(1)
Friday’s dismissal always came early, making the students who were used to four consecutive days of leaving school just as the last sliver of sunset disappeared feel as if the air itself was unusually fresh.
The sky was still bright.
The sun hung high, shining so brilliantly it seemed as if it would never set.
Normally, Zhang Qiqi, who was in charge of overseeing the class monitors on cleaning duty, would be bustling about, but today she sat at her desk motionless.
Instead, the hygiene committee member, who usually went unnoticed, was directing the classmates in tidying up the classroom.
After all, it was Friday. If they didn’t clean today, who knew what might rot or get moldy by Monday…
An Jing was quietly packing her bag, planning to go home with Zhu Ying.
“Uh… why is this manga in my bag?”
“I slipped it to you. The heroine reminds me a lot of you. Take it home and read it.”
An Jing tugged at the corner of her mouth.
“It’s not some terrible plot, right?”
“Not at all. It’s a super pure love story.”
“What’s your definition of ‘pure’ anyway…”
“Let’s go, brother!”
Fang Qiang stood at the door, slapping Zhou Chao and Sun Wei on the shoulders, then looked up and shouted to An Jing.
“Ah? Oh, you’re going again… bye!”
“Chao, can I borrow your motorcycle today?”
“Go play somewhere else. If you break my bike later, I’m not taking the blame.”
“Come on, we’re brothers, right?”
Sun Wei complained in frustration.
“That’s not cool of you!”
“Cut the crap. I’m not planning to park the motorcycle near the big greenhouse market street. Too many people there, and if a teacher sees it, we’ll be in trouble.”
Zhou Chao gave Sun Wei’s back a firm push.
“Hurry up and snatch the keys.”
“Then what about you?”
“I’ll walk over slowly.”
“Damn.”
Sun Wei flipped Zhou Chao the middle finger without looking back and ran out the door.
Passing Fang Qiang, he playfully smacked his butt.
“You bastard!!”
Thus, the after-school “chase” began.
Zhou Chao shrugged helplessly, slinging his bag over one shoulder and lazily walking over to An Jing’s side.
“Let’s walk together, same direction.”
“Rare, huh?”
“Sometimes you’ve got to walk with your good brothers. Can’t spend all your time with ‘his’ girlfriend, right?”
“I’m not stopping you from spending time with her~”
Zhu Ying tilted her head and blinked.
“Yo!”
Zhou Chao’s gaze landed on Zhang Qiqi behind her.
“Why is the class monitor frowning like that today? Really rare.”
“Go play somewhere else.”
Zhang Qiqi propped her cheek with her palm and rolled her eyes dramatically.
“What’s wrong? Why the long face?”
He chuckled lightly, placing the now-cold can of coffee he intended to drink in front of Zhang Qiqi.
“Have some and think it over.”
Zhang Qiqi took the coffee without hesitation, popped the tab, and said with heavy eyelids, “Zhou Chao, are you laying it on thick for me now? Just so you know, I’m not like other girls. Your little tricks won’t work on me.”
“Haha, you’re overthinking it. I’m really not interested in Iron Plate Flying Airport.”
Zhou Chao smiled faintly and shook his head.
“Tch!”
“What’s wrong with Qiqi?”
Zhu Ying patted her bulging backpack and asked with a tilted head.
“Today’s the kindergarten’s 10th anniversary celebration, and I have to stay and run activities with a bunch of little brats. My dad isn’t home, so I can’t handle it alone.”
“Want help?”
“Can you stop smiling like that? It’s gross.”
Zhang Qiqi glanced sideways at Zhou Chao.
“Ahem… then how about Ying and I help out?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmm, An Jing’s smile is a lot cuter than yours. Playboy, take notes. Yours looks so fake.”
Zhou Chao laughed bitterly.
“I always smile like that.”
“Pfft, too fake. It’s obvious you’re faking it to trick girls.”
“You can’t say I’m insincere just because I have a lot of girlfriends, can you?”
“Huh? When have you ever been sincere?”
“Ahem! An Jing interrupted their bickering.
“Anyway, since school’s out early today, why not go help? Isn’t that a kind of fun?”
“True.”
Zhu Ying nodded with a smile.
“Though that kindergarten is pretty run-down.”
“I’ve been there. It really is.”
“When?”
“Ahem… that time, uh, after I took you home.”
“I was the one who asked An Jing to help at my place. That kid’s easy to convince.”
“Hey, hey!!”
“Let’s go. Even if school’s out early, don’t waste time.”
Zhou Chao threw his bag onto his back and swaggered toward the classroom door.
“Aren’t you going to A Wei’s place? Weren’t you guys planning to play games?”
“No worries. I’ll call him to come along later.”
“Think he’ll say yes…”
“Haha, don’t be fooled by his looks. That kid loves kids.”
The first thought that popped into An Jing’s mind was not surprise, but “This guy definitely has criminal tendencies.”
Zhu Ying glanced at An Jing and couldn’t help but lift the corners of her mouth slightly.
“His little sister really likes him, doesn’t she—why the blank stare?” Zhou Chao looked at An Jing puzzled. “That kid’s pretty good with kids.”
“That’s even more criminal…”
“Criminal?”
“Ahem, nothing!”
Zhu Ying quietly leaned close to An Jing’s ear, breathing warm breath and gently tickling her earlobe, whispering softly: “Jing, not pure.”
“No, no! I’m not thinking anything!”
(2)
“Damn, a whole bunch of little brats, and they want me to help? I’d rather go play games!”
On the way to Sloping Village, Sun Wei walked ahead, hands shoved deep in his pockets, grumbling.
“Then why did you even come?”
An Jing shot him a sidelong glance.
“Because Zhou Chao insisted I come!”
“Don’t give me that. You didn’t want to come, and I’m not going to drag you along.”
“Then I must be handsome and kind-hearted, right?”
“Kind-hearted or not, handsome you’re definitely not.”
An Jing rolled her eyes.
“Who’s going to cook? Help with dinner later.”
Zhang Qiqi cut into their conversation, unusually cheerful today.
“Can I try?”
Zhu Ying asked softly.
“I suggest you don’t let her.”
An Jing cleared her throat.
Zhu Ying stayed silent, staring directly into An Jing’s eyes with a look as if she was about to devour her whole.
“I know Ying Ying’s cooking skills.”
Zhang Qiqi nodded.
“An Jing, can you cook?”
“Not really. Just the basics…”
“It’s fine. It’s just simple big pot dishes anyway.”
“I’ll do it.”
Sun Wei raised his hand.
“Leave it to me, you won’t be disappointed.”
“You’re lying! You can cook?”
An Jing’s eyes nearly rolled back.
“Underestimate me, and I’ll show you a trick or two!”
“Fine, then you can work in the kitchen with Zhang Qiqi.”
“Alone with her? No way….”
“Why, you don’t like it?”
Zhang Qiqi smiled unusually kindly, her gaze lightly sweeping over his perpetually grimy-looking face.
“Isn’t that like dancing with the devil? Damn, going straight to hell in advance?”
“Cough… hahahaha…”
Zhou Chao burst into laughter.
“Ahem.”
An Jing, for Zhu Ying’s sake, tried hard to suppress her laughter.
“If you want to die, just say so.”
“I want to live, big sister Qiqi, spare me!”
“Enough with the sarcasm.”
Zhou Chao said seriously.
“So, is it done yet? How much longer?”
“Soon.”
“Damn, my rare day of entertainment and relaxation!”
“No worries, you’ll get plenty of playtime with the little brats.”
Zhang Qiqi crossed her arms and shot him a sidelong glance.
“I freaking hate kids!”
(3)
Streets and villages built on hillsides are common in small cities.
Everyone was used to walking uphill, casually watching the scenery along the way.
If you called it scenery, it was nothing special.
Most houses were somewhat dilapidated and densely packed.
Many alleys barely let any sunlight through.
Children, who looked like they were already in elementary school, ran through the streets and alleys.
While not dressed in rags, most wore plain clothes, some looking underdressed for the cold.
Nearly all wore school uniforms as outerwear.
Few wore down jackets or padded coats.
Maybe it hadn’t been so cold these past few days…
“Ahahaha, hey!”
A little boy suddenly bumped into Sun Wei and looked up to see a strange face.
He quickly stepped back.
“Sorry, uncle!”
“Huh?”
Before Sun Wei could respond, the boy ran off chasing his friends again—the blackened red scarf twisted behind his neck.
“Hello, uncle.”
An Jing said seriously.
“Damn!”
“Haha, you look too old.”
Zhou Chao laughed.
“Bullshit, I’m just in ninth grade!”
“Maybe it’s the wrinkles on your face.”
Zhang Qiqi chimed in.
“What wrinkles?”
“Maybe they didn’t recognize you because you didn’t wash your face?”
Zhu Ying suppressed a laugh.
“I did wash it!”
An Jing tilted her head toward the still-bright sun.
“What if the whole kindergarten kids start calling you uncle?”
“Screw that, I’m in ninth grade. They’re just little brats, so they think I’m an uncle. Even if they bump into Zhou Chao, they’ll call him uncle too!”
“Hey! Little kid! Could you tell me how to get to the kindergarten around here?”
Zhou Chao ignored him and called out to a passing little girl.
“Are you here to pick someone up?”
“Yes.”
He bent down and smiled.
“Go up this way, then turn right near the top!”
“Thanks a lot.”
“Bye, big brother!”
“Damn!” Sun Wei cursed as he watched the little girl walk away.
The others couldn’t hold back their laughter.
“What’s going on? Why is someone being called uncle?”
Zhou Chao glanced at him sideways.
“Damn it! Are you a ladykiller? You even charm little girls?”
“That’s just personal charisma.”
“Bull.”
“And I look young.”
“Damn!”
“Hahaha…”
The three girls walking behind began laughing more freely and loudly.