowder.

For some unknown reason, Fan Jun had never liked the Lunar New Year. He would start feeling a sense of panic in his heart as early as the twelfth lunar month.

On one side was the joyous bustle of family after family, and on the other was the emptiness of the deserted streets.

Before getting on the highway, Fan Jun took over driving while He Chuan slept. He was driving the night shift.

“We’re not in a hurry,” He Chuan said. “Just drive steadily.”

“Mm.” Fan Jun responded.

The car got onto the highway and merged into the flow of traffic. Time seemed to suddenly accelerate; all the cars were speeding forward.

He was speeding forward too, only his destination was different from most people’s.

About an hour after driving out of the city, his phone chimed.

“Help me take a look.” Fan Jun glanced at He Chuan, who was already asleep, so he called out again, “Boss He!”

“Ah, what is it, my master.” He Chuan opened his eyes.

“Help me take a look at my phone,” Fan Jun said. “There’s no password.”

There were a lot of things going on right before the New Year. He was afraid it might be Uncle Lu or Lu Ze messaging him.

“There’s a message,” He Chuan yawned, took his phone, and looked at it. “From Lu Ze.”

“What did it say?” Fan Jun asked.

“Da Hei was found.”