Chapter 37: Moving Forward
According to the schedule, award-winning students from various majors went up to the stage one after another. The National Scholarship was presented by school leaders, while the He-Hai Award was somewhat special. When Jiang Yunian stood on the podium and saw He Qing walking toward him, he was surprised at first, then a familiar scene flashed through his mind.
He remembered that back in high school, the chairman of the River & Sea (He Hai) Group returned to his hometown to donate money, sponsoring many poor students, Jiang Yunian included. The difference was that the one inspecting back then was Elder He, and he vaguely remembered that the young boy following behind the old man was the He family’s eldest grandson.
It was just a fleeting encounter, but at that time, he had secretly envied that boy.
Later, Elder He passed away, and the He family collapsed overnight. He never saw that boy again. However, although the He family had fallen, the He-Hai Foundation remained, which was also the last legacy left for the He family’s eldest grandson.
So the current person in charge was…
“So it’s you.”
Jiang Yunian said softly.
He Qing blinked calmly, his young master style remaining intact. “Surprised?”
“A little.” Jiang Yunian pressed his lips together and smiled. “But not much.”
He Qing told him not to talk and to finish the award process first. Following that were speeches by student representatives from each college. When it was Jiang Yunian’s turn, he was visibly nervous. Fortunately, he had memorized the content by heart, and the cheat sheet ultimately went unused as he dutifully finished reading the entire text.
In contrast, the battle-hardened Lu Yuanbai appeared at ease, winning applause from all the teachers and students with just a few sentencesātruly high-spirited.
After it ended, Lu Yuanbai chatted with his mentor for a few moments before coming to find Jiang Yunian. When he found him, Jiang Yunian was “catching up” with He Qing. Learning of his identity and current situation, finding it wasn’t as difficult as he had imagined, Jiang Yunian finally felt relieved. Although He Qing’s current conditions weren’t as lavish as before, at least he didn’t need to sacrifice his dignity to support himself. Otherwise, even if Jiang Yunian won the award, he wouldn’t feel at peace.
After saying goodbye to He Qing, Jiang Yunian received a message from Tao Jingxuan saying she had returned to the dorm and felt much better, apologizing for troubling the Senior. Jiang Yunian replied that it was good she was okay, and that it was only right between friends.
Turning around, he found Lu Yuanbai had been waiting for a long time. The other showed no impatience at all; instead, he seemed to enjoy the process of waiting, displaying the same patience he had when measuring data in the laboratory.
He asked Jiang Yunian, “Hot?”
Upon being asked, Jiang Yunian realized the temperature in the lecture hall was indeed set too high, and with so many people, it was stiflingly stuffy. He was wearing thick clothes today, with a white shirt underneath. Although he was hot, he had only taken off his jacket during the award and speech.
“It is pretty hot.”
Lu Yuanbai naturally held his wrist. “Then let’s go.”
Jiang Yunian was led forward two steps. “Where to?”
“Taking you to cool down.” Lu Yuanbai didn’t look back, his voice mixing with the wind, carrying a hint of relaxed pleasure.
It wasn’t until they exited the school gate and he saw the cool-looking motorcycle that Jiang Yunian understood what he meant by “cooling down.” The metal body of the bike gleamed with a cold light under the streetlamps, completely at odds with the gentle and elegant image of the Senior. This was a Lu Yuanbai he had never seen beforeāturbulent undercurrents hidden beneath a calm surface, strange yet novel.
But still… He looked up at the ink-stained night sky. The cool air silently wrapped around his skin, drilling straight into his lungs with dry cold.
He looked at Lu Yuanbai, his eyes clearly writing the question: In this cold weather, are you serious?
“Don’t you think it’s interesting?” Lu Yuanbai had already neatly straddled the seat, the bike sinking slightly.
He picked up another helmet and handed it over, issuing an invitation: “Try it?”
His expression was still gentle, but his eyes were very bright in the dim light. This certainty convinced him that Jiang Yunian would not refuse.
Jiang Yunian stared at the helmet, then seeing the light in his eyes, he was unconsciously attracted to this different side of the Senior. He took the helmet, adjusted the strap somewhat clumsily, and mimicked Lu Yuanbai’s posture to straddle the back seat. The seat was narrower than he imagined; he had to press against the other’s back to fit, and the leather was cold.
It was his first time sitting on one, appearing very inexperienced, not knowing where to put his hands.
“Hold on tight.”
Lu Yuanbai’s voice came from inside the helmet, a bit muffled but clear. He tilted his head to indicate his waist. Jiang Yunian hesitated for a split second, then slowly extended his arms, loosely grabbing the clothes at his waist. Lu Yuanbai didn’t say anything, and after confirming he was seated properly, he started the engine.
The sudden acceleration made Jiang Yunian lurch forward, instinctively hugging the other’s lean, powerful waist tightly. Lu Yuanbai felt the strength from behind and curled his lips slightly.
Cold wind immediately surged from all directions, beating against the helmet with a whistling sound. Jiang Yunian pressed his entire body against Lu Yuanbai’s back, afraid of being blown away. Lu Yuanbai didn’t drive too fast, steadily hugging the road. Occasionally, when cornering, the tilt was just right. Jiang Yunian’s body, which had been tense at first, gradually relaxed. He closed his eyes; the wind roared in his ears like a thick, flowing barrier, shutting everything else out.
His heart slowly quieted down.
“The feeling of moving forward,” Lu Yuanbai suddenly spoke. “You’ll like it.”
Jiang Yunian could feel his own steady, powerful heartbeat. He did indeed like it very much.
Moving straight ahead, with only the low hum of the engine and the wind as companions. The world was left behind, and the stagnant things in his mind seemed to be blown away into the boundless night.
He didn’t know how long passed before the motorcycle began to climb, the engine sound becoming deep and powerful. Lu Yuanbai stopped the bike on a low hillside.
The two took off their helmets, shook their wind-blown hair, and got off the bike, inhaling the salty moisture.
Lu Yuanbai motioned for him to look down. The view suddenly opened up.
The hill wasn’t high, but it was enough to overlook the boundless sea. Under the deep autumn night, the sea surface wasn’t pure black, but a gray-blue veiled in calmness. Where the sea met the sky in the distance, a faint fluorescence floated. Layers of waves crashed against the reefs on the shore, emitting a continuous roar that intertwined with the whistling wind, echoing in the ears. This scene possessed a desolate yet magnificent beauty, making one involuntarily hold their breath.
Strolling along the edge of the slope, the hard stones underfoot made a crunching sound. Lu Yuanbai walked with one hand in his pocket, not fast, keeping a half-step distance between them. He knew Jiang Yunian had been troubled by public opinion recently; that exhaustion and depression, even if he tried hard to hide it, still leaked out from his eyes.
On such a fine night, Lu Yuanbai didn’t intentionally bring up those matters, simply saying softly, “When I’m in a bad mood, I ride here for a walk.”
Jiang Yunian didn’t speak, just quietly watched the surging gray-blue, feeling the chill of the wind penetrating his collar and the baptism of the waves in his heart. After a long while, he whispered, “It is very comfortable.”
The suffocating feeling in his chest over the past few days slowly went dormant within the joy and comfort of this night.
“I also have many things I can’t solve.” Lu Yuanbai’s voice was wrapped in the wind, but his tone was gentle and certain. “But I believe that as long as we keep moving forward, we can always walk out of it.”
“Don’t you think so?”
Very simple words, but coming from Lu Yuanbai, they carried a silent strength, as solid as feet planted on the earth.
Jiang Yunian turned his head to look at him, a warm current flowing through his heart. “Of course.”
He kicked a stone under his foot, the sound echoing in the quiet mountains. “I’m very happy right now.”
The wind was still blowing, and the waves surged tirelessly. Standing on the edge of this noisy yet silent cliff, Jiang Yunian felt a long-lost sense of lightness.
All haze would eventually pass.
“As long as you’re happy.” Lu Yuanbai looked at him and smiled. “I hope you are always happy when you are with me.”
Jiang Yunian tipped his head back slightly. It seemed that was indeed the case; every time he saw the Senior, his mood was very good. The words he spoke always made one feel like basking in a spring breeze.
On the way back, the wind didn’t seem so biting anymore. Learning his lesson, this time Jiang Yunian directly hugged Lu Yuanbai’s waist, resting his head sideways on his broad back. The wind still howled, but his heart was quieter than when they came.
“We’re here.”
The motorcycle stopped steadily at the entrance of the stairwell. When Jiang Yunian got off, he stumbled slightly because his legs were numb from sitting so long. Lu Yuanbai reached out to support his arm, letting him lean on him until he stood firm before letting go.
Jiang Yunian returned the helmet to him. It was already very late; inviting someone in for tea wouldn’t be convenient, and he didn’t know if Jiang Yan was asleep. If he woke him up, he might be unhappy.
Wait, how did he forget Jiang Yan?
He had clearly promised he would attend the award ceremony and said he would bring handmade strawberry pudding. He hadn’t seen hide nor hair of him all night; who knew “who” he went to “mess around” with.
“Go in, it’s cold outside.” Seeming to see his hesitation, Lu Yuanbai took the helmet, helped him fix his wind-blown hair, and said considerately, “I have to rush back, there’s a curfew.”
Jiang Yunian nodded, walked a few steps, then stopped. Lu Yuanbai was still leaning against the motorcycle, not moving, seeming to wait for him to enter safely.
“Senior,” Jiang Yunian called out again, saying the same words as last time, “Be careful on the road.”
Lu Yuanbai waved his hand at him.
The living room, shrouded in darkness, was dead silent. Jiang Yan stood by the window, the curtains parted only by a narrow slit.
Under the streetlamp, his Ge hugged a wild man’s waist as he got off the motorcycle. The man’s face couldn’t be seen clearly, only his hand reaching out to stroke Ge’s hair, asking after his well-being. Jiang Yunian had his back to this side, obediently allowing the actions, nodding occasionally, walking a few steps before looking back reluctantly to say goodbye.
Moonlight leaked in, hitting Jiang Yan’s face; it was gloomy enough to wring water from.
A few minutes later, the motorcycle outside sped away, and the main door was pushed open quietly. Jiang Yunian squeezed in sideways, stepping very lightly for fear of waking a certain someone. The living room was pitch black. He felt his way inside, passing the coffee table in the center, when his peripheral vision suddenly caught a black shadow standing by the opposite window.
Jiang Yunian’s heart skipped a beat, and he nearly cried out.
“A… A-Yan?”
“Is that you?”
The shadow moved, slowly pacing out from the deeper shadows by the window. The moonlight passed through that slit, sprinkling in stingily, landing exactly on Jiang Yan’s handsome faceāwhich was three degrees colder than usual. He just stood there, motionless, his gaze light, carrying a bone-piercing chill in the silence.
Before Jiang Yunian could figure out why he always loved standing in the dark in the middle of the night, he was spooked by the other’s bottomless gaze.
“Where did you go?”
Jiang Yan spoke, breaking the dead silence, his voice low and deep.
He approached slowly, footsteps almost inaudible. His tone was slow, like idle chatter, but as the words drilled into the ears, they carried a sticky coldness that sent a chill down one’s spine.
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