Part 2
Gu Lin took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and joked, “If not you, who else can I blame?”
Gu Lin was about to light the cigarette, but then seemed to remember something and threw it away.
The old man looked surprised, “You little rascal, you quit smoking?”
After throwing away the cigarette, Gu Lin threw the lighter into the trash can as well, “Yes, I was ordered to.”
When he said this, there was warmth in Gu Lin’s eyes.
The old man smiled candidly, “Look, when you were little, your grandmother asked me to quit smoking, and I listened to her. You criticized me for not having the demeanor of a man. Now you’ve grown up and understand, right? When you truly love someone, no matter what they say, you can’t refute them.”
Gu Lin looked at the distant night sky.
Yes, he understood now.
Truly loving someone.
In the past, Gu Lin never thought he would truly love someone.
Looking back now, he also finds it incredible.
Initially, he wasn’t attracted to Lin Zheng himself, but to the secret behind Lin Zheng.
From one day on, a person suddenly changed. Someone who used to like him so much suddenly wanted to break up with him. To be honest, when Lin Zheng first mentioned breaking up, although he didn’t show it on his face, he was somewhat surprised.
He wanted to know the reason and purpose of the breakup.
Later, Lin Zheng told him that the reason for the breakup was that he had emotional amnesia.
Emotional amnesia…
Every time he thought of this, Gu Lin wanted to laugh.
Especially when he recalled Lin Zheng’s sad expression when he lamented how serious his condition was, he found it incredibly funny.
Emotional amnesia isn’t an easily acquired illness, and the causes are extremely complex. It’s more often caused by psychological trauma, and the probability of developing it from physical trauma is almost negligible.
Not to mention, Lin Zheng also exaggerated his condition.
This made Gu Lin even more curious. Why would this person fabricate a lie to break up with him?
Gu Lin mischievously didn’t reveal the truth, but instead, under the guise of treatment, he began to observe this person who had changed overnight as his boyfriend.
He placed Lin Zheng where he could see him at a glance, suggesting that Lin Zheng work by his side, and gave him maximum financial freedom.
He wanted to see what this person had become.
But as they spent time together, he saw more in Lin Zheng.
He saw the person’s uninhibited side, bluntly rejecting things he didn’t like, immediately doing whatever he wanted to do. He also saw the innocence retained in this person, especially when there were children around; when interacting with children, he saw an incredible side of this person – someone who couldn’t dance could dance so freely at a ball. He also saw the person’s adorable side, unconsciously acting cute towards him at any time, without realizing it himself.
He gradually forgot about the secret, and became interested in Lin Zheng himself.
He started teasing him, enjoying seeing him shy but restraining himself because of the emotional amnesia, trying not to blush.
Then, unknowingly, he was gradually attracted to him.
If he had to pinpoint when his feelings became serious, it was probably when he saw Lin Zheng’s injured wrist at the banquet.
When he saw the red marks on Lin Zheng’s wrist, apparently caused by someone’s grip, a surge of anger arose in his heart, and he began to take his previous teasing seriously.
He had previously said that Lin Zheng belonged to him entirely, and Lin Zheng took it seriously. Now, he took it seriously too. And what he hated most was others touching his things, and even hurting them. It was like they were acting wild on him. It was from that moment that he realized he was already too invested in this person. Once he had this awareness, he couldn’t stop himself.
By the time he finally reacted, he had already put this person in a place beyond the reach of others.
Lin Zheng’s appearance was like adding a condiment to his originally bland and boring life, like a ray of life suddenly shining into a forest without sunlight, lively and full of vitality, constantly bringing him surprises. Although sometimes he was as mischievous as a child, he was mostly adorable. He would say he didn’t want something, but his hand would instinctively reach into your pocket. His willful behavior was cute, and his speechless expression when teased was also cute.
This person was like a little hedgehog, always protecting himself well, but after hearing his confession, he willingly let down his guard and showed him his soft shell.
Thinking back now, Lin Zheng seemed to have some kind of magical power that always attracted him, making him unable to look away.
He sometimes selfishly wanted to hide him. This was his person, and he didn’t want anyone else to see him.
But then thinking that this selfishness might scare him, he hid his selfishness.
He had always acted like a normal person; he didn’t want to suddenly change and scare Lin Zheng.
The old man chuckled. Although Gu Lin didn’t say anything, he had already seen the whole picture from his face. He sighed, “It’s good to be young. Okay, last time doesn’t count. The day after tomorrow, bring him here, and we’ll have a good meal together.”
Gu Lin, hearing that his grandfather was willing to stay, knew that his purpose as a mediator had been achieved.
He got up from the stool and said to his grandfather, “Then you continue enjoying the breeze; I’ll go inside.”
“Hey, you kid, how can you leave just like that?”
Gu Lin smiled.
The old man turned his head to look at the person who was quickly walking into the house, and said with a smile, “Remember what I said. Bring him here the day after tomorrow.”
Gu Lin replied, “Got it.”
Seeing Gu Lin go downstairs and knowing that he had successfully persuaded his grandfather, Mrs. Wu was overjoyed, “That’s great! I knew Grandpa loved you the most. By the way, dinner is almost ready. Let’s go while we talk.”
“Okay.”
Gu Lin put his arm around his mother, and they walked towards the dining room together.
“Let me see, why do you seem to have lost weight again? Aren’t you eating properly because you’re busy with work?”
On the way, Mrs. Wu started her motherly nagging.
Gu Lin smiled helplessly, “It’s your illusion.”
Every time Gu Lin came back, Mrs. Wu would always nag him about losing weight, but Gu Lin had never actually lost weight. He ate well and exercised regularly. Later, he understood that this was just a mother’s way of showing concern for her son.
As they chatted, when they were about to reach the dining room, Gu Lin’s phone rang.
Gu Lin said to Mrs. Wu, “Go ahead, I’ll be right there.”
Mrs. Wu patted his arm, “Answer the phone and come quickly.”
Gu Lin said okay.
Then he went outside to answer the phone.
It was Yan Yang calling.
As soon as Gu Lin answered, he heard Yan Yang shouting on the other end, “Gu Lin, where’s Lin Zheng? Why isn’t he home? Did he go looking for you?”
Hearing this, Gu Lin was stunned.
Then he replied, “What?”
Yan Yang said, “I was planning to come over to play with Lin Zheng, but I saw that all the lights in your building were off, and I rang the doorbell for a long time, but no one answered. It seems he’s not home. Did he go looking for you?”
“…No.”
“Where did he go then?” Yan Yang muttered, “I can’t reach him on the phone either.”
“I’ll hang up now.”
“Hey, hey? I haven’t finished talking…”
Before Yan Yang could finish, Gu Lin hung up the phone, then called Lin Zheng.
“[I’m sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later, or leave a message after the beep.]”
“[I’m sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later, or leave a message after the beep.]”
“[I’m sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later, or leave a message after the beep.]”
“[……]”
As the number of calls increased, Gu Lin’s grip on the phone tightened.
Mrs. Wu waited for a long time without seeing her son enter the dining room, so she came out to call him. But when she came out, there was no sign of Gu Lin in the courtyard.
Gu Lin was driving while calling Yan Yang, “Yan Yang, check if there are any signs of forced entry at my door, and if any windows on the first and second floors are open. I’m on my way back now. Tell me immediately if you find anything.”
After hanging up, Gu Lin stepped on the gas pedal, and the car weaved through the traffic.
Gu Lin had already contacted everyone he could contact around Lin Zheng, but no one had seen him.
Lights kept flashing across his dark eyes.
Gu Lin’s house was not close to his parents’ house. When Gu Lin got out of the car, half an hour had passed since Yan Yang called him.
Yan Yang seemed to have gone out and was just returning.
Getting out of the car, Yan Yang jogged towards Gu Lin.
The two walked through the gate and into the house. Gu Lin confirmed with Yan Yang again, “Are you sure you checked all the doors and windows?”
Yan Yang’s expression didn’t look good, “Yes, I specifically asked someone to check, and there’s nothing wrong.”
After thinking for a moment, he added, “And I also went to Lin Zheng’s old place. He… should be fine.”
Gu Lin used his key card to open the door and found that the door lock didn’t show any abnormalities, instantly relaxing. Then he asked Yan Yang, “Is he in Beilin?”
Lin Zheng’s original home was in Beilin. Going to Beilin from his parents’ house was a different route, so Gu Lin didn’t go there in a hurry to get here.
Yan Yang scratched his forehead and didn’t answer immediately.
Seeing that Yan Yang didn’t speak for a long time, and remembering Yan Yang said he was fine, Gu Lin guessed Lin Zheng was probably there.
No matter where he was, as long as he was safe.
Gu Lin’s hanging heart was relieved. He turned around and was about to walk inside when he caught sight of something new on the entrance hall cabinet.
He changed direction and walked over, then picked up the object on the entrance hall cabinet.
A room key and a supplementary bank card of his.
Originally, these should have been in Lin Zheng’s hands.
Underneath was a note.
Gu Lin put down the two cards and picked up the note.
Yan Yang hesitated for a moment, then spoke, “I went to Lin Zheng’s old place, but I didn’t see him. I saw another tenant. He said that the original tenant had entrusted the house to a real estate agency half a month ago. He just signed the contract today, and the house has been transferred to him. He also said… the original tenant sold it at a low price, and seems to have left.”
After Yan Yang finished speaking, there was a long silence.
“Half a month ago… Ha.”
Gu Lin laughed angrily.
He tightly clenched the note in his hand.
It read——
[I unilaterally announce our breakup. The breakup fee has been withdrawn. Don’t miss me. – Lin Zheng]
Yan Yang couldn’t see Gu Lin’s expression from behind, but after the abruptly stopped laughter, he heard Gu Lin’s voice ask darkly, “Yan Yang, have I… been too easy-going lately?”
Author’s Note: I’m here!
This chapter also has red envelopes for comments left within the chapter! Love you all~
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