"Dongqiang, are you going to see Fang Yu before you go to school?" Fang Damiao pulled Fang Dongqiang aside and asked in a low voice.

"I've seen him at home," Fang Dongqiang said calmly.

"Don't you want to develop the relationship further?" Fang Damiao asked anxiously.

"I'm going to study in another city."

"That's why I asked you to meet her, since you're going to school soon."

"And then?" Fang Dongqiang asked back.

"Then...then..." Fang Damiao hesitated, unable to answer.

"Dad, I know what I'm doing. Don't be like Tingting."

"Oh, I was afraid we'd miss out if you hadn't told me sooner," Fang Damiao muttered.

"We're going over there," Fang Dongqiang said, and then followed Yuan Xinkang and the others home.

Fang Dongqiang took a shower, then lay on the bed shirtless, wearing only shorts. He interlaced his fingers, his arms outstretched like a bird spreading its wings, supporting himself on either side of his body. His head rested on his clasped hands as he stared at the ceiling.

"Knock, knock, knock!" Fang Meili knocked on the door. "Dongqiang, are you asleep?"

"Second Aunt, wait a moment." Fang Dongqiang put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and opened the door.

"Dongqiang, did your dad ask you about Fang Yu again just now?"

"Yes!" Fang Dongqiang nodded. "Second Aunt, did you come to talk about this too?"

“Me,” Fang Meili said, “aren’t you going to ask me to sit down first?”

Fang Dongqiang patted the bed, and then sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed.

"Dongqiang, your second aunt asked you about it last time, and you shared your thoughts. Logically, you shouldn't bring it up again, but some of your father's ideas are correct."

Fang Dong turned his head sharply, "Ah, on which point of view did you reach a consensus?"

Didn't he tell you just now?

"He just told me to meet Fang Yu before the start of the semester. I know what he means. I went to school, and Fang Yu went to work. Our relationship is uncertain right now, and things can change for everyone. We won't be together in the future." Fang Dongqiang knew this very well.

"Dongqiang, you actually understand very well, but your second aunt has some things she wants to say, and she feels uncomfortable if she doesn't say them. So I'll say them, okay?"

"Okay, go ahead."

"Now my second aunt also thinks Fang Yu is quite suitable for you, even though you two are a bit young now."

Fang Dongqiang scratched his head. "Second Aunt, why do you think Fang Yu is suitable for me? I'm still studying and you still have to support me, while she's already working and earning her own money. We're from two different circles now."

"Fang Yu is polite to your mother, and Fang Yu's mother is also good to your mother."

"Oh!" Fang Dongqiang leaned back and crossed his hands above his head. "Of course, that's good. But I think I'll wait until I can earn money myself. Even if I get together with Fang Yu, we live so far apart, I can't take care of her. It's better not to start anything."

"Yes, you are a responsible and good boy. Your aunt just wants to tell you that you two should keep in touch and get to know each other. You should focus on your studies, but don't lose contact with each other so that you can have opportunities in the future."

Fang Dongqiang sat up. "Second Aunt, I also think Fang Yu is quite good, but we're not at the point where we should be talking about love."

"Okay, it's been so many years since we've been classmates. Let's keep in touch and try to get together in the future."

Fang Dongqiang chuckled, "Trying to stay together? You guys...," Fang Dongqiang shook his head, "I really don't know what to say about you guys?"

"Your second aunt has said everything she wanted to say. She just wants to remind you that Fang Yu is a good person. You two should keep in touch and not miss out. Keep an eye on her." Fang Meili stood up. "Get your things ready for school these next few days. Bring your winter clothes too. You'll be back around the New Year."

"Okay. I'll get it sorted out tomorrow."

Fang Meili left the room. Fang Dongqiang glanced at the door, then lay back down and continued in the same position, staring at the ceiling.

In the end, Fang Dongqiang did not go to Fang Yu to say goodbye.

Yuan Xinkang took them to the bus station.

Fang Damiao stuffed the last snakeskin bag into the luggage rack of the provincial capital bus and clapped his hands a few times.

Fang Dongqiang's clothes, quilt, and daily necessities—Fang Meili said she wanted to buy everything for school and asked him to bring whatever he had at home. If Fang Damiao hadn't gone with him, Fang Dongqiang really wouldn't have been able to bring so much stuff.

The car started moving, and Fang Dongqiang stared out the window. The sign for the county bus station grew farther and farther away, replaced by endless rice paddies. This was the first time he had left the county.

Fang Damiao also looked out the window, as if thinking of the time he went out to work in the city a few years ago. He hadn't left the house for several years either.

Fang Dongqiang's initial excitement upon boarding the bus was replaced by fatigue from sitting for a long time, and he leaned against the back of the seat, dozing off.

"Dongqiang, we're almost there!"

Fang Dongqiang quickly sat up straight; outside the window were towering buildings.

When the bus arrived at the station, Fang Damiao took the snakeskin bag off the luggage rack, slung a canvas bag over one shoulder, and swung the snakeskin bag over his back. Fang Dongqiang carried a backpack, holding a bag in one hand and a sack in the other, and boarded the bus to school.

Kindergartens have also reopened.

Fang Yu just started working this year and is responsible for leading a small class. Yu Jihong works as a childcare worker in the class she leads.

Yu Jihong had wiped the windows of Class 2 spotless. The crying of the newly enrolled children was almost constant. Yu Jihong was like a spinning top, wiping one child's nose, hugging another, and then another child needed to use the toilet.

During the lunch break, several children were still sobbing and refusing to sleep. Yu Jihong tried to comfort them while sighing, "Why are kids these days so good at crying? When you were in kindergarten, after we dropped you off, you would just play with Dongqiang and the others by yourself."

"Mom, I was seven years old back then, and these kids are only three. They'll get used to it after a while," Fang Yu comforted her, but her mind drifted to Hangzhou, where Fang Dongqiang was already studying at university. She wondered how he was doing.

The afternoon was still busy. After the children woke up, several cried for their mothers, and Fang Yu and Yu Jihong had to soothe them again. The classroom finally quieted down after the school dismissal music played and the last child left.

Fang Yu slumped into a small chair, too exhausted to even speak.

Yu Jihong brought over a cup of warm honey water, saying, "Drink some to soothe your throat."

Fang Yu took the cup and smiled mischievously, "Mom, I never thought we'd become colleagues."

Yu Jihong laughed, "Aren't you annoying me? We're stuck together 24/7."

"I don't mind, I just enjoy being with you."

"Once you have a boyfriend, you won't spend every day with me anymore."

"Where can we talk? All my female colleagues are at the kindergarten. We just go home together after school."

"Won't it affect your ability to find a boyfriend if your mom is with you every day?"

"No, I don't want to talk about it right now." Fang Yu stretched. "Mom, what's for dinner?"

"Let's go to the market later."

"good."