MVCFO CH46

Chapter 46: “Keep Moving Forward Firmly”

On the third day of Qi Ye’s vacation, she was called back to the research institute by a phone call.

Lin Xiangqi and Lu Cong went with her to the Alliance Capital.

On the day their exam results came out, Lin Xiangqi had already discussed his post-graduation plans with Qi Ye and Lu Huo.

It was clear that both Qi Ye and Lu Huo were pleased.

They knew that Lin Xiangqi’s decision essentially represented Lu Cong’s as well. Whether it was the military academy or the research institute, it was undoubtedly a better path than casually choosing a university, picking a random major, and settling for an ordinary job. While they were open-minded and supportive of freedom, they ultimately hoped the two boys would have broader prospects.

However, after talking with Lin Xiangqi, Qi Ye realized he wasn’t particularly interested in most of the institute’s projects, especially since his future direction was medicine. Qi Ye shared some insider information: the institute’s upcoming collaboration with Capital University might have nothing to do with the medical field, which would limit Lin Xiangqi’s options.

Lin Xiangqi asked Qi Ye which project Lu Cong would likely join if he entered the institute. She told him it would probably be pheromone-based military weapon development, as Lu Cong’s pheromones were highly valuable, and the institute would offer him an invitation without hesitation if he was willing.

Hearing this, Lin Xiangqi’s face fell. He knew his own pheromones couldn’t be used for weapon development. If they ended up joining different projects as a compromise, the whole point of choosing the institute together would be lost.

With this in mind, both Lin Xiangqi and Lu Cong lost much of their enthusiasm for the institute.

Qi Ye sensed their lack of interest and, though slightly disappointed, didn’t push them.

Initially, she had hoped Lu Cong would join the institute because, given his current situation, attending a regular university or finding a good job at a standard company would be difficult. Whenever she asked about his plans, he always seemed indifferent. Naturally, she wanted to secure a path for her son.

But now, with Lin Xiangqi’s encouragement, Lu Cong’s attitude had become more proactive. He was starting to seriously plan for the future without acting recklessly. So, Qi Ye was willing to respect their decisions.

She suggested they visit the capital to tour the research institute and, while they were there, explore Capital University.

Lin Xiangqi didn’t refuse and was inwardly excited about seeing Capital University, his parents’ alma mater.

They were to stay in the capital for two days. Qi Ye was busy with work, so apart from taking them to the institute, she left Lu Cong and Lin Xiangqi to explore on their own.

Lin Xiangqi finally visited the Capital University library he’d been longing to see.

All his impressions of the school came from his parents’ stories, so from the moment he stepped through the gates, he couldn’t help comparing the scenes before him with those he’d imagined.

When Lin Xiangqi borrowed a book his parents, Yuan Wei and Lin Buwang, had once checked out together and sat in the same window-side seat they had, he suddenly burst into a smile.

Lu Cong stayed quietly by his side, not interrupting. He thought Lin Xiangqi might be immersed in memories, feeling sadness or regret, maybe even crying. But instead, Lin Xiangqi just smiled.

Soon after, he took Lu Cong’s hand and left the library, following a secret path Yuan Wei had once told him about, leading to the school’s most beautiful grove.

“It’s this season, and the flowers are still blooming, just like Mom said.” Lin Xiangqi pointed at a vibrant tree and asked Lu Cong, “Can you see it?”

Lu Cong looked where he pointed. “Yes.”

Lin Xiangqi excitedly pulled out his phone, scrolled through his album, and showed Lu Cong an old photo. The scenery in the picture was strikingly similar to what they saw now, even the flowers’ positions unchanged. “Isn’t it exactly the same? They stood right here to take this photo.”

Lu Cong looked at Lin Xiangqi and said, “It is.”

As Lin Xiangqi walked through Capital University, all his imaginings of the place gradually became real.

He was in a great mood, and Lu Cong could feel it.

Lin Xiangqi kept pulling up old photos, comparing them to the scenes before him.

If the reality matched the photo, he’d share the discovery with Lu Cong like it was a delightful surprise and ask him to take a photo of them together.

If something had changed, Lin Xiangqi didn’t feel disappointed. He’d linger, studying the altered scenery, trying to find any trace of the past.

Even if nothing matched, it didn’t matter. He’d still take a photo to remember the moment.

They wandered like this until dusk fell.

When Lin Xiangqi got hungry, Lu Cong asked if he wanted to try the cafeteria, as it was part of his parents’ memories.

Lin Xiangqi hesitated. “Mom used to complain that everything about their school was great except the cafeteria—it was awful.”

Lu Cong chuckled. “Most schools are like that. We can try it. If it’s bad, we’ll eat out.”

Lin Xiangqi nodded. “Sounds good.”

To their surprise, the Capital University cafeteria had been renovated. It was nothing like they’d imagined—spacious, clean, and offering an impressive variety of food.

Beyond the affordable meal sets exclusive to students and staff, there were cuisines from various countries. Lin Xiangqi counted at least half of the thirty-plus Alliance nations represented.

Lin Xiangqi seemed a bit dazed and randomly ordered a few dishes. Though they smelled delicious, he didn’t seem eager to eat, staring at his tray and picking at his food slowly.

Lu Cong noticed something was off. Seeing Lin Xiangqi’s lack of appetite, he gently took his chopsticks and set them down. “If you don’t want to eat, don’t force yourself, okay?”

Lin Xiangqi shook his head. “I ordered so much. It’d be a waste.”

“No problem.” Lu Cong took his tray with a smile. “I’m still hungry.”

Lin Xiangqi knew Lu Cong was trying to spare him from eating reluctantly, but it wasn’t that he had no appetite—he was just lost in thought, unable to settle down.

“Lu Cong, do you think this is what my parents ate back then?” Lin Xiangqi asked, propping his chin on his hand.

Lu Cong answered honestly, “Probably not.”

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have called it “awful.”

The current Capital University cafeteria was a food paradise. Even the cheapest meal sets were flavorful and well-presented, with long lines of students giving glowing reviews.

Lin Xiangqi agreed. “It was over twenty years ago, after all.”

Lu Cong glanced at him and followed Lin Xiangqi’s words, “Yeah, Capital University has changed a lot over the years.”

Lin Xiangqi looked up, scanning the bustling environment around them, unable to imagine any trace of his parents from over twenty years ago.

“Sure enough, people can’t hold onto memories,” Lin Xiangqi said suddenly. “Because everything keeps moving forward.”

Lu Cong reached out, gently smoothing the shadow between Lin Xiangqi’s brows. “Memories are just memories. Even if everything here changes, they still existed, truly.”

Lin Xiangqi countered, “Right, memories are memories. Everything changes, but they don’t. So even if I follow memories to search for something, I can’t gain anything more.”

Lu Cong looked at him silently.

At first, he thought Lin Xiangqi was grieving, as the things tied to his parents were slowly erased by time. Half of the photos Lin Xiangqi pulled up no longer matched the present.

But Lu Cong felt that Lin Xiangqi’s gaze wasn’t so much sad as calmly accepting this reality.

“Lu Cong,” Lin Xiangqi looked up, not appearing upset, “I think I got it wrong from the start.”

Lu Cong asked, “What did you get wrong?”

Lin Xiangqi said, “I wanted to come to Capital University because it was my parents’ alma mater. I thought being here would bring me closer to them, like I could hold onto a piece of them… But the more I see, the more I realize memories have been replaced by new scenes. I can’t truly hold onto anything.”

“Maybe that book they read will get lost by some careless borrower one day. Maybe that grove will get revamped like the cafeteria. Flowers and trees will grow anew, time moves on, and things change. The more I try to find their memories, the fewer I find. Not because things have changed, but because I’m forcing the present and past together.”

Lin Xiangqi spoke slowly, as if explaining to himself more than to Lu Cong. “If someone keeps chasing memories, it’s like a snake swallowing its own tail. The longer you chase, the more you consume yourself. I was trapping myself.”

Lu Cong didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he gently pulled Lin Xiangqi closer, leaning in to listen to his quiet monologue.

Lin Xiangqi said, “I’m not sad, you know.”

Lu Cong chuckled softly. “I know.”

“Living in memories is exhausting. I’ve known that for a while, but I couldn’t break free before. Now, after coming here, I realize I’m not so fixated anymore… Especially when I flipped through that book in the library. I didn’t think about the regret of my parents’ passing but about how happy they were, chatting by the window over twenty years ago. I felt like I’ve moved on.”

Lin Xiangqi smiled again, looking at Lu Cong. “Do you know why?”

Lu Cong gently touched his earlobe, humbly asking, “I don’t. Can you tell me?”

Lin Xiangqi said, “Because of you.”

Lu Cong was slightly surprised. “Me?”

“Yeah.” Lin Xiangqi nudged Lu Cong’s chin with his forehead. “Before, I had no sense of security. I felt abandoned in the world, alone. Even with you by my side, I was always prepared for you to leave. Back then, I couldn’t move on because all I had were memories.”

“But now, I’m not afraid at all. I know I’m not empty-handed. I don’t just have the past—I have a future too. I don’t just have memories of my parents; I have you, right here. So nothing can trap me anymore.”

Lu Cong caught the deeper meaning in his words. He ruffled Lin Xiangqi’s hair, asking gently in a tone that accepted any answer, “Have you made up your mind?”

Lin Xiangqi nodded. “I have.”

He now had enough courage to move forward.

Lu Huo, stationed at the Alliance’s Northern Fortress, was ten hours behind the capital. When he received Lu Cong’s message, it was 4 a.m. He jolted upright and called back immediately.

Lu Huo: “Decided? Military academy?”

Lu Cong: “Yes.”

Lu Huo: “Looks like my talk that night inspired you. No wonder you rushed next door to discuss it with Xiao Lin all night, huh?”

Lu Cong: “Hm?”

Lu Huo: “Hm?”

Lu Cong: “…Sure, you can think that.”

He recalled that night. After drinking, Lu Huo had rambled about world affairs, the Alliance’s state, future plans, and life’s convictions.

Later, Lu Huo poured them both drinks. Lu Cong drank his, then excused himself, claiming dizziness, to video call Lin Xiangqi upstairs.

Lu Huo’s words that night were indeed inspiring, but Lu Cong never lacked inspiration. His self-awareness and life plans were clearer than Lu Huo imagined.

His decision to attend the military academy wasn’t entirely because it suited him, or because of grand ambitions or lofty ideals.

It was simply that, after weighing their options, he and Lin Xiangqi believed this path would take them farther, let them see more, and achieve more—while spending less time apart.

Lu Huo suddenly called out, “Son.”

Lu Cong rarely heard him speak so gently and listened attentively.

“No matter why you chose this path, I’m glad to see this determination in you. There are few things in life you can’t let go of. Since you’ve found one, hold on tight and walk forward firmly.”

Lu Huo didn’t explicitly mention “Lin Xiangqi.”

His words seemed to encourage Lu Cong’s choice of the military academy, but every sentence carried a deeper meaning.

Lu Cong smiled, replying decisively, “I will.”