Not A Chance

When they returned to the guest house that evening, the first thing Chen Ru did was to demand an explanation regarding the earlier incident at the school. "Father Song, what really happened back there? You didn't actually drop something, did you?" he narrowed his gaze skeptically at the crimson-haired man, taking in every minute shift of his expression. This time, he wouldn't be fooled anymore!

Song Zhuyu paused in the midst of scooping out ashes and soot from the fireplace for a second before resuming his task. Only after he tossed two firewoods into the hearth and washed his hands clean did he regard Chen Ru, who had been following behind him like a puppy. 

"This will be our third night in Shenci," he remarked. "What do you think of the island so far?"

Noticing the absence of Song Zhuyu's usual nonchalant demeanor, Chen Ru straightened up involuntarily, his heart quickening in pace. Finally… could this be his chance to receive a proper lesson from Father Song?! 

Swallowing hard, he racked his brain to provide a serious answer, "So far… my impression of Shenci Island and its people is very positive. They're incredibly warm and welcoming, and the meals they provide are superb, though I won't complain if they add more meat into the menu…"

As he spoke, Song Zhuyu took his seat at the dining table while munching on the strawberries he had harvested today. The islanders had insisted on giving him a full box as a token of gratitude despite him trying to pay for it. 

And well, who was Song Zhuyu to say no to free strawberries? He was but a mortal with earthly desires.

"...living here has been an enjoyable experience for me even though I do wish we could have internet access… but oh!" Chen Ru suddenly recalled a crucial topic and exclaimed with a gasp, "W–We haven't looked into the strange cases of missing people on this island! Do you think they will become suspicious if we ask them about it, Father Song?"

"Hmm," Song Zhuyu let out a thoughtful hum in lieu of an answer. Then out of nowhere, he asked, "What about Miss Rui Shuren?"

At the mention of that name, Chen Ru's serious façade instantly cracked, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. He hemmed and hawed for a while before finally responding, "She… I think she's truly admirable. With her qualifications, she could have pursued a high-paying job in the city, but she chose to return to her hometown instead. She's also an exceptional doctor, very good at handling children and…" he was halfway through his spiel when he caught a subtle twinkle in Song Zhuyu's eyes and a mischievous curve at the corner of his lips. 

In an instant, Chen Ru's face exploded into a deep crimson. "F–Father Song, you're teasing me again!" he exclaimed, flustered. 

"Oh, my bad," Song Zhuyu apologized without a hint of remorse. "It's kind of fun to see you lose your head over a woman. I could almost see hearts in your eyes every time you looked at her."

"Father Song!" Chen Ru groaned as he covered his face with both hands, extremely mortified. Oh how he wished he could simply vanish from the spot to escape the embarrassment! Why hadn't anyone told him about how awkward it was to be teased by your senior about your crush?! Hearing Song Zhuyu's faint chuckle only made him feel more exposed.

"Stop… stop teasing me, okay? I just admire her a lot, that's all! Besides, anyone will lose their head over the person they like, including you!"

Song Zhuyu arched a brow, finding Chen Ru's words amusing. That was highly unlikely. He couldn't imagine there existed someone else out there who could affect him to the point of losing his composure and rationality. Nope, not a chance – being a slave of emotions was so unlike him. If it ever did happen, it would either mean he had become foolish or the other person had cast a bewitching spell over him. But of course, to do that, they would have to be stronger than him, and the chances of that were near zero. 

Love or affection – Hell would first freeze over before he allowed himself to succumb to those pathetic emotions. 

But he held himself back from saying more to spare Chen Ru further embarrassment. Tsk tsk, what a good and upstanding senior he was. 

Stuffing another strawberry into his mouth, he savored the delicacy before diverting the topic, "Tomorrow, we will visit the Chief."

"Ah, yes!" Taken aback by the sudden change of subject, Chen Ru asked in confusion, "What about it, Father Song?"

"Watch and observe that person carefully," Song Zhuyu instructed as he rose to his feet, taking the box of strawberries with him without the intention of sharing any with his junior. "I will ask you the same question tomorrow."

"W–Wait!" Chen Ru hurried to ask. "Is there something wrong with the Chief?!"

Song Zhuyu shook his head. "I don't know. We will have to wait until tomorrow to see for certain."

"Oh…" Chen Ru lowered his gaze in thought. It wasn't until two seconds later that it fully clicked in his mind how Song Zhuyu had never answered his initial inquiry about the incident at the school. Seeing that Song Zhuyu almost entered his room, he quickly rushed forward to stop the man, "Hold up, Father Song! What about the school? Is there something I should know?"

"About that…" Pausing, Song Zhuyu turned to regard him with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "I'm not certain either. Let me tell you once I've gathered more information. I think I will turn in earlier tonight, so let me use the bathroom first, will you?"

After saying that, Song Zhuyu did not wait for a response before slipping into his room and closing the door right in front of Chen Ru's stupefied face, leaving the young man dumbfounded on the spot with his mind still reeling in shock.

So, something was truly amiss with the school! Arghh, exactly what was going on? How was he supposed to fall asleep tonight with all these questions swirling in his head?!

***

After sneaking around two nights in a row, Song Zhuyu had gotten extremely proficient in hiding his tracks and choosing a hiding spot out of Ma Boliu's sight. 

Tonight, the rain once again fell in a gentle drizzle, and Song Zhuyu felt the tip of his nose and his fingers growing numb after crouching beneath the shadow of a tree for half an hour. Gazing at the box of food resting pitifully on the ground while being soaked in the rain, Song Zhuyu couldn't help but click his tongue. 

Where was Rui Ye? Why was he running late today? If he didn't show up soon, the food would surely go cold. 

After waiting for two more minutes without sensing the blind man's presence, Song Zhuyu finally decided to abandon his hiding spot. He grabbed the meal box and made his way towards Rui Ye's house, all the while keeping a watchful eye over his surroundings. 

And thus he noticed it almost immediately when a white shadowy silhouette entered his peripheral vision. Who was it if not Rui Ye?

He's still wearing that white shirt, Song Zhuyu noted with a tinge of amusement. Does he only own shirts of that color? 

Song Zhuyu began to walk in the other person's direction. The soft pitter-patter of rain helped mask his footsteps, rendering Rui Ye utterly unaware of the presence of another person approaching him— or so Song Zhuyu had thought. 

But then, when the distance between them narrowed down to two meters, Rui Ye abruptly halted in his tracks.

In a subconscious move, Song Zhuyu stopped as well.

For a timeless moment, the only audible sounds were the gentle patter of rain and the soft rustling of trees as Song Zhuyu openly stared at the blind young man before him, who turned his head from side to side with his delicate brows furrowed, seemingly making sure of something. 

Can he sense my presence? Song Zhuyu wondered with a mix of amusement, curiosity and intrigue. After colliding into me straight on the first day?

But before Song Zhuyu could open his mouth to announce his presence, Rui Ye broke the silence first, his tone hesitant and uncertain,

"You… are here, aren't you?"