Chapter Twenty-One: Connections

At first, Gao Yang wanted to be polite with Kang Ge, not handing over what he was carrying. But after hearing the second half of his sentence, he paused and passed the bag to Kang Ge.

“Then I’ll trouble you to help me with this,” he said, his face still expressionless, as if resigned to his fate. “Sooner or later, you’ll all be coming to me with questions. I know it. So even if I don’t talk to you today, you’ll have to contact me again anyway. We might as well get it over with—say what needs to be said now. I’m in my senior year. I have no hope of being recommended for graduate studies, I can’t pass the exams, and I still have to find an internship and a job!”

“I understand, I truly do!” Kang Ge nodded to Gao Yang with genuine empathy, patting him on the shoulder. “It’s the most uncertain stage in life. You don’t know what you’re capable of, nor what direction to take in the future. Suddenly, you’re no longer a student, but you haven’t found your footing in society either. I’ve been through it myself—I know just how that feels!”

Gao Yang nodded and pressed his lips together, as though Kang Ge’s words had struck a deep chord, and for a moment, he was overcome with emotion.

The three of them got into the car. After asking Gao Yang, Kang Ge learned that he’d originally planned to take the things back to school and deliver them to Xu Wenrui’s family next weekend when he returned home. Now that he’d run into Kang Ge and the others and had a ride, Kang Ge suggested they take the items to Xu Wenrui’s house first and then find somewhere to talk.

“I’m still not sure if I should take them over,” Gao Yang said, sitting somewhat awkwardly in the back seat and addressing Kang Ge, who was driving. “Let me be honest with you—the reason I came to pack up Xu Wenrui’s things was because my mom insisted. Uncle Xu and the others only agreed because they really couldn’t refuse her.”

“So, Xu Wenrui’s parents didn’t actually want you to help sort out his belongings?” Kang Ge glanced at Gao Yang in the rearview mirror. “What were they planning to do?”

“After we talked at the police station last time, Xu Wenrui’s mother and grandmother started arguing when we got home. From what my mom told my dad, it seemed the grandmother had taken Xu Wenrui to see some charlatan, which made his mother furious. In the end, both of them got so worked up that one had a hypertensive episode and the other a heart problem.

It was already a very hard time for the family after what happened to Xu Wenrui. His mother and grandmother’s argument left them both ill, and only his father was left to bring meals to both his wife and mother in the hospital while also caring for his own father at home. He was nearly at his breaking point.

That’s why Xu Wenrui’s father said there was no rush to pack up Wenrui’s things—they could do it later. The school wouldn’t press them under these circumstances. If they brought the things home now, it might set off Wenrui’s mother or the two elderly at home all over again—something they were barely managing to avoid.”

Yan Xue sighed quietly. She hadn’t expected the conflict between Xu Wenrui’s mother and grandmother to finally erupt. Sometimes, it was simply unavoidable—grief over losing a loved one was like lava churning inside a volcano, constantly surging, searching for the weakest spot to break through and erupt.

Placing blame for the loss on someone else became a way to vent that pain.

It was an act of self-preservation in the face of grief, but it inflicted terrible secondary wounds on those around them. Yet, in the midst of such overwhelming sorrow, it was nearly impossible for anyone to remain rational and restrained.

“If Xu Wenrui’s family feels this way, why was your mother so insistent on having you help sort his belongings and deliver them?” Yan Xue found it odd—at times like these, outsiders should be more understanding of the family’s feelings.

Gao Yang pressed his lips together and lowered his eyes. “She’s just… warm-hearted, I suppose.”

Yan Xue glanced at Kang Ge, who gave her a knowing look. Understanding, Yan Xue stopped pursuing the question. “That’s true. From the school’s perspective, it’s best if Xu Wenrui’s belongings are sorted as soon as possible. You all have your reasons. Since the items are packed, but bringing them home would only cause more pain for Xu Wenrui’s family, why don’t we do this: let’s take them back and keep them at the station for now. When the case is resolved and Xu Wenrui’s family has some closure and comfort, then we can return the items to them.”

She was, of course, addressing Kang Ge. He nodded in agreement, while Gao Yang remained silent.

Thus, the matter was settled. Kang Ge drove straight to a restaurant, checked the time, and said, “It’s late already—let’s chat over a meal. No sense talking on empty stomachs!”

Gao Yang peered out the window and saw that the restaurant was quite well-known in W City, with prices to match its reputation.

“Are we really eating here? And… are we splitting the bill?” he asked, looking troubled.

“What are you thinking? Officially, you’re assisting our work; privately, you’re still a student without a job or income. There’s no reason you should pay!” Kang Ge waved his hand grandly. “This meal is on me. All you two have to do is eat!”

“That doesn’t seem right…” Gao Yang hesitated.

“There’s nothing wrong with it—come on, I’m starving!” Kang Ge said heartily, gesturing for Gao Yang and Yan Xue to get out. “Doesn’t matter who pays. If you don’t like the food, then it’s on me!”

With that, he led the way out of the car, cheerful as ever. Yan Xue and Gao Yang followed.

At this hour, the restaurant’s parking lot was packed. Yan Xue glanced around, thinking it was pure luck that Kang Ge had found a spot in the corner. Just look—there were customers waiting for tables at the main entrance!

“Are you sure we’ll be able to get a table at a place like this right now? We might have to wait until next year!” Yan Xue, unlike Gao Yang, was mainly concerned about not wasting time waiting.

“Don’t worry—just stick with me, and you’ll eat well!” Kang Ge replied with exaggerated confidence.

They crossed the parking lot, passed the waiting customers, and walked straight in. The cashier at the entrance greeted Kang Ge warmly, and after he said a few words to her, he led Yan Xue and Gao Yang directly to a small private room in the corner, which turned out to be empty.

“Did you plan ahead and reserve this?” Yan Xue asked, surprised. She’d been treated to Kang Ge’s takeout before, thanks to her friend Xia Qing, and every time the food was excellent. So, to her, Kang Ge was synonymous with a gourmet.

But no matter how much of a foodie he was, given his dedication to work, she doubted he’d prioritize eating before business.

“No need to reserve—I know people here,” Kang Ge replied mysteriously. As he spoke, he pulled out a chair for Yan Xue and motioned for Gao Yang to sit. “It’s the busiest time of day. To spare us all a long wait for food, I won’t be democratic about ordering. I’ve already picked a few quick and tasty dishes—let’s fill our stomachs first.”