Times of Our Lives - Chapter 3

After the mid-term exams, the weather quickly turned cold. Xie Meng got up at six to get milk for his grandmother. While waiting for the water to boil, he practiced a set of martial arts punches. Just as he was about to finish, a sudden strike interrupted him. Xie Meng took a few steps back, parried, and continued. Within a minute or two, they had exchanged more than ten moves.

 

“Watch your legs!” Zhang Luojun ducked low, her footwork quick and precise. Xie Meng bent his knee to block, barely avoiding a critical hit.

 

“Grandma,” Xie Meng said helplessly, “how many times have I told you not to use your legs? You’re not young anymore.”

 

Zhang Luojun, dressed in a martial arts outfit, had clearly just finished her practice. Despite her age, she was still full of energy.

 

“What?” Zhang Luojun glanced at her grandson and smiled. “Are you saying this old lady is slow?”

 

Xie Meng sighed, “You know I don’t mean that.”

 

Zhang Luojun snorted, “I trained your master, you know.”

 

“Yes, yes,” Xie Meng replied, heading to the kitchen for the milk. As he walked away, he didn’t forget to flatter her, “You’re not just my grandma, you’re my grandmaster. Is that good enough?”

 

Zhang Luojun laughed, cursing Xie Meng affectionately.

 

The mid-term exam scores were still posted on the blackboard, showing only the top 20. Xie Meng was at the top, and surprisingly, Ji Qinyang was in the top five. Despite his abysmal scores in four science subjects, his near-perfect scores in the other five subjects dazzled everyone.

 

Ji Qinyang’s name hung lightly in fifth place, but it seemed to glow, shining brightly amidst a sea of flowers.

 

Zhang Ganggang looked on enviously, “Even his weaknesses are so high-profile…”

 

Xie Meng didn’t respond. He rubbed Zhang Ganggang’s head, then turned to see Ji Qinyang leaning against the classroom door, looking at him. The boy seemed to have grown taller, his features delicate and striking, with a lazy, amused expression.

 

After a moment of eye contact, Xie Meng looked down, discreetly breaking the gaze.

 

Qi Fei arrived late and, seeing Ji Qinyang, asked casually, “Why are you so early lately?”

 

“Came with someone else,” Ji Qinyang replied with a yawn, his tone indifferent. He subconsciously glanced at the front row, where Xie Meng, wearing a khaki sweater, sat. His dark hair had grown out, covering half of his pale neck. Xie Meng seemed to be very afraid of the cold, with his sleeves pulled down over his hands, only his fingers peeking out as he wrote.

 

Qi Fei followed his gaze, “What’s up with Xie Meng?”

 

Ji Qinyang lifted his chin, “He’s pretty tall.”

 

“Is he?” Qi Fei didn’t quite believe it. He cupped his hands around his mouth and called softly, “Xie Meng—”

 

After a moment, Xie Meng finally looked back. He glanced at Ji Qinyang first, then at Qi Fei, full of confusion.

 

The teacher had already arrived, so Qi Fei didn’t dare speak loudly. He continued in a whisper, “How—tall—are you?”

 

Xie Meng frowned slightly, as if processing Qi Fei’s question. Qi Fei worried he didn’t understand and mimed height with his hand.

 

“…” Xie Meng made a three-digit hand gesture. His movement was too quick for Qi Fei to catch, so he was about to ask Xie Meng to repeat it when Ji Qinyang pointed to himself.

 

Ji Qinyang: “…”

 

Xie Meng raised an eyebrow, miming a shooting gesture: “…”

 

Ji Qinyang nodded, curving his index finger in a hook gesture.

 

Xie Meng hesitated, then waved his hand just as the teacher looked over. He had to turn back to his work, leaving Ji Qinyang unsatisfied.

 

Qi Fei: “…”

 

“What were you even talking about?! Why don’t I understand any of it?”

 

Despite this brief guessing game, Xie Meng and Ji Qinyang’s relationship didn’t suddenly warm up. After all, they were worlds apart in terms of appearance and social circles. One played basketball after school, while the other did homework. Their paths rarely crossed.

 

After one game, Qi Fei saw the class flower from Class 5 waiting by the court.

 

“Well, well,” Qi Fei passed the ball to Ji Qinyang, “when did you hook up with her?”

 

Ji Qinyang dodged an opponent and casually scored a three-pointer. He glanced at the sidelines and smiled, “I forgot.”

 

Qi Fei scoffed, scanning the crowd but not seeing Yin Luoxue.

 

Ji Qinyang clearly knew who Qi Fei was looking for. He jabbed him with an elbow, mockingly saying, “Looking for drama?”

 

Qi Fei obediently mimed zipping his lips. Having been friends with Ji Qinyang for years, he knew that while Ji Qinyang usually had a good temper, touching his sore spot could bring serious trouble.

 

The class flower from Class 5 was named Sun Tian. Unlike the mature, sophisticated Yin Luoxue, she was sweet and cute, just like her name.

 

After Ji Qinyang finished his game, Sun Tian obediently handed him a bottle of water.

 

“Thanks.” Ji Qinyang smiled, opening the bottle. He casually slung his arm over her shoulder, his movements practiced and familiar.

 

Sun Tian’s face turned a bit red as many girls on the sidelines watched Ji Qinyang, their scrutinizing glances inevitably landing on her.

 

“Today,” Sun Tian casually mentioned, “I ran into Yin Luoxue.”

 

“Mm.” Ji Qinyang’s expression remained calm, his tone unruffled.

 

Sun Tian knew that his “mm” meant “I know,” but she still felt a bit unsatisfied. “Are you still friends with her?”

 

Ji Qinyang glanced down at her, his tone cold, “Not really.”

 

Sun Tian finally smiled, tilting her head adorably, “What don’t you like about her?”

 

“Hmm…” Ji Qinyang thought for a moment, “I like girls who are more obedient.” He squeezed Sun Tian’s hand, “Like you.”

 

As they approached the school gate, Sun Tian suddenly realized she had left something in the classroom. Ji Qinyang suggested that if it wasn’t important, she shouldn’t bother retrieving it.

 

“It’s my homework,” Sun Tian said, annoyed. She pouted and playfully shook Ji Qinyang’s arm, “Will you come with me to get it?”

 

Ji Qinyang smiled, “It’s not appropriate for me to go to your class.”

 

Sun Tian pouted but eventually, seeing Ji Qinyang wasn’t budging, reluctantly went back to get it.

 

Ji Qinyang, with nothing to do, walked leisurely towards the gate, hands in his pockets. Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure not far away. He paused slightly, noticing that the two people had not seen him.

 

“I’m not blaming you,” a boy’s voice said with a hint of helplessness, “The situation back then was indeed awkward.”

 

Xie Meng hadn’t expected to be stopped by Lin Weixin at the school gate after class. He hadn’t told any of his middle school classmates about transferring to W High and had no idea how long it took her to find him.

 

“Then why didn’t you go to S High?” Lin Weixin’s emotions gradually became agitated, her eyes reddening, “You’re still blaming me…us. Your grades were good enough…”

 

“I really didn’t pass the exam,” Xie Meng interrupted her gently, his voice soft but firm, “I was one point short. You can check the score report. Do you think I’d lie to you?”

 

Lin Weixin didn’t respond. From Ji Qinyang’s angle, he could vaguely see her hugging Xie Meng, sobbing intermittently while the boy whispered comforting words.

 

Eventually, Lin Weixin left. Xie Meng watched her back with a long sigh, and when he turned around, he met Ji Qinyang’s gaze.

 

Ignoring Xie Meng’s surprised and nervous expression, Ji Qinyang casually waved, “Hey.”

 

“…” Xie Meng opened his mouth.

 

Ji Qinyang: “Is she your girlfriend?”

 

Xie Meng gave a bitter smile, “Not anymore.”

 

“Oh.” Ji Qinyang seemed to want to ask more but was interrupted by Sun Tian calling his name from a distance.

 

For a brief moment, Ji Qinyang’s expression showed a trace of annoyance and frustration at being interrupted. He stared at Xie Meng’s face, his brows slightly furrowed.

 

This time, Xie Meng genuinely smiled. He pointed behind Ji Qinyang, “Your girlfriend is calling you.”

 

Ji Qinyang sighed, not wanting to talk, “Yeah.”

 

Xie Meng watched him and chuckled softly.

 

“Ji Qinyang,” he waved, “see you tomorrow.”

 

Xie Meng rarely smiled. It wasn’t that he was particularly serious, but it was just his habit. Most of the time, he kept his head down, reading or doing homework, his handsome face like a silent quartz stone. But today, he had smiled at Ji Qinyang twice, leaving the latter thinking about those two smiles on his way home.

 

Like snowflakes drifting under the streetlights on a winter night, the world was dark, but only that patch of white snow was clear, cold yet gentle.

 

When Lin Weixin came looking for him again, Xie Meng realized she wouldn’t be easily dismissed. He watched the girl blocking the school gate, refusing to leave, with a sense of helplessness.

 

“The final exams are coming up soon. Don’t you need to study?”

 

Lin Weixin stubbornly said, “You study with me.”

 

Xie Meng: “We’re not even at the same school, the key topics are different. How can we study together?”

 

Lin Weixin remained silent. Xie Meng rubbed his forehead, staying quiet for a moment before speaking again, “You know my reputation at your school. Don’t get too close to me.”

 

“Those are all lies! I know I was wrong. Can’t you forgive me just once?!” Lin Weixin suddenly exploded, crying and choking up, “You’re still blaming me… I was so scared too… my own boyfriend might be gay…”

 

Lin Weixin abruptly covered her mouth.

 

Xie Meng looked down at her expressionlessly for a long time before speaking slowly, “You know I’m not. You could have stood up and proven it, but you didn’t.”

 

Lin Weixin shook her head desperately, trying to reach out and grab Xie Meng’s sleeve, but he avoided her.

 

“You’re just like them,” Xie Meng said coldly, “You’d rather believe a few photos than believe me.”

 

When Zhang Ganggang got home, the first thing he did was turn on his computer. After logging into QQ, he spread out his papers and started doing homework. Today, the S High group chat was particularly lively. Zhang Ganggang originally didn’t care until he saw a familiar name.

 

“Xie Meng? That Xie Meng?” [Experimental Class – Li]: “Wasn’t he famous in middle school? Everyone in high school knows him. Apparently, he was in a gay relationship with a male teacher.”

 

[Experimental Class – S]: “I know him too. He was famous on the school BBS. Top student in the middle school, excellent grades.”

 

[Graduating Class – A]: “He’s really handsome, that’s true. As for excellent grades… with a gay relationship with a male teacher, exam answers would be at his fingertips. If he was really that good, why did he fail the high school entrance exam?”

 

Zhang Ganggang’s initial shock turned to anger. By the time he read the last comment, his face was red with rage. He threw his papers aside and furiously typed on the keyboard, “Xie Meng would never cheat for answers! He’s so brilliant! He can score well without any help!”

 

[Graduating Class – A]: “…Who are you? Acting like you know him well.”

 

Zhang Ganggang: “I’m his friend! I spend every day with him! You don’t know him at all, so why are you talking bad about him?!”

 

[Experimental Class – S]: “Tsk tsk, listen to that. Spending every day with a gay guy~ I heard he transferred to W High, right? So, you must be from W High too?”

 

Zhang Ganggang froze in front of the computer.

 

[Graduating Class – A]: “Why are there people from W High in the S High group? Can we stop letting random people in?”

 

Zhang Ganggang didn’t read any further. He logged off QQ, shut down his computer, and went straight to bed, curling up tightly under the covers. He was still angry, but mostly he felt a deep sense of grievance. Upon reflection, he wasn’t sure if it was more for Xie Meng or for himself.

 

When his phone’s notification beeped, Zhang Ganggang was still wallowing in his emotions. He hesitated for a while before checking the message.

 

Rou Rou Baby: “I saw the chat log. I’ve kicked those people out. It’s not your fault, don’t be upset.”

 

Zhang Ganggang felt a bit better and replied, “Can I call you?”

 

After a long time, she replied, “My parents are home… it’s not convenient. I’m sorry.”

 

Hearing his goddess apologize, Zhang Ganggang panicked and felt guilty, “It’s my fault! My fault! You’re so good, your family must be strict… I’m too demanding qaq”

 

Rou Rou Baby: “Don’t say that. You’re great.”

 

A while later, she sent another message: “I miss you so much today. Do you miss me?”

 

Zhang Ganggang blushed. After being together for a while, he felt that Rou Rou wasn’t like other girls, who were more reserved. Despite being the boyfriend, she was much more proactive… Zhang Ganggang silently reflected on this. After replying to her message, he crawled out of bed, opened his diary hidden in the drawer, and carefully copied down the message.

 

A few days before the final exams, Suzhou city welcomed the first snowfall of winter. Maitreya Buddha was still explaining the last few big questions from the previous mock test, but several students sitting by the window were already starting to get restless.

 

Wu Xiaomei was the first to shout, “Wow, it’s snowing heavily!”

 

Maitreya Buddha wasn’t angry, “I know, I know! We’re almost done! I’ll let you out to play soon!”

 

The students laughed, and even Xie Meng couldn’t help but turn to look out the window.

 

Against the dark blue backdrop, snowflakes danced in the air, falling on the holly tree in front of the classroom.

 

Through the glass reflection, Xie Meng saw Ji Qinyang. Their eyes met, and for once, Xie Meng didn’t look away first. The snow silently accumulated on the window ledge, gradually blurring the other’s expression.

 

“Maitreya Buddha” is a humorous and respectful nickname or pseudonym used for a teacher. It’s not a literal reference to the actual Maitreya Buddha from Buddhist teachings but rather a playful way to refer to a teacher, possibly implying wisdom or a calm demeanor akin to a Buddha figure. In Chinese literature, such playful nicknames are sometimes used to add flavor or cultural context to the characters and scenes depicted.