Chapter 21

Xu Heng was practically overwhelmed. He had to work during the day, and after grabbing a quick bite in the evening, he rushed off to his classes. By the time they ended, it was already nine. When he got home, there was still homework waiting. After tidying up, he’d collapse from sheer exhaustion.

Zhang Ting was very fond of him. Seeing that he had actually signed up for classes made her genuinely happy. She quickly recommended Xu Heng to the organizers in Japan who were running the training program. Whenever there wasn’t much going on at work, she would even let him leave early.

Despite being worn out, Xu Heng remained highly motivated. He was not the type to settle for the status quo. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left home back then. Even though he was just learning a foreign language now, it felt as if a door was slowly opening for him. Behind that door was an entirely new world.

He had to attend weekend classes too. In his spare time, he picked up small freelance jobs to earn some extra income. If he really did go to Japan, the training would last a year and a half, and the cost of living wouldn’t be cheap. Based on his current savings, he wouldn’t be able to manage. When he had more time, he would try to fit in a livestream session as well.

Chen Ang invited him out every weekend and sometimes picked him up right after class. On those days, Xu Heng felt lighter on his feet as he headed downstairs.

Even though they saw each other often, their sex life had slowed down significantly. Xu Heng was simply too tired.

One night, Chen Ang came out of the shower and found Xu Heng already asleep at the table in his pajamas. His face rested on his Japanese textbook, which was filled with densely packed notes and marked with highlighters in different colors. It looked even more serious than Chen Ang’s own exam prep back in high school.

Xu Heng’s breathing was steady. The little whale tattoo on the back of his neck rose and fell with each breath, as if floating on the waves.

Someone who studied like this clearly wasn’t just dabbling.

Chen Ang once joked and asked why he was putting so much effort into learning Japanese. Xu Heng only smiled and said it was because he liked it. Chen Ang didn’t press any further.

There was still some distance between them, not far but not quite close either. Chen Ang often felt a sense of unease that he couldn’t put into words. But at its core, what they had was an unstable relationship.

Chen Ang leaned down and gently lifted Xu Heng from the chair. Xu Heng smacked his lips in his sleep but didn’t wake. Even while asleep, his brows were slightly furrowed. Chen Ang carried him to the bed, covered him with a blanket, and crawled in beside him.

A few days later, it was time for Chen Ang’s least favorite occasion. Family Day.

He had never liked going home. His father, Chen Zhengde, had been in the military. He was hot-tempered, proud, and controlling. His mother, He Wan, was gentle but indecisive. The couple often clashed and most of the time, it was his father venting his temper alone.

Chen Jing and Chen Ang both took after their father. They were opinionated and independent, yet their father still interfered in every part of their lives, from personal choices to their careers. Being a boy, Chen Ang had it a bit easier. He flew off to Canada for university and stayed there through grad school, avoiding home for seven years. In the end, though, he still came back.

When their parents went out for a walk, the siblings sneaked onto the small balcony off the study to smoke.

Chen Jing, who also had a heavy smoking habit, offered Chen Ang a second cigarette. He refused.

“I still can’t quit, but I shouldn’t smoke more. You should cut back too.”

Chen Jing shrugged indifferently.

They chatted for a bit, mostly meaningless talk. Then, as if in passing, Chen Ang asked, “That woman in the photo you posted the other day, the one you had dinner with, isn’t she your friend who runs the Japanese class?”

Chen Jing flicked the ash off her cigarette and replied, “Yeah.”

Chen Ang continued, “A friend of mine said that class is actually pretty good. He’s really into it.”

Chen Jing suddenly laughed. “What are you trying to ask? Chen Ang, I’ve known you since you were waddling around in open-crotch pants. The second your eyes shift, I know what’s on your mind.”

Chen Ang looked slightly embarrassed and leaned on the balcony railing.

“Just making casual conversation.”

The Chen family had a habit of putting up a front and never wanting to lose face.

Chen Jing didn’t bother to call him out directly, but she hinted, “My friend mentioned your little buddy too.”

“He’s serious about studying, speaks politely, and has a pleasant look. He even helped the front desk girl with her makeup. Everyone likes him. Said he’s going abroad next summer, to Japan. No wonder he’s been working so hard.”

The cigarette in Chen Ang’s hand slipped and fell to the ground. He bent down, picked it up, and wrapped it in a tissue.

“Is that so,” he said.

Chen Jing brushed her long dark brown curls aside, her eyes watching Chen Ang from the corner.

“However you choose to mess around is up to you. Just know when it’s time to walk the right path again. Don’t let yourself stray too far.”

Chen Ang shot back, caught off guard.

“Was that what you were thinking when you broke up with that last one?”

Chen Jing’s expression went cold. In an instant, her calm beauty turned sharp with anger. Before she could speak, Chen Ang murmured,

“Sorry.”

At dinner, Chen Zhengde brought up Lu Yiran, the daughter of the Lu family. He said she used to play with Chen Ang when they were little. But Chen Ang couldn’t remember her at all. He responded with vague politeness, clearly distracted. Chen Zhengde could see right through him and put down his chopsticks, about to lose his temper.

He Wan quickly tried to smooth things over. Chen Jing also gave Chen Ang a warning glance.

Chen Ang took a deep breath and said, “I’ve been busy. I must have missed the message. I’ll add her on WeChat now.”

After dinner, he added Lu Yiran. They exchanged a few polite messages. She really did seem like a gracious and well-mannered girl. Even though Chen Ang kept lowering her score in his mind, just from her profile picture, she could still be called beautiful.

Still, he couldn’t shake the irritation in his chest. Even when he gripped the steering wheel, he felt on edge.

He drove straight to Xu Heng’s apartment and took out his phone, but didn’t dial right away.

It was the weekend, and Xu Heng’s classes should have ended earlier that day. But his apartment was dark. Finally, unable to help himself, Chen Ang called him. The call was declined. Fighting the urge to throw his phone, he instead sent a message.

“Are you home? I’m coming over in a bit.”

A moment later, Xu Heng replied.

“I have something going on. Can we meet next week instead?”

Chen Ang’s face turned cold. He tossed the phone into the glove compartment and started the car again.

At that moment, Xu Heng wasn’t home. He was at Zhang Ting’s place.

Earlier that afternoon, just after class, he had suddenly gotten a call from Zhang Ting. She told him his mother was sick. She wasn’t sure about the details and needed to check further.

Xu Heng panicked. He tried calling home several times, but no one answered.

In his anxiety, he went straight to Zhang Ting’s place. Her family of three was just sitting down to eat. When they saw him arrive, they quickly set out an extra bowl and pair of chopsticks for him. Xu Heng had no appetite at all and just kept asking questions.

Zhang Ting was a distant relative. Some of their extended family lived in the countryside not far from Xu Heng’s hometown. One of them had mentioned something about Xu Heng’s family in a WeChat conversation, but didn’t know the specifics. Zhang Ting had asked them to help look into it, but information wouldn’t come that fast.

Xu Heng was at a loss.

“Maybe I should buy a ticket and head home to check for myself?”

Zhang Ting quickly tried to reassure him.

“It’s probably nothing serious. Don’t panic. Let me ask around first. It might just be something small. Everyone gets sick from time to time.”

Xu Heng nodded. He stayed for dinner, though he barely touched the food. After helping clean up the dishes, he headed back to his place.

On the way home, he checked his phone and saw that Chen Ang hadn’t replied.