Nanke Yifu Chapter 9

Seeking Chi Fu’s Whereabouts (9)

Chi Fu didn’t really know how to comfort someone in this situation. If it were anyone else, he could offer a few nice, superficial words, but he didn’t want to be superficial with Yan Laixi, nor did he think Yan Laixi needed comfort. So, he simply spoke about things related to the current topic, focusing on himself.

“You might not believe me, but I don’t have an Anomaly,” Chi Fu said. “Or rather, I still don’t know what my Anomaly is.”

He joked, “Maybe it has absolutely no effect on daily life, so I haven’t noticed it, or maybe the trigger conditions haven’t been met yet. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll suddenly drop dead while eating?”

Yan Laixi seemed quite displeased with this statement, his brow furrowing slightly, his tone carrying a hint of reproach: “Why would you curse yourself like that?”

“I’m not cursing myself.” Chi Fu immediately put on a smiling face and leaned in to appease him. “Don’t be mad, don’t be mad. That was indeed inappropriate, I won’t say that anymore.”

“I’m not mad.” Realizing his reaction was a bit excessive, Yan Laixi softened his expression. He wanted to push Chi Fu, who was clinging to him, away slightly, but then felt that doing so would make it seem like he was being contrary and still sulking, so he let him stay.

In fact, there was no need to overthink things when dealing with Chi Fu.

“Really not mad? Can I say one more thing then?”

Yan Laixi was amused by this remark, which was either completely oblivious or perfectly atmosphere-breaking, and nodded his permission.

“I really don’t think that counts as cursing myself,” Chi Fu said. “Think about it: suddenly dropping dead is better than suffering half-alive, right? Besides, even if I were to drop dead, that’s a future event, it has nothing to do with now. And I’ve lived so many years without anything happening; dying suddenly without experiencing any pain is actually better than what many people go through. Of course, I’m not wishing to drop dead—living a long, healthy life is definitely the best outcome.”

“Don’t you ever worry? Whether about death or life, worrying about the Anomaly suddenly appearing, worrying about a situation it causes that you can’t accept,” Yan Laixi asked.

“Well, I don’t know what it is, so worrying in advance is useless,” Chi Fu replied. “I might as well just assume it’s too subtle for me to notice. Or maybe I actually have an Identical Twin brother?”

“As for me…” Yan Laixi stretched his arms out, leaning back against the sofa, and said, “I worry that it will suddenly steal the time I have left before I finish what I need to do. I worry that after letting me experience two decades of a healthy life, it will then cast me into hell. I worry that it will take away things that are very important to me.”

“I worry about a lot of things,” Yan Laixi said, looking at Chi Fu. “Even in the scenario you mentioned, I would worry about whether I might be part of that small fraction who develops the same or similar symptoms.”

“See, this is where you need to learn from me, right?” Chi Fu said shamelessly. “If you can think positively, you should. Since the facts won’t change no matter how you think, you might as well choose the way that makes you happiest.”

“Then allow me to consult Teacher Chi,” Yan Laixi teased cooperatively. “What about when the bad situation actually happens? What if you have no psychological preparation beforehand and the shock is too great?”

“Ahem.” Chi Fu cleared his throat and played along. “Here’s the key point, take notes. As the saying goes, ‘The cart will find its way up the mountain, and the boat will straighten itself out at the bridge.’ If there’s no road, you can still climb, and if you can’t straighten out, you can swim. Leave future problems for your future self to solve. As for psychological preparation, when the time truly comes, those who can accept it will accept it without preparation, and those who can’t accept it won’t, even with preparation.”

“I see,” Yan Laixi said, feigning sudden enlightenment, then added, “In that case, Teacher Chi, shall we consider the present?”

He gestured toward the window. In the span of a few sentences, the light drizzle had turned into rain pouring down as if water were being dumped from the sky. Yan Laixi said, “Going out in this weather, an umbrella is just decoration, and a raincoat is just a moisturizing film. What did you want to say we should eat tonight?”

“You don’t ask Teacher Chi, you ask Chef Chi.” Chi Fu jumped off the sofa, made a motion of adjusting a chef’s hat to signify the identity switch, and happily padded toward the kitchen. “Let’s see what’s left from this morning’s shopping, and check the fridge. If I don’t find what you want, I’ll go out and buy it. The rain is fine; I can wash the vegetables on the way back.”

“Will washing the vegetables also wash you?” Yan Laixi followed and pulled him back. “Take a break. I didn’t invite you here to be my hourly worker. We just finished lunch, the next meal is still a long way off.”

That afternoon, accompanied by the sound of rain, they chatted about everything under the sun, occasionally playing small, spontaneous games, or simply lounging together, passing the time aimlessly until the sky grew completely dark. They were like old friends visiting each other’s homes, which, in reality, they were.

The noise outside the window persisted, continuing until the dining table was once again filled with delicious food, and continuing until the tabletop was clean and tidy again. Even when the hour hand pointed between seven and eight, there was no sign of the rain letting up.

Chi Fu wasn’t worried at all about how he would leave later, but Yan Laixi was concerned for him.

“Is it convenient for you to get back to school from here?” Yan Laixi looked out the window and asked Chi Fu. “Should I boil some ginger soup for you to take? I don’t have a thermos, so you’ll have to heat it up yourself when you get back. Be careful not to catch a cold.”

“It’s quite convenient. One trip on the Maglev Transit from here, no transfers needed,” Chi Fu said. “But you don’t need to make ginger soup. I’m a Day Student, I can cook it myself when I get home.”

Chi Fu hadn’t mentioned where he lived, and Yan Laixi hadn’t asked, subconsciously assuming he lived in a distant district. No matter how convenient the Transit Rail was, the stations couldn’t be set up at everyone’s doorstep. In such terrible weather, and with the hour late, letting him brave the rain to the station, and then brave the rain home after getting off the train—Yan Laixi couldn’t bear the thought. Not only would he feel bad, but Yan Laixi was slightly older than Chi Fu and sometimes unconsciously treated him like a child. He couldn’t shake the worry. Besides, Chi Fu was a Day Student, and getting to his school from here was very easy.

“Do you have class tomorrow? Why don’t you stay the night here? It’s convenient for you to get to school,” Yan Laixi tentatively invited Chi Fu to stay. Although he had loosened up considerably throughout the day, he still felt a little nervous at this moment, explaining with averted eyes, “The rain outside is too heavy, and it’s dark. It’s inconvenient and unsafe for you to go home. Since it’s close to your school from here, why don’t you stay the night? We’re about the same height and build, and I have a few new clothes in my closet that you can wear. I also have new toiletries. For sleeping tonight…”

Yan Laixi glanced at Chi Fu and couldn’t continue.

He thought he saw a quickly wagging dog tail behind Chi Fu.

Yan Laixi knew without being told: far from being unwilling to stay, Chi Fu was practically ecstatic.

Chi Fu pounced onto the sofa, hugged a cushion, looked up at Yan Laixi, and said, “You promised! You can’t go back on your word! This is my little nest tonight!”

“I won’t go back on my word,” Yan Laixi said, watching the person on the sofa wriggle with delight. “If you like it here, you can come over anytime. Just let me know in advance, in case I’m not home and you can’t get in.”

“Really?” The stars in Chi Fu’s eyes brightened even more. He scrambled up from the sofa, spread his arms wide, and hugged Yan Laixi, his voice full of excitement. “Nanke, you are too kind! Can I come often? I won’t come empty-handed; I’ll cook you lots of delicious food. From today on, I’m your exclusive chef!”

“You can come often even if you come empty-handed,” Yan Laixi said, patting Chi Fu. “Alright, alright, stop pressing down on me, I’m going to lose my balance.”

“If you have time, why don’t you come to my place too?” Chi Fu whined pitifully. “I live alone, and it gets lonely.”

Hearing him mention living alone, Yan Laixi realized he had forgotten to ask if Chi Fu needed to inform his parents about not coming home, but now there was no need to ask.

Chi Fu claimed to be lonely, but Yan Laixi couldn’t see any sign of it. Although Chi Fu was much more outgoing than he was, even based on their limited understanding, Yan Laixi felt that the other person probably enjoyed solitary life just as much as he did. However, he was very willing to accept the invitation.

“Sure, let us two lonely young people living alone keep each other company,” Yan Laixi said. “By the way, where do you live?”

Chi Fu: “I won’t tell you yet.”

Yan Laixi found this amusing. He was the one who invited him, yet now he wouldn’t reveal his location. He asked, “Why?”

Chi Fu said, “I’m afraid if you know, you won’t let me stay tonight.”

“Is your home actually closer to your school than mine is?” Yan Laixi guessed.

“No, it’s not,” Chi Fu said, leaning back on the sofa with one foot on the ground and the other dangling casually.

“Just tell me. I said you can come whenever you want, I wasn’t just humoring you,” Yan Laixi insisted. “Besides, if you go out in this rain, you’ll get soaked. No matter where you live, I wouldn’t let you leave.”

“Actually, I live in Chaozhi District,” Chi Fu said. “And I’m right near the border with Chaoyuan District.”

Chaoyuan District, where Yan Laixi lived, bordered Chaoyi District to the south, and Chaozhi District was west of Chaoyi District. The districts were generally divided by straight lines, as the continent was circular, and the four major regions—Xiao, Chao, Chu, and Le—divided the area, excluding the World Tree, into four equal parts using four straight lines. Perhaps to balance the land area slightly, the large fan shape had three corners cut off, and the remaining six districts were divided by two vertical lines and three staggered horizontal line segments forming a concave shape.

The intersection between Chaozhi District and Chaoyuan District was that staggered point. And Yan Laixi’s home was also close to the border with Chaozhi District.

Without Chi Fu needing to give a more specific address, Yan Laixi could confirm, “It’s that close?”

“Not extremely close,” Chi Fu said. “If we take the Maglev Transit, we still have to transfer.”

Yan Laixi: “You always have to transfer when crossing districts on the Maglev Transit.”

“I don’t care, I don’t care. Anyway, you promised I can come here whenever I want,” Chi Fu lay flat, monopolizing the entire sofa with his body. “This place belongs to me now. Next time I come, I’ll bring a small sign: ‘Chi Fu’s Little Nest at Yan Laixi’s House.'”

“Then find a little nest for me at your place too,” Yan Laixi said. “If I ever visit and it rains so I can’t leave, I’ll sleep there.”

Chi Fu complained playfully, “Can’t you stay even if it’s not raining?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Yan Laixi walked over and ruffled his hair. “Are you twenty or twelve? Why do you like to act spoiled so much?”

“My birthday is late, so I’m nineteen now,” Chi Fu said. “I can’t be ninety, so I’m nine.”

Yan Laixi felt that the longer he spent with Chi Fu, the more his own psychological age seemed to regress. If it regressed, so be it; he was having fun anyway. “You know so much at nine years old? That’s amazing, isn’t it?”

Chi Fu: “I’m a prodigy.”

“Is that so,” Yan Laixi said. “Then, prodigy, please solve the research topic that I failed to make any substantial progress on throughout high school.”

Mentioning Yan Laixi’s past piqued Chi Fu’s interest. He flipped over onto his stomach on the sofa, propped up his upper body with his elbows, and asked, “What topic? What did you study in high school, Nanke? Did you go to university? Was it the same as what you studied in high school?”

“It was about the world outside The Wall,” Yan Laixi said, then chuckled when he saw Chi Fu blinking at him. “Yes, I went to university. It was different from high school. In university, I studied Anomaly Control. In high school, I studied The Wall and its surrounding waters.”

The large continent beneath their feet was surrounded by endless water, but this water actually had an end: The Wall. It was an invisible yet tangible substance, spherical, enveloping the entire continent. This indestructible material existed all around, underground, and overhead.

“It was essentially studying professional knowledge related to the water domain. Although it all involved ‘The Wall,’ the classes were actually divided into things like fishing, aquaculture, and water quality management,” Yan Laixi said. “After all, no matter how much you study how to research The Wall, there’s no employment path, is there? And like my topic, what’s outside The Wall? I probably won’t know even after I die.”

“Then why did you study Anomaly Control in university, and now you’re… writing novels?” Chi Fu asked. People changing majors in university wasn’t uncommon, but changing as thoroughly as Yan Laixi was rare, especially since he didn’t end up working in that field.

“That’s why my current job is an accident,” Yan Laixi said. “Before high school, maybe partly due to the influence of my own Anomaly, I was always quite interested in mysterious, inexplicable things. And I was genuinely curious whether Feng Su truly existed, and if he did, whether he was on the other side of The Wall. As for university, I chose to go because I didn’t know what job I wanted, and I didn’t want to raise fish. I definitely had to switch. As for why I chose Anomaly Control, I wanted to see if I could slightly control my own Anomaly, even just a little—I wanted to control my Dream.”

“What about you? Why did you continue university?” Yan Laixi asked.

“Similar to you,” Chi Fu said. “I actually wanted to open a small bar, but I was hesitant then, thinking I couldn’t sustain it. I’m quite a three-minute-enthusiast, you’re the exception. Anyway, I kept hesitating, so I continued school.”

“Open one when you graduate. Remember to invite me,” Yan Laixi said. “Being a three-minute-enthusiast is fine. You know so many things. If you want to mix drinks for a while, sell alcohol. If you want to mix milk tea next, sell milk tea. If you don’t want to sell drinks, you can try selling food? There’s nothing wrong with running a bar that’s least like a bar. It’s okay if you don’t want to do it anymore either. You don’t have to stick to what you studied or started. Look at me, what I’m doing now has nothing to do with what I studied, right?”

“Mhm,” Chi Fu said. “But I think, as long as you occasionally visit my little shop, I can keep doing it forever.”

“That would be an honor,” Yan Laixi said, beckoning Chi Fu over, and walking toward the bedroom. “Come and get your things. I can’t just let you sleep covered by the ceiling all night.”

Since it was confirmed he was staying over, they needed to prepare the necessary items so he could just lie down and sleep later.

Yan Laixi took an unused pillow from his own bed for Chi Fu, then asked if he wanted a thin blanket or a slightly thicker one, retrieving it from the closet. He then got out a set of brand new clothes and a towel, telling him where all the various supplies were located.

After they had both taken turns showering and drying their hair, Yan Laixi asked Chi Fu if he would be uncomfortable sleeping on the sofa, offering to let him have the bed, but Chi Fu refused.

Once everything was settled, it was still relatively early, but Chi Fu saw Yan Laixi sitting in front of his computer, so he didn’t disturb him. He quietly turned off the living room light and lay down on the sofa.

He reflected on everything that had happened today, feeling like the entire day had been a Dream. Yan Laixi invited him over, they went grocery shopping together, ate the food he cooked, and Yan Laixi even asked him to stay the night, saying he could come again, and promised to visit his house sometime.

Perhaps because he woke up too early that morning, or perhaps because his emotions had been running high all day, Chi Fu fell into a deep sleep shortly after lying down, completely unbothered by sleeping in a strange place, feeling no discomfort whatsoever.

Yan Laixi heard silence outside the door, secretly peeked out, and seeing Chi Fu asleep, he quietly closed his bedroom door, moving as lightly as possible. For him, the night was just the beginning of the day.

Having gone to bed too early the previous night, Chi Fu woke up before his alarm clock went off the next morning. The first thing he did was turn off the alarm, afraid of waking Yan Laixi.

He quietly tidied himself up and made breakfast with as little noise as possible, planning to leave it on the table so Yan Laixi could eat when he woke up. As he turned around holding the plate, he nearly dropped it in fright.

Yan Laixi, drawn by the aroma, poked half his body out of the bedroom doorway and asked, “Is there some for me?”

He didn’t look like he had just woken up, making it highly unlikely that Chi Fu had woken him. Chi Fu asked, “Why are you awake so early?”

Yan Laixi: “I’m not. I haven’t slept yet.”

Yan Laixi pointed at the plate in his hand and asked again, “So, is there some for me?”

The two of them shared breakfast. As Chi Fu was leaving, Yan Laixi sat at the table, resting his chin on his hand, watching Chi Fu at the door, and said, “See you next time.”

“See you next time.”