Left ear (42)

  Section 42: Left Ear (42) The day I received the admission notice from a university in Shanghai, my mother invited relatives and friends to a restaurant to celebrate. I was majoring in Chinese Language and Literature, and my father seemed very satisfied, chattering on and on: "Girls studying Chinese is great, girls studying Chinese is great, it's really good for girls to study Chinese."

  My aunt scolded him: "Hey, are you done yet?"

  He's happily silly. He taps on the edge of the table with chopsticks, as if singing Peking Opera.

  Everyone was beaming with joy, except for Yu Ta.

  My mom hit him and said: "What's wrong with you? Your sister got into college and you're not happy, did you break up?"

  "What romance! Don't talk nonsense!" He became anxious and everyone laughed together again.

  I know that Yu is not in a romantic relationship. He continued his legendary academic career at Tsinghua, pursuing a master's degree, a doctoral degree, and studying abroad, which was a natural and unquestionable path for him.

  I looked at him and smiled, he didn't understand, and asked me: "What are you smiling about?"

  "You've gained weight again."

  "He felt a bit embarrassed: 'You've lost weight again, are you imitating others in losing weight?'"

  "There is," I said, "I have a good innate condition, no matter what I eat, I won't get fat."

  "You're getting more and more glib." He criticized me.

  He always puts on an elder brother's attitude, and whenever he gets the chance, he criticizes me harshly. I'm too lazy to bother with him, so I focus on dealing with the roasted fish in my plate. He still won't stop talking: "Be careful of the bones, this fish has pretty sharp ones."

  I said: "If you're afraid of bones, it's best not to eat fish."

  He helplessly said: "You will be fierce with me."

  The hotel suite was not bad, and there was a pretty big balcony. After dinner, the adults started chatting. I saw Yu stand up and walk out onto the balcony to look at the sky. I felt that I had been a bit harsh earlier, and my temper had gotten the better of me, so I also walked over, and asked him from behind: "What's wrong with you? You're looking so down in the dumps - did you really lose your love?"

  "No," he said. "The starry sky in my hometown is still better. In Beijing, all I see are the uniform rooftops of buildings."

  "When are you going back to Beijing?" I asked him. I knew he had come back specially to celebrate with me, and his summer vacation was very busy, with many things to do.

  "In two days," he said.

  I said with a pretended ease: "Actually, you could just call to congratulate me, no need to come all the way here in person. I know you're very busy in Beijing, right?"

  "Yes," he said, "it's been pretty busy, I've had several jobs."

  "Don't think too much about money," I said, "your body is important."

  "Lee Yoo, I liked a girl before." he said suddenly.

  "Really?" I almost jumped up, "What's it like? Tell me!"

  "It's hard to say," he said. "Actually, I've been working hard to earn money, just to buy her a new mobile phone."

  "Heh." I teased him, "The power of love is indeed immeasurable. Come on, what's she like?"

  "It's hard to say."

  "Oh." I said, "When I'm free, I'll go to Beijing and play with you guys, okay?"

  He turned around and asked me: "How come you like Beijing?"

  "I've never been there before, I want to go take a look. And also meet your girlfriend."

  "Why don't you take the entrance exam for schools in Beijing?"

  "You think I'm you, can casually choose a school?" I said. "I'm already lucky to be admitted. Besides, Shanghai is close to home, my mom will feel more at ease."

  "Your Gaokao scores are good enough for many schools in Beijing. Besides, with me in Beijing, what's there for Auntie to worry about?"

  "Never mind that," I said. "Tell me what you plan to take me to play instead."

  "You can play however you want," he said.

  He looked into my eyes with affection, making me unable to meet his gaze. So I turned my head and pretended to look at the sky. At that moment, I knew in my heart that even if I really went to Beijing, I wouldn't be able to find You.

  I understand why he wanted to tell me about him and his girlfriend, maybe he and I are clear in our hearts that we are different, he said so just to make me feel at ease. To me, he will always be just an older brother, as close as siblings but can never cross into romance. Moreover, I'll soon be a university student, past events seem like a previous life, I hope I can have a new beginning, reborn and from now on, focus on my studies.

  "Take good care of yourself out there." Yu said.

  "Oh." I replied with rare impatience.

  Just then, I saw a meteor suddenly flash before my eyes, I grabbed You's sleeve and jumped up shouting: "Ah, shooting star, shooting star, make a wish quickly!"

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