twenty three
The summer sun is very strong, and Zhong Yan doesn't really want to go out.
But ever since she found the little seagull, she has been busy with endless things and has met countless people.
It's like opening Pandora's box; there's no stopping it.
Yesterday evening, Chen Baoran texted her to invite her to her ceramics shop the next day.
Zhong Yan thought of the five yuan; she couldn't refuse it no matter what.
Besides, she had a big bag of lychees in her refrigerator that she couldn't finish, so taking them out to share would prevent waste.
The ceramics museum usually opens at nine o'clock, and Zhong Yan arrived neither too early nor too late.
On the island, houses used for commercial purposes have been renovated and repainted for tourism purposes, making them look much newer than those in other places. Coupled with the distinctive decorations of the shops, it is easier for people to tell what each shop sells.
For example, the Natural Pottery Museum uses red clay jars that are partially embedded in the wall, with dried flowers inserted inside, creating a rustic and natural aesthetic.
There were two motorcycles parked in front of the pottery studio. She knew one belonged to Chen Baoran, and the other, which looked similar, probably belonged to Coco.
As soon as she entered, sure enough, she saw a blue head quickly float by, then quickly step back a few steps and stand still in front of her.
"Isn't this Haiyan's foster mother?"
Pet owners often refer to themselves as "Mom," such as Tangyuan's Mom or Jinbao's Mom, but Zhong Yan is not used to being called "Mom."
So Coco called her Little Seagull's foster mother.
It feels even stranger now.
COCO was holding three cups of tea and handed one to her.
Zhong Yan looked down and saw that the sign was the same one next to the pottery studio: Jasmine Milk Tea.
COCO led her into the store.
While recommending it to her, she said, "Sister Yang's milk tea is made with real tea and real milk, and the fruit is also freshly bought and cut to order. It's just that the remote location is a disadvantage, so her business isn't as good as those outside."
Pottery studios aren't popular restaurants, so they don't need prime locations on the main street; they just need a large space with low rent. But for milk tea shops, location and foot traffic are crucial. Opening one here would naturally result in dismal business.
Zhong Yan doesn't usually crave this, but she has to admit that this iced milk tea is indeed quite delicious. It's not too sweet, and the rich tea aroma is refreshing.
The little seagull chirped inside the hat, and Coco sneakily scooped it up, saying she would take it to a buffet.
As Zhong Yan turned past the bamboo wall, her eyelids twitched.
Could the buffet COCO was talking about be the giant fish tank in the restaurant?
Chen Baoran looked up and greeted them wearily. While stopping Coco from causing trouble, she swept the tools on the chair aside to make room.
"Sit here." She introduced to Zhong Yan, "I'm finishing a piece of art, simply put, it's about five yuan and its friends. Look, this is Dongmei, and this is Tangyuan..."
Zhong Yan looked at them one by one.
These are all palm-sized ceramic pieces, and the colorful glazes make the animal figures look cartoonish.
The five-yuan figure is very large, about the size of two palms, with two jewel-like black eyes, a wide grin, and a small red tongue sticking out from the side of its mouth, with a pure and innocent expression.
Zhong Yan sat on the round stool. "But I don't know how to do it."
"You've never played this with your friends before?" Chen Baoran asked curiously.
Zhong Yan shook her head.
Coco slid over on another round stool, took a couple of sips of pearls, and asked, "So what do you all play?"
Zhong Yan didn't know how to answer, but the text message notification sound saved her. She opened the screen and found that it was from Ji Feng.
She asked, "The monsoon is asking me where I am. Should I tell it?"
Chen Baoran said, "Go ahead and say it, we are a legitimate venue."
COCO burst out laughing.
When the monsoon arrived, Zhong Yan had already begun sculpting the head of the little petrel.
He first asked Chen Baoran, "What happened to your leg?"
Chen Baoran said seriously, "I lost a fight and sprained my ankle."
Chen Baoran's explanation to Zhong Yan was that she lost her balance while carrying something and fell down the stairs.
“We lost money,” Ji Feng said.
Zhong Yan: "..."
Is this a question of whether it's a loss or not?
Fighting is wrong!
As the monsoon approaches, it asks in bewilderment, "Are you sculpting a pig?"
Zhong Yan said, "This is a baby petrel."
"Then why does it have a pig's nose?"
Zhong Yan pointed to the thing on the little petrel's beak, "It's not a pig's nose, it's this."
Chen Baoran smiled and taught her: "You can first knead a circle, and then use this tool to drill two small holes."
Zhong Yan did as instructed, using a new method to create a small, delicate nose for the little seagull and press it onto its beak.
Zhong Yan showed the finished product to Xiao Haiyan.
The little seagull, puzzled, tilted its head and chirped.
Chen Baoran picked up Wu Yuan's profile picture. "Look, this is your friend, Wu Yuan. Do you remember him?"
The little petrel spread its wings, circled around the five-yuan portrait, then folded its wings, as if wondering why its friend was now just a clay statue.
Chen Baoran couldn't help but tear up.
Monsoon adjusted his hat and said, "It's too hot, I'm going to buy a drink."
COCO gestured as if lifting a hat, "How do you have so many hats? Every time I see you, they're new!"
Ji Feng replied with two words: "I like it."
COCO said, "Luxury."
Once the monsoon had passed, Coco slid her chair over to the fish tank and sprinkled fish food. "In this sweltering heat, why are they still holding parades and rallies in the streets? Aren't they afraid of getting heatstroke?"
Chen Baoran kept his head down and busied himself.
COCO winked at Zhong Yan and whispered, "If it were before, Ranran would have run out to watch the excitement long ago."
They all knew that Chen Baoran was still upset about the five yuan.
Wu Yuan is her friend, but more importantly, she is her family.
After learning of her father's death, Zhong Yan would often silently shed tears while doing unrelated things.
COCO crossed her arms and held her heart, saying, "This is just like heartbreak, it's painful."
Zhong Yan thought to herself, how can losing a lover be the same as losing a family member?
"Chen Baoran!" Ji Feng suddenly rushed in, "Can I borrow your car keys?"
Chen Baoran slid back in his chair, asking, "What are you doing?"
"The shop owner next door's daughter has suddenly fallen ill and needs to be taken to the hospital!"
Chen Baoran immediately tossed the keys on the table over, and Coco jumped up, "I'm going too!"
Zhong Yan ran out after her.
Outside the door, Ji Feng rode onto Chen Baoran's bicycle and asked Sister Yang to carry the child onto the bicycle, but her limbs were too weak to lift the little girl.
Zhong Yan immediately picked up the little girl and placed her in the back seat of the car. Coco went to help her into the car.
The more anxious Sister Yang became, the more powerless she felt, with tears streaming down her face and her whole body trembling with fear.
In this situation, no one would feel comfortable letting her hold the child from behind.
Ji Feng couldn't afford to waste any more time, so he turned to Zhong Yan and called out, "Get in the car."
Zhong Yan got into the car and helped support the little girl.
COCO quickly put the helmet on her and said, "Be careful, we'll be there soon."
Zhong Yan nodded.
Ji Feng told her to hold the little girl tightly, then started the motorcycle and drove them to the hospital on the island.
Zhong Yan held the little girl tightly in one arm and held onto the back seat of the car with the other, shouting loudly forward, "Ji Feng, COCO said there's a rally on the street, the road will be congested!"
The little girl had fainted, and her body was covered in the blood she had just vomited. The scalding blood gradually cooled, turning into a sticky, fishy-sweet liquid.
Ji Feng turned the car to the right, and the traffic police on the side of the road noticed them.
Ji Feng said, "Hello, I have a child in my car who has suddenly fallen ill and needs to be taken to the hospital as soon as possible."
The traffic police officer glanced at the vehicle, immediately mounted his motorcycle, turned on the flashing lights, and shouted, "Follow me!"
Just those three simple words almost brought tears to Zhong Yan's eyes.
It's probably because I've heard the saying since I was a child: "If you get into trouble, find the police."
The police provide a real sense of security to the most panicked and fearful people.
The motorcycles, flashing warning red and blue lights, were always in front of them.
The traffic policeman in front raised his left hand, signaling the vehicles behind him to stop. The traffic behind slowed down, and Ji Feng followed the motorcycle policeman into the left lane.
Transportation on Niling Island is complicated. Due to the hilly terrain, there are many steps in the alleys. To get to the island's hospital quickly, you must take the main road.
The main road usually has a few short-line buses running in a loop, as well as many private cars going to the island for sightseeing.
Every summer, the island holds market events every few days, which requires closing roads and changing travel routes.
With a traffic police officer leading the way, you not only avoid taking the wrong road, but you can also see the light turn green again right after the countdown ends.
This all depends on the traffic police's coordination of the road system.
Let them move freely without slowing down.
Upon learning of the incident, the motorcycle police along the route also followed and helped clear the way for the tourists' vehicles.
Some people were impatient and unhappy about being forced to stop, but after shouting a couple of times, they quieted down and became patient and polite when they saw the traffic police motorcycles following behind and the patients in the cars.
As Zhong Yan looked at the flashing police lights ahead, her eyes gradually welled up with tears.
Whether they are selfless police officers or ordinary people with different personalities, they all treat life with caution and respect.
Strict traffic rules can also make way for life.
She lowered her head, and the little girl half-opened her eyes, her rosy lips twitching slightly as if asking, "Mommy."
Zhong Yan hugged her tightly, saying, "Mom's behind us, she'll be there soon."
The little girl clutched her clothes tightly with one hand, her eyes closed weakly.
The little girl's hand and the petrel's claw overlapped at that moment.
They all wanted to live.
Even Zhong Yan, who was willing to give up her life, couldn't help but feel moved.
Life is fragile, yet resilient.
It is like a seed under a rock, which, even though it is small, tries to break through the thick rock and unfold its tender green cotyledons in the sunlight.
Zhong Yan's heart was in turmoil, like a ball of yarn being tangled by several hands.
It's impossible to figure out the beginning or the end.
Around five or six o'clock, they arrived at the island hospital. Ji Feng parked the car, picked up the little girl, and ran into the emergency room.
Zhong Yan took the key and ran inside as well.
When she stepped into the emergency room lobby, the little girl had already been wheeled in on a hospital bed by the nurses, and traffic police and doctors were talking.
Jifeng took off his helmet, revealing another hat underneath.
The doctor next to him seemed to recognize him and asked in surprise, "You just ran over here carrying the little girl?"
Monsoon: "Hmm."
Just as Zhong Yan walked to the side, the doctor frowned and asked again, "Why haven't you gone home yet? Didn't your parents find you someone?"
Jifeng said, "Oh, I've already gone back."
He reverted to his cool and aloof demeanor.
The doctor probably lost the desire to communicate with him because of his "sour face".
The traffic police asked them, "Are you the patient's older brother or sister?"
Ji Feng said, "No, it's the daughter of the shop owner next door. She was too scared to hold the baby, so we brought it over first."
"So you're a helpful citizen." The traffic policeman reached out to shake his hand.
Ji Feng humbly replied, "It's my pleasure."
Then the traffic police also came over to shake Zhong Yan's hand.
Zhong Yan said nervously, "Thank you for your help, traffic police officer... uncle."
Jifeng said, "You're making people sound old."
Zhong Yan said, "I'm sorry."
The traffic police waved his hand, not caring about such things, and only said, "Life and death are never trivial matters. You must abide by traffic rules when driving. Wearing a helmet over a hat like that is not up to standard. You can't do that again..."
The monsoon nodded repeatedly.
Not long after, Coco brought Sister Yang over. As soon as she came in, she went straight to the doctor to ask about her daughter. The doctor ignored everyone else and took her inside.
Zhong Yan and the others couldn't help with the rest, so they turned around and left the hospital.
Zhong Yan's clothes still had bloodstains. Ji Feng offered to take her back to change her clothes first. COCO agreed to delay the return of the car on behalf of Chen Baoran and waved goodbye to them.
Upon arrival, Ji Feng said, "Waiting for you downstairs?"
Zhong Yan said, "Okay."
A little while later, Zhong Yan came downstairs again and asked shyly, "Do you know how to fix a refrigerator?"
Aunt's refrigerator is an old one that's been used for over ten years. The freezer still works, but the refrigerator has been out of order for a long time. Zhong Yan wanted to store some fresh seafood for Xiao Haiyan, but the refrigerator wouldn't cooperate, so she had to go out to buy it every day.
After opening the door, Zhong Yan pointed in the direction of the kitchen to Ji Feng and went to get a change of clothes.
Actually, the layout of this house is obvious at a glance.
Ji Feng glanced around a few more times, surveying the furnishings in the room.
It's so simple and clean that it seems like you're about to leave and travel at any moment.
The kitchen trash can contained bread bags, lychee shells, and a familiar soy milk box.
There were no pots, pans, or dishes on the stove, only a few clean, transparent plastic takeout boxes leaning against the sink.
Ji Feng turned his gaze to the refrigerator.
Zhong Yan quickly took a shower, changed her clothes, and came to the kitchen to watch Ji Feng dismantle the refrigerator.
The refrigerator was turned to face the wall, and the back panel had been disassembled by Jifeng, exposing the pipes and wires inside.
Is it serious?
"It's alright, there's no ice or rust inside. It's probably just the temperature controller that's broken. Replacing it is very cheap. I'll place an order for you."
Zhong Yan nodded repeatedly, "Okay, send me the price later."
"Hmm." Ji Feng put the back panel back on.
Are you also very good at repairing electrical appliances?
Jifeng said, "It's alright. The appliances are about the same. The refrigerator, washing machine, and air conditioner have simple functions, like those for toddlers."
The monsoon's modesty lasted only a few seconds.
"That's amazing!" Zhong Yan said sincerely.
Monsoon: "You like repairing electrical appliances?"
Zhong Yan said, "I don't know."
"Then what do you know?"
Zhong Yan still couldn't answer. Ji Feng's gaze made her scalp tingle, as if she were being questioned by a teacher, and she couldn't come up with the correct answer no matter how hard she tried.
Monsoon took the initiative to change the subject, asking, "Is there any water?"
Zhong Yan quickly replied, "Yes... we'll buy it downstairs."
Ji Feng could probably already imagine Zhong Yan's life.
Live one day at a time, without putting in any effort to think about tomorrow.
"It's best to store some water and food, as typhoons occasionally hit the island at this time of year."
Zhong Yan nodded and said, "Why don't we go downstairs? We still need to pick up Xiao Haiyan, and I haven't finished my ceramics yet."
This house doesn't look like it's suitable for entertaining guests.
Ji Feng followed her downstairs and went to the convenience store to buy water. Zhong Yan insisted on paying for it.
The two returned to Chen Baoran's pottery studio, but COCO's car was there while she was not.
“She went next door to help out at the shop,” Chen Baoran said.
When the little petrel saw them return, it excitedly flapped its wings and was about to fly over. Zhong Yan was afraid that it would fall to the ground, so she quickly opened her arms and caught it.
"Look, I've improved it for you." Chen Baoran held out his hand.
Chen Baoran's craftsmanship is beyond doubt; after all, she's capable of running her own shop. In her hands, the little seagull comes to life, even the edges are outlined with the feathers curling up.
"That's really well done." Zhong Yan picked up the pottery shard of the little seagull to admire and learn from it.
"I'll leave the coloring to you." Chen Baoran handed Zhong Yan the paints and brushes, then asked Ji Feng about the child's condition.
Ji Feng, hands in his pockets, said, "I don't know, the doctor took him in."
He was very enthusiastic and helpful when he was dropping off his child, but now that it's time for him to "show off," he's acting nonchalant and indifferent.
Zhong Yan thought the monsoon was really strange.
But you can't say he's a bad person.
/
Friday, August 8, 2025
Today, Jifeng and I took a child to the hospital.
Some people have to fight with all their might to survive.
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