Chapter 14: “Old Friend”

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Bamboo forest, bamboo forest… Why? No…” Lu Ang shouted in a muffled voice.

This was the first time Wang Lingjia had successfully hypnotized Lu Ang. She didn’t quite understand what the bamboo forest he was talking about was. Speaking of which, it was very strange. Logically speaking, it should be harder for him to be hypnotized as he was getting better. In the end, it was the opposite for Lu Ang.

Lu Ang’s palms were sweaty. “So, Doctor Wang, was I successfully hypnotized?”

Wang Lingjia asked, “Is there any bamboo forest that left a deep impression on you?”

Lu Ang looked puzzled and shook his head. “No, I’ve never been to any bamboo forest.”

Wang Lingjia sighed. “It seems that your willpower is still highly focused. Outsiders can’t enter.”

But it was still very strange.

…

After Lu Ang left, Wang Lingjia called Wei Xinheng.

“Wei, I need your help again,” Wang Lingjia told Wei Xinheng.

Wei Xinheng asked, “Doctor Wang, is it about Lu Ang?”

Wang Lingjia asked in response, “Do you remember Lu Ang going to a bamboo forest? Did something unpleasant happen?”

Wei Xinheng frowned. “Bamboo forest? Bamboo doesn’t grow in Anbei City. He doesn’t seem to have gone out to a bamboo forest when he participated in competitions. Is he unhappy? Could the bamboo forest be in Anxi?” He couldn’t recall anything at the moment. He had never heard Lu Ang mention a bamboo forest.

Wang Lingjia replied, “That’s strange.”

“Wait, wait, wait. I got it, Doctor Wang.” Wei Xinheng suddenly understood. “You’re talking about Chu Lin, right?”

Wang Lingjia thought about it and said, “He spoke vaguely at that time. It sounded a little similar.”

Wei Xinheng said, “That must be Chu Lin1.”

Wang Lingjia asked, “Is it a person’s name?”

Wei Xinheng replied, “Yes, yes. Chu Lin has known Lu Ang for a long time.”

…

Wei Xinheng didn’t actually know Chu Lin. He had only heard Lu Ang mention him.

When Wei Xinheng first met Lu Ang, Lu Ang was still a 10-year-old kid. He was shorter than other kids his age. At that time, Wei Xinheng’s family had just moved to the villa district and happened to be neighbors with Lu Ang.

Strangely, when all the children in the neighborhood were playing, only Lu Ang was always alone in the yard reading books. He looked very quiet. His family seldom had adults at home either. This was quite similar to Wei Xinheng.

Wei Xinheng loved soccer, so he often played soccer in the courtyard. He could feel the occasional gaze from his neighbor’s child. He wondered if he had disturbed him, so he asked, “Am I disturbing you?”

Lu Ang shook his head and continued reading.

Wei Xinheng asked, “Do you want to play together?”

Lu Ang still shook his head.

What a strange child. Wei Xinheng thought.

However, he always felt like Lu Ang wanted to play too, so Wei Xinheng kicked the ball into Lu Ang’s yard from time to time. Just like that, he became familiar with Lu Ang. Since there weren’t many adults in their house, they gradually played together. Wei Xinheng felt that this younger boy was really obedient. It felt great for him to act as an older brother. This younger boy was much better than his younger sister.

“Your kick posture is wrong. Shoot with this part of your leg.

“You might as well be my underling. I’m going to be a soccer player in the future and I’ll guide you. Mm… You should call me Heng. Haha, my younger sister used to call me that too.”

Wei Xinheng felt like laughing when he thought about what he had said.

Lu Ang did not speak often, but he would listen to him.

“If you really want to play soccer, you can go to a soccer school,” Wei Xinheng told Lu Ang one day.

In the end, Lu Ang really went to a soccer school after class.

“Your parents actually agreed.”

“They won’t care what happens to me.”

At that time, Wei Xinheng felt the coldness and maturity in the child’s words.

The name Chu Lin seemed to be the name Lu Ang had told Wei Xinheng not long after the soccer match.

Lu Ang said, “I made a new friend. His name is Chu Lin.”

Wei Xinheng asked, “Really? Not bad, young man. You have a new friend.”

Lu Ang said, “Yeah. The kids at the school all say that people like me spend money to play soccer. Also, they say that the coach treats me very well because we have a relationship outside of school.”

Wei Xinheng said, “Huh? Didn’t you deny it?”

Lu Ang shook his head. “I didn’t say anything. I only told them to play. And then they called me Shorty.”

Wei Xinheng laughed out loud.

Lu Ang looked unhappy.

Wei Xinheng stroked Lu Ang’s head. “Don’t worry, you’ll grow taller. Aren’t you only 10 years old?”

Lu Ang moved his hand away in disgust. He had said before that he hated it when others touched his head.

Lu Ang said, “Yes, Chu Lin said the same thing. He also told me that many people in the school have very rich families and told me not to mind.”

Wei Xinheng nodded. “Good, just focus on playing soccer with them then. You’re all children, so just have fun.”

Lu Ang said, “There’s nothing fun about it. I’m just practicing soccer at school. I don’t have much contact with them. They’ve all specialized in soccer, while I’m the only one who goes there during my spare time.”

Wei Xinheng said, “Sigh, you rascal.”

Later, Wei Xinheng went to a university in a neighboring province. He and Lu Ang could only contact each other over the phone or online.

Until one day, when Lu Ang started playing in the Youth Soccer League, Wei Xinheng had just graduated from university and was submitting his resume.

Lu Ang called, “If you find out that your friend betrayed you, what will you do?”

Wei Xinheng replied, “Huh? What betrayal?”

Lu Ang said, “Nothing, I’m furious.”

Wei Xinheng said, “It depends on what it is. If you betray me, I’ll never contact you again.” Actually, Wei Xinheng was just joking back then.

Lu Ang responded, “Alright, understood.”

After that, Lu Ang hung up the call. It could be heard that he was very anxious, but he didn’t say anything. Wei Xinheng originally wanted to ask him what had happened, but knowing that he wouldn’t tell him what he didn’t want to say, he didn’t bother anymore.

…

“Chu Lin has been chosen to join the Andong City Youth Team. Do you know that he’s playing in the Youth Soccer League?” Wei Xinheng asked.

Lu Ang nodded. “Don’t mention him to me again.”

That was the last time he and Lu Ang had mentioned Chu Lin together.

Come to think of it, it’s kind of odd.

Lu Ang and Chu Lin had played in the same Youth Soccer League, but they didn’t have much interaction.

Chu Lin was about 172 cm. It had been a long time since he had played as a forward. His soccer skills were above average among the youngsters. As for his looks, he was just ordinary-looking. His eyes were a little fox-like, and when he smiled, he looked silly. Despite that, many fans in Andong City adored him.

So, why did he remember Chu Lin’s name after so long? Wei Xinheng was also puzzled.