"Lan Tian," after a while, Zhou Sisi turned around to speak again, her gaze evasive, she stamred, "The soldier who ca to pick you up before, it’s been a long ti since I’ve seen him, has he... left Beijing?" Towards the end, she sounded sowhat urgent.
A soldier? Picking her up?
Lan Tian looked up at Zhou Sisi in surprise, a scene flashed through her mind, the only person who had co to school in military uniform to pick her up was Mo Junhua. Catching a glimpse of Zhou Sisi’s bashful expression and the dubious blush on her face, Lan Tian suddenly understood in a second—it’s the dawn of first love!
"Do you need him for sothing?"
"No, nothing, I was just asking casually."
Lan Tian’s clear, bottomless eyes reflected her crimson cheeks, the secret hidden in her heart seed laid bare, causing Zhou Sisi to bow her head in embarrassnt and quickly deny it.
She didn’t find out whether the person was still in Beijing or not, Zhou Sisi couldn’t express the loss she felt.
"He’s not suitable for you; he’s already married," Lan Tian sighed, eventually still decided to give the advice, whether Zhou Sisi listened was her own matter.
"..." Zhou Sisi’s face turned beet red, her explanation stamred, "I... I didn’t an that, you misunderstood, really, you misunderstood, I never had that intention."
It’s unclear whether she was convincing Lan Tian to believe she never had those kinds of thoughts, or persuading herself. As she spoke, her eyes began to fill with moisture, stubbornly demanding that Lan Tian believe her words.
"Whatever you say," Lan Tian remarked after glancing at Zhou Sisi. Getting a response from Lan Tian, Zhou Sisi turned away, feeling unbearably heart-aching yet wronged at the sa ti.
"Lan Tian, we’re still students, we should focus on our studies," Zhou Sisi suddenly turned around to speak again, Lan Tian frowned, wondering what this endless cycle was about, but then heard Zhou Sisi continue on her own, "My family is very strict, my parents always tell not to date during school, we’re students, everything should prioritize learning."
Lan Tian’s frown deepened; how could she sense an underlying aning in those words?
"I advise you to focus on your studies as well, and not to mix with those boys. If it gets out, people will only speak ill of us girls, at most they’ll say a few words about boys being flirtatious. In the end, it’s your reputation that’s tarnished. We’re still young, not knowing what kind of boys we like. It’s not too late to date after we’ve graduated and seen more of the world. Besides, our parents didn’t send us to school to date," Zhou Sisi said in one breath, then looked at Lan Tian.
Lan Tian’s eyes grew colder; the two of them were just classmates and were not close enough to discuss such deep matters. Zhou Sisi’s words not only criticized her but also her family.
"If that’s what your parents expect from you, then you should follow it closely and make sure not to worry them. You don’t have to worry about ; my elders never have to concern themselves with my affairs since I was little." The implied aning was that she has always been well-behaved and sensible, not needing her elders to worry, and that her parents trust her. The hidden ssage was Zhou Sisi was being nosy; since her parents trust her, there is no need for her to babble on here, and she has no place to say such things.
Lan Tian rarely spoke so venomously and without mincing words because Zhou Sisi had crossed a line, insinuating her elders lacked upbringing, which in effect ant the two of them had burned their bridges.
Zhou Sisi’s face alternated between red and white, tears glistening in her eyes; she might not have expected that her well-intentioned advice to Lan Tian would go unappreciated and even earn her Lan Tian’s mockery. She watched Lan Tian for a while, seeing that Lan Tian had no intention to apologize, Zhou Sisi turned to sit down and buried her head in her arms on the desk, her shoulders shaking.
Zhang Xilan had been watching Lan Tian and her interaction, and even though she hadn’t heard the content of their conversation, seeing Zhou Sisi in that state, it was clear that she had co off worse in an encounter with Lan Tian. She looked at Zhou Sisi and then at Lan Tian, but in the end, she didn’t co over and just sat there with her head down, not sure what she was thinking.
Lan Tian glanced at Zhou Sisi but didn’t bother with her.
During the day classes were held, and at night talismans were drawn and arrays were carved. Ti flew by in what seed to be tranquility, and before long the end of the month had arrived.
The military academy had a two-day holiday at the end of the month, and Mo Junhua was coming back this evening. Mr. Mo had instructed the kitchen early in the morning to prepare several extra dishes, which made Lan Tian purse his lips.
It was rare for the whole family to gather together, and Great Master Wu Hongfei and a few of his disciples also ca over for a al. With more people and nothing much to do, they found entertainnt in so way, and it’s unknown where they dug up mahjong from. Wu Zongyu and Bai Qingqing, the brother and sister duo, made a perfect group of four for a table, while Wu Hongfei played chess with Mr. Mo and Lan Tian watched television alone.
After watching TV for a while, Lan Tian glanced over at the mahjong players. They were a few young talents—the n in suits and leather shoes, looking smart and handso; the won in white dresses, cool and elegant. They seed mismatched for mahjong, yet hands that should be holding surgical scalpels were instead groping for mahjong tiles, shouting "Pung" and "Chow".
In Lan Tian’s eyes, mahjong was an entertainnt activity for elders in the countryside or perhaps for idle aunts in the neighborhood. But these folks... well, to put it in future slang, they were so down to earth.
Wu Zongyu, with tiles in hand, glanced over at Lan Tian, while Bai Qingqing sat next to him as his next in turn, waiting for him to discard so she could make her move. Seeing him hold the tiles without playing, she followed his gaze, which led her in Lan Tian’s direction. A shadow crossed her face as she urged him to hurry up and play.
"Senior brother, hurry up and play your tile; everyone is waiting."
Wu Zongyu withdrew his gaze and played his tile. As soon as it left his hand, Bai Qingqing called a winning hand. Sun Hai jokingly teased Wu Zongyu for being soft on his little junior sister.
The siblings chatted and laughed together, the atmosphere comfortable and warm.
After Mr. Mo made his move, he looked up at Lan Tian and saw her changing channels with the remote control. She switched channels round and round, not finding anything she liked to watch, and casually picked a channel to briefly view but, soon feeling bored, began pushing buttons on the remote again.
"Girl, since you have nothing to do at ho, go pick up Hua Zi, consider it a walk," Mr. Mo never missed an opportunity to create chances for the two to be alone.
"He’s a grown man and still needs soone to pick him up? He’s not a child who can’t find his way ho," Lan Tian couldn’t help rolling her eyes.
"The previous driver had so family matters and went back to his hotown. The new driver doesn’t know the way, so you go with him. Teach him the route so next ti you won’t need to go," Mr. Mo explained.
"..." Lan Tian was speechless, looking at Mr. Mo. There wasn’t much she could say when he put it that way. Anyway, the TV was not interesting to watch, so she stood up and said, "Alright then, I’ll go."
...
The military academy had a two-day holiday. Those who lived nearby were packing up to go ho, and those from far away naturally stayed at the school to engage in leisure activities.
Half of the dorm was from outside of Beijing, and the other half were locals. Mo Junhua was also packing his stuff, and a curious comrade ca over to peek.
"Mo Junhua, what are you packing for?" Didn’t you say you’re from Shanghai? Two days isn’t even enough for a round trip by car.
"I have relatives in Beijing, I’m heading out first," he replied, hastily taking his belongings and heading for the door.
"You’re in such a rush, must be going to see your sister-in-law," teased his comrade.
Mo Junhua didn’t speak, just waved his hand and left.
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