22. Who is the boy walking with you?
As the May Day holiday approached, Xiao Tong welcomed two major happy events.
First, a film crew came to the school to cast child actors and immediately fell in love with Tang Sizhuo. They contacted Xiao Tong, hoping to have him film during the summer vacation. Although Xiao Tong, upon further investigation, discovered that the project was a local chronicle TV series sponsored by the Jiangming Municipal Government, she wasn't impressed. However, her proactive refusal was even more impressive. She constantly told everyone about her daughter's strong invitation to be a child star, which she had refused. Later, she achieved a preliminary victory in the battle for Sun Changming's position. He finally began to divide his project shares with his ex-wife through a lawyer, making divorce arrangements, and returning to Jiangming City to live permanently.
Over the past few years, Tang Sizhuo and Sun Changming hadn't spent much time together. Even though things felt a bit strange, Tang Sizhuo was happy to have him at home. After all, Xiao Tong was in good spirits and had company, so her attention wouldn't be too focused on her. Besides, Sun Changming was used to the ways of the business world, always advocating harmony and a cheerful demeanor. He even took mother and daughter to the mall a few days after returning home to buy clothes and jewelry, and even gave Tang Sizhuo a brand new phone.
It is a pink and white sliding cover model with a circle of small flowers on the back. It can be turned on and off as the user operates it, which is very popular among young women.
Tang Sizhuo glanced down and didn't dare to answer. Xiao Tong would definitely not agree. In her eyes, everyone could lead Tang Sizhuo astray. Cell phones and computers could only be used for study or to contact her when she was out. Sun Changming saw Tang Sizhuo's concerns, smiled and touched her head, bent down and put the new phone in her pocket, then put his arm around her shoulders and whispered in her ear, "Dad hasn't been home for so long, so consider this your apology. Mom doesn't know, this is a little secret between you and Dad."
Tang Sizhuo accepted it, half-comprehending. Sun Changming then bought her a phone card. However, it didn't really make much sense for her to have it. Xu Mengyan didn't have a phone, and neither did Zeng Xiasheng. Fortunately, Zeng Xiasheng promised to save up enough money to buy one, ensuring she could receive text messages from her friends before the end of summer vacation.
As the temperature gradually rose, Xu Mengyan successfully persuaded her parents to bike to work with Song Yichen. Song Yichen lived in a residential complex close to hers, so they could walk together for nearly half an hour before parting ways at a fork in the road. After school, the two would often take leisurely bike rides, chatting in the spring breeze.
Xu Mengyan no longer sat at the same table with Tang Sizhuo, but she was still the only classmate she could talk to. She occasionally mentioned her to Song Yichen, who had a strong impression of Tang Sizhuo. He said that in fact, everyone in the school was impressed. After all, with her good grades, beautiful appearance, and unsociable personality, it was hard not to notice her. Xu Mengyan was proud of her special status among the "famous." When she rode her bike to the school gate, she would specifically look for Tang Sizhuo in the crowd. When she found her, she would shout hello, ride over quickly, and then turn around to say goodbye tomorrow.
After a few chance encounters, one day, Song Yichen fell silent for the first time, then took the initiative to mention Tang Sizhuo, asking Xu Mengyan if she knew the person walking with her. Xu Mengyan had no idea who he was talking about, and only after he reminded her did she realize that there seemed to be such a person. He was tall and thin, without a school bag or uniform, and often wore dark clothes. He appeared around Tang Sizhuo, a few steps behind her.
The school didn't prohibit drop-offs, and there were plenty of snack stalls after school, filled with parents picking up their children and pedestrians buying dinner. Xu Mengyan reminisced for a moment, vaguely sensing that Tang Sizhuo might have known the man, but she couldn't recall how they'd interacted.
"What's wrong?"
"She didn't tell you?"
"No."
Song Yichen's brows were already furrowed, and his expression grew even more serious when he heard her words. He simply got off his bike, walked to the side of the road, and waved to Xu Mengyan, motioning her to come over and talk.
"That boy shouldn't be from our school. What do you think, given Tang Sizhuo's personality, would lead him to allow him to follow him all the time?"
Xu Mengyan was startled, and had a bad feeling. "What do you mean? Are you trying to say she's in a premature relationship—"
"Don't put such a big accusation on others," Song Yichen interrupted her and said worriedly, "I'm just a little worried about her."
"Why?"
Xu Mengyan was puzzled. It was just a boy walking Tang Sizhuo home. Didn't she and Song Yichen walk together after school every day? Besides, Tang Sizhuo was far ahead in academics. Even if he was really in love, it wouldn't be a big deal. Seeing that she still didn't take it seriously, Song Yichen hesitated for a moment, then leaned in closer and said in a low voice, "You have to promise me that you won't tell anyone what I'm going to tell you next."
His tone was always gentle and soft, rarely so serious. Xu Mengyan couldn't help but get nervous and nodded blankly.
"My pre-admission quota was only given to me after someone else vacated it, you know?"
Xu Mengyan responded softly, becoming more and more confused, not understanding why the topic came up again.
"The girl who was vacant was in my class. She was a better student than me, but she was quiet and didn't have many friends. I don't know why, but she was in contact with a boy outside, and by the time the teacher found out, it was too late." Song Yichen chose his words carefully, trying to be as tactful as possible. "Something happened. She was mentally traumatized, and now she's on leave from school."
Xu Mengyan was stunned for a long time before she reacted. She felt like her scalp was about to explode. She looked at Song Yichen in disbelief. He looked serious and added, "I'm not telling you a story. This is a true story. You must keep it a secret."
A few minutes ago, this was something she'd only seen in novels and social news. The more Xu Mengyan thought about it, the more scared she became. Tang Sizhuo was introverted and naive, and usually believed everything she said in a joke, let alone a boy a few years older than her.
Seeing that she was in a trance, Song Yichen sent her to the gate of the community before leaving.
"Don't think too much about it, it's not that bad. But you should observe carefully. If there is anything wrong, go to your homeroom teacher. All the teachers know about it, and she will take care of it."
In the monthly exam at the end of May, Tang Sizhuo, as usual, topped the grade, with no deductions in all subjects combined. As a result, she was singled out by the principal and lavishly praised at the flag-raising ceremony. She disliked such occasions, and when she turned to leave after the meeting, her homeroom teacher stopped her and said she had something to say to her.
The homeroom teacher was Chen Li, nearly forty years old, with an outstanding record of teaching and a reputation throughout the school for being a strict teacher. Even so, Tang Sizhuo was diligent and well-behaved, never having been scolded. So, she wasn't afraid as she followed her to the office, figuring she'd probably just give her some advice, as usual, to encourage her to be neither arrogant nor discouraged, and to keep working hard for the final exam.
But after entering the office, Tang Sizhuo felt the atmosphere was strange. It was clearly a break, but there was no teacher in the entire seventh grade office. Chen Li had closed the door and locked it to prevent anyone from entering.
The room was so quiet for a moment that only the breathing of the two people could be heard. The air seemed to freeze. Tang Sizhuo didn't dare to breathe. He stood in front of the desk and looked at her in confusion.
"I trust you very much, so I came to ask you alone."
Chen Li looked around, indicating to Tang Sizhuo that this was the safe environment she had created. Then, she stared straight into his eyes and asked, "Who is the boy you walk with every day after school? He shouldn't be from our school, right?"
She had observed him for several days and found that although the boy looked young, his movements and demeanor were almost adult-like. He was likely no longer studying and was a working young man. Chen Li didn't want to scare her, so she didn't say it directly.
Tang Sizhu was stunned. She had never expected the teacher to ask about Zeng Xiasheng. Her momentary panic exposed the truth. Chen Li noticed the change in her expression and didn't need her to answer.
The situation of the ninth-grade girl was far more serious than the students had privately rumored. She had been deceived by an online romance and was now frequently self-harming and even had suicidal tendencies. During last summer vacation, her parents were constantly making noises, calling school officials and every teacher, demanding an explanation. Other teachers were terrified, fearing that their own students might also be in trouble.
When Xu Mengyan came to report, Chen Li was initially skeptical. However, thinking about Tang Sizhuo's appearance and personality, she felt even more threatened. She couldn't help but be extremely vigilant. Sure enough, she discovered that the boy was waiting at the school gate every day. As soon as Tang Sizhuo saw him, he would start talking excitedly, a completely different person from at school.
She asked as gently as possible, "I've sent all the other teachers away, so it's just the two of us. I won't criticize you. Tell the teacher, what is your relationship?"
Should I tell you? Tang Sizhu asked himself.
She noticed the look in the driver's eyes when he happened to catch a glimpse of Zeng Xiasheng. He didn't realize the man waving goodbye had just been playing with his employer's daughter. So his scrutinizing gaze slid from his torn collar to his palms, where black lines crossed each other. He tutted disdainfully and honked his horn to send the man away.
But this is her homeroom teacher, the one who taught her that everyone is equal and that one should not judge people by their appearance.
Tang Sizhuo's voice was low, but he still mustered up the courage to admit, "We... are friends."
Chen Li nodded, not denying her definition of the relationship, and her voice became softer.
"Tell me which school he is from? What's his name?"
Tang Sizhuo was about to answer when he suddenly heard her ask, "Do your parents know that you are friends?"
Parents.
Tang Sizhuo was struck by lightning. His eyes widened instantly, his heart beat violently, and he could hardly stand.
The head teacher's unusual gentleness almost made her lose her caution. Teacher Chen might understand her, but Teacher Chen always emphasized the integration of home and school and would definitely contact her parents.
Her eyes quickly shifted to the desk, but the lecture notes and water cup on the desk began to twist, changing into blocks of color and making a buzzing sound, like the slap Xiao Tong made when he hit her.
Tang Sizhuo couldn't utter a single word. Her head was spinning. She only remembered being pulled down by Chen Li as she was about to lose her balance. The teacher then spoke a lot, but she couldn't hear or understand. Shame and fear gripped her heart, causing her to nearly burst into tears. Finally, with red eyes, she fled back to the classroom, gathered her bag, and hurried away.
He refused to answer any questions and just kept sobbing. Chen Li could only think the worst.
Before calling Tang Sizhuo over, she thought over and over how to deal with the situation. She felt that such a smart and sensitive little girl should not be pushed too hard, so she called Xiao Tong in person. She did not mention the boy, but only said that the child was not feeling well and asked the parents to take the child home to rest.
After fully demonstrating her sincerity, Chen Li hung up the phone and agreed with Tang Sizhuo that she would not continue to ask questions or tell his parents. In exchange, Tang Sizhuo would no longer have any contact with that boy.
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