Chapter 25
The days slipped away silently like quicksand on the fingertips. As the seasons changed, and the cicadas on campus began to chirp again, Zhao Jinglu had already donned the uniform of a senior high school student, officially entering the arduous final sprint.
The books piled higher and higher on the desks, the countdown on the classroom's back wall dwindled day by day, and a silent sense of urgency hung in the air. Like every high school senior, Zhao Jinglu struggled with a sea of homework and exams, feeling a complex mix of pressure and anticipation.
That heavy bag of review materials became her treasure. At first, she'd occasionally text Ling Peng, asking questions or, a little shyly, asking what a certain flamboyantly written character meant. Ling Peng's responses were always prompt, his solutions clear, and he'd occasionally tease her, "My handwriting was a bit too fancy back then."
This occasional communication, centered around academics, became a small respite from Zhao Jinglu's high-pressure life. She knew that on this long journey to the college entrance examination, there was someone who had already walked this path, offering her silent support from the other end.
At the end of the year, the independent enrollment selection process for major universities began one after another, and the atmosphere became even more tense. One weekend, Zhao Jinglu updated a signature on his WeChat Moments:
“——>——> Spin harder, little top!<——<——”
In just a few words, with the unique high school senior's way of finding joy in adversity, he expressed both the busyness of running around and the tenacity of not wanting to admit defeat.
One weekend not long after, Ling Peng was dragged by his roommate, Chen Xiang, to the city's largest audio-visual store to help him pick out a birthday present for his girlfriend. The store played the latest hits on repeat, and the shelves were filled with a dazzling array of tapes and CDs.
Just as he was looking around bored, a huge poster on the wall caught his attention - Jay Chou was riding a pony with an unruly look in his eyes, and the poster had big words printed on it: "I'm Busy".
Ling Peng's heart seemed to be gently tapped.
Jay Chou. ZJL. The name written on his sleeve, the joke about loving someone deeply.
Then, the signature message that Zhao Jinglu had updated a few days ago immediately emerged in his mind - "Spin hard, little top!"
A strange sense of coincidence struck him. The album title, "I'm Busy," perfectly matched her current state. He could almost imagine her swishing around in a sea of books and homework, like a spinning top.
The thought was quickly followed by action. Without even thinking twice, he walked over and took a brand new CD of "I'm Busy" from the shelf.
"Hey, Brother Peng, you bought a CD too? Who are you giving it to? I never see you listening to music normally." Chen Xiang came over and asked curiously.
"Oh, a little kid, she's in her third year of high school. Give her some encouragement." Ling Peng replied vaguely and walked straight to the cashier with the CD.
After buying the CD and saying goodbye to Chen Xiang, Ling Peng headed home to handle the final paperwork for the demolition. It was still early, so Ling Peng glanced at his watch—an idea struck him: it seemed like her school was almost over. Why not just drop it off? That would save him having to schedule another appointment.
He thought this in his heart, and his feet had already made a direction. He carried the small but special "gift" in his pocket and walked towards the Chaoyang Middle School graduation campus.
The familiar school gate came into view again. Shortly after the bell rang, students streamed out like a tide. Ling Peng stood under a nearby carport, scanning the crowd.
He didn't have to wait long before the familiar figure appeared. Zhao Jinglu came out with a few classmates. Her face was slightly tired, but she was still discussing something with her classmates, her eyes focused.
"Zhao Jinglu." He called her, his voice not loud, but clear enough to cut through the noisy crowd.
Zhao Jinglu looked up when she heard the voice and saw Ling Peng under the carport. Her face was instantly filled with surprise and her eyes widened: "Ling Peng? Why...why are you here?" She was so surprised that she called him by his name and walked over quickly. The classmates around her looked at her curiously and left tactfully.
"Oh, I came back to do something and just happened to be passing by." Ling Peng tried to keep his tone as casual as if this was just a chance encounter. He pulled the brand new CD case from his coat pocket and handed it to her with a barely perceptible smile. "Here, I just saw it and thought it suited you well. I bought it for you to change your mind."
Zhao Jinglu's eyes fell on the CD - Jay Chou, "I'm Very Busy".
She was stunned for a second, then reacted, and her surprised smile instantly dispelled the fatigue on her face like the sunshine: "Oh my God! It's "I'm Busy"! I've been too busy lately and have no time to go to the music store! Senior, you are amazing!" She took the CD and flipped through it lovingly, "How do you know I like it? Oh yes..." She remembered the previous conversation and smiled embarrassedly.
"See you're signing autographs, busy as a top." Ling Peng's mood brightened as he saw her genuine smile. "I just happened to see this, and the name fits the situation. I'll use it as 'fuel' for you."
"This fuel is so high-quality! Thank you!" Zhao Jinglu cradled the CD in her arms like a treasure. Her previous fatigue seemed to vanish, replaced by a surge of joy and emotion. He remembered her preferences, saw how busy she was, and offered her encouragement in such a special way. This thoughtful gesture was far more precious than the album itself.
"You're welcome. Go back quickly and make the most of your time to get busy." Ling Peng smiled and waved at her.
"Okay! Then I'm leaving, bye!" Zhao Jinglu nodded vigorously, holding the new album, turned around and walked towards the station with light steps, flipping through the album cover as she walked, and her back was full of joy.
Ling Peng stood there, watching her walk away until she merged with the crowd and could no longer be seen. Then he slowly withdrew his gaze. A cold breeze blew across his cheeks, yet it brought with it the warmth of spring. He noticed that the corners of his mouth had been raised for a while.
This surprise delivery "on the way" seemed to have a better effect than he expected.
For Zhao Jinglu, this unexpected gift was like the crisp sound of a pigeon whistle on the dreary road of exam preparation, resoundingly piercing the dull sky and bringing a sense of relief and joy she hadn't felt in a long time. But she didn't have time to consider that behind this gift of "I'm busy" was a gentle "I understand you."
She just kept it away carefully, as if she was holding a secret warmth, but she didn't know that this little spark was enough to start a prairie fire in her heart.
The secret throbbing that began with the hustle and bustle of the basketball court did not dissipate with the wind.
It sank into the depths of my heart, causing a silent thunderclap.
She had hurriedly accepted the expectations thrown by others, and had also clumsily sent out her own feelings that she herself did not understand.
In the sweetness and pain, she finally learned how to draw clear star tracks for others in her own universe.
And he, the sun that once illuminated her entire girlhood, quietly lost his distant halo in the repeated encounters and passing by.
——What is paving the way for this time of yearning?
——It was a tentative touch, a brave honesty, and a shattered dream. In the end, it all turned into the sober courage to move towards oneself and towards him.
(End of the novella)
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