An Earlier Meeting - Chapter 3
Chapter 3
The afternoon sun was as thick as melted butter, and the fans in the classroom whirred constantly but did nothing to disperse the stifling air. Time stretched into a sticky strand of sugar, suffocating everyone.
What was even more terrifying was that after only one week of the new semester, an exam was scheduled for the following week. This news was a boulder thrown into a calm lake. The faces of many students turned pale, and their fingers unconsciously tapped on their desks.
It was a school-wide unified exam.
For those who had spent two months playing all summer, this was the ultimate blow.
Huang Xiaozhi sat quietly by the window, the sun dancing on her eyelashes through the glass. She twirled her pen lightly, her expression as calm as a clear autumn pool. In contrast, the entire back row of the classroom was filled with a strange, nervous energy.
The school wanted to use this unified exam to gauge progress, and Huang Xiaozhi’s potential for progress was as inscrutable as her expression.
The school bell rang at 6 p.m. sharp, like a horn of liberation.
The classroom instantly erupted with the sound of chairs scraping, and students bolted for the door like birds from a cage. But Huang Xiaozhi calmly closed her textbook, smoothed the curled corners with her fingertips, shut the window, and left the room.
No one looked back for a moment. All they wanted was to escape.
Su Li stood at the stairwell, leaning on the railing, and turned to look at Huang Xiaozhi. “Hi there, little princess.”
“Are you looking for trouble? I think I have enough strength to throw you off the fifth floor,” Huang Xiaozhi said, her backpack slung over one shoulder. The sunlight cast a golden glow on her hair, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Su Li grinned playfully, tilting her head. Her eyes crinkled like crescent moons. “Oh, come on. Is it so bad if I call you that when no one’s around?”
“Yes.” Huang Xiaozhi kept a straight face but let Su Li take her arm.
“Fine, fine, I won’t. Let’s go.”
…
The school field was bathed in golden sunlight, stretching their shadows out long.
Su Li suddenly lowered her voice. “Hey, you know that top student from the next class, Yu Wen?” Su Li’s voice was low, but Huang Xiaozhi could hear her.
Bathed in the evening light, Huang Xiaozhi squinted, her eyelashes casting small shadows on her cheeks. “You told me today.” She knew Su Li’s old habits—a bad memory and a tendency to repeat things. Huang Xiaozhi didn’t mind.
Su Li was silent for a moment, then thought about it and continued, “Really? Oh, I guess so. I’m telling you, that Yu Wen only comes to school for half a day. She doesn’t even eat lunch here. I’m guessing she’s some kind of rich young lady. What do you think?”
Hearing this, Huang Xiaozhi remembered the girl’s back she saw when she returned to class at noon. She had a strong suspicion it was Yu Wen.
Huang Xiaozhi thought for a moment and replied, “I don’t know about that. What if she has other reasons? We don’t know her story. We should just worry about ourselves.” Her voice was as gentle as a breeze sweeping over water.
“Oh,” Su Li said.
…
At the school gate, the two waved goodbye.
Huang Xiaozhi walked past a small convenience store. The glass window reflected her hesitant figure, but she eventually pushed the door open and grabbed a pack of blueberry gum. The cashier smiled as she handed her the change. Huang Xiaozhi noticed the woman’s faded red nail polish.
She tore open the package, and the sweet scent of blueberry filled her mouth. She loved blueberry-flavored things.
She squinted with satisfaction, like a cat in the sun.
She had walked this road countless times, but this was the first time she noticed that the shadow of the sycamore tree by the road looked like a bird with its wings spread.
A knock came on the door. “Knock, knock, knock.”
It was her mother, Wei Qingwen, who opened it.
“Mom,” Huang Xiaozhi said with a smile, the stray hairs on her forehead matted to her skin with sweat.
“Oh, come in, sweetie. How was school today?” Wei Qingwen’s heart ached a little to see her daughter so sweaty at the door.
Her mother’s voice was like a warm blanket wrapping around her.
“It was alright. What’s for dinner?” Huang Xiaozhi went inside, put her backpack on the sofa, then went to her room to change into pajamas and wash her hands before heading to the kitchen.
Wei Qingwen hurried back to the kitchen. “We’re going to your grandparents’ house tonight. Let’s take a day off tomorrow and go visit them, okay?” Although she was busy in the kitchen, she wasn’t cooking. She was wiping the oily stovetop, as if to hide something.
Huang Xiaozhi leaned against the door frame. “Okay. Are we going soon?” She keenly smelled the spiciness of instant noodles.
Wei Qingwen, wiping her face with a towel, looked up at Huang Xiaozhi. “In a little bit. Why don’t you go take a shower and change your clothes?”
“Okay. Were you eating alone? Fire chicken noodles? And—crayfish?” Huang Xiaozhi continued to lean against the door frame, smiling as she looked at her mother.
“Yeah. I was hungry. Is it a problem?” Wei Qingwen’s voice was as quiet as a mosquito’s buzz after being called out.
Huang Xiaozhi shook her head with a resigned smile. “I’m not saying you can’t eat it. It’s just that your cold isn’t gone yet. Wait until you’re better, or your throat will hurt again.” She genuinely thought her mother was a terrible eater. Her mom ate whatever she wanted but never gained weight.
Wei Qingwen nodded. “I know, I know. Now go and rest for a bit. We’ll leave after you shower.”
“Mmm…”
…
At the same time, upstairs, Yu Wen’s apartment was shrouded in darkness.
There was a reason Yu Wen was ranked first and crushed the second-place student. She had a private tutor and was naturally gifted. She studied at school in the morning and at her apartment in the afternoon.
As for Uncle Zhong, he was arranged by her family to be her guardian. He was also there by choice. Since Yu Wen was studying here alone, Zhong Li would pick her up and drop her off in the mornings and afternoons.
Because Huang Xiaozhi had entered Yu Wen’s camera frame that morning, Yu Wen’s interest in her had been piqued. Her phone screen lit up, showing the candid photo. She ran her fingers across the screen as if she could actually touch Huang Xiaozhi.
Whenever she had free time, Yu Wen would observe Huang Xiaozhi. This might sound a little strange, but she looked at her with an appreciative expression, with the desire to make friends.
At school, Yu Wen was very inconvenient. Her identity could not be exposed, and her persona at school was a good girl, a good student, a shy and quiet person. She had been instructed to be this way.
She had demanded it of herself.
Every day when she returned to the apartment at noon, she would smoke a cigarette. It was her only bad habit. She smoked one every day, recalling the events of the morning as she smoked. Not every day, but at least three times a week.
Did we think Yu Wen would cook? No, no, no. She ordered takeout. Why? Because she was lazy.
When she was in City H, she used to be the one who cooked. Now that she had left that terrible place, she thought, Let anyone who wants to cook, cook. I’m not doing it.
After finishing her studies in the afternoon, she would make the entire apartment dark, with no lights, and then turn on the TV to watch a movie.
Tonight, halfway through her movie, she pressed pause, pulled the camera from her backpack, and looked at the photo. Then, she picked up her phone and called Uncle Zhong.
“Hello? Uncle Zhong, can you help me investigate someone?” Yu Wen’s voice was not that of a young girl. It was a mature voice, slightly different from her voice at school, though she didn’t speak much there anyway.
On the other end of the line, Uncle Zhong agreed without a word.
Yu Wen looked at the girl in the camera. Her face was expressionless, but her heart was filled with affection.
She turned off the camera, took her phone, and went back to the sofa, hugging her knees and continuing to watch her movie.
Like shells on the beach after the tide recedes, they emerged one by one, constantly reminding her.
…
Yu Wen had an older sister and a younger brother, but they weren’t her bl00d relatives. It could be said that her parents weren’t her biological parents either.
Her older sister, Zhang Yulin, was a ballerina who had also left City H.
Her younger brother, Zhang Huze, was still in middle school. He could be described as a son born to parents late in life.
Yu Wen was adopted. She had an excellent memory and remembered how she came to this family.
The Zhang family wanted a son to inherit the company, so they went to a fortune teller. The fortune teller said they should adopt a girl and then they would have a son.
The Zhangs believed this. They took Zhang Yulin to the orphanage, picking out girls like they were shopping for items. In the end, they set their eyes on Yu Wen.
She was only eight years old and knew nothing. The orphanage director told her she had a family now and that happiness had arrived.
But that was not the case. She was not happy. Everything she did was for the sake of her future brother.
After finishing high school entrance exams, she requested to leave the city. The Zhangs respected her choice. All that mattered was that their son was doing well.
Yu Wen was new to City A, but she felt at peace. No one here would put her life in danger.
Not long after, the Zhangs called to tell her that a man named Zhong Li from City H could protect her. She didn’t refuse, nor did she have a reason to.
In reality, Zhong Li had volunteered.
Later, they arranged for a tutor for her. They simply didn’t want the people of City A to recognize Yu Wen, as it would cause a bad reputation. Yu Wen agreed to this as well.
In the Zhang family, she had no choices.
During the summer break, Zhang Yulin had called her. Though they were sisters, Zhang Yulin didn’t have a good life either and never wanted to return home.
A phone call during summer break:
“Hello, Sister Yulin.”
“Hey, how are things?”
“They’re okay.”
“Did you go to City A?”
“Yes.”
“Home… it’s still the same, isn’t it?”
“You know. We both know.”
“Yeah, I get it. Take care of yourself. I’ll come see you when I’m not busy.”
“Don’t come back to City H. Come find me in City A.”
“…Okay.”
The air went quiet for a while.
“What about you, Sister Yulin? How are you doing?”
“I’m doing just okay. As long as I have a place to live and don’t starve, that’s all that matters, right?”
“That’s true. I’m starting my second year of high school soon.”
“Yeah, I know. I want to send you abroad.”
“What? Abroad? Why?”
“No reason. Just, it’s best if you never come back.”
“…”
“I know it’s a little sudden. I won’t force you. It’s your choice. Even though I’m not your bl00d sister, we’re both women. I’ll help you as much as I can. With me, you have a choice. You can refuse. Do you understand?”
“I understand. I’ll think about it.”
“Okay. I hope you think it through. I’ll transfer a million [RMB] into your account every month. Use it as you need. If it’s not enough, come to me, not the Zhangs.”
“Okay. Thank you, Sister Yulin.”
“Get some rest early. Good night.”
“Good night.”
The call ended there. Yu Wen was a little dazed. In her memory, Zhang Yulin had gone abroad a long time ago. They barely saw each other once a year and weren’t close. She didn’t know this woman, and she didn’t understand Zhang Yulin’s actions. They were practically strangers.
Yu Wen figured she must have just felt sorry for her.
…
Huang Xiaozhi returned to her room, found a clean set of pajamas, and put them on her bed. Then she grabbed a bath towel and took both to the bathroom.
Wei Qingwen finished tidying the kitchen and sat on the sofa, texting Teacher Tang to ask for a leave of absence for Huang Xiaozhi.
Huang Xiaozhi’s Mom: Teacher Tang, hello! Something came up at home tomorrow, so Xiaozhi won’t be able to come to school. I’d like to request a day off.
Director Tang: What happened at home, Mrs. Huang?
Huang Xiaozhi’s Mom: I’m sorry, Teacher Tang, I’m not comfortable sharing.
Director Tang: Okay, I understand. The school will have a unified exam next week, and the classes will be reorganized based on the rankings. I hope Huang Xiaozhi will work hard.
Huang Xiaozhi’s Mom: Okay, Teacher.
After texting, Wei Qingwen put her phone down on the sofa. She was still hot. She poured a drink and downed it in one go. It felt so good!
After she finished, she didn’t sit back on the sofa. She chose to sit on the floor. The sofa was warm, but the floor was cool. She wasn’t an idiot.
Huang Xiaozhi came out of the bathroom and saw her mother sitting cross-legged on the floor, a phone in one hand and a drink in the other.
Wiping her hair with a towel, Huang Xiaozhi couldn’t help but laugh. “Mom, don’t sit on the floor. Sit on the sofa instead.”
Wei Qingwen shook her head playfully. “No way. Your mom is strong. You go change your clothes. Once you’re ready, we can leave.”
Huang Xiaozhi nodded and tossed the towel to her mother. “Can you hang this up for me?”
Wei Qingwen caught the towel and took it out to the balcony.
Huang Xiaozhi pulled a pale yellow floral dress from her closet. When she put it on, it moved with her, like a blooming daisy.
She loved floral dresses. Wei Qingwen had bought her many of them. Anything Huang Xiaozhi liked, Wei Qingwen would do her best to get it for her.
Huang Xiaozhi changed into the dress, grabbed her phone, and went to the living room. Her long, waist-length hair was silky smooth. She held out a hair tie to Wei Qingwen. “Mom, would you mind braiding my hair?”
Wei Qingwen took the hair tie but didn’t want to put down her drink. “Can’t you do it yourself?”
“Hehe, I can’t braid well, you know that,” Huang Xiaozhi said, picking up a small stool and sitting with her back to her mother.
Wei Qingwen touched Huang Xiaozhi’s smooth hair and sighed. “Your hair is so nice. Maybe you should cut it so I can make a wig out of it.”
Huang Xiaozhi: “…”
Both were silent. Huang Xiaozhi was scrolling through videos on her phone. Finally, Wei Qingwen broke the silence.
“Are you having a school-wide exam next week?” Wei Qingwen asked while braiding the hair.
Huang Xiaozhi put her phone down for a moment before answering. “Yeah. Did Director Tang tell you?”
“Yeah. I was just asking for a day off for you, and she suddenly brought it up. She said you should work hard, probably hoping you’ll aim for the top ten.” Wei Qingwen explained.
“Are you setting a goal for me?” There was no smile on Huang Xiaozhi’s face. She hated it when people set goals for her, even though her mother had never done so before.
Wei Qingwen’s hands paused. She finished the braid, then walked around and squatted in front of Huang Xiaozhi. “Xiaoxiao, your mom isn’t demanding anything. Just do your best. I don’t want you to feel pressured. Do I have such a bad image in your eyes?” She had always treated her daughter like a best friend.
Huang Xiaozhi was amused by her mother. “No, you don’t. I know you don’t want to pressure me. I was just asking. It’s okay if you want to set goals for me. And in my eyes, you’re no different from a teenage girl.”
When Wei Qingwen heard “teenage girl,” her eyes lit up. “Really? I’m getting old. I have more gray hairs now.”
Huang Xiaozhi reached out and hugged Wei Qingwen. “To your daughter, you’re a teenager. You look pretty every day. Don’t worry.” Wei Qingwen smelled of sunshine and laundry detergent, the smell of home.
Wei Qingwen hugged Huang Xiaozhi back. “I know, I know. Your old mom’s mindset is doing just fine. Now go change your shoes. Your grandparents have been waiting.” As she spoke, she let go of Huang Xiaozhi and pushed her away with a look of hidden affection.
Huang Xiaozhi: “…”
Can’t I even hug you for a little while?
Huang Xiaozhi opened her phone and went to Baidu.
“What to do when my mom doesn’t want me to hug her?”
The “expert” suggested:
“Tough luck. I recommend adding some spring onions, ginger, and garlic.”