Chapter 249 - 113: A Sudden Turn for the Worse (Part 2)

Chapter 249: Chapter 113: A Sudden Turn for the Worse (Part 2)

"No," they all said, shaking their heads.

"After we finish eating, I’ll leave the card with you. You can decide what to do with it. As your teacher, I should probably step back..."

"We have no use for that much, though," Du Kang said instinctively. "Can’t we just give it back?"

"How about this," Song said readily. "Let’s just pretend this card doesn’t exist. This meal is still on me. When I see Qiumian tomorrow, I’ll just say I forgot the card. She’ll probably feel bad about it and end up treating you all to another meal. That way, you’ll get two meals out of it. As for the card itself, Shutong, you can find a chance to give it back to her."

Everyone agreed. And just like that, the card ended up in his hands. Zhang Shutong examined it for a moment. It was actually metal and had some real heft to it.

Soon, the dishes were served one after another—a full eight courses. Song winced internally at the cost, but he couldn’t show any weakness in front of his students. He took the initiative, raising his glass of Coke and calling for a toast.

"Shutong, why are you sitting so far away?" Ruoping asked, puzzled.

"I’ve got a cold," Zhang Shutong said, pulling down his mask. "I don’t want to get you guys sick."

"How late were you out yesterday?"

"I forget," Zhang Shutong answered honestly.

He toasted them from a distance, then took a big gulp of his Coke.

Zhang Shutong said he had a super-flu, warning that even a single droplet of spit would be disastrous. Anyone who wasn’t afraid of death was welcome to approach.

Sure enough, everyone kept their distance.

Ruoping was even "thoughtful" enough to find him a pair of serving chopsticks.

It was already past one o’clock.

He was a man of few words to begin with, and he was even quieter today. Listening to the others chatter noisily at the table, he ate in silence from a distance. Everyone knew he was sick and was considerate enough not to pull him into the conversation or call him over for a toast.

Zhang Shutong occasionally glanced at his phone. His mind was finally clear, and he had Song to thank for it.

’I remember after dealing with Zhou Ziheng and his father, I arrogantly thought on the way home that this whole "retrospection" thing was just about kicking away the little stumbling blocks in my path. Looking back now, it’s really just about wanting to find closure for myself. As long as I can still run, I’ll keep running. Once I know I’ve truly given it my all, then I can take a break.’

One soul, unafraid of death, sidled up next to him: Qingyi.

"Any new discoveries?"

"Discover what?" Zhang Shutong scooted his chair over a little and picked up a piece of Kung Pao chicken. "Oh, right. I discovered that this stuff is actually sweet."

"Where are you planning to go this afternoon?"

"Go for another ride."

Qingyi was surprised. "I thought you’d try to hide it from us."

"There’s no point in that anymore. Now, if someone asks, I’ll tell them. If they don’t, then I’m more than happy to have the peace and quiet."

"Is there anything we need to do?"

"Not really. I’m just going to ride around until I’m exhausted. Then it’ll be time to head back," Zhang Shutong said after a moment’s thought.

"To find that footprint?"

"No, it’s actually for someone else. I finally realize what I’ve been subconsciously worried about," Zhang Shutong sighed. "The string of footprints on Ring Mountain Road isn’t that scary on its own. But do you remember the figure I saw in the restricted area?"

"Oh, wasn’t that Lu Qinglian?"

"It wasn’t her," was all Zhang Shutong could say. "But I don’t know who it was. The figure and the person who left the footprints are two different people. Right, on the way back yesterday, we ran into the real culprit. Lu Qinglian clashed with her once."

Zhang Shutong gave him a brief description. "Judging by the fighting skill she displayed, she’s not much to worry about. If she walks into a trap, even if I can’t beat her, a team of bodyguards certainly can. Besides, I’m planning on taking Lu Qinglian with me tonight anyway."

"So the person you’re really worried about is the figure from the restricted area?"

Zhang Shutong nodded. "I’ll find her if I can. If not, I’ll wait for the snow to melt and then take my time. But I have to find her eventually."

"I think I’m starting to understand. The situation isn’t actually that dangerous. You’re really just trying to get over a mental block, aren’t you?"

"Yes."

"So you’re not trying to hide things from us anymore, you just genuinely don’t need help?"

"Mhm."

"Don’t run yourself ragged."

"A man’s got to get a little battered sometimes," Zhang Shutong said, making a rare joke. "Honestly, it’s just an obsession."

"I’d call it ’protecting the things you cherish’," Qingyi retorted with a line worthy of an edgy teenager, then waved his hand. "Well, call me if you need anything."

’The same thing sounds different depending on who’s saying it. In Song’s eyes, it was an obsession. In Qingyi’s, it was him being a dramatic teenager. Of course, that’s not how he saw it himself.’

After the meal, Zhang Shutong made another arrangement with Lu Qinglian.

He asked her to go back with Ruoping to get some rest and prepare for that night.

Given her situation, she couldn’t go back to the mountain, and it would be inconvenient for them to stay in contact if she went to his place.

Ruoping naturally agreed. Once that was settled, Zhang Shutong grabbed his jacket and said his goodbyes.

...

"How much was it, Mr. Song?" Ruoping asked curiously.

She had seen his hands shaking when he came back from paying the bill.

"Don’t ask. It wasn’t expensive." The man closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He was too embarrassed to admit the meal had cost him a seventh of his monthly salary—a whopping six hundred yuan.

"How about we all chip in?" Ruoping suggested, feeling a bit bad after noticing her teacher’s tone was off.

"I said it was my treat, and I can’t go back on my word," Song Nanshan sighed. "I haven’t had any major expenses these past few years, so I’ve slowly gotten stingy. Truth is, when I was young, I used to spend every penny I earned. I was a real big spender."

"Let me guess, buying gifts for your girlfriend?"

"You hit the nail on the head," Song chuckled. "You’re a girl, so you should know—there are endless things for women to spend money on. You can get by on the cheap, but if you don’t want to just make do, your spending instantly jumps to a whole new level. I’m telling you, just the fruit alone..."

Ruoping covered her ears.

"Stop, stop! I don’t want to hear you bragging about your relationship."