Volume One - The Wild Boy Chapter Thirty: The Tenderness of the Handsome Young Man

Following Chen Mo as he twisted and turned out of the black market, Lin Changtian yawned as he returned to the surface, “You do have somewhere to stay, don’t you?” Chen Mo nodded, “I still have some life-and-death friendships here, so I’ll make do for now.”

“That’s good enough. Now, tell me where the prison is. I’ll go scout it out. Tonight, let’s meet back here—is that alright?”

Chen Mo pretended to struggle, hesitating for a long while before finally saying, “It’s over in the Shanhua District, pretty conspicuous.”

Lin Changtian shot him a suspicious glance but didn’t press further. With a simple nod, he turned away, searching for Hu Yong amidst the market stalls.

Watching Lin Changtian’s carefree figure, Chen Mo wiped the sweat from his brow and muttered, “I hope he doesn’t figure it out too soon.”

...

As noon approached, food stalls began to open in the residential quarter. The chicken cubes steamed to tender perfection, paired with asparagus, drizzled with garlic—mouthwatering enough to make Lin Changtian drool. Yet his pockets were empty; all he could do was stare longingly at the counter, inhaling the fragrant aroma to soothe his hunger.

Just as Lin Changtian was savoring the smell, a pair of large hands landed on his shoulders, squeezing hard enough to make his joints crack. Feeling the pain, Lin Changtian bared his teeth and looked back, but any anger vanished before it could even take shape. “Here, eat up. Look at you, you’re the very picture of a starving ghost reborn.” Hu Yong rubbed his head and handed over a portion of asparagus stir-fried with chicken, his eyes full of laughter.

Embarrassed, Lin Changtian smiled and followed Hu Yong home, eating as he walked. “By the way, Little Lin, where did you run off to this time? I searched the flea market high and low and didn’t see you anywhere.” Hu Yong patted Lin Changtian’s head and asked curiously. Lin Changtian didn’t rush to answer. Only after finishing the last morsel of meat did he say lazily, “Ah, just wandered about and chatted with an old man. By the way, Brother Hu, the old man mentioned a prison in the Shanhua District. It’s supposed to be pretty famous, huh?”

“Huh? Never heard of it. There are only four prisons in Brahma City, all in the outskirts—north, south, east, and west. Shanhua District sounds familiar, but I really can’t recall anything about it. Must be a place I’ve rarely been.” Hu Yong stroked his chin thoughtfully. Lin Changtian nodded and helped Hu Yong carry the food, quickening his steps toward home.

Pushing open the rusty iron door, Zhao Xinxin was teaching Hu Hu to read, occasionally driven to trembling fury by the boy’s cluelessness. Her gentle, motherly image was nowhere to be seen as she tugged her son’s ear, scolding loudly, “Just like your dad, who sells pies all day! How many times have I told you—it’s ‘young lad,’ not ‘little chicken.’ Speak proper Mandarin, or you’ll be laughed at when you start school.”

Hu Hu, tearful from his mother’s scolding, turned and spotted his father. Like finding a savior, he freed himself from her “claws” and bounded toward Hu Yong. “Dad, if you hadn’t come home, Mom would have torn me apart!”

Watching the harmonious family, Lin Changtian didn’t feel out of place. He simply stood there, grinning foolishly. “Come join us for dinner, Little Lin. Don’t just stand there.” Zhao Xinxin smiled, inviting Lin Changtian to sit.

Still hungry, Lin Changtian ate heartily, startling Hu Yong with his appetite. Even livestock didn’t eat like this. Zhao Xinxin, however, smiled warmly, pouring him a glass of water. “Slow down, slow down, don’t choke. So, Little Lin, did you see anything new or interesting in Brahma City today?”

Feeling slightly embarrassed under Hu Yong’s gaze, Lin Changtian replied, “Sister-in-law, I did meet an old man today and had a chat. There’s something curious. Do you know if there’s a prison in Shanhua District? It’s supposed to be pretty famous, but even Brother Hu, who knows Brahma City inside out, doesn’t remember the place. Have you heard of it?”

Zhao Xinxin frowned, thinking it over for a long time before suddenly realizing, “Shanhua District is indeed unusual. Not long ago, they demolished the East Arch of Suzaku Avenue and fenced the area off. Nobody knows what they’re up to inside. Ever since then, the Lin family declared the area to be Shanhua District, and it’s not open to the public. All the roads around it are rerouted to avoid passing by. It’s very mysterious.”

Hu Yong slapped his thigh, “Now that you mention it, I do remember. The East Arch has been there for countless years. Every lantern festival was held there, so it was quite the spectacle. To tear it down just like that—I can’t understand why the Lin family did it.”

The couple lamented back and forth, neither paying any further attention to the origins of the Shanhua District prison.

Lin Changtian’s expression grew somber. He couldn’t imagine what kind of person would be imprisoned there, and to be so isolated from the city while still in the midst of it.

“Little Lin, what are you thinking about, not eating? Are you missing your girlfriend?” Zhao Xinxin teased, her bell-like laughter pulling Lin Changtian from his thoughts. He glanced at her—still elegant and refined, every gesture exuding the air of a noble lady. Then he looked at Hu Yong, who was stuffing his mouth with food, completely disregarding manners. Lin Changtian’s eyebrow twitched as he asked, puzzled, “Sister-in-law, I’m just wondering how you and Brother Hu got together. It feels a bit strange.”

“Hey, you’re judging by appearances! Back in the day, I was the most handsome young man in ten villages—so many suitors, they nearly wore out the threshold at my house. What, you think I’m not good enough for your sister-in-law?” Hu Yong took a big bite of pie, mumbling through his food.

Zhao Xinxin knocked him on the head and smiled at Lin Changtian, “I used to be the daughter of a wealthy family, pretty well-known locally. This blockhead set his sights on me, but the elders wouldn’t agree, wanting to marry me off quickly. Little Lin, don’t mind me saying, some ‘customs’ in certain places really go against civilized values. Those outdated traditions of arranged marriages still exist. One day during a festival, this rascal climbed over the wall into the inner courtyard and asked if I wanted to get married. Of course, I didn’t, so…”

“Let me tell this part! It’s the best line I ever delivered in my life,” Hu Yong cleared his throat, excited and trying to sound solemn. “Come with me. No future, no prospects, but I promise you’ll always be my bottom line.” So your sister-in-law fell for my charm. How’s that for suave?”

Zhao Xinxin rolled her eyes at Hu Yong, “It was pretty suave, but I never expected you’d be telling the absolute truth. Selling pies day in, day out, through every kind of weather.” Though she complained, her uncontrollable smile revealed her happiness.

Watching the couple fall silent, Lin Changtian grinned, showing his teeth as he tidied up the dishes, leaving Hu Yong and Zhao Xinxin to exchange sweet words.

Thus, an idle afternoon passed. Deep into the night, when the world was silent, Lin Changtian finally dared to quietly climb out of bed, slip through the window, and vanish into the darkness. Yet he failed to notice that, behind him, Hu Yong—pretending to sleep—was watching his disappearing figure, brows furrowed, lost in thought.