Chapter 101: Reminiscing

In the summer, barbecue and beer are the perfect match.

However, to Yi Chen, these were completely tasteless. He forced himself to take a bite of the grilled meat and almost gagged.

"Isn't it class time? Why are you and Yi Lin here?" Yi Chen remembered that today was not a weekend.

"Yi Lin ran a fever today. She couldn't hold on, so she came to the high school section to find me. I took her to the infirmary, then took leave to bring her back," Lu Yu explained.

He shifted the subject, criticizing Yi Chen bluntly: "You’re a real slacker as an older brother. The little girl is almost forgetting you now; she comes to me for everything. I think she’s more like my little sister."

"Is that so..." Yi Chen’s eyes dimmed at these words. Lu Yu used to come over to his house often; you could say he watched Yi Lin grow up. It was natural for Yi Lin to be close to him, but the thought of her truly forgetting him felt incredibly lonely.

"I’m just messing with you, you dummy!" Lu Yu patted Yi Chen on the shoulder. "But if you don't come home and show your face, she might really forget you one day."

Yi Chen laughed awkwardly and asked about the earlier explosion.

"That wasn't a gas explosion inside the shop," Lu Yu said firmly. "I felt a strong gust of wind, like something had slammed into the place. Luckily, I instinctively pulled Yi Lin back two steps, or it would have been a disaster."

Lu Yu’s reaction time was always fast; Yi Chen had known that for a long time. However, that level of speed shouldn't have been enough to dodge an attack from a "Stalker." This time, it was pure luck.

What surprised him, however, was that Lu Yu had actually sensed something amiss. It seemed his sharpness and sixth sense were far beyond that of an ordinary person. The Stalker likely hadn't expected to fail either.

Yi Chen felt a lingering fear. He had arrived too late; if not for Lu Yu, the consequences would have been unthinkable. The Stalker was undoubtedly targeting his family. He had to increase security in this area.

"Are my parents doing okay?"

"Your dad is quite busy; he’s hardly ever home. Your mom was sick for a while, but she’s been in better spirits these past few days. I guess it’s because she received your letter and has something to look forward to again," Lu Yu said.

"You really know a lot about my family. You’ve been helping out a lot, haven't you? Sigh, thanks." Yi Chen sighed with emotion.

"Why are you being so formal with me? I’m practically half a son to your family. But they don't need me; they need you," Lu Yu said with a sigh.

He noticed the bandage over Yi Chen’s left eye and asked cautiously, "What kind of work are you doing? Is it dangerous?"

"I’m doing security for the Future Group. It’s not exactly safe."

Lu Yu thought for a moment; no wonder Yi Chen appeared here today. He must have arrived with the security team that set up the perimeter.

"Why aren't you wearing your uniform?" Lu Yu asked, puzzled.

"...I was off duty, but I was called in last minute," Yi Chen said, steeling himself. Once you tell a lie, you have to keep spinning more to cover it up. He hated that feeling.

Lu Yu stopped asking. As a close friend, he could sense Yi Chen’s unease. If it wasn't convenient for him to talk about it, he must have his own reasons.

"Can I tell your parents that I saw you?" Lu Yu asked.

"Sure," Yi Chen replied after a moment. Since he couldn't show his face, having Lu Yu relay the situation seemed for the best. "But don't mention my white hair or my eye injury. My mom tends to overthink things, and I don't want her to worry."

"Don't worry. Sigh, I really wish you could come back. There’s no competition in basketball anymore; it’s so boring." Lu Yu spread his hands.

"We used to be the 'Black and White Duo,' a unique sight on campus," Yi Chen recalled, filled with nostalgia.

"Forget it. That nickname wasn't accurate at all, except for our skin tones. I’m so well-liked and popular with the girls; how could I be called a 'menace' with you?" Lu Yu said with a look of disdain.

"Girls these days are so superficial, liking a pretty-boy like you," Yi Chen countered.

Lu Yu laughed and suggested, "Hey, let's take a photo together. Who knows when we’ll see each other again."

Yi Chen usually disliked selfies and wanted to refuse, but he nodded in the end. Lu Yu was right; he didn't know when they would meet again. It might be a long time, or perhaps never.

The phone clicked, capturing the two of them with the messy table in the background. Lu Yu looked vibrant, while Yi Chen looked cool and detached. It was a decent photo.

"I sent it to you on QQ. What’s your current phone number?"

At this question, Yi Chen’s brain short-circuited.

He hadn't had this phone for more than a day; it was a dedicated line for Zhou Shiwen, and he hadn't even checked the number. As for the phone’s QQ account, he hadn't even checked if it was logged in.

"This phone isn't yours, is it?" Lu Yu caught on and helplessly gave his own number instead.

"Yeah, it’s my boss’s." Yi Chen didn't lie about that. He quickly recorded Lu Yu’s contact information and dialed it.

The two chatted for a long time. When the time felt right, Lu Yu stood up to pay the bill, but Yi Chen rushed to do it instead. Although his movements were fast, he quickly realized with embarrassment that he had no money—to be precise, no "Future Credits."

As an infected individual, he had no need for human food or drink, and he spent most of his time in battle. His clothes and daily necessities were provided by the Future Group. As for the Future Credits used for consumption, they were useless to him, and no one had ever given him any.

He had experienced this embarrassment once before when grabbing coffee with a girl he liked, and now he couldn't save face in front of his best friend... Yi Chen silently decided that next time, he would have to ask Zhou Zihao for a few thousand to keep on hand. Since these were just vouchers printed and issued by the Future Group for circulation, he figured he could get as many as he wanted.

"Hey, hey, aren't you working? You're penniless? You're not just a temp, are you? Be careful, I hear that if anything happens, they always blame the temp," Lu Yu said as he finished paying, once again expressing concern for his friend's situation.

Faced with such care, Yi Chen felt a vein pop in his forehead, but he couldn't refute it.

"Don't push yourself too hard." As they were about to part ways, Lu Yu put away his smile and said with a serious expression.

"I know." Yi Chen waved his hand. The gesture was casual, but the bitterness in his heart could not be expressed.

Watching Lu Yu leave, Yi Chen walked toward a bubble tea shop not far away.

Liang Bing was sitting on the steps in front of the shop, staring at him expressionlessly. From this distance, she could clearly hear their entire conversation.

Yi Chen had known she was there all along. He didn't ask her anything, but she spoke up first.

"I sense some monsters. Are they related to you?"

Yi Chen knew she was talking about the lynxes and nodded. As fellow infected, there was no hiding it; as long as Liang Bing came within a certain range, she would be able to sense their presence.