Wang Mumu’s most comforting quality, in Qiao Qingyu’s opinion, was her natural inclination to mention Mingsheng during their conversations. Of course, she never brought up the events of the winter break. Qiao Qingyu believed this was the correct approach to “forgetting” – neither avoiding nor dwelling on the past, but simply carrying on as usual.
After gaining Li Fanghao’s trust, Wang Mumu began visiting in the evenings. Li Fanghao viewed her as an exemplary student nearing her college entrance exams, seeking a quieter study environment with Qiao Qingyu. Indeed, the two girls focused solely on their studies, setting an excellent example for Qiao Qingyu when she occasionally lost focus. Qiao Qingyu admired Wang Mumu, who was praised by everyone at school and even deemed perfect by the usually critical Li Fanghao.
In mid-April, the school organized a spring outing for first and second-year students. Without consulting Li Fanghao, Qiao Qingyu requested leave from Sun Yinglong and informed Wang Mumu.
“Why aren’t you going?” Wang Mumu asked, her eyes fixed on her test papers. “It’s a shame to waste such beautiful spring weather. Besides, you’ll regret not being in the group photo when you’re older and looking back at memories.”
This showcased her unique character – sincere, thoughtful, and forward-thinking. She never resorted to simple reasons like “having fun with classmates” to persuade Qiao Qingyu.
“Also,” she added, looking up with a playful wink, “the outing usually ends around 2 or 3 PM, and there are no classes afterward. Doesn’t your mom pick you up at 5?”
Qiao Qingyu found herself tempted. After a day of deliberation on Thursday, she finally decided to tell Sun Yinglong she had changed her mind.
“That’s more like it,” Sun Yinglong said with a reassuring smile. “Here, borrow my point-and-shoot camera. Don’t just hide away reading tomorrow – take pictures of your classmates and the scenery!”
On the day of the outing, the small camera hung around Qiao Qingyu’s neck like a slightly heavy lock. To honor Sun Yinglong’s kindness, she forced herself to stay present, observing the people and scenery around her instead of retreating into her thoughts as usual. She raised the camera at appropriate moments, initially worried about accidentally meeting Mingsheng’s eyes. However, she soon realized her concern was unfounded – Mingsheng had disappeared with some basketball team members, reportedly joining the first-year class 6 group.
That was Su Tian’s class. Behind her, Qiao Qingyu overheard Deng Meixi and Guan Lan discussing how Su Tian’s family was funding the renovation of the school gymnasium, their voices filled with disdain.
“She thinks money can buy everything,” Deng Meixi grumbled, kicking pebbles as they walked. “She might as well carry a megaphone to broadcast how close she is to Mingsheng.”
“Well, they are close now,” Guan Lan stated bluntly.
“She’s close with all the boys on the basketball team,” Deng Meixi teased. “And any girl willing to bow down to her.”
“But think about it – doesn’t Su Tian come to our class more often?” Guan Lan pointed out. “Mingsheng rarely bothers to go downstairs to find her.”
“Whatever,” Deng Meixi sighed, though her mood seemed to lift. “Appearance-wise, she is pretty attractive – much prettier than Mumu.”
“That’s because she knows how to dress up and has money,” Guan Lan replied. “Besides, Mumu doesn’t need to impress Mingsheng. They’re already close friends.”
“I heard they haven’t talked in a while,” Deng Meixi said. “Mingsheng’s family even rented out their old house in Chaoyang New Village. He doesn’t plan on going back there anymore.”
“Come on, they have phones now,” Guan Lan retorted. “And Mumu is about to take her college entrance exams. She doesn’t have time to maintain friendships. Of course, Mingsheng won’t go back if the house is rented out. You think they’re like girlfriends who need to be together all the time?”
Deng Meixi playfully shoved Guan Lan, laughing, “Are you saying I’m always clinging to you?”
“Aren’t you?” Guan Lan chuckled. “You can’t live without me!”
The two burst into laughter before proceeding to imitate Su Tian’s overly sweet, drawn-out way of calling Mingsheng’s name.
“Do you think Mingsheng falls for that?” Deng Meixi asked.
“Men’s love stems from either a desire to protect or to conquer,” Guan Lan explained confidently. “Su Tian wants to be the queen bee among girls and throws herself at Mingsheng. That probably doesn’t interest him at all.”
“He’s more likely to be attracted to a girl who seems fragile but is stronger than him,” Guan Lan continued after a pause. “Like you – small, cute, and delicate, but with excellent grades he can’t surpass.”
Deng Meixi playfully hit her, and their banter shifted away from Mingsheng. Qiao Qingyu recalled last year’s events: Su Tian’s deliberate mistreatment and Deng Meixi’s public accusations, all revolving around Mingsheng. Now, Deng Meixi freely discussed Mingsheng behind her back, ignoring Qiao Qingyu’s presence. It was clear they no longer associated her with Mingsheng.
At lunchtime, the group settled in a relatively open area atop the mountain. Qiao Qingyu found a quiet corner and sat alone, reviewing the photos on her camera. Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder – it was Jiang Nian.
The two hadn’t spoken privately since the start of the school year, and Qiao Qingyu had assumed their fragile friendship had ended. Jiang Nian’s unexpected appearance left her feeling slightly uncomfortable.
“You haven’t changed your name?” Jiang Nian asked, bending down with a smile.
Qiao Qingyu shook her head.
“Why aren’t you sitting with us?” Jiang Nian pointed to a nearby group. Following her gesture, Qiao Qingyu saw a cluster of students laughing and chatting around Sun Yinglong.
“Teacher Sun specifically asked me to call you over,” Jiang Nian said, tugging at Qiao Qingyu’s arm. “Come on, nobody thinks badly of you. Everyone has family issues. Why do you keep isolating yourself?”
While the logic was sound, the words made Qiao Qingyu uncomfortable. She smiled apologetically and briefly declined Jiang Nian’s invitation.
Jiang Nian looked at her helplessly. “Well, I’ll head back then. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask me.”
After Jiang Nian left, Qiao Qingyu sighed with relief, but her mood sank uncontrollably. She realized she still cared about others’ opinions, despite her efforts to be independent and detached.
After lunch, it was time for the group photo. As everyone settled into place, Qiao Qingyu waited until the last moment before squeezing in at the edge, tilting her head to peek out from behind the many hands making V-signs. Just as the photographer counted “1, 2, 3,” she felt a sudden gust behind her as someone skidded to a stop, nearly knocking her over.
In her scramble to maintain balance, the camera clicked three times, and everyone shouted “Cheese!”
“Wow, you remembered to come back!” she heard Chen Shen shout from behind her.
Qiao Qingyu immediately guessed who it was, but couldn’t stop herself from turning around. As her eyes met Mingsheng’s, she felt a volcano erupt inside her.
“We’re getting out early. Want to go karaoke?” Chen Shen asked, slinging an arm over Mingsheng’s shoulder. “I’ve asked you so many times, you’ve got to give in eventually.”
“Sure,” Mingsheng replied, his voice unusually loud, easily reaching Qiao Qingyu’s ears as she walked away. “Let’s invite Deng Meixi too.”
“I saw an eagle,” Qiao Qingyu told Wang Mumu that evening when asked about the trip.
Wang Mumu paused, then probed, “Wasn’t it fun?”
“It was,” Qiao Qingyu smiled. “The eagle’s soaring was captivating.”
Confused, Wang Mumu asked, “What are you trying to say?”
“Eagles are probably the freest creatures in the world,” Qiao Qingyu mused. “At the mountaintop, I realized I wasn’t far from a soaring eagle.”
“What happened up there?”
“An eagle appeared out of nowhere, swooping low several times. Everyone screamed and scattered, but I wasn’t nervous at all,” Qiao Qingyu explained. “Seeing its powerful wings was exhilarating.”
Wang Mumu set down her pen. “Is that all?”
“Yes.”
“Eagles are predators,” she said, resuming her vocabulary practice. “It probably felt you were invading its territory and wanted to attack.”
“No,” Qiao Qingyu shook her head. “It was simply flaunting its power.”
As she spoke, Mingsheng’s words “Let’s invite Deng Meixi” echoed in her mind. She found it ridiculous that she cared enough to ponder his true intentions all afternoon. He enjoyed flitting between girls, basking in their attention, as carefree as a wild predator. Let him be, she thought.
“Do you think eagles are solitary?” Qiao Qingyu asked, lost in her chaotic thoughts.
“I don’t know much about that,” Wang Mumu replied absently, turning a page in her notebook.
“Do you think they feel lonely?”
“Loneliness is a philosophical concept, a human trait,” Wang Mumu said. “Eagles aren’t human.”
“Eagles are lonely,” Qiao Qingyu suddenly felt melancholic. “Even with freedom and strength, it doesn’t help. Every eagle is lonely.”
Wang Mumu stopped writing and ruffled Qiao Qingyu’s hair. “Girl, if you keep being so cryptic and melancholic, I’ll think you’re talking about something else.”
“Like what?”
“Mingsheng.”
Qiao Qingyu froze, and Wang Mumu laughed.
“Just tell me what happened between you two today.”
“Nothing.”
“All right,” Wang Mumu shrugged. “You might fool me, but you can’t fool yourself.”
It was just a second of eye contact, hardly worth mentioning, Qiao Qingyu thought. She felt ashamed of dwelling on that glance and her fluttering heart.
“Although you rejected him long ago, I understand that feelings are complicated,” Wang Mumu said, her gaze unfocused. “If I were you, seeing him quickly interested in other girls wouldn’t make me happy either.”
“I don’t understand him anymore,” she continued, looking at Qiao Qingyu with exasperation. “I feel like everything I thought I knew about him was wrong. He’s becoming a smug, vain, shallow playboy. His family is impressive but low-key, yet he’s completely forgotten his grandfather’s teachings! Smoking, drinking, flirting with multiple girls! How is he any different from those second-rate guys outside school?”
Wang Mumu’s description of Mingsheng was overly harsh, but Qiao Qingyu found it oddly satisfying.
“You haven’t lost anything. Don’t feel regret,” Wang Mumu said earnestly, taking Qiao Qingyu’s hand. “A girl’s true feelings should be saved for the one who’ll stay with her till the end, the one who’s truly worthy.”
Qiao Qingyu pursed her lips noncommittally.
“I used to think we three could be good friends, but now I think we need to distance ourselves from him,” Wang Mumu added. “We don’t want him introducing us to those second-rate guys.”
This was an overreaction, Qiao Qingyu thought. Mingsheng wouldn’t wait for them to act; he had already silently distanced himself from Chaoyang New Village and the pitiful girls associated with it.
Because he was an eagle. His freedom, grace, and courage would make everyone forgive his carefree lifestyle.