Chapter 65
Let’s rewind to before Lin Zheng left the house.
Lin Zheng had a very important plan for the day, but it was a plan he couldn’t let Gu Lin know about just yet.
To keep Gu Lin from coming with him, he had to call in his best helper: Yu Huanyuan.
As things stood, Yu Huanyuan was his most trustworthy friend. As for Yan Yang… tsk, the less said, the better.
Yan Yang never missed an opportunity to mess with him.
He asked Yu Huanyuan to stand guard over Gu Lin under the guise of taking care of him.
On one hand, it was to prevent Gu Lin from relentlessly insisting on tagging along. Of course, he was also worried that even if Gu Lin said he wouldn’t come, he might secretly follow him after he left. But a more important reason was his concern for Gu Lin’s health.
Gu Lin was truly weak right now.
So, resting at home was his best option.
It didn’t matter if Gu Lin didn’t choose it; he would choose for him.
Lin Zheng set out according to his original plan. He followed the route he had mapped out in advance and arrived at his first destination. But when he pulled out the notebook where he’d written down the building’s name—he’d even drawn a simple sketch to be sure—he found that the building in front of him wasn’t just a little different from his drawing; it was completely and utterly different!
The bustling street he was promised was a desolate alley that looked like it had been abandoned for decades. Taking a closer look at the building, he thought, Heck, I’d believe you if you told me this was a haunted house.
No one would choose a place like this.
What on earth was the person who recommended this thinking?
Only later did Lin Zheng realize it wasn’t the recommender’s fault. He had gone the wrong way himself.
He slapped himself on the forehead, got back in the car, and started driving in the correct direction.
As the car pulled out of the gloomy road, he caught a glimpse of a familiar-looking white SUV. It looked a lot like Yu Huanyuan’s car. His driver’s instincts kicked in, and he glanced in the rearview mirror a couple of times. Once he reached a wider road, he saw the license plate: 223389.
Good, he didn’t recognize it.
…Then again, he didn’t remember Yu Huanyuan’s license plate number either.
Whatever, it can’t be Yu Huanyuan, he thought.
Little Yu was at Gu Lin’s house.
One second, Lin Zheng confidently looked away. The next, Little Yu, waiting at a red light in the car behind him, leaned forward, afraid he’d lose Lin Zheng if he made a turn after the light changed.
Unfortunately, Lin Zheng didn’t see him.
Following the route in his notebook, Lin Zheng finally found the right place. He arrived at the old city center—yes, this was what he was looking for.
He found the flower shop that received rave reviews from every single person who visited. The owner was an elegant woman in her sixties. The shop was small, but it was filled with every kind of flower imaginable, and a closer look revealed they were all exceptionally well-cared for.
There were also two young girls in the shop who looked like employees, but when customers came in, it was usually the owner who attended to them, while the girls were only responsible for wrapping the flowers.
Lin Zheng looked around and said he was looking for a bouquet suitable for someone he loved.
One of the girls said that would definitely be roses.
Lin Zheng’s first thought had also been roses, but he felt there had to be a better choice.
“What do you think of platycodon grandiflorus?” the elegant owner asked with a smile.
Balloon flowers.
Lin Zheng suddenly remembered that Gu Lin had given him balloon flowers before.
“Balloon flowers… do they have a special meaning?”
“The balloon flower expresses a pure love for one’s partner, untainted by any impurities,” the woman said slowly, looking at Lin Zheng. “It also symbolizes a sincere, unchanging, and eternal love.”
“Sincere, unchanging, and eternal love?”
The woman smiled slightly. “However, this flower also has another meaning.”
Lin Zheng’s curiosity was piqued.
“Another meaning?”
Lin Zheng had never researched these things, nor had he ever given flowers to anyone.
The woman’s eyes, filled with the wisdom of years, looked at him and said, “Hopeless love.”
Lin Zheng paused.
He looked down at the flowers the employee handed him.
Although it didn’t sound like a good omen, the owner had still recommended this flower after knowing his intentions. She must have her reasons. Perhaps, everything has two sides, and which side it becomes depends not on fate, but on oneself. And besides…
Lin Zheng carefully examined the flowers in his hand. For some reason, he felt he had to choose this one.
Without reason, he just felt it was the best choice.
He felt that the person he wanted to give them to would definitely like them.
Lin Zheng had the employee wrap the bouquet.
Just imagining the scene that was soon to come made his heart pound with excitement.
With the flowers in hand, he rushed to his next destination: a five-star hotel that only served a limited number of guests each day.
He had really splurged on this one.
He compared it with his notebook. This was the place.
He got out of the car with the flowers, but before he reached the entrance, he noticed a man talking to someone as he walked out.
Looking closer, he realized it was Wu Yu.
Gu Lin had said that Wu Yu probably had a thing for him. Although he didn’t really think so, remembering his promise to Gu Lin, Lin Zheng wanted to discreetly slip away before Wu Yu noticed him. But before he could move, Wu Yu, having just finished his conversation, spotted him and called out.
What could he do? It would be too rude for Lin Zheng to avoid him in plain sight, so he had to greet Wu Yu.
Although he had promised Gu Lin he would try to avoid him, it was just that—try. If he couldn’t avoid him, there was really nothing he could do.
Wu Yu was wearing a trench coat, looking even more eye-catching than before. After parting with his friend, who went in another direction, Wu Yu walked toward Lin Zheng.
He greeted Lin Zheng first. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Do you have a date with a friend?”
The word “friend” reminded Lin Zheng of the friend he had fabricated for Gu Lin. Well, for argument’s sake, let’s just say he did have a friend.
So, Lin Zheng nodded.
“I see.” Wu Yu didn’t linger on the topic of the friend. “Let me think, what kind of friend would make you come all this way on such a cold day?” Wu Yu crossed his arms. “Hmm, must be a very important friend, right?”
Hearing Wu Yu’s words, a smile uncontrollably appeared on Lin Zheng’s face. “Heh, you’re right.”
Without any attempt to hide it, he admitted it generously.
Although Wu Yu was only half right—this friend was not that friend—the person in his plan was indeed a very important friend to him at the moment.
But that might not be the case later.
Maybe he would become someone very important to him.
Just thinking about the future, Lin Zheng began to be surrounded by pink, bubbly thoughts.
After a moment, Wu Yu noticed the bouquet in Lin Zheng’s hands. He was first taken aback, then asked, “Do you need to bring flowers to meet a friend?”
Hearing Wu Yu, Lin Zheng snapped out of his reverie. “Oh, these aren’t for my friend,” he replied.
“Aren’t they pretty?” Lin Zheng held out the flowers for the man in front of him to see, smiling. “The owner specifically recommended these to me. They’re called balloon flowers.”
Wu Yu took the flowers, hesitated for a few seconds, then asked, “What are these flowers for?”
A smile spread across Lin Zheng’s face, his bright eyes filled with joy. “I’m planning to confess to the person I love.”
Wu Yu’s eyes reflected the happy face of the person in front of him.
Lin Zheng glanced at the time. “Ah, sorry, it’s about time. I have to go in.”
Lin Zheng took the flowers back from Wu Yu’s hands and said with a smile, “We can chat more next time we have a chance.”
After speaking, Lin Zheng walked past Wu Yu and went inside.
Wu Yu stood in place, glancing back at the figure that was getting farther and farther away.
“The person he loves?”
Has he already realized he loves that person?
Wu Yu looked at his empty hands and gave a weak, helpless smile.
Wu Yu, what can you do now?
It’s too late. The only one to blame is yourself, for showing up too late.
Lin Zheng followed the manager who came to greet him to the rooftop observation restaurant, where he was seated at a table by the window. The restaurant was surrounded by an irregular, transparent arc. Looking down, you could see most of the city’s landscape. It was still bright out now; when it got completely dark at night, the view would be breathtaking.
The well-dressed manager bowed politely to Lin Zheng. “Mr. Lin, this is the spot customized according to your request. As for the meal you requested, we will now…”
Hearing this, Lin Zheng quickly said, “No, no need to prepare the meal today. I’m just here to check things out in advance. I’ll let you know when the specific time is set.”
“Understood.”
If they started the service now, Lin Zheng was afraid his wallet would be empty before the day even arrived. For now, he was just scouting the location in advance.
That’s right. Although Gu Lin wasn’t well yet, he was already preparing for the day of his confession.
This might be a once-in-a-lifetime confession, so he decided to make it grand and formal.
He wanted to choose a very formal setting and seriously show Gu Lin his heart.
He wanted Gu Lin to feel the equally weighty feelings in his own heart.
But Gu Lin couldn’t know about this yet. He was preparing a surprise for him.
That’s why he had come to scout the location alone in advance.
Since he was already here, he naturally couldn’t waste time. He had to rehearse.
Ahem.
Lin Zheng cleared his throat.
Just as he opened his mouth, ready to pour out his weighty love, he noticed the manager still standing by his seat.
The open mouth closed, then opened again. “Manager, you can go about your business.”
The manager wasn’t a fool and understood what Lin Zheng meant. “Of course. If you need anything, please feel free to press the bell and call for me.”
“Okay, thank you.”
After watching the manager walk away, Lin Zheng cleared his throat again.
Just as he was about to speak, the phone on the table suddenly rang again.
Lin Zheng grumbled as he picked up his phone.
Hm? A call from Gu Lin?
Lin Zheng answered the phone. “Hello?”
“Have you seen your friend?”
Lin Zheng’s face didn’t flush, and his heart didn’t race. “I have.”
“Is his problem solved?”
Lin Zheng looked at the empty seat opposite him and thought for a moment. “The problem? It should be solved, I think. Oh, no, it might still take a little while.”
He had scouted the location, but he hadn’t rehearsed his lines yet.
“I see. Is your friend in a hurry?”
“Not too much of a hurry. What’s up?”
“It’s snowing outside, and it’s coming down hard.”
“Ah?”
“What I mean is, I miss you a little.” Gu Lin’s magnetic voice came from the other end of the phone. “I’ve booked two tickets for an 8:30 movie. Want to go together?”
Recommended Reads
