After hanging up the phone, Qiao Qingyu thought Ming Sheng must feel the same way she did—his heart was full of passion, surging violently like irresistible waves. Then she thought of destruction—after the waves receded, her soul would be left with nothing.
Why was she so pessimistic? Maybe Ming Sheng was someone who would remain faithful forever.
She felt like she was burning up, like a fish thrown into a pot of oil, every second in this house was torment. When rationality prevailed, she began to hate her own indecisiveness—why couldn’t she bear to leave? Running away was only her business, and she had rejected Ming Sheng last night. Why did the fleeting melancholy on his face cut into her heart like a sharp knife?
Perhaps she was too susceptible to temptation, yes, that must be it. “Ming Sheng’s affection” was like a crystal slipper full of temptation to her, just as it would be to any girl. Accepting him would mean stepping into the palace. But she didn’t know him well enough; what made her dizzy might only be his outstanding appearance and the halo around him. So what was holding her back must be her vanity—as Wang Mumu said, who would refuse to be Ming Sheng’s first girlfriend? This was Ming Sheng, after all.
On the last page of her notebook, Qiao Qingyu carefully wrote down the bus routes to leave Huan Prefecture. After closing the webpage, she carefully moved the keyboard and mouse back to their original positions. The living room clock pointed to one in the afternoon, exactly twenty-four hours since she had first stepped into this place.
She looked around, her gaze full of resolute sadness. Go, she told herself, embrace pure freedom with an unclouded heart.
At that moment, the iron gate’s lock was turned again, and Wang Mumu slipped through the narrow opening she had pushed open.
“Oh,” seeing Qiao Qingyu standing in the middle of the living room with her turtleneck sweater covering half her face, she broke into a smile, “Good thing I made it, you haven’t left yet.”
Qiao Qingyu suppressed an inexplicable displeasure—this was Sister Mumu’s second home, so of course, she wouldn’t knock.
“I knew you would leave, you’re so decisive and rational,” Wang Mumu said, handing over a bulging backpack, “A-Sheng said you didn’t bring anything, so I just went home to get some things. Here, you’ll need these on the road—hot water, umbrella, towel, toothbrush, socks, change of clothes…”
“Sister Mumu,” Qiao Qingyu waved her hands, overwhelmed by the kindness, “You don’t have to.”
“Come on, just take it,” Wang Mumu pushed the bag into her arms. “How could I not worry about you being all alone? As your friend, I must help you.”
The word “friend” warmed Qiao Qingyu’s heart.
“Sister Mumu…”
“Be very careful out there, society is complicated,” Wang Mumu spoke like a caring older sister while helping Qiao Qingyu put on the backpack. “Don’t casually trust boys, understand? Not every boy is as kind as A-Sheng.”
“Mm.”
“Did you tell A-Sheng you’re leaving?”
“No.”
“It’s right not to tell him,” Wang Mumu smiled, “If you tell him, you won’t be able to leave.”
“Sister Mumu.”
Qiao Qingyu suddenly burst into tears. Wang Mumu pulled her into an embrace.
“I know you’re hurting,” she patted Qiao Qingyu’s back, “Once you’re settled, remember to send a message home, and send me one too, otherwise we’ll all worry.”
Qiao Qingyu bit her lip: “You’ll be my friend for life, right?”
She seemed to have suddenly awakened, seeing clearly what she had truly been yearning for all along. It was friendship, a friend with whom she could share everything. Wang Mumu’s word “friend” was like sweet rain falling on her parched heart, bringing tears of bittersweetness—this meant she would have to let go of Ming Sheng forever.
Qiao Qingyu didn’t want to disappoint Wang Mumu. In the face of such weighty friendship, love seemed as fleeting as bubbles, dispensable. Besides, this was also to protect herself. Ming Sheng’s love could very likely be another earth-shattering adventure, and she, already so precarious, could not bear it.
“People who’ve been through it say that high school friends are friends for life because they shared the craziest three years,” Wang Mumu said sincerely. “Of course, we’ll be friends for life.”
“Thank you, Sister Mumu,” Qiao Qingyu adjusted the backpack to sit properly against her back. “I’m going now.”
Reaching the end of Building 38, Qiao Qingyu suddenly quickened her pace, running toward the winding path by the canal—she feared her feet would disobey her and turn, just to cast a farewell glance at the balcony of her home in Building 39.
She chose the canal path because it would help her avoid Mrs. Feng, the newsstand owner at the community entrance. Yesterday noon, though dizzy while curled up in the taxi, she had still caught the meaningful tone in Mrs. Feng’s greeting to Ming Sheng.
“Out with a friend?”
Those five ordinary words had startled her heart.
Her down jacket was navy blue, and her entire face had been hidden by the sweater collar and jacket hood, but Qiao Qingyu believed Mrs. Feng had already noticed that Ming Sheng’s friend was a girl. She probably memorized the style of her clothes with just one glance. Fortunately, the sweater, down jacket, and pants were all new clothes from the New Year, otherwise, with Mrs. Feng’s detective-like observation skills and memory, she wouldn’t have been able to safely spend twenty-four hours at Ming Sheng’s grandfather’s house.
The rain that had been falling intermittently since last night had driven away the elderly who liked to take walks, and now the wet path by the canal was empty. The old camphor tree was not far ahead on the left, and as she approached it, Qiao Qingyu’s nose began to sting.
She felt she was being far too sentimental.
The notice board within the railing had been washed clean by the rain, its elegant silver-gray surface bearing indigo characters that appeared calm yet melancholic. Camphor Tree, 500 years, Level One Protection. Five hundred years, Qiao Qingyu murmured, how much change it had witnessed.
Just like her current feelings for Ming Sheng.
Strange, though nothing had even begun, her heart felt as if they had already reached the end.
It started raining again. Qiao Qingyu took out and opened the umbrella from her bag, one hand rolling down the sweater collar that had become damp from her breath, the other holding the umbrella low over her upper body as she continued walking forward.
At the end of the path were a few narrow steps, with a rusty iron gate that was always open, leading to the bustling street. Reaching the steps, Qiao Qingyu noticed a woman appearing by the iron gate, hurriedly walking while talking on the phone.
She stepped aside to let the woman pass first.
“Boss, quickly send a cameraman over!” The woman sounded excited, “Qiao Qingyu’s mother has agreed to an interview! I just got off at Chaoyang New Village! I’ll be at her house in two minutes! I need a cameraman! A cameraman… Her mother said she’d do anything to get Qiao Qingyu to come home! It won’t be a wasted trip, don’t worry! Hurry!”
Passing by Qiao Qingyu, she nodded in thanks, her gaze briefly sweeping across Qiao Qingyu’s pale face.
“Qiao Qingyu isn’t that innocent?” The woman continued walking with large strides, her voice carrying back, “They say she stabbed a classmate at Er Zhong. She’s just a rebellious girl, using justice as a cover…”
Suddenly the woman stopped talking and turned her head back.
Qiao Qingyu turned to leave, but it was too late.
“Qiao Qingyu?” The woman shouted, rushing over to grab her, “You’re Qiao Qingyu, aren’t you? I thought you looked familiar! You are Qiao Qingyu, right? Navy blue down jacket, off-white turtleneck sweater, light brown corduroy pants, yes, you are Qiao Qingyu!”
Qiao Qingyu tried to shake her off, but the woman’s grip was too strong.
“You’ve been in Chaoyang New Village all along?” The woman was full of excitement, “Just five minutes ago I was on the phone with your mom, she’s been crying for days worried you might do something stupid… Thank goodness you’re alright!”
“Let go of me!” Qiao Qingyu shouted angrily, finally turning her face.
“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry,” the woman smiled ingratiatingly, “I’m a reporter from Huan Prefecture TV’s Public Channel, I’ve been following your story these past few days. It’s so good to see you safe and sound! Hey, Boss,” she put the phone back to her ear—Qiao Qingyu realized she had never hung up—and said excitedly, “Boss, speak of the devil, I found Qiao Qingyu, she’s right here beside me! Yes yes, I’ve got her, gotta go!”
After hanging up, she openly studied Qiao Qingyu’s expression. Qiao Qingyu turned away in disgust and embarrassment.
“Little sister,” the reporter put on an understanding smile, “Don’t worry, I won’t harm you, everyone’s been very concerned about you. Have you seen the news about you in the newspapers, on TV, and online? Your family has tried everything to find you. Your mother, who two days ago was threatening to chase me away with a broom and wouldn’t let me interview the family, called me today saying she wants to go on TV. She wants you to know she won’t blame you. If you don’t show up, she’ll cry her eyes blind…”
She became increasingly emotional, making Qiao Qingyu’s scalp tingle.
“Have you been in Chaoyang New Village the whole time? At a friend’s house? You haven’t gone home yet, right? I see you haven’t changed your clothes,” seeing her words having an effect, the reporter released her grip on Qiao Qingyu’s sleeve, “Where do you plan to go next?”
Qiao Qingyu pressed her lips together in silence.
“You’ve been gone for several days, you should at least let your family know you’re safe.”
Those words cut like a surgical knife, precise and sharp. Qiao Qingyu lowered her head in shame.
“Whatever the case, it’s good that you’re safe and sound.”
Qiao Qingyu felt the defensive walls in her heart imperceptibly crumbling. The rain grew heavier, the dim gray world seeping into her eyes, and she could see no way out.
“Go home,” the reporter said, picking up her phone again, “The outside world is much more complicated than you imagine. Complete your studies, grow your wings, and then you can truly be independent. I believe you understand this principle.”
She started dialing.
“Don’t call my mom,” Qiao Qingyu finally spoke, her trembling voice full of pleading, “Please.”
“I’ve seen many rebellious high school students, I know what’s best for you.” The reporter spoke in an official tone while putting the phone to her ear.
Qiao Qingyu watched the mouth across from her opening and closing, her ears seeming to go deaf. A few seconds later, from the other end of the phone, Li Fanghao’s tremendous wail broke through the sky, shocking tears from her eyes.
“Here,” the reporter pressed the phone against Qiao Qingyu’s right ear, “Let your mom know you’re safe.”