Zhu Zhifei was engrossed in eating his fried rice and did not notice that Lu Shi had changed his plate.

Wei Guanglei caught a glimpse of it and glanced at Lu Shi, who was drinking tea from a disposable plastic cup. He did not say anything.

Ever since they had hotpot last week, he had felt an inexplicable sense of uneasiness in his heart.

This sense of uneasiness was even more obvious now.

The Lu Shi he knew did not have particularly strong emotions about anything. He was always indifferent.

He played games to accompany him and Zhu Zhifei to play games and lead their brothers.

He was also not like Zhu Zhifei and himself, who would be irritable and unwilling if they lost.

Lu Shi's expression did not change whether he won or lost.

Running a race track and fishing were all for the sake of earning money.

As for studying, Wei Guanglei felt that his IQ was there, and he was used to being outstanding. Lu Shi had said that if he got first place in the exam, he would get a full scholarship, live in the best dormitory, and obtain a certain degree of freedom. If he could get first place, why wouldn't he?

Therefore, Wei Guanglei originally thought that his brother's emotions were too indifferent, and he even had a slight dislike of the world that was not obvious.

He reckoned that no existence could easily arouse his attention and emotions.

Until Chu Yu appeared.

This person was like an accident.

Wei Guanglei could not help but overturn his own judgment.

Speaking of which, he was actually not too sure about the situation between Lu Shi and Chu Yu.

However, he could tell that Lu Shi cared about Chu Yu more than anything else. It was even beyond the normal range.

Whether this kind of care was the excitement of a hunter when facing his prey, the possessiveness of not letting go, or something else, Wei Guanglei felt a little apprehensive.

All of his intense emotions were focused on one person. On the surface, it seemed like he was strong and had taken the initiative.

But in reality, all of his attention, thoughts, and emotions revolved around that person. He had already completely fallen into a passive position.

The Qingchuan River flowed slowly. The wind blew very gently, bringing with it moist water vapor.

After finishing half a plate of fried rice, Zhu Zhifei finally filled his hungry stomach. He raised his head and sighed. "This is life!"

He then rubbed his stomach. "What a pity. When I think about how I still have to do two sets of papers when I get home, my heart hurts so much!"

Chu Yu, who was eating fish, was surprised when he heard this. "It's almost two o 'clock. You still have to do the test paper when you get home?

How late will he have to stay up? "

"My mom signed me up for two tutoring classes. They're for the whole day tomorrow. There's also homework.

Let's write as many as we can tonight. I won't be able to sleep when I go back anyway. "

Zhu Zhifei poked the remaining half plate of fried rice with his chopsticks. "My mom is really something. The second year of high school has just started, and she's already looking up the third year's recipes. She's afraid that I'll overuse my brain, so she even asked the neighbors what soup is best for the brain.

So, this indicates that my mother has just started to work hard. She has only signed up for two tutoring classes. She will probably be occupied on all Saturdays next semester. "

No one in Chu Yu's family cared about his studies, so it was up to him whether he wanted to make up for extra classes or not.

Now, just listening to this made him feel stressed.

The night was quiet. There was wine, food, and buddies. Zhu Zhifei started to talk.

"Ever since I was in elementary school, my mom has been nagging me to study hard so that I can earn a lot of money and move out of Qingchuan Road.

I know myself well. As for me, my talent is average. I can't be compared to the best, but I'm better than the worst. I'm probably not close to her expectations.

But I've tried my best. "

He finished a stick of dried tofu in two bites. "When I entered Jia Ning Private School in my first year of high school, my mom probably became arrogant and said that she wanted to send me overseas.

How can I not know how much money my family has?

Even if I sold everything I had, I wouldn't have enough money.

Also, if the school didn't give me a 50% discount on tuition and miscellaneous fees, and I also got a scholarship, I wouldn't have entered Jia Ning Private School. "

Wei Guanglei waved his hand and asked the boss to bring two cans of pineapple beer.

He pulled the tab open and placed it beside Zhu Zhifei's hand.

Zhu Zhifei laughed and scolded, "Get lost. I'm going back to do the test papers. Why would I drink?"

Although he said that, his hand was very honest and accepted the beer.

Wei Guanglei laughed. "Isn't this to match the atmosphere?"

"What atmosphere?"

"A confused teenager pouring out his thoughts by the river at night."

Zhu Zhifei was amused. "You're the confused teenager. I know it very well.

Study hard, get into a good school, earn a lot of money, and support my mom when she's old.

My goal is stable and clear. What's there to be confused about? "

"Don't talk nonsense. It's so uncivilized."

Wei Guanglei held the can and drank the pineapple beer. "But if your mom hears you say that, she'll be very happy. She'll definitely cook you an extra egg for breakfast tomorrow."

"Don't worry about whether I can cook an extra egg for breakfast."

Zhu Zhifei felt that his glasses were in the way. He took them off and placed them beside his hand. "What about you, Shi Tou? Have you thought about it? Do you still want to study?"

Lu Shi, who had been silent all this while, also raised her head and looked at Wei Guanglei.

Chu Yu ate quietly and consciously did not interrupt.

Wei Guanglei put the half-empty can on the small square table and smiled indifferently. "I don't think I'll study anymore. I'm not like you and Lu Ge who can find a way out by studying.

Besides, if I study, what will happen to my family and my shop? "

Zhu Zhifei lowered his head and neatly placed the barbecue skewers one by one. He lowered his voice. "Your dad … there's still no news?"

"I thought he was dead a long time ago."

Wei Guanglei's expression dimmed and the corners of his mouth curled up mockingly. "He gambled too much and lost. He hid it from my mom and borrowed money from loan sharks. He couldn't pay them back and ran away.

From the day he abandoned me and my mom and ran away without a trace, I thought he was dead.

My mom and I are doing pretty well now. At least we don't have to worry about food and clothing.

So to me, whether I study or not is really not that important. "

Chu Yu ate the fish bite by bite.

He suddenly felt that he was already very lucky.

Although his father passed away in an accident before he was born and his mother was too busy to care about him, he still had his older brother and sister. He was financially well-off and had a car and a house. He didn't have to worry about food and clothing.

He didn't have to work very hard and he had already obtained what many people dreamed of.

Compared to most people, he was born in Rome.

Zhu Zhifei patted Wei Guanglei's shoulder. "Okay, okay, okay. Your dad is really inhumane.

It's pretty good to be like this now. After all, it's better to let you perform on the spot than to do functions and memorize chemical formulas. "

Wei Guanglei laughed and kicked Zhu Zhifei's stool. "F * ck off. Are you trying to bully me?"

Zhu Zhifei laughed and took the plastic stool back to hide.

Lu Shi took a sip of tea and said to Wei Guanglei, "Remember to tell me if you don't have enough money."

"Okay, I'll be able to pay you back on time for the next two months. If I really can't, I'll ask you to lend me some more."

Wei Guanglei held the can and clinked it with Lu Shi's plastic cup. "Good brother, I won't say thank you."

Wei Guanglei drank while Lu Shi drank tea. "Okay, I often eat at your house."

Wei Guanglei smiled.

Seeing that the boss was going to the river to reel in the net, Zhu Zhifei casually put down the plastic stool and called out to Chu Yu from a few steps away. "Campus Belle, do you want to go and take a look?"

Chu Yu was quite interested in these things. "Yes!

Wait for me! "

The boss wore a head-mounted searchlight on his head. Chu Yu and Zhu Zhifei followed behind.

The slope of the river bank was wet, slippery, and pitch-black. They didn't go down and just watched from the shore.

Zhu Zhifei stretched in the night wind and said casually, "Actually, Shitou didn't have this name in the beginning."

Chu Yu retracted her gaze from the river and looked at Zhu Zhifei. "Then what was it called?"

"Wei Jiaqiang. Hahaha, isn't it very old-fashioned?

He changed this name himself after his father ran away. "

Zhu Zhifei's tone was very relaxed as he said it to Chu Yu. "Guanglei, it means open and aboveboard.

At that time, his family was being chased by loan sharks. They threatened him and splashed him with paint.

Shitou said that in this life, he would never be like his father, a coward who despises everyone on the street. "

"He wants to live openly and aboveboard."

Chu Yu couldn't explain what she was feeling. He listened to the splashing sound of the fishing net and said, "It's a very good name."

"Yes, with Shitou's education level, he must have flipped through many dictionaries to come up with this name. It's not easy."

Zhu Zhifei mercilessly criticized Wei Guanglei. He adjusted his glasses and said, "Lu Ge and I have always been very concerned about whether Shitou wants to continue studying or not.

For a family like ours, it is destined that we can only move forward by studying.

That's why Lu Ge still wants to tutor Shitou.

But now, I feel that people are really different.

Although my family doesn't have much money, we have enough to eat and wear.

There's nothing for me to worry about. I just need to focus on studying.

Shitou is different. He's already shouldering the burden of his family's livelihood.

So, as his brother, shouldn't I … respect his choice?

School Belle, do you think I'm right? "

Chu Yu didn't nod or shake her head. "My brother taught me that everyone has their own way of living. It's not a good thing to forcefully interfere with other people's lives. Perhaps life is like drinking water. Only you know whether it's hot or cold."

Zhu Zhifei looked at Chu Yu with a little surprise. "School Belle, I didn't expect you to be such a school belle."

"Then what did you think I was like?"

Zhu Zhifei touched his nose. "Uh, probably … Why don't you eat minced meat?

Hahaha, after all, you and I, Shitou, are really different in terms of the environment we grew up in. "

Chu Yu glared at him. "I'm not stupid!"

Zhu Zhifei smiled and apologized. "Yes, it's my fault. I took it for granted."

The owner of the barbecue stall was dragging the fishing net up. Zhu Zhifei raised his voice and asked, "How is it? How much?"

The owner chuckled and looked very happy. Even the wrinkles on his face seemed to be smiling. "These fish are brainless. They're all jumping into the net!"

Zhu Zhifei laughed heartily.

Chu Yu also laughed.

They felt that this moment was very delightful.

On the way back, Chu Yu looked at the shabby barbecue stall from afar and saw Lu Shi and Wei Guanglei sitting at a small square table. Suddenly, a thought came to his mind.

Zhu Zhifei's goal was to study hard, get into a good school, find a good job, earn money, and take care of his family.

Wei Guanglei's goal was to repay his debts, take care of the auto repair shop, and share the burden of his mother.

Even the owner of the barbecue stall might have the goal of attracting more diners, catching more fish, earning money, supporting his family, and raising his children.

Then … what about himself? What was his goal?

Chu Yu stopped in his tracks.

He suddenly realized that after living for 17 years, he actually couldn't tell what his goal was.

After driving away from the riverside, they arrived at Qingchuan Road in a few minutes.

Chu Yu looked around and was surprised. "We're so close to the riverside?"

"Yes." Wei Guanglei pointed in a direction. "Over there. After going around the alley, go straight down and you'll reach the riverside.

Qingchuan Road is a good place to live. There's a river breeze and it's cool in summer. "

The car drove back to the warehouse. Wei Guanglei pulled down the roller shutter door and locked it.

Wei Guanglei patted the dust off his hands and looked at Chu Yu. "What do you think?

Do you want to stay here? "

Chu Yu waved his hand. "It's no trouble. I'll take a taxi home. It's quite convenient."

Wei Guanglei didn't force him. He asked Lu Shi, "Zhu Zhifei will be going home to do some papers in a while. Lu Ge, how about you? Shall we continue?

There's braised food at home. "

Lu Shi put his hands in his jeans pocket, revealing a black wrist guard.

"No, I'll send him home."

"Huh?" Chu Yu didn't like to trouble people. "I'm not a girl. You don't have to send me home."

Lu Shi didn't say anything and turned to leave.

In the end, he still sent him home.

Chu Yu didn't know if it was because of the excessive adrenaline secretion during the race or because he had sucked too much of Lu Shi's blood in the car, but as soon as he got into the car, his whole body went soft and he couldn't open his eyes.

After driving for a short distance, Chu Yu's head leaned against the glass window and he fell asleep in a daze.

The taxi drove on the empty road. The street lights along the way kept receding. The warm light shone through the car window, casting layers of light and shadow.

They drove into the tunnel.

The scene in his field of vision was unchanged. Lu Shi turned his eyes and saw Chu Yu's eyelashes casting a fine and distinct shadow under the light.

He didn't sleep well. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed. His fingers were curled and loosely holding the cuffs of his sleeves. His breathing was quiet and harmless.

After looking for a while, Lu Shi lowered his eyes, reached out, and pulled Chu Yu over to rest on his shoulder.

His movements were very gentle.

Chu Yu instinctively rubbed against Lu Shi's shoulder and muttered unconsciously, "Lu Shi …"

They drove out of the tunnel.

There were few people on the street. Outside the car window, there were cold neon lights flashing by. After a few seconds, Lu Shi replied softly, "Yeah."