Xu Yuan was brought back aboard a Flying Boat.
It felt a little like going to a banquet, then having someone call a Taxi to take you home afterward.
He went to see his mother first.
Lu Yiyi wasn't at the hospital. He had no idea where she'd gone.
His mother had a mountain of things to tell him, repeating many of them several times.
Xu Yuan knew she was worried, so he listened patiently. Only after she'd finished did he offer a few reassuring words, cheer her up, and leave to find Yang Xiaobing.
But she wasn't home either, and she wasn't answering her phone. He had no idea what she was up to.
Unbelievable.
Where had everyone gone?
"Hey, Afei, I'm leaving tomorrow," Xu Yuan said.
"Then what are you waiting for? Come out and have some fun! I'll give you a proper send-off!" Zhao Afei roared over the phone.
At least Afei could be counted on!
Xu Yuan silently gave him credit.
But they were just two high school students. There was only so wild an outing could get.
A dozen or so minutes later.
They met at an intersection, went to an internet café, and played games for a few hours before getting ready to head home.
Just as they stepped out of the café, Zhao Afei's phone rang.
"Hello? What are you doing, baby?"
A sweet, coy woman's voice came through the receiver.
"Seeing a buddy off. He's going to the Nine Luminaries and Luofu Special Admission Test..."
Zhao Afei covered the phone and lowered his voice:
"My brothers from the streets—Haonan, Shanji, and me. We're having a few drinks with him. Yeah, man stuff."
"Then don't drink too much," the woman said.
"I know. Don't worry about me. What do you want for dinner?