Disguise

  While I was teaching Lin Yue not to be a nerd, I gradually found myself becoming one too.

  I looked up at the darkening sky, which was getting even darker. A thick layer of black clouds gathered above my head, gradually swallowing everything in sight.

  I hid under that shroud of gloom and heard my own throat emit a silent, muffled sigh.

  Standing in front of the house again after leaving the rooftop, I found two figures standing opposite each other through the slightly ajar door. I finally understood the true meaning of everything that had happened before.

  Uncle Lin was still blaming Lin Yue, using a Shanghai dialect that I couldn't understand at all. The beers he brought back were standing on the table, lifeless and silent. He turned his back to me, silently accepting all accusations. Then in a very cold and dull tone, he said, "I'm not interested in taking care of someone who has nothing to do with me."

  Pata!

  The key that had been useless in my hand fell to the floor. Lin Yue turned around, frowned at me, and didn't explain anything before returning to his room.

  At that moment, I clenched my fists and said with a smile on my face, "Uncle Lin, I knew it was you who told my brother to come find me upstairs, he's been keeping me company for a while now."

  Before the awkwardness was thoroughly exposed, I hid in Lin Yue's next-door neighbor, my own room.

  Just like they still use the dialect from my hometown that I couldn't understand when they whispered to each other, Lin Yue and I were nothing more than strangers who had lived together for a few years.

  I'm happy and disappointed, positive and sad. At this moment, what I want to do most is give Si Datong a call. And he didn't let me hear the busy tone for too long, just as I expected.

  I'm used to calling him "Dad" in a spoiled tone, different from the usual family address, as if constantly reminding him of his duty to pamper and spoil me. In fact, that's exactly what Dad does. With just a few words, he can guess my recent situation.

  He said, "Don't worry about it, just come back, there are only a few more months until graduation, and you don't have to worry about finding a job either."

  I shook my head at my phone and then solemnly informed him, "I suddenly want to stay. To be precise, I've already decided that I'm going to stay."

  Then I seriously explained a series of reasons why I wanted to stay in the country, and the most important one was that I suddenly realized I wanted to spend more time with my mom. That's what moved him.

  He no longer dwelled on distinguishing between true and false in every sentence of mine, but instead let out a sigh and suddenly became solemn. He told me many things, which can be summed up in one sentence: he believed that his daughter was finally not the kind of girl who would easily get carried away by her emotions.

  I now only lavish emotions on people who are worth it and relevant.

  "Dad, you are currently the man I love most in this world, no exception."

  I'm especially happy that there are mobile phones in this world, so I'll never be afraid of getting lost or not being able to find my way home. Really, no matter when, I know I can always find you, and then you will help me overcome all obstacles.

  I love you so much."

  After finishing that sentimental yet sincere confession from the bottom of my heart, I hung up the phone and curled up in my blanket.

  It suddenly started raining outside, and after a while the rain grew heavier. The thunderstorm raged on with an annoying rhythm, and lightning flashed across the sky, leaving behind one wound after another. However, they healed quickly as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.

  I want to wake up to a bright sunny day that can dry out my temporarily moldy and damp mood, a bright sunny day.