She added, " Xiao Yan, you used to live at our orphanage! I wouldn't have known if a senior employee hadn't recognized you."
Yan Heqing's eyelashes fluttered. "A long-time employee?"
Auntie Zhang then recounted what happened at the amusement park that night.
" Sister Zhao has been retired for over ten years. She saw you at the welfare home before, and she has a very deep impression of you. She even remembers Qingqing the reason why your family had that accident. The big boss of Lu Group was also there at the time."
Yan Heqing stopped abruptly.
Did Lu Lin know the reason for his family's troubles?
I know, a fire?
Chapter 73
After driving back to his residence, Yan Heqing went to the bathroom to wash his hands in the dark without turning on the lights.
He turned off the tap and looked down at his palm.
Once my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could vaguely see my damp palms.
About ten seconds later, I carefully dried my hands and went outside.
He knew every piece of furniture in the room well. He walked to the coffee table, accurately opened the drawer, and took out the velvet box from the deepest part.
Opening the box, only a little light shone through the window, and the crystal Cube of Light still reflected a faint glow onto the ceiling.
The light was faint and shimmering, like ripples on the sea surface stirred by the wind.
Yan Heqing gripped the box tightly, then released it, and walked to the bedside.
He crouched down and turned on the desk lamp. The orange light flashed, and the Cube of Light immediately followed with a kaleidoscope of colors. Yan Heqing took it out again, and the rainbow light, just like every time before, quietly fell into his palm.
Yan Heqing stared quietly for a while before finally taking out his phone.
I opened my contacts and dialed Lin Manfeng's number.
The call is currently in progress.
After waiting for No. 1 Primary School, Yan Heqing dialed the number a second time.
The message still indicates a busy call.
There was no need to confirm a third time; he had been blacklisted by Lin Manfeng.
It wasn't that I hadn't suspected anything; Lin Manfeng's appearance at that time, so coincidentally, bringing a photo of his mother.
He was so surprised and delighted that he overlooked it.
Now, everything is explained.
Lu Lin.
Yan Heqing put down the Cube of Light, letting it swirl and swirl in the small room. He took Yan Qiushuang's photo frame, hugged it to his chest, leaned against the bed, and sat down on the floor with his knees down.
My cheek was pressed tightly against the photo frame; it was a little cool, yet so warm.
It's impossible to repay, and it's impossible to repay it all.
The room was extremely quiet. After what seemed like an eternity, someone suddenly shouted from downstairs, "Whose car is that! Beijing 012—"
It was blurry, but I could vaguely make out that it was his license plate.
The old residential area didn't have any designated parking spaces before. In recent years, No. 1 Primary School area has been cleared for parking, and some temporary parking spaces have been marked on the roadside. Over time, some people have started to use one place as their own parking space.
The landlord also asked Yan Heqing to park in what he claimed was his parking space, hoping to charge an extra 100 yuan for parking, but Yan Heqing refused.
In the past two days, there have been empty spaces across from his building, and he has parked in the same spot several times.
The original spot was still empty, but he stopped at the previous one.
It wasn't that he stopped in the wrong place, but he was indeed distracted.
Ignoring the unreasonable shouts from downstairs, Yan Heqing looked up, gently stroked the photo frame, put it back on the bedside table, and picked up his phone to log in to WeChat.
The class group chat is still buzzing with activity, boasting over 99 messages.
Yan Heqing didn't look at it. He opened his chat box with Lu Lin, and the chat history was still before they set sail.
Type a line of text.
"Are you off work yet?"
Lu Lin had just arrived home when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He took off his coat, pulled out his phone, saw it was 52 Hertz, and immediately swiped to answer.
Just as I was about to reply, Yan Heqing sent another message.
I've already got my driver's license. What can I do for you?
When Lu Lin provided in-car instruction to Yan Heqing for his driving test (parts 2 and 3), he mentioned needing Yan Heqing's help.
Lu Lin changed into slippers and replied, "We'll talk about it next time we meet."
Carrying his things towards the kitchen, unable to type, he sent a voice message: "Have you unpacked everything?"
Yan Heqing opened it, not understanding, "What is it?"
Walking to the kitchen counter, Lu Lin put down the plastic bag and took out the instant noodles and egg with one hand.
The instant noodles were the same brand and flavor as the ones Yan Heqing bought – braised beef noodles.
Lu Lin opened the bag, made a voice call, and chuckled softly, "Looks like your meter was just fixed; you didn't notice the bag behind the door."
With the phone to his ear, Yan Heqing walked to the entryway, where, sure enough, there were two bags next to the shoe rack.
I've been so focused on Xu Qiaoyin's matter these past two days that I haven't noticed her coming or going.
Yan Heqing squatted down, opened the bag with his index finger, and found... laundry detergent pods? The other bag contained shower gel and shampoo.
The shampoo bottle is entirely white and has no logo.
Meanwhile, Lu Lin said on the phone, "These three are from the same production line and you can't buy them on the market. Don't you have a friend who likes this flavor? You can give it to him."
Yan Heqing paused for a moment, then said, "I don't want to see you off."
A faint sound of splashing water could be heard mixed in with Lu Lin's deep, steady voice, "Then keep it for yourself."
He immediately followed up with, "How long did you cook the soft-boiled eggs last time?"
Yan Heqing was somewhat surprised, "You're cooking instant noodles?"
I missed out last time, and I'm really craving it.
Yan Heqing paused for a few seconds, then said, "Six minutes."
"Let's chat for another six minutes." Lu Lin turned on the speakerphone, put down his phone, and started adding seasonings to another pot. "Let's see if I can cook the same soft-boiled eggs."
Just as he was about to start a conversation, Yan Heqing spoke up, "I did something today."
"Good things and bad things."
Yan Heqing said slowly, "It's a good thing for me, but a bad thing for others."
The seasoning packet dissolved, releasing the unique aroma of instant noodles. Lu Lin added three packets of noodles. "Great, you have a real talent for business."
This time, Yan Heqing spoke after a while, "Is the ice water ready? The eggs need to be rinsed in ice water after being taken out of the water."
"It's no longer needed, the eggs exploded," Lu Lin said. "I'm not good at making soft-boiled eggs, so I'll wait for you."
The instant noodles were cooked at the same time. He hung up the phone, saying, "Get some rest, goodnight."
It's eleven o'clock.
Yan Heqing glanced at the time, his neck a little sore, and then remembered that he hadn't finished his 15-minute wall-sticking task for today. He picked up two bags and went to the bathroom first. Just as he stood up, a new message popped up on WeChat.