Chapter 209 If-Two Little Guess 10
Qin Yunjie returned early in the morning. On his way home from the hospital, he bought some Hongkou rice cakes and soy milk for his daughter's breakfast. He would take a shower, change clothes, and go to work.
Qin Yizhang took his wrinkled nylon folding bag and neatly took out the dirty towel and old hospital clothes to soak them, waiting to be washed when he returned in the evening. He also put his teacup and lunch box in the sink and washed them together after dinner.
Qin Yunjie opened the refrigerator, hoping to finish off the leftovers. It was completely empty, save for half a head of cabbage and two tomatoes. Feeling a pang of sadness, he fished out his frayed wallet from his trouser pocket, pulled out three large red bills, and handed them to her.
"Is there enough money?"
Qin Yizhang hesitated for a second: "My school uniform is too small, I need to change it."
Qin Yunjie nodded and opened his wallet again: "How much is the school uniform?"
"One hundred and twenty for summer clothes."
"What about autumn and winter clothes? They're too small, right?"
"That's okay, you can wear your own clothes inside."
Qin Yunjie pulled out another eight RMB notes: "Let's exchange them for new ones together. Is eight hundred enough?"
Qin Yizhang subconsciously put his hands behind his back and said honestly, "Six hundred is enough."
Qin Yunjie didn't take his hand back: "Take it. Use the extra two hundred to buy something you like. Yi Zhang, Dad has a job. Although our family is not rich, we are not poor either. If you need money, be sure to tell me."
"Um!"
Only then did she agree and accepted the money.
"You're just too good to be true, Can't take my eyes off you."
Music resounded throughout the world, romance permeated the fresh air after the rain, the bright floor-to-ceiling windows of the convenience store were filled with a dazzling array of goods, and even the posture of picking up a hot dog and walking out of the store looked like dancing.
Tong Zhongyuan, wearing headphones, easily stepped over a puddle with his long legs and ate the last bite of his hot dog.
Qin Yizhang had been chasing him all the way, and even after calling out several times, he hadn't heard her. This guy wasn't walking fast, so why couldn't he catch up? She held onto her schoolbag and ran as fast as she could, finally leaping in front of him.
"Tong Zhongyuan!"
"I love you baby, Trust in me when I say!"
Her bright face suddenly filled his entire field of vision. He raised his hand to shield his eyes and took a half step back.
"Good morning!" She moved closer to him and greeted him energetically.
"Oh pretty baby, now that I found you stay."
Tong Zhongyuan touched his headphones, pulled them around his neck, and involuntarily shook his hair in front of his forehead.
"Tsk..." Qin Yizhang laughed out loud. He didn't expect that he would do such silly and cool actions now, as if all boys could not escape this stage.
Tong Zhongyuan understood her smile and his face turned red. He put his hands in his trouser pockets, stiffened his neck, and said "Good morning" casually and indifferently.
Seeing that he was still pretending to be cool despite his blushing face, Qin Yizhang smiled even more happily. Her joyful laughter flowed and danced in the air, plucked his heartstrings and made his face tremble, but his face became even hotter.
He wanted to ask her if she liked the Monchhichi he had given her. There was no need to ask. She had accepted it four days ago and hadn't returned it, so she must have liked it. But the question, "Do you like it?" kept lingering in his mind, filling his heart and constantly on his lips.
"Um..." He pursed his lips, "Do you like it?"
"Hmm?" She turned to look at him, but he was looking into the distance, not meeting her gaze.
"Monchichi." He moved his lips and whispered three words.
"I like it! Have you noticed that it looks like you?!"
My heart skipped a beat! An indescribable, unfamiliar feeling surged over me like a tidal wave of ecstasy and electricity.
"I didn't notice," he stroked the back of his neck, trying to sound calm, "How could I look like a monkey?"
Qin Yizhang laughed out loud: "It's just a feeling, it feels very similar, both are very cute."
He froze in his tracks. Cute? How could it be cute? Cute is only used to describe children.
"Qin Yi..."
Before he finished speaking, she jumped two steps, turned lightly in front of him, looked at him with a smile, waiting for him to notice.
"Haven't you noticed yet?" She stretched out her hand and waved it in front of him, announcing with a little pride, "I'm wearing my new school uniform today."
Maybe she was afraid that she would still grow taller, so the new school uniform she bought was a little big, and the loose style couldn't hide her slim figure, but at least... her waist wouldn't be exposed, her ankles were covered, and her breasts... her breasts weren't that obvious anymore.
"Yeah, it fits perfectly."
She was spinning in his world, her bright smile, spinning body and brand new school uniform meant that the storm was truly over.
Circle after circle, like ripples caused by a stone thrown into the center of a lake, which take a long time to subside.
In the afternoon's physics class, his deskmate cast a curious glance at Tong Zhongyuan for the fifth time. He was smiling again, a gentle smile at the incredibly difficult physics problems. He'd been flashing this kind of joyful, unnerving smile from time to time all day. Was this the kingly smile of the academic god?
The bell rang for the end of get out of class. The physics teacher put away his lesson plan and was about to leave when he thought about what the head teacher asked him to bring.
"Tong Zhongyuan, Teacher Li asked you to go to her office after class."
He walked to the office door and knocked. Teacher Li raised his head and pointed to a file bag on the table.
"Here are the transfer materials. Take them back to your parents. If there's anything missing, call me."
After she finished speaking, she found Tong Zhongyuan standing at the door without moving. She looked at him with a puzzled look.
His hand slipped from the door and he turned and left, the sound of running footsteps fading away in the corridor.
The new Shanghai Museum, shaped like a bronze vessel, stood beneath the azure early autumn sky. He Wu hurried to the deserted lawn. She had never expected Teacher Li to let Tong Zhongyuan bring the transfer documents back in advance, and even less so, that Tong Zhongyuan would skip class and come to her workplace to confront her. All she could do was leave the office as quickly as possible.
"It's not that I don't want to discuss it with you. First, the other school's spots are already full, and I'm not sure I'll be accepted. Second, you've been feeling down lately, and I don't want to bother you with something that's still uncertain. Zhongyuan, as your parents, we've always respected your decisions, but don't forget, you're still a child. I still can't get over the fact that you deliberately botched the entrance exam. We respect you, but do you respect us? You don't want to go to high school in the UK? Fine, since it's done, then don't go. But you must go to university. I know you're arrogant and always think your judgment is right. I'm not saying British universities are necessarily better than Chinese ones, but you know our family situation and that our family's focus will shift to the UK. I can't give up the invitation to the British Museum just because of your willfulness. They've waited for me for so many years, and one can't go back on one's word. Huacai is great, but each profession has its own specializations. To get into a university there, you need to attend an international school now. That's why I asked you to transfer now. This matter can't be delayed any longer."
He came here filled with anger and a desire to argue, but after He Wu's words, he found himself speechless. There was only one sentence that had been lingering in his mind.
"Mom, you guys should go to England. I'm old enough to be alone in China."
He Wu was hit hard, and she stared at him as if she didn't know him.
"Are you blaming me? Do you think this is possible? I go to the UK? Your father and I move to the UK and leave our underage son to live alone in China?"
"I'm not blaming you," he said calmly. "I'm serious. This idea isn't new. Mom, don't let me ruin your future. You can live for yourself. I'll be an adult in a year. I can take care of myself."
"Tong Zhongyuan!" He Wu roared unbearably, "Do you think this is realistic? You're only 17, 17 years old. If you really want this for my own good, just listen to me this once! Do you know how hard it is to be your mother? Others envy me for having a good son who doesn't need to worry, but only I know what it takes to be so good! Your father and I have been walking on thin ice these years, afraid that we might not do enough and hold you back. The core of all our considerations for the family is for you. Why do you think I accepted the invitation from the UK? Was it just for me? Really? We, we want you, our promising son, to have a broader world and to see the world. Zhongyuan, the choice made halfway up the mountain is not a real choice. Only when you reach the top can you make a decision, that is the real choice. I don't object to you staying in China in the future. You have the right to decide your own life. But now, before you come of age, you must follow your parents' plan. This is my responsibility to you."
White doves took flight in the autumn wind. He looked at his mother, her face as resolute and resolute as ever, but her hairline was marked by the whiteness of snow. He hadn't grown up yet, but she was already racing against time.
He looked up at the sky, where white wings were flying freely, and silently longed to be immersed in the vast blue. He turned and left.
Tong Zhongyuan transferred to another school.
The news spread like wildfire to every corner of Huacai.
Qin Yizhang pushed open the door of Class 7. His seat was empty, as if no one had ever sat there.
For a long time, she didn't see Tong Zhongyuan again. What puzzled her was why he hadn't told her about the transfer that morning, or told her about it anytime they met. Even given their relationship, he should have specifically sought her out to tell her. But he said nothing, and just like that, he vanished into thin air.
Autumn passed and winter came. During the Chinese New Year, He Wu came to visit her and stuffed a red envelope into her hand. She asked how Tong Zhongyuan was doing recently. A subtle look of bewilderment crossed her face, and she smiled and said, "He's doing fine."
She hadn't lied; Tong Zhongyuan was indeed quite good. An international school wouldn't be difficult for him to adjust to; he had already prepared himself mentally and academically. But over the past six months, he'd become less talkative, no longer contradicting her, and more submissive, seemingly maturing overnight. Children's maturity is often shaped by unexpected events, and she couldn't help but wonder: was his change also due to unexpected events? If so, what were those events? Was it her forcing him to go to an international school?
Every time she thought of this, her heart tightened. Was she a good mother?
Qin Yizhang wanted to ask about Tong Zhongyuan's situation, but she didn't know how to start. Meng Qiqi peeked at her and his mother from her bedroom bed, sucking her finger. Suddenly, she felt she had no more questions to ask. Since he was fine, then... that was good. What else was there to ask? Nothing was more important than his happiness. His existence was a symbol of happiness.
Winter passed, spring arrived, spring passed, summer arrived. By autumn, Grandpa's illness had worsened, and Qin Yunjie was away from home even longer. She was left alone, a high school senior preparing for the winter nights. Fortunately, she had Monchichi by her side. Its soft fur and sweet expression were her greatest comfort, besides her quilt, on winter nights, especially on rainy days. The only problem was, seeing it always reminded her of Tong Zhongyuan.
Occasionally, when she was online, she would say hello to him on QQ. He wasn't online often, but he always replied to her messages. No one ever mentioned that sudden departure; they were a pair of childhood friends, polite, familiar, and tactful. Graduation was in six months, and Aunt He would probably leave for England after he graduated. Before leaving, Tong Zhongyuan would probably come to say goodbye. This might be their last meeting, and from then on, they would forget each other.
The time converter he gave her, if time could really be reversed, which moment would she want to go back to? There was no answer.
However, just like his sudden disappearance, the magic of life is that people can never guess what will happen next. Before graduation, she met Tong Zhongyuan in the spring when all things come back to life.
Her home was on the outermost row of the alley, facing north toward the road, and she could see the street view from the window. Fortunately, it wasn't a major road, so aside from the noisy summer voices, the only noise was the crisp ringing of bicycle bells.
She rarely opened the north window, especially in winter. But on this day, perhaps it was the greenery of spring, or perhaps it was the alluring spring breeze, she pushed it open and looked out briefly.
The next scene made her believe that the magical world of Harry Potter might really exist, or it might be a kind of astrophysical law that she did not understand. Otherwise, she could not explain how two people in motion in the trajectory of the earth's revolution and rotation could intersect at a completely unexpected place in just 1 second.
In the melodious spring breeze, Tong Zhongyuan, wearing headphones, rode a bicycle along the street. The sunlight shining through the gaps between the leaves cast interlaced spots of light on his white shirt.
She looked at him from afar, and he raised his head as if sensing her, his eyes meeting the pink fragrance of falling cherry blossoms.
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