So close and so far (2)
But Zhao Shihua's guesses were useless, because Pei Nachuan hadn't signed up for any events or joined any clubs. As class monitor, he was responsible for rehearsing the school sports day's entrance ceremony.
While not an international high school, Yangcheng Middle School is determined to embrace a global perspective. This year's entrance ceremony featured each of the school's sixty classes representing a different country, creating a grand opening ceremony reminiscent of the Olympic Games. The country each class represented was determined by drawing lots—their class drew the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Unlike a classmate who mistook "Grand Duchy of Luxembourg" for "Luxembourg Grand Park," Zhao Shihua had at least heard of Luxembourg. However, her understanding of the country was limited to its location in Europe. She researched online and discovered that Luxembourg, despite covering just over 2,000 square kilometers and boasting a population of only 500,000 to 600,000—smaller than even a district in Guangzhou—has one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world. Because of its location between France, Germany, and Belgium, the local population speaks French, German, and Luxembourgish.
But what does it matter? The above information has almost nothing to do with the entrance performance. They can neither wave a pile of banknotes to show their wealth, nor can they recite a few sentences in French or German. After all, no one will understand them even if they say them.
"Because the country has a small territory and many ancient castles, it is also known as the 'Pocket Kingdom' and the 'Land of a Thousand Castles'." These names are quite interesting. Zhao Shihua imagined the class lined up in the shape of a castle and marching, with everyone holding a few large bills in their hands... Why did I get off topic again?
Zhao Shihua continued scrolling down the page, which was filled with general introductions to the country. Only one thing caught her eye: "National Motto: As Always." She had never heard of a national motto. A school motto was understandable, but a country motto? If China had a motto, she could only think of "We all have one home / Named China" or "Fifty-six ethnic groups / Fifty-six flowers"... Stop, stop, stop. This wasn't the Spring Festival Gala.
And how should the phrase "as always" be understood? Zhao Shihua did some research and found the original text of the sentence elsewhere: "Mir wlle bleiwe wat mir sinn," which translates to "We want to stay what we are."
We want to stay what we are. Zhao Shihua repeated this sentence softly, feeling a prick in his heart.
Monday's class meeting was used to discuss the entrance performance. Many students shared Zhao Shihua's opinion, believing that the castle would be a more appropriate entry point for the exhibition. Some students also focused on the "highest per capita GDP," even suggesting that a student dress in elaborate attire to represent the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and march in front.
Suggestions like throwing money were undoubtedly quickly rejected, and the discussion focused on how to present the castle. While the entire class carrying a giant castle model would certainly be impressive, due to practicality and budgetary constraints, several class committee members preferred the simplest and most cost-effective method: each student would take a square cardboard and raise or lower it according to instructions, forming several different castle shapes. However, this solution was purely for the purpose of grading, as no one except the school leaders on the podium could see what the class was tinkering with.
"It's not difficult to make a castle model." A traitor seemed to have appeared among the class committee. Shao Yifu expressed his dissatisfaction and gestured, "Well, just use hard paper, draw a city wall on it, and then the people outside the square formation hold it in a circle, and that's it, right? Or use cardboard boxes, draw a different castle on each person, put them on, put a red hat on their head, and wave a small flag or something, and it will become the 'Land of a Thousand Castles'!"
"That's 'Super Transformation'!" Deputy monitor Xu Jiamei pointed out.
"Super Mutation? What's that?"
"It's what you just said, with a paper model of a castle on your body. It's a bit like the style of that show."
"Then I'll go home and take a look. But honestly, I think it will work." I really don't know where Shao Yifu got the confidence to remain steadfast even when others looked skeptical.
"I think the original plan is better. If everyone has to find cardboard to draw the city wall, and then add the rehearsal time, it might take up too much time. It's just a performance, there's no need to affect everyone's midterm review." As the class monitor, Pei Nachuan certainly had to be more thoughtful.
"Yes, I agree!" Xu Jiamei stood behind Pei Nachuan to make her position clear.
"That's right, why go to so much trouble?"
"Oh no! How will it affect my studies? And think about it, which one takes longer: rehearsal time or making the model?"
The students in the audience were immediately divided into a large group of people who loved studying and a small group of people who loved activities.
Zhao Shihua recognized Shao Yifu's wild ideas, because if his ideas could really be realized, they would definitely be brilliant; but she also agreed that Pei Nachuan was down-to-earth. After all, learning was still the most important thing, and she was no longer the playful child she used to be.
So when it came to the final voting stage, Zhao Shihua was very pragmatic and cast his vote for the proposal put forward by Pei Nachuan and others without any selfish motives.
Unexpectedly, although the proposal was rejected, Shao Yifu did not give up. The next morning, he brought a rough draft of a castle model.
Since he couldn't find cardboard large enough at home, he glued several sheets of A4 paper onto several layers of thickened newspaper. He cut out the ridges and depressions of battlements on the top, scribbled a few bricks in the middle to indicate the city wall, and drew a tall archway at the bottom, which surprisingly could be opened, supposedly for easy access. He also used the paper to make two paper tubes, which he put on his arms to represent auxiliary towers, and stuck two chopsticks with small flags tied to them on the tops. Since he didn't have a red peaked hat, he found a red peaked cap instead...
Shao Yifu also verbally added many details that were not made due to lack of time. However, the effect of putting it on his body did not look like a magnificent castle at all. Instead, it looked like a ruin that had gone through vicissitudes of life, and it was not because of defeat in battle, but a tofu-shoddy rough house that was blown down by a breeze.
Zhao Shihua admired Shao Yifu's imagination in turning trash into treasure, and secretly felt lucky to have voted for Pei Nachuan. Several classmates who had supported him yesterday also left midway through the conversation, probably silently regretting their misjudgment.
However, the dark expression on Shao Yifu's face made her feel a little bit sorry. After all, this kind of stubbornness, "I will go forward even if there are thousands of people against me," was not what Guan Yifu had in the past. Zhao Shihua comforted him, saying, "I think it's quite creative, but it takes too much time."
"Yeah! You think it's good too!" Shao Yifu quickly grasped at the life-saving straw, but deliberately ignored the second half of the sentence, "Do you want me to make one for you too?"
"No, no, no, I won't bother you anymore." Zhao Shihua explained hurriedly. After hesitating for a long time, the reason she came up with was completely incoherent. "I still have to train for long-distance running." Seeing Shao Yifu concentrating on organizing his precious equipment again, she turned around and continued reading.
But after a short while, Shao Yifu suddenly called out in a muffled voice: "Old Li! Where's Old Li? Hey, Zhao Shihua! Can you help me?"
"What's wrong?" Zhao Shihua turned around and saw that Shao Yifu had forgotten to remove the paper tube first, so the model on his body got stuck halfway through. He was almost completely stuck in it, like a headless puppet, which was both terrifying and funny.
"Be careful, don't break it."
"Yes, yes, I got it." Zhao Shihua pulled the two paper tubes away and muttered, "Do I really need to keep such a broken thing as a treasure?"
However, to everyone's surprise, someone was willing to take a gamble on Shao Yifu's creation: Pei Nachuan, the opponent from yesterday. After school, Pei Nachuan came over and asked Shao Yifu to go home and continue to perfect his "Super Transformation" castle.
"Pei Nachuan, are you... sure?" Even his close friend Li Xuping seemed incredulous.
Zhou Xin, who was leaving through the back door with his schoolbag in one hand, turned back to defend his friend upon hearing this: "With just this pile of old newspapers, the other classes will think he's going to play the leader of the Beggars' Sect!"
"Get out of here! Get out of here!" Shao Yifu pulled out a paper tube and hit him with it. "You don't know how to appreciate things!"
Zhao Shihua leaned back slightly as Pei Nachuan explained methodically that, given Shao Yifu's impeccable execution, he planned to assign him as the flag bearer for the entrance ceremony. If Shao Yifu could build a model of the castle, he could wear it, perhaps even earning him a bonus. If he couldn't, wearing his work uniform wouldn't be a problem.
After his argument was made, even Shao Yifu was stunned speechless, as if the clay he had casually kneaded had been identified by experts as unearthed prehistoric pottery. Zhao Shihua caught him glancing repeatedly at the contents of the bag and suspected he was about to throw away the model.
The problem was that Pei Nachuan was too kind, a philanthropist, comparable to the Buddha's generosity. Zhao Shihua couldn't help but worry that this seemingly frail Buddha would one day be stewed and eaten by demons.
Meanwhile, Shao Yifu, the man most likely to become a demon, finally found his mentor. His face finally cleared up, a smile radiant and sunny. Who was it that had been grumbling yesterday about the other party's plan being boring? In just a few words, he was completely captivated by Pei Nachuan's meticulous care and, along with Zhao Shihua, officially became a loyal fan of the class monitor.
Zhao Shihua said nothing, but in her heart she truly admired Pei Nachuan's generosity. Even though Zhou Xin kept pouring cold water on her, she had already swayed to the other side: she actually despised Shao Yifu's design as being poor, which was simply short-sighted and incapable of discovering beauty.
Zhao Shihua turned sideways and glanced at him quickly. Pei Nachuan was leaning against the desk, adjusting his glasses with his fingers, as if watching a child playing with sand. He smiled at Shao Yifu, who was dancing with joy. The next second, the latter suddenly rushed forward and hugged him: "Nana, you really have good taste!"
Nana? Hadn't he always been called squad leader or by his full name? Zhao Shihua got goosebumps upon hearing these two words, and at the same time, felt indignant that Pei Nachuan had been dethroned. Nachuan sounded like the Buddhist name of a high-ranking monk, but Nana sounded like the sweet little girl next door...
Pei Nachuan pushed Shao Yifu away and finally scolded him with a sullen face. Only then did she feel relieved. It turned out that even gods could get angry. But the next second, when he stood up and prepared to leave, he turned his head slightly and couldn't help but smiled, which was discovered by Zhao Shihua.
The moment their eyes met, Pei Nachuan couldn't help but feel a little surprised, and embarrassedly suppressed his smile. The smile was as fleeting as a shooting star, but it drew a brilliant light in Zhao Shihua's heart, like a brilliant light streak appearing in the polar night sky.
With just over two weeks to go until the school sports meet, the entire school was bubbling like a simmering pot of soup, with almost everyone eagerly preparing for the competition. Even the teachers had made concessions, not only assigning less homework but also turning a blind eye to attendance during self-study classes.
At the end of the school day, the playground was packed. Sometimes, to compete for a favorable spot, their class would end several study sessions half a period early, leaving Zhuo Siqi alone in the classroom. Because she was a member of the radio station, she didn't even have to participate in the entrance ceremony rehearsal. Zhao Shihua even wondered if Zhuo Siqi had anticipated this and joined the radio station.
Shao Yifu, who had also been excluded from the procession performance, was incredibly enthusiastic. Whether it was to repay Pei Nachuan or simply to avoid doing his homework, he stood beside the class leader during every rehearsal, acting as assistant conductor. Pei Nachuan stood on the stage and shouted commands, while Shao Yifu was responsible for checking who was holding their cardboard too high, who was turning their cardboard too late, and so on. He ran back and forth between the stage and the stage, exhausted, like a sheepdog herding sheep into the pen across the mountains, waiting for his master to toss him a bone as a reward.
Perhaps because similar methods are easier to implement, they saw several other classes on the playground using small cardboard pieces to create large designs for their entrances. To keep pace with the other classes, they had to focus on the details.
Rehearsals were actually quite monotonous, requiring only four movements: "lift, lower, flip, and shake," combined with various positioning. But everyone was as happy as children playing a game. Even though they were hiding under cardboard and had no idea how the final result would turn out, they were still incredibly excited.
During a break, Pei Nachuan stepped down from the podium to discuss areas for improvement with Xu Jiamei, who, being part of the team, could offer a different perspective. Shao Yifu stood between them, listening intently, like a secretary, only missing a pen and notebook to take notes.
Zhao Shihua listened to Pei Nachuan and Xu Jiamei discuss how to change formations without appearing too chaotic, and then listened to Zhu Miaoyan beside her talk about a young adult novel she'd recently read. The playground was dotted with square formations from various classes, and the students exercising ran across the inside of the track one after another.
At five o'clock in the afternoon, the sunlight shone obliquely on her face, so she moved to avoid the still dazzling light. When she turned sideways, she found that Shao Yifu was standing right in front of her. He squinted his eyes because of the sunlight, but he would not change direction.
She had been fanning herself with the cardboard, occasionally holding it up to block the sun for Zhu Miaoyan. Now, she quietly raised the cardboard a little higher to also block the sun for Shao Yifu, and continued to pretend to listen attentively to the girls' conversation. The scene before her seemed like a throwback to military training, and the topic was somehow exactly the same as before.
"Zhuo Siqi isn't participating in group activities again this time," Zhang He repeated, her familiar tone. It seemed as if she had always disliked Zhuo Siqi, her tone becoming sour whenever she mentioned him. "Does she really have to work so hard?"
Two or three classmates nodded in agreement. Zhao Shihua hesitated for a moment, then quietly explained the reason for her deskmate: "She joined the radio station..."
"If you join the radio station, you can come and help. Didn't Shao Yifu come to help too?" Zhang He asked back when her point of view was challenged. Then she turned her criticism on Zhao Shihua, "Your deskmate has no sense of responsibility or class honor at all!"
She was originally talking bad about outsiders, but once she involved her deskmate, roommate and other relationships, Zhao Shihua felt as if she was blaming herself at the same time. Her face turned red and she immediately shut up.
Only later did she realize that those seemingly friendly classmates from junior high had been forced into silence by Fu Rong's coercion. Now that Fu Rong had changed her image, Zhang He had taken over. Of course, Zhang He wasn't as deliberately mischievous as Fu Rong. She had a clear distinction between love and hate, passionate toward those she liked and icy toward those she disliked. Meanwhile, Zhao Shihua had been accepted into Zhu Miaoyan's small group, moving from a marginalized figure on the outside to a secure member within, enjoying the security of the group.
She hadn't participated in any class activities in over a year. In her third year of junior high, the school had essentially exempted her from attending large-scale events so she could focus on preparing for the exams. She was only required to attend as a spectator. And considering her current situation within the class, it felt better to go her own way than to be alone. At least it wouldn't sound so miserable.
However, Zhao Shihua has always loved being active. As a child in the countryside, she spent almost every day hanging out with a group of children, chasing geese and catching small fish. Every day felt like a festival. In elementary school, she served as the class heroine, and fulfilling this role kept her extremely busy every day. If any girl was bullied, she would always be the one to uphold justice, comparable to the aunt in charge of the neighborhood committee.
However, by junior high school, she was somehow pushed aside and disliked everywhere, leaving her feeling extremely depressed. Living in isolation for so long, Zhao Shihua often felt as if her carefree days were all a dream, and that people were naturally suspicious and wary of each other.
And now, as she stood among the troops, chanting slogans in unison and flipping cardboards in unison, Zhao Shihua vaguely felt as if she had returned to a golden age. She was part of the group, surrounded by the crowd; while she wasn't as adorned with the stars as before, at least she was part of it again. Like a lost lamb, she had finally returned to the warmth of the flock after weathering the storm.
But she still felt bad when she accidentally caught a glimpse of another sheep outside the pasture fence.
There was another rehearsal the following Thursday. However, both squad leaders were absent that day; they had to go to the garment factory to order uniforms for the squad. Therefore, the burden of conducting fell solely on Shao Yifu's shoulders. Given his carefree nature, Zhao Shihua couldn't help but worry that he might quit midway.
She and Qiao Xiaoling went to the playground together, where they chatted about the class emblem for the uniforms. Like the entrance design, the emblem had been chosen by vote at the previous class meeting, and the winning design was Xu Jiamei's. Qiao Xiaoling was usually inseparable from Xu Jiamei, but since her roommate was absent today, she went to find another roommate to keep her company. On the way downstairs, she subconsciously hooked her arm around Zhao Shihua's, like a shy child being taken to a relative's house by their parents.
"Will Jiamei's seat be vacant by then?" Zhao Shihua thought of a practical problem. "But won't it be messy when we switch seats?"
"It's possible..." Qiao Xiaoling was worried, "and I have to help Jiamei remember the new moves."
"Are you two standing together?"
"She was right next to me, so the movements were basically the same. It was only in the third and fourth quarters that they started to differ."
"I heard from Shao Yifu that today we're rehearsing the third and fourth sections..."
"Ah? What should I do then?"
The first answer that came to mind was Zhuo Siqi, the only person currently available, known as the "Book of Answers." Zhao Shihua wasn't sure she'd be willing to help; it would be taking up study time. But the thought grew stronger, overcoming her rationality. She left Qiao Xiaoling with a "wait a moment" and ran back to the classroom, a piece of cardboard in one hand like a rower paddling. She flung open the back door, but her deskmate wasn't seated, deep in study.
Zhuo Siqi was leaning against the window frame, looking out, seemingly alone. He turned back when he heard the noise. The window faced the playground. Zhao Shihua had no idea what she was looking at, perhaps just relaxing her eyes. She seemed a little surprised, her mouth opening and closing for a moment before she asked, "Did you forget something?"
"No, I just wanted to ask," Zhao Shihua's hand was still holding the door handle, forgetting to let go, "Can you take Jiamei's place at today's rehearsal? She's gone to get the class uniforms."
"But……"
Please, join us, or you'll be left alone. Zhao Shihua prayed inwardly, her wish so strong she couldn't help but say it aloud: "Don't worry, if you join the rehearsal, it's a good opportunity to gather inspiration!"
"What inspiration are you collecting?" Zhuo Siqi suddenly became nervous and asked her quickly.
"It's the commentary for the school sports meet's opening ceremony. I remember you were in charge of it, right?" Although the reason was far-fetched, Zhao Shihua couldn't possibly say the real reason. It was because Zhang He always said behind your back that you were disunited, and I didn't dare to help you fight back. Now at least I can shut Zhang He up.
Zhuo Siqi seemed relieved to hear the reply, lowering his head and remaining silent for a moment. Just when Zhao Shihua thought it was hopeless, she closed the window, brushed her bangs, which had been slightly ruffled by the wind, and asked calmly, "Do you have any extra cardboard? Or should I borrow some from Xu Jiamei?"
"I'll ask her for you right now!" Zhao Shihua reached into her pocket, but paused, remembering the school's strict policy against using cell phones during class. She was determined to go for it, closing the door and hiding in a corner. After the call was connected, she whispered to Xu Jiamei on the other end, "Can you lend Zhuo Siqi some cardboard? She'll be taking your place later."
The other person seemed to be on the subway, and the signal was not very good. "What ring? Pay for what? Pay for what? Money?!"
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