Chapter 32

Cheng Xiaoyu didn’t tell Wang Ou that he felt Fu Xiyue left her phone number not just because of his beautiful guitar skills. He wasn’t wrong; Fu Xiyue recognized him as the rich kid who had been in the news for a while for crashing a Ferrari into someone. However, her intention in leaving her number wasn’t entirely for that reason. First, she wanted Cheng Xiaoyu to take better care of her store and buy more things. Second, she really wanted to learn how to play the guitar. Although her family sold musical instruments, she herself didn’t know how to play any. Her father used to be in a rock band but never made a name for himself, so he opened a music store instead. He also didn’t let his daughter learn any instruments. Fu Xiyue had always wanted to learn the guitar, but her father wouldn’t teach her, and her studies were heavy before she finished high school, so she never had the chance. Today, seeing Cheng Xiaoyu’s perfect performance, she couldn’t resist the urge to learn.

Thinking that Cheng Xiaoyu was a rich kid, she felt that building a relationship with him would be beneficial, so she left her phone number.

Sitting in Cheng Xiaoyu’s Ferrari, Wang Ou exclaimed loudly for a while, marveling at how great it must be to be a rich kid and dreaming of earning enough money to buy one in the future.

The dinner that night was paid for by Wang Ou, who said it was a teacher-apprentice banquet. Cheng Xiaoyu didn’t have the heart to take advantage of Wang Ou, so they chose a Hong Kong-style restaurant and ordered a few dishes. After eating, Cheng Xiaoyu said he would find a guitar tutorial online and send it to Wang Ou for self-study, and he could teach him when he had free time during the holidays. Wang Ou nodded and said goodbye to Cheng Xiaoyu, taking the subway home. Cheng Xiaoyu offered to drive him back, but Wang Ou insisted it wasn’t on the way, so Cheng Xiaoyu didn’t push it.

By the time he got home, it was already past nine in the evening. Cheng Xiaoyu greeted Aunt Zhou, who was practicing yoga, and went to his room to find a good guitar tutorial to send to Wang Ou. Just then, his phone rang again. It was the girl who called herself Tang Wenqian.

“What are you up to?”

“Just got home, spent the whole day shopping with my best friend, so tired!” Cheng Xiaoyu typed awkwardly, thinking he should get an iPhone.

“Best friend? Are you two that kind of relationship?” Tang Wenqian, actually Xu Qinling, asked. She was very curious about the mysterious world of homosexuality but had never met anyone like that, so she wanted to dig deeper.

Cheng Xiaoyu, not finding it boring, replied, “Oh, you’re thinking too much. We’re just friends, nothing more. But I don’t think I like him.”

“Oh, what kind of man do you like then?”

“Strong, considerate, gentle, and talented. Most importantly, he has to be good-looking.”

Xu Qinling began to doubt whether sending these messages was a mistake. Just thinking about Cheng Xiaoyu’s chubby and creepy appearance made her scalp tingle. She forced herself to continue, “Why do you like men?”

“Why? Because I’m a girl at heart, even though I’m a guy in body.”

Xu Qinling felt her face turn pale and wanted to vomit, but she believed Cheng Xiaoyu might really be gay. She drank some water to calm her stomach and replied, “So, who else knows about your preference for men?”

“Just you. I only told you because you’re not from my school. I’m afraid others won’t understand. It’s not that strange, it’s quite common abroad. Please don’t tell anyone; I won’t admit it if you do.”

“Don’t worry, sister, I’ll keep your secret. You can always talk to me about your troubles.” Xu Qinling sent this message with a cold smile, feeling she had found Cheng Xiaoyu’s weakness and leverage. She was convinced he was gay, or he wouldn’t have been so profound.

Cheng Xiaoyu was also laughing while sending these messages, thinking of some stories to make his tragic background more complete. He replied, “I trust you, sister. Even though we haven’t met, I feel like we’ve known each other for a long time.”

“I feel the same way. Are you alone at home? Do you have any siblings?”

“Don’t even mention it. I’m a bastard, and I have a beautiful sister who I’m jealous of. I don’t know why she doesn’t like me. I’m not good-looking, my grades are poor, and I’m not as good at piano as her. But I can’t choose how I look, and I’ve tried hard with my studies and piano. I feel so lonely and helpless. This big house is full of coldness.”

Xu Qinling was taken aback by this message. Cheng Xiaoyu had revealed his true situation without reservation, and his words about his family resonated with her. She often felt that if it weren’t for Su Yuxi’s frequent comfort, she would have already broken down living in this family.

At that moment, she felt a bit sorry for this fat guy. She knew Su Yuxi’s cold attitude towards people she didn’t like and suspected it had misled this sensitive fat guy. But she couldn’t step in as Su Yuxi’s friend to comfort him. With a sense of shared suffering, she replied, “At least your family is normal. My dad has so many women that he probably needs a notebook to remember them. As for how many siblings I have, I haven’t even recognized them all yet. I’m still living strong. Emotions need to be strictly controlled; indulging in self-pity will only make you more depressed.”

Cheng Xiaoyu, seeing such a long reply, felt this girl wasn’t bad, but telling her it was a joke at this point would be even worse. He replied, “I’ve read countless famous quotes and understand all the big principles, but I still can’t live a good life.”

Xu Qinling, receiving this message, felt a bit lost, thinking she was the same. She sent a row of dots to Cheng Xiaoyu and lay down to read "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame." The words were clear, but her mind wandered outside the window.

Her family was a vast and powerful clan, and she was so lonely in it. Her mother, who died in childbirth, never gave her a moment of maternal love, and her father could give her everything except love and care. What she couldn’t accept was that her father remarried on the third day after her mother’s death, to her aunt.

At this point, Xu Qinling had completely lost the desire to tease Cheng Xiaoyu and felt pity for him. She didn’t know that Cheng Xiaoyu was looking at the photos Wang Ou had sent of the New Year’s performance, most of which were of her. Cheng Xiaoyu was whistling as he looked at her in a sapphire evening gown, her chest exposed with a white, smooth expanse, a diamond necklace deeply embedded in the high, prominent cleavage, her face exquisite, her skin like snow. Such a beauty was actually a lunatic, which was a pity, Cheng Xiaoyu thought.

If Xu Qinling knew Cheng Xiaoyu’s thoughts at this moment, this novel might have ended with the male lead being tortured to death by the second female lead, a bizarre ending. But fortunately, this is a normal novel, and the plot is just beginning. (Dear readers, please feel free to collect it.)

The rest of the holiday was uneventful. Cheng Xiaoyu reviewed his lessons in the morning and drove to Fudan University to practice the guitar in the afternoon. He played basketball with Wang Ou, but this body was seriously out of shape, and after 15 minutes, Cheng Xiaoyu had to sit down to rest. He felt disheartened and resolved to lose weight after getting into college, or he would be a burden in the future.

Ji Yunyun had also sent a text inviting Cheng Xiaoyu to join a few friends for an outdoor barbecue. Cheng Xiaoyu declined, as he always avoided female intellectuals and couldn’t make a move on his teacher’s niece. On the last day of the holiday, Ji Yunyun invited Cheng Xiaoyu to dinner alone to return the money, but Cheng Xiaoyu said he was busy and suggested they talk when school started. They didn’t contact each other again after that.

On Monday, Cheng Xiaoyu drove to school himself. Of course, he didn’t drive into the school but parked at the north gate of Fudan University. There were many parking spots in the morning, so he parked near the security booth. Cheng Xiaoyu picked up his backpack and walked out of the north gate, through the alley to the south gate of Fudan High School, which wasn’t far. This way, he could drive away directly after practicing the guitar in the afternoon, which was more convenient than parking at the China Golden Tower.

In the classroom, Cheng Xiaoyu sat down and saw two paper bags under his desk. He picked them up and found they were full of the things he had bought for Xia Shamo. He looked up at Xia Shamo, who had taken off the hair extensions that could last for three to four months. Fortunately, the straightening effect was still there, and she looked neat and pleasant, unlike her usual messy appearance. Cheng Xiaoyu couldn’t approach Xia Shamo at the moment, as there were many people in the class, so he focused on the lesson.

The aftereffects of the New Year’s performance hadn’t completely subsided. During morning study, the class president, Li Liwei, stood on the podium and announced that he would honor the bet and run naked on the playground during lunch break, but he asked to be allowed to keep his underwear. The class erupted in enthusiastic applause, and Li Liwei quickly regained the dignity he had almost lost as class president.

Cheng Xiaoyu was a bit surprised and said, “There’s no need. It was just a harmless joke among classmates.”

Li Liwei had thought long and hard about this decision. Based on his observations, Cheng Xiaoyu wasn’t a petty person, so he took the risk. If Cheng Xiaoyu had insisted on the full naked run, he would have been in a difficult position, but it was clear he had made the right choice. Li Liwei smiled and said, “A gentleman’s word is a promise. I’m already grateful that you’re letting me keep my underwear. If I don’t run, I won’t be a class president.” Seeing Li Liwei’s determination, Cheng Xiaoyu didn’t argue and agreed to let him keep his underwear.

By lunchtime, everyone in the class went to watch Li Liwei run on the playground. Cheng Xiaoyu gave his meal card to Wang Ou and asked him to get lunch for him. When everyone left the classroom, he picked up the two bags and walked to Xia Shamo’s seat.

Xia Shamo seemed to have anticipated Cheng Xiaoyu’s visit, and her lunch box was still on the table.

Cheng Xiaoyu took out the qipao from the paper bag, neatly folded and wrapped in plastic, and asked, “Which aunt gave this to you? You have to model for her. Why are you returning it to me?”

Xia Shamo was a bit stunned, pushed up her glasses, and softly said, “Oh,” then reached out to put the qipao in her drawer.

Cheng Xiaoyu couldn’t help but stare at Xia Shamo for a moment. Although she wasn’t as stunning as before, her straightened hair, neatly falling on both sides of her face, and her bangs hanging by her ears, made her look neat and beautiful, even with the thick, black-rimmed glasses.

Xia Shamo was a bit at a loss with Cheng Xiaoyu’s bold gaze and asked in a trembling voice, “Is there anything else?” She lowered her head and avoided his eyes.

Cheng Xiaoyu noticed her hands twisting under the desk and her lowered eyebrows, her long, fine lashes like a curtain, her small, high nose shining with a white glow, and her cherry lips perfectly set in the middle of her radiant face. He suppressed his inner admiration and said, “Hey, SUMMER, don’t forget the well-digger when you drink water! Are you trying to cut ties now?”

Xia Shamo was a bit panicked and quickly raised her head, waving her hands, “No, no, that’s not what I meant. Why would you think that?”

Cheng Xiaoyu put the paper bag on the table and said, “Oh, so you accept a qipao from a stranger but not from me?”

Xia Shamo, a simple girl, was no match for Cheng Xiaoyu’s slyness. She was speechless and could only勉强道, “我会找个时间把旗袍还回去的。”

Cheng Xiaoyu 拿出纸袋里的隐形眼镜, “这副隐形眼镜是配你的, 你给我, 我能用吗?” 他又拿出塑料袋里的白色丝袜在夏纱沫眼前晃了晃, 嘿嘿笑道, “这个我得留着, 放在贴吧拍卖估计都能卖不少钱。”

夏纱沫的脸唰的一下红透了, 伸手抢过了丝袜。

接着, 程晓羽又拿出装着JIMMY CHOO水晶鞋的盒子, 问道, “不喜欢吗?”

夏纱沫摇头又点头。

程晓羽用悲伤的语调说道, “这是我第一次给女孩子送东西, 没想到却被这样残忍地拒绝。我知道我不帅, 成绩也不好, 也没什么特长。你嫌弃我对吗, 夏纱沫? 觉得收我的东西, 丢脸吗?”

夏纱沫从座位上站了起来, 个头只比程晓羽矮一点点, 程晓羽看见她眼眶有点红, 眼角有点湿, 觉得自己是不是演的太过了。夏纱沫第一次放大音量说话, “我很喜欢你送的东西啊, 但我去看了价格, 这么贵重的礼物, 叫我怎么还? 叫我拿什么还?”

程晓羽笑了笑说道, “我有10块钱, 给了你一块钱, 你有一块钱, 全部都给了我, 你觉得那一份情谊比较重? 我以为你跟别人不一样, 别用世俗的眼光看待友谊好吗? 友谊和金钱有关系吗? 我想假如有一天我穷困潦倒, 你一定不介意收留我的。”

夏纱沫用手拭干了脸颊那一些些泪水, 从程晓羽手上拿过鞋盒, 泪中带笑地说, “其实很舍不得还你。”

“我的眼光当然没得说。我去吃饭了, 别我回来你又把东西放我课桌下面了啊?” 程晓羽转身要走。

夏纱沫却拉住了程晓羽的衣袖。从抽屉里拿出一个装满五彩缤纷的小星星和千纸鹤的玻璃瓶, 这都是她亲手做的。递给程晓羽。

程晓羽佯装惊喜地说道, “这是给我的吗?” 接过玻璃瓶。

夏纱沫点头道, “不许嫌弃。新的一年祝你学业进步, 考上理想的大学。” 对于高三学生来说, 没有比这更好的祝福了。

程晓羽内心无比怜惜这个纤细敏感的女孩子, 她倔强的骄傲从来没人感受得到, 他对夏纱沫的喜欢, 是长辈对后辈的喜欢, 是一种善意的保护, 希望她不被残酷的现实击倒, 希望她能在世俗的世界绽放出华丽的光彩。

程晓羽将玻璃瓶子放进自己的课桌, 大声说道, “或许十年或许二十年, 哪个时候你还认识我的话, 这瓶子里要少了一个星星, 少了一个千纸鹤。我一定在世贸天阶打最大的广告说, 对不起夏纱沫, 我辜负了你的信任。而且会站在下面大声地喊一万次对不起。”

夏纱沫红着眼眶伸出手要和程晓羽拉钩。

程晓羽也伸出手。

这些说过的话语, 这些做过的事情多么幼稚, 程晓羽想到。但又觉得青春真好, 许下一些可笑的承诺, 努力地朝梦想的方向奔跑, 勇敢地去实践那些会让自己遍体鳞伤的事情, 从来不曾胆怯。

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Cheng Xiaoyu took out the contact lenses from the paper bag, “These contact lenses are for you. If you give them to me, can I use them?” He then took out the white stockings wrapped in plastic and waved them in front of Xia Shamo, chuckling, “I’ll keep these. I bet they could fetch a good price on the forums.”

Xia Shamo’s face turned bright red, and she quickly snatched the stockings.

Next, Cheng Xiaoyu took out the box containing the JIMMY CHOO crystal shoes and asked, “Don’t you like them?”

Xia Shamo shook her head and then nodded.

Cheng Xiaoyu, with a sad tone, said, “This is the first time I’ve given something to a girl, and I didn’t expect to be rejected so cruelly. I know I’m not handsome, my grades are poor, and I don’t have any special talents. Do you look down on me, Xia Shamo? Do you think it’s embarrassing to accept my gifts?”

Xia Shamo stood up from her seat, only a little shorter than Cheng Xiaoyu. Cheng Xiaoyu saw her eyes were a bit red and her cheeks were wet, wondering if he had overacted. Xia Shamo, speaking with a louder voice than usual, said, “I really like the things you gave me, but I checked the prices. Such expensive gifts, how can I repay you? What can I give in return?”

Cheng Xiaoyu smiled and said, “I have 10 yuan, and I gave you 1 yuan. You have 1 yuan, and you gave it all back to me. Which one is the heavier gesture? I thought you were different from others. Don’t look at friendship with a worldly eye. Is friendship related to money? I believe that if one day I am poor and in trouble, you won’t mind taking me in.”

Xia Shamo wiped away the tears on her cheeks, took the shoe box from Cheng Xiaoyu, and said with a smile through her tears, “I really don’t want to return them.”

“My judgment is always right. I’m going to eat now. Don’t put the things back under my desk when I come back,” Cheng Xiaoyu turned to leave.

Xia Shamo, however, held onto Cheng Xiaoyu’s sleeve. She took out a glass bottle from her drawer, filled with colorful stars and paper cranes, all made by her. She handed it to Cheng Xiaoyu.

Cheng Xiaoyu, feigning surprise, said, “Is this for me?” and took the glass bottle.

Xia Shamo nodded and said, “Don’t look down on it. In the new year, I wish you academic progress and success in getting into your ideal university.” For a high school senior, there was no better wish.

Cheng Xiaoyu felt immense affection for this delicate and sensitive girl. Her stubborn pride was something no one had ever understood. His affection for Xia Shamo was like that of an elder for a junior, a kind of protective care, hoping she wouldn’t be defeated by the harsh realities of life and could shine brightly in the secular world.

Cheng Xiaoyu put the glass bottle in his desk and said loudly, “Maybe in ten or twenty years, if you still recognize me, and if there’s one less star or one less paper crane in this bottle, I will put up the biggest advertisement at the World Trade Center saying, ‘I’m sorry, Xia Shamo, I have betrayed your trust.’ And I will stand there and shout ‘I’m sorry’ ten thousand times.”

Xia Shamo, with red eyes, extended her hand to make a pinky promise with Cheng Xiaoyu.

Cheng Xiaoyu also extended his hand.

These words and actions were so childish, Cheng Xiaoyu thought. But he also felt that youth was wonderful, making silly promises, striving towards dreams, and bravely facing things that would leave one battered and bruised, never once feeling afraid.

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