When Jiang Cheng entered the private room, he wasn't surprised to see Lu Linjiang. He and Wang Ling had been thick as thieves since they were in diapers; there was no way Wang Ling would leave him out of an occasion like this.
Wang Ling pulled Jiang Cheng into a boisterous embrace, grumbling with a mix of genuine hurt and playfulness, "You heartless bastard! Fine, don't contact that jerk, but how could you not even send a message to your own brother?"
Back when Jiang Cheng first left, Wang Ling had been worried sick, searching high and low for him. He only settled down once he learned Jiang Cheng had gone back to school. Feeling a pang of guilt, Jiang Cheng listened to the nagging in silence. After a while, Wang Ling realized the other man had gone quiet. Fearing he’d taken the joke too far, he quickly added, "Hey, I’m mostly kidding! Don't go taking it to heart!"
Jiang Cheng offered a knowing smile. "It was my fault. I was being petty. The reason I didn't contact you was..." He paused for a beat. "I was afraid you'd ask me to be your personal shopper."
Wang Ling held his breath for the answer, only to burst out laughing when it came. He gave Jiang Cheng an affectionate clip round the ear. "You brat! Learning how to tease your brother now, are you?"
The atmosphere finally loosened. Wang Ling ushered Jiang Cheng to his seat, and the meal proceeded pleasantly with plenty of food and drink. The only dampener was Lu Linjiang, who sat there like an uncarved block of stone, remaining silent throughout. Wang Ling’s eyes were practically bulging out of his head from glaring, but the oblivious man acted as if he saw nothing. In a fit of pique, Wang Ling delivered a sharp kick to his shin under the table.
"Linjiang, is the food good?" Wang Ling asked through gritted teeth.
"Mm." Lu Linjiang seemed possessed by some strange spirit; he was being incredibly parsimonious with his words. After that single grunt, he fell silent again, making Wang Ling’s mouth twitch with irritation. He delivered another vicious kick under the table.
Before Lu Linjiang could react, Jiang Cheng let out a sudden chuckle. He set down his chopsticks and picked up his glass. "Alright, Brother Wang. It’s all in the past. There’s nothing I can’t let go of. In the end, I was the one in the wrong first."
Jiang Cheng gracefully clinked his glass against Lu Linjiang’s. "And thank you for bailing me out!"
Lu Linjiang was momentarily stunned. He was a beat slow in raising his glass. "It was my duty."
Wang Ling couldn't help but scoff. "Why don't you just say you're 'serving the people' while you're at it?" He poured some red wine for the two of them. Seeing that Jiang Cheng truly seemed to have moved on, he breathed a sigh of relief. "I really thought the three of us would never be able to sit down for a meal like this again in this lifetime."
"How could that be?"
"Because of this bastard! Look at him, acting like he’s made of iron and stone!"
Jiang Cheng followed Wang Ling’s gaze to Lu Linjiang. Because he had finally relinquished the secret longing in his heart, the cautious scrutiny and anxiety of the past were gone. His face was slightly flushed from the alcohol, and he laughed with a carefree air as he listened to Wang Ling scold Lu Linjiang.
"Alright, Brother Wang. Linjiang’s facial nerves have always been underdeveloped; don't hold it against him!" Jiang Cheng clinked his glass with Wang Ling’s. In the past, he had always been walking on eggshells around Lu Linjiang, terrified of making a single mistake. Now that the burden was lifted, he seemed like a different person, even capable of poking fun at Lu Linjiang.
Lu Linjiang sat in the middle. The seating arrangement had originally been intended to keep him from being left out, but now it only served to make it easier for Jiang Cheng and Wang Ling to flank him. They launched a pincer attack, recounting every embarrassing story from Lu Linjiang’s childhood. While the two of them were doubled over with laughter, Lu Linjiang managed to maintain a facade of preternatural calm.
The three of them chatted as they ate. Seeing that the dishes were cleared, Wang Ling finally checked his phone.
"They're about to close. Shall we move somewhere else?"
Jiang Cheng had drunk a bit too much. He squinted his eyes, a brilliant smile plastered on his face. "I'm fine with whatever."
Wang Ling sensed something was off. He waved a hand in front of Jiang Cheng’s face and realized that Jiang Cheng, who was never a strong drinker, was likely wasted. He asked belatedly, "Little Orange, you okay?"
Jiang Cheng propped his chin on one hand. "I'm fine. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this happy."
Seeing the glazed look in his eyes, Wang Ling slapped his own forehead. "Me and my big ideas, why did I pour you so much wine!" He nudged Lu Linjiang. "Quick, help him up. I’ll go settle the bill!"
Lu Linjiang reached out to support Jiang Cheng. It was only when his hands touched the other man that he realized how excessively thin he had become. It wasn't obvious under his clothes, but to the touch, there was hardly any flesh on his bones. He carefully supported Jiang Cheng and helped him into his coat. As they headed for the door, he saw Wang Ling staring at his phone with a puzzled expression.
"What is it?"
"Did you pay the bill?" Wang Ling asked.
Lu Linjiang shook his head. Both men turned to look at Jiang Cheng. Wang Ling asked, "Little Orange, did you pay?"
Jiang Cheng still had a shred of lucidity, but his brain was functioning in slow motion. He stared at Wang Ling for a long time before processing the question, then slowly shook his head. "No. Brother Wang said it was his treat."
The two sober men exchanged a look. Wang Ling asked blankly, "Then who’s the Good Samaritan?"
Just as they were about to investigate, Jiang Langmin rounded the corner. "Was dinner to your satisfaction?"
Wang Ling looked at Jiang Langmin with confusion. "Who are you?" He sized up the elite-looking Jiang Langmin, certain he had never met this person before.
"He’s Jiang Cheng’s colleague, Jiang Langmin," Lu Linjiang said. He looked at Jiang Langmin and asked pointedly, "What are you doing here?"
"I wasn't following Jiang Cheng," Jiang Langmin explained. "My family owns this restaurant. I knew Jiang Cheng was dining here. Since he’s with his friends, the meal should be on the house."
Wang Ling immediately caught the subtext. "Friends," "should be"—this man of the world instantly let out an "Oh," and then began observing Jiang Langmin with even more piercing eyes. After a thorough inspection, he decided that the man’s "hardware and software" both looked excellent. If Jiang Cheng were to fall for someone like this after Lu Linjiang, it wouldn't be strange at all. In fact, it would be perfectly normal.
At the very least, this man seemed much warmer than Lu Linjiang.
"I'm Wang Ling, Jiang Cheng’s older brother. Thank you for today, then."
Jiang Langmin didn't mind the scrutiny at all, graciously shaking his hand. "You're very welcome." He turned to Lu Linjiang. "Officer Lu, Jiang Cheng and I are staying at the same hotel. I’ll take him back; no need to trouble you."
Wang Ling was more than happy to play matchmaker. He expected Lu Linjiang to go along with it and hand Jiang Cheng over, but to his surprise, the Lu Linjiang who had been harmless all evening suddenly radiated a powerful aura. Lu Linjiang, who had been merely supporting Jiang Cheng, pulled him firmly into his arms. "He’s very drunk. I’ll take him."
Wang Ling’s jaw nearly hit the floor. He secretly pinched himself—he definitely wasn't drunk. Then he looked closely at Lu Linjiang, remembering the bastard hadn't drunk much at all, so he couldn't be drunk either. So why did it feel like Lu Linjiang was talking nonsense?
Jiang Langmin was taken aback. He looked at Lu Linjiang’s movements with astonishment, keenly sensing the oddity in the other man’s attitude. He looked at Lu Linjiang seriously. "Officer Lu?"
"I'm not comfortable with that. I'll take him."
The two men stared each other down in silence. Wang Ling, caught in the middle, immediately tried to smooth things over. "We’ll all take him, we’ll all take him. I’m not comfortable either."
Jiang Langmin gave Lu Linjiang a deep, searching look before turning and walking out first.
Four people, two cars. Once they had delivered Jiang Cheng to the hotel, another problem arose—Jiang Cheng was dead to the world on the bed, and both Lu Linjiang and Jiang Langmin were wary of each other, neither willing to be the first to leave.
Wang Ling was at his wit's end. After talking himself hoarse, he finally settled the matter by booking another room next door.
The moment the door closed, Wang Ling, who had been suppressing his temper and playing the peacemaker all night, let out a low-voiced roar. "Are you out of your goddamn mind? Take your meds, will you!" His voice was like a gale force wind, as if he wanted to blow Lu Linjiang right out of the ninth-floor window. "Back then, the guy chased after you, humbled himself for you, waited on you hand and foot! You were so cold-hearted you drove him away! Now that Little Orange is starting over, you’re hanging around like some vengeful spirit. What kind of act is this, huh?"
Lu Linjiang sat on the edge of the bed and listened to the rant without so much as a change in expression, his thoughts unreadable. Wang Ling’s anger flared even higher. He rushed forward, grabbed Lu Linjiang’s shoulders, and shook him violently. "You’re not a dog, so why are you guarding the food? Even if you want to guard it, Jiang Cheng isn't in your bowl! You ground him down for years and drove him away with your own hands—do you even remember that?"
Lu Linjiang looked at him, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I remember."
Finally getting a coherent answer, Wang Ling’s fury subsided slightly. He thumped his heaving chest. "Good that you remember. I think this Jiang Langmin is decent; he’s more than a match for Little Orange. Lu Linjiang, if your brain isn't broken and you still have a conscience, you shouldn't do anything more."
Wang Ling didn't want to dwell on Lu Linjiang’s abnormal behavior tonight; he just kept telling him, "It’s already a miracle that Little Orange could move on and sit at the same table as you. Don't push him until he refuses to even see your face again!"
Lu Linjiang rubbed his forehead. After a long silence, he said, "I don't have that problem. It’s just that when I see Jiang Langmin, my instinct..."
"Instinct my ass!" Wang Ling interrupted him ruthlessly. "That’s called being a 'fanjian'—a despicable glutton for punishment!"
"The guy loved you since he was a teenager. You told him you were straight, that you liked gentle girls who could cook and wouldn't talk back. Jiang Cheng went and learned to cook, he didn't even dare speak loudly. If he hadn't kept some shred of sanity, he might have even gone for a sex change! And you? You treated him like a venomous snake, keeping your distance until he finally left, and he didn't even have a word of complaint against you when he did!"
"Now that someone halfway decent finally shows up, you’re picking a fight with him! How do you have the nerve to look down on the guy? You’re just beyond help!" Wang Ling listed Lu Linjiang’s "crimes" against Jiang Cheng, rambling on and on, cycling through his insults until the early hours of the morning. Finally, exhausted and with the alcohol catching up to him, he collapsed and fell asleep.
The room finally fell silent. Lu Linjiang looked at his hands in confusion. At the restaurant, his hands had moved to stop Jiang Langmin before his brain could even react. Even now, he couldn't understand why. When he told Wang Ling it was instinct, he wasn't making an excuse; he truly, subconsciously felt that Jiang Langmin was unreliable.
Taking advantage of the silence after Wang Ling’s tirade, he carefully considered the possibility of Jiang Cheng falling for someone else... Perhaps Wang Ling’s voice had been too loud, because he couldn't reach a conclusion. He could only be certain of one thing: if that person was Jiang Langmin, it was simply too inappropriate.
If Wang Ling knew, he would probably explode with rage again and call him full of shit. Given the current state of Jiang Langmin versus himself, any sane person would choose Jiang Langmin...
After sitting quietly for a moment, Lu Linjiang pulled his phone from his pocket. He tapped and swiped until he found a video clip. It was a segment taken from the surveillance footage at Hughes. In the foreground of the camera stood Jiang Cheng, dressed in a white lab coat.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
代购 | Daigou / Personal shopper | Refers to people living abroad who buy luxury or local goods for people back in China.
雷锋 | Lei Feng / Good Samaritan | A soldier of the PLA who became a national icon of selflessness and service.
护食 | Guarding food | Usually refers to a dog protecting its bowl; used here as a metaphor for possessiveness over something one doesn't necessarily want.
犯贱 | Fanjian | A derogatory term for someone who acts despicably, asks for trouble, or is a glutton for punishment.
修斯 | Hughes | Likely the name of the company or research institute where Jiang Cheng works.
