Auld Lang Syne

(Small Theater) Dolphin ~ Lei

We'd been together for a long time, and I don't know when it started, whether it was when we sat in front of each other, when we became pen pals, or when she gave me the puzzle, or maybe even earlier. From a simple friendship between classmates, it became something more, and along with it, the vague relationship between us became known in the class.

For me, it doesn't matter. Boys, you have to be brave. I will chase away all the opposite sex around her except me. I want to be the only opposite sex who stays by his side, except for close relatives.

So, this is the kind of love we all dream of but don't fully understand. She loves dolphins, and this gift is perfect for her, with her favorite animal print. And it suits me, too. It's a pendant, a pair of blue dolphin crystal pendants.

~~~

Today seems no different, just an ordinary day, but it also seems a little different, as if something is slowly, slowly disappearing bit by bit.

Oh, by the way, the wind is a little bit more biting today.

"Since you've promised, you might as well do it. After all, not everything can be done."

"Squad leader, you are finally here. If you hadn't come, someone would have been worried sick. You didn't say a word the whole time, and your expression was as cold as a dark demon. You don't know, you..." Before Jiang Yiheng finished speaking, he saw the person behind Qi Yue and was stunned for a moment.

When Qi Yue walked into the private room, Lin Lei's expression changed from gloomy to sunny. Then, when he saw Han Muzhe behind Qi Yue, he was surprised, confused, and then incredulous. From beginning to end, Qi Yue never looked directly into Lin Lei's eyes.

"It will be quick. Just sit for a while. It will be over in a moment. After today, we probably won't see each other again. We both need to become better versions of ourselves."

Looking at the awkward situation, Tong Xiaoxiao was the first to break the silence.

"Mu Ze, it's been a long time since we last met. I didn't expect you to show up today. What a surprise! If it weren't for Qi Yue, would I still not be able to see you?"

"Not entirely. I just happened to be back for the Chinese New Year this year, and I saw the notification in the group. I haven't seen my classmates for a long time, so I must be there today to have a drink and chat." After saying that, he looked at Qi Yue beside him.

At noon, Qiyue received a message from Muze wishing her well, and mentioned that he was going to a party that evening. Qiyue had not originally wanted to attend, but when she heard that Muze, whom she had not seen for a long time, was going, she asked him to go with her. At the time, Muze was still surprised. Qiyue rarely took the initiative to invite people out, so this invitation also surprised Muze greatly. This is how the party tonight started.

"Come on, Mu Ze. We're both in the same university and we don't see each other often. Today, you're here with the class monitor and you're late. So, tell me, do you want to drink three cups as punishment for yourself or for the class monitor?"

Lin Lei's tone of voice was not joyful at all, but rather carried obvious aggression. His target was clear, and it was directed at Han Muzhe who had arrived late, because Lin Lei knew that Han Muzhe would definitely not let Qi Yue drink the three glasses of wine as a penalty for being late.

Qi Yue knew that although Lin Lei wanted to punish the two latecomers, he was actually targeting Mu Ze. Furthermore, Lin Lei must have been angry at this moment. Lin Lei always addressed Qi Yue as "leader." Whenever Lin Lei mentioned the word "squad leader," it was clear that something had struck a nerve with him, and he was about to start losing his temper.

Qiyue didn't want to embarrass Mu Ze. After all, according to Mu Ze's temperament, he would try his best to make big things small. And this party, like Qiyue, should be one of the few parties she attended after many years. If the atmosphere of the party became awkward because of Lin Lei's behavior, the situation would not be good. Before Mu Ze could speak, Qiyue was about to stand up, intending to express her apology and drink the three glasses of late wine. Just as she was about to stand up, Mu Ze gently pressed down her shoulder with his hand. Qiyue looked up at Mu Ze. Mu Ze looked at Qiyue with a comforting look, with the corners of his mouth raised, and told Qiyue with his eyes: Don't worry, I am here.

Mu Ze is still the same as before. Qi Yue feels at ease when he is around. I remember when Qi Yue was in school, she had appendicitis and it happened to coincide with the high school entrance examination. She couldn’t have surgery right away, but luckily it wasn’t an acute condition. In the last month, she went to school with an IV drip. Sometimes, during class, she had a stomachache due to appendicitis and had to ask for leave to go home for an injection. As Qi Yue’s deskmate, Mu Ze always quietly packed Qi Yue’s schoolbag and sent it to Qi Yue’s home after school, rain or shine. If it weren’t for Lin Lei who saw her first, perhaps Mu Ze’s company would be the warmest. The order of appearance in life is really important.

"You were my deskmate for three years in junior high school. Even though we haven't seen each other for many years, the friendship between us will always be the most precious in my heart. When I think back on it many years later, it's as warm as a spring breeze. You are still the you in my memory." Looking at the person in front of him, Qi Yue was actually distracted for a moment.

"Since we are late, we have to accept the punishment. I will drink three glasses of wine for Qiyue and me. Don't bother. Just drink this bottle of beer. I'll do it directly." After Han Muzhe finished speaking, he looked at Lin Lei with a meaningful look.

Lin Lei was serious and quickly waved his hands: "No, no, no, you are you, and the squad leader is the squad leader. No matter what the two of us say, it won't be three cups. If you insist on taking my place, then it's not just three cups of wine."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Ze tilted his head and smiled. He picked up the beer on the table and placed three bottles neatly in front of him. He opened them one by one, looked at Lin Lei, and said with a smile: "Since it is a party, we must come with joy and leave with satisfaction." After that, he raised his head and drank the first bottle of beer in front of him.

When Mu Ze drank the second bottle, Qi Yue wanted to stand up again and take the second bottle, but Mu Ze gently pressed her down on the seat again, patted Qi Yue's shoulder gently, took the bottle, and said: "May all your wishes come true, and all your actions be without regrets."

When drinking the last bottle of wine, he said to the classmates present: "Friendship lasts forever." After that, he drank the third bottle of wine in one gulp.

After Mu Ze finished drinking, Qi Yue handed him a glass of warm water and added his favorite dishes to his plate. Lin Lei kept watching the whole time, and all of Qi Yue's actions were under his eyes. However, Qi Yue did not look in Lin Lei's direction at all. Perhaps his gaze was too sharp, and Qi Yue felt uncomfortable. Even if they looked at each other, Qi Yue didn't know what to say, so she simply didn't look at him.

Qi Yue stood up, saying she was going to the bathroom, but in reality, she just wanted some fresh air. The heating in a private room like this in winter was too strong, making it hard to breathe. The moment she stood up, she heard Lin Lei's phone ring. It seemed different from the one she heard yesterday, this time more ambiguous, more like the ringtone of a passionate love affair. A classmate next to her joked, "Your girlfriend is here to check on you!"

Lin Lei glanced at Qi Yue, handed over the phone, and the ringtone disappeared.

Mu Ze glanced at Qi Yue, turned his head and said nothing.

Qi Yue got up and went to the bathroom. "Since it's a call from my girlfriend, I should answer it, otherwise she'll worry about me. It's great to have a girlfriend. Bless you, bless you with everything."

In the bathroom sink, Qi Yue faced the mirror, washing her hands with a lot of thoughts in her mind.

"Chinese New Year is tomorrow. Time flies so fast. It's been six years since I graduated from junior high school, and I still feel so close to seeing everyone. Starting tomorrow, I probably won't see you again. In fact, there was no need to see you in the first place. Let the past be the past. Why force the past to become the present? No one said that we have to keep the past emotions going. People will change, and emotions are the most uncontrollable. Yes, be firm, move forward, don't look back, spend more time with your parents starting tomorrow. Life is already full of surprises, so there is no need to worry about other things." After finishing tidying up, he turned and walked out of the bathroom. Because he was absent-minded, he turned his head and met a figure at the corner.

"Leader, I have something to tell you. Come out with me for a moment."

Qi Yue broke free from Lin Lei's hand and said, "Let's go back and talk. The students must have been waiting for a long time."

"Leader, why did you come here with Han Muze? When did you get in touch? I heard from Xiaoxiao that you haven't seen each other for a long time."

"Lin Lei, Lin Lei, after so many years, the three words "Han Muzhe" can really trigger your nerve switches accurately. Even if he is an imaginary enemy, you can't remember him for long, let alone he is from the same university. You are classmates in junior high school, high school, and university. But you two are the only ones in the world who don't talk when you meet." Qi Yue looked at Lin Lei coldly without saying a word.

Qi Yue looked away and said, "Is there anything else? If not, let's go back. We've been out for a while."

"Leader, why after all these years, you still only say a few words to me when you see me? You still want to avoid me. Why can't you stay with me for a while longer? Why can't you listen to me? A lot of time has passed, and there is not much time left. I thought I had made it very clear yesterday, but why are you still like this? Yes, you are always like this. You feel so close to me, but when I reach out to grab you, you are so far away. What do I need to do for you to understand?"

Qi Yue looked at Lin Lei's anxious and angry expression, with mixed feelings in her heart. However, Qi Yue now had no courage, and she didn't know what kind of changes would happen in the future. It was her own business, and there was really no need to tell him. Moreover, she didn't know what to say.

Just when the two were in a stalemate, Lin Lei's cell phone rang again. Lin Lei's body obviously stiffened. Qi Yue accurately captured this body movement. It seems that there is still a certain degree of tacit understanding between them.

"Forget it. In Lin Lei's eyes, I'm not someone who keeps my promises. You could say there's no integrity between us. We're both liars in each other's eyes. Promises without trust are cheap. Now, his passionate and expectant eyes are probably both real and fake. So let it be. It's the only way."

Qi Yue put on a casual, nonchalant demeanor and said in a coquettish tone, "The coursework is really tight. You know, art students, once they start designing, it's like they disappear into thin air. How many art students are mentally normal? Okay, it's been a long time, let's go back."

Qi Yue freed her shoulder from Lin Lei's hand like coaxing a child and patted Lin Lei's shoulder.

Lin Lei lowered his head and smiled bitterly, then shook his head with his eyes closed. He gritted his teeth and said, "You still haven't answered me."

After a few seconds of silence, Lin Lei looked up and said, "I'll take you home after we're done." His attitude was firm and his eyes were sharp, as if he wanted to eat Qi Yue, which made Qi Yue's hair stand on end.

"Take me home? Can you?"