Font Size:
Zhuang Zi’ang rented a one-bedroom apartment; there was a bed in the bedroom and a single sofa in the living room.
If Xiao Yudie wanted to come over, he could give up the bed and sleep on the sofa.
However, Li Huang Xuan, with his lack of social awareness, insisted on going to see Zhuang Zi’ang’s new home.
Su Yudie bid them farewell, saying she would go back to the classroom for a nap.
Zhuang Zi’ang glared at Li Huang Xuan with a murderous look.
“You pest, I’m afraid I can’t keep you around.”
The two of them arrived at the rented apartment.
Li Huang Xuan toured the thirty-square-meter apartment in ten seconds.
“Not bad. I really want to move out and live alone.”
Zhuang Zi’ang rolled his eyes. “Aren’t you comfortable living in your family’s 180-square-meter duplex?”
Li Huang Xuan laughed, “Forgive me for my unrestrained love of freedom.”
This kid really didn’t know how lucky he was.
Zhuang Zi’ang thought to himself, if he had such a happy family, how could he bear to leave home?
After taking off their shoes, the two lay side by side on the bed, staring at the empty white ceiling.
Sleep hadn’t come yet, so they started chatting.
“Son, Su Yudie is so beautiful. Are you giving up on Lin Mu Shi and going after her instead?” Li Huang Xuan gossiped.
“What nonsense? I’ve only known her for three days,” Zhuang Zi’ang immediately denied.
“Girls like that are easy to fall for at first sight. Why are you pretending to be so aloof?”
Li Huang Xuan ruthlessly exposed him.
This guy, Zhuang Zi’ang, was listless in class but became energetic the moment he saw Su Yudie.
In the words of the animal world, this is a sign of mating season.
They were having a nice conversation, but this question caused a sharp pain in Zhuang Zi’ang’s heart.
His voice was low and heavy. “I won’t pursue her. I don’t deserve it.”
A person with only three months left to live—pursuing a girl would be harming her.
He no longer deserved love.
Li Huang Xuan was bewildered by Zhuang Zi’ang’s sudden bout of gloom.
He pushed Zhuang Zi’ang lightly, “You’re not going to pursue such a cute girl? Are you sick?”
Zhuang Zi’ang continued to stare at the ceiling, forcing a bitter smile. “Yeah, I’m sick.”
Li Huang Xuan couldn’t grasp the deeper meaning behind his words and thought he was just being silly.
Or perhaps he was already tempted by the girl but unwilling to admit it.
After a moment of silence, Zhuang Zi’ang suddenly asked, “Son, if we can’t see each other in the future, would you miss me?”
“I’d miss you, sure! Go die as far away as you can. I’m so jealous of you! You’re good-looking and do well in your studies, making me look like a useless waste,” Li Huang Xuan rambled on with his complaints.
“I’m the one with a problem for being friends with the top student in our grade.”
“If something’s slightly off at home, my parents use you as an example to motivate me.”
“Seriously, how can you be so annoying? If you weren’t in this world, I’d seriously consider buying some firecrackers to celebrate.”
…
Zhuang Zi’ang turned slightly to the side; a silent tear fell onto the pillow.
Memories flooded back in his mind.
On the first day of school, he met Li Huang Xuan, and they quickly became like father and son.
This guy was carefree, guileless, and always seemed a bit naive; he never knew what sadness felt like.
He truly treated Zhuang Zi’ang as his own son.
When Zhuang Zi’ang became class monitor, he was his most steadfast supporter.
During class activities, he always actively participated, making Zhuang Zi’ang’s work easier.
When Zhuang Zi’ang liked Lin Mu Shi, he acted as his wingman, providing all kinds of support.
Later, after seeing Lin Mu Shi’s true colors, he decisively advised Zhuang Zi’ang to give up, saying he deserved better.
Whenever his family made delicious food, he always invited Zhuang Zi’ang over.
Even Li Tian Yun and Fan Ling joked that they seemed to be raising two sons.
Li Huang Xuan, tired of complaining, felt his eyelids getting heavy.
Zhuang Zi’ang heard the sound of snoring beside him and turned to look at Li Huang Xuan’s profile.
Growing up in such a family environment, he was fortunate to have such a good buddy, ensuring that his entire youth wouldn’t be filled with bitterness.
“Son, promise me, when I’m gone, don’t be too sad.
It would be best if you really did what you said and set off some firecrackers to send me off.
If, during your lifetime, you see the finale of *Detective Conan*, please burn a set for me.
Over there, I’ll bless you with a safe and peaceful life.”
With these heavy thoughts, Zhuang Zi’ang couldn’t fall asleep.
In a half-dream state, he heard the alarm clock ringing.
Beside him, Li Huang Xuan was sleeping like a log, drooling down to his chin.
Zhuang Zi’ang kicked him off the bed. “You dirtied my new sheets! I’ll break all three of your legs!”
Li Huang Xuan rolled over and pounced back onto the bed, wrestling with Zhuang Zi’ang.
“Unfilial son, do you want to commit patricide?”
The joy between boys was that simple.
On the way to school, Li Huang Xuan was like a hyperactive child, making air shots one moment and kicking stones on the road the next.
Zhuang Zi’ang pointed to a ginkgo tree by the roadside. “Can you reach that leaf?”
Li Huang Xuan wiped his nose, full of confidence. “What do I get if I touch it?”
“I’ll consider you impressive,” Zhuang Zi’ang replied with a smile.
Those four words were the highest praise among boys.
To earn such an honor, one could go to great lengths.
Li Huang Xuan took a few steps back for a running start, leaped into the air, and grabbed the large ginkgo leaf.
The ginkgo tree is a unique species in our country, having witnessed billions of years of history.
In comparison, humans are as insignificant as dust.
In spring and summer, ginkgo leaves are green, but they turn yellow in autumn and dance in the wind like butterflies.
For Zhuang Zi’ang, the ginkgo tree now held a special significance.
He would never forget the breathtaking moment he first met Su Yudie under the ginkgo tree.
“Dad, am I awesome?” Li Huang Xuan proudly handed the ginkgo leaf to Zhuang Zi’ang. “These leaves are only beautiful when they turn yellow in autumn.”
“Autumn is so far away; I might not see it,” Zhuang Zi’ang muttered to himself.
Li Huang Xuan was puzzled; he felt that Zhuang Zi’ang had been acting strangely these past few days.
But on second thought, it was understandable.
Being able to be friends with such a beautiful girl, and it seeming like there’s potential for something more, he himself would probably also act strangely.
The first class of the afternoon had only been going on for ten minutes.
Zhang Zhiyuan came to the classroom door, apologized to the teacher, and called Zhuang Zi’ang out.
The students were all puzzled; Teacher Zhang had been summoning Zhuang Zi’ang too frequently recently.
Wasn’t he no longer the class monitor?
“Teacher Zhang, you’re calling for me every day. The students are looking at me strangely,” Zhuang Zi’ang complained in the hallway.
“I can’t help it; your father is here,” Zhang Zhiyuan shrugged.
“What does he want?” Zhuang Zi’ang was surprised.
Since Zhuang Zi’ang started attending this school, Zhuang Wen Zhao had only visited once—on the first day of school registration.
He stayed for half an hour, received a call from a mahjong partner, and left in a hurry.
Since then, whether it was the end of the semester, the start of the semester, or parent-teacher meetings, he always found excuses to avoid coming.
Sometimes, he wouldn’t even bother making up an excuse, saying confidently, “You’re not a child anymore; do you need your parents to pick you up and drop you off?”
Zhuang Zi’ang could only smile bitterly.
“I wasn’t a child then either, and you never picked me up or dropped me off!”