The Long Road Ahead

Chapter 1: 1

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Chapter 2: 2

Kindling with the Heart [Finding the Bugs]

This novel was posted on cntranslationss [dot] blogsp0t [dot] com, by anasi. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

"I got a new boyfriend."

But, in the end, Xiao Ning was still considered a guest there, so there were still things he should be conscientious of—stuff he had to be conscientious of.

As luck would have it, Xiao Ding, for both his days in high school and those in university, would also have his tuition be subsidized by Lu Yan's family. This was due to Lu Yan's parents both being quite fond of him, because of them feeling that not only was he was a good student, but him being of good character, and an honest and upright boy—one worthy of being their son's beneficial friend.

Lu Yan's parents still invited him to join in their celebrations that year, despite knowing he was a loner. But Xiao Ning had no wish to to go see the fresh out of the oven couple openly display how enamoured they were, choosing to simply send them a gift instead, along with the excuse for his absence being a trip in which he had to partake, and his wish to not disturb their celebration.

This former supervisor of Xiao Ning's was always so random, which was why Xiao Ning never took his words too seriously, and seeing that Lu Yan had already grown irritated beside beside him, he then added smilingly, "If it's not anything urgent, you can just tell me about it tomorrow."

Lu Yan chuckled in response, that careless and scatter-brained appearance of his was also rather attractive as well, "Yeah, we met. He came to A-City on a business trip one time. Oh, but now that he graduated and resigned from his internship, he's planning to go play around for bit so he came to find me."

When Lu Yan made this declaration, Xiao Ning did not really feel all that much hurt. After all, even if his nerves were thin, after being dragged back and forth the way it had been, even that skinny thing could manage to grow thicker. Let alone the one of someone like Xiao Ning, whose temperament was already rather tepid.

"Right now?" Lu Yan's face did not look pleased at all. "Why are you even going there? Were you asked to go there to drink? You don't even like doing stuff like that. Look at the time right now, yet he still called you out from so far away to do something troublesome. What kind of friend is that?"

The crackle and pops of the firecrackers being released on the other end of the line could be heard, Lu Yan was known to love those sort of festive things, thus his reply was given in a shout: "Hello?! Is that you, Xiao Ning?"

Dong dong dong dong...

At the New Year's celebration the year before, such a plot unfolded. Lu Yan had returned to his family's home during that period, bringing along with him his then girlfriend a that time. They were as sweet as sugar and honey, and the elders of the house were overjoyed and excited about it. It didn't take much thought for Xiao Ning to know what this excitement would look like.

"Anyway, I'll go check on the other apartment on my way there. If it's nothing serious, I'll go straight there on my way back. Your friend... I mean, your boyfriend will be arriving tomorrow, yes?" Xiao Ning smiled, picking up his coat and his wallet, "My room doesn't need to be tidied up, by the way, it's quite clean."

The author has something to say: The couple will be Shan Haiming X Xiao Ning, but I didn't actually say the gong's name, obviously. His surname (单: dān/Chán/Shàn) which has the same sound as (善: shàn).

"It's Wang Hua." Xiao Ning did not have the habit of avoiding Lu Yan when he took calls. Besides, Lu Yan also knew Wang Hua, as the man was Xiao Ning's old superior before he transferred over to a new company called Rihua.

He and Lu Yan had first met when they were kids, as a matter of fact, they were childhood friends. Xiao Ning was a gloomy and scary child when he was little, so apart from that 'lover of new playthings' known as Lu Yan, no one was willing to give him the time of day. But despite this state of freshness not holding for very long with Lu Yan, after he tasted the sweetness that was Xiao Ning, he was in no way willing to let him go. Thus began their entangled friendship.

Lu Yan stared at him, seeming somewhat angered as well as a bit wronged, "He's not here as yet."

But, in the end, Xiao Ning was still considered a guest there, so there were still things he should be conscientious of—stuff he had to be conscientious of.

Xiao Ning felt as though he should at least keep his sigh to himself, but he just couldn't manage it, as every inch of him was tired. That stiffened and unchanging heart of his had no temperament left after all those years of being kneaded out by Lu Yan.

Xiao Ning opened the message and tool a look, not recognizing the location at all.

Xiao Ning couldn't help but laugh. This guy who loves to go play around and live life to its fullest, also failed to mention the times how he, too, made go out to pick him up in the middle of the night. Or when he comes back at five o'clock in the morning reeking of liquor to wake me up and ask for me to make him a midnight snack. Yet now he could actually still sit there and say those words without an ounce of shame?

When he's head over heels in love he neglects his friends and has no time for Xiao Ning, but when he himself is with Xiao Ning, he couldn't stand anyone else being a distraction.

Lu Yan interrupted, shouted: "Hey, I can't hear you very good, stuff over here is super hectic, so I gotta hang up now, okay? I'll call you later. Happy New Year!"

Hence, the situation at current, one where Xiao Ning had no other way of thinking. Placing a warm cup of tea within Lu Yan's hands, he then moved to virtuously tidy up the cigarette ash on the table, while he calmly asked, "Where did you two meet?"

With him being like this, Xiao Ning did not have the heart to look at him. If it really was simply a matter of playing around, he would've definitely dropped it. But Wang Hua was clearly in trouble and urgently waiting for his help. So Xiao Ning had to break this pattern, "Tomorrow, I'll bring you over some break..."

Dong dong dong dong...

"Are you going to head over to the other place for a few days?" Lu Yan flopped back on the sofa, "Oh, should I ask Aunty to drop by and clean the place up for you then?"

Hearing this, Xiao Ning's brows furrowed. Even though Wang Hua said ridiculous things most of the time, he currently really did seem as though he had a problem. When Xaio Ning first entered Wang's Hua's company before, he was still very much a dumb and new graduate, so back then, it was always Wang Hua who had taken care of him. Until Xiao Ning had resigned, the other man had given him much consideration, even helping him cover up a few of his mistakes on several occasions.

And with regard to those two elders of the Lu household, Xiao Ding also considered them as his own parents, being filial towards them. However, there was one matter he was rather ashamed to face them with.

From over his shoulder, Lu Yan also took a peek, "Bai Ye (White Night)?"

That matter was Lu Yan.

Your unfriendly neighbourhood translator has something to say: Our couple is ：单海鸣X萧宁 (Shan Hai'ming x Xiao Ning) aka NOT LU YAN, thank god. As shown above, the Xiāo (dreary/mugwort) in our MC's name is not 小(Xiǎo: little). But that second Xiao (little) is used as a prefix for our Little Ning by his seniors (Wang Hua) and Lu Yan sometimes.

Which all meant Xiao Ning would often cover for Lu Yan with Mother Lu and Father Lu, and of course the matter of Lu Yan's bisexuality was included in the matters to be hidden.

"Are you going to head over to the other place for a few days?" Lu Yan flopped back on the sofa, "Oh, should I ask Aunty to drop by and clean the place up for you then?"

You see, in the eyes of those elders within the Lu household, Lu Yan was viewed as an all-around good child, having no shortcomings to be seen at all. In fact, from since Lu Yan was young till present, he had been labelled "that kid" by those who knew of him—you know, the one kid good at everything who all parents hold up as an example to their own. So from his intellect to his looks, he was seen as outstanding beyond measure. But when it came to his character, however, he left others with a headache. This was on account of him being spoiled from head to toe, and his propensity for getting into trouble. But, fortunately, he was still fearful of his father, a man who was a former soldier himself, so Lu Yan didn't stir up trouble at his family's home.

Wang Hua then explained miserably, "Someone is trying to force me into prostitution, and you're the only person I can rely on."

When he's head over heels in love he neglects his friends and has no time for Xiao Ning, but when he himself is with Xiao Ning, he couldn't stand anyone else being a distraction.

Xiao Ning opened the message and tool a look, not recognizing the location at all.

"Don't be ridiculous. I'll just tidy up there myself. I just spend time there a month earlier anyhow." Xiao Ning then heard his phone ring. Before he answered it, Lu Yan peeked over at the screen in his hand, asking, "Who is it?"

"I'll send you the address. You head over here fast, alright? I'll put out the fire first." Seeing that Xiao Ning appeared to no longer attempt to squirm out of it, Wang Hua ended the call, then sent a message with the address a few seconds afterwards.

Just as he said this, he then complained, "Xiao Ning, in the beginning it was you who didn't want to play that game with me, so I had no choice but to meet a few new people in the game."

Whether it was boyfriends or girlfriends, even Lu Yan himself did not know how many he had gone through. Furthermore, those whims of Lu Yan's had shown more diligence than a woman's cycle. Even if it could not be regarded as love at first sight, for that feeling of novelty of his, no one was ever refused.

Which all meant Xiao Ning would often cover for Lu Yan with Mother Lu and Father Lu, and of course the matter of Lu Yan's bisexuality was included in the matters to be hidden.

So if Wang Hua truly had a problem, Xiao Ning would obviously not stand idly by, "What happened?"

After the Spring Festival was over, Lu Yan had again returned to the city, and as par for the course, shared his innermost feelings with Xiao Ning. Grumbling about how his girlfriend had no sensibility, how she didn't know where to find anything for him in the family home so she couldn't serve him properly.

When it came to Young Master Lu, Xiao Ning reckons he knew far more about Lu Yan than even Lu Yan's own parents. So now in his twenty-seventh year, what aspect of Lu Yan's virtue was there that he could be considered unaware?

From over his shoulder, Lu Yan also took a peek, "Bai Ye (White Night)?"

"But by tomorrow I may not even have a future, nor a wife or a kid either." Wang Hua then continued, "I really can't think of a better person for this. So, little brother, can't you do me this favor just once? You can't just leave me hanging."

Xiao Ning replied with a hum, his ears noticing the sharp voice of a woman coming from the other line as well. That other voice screeched and laughed, sound very much like its owner was quite happy, "Yeah, it's not anything serious by the way. I just wanted to tell you..."

Wang Hua then explained miserably, "Someone is trying to force me into prostitution, and you're the only person I can rely on."

Lu Yan interrupted, shouted: "Hey, I can't hear you very good, stuff over here is super hectic, so I gotta hang up now, okay? I'll call you later. Happy New Year!"

As the host on the television counted down the arriving year, Xiao Ning had blown out a breath of air before pulling out his phone with trembling fingers. Those fingers of his were stiff as he gave Lu Yan a call, the other party to this gesture answering it rather quickly.

Given his indifference, Xiao Ning usually appeared to be much more reliable than Lu Yan, yet the truth was he was the one half a year younger of the two. Taking a seat beside Lu Yan on the other sofa, he thought back to an incident a few days earlier, where Lu Yan went out and failed to return for the night, giving him a hunch that made him ask, "Have you two met up in person?"

The only thing there was to blame for such an event, was their first meeting being too wonderful as well as occurring too early. You see, Xiao Ning at that time had yet to have had the layers of armor to protect his young heart sprout, so later when he had become aware they had grown, the things within it had long been buried quite deep. So at the outermost part of this shell, where those memories akin to the embers of a campfire, thus the attachments which lay at the bottom of his heart could not bear to let them part and struggled in their final throes of death.

It was also in part to Lu Yan's looks being just too remarkable, thus men and women alike were all devoured. And because of that pretty baby-face of his, whoever laid eyes on it, would fall head over heels for it completely. On top of all this, he also possessed a pair slanted, long, and irresistible phoenix eyes. Eyes that with only a squint on his part, coupled with a faint smile, would truly force anyone who bore it witness to grow weak in the knees—making them enthralled, and allowing his every endeavour to result in success.

However, Xiao Ning did not really go anywhere at that time, he had actually spent that year's celebration standing in the central square of the city for the entirety of the night. Doing so with all of the other homeless vagabonds who all stared at the New Year's Gala being transmitted on the huge screen above them, and freezing his behind off to the point he had forgotten his own family name.

But the thing was, to whoever he snagged, Lu Yan was most devoted lover during their first month together. All of his heart and all of his soul was invested, so to that person, he was incredibly good. So good, it was to the point where even Xiao Ning could not ignore it. By the second month though, his mind would begin to wander, his thoughts filling with growing resentment to how the other person wasn't obedient enough, or how they were too wilful. So by the time the third month came knocking, he would be thoroughly unable to stand the situation any longer; seeming as though if he doesn't switch to someone new that he would no longer be able to go on from that very day!

However, this matter was none of Xiao Ning's business.

Young Master Lu, this character point of yours is really consistent, lacking any chance of change over all these years. So only the officials are allowed to set fires as they make their mischief, while the common folk aren't allowed to set so much as a match alight.

Hence, in the end, he would leave with high spirits then return with his spirits low, never missing the chance to make his way to find Xiao Ning and air his grievances as if the one who did the dumping was not him at all, and as if the one greatly wronged in the matter was he, himself. Showing an utter lack of awareness of his own actions as he acted spoiled towards Xiao Ning.

The New Year's Bell tolled to announce the years arrival, is that how that phrase is said? And everyone in the entire country erupted into a sea of joy.

Hearing this, Xiao Ning thought to himself: But weren't you having a good time?

What could Xiao Ning do about this, though? His only option was to coax and coddle that 'poor' person until he felt better, as after many years of such a habit, even he himself couldn't seem to change it.

From time to time, Lu Yan would bring his partners over, and when he did, Xiao Ning would willingly make himself scarce. Hence, at this time, he would obviously be doing the same thing too.

But, in the end, Xiao Ning was still considered a guest there, so there were still things he should be conscientious of—stuff he had to be conscientious of.

There was another apartment under Lu Yan's name in A-City, but it was much too far away from the main transit area so transportation was inconvenient, and the living facilities were incomplete. Lu Yan also did not like going there to rest at all, so at times like these, Xiao Ning would go there to stay.

Kindling with the Heart [Finding the Bugs]

From time to time, Lu Yan would bring his partners over, and when he did, Xiao Ning would willingly make himself scarce. Hence, at this time, he would obviously be doing the same thing too.

When he's head over heels in love he neglects his friends and has no time for Xiao Ning, but when he himself is with Xiao Ning, he couldn't stand anyone else being a distraction.

Wang Hua then explained miserably, "Someone is trying to force me into prostitution, and you're the only person I can rely on."

"Are you going to head over to the other place for a few days?" Lu Yan flopped back on the sofa, "Oh, should I ask Aunty to drop by and clean the place up for you then?"

"Wang-ge?" Xiao Ning almost laughed, "What's wrong?"

This downtown apartment was bought for Lu Yan by his family, and from the outset, he never asked Xiao Ning's opinion, only dragging him there to live with him after their graduation as if such a thing was expected. Xiao Ning neither paid the rent there, nor the utilities, but Lu Yan paid no attention to the daily expenses and necessities, so the task of keeping the place like a home was left to Xiao Ning. Thus, from the orchid on the windowsill, to the shampoo in the bathroom, such things were all bought by him.

Lu Yan took a sip of the tea, satisfaction beaming within his eyes, "We met in an online game."

Kindling with the Heart [Finding the Bugs]

Lu Yan took a sip of the tea, satisfaction beaming within his eyes, "We met in an online game."

"Bai Ye?" It sounded like the name of a bar. Xiao Ning frowned, thinking to himself for a short while, then stood up, "You can go to bed now, I'll go see what's going on."

However, Xiao Ning couldn't hold such a thing against Lu Yan at all. Even he did not know when it had become the way it was. It was just just that as Lu Yan had kept growing older, the better he had gotten at putting on this sort of act. No longer would he behave as rebelliously as he had been as a child, he acted in compliance within the Lu household until he got outside. Such a level of two-facedness would allow him to win a best-actor title. To the the outsiders, all they see is a lively and cheerful guy, who was warm and delightful to others. Only towards Xiao Ning, would he display these sort of arrogant gestures. This innate bad temper of his, for who knows how many times, causing Xiao Ning offence. Yet, despite all this, Xiao Ning had nevertheless stayed in touch with him for such a long time.

"Bai Ye?" It sounded like the name of a bar. Xiao Ning frowned, thinking to himself for a short while, then stood up, "You can go to bed now, I'll go see what's going on."

Him saying those things meant he was surely going to leave, hence Lu Yan's expression turning frigid, with him then ignoring Xiao Ning as he went to his bedroom, slamming the door heavily to show just how pissed he was because of it.

However, this matter was none of Xiao Ning's business.

"Wang-ge?" Xiao Ning almost laughed, "What's wrong?"

But isn't it likely that person would be staying in Lu Yan's room?

Hearing this, Xiao Ning thought to himself: But weren't you having a good time?

Without hesitation, Xiao Ning pressed the button and accepted the call, only to immediately hear the other person cry out from the other end, "Help me, Xiao Ning!"

Kindling with the Heart [Finding the Bugs]

Without hesitation, Xiao Ning pressed the button and accepted the call, only to immediately hear the other person cry out from the other end, "Help me, Xiao Ning!"

Lu Yan interrupted, shouted: "Hey, I can't hear you very good, stuff over here is super hectic, so I gotta hang up now, okay? I'll call you later. Happy New Year!"

That matter was Lu Yan.

The New Year's Bell tolled to announce the years arrival, is that how that phrase is said? And everyone in the entire country erupted into a sea of joy.

Lu Yan interrupted, shouted: "Hey, I can't hear you very good, stuff over here is super hectic, so I gotta hang up now, okay? I'll call you later. Happy New Year!"

The New Year's Bell tolled to announce the years arrival, is that how that phrase is said? And everyone in the entire country erupted into a sea of joy.

Dong dong dong dong...

Lu Yan stared at him, seeming somewhat angered as well as a bit wronged, "He's not here as yet."

However, this matter was none of Xiao Ning's business.

The New Year's Bell tolled to announce the years arrival, is that how that phrase is said? And everyone in the entire country erupted into a sea of joy.

Hearing this, Xiao Ning thought to himself: But weren't you having a good time?

Letting out a smile to the air itself, Xiao Ning still went on to say, "...Happy New Year."

Xiao Ning opened the message and tool a look, not recognizing the location at all.

That matter was Lu Yan.

Xiao Ning opened the message and tool a look, not recognizing the location at all.

But, in the end, Xiao Ning was still considered a guest there, so there were still things he should be conscientious of—stuff he had to be conscientious of.

Hearing this, Xiao Ning thought to himself: But weren't you having a good time?

Wang Hua then explained miserably, "Someone is trying to force me into prostitution, and you're the only person I can rely on."

That matter was Lu Yan.

Letting out a smile to the air itself, Xiao Ning still went on to say, "...Happy New Year."

Hearing this, Xiao Ning thought to himself: But weren't you having a good time?

From time to time, Lu Yan would bring his partners over, and when he did, Xiao Ning would willingly make himself scarce. Hence, at this time, he would obviously be doing the same thing too.

Letting out a smile to the air itself, Xiao Ning still went on to say, "...Happy New Year."

"Wang-ge?" Xiao Ning almost laughed, "What's wrong?"

Lu Yan took a sip of the tea, satisfaction beaming within his eyes, "We met in an online game."

Just as he said this, he then complained, "Xiao Ning, in the beginning it was you who didn't want to play that game with me, so I had no choice but to meet a few new people in the game."

Hearing this, Xiao Ning thought to himself: But weren't you having a good time?

Just as he said this, he then complained, "Xiao Ning, in the beginning it was you who didn't want to play that game with me, so I had no choice but to meet a few new people in the game."

So if Wang Hua truly had a problem, Xiao Ning would obviously not stand idly by, "What happened?"

Xiao Ning opened the message and tool a look, not recognizing the location at all.

However, this matter was none of Xiao Ning's business.

"Are you going to head over to the other place for a few days?" Lu Yan flopped back on the sofa, "Oh, should I ask Aunty to drop by and clean the place up for you then?"

From over his shoulder, Lu Yan also took a peek, "Bai Ye (White Night)?"

Dong dong dong dong...

From time to time, Lu Yan would bring his partners over, and when he did, Xiao Ning would willingly make himself scarce. Hence, at this time, he would obviously be doing the same thing too.

You are reading story The Long Road Ahead at novel35.com

But, in the end, Xiao Ning was still considered a guest there, so there were still things he should be conscientious of—stuff he had to be conscientious of.

Looking at Lu Yan carefully, he nodded then asked, "So should I go stay somewhere else for a few days?"

From time to time, Lu Yan would bring his partners over, and when he did, Xiao Ning would willingly make himself scarce. Hence, at this time, he would obviously be doing the same thing too.

In response, Xiao Ning sighed, turning off the television before walking out the door.

But isn't it likely that person would be staying in Lu Yan's room?

Wang Hua then explained miserably, "Someone is trying to force me into prostitution, and you're the only person I can rely on."

But isn't it likely that person would be staying in Lu Yan's room?

The next day had almost arrived, the night was almost over, so where exactly would there be the time to find someone to go there and clean it?

Lu Yan interrupted, shouted: "Hey, I can't hear you very good, stuff over here is super hectic, so I gotta hang up now, okay? I'll call you later. Happy New Year!"

But, in the end, Xiao Ning was still considered a guest there, so there were still things he should be conscientious of—stuff he had to be conscientious of.

"Are you going to head over to the other place for a few days?" Lu Yan flopped back on the sofa, "Oh, should I ask Aunty to drop by and clean the place up for you then?"

The New Year's Bell tolled to announce the years arrival, is that how that phrase is said? And everyone in the entire country erupted into a sea of joy.

Looking at Lu Yan carefully, he nodded then asked, "So should I go stay somewhere else for a few days?"

Lu Yan took a sip of the tea, satisfaction beaming within his eyes, "We met in an online game."

"I got a new boyfriend."

From time to time, Lu Yan would bring his partners over, and when he did, Xiao Ning would willingly make himself scarce. Hence, at this time, he would obviously be doing the same thing too.

"Wang-ge?" Xiao Ning almost laughed, "What's wrong?"

"Are you going to head over to the other place for a few days?" Lu Yan flopped back on the sofa, "Oh, should I ask Aunty to drop by and clean the place up for you then?"

Guessing that Lu Yan would most likely not get up early to eat breakfast during the weekend, Xiao Ning switched it, "Lunch. What would you like? You said you wanted to eat some shrimp wontons this morning, yeah? Or how about some curried chicken from that place on Main Street? I remember you really liked it last time, so how about I bring you some?"