Chapter 38
The moment Lin Zheng saw that painting, he was dumbfounded.
Why would Gu Lin give him this painting?
Why was this painting being given to him?
Wasn’t this an important item in the original story that helped the two main characters get together?
Several questions tangled in Lin Zhengâs mind like a ball of yarn until Gu Lin spoke.
“Do you really⌠have no memory of it at all?”
Lin Zheng’s thoughts snapped away from the painting, and he looked at Gu Lin in confusion.
Memory? What memory?
Was he supposed to have a memory of this painting?
Did the plotline involving this painting also include a role for him as a supporting character?
Lin Zheng couldn’t figure out what Gu Lin was talking about.
Gu Lin moved his hand from the steering wheel to the painting, his thumb gently stroking the surface. He slowly said, “When we went to Yinlu County, didn’t we go see this scenery together?”
Gu Linâs words hit Lin Zheng’s eardrums like a heavy drum.
For Gu Lin, this was what made the painting special.
Even though to Yan Yang, the painting’s value could be counted on a few fingersâin Yan Yangâs words, it was just a very ordinary paintingâfor Gu Lin, its meaning far exceeded its material value.
Gu Lin was drawn to the painting the moment he saw it.
It was because it was the scenery he had seen with the person he liked.
It wasn’t exactly the same, but it was the same location and a similar scene.
Gu Lin had collected many paintings, including works by famous masters, but despite their high value, none held more significance than this one.
That night, the two of them stood on the mountain. Lin Zheng gazed into the distance, said he loved it, and didn’t hide any emotion on his face.
Gu Lin thought he remembered, which was why he was so surprised when he saw the painting at the museum.
Gu Lin wanted to indulge him, so he bought the painting to surprise his little boyfriend on his birthday.
But Yan Yang, that blabbermouth, couldn’t keep a secret. He said it was a secret, and it wasâbecause it was a secret Gu Lin created just for Lin Zheng.
Who would’ve thought the secret wouldn’t be kept, and even the person he wanted to please didn’t seem to recognize the painting.
Gu Linâs words reminded Lin Zheng.
Yinlu County… Yinlu County!
The missing part of Lin Zheng’s memory suddenly came into focus.
He remembered.
He realized why the painting had looked so familiar at the museum. This was the scenery he and Gu Lin had seen in Yinlu County.
Before, when the old manâs leg was injured, he and Gu Lin had gone to Yinlu County to visit him. The old man’s house was built next to a mountain. After dinner in the evening, the two of them walked up a slope onto the mountain. The view from there was exactly what was in the painting.
He had even said he loved it at the time.
Lin Zheng suddenly understood the meaning behind Gu Lin giving him this painting.
Lin Zheng couldnât help but wonder if that was what Gu Lin had thought of the first time he saw the painting.
Lin Zheng looked at Gu Lin, hoping for an answer.
Gu Lin moved his hand from the painting and placed his fingers on Lin Zheng’s hand, which was holding the frame. He gently took hold of his hand along with the frame. “Do you know? That was the first time I held someone’s hand and forgot about time. It was also the first time I wanted to hold onto another person’s hand and never let go, even hoping that time would stand still.”
Gu Lin’s gentle voice was like a soft rain falling on Lin Zhengâs heart; he couldn’t quite grasp it, but it made his heart flutter.
It was easy to figure out. Wu Yu’s hometown was in Yinlu County, and Yinlu County isn’t big. As a painter, Wu Yu couldn’t not know where the best scenery was or the best places to paint.
So, Wu Yu painted that painting, and afterward, Gu Lin saw it.
But the plot was completely different from the original story.
The current Gu Lin bought the painting for him; he had his eyes on it because of him.
While he didn’t know why the plot had veered off course so much, at that moment, Lin Zheng couldn’t deny the feeling of being moved by Gu Lin.
He even felt a little bad for forgetting something that Gu Lin had so carefully remembered.
Gu Lin looked at Lin Zhengâs expression and knew he had remembered.
Gu Lin withdrew his hand and, while he was at it, smoothed some of the stray bangs on Lin Zhengâs forehead.
Seeing that Lin Zheng was no longer as resistant to him as he had been after returning from City R, he felt quite relieved.
He knew Lin Zheng needed time, and he was willing to give it to him.
As long as Lin Zheng was willing to walk in his direction, he could give Lin Zheng whatever he wanted.
A light rain began to fall outside the car, and soon the front window was covered in fine, dense raindrops.
The pitter-patter of the rain broke the quiet atmosphere between them.
Lin Zheng looked at the dark clouds in the distance and muttered, “Looks like it’s going to rain for a long time.”
Gu Lin looked at him. “You don’t want to go out?”
Lin Zheng didnât like going out when it rained. Having his shoes wet by rainwater made him very uncomfortable.
He knew his thoughts would be seen through by Gu Lin, but he didn’t expect to be called out on it so quickly.
He gave a polite laugh and then nodded, very honestly.
Gu Lin checked the time, had Assistant Shen cancel the restaurant reservation, and asked him to buy some things and bring them over.
On a rainy day, staying at home is the most comfortable, especially when you don’t have to do anything and someone is preparing dinner for you.
Lin Zheng lay flat on the sofa, with his hands folded over his abdomen in a peaceful pose, quietly smelling the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen.
If you asked, it was because Gu Lin wouldn’t let him in the kitchen.
If you asked again, it was because he had already broken several bowls.
When the doorbell rang, Lin Zheng didn’t wait for Gu Lin to move. He immediately sat up on the sofa, put on his slippers, and hurried to open the door.
Assistant Shen was standing at the door, holding large bags of groceries. Lin Zheng quickly invited him in.
After the two of them took the things into the kitchen, Assistant Shen prepared to leave. Lin Zheng, thinking it was a long trip, suggested he stay for dinner. But Assistant Shen said he had children waiting at home and ultimately didn’t stay.
After Assistant Shen left, Lin Zheng, unable to stay idle, quietly snuck back into the kitchen.
Gu Lin glanced at him and said mercilessly, “Don’t touch the bowls.”
Lin Zheng: “…”
Lin Zheng really didn’t touch a single bowl. He looked through the groceries in the shopping bag. Gu Lin had only told Assistant Shen to buy some food but didn’t specify what.
But everything needed, everything that would be used, Assistant Shen had prepared.
Lin Zheng looked through them, muttering, “Fathers really are different.”
Although Assistant Shen was young, he was already married and had two children. Assistant Shen had even shown him pictures of the two kids, two very cute little girls.
Gu Lin said, “You like kids?”
Lin Zheng took the vegetables out of the shopping bags, sorted them, and replied to Gu Lin, “Yeah, I like them.”
However, Lin Zheng’s liking was limited to well-behaved children. He couldn’t stand noisy ones, they gave him a headache.
For some reason, Gu Lin’s lips curled into a smile.
While Lin Zheng wasn’t skilled at complicated tasks, he was perfectly capable of peeling a few fruits.
He didn’t think he was so unlucky that he would cut himself while peeling.
Lin Zheng picked up a knife, confidently whistling as he leisurely prepared the groundwork for Gu Lin. Suddenly, the knife made a perfect diagonal slice, cutting right across his fingertip.
Lin Zheng stood frozen for three seconds, then watched as the cut on his finger began to ooze blood.
Lin Zheng slowly frowned.
It was just a small mistake.
Before Gu Lin could notice, he had already gone outside, put a waterproof bandage on it, and came back in.
When Gu Lin noticed Lin Zheng, there were already two bandages on his hand.
Gu Lin’s expression changed.
He ignored Lin Zheng’s protests and sent him back to the sofa.
Lin Zheng scoffed.
The phone in his pocket rang. It was from the housing agent.
The agent told him they had found a few suitable apartments for rent and asked for his opinion.
Lin Zheng asked the agent to send him the details; he had to take a good look at them.
He put his phone down and noticed the painting he had placed on the table.
He couldn’t understand how the plot had gotten so twisted, or how the painting, which shouldn’t have been in his hands, was now in his possession.
The original plot he knew always clashed with the current plot.
Lin Zheng realized that he had been paying too much attention to the plot.
Because he knew the story, he couldn’t help but make many connections.
But it was exhausting.
He suddenly had an idea.
What if he ignored the plot and just followed his heart?
Gu Lin came out with the fruit that Lin Zheng had been peeling, placed it on the table, and sighed when he saw the two bandages on Lin Zheng’s hand.
Lin Zheng looked at the person about to return to the kitchen and called out to him.
Gu Lin turned his body to look at him. “What is it?”
After a moment of hesitation, Lin Zheng spoke. “Gu Lin, I told you before that I wasn’t originally from this world, that this is a strange world to me. But what if I told you now that you are actually the male protagonist of this new world? Would you believe it?”
Gu Lin thought for a moment. “Yes.”
Lin Zheng looked at him. “And what if I said that in the original story, the painter Wu Yu was the other main character of this world, your partner? Would you believe that?”
Gu Lin didn’t answer immediately; he hesitated for two seconds.
Lin Zheng sat on the sofa with his legs crossed.
He watched as Gu Lin walked toward him.
He watched the tall figure getting closer, and then, suddenly, he was caught completely off guard as Gu Lin picked him up from the sofa and hoisted him onto his shoulder.
His body suddenly in the air, Lin Zheng, afraid of falling, quickly grabbed onto Gu Lin’s broad back and asked in a daze, “What are you doing, Gu Lin?”
But Gu Lin seemed not to hear.
Gu Lin carried Lin Zheng directly into the bedroom, placing him on the bed and then leaning down on top of him.
Gu Lin’s weight was no joke. Lin Zheng was so crushed he could barely breathe, and the mattress seemed to sink under the weight.
Lin Zheng craned his neck and patted Gu Lin’s back, accusing him, “Get off me! Are you trying to murder me?”
Gu Lin, however, kept his position on top of him and laughed, his shoulders shaking.
Lin Zheng: “?”
Was something funny happening?
After two minutes, Gu Lin finally placed a hand on Lin Zheng’s chest and slowly raised his head. He looked at the person beneath him. “Silly rabbit, if you weren’t the other main character, how could I be the male protagonist? Or…”
Gu Lin dangerously narrowed his eyes. His breath tickled Lin Zheng’s sensitive neck as he slowly said, “Are you just tired of playing and now want to find some random excuse to pass me off to someone else?”
Author’s note:
Today, it’s Lin Xiao Zheng who accidentally got himself in bed.
â
When he heard a certain person say they liked kids.
Boss Gu: “Let me think, how many would be suitable for the future? Two? Seems a bit too few. Three? In that case, Little Rabbit can’t handle it alone, so maybe we’ll hire two more nannies…”
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