Little Duckling - Chapter 29

“Do you even know you’re still here…?”

The rain that day was torrential. They ran and rested intermittently, finally reaching their dorm to find their roommates in various states of disarray.

“This rain is insane!” Yang Tian stood at the sink, absently drying her sopping-wet hair.

The downpour hammered against the tightly shut window, accompanied by thunder that nearly drowned out the sound of the hair dryer.

The roommates who had arrived later had left the window open too long, allowing rainwater to flood the dorm. The floor was damp, and even the beds hadn’t escaped, their edges slightly soaked.

Li Zhu had just finished drying her bed with the hair dryer and was about to dry her hair when she noticed Yan Lu staring worriedly at her own bed. Waving the hair dryer, she asked, “Yan Lu, want to dry your bed too?”

“Huh?” Yan Lu turned to look.

“I’m offering to dry your bed for you,” Jian Xin said, grabbing a towel and clean clothes before heading into the bathroom.

“Thank you!” Yan Lu stepped forward, took the hair dryer, and plugged it in by her bed.

When Jian Xin emerged from the bathroom, Yan Lu was already helping her blow-dry the bed.

Jian Xin hopped over, her eyes brimming with gratitude. “Yan Xiaolu! You’re the best!”

“It was no trouble at all,” Yan Lu murmured.

No sooner had she spoken than something landed on her head. She instinctively looked up and saw it was Jian Xin’s hair-drying towel.

“For your great kindness, I can’t repay you enough,” Jian Xin said with a smile, earnestly drying Yan Lu’s damp hair. “Let me dry your hair for you!”

Yan Lu’s hair wasn’t in the best condition, so Jian Xin carefully brushed through it as she dried, being extra gentle to avoid pulling or hurting her.

Li Zhu sat on her bed, watching the pair across from her, and couldn’t help but swing her legs and sigh dramatically. “Ugh, I can’t even watch this! Why doesn’t anyone ever offer to blow-dry my bed or dry my hair?”

“I’ll help you!” Yang Tian exclaimed, grabbing a wet towel and rushing over.

Li Zhu instantly raised a leg, blocking her a half-meter away. “Stay back! You’re too rough!”

“You’re the one who’s jealous of others, but you’re also the one who rejects their help. Women, am I right?” Yang Tian scoffed, turning back to the sink to wash her rain-soaked clothes.

“If you really can’t stand watching, I’ll help you dry your hair later too!” Jian Xin glanced back at Li Zhu with a smile. “But isn’t your hair almost dry already?”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s almost dry! I don’t need any help!” Li Zhu waved her hand dismissively, still smiling. “Just a little envious, that’s all—carry on!”

Yan Lu lowered her gaze, the corners of her lips curving upward almost imperceptibly.

Outside the window, the rain poured down in sheets. Inside the dorm, the girls either dried their hair or washed their clothes, chatting idly.

One moment they were complaining about the heavy rain, the next they were discussing their class’s ranking in the sports meet, and then they were rehashing a particularly memorable round of Werewolf from earlier that day.

As the conversation flowed, the hairdryer passed from hand to hand.

With their hair dry, the girls settled onto their beds, some sitting, others lying down, chatting idly while waiting for the rain to stop.

But the rain showed no signs of letting up, growing so intense that even umbrellas proved useless.

By half-past five, none of the six dormmates had mustered the courage to brave the downpour and dash to the cafeteria.

Before six o’clock, the Dorm Teacher received a call from the Home Room Teacher and went to each dorm to announce that evening self-study would be canceled.

As soon as the Dorm Teacher left, everyone immediately started making instant noodles.

Jian Xin shared a pack with Yan Lu, explaining that she would need Yan Lu’s help folding military-style blankets in the future.

Tomorrow was the final day of the School Sports Meet. After the morning competitions concluded, they would be dismissed for the holiday.

A small speaker in the dorm played somewhat obscure songs.

Lying on her bed, Jian Xin casually asked, “What are you guys planning to do for May Day?”

Yang Tian: “Just lazing around at home…”

Liang Shuangyi: “I just want to go home and play on my computer.”

Li Zhu: “My cousin’s back from abroad! She has so many foods she wants to try, so I’m taking her out to eat!”

“Sounds nice,” Zhao Yiran sighed. “My mom wants to take me to the beach, but I’d rather just stay home and watch TV.”

“The beach sounds great! You should go!” Jian Xin leaned over the ladder, poking her head up from the lower bunk. “But won’t it be really hot at the beach this time of year?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been,” Zhao Yiran replied. “I hate traveling, especially during holidays like May Day when it’s so crowded…”

“Maybe the seaside would be nice. I’d like to see the ocean,” Jian Xin murmured, settling back onto her bed, hugging her knees to her chest, and sighing. “I can’t go anywhere. I have lessons over the May Day holiday.”

Liang Shuangyi: “What do you study in your lessons?”

Jian Xin: “Voice training, music theory, sight-reading, ear training, and piano, you know.”

Yang Tian: “Wow, that’s impressive! No wonder you sing so well.”

“It’s alright,” Jian Xin said, then suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Yan Lu, who was lying on her side, writing her novel. “Yan Lu, what are you doing for May Day?”

“Me?” Yan Lu looked up, her eyes a little dazed.

“Yeah!”

“I… I’m going home,” Yan Lu said, then pursed her lips and added, “No plans.”

“See? Lying around is the default state!” Yang Tian yawned and rolled over in bed.

“How should I put it?” Zhao Yiran said with a knowing air. “Life’s like this: if you bother to go out and see the world, you’ll realize—there’s nothing more comfortable than staying home and lying around.”

“Exactly, exactly!”

“So true!”

The girls followed up on the topic, sharing stories of their past travels with family.

From the south to the north, domestic to international, each had their own unique travel tales.

Yan Lu set down her pen and listened quietly.

They chatted for ages, the conversation flowing from one topic to another as if they had endless things to discuss.

Midway through, girls from other dorms dropped by to borrow things, exchanging a few giggles and words before leaving.

As lights-out approached, the rain outside gradually subsided, and drowsiness settled over everyone.

Dreams quietly descended amidst the fading murmurs of conversation.

As the announcement blared over the loudspeaker, school leaders began delivering their closing remarks for the School Sports Meet.

This segment was just like the weekly flag-raising ceremony—long-winded, official, and utterly boring. No one really wanted to listen.

In the stands, students had already packed up their belongings and were chatting and laughing, waiting for the broadcast to end.

As Jian Xin was putting away her Werewolf cards, she discovered a forgotten bag of candied tangerine peel in the corner of her backpack. She immediately tore it open and shared it with the students around her.

With the School Sports Meet officially over, the students followed their teachers back to school. After roll call at the school gate, they were dismissed on the spot.

Jian Xin had spotted her family’s car even before roll call. The moment Lao Li announced the dismissal, she hopped over to the car like a little rabbit.

Before getting in, she instinctively glanced back and saw Yan Lu watching her from a short distance away. Jian Xin raised her arm and waved vigorously.

“See you next week!” Jian Xin called out, smiling as Yan Lu waved back. She then ducked into the car.

The moment she settled in, she began chattering to her mother, who had come to pick her up.

“This sports meet was such a torture!”

“The sun was brutal on the first day, scorching hot and unbearable. We weren’t even allowed to use umbrellas—they’d deduct points from our class if we got caught…”

“Hey! Did you see that downpour yesterday afternoon? Oh my god—it was insane!”

“The wind ripped my umbrella right out of my hands on the way back to school! It was terrifying! I swear, if I hadn’t let go, I would’ve flown away with it!”

“And guess what happened after the umbrella blew away? I turned around and saw the sky split in two—half bright, half dark—with a rain line chasing me down like it had a personal vendetta!”

“Of course I bolted! I thought if I ran fast enough, the rain wouldn’t catch me. But I wasn’t fast enough…”

Huang He listened attentively while driving, occasionally offering a brief response.

Jian Xin chattered non-stop all the way home. When they arrived, she burst into the house and recounted the whole story to her dad, who was playing on the computer.

She felt her experience—being chased by a rain line in a raging storm—was absolutely extraordinary, something most people wouldn’t encounter in their entire lives. She had to share it far and wide, so everyone could appreciate how thrilling her life was!

Huang He remarked, “Look at you, soaking wet and still so cheerful. You’re such a goofball.”

Jian Xin replied, “I’m already drenched, and there’s no escaping it. If I’m not happy, what am I supposed to do—cry?”

Huang He turned to Jian Changjiang and said, “Look at the daughter you’ve spoiled. She’s got such a big heart.”

Jian Changjiang glanced back at Jian Xin, who was grinning behind him, and chuckled, “That’s a good thing. She’s just like you were back then.”

“Of course!” Jian Xin declared, wrapping her arm around Huang He’s and tilting her head with a smile. “Mommy raised me well!”

Huang He patted her head. “Aiyo, you’re so sweet today. What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.”

“Sweet and sour fish!” Jian Xin exclaimed.

“That’s too much trouble,” Huang He protested.

“Waaah…” Jian Xin whined.

“Alright, alright! I’ll go buy the fish later and make it for you this afternoon!” Huang He relented.

“Yay! I love you, I love you!” Jian Xin nuzzled Huang He happily before letting go and skipping off to the living room to turn on the TV.

Home was so comfortable—air conditioning, endless hot water, TV to watch, a computer to play on, and Mom’s delicious cooking!

The three-day holiday, minus a few short classes, vanished in an instant.

Jian Xin hadn’t touched any of the homework assigned by her teachers before Labor Day.

To avoid her mother’s scolding, she returned to school early, lugging her heavy bags. She knelt on the floor, hunched over her bed, and scribbled furiously.

Around three in the afternoon, the dorm room door creaked open.

Jian Xin glanced up and saw Yan Lu entering, draped in her autumn school uniform and carrying her backpack.

“Good morning!” Yan Lu greeted her with a smile.

Yan Lu seemed startled, taking a moment to recover before returning the greeting. She hurried to her own bed and dropped her backpack.

“Ouch, my legs are numb…” Jian Xin groaned, pushing herself up from her knees and stretching dramatically. “Yan Lu, have you finished your homework?” she asked casually.

“Yes, I have.”

“I haven’t done a single bit!” Jian Xin teleported herself to Yan Lu’s side, pressed her palms together, and pleaded, “There’s so much! I’m afraid I won’t finish. Could you help me with some of it?”

As she spoke, Jian Xin, fearing Yan Lu’s refusal, quickly added, “I’ll treat you to bubble tea from that place across from school! I can go get it for you right now!”

Yan Lu shook her head. “No need. I’ll just help you with your homework.”

“Yes, yes! I want some too!” Jian Xin exclaimed, rummaging through her backpack to pull out her math and English assignments. She placed them in front of Yan Lu and happily skipped out of the dorm room.

A few seconds later, the door, which had just closed, swung open again.

Jian Xin leaned against the doorframe, poking her head in. “What flavor do you want?”

Yan Lu shook her head blankly.

Jian Xin thought for a moment, her eyebrows curving into a smile. “Then I’ll just pick my favorite!”

With that, she dashed downstairs.

The bubble tea shop was right across from school. Since it was still early, most students hadn’t returned yet, and Jian Xin quickly ran back with the drinks.

Having just sprinted outside, she was flushed with heat. For a moment, her eyes glazed over as she fanned herself with her homework notebook on the bed.

She bought two large cups of milk tea: one chocolate-flavored and one cantaloupe-flavored. Black tapioca pearls settled at the bottom of the cups, and the sweet aroma filled the entire dorm room.

After resting for a while, Jian Xin handed the milk tea bag to Yan Lu, who was helping her with her homework. “Here, both flavors are delicious. Which one do you want?”

Yan Lu hesitated, glancing at the two cups before quietly saying, “I don’t mind. You choose.”

“Then this pretty one is for you!” Jian Xin grinned, handing Yan Lu the cantaloupe-flavored milk tea and inserting the straw for her.

After lingering on Yan Lu’s bed for a while to rest, Jian Xin finally returned to her own bed and resumed her homework.

The more she wrote, the hotter she felt. She couldn’t resist sitting on the floor and vigorously fanning herself with her notebook.

Yan Lu remained crouched beside her, quietly copying her homework.

Jian Xin put down her pen, scooted closer to Yan Lu, and tilted her head to stare at the fine beads of sweat on Yan Lu’s forehead.

Yan Lu blinked uncomfortably and asked softly, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I was just wondering, aren’t you hot?” Jian Xin asked curiously. “It’s been getting warmer these past few days. Why are you wearing two layers?”

“……”

“You’re even sweating!” Jian Xin fanned Yan Lu with her homework notebook.

“It’s okay. It’ll cool down tonight…”

“True, ‘spring cover, autumn freeze’!” Jian Xin nodded, playfully nudging Yan Lu’s arm with her elbow. “You were right!”

The nudge made Yan Lu gasp sharply, biting her lip and wincing.

Startled by her reaction, Jian Xin stammered, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Yan Lu mumbled, shifting slightly away, her eyes suddenly reddening.

“Let me see!” Jian Xin insisted, grabbing Yan Lu’s arm and pulling off her autumn school uniform.

Without the long sleeves, Jian Xin saw Yan Lu’s arm covered in bruises, purple and blue marks marring her skin.

“Who hit you?” Jian Xin’s eyes blazed with anger. “Did Wang Xiaofeng send someone after you?! Where else did they hit you?!”

Yan Lu shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.

“Does Lao Li know about this? We have to tell the teacher!”

“…”

“If you won’t tell, I will!” Jian Xin pulled out her phone, scrolling through her contacts.

Just as she was about to call Teacher Li, Yan Lu grabbed her wrist, shaking her head, her eyes pleading.

“Telling Teacher Li won’t help…”

“How could it not?”

“It wasn’t Wang Xiaofeng,” Yan Lu whispered. “My dad did it. Even if Teacher Li finds out, it won’t help. If he talks to my dad, I’ll just get beaten worse…”

Jian Xin frowned deeply. After a long silence, she finally asked, “Why? Why does your dad… hit you?”

“I don’t know,” Yan Lu said. “He never needs a reason. He hits me whenever he feels like it. I’m used to it.”

“…I’m fine. It’ll be better in a few days.”

“…I’m fine.”

Jian Xin squatted beside her, thinking for a long time. Suddenly, she gently stroked Yan Lu’s head. “Do you want to talk about it? Maybe sharing what’s happening at home would make you feel a little better?”

Yan Lu remained silent.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to,” Jian Xin said. “I just want to help you find a way to cope…”

That afternoon, Yan Lu stayed silent for a long time. Finally, she wiped away her tears and began to tell Jian Xin about her family.

She said her dad had never liked her, nor had her grandparents, simply because she was a girl. This dislike extended to her mother as well.

Her dad used to have a job, but when the factory closed, he started gambling and drinking heavily. His temper grew worse, and he would resort to violence at the slightest inconvenience.

When she was in middle school, her mother died of illness without ever going to the hospital, because medical care was too expensive.

By then, she was almost old enough to drop out and work, and she shouldn’t have been in school at all.

It was her grandmother, who lived in a big city, who kept sending money and insisting that her father send her to a good school in the city. Her father needed the money to survive, so he reluctantly allowed her to continue her education.

However, he kept everything except the tuition, even taking most of her living expenses.

Every time she returned home, she would ask him for the next month’s living expenses.

The mere mention of it would infuriate him, as if he wanted to erase the sight of her from his eyes.

That man always felt that she and her mother owed him a great debt. He believed that if she hadn’t insisted on going to school, the family could have saved a fortune—money he could have gambled with and won.

She had considered talking to her grandmother, asking if she could take her away, but she never had the chance. If her grandmother took her, her father would lose his source of income, and he would never allow that to happen.

Yan Lu’s tone was remarkably calm, showing little resentment, more a sense of numbness.

“So he hit you for no reason at all?”

“None.”

“He’s still unhappy even when you go home?”

“Unhappy…”

Jian Xin thought for a long moment before asking earnestly, “Then… could you just not go back? Doesn’t he want you out of sight, out of mind? If you made up an excuse not to go, he’d probably be relieved.”

“If I don’t go home, where else would I go?” Yan Lu murmured. “If I could stay at school forever, I wouldn’t want to go back either…”

“How about…” Jian Xin blinked, tilting her head. “You stay at my place from now on?”

“Huh?”

“I’ll talk to my mom. It’s just one extra pair of chopsticks. I’ll wear her down—she’ll definitely agree!”

Yan Lu looked up at Jian Xin, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“During breaks, you can stay at my house,” Jian Xin continued. “My bed’s huge—it can easily fit two people!”

Yan Lu remained silent.

“I’m serious!” Jian Xin insisted. “If your dad doesn’t want you, I do!”

“But what about my living expenses?”

Jian Xin slapped the bed frame and declared loudly, “We can earn our own money!”

She pointed out that sixteen-year-olds were old enough to work part-time.

“If it’s a short break, we can hand out flyers for people. If it’s a longer break, we can look for restaurant jobs. We’ve got hands and feet—we can always find something!”

“If it’s a short break, we can look for temporary jobs at restaurants or cafes. We have hands and feet—we can always find a way to earn money!” Jian Xin said, patting her chest. “I’ll help you! If you can’t earn enough on your own, we’ll combine our efforts and make it work!”

Yan Lu stared into Jian Xin’s earnest eyes, eyes that seemed capable of pulling her out of this harsh winter.

Why does someone like this exist in the world?

Everything Yan Lu lacked the courage to do seemed effortless for Jian Xin, as if all it took was a confident pat on the chest.

That person… she’s always so willing to lend a hand to others.

But before reaching out, had she considered how much strength it would take to pull someone out of the mire?

If she gets tired, will she let go?

Can I really… try to accept this kindness that might not last?

Yan Lu opened her mouth, as if something were about to burst forth.

But Jian Xin glanced down at her phone and exclaimed, “Ahhh! It’s almost five! Let’s talk later! Help me with my homework first!”

With that, she moved her homework from her bed to Yan Lu’s, took a large gulp of milk tea, and buried herself in her studies.

At two in the morning, Jian Xin sat at her computer, yawning widely, her teary eyes blurring as she composed a dirt-cheap track for a demanding client.

The studio group chat was relentless with their pings. Despite her exhaustion, she had pushed through until now, finally nearing completion.

Seeing Chen Yuan’s urgent messages in the chat, she sighed heavily, wiped away the tears brought on by fatigue, and sent a screenshot of her project interface.

See You Later: Screenshot

See You Later: If you keep pushing me, I’ll kill myself.

Is This Temple Worth Worshipping?: Darling! Please don’t die!

Urgent King: How much is left?

See You Later: Just finishing up. How about tomorrow?

Urgent King: How about noon?

See You Later: I can’t guarantee I’ll be awake by noon.

Urgent King: Being online alone is so helpless

See You Later: I’ll export a draft now for you to show the client. I’ll aim to finish the rest by tomorrow afternoon, okay?

Urgent King: Okay!

Urgent King: Thank you, Sister Xin! Get some rest!

Is This Temple Worth Worshipping?: Here, have some flowers!

See You Later: Love you!

Jian Xin breathed a sigh of relief. While the audio exported, she opened her phone to browse.

An hour earlier, Yan Lu Er Qi had posted on Weibo: four words and a photo.

I’ve finished writing.

The photo showed several beautifully signed autographs.

Jian Xin couldn’t help but gasp, immediately opening Q/Q and tapping Yan Lu’s private chat.

 Picked Up a Heart:  Congratulations!

 Picked Up a Heart:  You finally finished signing everything!

 Yan Lu Er Qi:  Still awake?

Jian Xin quickly sent him the screenshot of her project she had just posted in the group chat.

 Picked Up a Heart:  Screenshot Still working hard!

 Yan Lu Er Qi:  Looks impressive.

 Picked Up a Heart:  Sounds even more impressive!

 Picked Up a Heart:  Too bad the client won’t let me share it publicly. I really wanted you to hear it—I’ve improved so much!

 Picked Up a Heart:  It’s been years since I touched this stuff, but picking it up again felt surprisingly natural, like my meridians had suddenly opened. I’m so proud of myself!

 Yan Lu Er Qi:  If you’re that good, when can I hear something you’ve made?

Jian Xin stared at his message for a long moment, then couldn’t help but smile.

 Picked Up a Heart:  Sure!

 Picked Up a Heart:  If I make something, you’ll be the first to hear it.

Just as she sent the message, a window popped up indicating that the audio export was complete.

She sent the audio to the band group chat, then quickly switched back to her conversation with Yan Lu.

Yan Lu didn’t reply. After thinking it over, Jian Xin couldn’t resist sending another message.

 Picked Up a Heart:  The New Year’s coming up. I’m going back to Nanjiang.

Yan Lu Er Qi: Safe travels.

Jian Xin bit her lip, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. After a long pause, she finally typed:

Picked Up a Heart: I don’t know if I should tell my parents about seeing you.

As soon as she sent the message, she regretted it.

But realizing that withdrawing it now would be pointless—Yan Lu had likely already seen it—she steeled herself and continued:

Picked Up a Heart: They actually miss you quite a bit. After all, you lived with us for so long, and then you suddenly disappeared. They’ve asked about you countless times.

Picked Up a Heart: A few years ago, my mom said she received a payment from you, saying you’d repaid all your debts. But there was no other news. She asked if I could find you and find out what was going on.

Picked Up a Heart: But I couldn’t find you either. I tried everything, but I couldn’t reach you.

Picked Up a Heart: Since everything from back then is in the past now, have you ever thought about coming back to Nanjiang?

Picked Up a Heart: My parents would be so happy to see you.

Jian Xin typed out a long message in one breath. As soon as she sent it, she sat in front of her computer, anxiously awaiting a reply.

The wait seemed to stretch time itself, each minute and second dragging on with inexplicable torment.

The chat window continued to display “typing…” at the top, but Jian Xin waited in vain for a response.

With a sigh, she silently typed “Never mind” and was about to send it when Yan Lu’s reply finally arrived.

Yan Lu Er Qi: I still have two little ones at home to take care of.

Yan Lu Er Qi: Please send my regards to your parents.

Picked Up a Heart: Oh!

Picked Up a Heart: Okay!

Jian Xin tilted her head, leaned back in her chair, and stared blankly for a moment.

Is this a polite rejection?

It seemed like one, but not quite. After all, her ducks and dogs at home really did need proper care!

People who lived alone and kept small pets often found it difficult to leave home freely.

Yan Lu had asked her to send her regards to her family.

Did this mean Yan Lu didn’t mind Jian Xin telling her family about their reunion?

But how should she even bring it up to them?

The girl had vanished for so many years. Jian Xin truly didn’t know how her parents would react to the news of her reappearance.

Would they be more resentful or relieved?

Lost in these thoughts, Jian Xin lowered her head and tapped open the WeChat group named “Family.”

Family (4)

She stared at the (4) for a long time before finally giving in and tapping the member list.

A pink cartoon girl with pigtails, holding a book, lay quietly beside her own profile picture—Yan Xiaolu.

How long has it been since I last used this WeChat account?

Jian Xin gazed at the profile picture, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

“Hey…” she murmured, pointing at the cartoon girl with her finger. “Do you even know you’re still here?”

She knew Yan Lu wouldn’t know.

She had once dreamed of living with her forever.