Longing
That was during the Spring Festival one year.
That winter was bitterly cold, with freezing rain plaguing the south and temperatures plummeting. Southern cities had no experience in dealing with extreme cold, and even water pipes were outdoors, impacting transportation and daily life. The freezing rain quickly turned into an ice storm, severely affecting several cities, including Changzhou.
Water pipes were frozen and gas supplies were disrupted; in some areas, even electricity was affected, resulting in a true power, water, and gas outage. Tree branches outside were broken by the heavy ice, and walking on the road required extra caution due to the icy surface.
Looking out the window, the world was a vast expanse of white. People stayed indoors, and the broken branches and frozen vegetation gave it an almost apocalyptic feel.
There were also happy things – for safety reasons, schools started their winter break early, and because of the rush, no homework was assigned.
The children were kept at home, and even though it was cold and boring, they were still happy because they didn't have to study or do homework.
Because the water supply was cut off, the neighbors in the apartment building all went to fetch water from the well in the yard of a nearby family. That family lived in a self-built house, a house inherited from their ancestors, and the old well was still kept at the entrance. What was originally a relic abandoned by the times had suddenly become a hot commodity. This family was taking advantage of the situation to make a profit; they would let people into the yard to fetch water, but it would cost five yuan a bucket.
The family housing complex was among the first to lose water, and they were already at their wits' end. Faced with the demand for money to draw water from the well, they had no choice but to accept it.
Zheng Miao went with her parents to fetch water. She hadn't washed her hair for almost seven days and couldn't take it anymore, so her mother agreed to buy an extra bucket of water to boil at home for her to wash her hair.
She followed her parents in line to get water, and then she saw You Huan and her parents. You Huan didn't look well; her lips were pale, and it was hard to tell if she was cold or something was wrong. Her bangs were greasy and clumpy, indicating that she hadn't washed her hair for many days.
Zheng Miao, bored while waiting in line, observed You Huan. The You family had arrived earlier and soon it was their turn. For some reason, the family at the well raised their price that day, charging an extra two yuan per bucket for orders of two or more. Upon hearing this terrible news, You Huan's mother flew into a rage, pointing at You Huan and yelling, "You're so fussy about washing your hair! What time is it now? You're still so willful! We can't even guarantee our own drinking water, and all you think about is yourself! How old are you? If you're so concerned about your appearance, what will become of you in the future? Will you have to sell yourself? We can't even afford to live, and you still want to wash that lousy hair!"
Seeing that she was getting more and more worked up as she cursed, the family looked at You Huan's pale face and her drooping eyes, and knew in their hearts that You Huan's mother's words were directed at him. They also felt a little sorry for You Huan, so they could only awkwardly say, "Alright, alright, the price won't go up anymore. It's still five yuan a bucket no matter how many buckets you have, okay? Stop cursing the child."
Seeing that her goal had been achieved, You Huan's mother snorted and glared at You Huan, saying, "I'll grant your request this time. Remember how good your mother is to you." You Huan lowered her head and remained silent. Throughout this process, You Huan's father stood by without reacting, as if he were a complete stranger.
Zheng Miao couldn't quite describe her feelings. On one hand, she felt that being scolded by her parents was a normal thing, but on the other hand, she found You Huan's mother's words too harsh. She took You Huan's mother's words to heart, and after You Huan's family left with the buckets of water, Zheng Miao looked up and asked her mother, "Mom, is a bucket of water expensive for washing your hair? Can I use my allowance to pay for it?"
Zheng Miao's mother was taken aback by her words for a moment, then realized what she meant and smiled, "It's not expensive. However, some people might think it is. Besides, we're also benefiting from this. If it weren't for Yanfang, everyone would have been ripped off. It's still the original price. Don't take other people's opinions to heart. Yanfang has had a tough time too." Yanfang was You Huan's mother's name.
"Look, Yanfang is still very good to Youhuan. She bought water for her to wash her hair."
Zheng Miao nodded thoughtfully, but the image of You Huan bowing her head and being scolded kept replaying in her mind.
But the next day, when Zheng Miao saw You Huan in the hallway, her bangs were still oily, and there was some white dandruff on her head.
In that instant, doubts arose in Zheng Miao's mind.
Didn't Youhuan's mother buy her water to wash her hair yesterday?
However, she wasn't familiar with You Huan, so she didn't ask.
Such days lasted for nearly a month. As the Lunar New Year approached, the cold weather finally improved, the freezing rain stopped, and the world's ice and snow melted.
The city is under repair, and water and electricity supplies are being restored one after another. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Now they can have a good New Year.
People felt like they had survived a disaster, and everyone was happily preparing for the New Year. The ice on the roads had melted and been cleared away. After traffic resumed, the neighbors in the apartment building were all ready to buy their things and go back to their hometowns.
Zheng Miao's family elders have all passed away, and she has never returned to her hometown since she was born. She always spends the Spring Festival in Changshi, and that year was no exception.
The family dormitory was deserted during the Spring Festival, but she had long been used to it.
However, there was a variable that year, namely You Huan.
On the 29th day of the Lunar New Year, Zheng Miao bought fireworks from outside and was surprised to run into You Huan in the stairwell.
Zheng Miao couldn't help but ask, "You Huan? What are you doing here?"
You Huan was surprised that Zheng Miao would talk to her. She glanced at her, but hesitated when faced with her question. After a moment, she timidly said, "...I live here."
Zheng Miao: "..."
She quickly waved her hand: "No, no, that's not what I meant. I saw your parents bought things to go back to their hometown yesterday. Why are you still at home?"
You Huan pursed her lips: "They...didn't take me with them."
Zheng Miao was stunned and subconsciously asked, "But tomorrow is the New Year." In her mind, the New Year was a very important event. Even though her family didn't need to visit relatives and there weren't many people reuniting, the New Year for the three of them still had to be a solemn occasion. So every year, Zheng Miao looked forward to and valued the New Year very much.
Perhaps unaccustomed to Zheng Miao's closeness, You Huan nervously took a step back, but still patiently explained, "My family... some relatives drove over and gave my parents a ride back to the countryside, and there wasn't enough room in the car... so I..."
Zheng Miao pouted: "But you're home alone?"
You Huan laughed: "I'm quite happy to be alone."
Her words made Zheng Miao frown.
All the other kids in the building had gone back to their hometowns with their parents, leaving Zheng Miao without any playmates. In previous years, she could bear the loneliness, but knowing that You Huan was still in the building, she couldn't resist. Zheng Miao put aside her prejudices and invited You Huan to go set off fireworks together.
You Huan was pleasantly surprised and agreed after only a second of hesitation.
And so, the two girls, who had never met before, spent the whole day together.
Girls' friendships can sometimes be quite inexplicable; they might become close simply by going to the restroom together or going out together once.
It was on that afternoon when Zheng Miao went out with You Huan that she realized You Huan wasn't the way others described her.
You Huan was always shy and reserved, and she rarely asked questions. She followed Zheng Miao's lead and never refused anything.
Zheng Miao thought, no matter how she looked at it, You Huan was nothing like the naughty, mischievous, and willful child her parents described.
Not only did she think that way, she actually asked it aloud. She said, "You think differently from me."
Upon hearing her words, You Huan's face showed a hesitant expression. In the end, she said nothing.
It was only much later that Zheng Miao understood You Huan's hesitation.
After returning home that day, Zheng Miao told her parents about You Huan being left behind, and finally sighed, "You Huan is home alone. Is she going to spend the New Year alone? That's pitiful."
Zheng Miao's parents listened to her and looked reluctant. After thinking for a moment, they said to Zheng Miao, "Then let's invite her to our house for the New Year tomorrow. It's just a child, an extra pair of chopsticks."
Zheng Miao's eyes widened in surprise, and she exclaimed, "Really!"
Children love excitement and celebrating the New Year with their friends makes it much more fun.
So that year, You Huan spent the Spring Festival at Zheng Miao's house.
At Zheng Miao's house, You Huan was polite and knew her place. Although she didn't talk much, she knew to help the adults with chores. Her performance greatly surprised Zheng Miao's parents, and the little bit of resentment in their hearts disappeared. They just invited You Huan to play with Zheng Miao.
The atmosphere that night was very harmonious, and You Huan even stayed up all night with Zheng Miao. At midnight, Zheng Miao's mother took out two red envelopes, and she also prepared lucky money for You Huan.
You Huan was both surprised and delighted, but refused to accept it. Finally, Zheng Miao's mother smiled and said, "This is a family custom, all the children receive one. You Huan, please accept it." With her insistence, You Huan could only blush and accept it.
That night, she slept in the same bed with Zheng Miao, the two little ones head to head. Zheng Miao sensed that You Huan was very excited, but even so, she remained silent, as if all her emotions were contained within herself.
Zheng Miao, however, had to express herself. She said, "You Huan, I'm so happy today!"
After a long while, she heard You Huan's soft voice: "Me too."
Zheng Miao didn't know then that that Spring Festival was the most fulfilling one You Huan had ever experienced. When she said "Me too," she was genuinely, very happy.
The next day, when Zheng Miao woke up, You Huan had already left early. On her pillow was the New Year's money her mother had given her, which she hadn't taken.
After Zheng Miao got up, she originally wanted to go find You Huan. But her parents suddenly stopped her with serious expressions.
Her mother's expression wasn't good: "You shouldn't play with You Huan anymore."
Zheng Miao was still a little stunned. How could everything have changed so much in just one night?
It turned out that You Huan's parents learned that You Huan was spending the New Year at Zheng Miao's house, so they called Zheng Miao's mother in the morning. During the conversation, they explained that they were not refusing to take You Huan back to their hometown, but that You Huan had been disobedient before leaving, making them angry and even stealing money from the house. That's why they were so angry that they left her alone at home to reflect on her actions.
Mrs. Zheng still looked shaken: "That child seemed fine, how could he be so dishonest? Luckily, nothing was stolen from the house."
But Zheng Miao thought of the red envelope on the pillow. For the first time, she made her own judgment.
No, You Huan is not that kind of person.
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