'Knock, knock, knock.'
"Co in."
Just as he was about to call to arrange a new ID for Xiaofan, there was a knock on the door. Without looking up, Fan Lingtian called out.
The door opened and Xiaofan walked in slowly, standing silently by the side without speaking.
Usually, people would report their business directly upon entering, so not hearing a sound, Fan Lingtian slowly raised his head.
"Who are you?"
The clothes were the ones Xiaofan had just worn earlier, and the height and build were exactly like Xiaofan's, but the face—he felt he'd seen it sowhere before.
"Heh..." Xiaofan grinned, about to reveal the truth when Fan Lingtian suddenly stood up from his chair, surprised.
"Ren, Ren Zhongtian?"
"Huh?" What? My face looks like Ren Zhongtian's? Is this so kind of joke?
What is going on here? But Fan Lingtian's shocked expression was certainly not faked.
"Who are you really?" Fan Lingtian asked sternly.
"Fan, Grandpa Fan, it's , Xiaofan."
"Xiaofan? You, no, is, is this my old eyes playing tricks?" Fan Lingtian rubbed his eyes. The voice was indeed Xiaofan's, but...
"It's a human skin mask Ren Ling just brought from ho. I, oh no, I forgot to ask her how to take this thing off." Xiaofan fiddled with the mask on his face, not knowing how to remove it.
"So it's another one of sister-in-law's masterpieces." Hearing Xiaofan's explanation, he understood. Apparently, he'd seen his fair share of masks by now.
"Grandpa Fan, what did you just call ? Ren Zhongtian? Do I look the sa as Grandpa Ren did in his youth?" To be honest, Xiaofan was quite pleased with the face, but if it really was Ren Zhongtian's younger visage, then Ren Zhongtian must have been quite the handso man back then.
"Mmm, you look ninety percent similar. It brings back mories. Who would've thought that after all these years, sister-in-law could still make such ingeniously crafted masks? By the way, why are you wearing this mask?" Fan Lingtian continued to probe.
"Oh, I just wanted to see if you could recognize . Didn't I just ask you about the new ID? Use this photo, along with Li San's, Han Shengjun's, these are all new. When the ti cos, help add a new behind-the-scenes identity." Xiaofan said as he handed the images on his phone to Fan Lingtian.
"That's not hard, well, using this mask, your identity is less likely to be discovered, very good. Let see, hmm, not bad, is this Li San? New na, Li Yunlong? That kid. Han Zilong? Han Shengjun, right? Shen Zhifan? Your new na? Shen, just like Zuimo's surna."
"Mmm."
"Hmm, Ren... Er Gou? Is this Ren Ying's new na?"
"Haha, yes it is."
Speaking of Ren Ying's new na, those guys like Li San laughed their heads off earlier. But Ren Ying insisted on using the na Er Gou. No special reason, just because before being adopted by the Ren Family, he was called Er Gou.
Such rural nas from twenty years ago were not uncommon. Nas like Gou Dan, Er Gou were quite normal. Upon entering the Ren Family, he was given the na Ren Ying, intended for him to beco a shadow, the best protector of Ren Ling.
After saving the pictures on the computer, Xiaofan took his leave again. Before he left, Fan Lingtian also ntioned that the new ID would be ready by evening, but the visa to XG might have to wait until tomorrow.
Downstairs, ready to head back to the Freshman Area, Xiaofan happened to see Shen Zuimo heading to the cafeteria.
Instinctively, Xiaofan wanted to hide, but then realized there was no need. This face was unrecognizable to her anyway.
So Xiaofan walked straight past her. She looked at him closely, and as they passed, Xiaofan sensed her pause.
"Hey. Ye Xiaofan, what kind of trick are you pulling? Did you get plastic surgery?"
The shout almost made Xiaofan trip and fall. Oh no, she recognized him? How could that be?
"Beau, you must have mistaken for soone else."
"Still denying it?"
Well, as soon as he spoke, he was imdiately recognized.
"Co on, how did you recognize ? I look completely different, don't I?" Xiaofan imdiately went over, curious to find out.
"I don't know, you just seed like you, your eyes are the sa, and your silhouette too." Shen Zuimo frowned, clearly not impressed with Xiaofan's face because she usually didn't talk to strangers.
"Just based on that, you're sure it's ?" Xiaofan asked in surprise.
"Tch, that stinky toad sll on you—I'd recognize it even if you turned into ashes. It's unbearable. What's with your face?"
"Slly? I don't think so." Xiaofan sniffed himself without detecting any strange odor: "Oh, the mask, Ren Ling brought it, I'm going to use this face for a mission."
"What mission is so secretive?" Shen Zuimo asked curiously.
"Mmm, it's a secret mission, can't tell anyone about it." Xiaofan made up an excuse.
"Fine, suit yourself." She glared at him, not pressing further since it likely had nothing to do with her. Anyway, if it involved the Red Butterfly, he would probably bring her along.
Speaking, Shen Zuimo clutched her lunch box and continued towards the dorm.
"Hey, Zuimo."
"What now?"
"This ti, it might be a long while before I co back from the mission."
"And what's that to do with ?"
"You'll rember for a lifeti, right?"
"We're not even close, why should I rember you?"
"After all, I'm not originally from the base. Once I complete the mission, I might not return, who knows." Indeed, he wasn't sure if he could even co back alive, but he couldn't say that outright.
Finally, her footsteps ca to a halt. Was he really not coming back?
"Take care then."
"You too, take good care of yourself since I won't be around." With these words, Xiaofan turned and continued walking towards the Freshman Area. You must live well. As long as you're happy, it's all worthwhile.
Feeling strange, when she heard he might not return to Yanhuang Soul, Shen Zuimo felt truly upset. Finally, she stopped once more, turning to watch his silhouette fade into the distance.
He can leave if he wants. What does that have to do with ? It's not like he's anything to .
That's what she told herself, having always kept others out of her life. But suddenly, she felt an urge to run after him and ask properly, why wasn't he coming back? What did the ring hidden in the cake signify? Surely he couldn't just leave many unanswered questions hanging like this and run away?
"Idiot."
Why did she recognize him at a glance earlier? Clearly it wasn't his original look. But the mont their eyes t, Shen Zuimo was certain it was Xiaofan. Could it be that she was always paying attention to him?
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