Chapter 11 The Figure Outside
“We’re heading to the Olympic Sports Center concert tonight, so we’ll take off first, Fang Mu.”
The students packed their boards and patted my shoulder on their way out.
After saying goodbye, the studio was empty except for me.
I stared at the blank canvas. My brush never moved.
Eventually, I stood, left, and locked the door.
The walk to the elevator, the ride down—everything felt mechanical, my mind blank.
In the three months since I’d become Fang Mu again, these moments came often.
Three years abroad had drained me completely.
For a long time after returning to Lincheng, I slept too much, spoke too little, and stared out windows for entire afternoons.
It was like waking from a long, exhausting dream.
After waking came endless low moods and waves of loss.
When I wasn’t zoning out, I redownloaded old social apps and took the assistant job at the studio.
I left early each morning and dragged myself home at dusk.
I filled every hour, as if staying busy could convince me I was normal. But the floating, untethered feeling never left.
I was surrounded by noise, yet felt like a monster without a home.
The elevator doors slid open.
Liang Sheng stood outside the glass doors in a black coat.
For a second, I thought I was seeing things.
I blinked. He was still there, looking straight at me.
I couldn’t describe that look.
His gaze held a warmth that made my throat tighten.
By the time I came to my senses, I was already standing in front of him.
I didn’t remember taking the steps. I only remembered breathing softly, afraid to shatter the dream.
I opened my mouth to speak—just as someone barreled into me, hooking an arm around my neck.
“Fang Mu! Surprise! I’m on annual leave!”
The quiet shattered. The empty lobby suddenly felt crowded.
I managed one more glance at Liang Sheng before turning to the three faces that had appeared out of nowhere.
I fumbled for words. “What are you guys doing here?”
Xu Feng slung himself over my shoulders, grinning. “Bian Xiang and Chen Tao just finished a project and scored time off. You’ve been free, so I took my leave to come find you. Reunion time! Moved yet?”
“…Yeah, moved.”
Bian Xiang and Chen Tao noticed the stranger and looked at Liang Sheng curiously. “Fang Mu, who’s this… a friend?”
Our eyes met. The word “Boss” almost slipped out, but I caught it.
“This is my… Boss.”
Three years ago, I’d vanished to Hong Kong and quietly dropped out, later telling them my parents had had an accident, the family had gone broke, and I’d had to work to pay debts.
Xu Feng, ever outgoing, waved at Liang Sheng. “So you’re the Boss! Hello, Boss—Fang Mu told us about you. Thanks for looking after him these past three years.”
I tensed, afraid Liang Sheng might give me away.
But he simply nodded, calm and cooperative. “It was my responsibility.”
He turned to them. “You’re Fang Mu’s classmates? Any plans tonight?”
Bian Xiang answered fast. “Nothing big. We were going to drag Fang Mu for an all-night gaming session. If you need him for work, we can reschedule.”
I was torn.
On one side, three months apart had made Liang Sheng magnetic, impossible to resist.
On the other, my roommates had all taken leave purely for our old brotherhood.
Letting go of either felt wrong.
While I hesitated, Liang Sheng spoke. “Mind if I join?”
I froze, processing his words.
Was anything more shocking than a gang boss asking to game with us?
Xu Feng and the others just looked thrilled. “Of course! We thought the plan was dead! Boss, any foods you don’t eat? Want to grab dinner first, then hit the internet café?”