Chapter Fifty-Two: The Stone’s Secret Longing

Gui'an County town. Stone’s new home.

Dusk was falling.

The past few days had been hectic, and Lu Kun hadn't found a moment to sit down and talk with Stone.

Lu Kun’s intuition told him something was wrong with Stone. He was uncharacteristically dispirited, not at all the man he used to be.

Once upon a time, Stone had stormed through the three counties of Fengyang with his fists and crossed both banks of the Lijiang with his feet—how carefree and gallant he had been.

...

But now?

Though Stone tried hard to hide it, after so many years as brothers, Lu Kun could see signs of change in his friend’s behavior.

Lu Kun pondered.

There was something in Stone’s eyes that Lu Kun recognized all too well.

That thing was heartbreak.

Perhaps it seemed laughable—a wanderer, yet hopelessly devoted.

...

The gate creaked.

Lu Kun pushed open the courtyard door; there was no one inside.

He stepped in, fished a key out from under the threshold, and unlocked the door to the house.

A pungent stench of sweat filled the room, dirty clothes scattered everywhere.

Lu Kun nearly stumbled; glancing down, he saw a filthy pair of underwear, yellowed stains visible upon closer inspection.

"What kind of life is this guy living?" Lu Kun's lips twitched.

Every time they met, Stone always cleaned up, looking sharp and proper—who would have thought his home was this chaotic.

Lu Kun tossed the dirty clothes from the chair, dragged it outside, and sat in the yard to wait.

He was puzzled; even with memories from two lifetimes, he had no recollection of Stone ever pursuing a girl.

Lu Kun had truly wondered about it.

But as soon as the thought arose, he dismissed it.

Stone, back when Lu Kun was thirteen or fourteen, had always dragged him to spy on the village widow Zhao while she bathed.

In the villages around Ping’an, any woman with a hint of beauty had been critiqued by Stone, as if reciting from a treasure trove.

Lu Kun remembered himself at that age, naive and hot-blooded, being led by Stone to play with his many female acquaintances.

But then, what was with that underwear?

...

Lu Kun felt a bit guilty. Stone had once helped him snatch Liu from the Liu family, and yet he had no idea when Stone had fallen in love, or when heartbreak had struck.

It was nearly dark when Stone finally returned home.

...

"Hey! So it’s you. I wondered why the door was open," Stone said, only noticing Lu Kun sitting in the dim room after stepping inside.

"Where did you go drinking again? I’ve been waiting ages," Lu Kun beckoned for him to come over and talk.

"Ah, just drinking with them—you know, I’m never the one who ends up drunk," Stone said smugly, a grin curling his lips.

Lu Kun’s mouth twisted; it was true, after years of drinking, he’d never seen Stone intoxicated.

"Wait, did you bring liquor?" Stone asked in surprise.

"Pop," the bottle was opened.

Stone’s expression soured immediately, his lips twitching. He hesitated for a long moment before speaking, "Did you water this down?"

Lu Kun understood; Stone’s tone was certain.

The liquor was good, but Lu Kun had deliberately diluted it to avoid being forced into drunkenness again tonight.

...

The ground was chilly, but the two of them, full of youthful energy, didn't mind.

Lu Kun set out two bowls and filled each with liquor.

Though Stone complained about the watered-down drink, he never refused a chance to drink.

"Cheers," Lu Kun raised his bowl, tilting his head back to pour the liquor down.

"Ha," Lu Kun exhaled, wiping his lips with his sleeve.

Stone drained his bowl in one go, his eyes probing Lu Kun.

"Tell me what's going on with you," Lu Kun squinted, riding the warmth of the drink, and looked at Stone.

"What could be going on with me?" Stone refilled his bowl and laughed, a fleeting panic in his eyes.

"I'm fine, really—carefree," Stone brought the bowl to his lips again.

"Stop pretending," Lu Kun nudged his shoulder, his finger nearly poking Stone’s nose. "You think hiding things from me, keeping me in the dark, makes you noble?"

"Liang Guanshi, let me tell you, you’re a damn fool!" Lu Kun nearly shouted the last words, memories of Stone secretly helping him pay off debts flashing through his mind, his eyes reddening.

...

"There’s not much to say," Stone, a burly man, wiped tears from his face as he spoke, "I was never worthy of that girl—trying for her is like a toad wanting to eat a swan. You might catch a glimpse, but you’ll never taste it..."

"Whose daughter?" Lu Kun narrowed his gaze, staring intently.

In all their years together, Lu Kun had never seen Stone like this.

His expression was filled with exhaustion and pain.

No matter how many people looked down on him, Stone had always laughed it off, acting carefree and foolish, never showing weakness in front of others.

Stone didn’t answer, just sat hugging his arms, crying.

Lu Kun was at a loss, awkwardly patting his back.

A long while passed.

Stone finally pulled himself together.

...

"What? Gao Weiliang’s daughter?!"

Lu Kun was stunned, unable to process it for a long time.

Good heavens!

Stone had fallen for the daughter of the county’s top official.

"This...this..." Lu Kun was speechless.

This would be a tough nut to crack.

Gao Weiliang was currently the highest-ranking official in Gui'an County, and would remain so for another twenty years.

Even in Lu Kun’s previous life, Gao Weiliang was a renowned figure in Guian Province.

People used to joke, "Gui'an’s Party Secretary is as solid as iron, but its officials come and go like water."

Gao Weiliang’s education was modest—only a middle school diploma—yet he had climbed to the county leadership and held his post for over two decades. It was extraordinary.

...

Within the political circles of Gui'an, Gao Weiliang commanded immense respect, and the people supported him wholeheartedly.

Lu Kun knew well: this was an honest, upright official!

During his tenure, he had done much for the people, and his good deeds were remembered.

...

"How old is the girl?" Lu Kun fumbled in his pocket, realizing he’d forgotten his cigarettes, and asked awkwardly.

"She’s still in school," Stone replied, a goofy smile spreading across his face.

Lu Kun: "..."

But you’re already twenty-six, Lu Kun swallowed the words he wanted to say.

He felt he and Stone were both oddities.

He himself was enamored with Liu Liping, who was two years older, while Stone—well.

Lu Kun guessed Stone would be chopped into pieces by Gao Weiliang.

He had no doubt the iron-willed man would do just that.

"So when did you meet her? How far have things gone?" Lu Kun tried to dig for more gossip.

...

Too much speculation was pointless.

This wasn’t a problem that could be solved overnight.

Stone had once been a pimp, now an unemployed drifter; the idea of Gao Weiliang accepting him as a son-in-law was absurd.

Besides, what good man ever lacks a wife?

Lu Kun mused that he needed to get Stone busy again, or else he’d just sink further into his slump.

"Ah~ some loves are defeated by self-doubt."