Chapter 28

In the two days that followed, Mu Chi didn’t proactively contact Song Wenzhou, probably because he was busy and mentally exhausted.

Song Wenzhou did ask about grandma’s condition, but usually, Mu Chi would reply after a long time. After giving an update about his grandma, Mu Chi could only chat for a bit before becoming busy again.

Mu Chi’s grandmother’s condition wasn’t very optimistic. The surgery had been successful, but she remained in a drowsy state, rarely awake, and required constant care at all times.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, Ren Suyi and Song Chenglang had the day off. They had planned to take Song Wenzhou out for a meal, but Song Wenzhou didn’t have the energy and didn’t want to go out. He told them to go have fun without worrying about him.

That evening, he finished the leftovers from lunch for dinner. Standing alone on the balcony, Song Wenzhou gazed at the bright streetlights and the cars passing by. Suddenly, a sense of unease and panic surged inside him.

After standing there for a while, he turned around, strode back inside, put on a thick jacket, scarf, and hat, and grabbed his phone and keys before heading out the door.

He took a taxi downstairs, heading in a clear direction—straight to Mu Chi’s house, a place he had only visited once before.

The taxi quickly stopped at the intersection, and Song Wenzhou got out without hesitation, walking toward the house, even starting to jog as he went.

Before he reached the two-story attic, Song Wenzhou saw Mu Chi’s room window from a distance. The glass, which was reportedly smashed twice by Qi Ling, was pitch dark inside, reflecting only a faint shadow of light on its surface.

Song Wenzhou stared at that faint light and walked forward until he reached the fence, only to realize that the light source was a flashlight held by a resident stealing vegetables from the garden.

“Hey, do you know that there’s a Lantern Festival tradition called ‘stealing vegetables’? Every year, we’re not home during that time, and on the night of the festival, people from around here come and take all the vegetables—without leaving a single one behind.”

It seemed as if Mu Chi’s voice was echoing in Song Wenzhou’s ears as he walked closer to the fence near the garden.

“If you want to eat, you should pick them early, or if you’re free on Lantern Festival night, you can come join the fun.”

Song Wenzhou leaned one hand on the smooth part of the fence, then jumped into the yard.

“Is there anything wrong with it? Don’t forget to video call me when it happens. I want to see too.”

—

The residents working in the garden noticed Song Wenzhou, and the flashlight beam shone his way. Song Wenzhou raised his hand to block the light from his eyes.

The residents recognized that he wasn’t from the area and asked with a smile, “Hey, young man, are you here to steal vegetables too?”

“Mm.” Song Wenzhou replied.

“You’re a bit late, there are only a few left,” the resident kindly pointed out a spot. “It’s over there, go ahead and steal them.”

Song Wenzhou: “…”

The tone was so familiar, as if they were asking him to pick vegetables from their own garden.

Song Wenzhou walked a few steps toward the indicated spot but then remembered Mu Chi’s words about video calling him. He turned back and awkwardly called out to the resident who was about to leave.

“Uh… Aunty,” Song Wenzhou said, rubbing the back of his phone. “Could you please help me film a video?”

“You want to post it on social media, right?” The aunty asked in return without answering.

Song Wenzhou reluctantly nodded.

“Of course, give me your phone,” the aunty said, holding up her flashlight and shining it on the remaining vegetables in the garden. “I’ll hold the light for you, you stand there, and I’ll find the best angle.”

As Song Wenzhou walked over, he almost tripped.

“The angle is great. Get ready. I’ll say ‘start,’ and you can start stealing.”

—

After a minor setback that could easily be ignored, Song Wenzhou finally finished picking all the remaining vegetables in the garden.

He was a bit relieved that he arrived late, there weren’t any extra vegetables left. Otherwise, he reasonably suspected that the enthusiastic aunty would have said he messed up and would make him shoot another take.

When he took his phone back from the aunty, she kept complimenting him on how handsome he was, saying that even in such poor lighting, the photos still turned out great.

Song Wenzhou was a little embarrassed and quickly bowed to thank her.

The aunty shone her flashlight on Song Wenzhou’s white down jacket, which was now dirty from the mud, and asked in confusion, “Why are you wearing a white jacket to steal vegetables? You didn’t even bring a bag to carry them?”

Song Wenzhou blinked his big, bright eyes, looking somewhat lost.

The aunty found his clueless expression endearing and handed him a plastic bag.

So, Song Wenzhou returned home, wearing his dirty clothes and carrying a bag of vegetables.

By the time he got home, Ren Suyi and Song Chenglang were already back. Ren Suyi was taken aback when she saw him.

“You…” She looked him up and down. “What on earth happened to you? What did you get up to?”

“Stealing vegetables,” Song Wenzhou grinned and handed the bag of vegetables to Ren Suyi. “It’s a Lantern Festival tradition.”

Ren Suyi glanced at the fresh green vegetables in the bag. “Where did you steal these from?”

Song Wenzhou smiled but didn’t answer. While bending down to change his shoes, he said, “I’ll cook these for you tomorrow night.”

“Alright, alright,” Ren Suyi couldn’t do anything about him, knowing he wouldn’t casually steal things. “Go wash up first, and throw those clothes in the laundry.”

“Mm.”

After freshening up, Song Wenzhou sat at the head of the bed, repeatedly watching the video on his phone. In the video, he awkwardly pulled vegetables out of the ground, mud splashing onto his clothes, and his hands were covered in dirt. To avoid getting his phone dirty, he wiped his hands on his pants carelessly after picking the vegetables.

There was nothing aesthetically pleasing about it.

Should he send it to Mu Chi?

It didn’t seem to have much meaning if he did.

Song Wenzhou tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought for a while, until he was snapped back to reality by the vibration of his phone.

【Mu Chi: Are you asleep?】

Song Wenzhou’s eyes brightened, and he replied immediately:

【Song Wenzhou: Not yet】

【Mu Chi: Why aren’t you asleep so late?】

Song Wenzhou: “…”

This is ridiculous.

【Mu Chi: Almost forgot to tell you】

【Mu Chi: Happy Lantern Festival】

In an instant, Song Wenzhou felt a slight sting in his nose and quickly blinked a few times.

【Song Wenzhou: How is grandma doing?】

Mu Chi called him, and Song Wenzhou sniffed and hung up.

He was really afraid he might cry.

【Mu Chi: ?】

【Song Wenzhou: Just say it】

【Mu Chi: Too lazy to type】

【Song Wenzhou: Then send a voice message】

“You’re not acting right.” As expected, Mu Chi sent a voice message. “Grandma is a bit better today. She’s been awake for a long time, but her body still can’t move.”

【Song Wenzhou: That’s good.】

“Mm, my mom’s at the hospital looking after her. I’m going home to get some sleep.”

【Song Wenzhou: Oh.】

“Another ‘oh.’ Have you been okay these past few days?”

【Song Wenzhou: Pretty good.】

After sending this, Song Wenzhou continued typing: I went to your house to steal…

“By the way, Zhouzhou, I need to tell you something.”

Song Wenzhou silently deleted the text he’d typed and asked what it was.

“I might… be a few days late returning.”

Song Wenzhou’s finger, hovering above the phone screen, paused for a moment before slowly lowering.

【Song Wenzhou: Mm, take good care of grandma.】

Mu Chi: “I’m sorry. I broke my promise.”

Song Wenzhou closed his eyes and sighed.

【Song Wenzhou: Don’t say that. Grandma’s health is the most important thing right now.】

Mu Chi was just coming back a few days later, it wasn’t a big deal.

By the time their conversation ended, Song Wenzhou hadn’t had the chance to send the video to Mu Chi. He could hear the exhaustion in Mu Chi’s voice, so he used the excuse of being sleepy to end the chat.

A few days later, the new semester began as expected, and nothing changed because Mu Chi hadn’t returned.

On the first day of school, the classroom was as noisy as a marketplace.

Classmates who hadn’t seen each other over the break excitedly shared their stories, expressing their longing and excitement about what they had seen and heard during the holiday.

The only desk in the class without any noise was the one Song Wenzhou sat at. Without the chatterbox Mu Chi, Song Wenzhou could stay quiet the entire morning.

During the break, Qi Ling, holding the books for the next class, plopped down next to Song Wenzhou. As soon as Song Wenzhou turned to look at him, he explained, “Brother Chi is worried you might feel lonely, so he asked me to keep you company.”

Song Wenzhou gave a slight smile, didn’t ask further, and just said, “Thank you.”

It was unclear whether he was thanking Qi Ling or Mu Chi.

Mu Chi hadn’t told him to have Qi Ling keep him company.

Song Wenzhou vaguely sensed that, with the start of the new semester, Mu Chi was either intentionally or unintentionally avoiding him.

He didn’t understand, as he felt that Mu Chi didn’t need to do that. Whether or not Mu Chi returned, he hadn’t really dwelled on it too much.

Just like when Mu Chi told him “I’ll be a few days late coming back,” it was a vague statement, uncertain, and could change at any time.

At night, lying in his dorm bed, Song Wenzhou would sometimes feel a little relieved, thinking that it was good Mu Chi didn’t say what he was planning to say on New Year’s Eve. That way, he could pretend everything was just his own imagination, that he hadn’t really heard anything, and that Mu Chi wasn’t obligated to come back.

But deep inside, he still held onto a small hope—that grandma would get better quickly and bring Mu Chi back to school to continue studying Chinese culture.

—

The next time Song Wenzhou saw Mu Chi face-to-face was during the second week of the new semester.

It was just like when he transferred last semester. He was in English class, and the English teacher at the podium had a very standard American accent, but the English songs in Mu Chi’s British accent played in Song Wenzhou’s mind.

The teacher, unaware that he was zoning out, tapped the blackboard as a reminder.

Song Wenzhou frowned in frustration, lowered his head, and added another stroke to the character “正 (zhèng or zhēng)“ on the last page of his notebook. There were already many “正” characters on the page—his works from when he thought of Mu Chi during class.

Seeing the two people in front of him whispering reminded him of Mu Chi. Glancing at classmates passing notes in the next group also made him think of Mu Chi. Even when hearing something completely unrelated to Mu Chi, he would still think of him…

He really couldn’t save himself.

Song Wenzhou silently reprimanded himself in his mind.

He shook his head, trying to focus on the class, when he saw a familiar figure in the hallway. He suddenly turned his head, and his eyes met Mu Chi’s, who was looking straight at him.

Song Wenzhou was a bit surprised. Mu Chi was back?

But he hadn’t received any news from Mu Chi saying he was coming back.

Mu Chi smiled at him when he noticed Song Wenzhou had seen him, then waved his hand with a small movement.

Song Wenzhou’s brow furrowed slightly, and he turned his eyes toward the door, silently asking Mu Chi why he wasn’t coming in.

Mu Chi’s smile faded, and he slowly shook his head at Song Wenzhou.

Song Wenzhou squinted, still confused. He was about to try to communicate with Mu Chi again through a look, but the English teacher at the podium tapped the blackboard twice with the pointer, followed by two deliberate coughs as a warning.

Song Wenzhou hurriedly turned his head to look at the board, though his thoughts were still wandering.

When the teacher turned his back to write on the board, Song Wenzhou quietly glanced outside again, but Mu Chi had already left. Song Wenzhou even tilted his head and looked down the hallway outside other classrooms, but didn’t see Mu Chi’s figure.

Finally, the bell rang for the next class, and Song Wenzhou took out his phone from his desk drawer, lowered his head, and sent Mu Chi a message.

【Song Wenzhou: Where are you?】

【Mu Chi: Dorm.】

It just so happened that it was the last class of the morning. Song Wenzhou didn’t tidy up the books on his desk, but instead stood up immediately and left the classroom with large strides.

The student dormitories and the cafeteria were in opposite directions. At noon, all the students, seemingly starving, rushed toward the cafeteria, but Song Wenzhou was going the opposite way.

His steps were fast, and he even started running because he felt it wasn’t fast enough.

He ran all the way back to the dorm, and when he stopped outside Room 402 to catch his breath, he was breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling, his face flushed, but his nose threatened to run due to the cold wind.

As Song Wenzhou bent over, propping his hands on his thighs to catch his breath, Mu Chi, who was inside, heard the noise and opened the door. Song Wenzhou looked up, and Mu Chi looked down. The two of them stared at each other silently for a while.

“Why are you running so fast?” Mu Chi was the first to break the silence.

Song Wenzhou had been the first to arrive at the dorm after class, and the hallway was empty except for him and Mu Chi. Mu Chi’s voice even had a slight echo.

Song Wenzhou exhaled deeply but didn’t answer Mu Chi’s question. He didn’t really know why he had rushed—perhaps it was because he was afraid that if he moved too slowly, Mu Chi would leave.

“Come on in.” Seeing Song Wenzhou focused on catching his breath and not talking, Mu Chi quickly stepped aside and reached out to pull his arm, but Song Wenzhou subtly avoided him.

Mu Chi curled his fingers slightly, and after Song Wenzhou entered, he closed the door.

In the middle of the dorm, an open suitcase was placed on the floor. Song Wenzhou glanced at it and walked around it, sitting down on his bed. He casually asked, “Packing your things?”

“Mm.” Mu Chi seemed a bit reluctant to look at him, continuing to fold clothes that he hadn’t brought home during the previous semester.

Song Wenzhou propped his hands on the bedspread next to him and asked, “How’s your grandmother’s health?”

“She’s still in the hospital, relying on a wheelchair to get around. She’s old, and it won’t be easy for her to fully recover. For the time being, she needs someone to help with dressing and eating.” Mu Chi paused after speaking, and his voice grew softer. “So…”

Song Wenzhou finished for him, “Then it’s best not to go back and forth. Your parents in the UK can take care of her anytime.”

“Mm.” Mu Chi placed the folded clothes in the suitcase and, as he turned his head, quickly glanced at Song Wenzhou. “…I also need to stay there. I can’t leave her.”

Song Wenzhou nodded in understanding. “That makes sense.”

He had actually already suspected this outcome.

Mu Chi licked his lips but didn’t speak. Song Wenzhou saw the guilt on his face and forced a smile as he asked, “Are you leaving today?”

“Yes,” Mu Chi replied. “I’ve already completed the withdrawal procedures, and my flight is this afternoon.”

Song Wenzhou let out a soft “Ah,” and although he had accepted the reality, he hadn’t expected Mu Chi to leave so suddenly.

Students began trickling back to the dorm for their afternoon break, and occasionally, the sound of students chatting could be heard from the hallway. Song Wenzhou sat on the edge of his bed, watching Mu Chi packing, feeling a little tired.

In fact, he seemed to be staring at Mu Chi, but most of the time, he was just zoning out. Mu Chi had turned to look at him a few times, but he hadn’t noticed.

“Sorry.” Mu Chi suddenly spoke up. “I’ve let you down again.”

“No, it’s fine.” Song Wenzhou smiled, though he wasn’t sure it really looked like a smile. “Didn’t you actually come back? Even if you’re leaving right away.”

“I meant…” Mu Chi hesitated, his words trailing off.

What was he going to say? It seemed like he had “lied” to Song Wenzhou many times.

He had promised that he wouldn’t change his deskmate for the next two years, that he wouldn’t go abroad, and that he had something very important to tell Song Wenzhou in person…

Now, he couldn’t do any of it.

Mu Chi squeezed the clothes in his hands and repeated, “Sorry.”

Song Wenzhou suddenly turned his head away. He had initially felt fine, if he were in Mu Chi’s shoes, he too would have chosen to stay in the UK to study and be closer to his grandmother. But Mu Chi kept apologizing over and over, which was making him extremely annoyed.

The dormitory fell silent again, and at this moment, Song Wenzhou’s stomach let out a loud, untimely growl.

Only then did Mu Chi realize that Song Wenzhou had run back right after school. “Why didn’t you eat?”

Song Wenzhou didn’t answer, feeling somewhat absurd. He thought: I’ll fast.

“You should go eat,” Mu Chi urged again.

“I don’t want to go,” Song Wenzhou closed his eyes, too lazy to move.

“Your stomach isn’t well, and yet you’re not eating properly,” Mu Chi said anxiously. “Even if you’re angry, you shouldn’t joke with your health.”

“I’m not angry,” Song Wenzhou replied weakly. He just didn’t feel like moving, wanting to wait a little longer before going.

“Then don’t be willful,” Mu Chi frowned. “When I’m not around…”

“Why am I being willful?” Song Wenzhou was utterly frustrated and blurted out, “What’s wrong with not wanting to eat? And anyway, you’re leaving, so what does it matter to you whether my stomach is good or not?”

Mu Chi froze for a moment, his body stiffened, and his mouth opened but no sound came out.

After Song Wenzhou spoke, he realized his tone had been too harsh. But the words were already out, and it wasn’t like he could take them back. Besides, it was the truth. Saying it even made him feel a little better, as if it was better out than kept inside.

Song Wenzhou turned his head away, not looking at Mu Chi. He and Mu Chi really had no deep connection, at most, Mu Chi had helped him a few times. Anyway, after today, they would be thousands of kilometers apart, and maybe after some time, they wouldn’t even keep in touch anymore. There was no need for too much attachment.

Mu Chi stood still for a while before walking away. Song Wenzhou heard him on the phone, asking Qi Ling to bring him a meal.

After that, neither of them spoke again. Song Wenzhou kept pressing his palm against his hand, knowing that it would be best for him to leave the dorm, but his body felt glued to the bed, unwilling to move.

Soon, Qi Ling and Zhang Feiyu returned to the dorm together. Following Mu Chi’s gesture, Qi Ling handed the meal to Song Wenzhou.

Song Wenzhou softly thanked him, and Qi Ling waved it off and moved to Mu Chi’s side.

“Brother Chi, I’m really going to miss you,” Qi Ling said, straightforwardly expressing his feelings. “Will you come back in the future?”

Mu Chi had missed too many promises and didn’t dare make any certain statements. He answered, “I’m not sure.”

“Ugh—” Qi Ling groaned. “Once you leave, we’re going to lose so much fun.”

Mu Chi smiled faintly, chatting casually with him. Even Zhang Feiyu joined in with a few words like “take care.” Only Song Wenzhou sat by himself, silently eating the meal that Qi Ling brought, not saying a word.

Mu Chi occasionally stole a glance at Song Wenzhou but didn’t approach him again.

After finishing packing his things, Mu Chi handed his meal card to Qi Ling. “There’s still some money on it. Tomorrow, buy eggs for them and share it.”

“Why eggs, and not something else?” Qi Ling asked, confused.

Mu Chi gave a self-deprecating smile. “Because I lost a bet last semester.”

He had bet that he would sit at the same desk with Song Wenzhou for two years. But it had only been one semester, and perhaps he and the term ‘deskmate’ were just not meant to be. He didn’t deserve it.

Song Wenzhou angrily closed the lunchbox, threw it hard into the trash can, and opened the balcony door before heading to the bathroom.

Mu Chi looked away from the bathroom door, lowered his voice, and said to Qi Ling, “Xiao Qilin, take good care of my deskmate from now on. When you get married, I’ll bring a big gift for you.”

Qi Ling didn’t think anything was wrong, his face full of reluctance mixed with anticipation. “You said it! I’ll take good care of Song Wenzhou. When I get married, you must come back with a big gift.”

Mu Chi raised an eyebrow. “Definitely.”

Song Wenzhou stood frozen in the bathroom for a while. When he came out, Mu Chi was already pushing his suitcase, preparing to leave.

Qi Ling followed closely behind, cheerfully greeting Song Wenzhou, “We’re sending Brother Chi off. Do you want to come with us?”

Song Wenzhou felt a little panicked, just about to nod when Mu Chi quickly spoke up, “I don’t have much luggage. No need for so many people to send me off.”

“True,” Qi Ling said. “Then you stay in the dorm to rest. You seem to nap every day.”

Song Wenzhou pressed his lips together tightly, his body stiff as he watched Mu Chi and the others leave the dorm.

He was very angry. He had imagined this scene before, but never thought the atmosphere would turn so awkward because of him. Perhaps in Mu Chi’s final impression, he would be seen as selfish and petty.

Thinking of this, Song Wenzhou turned and leaned on the balcony railing. He remembered that they could see the main road leading out of the school from their dorm.

After waiting for a few minutes, Mu Chi’s figure indeed appeared in his sight. Qi Ling had taken Mu Chi’s suitcase, leaving his hands free, occasionally turning to chat with Qi Ling and Zhang Feiyu.

Song Wenzhou stared at that slowly fading figure without blinking. Just as Mu Chi was about to disappear from his view, it seemed like he sensed something. He turned around from a distance and looked over, their gazes meeting in the air.

The distance was too far, and Song Wenzhou couldn’t clearly see Mu Chi’s expression, but he vaguely felt that Mu Chi smiled at him.

For a long time after that, Song Wenzhou clearly remembered the last moment of looking at Mu Chi before parting.