Chapter 38 Part 1

This is the downside of knowing someone for many years; any slight incongruity is immediately caught.

He Lezhi had never set himself up as an overly ambitious person since he was young. In school, it was good enough to be an above-average student, get into a decent university, and find a decent job afterward.

After starting work, he had a period of clear-headed focus where he put all his energy into getting a certificate. Although the Registered Electrical Engineer Certificate wasn't as valuable as it was ten years ago, it still allowed him to earn a good income in his industry with ease. If he delved a little deeper into his field, did a bit of work, and got a bonus at the end of the year, that was quite good.

Although his daily work wasn't difficult and he could handle more when the company was busy, it was impossible for him to love his job to the point of fighting for overtime or business trips.

So, for him to volunteer for a business trip, it meant he had his own little scheme in mind.

"Planning to do all the work at your company?" Han Fangchi asked him.

"That's impossible..." He Lezhi followed behind him towards the kitchen, muttering to himself, "Our company is profitable, and the leadership has a lot of resources."

"A leadership with a lot of resources, plus an ambitious engineer like you," Han Fangchi glanced back at him, "Thriving and prospering."

He Lezhi had been feeling a bit guilty, but now he couldn't help but laugh at Han Fangchi's words. "Don't mock me," he said.

Han Fangchi said no more. In the kitchen, He Lezhi had already prepared all the ingredients; he just needed to stir-fry a few dishes. There was nothing for Han Fangchi to help with, so he leaned against the refrigerator door and watched.

What was he looking at? He Lezhi didn't dare to look up, and he didn't know either.

"What are you doing this weekend?" Han Fangchi asked.

It was only Wednesday, and he was already asking. He Lezhi hadn't made any plans yet. "I don't know yet," he said.

"I have both days off this weekend," Han Fangchi said.

He Lezhi nodded. "I know."

With his back to Han Fangchi, he heard him say, "Let me know what you arrange."

He Lezhi first said "Okay," then turned back to ask, "Do you have something on?"

"No," Han Fangchi looked at him and said flatly, "I want to hang out with you."

He Lezhi turned his head back and made a sound of acknowledgement. "Mm."

Han Fangchi in his early thirties, compared to when he was in his early twenties, gave He Lezhi a... prickly feeling.

He couldn't be molded or pushed around. He no longer went along with others' wishes and began to have his own ideas. His eyes often held a probing look, and he would throw in a few sharp remarks now and then.

'Hard to handle.' He Lezhi lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, thinking to himself.

Ning Ken also started a group chat with the eight people they usually played ball with, using it to organize games.

He @-mentioned He Lezhi and Han Fangchi. He Lezhi replied: Fangchi and I are available.

Han Fangchi had already reserved his weekend. Although He Lezhi could have made excuses like working overtime or visiting his Little Aunt, there was no need. Besides, if he did, Han Fangchi would have something to say about it.

It was better for him to just keep things simple, so he signed both of them up.

He Lezhi was now very familiar with Ning Ken and the others, so he could come hang out alone without Han Fangchi.

In the group, Ning Ken said: How about the one near Xiao Shang's place? It's new and has fewer people.

Before He Lezhi could say anything, Han Fangchi said: Come to the one near my place.

Ning Ken: Why?

Han Fangchi: Don't want to drive. We can walk there.

Ning Ken: Don't be lazy, you two. Fewer people means it's quieter. The one near your place is too crowded.

Han Fangchi: Then let's go to the one on the Third Ring Road.

Xiao Shang: I'm fine with whatever.

Ning Ken: Why are you being so difficult now, Director Han! Let's just go to the new one.

Han Fangchi: Then find two other people. We're not going. Brother Shang's place is too far for us.

Xiao Shang: Hahahaha.

Ning Ken: Are you frustrated with work? Did your mentor chew you out? Why are you being so annoying?

Han Fangchi: 1

Ning Ken: Fine, the one on the Third Ring Road it is.

He Lezhi watched them chat in the group without participating. A few times, he wanted to say that anywhere was fine, but Han Fangchi replied too quickly, leaving him no chance to send his message.

Ning Ken said Han Fangchi was being difficult, but in reality, Han Fangchi wasn't picky about places, nor did he mind trouble. Only He Lezhi understood that the two courts Han Fangchi mentioned both had private showers, not communal ones.

'I'm the difficult one,' He Lezhi thought.

They had lunch together, then went to play ball in the afternoon.

When they met, Ning Ken again called Han Fangchi annoying. Han Fangchi ignored him, letting him say what he wanted.

He Lezhi found his impervious attitude a bit amusing and smiled.

"Even Lezhi is laughing at you," Ning Ken said.

"No, I'm not," He Lezhi said.

"Wanna be on my team today?" Ning Ken waved at He Lezhi.

He Lezhi glanced at Han Fangchi, who happened to be looking over at that exact moment. "No," He Lezhi said.

He smiled and said, "I'm playing with Fangchi."

"Then get ready to treat us to dinner. I'm craving barbecue," Ning Ken said.

"That's not a given!" He Lezhi pulled a shuttlecock from the tube. "It's not like you've never lost to us."

"Just you wait for a time when Fangchi doesn't come," Ning Ken chuckled. "Don't you dare team up with me then."

He Lezhi said, "Next time is next time's business."

Not counting the years before, he had spent nearly a year in close contact with Han Fangchi since last year. Now, his tone of voice and even his expressions would sometimes resemble Han Fangchi's.

He Lezhi hadn't gotten any proper exercise for a while. With frequent business trips, it was already pretty good if he could squeeze in a run.

Today he was in the backcourt. Ning Ken and Brother Shang both liked to play fast, which required speed and explosive power. He Lezhi broke out in a sweat, his whole body warmed up from running, and he felt great.

He and Han Fangchi barely spoke, nor did they need to. Sometimes their gazes would meet for a moment before they both looked away.

They had finished the last tube of shuttlecocks. During the break, He Lezhi went to look for wet wipes in Han Fangchi's bag.

The bag was on a chair, and He Lezhi was bent over, searching.

"Fangchi," He Lezhi rummaged through the clothes for a while but couldn't find them. "Did you bring any?" he asked.

Han Fangchi was in the middle of a conversation with Ning Ken. Ning Ken had heard that a professor at the hospital wasn't doing well and had just remembered to ask Han Fangchi about it.

Han Fangchi turned his head and said, "I did."

"Found them," He Lezhi said.

On the row of chairs, two students who had just finished a class were sitting next to his spot, waiting for their companion with their backpacks on. When their companion arrived, the two students stood up together.

He Lezhi was still bent over when the kid next to him turned around. The backpack swung in an arc, slamming heavily into He Lezhi's face. The zipper scraped past the corner of his forehead and eye. The sharp impact made He Lezhi's vision go black, and he stumbled back two steps, clutching the side of his eye and forehead.

"Oh my god, are you okay, mister!" The kid was terrified and apologized frantically, "I'm so sorry, so sorry, so sorry!"

"I'm..." He Lezhi remained bent over, unable to open one eye for the moment. He wanted to say he was fine, but he was a bit unwilling to be called "mister" by a kid tall enough to hit him in the face with a backpack just by standing up.

"Are you in middle school?" He Lezhi asked.

"I'm in eighth grade!" The kid was extremely flustered and kept apologizing.