Chapter 7: White_007

Translator: Abo Dammen

Deng Chengning clearly misinterpreted He Ruifeng’s intention, looking troubled. “Now? Can I just have water?”

Deng Chengning, asking if he could drink water, seemed utterly unlike a high-achieving elite, displaying a naive, endearing clumsiness. He Ruifeng couldn’t help laughing. “Of course you can.”

Suggesting a drink was purely habitual.

He Ruifeng adored the Galaxy Guardians series, bordering on obsession during his school days, scrimping on pocket money for merch and action figures, never missing a premiere. Post-screening, he’d always be too exhilarated to head home, dragging friends somewhere to eat and drink, dissecting the premiere gifts and debating the new film.

Even a midnight show couldn’t dampen that fervor.

He Ruifeng believed Deng Chengning, a fellow fan, would surely understand this feeling.

Sure enough, Deng Chengning readily agreed.

They didn’t go far, finding a small pub near the cinema that was still open in the wee hours. They ordered some snacks. He Ruifeng drank beer, Deng Chengning juice, and they chatted for over an hour before parting.

Mostly, He Ruifeng talked while Deng Chengning listened intently, occasionally offering his own thoughts on characters and plot. His familiarity with the series was impressive—he knew every detail from the first film to the latest, with unique perspectives. He Ruifeng thoroughly enjoyed the conversation.

They even unpacked the premiere gift bags, examining the official merchandise closely.

A concept art book, some postcards, and a random collectible figure from among the film’s main characters, spaceships, and structures.

He Ruifeng drew the Guardian Captain, his favorite character. It felt like hitting the jackpot. He immediately snapped a photo to show off to Li Jieming.

Unexpectedly, Deng Chengning then pulled out the Guardian Battleship model.

He Ruifeng nearly leaped from his seat in excitement!

The battleship model was extremely rare. Though palm-sized, this batch was exquisitely crafted—the SSR of SSRs.

He Ruifeng meticulously wiped his hands with a wet wipe, then reverently picked up the battleship, inspecting it closely, praising it repeatedly. As he admired it, he launched into the design evolution of the ships across the films. His favorite was the “Guardian” from the first movie. Probably due to nostalgia, he always felt its design was the most classic and beautiful. Second was the model Deng Chengning had drawn, with its sleek lines and elegant shape.

After admiring it, he carefully returned it to its box. To his surprise, the usually quiet Deng Chengning immediately offered to give it to him.

He Ruifeng was taken aback, feeling awkward. “No need, I’m thrilled with the Captain. The battleship is rare. you should keep it.”

Deng Chengning sealed the box and gently slid it toward He Ruifeng. “Please take it. I already have a model of this ship.”

“What?!” He Ruifeng was astounded.

Deng Chengning glanced at him, then lowered his gaze to the model on the table. “When I was studying abroad, these were easy to buy. I bought many. I have the original generation starship model too…”

“Wow! You have to show me next time! The Guardian model is super rare!” He Ruifeng exclaimed. “Back then, I never had enough pocket money. By the time I started working, the old models were discontinued, impossible to find.”

Deng Chengning nodded in agreement.

They chatted until past three before heading home. As they left, Deng Chengning, who had driven, offered He Ruifeng a ride. He Ruifeng didn’t decline. In the car, drowsiness crept in. He’d talked excitedly, drunk a bit too much beer, and it was late. He dozed off. Deng Chengning had to gently wake him upon arrival. Only then did He Ruifeng realize he’d never told Deng Chengning his address.

Yet they had successfully arrived at his complex entrance.

Deng Chengning explained, “My mother asked your aunt. She specifically mentioned we live quite close…”

He Ruifeng scratched his head. “We really live close.”

He got out, bidding farewell through the lowered window and inviting Deng Chengning over sometime, but then he immediately felt they might have been slightly overstepping. Because Deng Chengning didn’t explicitly agree. He didn’t even look at He Ruifeng, quickly turning his head, mumbling something indistinct, and driving off. 

He Ruifeng carried his bag upstairs. After showering, he texted Deng Chengning to check if he’d gotten home safely. Then he took out the action figure, reverently placing it in the living room display cabinet.

That’s when he discovered Deng Chengning had, at some point, slipped the battleship model into his bag.

His phone vibrated.

[DCN: Home.]

[DCN: Thanks for the movie.]

He Ruifeng held his phone, staring blankly at the battleship model for a moment.

In the end, He Ruifeng displayed the Guardian Captain and the battleship together, snapped a photo for Li Jieming, and crashed into bed.

The next day, Li Jieming asked why he had two figures, what was the deal.

He Ruifeng replied, I’d like to know the deal too.

[Jie: ???]

[Jia Bei: We’re both fans. I got the Captain, he got the battleship. He saw I liked it and gave it to me…]

[Jie: Pathetic, you nerd. A freebie model has you dizzy and confused?]

[Jie: Bring the model to my place immediately. I’ll handle this ‘trouble’ for you.]

He Ruifeng took four photos of the battleship from every angle, sent them to Li Jieming, and ignored him.

The next “date” arrived swiftly, only a week after the movie.

The moment He Ruifeng entered the restaurant’s private room, he spotted the enormous black paper bag on the side table, emblazoned with the silver Galaxy Guardians logo and the image of the original generation starship, “The Guardian.”

Deng Chengning was on a work call. He gestured toward the bag, offering a slight smile, his eyes holding a hint of anticipation.

He Ruifeng hadn’t expected Deng Chengning to actually bring his Guardian model collection after just mentioning it last time. He approached, unable to contain his excitement, gently lifting the packaging box from the large bag.

The black box featured a beautiful image of The Guardian on the front, with dense component descriptions on the back. It was a model released by a renowned company seven years ago, famed for its beautiful paint job and extremely detailed components.

He Ruifeng meticulously examined the parts list before realizing the box was still sealed, the strip intact.

He turned to look at Deng Chengning, who was still on the phone. Noticing He Ruifeng hadn’t opened it, Deng Chengning walked over and ripped open the seal with one hand.

He Ruifeng: “!”

Deng Chengning’s call lasted over ten minutes. By the time he hung up, He Ruifeng was carefully admiring The Guardian.

“Is this a new acquisition?” He Ruifeng asked.

Deng Chengning shook his head. “I bought it years ago, when I was abroad.”

He Ruifeng was surprised. “But the packaging was never opened.”

Deng Chengning walked over, also looking at the model. After a pause, he explained, “I bought too many. Some I forgot to open.”

He Ruifeng was stunned.

How rich must he be?!

The server began serving dishes. They washed up and sat down to eat.

Deng Chengning executed his workflow-like routine: photographing the food, the room, and He Ruifeng eating, then sending the pictures to his mother.

He Ruifeng asked, “How is your mother’s health lately?”

“She had a follow-up last week. The doctor said she’s recovering well, and should keep it up,” Deng Chengning set down his chopsticks, answering seriously.

He Ruifeng glanced at his lean profile and reassured him, “Good. Don’t worry, listen to the doctor. Her health is what matters most, don’t burden yourself too much.”

Hearing this, Deng Chengning instead softly apologized, saying he’d been inconveniencing He Ruifeng lately.

He Ruifeng insisted it was no trouble, mentioning that dragging him to a midnight show and then falling asleep in his car was the real inconvenience.

At this, Deng Chengning gave a faint smile.

Li Jieming’s words about him being “dizzy and confused” echoed in He Ruifeng’s mind. He quickly buried himself in his meal.

Every restaurant Deng Chengning chose served excellent food. Moreover, He Ruifeng had taught three PE classes that day, followed by an hour of basketball club, and was so hungry he could eat a horse. He polished off every single dish.

The server, probably witnessing such an appetite for the first time—someone devouring a carefully portioned set meal for two meant to leave room—was visibly astonished. Before any request for seconds, the well-trained server immediately announced the kitchen was offering an extra basket of soup dumplings and a dessert on the house.

Deng Chengning had stopped eating long ago, simply sitting quietly watching He Ruifeng eat.

He Ruifeng finished the complimentary dumplings and dessert too, repeatedly insisting he was full, declining the server’s offer for more food.

He felt embarrassed. “PE teachers do manual labor. I’m famished the moment work ends.”

The corners of Deng Chengning’s lips turned up slightly. “The chef must love customers like you. So satisfying.”

The meal always felt too short. Time passed, and now it was time to part.

They sat in silence for a minute before reluctantly rising to leave.

On the way out, Deng Chengning, carrying the model bag, suddenly extended it toward He Ruifeng. Thinking he was being asked to carry it, He Ruifeng naturally took it.

They walked to the parking lot. As He Ruifeng was about to place the bag in Deng Chengning’s car when he was ready to leave, Deng Chengning finally said, “No, this is for you.”

He Ruifeng was somewhat surprised. “For me? But isn’t this a collectible you’ve had for years?”

For once, Deng Chengning seemed hesitant, struggling to articulate.

“I have many more at home…”

He Ruifeng still tried to hand it back. “This is discontinued. You should keep it properly.”

Deng Chengning wouldn’t take it, growing a bit anxious. “I really have many at home. I bought too many back then. If you like it, please take it. You appreciate it more than I do…”

The model probably cost over ten thousand yuan. Such an expensive item, He Ruifeng couldn’t possibly accept it.

Perhaps seeing He Ruifeng’s refusal, in his fluster, Deng Chengning said, “Consider it my token of gratitude for helping me.”

That made it even worse. Now He Ruifeng definitely couldn’t accept it.

After repeatedly declining, He Ruifeng ultimately placed the model back in Deng Chengning’s car.

Deng Chengning looked at him with a longing, almost pitiful gaze), seemingly saddened by his failed gift-giving. It made He Ruifeng want to comfort him, and also think, Just take the gift, why does the reason matter so much?

But in the end, He Ruifeng closed the car door and said goodbye.

Even as He Ruifeng drove out of the parking lot, Deng Chengning remained stationary, for some reason, not yet starting his car.