“Today, we are doing the college entrance examination papers from the year before last.” The mathematics teacher distributed the test papers to the students in the first row. “Pass these back. Everyone, work on them seriously; we will go over them in a moment.”
After receiving the paper, Cheng Shixu first flipped to the back to look at the long-form problems: one function problem and one coordinate-finding problem.
Let the center of the ellipse be at the origin of the coordinates. A (2, 0) and B (0, 1) are its two vertices. The line Y = kx (K > 0) intersects AB at point D and intersects the ellipse at points E and F.
(1) If ED = 6DF, find the value of K;
(2) Find the maximum area of the quadrilateral AEBF.
Seeing these problems, Cheng Shixu did not feel as worried as before. Fortunately, he had just memorized the formulas.
Many math problems are solved using formulas. In his previous life, he had studied these back and forth. Although he had forgotten many of them, he had studied them diligently back then. Now, it was like picking up things he had dropped one by one.
Painful as it was, the moment he solved them, it felt just as satisfying. “Ning Shen, have you finished problem 21?” He leaned over to check Ning Shen’s test paper. Ning Shen was writing furiously, having used a lot of scrap paper. “I calculated it. The answer to the first part is two-thirds or three-eighths, right?”
“That is my answer, too.” Cheng Shixu pointed to the auxiliary diagram he had drawn and said, “Your lines are drawn so straight.” He had realized long ago that it made little difference whether Ning Shen used a ruler or not; both his circles and lines were drawn very straight and round.
Ning Shen flipped to the front to check his work. “I am going to apply to an art school in the future.” He wanted to be an art student.
At this moment, most of the students in the class had finished the papers and were discussing them. Cheng Shixu said in a light voice, “Your grades are for an art school? Do you mean you want to apply to Dongda?”
Dongcheng University is a well-known art school in the country, having produced many talented painters and designers.
In his previous life, the designer who custom-made his clothes had also graduated from Dongda. She was very well-known in the industry, and her fashion shows had even gone international.
Ning Shen said, “Yes, I want to apply to Dongda.” He looked left and right before saying in a low voice, “My girlfriend is from Dongcheng, and I want to go to Dongcheng to see her.” It would be easier to meet up, too.
Cheng Shixu was surprised. “A real-life meet-up?”
“I want to meet after the college entrance exam.” Ning Shen’s ears turned red, and his voice was quieter than a mosquito’s.
“I see. Then good luck.” Cheng Shixu invited him, “I am going to learn Taekwondo on Saturday; do you want to come with me?”
“I think everyone is about done.” Before an answer could be given, the teacher walked in. The classroom instantly became quiet. The two of them did not chat anymore and picked up their pens to look at the podium.
“Everyone, look here. This problem is the easiest one to get wrong. The answer is A. How many of you chose B? Raise your hands and let me see.” The teacher looked at the more than half of the students in the audience who raised their hands and wore an “as expected” expression. “I have said this many times: do not miss these two words! I will say it one last time; if you get a similar problem wrong on the monthly exam, you will all be punished by copying these two words.”
Cheng Shixu sheepishly lowered his hand. He had gotten it wrong, too.
The two class periods passed very quickly. The teacher had wiped the blackboard more times than he could count, and several pieces of chalk had snapped. Cheng Shixu wondered if the teacher’s voice would be hoarse after the monthly exams.
When the bell rang for the end of class, few students in the classroom moved. This included Cheng Shixu, who was still studying the multiple-choice question he got wrong. He always made the same mistake in the same place. The moment he walked out of the exam room, he knew he was wrong, and just now, as soon as the teacher walked in, he realized he had gotten this problem wrong.
After understanding all the mistakes, Cheng Shixu checked the time. It was almost ten o’clock. In a little while, the lights would be turned off. “Let us go back quickly.” Fortunately, the dormitory had a bathroom; otherwise, he would have to spend another half an hour going to a club outside to shower.
He did not like crowded bathhouses; it felt very awkward. Firstly, because he was gay, and secondly, because he was not accustomed to bathing with others.
However, once he returned to the dormitory, he grabbed his bath towel and rushed into the bathroom. He picked up the showerhead and discovered there was no water. He had no choice but to sheepishly put his clothes back on and come out. “Ning Shen, let us go outside to wash up; there is no water.”
Ning Shen was sitting at the desk reading a book like an old scholar. “No water!” He put down the book in surprise, went to the bathroom to check thoroughly, and confirmed there was no water with a look that suggested the sky had fallen. He felt uncomfortable all over if he did not shower for a day, but the club outside was so expensive. He had spent too much money this month and, with the month not yet over, he dared not spend more. “You go ahead.”
Cheng Shixu saw his hesitation. “It is fine. I am a premium member there. I can bring friends in to shower for free. Let us go. If you do not wash up, you are not allowed to enter the dormitory.”
“I… why are you so overbearing? I helped you memorize your classical poems today.” Ning Shen complained while packing his toiletries. “Since that is the case, I have no choice but to go.”
When the two of them went out, they met Yu Mounian, who had just come out of the dormitory. “Where are you going?”
“Going to the club to shower. You guys do not have water, right? Let us go quickly and get back before the school gate closes.” Cheng Shixu had a good relationship with his classmates. As Yu Mounian hesitated for a moment, Cheng Shixu repeated the excuse he had used on Ning Shen, successfully convincing Yu Mounian to join them.
The school was not in a remote location. There were many commercial streets around it, and with a university next door, there were many supporting entertainment facilities.
It was just around the corner after exiting the main gate.
Cheng Shixu handed his card to the front desk. “Book three rooms.” Yage was a large chain hotel that another one of his childhood friends’ families owned. He had not lied to Ning Shen; he did indeed have a premium membership card, and there was no charge for booking rooms.
His childhood friends’ families were involved in many different fields: running companies and trading, running chain hotels, restaurants, and working as public servants or in foreign and state-owned enterprises.
He had his mother’s love for socializing to thank for that. Her high school classmates, neighbors, and college friends held reunions every year. Some lived close by, and when his mother went to hang out, she would entrust him to her friends’ homes. Over time, he gained many childhood friends.
Yage hotels were spread across the country. The first time he had a deep interaction with Lu Jian was also at a Yage, though not this one; it was near the place where he worked after graduation.
“Rooms 203, 204, and 205. Please take your room keys and enjoy your stay.” The receptionist tapped the card, saw the reserved rooms on the system, and completed the check-in procedure quickly.
Ning Shen chewed on a lollipop, thinking about how Cheng Shixu really had not paid any money. He thought to himself that he would have to help Cheng Shixu organize more mistake corrections and test questions; it would be embarrassing to keep taking advantage of him. He had agreed earlier because he understood Cheng Shixu’s character; if he had refused, Cheng Shixu would have used his way with words to convince him anyway.
Yu Mounian suddenly asked a question: “Is one of the staff members who changes the water in the bathhouse today resting?”
Cheng Shixu, who was walking in front, paused. He turned his head and looked at the front desk suspiciously. The receptionist said officially, “Please rest assured; we change the water immediately after receiving guests.”
“Why are you asking this?” The rooms were on the second floor. Cheng Shixu did not intend to wait for the elevator, and the three of them headed toward the stairs.
Yu Mounian said, “Lu Jian from the vocational school works part-time as a server here on Wednesdays.” He paused and asked, “Are you sure he is really not the person you are looking for?”
Hearing this, Cheng Shixu could not help but frown. “He is not.” He keenly noticed that Yu Mounian’s facial expression seemed to relax after hearing his answer. If he were really sixteen, perhaps he would not have noticed anything, but he was thirty-five. Having entered the workplace for ten years, he could not be blind to such a small change in expression.
Yu Mounian paid close attention to the fake Lu Jian from the vocational school. The first time he knew the fake Lu Jian was at the vocational school was because Yu Mounian had told him. He guessed they might know each other, but the way the fake Lu Jian acted, he seemed to have no idea who Yu Mounian was. During their two or three encounters, the fake Lu Jian had not spoken to Yu Mounian.
He thought about it and decided that perhaps they just simply knew each other. After all, the fake Lu Jian had too many part-time jobs; it was as if he had endless work to do, and he was quite attractive, so it was hard not to be noticed.
Since Yu Mounian was young and could not hide his feelings, if he liked him, he would have definitely been able to see it. It was clearly not the case, making it seem like he was overthinking things.
After entering the room, he put down his toiletries and began to take off his clothes. He had not originally intended to go to the third floor to soak, but after Ning Shen knocked on his door to call him, he realized Ning Shen had never been to such a place and wanted to see it. He changed into a bathrobe and wrapped himself up tightly before going upstairs.
Just as he entered, he saw a familiar figure wearing a server’s uniform standing around the bathhouse, with two white towels draped over his wrist, presumably for the guests.
It really was a surprise every time they met. He also expressed the same question in his heart as He Yu: how many jobs does the fake Lu Jian have to do? Bar server, bathhouse server, and auto mechanic.
That was three types already.
“A-Xu, come here.” Ning Shen was soaking in the bathhouse and waved.
Lu Jian, who was in a daze, looked up and saw Cheng Shixu. They looked at each other and then looked away. Since they had said they would act as strangers, they would act as strangers.
Nothing happened during the soak. After about half an hour, they all got up and went to the adjacent shower room to wash their hair. Cheng Shixu was drying his hair when he came out and saw Lu Jian standing outside holding a hairdryer. “Why are you here?” He even took a step back. What if the real Lu Jian found out that he had been pestering this fake one? Who would he go to to get his husband back?
“Hello. We provide a hair-drying service. We have many guests today, and only I am left to serve you.” Lu Jian looked down and answered in a professional manner.
Cheng Shixu looked left and right. “No need. I will blow-dry it myself.” He looked at the two people sitting in front of the vanity mirror next to the shower room. Both had servers helping them blow-dry their hair. Boys’ hair was short and easy to manage, especially the buzz cut, which dried in a moment.
His was hard to manage. His hair was like his mother’s, a bit wavy, and he liked to keep bangs, so it always took a long time to dry.
“Understood.” Lu Jian handed him the hairdryer and made a “please” gesture. “Please walk this way.”
Cheng Shixu walked to Ning Shen’s side and happened to hear Ning Shen say to the server behind him, “Is this for real? You can earn an extra three yuan for helping me blow-dry my hair?”
“Yes. Is my pressure okay?” Blow-drying hair also included a scalp massage.
After Cheng Shixu sat down, he looked at Lu Jian, who was standing on the side, and thought for a moment before saying, “You can help me blow-dry it.” Working so many jobs and needing 300,000 yuan, he must be very short of money.
Lu Jian’s expression did not change as he walked behind him. “Certainly. Do you prefer hot or cold air? Do you need a scalp massage?”
“Either is fine.” Cheng Shixu thought to himself that he would never come here again; it was so awkward.
“A-Xu, the massage is so refreshing. I am going to hang out with you from now on.” Ning Shen was clearly enjoying it and was smiling.
Cheng Shixu said, “Sure. Since you helped me organize so many test points, I will definitely take you out for good food and drinks.” Healthy social interaction was a two-way street. He asked Yu Mounian on the other side, “Mounian, what about you? Are you doing okay?”
Yu Mounian looked at Lu Jian, who was disinfecting his hands, through the mirror. “Yeah. Thank you.”
“I will help you massage first.” After disinfecting his hands, Lu Jian pressed lightly on Cheng Shixu’s head. His pinky finger circled along the skin behind Cheng Shixu’s ear and swept upward with some pressure, as if he were massaging his acupoints.
This action changed the look in Cheng Shixu’s eyes in the mirror. He grabbed the hand on his head. “Are all the people here using the same massage techniques as you?”
Lu Jian looked confused. “Yes. Is the force too heavy or too light? I can adjust it.”
But Cheng Shixu could not hear what he was saying anymore. In his past life, when he lay on Lu Jian’s lap and complained about his client’s ridiculous requirements, Lu Jian would always massage him. Every single time, the very first touch was exactly the same as what the fake Lu Jian just did.
The scalp massage continued, and as if confirming his suspicions, every acupoint pressed afterward was too familiar to him.
He had not died many years after separating from Lu Jian; he had died while they were madly in love for five years. Everything was as if it were yesterday; he would never forget.
So, had Lu Jian learned how to massage here in the past? That was a good skill to learn; he wanted to learn it too. Once he found the real Lu Jian, he would give him a massage as well.
However, the fact that Lu Jian was so skilled at massage still made him feel a little jealous. He teased Lu Jian and asked, “Do you often help your mother or father massage at home?”
Lu Jian smiled lightly and said, “No. I learned it when I was young, but I have not massaged anyone for many years. Is it still comfortable?”
Cheng Shixu reached out and pinched Lu Jian’s face. “It is amazingly comfortable. I will learn it, and I will massage you, too.” Since he had not massaged his family, that meant it was an ex? “Not massaged for many years” must mean that his heart had long since moved on from his ex, and he should not worry.
Lu Jian retracted his smile. “No need to learn. It is very hard work.”
He was still puzzled. “Is massage very hard work?” He sat up. “Then do not massage me.” Who knew that Lu Jian would press him back onto his legs anyway. “It is not hard work to massage you. It was very hard work to learn.”
“Then why did you learn this?” He remembered that when he asked this question, Lu Jian did not answer, but instead changed the subject.
So he had learned it here.
Retracting his thoughts, he looked up and asked the fake Lu Jian, “Is it hard to learn massage?”
Lu Jian answered while massaging, “It was alright.” When he was an apprentice, it was truly hard work; he had to serve tea and water to the master to learn anything at all. If it were not for the fact that massaging guests earned more money, he probably would not have learned it; he did not like it.
His hands were about to turn wrinkly from the disinfectant, and how would he be able to box then?
Cheng Shixu was thinking about giving the real Lu Jian a surprise. “How about this: I will hire you to teach me how to massage. I will pay you 100 yuan per lesson.” He had originally not wanted to have anything to do with the fake Lu Jian, but on second thought, if they really were separated twins, perhaps he could get some clues through him.
“You are learning this so that you can massage him later?” As if possessed, Lu Jian said these words.
Cheng Shixu’s voice was deep. “And so, what if I am?”
Lu Jian stopped massaging, picked up the hairdryer, and did not answer his question or say another word. After blow-drying his hair, he picked up the hairdryer and turned to leave.
“A-Xu, it seems like he does not want to teach you.” Ning Shen, who had already finished and was waiting on the side, said.
Cheng Shixu muttered, “A weirdo.” He stood up. “Let us go. If he does not want to teach, he does not have to.”