Orange Storm chapter 45
Birthday
This state of zero communication had persisted since the opening ceremony of the competition and continued for two or three days.
In the past, the number of chat messages exchanged between the two was few, given that Fang Xing usually had school, and on weekends, both of them were at home with no need for messages. However, now that they were separated, time seemed to stretch endlessly, and their awareness became clearer.
Fang Xing also knew that Jiang Zhijin had no specific reason to send him messages. After all, he was in the midst of exams, and there were no significant troubles. He spent almost all his time in the room studying. When he went out, he had to report to the teacher, and there was no chance to be the traveling frog—or rather, the traveling Fang Xing.
But soon, he had no time to think about these things.
This provincial competition was divided into written tests and practical exercises. The preliminary written test was on the 10th, the experimental practical on the 11th, the final written test on the 12th, a day of rest on the 13th to await the competition results, and the awards ceremony on the 14th. The time might not seem tight, but for the students preparing for exams, it was urgent beyond measure.
While Fang Xing usually thought he was doing well, as the major exams approached, he would suddenly realize that he seemed to know neither this nor that, and his mind would go blank.
At times like these, the importance of the team became even more evident. In the first two days, aside from Tan Zhuo’s absence, several people gathered together to review. Especially after the preliminary written test and practical exams were over, the tension spread to every nerve of each person. They wished each minute could last two minutes.
“I can’t take it anymore,” a male student lamented, collapsing onto the table. “I can’t focus on anything!”
On the other side, Fang Xing finished writing the last number, glanced at the time, and it was almost midnight.
It wasn’t convenient to occupy the girls’ rooms, and Tan Zhuo had to review on his own. Even the male students who lived together didn’t dare to speak loudly, let alone discuss. So these two days, several people were reviewing in Fang Xing and Luo Rui’s room. Desks, coffee tables, electronic cabinets, carpets… wherever they could sit.
“Maybe we should take a break,” Jiang Xinxin suggested. “Tomorrow, we still have exams, and staying up too late tonight isn’t good.”
Everyone looked at each other, no one spoke, and no one moved.
Tired and exhausted, but still not daring to rest early, and not wanting to rest early. After all, for such an important exam, there might be a chance that your opponent looked at an extra question while you were asleep…
“Let’s take a break.” Fang Xing was the first to close his pen. “It’s too late.”
Seeing that he said he wanted to take a break, everyone else breathed a sigh of relief, and they stood up one after another.
When everyone left, Fang Xing packed up his things and went to the bathroom to take a shower.
He didn’t know what brand of shower gel the hotel provided, but it had a strong rose fragrance. He always felt that the smell was too heavy, and he didn’t like it very much.
Jiang Zhijin used a shower gel with a faint grassy scent, almost imperceptible. It was very clean, like the scent of a lawn after rain… Jiang Zhijin didn’t send a message today either, and Fang Xing wondered what he was doing.
He turned off the water, picked up the towel on the side, and just changed into his pajamas when he heard Luo Rui’s voice outside.
“Fang Xing, your phone is ringing.”
Fang Xing was first stunned, then immediately opened the door. The ringing phone was lying on the bed with a charger plugged in. He walked over and looked at the screen.
It was Fang Chenglin.
His hand that reached for the phone suddenly stopped, and he stood at the bedside for a while without moving. Until the phone started ringing for the second time, and Luo Rui couldn’t help looking over here, Fang Xing picked up the phone, walked to the balcony, and answered it.
“Hello? Xiao Xing.”
“Is there something?” Fang Xing said.
“Nothing, just wanted to ask how you’ve been lately. Is life and study going well?”
“If no one comes to the school to confront me, I’ll be fine,” Fang Xing said.
Fang Chenglin was choked for a moment, anxiously and hastily answered, “Did Zhai come to find you last time? It’s my fault. I was on a business trip those days and didn’t keep an eye on her. I promise it won’t happen again in the future.”
Fang Xing didn’t have the patience to listen to Fang Chenglin’s assurance, and straightforwardly said, “What’s the matter?”
“…Tomorrow is the 12th, your birthday,” Fang Chenglin answered.
Fang Xing was taken aback, and then suddenly remembered that November 12th was indeed his birthday.
His 18th birthday…
Because of the non-stop preparation for the competition and the pile of things related to Jiang Zhijin in his mind, Fang Xing actually forgot about his own birthday for a moment.
“I was thinking whether I should come to Shaojiang to celebrate your birthday, but I was afraid it would affect your studies… Celebrate with your friends, I’ve sent you some money. If it’s not enough, tell me.”
Turning eighteen on your birthday in a strange city, only remembering it on the night before, this experience was quite… unique.
Fang Xing didn’t tell Fang Chenglin that he was participating in the competition outside, and Fang Chenglin probably knew that Fang Xing didn’t want to talk more. After a few brief words, Fang Chenglin briefly said a few more words, reminding Fang Xing to take care of his health and study well.
Towards the end, he hesitated and added, “The matter of divorcing your mom is still under discussion, but you know your mom’s temper. She’s too stubborn. If it’s possible—”
Fang Chenglin paused and continued, “Forget it, study well.”
Fang Xing’s anger reached its peak, and he almost laughed out loud.
Fang Chenglin’s intention was as clear as day. Zhou Ling was determined not to give in, insisting that Fang Chenglin should leave without a single penny. Fang Chenglin wanted a divorce but couldn’t bear to give up anything. He wanted Fang Xing to persuade his mother, but for some reason, he didn’t say it out loud.
Perhaps he also felt that he was not qualified.
“I don’t want to say much about my mother’s divorce. It’s your own issues,” Fang Xing said slowly.
Fang Chenglin immediately fell silent, and Fang Xing hung up the phone directly. Back in his room, he went straight to bed and turned off the lamp on his bedside.
Luo Rui’s bedside light was still on over there, emitting a weak, faint glow. Fang Xing heard him quietly reciting formulas.
Since he couldn’t sleep anyway, he closed his eyes, trying to suppress the negative emotions brought by Fang Chenglin just now. He went through the formulas from the beginning, reviewed various common question types, and identified his potential mistakes…
Finally, with nothing left to think about, Fang Xing thought of Jiang Zhijin again.
Although not messaging for the past few days seemed inconsequential, Fang Xing had been busy with exams and reviews. The thoughts of Jiang Zhijin were sporadic and brief, often just snippets. However, tonight, perhaps because of Fang Chenglin’s call, or perhaps because of the upcoming 18th birthday, he suddenly felt a strong yearning for Jiang Zhijin.