Yu Zuojin stood at the door holding the doorknob, his expression cold and indifferent, showing no intention of letting the two people in.
His body blocked the door tightly, and he remained silent as he looked at them. However, his black eyes carried deep resistance and protest.
Clearly, he didn’t want to see them.
After missing out on so many opportunities before, being able to see her son already brought Tang Jing great satisfaction.
“Zuojin, your dad and I came to see you.”
Yu Fengren stood beside Tang Jing, looking at Yu Zuojin. He had secretly come to see him before, stopping the car at the street corner every time he was on a business trip or passed by No.1 Middle School, just to catch a glimpse.
But facing each other directly was the first time in over two years.
Yu Zuojin had grown much taller during this time, even slightly taller than him. He looked sturdy, with strong lines on his arms exuding a sense of power. His shoulders had broadened, and his legs had lengthened.
His temperament showed an alarming stubbornness. Once he left, he really didn’t come back to take a look. He didn’t come back during the holidays, even when Tang Jing was sick. He didn’t want money or clothes and daily necessities.
Yu Fengren had given Yu Zuojin cards and money, but they were all thrown back at him, like an arrogant criminal scattering the banknotes he gave.
His father blamed him for not providing Yu Zuojin with living expenses, but he had given everything he could materially, yet this kid showed no gratitude. This made him angry, so he stopped providing Yu Zuojin with the cards. He didn’t believe that a teen could survive on his own for long.
But he never returned after leaving.
It seemed that when he left, he truly severed all ties with this family.
The day before Yu Zuojin ran away from home, everything was normal. He went to school, came back, ate, and slept as usual. At that time, he rarely got into fights. The first half-month of high school went smoothly.
Finally, he and Tang Jing had a holiday and could return home for a while.
The couple hadn’t seen each other for half a year; they divorced a year ago.
It was Tang Jing’s suggestion, and although Yu Fengren didn’t want to separate, he respected her decision.
That day, they reunited for the sake of their child and returned to their house in the quiet downtown area.
Sitting in the car, the two of them discussed whether tell Yu Zuojin about the divorce or not.
After much thought, Yu Zuojin had the right to know.
When they got home, they revealed the state of their marriage, and the conflicts began that day.
Yu Zuojin didn’t say anything; he simply looked at them silently for a long time. It was so long that Yu Fengren couldn’t remember how much time had passed.
In the afternoon, Yu Zuojin left with only a sports bag.
He didn’t say anything, didn’t even glance at the couple again, deeply disappointed.
Later, he fought with a teacher at school, asked his grandfather to help him transfer, and after transferring, he even lost contact with his grandfather.
Yu Fengren thought that Yu Zuojin would come back due to various societal factors after leaving home, but he never did. Not even once. He never turned back.
Tang Jing held the food container and tried to offer it to Yu Zuojin. “Zuojin, it’s New Year’s Eve today. Mom made some dumplings for you.”
Yu Zuojin lowered his gaze and didn’t accept it. He even took a step back, creating distance.
Tang Jing’s smile froze for a moment but she quickly adjusted and ignored Yu Zuojin’s estrangement.
“It’s already the New Year. I noticed that you didn’t like the new clothes we sent a few days ago, so your father and I picked a few more for you.”
As she said that, she nudged Yu Fengren next to her. He held a bag and stepped forward to open it for Yu Zuojin to see. “I’ve noticed that most students are wearing this style lately, so we had the shopkeeper prepare some for you to try on. If they don’t fit, your mother and I will return them.”
“I don’t want it,” he said, not even looking at the clothes Yu Fengren took out.
Yu Fengren wasn’t annoyed either. “If you don’t like any of them, we’ll buy you something else.”
Yu Zuojin tightened his grip on the doorknob, looking at them coldly. “I don’t want it.”
He didn’t want anything.
Whatever they gave him, he wouldn’t accept a single item.
Yu Fengren tried to reason with him, saying that after so many years of being away from home, it was time for him to come back. His authoritative aura was too strong, making everything feel like official business.
“When you ran away from home, we also reflected on ourselves. We owe you a lot from childhood to adulthood. It was our fault. These past few years, we’ve all been reflecting while you were outside. It’s not easy for a person to be on their own. Zuojin, come back home.”
Yu Zuojin didn’t even raise an eyebrow as he listened. Looking at Tang Jing and Yu Fengren’s desperate expressions, he saw his past self through them.
—“Zuojin, I’ll come back to accompany you once your father and I are done with our busy lives.”
He waited for a long time, but the next time they met, all he received was news of their separation.
—“Zuojin, your dad and I are getting a divorce.”
He used to be so desperate for even a hint of family and affection.
Without any hesitation, he closed the door upon hearing Yu Fengren’s words.
“Zuojin!”
“Zuojin!”
Tang Jing stuffed the food container through the door, and the door closed completely.
Yu Fengren pounded on the door from outside.
Yu Zuojin returned to the table, not wanting to go back with the two of them. He had lost his home a long time ago. They were not a couple, nor were they qualified parents.
He thought he would remain calm, but he couldn’t help but react. Restless anger swelled within him, and the math problems in front of him became irritating ants crawling on the paper. He wanted to wash his face, but as he stood up, he saw the food container that Tang Jing had somehow stuffed in. Unable to endure it any longer, he grabbed it and slammed it against the door.
Bamg!
Like a thunderclap in the sky, the door rattled, and the force shattered the food container into pieces. Dumplings and pastries scattered all over the floor.
Just as Yu Zuojin was still in the aftermath of his anger, the door of Room 408 opened.
Yu Zuojin’s pupils shrank as Sheng Yuan opened the door and came in holding keys.
If it had been five seconds earlier, the food container would have hit him.
Yu Zuojin was stunned, quickly pulling the person inside, and anxiously checking to see if he was injured.
Sheng Yuan had come to find Yu Zuojin and found that the door wouldn’t open. He thought Yu Zoujin was not around so he used the keys to unlock it. Just as he turned the handle, he heard a loud crash against the door.
He looked at the scattered food on the floor.
“What happened?”
Yu Zuojin seemed dazed, furrowing his brows and unable to find the words to explain.
Seeing that Sheng Yuan was fine, he took the cleaning tools and began sweeping the floor.
Sheng Yuan could tell something was amiss.
“What’s wrong? Did someone bully you?”
[System: Please say something realistic.]
Sheng Yuan: “You have a narrow perspective.”
[System: …]
Yu Zuojin didn’t want to talk, but Sheng Yuan didn’t give him a chance to escape.
“Tell me about it,” he said, raising Yu Zuojin’s chin. “Tell me.”
They were close, and as Yu Zuojin looked into Sheng Yuan’s eyes, he extended his finger to touch the cuff of Sheng Yuan’s sleeve. After a few seconds of silence, he said, “My parents came.”
This was the first time Yu Zuojin mentioned his parents to Sheng Yuan.
“Did you have a conflict with them?”
Yu Zuojin nodded.
Seeing his despondent expression, Sheng Yuan tenderly held his face, asking, “Are you sad?”
Yu Zuojin nodded.
Sheng Yuan was about to console him when suddenly…
[System: Ah, ah, ah, I’m blind! Why can I see!!]
Truly Ambitious fumbled to block itself.
The sad scene of youth pain was suddenly interrupted.
Sheng Yuan turned his head to look at the large hand squeezing his buttocks.
It seemed that the other person didn’t need much comforting.
Sheng Yuan reached out and took off the claw. “It’s okay, you won’t be sad after eating dumplings.”
But Yu Zuojin stood there motionless.
“What’s wrong?” Sheng Yuan asked.
Yu Zuojin expressionlessly uttered two words, “I’m sad.”
I couldn’t tell.
Sheng Yuan: “What should we do then?”
“It’s okay, I won’t be sad after touching you.”
Sheng Yuan: “…”
You brat! Don’t be too arrogant!
Sheng Yuan took out the large stainless steel lunchbox he brought. In addition to dumplings, he also brought the New Year’s Eve dinner.
Sheng Yuan didn’t forget to remind him, “I made all the dumplings I brought you.”
Yu Zuojin obediently sat at the table, planning to eat Sheng Yuan’s dumplings first when it was time for dinner.
Sheng Yuan brought out each dish one by one, until the rice finally came out.
Yu Zuojin sat there motionless.
Sheng Yuan also took a pair of chopsticks to prepare for his meal but noticed that Yu Zuojin didn’t move his chopsticks.
“What’s wrong?” Sheng Yuan asked.
Yu Zuojin hesitated, his voice hoarse as he asked, “Where are the dumplings?”
Sheng Yuan: “…”
You better not be joking with me.
[System: Hahahaha.]
Sheng Yuan: “Your laughter is too exuberant.”
He pointed to the plate placed on the left side of Yu Zuojin, “This is it.”
Yu Zuojin looked at the plate with variously shaped stones that only resembled dumplings in color.
Yu Zuojin had a good appetite and finished all the food Sheng Yuan brought.
No wonder he grew so tall; he could really eat.
Yu Zoujin wiped the oil off the corner of his mouth with a tissue, and leaned in and kissed Sheng Yuan.
Sheng Yuan: “…”
His face was also oily.
[System: Stop wiping and wipe yourself.]
After they finished eating, Sheng Yuan didn’t rush to leave. Yu Zuojin studied beside him, while he used his phone to search for information. It would be March in a few days, and the Hundred-Day Ceremony would take place. He needed to prepare for it.
By then, he should have received his acceptance letter for the recommended admission, but he wouldn’t leave campus early. Sheng Yuan glanced at Yu Zuojin, who was writing math problems nearby.
Stay and enjoy some puppy romance.
[System: I can tell, you’re a love brain.]
Sheng Yuan: “I’m sapiosexual.”
Truly Ambitious replied sarcastically.
[System: Sheng Yuan is sapiosexual~]
Sheng Yuan: “Don’t you think you’ve been too reckless lately?”
[System: I’m a delinquent system, it’s in my nature.]
Sheng Yuan said in a wimpy voice: “Please, I beg you, just finish the task~”
[System: …]
You want to bring up old matters, huh!
One person and one system bickered back and forth.
Before, Sheng Yuan wanted to break up with someone, but now during the Lunar New Year, he stuck to someone and didn’t go home.
[System: It seems like you’re quite satisfied with your boyfriend.]
Sheng Yuan: “He’s worth about a hundred points.”
[System: Have you really seen the true beauty of his soul?]
“Otherwise?”
[System: Aren’t there other factors? Like…]
His incredibly handsome and unparalleled face.
Sheng Yuan had a sudden realization, “There’s one more thing.”
Truly Ambitious: Oh ho!
[System: What is it? What is it?]
Sheng Yuan: “Yu Zuojin is quite intelligent.”
Truly Ambitious turned to look.
At that moment, Yu Zuojin furrowed his brows, struggling with a math problem. Then, he raised one hand and started counting on his fingers, one, two, three…
Truly Ambitious: …
He better be truly intelligent.