Watching the Setting Sun Along the Same Path - Chapter 25

Lu Ketong’s body was burning hot, his mind muddled as he fell into a fever. He lay curled on his side, eyes tightly shut, refusing to open them. Fei Yuan knew he was awake. Leaning over, he stroked Lu Ketong’s back and said, “Take some medicine and sleep for a while. Some things get better after you wake up.”

The powdered medicine was leftover from the last time he was sick. Fei Yuan mixed half a cup and placed it on the bedside table, then helped Lu Ketong sit up. Lu Ketong opened his eyes, but his gaze remained downcast, his entire being utterly wilted.

That little rascal who was always causing trouble for everyone—how heartbroken must he be to end up like this?

Fei Yuan blew on the medicine to cool it and brought it to his lips. “Drink it, it’s sweet.” Lu Ketong slowly drank from the cup, unable to tell whether it was sweet or bitter. Fei Yuan helped him lie back down and told him to sleep.

In truth, it wasn’t just Lu Ketong who had stayed up all night—Lu Ruopei was the same.

In the morning, Wen Ning changed her clothes to go to the hospital. Lu Ruopei was still sitting on the living room sofa, but unlike usual, he lacked the energy to sit upright. Instead, he leaned back against a cushion, looking utterly exhausted.

Wen Ning said with concern, “Ruopei, go rest for a while. Maybe Lulu has calmed down and is on his way back.”

“How could he be? It’s not anger.” Lu Ruopei rubbed his temples, his voice hoarse. “He gets angry so often—how many times has he run away? He’s just trying to make others suffer. If you really think about it this time, it’s more heartbreak than anger.”

Wen Ning’s eyes were slightly swollen, and even with makeup, it was still noticeable. Lu Ruopei waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about these things. Just focus on your hospital visits and taking care of yourself.”

After Wen Ning left, he took two sleeping pills, forcing himself to get some rest.

Qiu Luomin had called Lu Ketong several times throughout the night, but his phone was always off. He was afraid Lu Ketong would be upset after finding out about his plans to study abroad and felt guilty for not telling him earlier.

In the morning, he took a taxi to look for Lu Ketong. As he got out of the car, he happened to see the driver taking Wen Ning out. When the car stopped, he went over and asked, “Auntie, is Lulu home? Why is his phone always off?”

“Oh, right!” Wen Ning seemed to snap out of her daze. Qiu Luomin and Lu Ketong were so close—why hadn’t she thought to ask him earlier? She quickly asked, “Qiu’er, do you know if Lulu has a classmate named Fei Yuan?”

Qiu Luomin froze. Should he say he knew or didn’t know? He stammered, trying to change the subject. “Did he forget to charge his phone again? I’ll go look for him at home then.”

Wen Ning assumed Qiu Luomin didn’t know Fei Yuan and said, “Lulu isn’t home. He ran off with that Fei Yuan.”

Ran off?! Holy shit, eloping?! Qiu Luomin was utterly dumbfounded, but he couldn’t ask too many questions. After all, he wasn’t sure how much Wen Ning knew, and what if he accidentally spilled something?

After Wen Ning left, he stood there thinking for a moment, then took a taxi to Qiuye Street.

The area was filled with alleyways—how was he supposed to find anyone? And he didn’t even know Fei Yuan’s address. He searched alley by alley, growing more anxious by the minute, afraid Lu Ketong had walked right into the lion’s den.

Exhausted, he leaned against a tree to catch his breath. Before he could even steady his breathing, someone kicked him from behind, sending him stumbling half a meter away. “Damn it!” he cursed, steadying himself before turning around sharply, ready to unleash another round of profanity once he saw who it was.

But when he finally saw the person, the words died in his throat.

Shen Duoyi patted the old tree bark and said, “This is a nationally protected century-old tree. No leaning allowed.”

Qiu Luomin was so excited he nearly teared up, stepping forward to grab Shen Duoyi’s arm. “I’ve searched high and low, please show me the way.” Shen Duoyi had just returned from the park, where he had taken his grandfather to listen to opera enthusiasts singing. As he walked over, he spotted Qiu Luomin.

“Where do you want me to take you?”

“To Fei Yuan’s house!” Qiu Luomin began gossiping with Shen Duoyi. “Did you know? Lulu and Fei Yuan eloped. His parents are looking—” He paused, suddenly remembering that Wen Ning didn’t seem to be looking for Lu Kebai.

Shen Duoyi only caught half of it. “Looking for what?”

As they reached the courtyard gate and entered, Shen Duoyi pointed toward Fei Yuan’s door. Qiu Luomin immediately rushed inside. Fei Yuan had heard the commotion from the bedroom, but he was holding Lu Kebai and didn’t move.

The fever had mostly subsided, but Lu Kebai was a bit dehydrated, his lips peeling. He sat leaning against Fei Yuan’s chest, still silent.

“Lulu!”

Qiu Luomin barged in like an idiot.

“Are you sick?” Fei Yuan frowned at him, his arms still wrapped around Lu Kebai, not letting go. Qiu Luomin sat on the edge of the bed, trying to pull Lu Kebai up. Fei Yuan scolded, “Don’t touch him!”

“Fine, I won’t.”

Lu Kebai looked too listless, and he felt embarrassed to be seen like this. He spoke weakly, “Why are you here?”

“You left my house upset earlier, so I wanted to take you gaming tonight. I called to get you online, but your phone was off.” Qiu Luomin felt wronged too. “I went to your house and ran into your mom. She said you ran off with Fei Yuan. Oh right! Did your relationship get exposed? That’s so careless!”

Lu Kebai’s face paled even more. He had used Fei Yuan to provoke Lu Ruopei, which led to the exposure. Now that Qiu Luomin brought it up, he felt uneasy. Fei Yuan held his wrist and asked softly, “Why were you upset when you left his house?”

Qiu Luomin jumped in, “Because I’m going abroad, and he’s heartbroken.”

A friend leaving, and then finding out his mother was gone too—no wonder. Fei Yuan kissed Lu Kebai’s hair. “It’s stuffy with the AC on all the time. Want to go outside for some fresh air?”

Lu Kebai knew Fei Yuan was worried about him. He used to love being comforted by Fei Yuan, but now he was afraid—too guilty. “Are you cold?” The fever had gone down, but his hands were icy. Fei Yuan asked.

He shook his head and followed Fei Yuan out of the room.

Qiu Luomin still didn’t know what had happened. He pulled up a stool and called out, “Shen Duoyi, come out and chat. This is a summer exchange between our two schools!”

Shen Duoyi was studying and came out holding a stack of test papers. “You’re so annoying,” he said, sitting down and rolling his eyes at Qiu Luomin. Then he turned and saw Lu Kebai, surprised. “Are you not feeling well?”

Lu Kebai bit his peeling lips, tearing them in several places. Fei Yuan pinched his chin to make him close his mouth properly, but he didn’t react. Shen Duoyi poured a glass of water and placed it in front of him. “Drink more water if you’re feeling overheated.”

Qiu Luomin chimed in, “Got any watermelon?”

Fei Yuan glanced at Qiu Luomin without expression, then said to Lu Kebai, “Do you want some? I’ll go buy it.”

Before Lu Kebai could answer, Fei Yuan stood up and dragged Qiu Luomin along with him. Once outside the courtyard gate, he let go. Qiu Luomin straightened his clothes, terrified. “What’s wrong? What did I do now?”

Fei Yuan said, “Lulu’s parents got divorced. It happened yesterday.”

“Ah?” Qiu Luomin was dumbfounded, muttering to himself, “No wonder. If you never had a mother, it might be pitiful, but as you grow up, you learn to accept it. But to finally have what you longed for, only to lose it again after forming a deep bond—who could bear that…”

Fei Yuan asked, “When did Lulu’s birth mother pass away?”

“Lulu’s birth mother…” Qiu Luomin thought for a moment. “My mom said it was not long after Lulu was born, before they even left the hospital. She said Uncle Lu sent his wife off and then spent every day watching over Lulu outside the incubator.”

Only Lu Ketong and Shen Duoyi remained in the courtyard. Shen Duoyi was sharp; he could tell at a glance that something was bothering Lu Ketong. He wrote on his paper and asked, “Do you have a lot of homework?”

Lu Ketong nodded expressionlessly, then opened his mouth but made no sound.

Shen Duoyi put down his pen and said, “What do you want to say? Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“I’m afraid you’ll be upset.” Lu Ketong hesitated but couldn’t hold back. “What about your parents?”

Shen Duoyi replied calmly, “They’re enjoying themselves in heaven.” Seeing Lu Ketong staring at him blankly, he folded his test paper and stopped writing. “My parents were colleagues with Uncle Fei, all working for the railway bureau. If they were still here, they’d probably be like Uncle Fei, transferred to inspection and sipping tea. But back then, it was really tough. They had to wave flags by the railway tracks even in the dead of winter, and it was dangerous.”

“Do you know about the boiler explosion at the railway dormitory one year? It was all over the newspapers. My parents were both home sleeping after their night shift. I was lucky—when it happened, I was out playing on the street with Fei Yuan.”

“There’s not much else to say. After that, I lived with my grandpa.” Shen Duoyi didn’t seem particularly sad, but Lu Ketong still caught a hint of sorrow in his bright eyes.

“I don’t have a mother either.” Lu Ketong paused before finishing the sentence. “Later, my dad found me another mother, but she’s leaving too.”

Shen Duoyi poked Lu Ketong’s cheek with his pen and said, “No one can have their parents forever, you know?”

Lu Ketong nodded slowly. “But I can’t bear to let her go.” Shen Duoyi sniffled. “But there’s nothing you can do. If you miss her, just go visit her. When I miss my mom, all I can do is sweep her grave.”

Lu Ketong felt apologetic and whispered, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked you that.”

“It’s fine.” Shen Duoyi patted his stomach. “Are you hungry? I didn’t eat this morning, and now I’m starving.”

Lu Ketong had only eaten two tea cakes the night before, and now that it was mentioned, he felt hungry too. “Let’s wait for them to come back, and I’ll treat you all to a meal.” Shen Duoyi grinned. “Why do you love treating people so much? Let’s wait.”

Shen Duoyi went back inside. Lu Ketong felt a bit awkward sitting alone, so he got up and followed. Entering the room, he found Shen Duoyi cooking. “What are you making? It smells amazing.”

“Just plain boiled noodles.” Shen Duoyi was chopping tomatoes. After finishing, he took a piece of scallion and asked, “Do you eat scallions?”

He didn’t usually, but he’d tried so hard to win Fei Yuan over that he’d started eating them.

A little oil was heated in the pan, then the tomatoes and scallions were stir-fried until fragrant. Once the noodles were cooked, they were poured over the top, looking incredibly appetizing. Each of them held a bowl and returned to the courtyard, sitting face-to-face as they ate their noodles.

Fei Yuan and Qiu Luomin returned carrying watermelons and were quite surprised by the scene. Qiu Luomin ran over, placed the watermelon on the table, and said, “Is there any left? Can I have a bowl too?”

Shen Duoyi replied, “Stay away from me.”

Qiu Luomin then tried to go for Lu Ketong’s bowl, but Fei Yuan had already sat down beside him. A glare from Fei Yuan was enough to scare him off. Lu Ketong picked up his bowl and asked Fei Yuan, “Do you want some? It’s really good.”

Fei Yuan nudged Lu Ketong’s lower back with his knee. “You’re only asking me now that there’s just broth left.”

After finishing the noodles, they ate the watermelon. Lu Ketong’s complexion improved significantly, and his lips regained their moisture. He wiped his mouth and said he was full, then paused for a moment before adding, “I should go home.”

Qiu Luomin, reluctant to leave, said, “Stay a little longer.”

“You stay by yourself.” Lu Ketong stood up, grabbed Fei Yuan’s arm, and the two of them went back to the room. Fei Yuan took down the clothes Lu Ketong had worn when he arrived from the hanger and said, “Change.”

As Fei Yuan was about to leave, Lu Ketong blocked his way and hugged him, looking up to ask, “Did you wash my underwear?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. The washing machine did it.”

“I’ll flatter myself anyway.” Lu Ketong’s eyes regained their sparkle. He held Fei Yuan tightly, and after Fei Yuan hugged him back, he said, “No one gets to have their parents forever. Some lose them earlier, some later.”

Fei Yuan pinched his butt, waiting until his face flushed before saying, “Heaven compensated you by letting you meet me early.”

Lu Ketong looked up at the ceiling and said, “Thank you, heaven.” Then he thought to himself, maybe it was his mother watching over him.

After changing clothes and getting ready to leave, Lu Ketong gently touched the leaves of the love vine. He then glanced around the room one last time and noticed the small floral umbrella hanging on the coat rack in the corner.

It was the one Wen Ning had bought for him in middle school.

“Why is it so flowery? I don’t like this kind.”

“It’s so pretty. I picked it out carefully.”

“It’s not cool at all. I want one with skulls.”

“Use it or don’t. I’ll donate it for charity another day.”

“Who said I won’t use it!”

Lu Ketong took one last look, letting go of all his reluctance, and softly whispered goodbye.

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