Muzi'er 6

  Mugwort Ear 6

  During the winter vacation, I didn't go out again.

  On the first day of the new semester, I met Xu Ge at the school gate. He stretched out his long arm to block my way.

  There were many girls watching me from the side.

  My face turned bright red again and again.

  Xu Yi said: "Thank you."

  "It doesn't matter." My voice was as thin as a mosquito's.

  "Why did you want to help me? Was it you who called that day?" Xǔ Yì said.

  I lifted my head in confusion.

  "Do you like me?" Xǔ Gē asked again.

  I panted heavily and ran quickly past him into the classroom.

  I don't know why, but I feel like I'm going to die. My small heart that has undergone surgery can no longer bear the burden. I was in a daze for a week's worth of classes, and on Saturday, Xu Yi came. At first, I didn't notice him because I was too tired. I was drinking a cup of instant coffee in the classroom, and when I lifted it up too quickly, a few drops spilled onto my red woolen scarf. My seat was by the window, and after I put down my gaze, I saw Xu Yi. He actually stretched out one finger and beckoned me to come out. My heart suddenly felt some inexplicable **, and subconsciously, I dropped the cup and rushed out of the classroom.

  He didn't look at me, walking ahead of me. My footsteps were fast and slow, a bit like an idiot. I didn't know where he was taking me either. It was a Saturday afternoon, the school teachers had gone to attend some messy meeting. The original self-study session had been changed to a holiday, there were very few people in the school. Damn it, it was snowing again, and dusk was like night. He took me through the playground and the lab building, snowflakes falling on his short hair and broad shoulders, my heart rising and falling with pain. I could only turn my head to one side, then I shouted: "Where are you taking me anyway?"

  He suddenly stopped and turned around. I subconsciously took a step back, my feet crunching into the thick snow with a soft creaking sound. We were on the path behind the school at that time. The large rolling shutter door of the water house was closed, painted blue. The staircase next to it was empty, and it was then that Xu Yi pulled me in there. I felt a little scared, the two of us about two meters apart, I stood against the wall, biting my lower lip staring at him. He wore a gray coat, with ice crystals and snowflakes on his shoulders. His hair on his forehead was slightly wet. Ah, Xu Yi, the Xu Yi who used to be so boisterous, with an angelic face. He still looked as handsome as ever.

  I crouched down in distress. Seeing the coffee stain on the cuff clearly, I stretched out my sleeve and wiped it off.

  "I know you like me."

  "No."

  "Was it you who wrote me letters every day?"

  "No!"

  "Look at me."

  I didn't dare, I crouched there trembling slightly.

  He grabbed my left arm and pulled me up, I let out a soft scream.

  "Don't expect me to like you," said Xu Yi.

  "Stop pretending to be so innocent! Don't think I don't know, you're in cahoots with that Bala. You guys haven't had enough fun yet? Fine, I'll keep playing along with you!"

  Never had a boy been so fierce with me, I couldn't shake him off, and tears suddenly fell.

  Xu Yi looked at me, his face furious, I thought he was going to hit me. I closed my eyes, but felt him being pushed away by someone. I opened my eyes and saw You Ta, his eyes red with anger, blocking Xu Yi, speaking coarsely to me: "You get back to class."

  Xu Yi stared at him in surprise.

  I turned around and walked into the snow. There were many ice chips on the ground, I was really afraid that they would get into my old running shoes, it would be so cold. I'm a complete fool. My face was icy cool, I put my hands under my clothes to dig out the tissue from the pocket inside. Because I wore too much, it was hard to dig out, but I made up my mind to take it out. I kept this strange posture and strode across the lab building and playground, walking towards my classroom. No one came after me. My tears rolled down in big drops, but I didn't look back.

  At dusk, Xu Ye's mother, my aunt, and my mother were all called to the principal's office.

  After mom came out, she only said one sentence to me, she said: Li Er, you disappointed me.

  She grasped my clothes and said: "Tell me, how did you become like this? Still hanging out with those little girls, it's simply too ridiculous!"

  "Don't scold her." Yu Ta came over to bail me out.

  Auntie turned the muzzle: "I'm going to scold you, and you too, what's wrong with fighting with others when the college entrance exam is approaching? If you get punished, I'll see how you deal with it!"

  As I raised my head, I saw Ba La. Ba La didn't wear any makeup today and wore a very simple outfit. She stood in front of me, looking at me with an inexplicable gaze.

  As we passed by her side, I didn't dare to greet her. Just as I was hating my own cowardice, Ba La suddenly called out to me. She didn't call me "Little Ear", but instead said: "Li Er, wait a minute."

  Everyone stood still, watching her vigilantly.

  "I already know everything," said Ba La. "I'm here to testify for you, to prove that those things have nothing to do with you! Whatever happens, it's all on me."

  "Get out of here!" Yu Ta said viciously.

  "I'll go," Ba La said coldly, "as long as Li Er is fine."

  "She won't be okay, stay away from her, nothing will happen to her!"

  "Hey!" I shouted loudly, "You can't talk to Ba La like that!"

  "What's wrong!" Yu Ta said, "Isn't she making you miserable enough?"

  "Because Barla is my friend!" I said. "She's a good friend of mine and I won't let you talk about her like that! Absolutely not allowed!"

  You took a few steps back, gasping for air. Mom and Auntie's mouths were agape. The world came to a standstill, I couldn't hear any sound anymore, all I saw was Ba La, who had cracked open her mouth in laughter. A dazzling light radiated from her face. She looked at me, the brightness in her eyes sparkling clearly.

  Then I heard her whisper: "Little Ears, I really didn't misjudge you." Jump up! ~!

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