There were a lot of ingredients in the refrigerator, but when Lu Zhe took them out, he found that he had forgotten to buy two bottles of sauces.
It's not as convenient abroad as it is in China. You can just order something through the mobile app and it will be delivered. Jiang Lin said he would go buy it, so Lu Zhe listed a few more things. While Ji Minglun went upstairs to get Jiang Lin's supermarket stored-value card, Lu Zhe asked quietly, "How long will he stay with you this time?"
"One week," Jiang Lin lowered his head and wrote down what Lu Zhe needed in the memo on his phone. When he looked up, he found Lu Zhe looking at him and asked, "What's the matter?"
Lu Zhe leaned on the island counter at the back and sighed: "When the time comes, you will have to wait another year to see him off."
Perhaps it was because he was in front of his best friend. Even when the topic of separation that he didn't want to face was brought up, Jiang Lin didn't feel any resistance. He just leaned against the island counter shoulder to shoulder with Lu Zhe: "Actually, it's not even a year. I can go back during the Chinese New Year, and there's also spring break. If I can graduate before summer, I'll leave."
"You really don't plan to stay in Los Angeles in the future?" Lu Zhe asked.
Jiang Lin shook his head and raised his finger to show him the eczema: "I've been back home for two months and it's much better. I really don't fit in with the environment here."
In fact, it was more than just the environment. From the moment he arrived here, he felt out of place. During the time when Lu Zhe knew him, he had already adapted to the living habits here, but his eczema had never healed, and his fingers were red all year round. This was the first time Lu Zhe saw that his hands had no blisters and his skin color was close to its original color.
Lu Zhe was in the same school as him, and he was also confused about his plans after graduation. They had talked about this topic before, and Lu Zhe did not have a strong desire to return to Hong Kong to work. He had a complete family and parents who loved him very much. His family environment was something Jiang Lin envied, but Hong Kong had a reason that he wanted to go back but was unwilling to go back.
Jiang Lin wanted to ask him if anything happened during the wedding he attended this time, but when he heard Ji Minglun's footsteps coming from the stairs, he had to take back his words. Lu Zhe smiled and pushed him: "Let's go, take your boyfriend out for a walk, don't come back too early, I'm not that hungry."
Jiang Lin suddenly felt awkward when he heard the word "boyfriend". However, when he saw Lu Zhe's happy smile for him, he couldn't help but smile and looked at the man who walked down in the sunshine.
When they went out, Lu Zhe threw the car keys over to him. Jiang Lin took Ji Minglun a little further and unlocked a black off-road JEEP on the side of the road.
Ji Minglun looked at the modified car with a wild shape, and asked from the passenger door: "Can you still drive this kind of car?"
This JEEP belongs to Lu Zhe. Jiang Lin and Lu Zhe are of similar stature, so there is no problem. Seeing that Ji Minglun underestimated him, Jiang Lin stepped on the side step and sat in the driver's seat, fastened his seat belt, took out his sunglasses from the passenger compartment and put them on, without much nonsense, he directly let Ji Minglun see his driving skills.
The two of them took the driving test at the same time in China, and later when they went abroad, Jiang Lin took the American driving test. Usually, he stayed at home or in the school library, and had almost no social life. Later, he met Lu Zhe, who always took him out for a ride. He got used to the car after driving it many times.
The car drove out of the community smoothly and came to the road with less traffic. Jiang Lin stepped on the accelerator hard, and the push of the car came up. He opened the front and rear windows to let the dry wind in. Although it was not as cool as turning on the air conditioner, looking at the gradually sparse traces of buildings on both sides, the feeling of running towards freedom filled his chest again.
At first, Ji Minglun's attention was focused on his confident face. When the surrounding mountains gradually increased, he began to appreciate the scenery. He heard him ask, "Isn't the scenery on this road nice?"
"It's pretty good," Ji Minglun smiled, his arm casually resting on the car door, looking at a green lake in the distance that reflected the sunlight, "If my mother hadn't been sick, I would have been familiar with this place."
Jiang Lin turned his head and glanced at Ji Minglun. They had considered studying abroad together at the beginning, and Ji Minglun had even filled out the forms. Unfortunately, at that time, news came that Cheng Yu had a tumor.
Tang Ying died of cancer that year, and they both knew how serious the disease was. Later, Ji Minglun gave up his application to study abroad in order to spend more time with Cheng Yu. Fortunately, good news came in the end and Cheng Yu recovered.
Jiang Lin reached out, took Ji Minglun's left hand and held it. When Ji Minglun turned his head to look at him, he said, "Come to my school and take a look."
"Now?" Ji Minglun asked, raising his right wrist to look at the dial, "Isn't Lu Zhe waiting at home?"
Jiang Lin turned the steering wheel and skillfully passed the RV in front of him: "He said he wasn't very hungry and asked me to take you around."
The car drove on the wide road for nearly half an hour, and there were more buildings and people on both sides. After turning a few roads surrounded by green trees, the exterior of the UCLA campus appeared in front of us.
Jiang Lin found a parking space nearby. When he got out of the car, there were many tourists in front of a row of shops. He asked Ji Minglun if he wanted to drink coffee. Ji Minglun asked him where he usually drank coffee. He then took Ji Minglun through the row of shops, walked to a small road at the back facing the street, and opened a coffee shop with Indian decoration style.
Walking to the counter, Jiang Lin greeted the black guy who was working inside with his head down. When the other person looked up and saw him, he immediately smiled with two rows of white teeth, stretched out his right hand and bumped fists with him.
Ji Minglun listened to their conversation in English. The black guy was in his early 20s and seemed very talkative. He even took the initiative to ask about himself behind Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin introduced each other, Ji Minglun nodded to him as a greeting, and the black guy made two cups of espresso for Jiang Lin as usual. During the chat, he also mentioned Xiamen.
After leaving the store, Ji Minglun looked at Jiang Lin drinking coffee and asked, "Does your social phobia only occur in China?"
Jiang Lin had just taken a sip and almost choked after hearing this. He took off his sunglasses and looked at Ji Minglun, puzzled, "What?"
Ji Minglun walked side by side with him under the shade of the tree, his expression seemingly casual: "From Zaya in the morning to Lu Zhe, and Moss just now, you have a wide social circle."
Jiang Lin stopped and looked at the figure walking a few steps away. He finally realized what was going on. He quickly caught up with Ji Minglun and said, "Moss is Lu Zhe's friend. I didn't know this store before. It was only after Lu Zhe brought me here many times that I got to know it."
"Zaya is the landlord's daughter. She learns Chinese from me and Cantonese from Lu Zhe."
Jiang Lin explained seriously, and seeing that Ji Minglun still didn't say anything, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "What are you doing? You don't mind, do you?"
Ji Minglun glanced at him, neither confirming nor denying.
Jiang Lin was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help laughing any longer, and almost spilled his coffee. After walking a few more steps, Jiang Lin looked back and forth, and touched Ji Minglun's hand.
Ji Minglun didn't dodge, so he held her hand and said, "You've met all the people I have a good relationship with today. There's no one else."
Ji Minglun continued to drink his iced coffee. He no longer minded that Jiang Lin took the initiative to hold his hand and explain all this to him on the street. In fact, he was not really stingy just now. It was just that throughout the day, he saw Jiang Lin either hugging or smiling at others, which was completely different from how he was in China, and he felt a little uncomfortable.
However, it is a good thing that Jiang Lin can cure his bad social skills. After all, he cannot avoid social circles when he enters the society. But secretly, he still hopes that Jiang Lin will rely on him like before, talk to him about everything, and discuss things with him only.
Reminding himself in his mind not to entertain such selfish thoughts, Ji Minglun held Jiang Lin's hand and did not let go even when they walked out onto the street.
The United States advocates freedom, and people of all races and sexual orientations walk on the streets. No one would care about the sight of two boys walking hand in hand. Ji Minglun didn't want to let go, and Jiang Lin didn't pull back, so the two of them crossed the street and walked all the way to the campus.
UCLA has a history of more than a hundred years. Most of the buildings on campus are in Lombard style, and red brick exterior walls with a Renaissance feel can be seen everywhere. Walking on the uneven slopes and looking at the large green lawns next to it, it feels very comfortable even in the middle of summer.
Reports have been coming in the past few days that many students are sitting or lying under the shade of the trees on both sides, either holding tablets or playing PSP and talking on the phone. Not far away, there are a few boys competing in skateboarding skills in the corridor on the first floor.
The two of them walked leisurely across a slope. When they passed by the basketball court, Jiang Lin's shoelaces loosened. He squatted down to tie them, and heard a scream. He turned back subconsciously and found Ji Minglun's arm blocking behind him. A basketball first hit the inside of his forearm, and then Ji Minglun turned it and hooked it into his arm.
"Are you okay?"
Jiang Lin immediately stood up and wanted to check Ji Minglun's arm. The basketball made a loud noise and he was worried that Ji Minglun was injured. But Ji Minglun said it was nothing and looked at the short young man who ran towards them, put his hands together and said something in Thai.
Ji Minglun was well aware that the ball would often fly out of the basketball court and accidentally injure passers-by. Moreover, the other party was sincere in apologizing, so he threw the ball over with his right hand. However, the other party did not catch it firmly. He dodged around the man and caught the ball himself. Then he found the right angle and made a point-to-point pass. The brown basketball drew a parabola and landed in the hands of another yellow-skinned young man more than ten meters away.
The posture and angle of his pass were very professional. The young man who received the ball was stunned. He then withdrew his gaze and said to Jiang Lin, "Let's go."
Jiang Lin nodded, and the two of them had just taken a few steps when they were stopped. The young man who received the ball ran over quickly, praised him for his pass in English, and asked him if he wanted to play a few rounds.
Ji Minglun was a little itchy. He had been accompanying Jiang Lin for a long time and hadn't played basketball for a long time. Jiang Lin was beside him and reminded him that he could play for a while since he was not in a hurry. He handed the coffee to Jiang Lin and followed the two boys over.
Jiang Lin sat under a nearby tree with two cups of coffee beside him, watching Ji Minglun play basketball attentively.
The 5V5 play was not much different from that in China. Ji Minglun communicated with the young men for a few words and then began to warm up by dribbling. Within a few minutes, he scored three layups by himself.
The expressions of the young men all became serious, and they began to use two people to defend him, but unfortunately it was ineffective. Ji Minglun was a genius in fake moves, easily crossing the defense line and scoring layups again and again.
He is 184cm tall, which is not a big deal in China, but here there are three boys who are over 190cm tall. But basketball is not a sport that relies on height alone. What is important is the skills and cooperation with teammates. The teammates that Ji Minglun joined happened to be all Asians, and they all had good skills. After playing a few games, he figured out the cooperation and got better and better.
Jiang Lin watched him running on the court, dribbling the ball like flowing water. The hem of his T-shirt flew up during his several dunks, revealing his tight abdominal muscles. He was fascinated without realizing it and couldn't help but applaud several times.
Ji Minglun played for more than 20 minutes and was already sweating profusely under the scorching sun. He did not want to continue fighting and said goodbye to everyone after he had his fun. Jiang Lin saw the boy who first caught his basketball hooked his shoulder and said something. He smiled and shook his head. The other person looked a little discouraged, and then he walked towards him.
Jiang Lin took out a tissue from his chest bag to wipe Ji Minglun's sweat, but Ji Minglun didn't take it and just said he wanted to wash his face. Jiang Lin then led the way to the nearest bathroom and watched Ji Minglun put his head under the faucet and rinse it directly.
When Ji Minglun straightened up, he handed him a tissue and asked, "What did they say to you just now?"
"Nothing, they just asked me for my contact information and said they would meet up to play basketball when they were free."
Ji Minglun wiped the water dripping from his neck, his heroic face showing a rosy complexion after exercise. Somehow, Jiang Lin was reminded of Ji Minglun who was in his arms before he went out, also with a red face and panting.
Ji Minglun finished wiping and fanned himself by the collar. Seeing that Jiang Lin was looking at him with a distracted look, he couldn't help but asked with a smile, "Did you think your boyfriend was so handsome just now that you were stunned by him?"
Ji Minglun has always been confident in playing basketball. He started playing basketball in elementary school and was praised by his coach all the way. He was even selected for the provincial team in high school. In the end, he gave up because he felt that it would affect his studies.
Looking at the flamboyant smile on the face of the man in front of him, Jiang Lin rarely denied it. He handed the coffee to Ji Minglun and praised him earnestly: "Well, you were really handsome just now."
It was the first time that Ji Minglun was praised so frankly by him. Especially when he saw the undisguised admiration in his eyes, he could not help himself and pulled him into the compartment. As soon as the bolt fell, he pushed him against the door and kissed him.
The two of them were seeking each other in this small space. Compared to Ji Minglun's unburdened impulse, Jiang Lin was full of one thought - this was his school. He had been to this bathroom many times, but he had never thought that Ji Minglun might set foot in it, let alone that person would kiss him like this in school. And he was so bold that he ignored the eyes of other people in front of the sink and just followed Ji Minglun in...
The phone in his trouser pocket continued to vibrate several times, and Jiang Lin panted and pushed Ji Minglun away. But before he lowered his head to take the phone, he was stunned. Ji Minglun, who was away from him, also reacted, smiled and moved closer to him, entangled the silver thread connecting their lips, and kissed his slightly swollen lips again.
The call was from Jiang Jianchen.
Jiang Lin was breathing heavily and didn't press the answer button. After the call ended, he saw a text message notification on the lock screen.
Ten minutes ago, the bank sent a transfer reminder that Jiang Jianchen transferred 600,000 yuan to him.
Seeing that he was staring at the screen without moving, Ji Minglun leaned over to take a look and understood.
After catching them kissing that day, Jiang Jianchen's attitude had been clearly opposed. Jiang Lin thought that the man stopped asking about him later because he didn't want to care about him anymore. Unexpectedly, Jiang Jianchen's transfer arrived as soon as he arrived in the United States today.
When he came to study abroad last year, Jiang Jianchen also gave him 600,000 yuan, including 200,000 yuan for tuition and 400,000 yuan for living expenses. Although he has the real estate, deposits and antiques left by Tang Ying, Jiang Jianchen, as a father, has never wronged him in terms of money.
Ji Minglun brushed Jiang Lin's sweaty bangs and whispered, "Call him back."
Jiang Lin stared at the screen and hesitated for a moment before trying to unlock his phone, only to have a new reminder pop up on the lock screen.
Jiang Jianchen sent a voice message on WeChat.
Jiang Lin put it to his ear and heard Jiang Jianchen calmly say, "The money I transferred to you has arrived. Please check it. Also, when are you going to Los Angeles? Come out for dinner before you leave. Dad has something to tell you."
He played the voice message to Ji Minglun. Ji Minglun had a subtle look on his face, which matched his slightly speechless expression very well.
"How are you going to respond to him?" Ji Minglun couldn't help laughing.
Jiang Lin was also speechless, but he couldn't blame Jiang Jianchen because he didn't notify that person before leaving.
"To be honest, he didn't know when he left last year anyway."
Jiang Lin picked up his phone and typed out a message: [I'm already in Los Angeles. Ming Lun sent me here. I received the transfer reminder.]
Less than a minute later, a voice message came back. Jiang Lin clicked it again. The first few seconds were blank. Then he heard Jiang Jianchen ask, "Why did you leave again without telling me?"
Although we couldn't meet, I could tell that Jiang Jianchen was in a bad mood and was speaking in a suppressed tone.
He left for two years without informing Jiang Jianchen, so it was normal for him to be angry, but things had been so tense before, how could he possibly take the initiative to tell Jiang Jianchen when he would leave
"Tell your dad that I'll treat him to a meal when I get back, and buy him a gift and say you chose it for him. I think he won't be angry anymore." Touching Jiang Lin's soft earlobe, Ji Minglun tried to reconcile, "In fact, your dad still cares about you. Even if he's angry, he still remembers your tuition and living expenses. He didn't tell my parents about our affairs."
In exposing their relationship, Jiang Jianchen did not cross Jiang Lin's bottom line. But when asked how much he cared about her, Jiang Lin still didn't think so. If he really cared about her, he wouldn't have just given her money for so many years and disappeared during festivals.
However, Jiang Lin did not want to continue the stalemate, so he replied to Jiang Jianchen and accompanied Ji Minglun to visit the famous Powell Library and Royce Hall opposite. Finally, they walked towards the school gate along the same route they came.
It was almost two o'clock when they left. Lu Zhe sent him a message asking if he wanted to change the meal to the evening so that they could have more time to date.
When I saw the word "date", two girls happened to walk towards me. They were eating a cream cone and each took a bite. It would have been nothing, but when they passed by each other, the two girls kissed each other as if no one was around.
This kind of thing is quite common abroad, and Jiang Lin has long been accustomed to it. Instead, it was Ji Minglun who turned around and glanced at the two girls.
He thought Ji Minglun wanted to make some exclamatory remarks, but Ji Minglun quickly retracted his gaze and said to him: "I just passed by a convenience store that also sold this kind of ice cream cone. I would have bought one if I had known."
It turned out that he was greedy. Jiang Lin smiled and said that there was a convenience store ahead where he could buy some. Just as he finished speaking, Ji Minglun approached him and kissed him on the lips. While he was surprised, Ji Minglun smiled and said, "No need to hide your desire to kiss me here."
The summer afternoon wind blew, lifting the branches of the short trees next to them. A white student couple was sitting under the tree next to them. Apparently seeing the kiss, the boy whistled, and the girl smiled brightly at them and made a heart shape with her hands.
Jiang Lin was too embarrassed to look them in the eye until Ji Minglun led them away. Then he raised his head and looked at the figure in front of him, recalling this time last year.
We are all bathing in the bright sun of midsummer and walking on the campus with the breeze blowing on our faces. Everything seems to be the same, yet it is completely different.
He raised his hand to block the hot sunlight on his eyelids, squeezed the other hand in his palm, and when Ji Minglun turned around, he raised the corner of his mouth and said with a happy smile: "Dinner with Lu Zhe has been rescheduled to the evening, let's go on a date."
The author has something to say:
I have finished writing another story. Thank you all for following my story for the past two months. We have witnessed together how they walked towards each other step by step in a parallel universe and are now happily together.
I have already started a story about Zhao Jiyu and Shen Ran, the title is "Accidental Intimacy", interested readers can search the title or click on my avatar to enter the column. That book will be updated after this one, because it is a series, so there will be guest appearances between the characters.
Regarding the extra chapter, since the story itself is not long, and the two of them grew up together and there won't be any big twists and turns after they get together, I can't think of what to write in the extra chapter. If you have any extra chapters you want to see, please tell me in the comments section, and I will consider writing about interesting plots.
I wish you all a fatter wallet and more happiness in the new year!