chapter7

  They sat together until midnight, and He Song wouldn't know that she was the first person to accompany Yuan Zhi in guarding the years. As for Yuan Zhi, it's possible that this day is too special, or maybe he felt a little pitiful, so he suddenly made such a decision. Although at this time, the two were still entangled deeply, the firecrackers outside started to make a loud noise, disturbing people's ears, but the light that broke through the dark sky was dazzling.

  He Shuang woke up from her nap and couldn't help but run outside to look up at the sky. The cold wind made her nose hurt, but she didn't care. She had never seen such beautiful fireworks before. In the mountains, there were no such scenes to behold. The big flowers bloomed from budding to full bloom and then fell, the fleeting scene was enough to make people linger and forget to return.

  She covered her ears with both hands and stayed outside for a full half hour before the intermittent sounds subsided, and as the northwest wind blew in, He Sheng shivered and returned indoors.

  Yuan Zhi was slumped on the tea table, slowly chewing those cold dumplings. Under the bright light, his profile looked pale.

  As He Shuang walked near, he said without lifting his head, "You forgot to put vinegar."

  "What I'll go and release now, and warm up at the same time."

  "It's fine." Yuan Zhi took a few paper towels from beside him and wiped his mouth. "You can go to sleep now."

  She carelessly threw away the tissue and stood up to wipe He Song's shoulder before walking past him and going straight upstairs.

  The dumplings in the bowl were almost untouched, and He Sheng stood still for a few seconds, thinking of Yuan Zhi who hadn't eaten all day, and his pale but still handsome face.

  He Shuang took the initiative to take a bowl to the kitchen and served him hot dumplings. Yuan Zhi gave her the most gentle and kind smile so far, and she was also willing to give him the best care within her ability.

  The dumplings were reheated, and vinegar was added. A small bowl of chili sauce was also placed on the side, in case he wanted to add more. Then, carrying it, he went upstairs, only feeling slightly tense when he reached the door. The morning's gloom still lingered, making it hard to guarantee that he wouldn't lose his temper now.

  Hesitated for a moment, knocked on the door and heard the response before walking in. Yuan Zhi hadn't slept yet, leaning on the bed playing with his phone. Seeing her come in, he frowned as expected, his expression clearly impatient, "What's up?"

  She quietly said: "I've heated the dumplings for you, with vinegar."

  "Take a bite, it's been a whole day."

  Yuan Zhi looked at her for a while, this time without getting angry. He got up and walked over, looking down at the somewhat tense He Sheng. After coming here for half a year, that dark face had become much whiter, but the whole person was still stiff and hard to look at. He took the plate from her, saying: "I really don't know whether to say you're stupid or to say you have a good heart. Being bullied like that and still being so eager to please, this is also a kind of ability."

  He Shuang naturally heard the sarcasm again, but she just hoped that she could live a little better. With this possibility, she tried to change and see what would happen next. Yuan Zhi wouldn't understand, and she wouldn't explain either.

  The next day, Yan Bai came and brought a new set of clothes for He Sheng. Since he started school, He Sheng's daily attire had been his school uniform, even during Chinese New Year.

  "Go try it on and see if it fits." Yan Bai said with a pat on her shoulder.

  He Shuang changed into a new set of clothes and came out, which was slightly larger but still wearable. The pink floral down jacket and the jeans that city people wore, she pinched the soft fabric and smiled: "Thank you, Yan Ge."

  "No need to be polite, it's just that we bought a bigger size." Yan Bai thought for a moment, "Or should we go buy another set? Let's go!"

  She said and was about to pull He Song, she took a step back to avoid him, shaking her head, "No need, it's fine like this, buying too much is wasteful."

  "It doesn't matter if girls have more clothes."

  "It's still not possible." He Xiong smiled and spun around in a circle, "I'm already very happy with this."

  Yan Bai patted her head and didn't force it anymore.

  After the New Year, He Sheng turned 13 years old. This year, Yuan Zhi didn't bother her much anymore, and He Shou also occasionally found trouble with her, but He Sheng just let it go.

  It's been several months since He Shuang finished learning all the primary school courses, and finally caught up with the progress of children here. Due to special circumstances, he went to the education department in advance to do test papers as before, testing his knowledge.

  He Sheng's palms were sweating with anxiety at the entrance of the station, Yan Bai pinched her face and said: "Don't be nervous, you're doing great now, you'll definitely succeed."

  He Sheng nodded and responded with a sound, but she knew these words were just comforting people.

  Doing the exercises was not very smooth, He Song was tense and sweating profusely, and it took half an hour to barely get through, and when reviewing the papers, he was even more anxious.

  Fortunately, the score is still okay, at least enough to qualify for junior high school, and then follow the sixth-grade students to take the final exam again.

  He Sheng suddenly relaxed, and Yan Bai also let out a sigh of relief.

  Yuan Zhi and the others knew that He Sheng had gone to take an exam. After she arrived home, He Shou Chui whistled and said, "Xiao Hei is back, has your low IQ been liberated?"

  He Shuang walked in without lifting her eyes, and Yuan Zhi glanced at her, "How was the exam?"

  He Sheng's footsteps paused for a moment, "It's over." Then he went upstairs.

  "What's with the sudden change in attitude? You've been avoiding her for so long, have you forgotten that she's the one who got your head cracked open?"

  Yuan Zhi faintly replied, "I'm bored with playing."

  Then came the scorching summer, with the temperature rising gradually as the days passed. The chirping of insects in the grass piles at dusk made people feel even more restless. After dinner, He Sheng would sit outside with Wu Shu to enjoy the cool breeze.

  Aunt Wu fanned herself with a palm-leaf fan as she lay in the rocking chair, sighing: "Natural breeze is still more comfortable, people who blow air conditioning every day have sore necks."

  He Sheng responded with a sound, and the wind blowing in the evening still carried some warmth, but it wouldn't be unbearable.

  She looked up at the sky, the moon was high, with a few scattered stars. The night sky here and in the mountains are incomparable. Over there, the stars were so numerous that they couldn't be counted, and the Milky Way could be seen clearly. Here, there was nothing. He Shuang had long stopped thinking about that small corner of the mountain village, but sometimes she still couldn't help but make comparisons. Maybe it was because her roots were in the big mountains.

  A person came in from the outside of the dazed door, and with the not very bright light, it was impossible to see the face of the comer. Wu Shu got up from the rocking chair and asked her: "Little girl, who are you looking for?"

  "Is Yuan Zhi in? I'm looking for him."

  "Are you his classmate?"

  "Uh, I need to find him for something."

  He Sheng had already recognized that this person was the girl who followed He Shou Si last time, and Wu Shu happened to not be there that day, so she didn't know.

  Aunt Wu stood up, "Then you wait a moment, I'll go call him."

  He Sheng also stood up and said, "I'll go!"

  "It's nothing." Wu Shu quickly walked in.

  He Shuang sat back in her seat, and the girl stood in front of her not far away. After a while, she said, "Hey, have you guys had anyone come by recently?"

  He Sheng shook his head, "No."

  "Has Yuan Zhi gone out?"

  "He's always out and about, he can't stay still."

  The girl didn't say anything else. Yuan Zhi quickly followed Wu Shu down, saw the person coming and wasn't surprised, directly passing by her to go out, "Follow up."

  The two of them left the door one after another, and Wu Shu also sat up and said to He Song who was sitting opposite her: "These two people don't seem quite right, have you seen them before?"

  He Sheng thought for a moment and said, "I don't remember." Neither was it a lie nor did he reveal anything.

  Aunt Wu didn't mind her answer and continued: "That kid Yuan Zhi won't be in love, will he? Nowadays kids are so precocious, and besides, he's not young anymore."

  Most women of this age have typical gossiping nature, and Wu Shu is no exception.

  "He's only 15," He Sheng said, just two years older than her, how could that be considered not young?

  "Yeah, many 15-year-old kids are dating these days. Besides, Yuan Zhi is quite good-looking, I'm sure there won't be a lack of girls who want to follow him."

  He Sheng wasn't very interested in this topic and didn't respond.

  Aunt Wu glanced at her and leaned over to whisper: "What does Yuan Zhi think?"

  "Beautiful." That's acknowledged.

  "Wu Auntie smiled and said, 'Do you like it?'"

  "I don't like it." She's not a masochist after all.

  The other party's unhesitating smile made Wu Aunt happy, yes, Yuan Zhi had bullied He Sheng so badly before, no matter how good-looking he was, it left a shadow. She really liked He Sheng, obedient and hardworking, now such children can't be found anymore. It's not that she wanted He Sheng to have anything with Yuan Zhi, but just hoped the two would get along well as friends.

  They went to sleep soon after sitting for a while, and no one knew when Yuan Zhi came back. As for that girl, no one paid attention to her either.

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