Yan Heqing withdrew her gaze and turned to leave, but stopped the moment she looked up. Not far away, the man had been standing there for who knows how long.
Lu Lin hadn't been there long. He strolled around for a while and then saw a familiar figure, only to hear him say, "I don't like you."
Yan Heqing was actually a little surprised to see Lu Lin.
This time it really wasn't intentional; he simply wanted to hear Lu Lin's speech.
Lu Lin walked towards him first, "I was also Beijing University."
Yan Heqing nodded. "I know, I just finished listening to your speech."
Lu Lin asked, "How are you feeling?"
Yan Heqing thought for a moment, "If there's an entrance fee, I won't pay."
The unexpectedly candid answer made Lu Lin look deeply into Yan Heqing. "My lecture is also free."
"That's worth ten yuan." Yan Heqing glanced at the sky; it was getting dark, like it was about to rain. "Do you have time? I can treat you to something that costs ten yuan."
Lu Lin suddenly smiled, "Yes."
Even after not coming here for many years, Lu Lin still knew the way. At the intersection, a few minutes' walk further and there was the gate.
At this moment, Yan Heqing suddenly grabbed his left arm, " Mr. Lu, let's go through the other side door."
Lu Lin glanced sideways; the boy's hands were slender and snow-white, yet still as rough as ever. He looked away. "I remember the food street is across from the school gate."
"Yes," Yan Heqing nodded, "But my creditors are at the main gate."
Lu Lin turned to the side this time, his dark eyes meeting Yan Heqing's gaze. The young man's lips curled slightly. "I have many creditors. Have you forgotten? You are also one of my creditors."
Lu Lin frowned slightly. "They often come to the school to see you?"
"Probably." Yan Heqing didn't care. He didn't let go of Lu Lin, but pulled him towards another path.
"Do you need any help?" Lu Lin asked thoughtfully.
"Thank you for your kindness." A captivating light shimmered in her light-colored pupils as Yan Heqing's eyes curved into a smile. "It's just a minor problem; I can handle it myself quickly."
He never let go of Lu Lin.
"Hurry up, Mr. Lu, that store is selling out very quickly."
Chapter 34
Beijing University is located in the old city area. Even though it's a long-established and prestigious university, the food street opposite it is mostly made up of small, unassuming restaurants that focus on affordability.
When Lu Lin was in college, he only knew that this place existed, but he had never been there.
On the last day of the holiday, and right after the final exams, the food street was packed with people. Yan Heqing held Lu Lin's arm and walked left and right through the food street for about ten minutes before finally stopping at a small boiled meatball shop.
The shop is extremely small, only four or five square meters. In this place where every inch of land is precious, the rent for such a tiny space is already very high.
A small awning was set up in front of the door curtain to provide shade and shelter from the rain. It didn't take up much space and was just enough to cover the customers.
The shop was small but clean. The owner was an elderly woman with gray hair. The grid pot was so clean it reflected light. In the boiling broth, various ingredients were skewered with bamboo sticks and neatly arranged in categories.
Fish balls, shrimp balls, crab meat sticks, open sausages, beef balls, fish roe dumplings, soft tofu, white radish, kelp knots...
It's just a little different from other stores; there's only one egg per string.
The old lady didn't ask them anything. She took out two medium-sized paper cups, about the size of a milk tea cup, skillfully scooped up the meatballs, one skewer at a time, filling the cups to the brim. Thunder rumbled outside, and it started to rain. She then ladled out a spoonful of hot soup before handing it out.
Yan Heqing paid 20 yuan, took the cup, and handed it to Lu Lin, saying, "This place charges ten yuan a serving, don't choose it."
Crackle, crackle.
The heavy rain pounded on the roof, making a crisp sound.
Soon, a torrential downpour began, and the once bustling food street was instantly deserted as people hurriedly sought shelter from the rain in the nearest shops.
Yan Heqing and Lu Lin were standing under the rain shelter, which was just big enough for the two of them to stand in. If they took another step forward, they would be caught in a downpour, with raindrops falling continuously like broken threads.
As dusk fell, the shops across the street turned on their lights one after another. The old lady also turned on hers, and the LED strips wrapped around the ceiling lit up, casting a soft orange glow on the boy's curved eyebrows and eyes, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"Give me more if you don't like it."
Lu Lin took it, pulled out a piece of white radish, and was about to take a bite when Yan Heqing opened his backpack, took out his phone with an earphone plugged in, and then zipped his backpack up and hung it on his right shoulder.
Yan Heqing turned his head and handed over the right earphone, "Want to listen together? Eating while listening to music will make the food taste even better."
They are wired headphones, black.
Lu Lin switched the paper cup to his other hand, took the earphones, and put them in his ears.
At the same time, Yan Heqing opened the music app, then put his phone in his pocket, turned his face to look at the rain curtain in front of him, and quietly began to eat.
A light and cheerful intro started playing in my headphones, blocking out the sound of thunder and rain. Soon, a male singer began to sing; it was a foreign language song.
[There once was a ship that put to sea
the name of that ship was the Billy of Tea]
Lu Lin did not turn around; his dark eyes fell on Yan Heqing's left ear.
The light illuminated the boy's earlobes, revealing their beautiful shape, but with several thin, elongated cuts—new flesh growing after the injury, whiter than his original skin tone, a stark and intense white.
The music was still playing in my headphones.
[The winds blew up her bow dipped down
Oh Blow my bully boys blow Huh
Soon may the Wellerman come
To bring us sugar and tea and rum
When down on her a right whale bore
The captain called all hands and swore]
It is the story of a group of sailors setting sail on a long voyage.
The temperature was low, and the paper cup in his hand gradually cooled. Rainwater splashed down, soaking his trousers. Lu Lin continued to stare at Yan Heqing. After a moment, he spoke, "What's the song title?"
"Wellerman. It is said that the background of this song is from the 18th century, when a fishing boat was chasing a whale. It harpooned the whale's tail badly, but still failed to catch it. They fought it at sea for a long time, trying to catch the whale." Yan Heqing chewed something, his left cheek puffed out slightly, which made him look more youthful.