Chapter 25 (Combined)
Good news travels fast. Thanks to her parents' tireless efforts, the next day when Luo Yan went out, every neighbor she met would ask her questions like, "When does school start?" and "Which school are you going to?"
Whether she was genuinely concerned or not, Luo Yan answered as usual, only letting out a sigh of relief once she was a distance away. She hadn't ridden her bike today, leisurely strolling to the movie theater quite early, only to find that the other person had arrived even earlier than her.
Wang Tongguang was wearing a white shirt with the top button undone, his hair was neatly styled, and he was wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.
He didn't know how long he had been standing there; his forehead was covered in sweat from the sun.
Luo Yan waved and greeted them, saying, "I thought I was the first one here."
Wang Tongguang had been wandering around here for half an hour. Perhaps his mouth was dry from the sun, because he swallowed hard before saying, "I have nothing to do at home, so I'm going out early."
Luo Yan looked behind him and asked, "Zong Ming isn't with you?"
Wang Tongguang went to call him in the morning, and was practically beaten out: "He gets up late, he'll come later."
With one less person, Luo Yan felt somewhat awkward. She didn't know what to say, and her hands unconsciously clasped together.
Wang Tongguang has just been rehearsing here for a long time and has several backup topics.
He said, "I forgot to ask about your grades yesterday."
Luo Yan: "369, what about you?"
Wang Tongguang: "385".
He's a humanities major, so the undergraduate admission score is a bit higher than that for science majors. In a sense, the two of them are at roughly the same level.
Luo Yan followed up by asking, "Whom did you put first in your application?"
Wang Tongguang: "The Chinese Department of Beijing Normal University."
He is naturally good at writing, so applying to Chinese is a perfect fit for him.
Luo Yan: "You will definitely be accepted."
Wang Tongguang himself felt very confident and asked, "What about you?"
Luo Yan: "Both the University of Science and Technology and Jiaotong University offer a wide range of majors."
She wasn't particularly interested in anything, so she simply left everything to fate.
Wang Tongguang was secretly pleased: "It's very close to the Normal University."
Luo Yan echoed, "Indeed," and noticing Wu Huifang approaching, raised her hand to signal forcefully.
Wu Huifang appeared to have just gotten up, with a red mark on her face from the straw mat.
She walked closer and yawned: "I almost couldn't get up."
Luo Yan comforted her, "Don't worry, Zong Ming hasn't arrived yet."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhang Zongming appeared out of nowhere, making one suspect that he had been "waiting in" all along.
And that was indeed the case. He lowered his voice and said to his cousin, "I've really done my best for you two. You better make me proud."
Wang Tongguang spoke the last few words almost through gritted teeth, promising, "Your royalties will be yours next month."
Making money is good. Zhang Zongming only regrets that he did not inherit the scholarly family background. He barely passed the undergraduate entrance exam even after studying humanities.
He said, "Don't worry, I'll definitely keep Wu Huifang occupied for you today."
However, his plan was quite good. Wu Huifang was a true member of Luo Yan's family, and she had to walk and talk next to Luo Yan.
The four people standing in front of the window to buy tickets looked like two separate groups, and they only started arguing when it came time to pay.
Luo Yan: "It was agreed that I would treat you."
Wang Tongguang: "No, I'm a boy."
"I don't care who you are," the ticket seller tapped on the table, "Hurry up, there are people behind us."
Zhang Zongming inserted a hand from the slant: "I'll do it."
The ticket seller snatched the money, stamped the ticket with a "dudududu" sound, and handed it back: "The show starts in five minutes."
Alright, the dust has settled.
Luo Yan held the money, her gaze shifting between the two boys.
Wu Huifang knew she wasn't good at handling these kinds of situations, so she suggested, "Let's go buy some soda."
Each person had a bottle of soda and sat down before the show started.
Luo Yan's left side was her good friend, and her right side was a boy she had only met a few times. Her shoulder subconsciously tilted to the left.
In the dark, Wang Tongguang couldn't get too close to talk to her, but he kept an eye on her out of the corner of his eye.
Luo Yan, on the other hand, watched intently, and even shed two tears at the most moving parts.
Wang Tongguang handed her a tissue.
Luo Yan could tell from the touch that it wasn't the cheap stuff from the supply and marketing cooperative; rubbing it hard on her face wouldn't hurt her skin.
She said, "Thank you."
Finally, he managed to say two words, and Wang Tongguang was satisfied.
But he still couldn't stand watching the movie, and when he came out to discuss the plot, he knew nothing about it.
Wu Huifang pulled Luo Yan aside and launched into a long, rambling analysis.
Zhang Zongming called out to her anxiously from behind, "Come here and help me take a look. I think I've gotten some dust on my back."
What a lame excuse! Wu Huifang first gave her friend a wink.
Luo Yan smiled at her, and then saw Wang Guoguang "substitute" onto the field.
She felt an urge to laugh even more, but she forced herself to keep her mouth straight.
Wang Tongguang asked cautiously, "Shall we have lunch together?"
Luo Yan thought for a moment and said, "Okay, but don't try to pay me, okay?"
She habitually looks people in the eye when she speaks, with a hint of earnestness in her voice.
Wang Tongguang was conflicted and even used his parents as a shield: "If my parents knew that I was letting girls pay for my things when I went out, they would skin me alive."
Seeing that she was about to change her mind, he reluctantly added, "If you insist on treating me, can I treat you next time?"
This back-and-forth, when will it end? But Luo Yan wasn't too opposed to it: "Hmm!"
She nodded, and the stray hairs on her forehead swayed twice.
Wang Tongguang could barely resist the urge to tuck them behind his ears, put his hands behind his back, and turn around to ask, "What would you like to eat?"
Everyone agreed to eat Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), and they found the nearest restaurant under the blazing sun.
On the way, Wang Tongguang brought up a new topic: "How is Uncle's recovery going?"
Luo Yan: "That's great, I can go back to work next week."
Wang Tongguang: "You're only given half a month of sick leave?"
Luo Yan: "My dad can't stay idle. He's getting on in years, and his workplace is quite considerate of him, so his work isn't too tiring."
Wang Tongguang: "In the summer heat, the main thing is to make sure the wound doesn't get infected."
Luo Yan suddenly asked curiously, "Both your parents are doctors, haven't you ever thought about studying medicine?"
Wang Tongguang hesitated for a moment: "I'm afraid of blood."
Minor bumps and scrapes are fine, but bloody scenes are completely unavoidable.
Luo Yan didn't think there was anything shameful about boys being afraid of blood: "Me too, otherwise I would have applied to medical school."
Wang Tongguang: "Are you interested in medicine?"
Luo Yan shook her head slightly: "I think that everyone is born, grows old, gets sick and dies, and studying medicine is very practical."
For her, studying represents more of a secure future.
Speaking of practicality, Wang Tongguang said, "I didn't spend any money when I had my appendix removed. My dad thought I was taking up too much space in the ward, so I had my IV drips done at home after the surgery. My aunt gave me the injections."
Luo Yan: "So many people from your family are in the hospital?"
Wang Tongguang: "My maternal grandparents were doctors, and all five of their children were doctors as well."
Luo Yan: "Zongming's parents too?"
Wang Tongguang: "He's from my aunt's family, my aunt lives there..."
Once seated in the noodle shop, Luo Yan already knew about their family's genealogy.
She felt she should say something, but there weren't many relatives to share with, so she could only listen quietly.
But Wang's relatives couldn't help but spill the beans, and Wang Tongguang couldn't possibly bring up people who were completely unrelated to him.
He was at a loss for words, wiping the greasy table: "Are you guys busy next week?"
The question was directed at you, but Wu Huifang knew that it didn't include her, so she fanned herself with her hand.
Luo Yan: "There shouldn't be any, what's wrong?"
Wang Tongguang's feet under the table were worn raw from his cousin's stomping. He asked, "Is the amphibian and reptile house at the zoo about to open?"
Luo Yan would scream twice even at the sight of a bat, let alone spend money to see any amphibians.
She felt a chill run down her spine when she heard those four words, and shook her head slightly.
Wang Tongguang: "I don't care about snakes. The main reason is that the venue is well-built, with constant temperature and humidity, and air conditioning."
Air conditioning? The Luo family only got a fan this year. Luo Yan had only heard that the lobby of the Beijing Hotel had one.
She said, "Is it for animals? That's so precious."
Wang Tongguang: "Even if someone goes in, the wind will still blow on them."
This was intriguing. Luo Yan had never experienced air conditioning before, so she turned her head to ask Wu Huifang for her opinion.
Wu Huifang: "My mother's work unit organized a trip to Chengde to escape the summer heat, and I went with her."
Wang Tongguang: The week after next?
Luo Yan: "I expect the admission notice will be issued by then, and my mother and I will go back to our hometown in southern Anhui."
The round trip by train will take several days, and this trip will definitely take until the start of the school term.
Wang Tongguang concealed his disappointment: "Then we'll talk about it when you come back."
Look, look, your true thoughts have been revealed.
Wu Huifang knew there was no such thing, so she simply encouraged them: "Go ahead and go."
Zhang Zongming figured he probably wasn't inside either, so he stomped on his cousin's foot again.
Wang Tongguang felt like his bones were about to be crushed, and he gasped, "Is it okay, Luo Yan?"
Luo Yan used to only know that he spoke English well, but now she realized that it was because his voice was naturally clear and bright, and his short words were like a refreshing spring in summer.
She didn't seem to mind, and rolled her eyes, saying, "Okay."
Wang Tongguang didn't expect her to agree, and quietly clenched his fist: "Then which day do you think would be suitable?"
Luo Yan's schedule is almost entirely at home every day. She said, "That's fine."
Wang Tongguang: "Then Wednesday morning."
The two of them discussed it and then felt a little embarrassed after realizing it too late.
Luo Yan had never gone out alone with a boy before, and she hesitated for a moment.
She stirred the noodles with soybean paste, unable to go back on her word, and ate the meal absentmindedly.
Wang Tongguang noticed she was distracted and asked as they walked out of the store, "Are you finding it a little inconvenient?"
Luo Yan shook her head subconsciously: "No."
She probably thought she had hidden it well, but it was obvious to the naked eye.
Wang Tongguang: "It's okay, the zoo won't run away, we can go again later."
Since the other person was being so considerate, Luo Yan couldn't ignore it: "See you on Wednesday at nine o'clock."
He even gestured with his hands to indicate the numbers.
Wang Tongguang: "Okay!"
His mouth was practically stretched to his ears with a grin. Zhang Zongming couldn't stand his cousin's pathetic state, so he grabbed him by the neck with his elbow and said, "Let's go."
The two then parted ways; Luo Yan and Wu Huifang were going to stroll around Xidan for a while.
The two of them discussed it for a long time in front of the second-floor window of the food market, but couldn't bear to spend 1.2 yuan to buy a serving of creamed fruit.
Wu Huifang said, "It's just canned fruit and yogurt, which you can make at home."
We had all the ingredients, but the result wasn't quite the same as theirs. However, we couldn't let others' morale rise while diminishing our own.
Luo Yan: "That's right, you could buy so many ice creams with that money."
The ice cream costs 12 cents and has a rich milky flavor. You can eat and chat at the same time and walk around the entire Xidan Building.
The two of them were still not satisfied after shopping, so they pooled their remaining money and went to Shaguoju for dinner.
The shop was steaming hot, and everything seemed to be shrouded in a layer of mist.
Wu Huifang felt as if she were covered in a blanket, and touched her arm: "It's hot enough."
Luo Yan: "There are just fewer hot talents."
She was most afraid of being jostled around, but unfortunately, there was no shortage of people anywhere in the entire city of Beijing.
Wu Huifang rarely eats out, as dining out is a luxury.
She said, "When we have money, we'll go eat at a fancy restaurant too."
Speaking of the grand hotel, Luo Yan thought of her brother.
Coincidentally, Luo Hong was also talking about his sister with someone at that moment.
He left work on time today and rode his bicycle to keep his appointment.
Zhou Weifang treated everyone to dinner, and all the guests were his childhood friends. The venue was Zhang Hongyang's restaurant, and those who had nothing to do in the afternoon would gather in the private room to play cards.
Luo Hong arrived relatively early and sat down to chat with everyone while waiting for the main character.
Before leaving, Zhou Weifang patched up a tire. As soon as he entered the door, he apologized, "I'm sorry, I'll punish myself with three drinks tonight."
Nobody bothered to argue with him about it; everyone was making a fuss and saying all sorts of things.
Zhou Weifang greeted everyone in turn, and finally sat down, casually asking, "Where's your sister?"
It sounds like an insult. Luo Hong: "I went out to play with my classmates."
Zhou Weifang asked in surprise, "She goes out with her classmates?"
Don't use it as an excuse to avoid coming.
Luo Hong had no idea about their exchange and said, "What do you mean? People who want to play with her are lining up from Nanluoguxiang to Yuanmingyuan."
Zhou Weifang: "You said it yourself, that she doesn't go anywhere and stays home reading all day."
Luo Hong: "That was during the review period; the exams are all over now."
He was afraid his childhood friends wouldn't know, so he shouted, "I got 369 on the test, I should be happy about it!"
Anyone could see he was showing off. The sole of his slipper flew straight at him, and Luo Hong, unable to dodge in time, clicked his tongue and said, "Look how jealous you all are."
His words only provoked a severe beating, making it seem to outsiders that he was starting to act drunk and disorderly.
There were other customers in the shop, and Zhang Hongyang came in to stop them: "Keep your voice down, we haven't even had our drinks yet."
Then he asked, "Who's missing? Can we serve the food now?"
Zhou Weifang, as the host, must have had a plan in mind.
He glanced at it and said, "It's up to you."
When a group of men get together, they devour any amount of food in no time.
After the meal, someone offered cigarettes, and Luo Hong took one and lit it.
Zhou Weifang: "Last time, Luo Yan used you as an example to lecture me, saying that you don't smoke now."
Luo Hong: "It's almost not."
He couldn't even blow smoke rings properly, and realizing something was wrong, he asked, "Did Yanzi teach you?"
He emphasized the word "education," and Zhou Weifang asked, "Then how about calling it 'suggestion'?"
No matter what you call her, it's wrong. Luo Hong: "She actually dares to boss you around."
He said that the four words had no positive or negative connotation; they were purely descriptive.
Zhou Weifang didn't find anything unusual and said, "Haven't she always been like this since she was little?"
Luo Hong: "It was the same when I was a child, but it's different when I grow up."
My younger sister disapproves of many things, but she has never learned to be perceptive enough to point out the shortcomings of others, which only backfires on her.
From the moment the call to go to the countryside was raised, Luo Hong knew he was old enough to go. His biggest worry was his younger sister's temperament; he constantly nagged her, and even on the eve of her departure, he was filled with anxiety, repeatedly reminding her in his letters.
When he returned to the city, he found that his sister had already learned the rules of the world, which was a sad thought.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Weifang finally understood why Luo Yan always seemed so out of place: "It really is."
Luo Hong crushed the embers in his hand: "I always felt that someone must have wronged her when I went to the countryside, but she wouldn't say anything when I asked."
Zhou Weifang paused for a moment: "Did she mention Dr. Wu to you?"
Luo Hong knew the first part and assumed that was all: "It was mentioned."
He wasn't trying to excuse his childhood friend, saying, "It definitely has nothing to do with you, otherwise she would just roll her eyes at you now."
Zhou Weifang breathed a sigh of relief and tried to justify himself: "Aside from that, I've treated her pretty well."
Among the group of children of similar age in the alley, he was the only one who would hold his nose and take his younger sister to play.
Luo Hong raised his glass: "I won't say anything more, brother, I'll remember it."
Zhou Weifang: "Don't just talk about it, ask her for me. I really feel like she's holding a grudge against me."
"Really?" Luo Hong looked thoughtful. "I'll ask him later."
His turning back refers to that very night.
Luo Yan was reading a book in the living room when she smelled the cigarette smoke and alcohol and knew it was her brother approaching. She wrinkled her nose in disgust and said, "It stinks."
Disrespectful, Luo Hong slapped her forehead: "I have something to ask you."
Luo Yan slammed the book shut in a huff: "Speak quickly if you have something to say."
Luo Hong: "Did you have a falling out with the three parties?"
Why did he tell the parents? Luo Yan: "What did he say?"
Oh, you're really unhappy.
Luo Hong: "We can't blame Dr. Wu entirely for that."
Luo Yan: "I wasn't angry about this in the first place."
Many years ago, she genuinely considered Zhou Weifang a close friend, especially after her brother went to the countryside. That's why she deliberately reminded him of what it meant to be unlikable at an age when she knew perfectly well what it meant to be disliked.
And then what? All they got was being ignored.
Luo Yan didn't care anymore; she just didn't want to be friends with Zhou Weifang anymore and didn't include him in her circle.
She said, "I don't know what he's struggling with."
Luo Hong: "He's in the wrong. If these three parties were in ancient times, they would be like the heroes of Liangshan, with clear distinctions between gratitude and resentment."
It wasn't a nice word either. Luo Yan said, "Then you should tell this hero not to mention this matter again. I feel ashamed."
Luo Hong didn't understand: "Where is it shameful?"
Luo Yan: "It makes me feel like I have no self-awareness at all."
Luo Hong thought that she was still angry, but he didn't intend to change her mind: "I will talk to him."
"That's good," Luo Yan said, opening the book again. "Go take a shower quickly, or the bathhouse will close."
Luo Hong felt much more refreshed after taking a shower and even remembered to ask his sister, "How was your day?"
Luo Yan: "It's fine."
Luo Hong didn't just want to hear those three words, so he asked, "Didn't that male student say anything?"
Luo Yan: "Yes, they invited me to the zoo next week to enjoy the air conditioning."
"What are you going there for?" Luo Hong was clearly unaware of this city news and asked, "Where did the zoo get air conditioning?"
Luo Yan: "It was imported from the United States."
That's not what I was asking. Luo Hong downed a cup of hot tea: "Alright, alright, let's not talk about that. When are you guys going? Just the two of you?"
Luo Yan also got nervous: "Yes, I've never gone out alone with a boy before."
Luo Hong was more nervous than his sister.
It is said that during the years he was sent to the countryside, people would chase him to his door. If he hadn't been severely punished for being a hooligan, nothing could have stopped him at the threshold of No. 13 courtyard.
He said, "You've only met a few times."
Luo Yan: "But I think he's a pretty good person."
Luo Hong sneered: "What's so good about it?"
He didn't realize it at all.
Luo Yan counted on her fingers for him: "She's good-looking, has good grades, a good personality, and comes from a good family."
Luo Hong: "That's it?"
Luo Yan: "Isn't that enough?"
Luo Hong: "What you're saying can only be used when going on blind dates, not for dating."
Luo Yan: "What's the difference?"
Luo Hong feigned profundity: "It can only be understood intuitively, not explained in words."
Tch, as if he's been there all along.
Luo Yan: "You don't have a boyfriend either."
Luo Hong: "That's because I didn't want to look for it."
"You're bragging," Luo Yan said. "If you're so capable, find one yourself."
Luo Hongcai was unmoved by her provocation. He shook his teacup and got down to business: "Go out if you feel uncomfortable, then leave immediately. Be wary of men taking advantage of the situation to touch you inappropriately."
Luo Yan herself understood these things, but her brother's explanations always made things seem different.
She nodded vigorously, glanced at the time, and said, "You should go to sleep early too."
Luo Hong hummed in agreement, but for some reason, he still felt a sense of loss, like a daughter who is no longer meant to stay at home.
There were few children in the family. Although he found his younger sister annoying when he was little, he still doted on her most of the time. The thought that she would get married and have children in the future made him feel depressed.
Luo Yan didn't think that far ahead as her brother; she simply felt that they got along well and would show up at the zoo on time on the agreed day.
It was during summer vacation, and there were an unbelievable number of visitors.
Wang Tongguang was already waiting at the door. Seeing her looking around, he raised his hand and said, "Here."
Luo Yan took two steps forward: "Have you been waiting long?"
Wang Tongguang: "I just arrived too."
He pulled out two more tickets: "We can just go in."
Luo Yan glanced at the long queue at the ticket window: "You must have arrived very early."
Wang Tongguang didn't deny it, he just smiled foolishly, and his face turned red again, perhaps from the sun.
Luo Yan was actually quite embarrassed.
She wasn't good at starting conversations, so she just looked at the map and asked, "Shall we go that way?"
Wang Tongguang had already done his homework: "Let's go see the pandas first, as they are most active at this time of year."
Luo Yan had no objection and chatted with him casually about things like "Are there many people on the bus?"
Whenever things seemed to quiet down, Wang Tongguang would find a new beginning.
Finally, perhaps running out of words, he took on the role of tour guide: "This Changguan Tower was originally a royal palace..."
Luo Yan hadn't been to the zoo for several years. When she was a child, she only paid attention to the lively and cute animals and never really looked at the buildings.
I found his explanation quite interesting, and thought to myself, "He truly is a cultured person."
The more she listened, the more she felt it was like he was reciting a script, and she showed an expression of wanting to say something but holding back.
This made Wang Tongguang feel insecure: "Did I say something wrong?"
Luo Yan: "I don't think so?"
Wang Tongguang breathed a sigh of relief: "I've checked the information, it shouldn't be wrong."
Do you need to do research before even going to the zoo? Luo Yan: "Is this your habit when you travel?"
Wang Tongguang: "No."
He was actually hoping Luo Yan would ask why, but she just pointed to the side and said, "There are ostriches."
"Huh?" Wang Tongguang realized, "Yeah, ostrich."
I assumed she was interested in the two animals with their mixed fur.
Luo Yan was just saying it casually, but seeing him staring so intently, she assumed he liked it and started watching too.
The two watched the ostrich running around, its head spinning like a rattle, but neither of them spoke first about leaving.
Finally, Luo Yan felt it was too hot and couldn't help but ask, "Do you want to go look at something else?"
Wang Tongguang had wanted to leave for a while: "Okay, there's still a lot more to come."
So everyone's so eager to get started, what's with this stalemate?
Luo Yan casually pounded her aching leg and kicked it as she walked forward.
Wang Tongguang keenly noticed this and suggested, "Shall we go to a coffee shop?"
A coffee shop? It sounds expensive and fancy, and it would be a hassle to figure out who would pay.
Luo Yan: "We can rest in the pavilion in front."
She was really tired; she started to drift off as soon as she sat down.
Wang Tongguang was so quiet that he wondered if he had made a mistake, and his mind raced.
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Author's note: I changed the blackjack score from 21 to 22 before realizing...
P.S.: Feel free to guess the majors a bit wider; the answer will be revealed tomorrow!
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