Times of Our Lives - Chapter 12

September 1st was a big day for students. Sophomores became seniors, freshmen became sophomores, and a new batch of freshmen joined the school.

 

Early in the morning, Qi Fei looked down from the second-floor corridor. Zhang Ganggang had already made several trips back and forth carrying books when he noticed Qi Fei was still there.

 

“What are you looking at?” Zhang Ganggang leaned over.

 

Qi Fei hooked his neck, wearing a mysterious expression. “I heard a beautiful girl joined the freshman class. Come on, let’s go check her out together.”

 

Zhang Ganggang scoffed, “So what if there’s a beautiful girl? She probably isn’t as pretty as Rou Rou.”

 

Qi Fei replied, “Come on, your Rou Rou, who knows if she’s a beauty or not. You think she’s a celestial maiden.”

 

Zhang Ganggang’s mind was full of thoughts about Rou Rou, completely ignoring Qi Fei’s teasing. “Did you find that girl yet?”

 

Qi Fei sighed and lamented, “Back in the day, Ji Lao Da could just stand there and any girl would come over…”

 

Zhang Ganggang remained noncommittal. He spotted Xie Meng carrying books and immediately called out, “Xie Meng!”

 

Xie Meng looked up, and Ji Qinyang, walking beside him, also stopped.

 

“Boss!” Qi Fei deliberately spoke loudly. “We’re going to play ball this afternoon!”

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t respond. He turned to Xie Meng and asked, “Are you coming?”

 

Xie Meng nodded and smiled, “It’s been a while since we played together.”

 

The academic pressure in the second year gradually intensified, and many students started targeted tutoring to lay a solid foundation for the next semester’s arts and sciences.

 

Ji Qinyang and Xie Meng didn’t discuss these topics, whether due to indifference or subconscious avoidance.

 

Qi Fei mentioned in private during Chinese class, “I heard today that Xie Meng is going to participate in an academic competition and will be attending supplementary classes with students from other schools soon.”

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. He wore earphones in his left ear, held a pen, and continued writing. While the Chinese teacher analyzed ancient poetry, Ji Qinyang’s paper remained exemplary.

 

Qi Fei sneakily glanced at him. “You’re definitely going for the liberal arts stream, right?”

 

Ji Qinyang neither confirmed nor denied it. His gaze fell on Xie Meng sitting in the front row. The boy’s hair had grown slightly long, exposing a beautifully curved neck as he bowed his head.

 

“Zhang Ganggang wants to study media, so he’s going for liberal arts,” Qi Fei whispered. “As for Zhuo Xiaoyuan, I asked him. If he studies medicine, he’s definitely going for the sciences.”

 

Ji Qinyang’s pen ran out of ink. He forcefully clicked it a few times and then impatiently threw it into his desk.

 

Qi Fei sighed, “Don’t be like this. Even if we’re in different classes, we can still hang out together.”

 

Ji Qinyang remained silent, plugged both ears with earphones. He saw Xie Meng glance back at him, and their eyes met briefly in the air.

 

Ji Qinyang looked away first.

 

“Hmm?” Xie Meng looked at Qi Fei, who innocently shrugged.

 

Xie Meng didn’t refuse the academic competition matter. He found a moment to mention it to Zhang Ganggang.

 

“I wonder if Rou Rou will go,” Zhang Ganggang daydreamed.

 

Xie Meng replied, “If it’s the international class, she should go.” Just then, he noticed Ji Qinyang entering through the front door.

 

“Ji Qinyang.” Xie Meng waved.

 

Ji Qinyang lazily glanced at him, deliberately removed his earphone wire, and asked, “You called me?”

 

Xie Meng chuckled helplessly. “Yeah, I called you.”

 

Ji Qinyang pursed his lips and slowly walked over.

 

“Want to come to my place today?” Xie Meng smiled kindly. “I have something for you.”

 

Zhang Ganggang immediately exclaimed, “I want to come too! I want to come! I haven’t been to your place for so long!”

 

Xie Meng was about to suggest another time when Ji Qinyang suddenly said, “Sure.” He glanced at Xie Meng. “Let’s go together.”

 

Compared to Zhang Ganggang’s excitement, Xie Meng and Ji Qinyang were much quieter on the way. Ji Qinyang propped up his head, fully immersed in listening to music. Occasionally, he tapped out a few beats in rhythm. Xie Meng looked at him several times, but each time was ignored.

 

Even Zhang Ganggang, slow as he was, noticed something was off. He leaned over to Xie Meng and whispered, “Did you and Ji Yimei have a fight?”

 

Xie Meng hesitated for a moment and shook his head.

 

Zhang Ganggang made a knowing expression and patted his shoulder. “Patch things up soon. I’ll create a chance for you guys to be alone later.”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Clearly, Zhang Ganggang had completely forgotten that he had already ruined any chance of privacy for them…

 

In the afternoon, Zhang Xiujun was going to the senior university to study traditional Chinese painting. There was fruit tea and green bean soup in the refrigerator. Xie Meng invited Zhang Ganggang and Ji Qinyang into the house while he went to the kitchen to fetch some cups.

 

The old-fashioned Western-style house had ivy climbing half of the outer wall. The living room was dim, and a breeze brought the dampness of the courtyard soil. Xie Meng’s home was tidy and clean, with two black and white ancestral portraits hanging on the wall and a table displaying fruits and incense burners below.

 

“That’s my parents.” Perhaps to ease any awkwardness, Xie Meng explained proactively. He brought out the tea and was about to hand it over when Ji Qinyang took it from him.

 

“I’ll do it,” Ji Qinyang said softly.

 

Xie Meng paused for a moment, then smiled and said, “Thank you.”

 

The three of them sat down around the Eight Immortals table in the center of the living room. Zhang Ganggang looked at the ancestral portraits and couldn’t help but ask, “Uncle and Aunt… Did something happen?”

 

Xie Meng lit some incense in the censer. “My parents were among the earliest freelance journalists. When I was 6 years old, they went to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone… They passed away during the war.” He looked at Zhang Ganggang. “You like taking photos, right? I have many photos my parents took in my room. Would you like to see them?”

 

Zhang Ganggang certainly wanted to see them, but he didn’t want to trouble Xie Meng, so he quickly said, “You stay seated, I’ll go get them myself.”

 

After giving directions, Xie Meng let Zhang Ganggang rummage through his room, leaving only him and Ji Qinyang in the living room.

 

The scent of incense gradually filled the entire house. Ji Qinyang took a sip of tea, focused on looking at Xie Meng’s face.

 

“… Is there something on my face?” Xie Meng puzzledly rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand, finding nothing dirty.

 

“Oh right.” Suddenly remembering something, Xie Meng said, “I have a gift for you.”

 

Ji Qinyang watched as Xie Meng stood up and retrieved a box from a cupboard behind him.

 

Xie Meng looked somewhat nervous. “I’m going to attend an arcane training course in a few days. It might not be in time to give it to you on your birthday, so I prepared it in advance.”

 

Ji Qinyang unwrapped the outer packaging of the box and found inside a pair of Sony headphones.

 

“I’m not sure which one is better, so I asked around… This model was recommended by the salesperson.” Xie Meng smiled at Ji Qinyang. “But whether it’s good or not, it’s up to you to decide.”

 

Seeing Ji Qinyang’s lack of reaction, Xie Meng continued reluctantly, “Here’s the manual. It can also be used with your MP3 player. I haven’t thrown it away… The warranty period is two years. If you find it uncomfortable to use…” Xie Meng suddenly felt a heat on his lips, and all the remaining words got stuck.

 

Ji Qinyang’s face was close, with long curled eyelashes and a smile in his eyes.

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

“What can you do if you find it uncomfortable?” Before the sensation of their lips meeting was clear, Ji Qinyang had already retreated to a safe distance, as if nothing had happened, and plugged the headphones into his MP3 player.

 

“… Well,” Xie Meng said dryly, “you can probably exchange it based on the receipt.”

 

“Is that so.” Ji Qinyang smiled as he put on the headphones. “But if it’s a gift from you, how could it not be good?”

 

The students attending the arcane training were divided into two classes. One class had only 15 students and trained from 2 PM to 8 PM every day. The progress in the two classes varied; Xie Meng was the only non-S-class student in the advanced class.

 

Han Dong wasn’t surprised when he saw Xie Meng on the first day. “Long time no see.”

 

Xie Meng smiled. “Long time no see.”

 

One by one, former classmates who had been promoted came over to greet him. Xie Meng responded to each one with a reserved expression.

 

“After Lin Hengjing’s matter was handled, the school office seemed to have contacted your grandmother about transferring you,” Han Dong glanced at him. “But they were flatly refused.”

 

Zhang Xiujun had not mentioned this to Xie Meng, but he could imagine his grandmother’s tone at the time.

 

“I’m doing well at W High.” Xie Meng said.

 

Han Dong gave him a disdainful glance. “I’m not blind. I can tell you’re flourishing all over now.”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

After class at 8 PM, Han Dong and Xie Meng exchanged notes. As they discussed the questions and walked out together, they ran into students from the slower class who were also leaving.

 

Lin Weixin stood gracefully at the back door.

 

“Xie Meng.” The girl greeted him proactively, her smile sweet.

 

Han Dong chuckled and nudged Xie Meng’s arm. “You’re quite fortunate with romance.”

 

Xie Meng gave him a helpless glare, then looked down at Lin Weixin. “Aren’t you going back yet?”

 

Lin Weixin casually brushed her long hair that had fallen over her shoulders back and looked at Xie Meng with a hint of moisture in her eyes. “I’m waiting for you… Shall we go back together?”

 

When Xie Meng returned home, it was almost 10 PM. Zhang Xiujun’s door was closed, with the sound of an old-fashioned radio playing Pingtan tunes inside. Xie Meng quietly washed up and returned to his room, but couldn’t sleep for a long time.

 

He turned over and took out the letter Lin Weixin had given him from his bag, sniffing it close and realizing it was scented with perfume.

 

“…,” Xie Meng chuckled bitterly and put the letter back into the bag.

 

There was a cooled cup of water on the table. Xie Meng poured himself a glass, then saw Zhang Xiujun coming out of her room while peeling off a face mask and humming a tune from “Daughters’ Romance”. She startled at the sight of her grandson.

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

“You didn’t even call me when you got back.” Zhang Xiujun complained as she threw away the face mask. “Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?”

 

“I can fix something for myself if I’m hungry. You should go to bed earlier,” Xie Meng urged her.

 

Zhang Xiujun yawned and patted his head. “Alright then, I’ll go to bed. Don’t stay up too late.”

 

Xie Meng nodded. After drinking some water, he thought of Lin Weixin again and his head started to ache.

 

The incense burner in front of his parents’ memorial portraits was almost full of ash. Xie Meng emptied some into the flower seedlings in the courtyard, then lit three sticks of incense and inserted them back.

 

The fragrance of the incense wafted through the air. Xie Meng absentmindedly reached out and touched his lips.

 

There seemed to still be a lingering taste of Ji Qinyang.

 

Since the training started every day at 2 PM, Xie Meng continued attending school during the day as usual. When Zhang Ganggang saw him, his first question was about Rourou.

 

“…,” Xie Meng had completely forgotten about it and apologized, “I forgot to ask today… I’m sorry.”

 

Zhang Ganggang waved it off generously. “It’s okay. Did you bring the photo album?”

 

Since the last time he visited Xie Meng’s home, Zhang Ganggang had been eagerly anticipating seeing the photos taken by Xie Meng’s parents.

 

Xie Meng hadn’t forgotten about that. “I brought it.” He took out the photo album from his bag, along with the letter from Lin Weixin, which Zhang Ganggang promptly snatched away.

 

“You received a love letter and didn’t show me?!” Zhang Ganggang teased. “We’re not brothers anymore!”

 

“…,” Xie Meng felt embarrassed. “It’s not like you think…”

 

Zhang Ganggang held the letter out of his reach and suddenly his hand was empty. When he turned around, he saw Ji Qinyang standing behind him.

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow, wearing the headphones Xie Meng had given him around his neck, and casually waved the piece of paper in his hand. “A love letter?”

 

Xie Meng felt somewhat guilty for no reason. He opened his mouth to deny it. “It’s not…”

 

Ji Qinyang gave a casual “oh.” “Should I throw it away for you?”

 

Xie Meng frowned.

 

Ji Qinyang looked at him for a moment, then placed the letter on the table, his smile fading slightly. “I was just kidding. You should keep it.”

 

In the afternoon, when Xie Meng was organizing his schoolbag, he deliberately took out the letter from Lin Weixin. After some thought, he tucked it into a stack of books inside his desk.

 

Xie Meng took a leave from the PE class. The classroom was empty as he finished packing up. Just as he was about to leave, Ji Qinyang walked in.

 

As soon as their eyes met, Xie Meng instinctively looked away, but his overly deliberate action made it awkward for a moment.

 

“Leaving?” Ji Qinyang greeted naturally.

 

Xie Meng replied with a simple “yeah.” Ji Qinyang’s demeanor was calm, which made Xie Meng relax a bit. He watched as Ji Qinyang put on his headphones and couldn’t help but ask, “Ji Qinyang… How does your family express gratitude?”

 

“?” Ji Qinyang looked puzzled. “Why are you suddenly asking this?”

 

Xie Meng hesitated. “That day… when you kissed me, were you… happy and wanted to thank me?”

 

Ji Qinyang was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “Why would you think that?”

 

Xie Meng: “…?”

 

Ji Qinyang walked up to Xie Meng, took off the headphones, and placed them over Xie Meng’s head. Xie Meng instinctively moved back, but Ji Qinyang grabbed his arm.

 

The unfamiliar yet familiar melody played in the headphones. Xie Meng felt a warmth on his lips, and the world seemed to quiet down, leaving only Ji Qinyang’s singing, like a whisper in his ear.

 

“Your smile is like sand and snow, falling into my heart, slowly, slowly, gradually covering everything between us.”