Chapter 39: Preparing to live alone

Outside the nursing home, Lin Feng carefully supported the elder and walked alongside him toward the greenhouse.

The greenhouse was a very spacious hall. It was not a small greenhouse where vegetables were simply planted.

Rather, it was large like an entire house, with clear and transparent panels all over its walls and ceilings, allowing unfiltered sunlight to come in and nurture the plants despite the weather outside.

The greenhouse was divided into two rooms.

One room was dedicated to flowers, and there were also benches and small tables scattered throughout the spacious interior. It was clearly a place where people would often stay, sit, and leisurely watch the flowers.

The other room was dedicated to the nursing home’s natural produce. Right now, even in early spring, the vegetables inside were growing very lushly, with a rich variety.

Lin Feng could see rows upon rows of tomatoes, chili peppers, cucumbers, and other potted plants like basil and cilantro.

The boy, mesmerized, stopped in his tracks.

If he had not considered studying ecology to build his own sustainable backyard, he would not have been this astonished and captivated by a mere greenhouse.

But Lin Feng had exactly this kind of dream!

One wall was entirely filled with towers upon towers of hydroponic lettuce and cabbages.

Along the sides of the walls, there were long rows of lush crops planted neatly inside long and deep wooden boxes.

There were also many chives, garlic, onions, green onions, and all kinds of easy-to-grow vegetables in here.

Lin Feng’s eyes grew brighter as he slowly scanned the greenhouse.

This was his vision, the exact vision that he wanted for his own courtyard garden!

Seeing the boy’s excited appearance, very different from his earlier restrained sorrow, the old man showed a little surprise and pleased delight.

The old man thought, ’Perhaps this boy’s situation is not as bad as I think.’

Outwardly, he said, "It seems you’re quite fond of plants."

Lin Feng nodded. "Yes, I’m planning to shift my major to ecology because I want to grow plants and vegetables in my own yard, just like this."

Then he smiled sheepishly. "I’m not exactly good at labor, so I’m thinking if there are ways to grow them that will be easier to manage and sustainable for a long time."

After saying this, the boy froze.

Remembering the garden, the empty plot that had been left suspended without any progress, and then remembering the reason why there was no progress, Lin Feng’s smile faded.

The joyful light in his eyes vanished, and the restrained sorrow emanated from him again.

The old man looked at him, his eyes flashing.

He turned around to look at the flowers, saying meaningfully, "It sounds as if you’re preparing for a life of retirement. But it’s good; at least you have an aspiration."

Lin Feng was awakened from his thoughts. There was a hint of bitterness in his eyes. "It doesn’t hurt to prepare for the future. I’m not a very capable person, but I still want to find a lifestyle that can support me without worrying about food."

’Even if I end up alone,’ the boy added quietly in his mind.

The elderly man nodded in understanding.

"I understand it very well. I was like you before." He paused before continuing. "Knowing that I cannot find a partner to settle down with, I’ve been preparing to live alone in the future since I was young."

"Cannot find a partner?"

Lin Feng was taken aback.

He knew it was inappropriate to think this way, but he thought, ’Did the old man have a certain sickness stopping him, or did he have a white moonlight in his heart whom he could not forget?’

Out of politeness, the boy did not delve further into the topic. Instead, he said, "It seems Grandpa was able to achieve your wish. The nursing home is quite a nice place."

The elder glanced at the boy in amusement, clearly aware of his avoidance.

"Well, if you’re confused, then it’s good that you think this is a good place. In the future, you don’t need to worry about how to live alone in old age without children."

Lin Feng stiffened. "...Grandpa, I don’t understand what you mean."

The elder straightened his back, put both of his hands behind him, and walked forward toward the flowers.

"I have a pretty good radar for spotting others who are the same as me. You’re not exactly good at lying when your Grandma Tan asked you about what girls you like. It’s not shyness, but nervousness. You’re confused now, aren’t you, about your orientation?"

Lin Feng’s entire body froze as his mind seemed to blank out.

His face turned red and then paled. His heart pounded heavily.

At first, fear entered his mind because he thought, ’God, I was discovered. Now everyone will point their fingers at me.’ But the next moment, another thought popped into his mind: ’This person is also the same as me?’

The implications of the words began to process in his mind. After fear and shock, what followed was relief.

This person is also a homosexual! A sigh of relief escaped Lin Feng’s mouth, a hint of heat welling up behind his eyes, which the boy forcefully pushed back by blinking a few times.

This elder was unlikely to spread rumors about Lin Feng’s sexual orientation.

The boy’s eyes were a mix of complicated emotions as he looked at the elder’s back.

Lin Feng did not know why the elder told him this. Was he going to dissuade him by saying that homosexuality was a difficult path, or was he going to encourage him to follow his own heart?

Even if the elder said so, what was he, Lin Feng, going to do?

All of these thoughts flashed through Lin Feng’s mind in an instant, leaving him rooted to the ground.

The elder felt that this was enough introduction and buildup. So, he turned around and faced Lin Feng, his face adorned with a gentle smile, appearing like a refined, scholarly old gentleman whom Lin Feng often saw in his previous life.

It was at this moment that Lin Feng finally noticed that this old man seemed to have a strikingly charismatic demeanor.

"Xiao Feng."

Lin Feng was awakened from his stupor and blinked.

"Yes, Grandpa."

"Call me Grandpa Wang. Can you help me over to that seat by the corner? I think we should both sit down and have a talk."

Lin Feng’s body stiffened again, unsure of what the conversation would be like.

However, he clenched his fists a few times to gather his courage. His amber eyes gradually became determined.

Why did he come here to the nursing home? Wasn’t it to find inspiration from the wise elders?

Now that he had found the perfect elder who was in the same situation, what was he hesitating for?

Taking a deep breath, Lin Feng calmed down, nodded, and finally showed a familiar, gentle smile.

"Yes, Grandpa Wang. I also have a few questions in mind that may need your advice."

....