The Victim and the Confessor (2)
"Wow - I can't bear to leave you!" On the way back to the dormitory after evening self-study get out of class, Zhang He hugged Zhao Shihua and pretended to cry.
"I can't bear to leave you either!" Zhu Miaoyan also took the initiative to hold her hand and shook it twice, like a little child acting coquettishly.
Being forced to sit separately from Zhu Miaoyan was already a blow to Zhao Shihua. Unexpectedly, Zhang He also said that she was ultimately unable to disobey her parents' wishes. After the military training, she decided to go to school as a day student. In addition, if she lived in the dormitory, she would have to do the laundry and dishes by herself, which might not necessarily save much time compared to taking the bus back and forth.
"At least there's Zhuo Siqi! Didn't she apply for continued accommodation?" However, after Zhang He said this, the three of them fell silent at the same time, realizing that this was not real comfort.
"It's okay." After all, Zhao Shihua felt sweet inside because two of his roommates had expressed their reluctance to part with him, which made him seem quite important. "It's not like we're splitting up or graduating. It's just that we can't have the night talk anymore..."
"Yeah, without Miaoyan, where can I go to listen to gossip news in the future!"
"Pah, pah, pah, I'm still alive and well!" Zhu Miaoyan pouted at Zhang He, "Why don't we have lunch together in the future?"
"It's a deal!" they said, and hooked their fingers. Zhao Shihua, with both her hands held, was unable to participate in this sacred ceremony, so she had to stand in the middle as a witness.
"By the way, I heard something when I went to submit the form just now. Do you know anything?"
Zhu Miaoyan hadn't said what it was yet, so Zhao Shihua and Zhang He certainly didn't know, so they leaned over to express their curiosity.
"Guess who got first place in our high school entrance exam?"
"In our class?"
"Class monitor?" Zhao Shihua guessed. If his grades weren't good, the teacher wouldn't have asked him to take over temporarily.
Zhu Miaoyan shook her head and announced in a serious tone, "It's Shihua—"
"Ah?! How is that possible?" Zhao Shihua was shocked. His score was only ten points higher than the admission score for students with local household registration.
"——My current deskmate Zhuo Siqi!"
"I was scared to death..." Zhao Shihua took a breath and knew that it was impossible for her to be the heroine.
"No wonder she keeps holding her books all day long. It turns out she's the top scholar!" Zhang He seemed a little dissatisfied. "That's why she doesn't want to hang out with ordinary people like us."
"Don't say that, Zhang He, what's so ordinary about you? You can play the piano and the flute!" Zhu Miaoyan comforted her, "Our dormitory is really full of hidden talents..."
However, the validity period of the entity named "Our Dormitory" will end tomorrow. When Zhao Shihua thought of this, his heart sank again, and he shook the hands of the other two people even more tightly.
On the last day of military training, there was a report performance of queue training in the morning, a class summary and textbook distribution in the afternoon, and then a three-day holiday.
Although the weather forecast said there would be thunderstorms that day, many people thought that the training would be moved indoors, and they were glad that they would not be tanned. However, when they got up, they found that the weather in the morning was incredibly good. The sky was clear and almost purple blue, and there was no trace of a cloud.
Zhao Shihua took a few deep breaths, trying to shake off the oppressive heat that clung to her like a plaster, but it was no use. Her irritation came not only from the scorching sun overhead but also from the lengthy speeches from the podium. She patiently listened as the principal, vice-principal, prefect, and instructor took turns speaking. The same repetitive phrases went on for over half an hour, and even she, as earnest as she was, couldn't help but become distracted.
The students in the audience gradually began to slumber, finally waking up from their doze when the freshman representative spoke. They all craned their necks to look at the stage. After all, according to tradition, the top student in the grade was supposed to give the speech, and everyone was curious to see who this gifted student who had topped the provincial key university entrance exam would be.
"Now, please invite Zhuo Siqi from Class 1(2) of Senior High School to come to the stage and give us a speech!"
Zhao Shihua clapped her hands and saw Zhuo Siqi walking to the microphone with a manuscript: "Hello, teachers and classmates." She had heard about this from Zhu Miaoyan last night, so seeing Zhuo Siqi was expected. However, none of the classmates seemed to have heard of this, and a faint buzz of discussion came from all around.
"Is she in our class? Why haven't I seen her before?"
"It turns out Zhuo Siqi is number one in the grade. She's amazing!"
"I thought it was Pei Nachuan..."
Pei Nachuan, who was standing in the first row with the homeroom teacher, may have heard his name. His shoulders moved slightly, but he did not turn around.
"Then why isn't Zhuo Siqi the class monitor?" one of the students asked in a low voice.
"...I don't know. Anyway, I think Pei Nachuan is pretty good. I will definitely vote for him when we elect class monitor at the beginning of the school year." Another classmate answered, and Zhao Shihua nodded.
"Since she has good grades, let's choose her as the study committee member!" Some classmates have already spontaneously started to help the class teacher form a cabinet.
"If that's the case, you should choose Shao Yifu as the sports committee member! Didn't he list a bunch of Olympic events when he introduced himself last time?"
"What? You're sending me to the Olympics?" Shao Yifu's voice came from behind him. Zhao Shihua couldn't help but straighten his back nervously, still somewhat unaccustomed to the other party's change of status.
"I think you're more suitable to be the music class representative," Zhou Xin from the back row also leaned forward. "Our Uncle Shao sings military songs so beautifully!"
"Get lost! I'm not your uncle!"
"Zhou Xin, why don't you go get your hearing checked?" Zhang He, who was standing to Zhao Shihua's right, retorted with a smile, then added, "But I think Zhuo Siqi could also be a disciplinary committee member."
"I understand, I understand!" Zhou Xin agreed immediately. "She looks quite fierce."
Zhao Shihua couldn't help but feel sympathy for Zhuo Siqi, but she was also annoyed by Zhou Xin's outspokenness. She'd also been called "a bit fierce-looking" simply because of her martial arts skills, and her thick eyebrows only reinforced that impression. She subconsciously pulled back her bangs, hoping to conceal them more.
"I, I didn't say that," Zhang He seemed to be choking. "I just said that she looks a lot like Teacher Rong. They're both serious types... Unlike you, you look so frivolous!"
Zhou Xin, who was known for his frivolous ways, suddenly became serious and kept quiet after being told that. He was probably unconvinced. Seeing no one else approaching, Zhang He, perhaps feeling a little guilty, nudged Zhao Shihua with her elbow for support: "Shihua, don't you agree?"
"Hmm..." But this time Zhao Shihua hesitated for some reason and did not agree with the crowd for the sake of some group's sense of security as he did before.
She listened to the students around her chatter, some pleasant, some unpleasant, but ultimately remained silent. Gazing at Zhuo Siqi on the stage, she suddenly recalled the cold stares her classmates gave her at her junior high school graduation ceremony, when she was one of the outstanding student representatives. Although she tried her best to avoid looking at them, she couldn't help but glance over. She remembered Fu Rong covering her mouth with her hand while talking to the person next to her, her eyes glancing at her. Seeing her look, she smiled contemptuously.
A summer later, Zhao Shihua could no longer remember whether Fu Rong was really laughing at that time, or whether the villain plot was simply added by him later.
Zhuo Siqi had already clenched his fist and raised it to the temple, ready to lead everyone in taking the oath, but Zhao Shihua was still thinking about the past. It was not until Zhu Miaoyan pushed her shoulder that she suddenly reacted.
Silently forbearing, secretly striving, she resembles a wolf cub separated from its pack in a dark forest, fragile yet aloof, desperately trying to survive on her own. If the radiant Zhu Miaoyan is the kind of person I aspired to be in elementary school, then the low-key Zhuo Siqi is a bit like the tail-tucked-away self of junior high school.
Although she didn't know what Zhuo Siqi had been through, Zhao Shihua vaguely understood why she hesitated to respond to Zhang He. She didn't want to see Zhuo Siqi isolated; she even hoped he'd be surrounded by friends. It wasn't out of kindness or sympathy, but more of a comfort for the past. She wanted to reach out to Zhuo Siqi, just as she had hoped someone had reached out to her in the past.
Zhao Shihua thought, maybe this was the reason why he suddenly wanted to get closer to the other person.
Therefore, the fact that Zhuo Siqi still slept in the lower bunk as usual somewhat alleviated Zhao Shihua's reluctance to see the other two roommates leave.
After military training, nearly all the local Guangzhou students returned home, leaving only students from other cities and those preparing for the early start of high school. Newcomers Xu Jiamei and Qiao Xiaoling, though not from Guangzhou, lived nearby, so after packing their belongings, they also returned home to rest. During the three-day holiday, Zhao Shihua was the only one left in the dormitory.
She had originally planned to visit her sister, Zhao Shuhua, in the university town, but since her class was organizing a tour of Guangzhou for those who stayed behind during the holiday, she decided to stay and join the group. After all, the last time she'd visited Guangzhou as a tourist was in elementary school. Plus, with Pei Nachuan, the responsible and thoughtful class monitor, as her guide, he rushed back from home early in the morning, took everyone to their destination by subway, and even helped buy tickets, his caretaking akin to an elderly mother's. This gave these newly-escaped children, still unaccustomed to communal living, a sense of belonging.
They climbed Baiyun Mountain on the first day. Although military training had just ended, teenagers never seemed to know how to get tired. They climbed up the 100-step ladder of Moxing Ridge, laughing and talking all the way.
The rainy day predicted in the weather forecast was delayed for a day before it arrived. The rain and fog grew thicker and thicker on the top of the mountain. When they arrived at the mountaintop square, they were surrounded by clouds as if they were in a fairyland. Although they missed the opportunity to overlook the cityscape of Guangzhou, they saw the veritable "Mountain of White Clouds".
After posing for photos in the clouds, the group of about ten went to enjoy the "don't miss" Shanshui Tofu Pudding. Although Zhao Shihua had heard that Shanshui Tofu Pudding is actually "mountain water tofu pudding," she still thought it was better than anywhere else. It was smooth and tender, sweet but not greasy. Every sip slid into her stomach, and she felt instantly refreshed. It reminded her of the tofu pudding she'd enjoy at street vendors when she was a child, tired from shopping with her parents. It brought back a nostalgic warmth.
On the way down the mountain, several classmates said they needed to go to the restroom. Zhao Shihua hesitated for a moment, but eventually followed them. Unfortunately, the line was particularly long, and she waited for more than ten minutes before it was her turn. When she emerged, she couldn't see anyone she knew, and she suddenly panicked.
Maybe it was because the other people traveling with her originally lived in the same dormitory and were not particularly familiar with her, so she was like a guerrilla fighter along the way, sometimes walking with people from this dormitory, sometimes with people from another dormitory, causing both sides to forget about her.
She knew that panicking was pointless. If she missed the bus, it would be even worse. So she hurried down the mountain while calling her squad leader. As soon as the call was connected, she saw Pei Nachuan walking back at the bend of the winding mountain road.
"Hey, squad leader, I'm sorry, I waited in line for too long," she said, a little out of breath from running. "I, I..."
Zhao Shihua suddenly remembered being left alone on the first day of school, and Pei Nachuan had to lead her back to the group. Why did the same thing always happen? Everywhere I went, I felt like an abandoned stray cat.
"No, it's my fault. I forgot to count the number of people." His voice came through the phone, calming like a lake. He said solemnly at the end, "I'm sorry."
Zhao Shihua felt a surge of bitter tears when she heard the apology. She felt a mixture of regret, dissatisfaction, and grievance, and she couldn't sort it out for a moment. Seeing the man just ten meters away, Zhao Shihua quickly rubbed her eyes, forced a smile, and ran up to him as if nothing had happened. She saluted him nonchalantly, as if she hadn't gotten over the habit of military training. "Squad leader! Sorry, I'm late again!"
"No, no, it's my fault." But seeing her giggling, Pei Nachuan seemed relieved. "Let's go, they're all ahead."
"Yes, sir!" She sounded a bit too enthusiastic, so she changed her tone, "...Okay."
Zhao Shihua is not a taciturn person, but he is definitely not talkative either. However, when he is nervous, he tends to talk a lot, and then he speaks incoherently and without thinking, saying whatever comes to his mind, as if he is deliberately bringing up irrelevant issues.
On the way down the mountain, she and Pei Nachuan were mostly the last ones to arrive. Fearing a dull silence, Zhao Shihua took the initiative to speak, her first thought being the closing ceremony yesterday morning. She mentioned Zhuo Siqi's speech as the top student in the class, then inexplicably added, "I thought you were first."
"No, actually the head teacher asked Zhuo Siqi about the class monitor position first. I don't know why she refused, so the teacher came to ask me if I wanted to take over temporarily." Pei Nachuan replied modestly.
She wanted to add, "You'd be great for class monitor. I'll definitely vote for you when the elections start, and everyone likes you," but before she could even get the words out, she swallowed them because the word "like" was too blunt. She stuttered and continued, saying that Zhuo Siqi had already reviewed the courses for the second semester of high school, while she hadn't even opened her new textbooks. Instead of praising someone for their hard work, she came off as a jerk who envied the top student and wished she could sew her mouth shut.
However, Pei Nachuan didn't offer the same sour comments as the others. Instead, he reassured Zhao Shihua that the first semester was relatively simple, so she didn't need to worry too much and could just relax and have fun for three days. His words were so flawless and refreshing that you might even wonder if he'd taken a speech-talking class. The two then chatted about their sightseeing plans for the next day, and Zhao Shihua, listening to his descriptions, looked forward to the next day arriving even more eagerly.
But the hope was dashed.
The next day, Zhao Shihua and others rushed to the meeting place, but the class monitor was nowhere to be seen. They thought he was late. As a result, a boy explained that Pei Nachuan had something urgent to do and could not attend today, so he asked several local classmates who lived nearby to take over his position as tour guide.
"Look, they are here!" he said and pointed in the direction of the school gate.
Zhao Shihua turned around and immediately spotted Zhu Miaoyan. She was wearing a light-colored short-sleeved shirt and shorts, a striking contrast to the dark camouflage uniform she'd worn during military training. A few classmates were walking behind her, all from the same junior high school as hers. They looked like a group of bodyguards accompanying a young lady shopping, and among them was Shao Yifu, whom she avoided at all costs.
Fortunately, Zhao Shihua spent the entire trip with the girls, and gradually forgot about him. They followed Pei Nachuan's recommended route, visiting the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shamian Island, the Chen Clan Academy, and the Xiguan Mansions like they were participating in a timed check-in challenge. Finally, they arrived at Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, where they were just starving enough to eat a hearty meal.
They entered a famous dessert shop, but because they couldn't fit into the same table due to the large number of diners, they dispersed to find an empty seat. Zhao Shihua and Zhu Miaoyan agreed to share a bowl of red bean double skin milk, sesame paste, and mango pudding. After receiving their numbered tickets, they sat down and waited.
A seat happened to be available across from them, so Zhu Miaoyan immediately called over Shao Yifu and Li Xiuping, who were still searching for a seat. Zhao Shihua complained inwardly that they were enemies, but could only smile and express his welcome.
The desserts arrived one after another. Li Xuping also ordered the signature double-skin milk tea, while Shao Yifu ordered a ginger milk tea and a bowl of shrimp wonton noodles. Wonton noodles? Zhao Shihua thought this guy was like going to McDonald's and buying a KFC family bucket. He couldn't help but glance at Shao Yifu, then at the generous bowl of noodles.
"Do you want to eat it too? It's delicious. Do you want to order a bowl too?" Shao Yifu asked when he saw that she was staring at him.
"Ah? No need!" Zhao Shihua was frightened by his question and quickly lowered his head to swallow a big mouthful of sesame paste, which burned his throat all the way to his stomach.
"We will go to the rice noodle shop later. Do you want to eat so much now?" Zhu Miaoyan asked the question on her behalf.
"But I'm hungry now."
So it makes sense that he was so fat as a child. With that kind of appetite, it would be strange if he wasn't fat. But the question is, how did he return to a normal body shape now? Zhao Shihua pondered as she ate silently. Anyway, the other three were chatting about their junior high school days, and she couldn't get a word in, which was just what she wanted. Otherwise, she would make more mistakes and easily reveal her true identity.
"Zhao Shihua," Li Xuping, who was standing across from her, suddenly called her name. Perhaps fearing he might have ignored her, he kindly asked, "Which junior high school do you attend?"
Zhao Shihua now wished she was the person who was forgotten in the toilet yesterday. Although she was grateful for the other party's kindness, she didn't know how to deal with the current situation.
"Shihua is not from Guangzhou, she is——"
Zhao Shihua shuddered all over—No! The word "Meizhou" must not appear.
"My home is in northern Guangdong... Yes, northern Guangdong! That's why you definitely don't know." She suddenly put down her spoon and answered. Because she was too strong, the spoon hit the bottom of the bowl with a "bang" sound, which scared herself. "I, I'm done. You guys take your time. I'm going to wash my hands."
Fortunately, no one noticed anything unusual about her. When she came out of the bathroom, the other students had almost finished eating and gathered in front of the door to prepare to move on to the next restaurant.
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