Chapter 23: Friends
Zhu didn’t excel at comforting people. She was a woman of action, having helped many, but mostly those facing practical difficulties. As for troubles of the spirit, Zhu truly had no solution.
After a moment’s thought, Zhu blinked. “If you’re feeling lost, let’s go for a walk together,” she said. She stood up from her seat and tidied her collar.
Few people visited the library on weekends, or rather, almost none. The library only remained open because Zhu preferred staying there to being at home. If there were more meaningful things to do, Zhu wouldn’t choose to laze around in the library playing computer games alone. For Zhu, helping others and solving their problems was her meaning. As Zhu stood up, her long pink hair cascaded down her shoulder like a waterfall, her black eyes shone with light, and a gentle smile graced her face.
Lu Zhiyin looked up at Zhu. She was momentarily dazed but quickly regained her senses. Realizing she had gotten distracted by a game character, Lu Zhiyin’s eyes dimmed. As things stood, she had to admit that this place, compared to the real world, was almost indistinguishable, except for being darker and more chaotic. Everyone here wasn’t an NPC running on a predetermined program, but living people, all created by Ouyang Qing.
Lu Zhiyin had been avoiding a certain thought: that she might very well spend the rest of her life in this terrible world. She didn’t want to admit it, but this ending was very close, terrifyingly close. Lu Zhiyin didn’t hesitate too much and took Zhu’s outstretched hand. The touch was unlike anyone else’s before. Zhu’s hand was warm, her palm soft and smooth, with a wonderful feel. Yet, the fingertips of each finger carried slight calluses. These were her badges of honor from helping countless people.
The librarian’s job was easy, and the Principal’s daughter identity was certainly not without prestige, yet Zhu still allowed her fingers to become rough. She was happy to do so, seeing her acts of helping others as atonement for the sins her father had committed.
“Why are you spacing out? Junior Lu Shiyu,” Zhu said, applying a little force to her hand and pulling Lu Zhiyin up. The address had changed, carrying a hint of teasing and a greater sense of intimacy. Zhu believed that for someone unhappy, somewhat frivolous teasing could often evoke a stronger emotional response.
“…Huh? Ah…” Lu Zhiyin snapped back to attention. She shook her head and, following the force from Zhu’s hand, steadied herself. “Well, perhaps Senior Zhu is just too beautiful.” Flattering words slipped out, and Zhu’s face instantly turned red.
“Ahem.” She coughed twice, went to the counter, turned off the computer, locked the radio and drawers, and pulled a rubber band from her pocket to tie her hair into a high ponytail. Already tall, she looked even more heroic and spirited with her ponytail tied up. It was no wonder that students at school, not just boys, liked her. People like her were generally attractive to everyone.
Lu Zhiyin put her hands in her pockets and quietly walked to the library entrance, waiting patiently. Soon, Zhu also appeared outside the library. She locked the door and then took Lu Zhiyin’s hand. The girl was significantly shorter than her, and her hand was naturally smaller, fitting easily into Zhu’s grasp. Zhu inexplicably felt that the girl beside her was very fragile, even though the girl’s outward appearance was strong. Zhu didn’t know if the girl beside her would be as cheerful and optimistic after her brief moment of confusion, but it didn’t matter. The most important thing right now was to help the girl overcome her confusion.
Holding Lu Zhiyin’s hand, Zhu led her towards the school gate. Lu Zhiyin walked silently, feeling the warmth in Zhu’s palm. The grip on her hand was just right, neither too tight nor too loose, unlike anyone else who had held her hand before. Leng Qing Qiu was rough, treating her like a toy, and Lu Zhiyin hated being looked down upon like that. As for Long Qinxin… Long Qinxin saw Lu Zhiyin as redemption; when facing her, she was mostly cautious, the excessive weight making it difficult to feel at ease. Later, Long Qinxin even made Lu Zhiyin her exclusive property. As for Qin An… alas, Lu Zhiyin didn’t want to talk about that person. Just a childish kid who never grew up. In short, Zhu was the most comfortable person Lu Zhiyin had encountered in a long time. As she walked with Lu Zhiyin, Zhu also considered the difference in their heights, taking smaller steps so Lu Zhiyin could easily keep up. Walking with Zhu made Lu Zhiyin very relaxed.
Unknowingly, they had already left the school and were on a street they had walked countless times before. Zhu led Lu Zhiyin to the restaurant where she usually worked.
“Junior Lu Shiyu, do you usually work here?” Zhu asked, pointing to the restaurant’s sign and turning her head to look at Lu Zhiyin’s face.
“Um… I usually go to the kitchen to wash dishes in the evening. It’s not my working time yet.” After being subjected to so much mistreatment, Lu Zhiyin subconsciously thought the person in front of her wanted her to go to work. Then, she remembered that the person in front of her wasn’t a cruel bastard like Leng Qing Qiu or Ouyang Qing.
“By the way, how do you know where I work, Senior Zhu?” Lu Zhiyin changed the subject.
“Oh, that… well, Junior Lu Shiyu, you’re quite a celebrity at school. My classmates often talk about you,” Zhu paused. “So, I didn’t even need to inquire; I already know pretty much everything about student Lu Shiyu.” Zhu closed her eyes. “Actually, many people like you. You should try to open up to them.” Zhu squeezed Lu Zhiyin’s index finger.
She led Lu Zhiyin into the restaurant. “What would you like to eat?” she asked, looking at the menu on the wall.
“…Anything,” Lu Zhiyin, stunned by Zhu’s recent words, couldn’t even clearly hear what Zhu asked. She just numbly gave an ambiguous reply. Opening up to people… Lu Zhiyin couldn’t do that right now.
“Okay… then, Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Chicken, and two servings of rice.” Zhu waved to the female boss nearby, and the boss quickly noted down Zhu’s order and returned to the kitchen.
“Well, don’t you remember you said you wanted to be friends with me last time? When you feel lonely, come and talk to me, your friend, junior.” Zhu could somewhat sense that Lu Zhiyin had unspeakable difficulties, and she felt powerless about it. After all, she couldn’t force Lu Zhiyin to reveal her secrets, could she? That wouldn’t do.
“Yes, thank you, Senior Zhu,” Lu Zhiyin nodded. Friends… Interacting with Zhu was probably the closest to being friends. Lu Zhiyin leaned on the dining table, debating whether to tell Zhu about Leng Qing Qiu’s threat. After a moment of thought, she gave up the idea.
