Still Frame Chapter 35
byChapter 35: Less Than Lovers
Zhang Liuxin was pinned to the spot by that sentence, only able to hope that Li Hangzhou was drunk. Fortunately, he leaned over and saw that Li Hangzhou was indeed squinting, his ears and cheeks flushed red, looking completely intoxicated.
The night wind made Zhang Liuxin feel a little cold, and he reluctantly moved to the other end of the bench.
He wasn’t actually surprised, or rather, Li Hangzhou hadn’t tried to hide it. Zhang Liuxin wasn’t an idiot; he naturally understood what Li Hangzhou meant.
But hearing the words spoken aloud still inevitably stirred ripples in his heart.
After a while, Li Hangzhou felt the cold, slowly opened his eyes, rubbed them, and mumbled his name incoherently: “Liuxin, where is this?”
It seemed he didn’t remember what he had said in his daze just now. Zhang Liuxin unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief and quickly helped him up: “We’re back at school. It’s too cold outside, let’s hurry back to the dorm.”
“Mm, okay.”
Li Hangzhou nodded blankly. Although his steps were unsteady, he could walk on his own. Zhang Liuxin had been somewhat nervous, but he noticed that Li Hangzhou’s expression was normal, just a little dizzy.
The two walked back to the dorm in silence. When they parted ways at the dorm entrance, Zhang Liuxin asked him, “Are you alright? Your dorm should be empty.”
Li Hangzhou took two seconds to react, then smiled and shook his head: “I’m fine, you go back.”
At this point, he didn’t look drunk anymore. Zhang Liuxin couldn’t gauge the situation, so he just said, “Then don’t take a shower. If anything happens, text me, or knock on the door.”
“Mm, got it.”
Only after watching Li Hangzhou enter his dorm and close the door did Zhang Liuxin withdraw his gaze.
He didn’t sleep well that night. If Li Hangzhou hadn’t called his name, he could have pretended Li Hangzhou had mistaken him for someone else. But judging by Li Hangzhou’s past reactions, he clearly hadn’t made a mistake. Therefore, he couldn’t completely ignore Li Hangzhou’s “I like you.” But whether Li Hangzhou was sober or not, and how he should interact with him in the future… he didn’t know.
He didn’t see Li Hangzhou in class the next day. Most of the boys had gotten drunk the night before. A few managed to drag themselves to class, a few took sick leave, and the remaining bolder ones simply skipped.
Li Hangzhou belonged to the last category. The teacher noticed the low attendance and took roll call. He was surprised that Li Hangzhou had cut class and even asked his roommate, who also didn’t know where he was.
Just as the teacher was about to pull out his phone, Tian Ke raised his hand and volunteered that Li Hangzhou had acute gastroenteritis that morning and he had taken him to the hospital, so they hadn’t had time to ask for leave.
His expression was earnest and his tone certain, so the teacher didn’t doubt him further, only asking him to submit a sick note later.
Their dorm wasn’t sitting together today; they were quite far apart. When Zhang Liuxin looked over, he met Tian Ke’s eyes. Tian Ke’s eyes were a little red. Zhang Liuxin remembered that Tian Ke had returned to the dorm past midnight last night, so he probably hadn’t slept well.
The teacher played a documentary for them during this class. Zhang Liuxin was initially distracted, but when a familiar face appeared on the screen, he snapped back to attention, his eyes widening slightly.
Unfortunately, the teacher didn’t have time to introduce them one by one, only suggesting they research them in their spare time.
After class, the students rushed out like a stream of smoke. Zhang Liuxin caught up with the teacher and asked who the green-eyed reporter was.
“Daping.”
In the sunlight, Zhang Liuxin’s eyes were a dreamy, clear green. The teacher was momentarily stunned, then smiled: “He is a veteran war correspondent. He is from Bernlin State. Speaking of which, you must have some Bernlin blood too. I noticed you on the first day of class when you sat in the front row—green eyes, very unique.”
“Yes, I…” He cut himself off, swallowing the word “mother,” and continued, “I do have some Bernlin State heritage. Where is Mr. Daping now?”
The teacher didn’t expect him to be so interested and said, “Probably in Xiwu? Things have been unstable there recently. You can search for his reports.”
“Okay, thank you, Teacher.” Zhang Liuxin jotted it down in his phone’s memo app.
The teacher patted his shoulder: “So interested in war correspondents? Do you plan to enter this field? It’s not easy.”
Zhang Liuxin nodded: “Yes, nothing is impossible in the world.”
“Then you need to work hard. Learn a few more foreign languages; they’ll all be useful later,” the teacher glanced at his watch. “I have another class, so I’ll be going. If you have any more questions, you can come to my office in the college building, Room 212 on the second floor.”
After bidding the teacher farewell, Zhang Liuxin opened his browser as he walked. He hadn’t gone far when someone blocked his path.
“Zhang Liuxin,” Zhang Qiannan’s voice was still the same, carrying a light, lazy quality. “Did you block me? When did you get so bold?”
Passersby looked their way, and Zhang Liuxin’s nerves instantly tightened.
“Don’t be so nervous.”
Zhang Qiannan suddenly flashed a sweet, affectionate smile, as if they were close, intimate brothers: “Let’s go. Zhang Jiming booked a table outside tonight. We’re going out for dinner.”
Zhang Liuxin didn’t know what trick he was up to. He and Zhang Qiannan rarely crossed paths at school, and even when they did, the other treated him like air. He didn’t know why Zhang Qiannan had sought him out at his academic building today.
Zhang Liuxin had just pulled out his phone when Zhang Qiannan snatched it away. Remembering that Wen Jin was in his chat list, he immediately tried to grab it back.
“Zhang Qiannan,” Zhang Liuxin called his name in a low voice, “Give me back my phone.”
Zhang Qiannan had always been like this since childhood. Although Zhang Liuxin owned very little compared to Zhang Qiannan—a difference of ten thousand miles—Zhang Qiannan just loved to snatch things. Since they were children, he had taken it for granted that Zhang Liuxin’s things belonged to the Zhang family, and what belonged to the Zhang family naturally belonged to him.
“Wait.”
The other scrolled through the chat list. Zhang Liuxin’s heart was in his throat. Fortunately, Zhang Qiannan finally clicked on his own conversation thread.
Zhang Liuxin snatched his phone back and tapped the screen: “I didn’t block you.”
Zhang Qiannan gave him an annoyed, disdainful look: “Then you saw my message and didn’t reply.”
Zhang Liuxin was speechless: “Is there anything we need to talk about?”
Zhang Qiannan was the kind of person whose appearance and demeanor stood out. Walking with him on campus, passersby always took a second look. Zhang Liuxin hated this feeling—the feeling of being scrutinized alongside Zhang Qiannan.
“Why didn’t Dad tell me we were going out to eat?” Only after getting into the car did Zhang Liuxin realize that Zhang Jiming hadn’t contacted him. Could this be another one of Zhang Qiannan’s pranks?
“Why would I lie to you?”
As soon as Zhang Qiannan got into the car, he started fixing his hair in the mirror. Zhang Liuxin noticed that he was dressed very meticulously today.
Zhang Liuxin immediately had a bad feeling. When the car stopped outside the restaurant, this premonition intensified. Zhang Liuxin had heard of this restaurant; it was reservation-only for members and was rumored to have previously catered banquets for the State Committee’s Foreign Affairs Department. Even with Zhang Jiming’s status, it wasn’t easy to book.
Meanwhile, Zhang Liuxin was only wearing a simple hoodie and jeans, making him look out of place in the restaurant.
“Don’t be nervous, Ge.”
Zhang Qiannan flashed a soft, sweet smile, his eyes slightly curved, looking to be in excellent spirits. But Zhang Liuxin felt a chill down his spine, and his eyelids twitched violently.
A waiter opened the private room door for them. Only Zhang Jiming and Ren Shuyun were seated inside, which slightly relieved Zhang Liuxin. Then he heard Zhang Jiming’s dissatisfied voice: “Nannan, you said you’d be late—was it to pick him up?”
Ren Shuyun also frowned, looking at Zhang Liuxin with the same expression one might use for a dusty puppy—a hint of disdain—and quickly looked away, as if his eyes were being dirtied.
Zhang Liuxin took half a step back, wanting to turn and leave, but Zhang Qiannan grabbed him and pressed him into a nearby seat. Zhang Qiannan smiled sweetly and hooked his arm around Ren Shuyun’s: “Isn’t today a family dinner? Of course, Ge has to come.”
Ren Shuyun couldn’t resist his son’s spoiled tone. He placed a teacup in front of him and affectionately patted his cheek: “You rascal. Here, drink some water.”
Zhang Jiming, helpless against his wife and son, could only vent his frustration on Zhang Liuxin, criticizing him profusely for being shabbily dressed and inappropriate.
Zhang Liuxin knew there was no benefit in defying him in this setting, so he lowered his head and played the part of a shrinking quail, hoping this inexplicable dinner would end soon.
However, Zhang Jiming usually couldn’t book a restaurant like this. What was the occasion today?
A moment later, the door opened, and in walked a dignified and poised woman. Zhang Liuxin often saw her on the news and knew she was the famous diplomat, surnamed Lü. Following her was naturally her son, Lü Zixia.
Zhang Liuxin frowned in confusion. Why would Zhang Jiming arrange a meeting with the Lü family?
“Madam Lü, it’s an honor,” Zhang Jiming greeted her eagerly. Madam Lü was polite enough to shake his hand.
Unlike the formally dressed Zhang Qiannan, Lü Zixia was dressed casually. He scanned the room with narrowed eyes, finally giving Zhang Qiannan a slight nod.
“Zixia, did you go cycling again?” Zhang Qiannan asked softly, his tone perfectly modulated. “You always drive too fast; it’s a bit dangerous.”
Madam Lü chuckled upon hearing this: “Qiannan, talk some sense into this brat. No one in our family can control him now.”
Lü Zixia casually pulled out a chair and sat next to Zhang Liuxin, his tone flippant: “It’s not too fast, Mom. Rest assured.”
The smile on Zhang Qiannan’s lips stiffened. He was about to suggest switching seats with Zhang Liuxin when he saw Lü Zixia pick up a teacup and slowly take a sip.
Madam Lü’s gaze shifted to Zhang Liuxin. Zhang Jiming cleared his throat and said, “This is my eldest son, Liuxin. Liuxin, quickly greet Auntie Lü.”
The gaze of an excellent diplomat always carried significant weight. Zhang Liuxin felt an invisible pressure.
“Hello, Auntie Lü. I am Zhang Liuxin.”
Madam Lü nodded, offering a gentle smile: “Hello. A very proper child.”
Zhang Liuxin finally relaxed a little. However, he still didn’t understand the purpose of this dinner until the dishes were served and they began eating, and Zhang Jiming mentioned several business deals. Only then did he realize that the dinner was arranged to ask Madam Lü to act as a go-between.
Midway through, Zhang Qiannan proactively served food to Lü Zixia, seeming to know his preferences well. It appeared that Zhang Jiming’s ability to invite Madam Lü was largely thanks to Zhang Qiannan, relying on the relationship between Zhang Qiannan and Lü Zixia to secure Madam Lü’s private time.
Zhang Liuxin had to admit he admired Zhang Qiannan somewhat. Lü Zixia looked like the kind of person who was difficult to approach, yet Zhang Qiannan managed to maintain such a harmonious relationship with him.
“I’ll have my secretary set up a meeting for next week to gather with CEO Guan and the others.” Madam Lü finally decided. Zhang Jiming raised his wine glass and toasted her with a smile.
“It’s nothing. Zixia and Qiannan have known each other since they were children,” Madam Lü said. “Besides, there’s also Xiao Zhuo’s side. We need to keep in close contact in the future.”
Zhang Jiming’s smile deepened upon hearing this, and he repeatedly said, “Yes, that’s the truth.”
The table was filled with cheerful camaraderie, and Zhang Liuxin suddenly felt that the food at this restaurant wasn’t actually that good.