Zhang Jingchan walked out of the Zhang family villa with her backpack, preparing to hail a taxi when someone emerged from the shade of a nearby tree.
Zhang Jingchan stood with both hands tucked in her school uniform trouser pockets, looking at him with a calm expression.
The 26-year-old Xu Yi had an intensely scholarly air about him, refined and thin. He looked at the girl before him, revealing a somewhat bitter smile: “Weiyi, I knew you’d be here.”
Zhang Jingchan responded with a simple “Mm.”
Even after being ruthlessly rejected by a young girl, even with a hint of humiliation, Xu Yi still maintained his composure. He asked: “Before, didn’t you say there was absolutely no possibility between you and Achan? Why the sudden change of heart?”
Zhang Jingchan replied: “When it comes to feelings, who can say for sure.”
“Feelings, haha.” Xu Yi laughed self-mockingly. “You said before that you were focused on the college entrance exam and didn’t want to date. Turns out it’s only with him that you’ll talk about feelings. Achan is a good boy, but right now… Fu Ming has encountered some very troublesome matters. If you’re with him now, I’m afraid you’ll suffer and face hardships in the future.”
Zhang Jingchan let out a derisive snort, stepped forward two paces to the roadside, one hand still in her trouser pocket, the other raised to hail a distant taxi. He said: “That’s between me and Achan, no need for your concern.”
Xu Yi stared at his movements.
The taxi slowly approached. Xu Yi said: “This Sunday we agreed to go see a movie together. You’re a girl who keeps her word. Come with me to see one last movie, consider it a farewell. Is that alright?”
Zhang Jingchan frowned, pulled open the car door, tossed her backpack inside, got in, and said: “Not going. There’s nothing to say goodbye about. Stop pestering me. Driver, let’s go.”
Xu Yi stood by the roadside, silently watching the cold lines of the young girl’s profile, watching the taxi drive away.
He returned to his own car, leaned back in the seat, and lit another cigarette.
He and Li Weiyi had never agreed to see a movie on Sunday. But just now, the girl hadn’t refuted it.
She didn’t know.
Whether it was the tone of tonight’s text messages or her words and behavior, everything seemed like a different person. Driven by some inexplicable impulse, he had tested her.
The strange situation from May 11th to 13th, and March 11th to 13th, was happening again.
Who is “she” now?
Where has the girl he admires gone?
——
Li Weiyi didn’t follow Zhang Jingchan’s instructions. Time was simply too tight. She worked until 4 AM before she couldn’t hold on any longer and had to sleep. At 9 AM she crawled out of bed again, randomly stuffed some food in her mouth, and continued working.
At the same time, Zhang Jingchan was taking the English exam. In this subject, President Zhang finally salvaged some dignity, handing in his paper 20 minutes early, his expression somewhat relaxed. He rushed to the Zhang family home before noon, unaware that Li Weiyi had stayed up all night; Li Weiyi naturally also didn’t know that Zhang Jingchan had scored 149 for her, the highest English score in the entire grade.
After the two ate lunch with almost no communication, Zhang Jingchan hurried back to take the liberal arts comprehensive exam he least wanted to face.
After 3 PM, the study was utterly silent. Outside the window came occasional birdsong. Li Weiyi’s pen sometimes scratched across paper, sometimes she tapped at the keyboard.
Someone knocked on the door.
Li Weiyi didn’t even look up: “Come in.”
“Achan.”
Li Weiyi raised her head, glanced at Sister Liu who looked uneasy, and asked: “What is it?” Her eyes returned to the ledger.
Sister Liu was also shocked by the ledgers scattered all over the study floor. She hesitated, closed the door, stepped forward two paces, first placed a plate of snacks on the desk, and said: “I made you some food.”
Despite Li Weiyi’s attention being entirely on the ledger, she was attracted by that oily, fragrant aroma. She glanced at the desk and asked: “What is this?”
“Oh, a specialty from my hometown, called dengxin wowo.”
But Li Weiyi wasn’t really paying attention, just unconsciously responding: “Oh… your hometown, where is…”
Sister Liu didn’t answer.
After a few more seconds, Sister Liu said: “I have something to tell you.”
“Mm, go ahead…”
But Sister Liu seemed to find it difficult to speak.
Li Weiyi had to put down the ledger, rubbed her eyes, and looked at her: “Go ahead, I’m listening. Hurry up, I’m very busy.”
Sister Liu’s face flushed red, her gaze melancholic yet sincere: “I just wanted to tell you… this matter, it’s not appropriate for me to tell the master either, but I feel it should be said.”
“What matter?”
“Starting over a month ago, there’s been a Mr. Li, seems to be an old acquaintance of the mistress, who has come several times.”
“And then?”
“Each time… each time he and the mistress are alone in a room together. I didn’t intentionally listen, but sometimes their voices are very loud. I heard them talking about ‘money,’ ‘feelings’ and such. Also, there were some… some… strange sounds.” Sister Liu’s head was buried low. “I didn’t dare get too close, but… the mistress specifically instructed me that I absolutely cannot tell anyone, including you and the master.”
Li Weiyi’s heart skipped a beat. She asked: “What you’re saying is true? If there’s even half a sentence of slander, you know the consequences? My dad definitely won’t let you off. I’m sure you’re aware of my family’s influence in Chen City.”
Sister Liu was indeed frightened, hurriedly waving her hands: “No, no! This kind of thing, how could I slander! I… I originally didn’t want to meddle, but over these years, the master and you Achan have been very good to me. Plus I hope your family stays harmonious and happy. I’m afraid the mistress might have a momentary lapse in judgment…”
Sister Liu was almost in tears. Li Weiyi interrupted her: “Do you have anything else to say?”
“No… nothing else.”
“I understand. Thank you, Sister Liu. Regardless of what the real situation is, I hope you’ll follow my mom’s instructions and besides me, don’t tell anyone, including my dad. I’ll handle this matter.”
“Okay, okay! Achan, I’ll do as you say.”
Sister Liu left. Li Weiyi let out a long breath, leaned back in her chair thinking, then stood up and walked out of the room. Leaning against the second-floor railing, she could see Wu Xinhui playing cards with several other ladies, looking cheerful and completely normal.
Li Weiyi instinctively didn’t believe it, but Sister Liu had described it in such detail—and what reason would she have to slander?