Chapter 45

Xiao Lu's full name is Yin Lu. He was "Ruan Miao's" childhood friend from the countryside and the only child in the village close to him. Their bond was arguably even closer than his relationship with Zhou Yuancen.

Through Xiao Lu, Ruan Miao discovered a different side of "Ruan Miao."

Not the scheming social climber from the novels, nor the pitiful figure despised by everyone at school, not He Shanglu's shameful illegitimate brother, and not the heartless, deep-thinking person he thought he was.

To Xiao Lu, Ruan Miao was almost ideal, perhaps reflecting the hidden side everyone has.

Ruan Miao worried that his personality differed too much from the original. If Xiao Lu noticed, it would be troublesome. But fortunately, Xiao Lu didn't seem very observant and didn't notice anything amiss during their conversation.

"I brought you some sweet potatoes you love. We used to sneak into the fields to roast and eat them. You could eat two at a time," Xiao Lu said, remembering his purpose. He took off his backpack, pulling out a bag of large sweet potatoes, around ten pounds worth, somehow fitting in that bag.

Carefully placing the bag on the tiled floor by the coffee table, Xiao Lu shyly said, "I had to rush to catch the bus, so I couldn't bring much. Eat these for now, and I'll bring more next time."

Ruan Miao, considering Xiao Lu was just a fifteen-year-old boy who had traveled far in the snow with a bag of sweet potatoes, felt deeply moved. "This is plenty, thank you."

Unfortunately, the Ruan Miao Xiao Lu cared so much about and made this journey for was no longer there.

Feeling sorrowful, Ruan Miao crouched to examine the sweet potatoes, saying quietly, "You don't need to make a special trip in the future. It's too far and too exhausting."

Xiao Lu scratched his head, revealing a somewhat foolish grin on his handsome face. "It's okay. Now that I know where you live, I can leave things with the guard next time."

"My family has been poor these past two years, so we can't help you much. But don't be shy about taking these treats!"

Xiao Lu smiled a lot, always appearing spirited despite his shabby and worn-out clothes. His youthful face was full of enthusiasm and cheer.

He didn't stay long in the He family's living room, barely half an hour before he wanted to leave. Ruan Miao tried to persuade him to stay for a meal: "Let me treat you to a meal. It's not easy for you to come here and bring me things. I can't just let you leave like this."

"No need," Xiao Lu waved his hand quickly and whispered in Ruan Miao's ear, "Your eldest brother is too intimidating. Besides, you don't have much say in this household. What if they get more annoyed with you?"

Xiao Lu insisted on leaving, and Ruan Miao couldn't stop him. Suddenly, Ruan Miao remembered something and said to Xiao Lu, "Wait for me for two minutes. I'll be right back!"

He ran upstairs and flung open all the wardrobe doors. A few days ago, He Shangye had new clothes made for him, all of very good quality. He hadn't worn them yet, and now they could be given to Xiao Lu. Xiao Lu was younger and thinner, so the clothes should fit him well.

Ruan Miao picked a few understated pieces, stuffed them into a bag, and added a wad of cash from a red envelope without counting it. Then he went downstairs.

"I have some clothes I don't like. You can take them," Ruan Miao lied. "You don't mind, do you?"

Xiao Lu laughed. "When have I ever minded? Remember a few years ago when you sent me clothes like this?"

"I told you to buy fewer clothes. They can't be eaten, and you'll end up throwing them away. Don't waste money."

Without suspicion, Xiao Lu happily took the bag. He then remembered, "Add me back on WeChat. If you delete me again, I'll be mad!"

"Okay," Ruan Miao said, changing his shoes in the foyer. "I'll walk you out."

Xiao Lu didn't refuse. After Ruan Miao opened the door, he thought of asking the family driver to take Xiao Lu home, but Xiao Lu firmly declined. "I can't get used to city cars. Plus, you know our village. After it snows, the roads are full of mud and potholes. Any car would get stuck. I'd rather walk."

Understanding Xiao Lu's discomfort, Ruan Miao didn't insist. As they stepped out of the gate, they ran into He Shanglu returning. 

"Who is this?" He Shanglu asked with a frown, displeased. "Who did you bring home this time?"

Ruan Miao cautiously introduced, "This is Xiao Lu, a good friend from my old hometown."

"Hometown?" He Shanglu eyed Xiao Lu's shabby attire. Though he might not have intended to be discriminatory, it came off as such.

"What are you staring at?" Xiao Lu, friendly towards Ruan Miao but hostile towards He Shanglu, glared at him.

He Shanglu, naturally bad-tempered, initially thought of greeting Ruan Miao's friend. But Xiao Lu's rudeness annoyed him, so he snapped, "I can look at whoever I want! What's it to you?"

Xiao Lu, irritated by He Shanglu's attitude, was restrained by Nian Miao. "This is my second brother. He didn't mean any harm, Xiao Lu, don't get angry."

"Does he bully you at home?" Xiao Lu glared at He Shanglu, as if seeing Ruan Miao being oppressed.

He Shanglu rolled his eyes. "Kid, if you weren't Miao Miao's friend, I'd kick your teeth out. Understand?" With that, he walked inside, urging Ruan Miao, "Hurry up and get back. Stop dawdling."

Ruan Miao nodded quickly and led Xiao Lu away. He Shanglu's unusually mild reaction was surprising, considering his dislike for being challenged.

"You misunderstood. My second brother is nice. He just seems unapproachable," Ruan Miao explained.

Xiao Lu grumbled, "You said the same about your eldest brother. Have you changed your mind about them?"

Not knowing how to explain, Ruan Miao stayed silent for a while before softly saying, "Maybe it's because we've spent more time together and understand each other better."

Xiao Lu pouted. "You've changed."

"You used to be sharp-tongued. People in our village thought you were mean. I've never seen you gentle with anyone."

"But now you're different, very easygoing."

Xiao Lu, unhappy, continued, "Being too easygoing makes you an easy target. Didn't you teach me that?"

"That was before." Ruan Miao gently patted his head. "Don't be too harsh on strangers. You'll suffer for it."

Xiao Lu stared deeply at him.

They reached the entrance of the villa community, and Xiao Lu refused to be escorted further. "The bus stop is just over there. I can walk. Don't worry."

"Okay, remember to text me when you get home." Ruan Miao waved at him at the gate. "Get home early."

Xiao Lu nodded repeatedly. When he turned and looked at the bag in his hands, his face showed a hint of confusion.

Ruan Miao watched his figure disappear down the road, then stood for a while before heading back, thinking all the way. Xiao Lu must have really liked the old Ruan Miao, judging by the stars in his eyes when he looked at him.

But now it was him in this body. If Xiao Lu ever found out, it would surely break his heart.

Ruan Miao's guilt surged up once again. He felt like a thief, stealing someone else's future and life, yet still thinking that the original person wasn't good enough. In reality, he himself was the one who was inadequate.

Just then, Jian Fanyu called. Feeling somewhat depressed, Ruan Miao answered the phone and remained silent for a long time. Jian Fanyu, sensing his mood, gently asked, "What's wrong?"

Ruan Miao didn't want to share his personal issues, but he had no one else in this world to confide in. So when Jian Fanyu's gentle voice asked, he couldn't help but ask, "Is it very wrong to steal someone else's life?"

"Why do you think that?" Jian Fanyu's voice sounded surprised on the other end. "You didn't do it willingly, so how can it be called stealing?"

"But I still did it without their consent." Ruan Miao slowly crouched down, lifting his hand to brush the snow off a roadside flower bed, getting snow all over his hand.

Jian Fanyu chuckled lightly, his laughter coming through the receiver with a bright, magnetic quality. "You're just being too indecisive. Survival is an instinct for everyone; you're merely following your nature."

"It's not that you stole his body; it's that he gave up control. Otherwise, how would you have survived so easily?"

Despite Jian Fanyu's words, Ruan Miao's mood was still a bit down. Jian Fanyu wasn't expecting him to take his words to heart, so he added, "Don't think too much about it. I wanted to tell you that I got a set of test papers for the new semester. Do you want them?"

Ruan Miao's interest was immediately piqued. "Yes, yes, yes! I really need them!"