Chapter 30: My Partner

Chapter 30: My Partner

Ever since he was a teenager, Chu Lanting had lived alone.

Some people had suggested he go live with relatives, even if only for a few months—at least there would be someone by his side, so he wouldn't be so lonely.

At the time, he would just smile and say nothing.

Because in his memory, during the period after his parents passed away, his relatives had all gathered together to discuss where he should go from there.

As a child who was introverted by nature but yearned for affection from family, he naturally wanted someone to accompany him during the lowest point of his life.

However, the first time a relative took him in, even though they said nothing, he could still see an odd look in their eyes.

A young child has to go through a very long period of growing up.

Only those who had raised children knew how much it would cost during that time.

So Chu Lanting made himself as inconspicuous as possible, only stepping forward looking nervous to seek help when he truly couldn't make a decision on his own.

Even so, while staying at his aunt's house, he was bullied by his cousin for quite a while.

In the end, it was his grandmother who came to get him and brought him back to that home which no longer had his parents, making that house feel like a home again.

That memory of being passed around between various relatives' homes left a lasting mark on Chu Lanting's later life.

After his grandmother passed away, he became fully independent.

Even if someone wanted to reach out and lend him a hand, he would politely refuse.

Much less someone trying to break into his inner world, to barge into his life.

But now, someone was repeatedly slamming against the walls he'd built around his heart.

And even after he had pushed him away time and time again, he still refused to give up, still wanting to be good to him, still wanting to be with him.

His heart trembled, and Chu Lanting pressed his lips together tightly.

He stared straight at the man in front of him, and only after a long moment did he let out a deep sigh.

He reached out to help the young man who was curled up in his arms sit up, then cupped his face in both hands.

Chu Lanting looked into his tear-filled eyes and said in a low voice, "A Du, you'll regret this someday."

Regret what he had done while he had amnesia, regret that as his superior, he had repeatedly cried without any dignity, trailing after him.

"Why would I regret anything? What does regret even mean?"

Pei Du blinked, his deep, dark eyes locked on him: "I don't know what regret is. I know I love my wife. I've loved my wife since the first time I saw her."

The room went quiet again without anyone noticing.

Chu Lanting just tilted his head up, gazing into his eyes.

After a long moment, when his neck began to feel sore, he shifted his body and gently squeezed the cheek that was wet with tears.

"I got it. Go wash your face first. The lunch break is almost over—we need to get back to work."

Without his memories, Pei Du could express his feelings freely.

Chu Lanting could not.

Call him overly cautious, call him a coward—it didn't matter.

He had already gone through losing the people closest to him twice.

He knew very well how good Pei Du was to him. If he let himself fall for him, he would very likely have to endure the pain of separation and loss once again in the future.

He didn't dare to take that risk.

Pei Du didn't get the answer he wanted, and a look of displeasure crossed his handsome face.

But he didn't dare push it further. Now that he could finally stay close to his wife again, he didn't want to pretend to be mad at her anymore.

Besides, he had something even more important to do today.

-

When the two of them got back to the factory, the lunch break wasn't over yet.

The factory workers weren't taking a nap—instead, they were gathered around chatting.

Lately, the thing they talked about most was Chu Lanting.

After all, in the slums of 207, not many people could read.

Uncle Tian, who came from the wealthy district, was one of them. So was the factory owner. And then there was Old He, who had led the uprising back in the day.

No one had expected that Chu Lanting, who had always kept a low profile, could read too—and that he even wanted to teach the children here.

207 was truly backward; everyone was just muddling through.

But even if they were like that, their kids couldn't be.

The backwardness of 207, the scarcity of resources—just that alone was enough to slowly push this once-prosperous planet toward ruin.

Just when they thought there was nothing they could do, Chu Lanting stepped up.

Before long, the name "Teacher Chu" started spreading among the people.

Some residents from neighboring towns even brought their children over, hoping their kids could join the classes.

Moreover, Chu Lanting was a completely different person when he taught compared to when he worked. When teaching, he was patient and gentle, and the things he taught were actually useful.

Nowadays, even when Chu Lanting wasn't around, people would still bring him up on their own.

When Chu Lanting showed up for work, before he could even say hi, someone had already pulled him aside.

"You've been working so hard lately, Teacher Chu. This is something my wife made—she kept nagging me at noon to bring it to you. You really must accept it."

"And ours too! If it weren't for Teacher Chu, who knows what our kids would end up doing in the future. Teacher Chu, don't be so formal with us."

"Teacher Chu, I saw you chatting with Xiaoyuan this morning. What do you think of Xiaoyuan, that girl..."

Chu Lanting had never been good at dealing with parents—a habit that went back to before he was transported into this book.

Even though he had already become familiar with these children's parents over the past few weeks, he still felt awkward being in a crowd and interacting with them.

Trying his best to relax, he gave a small smile, politely declined the gifts the parents offered, and then turned his gaze to the parent who had mentioned "Xiaoyuan."

"Xiaoyuan is a great kid. She'll be learning alongside your kids when class starts."

"But in two more years, Xiaoyuan will be old enough to marry."

Someone nearby offhandedly mentioned Xiaoyuan's age.

Chu Lanting frowned at that: "Even so..."

"Xiaoyuan has nothing to do with my... with Teacher Chu. I like Teacher Chu, and he's going to be my partner."

Pei Du only shows his naive, forgetful side in front of Chu Lanting.

In front of others, he tones down that innocent air and instead puts on a somewhat aloof demeanor.

That's exactly why, right after Chu Lanting announced his classes, those who looked down on him quickly shut up with Pei Du by his side.

Everyone knew that Pei Du was someone Chu Lanting had taken in.

As far as others knew, the two only went to and from work together.

Not long after, though, Pei Du openly declared his intention to pursue Chu Lanting in front of so many people.