Chapter 42

Her movements were not obvious, but Zhong Xing still noticed. He lowered his head and asked Jiang Jiang, “Is your foot hurting?”

Jiang Jiang shook her head. “No… The shoe sole has come unstuck. I’ll just glue it back when I get home.”

Zhong Xing glanced at the uneven gravel path in front of them and suddenly squatted down. “I’ll carry you back.”

“No, no, it’s fine.”

“Get on.” Zhong Xing spoke in a low voice.

“Alright then.” Since Zhong Xing insisted, Jiang Jiang no longer refused. She climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

His back was broad, and his steps were steady.

The young man’s slender neck appeared fair and translucent in the moonlight, with clear veins running beneath the skin.

Suddenly, she recalled the night of the avalanche in the village when Zhong Xing had carried her through the heavy darkness like this.

Jiang Jiang watched the sweat glistening on the young man’s forehead, unable to hold back a soft whisper, “Thank you, Brother Zhong Xing.”

The next morning, Jiang Jiang headed straight for the county high school basketball court. Today, she wore a light summer outfit, her hair tied up in a high ponytail. He Guijuan had even used a thin ribbon to tie a bow at the base of her ponytail, with extra ribbon cascading down, making her look lively and bright. Many people gathered around, young and old, and officials responsible for the match. Through the crowd, she spotted Zhong Xing next to the basketball court.

It was not yet their turn to play, and a group of teammates was discussing strategies.

“Brother Zhong Xing!” She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted towards them, “Go for it!”

Perhaps hearing her voice, Jiang Jiang saw Zhong Xing smile at her from within the crowd.

About two minutes later, Chen Shi walked over and led Jiang Jiang to their resting area.

The whistle for their entry blew, and Jiang Jiang watched as they took the court in succession. Their opponents were the youth basketball team from Chengguan Commune.

On the court, Zhong Xing was undoubtedly a dazzling presence. With a swift turn, he made a three-point shot, igniting a burst of intense applause and cheers from the crowd.

“Go, Zhong Xing! Go, Zhong Xing!” Jiang Jiang shouted at the top of her lungs, her neck turning red.

The whistle for halftime sounded. Zhong Xing brought Jiang Jiang a cup of water and said, somewhat amused, “Jiang Jiang, you need to save your voice; don’t shout too hard.”

“Drink some water to soothe your throat.” He handed her the water.

Listening to his words, Jiang Jiang took a sip, and indeed, her throat felt much better.

“Jiang Jiang, you’re being so biased! You’re only cheering for your Brother Zhong Xing. You completely ignore Brother Hangyuan and Brother Chen Shi!” Yu Hangyuan sat down beside her, panting and looking mischievous.

“Right! Even though we’re not as good as your Brother Zhong Xing, we’re not bad either. Didn’t you see how well we worked together?”

Jiang Jiang’s face turned red, and she nearly choked on the water.

Zhong Xing came to her rescue, saying, “Don’t tease her; let’s discuss who will go on next.”

“Okay.”

During halftime, the opposing commune made significant adjustments to their lineup. The newly replaced main players were clearly more skilled, and when they returned to the court, their offense was noticeably more aggressive than in the first half, putting the Luling Commune team at a disadvantage.

Chengguan Commune kept scoring, and the teammates from Luling Commune became increasingly restless, often falling for traps. By the first half’s end, the score gap between Luling Commune and Chengguan Commune had narrowed significantly, with Chengguan’s points surpassing those of Luling.

As the game progressed, the cheers for Luling Commune began to fade among the spectators.

The competition became increasingly intense.

Both teams were at a stalemate, with Chengguan Commune shifting to defense. They only needed to maintain their current score to win.

Jiang Jiang held her cup and watched the players in the crowd, growing tense.

Suddenly, a perfect shot broke the deadlock.

Jiang Jiang turned to look in the direction of the basket.

Under the sunlight, the young man moved swiftly, sweating profusely.

This basket instantly ignited the team’s fighting spirit, giving them hope for victory. The previously subdued spectators also became excited, letting out joyful screams.

The players began to coordinate a counterattack with Zhong Xing.

In the final three minutes, the score was tied.

The referee’s whistle blew, signaling the end of the game.

Luling Commune won by a margin of three points.

At the moment the referee announced Luling Commune’s victory, a sudden downpour began. The crowd scattered, rushing to find shelter from the rain, leaving only the players on the court, where they embraced and cheered, celebrating this hard-won victory.

Jiang Jiang stood in place, watching the young people in a frenzy of celebration.

Her heart raced, and her eyes felt a bit moist.

This was their passionate youth.

After the basketball game, Zhong Xing took Jiang Jiang home before returning to his house to shower and change. Although it was a weekend, Lin Youqing and He Guijuan both had duty shifts, leaving Jiang Jiang alone at home.

Jiang Jiang emerged from the bathroom, her hair freshly washed and still damp.

The rain had long since stopped, and a curved rainbow appeared in the distant sky. The flowers in the yard had just been washed clean, with quite a few having fallen to the ground. Jiang Jiang swept them up, fed the old hen some coarse corn, and set a small stool outside to read.

A knock sounded at the door. When Jiang Jiang opened it, she saw that it was Zhong Xing.

He looked as if he had just showered, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, his hair casually tousled.

“Brother Zhong Xing? What brings you here?” Jiang Jiang asked, puzzled, but she stepped aside to let him in. “Come in.”

Zhong Xing glanced around her empty house. “Jiang Jiang, would it be alright to go for a walk?”

“Sure.”

Jiang Jiang closed the door, grabbed the keys, and went out with Zhong Xing.

They had no specific destination, simply wandering along the street. The air carried the fresh scent of rain-soaked earth, and the rain washed the stone path smooth.

Suddenly, Jiang Jiang felt a package pushed into her hand. She looked up at Zhong Xing in surprise.

“I wasn’t sure what to get you for your birthday before, and since your shoes are coming apart, I bought you a new pair. Let’s see if you like them,” Zhong Xing said, ruffling her hair.

Jiang Jiang opened the bag to find a pair of beautiful red leather shoes inside. The deep red color and the smooth texture of the shoe surface showcased exquisite craftsmanship, and the buckles were made of aluminum. The shoes were stunning, reminiscent of a princess’s elegant dancing shoes from a fairy tale. Just one glance made Jiang Jiang fall in love with them wholeheartedly.

Moreover, the feel was entirely different from cloth shoes; holding them, she could tell they would be both lightweight and breathable when worn.

Jiang Jiang opened her mouth in astonishment. “This…”

“Brother Zhong Xing, this is too expensive,” she said, her face scrunching up like a bitter melon.

With a little thought, Jiang Jiang realized how costly the shoes must be.

“I bought them through an acquaintance; they’re not that expensive,” Zhong Xing reassured her. In reality, the price of the shoes was more than his food expenses for two months during high school.

He found a clean stone slab for her to sit on. “Try them on and see if they fit.”

Jiang Jiang hesitated to try on the shoes, but Zhong Xing found it amusing. He took the shoes and squatted down to put them on her feet.

After a few tentative steps, Jiang Jiang was surprised by how soft the shoes were. They didn’t pinch at all; they felt light as if she were walking on air, and they made her feet look even more delicate.

“Do you like them?”

It was impossible to say she didn’t. Looking down at the shoes, she couldn’t help but nod. “I like them.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Jiang Jiang took off the shoes and gently blew away the dust from the soles.

“Why don’t you just wear them?”

Jiang Jiang held the shoes close and, after a long moment, shook her head. “I can’t bear to.”

Zhong Xing accepted her decision.

“Jiang Jiang, actually, there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

“What is it?”

Zhong Xing looked up at the leaves above them and sighed. “I’m leaving Qingjian Province. My father has helped me secure a job at the provincial office. I came to say goodbye to you.”

The news came as a shock to Jiang Jiang, and she stood there for a while, trying to digest what he had just said.

After Zhong Xing delivered the news, he fell silent, and Jiang Jiang didn’t speak either. They continued walking together in silence for a while.

“Brother, your sleeve is fraying. Let me sew it for you,” she finally said.

Zhong Xing glanced at the frayed sleeve and nodded. He asked Jiang Jiang to stand on a nearby stone pedestal while he bent down to let her work on it.

Jiang Jiang had been learning to sew for some time now. Since she picked up the skill, she always carried a needle and thread with her. With the summer mosquitoes buzzing around, He Guijuan had made her a mosquito-repelling sachet, and Jiang Jiang kept her needle and thread in it.

“It’s done,” she announced, biting off the excess thread with her teeth and then looking up at him.

Now, she understood how Zhong Xing and the others felt during their meal together.

Jiang Jiang knew that Zhong Xing wouldn’t stay in Qingjian Province forever. She genuinely felt happy for him but found it hard to part with him.

No one else would carry her through the dark thorns and take her home.

“Brother Zhong Xing, you must remember to write to me after you leave Qingjian Province.”

“Once I settle down over there, I’ll write to you with my address. You can write to me about anything.”

Jiang Jiang tried her best to project a positive attitude. “Brother Zhong Xing, take care of yourself when you’re out there. Don’t just focus on shining and making a name for yourself; your health is the foundation for everything…”

She tugged at the corners of her mouth, her eyes feeling a bit misty. “Don’t forget me.”

Zhong Xing reached out and embraced her, his voice slightly choked. “Jiang Jiang, I won’t forget you. You will always be my little sister.”

 Chapter 42

The year was 1982, and Jiang Jiang had graduated from the county elementary school. In September, when school started, she would officially become a middle school student.

Jiang Jiang wore a white outfit, her hair simply tied back with a hair tie, giving her a youthful and radiant appearance. She carried a slanted canvas bag on her shoulder, and the sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting a delicate light on her face, creating a beauty that made one want to hold their breath.

At eleven years old, Jiang Jiang had already blossomed into a remarkably pretty girl.

As she walked, Jiang Jiang pondered how to alter the dress she had just tried on to make it fit better. Over the past few years, she had been learning sewing from Master Yang, diligently attending lessons without fail through both the cold winters and the hot summers. Even her guardians, Lin Youqing and He Guijuan had not expected her to persist for so long. In the first two or three years, Jiang Jiang had merely helped Master Yang with menial tasks, but it was only in the past couple of years that she had begun to genuinely learn how to make clothes.

The sides of the path were lined with many bougainvillea, which were in full bloom at that time. The bougainvillea competed with one another to blossom, attracting numerous butterflies that fluttered among the flowers, exuding a faint fragrance. It felt like a gentle breeze, softly caressing the faces of passersby, bringing an incredible sense of comfort and pleasure.

The setting sun’s afterglow streamed through the leaves, highlighting the magnificence of the midsummer afternoon.

Today was the day the county middle school opened for the new school year.

For her, there was not much difference between elementary and middle school. Jiang Jiang had not applied to stay in the school dormitory; she would still live at home as before. However, she no longer had to bring her lunch in middle school. The school cafeteria provided lunch, and at the beginning of each month, she would pay for her meals in order to eat at the cafeteria.

Jiang Jiang went alone to report to the county middle school, a request she had made herself. Lin Youqing and He Guijuan both had duties that day and taking leave to accompany her to school was not feasible. Besides, since the second grade, most of her classmates’ parents no longer accompanied them in the enrollment process. Only her parents had accompanied her to school for each new term.

Sometimes, He Guijuan took Jiang Jiang to school; other times, it was Lin Youqing, and there were occasions when both of them accompanied her. However, This year, she wanted to try going to school alone.

After passing through the bustling market and crossing the wheat fields, Jiang Jiang arrived at the county middle school. The school comprised a series of stone kiln caves arranged at varying heights. In the playground stood an ancient banyan tree, which had no doubt stood for hundreds of years. Every summer, the banyan tree provided a vast shade for the students, who would read, play, and grow beneath its expansive branches.

When Jiang Jiang entered the classroom, it was already filled with several students. She recognized a few familiar faces—classmates from her time at the county elementary school. Nearby, a group of girls gathered together, chatting animatedly.

As soon as Jiang Jiang walked in, the classroom fell silent, all eyes turning to her. The gazes were scrutinizing, some perhaps even judging.

Jiang Jiang chose a spot to sit down and casually glanced around, noticing that the girl who had been at the center of the crowd earlier was also looking at her.

Jiang Jiang paused, surprised to find that she and Fengyin had been placed in the same class.

Over the years, Jiang Jiang had had occasional interactions with Fengyin, but Fengyin had never hidden her disdain for her. Even when she spoke to Jiang Jiang, it was always with ulterior motives and devoid of sincerity, which was why Jiang Jiang disliked her and had no intention of engaging in conversation.

Fengyin furrowed her brow, detesting the feeling of being upstaged by someone else when she thought the attention should be on her.

She loathed this interloper who had taken away what should have been hers, now appearing so poised and youthful, exuding sweetness.

Fengyin glanced at Jiang Jiang’s stylish outfit and then at her own floral dress. Although it was also new, it had an undeniable sense of rusticity that she could not shake off.

“Is she Jiang Jiang from Lin?” a girl nearby asked.

“I heard she’s the top student in this year’s elementary to middle school entrance exams,” another girl replied.

After school, Chen Qianan had wanted Jiang Jiang to come to her house to eat taro cake. They had become very good friends, but Jiang Jiang, preoccupied with her thoughts, declined Chen Qianan’s invitation.

When Lin Youqing returned home from work, he saw his daughter walking along the road with a backpack, distractedly kicking a pebble as she looked down, seeming very lost in thought.

“Jiang Jiang,” he called out.

Jiang Jiang looked up and saw it was Lin Youqing. She responded, “Dad.”

“What’s wrong? You look troubled,” Lin Youqing said, ruffling his daughter’s hair. “Your mom is on night duty today and won’t be home for a while. Let’s go out and grab a bite to eat.”

Jiang Jiang thought for a moment and nodded, “Okay.”

The two of them arrived at a small restaurant in the market. The place was about twenty square meters, furnished with three or five wooden tables and chairs. The menu featured home-cooked dishes such as garlic pork, stir-fried cabbage, fried meatballs, and braised pork ribs. The owners were a middle-aged couple who worked efficiently.

Lin Youqing ordered two small dishes and asked for two servings of rice. The owner also brought them two bowls of duck blood soup.

“How was the first day of school?” Lin Youqing asked.

“Well, it’s a new environment, but I didn’t feel out of place. I’m in the same class as Fengyin.” Jiang Jiang replied.

“Are you unhappy today because you don’t want to be in the same class as Fengyin?” Lin Youqing asked, knowing that Fengyin often schemed against Jiang Jiang. It was normal for Jiang Jiang not to want to be in the same class as her.

“No, I’m not unhappy. I’ve been thinking about Sister Fengzhen. She graduated from middle school and said she doesn’t want to continue her studies. I hope she does because you and Mom always say that education is the way to success in life. But then I wonder if it’s inappropriate for me to impose my thoughts on her. She clearly said she doesn’t want to study anymore, and maybe studying really is something that makes her unhappy,” Jiang Jiang explained.

Fengzhen had performed decently in her entrance exams;. However, her grades weren’t top-notch, she had been accepted into the county high school. High school started a month later than middle school, but Fengzhen showed no interest in continuing her studies.

Lin Youqing hadn’t expected his daughter to be worried about Fengzhen. He had heard from his wife that Jiang Jiang had spoken with Fengzhen a few times, and Fengzhen had firmly stated she did not wish to continue her education. Lin Youqing had been busy with other matters and hadn’t had the chance to seriously talk to his niece about it. While considering his niece’s situation, he couldn’t help but admire how soft-hearted his daughter was.

Taking a sip of the duck blood soup, Lin Youqing pondered for a moment. “How about this? You write a letter inviting Fengzhen to come to the county in a couple of days. I’ll talk to her then. At the very least, she should understand the pros and cons of her decision.”

“Really? Dad, Sister Fengzhen will definitely listen to you. She respects you a lot,” Jiang Jiang said excitedly.

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll write it as soon as we get back!”

“Let’s eat first.” Lin Youqing handed a pair of clean chopsticks to his daughter. “I ordered all your favorite dishes.”

Jiang Jiang took the chopsticks, looking at the sweet and sour pork ribs and the potato slices on the table, both of which she enjoyed. She couldn’t help but nod enthusiastically. “Dad, you eat too.”