I'll Wait for You in the Future - Chapter 7: Liking You

So unrestrainedly shouting “I love you,”
truly the most beautiful scene
in the memories of youth.

“Often unconsciously avoiding many things, thinking avoidance solves problems.
Only when directly facing a problem for the first time do you realize,
only by facing it can you solve it.”

“Over a year ago, someone suddenly came to school looking for Janitor Zhou, saying he was his cousin. To be honest, looking closely, they did resemble each other. About a week or two later, this relative disappeared. When people asked Janitor Zhou again, he stammered. Janitor Zhou used to be incredibly enthusiastic, but he gradually became neurotic, didn’t like going out, said strange things, and finally became what you see now,” said the driver who took Janitor Zhou to the hospital.

“Did he always like writing?” Hao Huigui immediately pressed further.

The driver thought for a moment, “It seems like only after that did he start liking writing, writing poems and articles, sending them everywhere for publication, but no one wanted them. Anyway, Janitor Zhou is ruined.”

“Publication? Where did he submit them?”

“I’m not sure. I just saw him sending letters all the time…”

Hao Huigui went to the newsstands around the school to inquire about the magazines Janitor Zhou liked to buy and borrowed over ten school staff mail logs from the delivery room, sitting in his office to review them whenever he had free time. On his desk lay the latest monthly exam results; Liu Dazhi had improved from the forties to the twenties. Hao Huigui had just looked up when he saw Liu Dazhi pacing back and forth at the door. Hao Huigui gave him a nod, and Liu Dazhi obediently sat down at the desk.

“What’s wrong? Why do you seem so uneasy?” Hao Huigui had a bad feeling.

“Teacher Hao, there’s something I want to tell you. I’ve thought about it, and it seems I can only tell you. Because if I tell others, I’m afraid they’ll laugh at me.”

“Okay, tell me. I won’t tell anyone.”

Liu Dazhi was silent for a moment: “My parents are getting a divorce.”

“Ah?” Hao Huigui was surprised. He knew so quickly? But his heart was also filled with relief. When he’d found out his parents were getting a divorce, he hadn’t dared to tell anyone, keeping it bottled up, incredibly painful. At school, he’d pretended to be happy, and at home, he’d had to act along with his parents; recalling those days made him feel miserable. But now, Liu Dazhi could tell him these things, not only because he trusted him, but also because he no longer feared others’ judgment.

He carefully examined Liu Dazhi; he didn’t seem as bad as he’d imagined.

“How did you find out?” Hao Huigui asked.

“My parents fought every day, but recently, they suddenly stopped. I thought about it; since Mr. Wang’s birthday, they’ve changed, being very polite to each other. My mom doesn’t make me urge my dad to come home for dinner anymore. I think they must have secretly gotten a divorce without telling me.”

Hao Huigui underestimated Liu Dazhi’s sensitivity. He knew this was only a matter of time; avoidance was meaningless. Back then, for months, he’d felt like he’d been knocked down by an invisible punch, unable to get up no matter how hard he tried. He couldn’t tell anyone, didn’t dare tell anyone, and could only force himself to face it; it took a long time before he accepted the fact. But now, Liu Dazhi stood before him, proactively telling him these things.

“Why did they hide it from you?”

“Maybe they were worried about me? The college entrance exam is coming soon; they didn’t want me to be affected…”

“Do you think this is good?”

“I don’t know. The calmer they are, the more I feel I’ll be letting them down if I don’t improve… They must be suffering too.”

“What are you going to do?” “What should I do?”

They both spoke simultaneously.

“Why don’t you ask your father what he thinks?” Hao Huigui knew this problem had to be solved by Liu Dazhi himself.

“My dad? He won’t talk about these things with me. When I was little, I was very close to my dad, but later, for some reason, he became increasingly distant from my mom, and from me too. Now, he’s like a stranger to me.”

Hao Huigui felt a pang of sympathy; they were family, yet so distant in their hearts.

“Maybe he also wants to talk to you but can’t find the opportunity. Instead of pretending nothing happened, why not have a good talk with your dad?” Hao Huigui looked at Liu Dazhi.

Hao Huigui recalled the year he turned 30; he’d had a drink with his father, talking about his parents’ divorce, and how they pretended to be together. His father said he knew it had hurt Hao Huigui deeply, but he didn’t know how to speak up. He remembered his father saying, “I’m sorry, Dazhi. This is our first time being parents; we don’t have much experience. If we’ve hurt you, please forgive us.”

Recalling this, Hao Huigui’s eyes welled up. He quickly stood up to hide his emotions.

Liu Dazhi thought about Hao Huigui’s words and nodded. Maybe this was a way out.

“By the way, how are things with Chen Tong?” Hao Huigui asked.

“Chen Tong? Um… I don’t hate him so much anymore.”

“You can also try talking to him; it might help.” At this moment, Liu Dazhi wouldn’t know that Chen Tong would later become his best friend.

Liu Dazhi didn’t understand but nodded: “Teacher Hao, please don’t tell anyone. I don’t want others to pity me.”

Hao Huigui nodded: “Okay. If you want your friends to know, you can tell them yourself. I’ll pretend I know nothing.” Liu Dazhi reached the door, then turned back: “Teacher Hao, please do well on your upcoming exam. We all hope you’ll stay.”

“Okay! I’ll work hard to stay. You also work hard; work hard to become better!”

Although he couldn’t change the outcome of known events, Hao Huigui understood he could change everyone’s attitude and perspective. The mindset is more important than the result.

Back then, he’d been bitten by a dog while teasing it; now, Liu Dazhi was bitten while saving Wooden Bucket.

Back then, Chen Tong’s mountain bike had been stolen for no reason; now, it was stolen while he was taking Liu Dazhi to get a rabies shot.

Back then, he’d been deeply hurt by his parents’ deception about their divorce; but now, Liu Dazhi understood his parents’ good intentions in hiding their divorce.

“We exchanged our secrets;
we became friends.”

On the way to school, the crowd was bustling. Liu Dazhi, carrying his schoolbag, felt like he was carrying a weight, like a soldier without armor. A familiar figure appeared before him. Chen Tong stopped his bike, using his foot to steady it: “Walking so slowly, you’ll be late in five minutes! Get on; I’ll take you!”

Liu Dazhi, with half a steamed bun in his mouth, was pulled back to reality. Chen Tong’s new bike still didn’t have a back seat.

Liu Dazhi shook his head: “Forget it.”

Chen Tong noticed something was wrong with Liu Dazhi: “What’s wrong?”

Liu Dazhi didn’t want to say.

Chen Tong pointed to the front bar: “Think it over before you say anything. You’ll be late; Teacher Zhao’s class is first; if you don’t want to be punished, get on quickly.”

Liu Dazhi looked at his watch, the bike, and the people around him; no one was paying attention.

“Why are you acting like a girl…” Chen Tong teased him. Liu Dazhi reluctantly got on, his head bumping into Chen Tong’s chin; he instinctively pulled back a little.

“Hold on tight; let’s go!” The school entrance was under construction, the road bumpy. But Chen Tong skillfully avoided every pothole. Liu Dazhi buried his head, not daring to move.

“Isn’t that Liu Dazhi? Turned into a little wife! Hahaha!”

Wang Pangzi from their class saw him; his mouth was incredibly sharp!

Liu Dazhi felt a mix of emotions, a jumble. He realized one thing: he could never ride Chen Tong’s bike again. In Chinese class, his mood remained low, his mind wandering.

“What’s wrong?” Weixiao passed him a note.

Was Weixiao concerned about him? Liu Dazhi felt a warmth in his heart.

“Nothing.” Liu Dazhi wrote back; he still didn’t want Weixiao to know.

Weixiao thought for a moment and didn’t respond. He felt empty again.

After class, Weixiao patted Liu Dazhi, who was slumped on his desk, signaling him to come out.

Along the way, everyone looked at them curiously. Normally, Liu Dazhi would have been proud, but today, facing his parents’ divorce, he felt like an abandoned orphan, devoid of emotion. Standing on the rooftop of the teaching building, Liu Dazhi didn’t understand why Weixiao had suddenly brought him here.

“I’ve noticed your mood’s been off these days; your grades have improved a little; don’t go back to how you were.” Oh, so Weixiao cared about his grades.

“I’m… okay. I just have some things on my mind.” Liu Dazhi forced a smile. He suddenly remembered that Weixiao’s parents had divorced, and she’d always lived in a single-parent family.

“Weixiao, I want to ask you something.” Liu Dazhi mustered his courage.

“Okay.”

“When your parents divorced, were you sad?”

Weixiao hadn’t expected Liu Dazhi to ask this. Liu Dazhi also swallowed, feeling he shouldn’t have asked. Weixiao stared at Liu Dazhi, making him nervous.

“Liu Dazhi, are your parents getting a divorce?” Weixiao smiled mysteriously.

“No, no. I just wanted to ask how others would feel if their parents divorced…” Liu Dazhi’s voice grew softer, until he could barely hear himself. He regretted asking this question.

“I was still young then, so I don’t have much of an impression. When I was little, I’d ask my mom where she’d gone, and people would say I didn’t have a mother. Later, I knew my mom was living in America. But I learned not to ask, and I never mentioned it in front of my dad. I was afraid if I did, he’d be even sadder; after all, my mom chose her career, giving up my dad and me. Do you remember what I want to do in the future? I said I want to be an international news reporter; actually, I just really want to go abroad, find my mom, and ask her why she left my dad and me. So, parents getting a divorce isn’t a big deal; at least you can still see them. But me? I can’t see my mom, and I can’t let my dad know I want to see her.” Weixiao laughed again, as if all this wasn’t difficult, but something she already understood and had to experience.

“Thank you for telling me this.” Liu Dazhi said gratefully.

“You should thank Teacher Hao; aren’t we a pair? Your grades are bad; in the end, I’m still responsible, right? Let’s go.” Weixiao waved casually.

Liu Dazhi felt he was much more childish than Weixiao; she’d already planned her future, while he was still struggling with the present.

At the school gate, Liu Dazhi hesitated for two seconds before walking to Chen Tong’s bike: “Get off!”

“What?” Chen Tong didn’t understand.

“It’s my turn to give you a ride!” Liu Dazhi smiled, “I need to regain some face!”

“Why are you acting like a girl…” Liu Dazhi grabbed the handlebars, lifting his chin. Chen Tong moved to the front of the bike.

“Hold on tight; let’s go!” The school entrance was under construction, the road bumpy. But Liu Dazhi rode very skillfully, not avoiding any potholes, speeding along, shouting as he rode, “Look! Look! Who’s sitting in front! Hahaha, it’s Chen Tong, the guy you all like and admire!”

Chen Tong pointed the way, his face flushed red in the setting sun; later, he also shouted along, “School’s out!”

People around them looked on with curiosity, envy, and admiration.

Behind them, Chen Xiaowu secretly slipped a letter into a mailbox.

Chen Tong shouted, “We’re here!” then hopped off the bike.

Liu Dazhi glanced to his right. In the setting sun, the words “Hunan Public Security Bureau” shone brightly.

“What did I do wrong? Why bring me here?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to learn boxing?”

“Who told you that?” Liu Dazhi asked, his mouth agape.

“Teacher Hao mentioned it the other day, something about you wanting to learn boxing.” With that, he led Liu Dazhi into the training ground. The vast hall held only two or three young police officers. “Before, if I didn’t do well on an exam, or if I had a disagreement with my family, I’d come here and box for two hours. After sweating it out, putting in the effort, my mood would gradually improve.”

Liu Dazhi followed Chen Tong, wanting to speak but hesitant, afraid of being ridiculed. But remembering Teacher Hao’s suggestion to chat more with Chen Tong, he mustered his courage.

“Chen Tong, do you ever feel… suddenly adrift, like the things that should belong to you, actually don’t?” Liu Dazhi quickly corrected himself, “I’m such an idiot, how could you possibly…”

“Of course, I do.”

“Ah?” Liu Dazhi looked disbelieving.

Chen Tong brought over two mats. They sat down.

“I often feel like I’m being excluded. My family always tells me to excel, to get first place, to attend the best science university, to learn from my sister. I feel like a tool, an exhibit, on display. No one cares about my feelings; they’ve made all the decisions for me. Actually, I envy you.”

“You envy me? Forget it, you don’t need to comfort me.”

“Really. Before, I couldn’t stand people like you and Chen Xiaowu…”

“What kind of people are we?” Liu Dazhi countered.

“Don’t misunderstand. Forget it, misunderstanding is fine. Just… not studying, no goals, and when asked a question, either you don’t understand, or you’re being flippant, no ideas or ability to solve problems. How to put it? It’s like wasting your life doing things that seem cool but are actually stupid. Until… after participating in the competition with you guys, I understood a different kind of strength… Oh right, Chen Xiaowu is also more mature than I thought.”

“So that’s how you see us.” Liu Dazhi felt a little annoyed, but after thinking it over, Chen Tong was right.

Chen Tong continued, “I envy your freedom, your ability to choose your own childhood, your knowledge of so many plants, your courage to jump into the water with Chen Xiaowu. Compared to you guys, some might think I’m excellent, but I don’t feel like I’m truly living. My life is boring, lacking passion, warmth, every day the same.”

“You definitely have warmth. Do you remember that morning, running to me and Chen Xiaowu, saying ‘Let’s do it together’? It was incredibly cool. Later, you changed your tracksuit to match ours, although you said it was to reduce visibility… Oh right, and the time you argued with Teacher Zhao for me…”

“Ah!” Liu Dazhi suddenly remembered, “So you transferred to the liberal arts class because you wanted to make your own life decisions?”

“Mm… I wanted to see if I was strong enough to control my own destiny. Later, you’ll find you not only have to make your own choices but also bear the consequences.”

“You’re amazing, seriously.”

Many envy girls, thinking they can share a bag of melon seeds and pour out their hearts. But for men, it seems you need a pot of liquor to break the ice. Chen Tong and Liu Dazhi could talk so openly; recalling it now feels incredibly warm.

Liu Dazhi looked up at the training hall ceiling. Chen Tong was right. Weixiao’s strictness with herself, Teacher Hao’s guidance, Dingdang relying on him when she was helpless, Chen Xiaowu’s unconditional belief in him… these were all reasons for his existence and necessity.

When he guessed his parents were separating, Liu Dazhi felt abandoned by the world. After talking with Chen Tong, he realized he shouldn’t be so selfish. Everyone should have their own life, especially since his parents were hiding it to spare his feelings. Wasn’t that love?

“I understand!” Liu Dazhi said to Chen Tong.

“Understand what?” Chen Tong asked curiously.

“Mm, I’ll tell you later! Thank you, I’ve figured it out!” Liu Dazhi cheered up.

“Have you talked to Teacher Hao about this?” Liu Dazhi suddenly asked.

“Teacher Hao? No.”

“Strange, then how did he know, and why did he tell me to find you?” Liu Dazhi muttered to himself.

“What?”

“Nothing, nothing. Now, teach me how to box!” Liu Dazhi stood up, brushing off the dust.

Chen Tong made a stylish “please” gesture.

Liu Dazhi bowed: “Please!”

As evening fell, under the dim light, Dingdang was intently reading Sanmao’s *Stories from the Sahara*. This was an extracurricular book Teacher Hao recommended to Weixiao; Dingdang had wheedled it out of her. She read aloud: “The next day, when Hosei knocked on the door, I was taking a nap because I’d carried a large bucket of fresh water and was very tired. It was already 5:30. As soon as he entered, he shouted, ‘Wake up, I have something to give you!’ His tone was very excited; he was holding a large box. I jumped up barefoot and quickly grabbed the box, shouting, ‘It must be flowers!’ ‘Where would you find flowers in the desert! Really.’ He was a little disappointed I didn’t guess right. I quickly opened the box and tore off the messy wrapping paper. Wow! Two skull eyes appeared. I pulled out this unexpected gift forcefully, and upon closer inspection, it was a camel skull. The pale bones were perfectly intact, a row of teeth bared at me, the eyes two large black holes.”

Dingdang was terrified. She wondered why Weixiao said reading this passage felt romantic, moving, and made her want to cry.

The radio played:

“The Leo meteor shower, which occurs only once every 33 years, is coming next week. On the night of the meteor shower, what wish will you make? May all wishes come true. After all, the next time we meet will be in 33 years.”

Dingdang blinked, looking at the stars outside the window.

The stars in the night sky slowly formed the face of Hao Huigui.

“The greatest advantage of having a crush is
you’ll never experience heartbreak.”

Dingdang received another letter from her pen pal. Opening it, she gasped, then covered her mouth, afraid of disturbing her classmates. But they were already drawn to her exclamation. Unable to contain her joy, she held up an autographed photo of Andy Lau, saying, “Andy Lau! Andy Lau! My pen pal sent it to me! Wow, I love Andy Lau!”

Seeing Dingdang so happy, Chen Xiaowu lowered his head. Weixiao smiled, “Your pen pal is great, saying he wouldn’t write anymore, then giving you such a big surprise. What’s going on lately? You tore up an Andy Lau poster, and suddenly, all the Andy Lau’s in the world appeared.” Dingdang thought for a moment, “Last time I called the radio station, I mentioned our fight, maybe he heard. He said he’d always think of me, even when I couldn’t see him. What wish do you have? Maybe someone in this world will make it come true for you too.”

“I don’t dare, what if a friend hears?”

“It’s good if a friend hears; they’ll be nicer to you.” Dingdang was happy.

Dingdang placed the letter on her desk. Chen Tong glanced at it; the handwriting seemed familiar, although deliberately written messily.

During PE class, Wang Weiguo was leading the boys in calisthenics. Chen Xiaowu was still lagging behind, but no one laughed at him anymore. Chen Tong ran to Liu Dazhi’s side, casually saying, “Xiaowu likes Dingdang.”

Liu Dazhi almost fell, his breath hitching.

“Really or not?”

“Almost certainly!”

“Impossible!” Liu Dazhi struggled to keep up.

“You know Dingdang has a pen pal, right?”

“Yeah, he even sent her an autographed Andy Lau photo.”

“It’s Chen Xiaowu.”

“Impossible! Chen Xiaowu sells bean sprouts all day; how could he get an Andy Lau autograph?!”

“How he got the autograph, I don’t know, but you wouldn’t know who he has a crush on, would you?”

Chen Tong was surprised Liu Dazhi was completely unaware. Liu Dazhi scratched his head, “He likes Dingdang? Crazy! Possible? Impossible!”

Wang Weiguo: “Chen Xiaowu, you’re always last! Run! One, two, three, four!” Liu Dazhi looked back at the struggling Chen Xiaowu, then at Chen Tong, muttering, “Playing me? This idiot actually has this kind of thought, and he even hid it from me?” The more he thought about it, the more wrong it felt. While everyone was resting on the field, he excused himself to the restroom, then went back to the classroom, directly to Dingdang’s desk, rummaging through her bag. The letter was carefully tucked away. Liu Dazhi smirked; she really took this pen pal seriously. He took out the letter and looked at the handwriting. Chen Tong said the handwriting was deliberately messy; strangers wouldn’t write like this.

“What are you looking for?” Weixiao’s voice startled him. Liu Dazhi’s heart almost leaped out of his chest; he turned, seeing no one behind Weixiao, and breathed a sigh of relief.

“What are you doing like a thief… You *are* a thief?”

Liu Dazhi’s lips moved, but no sound came out, as if he were revealing a state secret: “Do you know Dingdang’s pen pal is Chen Xiaowu?”

“You’re mute?” Weixiao didn’t understand.

Liu Dazhi stood up, “Have you ever thought that Dingdang’s pen pal is Xiaowu?”

“Which Xiaowu?”

“Chen Xiaowu!”

“Impossible?!” Weixiao burst out laughing.

“That’s what I thought, but Chen Tong said the handwriting is familiar!”

“Impossible! Look at Dingdang’s attitude towards Chen Xiaowu. If Chen Xiaowu liked Dingdang, he’d be an idiot.”

“Isn’t he an idiot?”

“Impossible! Even if it’s a familiar person, it can’t be Chen Xiaowu.”

“Then who is it?”

“Aren’t you best friends… Why not just ask him?”

“Nothing. You’re right; I should just ask him.”

After school, Liu Dazhi and Chen Xiaowu fed Wooden Bucket.

Chen Xiaowu: “Wooden Bucket, good boy, eat more.”

Liu Dazhi looked at Chen Xiaowu and bluntly asked, “Xiaowu, you know Dingdang has a pen pal, right?”

“Yeah, he’s amazing, even sending her an autographed Andy Lau photo.” Chen Xiaowu’s expression was natural.

“Do you think this person is someone we know?”

“Someone we know? Maybe, look… the pen pal didn’t leave a return address, and he seems to know her well.”

“He didn’t even ask Dingdang to reply; what do you think he’s thinking?”

“Maybe he’s afraid of rejection.”

“Or maybe he’s afraid of being found out.”

“Why are you suddenly so interested in Dingdang’s pen pal?” Chen Xiaowu continued feeding Wooden Bucket without looking up.

“Nothing, I want a pen pal too.”

“Is this your dog?” Chen Tong walked over.

“Yeah, his name is Wooden Bucket!” Chen Xiaowu looked up.

“Call him Wooden Head, Wooden Head.” Liu Dazhi quickly added.

“Wooden Head? Didn’t you name him? Chen Tong’s ‘Tong’ split is ‘mu tong’ [木同], wooden head. Right? Wooden Head.” Wooden Bucket barked twice obediently.

“Chen Xiaowu, you’re really… you should be called Wooden Bucket!” Liu Dazhi couldn’t believe Chen Xiaowu’s intelligence.

Chen Tong feigned a punch to Liu Dazhi’s stomach: “You named your dog after me; are you going to learn boxing or not?” Liu Dazhi dodged, shaking his head, “Let’s go!”

At Weixiao’s house, she was braiding a blue and white butterfly with plastic string. Dingdang made a red heart.

Weixiao: “Have you ever thought your pen pal might be someone you know?”

Dingdang whispered, covering her mouth, “Maybe it’s that high jumper who looks like Andy Lau.”

“Aren’t you curious who it is?”

Dingdang hesitated, “No address, even if I wanted to know, I couldn’t. Besides, I like the mystery. But what if it’s Chen Xiaowu?”

“Ah? You know?” Weixiao exclaimed. Dingdang flinched, “You scared me! You really thought it was Chen Xiaowu! I was just giving an example.”

“You don’t think it’s Chen Xiaowu?”

“Liu Dazhi is more likely. Could Chen Xiaowu do something so romantic? Besides, he’s always late and busy with bean sprouts; how could he write me letters? Andy Lau! How could Chen Xiaowu get Andy Lau’s autograph?!”

“Seeing myself gradually improve is more fulfilling than anything else.”

Liu Dazhi’s shoulder was fine after practicing the shoulder throw, but he’d twisted his left ankle.
“You don’t study hard! You’re always messing around! Just like your father!” Hao Tiemei walked out carrying a bowl of soup.
“Mom, I’m already miserable enough. Chen Tong said exercising is good for both mind and body.”
“Chen Tong exercises to strengthen his body, not to become half-paralyzed! Why don’t you use your brain?!” Hao Tiemei poked Liu Dazhi’s head with her right finger.
A knock came at the door.
“Oh, Teacher Hao is here. I met him at the market today, and I asked him to come for dinner.”
“It’s over, he saw my injured foot; I’m definitely going to get scolded… Why am I so miserable…” Liu Dazhi struggled to stand up.
Hao Huigui stood at the door carrying some fruit.
“Dazhi, quickly get a rag to wipe the table.” Hao Tiemei was bringing out the dishes from the kitchen.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, let Dazhi sit, I’ll get it. Is your foot seriously injured?”
“The doctor said it’ll be fine after a week’s rest.”
“Can you go to school tomorrow?”
“Can I *not* go to school?” Liu Dazhi’s heart leaped with joy.
“Look me in the eyes and say that again.” Hao Huigui glared at him.
Huh? Why does Teacher Hao also like to use this catchphrase? Liu Dazhi was stunned.
The next day at noon, Chen Xiaowu was checking the soaked bean sprouts in his bean sprout shed. Next to him was a metal box containing leftover food; the only dish was minced pork with bean sprouts, looking unappetizing.
A sesame seed pancake was offered to Chen Xiaowu. Looking up, he saw Liu Dazhi grinning.
“Here!”
Chen Xiaowu took the pancake: “Your foot’s injured, how did you get here?”
“Chen Tong brought me.”
“Chen Tong’s become your driver.”
“Eat quickly, stop talking so much.”
“So delicious!”
“Delicious, right? You eat; I’ll help you soak the beans.”
In the sunlight, the two worked busily.
“Xiaowu, my parents are getting a divorced.”
“Ah?” Chen Xiaowu was chewing on the remaining half of the pancake, his expression suddenly blank.
Liu Dazhi also stopped, smiling. He couldn’t describe his current mood.
“When did this happen?”
“Almost a month ago. They were afraid I’d worry, so they didn’t tell me. I’m going to see my dad tomorrow.”
“What are you going to say? To have a fight?”
“No. Teacher Hao said it’s best for them to live their own lives; I shouldn’t feel pressured.”
“Does Chen Tong know?”
“You’re the first to know.”
“Really? Thank you for trusting me.”

Weixiao and Dingdang were lying on their desks doing homework.
Weixiao: “Did you finish reading that Sanmao book?”
Dingdang took the book from her bag while speaking: “I’m not reading it anymore. Why are you so weird, reading such scary books? You know, someone actually received a camel skull as a wedding gift; it scared me to death. That Hosei, he’s so weird!”
Weixiao laughed: “What’s scary? It’s clearly romantic!”
Dingdang made a face: “Where’s the romance? In that terrible desert, there’s not even enough water—you’d die from the heat!”
Weixiao thought for a moment: “I’d be willing to wander like that—”
“If you go wandering, Uncle Wang would definitely worry. But your dad made you learn taekwondo since you were little, probably for this day of freedom. But my mom said, don’t be fooled by these works, find someone suitable, if I get married… the most romantic thing would be…”
“Ten wedding cars, right!”
“All Volkswagens Santanas; otherwise, what’s the face?”
“But Teacher Hao likes Sanmao.”
“Teacher Hao? He likes Sanmao too? Why would he like Sanmao? What’s so good about her?!” Hearing that Teacher Hao also liked Sanmao, Dingdang immediately looked at Sanmao with new respect.
“I think she’s very sexy,” Weixiao casually replied.
“Sexy?” Dingdang’s mouth dropped open.
Most sixteen or seventeen-year-old girls don’t accurately know what “sexy” means—is it an aura, a way of speaking, a loose white shirt, or bright red lips? For 17-year-old Dingdang, sexy is red lips, long eyelashes, dark eyebrows, a woolen long skirt, and high boots.

After thinking about it all night, Dingdang went straight to school.
When she arrived at the classroom, there weren’t many classmates yet; someone glanced at her but didn’t dare speak. Dingdang smiled, feeling her sexiness had already captivated her classmates; next, she’d captivate Teacher Hao. She sat down, glanced at the window, seeing her unrestrained self, no longer the little girl from yesterday. To give everyone a surprise, during the entire morning self-study period, she kept her head down, face buried, making everyone think she was sick. As soon as morning self-study ended, Liu Dazhi walked over and said to Dingdang: “Hey, let’s go ice skating this weekend afternoon? I heard they hired a DJ from Guangdong.” Dingdang didn’t look up, applying lipstick under the table while speaking: “You’re already a cripple, Chen Tong helps you up and down the stairs every day; is he going to carry you while ice skating?!”
Liu Dazhi said proudly: “I can remove the bandage tomorrow. Are you coming with us or not?” Dingdang suddenly looked up; at that moment, her bright red lips, with an indescribable charm, winked at Liu Dazhi: “Yes!”
Liu Dazhi froze; he couldn’t find any words to describe his feelings, and Dingdang’s makeup could be described in three words—terrifying!
“Can… can you blind my eyes?”
“This is called sexy; you don’t understand anything, no wonder no one likes you, because you don’t know how to appreciate beauty!” Dingdang didn’t care about Liu Dazhi’s opinion.
The school bell rang; Dingdang sat upright, head held high. The classmates secretly giggled. Dingdang thought, these people haven’t seen the world, making a fuss over nothing. One day, you’ll also become better for someone you like.
Weixiao saw Dingdang and froze.
Hao Huigui walked into the classroom.
Chen Tong shouted: “Stand!”
Dingdang stood up, bright red lips, hair like a lion’s mane, a large jade pendant hanging from her chest, weighing at least five kilograms. This Dingdang immediately caught Hao Huigui’s attention. He also froze, wanting to blind his own eyes.
Hao Huigui composed himself: “Good morning, class!”
Dingdang, with her “bl00d basin mouth” [血盆大口 (xue pen da kou) – a large, bl00d-red mouth, a metaphor for a large, frightening mouth], said: “Good morning, Teacher!”
During the entire class, Dingdang kept posing. Hao Huigui completely avoided looking at her. Finally, class ended; Hao Huigui shouted towards the ceiling: “Dingdang, come to my office.” Liu Dazhi watched Dingdang confidently walk towards the office, then said to Weixiao: “You’re a true friend; you just watched her act crazy like that.”
“You’re her brother; why didn’t you say anything?” Weixiao said, amused.
“I almost got scared to death!”
“I wanted to say something but didn’t dare,” Chen Xiaowu added. Weixiao suppressed her laughter: “Teacher Hao didn’t say anything either; he endured a whole class. Let her go; people won’t grow without hearing objective opinions.”
“My aunt doesn’t wear makeup like that either; who did she learn from? It’s unreasonable; why did she suddenly wear this makeup?”
“Chen Ping,” Weixiao said helplessly.
“What?”
“Sanmao!”
Dingdang walked into the office carrying *Stories from the Sahara*; before Hao Huigui could speak, she shyly said she’d finished reading it.
Hao Huigui was a little surprised: “You like Sanmao too?”
Dingdang immediately said: “I think her wandering is very moving and romantic; if I had a lover like that, I’d be willing to go to the ends of the earth with him. This life is my first love, this life is my lover! Every time I think of you, a grain of sand falls from the sky, forming the Sahara!”
“You memorized it?” Hao Huigui took the book, still avoiding looking at her. “No! I didn’t memorize it; these are the sentences in my heart.” Hao Huigui was thinking how to gently remind Dingdang when Dingdang, looking at Hao Huigui with adoration, said: “Teacher Hao, don’t you think I look like Sanmao…” Hao Huigui didn’t know how to respond. Dingdang’s gaze intensified, and Hao Huigui felt embarrassed.
“Teacher Hao…” He Shifu knocked and entered; seeing Dingdang, he froze for a second, then exploded: “Who told you to wear this makeup? I don’t even recognize which class you’re from!”
Hao Huigui suppressed his laughter, almost injuring himself. He Shifu’s shouting and Dingdang’s crying echoed through the hallway; Weixiao, Liu Dazhi, Chen Tong, and Chen Xiaowu almost burst out laughing.

In the restroom, Dingdang repeatedly washed her face with soap. Looking up at Weixiao: “Is there more? Director He, that old fogey, doesn’t understand appreciation. I feel Teacher Hao’s gaze just now was…” Remembering Hao Huigui’s gaze, she suddenly laughed.
Weixiao whispered: “You wouldn’t be… liking Teacher…”
Dingdang quickly made a shushing gesture: “Didn’t you expect I’d like him?” She pulled Weixiao’s hand towards the sink. A girl’s secret, a simple touch, unspoken understanding. Finding a quiet place, a time without interruption, seemed fitting for such a secret.
Dingdang said: “It’s not because he’s Teacher Hao, but when you’re at your lowest point, heaven suddenly arranges such a person for you; isn’t that fate?”
“But he’s a teacher.”
“If Teacher Hao fails the teacher evaluation, he won’t be our teacher anymore.”
“Do you hope he leaves?”
“I… forget it, let him continue being our teacher. But after I graduate, he won’t be my teacher anymore.”
“You still have some conscience. But don’t forget, Teacher Hao has a girlfriend.”
“Are you sure? Why haven’t we ever seen his girlfriend?”
Weixiao hadn’t considered this. Dingdang continued: “I think Miss Yang is chasing him; maybe he’s making up excuses to reject her.”
“Possible… but what if…”
Dingdang thought for a moment, standing up, confident: “But what does it matter if he has a girlfriend or not? Liking someone has nothing to do with who they are, what they do, or if they have a partner. Liking someone shouldn’t involve so much thought. Liking is easy.”
“Dingdang, Chen Tong, that ‘Andy Lau,’ your pen pal, Teacher Hao—who do you actually like? Changing your mind so often, I don’t even know who you like anymore.”
Dingdang didn’t care: “Men say they like different women; everyone thinks they’re discerning and charming. Why can’t women appreciate several men at the same time? I also need to find a good father for my children. If I only choose one person, just to satisfy myself, without comparison, it’s unfair to my children. Don’t you think so?” She nudged Weixiao, implying it was her turn to speak.
“Me?” Weixiao had never considered this. Perhaps because her parents divorced early, perhaps because her father was so excellent, she never thought dating was worthwhile; even the best relationships couldn’t withstand reality. Weixiao rarely expressed her emotions; she felt anything that could be said was less meaningful than actions.
“Oh, forget it, I don’t know either.” Weixiao waved her hand, unconcerned.
“Chen Tong? If he knelt down and begged you to be with him, would you agree?”
“Why would he kneel down and beg me?”
“Oh, this game is the most fun; think about it carefully.”
Many people play this childish game with their friends while studying, right? Knowing it’s impossible, yet chatting excitedly for hours. Weixiao thought for a long time: “Probably not… Chen Tong is like another me; he relies on himself; it seems anyone with him is redundant.”
“Teacher Hao? Forget it, he’s mine. Liu Dazhi! If my brother knelt down and begged you, would you agree?” Dingdang couldn’t help but laugh.
“He’d have no sincerity kneeling. Liu Dazhi’s serious look is quite funny.”
“I think my brother is quite serious now; even my mom told me to learn from him.”
“He’s not serious; he’s just anxious,” Weixiao stood up.
“Then what is serious?”
At seven that evening, Liu Jianguo was still working overtime at the hospital clinic. There weren’t many patients; the emergency room was empty, with occasional sounds of newspaper turning. Liu Jianguo saw Liu Dazhi standing at the door.
“Dazhi, why are you here?”
“School’s out, and I had nothing to do, so I came.” Liu Dazhi forced a smile.
“Oh, then sit. I can’t go home until ten.”
“I didn’t come to get you to go home.”
“Oh.”
After that, they were silent again. After junior high, Liu Dazhi stopped clinging to his father, perhaps due to rebellion, perhaps because he didn’t know how to communicate with his father; their relationship was like two parallel lines—I know you’re my dad, and I know you’re my son, and that’s it.
Liu Dazhi tried several times to stand up and go home, but remembering Teacher Hao’s words, he sat back down. The hospital was eerily quiet; even breathing sounded loud. Liu Dazhi lowered his head; his father was still reading the newspaper; they sat silently. Liu Dazhi quietly looked up; Liu Jianguo was also secretly looking at him. Their eyes met; Liu Jianguo quickly looked back at the newspaper.
“Dad.”
“Mm. Say it.” Liu Jianguo quickly responded as soon as Liu Dazhi started speaking. Liu Dazhi laughed; Liu Jianguo also laughed.
The atmosphere eased. “Dad, have you and Mom already gotten a divorce?”
“No. Why would you suddenly ask that?”
“Dad, look at me… don’t lie to me.” Liu Dazhi stared at him.
“Ah?

Liu Jianguo’s eyes met Liu Dazhi’s, then quickly looked away.

“I know you’ve divorced. Mom told me.”

“What did she say? Didn’t we agree not to tell you?”

Liu Dazhi felt a bolt of lightning strike him. His father was so easily tricked; just point to a pit, and he’d jump right in.

“Ah… I knew you really divorced…” Liu Dazhi’s face instantly fell, his expression gloomy. Liu Jianguo knew he’d been set up by his son.

“Dazhi, it’s like this… how to put it… well, for so long… we just hoped it wouldn’t affect you… so we… you know…” Liu Jianguo stammered, his words incoherent. Liu Dazhi had seen his father treat patients; he could assess a situation instantly, always confident. But his father was completely different now; he seemed genuinely concerned about his feelings. Liu Dazhi felt a pang of sympathy for his father.

“Dad… actually, it’s okay. Actually, I figured it out before I came. I just wanted to tell you not to feel so pressured. If it weren’t for me, you guys probably would have had your own lives a long time ago. This period, you haven’t argued, so I knew you probably divorced.”

Liu Jianguo opened his mouth several times, unsure what to say.

“Dad, I know, you don’t have to pretend at home anymore. Pretending is tiring, and your work is also hard.”

Liu Jianguo gave a wry smile.

“Also, you don’t have to tell Mom I know. That way, she won’t pick on you at home, which is also good, right?” Liu Dazhi seemed to be comforting himself, also comforting his father. His eyes slowly reddened. Father and son sat facing each other; Liu Dazhi noticed his usually eloquent father’s eyes had also welled up.

“Dazhi…”

“Mm?”

“When did you grow up so much?”

After that, father and son said nothing more in the hospital emergency room, yet it felt like they’d said everything. Leaving the hospital, Liu Dazhi felt incredibly happy. He immediately saw Hao Huigui sitting on a stone bench in the hospital courtyard.

“Teacher Hao, what are you doing here?”

“Finished talking with your dad?”

“Mm!”

“How did it go?”

“I don’t know why, but I suddenly feel it’s good that my parents divorced. That way, they both feel guilty towards me, and they’ll both be nicer to me.”

“Are you crazy?!” Hao Huigui slapped Liu Dazhi’s head. *This kid!* he thought. *He can actually think like this. If I could have thought this way back then, I probably wouldn’t have been so miserable.*

“Teacher Hao, thank you. And thank you for telling me to talk to Chen Tong. Wait, how did you get here?” Liu Dazhi suddenly realized.

“I just went to see your dad and saw you inside, so I came out.”

“Are you sick?”

“Can’t a healthy person see a doctor?”

“Teacher Hao, I thought you weren’t coming today.” A familiar voice called out. Liu Dazhi turned and saw Liu Jianguo standing at the outpatient clinic entrance. Hao Huigui took out a chess set, raising it slightly, “Go back first; I’ll play a game of chess with your dad.”

“When did you…”

“Last time I was here, your dad was on duty. We got to know each other. Your dad works late every day; sometimes, when there are no patients, I come and play chess with him.” Hao Huigui stood up and walked towards Liu Jianguo. He was in a good mood; after the public lesson on father-son relationships, he’d found a way to communicate with Liu Jianguo. He hadn’t cherished those opportunities before; he couldn’t let Liu Dazhi make the same mistake. He deeply regretted not understanding his parents’ intentions until he was older.

“Mom! Look! I got 95 on my math test!” Liu Dazhi held up his test paper.

“So happy? Is the full score 100?” Hao Tiemei knew the full score was 150, deliberately trying to deflate him.

“Mom! Don’t you think smart kids should have more energy? Mom, if I had a name-brand tracksuit, I could definitely get 120!” Liu Dazhi’s words were dripping with honey.

“Smart kids can get first place even wearing patched-up clothes.”

“Mom! Just buy me one. Everyone else has one, but I don’t.” Liu Dazhi started his sob story.

“Why don’t you have one? You look like a tracksuit.” Hao Tiemei leaned on the sofa, eating melon seeds and watching TV.

“Mom, am I really your son? Why do you always say I look like this or that? Don’t I look like you?!”

“Go, go, go away. Can you make a wish that would make your mother proud? Like getting into university, buying your mother a house, etc.?”

“Then buy me a tracksuit first, and I’ll promise to get into university and buy you a house…” Liu Dazhi’s pitiful expression showed he was selling his soul and future for a tracksuit.

“That’s what you said.” Hao Tiemei sat up, pointing at Liu Dazhi.

“I said it! I said it! You can make me say anything! Okay?” Liu Dazhi was instantly overjoyed; his mother was so easy to manipulate.

“It’s on the bed.” Hao Tiemei continued eating melon seeds and watching TV.

“No way?” Liu Dazhi rushed into the bedroom; a tracksuit was indeed on the bed.

Liu Dazhi mentally spat out bl00d; his mother had tricked him in two sentences. He struck various poses in the mirror, wearing the tracksuit.

“Mom, how did you know I wanted a tracksuit?” Liu Dazhi asked from the bedroom.

“I called Teacher Hao. He told me. Remember, get into university, buy your mother a big house…”

“Got it! Wait, Mom, this jacket is Nike on the outside and Puma on the inside?”

“Don’t you always want name brands? One jacket, two brands, you can wear either side, how great is that?” Hao Tiemei’s answer thrilled Liu Dazhi.

Liu Dazhi rushed back to the living room, giving Hao Tiemei a big hug. This reversible tracksuit made him feel like a winner. He wore it while doing homework, eating dinner, and even neatly folded it beside his pillow when he slept. For the entire week, he wore Nike on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, Puma on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, washing it on Sundays and drying it overnight with a fan. He was in a fantastic mood.

“Liu Dazhi, where did you buy this jacket? I want my mom to buy me one too.” Wang Pangzi asked during break time.

“You can’t buy it anymore; my mom had someone specially get it for me.” Liu Dazhi didn’t want to wear the same jacket as Wang Pangzi.

“Why can’t you buy it anymore?”

“You wouldn’t understand. Let me open your eyes!” Liu Dazhi took off the jacket as he spoke. The classmates all looked over.

“You guys thought I was wearing two jackets, right? Look! Your jackets are only single-sided; mine is double-sided! I wear one side today, the other tomorrow, then this side again, then the other—haha, I only wore one jacket!”

“Tsk tsk tsk, you didn’t say anything before; this jacket is really dirty.” Dingdang pinched her nose.

“Shut up.”

“Then what brand is this jacket?” Wang Pangzi was puzzled.

“Just these two brands; very rare. Learn something; you haven’t seen much of the world.”

Chen Tong wanted to say something, but seeing Liu Dazhi so happy, he kept quiet.

“I always thought being liked requires excellence;
actually, sufficient enthusiasm can also ignite another person.”

Weekend afternoon, the sky was clear, the ginkgo trees in front of the roller skating rink were a golden yellow. Many people were waiting under the tree. Liu Dazhi, wearing the tracksuit his mother bought, kept adjusting it, feeling too hot, so he tied it around his waist. He held everyone’s tickets, listening to Leslie Cheung’s songs through his earphones. Chen Tong arrived first; Liu Dazhi urged him to go inside and grab suitable shoe sizes quickly, as some sizes were always gone if you were late. Weixiao and Dingdang arrived together. Seeing Liu Dazhi, Dingdang asked, “Did you call Teacher Hao?” Liu Dazhi quickly replied, “He went to see Miss Yang and Wang Weiguo.” Then he urged them to go inside while he waited for Chen Xiaowu.

At the appointed time, Chen Xiaowu still hadn’t arrived. New disco music blared in the rink, filled with cheers. Outside, under the ginkgo tree, Chen Xiaowu arrived leisurely. Liu Dazhi threw the tickets at his face: “You’re late again! It’s packed inside! There won’t be any suitable shoes! You ruined our afternoon!” Chen Xiaowu calmly picked up the tickets, glancing at Liu Dazhi: “Don’t worry; I’ve already calculated. We both wear size 38; most boys wear 40, and even the biggest girls wear 37. They only have five pairs of size 38; if we weren’t here, they wouldn’t rent out a single pair!”

Liu Dazhi stormed into the rink, going to the counter. Five brand-new pairs of size 38 skates were neatly arranged; all the other sizes were gone.

“I said so. Boss, two pairs of size 38.” Chen Xiaowu handed over the tickets.

Wednesday of next week was the final teacher evaluation. In the dorm, Hao Huigui memorized every student’s name, their parents’ professions, their best and worst subjects, then said to Wang Weiguo and Miss Yang, “Ask away.”

Wang Weiguo and Miss Yang helped Hao Huigui with his final evaluation. Although Hao Huigui knew it was just a formality, he still wanted to do it well, not for the evaluation, but to truly remember each person and event.

Liu Dazhi, while skating backward, did a backflip, “thump,” hitting the wall, then jumped again, “thump,” falling to the ground.

“Dazhi, your backward skating is wrong; you can only skate straight; you can’t turn.” Chen Tong skated over.

“I…”

“Let me teach you. Give me your hand; you skate backward, and I’ll push you.” Chen Tong grabbed Liu Dazhi’s hand, “Stand with your feet parallel, arms at your sides, lean forward slightly, and do small backward movements.”

“What’s…”

“Backward skating is like this.” Chen Tong patiently explained. Seeing Chen Tong teaching, others gathered to learn. Liu Dazhi felt embarrassed; he’d wanted to show off his backward skating and backflips to Weixiao, but now he was Chen Tong’s student. The music changed; the host asked everyone to line up with Chen Tong in the lead. Weixiao and Chen Tong held hands; Chen Tong led the line forward, Weixiao backward, gradually, more skilled skaters joined behind Weixiao. Everyone started fancy skating.

Chen Xiaowu suddenly skated to Liu Dazhi’s side.

“Weren’t you going to show off to Weixiao?”

“Show off what? I’d be blown away in seconds. Are you blind?” Liu Dazhi said coldly. Chen Xiaowu watched Chen Tong and Weixiao skating enthusiastically: “They’re really good.”

Liu Dazhi nodded.

“By the way, did you talk to your dad?”

“I did. They divorced, but it’s okay. Being together doesn’t mean love; being far apart can also be love.”

Dingdang skated to Chen Xiaowu’s side: “Can you skate?”

Seeing Dingdang, Chen Xiaowu lost his balance, his left foot to the left, his right foot to the right, doing a perfect split and sitting down. Chen Tong and Weixiao stopped immediately. Dingdang tried to pull Chen Xiaowu up but couldn’t. Liu Dazhi helped: “Your flexibility is amazing!”

“I’ll rest for a bit…” Chen Xiaowu stood up awkwardly, holding onto the railing, slowly sitting down outside.

Dingdang skated over, wanting to take off her jacket.

“Let me get it.”

Dingdang threw her jacket to Chen Xiaowu.

Watching Weixiao skate backward, she said enviously, “I want to learn too.”

“Let me teach you.”

“You know how?”

“I’ll take off my skates and hold you; I guarantee you won’t fall!”

“Great!”

Chen Xiaowu ran to the storage area to get Dingdang’s jacket, forgetting his skates, “thump,” falling again. Liu Dazhi felt embarrassed to ask Chen Tong for more lessons, so he started practicing alone. Someone skated quickly towards him; Liu Dazhi dodged, losing his balance. Just as his recently recovered ankle was about to twist again, he closed his eyes in pain. Suddenly, someone caught him—it was Weixiao.

Weixiao worriedly asked, “Are you okay?”

Liu Dazhi immediately pretended to be a terrible skater, stumbling and staggering. Weixiao kept holding him up. Liu Dazhi had originally planned to show off his skills in front of Weixiao, but he was mercilessly outdone by Chen Tong and Weixiao, so he decided to just play dumb. In a corner, Chen Xiaowu carefully helped Dingdang practice backward skating; he’d already taken off his skates.

“Ouch!” Dingdang stumbled and staggered.

“Slower, slower!”

“I get it now!” Excited, Dingdang almost fell again.

The music suddenly stopped.

“Today marks our skating rink’s one-year anniversary, and we’ve prepared some gifts for everyone.”

Everyone stopped to look at the DJ booth. The host held up a giant stuffed bear. These stuffed bears were supposedly very popular in Hong Kong; everyone had only seen them in magazines. The girls started screaming. Weixiao, rarely excited, said, “This stuffed bear! I have a smaller one! I used to sleep with it since I was little. I never knew they made such a big one.”

Dingdang shouted, “I want it!”

The host announced the rules: “Friends who want this bear, please come on stage! If you can wear your skates and dance a rabbit dance with me, the last person to fall will get it!”

The crowd cheered. At first, almost no one dared to go up. The rabbit dance was not only difficult but also incredibly awkward. The girls started urging their boyfriends to go on stage. Chen Xiaowu looked down at his feet; he wasn’t even wearing skates.

The host: “Why doesn’t anyone seem very enthusiastic?!”

Weixiao looked at Chen Tong, “Hurry, hurry, hurry, you have the best skills!”

Chen Tong said hesitantly, “Ah… I dance terribly…”

Before he could finish, Liu Dazhi shouted, “I’ll do it!” He took off the clothes tied around his waist, put them on, and skated over. As soon as Liu Dazhi went on stage, others started going up too.

Liu Dazhi couldn’t dance at all; he just wanted to win this giant stuffed bear for Weixiao.

The music started, and Liu Dazhi started dancing along with the host. Liu Dazhi had poor balance and average skills; he almost fell on the first move, but he managed to stay up. His friends felt a little embarrassed. Liu Dazhi didn’t care if his moves looked good or not; he was doing it for Weixiao. Although his dance was very comical, he was incredibly earnest. Others started falling, but he somehow managed to stay up each time, his facial expressions incredibly rich. From fifteen people, to eight, to five, to three—the host led the remaining contestants in applause.

Dingdang laughed at Liu Dazhi on stage, “Hahaha, he’s so funny.”

Weixiao initially laughed too, but gradually felt touched.

Chen Tong said to Weixiao, “I find Dazhi a strange person. Usually, he hesitates to do things for himself, but when it comes to others, he tries his hardest.”

Liu Dazhi, carrying the bear, was almost exhausted. Dingdang excitedly jumped over, “Wow, my bear!” Liu Dazhi, struggling, bypassed Dingdang and handed the bear to Weixiao, “Here, big girls need big bears.”

Dingdang complained, “Why not me?!”

“Next time! Next time I’ll win it for you!”

“Watching you dance so awkwardly, I’d rather not have the bear!”

Weixiao smiled and handed it to Dingdang, “Here, let’s take turns hugging it!”

Dingdang pouted, “Forget it, only you like hugging things to sleep—I don’t want it!”

Weixiao smiled, holding the big bear, walking ahead to take photos, drink cola, and eat ice cream. The five of them chatted and laughed. This idle afternoon seemed meaningless. But years, decades later, this idle afternoon would suddenly become incredibly meaningful. After this period of aimless time, there would be no more aimless reunions.

Many people gathered in front of the building, looking up.

Following their gaze, on the fifth floor, a person stood by the railing.

“Someone’s trying to jump!” Liu Dazhi shouted, startling everyone.

The crowd chattered; police cars had already arrived. Some onlookers, hoping for drama, shouted at the person on the roof, “Jump already!” Weixiao was furious, pushing through the crowd, walking over to the person shouting, “What’s wrong with you?! Would you say this if it were your family member?” The person glared at Weixiao, ignoring her, continuing to shout, “Jump already, we’ve been waiting a long time.”

Weixiao placed the bear in Liu Dazhi’s hands, grabbing the person’s collar. Liu Dazhi, holding the bear, quickly separated them. He’d never seen Weixiao so angry, actually scolding someone.

“Tsk, even a little girl wants to meddle. If it weren’t for your classmate, watch out, I’ll beat you up.” The person said, leaving.

“Forget it, forget it, he’s gone. Don’t be angry.” Liu Dazhi quickly comforted her, handing her the bear.

The person on the roof cried, “No one has ever loved me…”

Some onlookers yelled, “Serves you right…”

The person cried, “My wife and kids left me; what’s the point of living alone…”

Onlookers: “Stop talking nonsense, jump already!”

Weixiao pushed these people again. Several people surrounded Weixiao, mocking, “Who is he to you? Your husband? We just like shouting, what are you going to do?”

They outnumbered her; Weixiao clenched her fists, trembling with anger, about to fight.

The person on the roof continued crying, “Life is so painful, I regret… I regret being born…”

“Who cares! Just jump already!”

Several people looked at the roof, then at the chattering crowd, unsure what to do. The person had reached the edge, looking down in despair; behind him, security guards and police officers dared not approach.

The person shouted one last time, “I’m not reconciled! Why doesn’t anyone love me in this world?!”

The crowd: “Tsk!”

“I! Love! You!”

Liu Dazhi suddenly looked up, hands cupped around his mouth, shouting at the person on the roof. The onlookers were stunned, looking at him. After a few seconds, a burst of laughter erupted; they thought the person on the roof was crazy, and now there was another crazy person downstairs.

Liu Dazhi continued shouting, “I love you! I! Love! You!”

Liu Dazhi’s neck was strained, his veins bulging, his face flushed red.

Weixiao felt a little embarrassed.

“I love you too!” Chen Tong cupped his hands around his mouth, shouting at the person on the roof.

Chen Xiaowu and Dingdang exchanged glances, joining the shouting. The four friends shouted together. Weixiao suddenly felt everything was different. Looking at the person on the roof, listening to her friends, she hesitated, placing the bear on the ground, cupping her hands around her mouth, whispering at first, then shouting at the person on the roof, “I love you too!”

Everything fell silent, except for these five friends, ignoring everyone else, shouting at the person on the roof, “I love you!” “We love you!” “We all love you!”

Hearing the repeated “I love you” from below, the person on the roof was stunned, then knelt down and cried. While he was distracted, the police quickly pulled him back from the edge. Seeing the person rescued, the five friends were overjoyed, tears in their eyes. The onlookers started applauding, the applause growing louder. The five friends, exhausted from shouting, sat on the curb, breathless, unable to speak, yet incredibly happy.

“Chen Tong, why did you shout too?” Liu Dazhi asked.

“I saw you shouting alone; it looked funny.” Chen Tong shrugged.

Was I really that funny? Why did Chen Xiaowu say the same thing when I signed up for the 5000-meter race? But Liu Dazhi felt warm; Chen Tong and Chen Xiaowu were truly his good friends. Before, he thought good friends meant skipping class and cheating together; now, he thought good friends meant daring to be embarrassed together. Weixiao felt a strange change within herself, but couldn’t describe it.

“A life without a mother,” “A life lacking maternal love”—Weixiao hated these phrases. She didn’t like hearing them, and she wouldn’t say them herself. Before today, she believed “living well, not worrying others, was a way of saying ‘I love you.'” After today’s events, Weixiao’s face flushed slightly; she’d actually said words she’d never said before. So unrestrainedly shouting “I love you” was truly the most beautiful scene in her youth memories.

Weixiao returned home; the housekeeper, Zhang Yi, was cooking in the kitchen; her father was watching TV in the living room. Weixiao went into her room, then came out, saying to her father watching TV, “Dad, thank you.” Wang Daqian was startled, unsure what had happened, why his daughter suddenly thanked him.

After saying this, Weixiao went into her bedroom, closing the door, laughing silently.