Chapter 18: Don’t tell anyone

The plane Xu Lin took didn’t require transfers. It went directly to an airport in District Ten.

From District Ten to District Thirteen, there was only water travel. The bodyguards following Xu Lin went to the dock to arrange a speedboat to take him there.

This was much faster than buying a boat ticket himself.

One of the bodyguards drove the speedboat to take Xu Lin back. The remaining four waited in District Ten.

“We’ll wait here for you. Please don’t take too long.”

It was probably Ji Jixuan’s instruction. They wouldn’t follow Xu Lin into District Thirteen.

Xu Lin boarded the speedboat, tightening the straps of his backpack. “I understand.”

He remembered the conversation he’d had with Ji Jixuan before boarding the plane.

Ji Jixuan had said they would have a wedding.

Xu Lin had immediately said excitedly, “Can my teacher and my friends come? They’re all in District Thirteen. It might be a hassle to get them to Danshi with all the paperwork. Could you help with that?”

Of course, he wanted his most important family to witness his most important wedding.

But Ji Jixuan had unexpectedly rejected the idea. “That won’t work,” he’d said. “Don’t tell anyone about our marriage. I don’t want too many people to know.”

Xu Lin had frozen, stunned, as if struck on the head. It took him a few seconds to ask, “Why?”

Ji Jixuan had gestured toward the gauze on Xu Lin’s face. “Have you forgotten how you got those injuries?”

Ji Jixuan had later told Xu Lin about the explosion and the driver’s identity. If even a driver who’d worked for the Ji family for so many years wanted Ji Jixuan dead, and given those people who’d been following him at the embankment, it was clear that Ji Jixuan’s life wasn’t as peaceful as it seemed.

“Countless people want the Ji family to fall, want me dead,” Ji Jixuan had said. “I can’t watch everything all the time. If they find out you married me, that you’re my legal partner, they’ll take their revenge on you.”

Xu Lin had been confused. “I’m not afraid.” Sharing hardship with the person you loved—wasn’t that normal?

“That’s not about being afraid or not.”

Xu Lin had tried to argue further, but Ji Jixuan raised his hand, curled his fingers inward slightly, and beckoned him closer. Xu Lin leaned half his body into the car. Ji Jixuan placed his palm on the back of Xu Lin’s neck, over his collar, his gaze heavy. “I don’t want you to be in danger,” he said quietly.

They were very close in that position. Xu Lin stared into his eyes. On this matter, Ji Jixuan didn’t seem willing to budge.

Xu Lin hesitated. “I can’t tell… anyone?”

“That’s right. No one.”

Xu Lin felt he needed to clarify. “My teacher and my friends are different. They’re good people. They wouldn’t blab. I don’t want to keep something this important from them…”

“Listen to me, okay?” Xu Lin hadn’t finished speaking when Ji Jixuan interrupted. “Don’t make this difficult for me.”

Xu Lin bit his tongue, still trying to push. “But… I want them to see… my wedding.” A wedding. He’d only have one in his lifetime.

Hearing this, Ji Jixuan fell silent, fixing him with a steady, calm gaze.

His silence filled the car. The driver in the front seat didn’t dare make a sound, staring straight ahead like a prop. It was so quiet that Xu Lin couldn’t even hear their breathing. So quiet that his palms started sweating involuntarily.

Was Ji Jixuan upset?

Under the gauze, his wound suddenly felt like ants crawling on it—itching terribly. He raised his hand to scratch it, but before his fingers could reach the gauze, Ji Jixuan grabbed his wrist and pressed it down.

“Don’t scratch.”

“It itches…”

“Did you apply the medication?”

Xu Lin’s enthusiasm had waned because of Ji Jixuan’s refusal. He kept his head down, his voice flat. He simply hummed in acknowledgment and said nothing more.

Ji Jixuan looked at Xu Lin, his thoughts unreadable. After a long moment, he seemed to sigh—or maybe Xu Lin had misheard. But the next second, he said, “We can tell them later, when the time is right. For now, keep it a secret, okay?”

Only then did Xu Lin look up to meet his eyes. Ji Jixuan asked again, “Okay?”

Since Ji Jixuan had already compromised this far, he clearly didn’t want to agree. But Xu Lin couldn’t force him.

After a moment, Xu Lin lowered his head. Though he felt a pang of disappointment, he nodded. “Got it.”

Ji Jixuan squeezed the back of his neck through his clothes. “Good Xu Lin.”

---

The speedboat stopped at the District Thirteen dock. The driver waited where he was. Xu Lin stepped onto the soil of his hometown. The familiar scent in the air awakened his memories. He smiled and ran home like a bird released from its cage.

He jogged all the way. Just before he reached the door, he worried what he’d do if Pu Sha wasn’t home. But when he pushed the gate open, Little Fatty, Shitou, and his other friends were all in the yard, crowded together, chatting happily.

Almost as soon as Xu Lin stepped through the gate, the group inside heard his footsteps and shot up.

“Xiao Lin-ge!”

“Oh my god, you’re finally back!”

“What happened to your face?!”

They surrounded him, layers deep. Some hadn’t even finished celebrating before they saw the gauze on his face and asked with concern.

Xu Lin pressed a hand to his face, worried they’d lift the gauze to see the wound. “It’s just an allergy, a rash. Nothing serious. Don’t worry.”

He changed the subject. “How come you’re all here? Where’s Teacher?”

“We’ve been counting down the days until your graduation, waiting for you to come back! We didn’t know exactly when you’d get home, so we’ve been coming here every day to wait. We didn’t want you to come back to an empty house—how lonely would that be?”

Little Fatty came over to rub Xu Lin’s shoulders. “You’ve worked hard these four years, Little Lin Bro!”

“Thanks. You’ve all been so thoughtful.” Xu Lin smiled, scanning the crowd. “Where’s Teacher?”

“Teacher went out to buy groceries. He should be back soon… Hey! Teacher! Look who’s back!”

Xu Lin turned around and saw Pu Sha holding a bag of fresh vegetables, staring blankly in his direction.

“Xu Lin!” Pu Sha ran toward him, his smile lasting only a few seconds before it fell. He dropped the bag on the ground, rushed over, and cupped Xu Lin’s face. “What happened to your face?”

Xu Lin quickly gave his usual excuse. “It’s just an allergy. The gauze makes it look worse than it is. I’m fine.”

Pu Sha frowned. “Let me see!”

He wasn’t as easy to fool as Little Fatty and the others. He reached out to lift the gauze. Xu Lin quickly pressed his hand down. “Really, I’m fine. I’ve already applied the medication. The doctor said I can’t let it get exposed to air. Please don’t look.”

Hearing that it couldn’t be exposed, Pu Sha reluctantly withdrew his hand. But he wasn’t about to let it go that easily. “What kind of allergy?”

“Maybe I ate something bad. It’ll be fine in a few days.” Xu Lin looped his arm through Pu Sha’s. “Don’t worry, Teacher. I’m really okay.”

Little Fatty and the others were already shouting about throwing a welcome banquet for Xu Lin. Before he could even call them back, they’d rushed out to buy barbecue and drinks.

“Don’t go! Wait!”

Before he could finish, they’d all disappeared.

Pu Sha laughed. “Let them go. They’re happy. While you were away, they kept talking about you every day. Every time they had barbecue, they’d say they were saving some for you.”

“Everyone missed you.”

Pu Sha ruffled Xu Lin’s hair. “So did I.”

Xu Lin blinked, his spirits low. His insides churned painfully.

They had no idea he was about to leave again.

Xu Lin had once thought he could easily say goodbye to Pu Sha and the others. But back in his familiar surroundings, he realized how hard it was to say he had to go.

He’d only just come back. He really didn’t want to leave.

But the speedboat was waiting at the dock, and the ID card in his pocket was a constant reminder that someone in Danshi was waiting for him too.

Xu Lin handed Pu Sha the things from his backpack.

A bag of documents, and a thick envelope containing the living expenses Pu Sha had sent him over the years. Pu Sha had sent the money so Xu Lin could live better in Danshi, but Xu Lin had relied on his part-time work and barely touched it. After four years, he’d brought it all back untouched.

Pu Sha’s eyes reddened. Xu Lin thought he was just moved. Then, the next second, Pu Sha pulled him into a tight embrace.

Xu Lin couldn’t see Pu Sha’s face, only heard his choked voice. “Four years. You’ve suffered. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Xu Lin froze, nestled in Pu Sha’s arms. Pu Sha felt guilty for him. For four years in Danshi, Pu Sha had blamed himself for four. “It’s my fault. I sent you to that place. You were alone for four years. It’s all my fault.”

Xu Lin grabbed the corner of Pu Sha’s shirt. He shook his head, his eyes burning. He blinked hard to keep the tears from falling.

“I chose to go, Teacher.”

Xu Lin smiled at him. “Your dream can finally come true. I’m happy for you.”

Pu Sha said, “You must be hungry after the journey. Let me cook for you.”

He picked up the groceries and headed to the kitchen. Xu Lin hesitated for a few seconds before following him inside. “Teacher, don’t bother.”

“What? Aren’t you hungry? Oh, right, they’re getting barbecue. I’ll stir-fry some vegetables to go with it. You can’t just eat meat.”

“That’s not it.”

Xu Lin seemed to want to say something. Pu Sha noticed his expression and stopped. “What’s wrong?”

“I…” Xu Lin hesitated for a long time before forcing the words out. “I have to leave.”

Pu Sha was confused. “Leave? Where are you going?”

“I have to go back to Danshi.”

Pu Sha froze, stunned by his words. It took him a moment to respond. He took off the apron he’d just put on and crumpled it in his hands. “Go back to Danshi? What are you going back there for? You just came back. Why are you leaving again?”

“I found a job there. I need to be there tomorrow. I… can’t delay too long.”

“A job? What kind of job?”

Xu Lin wasn’t good at lying to Pu Sha. He couldn’t meet his eyes, only stared at the ground.

[“Don’t tell anyone about our marriage.”] Ji Jixuan’s words echoed in his ears.

Xu Lin felt a pang in his chest. “There’s a confidentiality agreement. I can’t say.”

After he said that, Pu Sha was quiet for a long time.

Xu Lin looked up and saw a contemplative expression on Pu Sha’s face. He seemed like he wanted to ask more, but in the end, he didn’t.

“Are you leaving right away? You don’t even have time to stay one night?”

Xu Lin desperately wanted to stay the night. But reality said otherwise. He had no choice. He could only hum in acknowledgment. “The boat is waiting for me at the dock.”

“Wait for me. I’ll be right back.”

Pu Sha walked straight out of the house and drove away.

Xu Lin sat on a small stool in the yard, looking around at his and Pu Sha’s home. He lowered his head, buried his face in his knees, and stayed like that for a long time.

About ten or fifteen minutes later, Pu Sha returned.

He was out of breath. He handed Xu Lin a box of strawberries. They were huge, packed tightly into a plastic container, wrapped in plastic wrap on top. The mountain of strawberries inside was almost bursting out.

This was more than an ordinary box of strawberries from District Thirteen.

Sweat beaded on Pu Sha’s forehead. “I bought extra. Too bad the shop didn’t have a bigger container, or I could have given you more.”

Looking at the strawberries, Xu Lin suddenly choked up and couldn’t speak.

“It’s my fault. You love them. I should have bought more for you when I had the chance.”

He pressed the strawberries into Xu Lin’s hands. “Take these to eat on the road. Take care of yourself in Danshi. When you’re not too busy, remember to come back and see me.”

Xu Lin nodded, nodding so hard that tears started falling too.

Pu Sha crouched in front of him and pulled him into an embrace.

“You’re not a child anymore. I can’t keep you by my side like I used to. You have the right to choose how you live your life. You deserve to make yourself better and more accomplished.”

Pu Sha gently wiped the tears from his face, his voice trembling. “I’ll miss you, but I don’t want to hold you back.”

“The world out there is big. You might face hardships. If it ever becomes too much, know that my door is always open for you. There’s always a place for you here. I’ll keep your room ready. You’ll always be my family.”

Xu Lin carefully held the strawberries. Pu Sha walked him to the dock.

At the dock, the driver was on the phone. Seeing Xu Lin approaching, he hung up immediately.

Xu Lin gestured toward the speedboat. “Since I’m in a hurry and didn’t want to waste time, I rented a speedboat. I’ve saved up quite a bit from working these past few years.”

Pu Sha didn’t react to this deliberate explanation. He just said, “Little Fatty and the others went to the next street to buy barbecue. They won’t make it back in time. You’re in a hurry, so don’t wait for them. I’ll tell them.”

“…” Xu Lin said, “I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about, silly boy.”

Xu Lin boarded the speedboat, and it slowly pulled away from the dock. Pu Sha stood behind the railing, waving goodbye.

Over the roar of the engine, Pu Sha cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Remember to come back often!”

Xu Lin shouted back immediately, “Okay! I will!”

Soon, the District Thirteen dock disappeared from his view, along with Pu Sha’s figure.

This trip back had been too rushed and unprepared. Next time, he would buy Pu Sha a Danshi-specific SIM card. Then they could stay in touch by phone.

The salty sea wind whipped across Xu Lin’s face, tousling his clothes. He stood on the deck, pulling out the ID card that belonged to Ji Jixuan from his pocket.

A new life?

Xu Lin clenched the ID card tightly, so hard that the hard edges left red marks on his palm.

Yes.

He would start a new life with Ji Jixuan.