Our Entire Family Has Secrets [Transmigrated] - Chapter 21

[Yuan Bo Zhu]: No, thank you.

When Lin Shuanghuai received this message, he thought he was seeing things because he was too expectant.

He went back to review the previous chat logs, confirming this was Yuan Bozhu’s reply—

He had invited Yuan Bozhu to lunch without much hope, and Yuan Bozhu suddenly said thank you.

Staring at the message, Lin Shuanghuai thought for a while, figuring that Yuan Bozhu’s thanks were probably for the school uniform.

When he delivered the clothes, Yuan Bozhu’s deskmate was sitting nearby, so it was normal for him to notice.

The strange thing was, when Yuan Bozhu didn’t reply, Lin Shuanghuai could come up with countless topics to talk about to himself.

But when Yuan Bozhu did reply, he didn’t know what to say.

He was a bit scared, afraid of saying the wrong thing, which would lead to Yuan Bozhu not replying again.

But not responding wasn’t an option either. It was hard enough to get Yuan Bozhu to acknowledge him, so how could he waste such a good opportunity?

Maybe……

Lin Shuanghuai touched the pocket of his school uniform, hesitating for a long time.

Then, gritting his teeth, he quickly sent a message he had been holding back for a long time.

After sending it, he locked his phone screen, not daring to see the reply.

“What are you doing, Lin Shuanghuai? Your expression looks like you’re casting a spell on your phone.”

Yu Yangen leaned over, winking at Lin Shuanghuai, “Where should we go to play video games tonight?”

“Just find a place nearby. It’s the same stuff everywhere,” Han Banlan, who wasn’t interested in those things, said indifferently.

But Xu Zhilong retorted, “No, we can’t just choose randomly. The experience with good gaming machines varies! Besides, do you think today’s game centers are the same as before? They’ve upgraded!”

“Nonsense.”

“Really,” Xu Zhilong said, pulling out his phone to show them a webpage, “There’s a new game center on Linhu Avenue, said to be the best in Qiancheng! Look, it not only has video games but also escape rooms and real-life CS. There’s a lot to do.”

Han Banlan was initially skeptical but was amazed after a glance, “Is this still a game center? It has everything… Indoor bungee jumping! Sounds awesome.”

Seeing Han Banlan’s astonishment, Yu Yangen naturally joined in the fun.

The three of them crowded together, admiring the game center.

Originally nervous about the uncertain reply, Lin Shuanghuai relaxed as he was distracted by them.

“The biggest game center in Qiancheng?” Seeing their curiosity and excitement, he naturally didn’t want to spoil the mood, so he said, “Let’s go there tonight.

At six in the afternoon, as the bell rang, Yuan Bozhu touched his index finger.

Yuan Qifeng was not at the school gate.

From the Soul-Chasing Silk, he could tell he was at least a kilometer away.

Today it was Yuan Bozhu’s turn for duty.

The duties were assigned by student numbers, so unsurprisingly, it was Yuan Bozhu and Ban Zhe again.

However, Ban Zhe didn’t use his grandfather’s birthday as an excuse to escape cleaning this time.

He stayed honestly today.

“Why did Qin Rui change seats? You couldn’t have offended him.”

“Are you ready for the monthly exam? I think I can work hard and get into the rocket class this time.”

“The day after tomorrow is the parent-teacher meeting. I wonder if we can bring our parents to watch the welcoming party… Ah, I should ask the headteacher in advance!”

Ban Zhe talked a lot but didn’t do any work.

He spent ten minutes wiping the blackboard, talking nonsense, or asking questions Yuan Bozhu didn’t know the answers to.

He didn’t care whether Yuan Bozhu responded or not.

Yuan Bozhu swept the floor and wiped the window sills. When he turned back, Ban Zhe was sitting on the podium, chatting about gossip.

“At tomorrow’s party, three school beauties will dance on stage! Do you want to watch? I really want to, but unfortunately, I don’t have a ticket.”

“By the way, Lin Shuanghuai is also performing. I think he’s playing the piano? He’s always active in every event, really enthusiastic. Tch.”

Ban Zhe suddenly showed a displeased expression.

Yuan Bozhu, just about to put the broom back, paused slightly but didn’t respond.

“I only told you… That day I added him on WeChat, hoping to ask about the party tickets. Of course, I know it’s his right not to give me any. I didn’t hold a grudge because he didn’t give me a ticket. But he directly refused my friend request without saying a word.”

“We’re all classmates. Is it necessary? At least add me and let me explain. What if I had something important to ask him?”

Ban Zhe concluded, “So, I think he’s quite fake. He probably looks down on everyone behind their backs but smiles at everyone on the surface.”

With a thud, the sound of a mop falling interrupted Ban Zhe.

He looked over, concerned, and asked, “What’s wrong? Is the mop broken?”

Yuan Bozhu didn’t respond. He just walked straight back to his seat, packed his bag, and was about to leave.

Ban Zhe was taken aback and shouted, “You’re leaving? The floor isn’t mopped yet!”

Yuan Bozhu gave him a cold glance, “You mop it.”

“What?”

Yuan Bozhu rarely took the initiative to talk to anyone in class. He wasn’t noisy like most of the other students. He didn’t offend others, and he rarely got offended.

In Ban Zhe’s eyes, Yuan Bozhu was very safe. He could gossip without fear of being contradicted by Yuan Bozhu, and he could slack off without worrying about Yuan Bozhu getting angry.

So when Yuan Bozhu said this, it was unexpected for Ban Zhe, even though it made sense.

Ban Zhe stood there dumbfounded for a while and finally asked,

“Why…?”

“Because you look very idle.”

Yuan Bozhu threw down these words and left.

Ban Zhe, who usually couldn’t keep his mouth shut, was finally left speechless.

Yuan Bozhu only remembered when he reached the school gate that he hadn’t turned on his phone yet, which explained why he hadn’t received any calls from Yuan Qifeng.

As soon as he turned on his phone, several messages popped up at once.

【Brother Yuan Qifeng】: Sorry, sorry, my dear brother, I can’t pick you up today.

【Brother Yuan Qifeng】: I’m still at the arcade; it’s really fun here!

【Brother Yuan Qifeng】: You won’t tell Dad, will you [crying.jpg]? We are good brothers after all! Or maybe… you could come to the arcade? I’ll show you a good time!

Yuan Qifeng knew very well that Yuan Bozhu didn’t like noisy places like arcades.

So when he asked this, he was sure that Yuan Bozhu wouldn’t come.

Normally, Yuan Bozhu would turn around and leave, not even bothering to reply—Yuan Qifeng had too many sudden whims, and paying attention to them would only give him an inch, and he’d take a mile.

But today, Yuan Bozhu had to think more carefully.

Yuan Qifeng had said from the beginning that he would go to the arcade, but he believed he could make it back in time to pick up Yuan Bozhu after school.

Now he was suddenly saying he couldn’t make it, which was strange.

This could only mean that Yuan Qifeng’s plan had hit an unexpected snag.

He was caught up by something.

【Yuan Bozhu】: Okay, give me the address.

【Brother Yuan Qifeng】: ???

【Brother Yuan Qifeng】: You’re coming? You’re really coming?

【Yuan Bozhu】: What else?

The other side didn’t reply for a long time, clearly unable to come up with a reasonable excuse to decline.

While waiting for Yuan Qifeng’s message, Yuan Bozhu opened another unread message.

It was from Lin Shuanghuai.

Yuan Bozhu calmly opened and read it.

【Lin Shuanghuai】: Yuan, are you going to the welcome party on Friday night? I have an extra ticket, front row, with a great view. The performances will be very exciting. Come and check it out.

Seeing the time the message was sent, the whole afternoon had already passed.

Yuan Bozhu thought about how to respond.

Normally, he would just ignore it or say something random to decline.

But for some reason, whether it was because he had already refused Lin Shuanghuai too many times or something else, the words “I’m not going” typed in the input box just wouldn’t get sent.

While he hesitated, Lin Shuanghui sent another message.

【Lin Shuanghuai】: I saw you were typing. The word “okay” shouldn’t take that long to type.

Yuan Bozhu was taken aback and replied with a “?”

【Lin Shuanghuai】If nothing unexpected happens, you’re going to reject me again.

【Lin Shuanghuai】: There are two really fun performances. I almost laughed out loud during their rehearsals. If you don’t come, you’ll miss out.

Yuan Bozhu looked at these messages.

For some reason, he felt as if he could see Lin Shuanghuai’s dejected look, sending these messages with slumped shoulders and lost sparkle in his eyes.

Yuan Bozhu lowered his gaze and suddenly typed two words to send back.

【Yuan Bozhu】: What about you?

【Lin Shuanghuai】: Me? I laughed! I laughed so hard the whole backstage thought I was crazy. Haha, I really want to know if you’ll be amused too~

【Yuan Bozhu】: I was asking, what are you performing?

There was a slight pause before the reply came.

【Lin Shuanghuai】: I’m playing the piano.

【Yuan Bozhu】: What time?

【Lin Shuanghuai】: The second-to-last act, around nine o’clock.

【Yuan Bozhu】: Okay.

【Lin Shuanghuai】: Wuwuwuwuwuwu wah

【Lin Shuanghuai】: tat

【Lin Shuanghuai】: [crying.jpg] [crying.jpg]

【Yuan Bozhu】: …Why are you crying?

【Lin Shuanghuai】: Crying, because sincerity brings success.

Yuan Bozhu felt he somewhat understood what he meant, but not entirely.

Just as he was about to ask more, Yuan Qifeng’s location popped up.

Yuan Bozhu’s brow furrowed unconsciously.

He opened it and saw it was indeed the location of Linhu Avenue Mall.

Since he dared to send his location, it suggested Yuan Qifeng wasn’t in too much trouble yet.

Yuan Bozhu hoped he was just being playful.

With this thought, Yuan Bozhu took a taxi to Linhu Avenue.

He didn’t reply to Lin Shuanghuai for the moment.

Actually, Yuan Bozhu’s intention was already quite clear.

If he had the time, he would probably go.

As for why he agreed?

Yuan Bozhu didn’t really know either.

Maybe he was curious if the performance that made Lin Lin Shuanghuai laugh like crazy could also amuse him.

Before getting off the taxi, Yuan Bozhu took out the well-behaved paper crow from his bag.

Because there was no signal fluctuation, it was like an ordinary stuffed toy, eyes closed, wings folded.

For a moment, Yuan Bozhu wished it would open its eyes.

The current situation, although not exactly enemies in the dark and us in the light, was still very passive.

Rather than hoping Yuan Qifeng could continuously evade the hunters, it would be better if they appeared directly.

As long as he could catch one mercenary, Yuan Bozhu could follow the clues to get detailed information about the mission and find out who was trying to kill Yuan Qifeng.

Address the root cause.

But the paper crow stayed motionless in his palm.

Yuan Bozhu could only place it on his shoulder, letting it continue to stay in its obedient posture.

Without needing to ask for directions, he could directly find the entrance to the game city because it was so lively here.

The title of “Qiancheng’s largest game city” had made this place a hotspot for young people overnight.

The square outside was full of various trial machines, promotional staff dressed in different game cosplays, and large stuffed mascots wandering around, attracting many people’s attention.

Yuan Bozhu walked straight inside without looking around, but he couldn’t relax.

He constantly monitored the movements of the sentinel crow.

There were too many people here.

If something unexpected happened, it would be very troublesome.

“Hey!”

Just as Yuan Bozhu walked through the door, past dozens of claw machines, and headed towards the racing track Yuan Qifeng mentioned, he heard someone call out to him.

How did he know they were calling him?

Because the voice was quite familiar.

It was one of Lin Shuanghuai ‘s friends.

The tall and strong-looking guy stood in front of a pink claw machine, excitedly waving and saying, “What a coincidence, what a coincidence! Your name is… oh, never mind, you’re here too? Wow, Brother Huai would be so happy if he knew!”

Before he finished speaking, Yu Yangen suddenly raised his hand and waved vigorously in a certain direction, shouting, “Hey, hey, hey! Look who’s here!”

Yuan Bozhu, somewhat expecting this, looked up and saw Lin Shuanghuai and his friends.

However, his indifferent expression was momentarily replaced with surprise.

Because standing next to Lin Shuanghuai, besides Han Banlan and Xu Zhilong… was Yuan Qifeng.