When Peng Zige exited the exam classroom, he wanted to let out a boisterous laugh to express his feelings of being liberated. However, just as he was about to laugh, he recalled that he wasn’t allowed to make noise within the examination area. He immediately sucked his laugh back in and wound up choking and coughing for dear life.
His violent coughing ended up being just as disruptive as if he had laughed out loud.
The invigilator frowned as she walked outside. When she saw that it was Peng Zige, she said in an exasperated voice, “Move to the side and cough over there.”
Peng Zige inspected the invigilator more closely and made a discovery. Wasn’t this the teacher who had invigilated him during the first Geography paper? She was the one who had tossed Li Erqin out of the examination room, which had resulted in her getting a horrible grade.
When he realized that, he purposefully faced the invigilator and loudly coughed. “Ke ke ke ke ke.”
The invigilator turned an angry shade of green.
Rong Si said, “… Zige, let’s go.”
Peng Zige took two exaggerated deep breaths before beating his chest. “Oh my, managed to clear the airways. See you Teacher!”
*Scram, beat it!
(T/N : 滚犊子 gunduzi a local dialect word- more a cuss word, so I used the more G-rated term)
It was obvious to see these words clearly written on the invigilator’s face.
As usual, Su Zi would be the slowest to complete her exams because she was the type of person who would not hand in her paper until the very last second. Therefore, the three of them returned to the lounge area to rest while they waited for her.
A relaxed Peng Zige was stretching when he said, “Finally done! Erqin, how’d you do?”
“No problem.”
Peng Zige said, “… yup, 48 points should definitely not be a problem?”
Li Erqin laughed out loud as she caught his punchline.
Initially it was Peng Zige’s intention to poke fun at her, but with her laugh, it had backfired and caused him to feel *embarrassed instead.
(T/N: The word 囧 joing, is also a form of emoticon too 囧 – lol)
“Will you be free to hang out during the winter vacation?” Peng Zige asked.
“Sure can.”
Peng Zige raised his head to look at Rong Si. “Ah Si, what about you?’
“Sure.”
Peng Zige smiled as he asked, “Then should we plan where we will meet and have some fun?”
Li Erqin had thought that she wouldn’t be able to see any of her friends during winter vacation, but now she was totally elated with the proposal and nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, yes…we can!”
Rong Si hesitated. “I already have plans for the winter vacation.”
Li Erqin and Peng Zige responded in *unison, “HUH?”
(T/N: 异口同声 yikoutongsheng – different mouths, same voice)
This was followed by identical expressions of disappointment.
Rong Si touched his nose. “I’m sorry about that.”
Peng Zige was petulant but didn’t dare be too obvious. “Oh ok. Guess I’ll just have to go out on my own with Li Erqin and Su Zi.”
Rong Si was silent.
“Maybe occasionally I might be able to come and hang out,” he added.
Peng Zige still wasn’t placated and harrumphed. His phone vibrated just then, and he picked it up. “Su Zi has completed her exam. We should go look for her now.”
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Actually, this was their last paper and it wasn’t like they were going to have lunch together. However, it had become a habit of theirs to wait for each other until everyone had gathered before they all went back to their own hostel.
As Peng Zige’s parent came to pick him up, he left behind a message: “Will make contact when the time comes”, and he was off.
Su Zi’s home was in the opposite direction so when Li Erqin had tidied up all her stuff, she stood and bid Su Zi farewell. “I’ll be going then.”
Su Zi stared *dumbstruck. “How do you plan on taking the bus home with all of those things?”
Li Erqin pointed to the bag on her back. “I’ll only be taking this with me on the bus, and my dad’s driver will come for the rest.”
“What are you up to .…..” Su Zi asked in *surprise as it dawned on her. “You purposely chose to take the bus back with Rong Si?”
(T/N: 恍然大悟 huangrandawu : to suddenly see the light of things)
Li Erqin nodded.
Su Zi lowered her head for a moment and then lifted it and asked, “Erqin, do you like Rong Si?”
Li Erqin looked at Su Zi as she replied calmly, “Yes.”
(Minodayz: can you see me doing the happy dance, whoop whoop whoop de doo!!!! – She said it … she said it … she got it!!!! Whoop whoop whoop .…..)
“When did it start? When did you realise it?”
These questions put Li Erqin in a conundrum. “I realised it after the New Year Eve’s Festival.”
“Oh …”
Li Erqin put her bag down and stood before Su Zi, looking directly at her. “Are you angry?”
Su Zi broke their eye contact. “Not at all.”
“Liar.”
Anxiously Su Zi replied, “I’m not angry. I’m just feeling a little strange.”
“I’m sorry.” Li Erqin awkwardly apologised.
Su Zi wasn’t sure what expression she should have. “You’re not at fault. Rong Si didn’t like me to begin with. I tried my best, I confessed and if it’s not meant to be, then it’s not meant to be. I’ve already given up on the chase. Moreover, none of this has got anything to do with you.”
Li Erqin thought that what Su Zi said made sense and she responded, “That’s true.”
Su Zi was speechless.
Li Erqin hugged her. “I am sorry.”
“Oi, stop apologising. It doesn’t matter anyway because I no longer like Rong Si.”
Li Erqin took a step back. “Do I look stupid to you?”
Su Zi finally couldn’t resist giving her a pat. “How pretentious can you get! We didn’t intentionally aim to like the same person, and besides, there are so many others in this school that have a crush on him. It would be ridiculous for me to be furious with all of them, right? This only proves that the person that we admire and like is outstanding.”
Li Erqin once again nodded. “You have a point.”
Su Zi patted her again. “Begone you! *We won’t want to lose him to others!”
(T/N: 肥水不流外人田 feishuibuliuwairentian ~ a proverb. Literal translation is that good water shouldn’t be allowed to flow into someone else’s farm. Used to describe keeping good things within the family or amongst friends.)
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Li Erqin felt herself relax as she carried her backpack and walked out of the hostel. At the same time, she made a call to her father. “Dad, my things are all at the hostel. Can you please grab them for me. I’ll be home shortly.”
Li Erqin’s dad Li Zhengwen was stunned. “You’re coming home on your own?”
“Yup.”
“Do you know your way back?”
(MInodayz: that’s right ….. LEQ DO YOU REALLY KNOW (｀_´)ゞ??? LOL )
“No, I don’t.”
“……” Li Zhengwen helplessly replied, “If you get lost, just grab a cab, and if you can’t flag one, just give me a call.”
“Ok then.”
(Minodayz: Ok, I’m laughing silly coz I can so sympathise with the dad!!!! My word LEQ – you are just SO SO you! XD)
Rong Si noticed Li Erqin talking on her phone and suddenly *beamed with mirth, shaking his head.
(T/N: 眉开眼笑 meikaiyanxiao – literal translation means raised brows in delight and eye laughing. An idiom to describe a person beaming with smiles and delight.)
He waited until she was standing before him to ask, “Is that all you’re taking back with you for your winter vacation?”
“My dad will pick the rest up for me.”
“Ok then.”
After being with her for an entire term, Rong Si was able to calmly counter whatever Li Erqin might say.
“Should we get going?’
“Yes.”
This was the first time Li Erqin was going home with a friend, and not just a friend but someone she liked.
She was rather beside herself, and excited at the same time.
There weren’t many people at the bus stop since the majority of the students had left earlier. Standing beside Rong Si, Li Erqin repeatedly stuck her head out to look into the distance.
“What do you see?” Rong Si teased.
“The road.”
“What else?”
“Trees.”
“Anything more?”
Li Erqin was silent for a second before replying, “Cars.”
(MInodayz: bwahahahahahaha —- I give up, I can hardly pick myself up the floor laughing at their conversation!!! My word….LEQ, even I’m “…….” lol!!!! (*ﾟﾛﾟ))
Before long, a half-filled bus came up speedily, swerving and wobbling as it approached. This was their bus to take home.
One after the other, they boarded the bus and found a seat towards the back.
With a shudder, the bus took off.
The setting sun was a dazzling orange as it dropped low over the horizon.
It was so dazzling that it blinded Li Erqin, who was sitting by the window.
She squinted her eyes and turned, only to see Rong Si laughing at her.
Part of the sun’s rays were blocked by the window frame so that only a beam had managed to escape and cast an orange aura on Rong Si’s chin.
Li Erqin tried to sit up straight and finally managed to manipulate the sun’s glare so that it fell below her eyes.
“Are you tired?” Rong Si asked.
“Yes, I’m tired.”
Smiling, Rong Si reached his hand behind Li Erqin’s head and used his large handspan to shield her eyes from the sun.
(Minodayz: awwwwwwww……my hero! My RS! Me meeeellllltttttiiiinnnnggggg sloooooooowllllly here!!! XD)
Li Erqin glanced at him gratefully.
She felt that she was inconveniencing him though, and moreover, if he continued, he would be tired out.
After struggling internally for a bit, she said, “Thank you.”
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At a certain stop, two people alighted from the bus. The male student in front had a tall stature and the female student behind was petite. The female student had concentrated as she leaped out of the bus.
Both of her feet touched the ground at the same time, a perfect landing.
She lifted her head to admire and inspect the little neighbourhood. “Is your home here?”
Rong Si nodded.
“Cool.” Li Erqin nodded. “Then goodbye.”
As she said her goodbye, she started to walk away when Rong Si held her back. “Where are you going?”
Li Erqin replied as if it was the most obvious answer, “I’m going home, of course.”
“How are you going to get home?”
Li Erqin was not able to give an answer.
“I’ll see you home.”
Li Erqin was still hesitating when Rong Si pointed to the bag on his back. “I’ll drop off my bag at home first, and then I’ll take you home.”
“It’s alright, I’ll be fine.”
Rong Si said nothing and looked at her.
“Okay then.”
Rong Si’s home was deep within the little neighbourhood. The neighbourhood was rather new and probably had recently been developed.
So this wouldn’t have been the place where Rong Si had grown up.
To get to Rong Si’s floor, they had to take the elevator up to the top. The elevator had windows that allowed them to view the scenery around them.
“Your place is so high up.”
Rong Si nodded. “My mum is a light sleeper and doesn’t sleep well if disturbed, so we had no choice but to choose the top level unit.”
Li Erqin understood and nodded. “My mum’s the same. When I used to sneak out for some snacks in the middle of the night, she would always know.”
Rong Si had to laugh in spite of himself.
When the lift door opened, Li Erqin realised that the elevator opened only to a single apartment, and there was a security gate at the entrance.
Li Erqin hesitantly looked at Rong Si.
“Would you like to come in for a visit?” Rong Si asked her.
“It’s not necessary.” Li Erqin stood near the door. “I’ll just wait here for you.”
Rong Si kept silent. He opened the door to place his bags down by the front foyer, then closed the door and said, “Let’s go then.”
“Just like that?”
“Yup.” Rong Si pressed the button for the lift. “No one’s home anyway.”
The lift door opened.
Li Erqin followed Rong Si into the lift. “It’s so late. They’re not finished with work yet?”
Rong Si leaned on the railing. “They’re often not home.”
“Are they away on business?”
“You could put it that way.”
Li Erqin gave him an invitation. “If ever you don’t have dinner prepared, just come over to my place.”
The sun had completely set over the horizon and left only the cold darkness in its wake. Without any other floor to stop at, the lift descended quickly.
The elevator’s white lights shined on Rong Si’s face.
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Actually, Li Erqin’s home was not that near to Rong Si’s place. When she had stated her address, Rong Si had already known that for a fact. As such, he immediately hailed a cab.
(Minodayz : I just knew it – It would be just LEQ really!!!! But RS, you just let her come along to your place too! Oh too sweet!!!)
After a whole day of exams and a long arduous bus ride through the city, to finally taking a cab meandering to the other end of the city, both Li Erqin and Rong Si were so tired that they couldn’t say a word.
Within the narrow confines of the cab, the cab driver had a radio turned on to a channel where the DJs were using dialects to tell jokes; the dialogue was rather humorous.
Li Erqin’s head was gradually dropping to the side and was about to bump into the window when a large hand supported her head. Rong Si then gently tilted her head and placed it securely onto his shoulder. He adjusted his position to allow her to be more comfortable.
(Minodayz: RS – you are melting me into a puddle … I could use a shoulder about now!!!)
In time, Rong Si found himself slipping in and out of consciousness as well, and eventually, he too fell asleep.
The cab passed a traffic junction and made a turn.
Li Erqin’s hand that was on her thigh slipped down and landed on top of Rong Si’s hand.
He opened his blurry eyes and looked down. Turning his palm side up, he took hold of that tiny hand into his hand.
(Minodayz: I’ll be needing a mop to wipe me up. It’s soooooo sweet – it’s like after our long wait, these two are now taking cute, sweet and adorable to the next level … I’m reliving youthful feelings once again!!!)
(MissBookie: Yes! I’m so excited! We’re finally getting somewhere!)
Li Erqin slept soundly until she was awakened by Rong Si when they had arrived at her front door.
She rubbed her eyes that were dry from the heating in the cab. “Have we arrived?”
“Yup.”
Li Erqin got out of the cab. “Would you like to have dinner at my place?”
Rong Si shot a glance at Li Erqin’s neighbourhood and shook his head. “I will take this cab back home.”
“But you haven’t had dinner yet.”
“That’s alright.” Rong Si smiled. “Someone would have prepared dinner already.”
She looked at him skeptically.
“Moreover, I am really tired, and after today, all I want to do is take a hot shower and get a good night’s sleep.”
Li Erqin reluctantly said, “Oh alright …… bye then …”
Rong Si got back in the cab. “See you.”
The cab took the same route heading back. The cab driver saw Rong Si sitting behind lost in his thoughts and initiated a conversation. “Your friend’s home sure is in a really nice neighbourhood!”
Rong Si collected his thoughts and turned his attention from looking out the window onto the cab driver. “Yes.”
“Even if you had the money, you wouldn’t be able to buy a house there.”
Rong Si was back to looking out the window, and without much concern replied, “Yes.”
The cab driver observed Rong Si from his rear view mirror.
The young man sitting behind had no expression whatsoever on his face.
He then chose to be silent, tuning into another station on the radio.
A clear pure voice crooned from the radio and enveloped the cab with the sounds of: ‘impetuous fire ……’
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When Li Erqin arrived home and opened the door, she could smell the familiar aroma of food. The smell was so delectable that her stomach rumbled in response.
Li Zhengwen was in the lounge watching TV when he heard movement from the front door. He enquired, “Is that Er *Lan who has returned?”
(T/N : 懒 Lan means lazy – in this instance, Li Erqin’s dad is teasing and changing her name from Erqin, which means diligent, to 二懒 Er Lan as in lazy.)
Li Erqin curled her lips. Who was it that had given her the name Erqin, yet he was now calling her Er ‘Lazy’ Lan.
“I’m not Lan aka LAZY.”
Li Zhengwen heard the familiar voice of his precious daughter and stood immediately to welcome her. Raising his brows in laughter, he said, “If you aren’t lazy, then why didn’t you bring your own stuff home from school?”
Li Erqin pouted, “It was heavy.”
Li Zhengwen lovingly touched her head. “Your mum is upstairs *practising her writing. Go up and inform her that it’s dinner time.”
(T/N: I believe it is not normal writing but mum was practising her calligraphy brush strokes.)
“OK.” Li Erqin nodded as she slowly removed her shoes. Then she walked to the house phone and called her mum’s cellphone.
On the second level, Xu Yunshu was practising her writing calligraphy when she saw her phone buzzing and the caller ID was her home number. She was stunned for a moment before smiling and declining the call.
Li Erqin replaced the receiver and said, “Mum will be right down.”
Li Zhengwen was caught between laughter and tears.
(Minodayz: Ahhhh Mr Li, one would think your household would have been a barrel of laughs with LEQ for a daughter!)
Li Erqin put her bag down before heading towards the kitchen to wash her hands. Then she added, “Thanks, Dad.”
“Thanks for what?”
“For helping me bring back my luggage and stuff.”
Li Zhengwen did not accept her appreciation and said, “I don’t need your thanks, but do own up. What have you been doing this evening?”
Li Erqin shook her head. “Dad, you’re not young anymore.”
“Why’s that?”
“Well, when a man begins to be nosey, that means he is beginning to age.”
Li Zhengwen grew anxious. “Who told you that?”
“I did.”
“…….” (Li Erqin’s dad was speechless)
(Minodayz: Ahhhhhh Mr Li, you sure fell for that quick — bwahahahaha I would have expected you to be on top of all of LEQ’s antics by now!!! She sure got you one there!!! XD)
Li Erqin continued to head towards the kitchen.
Li Zhengwen *garrulously trailed behind her. “Li Erqin, let me tell you. As a father, it is my responsibility to show concern and to know everything that pertains to my daughter.”
Li Erqin stopped in her tracks and looked back. “DAD!”
“Yes?”
“You don’t even know when I first learnt to climb over a wall, or when I first learnt to swim, oh and when I first learnt how to ride a bike.”
Li Zhengwen was totally floored.
Li Erqin shook her head. “Uncle Wang knows all those details. That’s what we call a father’s love.”
Li Zhengwen wasn’t about to surrender. “I don’t compare you with other people’s children.. At least put yourself in my shoes. Can’t you just compare me with someone else’s parents?”
Li Erqin replied solemnly, “I can do that.”
It was Xu Yunshu’s turn to be speechless.
(Minodayz: On my Mrs Li – my heart goes out to you, father and daughter are just incorrigible! hahahaha!)
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Li Erqin spent the first week of winter vacation holed up at home. She had spent most of her time during the term catching up with Rong Si and the others academically and had not taken up any more recording projects. However, her broadcasting circle of friends was aware that she was on vacation and had thrown various invitations at her to take up a project. If they could, they would be rushing up to her to do the job.
Li Erqin’s mock exam result was better than expected. Although her Physics score did not improve as significantly as before, at least in the other subjects, her grades were that much closer to Rong Si’s. Even on the school rankings, her placing was getting nearer to Rong Si.
Midway through the week, she had sent Rong Si a text message. The message was rather simple, just a mere *three words: ‘Watcha doing?’
(T/N: That 3 words means what are you doing? But that’s 4 words in English, so I’ve colloquialize it to meet the 3 words.)
There was no response.
Li Erqin felt that Rong Si was being extremely mysterious. The last time when she was at his front door, she had secretly peered in when the door was wide opened. From her quick assessment, she had seen that the house was very clean yet devoid of any sense of life. With the lights off, the house was cloaked in shades of grey. It felt dark and cold.
Li Erqin was sprawled on her bed musing.
— Don’t tell me Rong Si is from a single parent family? Or maybe his parents are going through a nasty divorce?
— Otherwise, why wasn’t there anyone at home?
— “Pei, pei, pei” or ‘Sheesh!!!”
(T/N: 呸呸呸 Pei Pei Pei is a pfft, spitting sound, an action sound of spitting in comtempt)
— Don’t go there. (Stop thinking such nonsense.)
— What was I thinking!
She rolled over on her bed.
— But it really is mysterious! Usually during school time, he would respond quickly to my text messages, but now that he is home, why is there no response from him?
— Forget it, I may as well just call him directly.
Li Erqin bounced out of bed and headed to her desk to retrieve her phone. She made the call out to Rong Si.
She was stunned.
The announcement from the phone said that the number she had called had been disconnected.
Disconnected?
(Minodayz: disconnected??? WHAT??? RS where are you??? What’s going on???)
Li Erqin stared at her phone, not able to accept what she had heard, when Peng Zige called through to her. Before she could say anything, Peng Zige had cried out in a ruckus, “Erqin, I’ve lost Ah Si!”
Li Erqin said, “What?”
“I can’t get in touch with Ah Si!”
Li Erqin said, “I know.”
“How did you know?”
Li Erqin sighed. “I just called his phone and was told that his number was disconnected.”
“His phone has already been disconnected for three days.”
Li Erqin was startled.
“Tell me, what should I do? I’ve got no one to play basketball with! It’s already been a week! No one to play basketball with me!” One could imagine from the sound of his voice exactly what kind of expression he had on: one of pure *misery.
(T/N 愁眉苦脸 choumeikulian ~ lit: anxious brows, a suffering face; a look of misery or being miserable)
Li Erqin turned on her computer and started to enter in her search parameters.
“Erqin, what are you doing?” Peng Zige groused.
“Making an online purchase.”
Peng Zige was about to explode. “I’m on the phone with you! Can’t you do your online shopping later?”
Li Erqin moved the phone away from her ear for a moment. “I’m helping Rong Si top up his phone credits.”
Peng Zige’s ‘fury’ took a nosedive. “Oh. Erqin, you’re so smart. Why didn’t I think of that?”
Li Erqin didn’t feel like responding.
Minodayz: Oh my… after those lovely cute moments, RS has gone MIA!!! Now I’m worried. Maybe I’m really like LEQ coz my mind is zipping here and there trying to find an answer to his disappearance. Hmmmmm….. Where did you go dear RS!!! Don’t you give us any unnecessary heartache. I’ll hold onto your sweet hand holding moment with LEQ and wait with bated breath – come back soon…….. After the festival and now this chapter, I can’t help rereading them again, just to suspend those innocence and sweet nothings!!! DO COME BACK RS!!!!
I did say you’ll hate me for leaving you over the weekend with this cliffhanger!!!! Be good now…..wink wink!