Chapter 24: Co-Renting

CW: Some ableist language in this chapter. Nothing egregious, but please take note if this is particularly sensitive for you. I’m making a list of CWs for the book because I haven’t been consistent with my indications, so I’ll add it there. 

The curtain of rain outside the window cast the sky in gray. The smell of damp earth wafted into the balcony through the window’s screen. 

“Are you going to keep staring at me?” Lu Hui frowned. He pulled his right foot back from Ji Fanyang’s knees, “I’m hungry.”

Ji Fanyang withdrew his gaze. For a moment, he was upset: upset that he did not meet Lu Hui sooner. The young man’s eyes shifted slightly: “What do you want to eat?”

“Just like that? ‘What do you want to eat’, is this your method for comforting others?” Lu Hui suddenly became overbearing, “I really cannot imagine how those girls managed to take the bait.”

Dealing with Lu Hui was a masterclass in how to write the words ‘impervious to reason.’ Ji Fanyang blinked: “In general, I would pat their hands and say that it was all in the past.” He shifted the topic, “But you definitely wouldn’t feel comforted, so that’s that.”

Lu Hui snorted: “I would break your nose, Mr. Angel.”

Ji Fanyang touched his own nose: “Then I’m extremely grateful that you let my nose off the hook.”

Lu Hui stood up. He shifted his weight to his left leg, doing his best to keep the pressure off of his right leg. He headed into the living room to take a look: a sofa, coffee table, refrigerator, kitchen utensils. Everything needed was there. He said: “I want to buy some speakers.”

“For the living room?” Ji Fanyang asked. 

“Mm.” Lu Hui nodded, “And a bass guitar. How does that sound?”

“No.” Ji Fanyang refuted him sternly, “I don’t want complaints from the neighbors.”

Lu Hui frowned, and with some effort, he retreated a step: “An acoustic guitar.”

“Fine.” Ji Fanyang knew that compromising with Lu Hui was as likely as the fantastical tales of One Thousand and One Nights, and he figured that an acoustic guitar would be a little quieter than a bass. 

“Let’s go to the furniture store.” Lu Hui proposed. 

“In your current condition?” Ji Fanyang raised an eyebrow, appearing entirely doubtful. 

Lu Hui shot a cold look at Ji Fanyang: “Cripples save the world. Let’s go.”

They left the apartment together. Lu Hui said: “Ji Fanyang, if you trick another girl into dating you, don’t come back here. Go to a hotel.”

“…” Ji Fanyang had no alternative, “Okay.”

“If you don’t have enough money, go check some prostitution den.” Lu Hui offered suggestions, full of zest, “Or go to a public park.”

“I’m not a part of some anti-pornography brigade.” Ji Fanyang said, “And I don’t have an interest in field operations.”

They pressed the down button for the elevator and waited, standing next to each other shoulder to shoulder. 

“If I find a new girlfriend, and I’m only saying if.” Ji Fanyang said, “I’ll do my best to beautify your image and introduce you to a girl with a good temperament.”

“No.” Lu Hui refused, “If I need to, I’ll call a prostitute, or go for a one-night stand. I prefer to solve these things with money.” 

“Do you still remember that you’re a police officer?” Ji Fanyang raised his head to look at the elevator’s rectangular floor display as the numbers changed, “And, have you never thought about getting married?”

“I haven’t.” Lu Hui answered. With a ‘ding-dong’, the elevator arrived, and Lu Hui walked into the elevator first, “I’m too nice. I don’t have the heart to drag a naive girl into the mire.”

Ji Fanyang rolled his eyes: “Late-onset eighth-grader syndrome.”

“I know what that phrase means.” Lu Hui pressed the ‘1’ button, and the elevator’s doors shut, “Many thanks for the compliment.”

The elevator descended a floor, then the doors opened, and a woman wearing a turquoise skirt appeared. Ji Fanyang offered a smile: “Hello.”

The corners of Lu Hui’s lips rose derisively as he watched the charming Mr. Sunshine flirt. 

“Hello.” The woman smiled generously. She walked into the elevator and Lu Hui and Ji Fanyang exited, so the three of them brushed shoulders. 

The elevator’s doors closed, and Lu Hui bumped Ji Fanyang’s shoulder: “Love at first sight?”

“Just being polite.” Ji Fanyang ignored Lu Hui’s provokation. He pulled on Lu Hui’s forearm, “Don’t worry yourself over it, cripple.”

“I’m only going to be crippled for a day. Don’t be too pleased with yourself, little demon.” Lu Hui had no alternative but to follow Ji Fanyang, “She was pretty and dressed nicely.”

“Shut up, you old bird.” Ji Fanyang opened the umbrella and carefully made sure Lu Hui was covered, “We still have to go buy some speakers. I trust that you’ll be just as energetic then.”

“Wait, shouldn’t we go and sign the rent agreement?” Lu Hui asked suspiciously. He stared at Ji Fanyang as his lips involuntarily pulled upward, and he yelled in indignation, “You signed it? You knew I would choose this one?”

“This apartment has a large balcony.” Ji Fanyang made no attempt to cover up his delight. He enjoyed predicting Lu Hui’s behavior, especially when he predicted it correctly. It was simply a sweeter feeling than eating ten kilograms of honey, “In our first case, in the depressed deceased’s home, you liked to stand out on the balcony. His balcony was open, which wouldn’t remove the possibility of you planning to jump from it, so I chose one with a large, enclosed balcony.”

Lu Hui walked around to the passenger seat, pulled open the door, sat down, and put his seatbelt on. He hurried on Ji Fanyang moodily: “Alright, alright, you’re so amazingly clever, Mr. Policeman.”

Ji Fanyang shut his mouth, satisfied. He fastened his seatbelt and started the car: “Where did you leave your luggage?”

“The Fu Hotel on Wanlin Road.” Lu Hui said. 

“How much is there? Will it all fit in the trunk?” Ji Fanyang asked. 

Lu Hui’s elbow was resting by the car’s window. He leisurely answered: “Not much. Two boxes.”

“Only two boxes???” Ji Fanyang asked in surprise, “You didn’t bring any furniture?”

“Are you referring to the sofa, cabinet, and bed that would fall apart with one kick?” Lu Hui’s eyes crinkled into a smile, “I only brought some important documents and some toys.” 

Ji Fanyang was speechless. Seems like he had underestimated the extent to which Lu Hui did not bother with trifles. 

Ji Fanyang drove to the Fu Hotel, put Lu Hui’s two boxes in the car’s trunk, then the two of them went to the furniture store. 

Ji Fanyang stood in the middle of the store, rubbing his forehead. He was arguing with Lu Hui like he was wrangling his own narrow-minded son: “Bluetooth speakers. At most as tall as the calf, no bigger.”

And Lu Hui was squatting next to an enormous speaker, looking pathetic: “Is this one okay? I can afford it.”

“It’s not a question of affording it.” Ji Fanyang took a deep breath, “I don’t want it because, as a police officer, I don’t want to get reprimanded for disturbing the neighbors.” 

The sales clerk, sensing the atmosphere, didn’t dare to even breathe heavily. He looked at Ji Fanyang, turned to look at Lu Hui, then said: “Uh…”

“This one!” / “Another one!”

Ji Fanyang and Lu Hui spoke simultaneously. 

“…” The sales clerk forced a smile, “How about you two reach a consensus first?”

Ji Fanyang walked over and half squatted beside Lu Hui. He had no choice, because Lu Hui would not get up. So, the two whispered amongst themselves for a bit before Lu Hui nodded in compromise. 

Ji Fanyang stood up and faced the sales clerk with a smile: “We’ve decided on that one.” He pointed at a speaker about as tall as his thigh. 

“O-Okay.” The sales clerk let out a relieved breath. He had really been scared that the two of them would come to blows in the store. 

After Lu Hui swiped his card to pay, the two of them carried the speaker downstairs and laid it flat in the backseat of the car. 

Ji Fanyang clapped his hands: “Alright, next stop is the instrument shop.”

“Mm.” Lu Hui got in the car. 

——— 【Flashback】Morning at the detention center———

After his credentials were checked, Ji Fanyan headed into the reception room. Li Yun was waiting inside, and when he saw Ji Fanyang, his eyes widened in surprise: “It’s you?”

“Mm, looks like you still remember me.” Ji Fanyang shrugged, then introduced the person next to him, “This is Lawyer Wang. He’s responsible for your case.”

The youth stood up and shook hands with Lawyer Wang. After he sat back down, he asked Ji Fanyang doubtfully, “He isn’t the court-appointed attorney?” 

“I went to find one.” Ji Fanyang said, “Lawyer Wang is an excellent lawyer. You don’t need to worry.”

“I’m here for two cases.” Lawyer Wang said, “Your father’s case and yours will be handled jointly.”

The youth stared blankly at Ji Fanyang: “My father’s…case?”

“Yes.” Ji Fanyang nodded, “You deserve the truth.”

“I…” The youth’s eyes reddened, and he covered his mouth, “Thank you, thank you so much.”

“Don’t just thank me.” Ji Fanyang said, “Chief Lu has been a big help as well.” He apportioned part of the credit to Lu Hui without permission. 

The youth nodded repeatedly: “I will remember you and Squad Chief Lu. You both are good people.”

Ji Fanyang smiled as he nodded: “Good boy.”