Zhao ii packed all the special products she brought back from Tianjin and Xian, stuffed them into two bags, and carried them to Xu Xu’s house.
Xu Xu answered the door, wearing a white vest and plain shorts, washing clothes on the balcony.
Xu Xu reached out to take the things Zhao ii was carrying, and as soon as he touched them, he couldn’t help but complain, "So heavy? Why did you bring so much stuff? You must be tired."
Zhao ii, familiar with the place, changed into slippers and followed inside, "These are all things I specially brought back from my trip; you and your mom should try them. Hey, where’s Auntie?"
Xu Xu put the things on the coffee table, "My mom went to work. Weekends are their busiest ti."
Turning to the kitchen, Xu Xu took out half a chilled waterlon from the fridge, wrapped it in a towel, inserted a spoon, and handed it to Zhao ii, "Are you hot? Have so to cool off."
Zhao ii didn’t stand on ceremony and began eating the heart of the waterlon.
After finishing the laundry, Xu Xu joined her on the couch in the living room, yawning and casually pulling a cigarette from his shorts pocket, lighting it up.
Zhao ii stared wide-eyed at Xu Xu, "Hey! Why are you smoking?"
Xu Xu skillfully took a puff and exhaled smoke from his nose, saying calmly, "I learned it before, found it quite relaxing, and gradually got used to it."
Zhao ii frowned, "Smoking is bad for your health!"
Xu Xu smirked, "It’s okay; I’m not addicted. I just sneak one when my mom isn’t ho."
Xu Xu asked, "How was the trip? Was it fun?"
Zhao ii tucked her falling hair behind her ear, and Xu Xu’s gaze fell on the ring she wore on her middle finger.
The bright, silvery-white gleam stung his eyes.
Xu Xu looked away, slightly opening his mouth to ask, but the words turned on his tongue and were swallowed back down; so things are better left unknown.
Zhao ii picked and chose stories from her trip to share with Xu Xu, who listened longingly, "I’ve never seen the sea; it must be beautiful, right?"
Zhao ii nodded, "It’s stunning, with the horizon eting the sea. The air there slls fresh and damp, different from here."
Xu Xu asked, "School starts in half a month. Have you bought everything you need?"
Zhao ii said, "I’m not in a hurry, since I’m in the provincial city, close to ho. What about you? When do you have to be on campus?"
Speaking of university, a smile played at Xu Xu’s mouth, "The twentieth, we have to start early for military training. What about you?"
Zhao ii thought for a mont, "They want us to pay all sorts of fees by the eighteenth, then arrive on the twenty-fourth, and apparently, we have to undergo military training too."
Xu Xu was stunned, "So when are you leaving?"
Zhao ii shook her head, "I don’t know; my brother’s going to the provincial city in a few days, so I might go too."
Xu Xu was reluctant, "So you’re leaving soon? Once you go, we won’t see each other again until winter."
Zhao ii, not one to dwell in sentint, comforted, "It’s okay, when you co back from university, don’t buy a direct ticket. Stop by the provincial city, I’ve been there several tis and know it well. I can show you around, and you can stay at my place, it’s convenient!"
Xu Xu spoke gloomily, "I will certainly miss you."
Zhao ii patted his shoulder twice, "If you miss , just call, or we can video chat online. When I had my school celebration, Brother Chao gave a laptop. I’ll take it to the provincial city."
Xu Xu’s eyes lit up, "Great, I’ll save up to buy a laptop too."
Zhao ii had lunch at Xu Xu’s that day; he made cold noodles and stir-fried garlic bolts.
Just as they started eating, Shi Yang called Zhao ii.
During the day, Shi Yang had t with Liu Cheng to discuss the takeover of the Naughty Castle, and decided to invite her for lunch, thinking Zhao ii had no food at ho.
Zhao ii quickly said, "Brother, I’m not coming. I’m not at ho; I’m at Xu Xu’s."
Shi Yang asked, "Have you guys had lunch?"
Zhao ii reported, "We’re eating now. Xu Xu made cold noodles and stir-fried garlic bolts."
Shi Yang said, "That’s good. I was worried you hadn’t eaten. What ti are you going ho this afternoon? I’ll pick you up after lunch."
Zhao ii happily agreed, "Okay, Brother, you’re free this afternoon?"
Shi Yang said, "I happen to be going to see Third Brother, it’s on the way. Don’t eat too much at lunch, I’m going to Four Seas Banquet later, I’ll bring you so spicy crayfish."
Zhao ii cheerfully agreed, listened to Shi Yang’s few reminders, and hung up the phone.
Xu Xu looked at Zhao ii’s beaming expression and said, "Your brother is always so good to you."
Zhao ii agreed, "Of course, my brother dotes on the most."
In the afternoon, Shi Yang called Zhao ii to co downstairs.
Xu Xu personally escorted Zhao ii downstairs.
Shi Yang got out of the car, carrying a takeout bag of spicy crayfish, handed it to Xu Xu, "Just cooked, still warm. Take it and enjoy; it’s really good."
Xu Xu didn’t refuse, took it, and politely thanked, "Thank you, Brother Yangyang."
Shi Yang smiled slightly, "No need to be so formal."
Zhao ii hugged Shi Yang’s arm, asking, "Brother, did you add extra spice to mine?"
Shi Yang turned to look at her, "I did, but you shouldn’t eat too much. It’s too hot, you’ll get overheated."
Zhao ii pouted, "No worries, I’ll just drink more water!"
Shi Yang gave her a helpless look, then glanced at Xu Xu, "We’ll be off now. Next ti when you’re free, co by our house for a visit."
Xu Xu nodded.
Zhao ii waved to Xu Xu, "Bye, Xu Xu."
Xu Xu watched Zhao ii and Shi Yang standing together, awkwardly saying, "Bye, ii, Bye, Brother Yangyang."
Xu Xu stood there, watching as Shi Yang drove Zhao ii away, his thoughts drifting far away, suddenly recalling the little girl who was once called to the blackboard by the teacher to stand as punishnt but entertained herself by drawing fireworks with chalk.
The girl who stood in his poverty-stricken ho, only disliking that he and his mother shared a bed, but never minded his poverty.
The girl who, when he had a nosebleed, calmly helped stop the bleeding and held his hand all the way ho—the leader of the children.
And the girl who, in the two-story western-style building, peeled a nut for him, warming his heart.
Zhao ii leaned out the car window, waving to him from a distance, her smile as brilliant and lovely as ever.
Xu Xu raised his hand, waved back, as if bidding farewell to his own youthful, beautiful first love.
Reviews
All reviews (0)