Chapter 9 (2/2)

“Chen Nian, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that you had to see such ugliness and cruelty at such a young age. I’m sorry that you had to discover at such a young age, that justice doesn’t always exist, that justice doesn’t always prevail. The world is frequently unfair, and we are often powerless to change the unfair ways of the world. However, I still hope that you will not lose hope in society, and that you will not lose hope in humanity.”

Chen Nian continued eating her waffle, choosing not to respond to Zheng Yi.

“Acts that benefit oneself often conflict with acts that benefit others.” Zheng Yi continued, “But, if we choose to do the wrong thing, we would gradually lose all hope in society. When I was growing up, people often said that one would slowly lose oneself in one’s environment, and that my idealistic thinking would gradually fade with time. At that time, I was terribly unconvinced by their words, and I silently made a pact to myself – that I would not cave in to societal pressure, that I would not transform into a person I dislike.”

“Chen Nian, don’t be influenced or affected by them. Don’t transform into a worse person simply because of them.”

Still, Chen Nian gave no response to Zheng Y’s words. Having finished the waffle, she threw the plastic wrapper into the rubbish bin. Zheng Yi showed no signs of displeasure or unhappiness. Instead, a gentle smile formed on his lips, and gently patted Chen Nian on the head. Chen Nian raised her head, her gaze slightly forlorn and lost.

Upon reaching the entrance of the school, Zheng Yi asked, “Is there anything else bothering you?”

Chen Nian shook her head.

“Go on then.”

As it was cla.s.s time, the school compound was empty and quiet. Chen Nian turned back, and saw Zheng Yi still standing at the school entrance. Zheng Yi gave Chen Nian a small, short wave before walking off.

After Chen Nian told Zheng Yi about the bullying incidents that happened in school, he took the initiative to look for those girls in private and talked to them. Chen Nian wasn’t sure whether the girls truly understood their mistakes, but at the very least, they no longer hara.s.sed and tormented her. Now, Chen Nian could simply stay in her quiet corner and focus on her studies.

As she walked past the bulletin board, the notice that was counting down to the final examinations jumped out at her. 45 days left.

After her examinations, she would have plenty of time on her hands; as she no longer had to attend school on a regular basis, she could take up taekwondo lessons. Once she filled in her university application form, she would b free to return to her mum’s side – however, before she made her escape, she would buy the nice cup she saw in the gift shop as a present for Zheng Yi, as a reminder to drink more water.

That day, after school had ended, Chen Nian went to the gift shop once again. The gift shop had newly stocked a variety of cups, and was of better quality than the one Chen Nian had originally picked out. Of course, the price was more expensive as well. After some thought, Chen Nian felt that the protection and care which Zheng Yi offered her is not something that could be repaid with a single cup. However, all she could offer him was a cup; she wasn’t able to afford anything more expensive than that.

Walking out of the gift shop, Chen Nian was surprised to see that Zheng Yi was already waiting for her at the entrance of the school. Chen Nian hurriedly ran over to his side. His back was facing her, and he gaze was fixed on the horde of students streaming out of the school compound. Chen Nian hesitated for a moment, before finally deciding to poke his back.

Zheng Yi turned back, and broke into a smile the moment he saw Chen Nian.

Chen Nian’s brows were furrowed together, and her gaze filled with questions; Zheng Yi understood Chen Nian’s confusion, and explained, “I managed to get off work on time today.”

The two of them began the journey to Chen Nian’s home.

Zheng Yi asked, “Since I finally have some time on hand, what would you like to have for dinner tonight?”

Chen Nian didn’t want Zheng Yi to incur additional expenses, and replied, “There’s some……noodles at home.” After some thought, she added, “Let’s eat……noodles to……together.”

Chen Nian was, in her own way, trying her best to repay Zheng Yi and invite him over to her house. Momentarily stunned, Zheng Yi was at a loss of words; however, he quickly recovered and rubbed his hair awkwardly whilst shyly smiling at Chen Nian, “That works too.”

As they neared Chen Nian’s house, Chen Nian pondered over whether she ought to head to the supermarket to purchase some vegetables – after all, they couldn’t possibly eat their noodles without any toppings. Just then, Zheng Yi’s mobile phone rang. Zheng Yi answered the call. As the conversation progressed, Zheng Yi’s brows began furrowing together. Finally, he said, “I’ll come over now.”

An extremely gruesome case had occurred, and Zheng Yi was required to rush over immediately. Chen Nian said, “Just go ahead, I……I don’t have school……..tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.”

Since Zheng Yi had already left, Chen Nian no longer intended to purchase any vegetables.

When Chen Nian was a mere two streets away from her house, she suddenly saw Wei Cai appear before her. Although Zheng Yi had been sending her to and fro from school the past few days, Chen Nian’s wariness had not diminished in the slightest – as such, Chen Nian began sprinting in the opposite direction the very moment she spotted Wei Cai.

The hunt began in the alley.

Bicycles, pedestrians, vehicles, roadside stalls – n.o.body knew what the young student was running from, what she was hiding from; neither will they give any thought to what the group of students chasing after her were going to inflict upon her. The youthful girls were like a breeze that rushed past them, leaving absolutely no traces behind.

Rus.h.i.+ng out of the alley, Chen Nian ran onto the main road, nearly getting knocked over by a car in the process. The driver of the car hurriedly stepped on his brakes, and wound down his window to holler at her, “Are you courting death?!”

Chen Nian looked back. Wei Cai and her group of friends had begun crossing the road – they had absolutely no intention of abandoning the chase.

Chen Nian hurried crawled up, and staggered away. She ran into a small and old condominium, only to find that the backdoor had been locked!

Chen Nian stared at the backdoor, the despair and shock evident in her eyes. Breathing heavily, Chen Nian rushed to the door and started shaking it vigorously. However, the heavy metal door refused to budge.

Innumerable mosquitoes were dancing in the nearby rubbish pile. Behind her, Chen Nian could hear the voices of Wei Cai and her group of friends growing ever closer. Without a second thought, Chen Nian dived into the rubbish bin.

The stench was overwhelmingly powerful. Chen Nian used her hands to cover her mouth and her nose. The heat of the summer caused her entire uniform to be drenched in her sweat.

Just now, Chen Nian had been overly preoccupied with running; thus, the feelings of fear and worry were temporarily forgotten. Now, Chen Nian had to pay the price. Fear was like a bug – it wormed into her every single pore, and gnawed at every single part of her body.

“F***, where’s that bi***?!”

“Did she run to the back of the east block?”

“Bi***! F***, she better not give me an opportunity to lay my hands on her!”

A few rats squirmed out of the rubbish pile, and squeaked at Chen Nian. With their small black eyes warily focused on Chen Nian, they carefully inched to her feet. Frightened out of her wits, Chen Nian stared at them with widened eyes. Both her hands were tightly clamped to her mouth, and she still refused to make a single sound.

Her sweat poured down like rain and flowed into her eyes, causing her eyes to sting in pain.

Her sweaty legs were stuck together. The mosquitoes and houseflies were feeding on her pale, skinny legs.

Suddenly, Chen Nian thought of Hu Xiao Die. Like everybody else, she too, had turned a blind eye to the bullying and torture inflicted on Hu Xiao Die. Now, she suffered the same fate as Hu Xiao Die – n.o.body could ‘see’ the bullying and torture inflicted on her, and n.o.body would try to stand up for her.

After a long period of time, when a deathly silence had descended on Chen Nian’s surroundings, Chen Nian mustered her remnant energy and crawled out from the rubbish bin. She was totally drenched, as though she had been scooped up from a river.

Chen Nian slowly trudged through the alley, as though she was a soulless zombie. She didn’t dare to return home; neither did she dare to walk on the roads which she usually travelled.

The familiar scent of bread caught her attention. She raised her head, and saw the familiar b.u.mpy and rough walls surrounding the steel rolling mill, the rusty emergency stairwell, and the window which that youth had clambered over previously. The setting sun hung low in the sky, partially illuminating the world with its weak rays of suns.h.i.+ne.

The aroma of the freshly baked bread caused her stomach to grumble in hunger. With great effort, she crawled up the b.u.mpy walls, and climbed onto the narrow cement ledge. She tugged at the window, but it was locked.

Exhausted, Chen Nian sat herself down on the narrow cement ledge. Any slight movement from Chen Nian could easily result in her falling from the cement ledge – however, it was of little use to her, as the fall would not result in her death; instead, it would only cause her to break her legs.

The night breeze helped to dry the layer of sweat on Chen Nian’s body. As the setting sun shone on her grimy face, Zheng Yi’s words suddenly flashed before her, “I hope that you will not lose hope in society, and that you will not lose hope in humanity.”

With a blank expression on her face, Chen Nian mechanically opened her mouth. After some time, she managed to squeak out a single word, “Please……”

As the sun continued to set, the sky gradually began to darken. The light bulbs in the numerous shops began to light up one after the other – Kacha, Kacha. The scent of freshly baked bread drifted past Chen Nian, again and again. However, Bei Ye’s light never lit up.

Chen Nian was akin to a homeless spirit hovering outside Bei Ye’s window.

She carefully p.r.o.nounced each and every word, and slowly practiced that single sentence, “Please……”

There were innumerable mosquitoes in the summer night, and they stung Chen Nian’s arms, legs, neck, and face. However, Chen Nian remained entirely focused on practicing that single sentence, “Please……”

The sky had, by now, darkened entirely, and flashes of lightning streaked across the black night sky. Finally, Chen Nian heard the shutter door clang open with a loud noise. The very next moment, dim light emanated from within.

Raising her head, she quietly stared at the window.

There were numerous sounds originating from the house – Chen Nian could hear the sc.r.a.ping of the chair against the floor and the fan being turned on; she could hear the toilet door being kicked open, the sound of somebody peeing, and the subsequent flush of the toilet bowl…

After what seemed like a century, the sharp and skinny shadow of the youth finally appeared behind the curtains of the window. As the youth opened the curtains, the warm, golden light pierced the darkness of the night and bathed Chen Nian in its yellow glow.

Bei Ye stared at her, astounded and speechless.

Chen Nian didn’t stutter – without a single pause in her speech, she pleaded, “Please protect me.”