At the start of the new semester, everything was new and exciting. When Zhao Mingyue sat in the classroom for her first lesson, many people probably shared the same feeling as her: it felt like the last time they sat in a classroom was a lifetime ago. This feeling was particularly unfamiliar, yet strangely familiar. Even during the first lesson, two particularly sensitive students lowered their heads and wiped away tears. Being able to pick up textbooks again and return to a spacious, bright classroom was something many people had never dared to dream of in their lives.
Everyone cherishes this hard-won life. Their hearts, like a long-dry reservoir, are slowly being irrigated and nourished by the clear spring of knowledge, gradually filling up and regaining their vitality. Besides attending classes, they spend most of their time in the library. Although they are all in university, their foundational knowledge varies greatly. To make up for their shortcomings, everyone is putting in extra effort to catch up on their studies and improve their skills.
In those days, school life was simple. Besides studying, it was all about extracurricular activities. There was no concept of work-study programs, because it wasn't necessary, and because nobody had that kind of financial awareness. The school stipend was enough to cover living expenses, so there was no worry about making a living. There was no thought about developing skills to adapt to society in advance, because there was absolutely no pressure to find employment.
Extracurricular activities were plentiful, including various sports and cultural and recreational activities. Students in this era were more ambitious, and many had a special skill, such as playing a musical instrument, understanding opera, writing poetry, or being skilled in calligraphy and painting. Schools had various clubs, such as guitar clubs, erhu clubs, pipa clubs, guzheng clubs, poetry clubs, literature clubs, drama clubs, calligraphy and painting clubs, English corners, basketball clubs, volleyball clubs, and so on. If someone felt that these were not enough to satisfy their interests, they could also apply to create their own association.
These diverse student clubs set up tables outside the cafeteria every afternoon to recruit new members, attracting everyone's attention. Zhao Mingyue's roommates all joined clubs: Tang Weihong, who plays the erhu, joined the erhu association; Qian Sisheng, who likes drama, joined the drama club; Gao Dongfang, who loves writing poetry, joined the poetry club; Li Chunmei, who likes English, joined the English corner; and Mao Jianlan, who likes writing articles, joined the literature club. Zhao Mingyue, however, didn't have any special talents, so she hadn't joined a club yet.
Her roommates invited her to join their clubs. Gao Dongfang said, "Xiao Zhao, come to our club. Writing poetry is a very simple thing. As long as you like it, even if you can't write it, you can still read it. The more you read, the more you'll gradually learn to write." Poetry was very popular these days.
Li Chunmei said, "Xiao Zhao, come to the English Corner. I heard you read English this morning, and you were very fluent."
Qian Sisheng said, "Why don't you join our drama club? No prior experience is required, and you can experience all kinds of lives. Xiao Zhao is so beautiful, she could play the leading role in our club."
"..."
Zhao Mingyue felt that since everyone else had joined clubs, she should join one too to avoid standing out. However, she didn't have any special talents, so she ended up choosing the drama club, which she thought would be fun and easy. There were club gatherings about once a week, and things would get busier when rehearsals were needed. Finally, Zhao Mingyue had fully integrated into university life, keeping herself busy and fulfilled every day.
Almost a week had passed by the time everything settled down. Early Saturday morning, Zhao Mingyue got up, read some English, and then went to have breakfast. She planned to wait for Shen Xuyue at her dorm after breakfast, as he had said he would come to see her on Saturday. She had just finished breakfast and returned from the cafeteria when she saw someone riding a bicycle waiting at the dorm entrance, one foot on the pedal and the other on the ground, looking back at the dorm door. Upon closer inspection, she recognized him as Shen Xuyue.
Zhao Mingyue ran up to him excitedly: "Xu Yue!"
Shen Xuyue turned around abruptly, a smile spreading across his face: "Mingyue, are you going to have breakfast?"
"Hmm. Have you eaten?" Zhao Mingyue looked closely at Shen Xuyue. He seemed to have lost some weight, but he was in very good spirits and looked like he was doing well. "You seem to have lost weight."
Shen Xuyue said, "No, I haven't eaten yet. I was planning to get here early and have breakfast with you." He glanced at his watch. "It's only 7:15. Why are you up so early?"
Zhao Mingyue said, "You got up even earlier." It probably takes them half an hour to cycle here from their school.
Shen Xuyue said, "Put the lunchbox back, let's go out and play. Hurry up, I'll wait for you."
Zhao Mingyue excitedly ran upstairs, tiptoed to open the door, and found her roommates still sleeping. Gao Dongfang was sitting in bed reading a book. Seeing her sling her backpack over her shoulder and get ready to leave, he lowered his voice and asked, "Xiao Zhao, going on a date?"
Zhao Mingyue nodded and smiled: "He took me out to play."
"Look how pleased you are with yourself. Remember to come back tonight," Gao Dongfang said jokingly.
Zhao Mingyue blushed, gently closed the door, and went out.
Zhao Mingyue jumped into the back seat of Shen Xuyue's car: "Let's go, I'll go have dinner with you first."
Shen Xuyue said, "Okay, let's eat out, we won't eat in the cafeteria." He then started pedaling and set off into the morning breeze. It was still a bit chilly in the morning, and Zhao Mingyue hid behind Shen Xuyue, pulling on the hem of his clothes.
As the bike went uphill, it ran over a rock, causing it to lurch violently, and Zhao Mingyue's face collided with Shen Xuyue's back. A surge of heat rushed through both of them; Shen Xuyue felt incredibly happy, as if his bicycle was floating on air, flying among the clouds. A blush rose to Zhao Mingyue's cheeks, and her eyes glistened with tears—she was incredibly beautiful. Male students who were out exercising early in the morning couldn't help but whistle when they saw Zhao Mingyue riding on the back of Shen Xuyue's bicycle.
Shen Xuyue said, "Ignore them."
Zhao Mingyue said softly, "I'm not afraid, what's the big deal?" These days, it's considered extremely shocking for a young woman to ride on the back of a man's bicycle; the social atmosphere has been suppressing humanity for too long.
Shen Xuyue asked, "How have you been these past few days? Are you getting used to it?"
Zhao Mingyue brought her face as close as possible to Shen Xuyue's back: "It's great, I even joined the drama club. What about you?"
Shen Xuyue said with a smile, "I'm not bad either. I joined a volleyball club and an English speech and debate club."
Zhao Mingyue laughed: "That sounds really impressive."
Shen Xuyue said, "By the way, our school will be having a welcome party for new students soon. Would you like to come and watch?"
Are you going to perform?
“I might be going to perform in a show. If you’re free then, I’ll come pick you up,” Shen Xuyue said.
"Okay, what kind of performance are you going to give?"
"This is confidential for now."
"We don't know when our school will have a welcome party; I don't think we've heard of it."
Shen Xuyue said, "Has your drama club put on any plays? What role are you playing? If there's a show, you must invite me to watch!"
Zhao Mingyue chuckled, "I don't know either. I've never acted before, so I don't know if they'll let me act."
“No one is born knowing these skills; everyone learns them. Take the opportunity when it comes, and don’t be afraid,” Shen Xuyue encouraged her.
"Um, where are we going?" Zhao Mingyue asked.
Shen Xuyue turned the car into a small alley and stopped in front of a steaming breakfast stall: "Let's have breakfast first, and then we'll go to the Summer Palace."
This is a small stall selling douzhi (fermented mung bean juice). Shen Xuyue asked, "Mingyue, would you like some more?"
Zhao Mingyue hesitated. The name "douzhi" (fermented mung bean juice) was familiar to many, but she didn't have the courage to try it. She had heard that it tasted particularly strange, like swill: "I've already eaten it, so I'll pass."
Shen Xuyue said, "Then have a bowl too. I especially love this. Try it." He looked like he wanted to share it with her.
Zhao Mingyue could only nod. Since it was something he liked to drink, she would try her best. It would be best if he liked it. Shen Xuyue ordered two bowls of douzhi (fermented mung bean juice), two sets of jiaoquan (fried dough rings) and shaobing (baked flatbread), and a plate of free spicy shredded radish. He sat down at a table set up to the side and began to eat breakfast.
Zhao Mingyue looked at the thick soy juice; its color was so different from soy milk, and it smelled a bit strange. She hesitated whether to drink it or not. Shen Xuyue had already taken a big gulp, his lips smeared with soy juice. He stuck out his tongue and licked it off: "This is the taste, so authentic."
The busy shop owner chimed in, "Of course, I've been selling douzhi (fermented mung bean juice) for thirty years. There aren't many places in all of Beijing that are more authentic than mine."
Zhao Mingyue cautiously took a sip. It tasted sour, almost a bit rancid. Her face scrunched up, and she forced herself to swallow it, quickly picking up some shredded radish to mask the strange sensation. Shen Xuyue, seeing her expression, laughed heartily: "How is it? Can you still eat? Drink a few more sips, and the flavor will come out. People who drink soy milk for the first time can't get used to it, but once you get used to it, you'll definitely love it."
Zhao Mingyue ate some fried dough rings. They were crispy and fragrant, and tasted pretty good. She honestly said, "The shredded radish and fried dough rings taste pretty good."
Shen Xuyue smiled and said, "If you drink a few more sips, you'll get used to it."
Zhao Mingyue looked at the soy milk in her bowl and said, "How about I share some with you? I've already had breakfast, so just a taste is fine."
"Oh well."
Zhao Mingyue poured more than half of the soy milk in the bowl into Shen Xuyue's bowl, and then mustered up her courage to take a second sip herself. After carefully tasting it, she felt it was okay, much more acceptable than the first sip: "It feels okay after drinking it again."
"That's right, you'll like it after drinking it a few more times." Shen Xuyue seemed to be really looking forward to Zhao Mingyue falling in love with Beijing douzhi (fermented mung bean juice).
Seeing the expectation on his face, Zhao Mingyue couldn't refuse. But to be honest, she wasn't sure if she had the courage to try a second time.
After drinking some hot soy milk, the two headed to the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace isn't really that interesting in winter, but when two people are together, they don't care about the scenery; they just want to find a quiet place where no one will bother them.
The Summer Palace tickets are really cheap, only five cents per person, and monthly passes are even cheaper, only thirty cents per person. But they don't need to buy monthly passes, since it's not close by and they certainly won't come every day.
The Summer Palace was so quiet. At this time of day, the elderly people who had gone out for their morning exercise had all left, and there were only a few scattered visitors in the vast park. Shen Xuyue rode his bicycle, carrying Zhao Mingyue, to a secluded part of the park. The two got off the bicycle and locked it by a pavilion.
Seeing that no one was around, Shen Xuyue quietly reached out and took Zhao Mingyue's hand: "Come on, I'll take you on a tour."
Shen Xuyue's palm was broad, warm, and very strong, holding Zhao Mingyue's hand tightly in his. Zhao Mingyue looked at their clasped hands, and couldn't help but lower her head, biting her lower lip and smiling, her heart pounding like a hundred deer.
Soon, Zhao Mingyue noticed her hands were a little damp. She guessed that Shen Xuyue must be nervous; his palms were sweaty. But he didn't let go of her sweaty hands; instead, he focused on introducing the scenery in the park and telling her the stories behind them. He added, "When I was in Beijing, I often came here to play. In winter, Kunming Lake freezes over, and we would come here to skate. It's bigger than the ice rink at Zhongshan Park, and it's more enjoyable to skate here. The ice on Kunming Lake probably hasn't completely melted yet, but I don't dare to skate on it anymore; it's thin now and can't withstand a person's weight."
The sun had already risen; the winter sunlight was thin and bright, like a lover's hand, careful, gentle, and touching. The two looked at the azure sky and the tranquil scenery, wandering aimlessly, chatting idly.
If you see someone coming from afar, turn around and avoid the crowd. In those days, holding hands and kissing were even considered indecent behavior between boyfriends and girlfriends. However, after the Cultural Revolution, this phenomenon seems to have gradually faded away, and people have gradually become more open-minded.
Shen Xuyue said gently, "Mingyue, are you tired? Let's go back to the pavilion and rest for a while."
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Okay."
The two returned to the pavilion and chose a sunny spot, sitting with their backs to the sun. At first, they sat a little distance apart, at least half a meter. Shen Xuyue took out a book from his bag and started reading, sharing it with Zhao Mingyue as he read. Zhao Mingyue then craned her neck to read with him, and the two slowly moved closer together until they were almost touching, arm to arm, thigh to thigh, as if drawn by magnets, pressed tightly together.
This physical contact brought immense satisfaction and restrained joy to both of them. Shen Xuyue reached out his right hand and grasped Zhao Mingyue's left hand, interlocking their fingers and palms facing each other. Their heads gradually leaned together, heads touching, shoulders side by side, hands clasped, knees touching, as if they were already connected, and nothing could separate them anymore.
Shen Xuyue whispered in Zhao Mingyue's ear, "Mingyue, are you cold?"
Zhao Mingyue shook her head: "Not cold." She felt warm all over at the moment. Cold? She really didn't feel it.
“I don’t feel cold either. Winter is almost over, and spring is just around the corner. Spring in Beijing is especially beautiful. How about we go climb the Great Wall and visit Fragrant Hills together then?” Shen Xuyue’s voice was warm and gentle.
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Mm."
The two chatted idly for a while when suddenly a cough was heard. They quickly separated and turned around to see an old man wearing an armband standing not far away, saying, "Be mindful of your behavior. This is in broad daylight; it's indecent."
Shen Xuyue and Zhao Mingyue blushed, then turned around. Shen Xuyue said in a low voice, "Let's go, let's go somewhere else."
Zhao Mingyue shyly got up, and the two rode away on their bicycles while the other watched.
Only after they were out of that person's sight did Shen Xuyue say, "What an old fogey, so nosy! He's old and nobody loves him anymore, he's definitely just jealous of us."
Zhao Mingyue couldn't help but chuckle; Shen Xuyue was quite adorable.
"This is absolutely inhumane!" Shen Xuyue was still very dissatisfied. They only meet once a week, and they've already come to such a remote place, yet someone still comes to disturb his good time. It's really frustrating.
Zhao Mingyue suddenly rested her head on Shen Xuyue's back: "Where do we go next?"
Shen Xuyue's heart skipped a beat, and his breath became unsteady. He even twisted the handlebars of his bicycle. He calmed himself down and said, "It's almost lunchtime. Let's find a place to eat and then go shopping."
When it came to shopping, Zhao Mingyue hesitated. Shopping meant spending money, and neither of them were wealthy: "Okay, let's go take a look. I don't need to buy anything."
Shen Xuyue was deeply moved. What a thrifty and hardworking woman! He said, "Okay, let's go together. Maybe we can catch a movie. We can't afford anything else, but we can afford a movie." A movie ticket cost 50 cents, with the most expensive one dollar. Shen Xuyue could afford that.
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