16 Good Luck

The warm sun climbed over the horizon, and morning dew slid down the tips of leaves, trailing a transparent silver thread before dripping silently onto the lawn.

Feral cats were fighting in the back, birds rested on branches, and the golden sunlight filtered through cotton-like clouds, gilding the ground as everything stirred to life. The humid air carried the scent of soil and fresh grass; it was seven-thirty in the morning.

Ding-dong—

[Qian: Sangsang, is everything ready?]
[Dian: Yes! Everything is packed!]
[Dian: Kitten being obedient/.gif]
[Qian: Good. Now check your backpack. Did you pack your water bottle? Your jacket? Did you bring the medicine you need to take?]
[Dian: I almost forgot the medicine!]
[Qian: It’s okay, no rush, take your time.]
[Qian: Patting head/.gif]

Lu Yu had woken up at seven because he and Song Jianli had plans to go out today. It felt like a long time since the last time he had gone out on a Saturday.

Lu Yu looked quite excited in front of the full-length mirror. He wore a white short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and a beige thin jacket over it. A tuft of hair on the crown of his head refused to be smoothed down. He practiced a smile in the mirror, satisfied, then shouldered his backpack and left the room.

The housekeeper had already prepared breakfast downstairs. Saturday was a day off, so the rest of the family didn't usually wake up this early. Lu Jinlü was different; he was strict with himself and rarely rested at home on weekends. Only when the company had absolutely no work left would he take a day off. Usually, he still had a few days of rest a month, but this month the company had been too busy, and with the month nearly ending, he hadn't taken a single day for himself.

Lu Yu came down the stairs with only the slightest sound, yet Lu Jinlü, sitting at the dining table, turned his head to look at him. The moment their eyes met, Lu Jinlü clearly saw the corners of Lu Yu’s mouth, which had been turned up, drop back down.

Lu Yu steeled himself and greeted him: "Brother."

There was no "Big Brother, good morning!" The tone was exceptionally flat, as if he wouldn't have spoken at all if he weren't looking at him. Lu Jinlü gave a perfunctory, non-committal response. Lu Yu moved his backpack behind him and sat opposite Lu Jinlü.

He picked up a piece of toast and took a bite. Suddenly, Lu Jinlü spoke: "Are you going out?"

"Ah, yes. With..." He was about to say he was going out with Song Jianli, but remembering Lu Chengming’s attitude toward him being too close to Song, Lu Yu swallowed the words.

The expression beneath Lu Jinlü’s glasses was inscrutable. It was unclear what he was thinking, but for the past two days, he had felt as if something was off, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Lu Yu ate quietly. He didn't want much interaction with strangers, so he kept his head buried, stuffing food into his mouth. From Lu Jinlü’s perspective, he could only see Lu Yu’s puffed-out cheeks. Worried about keeping Song Jianli waiting too long, Lu Yu stopped eating after one piece of toast and a bowl of porridge.

The atmosphere at the table was overly strange. Lu Jinlü sat with his legs crossed, watching silently as Lu Yu placed his used tableware aside, grabbed his backpack, and went to the entryway to change his shoes. They didn't say another word to each other; the only sentence spoken had been initiated by Lu Jinlü.

Lu Jinlü’s brows knitted tightly. Once he heard the sound of the door opening and closing, he placed his spoon back into the bowl and pulled out a napkin to wipe his mouth.

Aunt Hui stepped forward and asked, "Young Master, have you finished? Did you only eat that much?"

Lu Jinlü nodded and stood up to put on the suit jacket he had draped over the back of his chair.

Aunt Hui said with concern, "Young Master, it’s almost the end of the month, and you haven't had a proper rest at home yet. Is the company that busy?"

Lu Jinlü’s hand paused. He finally understood the source of his discomfort. Because the person who usually said those words to him every month had just left.

"Big Brother, it’s the end of the month, you should rest at home for two days, don't overwork yourself." These were the words Lu Yu should have said to him.

Lu Jinlü raised a hand to rub his brow. For some reason, his head was aching.

"Young Master, are you not feeling well?" Seeing the strange expression on Lu Jinlü’s face, Aunt Hui stepped forward to support his arm.

Lu Jinlü’s expression remained as cold and distant as ever. He asked, "Aunt Hui, do you think there’s anything different about Lu Yu these past few days?"

Aunt Hui was a woman in her fifties. She was friendly to many people around her, but she had never paid much attention to Lu Yu—or rather, Lu Yu wasn't prominent enough in her field of vision. When Lu Jinlü asked, her expression stiffened for a moment.

She then said awkwardly, "Isn't the Second Young Master the same as always?"

Lu Jinlü glanced at her. "Forget it, I’m leaving."

"Very well, Young Master."

—

The wind vaulted over the low wall, carrying the rich scent of roses, and fallen leaves swirled in the air. Lu Yu left the villa with his backpack. Outside the iron gate, Song Jianli was already waiting at their usual spot.

He wore a simple white T-shirt and light-colored trousers. The wind toyed with his hair. He hadn't had time to put in his contact lenses today, and silver-rimmed glasses perched on his high bridge, making him look ascetic and cold. He was like a painting, so refined he almost blended into the rose-covered wall.

"Brother Jian!" Lu Yu waved at him.

Song Jianli stepped toward Lu Yu. Only then did Lu Yu notice that, besides a black messenger bag, Song Jianli was holding something else.

"You're here?" Song Jianli smiled, his eyes crinkling involuntarily.

Lu Yu scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Brother Jian, I’m sorry for making you wait so long again; I was just eating a big breakfast."

Song Jianli wasn't upset; instead, he praised him: "Sangsang did a great job today. Remember to eat a big breakfast next time, too."

"Okay!" Lu Yu tilted his head and smiled, revealing a sharp, cute canine tooth.

Childishness was an ornament on him; in Song Jianli’s eyes, he would always be a little kid.

"I heated up some milk, drink it while it's hot." Song Jianli took the backpack from Lu Yu and handed him the warm milk.

Lu Yu held the milk. "Do I have to drink it now? I just ate so much."

"Mm, doesn't Sangsang want to grow taller?" Song Jianli nodded firmly.

Through the lenses, Lu Yu saw only his gentle gaze, like a pool of spring water, brilliant and tender.

Lu Yu excitedly asked, "Will I be as tall as you, Brother Jian?"

Song Jianli said softly, "Even taller than me."

Without a second thought, Lu Yu opened the lid and took a big gulp. Milk stained the corner of his mouth. Before Lu Yu could react, Song Jianli pulled a tissue from his pocket and wiped it away.

Lu Yu blinked, his brain freezing for two seconds. Then, his earlobes turned visibly red. He reached out to take the tissue from Song Jianli. "I—I can do it myself, Brother Jian."

He was even stuttering. Song Jianli laughed, full of doting affection.

They walked side-by-side toward the bus stop. When going out with Lu Yu, Song Jianli never let the family driver take them; he cherished every moment spent alone with Lu Yu, even if it was just talking.

Just as they left the villa, a luxury car slowly drove out from the gate behind them. Lu Jinlü parked the car at the entrance and rolled down the window to watch the two figures walking away.

Lu Yu was laughing beside Song Jianli, his eyes curved into crescent moons, and even the timid, cowering air about him had vanished completely. It was as if this was his true self.

Lu Jinlü pushed up his glasses, his eyes growing heavier.

—

The weather was very hot, and the air was becoming sticky. Song Jianli’s plan was to go to the amusement park first.

They sat side-by-side in the back of the bus, whispering to each other.

"The amusement park is definitely going to be packed on the weekend. What a shame," Lu Yu remarked after hearing they were going to the amusement park.

Song Jianli smiled and said, "Does Sangsang want to go?"

"Let's go take a look." Although Lu Yu said that, his tone and expression already betrayed his eagerness.

Song Jianli saw right through him. "Then, Sangsang, shall we pray together that the amusement park is empty today?"

"Praying won't make it empty." Despite saying this, Lu Yu pressed his palms together. "I hope the places we go today aren't too crowded. I’m willing to trade ten years of being single for it."

He looked so sincere and cute that the corners of Song Jianli’s mouth, which had been upturned, instantly drooped when he heard the last sentence. Lu Yu was repeating something he’d seen online—trading years of being single to make a wish come true.

Song Jianli pulled his hands apart. "Make the wish again."

"Why? Okay then, five years of being single?" Lu Yu started to raise his hands again.

But Song Jianli pressed them down. "Change it again."

Lu Yu was a bit confused, but he obediently said, "Fine, fine, then I'll trade my unhappiness for it!"

"That works." Song Jianli let go.

The bus window was wide open, and the wind blew through the bangs on Lu Yu’s forehead, revealing the scar on his brow. Lu Yu instinctively raised his hand to cover it. He was overly self-conscious about this scar. Song Jianli reached out, caught his hand, and pulled it down. "It’s not ugly. You don't need to cover it."

Lu Yu turned his head away, not letting Song Jianli see. "It’s not good-looking."

His mood dropped visibly. Song Jianli said, "That boy has already dropped out; no school in Linqi City will take him. Sangsang, don't think about unhappy things."

"I'm not unhappy. I'm happiest when I'm with you, Brother Jian." Lu Yu burrowed into Song Jianli’s arms, muffling his voice. He felt much better once he was completely enveloped by Song Jianli’s faint, clean scent. He had only thought of his mother because of the scar.

Song Jianli rested his hand on Lu Yu’s back. He was very thin; Song Jianli could easily feel the protruding bones of his spine.

—

The bus reached the amusement park after seven stops. Lu Yu’s unhappiness from the bus ride had long since dissipated. He hopped off the bus and saw that the amusement park was nearly empty, his pupils dilating in surprise.

"Brother Jian! Brother Jian!" Lu Yu turned back to grab Song Jianli’s hand. "Look, look! The amusement park really has so few people!"

His hand gripped Song Jianli’s fingers tightly, just as he had gripped Song Jianli’s heart. Song Jianli smiled and said, "It looks like Sangsang’s wish came true. Sangsang will definitely be happy from now on."

"Mm! I hope so!" Lu Yu dragged Song Jianli all the way to the ticket booth.

Song Jianli murmured behind him, "Mm, you definitely will."

"Brother Jian, Brother Jian, let me treat you today!" Lu Yu looked up into Song Jianli’s eyes.

Song Jianli nodded in agreement. "Okay."

"Hello, two tickets please!" Once he got the go-ahead, Lu Yu leaned over the counter and held up two fingers.

The ticket seller looked up at Lu Yu, or perhaps at Song Jianli standing behind him. Song Jianli met her eyes and gave a small, subtle nod.

The ticket seller smiled sweetly and said to Lu Yu, "You two are the fifty-second pair to visit the amusement park today. We have a half-price promotion. You’re really lucky."

She smiled beautifully, expertly operated the computer, and soon printed two tickets, handing them to Lu Yu. Lu Yu took out his phone to pay.

He suppressed the urge to show his excitement in front of the ticket seller. Once he pulled Song Jianli to the side, he couldn't help but say, "Brother Jian! Brother Jian..."

He was so excited he could barely speak clearly. Song Jianli raised his hand, habitually going to pat Lu Yu’s head, but suddenly remembering the wound there, he suppressed the urge and put his hand down.

Instead, he pinched Lu Yu’s lean cheek and laughed. "Mm! Such good luck! Lu Sangsang’s luck is off the charts today."