Chapter 21: Childish Fool

Huo Zhanyan was truly a handful.

By the time Wen Xiao realized this, he was already, as expected, crammed into the same seven-seater business van with three of the four boys from the "F4" of his childhood.

Wen Xiao sat in the back row, flanked by Leng Shucheng on his left and Song Jingbai on his right. The middle row remained empty, occupied by cardboard boxes that no one had bothered to move.

Huo Zhanyan was still pressed against the passenger-side window, refusing to budge. "I don't care! I want the front seat!" he shouted.

Even someone as mild-mannered as Wen Xulai was driven to an exasperated laugh. He pulled Huo Zhanyan’s hands off the window, yanked open the rear door, and shoved the boxes aside to clear a seat.

"At your age, you still want the front seat? Get in the back and sit down properly," Wen Xulai said, adjusting his glasses with a rare flash of coldness. "If you don't sit still, you aren't going."

"We're leaving. Everyone buckle up. Let me see who isn't wearing their seatbelt."

Wen Xiao buckled his belt slowly, his mind racing with the thought of just opening the door and walking away. He didn't really want to go to the hospital anyway. And once they arrived, they’d be meeting up with Wei Nanxing. The thought of all four of them in one place made Wen Xiao feel like he might spontaneously combust.

He sat in the middle of the back row because, when they had boarded, Leng Shucheng had claimed the window seat on the left immediately, while Song Jingbai had stood by the door, insisting with a polite gesture that Wen Xiao go first. Wen Xulai had been deeply moved by this display of profound camaraderie between classmates, urging Wen Xiao to hurry up.

With Leng Shucheng refusing to budge and Song Jingbai insisting on his manners, the two of them were perhaps both a little touched in the head.

Once seated, Leng Shucheng rested his elbow on the window ledge, staring outside without so much as a glance at the others. Wen Xiao caught a glimpse of his profile: golden hair that made his skin look impossibly pale, and eyes of a blue-green hue like a shallow, sunlit sea. Most striking were the dark circles under his eyes, which stood out sharply against his fair complexion. Had he been out catching mice all night?

Huo Zhanyan, meanwhile, was busy prodding everything in Wen Xulai’s van. "Huo Zhanyan, don't go running off when we get there. Don't forget what you promised. If you cause trouble, you aren't coming out next time—no matter what you say."

"Oh..." Huo Zhanyan pulled his hands back, bored, and began to stare at the back row, his brow furrowed.

Wen Xiao glanced at him. Whatever medicine he’d used, the swelling that had made his face look like a pig’s head had already subsided enough that he was presentable.

"Are you going to the autumn field trip?" Huo Zhanyan asked. "I heard Moon God Valley has tons of fun stuff. It’s got the biggest amusement park in Jinhai City—flying chairs, bumper cars, pirate ships, and a haunted house. You definitely haven't been!"

Huo Zhanyan had it all planned out. The pirate ship, bumper cars, and haunted house were his specialties. If Wen Xiao got scared, he could step in and show off his masculine charm, forcing Wen Xiao to stick close to him. Surely then, Wen Xiao would stop glaring and cursing at him; maybe they could even be friends.

Wen Xiao felt a chill at the way Huo Zhanyan was looking at him. "Whether I go or not is none of your business. And turn your head back around."

Huo Zhanyan grew emboldened, lifting his chin and sniffing disdainfully. "No! I won't! I'm not doing it!"

Wen Xiao felt his hands itching to slap the swelling right back onto Huo Zhanyan’s face. The boy’s expression screamed, "Come and hit me."

"The more you don't want to see me, the more I'm going to make you look at me every single day!" Huo Zhanyan said, looking smug as he pointed at himself. "You can't get rid of me."

Song Jingbai shot him a look. "Stop being such an eyesore in front of my desk mate."

"Who are you calling an eyesore? Besides, once he's my friend, he won't be your desk mate anymore. Just you wait!"

Song Jingbai smiled, eyes narrowing. "You’d better wait for your next life, then."

"That's enough, Huo Zhanyan. If you keep making noise, I’m taking you back to school."

Hearing this from Wen Xulai, Huo Zhanyan reluctantly turned his head back. Wen Xulai sighed in relief, finding Huo Zhanyan a bit more obedient than before. In the past, the boy wouldn't listen to anyone. Ever since they’d buried the kitten together and taken a photo, he seemed less unruly. Two days had passed, and no one had complained about him fighting or bullying classmates. Children at this age were full of energy and curiosity, their attention easily diverted. Maybe he’d just found something else to focus on. As long as he stayed out of trouble at school, that was all that mattered.

On the ride, Song Jingbai occasionally spoke to Wen Xiao, but there was absolute silence from the left. Wen Xiao couldn't be bothered to care about the young master Leng Shucheng’s situation; it felt as if he had carved out a private space for himself within the crowded van.

Suddenly, Wen Xiao felt a weight on his shoulder as a shadow leaned against him. He froze, turning into a statue. Looking down, he saw that Leng Shucheng had fallen asleep, his head resting unconsciously on Wen Xiao’s shoulder.

From this angle, he could see the boy’s long, fine lashes and a sleeping expression that was almost unnervingly well-behaved. He could even hear his steady breathing. Leng Shucheng asleep was entirely different from when he was awake. Awake, he was a mirror image of his future self—cold, arrogant, his head held at a haughty angle as if looking down on everyone.

Wen Xiao just found it rare, and after a few curious glances, he reached out and shook him awake. He wasn't a free pillow, and Leng Shucheng’s head was heavy. It was better to wake him up and let him lean against the window.

"Wake up," Wen Xiao said.

Leng Shucheng blinked, his blue-green eyes unfocused for a moment before he looked up and locked eyes with Wen Xiao. He realized his position—leaning against someone—and jerked away, his eyes widening in alarm. He quickly turned his head, staring fixedly out the window, resting his chin on his hand to cover his mouth.

Wen Xiao had forgotten the incident, but just as they were about to get off, he heard two cold, stiff words: "Sorry."

Leng Shucheng hopped out of the car and walked quickly to Wen Xulai’s side, as if hiding from something. Wen Xiao thought the boy must have been born to be an aristocrat or a prince; otherwise, why did his "thank yous" and "sorrys" sound so awkward?

"I heard that besides school, Leng Shucheng has over a dozen enrichment classes. No wonder he’s so tired," Song Jingbai remarked.

Wen Xiao felt a headache coming on at the mention of a dozen classes. He felt like he was witnessing a "chicken-baby" in the flesh. If he were subjected to that many classes every day, he’d probably lose his smile, too.

Jinhai City People’s Hospital was near the bustling district. Wen Xulai parked near a flower shop and a mall to buy some fruit and flowers. You couldn't visit a hospital empty-handed.

The flower shop was small but cozy, with a sign made of orange and green fabric. Flower racks lined the entrance, filled with potted plants, and a wooden board nearby announced the day’s floral specials.

Wen Xiao suddenly spotted a familiar figure inside—a thin, small child holding a flowerpot, trying to place it in the sunlight near the window. As soon as Wen Xiao recognized where he had seen him before, the child’s eyes lit up, and he trotted over.

"Do you need any flowers?" The child’s face was flushed, his large, round eyes expressive. He hid his hands behind his back, looking nervous.

"I don't," Wen Xiao said, looking him over. "You aren't wearing that shirt?" It was the same child he had encountered in the Jiaoxi District.

"I... I was afraid of getting it dirty, so I left it at home," the child said, bowing his head as if he had committed a crime.

Wen Xiao looked at the shop. The last time he saw the child, he hadn't even had decent clothes. This shop probably didn't belong to his family. "Are you helping out here?" Child labor was illegal and carried fines.

"Auntie Wang said as long as I tell people I’m her relative, I can help out. She doesn't actually make me work." Wen Xiao felt a pang of complexity; the child had sold himself out so easily, even admitting they weren't related.

"And it’s great here! It’s only six bus stops away, and I don't have to pay..." The child’s voice rose with excitement, as if he loved riding the bus.

Wen Xiao: ...

He realized the child didn't have to pay because he was under 1.2 meters tall.

Huo Zhanyan, who had been annoyed that Wen Xiao was talking to this "weakling" while ignoring him, let out a scoff. "You're happy just to ride a bus? How poor is your family? I get picked up by a driver every day..."

"Did anyone ask you?" Wen Xiao glared at him, noticing the child looked on the verge of tears.

Auntie Wang, who was busy wrapping flowers for Wen Xulai, looked over and realized Xiao Heng was chatting with these children who clearly weren't from ordinary families. She used to have a shop in the Jiaoxi District, but after making some money, she moved here, where business was better. Knowing the situation at Xiao Heng’s home, she had offered to let him help out for some pocket money and a meal, since he was at an age where he was growing. The boy was sweet-tongued and adorable, and customers often bought more flowers when he was around. However, because his parents were reluctant, Xiao Heng didn't come by as often.

Song Jingbai leaned in close, nearly pressing against Wen Xiao. "I didn't expect you two to know each other."

"We don't. I've only seen him once," Wen Xiao said. The child hung his head, looking disappointed. But it was true—they didn't know each other; they didn't even know each other’s names.

Wen Xulai had finished wrapping the flowers and called for them to leave. Wen Xiao offered a simple goodbye, but as he turned, the child walked up and tucked a small jasmine bud into his brooch.

After they left, Auntie Wang asked curiously, "Xiao Heng, do you know those kids?"