Chapter 29

On Friday, Qin Weihang sent Zhong Jing to the hospital for rehabilitation as usual. Since he went there in the afternoon, he was afraid of it coinciding with the rush hour when he returned, so he rode his Yamaha R1.

It was the first time that Zhong Jing saw this vehicle. He saw the black motorcycle parked outside the entrance of his villa and was a little surprised. Qin Weihang was wearing a cool black racer jacket and stepped off the bike. The helmet was buttoned upside down on the handle. The clothes looked really cool on him. It covered all around the upper body, especially the lines of the shoulders. There was this kind of futuristic-style military uniform’s stiff shoulder strap, which ordinary people may need to add shoulder pads to be able to pull off. The coolest thing was that it also has a function for night racing. The side of the cuffs and sleeve were considerately designed with fluorescent stripes.

In the past, when Qin Weihang picked all these fancy outfits to wear, he and Yu Ran would complain about it, but now they can’t complain about it anymore.

When Qin Weihang entered the house, Zhong Jing was already in his wheelchair waiting there for him: “Wow, you’re pretty amazing. I was wondering where that motorcycle came from. The exhaust noise was so loud. I didn’t expect it to be you.”

Qin Weihang saw that he was at the door already, so he didn’t change his shoes, and just held the door and waited for him, saying: “Let’s go.”

Before they reached the car, Zhong Jing told him to stop.

Qin Weihang pushed the wheelchair, lowered his head, and frowned: “What for?”

Zhong Jing turned to look at him while smiling. Qin Weihang’s hands that were on the handle of his wheelchair were wearing racing gloves. It was a pair of rubber, black and yellow cyberpunk-styled gloves. He smiled: “Go to your bike and stand there. I’ll take a picture of you!”

Qin Weihang looked speechless. He raised his head and continued to push the wheelchair.

Zhong Jing sighed: “Xiao Hang Hang, this is the part of you that is not good. You’re insensitive, live life too inflexibly, and boring…”

Qin Weihang pushed the wheelchair and laughed disdainfully: “This is what you call being unaffected by desires and passion.” He bowed his head and patted Zhong Jing’s shoulders, “Also known as aloofness.”

That pat while wearing gloves made a heavy, muffled sound. Zhong Jing rubbed his shoulders and thought sadly: He has grown up. He is not cute anymore…

It was exactly five o’clock when he came back from the hospital that day. After Qin Weihang sent Zhong Jing back, Mu Dan also returned. He declined to stay for dinner. Riding out of Zhong Jing’s house, Qian Fei’s villa was not far in front. The Yamaha R1 passed by the opposite villa and stopped.

Qin Weihang took off his helmet, got off the bike, stepped forward, and rang the doorbell.

Behind the door came the childish voice of a little boy: “Who is it?”

Qin Weihang pressed his right hand on the wall, turned his head, and turned his face away. He did not let himself be seen on the camera. He leaned closer and said: “I’m looking for An Ning.”

“An Ning?” The little boy was stunned for a moment, before he said suddenly, “Oh, Mushroom-headed Little Frog? How did you find your way here? He only comes for lessons on Sundays…”

Qin Weihang was stunned. Was it Sunday? He didn’t pay attention to these details. He just thought that it was the same day he sent Zhong Jing to the hospital for rehabilitation.

“Hello? Why are you looking for him?” Yuan Xiaoye asked. He didn’t see the other person’s face from the screen, but hearing the low-pitch imposing voice, he knew that he wasn’t someone that could be trifled with. It was weird to come here to find Mushroom-headed Little Frog, so he asked more carefully.

Qin Weihang did not answer, but continued to ask: “What grade are you in?”

This was Yuan Xiaoye’s first time encountering such a person who would show up at the door to look for someone. Moreover, his tone was like he was asking for money back, so he snappily replied: “What does that have to do with you?”

Qin Weihang said: “You like Iron Man, right?”

Yuan Xiaoye was shocked now, and shouted: “Who are you?! Are you some sort of stalking peeping tom…”

Qin Weihang stood up and left before he finished speaking. From beginning to end, Yuan Xiaoye didn’t get to see the other’s face on the screen. When he left, he only saw a handsome shoulder and back. Fuck, the clothes were even pretty cool! His skills were too professional and made Yuan Xiaoye even more nervous. He rushed to the window and saw that the man got on a black motorcycle on the side of the road. He wanted to take a picture with his phone, but the speed of the motorcycle was too fast. By the time he had the camera focused on it, it had already left.

Yuan Xiaoye stomped his feet in anger: “Just who are you? Little Frog, have you offended the underworld?!”

Qin Weihang parked the bike downstairs of his place, took off his helmet, and took out his phone. Zhong Jing sent him a WeChat message. It was a photo showing him knocking on Qian Fei’s door. Zhong Jing left a message and said: Your way of chasing people will make others think that you’re a pervert!

Qin Weihang grabbed his phone and didn’t reply. He got off the motorbike, walked into the elevator, pressed twice to close the door, and leaned against the elevator wall tiredly. He recalled that day he drove Zhong Jing and the car made a lot of splashes in the stagnant water. He frowned and murmured: “It was raining that day…”

On Saturday morning, An Ning suddenly received a WeChat message from Yuan Xiaoye, which left him befuddled.

[Mr. Yuan]: Little Frog, have you offended someone? Yesterday after school, a weird man in black came to my house to look for you. He actually knew that I like Iron Man!

An Ning didn’t understand what was going on and replied: I swear I haven’t told anyone that you like Iron Man!

After a while, Yuan Xiaoye replied: Geez, this is not the point! The point is that I suspect we are being watched. I am not his target, but you are! Did you go online to get a loan? You can’t mess with online loans!

An Ning hurriedly thanked Yuan Xiaoye for his concern. He did not expect Yuan Xiaoye to understand the dangers of online loans in his first year of junior high. Children who admire Iron Man really have a correct outlook on life…

After finishing breakfast, he racked his brain, but still couldn’t figure out who would go to Qian Fei’s house to find him. He was a little afraid in his heart. When he walks, he would need to look back. It should be unlikely though, he thought. I have no money nor am I good-looking, so what’s the point in following me?

It was almost nine o’clock when he came out of the cafeteria. Saturday morning was a rare time for him to take a break. His KFC shift starts at 12 p.m. In this more than two hours of free time, he would sometimes clean his room, do the laundry, or sometimes go to the library to find two books that interest him. He only swept his room on Tuesday afternoon, but it seems to be quite clean. After all, he spends a limited time in the dorm room every day, so he just uses it to sleep. He had already washed his clothes last night. He had skipped class and slept all afternoon, so he couldn’t sleep last night and got up to do the laundry. He could’ve gone to the laundry room downstairs to wash them, but if he was able to save money, then he’ll try to save a bit. After thinking about it, he thought it was better to go to the library to find a book. He has always wanted to read the autobiography of Tommy Caldwell, but he didn’t know if the library had it or not.

Next to the library was the school’s screening room. Sometimes clubs will apply to use it. An Ning was originally heading towards the library, but he was unconsciously attracted by the poster outside the screening room. On it were the huge words that read: Rock Climbing Club’s Activity of the Week—Watching the Movie ⟪The Dawn Wall⟫.

They were actually playing The Dawn Wall!

He was planning to read Tommy Caldwell’s autobiography, but then came across the movie “The Dawn Wall” being played on this side. This was really fate. Seeing these three words, he recalled that day in McDonald’s. After Qin Weihang talked about El Capitan, they all searched on their phones at the same time. They then came to know about the largest granite in the world. After that, he also checked a lot of information about El Capitan online. The Dawn Wall was the most difficult route on El Capitan. He had seen pictures of this route, which zigzags on a completely vertical golden cliff, with the sky in the background resembling a deep ocean. Except for the blue-black sky, there was only such an ancient creation standing there, and a human being as small as an ant climbing on its arms.

Dawn Wall Route

The Dawn Wall—Qin Weihang said that the names of these climbing routes were given by people. He didn’t know who named The Dawn Wall, but it was showing radiance and loneliness. Just hearing the name makes people fascinated.

He heard a female staff member at the entrance of the screening room smile and greet him, apparently recognizing him: “Classmate, have you thought about it?”

Qin Weihang stopped when he passed the screening room. Outside the screening room, the boy in a white and green striped sweater was bending over, filling in something on the table.

When he saw that person, his heart was full of regret and agony.

It was sour and bitter, and…he didn’t know how to describe it. It was a feeling he had never experienced in his life.

While filling out the application form, An Ning asked some things related to rock climbing: “Am I not suitable for rock climbing if I don’t have enough hand strength?”

“Who said that,” the senior disagreed. “Can your hand strength be worse than mine? Hand strength can be trained.”

An Ning didn’t dare push the pot on Qin Weihang’s head, and asked: “My nearsightedness is 600 degrees, can I still be able to climb?”

“It’s okay,” said the senior, “Our president also has a myopic of 500 degrees. Sometimes you don’t need to take your glasses off when you rock climb. If you’re worried, wear a pair of contact lenses.”

An Ning nodded, and just when he finished filling in his phone number, the form was suddenly taken away from beside him. Puzzled, he followed that hand and lifted his head. Unexpectedly, he saw that it was Qin Weihang and was suddenly stunned.

The senior was also dumbfounded, staring foolishly at the great god that appeared out of nowhere.

Qin Weihang picked up the form, scanned the middle school handwriting, and asked him: “Do you want to learn rock climbing?”

An Ning didn’t know what Qin Weihang’s intentions were, so he can only honestly say: “I’m a little interested…”

Qin Weihang lifted his eyes from behind the form and looked at him: “Is it because of me?”

An Ning was left speechless by the question. Looking at Qin Weihang’s straightforward and deadly expression, he was unable to say anything

Qin Weihang didn’t make things difficult for him and asked: “How serious are you?”

An Ning frowned; he had never thought about this question. However, he had lived this long and had never wanted to do something that had nothing to do with his studies or his future. Just how serious was everyone when they rebelled for the first time in their life?

“I know my hands are not strong enough,” he said, “but I still want to try.”

Qin Weihang folded the form and said: “Okay, then I’ll teach you.”

The senior on the side was dumbfounded.

An Ning couldn’t believe it. He kept feeling that Qin Weihang was going to take the opportunity to be sarcastic with him or something. He said with a bit of difficulty: “But I can’t afford the coaching fee…”

Qin Weihang felt bad when he heard this. His Adam’s apple rolled, and he just wanted to say, just forgive me, stop saying that… Finally, he looked into those extremely sincere eyes and said seriously: “I won’t charge you. It’s the end of the semester, so you can help me with my studies, okay?”

An Ning knows too well what that ‘okay’ means. It means to be afraid of being rejected by the other party. Qin Weihang said this one word, yet who can reject it? What more, he said it so softly.

“I have no problem with helping you, but if you personally teach me rock climbing, will it delay your time?” He couldn’t help but feel that Qin Weihang was exerting great effort into achieving something minor…*

[*TN: The idiom was “using a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken,” meaning QWH is trying too hard just to get An Ning to help him with his studies.]

“Won’t delay,” Qin Weihang said.

The senior from the rock climbing club found her voice at this time and said hurriedly: “Classmate, him teaching you rock climbing and you joining the club does not contradict. It’s too lonely to rock climb with just two people. It’s more fun to have more talents…”

She didn’t even finish speaking yet, and Qin Weihang had already replied: “Who said that?”

The great god had spoken, how could she refute? So the girl had no choice but to shut up.

An Ning was also a bit apologetic since he had already filled out half of the application form. He was in a tight spot, but then he heard Qin Weihang say: “Do you have so much time? You’ll have to climb with me and also climb with the club, don’t you?”

In the face of this cruel reality, An Ning had to say sorry to the senior from the club. Qin Weihang then returned the application form. He glanced at the poster outside the screening room and asked An Ning: “Did you want to watch this?”

An Ning waved his hand quickly: “No, I filled out this application form because I really want to learn rock climbing, not so that I can watch the movie!”

Qin Weihang asked again: “You didn’t want to watch it?”

“Uh, I do want to watch it, but I filled this application…”

“I understand,” Qin Weihang listened to him explaining in a panic, pursed the corners of his mouth to suppress his smile, and said, “Let’s go.”

The two left the screening room together. An Ning saw Qin Weihang carrying a black duffel bag in his other hand and asked: “Did you just come back from somewhere?”

“No,” Qin Weihang said, “I decided to move back to the dormitory.”

School grass Qin’s one phrase surprised him. An Ning stood dumbfounded, his footsteps unconsciously stopped.

Qin Weihang also stopped and looked back at him: “Do you not welcome me?”

After saying that, he regretted it. Isn’t it normal to not be welcoming. Otherwise, how else do you expect him to answer? … Then I will slowly make myself be accepted again.

An Ning was stunned for a long time before he recovered: “How is that possible, of course I’ll welcome you!”

He spoke without an ounce of grudge. He has always been the boy who bravely stood up on the basketball court, so Qin Weihang felt even worse in his heart. He raised his head and looked at the direction of the library: “Are you going to the library?”

An Ning was reminded by him, “Yes.”

Qin Weihang said: “Then you can go.”

An Ning kept feeling that Qin Weihang was acting strange. The sentence ‘Then you can go’ was spoken in an excessively gentle tone, it was not like him at all. However, this may be his own illusion. He looked at Qin Weihang’s back when he turned and left. An Ning’s heart was filled with mixed feelings. He turned around and walked a few steps towards the library. Suddenly, he heard Qin Weihang calling him again. He turned around in confusion. Qin Weihang stood 20 meters away from him, asking: “What’s the room number?”

An Ning smiled and shouted at him: “606!”