"Grandfather, please don't go. The injury I have is just from accidentally falling when I returned earlier, not from Wang Ziming's actions. Any altercation we had occurred in the morning. How could I still be covered in blood and mud now? As for Wang Ziming and me, it's nothing serious. He and a few friends drank too much, leading to a minor conflict with me. The issue is resolved now; there's nothing to worry about. I've also talked to Aunt Bai, and she won't come here to scold us anymore. Everything is fine, you don't need to worry," Lin Yu hastily reassured, fabricating a set of lies to deceive the two elderly individuals.
"You're truly a little rascal, getting drunk and picking faults with others. Oh, Xiaoyu, how did you fall like this? Let Grandma take a look; it pains my heart," Grandma Lin looked at her grandson with immense concern, coming over to help him remove his clothes and applying a bottle of purple medicine on his injuries.
Grandfather Lin stood there skeptically, furrowing his brow as he watched him for a while. "Is what you're saying true?"
"Of course, it is. If you don't believe me, go ask Aunt Bai. She won't dare to come scold us anymore," Lin Yu grinned.
"Ah, the matters of you young people, I won't meddle. Anyway, if you encounter such things again, refrain from resorting to violence. Impulsiveness is the devil. What if someone gets seriously hurt because of a fight? Regardless, Mingzi has been a longtime neighbor. Although his mother, Bailihua, is a bit difficult, his father, Xiaowang, is honest. If you harm Mingzi, it's not right. It's normal for parents to defend their child, even by scolding publicly. Remember, since you've returned and plan to lead a peaceful life, forget everything from the past. Behave properly and start anew. If you persist in mischief, then go wherever you want; I won't care," Grandfather Lin sighed, speaking sternly.
"Grandfather, rest assured. I pledge to Chairman Mao that I'll study diligently, progress daily, become a pure and noble person, abandoning base interests, and wholeheartedly serve the people," Lin Yu said with a playful tone, though beneath it, he felt warmth. Despite Grandfather's serious words, he sensed a deep caring concern, which touched him.
"You talk too much," Grandfather Lin smiled and scolded gently, though his eyes held contentment. Suddenly, he felt a sense that his grandson had grown up or perhaps changed.
However, he couldn't quite pinpoint how or why.
A night passed quietly.
Early the next morning, Lin Yu got up promptly as it was the day to report to Mingren Girls High School. It was also the day to prepare medicine for his grandparents.
Last night, he successfully convinced his grandparents to drink the herbal soup he brewed every day. Elderly individuals were interested in health preservation, and this act of filial piety appealed to them. Thus, they agreed. Watching their grandson wake up early to prepare medicine, they were both distressed and pleased, wanting to help, yet Lin Yu adamantly refused, leaving them feeling both concerned and happy.
After preparing the medicine, watching his grandparents drink it and finish breakfast, Lin Yu prepared to head to Mingren Girls High School.
Having resolved to live a stable life with his family, he valued this job. Not for anything else but for his grandparents; he aimed for a respectable and secure job, a worry-free life—sometimes, it's hard to tell if one lives for themselves or for others.
Regardless, as long as one lives happily and freely, that's living life to the fullest.
Thinking of the somewhat mysterious and aloof vice principal of Mingren Girls High School, Lin Yu felt curious. Why did she assist him so much yesterday? This question lingered in his mind since yesterday.
He was someone who liked to control situations, especially disliking being inexplicably drawn into uncertain circumstances. This feeling made him uncomfortable. Although not one to dominate everything, he disliked being controlled by others without reason.
Therefore, regarding this mysterious, solicitous vice principal, he would go to the school to clarify matters. Since his clothes were damaged by that infuriating but privileged young lady yesterday, he had nothing to wear today except for the suit Lan Chu gave him.
Thankfully, there were some unworn white shirts and ties from his late father, along with two unopened pairs of leather shoes at home.
Choosing a navy blue tie and a pair of black shoes, before he could even look in the mirror, Grandma Lin exaggeratedly exclaimed, "Hey, husband, come and see our grandson. Ah, what a handsome young man! Even those 'Four Heavenly Kings' stars can't match our Xiaoyu."
"Oh, Grandma, you know about the 'Four Heavenly Kings'? They're outdated now; the trend is F4," Lin Yu knew his grandma was stuck in the past. When he finally looked in the mirror, he was slightly startled. He saw a refined and genteel young man—youthful, radiant, and vibrant. His face wasn't the effeminate, cream-like handsome style popular today; instead, it naturally exuded a refreshing aura, inviting an approachable feeling.
Simultaneously, his eyes held clarity and detachment, yet within lay an indescribable sense of experience and world-weariness, giving off an impression of someone with numerous untold stories.
However, it was the first time in years that Lin Yu dressed this way, especially with the tie feeling constricting, leaving him uncomfortable. Used to casual wear, this formal attire was hard to adapt to.
Yet, he had no other option for clothes now, so be it.
Shaking his head, picking up his bag, he left the house. Humming a tune while walking forward, a soft, almost inaudible voice came from behind, sounding like a timid breeze. If Lin Yu didn't have keen hearing, he wouldn't have heard it at all.
"Brother Yu..." The soft voice gently called, seemingly afraid of startling him.
Lin Yu didn't need to turn to know it was the little swallow. In this housing area, besides her, no one spoke in such a low voice.