Why Did You Run?

That evening, Si You video-called Fang Jin.

Robot vacuums, air purifiers, and various high-tech contraptions supposedly good for breathing were lined up along the wall in the background.

"You..." Si You narrowed his eyes. "Are you cultivating immortality in Uranium River? Do you not eat? Why are you so skinny?"

Fang Jin said, "I've always been skinny. I just can't gain weight."

Si You refused to be outdone. "What a coincidence. Me too."

Fang Jin could not be bothered with him.

Si You turned slightly serious. "Is that place you're staying in really okay? Don't let it be drafty in summer and missing roof tiles in winter."

Fang Jin pointed the camera directly at the ceiling. "See? Solid as can be."

"Fine." Si You chatted with Fang Jin for another couple of minutes before hanging up.

He had kicked Lu Jiatang out long ago. Did Lu Jiatang think he could use this chance to see Fang Jin? Dream on! Si You had no idea that Lu Jiatang had gone as far as climbing through windows and into beds, while Fang Jin, out of consideration for his pride and lacking any evidence, had said nothing.

Jiang Tingxu spoke up at the right moment. "I think Jiatang is being very sincere this time."

"What use is sincerity?" Si You said coolly. He had to experience the gut-wrenching pain of losing someone once before he would remember the lesson for good.

Before lying down, Fang Jin turned on the electric blanket. It was only the second time he had used one. The first had been when he was little, after Shen Changxiong locked him in the attic. During the bitter winter, the house's underfloor heating could not reach that high. Fang Jin had shivered from the cold until he found an unused electric