A week after the college entrance examination, Wu Xin went to the dormitory to pack his things.
The beds of classmate Hu and the last-place student had been emptied, leaving only his bed, all alone.
Qiuhua wrapped the quilt and pillow in bedding, rolled them up, tied them with a hemp rope and put them in a snakeskin bag. Wu Xin put away the books on the table and put them in the bag.
There was only an enamel cup, a toothbrush and a towel left on the washstand.
Wu Xin remembered that the last-place student always liked to use his toothpaste.
"Wu Xin, can you lend me some toothpaste?"
"What about your own?"
"My teeth are getting yellower after brushing for so long. Yours are so white! It's easier to find a partner with white teeth!"
Wu Xin smiled and let him use it afterwards. It seemed that he didn't even let go of the toothpaste when he left.
There weren't many things, so they were packed up in no time. Before leaving, Wu Xin checked carefully. There was a small piece of wood missing from the lower right corner of the window frame, causing a draft. He took out a handkerchief and stuffed it tightly.
The two men walked out with their things. When they reached the door, Wu Xin stopped and looked back.
My feet feel a little heavy and I can't take a step.
"It's still early, why don't we leave our things here and go around the school."
He turned back and said, "Forget it."
Sun Ada helped Wu Xin load the things onto the tractor. The two climbed up and everything was ready.
"Wu Xin! Wait a minute!"
It was the voice of the class teacher. The old man came out trotting and waved his hand to greet Wu Xin. He immediately stood up and jumped off the tractor.
"Teacher Tian!"
Teacher Tian was running out of breath. Wu Xin went to meet him, but suddenly stopped when he was two meters away.
Qiuhua stood beside the tractor and looked at his straight back. Teacher Tian took two steps forward and patted his arm gently.
"Wu Xin, have you finished all the family matters?"
"Teacher Tian, everything is fine."
The little old man nodded. Most of his short hair had turned white. He sighed, and even his drooping eyelids could not hide the regret and sympathy in his eyes.
“This time… it’s such a pity…
"But it doesn't matter. You can still take the exam next year. Just don't put your books down. You've always been a good student, so I think you'll be fine in just one year. Wu Xin, you can't give up!"
Wu Xin nodded vigorously. Teacher Tian’s words were hotter than the scorching sun.
"Teacher Tian, don't worry, I won't give up and will take the exam again next year."
"Okay, okay." Teacher Tian patted him again and said, "If you have any questions, just come to me. Don't be afraid of bothering others. You, kid, have such a weak relationship with everyone.
I know you just don't want to bother others, you always keep to yourself and have a cold temper. But, in this world, people only develop feelings when they bother each other, right?
You are a rare good child, so the teacher would like to shamelessly strengthen the teacher-student relationship with you. What do you think?"
Wu Xin said: "Okay, Teacher Tian, okay, I understand!"
"That's good, that's good. Go ahead, and be careful on the road."
The tractor rumbled down the road. Teacher Tian still stood there waving at them. Wu Xin stood up and bowed to him. He could vaguely see him waving his hand.
"What did the teacher say to you?"
Qiuhua held his hand and asked.
Wu Xin held it back and said, "The teacher asked me to take the test again next year."
"That year you told me that you wanted to be a doctor, and I thought, 'Doctors are great!' I superficially imagined you wearing a white coat.
You said that people can have different ideals, but what matters is persistence."
Qiuhua looked at Wu Xin. The tractor was shaking on the gravel road. The two of them were sitting side by side, shoulder to shoulder. He reached out and hugged him in his arms.
"You've been wanting to say these words for a long time, right? You almost killed yourself by holding it in, didn't you?"
She struggled to raise her head and met his angular jawline.
Wu Xin pressed her head back into his arms and said, "Remember, you don't need to read my expressions so carefully in front of me. Just say whatever you want to say and ask whatever you want to ask.
I'm waiting for you to comfort me. Look, am I more wilted than the weeds on the roadside now? "
You don't need to look, at noon in summer, the weeds on the roadside had already been baked and listless. However, Wu Xin was wrong, he pretended to be more energetic than anyone else.
Qiuhua felt a little sour in the nose. It was already this late, and he still had to force himself to be cheerful!
"Then I have to ask, why do you have to act like a man of steel in front of me? What is our relationship? Can you treat it like outsiders?
No matter how strong you are, you have to take off your shell when you come to me.
Wu Xin, you are sad if you are sad. Who says men can't be sad or weak? To me, you are just a living person.
The person hugging her was holding her tighter now. She could hear the sound of Wu Xin's heartbeat. This strong vitality made her feel at ease, but also heartbroken.
"Qiuhua, I'm glad to have you." Wu Xin said.
His chin rested on Qiuhua's forehead, and she felt wet liquid dripping up, and a bitter taste spread.
Qiuhua hugged Wu Xin tightly and said, "This time next year, I'll take the exam with you."
"Okay." Wu Xin's tears only lasted a few seconds, and his tone became relaxed again, "I want to work as a substitute teacher in a middle school during this period of time while preparing for the exam.
Mr. Lu Xun gave up medicine to pursue literature for the sake of his country and people, and I am following his example.”
"That's fine, I'm not worried about your homework anyway, and teaching the kids can change your mood.
But you have to remember that we are engaged. We are different from others. Whether you are happy or sad, it is good to be real with me. I don't mind. "
Qiuhua spoke in a serious tone, and Wu Xin couldn't help scratching her nose.
"Okay, that's real."
The tractor drove for about an hour and a half to reach Hetou Village.
It was already past noon, and Mom had left some food for the two of them. The front and back doors of the house were open, and a mat was spread in the living room, where the three children rolled together for a nap.
Mom left them a bowl of braised tofu in broth, a few pieces of braised pork and half a bowl of vegetables.
It would be a lie to say I wasn't hungry. I rushed to school after breakfast in the morning and came back in the afternoon. I was so hungry that my chest was sticking to my back.
However, after traveling under the hot sun in the summer, my body felt like it was on fire and smoke was coming out of my throat.
Wu Xin went to the well to fetch a bucket of water. Qiuhua drank a few sips from the bucket and finally recovered.
When they were eating, they were afraid of disturbing Chunhua and the others' sleep, so they didn't say a word.
"They slept so well." Wu Xin moved a bench outside and spoke in a low voice.
Qiuhua took out two palm-leaf fans from the house, handed one to Wu Xin and kept one for herself.
"Children are so happy and carefree," said Qiuhua.
Wu Xin just fanned Qiu Hua and said, "I hope you are as heartless as they are."
Qiuhua laughed and said, "That's the fool in the village."
Wu Xin also smiled and said, "As long as you are happy, I like you no matter what you look like."
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