Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 102: Decryption

“Mother… source?” Xu Wang looked at Chi Yingxue in confusion, not only failing to understand but also uncertain about which words were just spoken.

“If there’s a code, there must be a mother source,” Chi Yingxue said nonsensically. “Otherwise, how can you decrypt it?”

“A… secret code?!” The rising tone of Xu Wang’s voice betrayed his inner shock. It was like a person adrift at sea finally encountering a passing ship!

Chi Yingxue subtly stepped back half a step, sensing that Xu Wang looked ready to pounce at any moment, which made him uneasy.

“What mother source? What code? What are you all talking about?” Qian Ai struggled to resist the aroma of instant noodles from next door. His already limited capacity for thought further diminished.

Chi Yingxue sighed. He just wanted to play a puzzle game, wondering why he had to explain so many unrelated things.

Reluctantly, he held the letter up to Qian Ai and Xu Wang. “Do you see the circle of numbers around the edge of the paper?”

With this prompt and a closer look, Qian Ai finally saw that what he thought were “embossed patterns” were actually floral-style Arabic numerals, made directly on the paper to create a raised effect, similar to embossing, easily mistaken for uneven patterns.

But even after seeing them clearly, he was still confused. “000143056002260130023041000…” He read a long string of numbers until he almost ran out of breath and saw stars, looking at Chi Yingxue. “Does this mean anything?”

“You need to remove all the continuous zeros.” Chi Yingxue flicked the letter lightly, signaling him to look again.

Qian Ai was just about to refocus when Xu Wang spoke up. “143056, 226013, 23041, 10204, 4101, 17017.”

Six groups of numbers, not a single one missing.

He had seen these numbers resembling a border ten years ago but always thought they were part of the paper’s design, especially since the letters were from Wu Sheng, and choosing a “mathematical-style” paper seemed reasonable. Who would think these numbers had another meaning?

“The number before the zero is the page. The number after the zero is the sequence. 143056, page 143, 56th word, or it could be the other way around.” He took back the letter, gently touching the numeric patterns on the edge, seemingly lost in a distant, happy reminiscence. But soon, he looked up and shrugged casually. “I used to play like this with my brother when I was a kid. This letter is just a beginner’s version.”

Qian Ai seemed to understand a bit. “So the mother source is the book that has these coded words?”

“The correct order is to first choose a book or a code table as the mother source, then create the coded message based on it,” Chi Yingxue said indifferently.

“Do you think this book… looks like it?” Xu Wang pulled out a book from a box beside the bed and slowly raised it.

He no longer had the heart to decipher it himself. If Chi Yingxue could do it, he was willing to provide all the conveniences, just asking for the quickest answer!

Chi Yingxue frowned and tilted his head. “What is this?”

“Walden.” Xu Wang sighed and nodded, as if bracing for something. “In English.”

Chi Yingxue: “……”

Qian Ai: “……”

Kuang Jinxin: “……”

Two minutes later, the first letter that Chi Yingxue had picked up was decoded.

Six groups of numbers corresponded to six English words, forming a sentence—

I always remember that rainy night.

The “Cipher Officer” Chi Yingxue’s tools were just a water-based pen and a sticky note, and although the handwriting was messy, as soon as he wrote out this sentence, Xu Wang froze.

His mind went blank as if the whole world was paused.

But the worlds of the other three friends didn’t pause. Soon, the other four letters were decoded, piecing together the code writer’s feelings—

I always remember that rainy night.

I pushed you.

And I found that I love you.

I am waiting for your answer.

I am waiting for your answer.

The message wasn’t complicated. As a love letter, it was concise. The first line of the letter glaringly read “To Xu Wang:”, and the signature at the end was left by “Wu Sheng”.

So, when they decoded “I love you”, Qian Ai, just like his captain, was stunned. Various high school memories flashed back in his mind, and then his soul seemed to ascend amidst an explosion…

Kuang Jinxin was left stunned, but he was still able to digest the information.

And an even more astonished Chi Yingxue. He had no interest in the who-loves-who storyline, only to suddenly notice the date at the end—ten years ago?

He looked incredulously at Xu Wang. “You couldn’t solve it for ten years?”

Xu Wang: “……”

No one ever told him it was a puzzle to be solved!

Xu Wang took a few deep breaths, covering his almost-bursting heart, not caring about the embarrassment of having his secrets seen by his teammates. He had only one request. “I just want to be alone for a while…”

……

The teammate walking out last considerately closed the door behind him.

Xu Wang threw himself onto the bed, burying his face in the pillow, feeling a mix of happiness, elation, frustration, and anger. These contrasting emotions clashed like torrents in his heart, each unyielding, pulling him in different directions, making him want to scream, roar, laugh, and cry all at once.

Wu Sheng liked him?

Wu Sheng liked him!

Even if it was just ten years ago, the mere thought sweetened his heart.

But the sweetness soon turned sour, then bitter, making him want to throw the book “Walden” at Wu Sheng!

In the end, frustration and anger took over.

Confessing through a code?

Is that something a normal person would do?!

Thinking just because he could understand it, the person being confessed to would too? Was this a case of love is blind? He’s a science dunce, not some kind of scientific beauty!

“Phew—”

Xu Wang finally freed his face from the pillow, turning over to lie on his back, his chest heaving as he stared at the ceiling.

The stark white ceiling was blinding, helping to cool his heated emotions.

Wu Sheng had gone to a major client in Hebei and wouldn’t appear in 1/23 tonight.

Xu Wang stared fixedly at the light until its glare blurred, slowly morphing into that handsome face.

“The major client saved you,” he muttered, each word laden with genuine emotion.

……

In the living room, Qian Ai’s noodles had turned into a soggy mess.

But he had lost his appetite. Sitting on the sofa, he was lost in memories of his youth and plunged into self-doubt about whether he and those two had actually been classmates.

If not, how could he vividly remember the good times between “Class Monitor Wu and Sports Rep Xu”?

If they were, when did those two “change”? Or was what he thought was friendship actually love?!

He had never been in a relationship, and this was way over his head!

Chi Yingxue had taken over the sofa, comfortably leaning against the soft backrest. His gaze drifted from the nearly hair-pulling Qian Ai to Kuang Jinxin, lost in thought on the other end of the sofa.

Chi Yingxue became curious. “Xiao Sijin, what are you thinking about?”

Kuang Jinxin looked over, his eyes filled with empathy. “Sheng Ge said twice, I am waiting for your answer.”

Chi Yingxue shifted to sit diagonally, resting his head on his hand propped on the sofa back, casually saying, “When you encounter a fool, you just have to accept your bad luck.”

Kuang Jinxin was upset but didn’t know how to refute it. On this matter, someone had to be responsible. Either blame Wu Sheng for making the confession too complex or blame Xu Wang for not thinking in terms of codes. Arguing with Chi Yingxue would mean criticizing Wu Sheng.

“It’s all Sheng Ge’s fault for making it too complicated.” Kuang Jinxin decided to side with his team captain.

……

Two days later.

The evening sky was ablaze with fiery clouds, but in the winter of Beijing, those walking in the cold wind couldn’t feel a hint of warmth.

Wu Sheng finally settled his business with the major client and, after discussing the company’s future direction with his partner, was free to head straight to Xu Wang’s home.

On the way, he called Xu Wang, reporting his imminent return.

In the call, his team captain only said four words. “I’m waiting for you.”

His voice was very gentle.

But it was too gentle, leaving Wu Sheng feeling uneasy.

Arriving at Xu Wang’s building, Wu Sheng encountered a man.

They chose the same unit door, pausing to size each other up upon reaching the entrance.

The man was in his early thirties, wearing a black autumn-winter overcoat over a suit. The knee-length coat, easily overwhelming one’s height, looked elegant and dashing on him.

He was tall and well-built, with a handsome face. His facial features were spirited and distinct, with clear contours. However, his gaze was indifferent, carrying an inherent sense of aloofness.

In a brief moment, both had sized each other up. He nodded slightly, gesturing for Wu Sheng to go ahead.

Wu Sheng nodded politely and went in.

The man followed.

Then, they both stopped in front of the same apartment door.

This time, their mutual gaze was more charged.

The man spoke first.

He extended his hand to Wu Sheng, his eyes looking warmer than before, no longer regarding Wu Sheng as a stranger. “Chi Zhuolin, Chi Yingxue’s brother.”

Wu Sheng was stunned. He wasn’t surprised that a brother would visit his sibling, but Chi Zhuolin and Chi Yingxue didn’t resemble each other much. Although both were attractive, their beauty lay in completely different directions.

“Wu Sheng, Chi Yingxue’s…” he paused cautiously, “teammate.”

As he spoke, he shook Chi Zhuolin’s hand. No warning headache appeared, suggesting that, in some sense, the truth was still permissible.

“I know.” Chi Zhuolin’s voice was friendly and polite. “You’re travel buddies. Yingxue told me.”

Wu Sheng smiled, tacitly agreeing.

Every person who decided to tackle the challenges in the “Owl” had to provide their family or close ones with a reasonable explanation, and “traveling” seemed to be the unanimous choice.

Lifting his hand, Wu Sheng knocked on the door.

The door was opened by Xu Wang… and Kuang Jinxin, Qian Ai, and Chi Yingxue.

Four faces greeting him at once was quite impactful, especially since their expressions were… interesting.

One had narrowed eyes as if accumulating anger.

One sighed, seemingly a bit disappointed.

One was sizing them up, as if looking for some crucial clue on the other.

One looked content, as if waiting to watch a play.

However, the content one soon froze. “Brother?”

Narrowed-Eyes Xu Wang, Sighing Kuang Jinxin, and Sizing-up Qian Ai all turned their gazes to Wu Sheng’s side upon hearing this and discovered there was a second person. “Brother?”

“……” As if suddenly gaining three younger brothers, Chi Zhuolin felt an increased pressure.

Xu Wang had waited two days for this moment, not expecting another “guest” when the door opened.

He suspected Wu Sheng had gotten wind of this and deliberately brought Chi Zhuolin for protection.

But after inviting him in and chatting, it became clear. Chi Yingxue had called his own brother, reporting the precise location, so this elder brother pushed aside all his company affairs to improve his younger brother’s life and to thank the many friends for taking care of his troublesome brother.

Xu Wang thought the latter was more important.

Beyond gratitude, there might also be scrutiny. In the course of the conversation, Chi Zhuolin must have already “inspected” them one by one. Probably assessing everything from safety coefficient to character index.

A mother worries for her child over a thousand miles, and though Chi Zhuolin was a brother, he seemed to bear a mother’s heart.

So, Xu Wang took the “inspection” in stride, even feeling happy for Chi Yingxue to have someone so concerned about him.

The chat didn’t last long before Chi Zhuolin suggested eating out.

It was still early, and he was the brother of one of their teammates, so there was no reason to refuse, but…

Xu Wang firmly grasped Wu Sheng’s wrist, firmly seating him, then looked up with a bright smile towards the three friends. “You guys go ahead. Wu Sheng and I have something to do.” Then to Chi Zhuolin with an apologetic smile. “We appreciate your kindness, but we really can’t leave due to some urgent matters. Sorry.”

Chi Zhuolin’s main intention was to invite his brother and help him build good friendships. Since they were busy, he didn’t insist.

Qian Ai secretly wanted to stay but knew it was risky. Tempted by the prospect of a meal with Chi Zhuolin, he left with the others while gritting his teeth.

Chi Yingxue, more eager to witness the drama than Qian Ai, didn’t expect his brother to intervene, so his look at Chi Zhuolin carried much dissatisfaction.

Chi Zhuolin, confused and unable to ask in front of others, left with the group.

With a “clang”, the security door closed tightly.

In the living room, Wu Sheng looked bewildered.

Xu Wang thought that after accumulating anger for two days, he would unleash a powerful outburst. But when it was just the two of them, he realized he couldn’t get angry. Just thinking about this person liking him, looking up words one by one in “Walden” and creating codes, even if it was just “once”, made his heart warm.

“You always said I was dumb in high school, remember?” Xu Wang suddenly said.

Wu Sheng, puzzled, carefully recalled. Had he really said such a damning thing?

Well, yes, he had.

But whether to admit it now was a problem.

Xu Wang looked at him, his gaze flickering with a faint smile, a hint of reproach, and a touch of sourness. “Knowing I’m dumb, couldn’t you have written the letters a bit simpler?”

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The author has something to say:

Keep it simple. The way you confess should be simple. You’re not a secret agent, so don’t set up encrypted messages~~ (This is a voice message from the author _(:з」∠)_)

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