Caleb Johnson hesitated for less than two seconds before packing up his things and going downstairs to find Lucas Green.
He will be eighteen in nine months. By then he will be an adult and have gone to college, and he will have nothing to do with Cheng Lie.
In Caleb Johnson's plan, he hoped that after he turned 18, he would not have to see Cheng Lie again except when paying alimony.
He carried his schoolbag and a bag into Lucas Green's car and yawned.
"Were you asleep just now?" Lu Yezhen asked him.
Caleb Johnson was wearing a hoodie and an old T-shirt with a large collar. Lucas Green saw it all, so he was too lazy to cover it up.
"A little sleepy." Caleb Johnson shook his head.
"Your family members are not here?" Lucas Green lifted up Caleb Johnson's collar, and his fingertips rubbed Caleb Johnson's skin, which was warm, soft, and moist.
The T-shirt that Caleb Johnson was wearing looked exactly like the one in the photo. This was probably what Caleb Johnson wore at home. Thinking of the experience and humiliation that Caleb Johnson had suffered when she was wearing it that day in the photo, as well as the way Caleb Johnson closed her eyes and couldn't sleep well, Lu Yezhen felt quite bitter.
"My dad took the money and left that day, and he hasn't come back since," Caleb Johnson said, "and my mom is gone."
Upon hearing this, Lucas Green glanced at him and asked Caleb Johnson awkwardly, "Did your father take the money?"
Caleb Johnson turned to look at him and said, "Yes."
He spoke casually but his posture was nervous. This was the first time he talked about family matters with others and he was afraid of receiving bad feedback once he spoke out.
"He often borrowed money from others," Caleb Johnson added, "and would beat me when he was drunk."
There were not many cars on the road late at night, but Lucas Green still drove very slowly. After a while, he asked Caleb Johnson: "Why didn't you call the police?"
Caleb Johnson was stunned for a moment, and said softly: "I have reported it."
When Caleb Johnson was in the fifth grade of elementary school, his left arm was broken by Cheng Lie, and Caleb Johnson secretly called the police.
The police came to the door soon and gave his father a lecture. His father promised not to do it again and left.
After Cheng Lie closed the door, he didn't beat Caleb Johnson anymore. He took him to the hospital, wrote him a note for leave and sent him to school. He then locked Caleb Johnson in the storage room for two months.
The storage room was very dark and had a small toilet. Above the toilet there was a ventilation window that was half the size of a book and was equipped with iron bars to prevent theft.
At that time, Cheng Lie was still working in a factory workshop. Before going out every day, he would throw some food to Caleb Johnson, and then lock the door tightly, not letting him see any light.
For two months, Caleb Johnson stood on the toilet every day and looked at a small piece of sky outside the window.
Every day when birds fly by, he is happiest. Sometimes when he gets tired of watching, he crawls back and sits on the ground to memorize pi, using the inkless pen and broken string in the storage room to draw circles on the dusty ground and calculate the area of polygons.
On the day the plaster was removed, Caleb Johnson was pulled out by Cheng Lie, pushed onto the bus, and went to the community clinic.
Back home, Cheng Lie pushed Caleb Johnson without saying a word and wanted to lock him up.
Caleb Johnson knelt down in front of Cheng Lie and hugged Cheng Lie's legs. His left hand, which had just had the plaster removed, was still very stiff, but he held Cheng Lie tightly and refused to let go.
Caleb Johnson lowered his head and said that he would never disobey his father again. He would listen to his father and said that he still wanted to go to school.
Cheng Lie kicked Caleb Johnson, stepped on his ankle, and asked him, "Are you going to call the police or not?"
Caleb Johnson lay on the ground. Although his legs were in pain, he knew that Cheng Lie was about to give in, so he immediately turned around and promised that he would not call the police again.
Cheng Lie pulled Caleb Johnson's hair and told Caleb Johnson word by word that Caleb Johnson's father was the best father in the world and Caleb Johnson would never call the police again.
After that, Cheng Lie never beat Caleb Johnson seriously again. He made Caleb Johnson very painful and ugly, but he wouldn't kill her.
When Lucas Green heard Caleb Johnson whisper "reported", his heart felt like it was scratched by a sharp claw.
Once it is reported, there will be no further follow-up.
"Is your father short of money?" Lucas Green asked him.
Caleb Johnson paused for a moment before saying, "He gambles."
Caleb Johnson stared at Lucas Green out of the corner of his eye. He felt that Lucas Green had no expression, so he wondered if Lucas Green thought he was useless. He then said, "But I'm leaving in the future and I won't come back."
Lucas Green said "hmm" and asked him: "Where to?"
Caleb Johnson said: "Go to the school that offers the most scholarships."
Seeing that Lucas Green still didn't say anything, Caleb Johnson asked him: "Will you return to S City after school?"
Caleb Johnson usually doesn't talk so much, but for some reason today, every second of silence made him feel uneasy.
It would be best if Lucas Green could talk to him all the time so that Caleb Johnson could calm down.
But Lucas Green is also a man of few words, and it would be very difficult to make things lively when two people of few words are together.
"I can't say for sure." Lucas Green said as he drove into the underground garage.
Caleb Johnson was holding the bag of his clothes, and his whole body felt like it was soaked in cold water. Lucas Green suddenly patted his arm, and Caleb Johnson took the opportunity to grab Lucas Green's hand and pulled it into his arms.
Lucas Green's hands were very hot, and Caleb Johnson held his hands as if it were a stove.
Lucas Green parked in the parking space and let Caleb Johnson hold his hand. Caleb Johnson didn't move, so he didn't move either.
The photographic light outside went out and the car was dark. Caleb Johnson pressed Lucas Green's hand against her cold face and hunched her body slightly, as if she wanted to curl herself up.
Lu Yezhen turned sideways and looked at Caleb Johnson who almost buried her head on her knees, and suddenly felt his hands getting wet.
Maybe Caleb Johnson was crying.
Lu Ye Zheng moved his fingers and wiped the tears from Caleb Johnson's face. When the hot tears touched the icy face, they turned cold.
Caleb Johnson said in a low voice: "I'm still afraid."
Lucas Green used his other hand to support Caleb Johnson's shoulders, lifted him up, made him sit upright, pinched Caleb Johnson's chin, and lifted Caleb Johnson's face.
Caleb Johnson's eyes were filled with tears, and they looked crystal clear even in the dark.
Caleb Johnson had never cried in front of anyone before. It was easier to make him laugh than to cry, but when he was with Lucas Green, it seemed like crying didn't matter.
Lu Ye Zheng was so cold to people, he never comforted or blamed anyone. If Caleb Johnson cried to him, she would not be further hurt by her weak tears.
Lucas Green looked at Caleb Johnson for a while, put his forehead against his forehead, and said to Caleb Johnson: "Don't be afraid."
Then he will still comfort people.
Caleb Johnson stayed in the guest room of Lucas Green's house for another night.
Lucas Green found him a new quilt, helped him get a new T-shirt, and watched him go to the bathroom to change. Caleb Johnson came out wearing new pajamas, and Lucas Green took the old T-shirt from him and said he was going to throw it away.
Caleb Johnson immediately grabbed the big T-shirt. He had become attached to it and was reluctant to throw it away. Lucas Green grabbed the other end and looked down at him: "Let go."
"Can't you keep it?" Caleb Johnson had no choice but to let go.
Lu Ye Zheng walked into the living room and stuffed the T-shirt into the trash can. Caleb Johnson followed him, wanting to finish off his old pajamas. Lu Ye Zheng turned around and Caleb Johnson bumped into his arms.
"No." Lucas Green said dictatorially.
Caleb Johnson looked around to see the trash can in Lucas Green's house. Lucas Green covered his eyes with his left hand, pressed Caleb Johnson's shoulders with his right hand, and forcibly turned him around and pushed him towards the guest room.
Caleb Johnson couldn't see, so he took two steps forward and then dared not move. He leaned against Lucas Green's bulging muscles and took small steps forward.
"You're so timid." Lucas Green said to Caleb Johnson, then put down his hand, hugged Caleb Johnson, and walked into the room.
He watched Caleb Johnson lie down on the bed, helped Caleb Johnson dim the lights, said good night and walked out, and the screen of his mobile phone happened to light up.
Lucas Green picked up the phone, and his friend on the other end said, "It's done. I've sent you the photos."
"What did he say?" Lucas Green closed Caleb Johnson's door and asked.
"You're being stubborn," his friend smiled, "it's just a photo, anyone can take it."
After Lu Yezhen hung up the phone, he received an email from his friend. He downloaded the compressed package, but did not open it and saved it on his computer.
Mason Hayes’s birthday party was the next day, so he asked for leave in the afternoon.
Lu Yezhen didn't want to attend the last class, so he walked from the national high school department to the general high school department and stood at the door of Caleb Johnson's classroom waiting for him to finish school.
Caleb Johnson’s last class was self-study. She looked up and saw Lucas Green, sorted out her schoolbag, said hello to the teacher, and walked out.
"Where is Xiaowen holding his birthday party?" Caleb Johnson followed Lucas Green and asked him.
"Didn't you read the invitation?" Lu Ye Zheng glanced at him and said.
Caleb Johnson said: "I forgot to read it..."
"You're quite diligent in buying gifts," Lucas Green asked him, "What are you wearing under your school uniform?"
Caleb Johnson pulled the zipper down a little and showed it to Lucas Green: "It's still a school uniform."
He was wearing the uniform white shirt of the general high school department without the school emblem embroidered on it, with two buttons at the collar open. Lu Ye Zheng took the opportunity to stop the car and buttoned up Caleb Johnson's two buttons.
Caleb Johnson asked him: "Is there a dress code?"
"No," Lucas Green said, "It's just a casual meal. His friends are not as particular as he is. But don't wear your coat."
When he arrived at the scene, Caleb Johnson realized that the simple meal that Lucas Green had mentioned was not quite the same as what he understood.
Mason Hayes's eighteenth birthday party was held in a newly built five-star hotel. There was a space-themed display table and dessert table, as well as a host and a band performing, making it look like a wedding.
Caleb Johnson followed Lucas Green closely, afraid of losing him. Lucas Green led him inside as if he knew the place well, and greeted Mason Hayes and his parents who were standing at the door to greet guests.
Mason Hayes wore a tailor-made suit and dyed his hair back to black. He looked like an adult now. His smile was still silly. He greeted Caleb Johnson: "Caleb Johnson."
Mason Hayes's parents were also very enthusiastic, praising Caleb Johnson for being a well-behaved child. Lucas Green chuckled and pulled Caleb Johnson along, saying to Mason Hayes, "Let's go in first."
They were seated at the main table. Caleb Johnson asked Lucas Green anxiously, "Is my gift too unceremonious?"
Lucas Green patted Caleb Johnson's arm in amusement and said, "No."
Caleb Johnson looked around, and Lucas Green straightened his head and stuffed a candy into his mouth.
They were the first to arrive. After a while, other guests at the main table also came, including Lin Xuan, whom Caleb Johnson had helped write the application.
Mason Hayes probably told everyone that Caleb Johnson would come, and everyone looked at Caleb Johnson very naturally. Lin Xuan sat next to Caleb Johnson and asked him: "Brother Xin, are you free recently?"
"No time," Lucas Green spoke first, "There are only two months left before his college entrance examination."
After Lucas Green spoke, Lin Xuan had no choice but to shut up in boredom.
Caleb Johnson was angry but dared not say anything. He lowered his head and sent a message to Lucas Green, asking him: "Why are you ruining my business?"
The phone on the table vibrated. He picked it up and looked at it, then put it back. He leaned close to Caleb Johnson and whispered in his ear: "Workers still have gap years. Why don't you just take it as an early holiday?"
Cheng Zhan thought that he had to start reviewing, so he gave up this great opportunity to make money and said to Lin Xuan, "I'm free during the summer vacation, starting on June 9th."
Mason Hayes’s birthday party started at six o’clock. The host introduced him on the stage, and then Mason Hayes’s grandfather, mother, and cello teacher came on stage to speak.
At 6:15, the eighteen birthday dim sum dishes were served, and Lu Yezhen was trying hard to pick up some for Caleb Johnson from the audience.
His style of picking up food was also very unique. He kept his eyes on the table and moved his hands quickly. Soon, Caleb Johnson's plate was full.
"Eat." Lucas Green said coldly.
Caleb Johnson was so engrossed in watching the show that she said, "Wait until Xiaowen comes out before eating."
Mason Hayes's teacher on the stage was vividly telling the story of how Mason Hayes skipped classes to practice the piano when he was a child. Caleb Johnson supported his head and listened attentively.
"Xiao Wen can also play the cello."
Xin leaned gently next to Lucas Green and spoke to him.
As soon as Lucas Green turned around, he saw Caleb Johnson put her lips just below his ear, and rushed in, with stars in her eyes, looking at him curiously. Lucas Green's heartbeat seemed to slow down for a beat, and then began to speed up heavily and powerfully. He suspected that Caleb Johnson could hear his heartbeat.
"He plays well." said Lu Yezhen.
Seeing that Caleb Johnson didn't reply, Lucas Green asked him again: "Do you want to learn?"
Caleb Johnson shook his head: "I don't want to."
A plate of longevity peaches made of date paste and flour was placed in front of them. Lucas Green looked at it for a few seconds, wiped his hands with a wet towel, took one and put it to Caleb Johnson's mouth.
Caleb Johnson lowered his eyes to take it, and wanted to take it, but Lucas Green refused to give it to him and asked him, "Have you wiped your hands?"
Caleb Johnson shook his head. Lucas Green handed it to him again. Caleb Johnson had no choice but to take a bite and asked Lucas Green honestly: "Learning piano is very expensive, right?"
"If you want to learn, I will teach you. Mason Hayes and I learned it together." Lu Yezhen put his hand next to Caleb Johnson's face, asking him to continue eating.
Caleb Johnson's lips were touched by the peach again. He frowned, leaned back a little, poked the peach with his finger, and said, "It has no taste. I don't want to eat it."
Lucas Green smoothly stuffed Caleb Johnson's half-eaten birthday peach into his mouth. Seeing Caleb Johnson staring at him blankly, he explained, "It's quite sweet."
"Really..." Caleb Johnson whispered.
The lights came on, and it was time for Mason Hayes to appear.
Mason Hayes didn't seem to want to participate in this kind of activity, but the audience was applauding, so he had no choice but to go on stage and read from the script. It took him five minutes to finish. He hurriedly left the stage amid the applause and fled to the main table.
When the host finished his closing remarks, Mason Hayes sat down. He drank up the tea in front of him and said awkwardly: "You didn't listen, did you?"
"I heard it," Caleb Johnson said deliberately, "youth is--"
"Stop, stop, stop!" Mason Hayes jumped up and interrupted him, "You don't count! You can even recite the ambient sound."
"A ship setting sail." Lucas Green helped Caleb Johnson finish, "Youth -"
Mason Hayes angrily slammed the table and said, "Aye, what's wrong with you?"
"Why don't you let Caleb Johnson finish speaking?" Lucas Green said.
Mason Hayes stopped bickering with him and took a bottle of red wine and asked the waiter to open it: "Let's drink today."
He poured wine for his friends at the table himself, and when it came to Caleb Johnson, Caleb Johnson's glass was held down by Lucas Green.
Lucas Green simply said: "Minors."
Mason Hayes walked around Caleb Johnson and poured him a full cup.
Mason Hayes lifted the ban on alcohol and was very proud of it. He toasted all the elders and his face turned red. He asked everyone to go sing together after the meal.
Caleb Johnson was in her senior year of high school and had classes on Saturday. Lucas Green looked at the watch and it was already nine o'clock, so he discussed it with Caleb Johnson and decided to go home.
The gifts that Caleb Johnson and Lucas Green wanted to give to Mason Hayes were all in Lucas Green's car. Lucas Green walked over and asked Mason Hayes for the car keys, and then went downstairs to put the gifts.
As soon as Mason Hayes saw Lucas Green leave, he sat next to Caleb Johnson.
"Caleb Johnson..." Mason Hayes was used to hanging out with others, and even more so after drinking. He lay on Caleb Johnson's back to rest, "Are you really not going to leave later?"
Caleb Johnson tilted his head and watched Mason Hayes put his head on his shoulder. His hair rubbed his face and he thought Mason Hayes was very cute. He smiled and stretched out his index finger to gently press the top of Mason Hayes's head: "Hmm."
Mason Hayes looked up at Caleb Johnson and said bitterly, "Okay, let's make an appointment next time."
"Happy birthday, Xiaowen," Caleb Johnson said to him, "You look good with black hair."
"I look good even with colorful hair." Mason Hayes held his shoulders and propped up his head, then lay back on the table, looked at Caleb Johnson, and asked him, "Didn't I tell you not to give me a gift?"
Caleb Johnson paused for a few seconds before saying, "Only one set of books."
Caleb Johnson finally met someone who was so kind to him. Although he couldn't afford an expensive gift, he had to give it to her.
Mason Hayes nodded, and suddenly came over to sow discord: "Zhan Xin, let me ask you, who do you like more, me or Ah Ye?"
Caleb Johnson didn't get a chance to think about and answer this question. Lucas Green came back, pushed Mason Hayes's head away with one hand, and returned the key to Mason Hayes, saying, "Happy birthday, we're leaving."
After saying that, he took Caleb Johnson downstairs.
After entering the elevator, Caleb Johnson said to Lucas Green: "I'll have to trouble you to take me home later."
Lucas Green glanced at him, pressed the button for the basement floor, and the elevator started moving. Then he casually asked Caleb Johnson, "Are you uncomfortable living in my house?"
"I can't live in your house forever." Caleb Johnson said the truth.
It is difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. The last time Caleb Johnson stayed at Lucas Green's house, she got a high fever. If she stays for a few more nights this time, she will get used to the comfort and have higher expectations for everything, and she may not be as strong as before.
To Caleb Johnson, Lucas Green's warmth and care were all luxuries borrowed from a window, which would have to be returned one day.
The longer he stayed with Lu Ye Zheng, the more he depended on him, but the hand and guest room that Lu Ye Zheng lent him were not what he deserved.
Caleb Johnson was a little dazed and painted a big picture for himself.
If one day he crawled out of the mire, free from all worries and alone, he would definitely ask Lu Ye Zheng out, sit opposite Lu Ye Zheng cleanly and treat him to a meal.
Although she didn't dare to tell Lucas Green her secrets openly, she might as well treat this as a date and fulfill her wish.
Caleb Johnson was lost in thought and didn't go out when the elevator arrived. Lu Yezhen waved in front of him and Caleb Johnson followed him out.
"You live alone when you go home, don't you?" Lucas Green was walking in front and noticed that Caleb Johnson was walking slowly, so he stopped and waited for him, then asked, "How often does your father come home?"
Caleb Johnson shook his head and said, "He may not, but I have to go to class tomorrow, so early..."
"I'll take you there." Lucas Green refused.
Cheng Zhan thought for a moment and asked Lucas Green: "Are you worried that Quinn Roberts will come to see me again?"
Lucas Green didn't say anything, so Caleb Johnson said, "He's not that free to think of me."
They arrived at Lucas Green's car. The hotel's designated driver stood beside him, and Lucas Green and Caleb Johnson sat in the back seat.
Lucas Green then said: "Are you not afraid anymore?"
Caleb Johnson was choked by him and whispered: "I am afraid, but it is useless."
"Why doesn't it work?" Lucas Green asked Caleb Johnson in a low voice.
Lucas Green's voice was very steady, which made Caleb Johnson realize that this person was almost two years older than him and was not just a sophomore in high school.
Lu Ye Zheng looked at Caleb Johnson from neither too close nor too far. The space inside the car was small. The driver in the front was silent, and the people in the back seat seemed to be breathing together. Lu Ye Zheng was very tall, with broad shoulders and long legs, which made Caleb Johnson feel very safe. He wanted to get closer to him to absorb a little more warmth, but if he moved closer secretly, he would be too nervous and his face would blush and his heart would beat fast.
After a while, Lucas Green told Caleb Johnson: "If you are afraid, tell me, it will be helpful."
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