Chapter 2-New City II

The bathroom door opened, and Lu Xiyun stepped out, water trickling from his hair. He was dressed in a loose-fitting blue pajama that had once belonged to a younger Du Ping. Du Ping took his turn in the shower.

Seated at the dinner table, Lu Xiyun received his serving from Boss Gao, who took a seat on the opposite chair.

"Xiao Lu, watch out. The food is still quite hot," cautioned Du Ping.

There was no response; Lu Xiyun remained engrossed in devouring his meal, seemingly unaffected by the heat.

Knowing Lu Xiyun couldn't hear, Boss Gao still conversed with him. In return, Lu Xiyun usually either nodded or responded with a brief monosyllabic word like "Mn" and "Ah," despite not fully grasping the content. The communication was noticeably improved compared to their initial encounter.

---

As night fell, Boss Gao noticed it was getting late, and Lu Xiyun showed no sign of leaving soon. Gesturing for him to come into the restaurant and take a seat, Lu Xiyun hesitated before eventually entering.

Boss Gao offered him a cup of warm water and a bowl of noodles. 

With a signaling hand gesture by his ear, he inquired if Lu Xiyun required assistance in making a call.

Believing Lu Xiyun might not comprehend, Boss Gao reached into his pocket and handed him his phone.

"..." Lu Xiyun briefly glanced at the phone on the table, then fixed his gaze back on Boss Gao's face.

After a moment of reflection, Boss Gao fetched a piece of paper and a pen to jot down the question.

"..." Lu Xiyun briefly glanced at the paper on the table, then fixed his gaze back on Boss Gao's face again.

"...Okay." It appeared that Lu Xiyun didn't comprehend written words either.

After exchanging glances for a few more moments, Boss Gao quietly browsed his phone for simple images and used a variety of hand gestures to aid communication.

An hour went by.

Finally, there was a basic understanding of the young teenager, although there were some challenges in the process.

To be precise, he could identify a few basic words and write his name. He also demonstrated knowledge of numbers, specifying that he was 16 years old, not 14 or 15.

Yet, a significant hurdle emerged— the young teenager was without a home and parental support. Regarding his origin, there was a challenge in comprehending each other, so this topic was omitted.

Boss Gao faced uncertainty once more. Options such as calling the police seemed like the most straightforward, correct approach. He remained seated in silence, pondering what to do.

Lu Xiyun focused his gaze on noodles. From an onlooker's perspective, he seemed deeply immersed in thought, as if pondering a significant issue. In reality, he was deliberating whether he should consume the food before him. 

---

Lu Xiyun roamed through the streets, nervously keeping his head slightly lowered to avoid the gaze of passersby. At intervals, he glanced behind him. Three days had passed since he had a decent sleep, not that the previous nights were any better.

Hungry and fatigued, he had swiftly depleted the money for transportation and food. Not knowing the destinations of the buses, he observed others either scanning something or inserting money before finding a seat. Mimicking their actions, he boarded various buses, hoping each would take him farther away. He halted his bus-hopping spree upon realizing that there was not much money left. He had to save the rest for food.

As it grew late, the streets were sparsely populated. Lu Xiyun discovered a clean spot near a noodle restaurant, where he sat down to rest. Suddenly, a tap on his shoulder startled him. Looking up, he was met with the sight of an old man donned in a grey shirt and black pants.

A chill ran through Lu Xiyun as his heart quickened its pace. His eyes remained fixed on the old man, vigilant for any potential threat. Prepared to sprint at the slightest hint of suspicious movement, he tensed in anticipation.

The elderly man spoke, but Lu Xiyun couldn't grasp the words. Squatting down in front of him, the man persisted in trying to communicate.

Lu Xiyun, studying the man's face, decided to take a gamble and extend a fragment of trust. He gestured to his ear, simultaneously shaking his head to convey his hearing impairment.

Confusion clouded the old man's expression briefly, but soon understanding dawned on him. With a welcoming hand gesture, he invited Lu Xiyun into the restaurant.

Lingering fear and uncertainty held Lu Xiyun in place. After contemplating for a moment, he cautiously entered, driven by the lack of options. Choosing a table near the door, he maintained a vigilant stance, ready to make a swift escape if the need arose.

The old man offered him a cup of iced water while his lips moved as if to convey a message. Lu Xiyun watched attentively as the old man walked to the other end of the room, effortlessly handling various tools. Returning swiftly, he set down a bowl of noodles adorned with colorful ingredients, along with a pair of chopsticks.

Despite the tantalizing aroma of the food before him, Lu Xiyun remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on the old man, resisting the urge to indulge in the tempting meal.

Observing the old man using various communication methods, Lu Xiyun eased his guard slightly and decided to initiate a conversation.

As time unfolded, he discovered that the old man went by the name Boss Gao and was the owner of the noodle restaurant. Although the person before him appeared harmless, Lu Xiyun refrained from fully lowering his guard and continued to keep a watchful eye on him. He stole a longing glance at the food laid out before him and slowly reached for the chopsticks.

---

As Lu Xiyun struggled with the chopsticks, Boss Gao made the choice to offer him employment at the restaurant. Considering the need for an additional part-timer, he viewed this as a suitable opportunity. Nevertheless, Boss Gao intended to file a report with the police before formalizing Lu Xiyun's position at the restaurant.

Once again, Boss Gao utilized a mix of methods to communicate his decision.

With patience, Boss Gao awaited Lu Xiyun's answer, unsure if the teenager grasped his meaning, though he did notice the pause in his eating. Boss Gao was keenly aware of the guarded stance Lu Xiyun had assumed. The teenager's countenance remained inscrutable, revealing little emotion except for a hint of suspicion and fear in his eyes.

Contemplating his predicament, Lu Xiyun found himself in a state of uncertainty, unsure of his next destination or course of action besides aimlessly wandering the streets. Faced with limited money and the individual in front of him showing only kindness through conversation and providing food, he decided to ease his guard further. Taking a deep breath, he offered a subtle nod to Boss Gao.

Noting his consent, Boss Gao gestured for him to accompany him to the police station. Lu Xiyun hesitated momentarily before rising and following behind. Upon reaching the police station, Boss Gao engaged in conversation with the officers while Lu Xiyun surveyed his surroundings.

One of the officers, proficient in sign language, attempted to communicate with Lu Xiyun, who displayed no response. It was concluded that the teenager was not familiar with sign language. Further checks revealed that Lu Xiyun had no identification, and a database search yielded no records of his name. Initially considering detaining Lu Xiyun, the police took into account Boss Gao's concern for the teenager's fear, coupled with the absence of any apparent malice

As a well-known resident with a good rapport with the police, Boss Gao proposed that Lu Xiyun stay with him. He assured the police that they could visit or bring the teenager to the station when necessary. Trusting Boss Gao, the police agreed to the arrangement but cautioned him about the potential risks of living with a stranger.

Subsequently, Lu Xiyun began his employment at the noodle restaurant. Throughout this period, the police made frequent visits for further inquiries or to bring Lu Xiyun to the station, yet no substantial progress was achieved. Eventually, the police arrived at the most plausible conclusion: Lu Xiyun likely hailed from an extremely remote area, where his parents couldn't reach a town to officially register him. Alternatively, his parents may not have been concerned about registering him at all due to the prevailing one-child policy at that time. Regarding why Lu Xiyun arrived here, it's plausible that something may have occurred in his home or he needed to venture out to make a living, a circumstance observed in many instances where young children start working to support their families.

When it came to obtaining proof of identity, known as the hukou (household registration), challenges arose as they couldn't locate his parents. At present, Lu Xiyun can only live without documentation.

Over time, Boss Gao and Du Ping noticed that Lu Xiyun had gaps in his knowledge about everyday things. For example, he seemed perplexed when trying to use an oven. Even when Boss Gao gave him an old phone, Lu Xiyun appeared puzzled. They assumed that Lu Xiyun didn't have these items back at home. As a result, they had to guide him in various aspects of daily life.

---

Du Ping had done showering, so Boss Gao went to take a shower. After their meal, everyone went to bed early to prepare for an early wake-up.

The following day, the three individuals went about their work routine as usual. As closing time approached, Boss Gao signaled for Lu Xiyun to sit at one of the restaurant tables. Using gestures and pictures, he communicated his intention to sell the building.

When Lu Xiyun grasped the situation, his face remained relatively expressionless, revealing little reaction. However, he sensed his heart racing briefly before settling down. He struggled with identifying and expressing certain emotions, likely a consequence of his living environment. The prevailing emotion he often exhibited revolved primarily around fear.

On the flip side, Boss Gao had grown fond of the young teenager, despite their brief acquaintance of only three months. Lu Xiyun displayed obedience and sensibility, leading Boss Gao to lend a helping hand in securing a job, understanding that the teenager had no other place to turn to.

He shared with Lu Xiyun about his close friend's son, who intended to open a cafe in Z city. This son had recently completed a patisserie chef program, and Boss Gao had spoken to him to secure a job opportunity for Lu Xiyun. 

Lu Xiyun continued to gaze at Boss Gao with a blank expression. He knew that Boss Gao had no obligation to assist a stranger he found on the street. After all, he had experienced numerous occasions where no one stepped forward to help, regardless of his efforts.

Initially, Lu Xiyun remained neutral, neither indicating agreement nor disagreement. Boss Gao, sensing the need for further explanation, was about to clarify when Lu Xiyun suddenly stood up. He walked to the kitchen and returned with a cup of iced tea, placing it in front of Boss Gao. He then nodded his head slightly, expressing his acceptance.

Soon, a businessman purchased the building, signaling the end of their time there. The three individuals bid each other farewell. Boss Gao secured a train ticket to W city, and Du Ping had already secured another part-time job at a bar.

Lu Xiyun was introduced to the son, Zhao Bojing. They purchased a train ticket to Z city, with Boss Gao covering the cost of Lu Xiyun's ticket.

As Lu Xiyun gazed out of the window at the passing scenery, his indifferent expression contrasted with the turmoil he felt inside. The prospect of going to Z city made him very nervous as he was uncertain about what might unfold there.