ER Chapter 11 – Fortunately, You Still Remember Me

“Want to skip class with me this afternoon and go somewhere?”

“I thought you were busy?”

“I’m free in the afternoon, just not in the evening.”

Xu Jiu perked up instantly, teasing Chen Songyan with a smile, “Aren’t you supposed to be a good student? What’s with the sudden idea to skip class?”

Chen Songyan lowered his gaze to avoid Xu Jiu’s eyes, but Xu Jiu’s searching look was like a spark that ignited the moment it landed on Chen Songyan. The flames in his heart suddenly blazed up, burning through every inch of his skin. Chen Songyan’s breath caught as he asked, “So, are you coming?”

“Of course I am. The aquarium last time was so much fun.”

“This place won’t be as fun.”

“I’ll still go.”

Chen Songyan and Xu Jiu ran straight to the back gate and climbed over the wall. They could have walked slowly, but maybe because it was their first time skipping class together, they were both excited and kept running until they were well beyond the military school grounds.

Xu Jiu didn’t know the way, so Chen Songyan led him. Chen Songyan walked in front while Xu Jiu closely matched his pace.

Their destination had been abandoned for many years. Unable to get a taxi, they had to take a bus and then walk. On the bus, Xu Jiu happily took in everything around him, like a kitten exploring a new world.

The bus was fairly crowded, and Chen Songyan stood protectively in front of Xu Jiu. They were dressed in custom-made school uniforms that stood out starkly against their surroundings.

During the forty-minute bus ride, Xu Jiu complained the whole way about the driver’s reckless speed while Chen Songyan quietly watched him rant.

Looking around, Xu Jiu saw they had arrived in what seemed to be a suburban area. The asphalt road was full of potholes, but there were still some small shops along the street. At the end of the road was a convenience store, which Chen Songyan led Xu Jiu into.

Chen Songyan had wanted to buy some whole wheat bread to cushion their stomach, worried about Xu Jiu getting hungry since he’d only recently recovered from illness.

But when Chen Songyan was about to pay, Xu Jiu somehow whipped out two packs of spicy snacks and placed them on the counter quick as lightning.

Chen Songyan’s face darkened. Xu Jiu poked at Chen Songyan’s palm, “Don’t be so stingy, I’ll just have two packs.”

Chen Songyan’s face remained cold, his voice icy enough to freeze, “You can’t eat those.”

Thinking Chen Songyan was just being fussy about the snacks being unhygienic, Xu Jiu immediately protested, “What do you mean I can’t eat them? If they exist, they must be reasonable. If they’re being produced and sold, they must be edible.”

Chen Songyan’s expression grew even darker as he said, “Xu Jiu, did you even read your doctor’s instructions? The doctor said you can’t eat spicy food.”

Xu Jiu indeed hadn’t read his medical records. He only knew that as an alpha, his body was strong. He continued arguing with Chen Songyan, “Hey! Since when do you get to boss me around? I’m already better, and I’m going to eat these no matter what.”

Chen Songyan played his trump card. “Then pay for them yourself.”

Xu Jiu’s momentum instantly deflated. He pouted with furrowed brows, “Chen Songyan, you’re doing this on purpose. You know I didn’t bring my bag.”

Chen Songyan was a man of principle, and his attitude was extremely firm and uncompromising.

With no choice, Xu Jiu had to give up the spicy snacks. Thinking the matter was settled, Chen Songyan led Xu Jiu onto a cement road.

The scenery on both sides remained unchanged from before, with tall parasol trees lining the road, their massive leaves blocking much of the sunlight.

“Xu Jiu, do you remember this place?”

“Hmph.”

“…”

“Xu Jiu, does the surroundings feel familiar?”

“Hmph.”

No matter what Chen Songyan said, Xu Jiu’s only response was “Hmph.” After a while, Xu Jiu’s sulking made Chen Songyan laugh. Fighting back his smile, he asked, “Xu Jiu, do you know what you look like right now?”

Xu Jiu thought Chen Songyan was about to scold him. His eyes darkened as he snapped back fiercely, “Like what?”

“Like a villager from Minecraft.”

Xu Jiu’s face flushed red as he threw a punch at Chen Songyan’s arm. Chen Songyan dramatically sucked in a breath of air, then led Xu Jiu back.

“Have some chocolate,” and just as Xu Jiu was about to refuse, Chen Songyan added softly near his ear, “please?”

Xu Jiu caved in without resistance.

Following Chen Songyan to their destination’s entrance, Xu Jiu finally realized it was an abandoned yard, where the weeds had grown half a meter tall.

The large camphor trees had grown intertwined with the willow branches outside. Some old equipment remained in the yard, like parallel bars and horizontal bars, while the main gate was rusty and weathered.

Xu Jiu blanked for a moment before saying in surprise, “This looks like that Alpha training camp, right? It’s been almost ten years. I can’t believe it’s like this now.”

Chen Songyan’s eyes gleamed with hope, not expecting Xu Jiu to remember. If he remembered this, perhaps he might remember him too.

He knew Xu Jiu couldn’t have forgotten him completely. After all, how could the hero forget the “beauty” he had saved?

Chen Songyan kicked the door open and expertly led Xu Jiu inside. All the classrooms had been emptied, with only some broken wooden boards left in the dormitories.

Xu Jiu was stunned by the changes over the past decade. He looked around searching for traces of his memories, stepping carefully among the debris on the ground.

“My god, how did it end up like this? I attended the Alpha summer camp here from age three to eight.”

“It’s only been ten years. How did it get so rundown?”

“But how did you find this place? It’s incredible. Did you attend the summer camp here too? It was super popular back then. Everyone who was anyone in high society came here.”

Seeing Xu Jiu’s excitement, Chen Songyan answered honestly, “Yes, I did.”

Chen Songyan dragged over a park bench and laid his jacket on it. Xu Jiu came to sit with him. Unusually gentle and relaxed, Chen Songyan carefully asked, “Do you remember what you were like back then?”

Xu Jiu thought for a moment, then smiled sheepishly. After about half a minute, he answered, “Not really. I had just presented as an Alpha then, and I was such a brat. My family spoiled me rotten. I’d beat up anyone who annoyed me.”

“I watched too much Ultraman back then and always felt like I was some kind of savior. Once I saw an Alpha grabbing an Omega, and I beat him up without asking questions. Later I found out they were family. The Omega was the older brother and the Alpha was the younger one, and they were just playing around.”

Xu Jiu still hadn’t remembered him. Chen Songyan felt a bit disappointed, but at least Xu Jiu had a colorful childhood.

Chen Songyan opened the chocolate bag and broke off a piece for Xu Jiu, who popped it into his mouth without even looking.

After a while, Xu Jiu asked with his mouth full, “What about you, Chen Songyan? What were you like as a kid?”

Chen Songyan looked up at the leaves for a moment, as if reminiscing, then answered slowly.

“Not great, nothing was great. I was weak and timid, and as an alpha, I was mocked for being cowardly.”

After a while, Xu Jiu suddenly grew serious. His usually casual voice softened, and his eyes kept blinking, with concern written all over his face.

“Your artificial gland… it must hurt a lot. When did you get it?”

“You get used to the pain. I got mine when I was eight.”

“But wasn’t your original Alpha gland fine? Why replace it with an artificial one?”

“The original was damaged, so I got an artificial one.”

“God, you’re so brave. I’d rather be a Beta with no gland than get an artificial one to be an Alpha.”

At this point, Chen Songyan felt he had dropped enough hints, but Xu Jiu still couldn’t remember him. Then again, he was so unremarkable back then, it was understandable.

Later, they walked around the training camp and finished their snacks. Most of the equipment had collapsed, with only a horizontal bar still standing among the grass.

Xu Jiu insisted on showing Chen Songyan his core strength. Unable to stop him, Chen Songyan let Xu Jiu get on the horizontal bar. Xu Jiu did more than fifty pull-ups before dusting off his hands and jumping down.

Xu Jiu puffed out his chest and raised his eyebrows at Chen Songyan. “I’m amazing, right?”

Chen Songyan nodded. “Amazing.”

Chen Songyan checked his watch. They’d been out for almost two hours. If Xu Jiu skipped any more classes, he’d be put on disciplinary probation. After Xu Jiu finished eating, Chen Songyan prepared to head back with him.

Xu Jiu held Chen Songyan’s dust-covered jacket as they left. At the gate, he suddenly turned back for one last look.

“Chen Songyan, I just remembered something. When I was eight, I saved an Alpha here. I was so cool then. I fought off a whole group of people for him.” Xu Jiu pointed to his teeth. “I lost a baby tooth in the fight and had a lisp. My mom teased me about it for a whole year. I wonder what happened to that kid.”

This time, Chen Songyan didn’t hold back his smile. It wasn’t a wide grin, just a slight curve of his lips, but it melted his usually ice-cold expression.

The Alpha’s features were strikingly elegant, with sharp bone structure and eyes sparkling like stars. His noble air as a young master from a prestigious family peaked at that moment, leaving Xu Jiu stunned.

“Was my lisp really that funny?”

“That’s not what I’m smiling about.”

Xu Jiu pressed, “Then what are you smiling at?”

Chen Songyan teased. “Not telling you.”

Just then, Xu Jiu heard Chen Songyan’s thoughts.

Chen Songyan: [Xiao Jiu is even better than I imagined.]

Xu Jiu stopped asking.

They returned to school together. Sure enough, that evening Xu Jiu was called to the grade dean’s office for skipping class. Before going, he grumbled resentfully, “We both skipped class. Why am I the only one getting called in? They’re just playing favorites with the good student.”

Chen Songyan stayed quiet. They hadn’t called him because he had already transferred and wasn’t a student there anymore.

That evening, while Xu Jiu was writing his letter of promise in the office, Gu Ji, who usually went home with Xu Jiu, waited outside. Chen Songyan found Gu Ji first.

Facing his sudden love rival, Gu Ji didn’t look pleased, but he couldn’t complain since Chen Songyan had handled Xu Jiu’s bullying situation better than him.

“Gu Ji, I’m transferring schools. I leave tomorrow.”

Gu Ji was so shocked he put out his cigarette. Chen Songyan was a good student who would definitely do well in the college entrance exam. Changing schools right before the exam was like a general switching troops before battle. He couldn’t understand it.

“It’s Dragon Island Military Academy.”

As a third-generation military family member, Gu Ji had certainly heard of Dragon Island Military Academy, but his family hadn’t sent him there because it was too demanding. He immediately cursed.

“Are you crazy? I know you’re competitive, but there’s a limit! Sure, Dragon Island graduates become high-ranking officials, but that takes ten years! Do you know how long ten years is?”

But no one knew better than Chen Songyan how long ten years was.

He had already waited one decade. What difference would another make?

Gu Ji asked again, “Have you told Xu Jiu? What about him? Are you making him wait ten years too? Damn, you really have lost your mind.”

Chen Songyan replied slowly, “I haven’t told Xu Jiu. I’ve only told you about my transfer. I know Xu Jiu’s straightforwardness will cause him trouble in the future, so I hope you’ll help him out.”

“As for whether he waits for me or not, that’s his choice to make. If he thinks I’ve betrayed him and doesn’t want to wait, that’s understandable. If he finds someone he likes in the future, give them my blessing on my behalf. But if I’m lucky enough that he chooses me, I will marry him in ten years.”

Chen Songyan thought to himself, the fact that he remembers me is enough.

“I’ve only told you these things. I hope you’ll keep them secret and not tell Xu Jiu, to spare him any unnecessary worry.”

Gu Ji felt like a stone was pressing on his heart, leaving him too choked up to speak.

“Lastly, I don’t trust the others much, so please take good care of him.”