Chapter 5

On the weekend, Song Wenzhou routinely accompanied his mother, Mrs. Ren Suyi, on a shopping trip.

Originally, this activity wasn’t supposed to be his responsibility. Back in their hometown, Ren Suyi had many old friends. Whenever they had free time, they would meet up for shopping or tea. If that didn’t work out, there was always his father, Song Chenglang, who could accompany her.

But now, their family had just moved to this city, and Old Song was busy establishing himself here. Between work and various social obligations, he had no weekends left to spend with his wife and children.

Ren Suyi hadn’t made any close new friends yet, so she had to rely on Song Wenzhou for company. Even though her son wasn’t talkative and couldn’t replace her old friends, at least he was strong enough to help carry things.

And so, Song Wenzhou found himself carrying six or seven bags, with Ren Suyi continuing to add more items to their haul.

“The weather’s getting cooler, I need to buy you and your dad a few more jackets,” Ren Suyi said.

Song Wenzhou sat down on the waiting area sofa to rest, rubbing his wrist. “I don’t need one. I have to wear the school uniform.”

“That’s true,” Ren Suyi thought for a moment and added, “But you still need to buy some for when you’re not at school.”

After that, Ren Suyi went on to pick out clothes for Song Chenglang, following the sales associate’s guidance. Meanwhile, Song Wenzhou took out his phone, which had been buzzing for a while.

11:20

【Mu Chi: Hey, what are you doing?】

11:24

【Mu Chi: 【Are you there? Wake up?】.jpg

—

By the time Song Wenzhou read the messages, Mu Chi had just sent three question marks.

【Song Wenzhou: Did you just wake up and have nothing else to do?】

【Mu Chi: How did you know I just woke up?】

Because you always text me when you wake up on weekends, Song Wenzhou thought.

【Mu Chi: What are you doing?】

【Song Wenzhou: Shopping】

【Mu Chi: So early?】

It wasn’t that early, lunch was almost here.

【Song Wenzhou: Do you need something?】

【Mu Chi: What, can’t I text you if I don’t need anything?】

Song Wenzhou: “…”

He realized that Mu Chi was really something else. No matter what he asked, Mu Chi could always turn the question around on him, and he couldn’t come up with a proper answer.

【Mu Chi: Alright, I’m not teasing you anymore.】

【Song Wenzhou: .】

【Mu Chi: I was just asking when you’re coming back to school?】

Song Wenzhou thought for a moment but couldn’t pinpoint a specific time, so he asked again if Mu Chi needed something.

【Mu Chi: I’ll wait for you to come back together.】

【Song Wenzhou: Wait for me?】

Mu Chi was always the last one to return to school each week. If anyone were to wait for anyone, it would be the other way around.

However, Mu Chi clearly didn’t catch the implied meaning behind his words.

【Mu Chi: Yeah, didn’t you give me your key to make a copy? I’m worried you won’t have a key to open the door if you go back alone.】

That was a good point.

【Song Wenzhou: Then let’s leave around 5, I’ll let you know the exact time later.】

【Mu Chi: Alright, I’ll wait for your message.】

As luck would have it, Song Wenzhou’s home and Mu Chi’s weren’t that far apart—just two bus stops away. When it was time to go back to school, all Mu Chi needed to do was wait for Song Wenzhou’s bus at the station behind him.

“Zhouzhou,” Ren Suyi called his nickname loudly. “Come here for a second.”

Song Wenzhou glanced at the chat log, confirming the conversation had ended, then put away his phone and walked over to his mother.

Ren Suyi was asking the sales assistant about sizes and colors. When she saw him approach, she raised two shirts and asked, “Which one do you think your dad would look better in?”

Song Wenzhou imagined his father wearing them and said, “The vertical stripes one.”

“But I think the grid pattern one looks nice too,” Ren Suyi hesitated.

“Then go with the grid one,” Song Wenzhou replied.

Ren Suyi gave him a reproachful look. “I might as well not ask you.”

She turned to the sales assistant and smiled. “Please wrap both of these up for me.”

Song Wenzhou: “…”

After leaving the store, Song Wenzhou found his bags had multiplied. They weren’t heavy, but both of his hands were full, making it impossible to switch hands, and after a while, his arms started to ache.

Fortunately, Ren Suyi was considerate enough to help carry two of the bags. When they got tired, they found a nearby restaurant to have lunch.

Having developed a habit of eating quickly at the school cafeteria, Song Wenzhou finished his meal just as Ren Suyi still had half a bowl of rice left, despite her reminding him several times to eat slowly.

While waiting, Song Wenzhou absentmindedly looked out the window. Not many people were walking around at lunchtime, and his attention was caught by a boutique across the street. The shop was brightly lit, and through the glass windows, he could see many exquisite ornaments and trinkets.

As he gazed at the shop, he suddenly remembered something Mu Chi had said earlier. He stood up, briefly explained where he was going to his mother, and then left the restaurant for the boutique.

His goal was clear. Unlike the other young girls in the shop who were browsing around, he went straight to the wall opposite the glass window. The wall was covered in all sorts of keychains—cute ones, cool ones, minimalist ones, and even some in styles Song Wenzhou couldn’t understand.

After a while of being dazzled by the array of choices, he finally picked out a keychain with a basketball charm. Mu Chi loved playing basketball, so he figured he’d probably like it.

After paying, the saleslady put the keychain in a pink bag and handed it to him. Song Wenzhou felt slightly uncomfortable when he received it. He really wanted to tell her that such a small thing could just be put in his pocket, but he didn’t say anything.

When he returned to the restaurant, Ren Suyi casually asked, “What did you buy?”

“A keychain,” Song Wenzhou stuffed the pink bag into the large paper bag with the clothes. “It’s for my deskmate.”

Ren Suyi caught a glimpse of the pink bag and smiled, asking, “Is it for a girl?”

“A boy.”

“Oh,” Ren Suyi immediately lost interest. “Let’s go, let’s shop a bit more before we head home.”

In the afternoon, Song Wenzhou sent Mu Chi a message before leaving, and another once he got on the bus. As promised, he ended up on the same bus as Mu Chi.

The bus was crowded with students, many of whom, like them, were wearing the experimental high school uniforms. Mu Chi, using his height and long legs to his advantage, managed to weave through the crowd and pinpoint Song Wenzhou by spotting his dark hair, soft texture, and well-defined hair swirl, then squeezed himself over to his side.

“I have to say, your head’s really well-shaped,” Mu Chi said as he took the opportunity to ruffle Song Wenzhou’s hair. “The top of your skull is perfectly shaped.”

It was so obvious.

Song Wenzhou: “？？？”

What the hell?

Song Wenzhou was holding the clothes Ren Suyi bought him earlier with one hand and holding onto the overhead strap with the other. He couldn’t free up a hand to stop Mu Chi, so he could only speak coldly, “I told you not to touch my head.”

“Why can’t I touch it?” Mu Chi asked in confusion. “Will it stop you from growing taller?”

Was that a subtle dig at his height?

Song Wenzhou looked up and shot Mu Chi a fierce glare.

Mu Chi, seeing the look, obediently pulled his hand back and nonchalantly comforted him, “It’s fine, your height is just right.”

“Go away,” Song Wenzhou shook his head. “Your hands are dirty and will make my hair greasy.”