Chapter 57 Only Memories Remain

Chapter 57: Only Memories Left

Lin Juangui distinctly felt Huo Zeshen’s initial cheerfulness wane, replaced by a hint of fragile sadness in his eyes.

Unsure what the teenager was thinking, and assuming he was nervous, Lin Juangui gently patted Huo Zeshen’s shoulder, offering comfort: "Relax, your ranking isn't the most important thing. Just finishing the race is a great achievement."

"I know, Brother."

Regardless, Lin Juangui had taken time off specifically for him, and he couldn't let Lin Juangui return empty-handed.

The young man had nothing; whatever he desired, he had to strive for and earn himself. If he won first place, he would give the medal to Lin Juangui.

In the future, he would pursue more accolades, aiming to become Lin Juangui's pride.

At this moment, the fear and timidity that had once marked Huo Zeshen's eyes in the orphanage were gone. His gaze was now confident and powerful, like a young tiger cub—still a bit naive, but destined for rapid growth with experience.

After tidying up, Huo Zeshen took Lin Juangui on a tour of the campus.

Despite being a high school, the campus was substantial. The teaching buildings were impressive, and the student dormitories were orderly and clean.

It was almost seven o'clock. The 3000-meter race was scheduled for the morning, when students were most energetic.

This event demanded high endurance but offered little in terms of spectacle. By the end, every runner was red-faced, drenched in sweat, and gasping for breath.

At this moment, the track was largely empty except for teachers recording scores and robot referees. The broadcast system urged participants to report for registration. Lin Juangui cheered Huo Zeshen on, "Go for it, I believe in you."

Lin Juangui settled into the stands and used his light-brain to create a flashing sign that read "Go Huo Zeshen." He watched Huo Zeshen, clad in a sleeveless sports top, warming up with the other competitors. When Huo Zeshen glanced his way, Lin Juangui gave a small wave.

Huo Zeshen waved back at Lin Juangui, his smile radiant, before quickly regaining his focus and continuing his warm-up.

Soon after, Qu Yang arrived, carrying a case of mineral water in each hand.

It was clear that Betas possessed superior physical fitness compared to Omegas. Lin Juangui gave Qu Yang a thumbs-up. Qu Yang grinned, pulled out a bottle of water for Lin Juangui, and then updated him on Huo Zeshen’s recent situation at school.

Upon learning that Huo Zeshen was still being targeted, Lin Juangui sighed softly.

After careful consideration, Lin Juangui decided not to intervene too much. Huo Zeshen's personality had both strengths and weaknesses, and the experiences he needed to navigate were not something Lin Juangui could easily interfere with, as it would hinder Huo Zeshen's growth.

"You've worked hard during this time."

Qu Yang smiled and replied, "Thanks, Mr. Lin."

The race started too early; some participants missed the warm-up, still radiating drowsiness, clearly having been dragged there to compete.

The moment the starting gun fired, all competitors surged forward on the track. Huo Zeshen's pace wasn't particularly fast. For the first two laps, he stayed closely behind the top three. Only after assessing his opponents' speeds did he gradually accelerate, slowly moving into second place.

The leader felt a sense of urgency, but after pushing hard for half a lap, he ran out of steam, unable to maintain even second place, eventually dropping to fifth.

After taking the lead, Huo Zeshen didn't rush. Lin Juangui could sense him deliberately slowing down, allowing the current second-place runner to catch up. Yet, Huo Zeshen remained right behind, never falling back.

Was he letting the current leader break the wind for him? Lin Juangui watched with increasing fascination.

On the final lap, Huo Zeshen unleashed his full speed. With his long limbs, he truly possessed a talent for running, finishing five seconds ahead of the second-place runner in the final sprint.

The race was thrilling, and Lin Juangui watched intently, never taking his eyes off the track.

Huo Zeshen was maturing rapidly; he even knew how to employ strategy in a running race.

Lin Juangui let out a long sigh of relief. He took the mineral water and walked onto the field, his gaze toward Huo Zeshen filled with unconcealed pride.

When Huo Zeshen saw Lin Juangui approaching, his eyes finally sparkled with youthful exuberance.

Huo Zeshen knew these achievements were minor in Lin Juangui's eyes, but he wanted to prove himself to Lin Juangui—and thankfully, he had succeeded.

The young man's sweat-soaked bangs clung to his brow, and the collar of his sports jersey rose and fell with his breathing. His eyes held intense emotion, a deep, dark pool of fervent affection boiling within their depths.

When Lin Juangui reached him, Huo Zeshen controlled his breathing and, as calmly as possible, said to Lin Juangui, "Brother, I did it."

Lin Juangui nodded enthusiastically, handing the mineral water to Huo Zeshen. "Yes, you did it! You were amazing!"

Huo Zeshen's smile became pure and innocent; Lin Juangui's praise filled him with immense joy.

Qu Yang rushed over with water, handing a towel from her backpack to Lin Juangui and a bottle of water to Huo Zeshen: "You've sweated so much today; you could easily catch a cold in this wind. I'm going to distribute the water."

Lin Juangui agreed and, while Huo Zeshen drank, gently wiped his forehead, chin, and neck.

Huo Zeshen trembled slightly, goosebumps instantly rising on his arms. He took the towel from Lin Juangui, saying he could manage himself. Lin Juangui then quickly draped the school jacket Huo Zeshen had given him earlier over Huo Zeshen's shoulders.

"Running a race like that is incredibly draining."

Qu Yang, having finished distributing water, interjected, "When they get to university, their simulated mecha combat training will be even more exhausting than this."

Huo Zeshen frowned slightly, as if not wanting Lin Juangui to worry, and quickly took over the conversation, "It's not tiring, I'm used to it. Brother, you don't need to worry about me."

Lin Juangui sighed softly—how could training not be exhausting? His eyes were filled with concern. "You need to be more careful. I can't help you with these specialized things; I just hope you'll take better care of yourself."

"Brother, you've already helped me so much. I'm content and grateful; that's enough."

No one cared for Huo Zeshen more than Lin Juangui.

Qu Yang realized she had misspoken and quietly stayed nearby, trying to be inconspicuous.

The morning breeze was still a bit chilly. Lin Juangui asked Huo Zeshen if he was hungry, planning to have Qu Yang buy something to help him replenish his energy.

But Huo Zeshen shook his head. "After the award ceremony, shall we go eat meat wontons together?"

"Sounds good."

It was almost eight o'clock, and the school was gradually filling up, not just with students but also parents arriving to watch the events.

Upon hearing that the 3000-meter race had concluded, many people flocked to watch the award ceremony.

Huo Zeshen was the undisputed winner. His homeroom teacher was so thrilled upon learning of Huo Zeshen's first-place finish that he was speechless, grinning from ear to ear.

Initially, the homeroom teacher wanted Huo Zeshen to give him the gold medal to display in the class's honor cabinet, but after the award ceremony, Huo Zeshen walked directly toward Lin Juangui.

The young man took off the medal, intending to place it on Lin Juangui.

"Brother, I want to give this to you. I hope you'll accept it."

The medal represented Huo Zeshen's hard work and was the only thing he could offer Lin Juangui at that moment.

Lin Juangui understood Huo Zeshen's sincere gesture. He lowered his head and said, "Okay." Huo Zeshen then placed the medal around Lin Juangui's neck.

As Huo Zeshen beamed with joy, his homeroom teacher slapped his forehead in despair—how could he not have recognized Lin Juangui's face from the Star Network? He wouldn't dare ask for the medal now.

But he never expected Huo Zeshen to win first place; otherwise, he would have insisted Huo Zeshen keep the medal.

Lin Juangui and Huo Zeshen exchanged a smile. In the distance, Mu Zhang and Mu Yuanqing, who had come to join the crowd, happened to witness the scene.

When Mu Zhang saw the two, he first frowned, then took a deep breath, turned around, and walked away without looking back.

Mu Yuanqing hadn't expected to encounter Lin Juangui and Huo Zeshen here. He paused for a moment, thinking it would be polite to greet them, but since Mu Zhang had left, he had no choice but to follow.

The young man's eyelashes seemed dusted with gold, the morning sunlight dancing in his dark pupils. The curve of his lips was like a refreshing soda on a summer day—sweet and cool.

Huo Zeshen didn't smile often, but when he did, it was truly captivating, dispelling his usual cold and gloomy aura, making him seem like a cheerful, sunny puppy.

So adorable.

"Brother, can I go back to the dorm to shower first? I'll be quick."

After the run, he was drenched in sweat, and Huo Zeshen worried he might bother Lin Juangui with the smell. If they went to eat together later, Lin Juangui might find him messy. Huo Zeshen still wanted to make a good impression on Lin Juangui.

Lin Juangui knew Huo Zeshen was meticulous about cleanliness. Every time he returned home, he would shower first to ensure he was fresh and clean before hugging Lin Juangui.

"Alright, take your time. I'm in no hurry."

As an Omega, Lin Juangui couldn't enter the Alpha dormitory at the military high school. He waited for Huo Zeshen in a nearby wooded area, sitting on a bench by the path with Qu Yang.

Lin Juangui tilted his head to gaze at the swaying tree shadows, resting his hand on the back of the bench. In an extremely casual tone, he said to Qu Yang, "From today onward, you'll handle any matters related to Xiao Shen. There's no need to report to me."

Qu Yang's hand trembled; she didn't understand why Lin Juangui had suddenly made this decision.

But Lin Juangui looked at her with a knowing smile, his eyes sharp. "You can sense how dependent he is on me, right? I'm a married Omega, and the media has reported that I suffer from psychological issues. Being too close to him isn't good for him. So, from now on, I'll leave it to you."

Qu Yang's face showed reluctance. During the time she had been looking after Huo Zeshen, she had seen how the young man pushed himself relentlessly in studying and training. Huo Zeshen did it for Lin Juangui, and Lin Juangui did it for Huo Zeshen. But cutting ties so abruptly would surely lead to misunderstandings, wouldn't it?

Qu Yang still spoke up for Huo Zeshen: "But if that happens, I'm worried Xiao Huo won't be able to handle it..."

Anyone could see that Huo Zeshen's efforts were all for Lin Juangui. If Lin Juangui stopped caring for him, what would happen to his motivation?

But Lin Juangui shook his head. "He'll be fine. I've always looked forward to his growth. If my leaving makes him lose his drive, then I wouldn't have chosen him in the first place."

Lin Juangui had made up his mind. No matter how much Qu Yang said, she couldn't change it. She pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and muttered softly, "You're not going to make me be the one to tell him, are you?"

Though it was part of her job to handle tasks for her boss, Qu Yang doubted she could handle Huo Zeshen's reaction. She didn't want to cause trouble for herself.

Lin Juangui couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Do I seem like the kind of person who would push my subordinates into the fire and abandon them? This is between him and me, so I'll be the one to end it. From now on, unless it's a matter of life and death, there's no need to update me. I think..." The Omega took a deep breath, his eyes tinged with melancholy. "I need a withdrawal period too."

From the beginning, when he first arrived in this world feeling lost and disheartened, to the moment a young man who resembled Huo Zeshen entered his life, the past and all the coincidences had rekindled Lin Juangui's hope for life and curiosity about the unknown truth.

It was time to let go. This was the best protection for both Huo Zeshen and himself.

But Huo Zeshen had been in the dormitory for a long time without coming down. Lin Juangui sent him a message, asking if something had come up.

Huo Zeshen replied quickly, saying it was nothing—he had accidentally knocked over his roommate's cup and spent some time cleaning it up. He would be down soon.

Lin Juangui breathed a sigh of relief, thinking there might have been an emergency. He told Huo Zeshen he would wait nearby and sent him the coordinates.

Huo Zeshen replied with an "okay." He looked at his classmate, whom he had just beaten, a smile in his eyes—but it was a sinister smile, like a swirling vortex that could suck someone in and crush them.

"What he does is none of your business. Eavesdropping is what's shameless."

Early in the morning, their homeroom teacher had shared the good news in the class group chat about Huo Zeshen winning first place in the long-distance race. Those who disliked him were naturally both envious and jealous.

One classmate, who had forgotten to bring the class's support banner to the event, was heading back to the dorm to get it. Unexpectedly, he happened to overhear Lin Juangui and Qu Yang's conversation.

As he passed by Huo Zeshen's dorm, the male classmate saw Huo Zeshen mopping the floor, his hair still wet. Unable to resist, he crossed his arms and stood at the door, saying smugly, "I used to envy you, but now I just feel sorry for you."

It was Huo Zeshen's turn to clean the dorm that day, but since he had to participate in the race, his roommates hadn't bothered to help. He had rushed through his shower to mop the floor.

Originally, he had been in a lighthearted mood knowing Lin Juangui was waiting for him nearby. But hearing the unfamiliar classmate's taunts, he remained calm, pretending not to hear and turning back to rinse the mop.

Seeing that Huo Zeshen was ignoring him, the classmate arrogantly stepped into the dorm, dirtying the floor Huo Zeshen had just cleaned.

"Even though you're ungrateful, I'll be generous and tell you—I just passed by the grove and overheard your patron saying... he won't be involved in your affairs anymore."

Huo Zeshen's pupils contracted sharply, but he showed no reaction. He simply told the classmate to leave. "You've dirtied the floor I just cleaned."

Perhaps Huo Zeshen's refusal to engage only infuriated the classmate more. He persisted, "You put on this cold, aloof act in front of teachers and classmates, but you're all smiles and flattery in front of your patron! Maybe you're just too annoying? He said he's distancing himself because you're too dependent on him."

Huo Zeshen took a deep breath. He slowly walked up to the classmate, grabbed him by the collar, slammed the dorm door shut, threw him to the ground, and started punching him.

The classmate, also an Alpha, wasn't about to back down. He tried to fight back, but Huo Zeshen overpowered him, slamming his head against the floor several times.

Throughout it all, Huo Zeshen's expression remained unchanged, as if he were doing something utterly mundane. If Lin Juangui hadn't messaged him, he might not have stopped.

The classmate, now bruised and battered, didn't dare say another word. Eavesdropping was wrong, but he hadn't been able to resist provoking Huo Zeshen.

Who would have thought Huo Zeshen wouldn't care at all and would instead beat him up?

Fights between Alphas were common at the military high school. Even if he reported it, the most that would happen was Huo Zeshen being assigned extra training. Losing the fight and then tattling would only bring shame.

Huo Zeshen dragged him up, opened the door, and threw him out.

He would have to mop the floor again, making Lin Juangui wait a little longer.

But remembering what the classmate had said, Huo Zeshen couldn't help but tear up.

Had he really become a burden to his brother? He had tried so hard to restrain himself. Why did Lin Juangui want to abandon him? What had he done wrong?

Huo Zeshen knew Qu Yang was Lin Juangui's assistant. The fact that Lin Juangui had sent her to look after him showed how much he meant to Lin Juangui.

So sometimes, Huo Zeshen would comfort himself, thinking this relationship was enough. He shouldn't ask for more.

Even though he often felt that Lin Juangui and his partner didn't have a good relationship, and he believed he could take better care of Lin Juangui in the future, he kept these wild thoughts to himself, never daring to show them in front of Lin Juangui.

His eyes reddened. The more he thought about it, the more upset he felt. He couldn't understand why Lin Juangui would reject him.

When he went to meet Lin Juangui, Huo Zeshen couldn't fully hide his emotions, and Lin Juangui noticed something was off.

"What's wrong?" Lin Juangui scanned Huo Zeshen from head to toe but didn't see any injuries. He immediately thought of another possibility. "Did someone bully you?"

Seeing that Lin Juangui still cared about him, Huo Zeshen felt a bit of the gloom lift. He shook his head and said, "I just yawned a few times. Maybe the run took a lot out of me. Brother, shall we go eat?"

Huo Zeshen was changing the subject. Lin Juangui said yes, but exchanged a glance with Qu Yang.

Qu Yang understood and excused herself.

Huo Zeshen took Lin Juangui to the restaurant known for its meat swallow wontons, smiling as he said the place had the best flavor and that he came often.

Although Huo Zeshen usually kept to himself at school, focusing on studying, training, and running, he and Qu Yang had thoroughly explored all the shops on campus.

Compared to the robot-cooked meals in the cafeteria, restaurants with that personal touch tend to have better business.

However, when Huo Zeshen entered the shop with Lin Juangui and spotted Mu Zhang and Mu Yuanqing, the smile slowly slipped from his face, replaced by his usual distant, quiet demeanor.

Lin Juangui showed no surprise upon seeing the two main players; instead, he reacted quickly, offering a polite smile. "You're here too."

Acting as if he didn't notice the awkward atmosphere, Lin Juangui asked Mu Yuanqing if they wanted to share a table. Mu Yuanqing couldn't refuse and nodded in agreement.

Huo Zeshen took a seat opposite Mu Zhang, while Lin Juangui sat beside him.

Mu Zhang's gaze swept over Lin Juangui and Huo Zeshen. Lin Juangui happened to meet his eyes and curved his lips into a smile. "Xiao Shen just finished a long-distance race. What he ate this morning wasn't enough to keep him going. He said this place has great flavor—seems like a real classic spot. I recall you and General Mu were classmates. You must have some pleasant memories from your time here."

Mu Yuanqing was sweating bullets.

Under the table, Mu Yuanqing clenched his fists, unsure how to respond. He could only wait for Mu Zhang to bail him out.

After all, Mu Zhang and Lin Juangui were the couple, yet he was sitting next to another Alpha. But this young man named Huo Zeshen was also an Alpha, and his social status was sensitive. Why was Lin Juangui so concerned about him?

Mu Zhang didn't seem to notice Mu Yuanqing's discomfort. He simply stared at Lin Juangui before revealing a knowing smile. "General Mu and I only have memories left now. You and Huo, on the other hand, have created quite a few unforgettable moments. Are you planning to save those for later too?"

Mu Yuanqing, observing from the side, sensed the tension. He had thought Mu Zhang and Lin Juangui were joined at the hip, inseparable—otherwise, Mu Zhang wouldn't have ended things with him so decisively and even offered him compensation.

Mu Yuanqing felt he didn't deserve it, but Di Yanhe's orders left him no choice. In the end, he could only thank Mu Zhang.

Their years of entangled love and resentment had finally come to an end. Mu Zhang's heart now belonged to someone else, no longer something Mu Yuanqing could experience.

But why was Mu Zhang being so confrontational with his own Omega? His tone had an edge to it.

Could it be jealousy? A pang of loneliness flickered in Mu Yuanqing's heart.

So this is how Mu Zhang acts when he's jealous.

Lin Juangui asked Huo Zeshen to order first, signaling him to stay out of it. Resting his elbows on the table, he interlaced his fingers and propped his chin in his hands, with a cheerful smile. "Perhaps in the future, we'll remember today. No matter who it is, this day will be hard to forget."

Before Mu Zhang could respond, Lin Juangui turned to Mu Yuanqing. "What do you think, General Mu?"

Mu Yuanqing took a deep breath and looked away, suppressing the bitterness inside. He smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "Yes, it will be unforgettable. I hope you and Mu Zhang can move forward together. I wish you both happiness."

Indeed, saying it aloud lifted a heavy burden from his heart. Mu Yuanqing seemed to have made his peace with it, looking directly into Lin Juangui's eyes. "You're the one he holds dearest. As long as he loves you, he won't let you down."

"Mu Zhang listens to you, General Mu. I believe that."

He was clearly mocking Mu Zhang, implying that Mu Zhang's kindness toward Lin Juangui was only due to Mu Yuanqing's "orders." In Mu Zhang's heart, Lin Juangui didn't rank highly—Mu Yuanqing's words held more sway.

From the moment they sat down, Lin Juangui had been needling everyone. Mu Zhang had never seen this side of him—biting and leaving no room for retreat, completely unlike his usual smooth and charming self in social settings.

After ordering, Huo Zeshen occasionally glanced at Lin Juangui. He hadn't expected Lin Juangui to have such a sharp side, which surprised him but also made him find this version of his brother even more intriguing.

Mu Zhang didn't understand why Lin Juangui was provoking him. In the past, Lin Juangui had always been polite in front of Mu Yuanqing, but this time...

This was the first time Lin Juangui had met Mu Yuanqing since leaving the Fourth Military Region.

It clicked for Mu Zhang.

Lin Juangui resented Mu Zhang for treating him as a substitute, and he also disliked Mu Yuanqing, the "original."

The fact that Lin Juangui hadn't flipped the table over was already a courtesy. If he had grievances, it was better to voice them than to keep them bottled up.

So Mu Zhang merely sighed softly, like he was throwing in the towel, and said to Lin Juangui, "General Mu and I are just friends. From now on, I'll listen to you."

Lin Juangui raised an eyebrow, seemingly satisfied with Mu Zhang's response.

Just then, the owner brought over the wontons Mu Zhang and Mu Yuanqing had ordered. Mu Zhang didn't touch his bowl but instead slid it over to Lin Juangui. Mu Yuanqing also passed his bowl to Huo Zeshen.

"Earlier at school, I heard the announcement that you won the three-thousand-meter race. Your stamina and endurance are impressive. Keep pushing yourself."

"Thank you for the praise. I'll continue to work hard."

Mu Yuanqing nodded, impressed by how Huo Zeshen took it in stride.

Seeing that Lin Juangui accepted the wontons he'd offered, Mu Zhang seized the chance to offer Huo Zeshen some advice. "Military high school is just a transitional phase. Once you enter university, there will be more training. You can ask General Mu for a few training mechs to try out and get familiar with the environment ahead of time."

Mu Yuanqing chuckled lightly. "You sure know how to volunteer me for favors."

Mu Zhang, however, looked at Lin Juangui. "You've always appreciated talented people. I said that so Huo won't hesitate to ask you for help later."

Huo Zeshen said with good timing, "Thank you, Mr. Mu, General Mu."

The remaining two bowls of wontons arrived shortly after. Huo Zeshen asked Lin Juangui if he liked vinegar. "Adding a bit enhances the flavor."

Lin Juangui winced a little. "I'm not particularly fond of sour tastes, but if you like it, you can add some. I'll try a bite."

"Then let's not add any. You can just taste mine, brother."

*Splash—* Mu Zhang's spoon slipped into his bowl, sending oily drops flying.

Huo Zeshen wasn't startled, and Lin Juangui remained calm. Mu Yuanqing turned to Mu Zhang with a puzzled look, unsure what his problem was.

Mu Zhang picked up the bottle of vinegar Huo Zeshen had used, poured some into his own bowl, and then slid it toward Lin Juangui.

"If you want to try the flavor, have some of mine. We're a couple, after all. He's still a kid—he needs to eat more to grow."

It was a weak excuse, but it worked. Lin Juangui took a new spoon from the utensil holder, scooped a wonton from Mu Zhang's bowl, and blew on it gently.

Perhaps Mu Zhang had added too much vinegar, as the sourness set Lin Juangui's teeth on edge.

He pushed the bowl back to Mu Zhang and commented, "The flavor is quite good."

Mu Zhang's gaze toward Huo Zeshen now carried a warning. Huo Zeshen lowered his eyes and remained silent, quietly eating his wontons.

Lin Juangui had eaten the congee Mu Zhang made for breakfast earlier, along with three shengjian bao and half a bottle of corn juice that Huo Zeshen bought. Though nearly two hours had passed, he wasn't very hungry, so he only managed a few bites of the wontons before feeling full.

Huo Zeshen keenly sensed Lin Juangui's need and proactively said to Lin Juangui, "If you can't finish it, brother, you can give it to me."

Lin Juangui's "Okay" hadn't even left his lips when Mu Zhang, without a word, took Lin Juangui's bowl and placed it in front of himself.