Chapter 060: As Soon as You Arrive, The Rain Stops

Xia Chiyi started laughing; sure enough, it was just as he had guessed.

“You…” Zhou Rong didn’t know what to say for a moment.

“With my ability, I can make the starting lineup as soon as I get to Bainxi University. I don’t need your sponsorship at all. You’ve underestimated me. But with Bainxi University’s strength, they can’t give me enough nutrients to grow—this platform is too low.”

Zhou Rong paused; he didn’t expect Zhou Zhexiao to say these words in such a calm and rational tone.

He contacted Bainxi University actually because he felt the “Ningchang University” brand, compared to the money and effort he had invested in Zhou Zhexiao over so many years, was simply squandering a good hand of cards.

And Bainxi University, at least, sounded more pleasing to the ear.

“The domestic University First Division League indeed isn’t as glamorous as the NCAA, but here I’ve also met evenly matched masters. I want to become a sharp blade. The NCAA’s prejudice against Asians is about the same as your prejudice against me; this kind of prejudice will only sheath me. I’ve already found my hilt here. I will climb up step by step, to a position you wouldn’t dare to imagine.”

“To a position I wouldn’t dare to imagine? What position?” Zhou Rong sneered.

His son was once again beyond his control.

“Then listen well. Ningchang University will win the University First Division League championship, and then I will carry this glory and apply to prestigious NCAA schools with my partner, maybe Duke, maybe North Carolina. Then participate in the draft and enter professional basketball. Of course, it’s also possible to be scouted by a youth training team after the competition, but even then, I still hope to go out and see the world with him, to undergo stricter tempering.”

Zhou Rong looked at Zhou Zhexiao like he was looking at a fool, “You’re crazy! Do you know your own worth? Do you really think just because Ningchang University’s coach changed to Ling Huanzhen, you can become Ling Huanzhen too? Is the University First Division League championship that easy to take? Do you know how many teams are ahead of Ningchang University? Qingda, Southwest Aviation University, Qincheng University, Southeast Mining University! Any one of them can crush Ningchang University!”

“I know my own worth; it’s regrettable you don’t know. By the way, we played a practice match with Qincheng University this morning, only a 2-point difference.”

“You… you…” Zhou Rong wanted to bring out his fatherly authority, but facing this kind of Zhou Zhexiao, it didn’t work well. He couldn’t even find logical arguments to refute Zhou Zhexiao.

“Time’s up, you should fly to Shenghai.” Zhou Zhexiao spoke, “If tomorrow really is my birthday, please pay the bill.”

Zhou Rong took a deep breath, stood up, and looked down at Zhou Zhexiao, “Fine, let me see where you can go relying on your so-called step by step.”

“Oh, let me ask, did you give the living expenses in my card?”

Zhou Rong frowned and sneered: “Aren’t you going to walk the path you want to walk? Do you still need me to give you living expenses?”

“Oh.” Zhou Zhexiao nodded knowingly, “I know who to be filial to in the future. Indeed, in this world, only mom is good.”

Zhou Rong’s face was livid. He scanned the code to pay the bill and left quickly.

When he walked past Xia Chiyi’s table, the cold air he brought almost made Xia Chiyi sneeze.

When Zhou Rong got into the black sedan by the roadside, Zhou Zhexiao patted the back of the chair behind him, “Come over, eat all these.”

Xia Chiyi was like a happy rabbit, bringing his pretentious textbook and that cup of coffee that tasted like traditional Chinese medicine, and sat opposite Zhou Zhexiao.

“My god, you ordered so much, why didn’t you eat a single bite?”

“Because the person sitting opposite me just now made me lose my appetite.”

“What about now?” Xia Chiyi picked up a fork. The game this morning was intense, so today was a cheat day.

These desserts made Xia Chiyi’s cheeks secrete saliva frantically.

“Appetite is super good.” Zhou Zhexiao’s fork scooped a spoonful of Pistachio Spark and extended it in front of Xia Chiyi.

He’s feeding me?

Zhou Zhexiao actually wants to feed me?

It seems every unfilial son’s greatest joy is to anger his dad to death?

Xia Chiyi opened his mouth somewhat uncertainly, and Zhou Zhexiao really fed it into his mouth.

“Not used to hot Americano?” Zhou Zhexiao asked again.

“Mm, tastes like Chinese medicine.” Xia Chiyi told the truth without thinking.

“Then drink this.” Zhou Zhexiao pushed his Caramel Macchiato over.

“Your double sugar can send me to heaven.”

Xia Chiyi looked up and was slightly stunned.

Zhou Zhexiao in front of him held the white porcelain coffee cup, looking sideways out the window. His neck stretched into a slender line. When he lowered his head, the bangs on his forehead gently swept across his brows, taking a sip unhurriedly.

This image overlapped with Xia Chiyi’s childhood memory. He remembered seeing a milk commercial filmed by Sheng Xingming when he was little.

He also sat by the window like this, except he was holding a transparent glass filled with pure white milk. The same posture, the same angle of lowering the head, the same indolent gentleness.

The smoke of the court dispersed, taking off the jersey, putting down the obsession, enjoying the moment of tranquility given by time. And the spot on the cup rim Zhou Zhexiao gently sipped seemed to be where Xia Chiyi had just drunk from.

Just about to speak up to remind him, but associating it with Zhou Zhexiao’s frantic sheet-washing in the bathroom, this guy was somewhat of a germaphobe. Xia Chiyi felt it was better not to say anything.

The sunlight lazily shone on Zhou Zhexiao’s side face and shoulder. Zhou Zhexiao had a maturity and calmness not belonging to their age, making Xia Chiyi unable to look away.

“Is tomorrow really your birthday?” Xia Chiyi asked.

“Don’t know, I don’t care.”

“You don’t care, but our dorm room cares, okay? At least we have to treat you to a big meal and sing in KTV.”

“Treat like your high school monitor did?” Zhou Zhexiao turned his face to look at him.

Why bring up the high school monitor again?

“Your birthday… might as well let me accompany you to play basketball all day, from this early morning until tomorrow early morning.” Xia Chiyi said half-jokingly.

That way, you and I can stay together all the time.

When this thought popped out of Xia Chiyi’s brain, it was really funny and a little bit dangerous—can my stamina really last playing basketball with Zhou Zhexiao for that long?

“That’s not bad either.” After Zhou Zhexiao finished speaking, he said in a very low voice, “Time passes so fast, even you have grown so big.”

“Ah?” Xia Chiyi frowned, “Your tone sounds like my grandpa.”

“I remembered something; I need to go out for a bit. Go back to the dorm after you finish eating. I might not make it back tomorrow.”

“Where are you going? I’ll accompany you.”

“I want to go see someone by myself, and I might not be able to see them.”

Although since Xia Chiyi picked up Zhou Zhexiao from the airport, they had been almost inseparable, Xia Chiyi understood that they were different individuals after all.

Everyone has their own secrets and things only they do alone.

Zhou Zhexiao wasn’t a giant baby; he didn’t need someone’s 24-hour close care.

“Okay, be careful on the road. Call me if you need anything.” Xia Chiyi shook his wrist, reminding Zhou Zhexiao to charge the phone watch on his hand.

For this, Xia Chiyi gave him a power bank.

This was Zhou Zhexiao’s first solo action since coming to Ningchang. Of course, Xia Chiyi could see his entire itinerary on his phone, so there was nothing to worry about.

For the rest of the time, Xia Chiyi went back to catch up on sleep.

He slept very deeply this time, not waking up until dusk when his stomach growled with hunger.

Reaching for his phone and checking the time, heavens, slept until 5:30 PM.

Xia Chiyi opened Zhou Zhexiao’s location and found his address was actually the high-speed rail station.

Xia Chiyi didn’t ask where he was going, just sent him a message: [Keep your wallet close when taking the train.]

Other young people never leave their phones when taking transport, almost all their wealth in phone apps, but Zhou Zhexiao didn’t play with phones. There was quite a lot of cash in his wallet, but this guy never took it seriously, stuffing it randomly in his pocket with a corner showing, as if seducing thieves to covet his wallet.

Not long after, Zhou Zhexiao popped back a sound: [Okay.]

Xia Chiyi put on headphones and listened to that one word several times. Clearly there was no tonal fluctuation, yet Xia Chiyi seemed to see him sitting quietly by the window with downcast eyes.

After dinner, Xia Chiyi checked Zhou Zhexiao’s location again. He had arrived in Chengjiang City but seemed to still be moving, looking like he was heading to the county.

Opposite him, Ye Chaoying smiled and knocked on the table, “Xia Chiyi, do you know what you look like right now? Like parents with no mind for work constantly checking the kindergarten surveillance, terrified their little darling will get hurt.”

Xia Chiyi also felt he was a bit exaggerated, but he always felt Zhou Rong’s arrival today seemed to have some impact on Zhou Zhexiao.

Although in Xia Chiyi’s heart, Zhou Zhexiao was tough and powerful inside, never easily shaken, didn’t internalize conflict, nor self-doubt.

Around 9 PM, Zhou Zhexiao’s location stopped in Chengjiang County, seemingly a place similar to a farmhouse resort (Agritainment).

Xia Chiyi messaged: [Is the place you’re staying okay? Remember to lock the door at night, stay safe.]

Zhou Zhexiao’s voice message came back almost immediately: [Found a place to stay, just the quilt and stuff aren’t very clean.]

Xia Chiyi wore headphones and listened to Zhou Zhexiao’s sentence back and forth several times, faintly feeling the grievance and unhappiness in his tone. Seems the accommodation conditions aren’t great. Xia Chiyi felt it was funny yet heartache-inducing.

[Next time can prepare a disposable sleeping bag.]

Zhou Zhexiao’s voice reply came again: [Doesn’t matter, can’t sleep anyway.]

Xia Chiyi’s heart trembled subtly because he remembered Zhou Zhexiao saying he could only fall asleep listening to Xia Chiyi’s sleeping breath.

What are you thinking, Xia Chiyi… Zhou Zhexiao can’t sleep definitely just simply because the sheets aren’t clean enough.

Sleeping too much in the afternoon made Xia Chiyi sleepless at night. He lay in bed, browsing his phone, searching for news about Chengjiang County.

Couldn’t tell, but Chengjiang County had produced quite a few famous people in history—great poets, outstanding ancient thinkers—occupying at least one-fifth of high school Chinese textbooks.

Scrolling and scrolling, Xia Chiyi froze.

Chengjiang County’s outstanding celebrities also included Sheng Xingming.

As a senior fan of Sheng Xingming, Xia Chiyi certainly knew, just that over time, he hadn’t deliberately kept it in mind.

Xia Chiyi found the documentary about Sheng Xingming again, which mentioned his father, Sheng Mo.

Sheng Mo was a university student who walked out of a small village in Chengjiang County, a so-called golden phoenix flying out of a mountain nest at that time.

Mentioning his father, Sheng Xingming’s stern face in the documentary softened a lot. He said Sheng Mo’s thinking wasn’t rigid or conservative; on the contrary, he was very open-minded. He graduated from Ningchang University, got a scholarship through his own efforts to study abroad, combined with a classmate during his PhD to have Sheng Xingming, and later was hired as an engineer in an overseas branch of a large domestic enterprise.

When young Sheng Xingming showed a love for basketball, Sheng Mo specially went to a training class to learn how to play basketball for his son’s hobby.

He was Sheng Xingming’s initial enlightenment teacher and the first person to lift Sheng Xingming over his head, telling him he hoped one day he could face the Dream Team with his teammates at the Olympics.

Later, Sheng Mo passed away due to illness in the first year Sheng Xingming was drafted into the NBA. He didn’t see Sheng Xingming play in the Olympics.

Fallen leaves return to their roots; his ashes were buried back in that small village.

The documentary didn’t say what that small village was called.

But… why would Zhou Zhexiao run off to Chengjiang County for no reason? Is he fanboying over Sheng Xingming so hard his head heated up, wanting to visit Sheng Xingming’s hometown for his birthday? But if that’s the case, he could have asked me along.

In a daze, Xia Chiyi finally fell asleep.

The first thing he did upon waking up the next morning was check Zhou Zhexiao’s location. This guy had already left the previous farmhouse. From morning until 2 PM, Zhou Zhexiao hovered around Yongxi Village and Xianing Village.

Until the evening of that day, he was still in the village.

Xia Chiyi sent a WeChat message to the other: [Did you find the person you wanted to find?]

Zhou Zhexiao’s voice message popped up: [No. Don’t worry, I’m coming back tonight.]

Xia Chiyi calculated the time. Even if Zhou Zhexiao started now, he probably wouldn’t get to school until past midnight.

Zhou Zhexiao’s voice sounded the same as usual, without any emotional fluctuations, but Xia Chiyi could feel a kind of carefully hidden regret.

As if full of expectation to find a starting point, some traces, to prove something he firmly believed in, but found nothing.

Xia Chiyi took a deep breath. instead of texting, he dialed a call directly.

The connection was made quickly. The sound of pattering rain came from the other side.

Checking the weather forecast, Chengjiang City seemed to have rain.

The sound of rain was a bit distant; Zhou Zhexiao’s breathing was right by his ear.

“Searched all day, didn’t find that person, are you willing to give up?” Xia Chiyi asked.

The other side was quiet for a good while. Zhou Zhexiao’s voice slowly sounded: “It’s been too long; many things have changed.”

Maybe the mountain road changed, maybe the villagers changed, or maybe the person he was looking for changed.

“Hey, then do you still want to find him?” Xia Chiyi asked.

The other end of the phone was quiet for a long time; again, only the sound of rain could be heard.

Xia Chiyi waited patiently for a while, smiling: “Not answering means can’t let go, can’t let go means still want to.”

Finally, he heard Zhou Zhexiao’s “Mm”.

Today might be Zhou Zhexiao’s birthday, at least the birthday on his ID card.

If there’s a wish on a birthday, it should be satisfied as much as possible.

Xia Chiyi took a deep breath, “Then stop wandering in the village. Go back to that farmhouse in the county. I’m coming to find you.”

“It’s very late, you better not…”

“Wait for me.”

After speaking, Xia Chiyi hung up the phone and started stuffing things into his sports shoulder bag.

“Ye Chaoying, I’m going out for a bit, commandeering your power bank!”

Ye Chaoying opened the bathroom door, poking his head out: “Don’t tell me our Emperor Zhou lost his way on the path of exploration, waiting for you to bring him back?”

“Not that bad. I probably can’t join tomorrow’s training.”

“I said he’s so precious, going out for tourism of course needs a chartered car. But he insisted on trying to be a backpacker, suffering now, huh!”

“Haha, this counts as life experience too. When he comes back, don’t you guys tease him about this.”

“Do I want to die? Teasing him, he’ll issue a decree to execute my nine generations in minutes.” Ye Chaoying laughed.

Xia Chiyi went out. Fortunately, the school had a subway directly to the high-speed rail station. Xia Chiyi bought a high-speed rail ticket in the subway. During the fifty-four-minute ride, Xia Chiyi closed his eyes and slept.

After waking up, he bought a KFC family bucket and two burgers at the high-speed rail station, then rushed to catch the bus.

When he arrived in Chengjiang County, the streetlights were all lit up. Xia Chiyi got off carrying the family bucket; the rain had stopped.

What he didn’t expect was Zhou Zhexiao waiting for him at the station entrance, still wearing yesterday’s sportswear, holding an old-fashioned black long-handle umbrella in his hand—probably bought temporarily in the village. His sports shoulder bag was slung to one side.

Zhou Zhexiao was too tall and handsome; people passing by had to look at him twice.

Xia Chiyi ran over carrying the family bucket, shouting his name. Zhou Zhexiao stood there with no discernible emotion, making Xia Chiyi feel if he was being sentimental, insisting on running over to find him, only to trouble Zhou Zhexiao instead.

So Xia Chiyi slowed down, restraining his excitement. But when he walked in front of Zhou Zhexiao, the other suddenly hugged him.

The embrace was a bit tight; Xia Chiyi almost couldn’t breathe.

“Zhou… Zhou Zhexiao… didn’t we agree to wait for me at the farmhouse?” Xia Chiyi patted his back.

Zhou Zhexiao’s body exuded the humid vapor after rain. He was still the same, not good at using language to express expectation or desire. Only his breathing made Xia Chiyi feel like this was a reunion after a long separation.

Unknown how long passed, Zhou Zhexiao’s muffled voice sounded.

“Afraid you couldn’t find me, watch running out of battery.”

Xia Chiyi patted his back, “Didn’t I give you a power bank?”

Did this guy forget?

“I didn’t bring the watch’s charging cable.” Zhou Zhexiao’s answer was so straightforward and honest.

Xia Chiyi: “…”

This is really very Zhou Zhexiao style.

If he were Xia Chiyi’s son, Xia Chiyi suspected he would really beat him up.

Xia Chiyi looked down. Today Zhou Zhexiao wore ordinary sneakers, the uppers already stained with mud. The legs of his sweatpants also had quite a bit of mud splashed on them. Seems he walked a lot these two days.

The scent of orange body wash on him had become very faint. The smell of soil, grass, diesel, and mist mixed together, becoming somewhat unfamiliar.

Xia Chiyi could already imagine this guy sitting on a small stool scrubbing shoes after returning to school.

A bit of heartache, and a bit funny.

Who told you not to bring me along?

“Are you hungry? I’m so hungry. Find a place to eat the KFC!” Xia Chiyi shook the family bucket in his hand, then leaned close to Zhou Zhexiao’s ear and said, “Don’t tell my master!”

“Mm.” Zhou Zhexiao nodded. Probably tickled by Xia Chiyi’s breath, Zhou Zhexiao shrugged his shoulders slightly.

Xia Chiyi asked if they should still stay at that farmhouse. Zhou Zhexiao shook his head; rarely seen him express likes and dislikes so directly.

They stayed at a guesthouse in the county. The auntie at the front desk helped them heat the family bucket in the microwave for a while. The two sat in the guesthouse room and started eating.

Zhou Zhexiao opened the burger box and bit down. Sauce oozed out, dabbing on the tip of his nose. He didn’t eat ravenously, but it was obvious he was in a hurry.

This made Xia Chiyi couldn’t help wondering, what exactly has this guy eaten since yesterday?

Xia Chiyi chewed on a wing while kicking Zhou Zhexiao’s calf with his toe, “Anything delicious in Chengjiang County?”

“Chengjiang Baba, Chengjiang Taro Dumplings, Chengjiang Roast Duck.”

“Then did you go eat them?” Xia Chiyi asked again.

“No.” Zhou Zhexiao had already finished the burger, sauce still on his nose tip.

Didn’t eat any local snacks; did this guy starve himself for several meals?

Seems he’s really hungry; looking so obedient eating original recipe chicken.

Xia Chiyi couldn’t hold back. This guy always pinched his nose tip; now it was finally his chance.

“Don’t move.” Xia Chiyi said with a serious face.

Zhou Zhexiao just brought a chicken nugget to his mouth and froze like a statue in ‘Red Light, Green Light’.

He looked at Xia Chiyi, long eyelashes curling upwards, really so obedient.

Who could imagine this guy casually dropping the harshest words and playing the most ruthless ball.

Xia Chiyi leaned in front of him and pinched his nose tip hard. Zhou Zhexiao’s brow furrowed, eyelashes trembling slightly.

Really… makes one want to bully him to death.

But Xia Chiyi was still rational. Touching the tiger’s tail once is enough; if you want to pluck the tiger’s fur, you’re dead.

“You got food on your nose, hahaha!”

Xia Chiyi rummaged in the bucket. The napkins were long soaked into the color of butter. Without thinking much, Xia Chiyi licked his finger directly.

Opposite him, Zhou Zhexiao paused.

What Xia Chiyi’s red tongue tip took away wasn’t the mayonnaise on the fingertip, but sudden yet seemingly calculated precision, making his exhausted and numb heart revive, beating frantically one after another.

It seemed to be a privilege Zhou Zhexiao obtained inadvertently, an unspeakable secret in the bottom of his heart. He knew Xia Chiyi wouldn’t treat another person so defenselessly again.

In a sense, this was unique.

“I saw you wandering between several villages. How old is the person you’re looking for roughly?”

“Fifty-six years old, male.”

“Hmm?” Xia Chiyi looked up and thought, “Does he have children?”

“Two sons.”

“Although villages are developing well now and many people live in big villas, there are still many who go to the city for development. The old man you mentioned might have left the village with his children,” Xia Chiyi said.

“Won’t happen. He… was sent back by his son because he wanted fallen leaves to return to their roots.”

Hearing this, Xia Chiyi realized the person Zhou Zhexiao was looking for should have passed away. He was mostly likely here to sweep the grave.

This person was very important to him; otherwise, he wouldn’t travel so far, not to mention today might be his birthday.

Xia Chiyi suddenly felt very fortunate he came, otherwise, Zhou Zhexiao would have many regrets whether he found this person or not.

“Which village is he from?”

“Baitang Village, but this village is gone now, merged into two other villages.”

“Yongxi Village and Xianing Village?” Xia Chiyi asked.

“Mm.” Zhou Zhexiao nodded.

“Then did you ask the people in the village?”

“Asked. They pointed me to the village’s public cemetery, saying grave relocations all went to the back mountain. Then I went to look, but it wasn’t there.”

The public cemetery on the back mountain, ancestors for generations are buried there. If relocated, there would be hundreds if not thousands. Did Zhou Zhexiao just walk in the back mountain like that?

“Rest well today first. Your way of finding people must be wrong. Tomorrow we’ll find him together.” Xia Chiyi lifted his chin, “What’s the name of the person you’re looking for?”

“Sheng Mo.”

“How is it written?”

“Sheng as in blooming (Shengkai), Mo as in silence (Chenmo).”

“Cough cough cough… cough cough… isn’t that Sheng Xingming’s dad’s name?” Xia Chiyi almost became the first person to choke to death on popcorn chicken.

“Mm.”

Xia Chiyi suddenly remembered the scene when Zhou Zhexiao called him for the first time saying he was Sheng Xingming.

“There is nothing wrong with my brain,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

If it were the beginning of the semester, Xia Chiyi would have made an international WeChat call to his mom asking where Zhou Zhexiao’s medicine was kept.

But now, Xia Chiyi felt Zhou Zhexiao knew very clearly who he was.

Xia Chiyi didn’t ask why Zhou Zhexiao wanted to find Sheng Mo’s grave, because the reason for wanting to see someone is actually very simple, just “want to”.

“I feel the Sheng family should be quite famous locally. You actually couldn’t find out? Tomorrow, watch me.” Xia Chiyi picked up a chicken leg and pointed at himself.

Zhou Zhexiao lowered his eyes, his lip line not so tight anymore, seeming to smile.

Actually, Xia Chiyi was also very curious about what kind of father could raise a son as independent and outstanding as Sheng Xingming.

After finishing KFC, Xia Chiyi threw out the trash. He opened his shoulder bag and threw a waterproof bag to Zhou Zhexiao.

“Change of clothes, I guessed you didn’t bring enough.”

When Zhou Zhexiao came out of the bathroom, he saw Xia Chiyi charging his phone while playing “Gingerbread Man,” following along with “ah~ah~” in a nursery rhyme tone.

He went out once while Zhou Zhexiao was showering, bought non-woven fabric specially for cleaning shoes at the small convenience store downstairs. He had already used several packs. Zhou Zhexiao’s sneakers were wiped very clean from the upper to the vamp.

Probably stepped in rain; the vamp was a bit damp.

Xia Chiyi got a plastic bag, put the shoes in, poked holes on both sides of the plastic bag, put the hairdryer at the bag opening, blowing until the whole plastic bag swelled up.

Zhou Zhexiao stood aside with a towel draped over him, watching.

This way the hairdryer didn’t contact the shoes directly, so it wouldn’t dirty the hairdryer, yet allowed heat to wrap around the whole shoe evenly, and heat wouldn’t flow back to burn out the hairdryer. Killing multiple birds with one stone.

Xia Chiyi squatted on the ground and looked up, “Check your ID, is today your birthday?”

Zhou Zhexiao really took out his ID from his wallet and nodded: “Mm, it’s my birthday.”

“That’s good. Cleaning shoes for the birthday boy, I’m not wronged.”

They booked a standard room with two beds. Probably because it rained, the sheets had a slight dampness.

Zhou Zhexiao’s palm covered the bed surface, frowning imperceptibly. Seems he’s silently disliking it in his heart again.

“Hehe!” Xia Chiyi took out a disposable sleeping bag from his bag, “Luckily I saw it in the supermarket at the high-speed rail station and bought it immediately!”

When he opened the sleeping bag, he showed an awkward expression: “This is a double sleeping bag… a bit too spacious…”

He didn’t think much when buying, just grabbed one. This thing took up quite some space. Xia Chiyi thought just letting Zhou Zhexiao use it was fine; he could sleep anywhere.

“Move the beds, sleep together,” Zhou Zhexiao said.

When Xia Chiyi and Zhou Zhexiao were pushing the beds together, a sigh from the soul was emitted, “If I knew it was like this, booking a double bed room would have been fine. Why book a standard room!”

“Are you sure?” Zhou Zhexiao turned his face to look at Xia Chiyi.

Xia Chiyi thought about it; the auntie at the front desk would definitely look at them with strange eyes.

Why do two big lads have to squeeze into one bed?

Answer is, habit!

With the isolation of the disposable sleeping bag, the sheets and duvet cover became drier.

The rain outside was still pattering. It wasn’t a holiday, and Chengjiang County didn’t have much tourism industry, so there weren’t many guests in the whole guesthouse.

The room was quiet. Besides the distinctly clear sound of rain, there was each other’s breathing.

The two had their backs to each other. Xia Chiyi searched on his phone for parts where Sheng Xingming mentioned his father. Unfortunately, only those in the documentary.

The quieter it was, the more Xia Chiyi couldn’t help wanting to talk.

“Say, isn’t it strange? Chengjiang isn’t far from Ningchang. Why is Ningchang sunny for miles, but Chengjiang is raining?”

“Because the earth is round, because clouds are flowing.” Zhou Zhexiao’s voice was very light, very serious, like reciting poetry.

After a moment of silence, Xia Chiyi spoke again, “Hey, we are separated so far, my back is chilly.”

Zhou Zhexiao moved over. The other’s body temperature came from behind Xia Chiyi.

“Eh, have you heard a ghost story? Called ‘Good Friends Back to Back’!

Xia Chiyi was brewing emotions, just about to tell Zhou Zhexiao this classic ghost story, when he was suddenly pulled into an embrace.

Zhou Zhexiao’s arm wrapped around, encircling him completely. Xia Chiyi’s back fully pressed against Zhou Zhexiao’s chest.

Clearly, this wasn’t the first time sleeping like this, but in the narrow single bed in the dorm, they had a reason to hug.

“Now it’s not back to back. Sleep.” Zhou Zhexiao’s voice carried drowsiness and nasality.

Xia Chiyi was held by the other, unable to move around. He couldn’t turn his head, so he didn’t know Zhou Zhexiao hadn’t closed his eyes but was quietly looking at the top of Xia Chiyi’s head.

He really thought visiting Sheng Mo was a matter belonging only to himself. But when he came to the back mountain alone, stepping up flight after flight of stairs, searching for that person’s name among the forest of steles, for the first time he felt very lonely.

He was unwilling to admit that the first person to accompany him playing basketball, the first person full of expectations for him, maybe really couldn’t be found.

But now it was different. Xia Chiyi said he would accompany him to search together.

That way, it seemed even if really not found, the heart wouldn’t be so empty anymore.

When Xia Chiyi emitted even breathing sounds, Zhou Zhexiao’s thinking didn’t stop like in school, but became increasingly clear and sober.

He knew he didn’t have many chips to attract the other party. Maybe the sharp and elegant playing style, maybe the control and oppression on the court tempered over years, but these things had no value leaving basketball.

But Xia Chiyi was different. His existence would make him inexplicably generate various heavy emotions. His nose tip approached Xia Chiyi’s hair whorl, smelling the unique scent radiating from him. Actually, from beginning to end, it had nothing to do with any orange soda smell. His earlobe, neck hollow, hair whorl had fatal attraction in the dim space. Zhou Zhexiao’s emotions related and unrelated to basketball concentrated heavily on one person for the first time. He cherished his existence incomparably, restraining even his breathing.

Really wanted to hug tighter, tight enough to make him realize that this embrace he trusted could actually kill him.

Xia Chiyi moved. His hand lifted, holding Zhou Zhexiao’s hand like a little baby, placing it by his cheek.

This tiny little response made Zhou Zhexiao’s mood gradually calm down, sinking into dreamland.

They didn’t set an alarm. Xia Chiyi woke up needing to pee. When he sat up preparing to rush into the bathroom, the spot next to him was already empty.

“Damn, this guy got up so early? Did he go for morning exercise again?”

Xia Chiyi’s first reaction wasn’t entering the bathroom, but opening the window and sticking his head out.

The rain finally stopped. Outside the window was a small street with some small shops along the side.

And Zhou Zhexiao was buying breakfast more than ten meters away.

Confirming this guy wasn’t lost, Xia Chiyi rushed into the bathroom with peace of mind.

Zhou Zhexiao brought back Chengjiang Taro Dumplings, wrapped with bamboo shoots, diced meat, and shiitake mushrooms.

“Really delicious. Hard to imagine you stayed here for almost two days and didn’t buy any to eat?”

A total of eight steamed dumplings. Xia Chiyi ate six in one bite each.

The remaining two, he still conscientiously left for Zhou Zhexiao.

After breakfast, the two took an electric tricycle, bumping all the way until Xia Chiyi’s butt almost shattered. Enduring for about fifteen minutes, they finally arrived at Xianing Village.

Knowing it wasn’t far, Xia Chiyi felt walking over would have been better.

The village was quite peaceful, air fresh. Big yellow dogs sniffed around by the roadside, and cats lay on roofs sunbathing.

Under the eaves, several elderly people aged sixty or seventy could be seen playing mahjong.

Xia Chiyi nudged Zhou Zhexiao, “Wait here a bit, I’ll go ask.”

Arriving at the mahjong table, Xia Chiyi didn’t rush to ask but watched quietly, memorizing tiles in his head. When the grandma with a red scarf in front of him was about to throw a tile, Xia Chiyi quickly reached out to hold it down, “Grandma, don’t play this one, it’ll get eaten. Play this one!”

The grandma glanced at Xia Chiyi. She was just about to say young people shouldn’t cause trouble, but meeting Xia Chiyi’s face, she smiled.

“Yo, whose handsome little boy is this, so good-looking?”

“Just here from Ningchang to play,” Xia Chiyi said grinning.

Grandma listened to Xia Chiyi and actually won this round, liking him even more.

“What’s fun in our village, just a few small earth slopes. Oranges can’t be picked for another month!”

“I heard a very famous athlete came from here, called Sheng Xingming. Our basketball team is about to play the Seven Provinces and One City tournament, so we came here to feel his aura, maybe we can win the first battle!”

Hearing Xia Chiyi’s words, several grandmas started chatting one after another.

“Athlete? Playing basketball? Is there such a powerful person?”

“Also surnamed Sheng?”

Xia Chiyi quickly added information: “Not only is he a very famous athlete, his dad was also very capable. Back then this was called Baitang Village. His dad was a university student who tested out from here, later even went to America for a PhD. Heard he often came back to donate to university students, fix roads and stuff.”

“Oh oh oh, yes yes! Is his dad called Sheng Mo?”

“Yes yes yes!” Xia Chiyi nodded like pounding garlic.

“Back then my youngest daughter got into university but couldn’t pay tuition; it was Mr. Sheng who sponsored her.”

Hearing this, Xia Chiyi’s eyes lit up. There’s hope, there’s hope!

“Then Grandma, do you know where this Mr. Sheng is buried? Because I heard the village was re-planned and folks relocated graves! We want to sweep the grave.”

“Wait, I’ll ask my daughter for you!”

Grandma called her daughter, then pointed a direction to Xia Chiyi, “At Mingyuan Public Cemetery, you have to go look there.”

“Not on the back mountain?”

“No, those buried on the back mountain are from very early times. This Mr. Sheng made outstanding contributions to the village, so he was moved to this Mingyuan Public Cemetery uniformly.”

Xia Chiyi expressed thanks, came to Zhou Zhexiao, and patted his back, “Found out. At Mingyuan Public Cemetery, not the back mountain at all. You, how did you ask people?”

“I asked several people; they all said old graves were moved to the back mountain.”

“Did you mention Sheng Mo’s name?”

“Did, they just said those surnamed Sheng are all buried over there.”

Xia Chiyi sighed. Seems I still have to chat nicely with people like this, wake up their sleeping memories. Plus my luck is good; just chatting led to someone sponsored by Sheng Mo.

Zhou Zhexiao looked at Xia Chiyi and spoke: “As soon as you arrive, the rain stops.”